£ifcsj 
 
 'it's:.-* 
 
 1 
 
15 
 
 is. 
 
 o 
 
 f 
 
 is. 
 
 -is- 
 

 1 1 
 
 ■1 5 
 
 ~ g 
 
J 45 1° * -? I s~ 
 
 E° •'E.£'S^ .*. r E__2 
 
 !.*■ .«§ r, 
 
 in 
 
 1 B 
 
 a < 
 
 1 . 
 
 .1 I 
 
 Hill 
 
 2 Sjq "g 
 
 1|| 
 
 so w £ 5 
 
 8 § £ K * 
 
 5 T3 Z, ;g 
 
 
 5 .i b 
 
 .■2 I *' 
 
 •g -e 2 E."S 
 
 "■§J:a 
 II J 1.1 
 
 M "S- S*T2 § 
 
 "■S6 MO 
 
 S "3 >2 5 -tt 
 
 |B.lriisi 
 
 *! 3 
 I filial 
 
 2- t . 
 
 S -c 
 
 » ■ S j 
 
 ""£ "Si' 
 
 .5 ? v - < 
 
 I J^t^e,|.|I ^ I slip's s ll'*2--5 
 
 
 2 ■*= 
 
 c H 
 
 •5 i "a Jig b §.£ 
 
 •c .3 C ~ 
 
 "^ 3 "5 B "S O 
 
 &&8 E-of 
 
 "S *s £ .» ■£ "2 E'jjirl § a * g.-s^a 
 
 ~ -c £ s s rs c s -s ^-^ -= o 'S .»> Ji ° 
 
 ° fl 
 
 e = "-S -= 
 
 5 l- 
 
 2 i- 
 
 
 <*/VX 
 
 
 «^2 
 
 C\ 
 
 
 i 
 
 . *§■■ 
 
 ^ 5 &« jr 
 
 is-ifl 
 
 S ft*? 
 
 * s 
 
 -sis 
 
 
 ft 
 
 5 rs 
 
 3 c r_ 
 
 K 1 * 1 
 
 _i. : jn ■*■ w 
 
 ^ JJ _ t , ^ „ ^ 
 
 c w o n o c - 13 
 
 oJs, J -8 Sli „ 1 -S . 'Fft 
 
 ■IsfS^ll- 2. c t-t!|fll ■IfiSjsJE.sl f •>•! 
 
 9 i §• t -^ ^° "3 ? 
 
 ■S «- r 
 
 S B g 
 
 
 « J= Ji °. S £ > °,-a 
 
 M 
 
 H" 3 E H = 
 
 
 <— ■ S «? 2 
 
 L 8 ° "§ 
 
 i^ "5 . 5 ■>• 
 
 Sl^-s 
 
 '■2 5 
 
I. Jr | 
 
 V. a 
 
 I * ? * g fi 
 
 s w a 
 
 
 iiyilPIIIff Hlf-Mi; &r&M§£* gnu 
 
 '4.%* § ?■§■ ^SS-g^JN ss-Ss-r. : 
 
 c |t;§ srs|s 5.2^5. , si.sr5!S : s»?>rlii.as2i ?! 
 
 ft- g 6ii 
 
 t» •* ? «" !> 
 5 SS "^ ? If §> ^ 2,3. a- « s-o- B Eg ■ S. S' £ & P I S.J B"P »• I. f 1 
 
 t« cr J? 3 a 3. g. * - 
 
 3" 3 
 
 ■■ =. 2 2 **" £ u. w ~= 
 
 o^f fa.5^ 
 
 = <3 S. 2 -■ 
 
 C 'Z 
 
 re «aS »- j 
 
 
 « I ^ I ?Di !» ^ ft- S 1 
 ?. £ * 3» 5 flt 8» 5* S ST iw 5" " s = 5. ? ™ 3 3 s * 
 
 " re Z t 
 
 \v 
 
 *>v 
 
 *- » 
 
 *+ + 
 
 <M$; >f y~^*<:c 
 
 1*3 « 
 » g" B» s 
 
 f * ? ? 
 <j i_-^ 2. 
 
 EL-''' 3 o P" 
 tr " ° i-i 
 ? S S- 
 
 Si? 
 
 « 3^ 
 
 I? 
 
 3 5-S 
 
 *3 5 3 5 s 
 
 3 s s» 
 
 If III 
 
 ~,cra >— c 
 
 r» n 3" C" rv. 
 
 St 
 
 § p 
 
 o 
 
 E 1 j, 
 
 o o 
 
 ft-S 
 2 <« 
 
 
 IS 
 
 5 a,* 
 'Mi 
 
 r:;S = =:i 
 
 3 u -. i — re - 
 
 5. g> - S. 3T = 5 
 
 S-fJIs*^ 
 
 s S 
 
 s a ^5- fcs; 
 
 it? pIpie 
 
 on cr 
 
 S- 2' 
 
 P a ► 
 
 2.- < l^i 
 
 ft- " "■ jrw « 
 
 (i i; S 6q '§ 5. 
 
 re 5 i -c c 
 
 » - 
 
 S ft- re 
 
 m 
 
 3 e 5 
 
 i _'. 3* 
 
 — o - 
 
 ™ n K. a 
 
 <TS K - 
 
 u ; u< - 
 ft-5'o.S < 
 
 •t, » 
 
 
 ^«^ a "0 M a ;iiS-'< ft- H 5-^ 
 
 ifiriii <rp^=l UtrLs'!!:' ' ? 
 
 p--lfg*2=^ rS.Ffig-Er Bfrfl^^lfr* » 
 
 0"5oE.-<£ ^IrwJS.sS P.S?frSf„* 3 
 
 K'l|.f|i l^^^f MrisB*!* I 
 
 l-^B-ffcrl rsil-sl-gS: sf'S-llo^i S 
 
 fift!f! Si}j|i2;i I|#li"il J-F 
 
 3 a 
 
 s ° ^ S-, 
 
 ft- = ~.(jS 5, 5 ^ 
 0-0 31 * " 
 
 -ft- ^ 
 
 c 8 er 
 
 ? ♦ 5" w 
 -. E: •« ^ < 
 B- = I . g- §: s. " a 
 
 ^.i ^P-a'^"? 
 
 3- o 
 
 K'-S ?- £•£,= ^S 5'ft.g 
 
 E & 3 =;.; = :;- = 
 
 2 o 2. " S - &■ 2 *3 ™ 
 
 " -=s.i &S 
 
 a s 5 s 
 & "-fa 4 
 
 I I ; 
 

 sst-j 
 
 !-&r*3-*i33 
 
 — : o 
 
 51 ^*tJS3Ht3fiP fsf^il'iil-ta-ilfl Sl5*il-&9'|»-5«"*1i' S IL13.5 
 
 5 ? i 
 
 5 i * -J? £ ^ * 
 
 J? £ s o, t i u 2p :? — = g « 
 
 
 
 3 3—5°,, 
 
 11 s 5 fjfJil'IJ I 
 
 1-J'l 
 
I||ilir?-S 
 
 SfrE-il HJf*' - |-l IS-ffSf^B-IS- M = is-- M. 'S S|!?5 J Sir Hi-fi' ** 
 
 Hi »■ p n *i .«■ b-- f ' •? fi "it 
 
 " 3 8- 
 
 5 CT 
 
 * " "t"3 9 fe * ? * ? * f * £*£■* t * S * £ ™ ? ' 
 
 |il! 1 4 I ittftfg! EfifiN ! ml as* iUSi i if 8 If i|Vi 
 
 rlllrlllj | ff|||l|n Ifflpl!l!ll!!llll|Lll IlMfS* 
 
 
 
 * * r 
 
THE 
 
 NULLITY 
 
 ^ of'the 
 
 PRETENDED-ASSEMBLY 
 
 Ac Saint 
 
 tJ &£ § %EJ¥S& ( DV -&Q) 88: 
 
 Wherein are contained, 
 
 The %eprefentatian for Adjournment, 
 the Trotejiation &%eajom tkerof. 
 
 Together Vihh 
 
 A R b vi e vv and 'Bk*$ln*fi*n of the Vind icatiok 
 
 of the laid P.Assembly. Hereunto is -fubjoyned the folemn 
 
 Acknowledgment of Sins* tnd Engagement lo '£>*tiesjxfrte 
 
 and t?kaV by the NobHity, Gentry, Burroughs, Mini- 
 
 flry, and Commonalty, *n the year i 648. when 
 
 the Gov e n A n t was Renewed 
 
 mthfundry other Papers, related unto in the for ef aid Rkvi b w« 
 
 ^? 
 
 Printed in the Yeer, 1^51% 
 
##+#**♦#*##♦♦#♦+♦**** 
 
 "D Eader? We babe here $bfer»ed ftfne fe% Efcapes of 'the frefs : fome 
 ■**- more grofs Errors thou Wilt find in the V'\i\&\czx\oxi> for which ^neither 
 the Printer, nor tbeje wboga^e bim tbe Copy can be blamed : for tbe truth is y 
 a Letter Was Written to tbe Moderator of tbe late p .Ajftmbly at Edinburgh, 
 defiringa perfetf Copy of tbe Vindication, by Which any Error in that Copy 
 wbicb bad come to our bands, might bd1>e been corrected : And in that fame 
 Letter there was defired a copy of the l{tngs Letter to the p. Afjembly at St. 
 Andrews, Mtb the Cornmijfioners Speech {feeing tbe Vindication doth refer 
 to tbefe, although it bath been f pre ad alone, and tbefe copies f^ept up ) bat to 
 neither tfthefc de fires was there any anfwer returned, 
 
 EWATA; 
 
 p.\gc 4, for nonf$rmifls,Y^dnonconformifts. vig.jffrbom, r. therein* 
 •*• f. tenents, r.tenets. pag.8. € toofharp-figbted^v. to be &c. pag.i K. £ 
 toay> r* nay. pa£.i7, {.required, ttbeingrequired. paR.30. 1. 2?. r. *>mcb 
 feemetb. pag.27. 1. 1, r. Gentleman, pag. ?8. r. as for and ibid. I* 29. r 
 no evil before tbem in. pa^.59.1.13. f.tben,x.Wben. pag.6*. r . tbefe after 
 tgainjl : ib\<kt~.accept, r. except : ibid, r.patiar f. patior i ibid. r. defections 
 f.defertions.pzz.6 f ♦ r. for, after why , pir.67.r. Quaries- f. Tresbyteries, 
 r. Prelacies, pag. 170. 1.8. r.men, and this. ibid. J. 9, r. as appears, p. 17 e. 
 

 TO THE 
 
 GHR ISTI AN-READER 
 
 Chriftian-Reader, 
 
 Hdt thou mdje(i with understanding read 
 this Book % *nd the Debates cwtuntd there- 
 in 5 Thou drt to take notice ^thAt in the yedr 
 1 65 1, in the month of r July, many of the 
 Cemmifsiomrs from Presbyteries meeting 
 At St. Andre ws* did proceed to conjlitute 
 themselves iuto^and todft as a General Afembly of the Kirk 
 * a/Scotland t, AgAinJl the conflttution of 'which Aflembly^ fun* 
 dry $f the Minijlcrs who had formerly born t eft imony dgdinfl 
 the employing And intruding of the U align Ant party, with the 
 Cau/e and Kingdom, did enter a public^ Protection in wri- 
 ting, fubfcribed by their hands as mt being a free And lawful 
 
 GenerAl Ajjembly : within a fern weeks thereafter one ( as It 
 fccmsofttrofeProtcflers) did pen a ?aper y for ' jirengthning 
 and c leering the grounds of that Protection , And taking off 
 juch objeffiom as dre ufuaSy made again/l the fame. In An- 
 fwertoboththefe, a Member ( as I take it ofthdt^Afiem* 
 hly At St. Andrews) dtd within few months after write a 
 Treatife intitnled, a Vindication of the freedom and UwfuU ~J 
 nefs^ and fo of the Authotitte of the General dffewbly met 
 at St. Andrews, &c» To which Ireatife tn the month of 
 M* v laft , there was a Reply written, bedring the namejf the 
 Nullity of the Ajjembly at St. Andrews; o)\ A Review of a 
 Vindication &c. which doth fet down and make Anfwer unto 
 that Vindication by Parcels and Setftons. All theje four are 
 
 A 2 now 
 
To the Chriftian Readcn 
 
 nw iffirci to Thee in this Boo^ and in that $rder in 
 which the j were fir (I penned, to wit , The trot eft ation a- 
 gainft the ^Meeting At St. Andrews in thefirft fUce . the 
 Xeafonsfor lengthening and cleering thereof in the (econd 
 flace •, the Vindication And the Review thereof together in 
 la)} place. There Are aI(o added Jome other Papers upon the 
 hy\ for clearing of [ome things in the debate.. The LORD 
 gtve unto Thee a fpirit of judgment and under ft andm^ in 
 reading that T hou may ft $udge true and righteous fudg* 
 mt»t 9 Qondemningthe GmltJ)* n d ah[olving the Inmcent* J 
 
 UNTO 
 
 
(0 
 
 UNTO THE 
 
 MODERATOR. & BRETHREN 
 
 Affcmfalcd at St, Andrews. 
 
 The bumble RefrefentAtion and Def.re of the Minivers ef the 
 C] e fpe lender fttkfcri (ted. 
 
 ; Mongft the many fad tokens of tk@ lords indig- 
 nation and wrath againft this Church, the pre- 
 fers unhappy differences of His Servants of 
 the Miniftry is locked upon by Us,and We be- 
 leeve by all the Godly of the Land, as one of 
 the greateft : And as We hold it a Duty lying 
 upon U j to be deeply humbled before thf Lord 
 in the fence thereof,and in our Stations andCallings to endeavor by 
 all lawful and fair means the remedy and removal of the fame; To 
 We acknowledge a free Gen. Atfembly, lawfully calle'd,and rightly 
 COnftitUte, and meeting together in the Spirit of the Lord JefuS 
 Chrift, and proceeding with Meeknefs and Love according to the 
 Rule of His Word a and Conftltutions of this Church,to ( be amongft 
 the rirft and moil effectual Remedies appointed of God, for attain- 
 ing of thefe ends. Therefore conndering that the LleeTivm of 
 Comminioners for the AHembly hath been in many places limited 
 and prejudiced in the due hberty and freedom thereof, by the Let- 
 ter and Act. of the CommilTion of the hft Gen.Ademb'y, to Pr .-f- 
 byter es appointing'fuch as remain unfatisrled with, and bear tefti- 
 mony againft the Public k Refolutions, to be cited to the General 
 AlTembly,- which upon the natter, huh in many Presbyteries re- 
 ally obft ucTed the Eleclng off cb, 'hough other vvifemeji ofap- 
 proven abilitics 3 and confbnt f^ithfutaefs and zeal for t!u Work of 
 Reformation iince the bcgpniiig thereof: and that many Elections 
 are q' eftionabie, feme ss containing pcrfons not in a capacity to be 
 . choien by the A<3;s of this Church, and io&e as cos being made in 
 
 A $. _ a .due. 
 
a due order and nghc way; and chat many CommMionca of Prcf- 
 bycerfei and Burroughs are abfent, fome oFthem wanting free ac- 
 cefs, by reafon oftheEnglifh lying m the Country, and fome up- 
 on other impediments and occafions • And rcmembring that fuch 
 Reafon? have formerly had weight in point or Difculfion of the 
 va! d ty of fome Affembiics, and may ftill be looked upon as impor- 
 tant and weighty, by thefe who may happen not to be fatisfied in 
 thcirtoniueoces w th your proceedings. We did with aiJ humble 
 carneftnefs, and in the bowels of the Lord Jefus Chrift, defire and 
 befecch you for Truth and Peace lake ; and that further miftakes 
 anddiviiions may not be increafed unto the prejudice of the Lords 
 Work, and rejoycing of Enemies, and fadding the hearts of His 
 People, Thar the Diet of the Gen. Affembly may by the common 
 confe^t and advice of the Brethren now met together be adjour- 
 ned for fome competent time . and that by the fame mutual advice 
 and content it may be declared, That the Letter and Ad of the 
 Commilfion ought not to be any prejudice to thefe who remain 
 ■unfatisfied with the PublickRcfoiutions, why they may not be 
 chofen Commiffioners to the General Affembly ; And that fuch 
 Presbyteries as lhall think fit, may make their Elections of new a- 
 gain, efpecially thefe Presbyteries whofe Elections or Comroifli. 
 oners are queflionable, to whom we dcflre it earneftly to be reco- 
 • mended, that they would m an unanimous way make choice of men 
 of anproven abilities and integrity, and againft whom there can be 
 no exception by the Ac*s and Conlbtutions of this Church. And 
 in the bft place, We do humbly reprefent and defire, that in the 
 interval of time betwixt this and the Dyct, to which the Auembly 
 (hail be adjourned, there maybe a Solemn Publick Humiliation 
 throughout the Land, wherein God may be intreated to £hcvv us 
 why He contends wirh us, and to give light and clearing on all 
 hands concerning the prefent differences of judgment , and diftem- 
 pcrs of fpirit that are amongft us, that we may beef one mind.md 
 one heart, for the carrying on of the Work of God amoosftHis 
 People 5 And Your Wifdoms Anfwer. 
 
 Stibfcribedkjfundrj Aiwftfrstftke g§fftL 
 
 St. Andrews 
 
(3) 
 
 St. Andrews, fuljiS. 1631. 
 
 HOw gracious the Lord hath been to the Churcrf of Sett-- 
 Umd, in giving to her pure Ordinances, we troft fhail be 
 acknowledged by as whilcft we live, with thankfulncfs 
 to the Moft High, of whom we defire mercy and grace to 
 adhere unto the Doclnne, Worfliip, Difcipime and Government e- 
 ftabliiliedin this Land : Amqngft the many fad tokens of the Lords 
 Indignation againftthia Church, The prefent Differences of His 
 Servants of theMiniftry is looked upon by us as one of the greatcft; 
 And as we hold it a duty to be deeply humbled before the Lord in 
 the fence thereof, and by all lawful and fair means within the com- 
 pafs of our power and ftation to endeavor the remedy thereof ; fo 
 we do ackdowiedge a free General Aflcmbly, lawfully called, and 
 rigbtJy conftauted, and proceeding with meeknefs and love in the 
 Spirit of the Lord } cms Chrift, according to the Rule of the Word, 
 and the Acts and Conftitutions of this Church, to be smongfl the 
 firft and raoft effectual means appointed of God, for attaining this 
 tnd> and for preserving the purity,and advancing the power or the 
 Work of Reformation m this Age, and tranfrmtting the fame to 
 ourPofterity, and to the Ages and Generations that are tocome. 
 But as the faithful Servants of God in this Church in former times, 
 did byHis good Hand upon them in the right adminiftration of free 
 and lawful AffemblieSjbring the Work oi Reformation in SsstUnk 
 unto a great perfeclion^nd neer conformity with the firft pattern : 
 So, unfaithful men minding their own things more then the things \ 
 of Chrift, and ufurping over their Brethren and over the Lords In- 
 heritance, did deface the be? uty thereof, firft by encroaching upon 
 the liberty and freedom of Atfemblies ; afterwards by taking away 
 the Allcmbly themfelves. The rforc^rcmembring the many bonds 
 and obligations that Jic upon us before the Lord, and being deiirous 
 to be found faithful in this day ot temptation, and to exoner our 
 "~ , * «~ '- ' con-. 
 
(4) 
 consciences as in Kis fight, and to avoid acccfllon to that guiltinefs 
 in which many have involved themfe vet, and conceiving that th s 
 r j A ting is not a free lawful Gen. Aflembly of the Church 
 
 x&$G9tfond± in regard that the Election of CommjlHoncrs to the 
 th been pre limited and prejudiced in the due liberty and 
 freedom thereof by a Letter and A'tof the Comrnifiioners of the 
 hit Gen Alfembly tent to Pre>bytcries appointing fuch B ethren as 
 after co: fei ence remain urfatisficd with,and continue to oppofe the 
 PubHck Rcfo'.uiions, to be cited to the General Aflembly ,• And in 
 regard that Commiliioiers from many Burroughs and Presbytnes 
 areubfent, as wanting free acce;s, ^y reafon of the motion of the 
 . ; and in regard that many of the CommifTioners of the for- 
 mer Ane by, who have carried on a courfe of defection, contrary 
 to th.* trull coinm tted to them s and who in their Remonftrances 
 and Paper* have ftrred up the Civil Magiftmte againlt fuch who 
 are un fat. shed in their consciences with their proceedings, and who 
 lave by their Letter and Act prelimited the Aflembly, are aduit- 
 ted to fit and vote as Members of the AfTembly, and their Modera- 
 tor appointed to be Moderator of the A'fembly, notw thltindmg 
 that ttmous exception was made againlt them, that they ought not 
 to be admitted is Members of the A:Iemb!y, until their proceedings 
 were firtt tried and approven by the Aflembly ; And in regard that 
 his Ma/eiry by his Letter, and his Mije!*iesCommiffioner by his 
 Speech to the A fcmbly hath incited co hard courfe* againlt thofe 
 who are unlatched in their confeiences with the proceedings of the 
 Comrriifflon. Before tbefe proceedings be tried and approver! by 
 the Aflembly it felf. We do upon thefe and many other important 
 grounds and Reafons to be propounded and given in, in time and 
 place convenient, proteit in the Name of the Church of Sc$tUnd % 
 and in our own Names and in the Name of all Minifl:ers,Ruling-El- 
 ders and ProfeKors of this Church, who do, or fhall adhere to us a- 
 gainft the validity and Coiititution of this Aflembly, as not being 
 free and lawfu»,and that they may not arrogat nor aflume to them- 
 fclves any author ty, nor exercife any power or jurifdiction for de- 
 termining of Cont? overfies, making of Act<, emitting of Declarati* 
 on?, fudging of Protections or Appeals or proceedings of Synods 
 or inferior Judicatures, or cenfuring of Pe fons or Papers, or lfluing 
 of' om nillions of what foe verforr,to any persons wbatfoever^and 
 particularly we proccft, that they may not proceed unto the appro- 
 ving 
 
(5) 
 ving or ratifying of the proceedings of the former CommiffioS,hol 
 only becaufe of their want of juft power and authors ty-fo todo 3 hut 
 alfo becauiethcieiproceedings coocti • many things contrary to the 
 truft committed to thefe Commuiioners, especially the allowing 
 and carrying on of a conjunction with the Malignant party s and 
 bringing them in to places of Power and Truft in the Army , and in 
 the Judicatures, contrary to the Word of God, the Solemn League 
 and Covenant* the Solemn Cor femon of bins and Engagement to 
 Duties, the conftant tenour of the Dedaraiions,Warn?r]gs,Remon- 
 ftnncef, Ctufcs of Humiliations, Letters, Supplications and Acl^ 
 and Confutations of this Church, arid the laying of a Foundation 
 for the Civil Magiftrate to meddle with Mimfters in thofe things 
 which concern their Dodtrin and the exercifeof Minifterial Duties 
 before they be cited, tried and cenfuredby the Judicatories of the 
 Church. , And wff proteft that whatfoever Determinations, Acts, 
 Ratifications, Declarations, Sentences, Cenfures ot CommiiTions 
 that fhall be made, or given out by them, rmy be void and null,and 
 may be interpreted as binding to the Church of Scotl*nd 7 and that 
 notwithftanding thereof it may be free for us,and fuch as adhere to 
 us, to excrcife our Minifterie, and enjoy the warrantable Chriftian 
 liberty of our confeiences according to the Word of God,the Nati- 
 onal Covenant,and Solemn League and Covenant, and Solemn En» 
 gagement to Duties, and all the Acls and Conftitution* of this 
 Church ; and that there may be liberty to'chufe Commiffioners, 
 and to convecn in a free lawful General Aflembly, when there fhali 
 be need, and the Lord (hall give opportunity, and to add what fur- 
 ther Reafons fhall have weight for (hewing the nullify of this Af- 
 fcmbly H and the unwarrantablenefs of the proceedings of the Cora- 
 million of the former Affembly. And that thefc P efents may be 
 put upon Record by the Clerk in the Regefters of the Aflembly, to 
 be extant adf*tur*m rei mtmsredm, ani that we may have fub- 
 fcribed Extra&s thereof under the Clerks hand. 
 
 This 
 
(«; 
 
 &$%&$& 
 
 This following Paper was isciofed in a Letter fro r the < ord W^-' 
 W/?#«,to the Meeting at S.istindrcvet - } which Lettcc, although 
 ; it could not be gotten pi inted, yet we have published the in- 
 ' el -fed ; both,bccaufc it tcadrth very much to dear, That the 
 way oi protecting a^ainft every encroachment upon the liber- 
 ties of this Church, is no new dung , bat bath ee*i the con- 
 ft< t praftce of ou faithful PredecmHrs, from the beginning 
 of the work of Reformation : A id alio, beca'tift it doth con- 
 tai i a p*rtic«lar Teftimo y agai il the Ratification ofche Pa- 
 p^r, given by the Corn mixtion of c e Kirk, to the Par hme it, 
 anent the confinement of rhe Minifters of St Hfr% 3 and of all 
 other Papers prejudicial to the Covenant and Caafe of jefas 
 Chnft. 
 
 The Paper inch fed Within the L'tter } containing a T^Jrrttlton 
 
 cf feme former pretentions ; Vclth Mj frejem Protection 
 fub']9jned thereto* 
 
 ■'A Ncnt the Protcftation it may be rcmembred, that the.Do- 
 / / , % drine and Difcipline of the Kirk of Sc a t U« d, fworn to by 
 jLjL tnc Covcmnts,!s cicar ancnt th s R ght and Pi .vilcdge, ac- 
 knowledged even by King and Pariiamcnt,Tnait none of her 
 Paftors can be judged or troubled by Kin^, Couneel or Pit liament 
 for their preaching and Minifterial Durier, unlefs th* Aflembhes of 
 the Kirk, the on y co mpatent Judges thereof, had firft cited, tried 
 and cenfured them therefore, and had upon their di{ >bedienc* cra- 
 ved the concurrence of the Civd Magiftrate i for clearing whereof, 
 remember , that this having been mightily debated betwixt the 
 Kirk and the State, it was not only thereupon maintained and de- 
 clared by th* General AflTembty in 1 58 x. immediatiy after ratfy- 
 ing the Book of D fcipline, and f wearing the National Covenant ; 
 but al o is acknowledged by the King *nd the Couneel, in the Cafe 
 of Mr. welter TSAJcavijHe/, who h id been chal'e^ged for a Senmn 
 as fea'itious ; thereafter in the Atfembiy 1582. fahn Bury y being 
 challenged by King and Couneel for his Sermon, as fedit*ous ; and 
 being adrifed by his friends to retire $ andfeeking the Aflcmblies 
 
 adriie. 
 
m 
 
 advifc, feeing his Dodrine accsfed to the Councef, wis juftlned 
 by his Presbytery and Severn, he was directed to the Affembly, to 
 
 ' abide rather the charge ef Fleming and Caption, and give his tcfti- 
 rnony againft their Procedor^hen privatly t® ret; re- And the whol 
 Afferobly gives in their Grieviinces to the King, -and to the JEfiates, 
 complaining, that this the^r Frocedor is one erect -on of a Pcpedome 
 in the Kings Perfon, and a wronging of Jefos Chr-ft d-e od? King 
 of the Chut ch ( wherein the fpjpts of the Prophess are hhjz6t to 
 
 - the Prophets) and a confounding of the Spiritual and Temporal 
 JuriJdidion which God hath divided. Thereafter whea the fir ft 
 Ad of the Eighth Parliament 1584. giving power to the Kings 
 Counccl to enquire and cxamin anent thefe things, was proclamed ; 
 it was protefted againft by the Minifters of Eainkxrghjvi theNaoBC- 
 of the Kirk o£ Scotland, who ift. that hour of darknefs Was put to 
 Baniflicocnt ; and thereafter Mr. D*vid?Btak*y and Mr. Andrew 
 Melvi* 9 being cited for their Dodrine before the King and 'Gosn- 
 cel s declined from both, and entred a Preteftation, and in the Geo* 
 Affembly ^*w 1 5 87. the King & the Eftatcs in the cafe of M John 
 CoHper y and Mr. J Ames Giblen Ministers, acknowledged the Af- 
 fembly to be the only competent Judges, and deilres them to try, 
 and judge. And fuch like thereafter in the cafe ofJ*bn Re@<? m the 
 Affembly 159 V and the King and Parliament 1 5P 2 - in end of the 
 firft Ad, which is antnt Aflemblies Repealed the forefasd Ads 1 584 
 in fo far as they were pre'udicial to the Privi ledges, which God 
 hath given to his Spiritual Orfice- bearers. in His Church : The Al*» 
 fembhes 9 2. and 94 ? 95.9<5« gives meft free admonitions to the K:ng 
 and Eftate to abftain from fuch Procedcrs, left they commit High-. 
 Treafon againft Jef-is Cbnft the only Monarch ofHis Church, for 
 whenpthey bchoyed to fight by the Spiritual Armor, granted to 
 them of God.and potest in Him, for overthrowing all ftrong holds 
 and bulwatksrfet up againft His Kingdom ; amongft w.hxh \t was 
 a main one to have the freedom of rhe Spirit of God in the rebuke 
 of fin, reft aiued in the mouth of Kis Servants? and to cxdng'Ufti 
 the light which would ftiew the unkwfr Inefs of their proceeding, 
 and ftop ( Under the name of vicf 5 of ftrring upfedition and tumult) 
 the lib: ty of preach ; ng. When Mr.?^* Cmigy and Mr. Andrew 
 Melvm were thr^itaed for their Declinator and ireef pecch agairrft 
 the Ads 84. by Chince-cr A-rane at the CounceJ-Table with ftob- 
 ■bingj they in'ftaffit'y unicofed their Buttons, and laid 5 heir Breads 
 
(iV) 
 
 ©penandbire, faying, Theydurfl: receive, if he dnrft ftrikc ; and 
 then publckly fore old the j idgroent which God brought to pais 
 upon him fhort y thereafter • And Mr. NichoM DagUjh fpoke no 
 lei's refomtely when the Scaffold was erected for him : and fo did 
 Mr- fVr/Jb and his college 1606. both when they declined, ind pro- 
 tected aga ;.ft the K ng and the Oouncel, and when they were pa- 
 nold and condemned at Li bg*W. I need not infill: or. the larg* De- 
 claration,and the Reafons thcreof,ernkted in this very point (gainft 
 th? States proceediogs by the Grand Commiihon of the Ailembly 
 1 596 appoihted on purpofe, A 7 *, quid detjrimi$tt tccieji* cap- at: 
 Nor yes to infill: on the Fourth Ad of the Parliament 1640. anent 
 the Affemblic* determining a«I Ecclcfiaftick matters : ISlor the S xth 
 .Act Llefcffioric, which eihb!i h-jch that of tbcp'z. &c> A d in the 
 end refcinds all Confincmcrrs, a , ilimenti, Deprivations made in 
 the times of ckfc 'fion ; which Two Acts were ratified in the ! arge 
 Treaty : hJcither need I to remember the end or the Kings Oath, 
 pieic ibed in 1 567. and fworn by h s V- a jetty lately at his Corona- 
 tion : Nor the beginnng of '.he Parliaments Oath : Nor one or' the 
 main Articles of the late Treaty wirh this King,anent the Determi- 
 nation of matters Ecclefiaftical : Neither need ) tranfenbe th?threc 
 laftLeavsof the Commiflion of rhe Kirks Vindication of thetg pro- 
 ceedings from the Parliaments Letter M*j li« 1648- which ipetks 
 ful y to this point : Neither need I tranfenbe the fixth Page of the 
 Committee ot Eftates Obfcrvations upon the AHembles Declara- 
 tion 1648. wherein they claim power to challenge Mwfters for fc- 
 ditious Dodrine : Whereunto the CornmifTion of the Kirk,in their 
 Reply page 14. fay, Th t the judgment of Minifters Dodrine be- 
 longeth to the Judicatories of the Kirk,both by Divine-R;ght> and 
 by the Law of the Land • and we hope your Lordfhips do not in- 
 tend under colour of quarelJing fedition, a new way of judging and 
 trying Minifters Dodrine , nor to affrme to themfelve* the exerci- 
 fing of the fame Power over all perfons of whatfoever ftate, degree, 
 fundion or condition they be of, in all matters wherein they (hall 
 be charged to aniwer a power once granted to the Counccl in 1 29. 
 Ad Parh 8. James 6. Ann$ 15 84. but was afterward abrogated 
 in the 114 A&Parl.i2.7*w6. Avno 1592. aslikewifcin the Ad 
 Refcijforj : I need not i jflft either on the Kirks Proteftation, or on 
 the Diffenters Proteftation againft th* States mediing in thefe 
 things without the Kirks concurrence, infert and approven in the 
 
 repealing 
 
(121 
 
 ideating Aft t^49' ner on what was faid, written and preached 
 agair.ft ch ' 2 j A:t Pari. 48. or Jai ling Minifters to exhort the peo- 
 p e to i&cdk c: co the Laws of the. Kingdom, and alluring them of 
 th.?r Stipends now • nor on the dknge^f ouftcFs of this prefent pre- 
 parative nd praehce, wlvch rrdm the lb at tmy be as terrifying as 
 th other was alluring ,and may at one time or other meet with any 
 who indirect v procured this : Neither need linfift, that this argu- 
 ment of the Do&rinc and D fapl-ne of the Kirk of Scotland, as ac- 
 knowledged by the Kingahd Parliament, and i worn to in thefe- 
 cond Article of the Covenant, is the bar and bond thtt hinders 
 Gen. Crom'wi l from (topping the mOathei of the honelt free 
 Preacher? tn Edin&urgk, and the places by foutti Forth, where he 
 thinks he hatfias much C vi Command and may readily -change his 
 practice,** loon as ht ice the ita e here tochange theirs : Neither 
 need I remember Aviac good ground there is to fear the fprouting 
 - and fpread .-g of Erafiianifm m our Sta teamen, feeing this is a «>ain 
 branch thereof, it wi'I oc a ftrange thing to me if the Commiiliors 
 of the Kirk, for the Kirks ihtcreft,teftify not agairft this Procedor, 
 and dangerous preparative-, and the rather, that it teems to be foun- 
 ded spon what hath proceeded becwixt the Coznmiilwn and the 
 Misvfters of Stsrlwe % whereof the State could not take notice, un- 
 lefs there had been, a Procds, and a Sentence from the Kirk ( which 
 the Commiilion it feif denies, and therefore complains of the Ap- 
 peal as from a meer delire, and which f entence they could not have 
 given at St.A^dre^s, itbein^ neither their QHiarterry Meetingmor 
 after Proceis, nor a Trial of their Doclrine, and leaft of all becaufe 
 it agrees not with their Commii&on to cenfure thefe who preached 
 according to the A els of ail our General Aflemblies, from 1560. til 
 1650. in abote 200. feveral places and palfages, and which if they 
 did not preach, they might be cenfured and deprived, according to 
 the Acts of the Affcmbly 1648.) and had defired the States concur- 
 rence againft them for their difobedience, otherwife this Procedor 
 is defafto like King fames his praclice and threatntri£ to Mr. Da- 
 - vidCaidervtooditStyArtdrms 1617. That if he would not ac- 
 knowledg his power of fpirttuallyfufpending him,he would fufpend 
 him corporally ; and if he would notabftiin from preaching and 
 writing againft the five Articles, he would baniih him, as he did*, 
 and thereafter in 1 606. and 1608. he called for Mr. JVllltam Sc<Jt 9 
 and fundry other worthy men of the Miniftry, unto Linda*,, tnd 
 
 detained 
 
detained them there until he caulcd hoM the corrupt MTembiy at Ltih- 
 go^» I and this hath been often called fince in the public.. D. clatacidnf 
 and Warnings of the Church oiScothiui • a pertecution of cue Mini- 
 stry and ofche Gofpcl* which would, and did ?iow to a great hught, 
 and both in Law and Reafbn,ahd in the words of our two Covenants, 
 andfoleran Acknowledgment, fuodmnlicetibetft, no, 'ic:ti:idirccie^ 
 and as I might lawfully proteft again'ft the States dir 61 doing of it. fo 
 agamft their indirect deing of it. And now for the point or protcftati- 
 on- C a libel liceKprotiflmfuppiicarc werUicare, as the common proverb 
 goes : Rut it is rnoTr remarkable that the Lord bv thele legal means of 
 Proteftauons hath preserved in all times of Dcfe&ion and hourcs of 
 darknefs (as betwixt 1 571. and 1575. betwixt 1^82. &; 1 387. betwixt 
 1597. and 16-38.) theCnurchof Scotland from a total and univcrfal 
 back-flyding , and breach of Covenant, and fo rrom His Wrath and 
 Judgment againft the : wh'ol, but keeped ever a remnant in Covenant 
 with Him and Him faft coThettt,and therejyyr they keeped God in the 
 Land; and the Lord in all times oftheir reviving and recovery of light 
 and life made their fucceflbrs, as it were, enter heirs bv thelc Protefta- 
 tions to the Intererts of the Church ok Scotland in God, and His Interefl: 
 in I "A er,arrd fo hath He made us in our two Covenants and folcmn Ac- 
 knowlcdgment/ , ^if^^'i^ ! .tobe.as it were ; (erved and retoured to all 
 the former Prorcttations ; And who knows what fuccefiors may be to 
 thefe that are now neeeflary ? it is worth rernembrmg at this time,that 
 in the Gen. Aflembly r 586. when they were drawn on by the Kings 
 Court to abfoive M Patfc\*Adamfon s that Mr. Anting MdYm and Mr. 
 eAndreW- Hunter, in the name of the whol Synod ot Fife, cntred their 
 Protection againfi ft, as before :hc Almighty God, His holy An? els 
 and Saints, that feeing he had given no real figns and evidences of Lrue 
 Repentance* they hadnoailurance in God* Word, or in the finccre 
 cuftom of this Kirk ..and in coufcience to allow this his Ablb!vito:,a::d 
 therefore until the time they perceived his conversion to be true and cf- 
 fjit-ial, they cannot b Jt hold him a man juftly delivered up to Satan; 
 which is too like to the prcfent receiving of the Malignant pa) t\\ then 
 in the AiTembly t 597. when the King carries in it theCommjflioriers 
 of the Kirk with caveats to have vote in Parliament: but M ?0)4\>itt- 
 centred his^roteftatian, lb did fomc Minifters ai&erth in thc^Iull- 
 AiTemblv 1 6 r 7 , fo did th y in the pajtpeof the Kirk of"ScoiUn^ eivfc 
 in a feroteftarion to the Parliament 1584. 1597- 1606- ir 2. 1617. 
 161 1. and i6j 3. agamft all thefe Proccdor*. to the prejudice of the 
 Kttk of Scotland, vini fo they preferved and tranfmitted.bv Protcfta*- 
 tions (which was firfl given in by oar Reformers to the Pari, j y o. I 
 unto this Generation 16 j8 and 16 jo. J aFccl 1 $a : &tntkBa 
 tmVis, freqxenturMoldU de .. , which t pray Qod we may 
 preilivc and cranfixiit with' as great fidelity and boldnefs to our poRe- 
 
 rity. 
 
rky> I will only add to this poi«t, the^remembrance, that in HaV«$£, 
 1646, Mr. '^ob^AgUi and Mr. 'l{ob. Blah upon their hearing of ionae 
 expreffionsina report of Parliament anenxtheii peace made with the 
 Rebels, importing as ifthefe i$X03kxi had not oppoied die fame, but 
 by lilencc con fenced thereto, which chey diiclaim:d in face of Parlia- 
 ment, an 1 emred their preteftatiohj That all the judicatories of the 
 Kirk were free of it> and that the Adts of Eariiument approving it 
 Choald be without any prejudice of the liberty ol the Ktrs^andof any 
 ' fervanrofJetusCiirift to cxo:tt their consciences according to His 
 Wo d and the Principles and Declarations 01 this Kirk agaiirft it, 
 n twiihttan lingofne Actot Pavliameht,which Prof£itation wasap- 
 proven by the ConmraTian of the Kirk, and inferced in then Record * 
 and good realbh is ther for Inch ^roteftatioas, efpeciaily m %cutiand y 
 beeaufe not onlv by Ciods Word, but alio by our National Covenant? 
 fclQV.n League and Covenant, and toieron Acknowledgment, all In- 
 tel elt of King or Parliament o\ Kingdom are iu lord mate to die Inte- 
 rest of v-hr i(t a? »d all duci s to tiiea Subordinate to our duty unco God, 
 in hoc \x erah regno fe^taiiD^^^oidmgX '-he % IQtip 11. 17. and 
 2 C : 'W.2 \.\ 6. iri both which the (iibftance of that Covenant and our 
 C >v ."Hint -u, tiiac wefhould be Gods people and all other reUtions 
 fubferviaat to that ■ fit ergo glom Ibnti^ &JaM ^chc^fuffm^ Ux 
 nsftra ; and wrtenfqcyer we fee it in any hazrrd or contcft. ancicny 
 thing in competition with it, let us, according to our calling, at leaiti 
 proterc, that our Lord and our Mothtr m ly get rights which will lega- 
 ly preferve it to another Judgment, and if they get wrong thereby they 
 will have witneis ©fi^ which is the leart which w« fhould do for Him 
 (though we fuffer for it ) who hath done and fuffered fo much for us, 
 and wno puc? a ^reat favor an honor u joaany whom He calLto be 
 witneffesto and for Him; and where one hath a neceiiity to protefii 
 for his particular s ight, or place iri Parliament, we fee they do k ordi- 
 
 tytommamcmng of tm tap.?) 1 uq enter agunjt we Kitipcationof 
 the T.aper given in by the C) nmi Jion to tbef arhameat 3 anent the confinement 
 tftbs'Minifien of Sterling for their preacbiag, or of any other Taper of 
 theirs prejudicial to tfc Qoyeximi aniC^CeofJ\J\{% Cbriji* 
 
 REASONS 
 
(i4) 
 
 REASONS 
 
 Proving, 
 
 That the late Meeting atSc. Andrews is not a Lawful Free 
 
 GENERAL-ASSEMBLY 
 
 Of the K i R k of 
 
 SCOTLAND, 
 
 With Answers to the Objections 
 in the concraiy 
 
 |Hat is not a lawfull free Generill Aflembly, the 
 election of whofe Commifsioners is (o preju- 
 diced and pre-limitcd in the due liberty and 
 freedom thereof,chat ma«y Minifters of Pref- 
 by tabs in a capacity of deferving to be ch fen 
 for rhcir abil ties and faithfulneflc, are by the 
 Presbyteries at the order and appointment of 
 a fuperior Judicatory, pari by and ftt afide in the ejection, and ren- 
 dered incapable to be Members of the Atfembly ; but the late meet- 
 ing at St. Andrews was fuch ; Therefore, &c. The hrir Proportion 
 albeit (as we conceive) unqueftionab;e,yet fl-ul aft rwards be alittlc 
 further fpoken to< The fecond is proved by Presbyteres proceed- 
 ing, according to the Letter, and Act of the Commifsion or the 
 former Affembiie , fent unto them about the time of their choofing 
 Commifsioner?, appointing that fuch as after conference iTiould re- 
 main unfatisrled with , and continaeto opoofe the publick refoluti- 
 on% to be cited to the General! Afambly, wfrch Act doth upon 
 the matter include thefe Four things, i. A direction that Presby- 
 teries 
 
ferics fhould choofcnoRCto be Commifsioners , but fuchasdid 
 concur with the publick refections. 2. An intimation of the Corn- 
 rrufsions mind , that Silencers from the publick refolutio^s were 
 fo farre from being m a capacty to be chofen Commif$<oners,and to 
 fit as Judges of the matter in the Gen. Afifembiy,that they ought to 
 be looked upon as guilty perions , who were for their guilcineile to 
 be cited and ; udged. 3. A Declaration that if they (hould be cho* 
 fen , they could not be admitted to lit upon the Bench as J udges, 
 but behoved to ftandatthe Barre and anfwer as ret. 4. That if 
 the Presbyteries ihould choofe them, they were to beefteemed dif- 
 obedient , and looked upon as perfons hiving no refpeci to publick 
 orders of the Kirk ; which things do cieerly enough prove that 
 there was fuch a prelim ting of the election as i% formerly fpoken of* 
 Ob]eB* The Commifsioners of the General AHembiy in the yeer 
 1648. did by a Letter written to the feverall Presbyteries, appoint 
 fuchMinifters as refufed to declare their judgement againft the 
 Engagement, which was then carried on , or did declare themfelves 
 fatished there w*th to be refered by their feverall Presbyteries to 
 the General AiTemblie , which upon the matter is equivalent to 
 a citation ;and yet was not that judged a pre- limitation of the 
 freedom of the A(Tea>bly Anfwer. To fay nothing of the diffe- 
 rence of a Reference and Citation, neither yet of the diftvrence of a 
 Letter and an A eh We dehre thefe things to be confidered in anfwer 
 to what is objected. I ■ That in the yeer 1648. when a little before 
 the election of Commifsioners by the Presbyteries to the General 
 AflTembly ; it was moved by fome in the Commifsion > that fome 
 thing might be written to Presbyteries to chufe none but fuch as 
 were againft the engagement; it was oppofed as favouring away of 
 pre-1 imitation , and fo only a setter was written , giving them an 
 accompt of the Commjf s«ons proceeding , and exhorting them to 
 their duty and to chule able and faithfull men. 2. That that Let- 
 ter whxh is mentioned in the obje&on , was not written by the 
 Commifsion (as we remember) untill moftpart, if not ail the 
 elections in Presbyteries were paft,wil be cleered by the date there- 
 of 3. That before the writing of that Letter , the whole Kirks of 
 ScotUn^ almoft in all the Presbyteries and Synods thereof had de- 
 clared them ielves unsatisfied in conference with the Engaegment, 
 excepting a very few Minifters fcatercd here and there in Presbyte- 
 ries , which few were alfo known to have been either oppofers of 
 
 B the 
 
(8) 
 1 die work of God , or neutrall and in deferent therein from the be- 
 gtning. 4.Tfur the relolutions of the Co,, milsion were then agree- 
 able to the Covenant and Adfcs and co ;.ftituw, n $ of former Gene- 
 rail A'lemblies , which rhings being put together m«ke a v ^ve dif- 
 ference betwixt that which was then done , and that which the 
 Commifsion hath now done, becaufe the Letter and Aft of the 
 Commifsion this year was previous to rnoft part of the elections in 
 ScotU*d y and wh (\ many Presbycries were bearing teftimony a- 
 gahft their Refolutions , and the moft part of the godly of the 
 Land remain unfatisfkd therewith, an4 many precious, able, and 
 faithful men in the Miniftry, who are known to have been ftraight 
 and zealous in the work of God from the beginning were bearing 
 record againft it, and whilft the Refolutions of the Commiflfion 
 were point-bl»nk contrary to the Covenant, and to the former 
 Acts and Constitutions of this Kirk. 
 
 Objettiert. It was not only in the power of the Commifiion to 
 appoint thofe who did oppofe the publick Refolutions, to be cited 
 to the General ACfembly, but alio to have Cenfured them, becaufe 
 there is a Claufe in their Co nmiflion which gives them power to 
 Cenfure fuch as oppofe them in their proceed n^s, as if they oppo- 
 sed the Aiiembly it felf : and therefore feeing the Commiflion hath 
 been fo far fron excluding that they have keeped themfelvcs fair 
 within the limits and bonds of that power given them by the Af- 
 fembly ;it cannot be faid,That their Letter and Ac! doth import any 
 prelimitation of the Alembly, or any prejudice to the freedom of 
 Election, or any wrong to thefe, who were ordainned to be cited, 
 jlnfw. vVe deny that the Commifsion had any power either to cen- 
 fure or cite thefe who oppofed the publick Refolutions now in 
 Gontroverfie* The claufe of the Co nmifsmn in 164^: ( t> which 
 we funpof theirs to be confonant j is that all oppofers of the Au- 
 thority of the CommTsion in matters intruded to them, fhall be 
 holden asoppolers of t c Authority of the General' A lemnly, but 
 was never int ulred to them to bring in the Malignant Harty : nay, 
 a great part of their Trull: was, to keep them out. But for further 
 cleermgof the brcfeiefs, we defi-e that it may be considered, That 
 as the lightof Nature and common Reafon teaches all fuperior Ju- 
 dicatories to Imit any to whom they giv Delegations and Com- 
 naif&ions to a certain Rule ^according to which they are to walk in 
 
 their 
 
their adminiftratioris, to wit, the known Handing Laws of the in- 
 corporations , to which *H Judicatories do belong, and to" a cer- 
 tain end which th«r are co h ave before them in all their atting.*, to 
 \vt The good and prefe^ vafion of the whole Body to whom they 
 belong : fo unlei s we will fpeak grolfe abfurdiries, jt is undeniable, 
 that the Comm^ion of the General AHembly were in all their a- 
 <5rmgs to have walked according to che ACb ox former Genera] Af- 
 femblie-, a, d to have had before them the i reierving and promo-" 
 vmgof the work of Reformation, "and the keeping of the Liberty 
 and Privdedges of the Kirk ntue and untouched } ne quid dctre- 
 rtttn i caftMt Seek ft : having been the main end why C ommiflio- 
 ners fron General Afiemblies were at fir ft appointed : but fo it is 
 that their R« folutions and Proceedings in order to the taking in of 
 the H algnar.t party were not only without che warrant of any Ac"! 
 of Affcmbly , and not only not contnbutive for thepreferying and 
 advancing ot : the work of deformation, but ex pn fly contrary to 
 the clear L:tt r of thr Covenant, and of mule tude of Ads , and 
 deftruclive to the work, and therefore had they no power at all ei- 
 ther to Cenf tc or Cte fuch as dd oppo'.e them therein, and ft and 
 for the Covenant and Acls of the Ailembly ; and by a (Turning to 
 themfelves fuch a power they d=d not only beyond the bonds of 
 their Cornmiffion, bur dei-roy the very end for which their Corn- 
 miflion was given them, to wit* The prefervtng the Liberties and 
 Priviledges of the Kirk, for by this means they brought the Gen. 
 AiT mbly it lclf into lervitude and bondage, by excluding all fuch 
 there- from as would not be confenting to that courfc of Defection 
 wh?ch they had carried on, a very dangerous and damnable prepa- 
 rative wh ch laics a foundation, Fhrftj for the total overthrow of 
 the Difciplin of this Kirk then of the Docl in and Worfhm : for 
 by this means if the Commiif on once becorrupted^hoi-gh it were 
 fo far as to the i .trod ring of Prelacy and the Service- Book ; my, 
 though Jt were ro thr bringing in of the Popes Supremaiy and the 
 whole Body of Pooery ; there is no remedy left, none can vote in 
 a Gen- AiVembly wh^re the remedy rs to be xpecred,' but inch as 
 Concur with them in judgment ; others, who Dfier and Oppofe, 
 are to be Cited and Cenfmed. 
 
 Ok,*®. Albe«t the Commiflion did fend fuch a Letter and A& 
 as is fpoken of, yet it d th not from thence follow that thereby E- 
 leelion of Commiflioners in Presbyteries to theAffembly is prelimi- 
 
 B2 ltd / , 
 
 
fio) 
 ted or pre- Judged in the due liberty and freedom thereof, i Be- 
 caufe it was free to Presbyteries # notw*hftanding thereof, to chufe 
 whom they pleafed. 2 A Citation to the Gcneial Alterably doth 
 not bar a man from being chofenCommifiloner ther«o,nor exclude 
 him when he is chofen from voting therein. 3 Bccaufe that Letter 
 and Ad had little or no influence upon Pre- by terries in the choice of 
 their Cowsmnfioners, but notwithstanding thereof teveral Prcby- 
 teries did chufe men who were unfatisfi d w th the PublickReJolli- 
 tions. 4 None who were unfatisficd with the ftlblicb RefoK.ttons, 
 and were Commiflioners, were upon that accompt, of cheir not be- 
 ing fatisficd ; or being cited , denied a Voice in the Aflembly. 
 tsfn/w. As to the F«rft, it is true, That Pr sbytenes were phyfi- 
 caliy free, notwithftanding of that Letter and Act to chute whom 
 they plealed, Thit >s> the Letter and Act put no external coacrion 
 and conftra-nt upon them by any coedivr power upon the outward 
 man ; but they were not morally free, that is, they were not iree 
 from a moral over- awing power, having influence upon their will, 
 to wit, the authority of the CommiiTion, commanding them upon 
 the matter to chufe none fnch , and upon the matter threatning 
 them f they fhould do otherwtfe. They were fo far bound as the 
 CommiHion could bind them : and vho knows not what influ- 
 ence the Direction and Commands thereof have upon Presbyteries 
 to determine them in their actings. As to the Secood, Though e> 
 very Citation, or Citations of all kinds, do not exclude a man frorn 
 being chofen a CommiJioner,or Suing a Member of the Atembly, 
 yet we think that it will not be denied, that a Citation in matter of 
 fcandal, either in Doctrine or manners, will, and ought to exclude 
 him from being chofen Commiflioner to,or fitting in a oen. Atlcm- 
 bly. The A(f mb!y,hnce the rrft Reformation, md that upon good 
 grounds, having alwaies taken care that all her Members (liou-d be 
 free of fcandal,and of a good report : and that this is a fcandal more 
 then ordinary in the judgment of the Commiiiio i^both in Doftrin 
 and manners,is cleer from their Papers and W^rnings,wherein they 
 do not only loaden »t with many grievous imputations, but ftir up 
 the Civil M<g>ftrate to punifhfuch as a egtrlty of it, and gives di- 
 rections to Presbyteries for cenfunng t K em with Ecclefiaft cal Cen- 
 fures: Befides, it is unqueftionable that all citations do exclude men 
 from being Judge* in the matter for which thev are cited ; and 
 therefore though they might have been admitted to fit as Judges 
 
 m 
 
(n) 
 
 In the Affembly in other particulars^ which yet is not granted for 
 the reafon above mentioned, yet it is above controverfie that they 
 could not have fitten in this : and therefore k ftillfollows, that as 
 to this particular, which was indeed the main thing, ir not in a fort, 
 all that was to be handled m the AflembJy, it was prelimited* As 
 to ths Third, That that Letter and Ad: had no influence upon Pref- 
 bytenes in the choice of their Commiilioners : it is ipoken agamft 
 the truth, as will appear by thefeinlknccs: i AiUhofe Minsfrers 
 whooppofe the Publick Refo utions are known to behoneftand 
 faithful men, and moil of them as had wo t (ordinarily thefc years 
 paft, becaufe of their a^ilitie and integrity) to be chofen CormmiTi- 
 oners j but few of thefe were chofen in Presbyteries this year to be 
 CommifTioners to the AfTembly ; and <f any fuch were chofen, it 
 wa where the whole Presbytery was unanimous againfl the Pub- 
 lick R folucious j or if the Presbytery were div ded in their judg- 
 ments, then was there, for motl part- either two E'eclions, or elfe 
 diflfcntvfrom , and Protelhrion againft the Eiedion of fuch as were 
 unfatisried with the Pubiick Reflations j or elfe both, as in tae E* 
 ledions of: GU'goW and Sterit*e ; of all which no deaf n can be 
 gwen,except the Letter and Ad of rhe CommiiYion. 2 The Pref- 
 bytery o^Dnnket having cholen their Commi doners to rhe Gen. 
 Afcmbly.and one of their number who was a membe of theCom- 
 million havng dilfcnted from, and protefted agar; sit. the Election; 
 becaufe fuch as were cholen were unfatisH d wath the Com mf- 
 fions proceedings : the Synod of "Perth meeting a iictle thereafter, 
 and receiving the Letter and AdoftheC> nmriion did thereupon 
 fuftam the Differ and Proteftation of that man of their number, 
 and appointed the Presbytery of D«*^f/ en chufe their Commitflo- 
 ncrs anew again. As to the Fourth, That none were defied a 
 voice in the Auembly upon the accompt of their not being fatisfied, 
 or being cited: albeit that were true, yet it doth not make void 
 what is faid for pre-iimtttng the ELdons by the Letter and Art 
 of the CommiiTion, becaufe the Elections were prtm» mft#xti y pte~ 
 judged in Presoyteries, by barring thofe from being chofen who 0= 
 therwife were in a capacity and likelihood to have >een chofen 3 by 
 which it having come to pafs that few fuch were chofen § Policy 
 taught the Amenably not to deny fuch of them a*, were ;_ chofen, ^ 
 vote 'pon that accompt,the votes of fo few a number not being like 
 to prove fo. great a disadvantage- to their bufinefi as,_ the profeft de- 
 nial 
 
(12) 
 
 rial of then) a vote would have done : But in order to this partfeu* 
 lar,wc do further offer trnfc two thmgs for one Anfwer i That the 
 difcu ifiog and judging of the G munitions of chete in the Presby- 
 tery of GtafgoV?> who were unfacisfied with the Publick ReloK.ti- 
 on c ,was laid addc upon this c<miideration,only, beeaufe the Rcafon 
 of Mr./t-6 R-mJAj his Protcft.uion againft theEleclion, taken from 
 theit dillatisfaction with the Pub lick Resolutions, could not ( as 
 was alieadged; be difcufled till the c Refolucions were either con- 
 demned or approven, whkh was jn tfle \ to exclude them from vo- 
 ting, beeaufe of their not approving the Publick Reio'utions : And 
 this is fo much the ftronger, if we ihall cgnQder that it was refund 
 to by afide die Comfflifsions of thefe who had carried on thefe Re- 
 folutionsin the Commif>ion of the AfTembly, until their procee- 
 ding- ihould be tried and approven. 2 Ic is co be confidered, that 
 the Aifcmbly did fuftain an*.i approve the Lercer and Act of the 
 Commitston for citing fuch as were unfatisfied, which was a real 
 excluding of al! thefe who were cited upon diflatisfaetioiy at leaft 
 from being made Judges in that particular. 
 
 2 Re*/* That cannot be,or is not accompted a lawful free Gen. 
 AlTemMy 9 in which relevant Except ons being timoufly propoun- 
 ded againft many of the Members thereof, and offered to be verified 
 and inftructcd>vvere refufed to be taken in confide ntion ; but.not- 
 withftanding of the timous proponing of thefe Exceptions, and of- 
 fering to inftrud the fame, thefe Members were flowed to fit and 
 vote be fore thefe Exreptions were taken in confideration and dif- 
 culled : But the eeting of St, zsfnarrnrs was fvich, beeaufe it be- 
 ing propounded and urged by fundry in that Meeting, that fuch of 
 the Com nifsion as had hand in the PublickRefolutions (hou)d not 
 be permitted to fit and vote in the AffembJy, they berg under a 
 fcandal and guilty of the promoting a courfeof Defection which 
 was offered to be in ft* ucted until fuch time as they fhould be tried: 
 yet it was refufed to take any fuch Exception in confident on>or to 
 remove them till t! is iliould be tried and difeufscd. Ther^fore,&c. 
 For further clearing and confirming of thi. Argument, it is needful 
 to fpeak to thefe two things. 1 To fhew, that it was incumbent 
 in duty torhe Afsembly to have removed from their Meeting all 
 perions under fcandal the fame being made known unto rhem)un- 
 til tkey were purged thereof. 2 To fhew, that the perfons obje- 
 cted againft were under fuch fcandals as is alieadged for the flrft ; 
 
 al- 
 
05) \ 
 
 belt (as we conceive) no great concroverfie will be made about It* 
 yet we offer c'^cie things for proof of it : i That the light of Na- 
 ture,and chevV->rd of God fpeaksforit. 2 That fomeciaufesbo:h 
 of our National Covenant, and Solemn League and Covenant , and 
 Eight Dcfires of the Commifsion in the year 1648. and of the fo- 
 lemn bngagement in the fame year,and all the ChurchRemonitran- 
 ces for purging of Armies and Judicatories, even the late Papers gi- 
 ven in by the fame Commifsioners to the Padiament at Sterlin a- 
 bout the A ± of ClaiTes, for excluding of fcandalous perfons from 
 being Members of our Judicatories. 3 There is a Rule and Order 
 fet down in the Third Gen> Afsembly of this Kirk in July 1562. 
 That at the entry of every Afsembly, the firft work is to be anenc 
 trying and purging of the Members thereof; where men are ap- 
 pointed to be charged in 3ods behalf, to declare their confeiences 
 touching their Dodrin,Life and execution of their Ortice,if therein 
 they be fcandalous : like as it is appointed that any to whole charge 
 any thing is laid, ought to be removed out of the Afsembly, until 
 his caufe be tried; and if he be convi^ed,he can have no Vofce until 
 the Kirkrcceire fatisfacTion, and in the common order of procee- 
 ding fet down in fubfequent Afsemblies, ki down by the Afsembly 
 in March i%6$* It is appointed , that before any meddle w<t any 
 bufinefs they (hall fall unto the tryal of their Members. The fame 
 is to be found in the Afsembly 1 ^j^.Aagtift 6. at Edinburgh^ and 
 in the Afsemblyi58o. and in the Afsembly 1 581. which two laft 
 Afsemblies, a* the one of them condemned the? O rice of Epifcopa- 
 cie and put out the Bifbops ; and the other eftabli (Tied Presbyteries 
 and the Book of Police, and the fbort Co fefsion of Frith, or our. 
 National Covenant : fo were they fo exacl and di : igent in th»s try- 
 ing, purging work of their Members,that at then? very entry they 
 require all men as they tender the Glory of G^d and the weale of 
 this Kirk, and as they (had be anfwerab'e to God upon their con- 
 feiences, that they delat and give in the Names and Fa ilts of- any of 
 thei' number, to the removing of the flander which arifes tot-e 
 whol Kirk by their admitting ot fuch Member^ which cuftom and 
 practice was exactly kept tor above twenty ^fsemblies,and twenty 
 years together. 4 All the Afscmblies of this Kirk, fince the late 
 Reformation in the year 1 6^ 8. have upon the objection of fcandaf 
 againft any of th.Hr Members in the time of the Conflation of 
 Ibeir Mecting,removed thefeMembers until the inception were tri- 
 ed 
 
04) 
 
 ed and difcufsed ; nay, this fame Meeting at St. Andrews uporl 
 like exception and objedion,that the fcandal of the laird of 'Bit- 
 ter and lomc others, their accerlion to the unlawful Engagement 
 was notyet furficicntly purged,by" notifying their repentance to the 
 Aflembly, and approving the fame where they were removed from 
 fitting as Members : And we would have any man in the world to 
 bring a reafon why fome Members, upon Exceptions propounded, 
 fhoi<ld have been removed, till thefe were tried and difcuffed ; and 
 yet other Members admitted againft them as relevant? nay, more 
 relevant Exceptions were propounded before the trying ar.d difcuf- 
 fing of them. For the Second, That the pcrfons objected againft, 
 were under fcandal of carry ing on a courfe of Defection : It is ma« 
 mfeft, not only from hear -fay and common report, the firft where- 
 of m the 13. of Deuteronomy and 12. Verfe, is made a ground for 
 enquiring and making fearch, and asking diligently after thefe who 
 feduce tofalfe-worfhip: And the other ground of proceeding a- 
 gainft the inceftous perfon 1 CV. 5. 1. 2 The/. 3.1 1. Butalfo 
 from thefe Four Particulars. 1 The offence and (tumbling, and fad 
 complaint of the plurality of the godly in the Land againft their 
 proceedings. 2 The Teftimony and Letters of many Presbyteries 
 bearing their (tumbling and d iTatisfaclion with fuch courfes. 3. 
 The clear ft&ndmg Acts, Remonftrances, and Declarations of for- 
 mer General Alernblies, unto the which thefe proceedings were dt- 
 armrrally oppofit. 4 The Teftimony of fundry Brethren of the 
 Affemb'y offering to inftrucT: what was alleadged. 
 
 Objettton. The Commifsiouers of former Auemblics have al- 
 wayes fuch of them as was chofen by Presbytries being admitted 
 to be Members, before the tryal, and approbation of their procee- 
 dings. A^f-wer. It is true, That the Commifsioners have been al- 
 lowed to fit until their proceedings come to be tryed and judged ; 
 but it is as true that fuch Exception and Objection being proponed, 
 was never rejected ;There was (ince the late Reform ationmo caufe 
 to propound any fuch thing ; the Commifsioners till this year ha- 
 ving alwayes carried thertfelves faithfully, but upon fuppofal they 
 had done otherwife, it cannot in rcaion be denied, but that there 
 was reafon both to propound it, and take it in con fi deration : In 
 ordrr to this particular, it is to be remembred, that upon occafion 
 of thr great Debate in the AfTcmbly 1 597. concerning the carriage 
 and proceedings of the Commiftion of the Gen. AlTembly who had 
 
 led 
 
gd the Church into defection m the interval betwixt Aflemblics by 
 taking upon them to give in Petitions to she Parliament for Vote in 
 -Parliament to the Minifters that (hould be provided to Prelacies 
 and reprefenting the true Kirk of God 5 and being the Third EftatG 
 of the Realm ; the next Affembly which face in the year 1 601 did 
 make an Act appointing the Commiftioiiers of the preceding Af- 
 fernbly to give an accompt of their whole proceedings in the begin- 
 ning of the next, before any other caufe or matter be handled, and 
 their proceedings be allowed, or diflallowed, as the Aflembly ftiall 
 think expedient ; which Act was recewed in the year 1648. and 
 doth necessarily infer, That they are not to be admitted to lit as 
 Members of the Afsembly, though there be no fcsndal nor excepti- 
 on propounded ther upon, till their carriage be fail try ed and appro- 
 ven : muchleis they are to be admitted when there is fcandal and 
 exception propounded thereupon. 
 
 Objctt* It was fuflficient to reruave there?., when the Report of 
 their proceedings come in to be judged, or not to admit them as 
 Judges of the things wherein they were to be tryed ; and as this 
 was done in former Afsemblies, fo it was alfo done in this. An[w, 
 That wa* not fuflhxicnt, becaufe it being objected and offered to 
 be inftru&ed, that they were under a fcandal , and that of a very 
 high nature, they ought not to have fitten as Members until they 
 had firft been purged thereof, unlefs we may fay that any fcanda- 
 lous man may judge in any thing, except in the matter of his own 
 fcandal. 2, There was a manifeft prejudice to the judging of their 
 own proceedings by their (itting,bccaufe they had a hand in nomi- 
 nating, and appointing men, who did cdhfider their proceedings, 
 -and make Report thereof to the Afsembly : nay, their Moderator 
 and Clcrkjbcing Moderator and Clerk of the Alterably, did nomi- 
 nate all thele men, and were fo grolk therein, that except one 
 man, they nominated none to be upon the Committee, except inch 
 as were of their own judgment-. though fome few dayes after they 
 did addc fome few others, after it was taken notice of, and regrai- 
 Kd in private Conference with the Moderator. 
 
 Objett, If the propounding of one Exception Was resforrfuffi- 
 cient to have removed fo many considerable Members of the Af- 
 fembly, then mightthe whole Members one after another, hare 
 been removed by propounding Exceptions agaisft them, and fo no-t 
 ogly that Aflembly, but all Aflemblies whatfoever , might by any 
 
 C con- 
 
(i6) 
 
 contentious or malevolous perfon be brought to nothing, befanfe 
 they might propound Exceptions againft each of the Members, and 
 alleadgc, That they could not fit until theie were firft tryed and 
 difcufsed, otherwifeit were not a lawful free General A flfembly. 
 Anfw* This Objection ftnkes againft the propounding and hearing 
 of any Exception whatfoever, againft any conftttuent Member or 
 a Judicatory, as well as againft the prefent cafe ; and therefore if 
 the makers of it admit Exceptions againft conft tucnt Members in 
 any cafe, they are bound no lefs then we arc, to frame an Anfwer 
 thereto, which anfwer in the prelent Cafe , as in others , they 
 would not grant. But to the thing it felf, we fay, That it is not 
 fu trident for removing of Members of Jud catories (imply to pro- 
 pound and offer Exceptions againft them • bu t thef: two things arc 
 requi'kein the Exception propounded ad ftfre ed. i. That for the 
 matter it be fuch as prima fronts 9 at leaft feems relevant in law. 2. 
 That for the truth of the fi&in application to the pcrfons againft 
 \vh*m it is made there be a fcandal, or fome prefi: motions, or fome 
 offering to inftruct and make ; t out ; now in the prefent cafe it is 
 clear that the exceptions propounded was relevant Skjkrt : if there 
 be any relevant, why a man fhould not fit in the General Afsembly* 
 this certainly is one, that he h ■ th betrayed his former Trull, hath 
 made defection from thr covenant and cavfe, and ;, eirg iriftrumen- 
 tal to carry on a conrfe of defect? on throughout tfie K rk and King- 
 dom ; and as to the tr^th of the Fact in reference 10 theie againft 
 whom the exception was madeyall theie three did concur a flagrant 
 fcandal, pregnant prciumpttons, and perfons in the Judicatory of- 
 fering to inftrucl: and yerifie what was alleadged- 
 
 Objett* No Exception could be taken in confederation , nor dif- 
 cufsed until the Judicatories was hrft cortftitu- cd- an-j t Moderator 
 chofen, and therefore >t is nothing againft che freedom of the Mee- 
 ting, that the Afsembly not yet being conftitute, and a Moderator 
 not chofen, that they did refufe to fill upon the tryal and difcuf- 
 fing of that Exception againft theCommifsio-iers of the former Af- 
 fembly. AaJW. If the Afsembly had immediatly, upon the choice 
 of the xVloderator, fallen upon the tryai and difcufsing of that Ex- 
 ception, and removed thefe againft whom it was made, from fitting 
 in the Afsembly as Judges in any thing until that had been done* 
 though it could not have loofed , yet it would have lefscned the 
 difficulty, and ^rcngth of the Argument ,• but even after the Mo- 
 derator 
 
f*7) 
 tkrator was chofen , and the Affembly now formally eonftitufce* 
 theic men were all allowed to fit as Members, and to be J edges ia 
 evr ry thing that come before the Alterably for many dayes together 
 before the Aflembfy had judged of the exception ; nay, which is 
 more,brfort their proceedings were approven by the AiTembly.ihcy 
 fate ss Judges to give vote and fentence upon this very exception 
 propounded againft themfelves , the fame being one cf the fpeciall 
 reafoos contained in the Proteftation, which was condemned btfore 
 the proceedings of the Co i-milHoaers were reported and approver?, 
 we ia;ct t' at it would net have ioofed the difficuitie , becaufe the 
 thing which was Ddired , wasnncrheTiyall and Difcuilion of 
 the Except -on inftantiy before the choice of a Moderator, but that 
 accordingly as was done in reference to other Member? excepted 
 aga^nft, io thefe ihould be la'd^afide, and not allowed to vote untill 
 the A'iernbly being confti cute, rake in co; fideration,and difcniTe the 
 the fair»e,which i hey were (o hr from doinf ,that they did peremp- 
 tory ivied: it,and'adnvt hfffc ro vote, which was in efls ct to reject, 
 the exception wfcoi!y,and to determine «kher th?t it was not rele- 
 vanr/K eife chat t wa falfe, both which were abiWd. i. Becaufe 
 to i. ; y that it was not i ele v^nt, was fe& cOi trad c> moft clear Lght 
 of reafor^aiid o fay it was filfe, was to approve the ComrmiSious. 
 proceed ingS brforc tryaH of them, or hearing what was to he faid 
 for verifying chr excrption. 
 
 Objett. They could not be debarred until! they were fourid ju- 
 dicially fcandalou,, I Becaufe they were many of them , men of 
 approven integrity in a' I the r former carnage- 2. This had been 
 to fatten an imputation , nay a kind of eeniure upon them before 
 they were found guilty. 3. It had been to make way for a bad 
 preparative>,to remove a number of able and faithfull men out of % 
 Judicatory whensoever it fhould pkaie any to come in againft 
 them with any Inch alleadgeances. A nf s All thefe things are clear if 
 enough anlwercd already, yet for further iatisfa&ion, we fhortly 
 reply,that though a J udici all tryall and fentence may haply be re- 
 quired for removing one who is already a received member of a 
 conftitute Judicatory , y^t its nat in regard of the members of a 
 Judicatory yet to be conftitutrd, or in regard of members 
 yet not admitted ; for if it were fo, then it would follow, 
 either that no Judicatory could confiture it felf, but behaved to 
 have fome other Judicatory to judge of the conftituent Members 
 
 C2 of 
 
(18) 
 of it , orelfe that it behoved to conftitate it fdf of ieandalous per- 
 fons:notWithftandingoftimeous information given of thefe fcan- 
 dals and exceptions propounded againft the pcrfons under the fame, 
 why they could not (it till thefe fcandals were purged. 2. it dc- 
 ftroyes the common order and directorie of procedour in the con- 
 ftitution of ail Judicatories. 3. It contradicts the current and 
 conftant tenor of the practices and proceedings of the Generall Af- 
 femblies of this Kirk, in order to che<r constitution , who have al- 
 wayes removed perfons againft whom exceptions were made , till 
 they took rryall of the fame, though there were no Judiciall fen- 
 tence at the propounding of them produced for verifying of them. 
 As for their former integrity, we ftull not deny to fundry of them 
 that u-fti.-nony. But as it is not thefirll time in the Kirk of Scot- 
 /dW 3 that men of underfhnding have fallen to prove others fo , nei- 
 ther did their former carriage when they fell from their ftedfaftnes, 
 pcrf wade others to wink or be filent at their defection , and for the 
 fattening an imputation or kind of cenfurc upon them. It was much 
 better and more fafe and teafonable ( iuppofing what is alleadged,) 
 to faften a juft imputation upon them, ^hen to fallen an unjuft and 
 remeadiiefTe prejudice upon the caufc. But would not their being 
 vindicated after triall , have made their righteoufnefle fhine more 
 brightly. And for the preparative, it is already anfivered, That it 
 is not futfioent to propound things by way of exception , but that 
 they muft be relevant for the rruct*r,and probable for the truth, be- 
 caufe of fcandal or preiumptions, or perfons offering to vcrifie and. 
 inftrucl: : All which were in the prefect cafe. 
 
 3. R.s*fw. That is not a lawful! f ee A'Tembly, where there is 
 not liberty and freedom to vote in the matters agitated and deba- 
 ted therein : But the Meeting a: S. Andrews had no liberty nor 
 freedom in the chief matters that came in coniideraton, to wit,thc 
 Publick RefoUtiois and Proceedings of the Comrni-fion, as it is 
 manifeft from thefe particulars. 1. The Commifllon had in their 
 Remonftrances and Pipers , ftirred up the CiviLl Magiftrate againft 
 fuch as did differ from them in thefe Refolution* and Proceedings, 
 and accordingly the Civill Magiftrate had confined fome.Minifters, 
 tow^.thefeof <SV*r/;/*, upon that acco n x, and hid made Lawes 
 and Ads of Parliament, appointing all fuch to be proceeded againft. 
 as Enemies to Religion aai the Kingdoms, a. The Com.ni-lioa 
 hii by their Warnings and Papers to Presbyteries, ftirred up Pref- 
 
 bwrics 
 
0?) 
 
 byteries to cenfure fuch , and cite them to the Generall AflTefflbfy," 
 and accordingly the Presbyteries did cite many of them. 3. The 
 Kings Majefty wrote to the Alterably, a Letter inciting and fur- 
 ring ap to puniihment and cenfure thefe who differed from thePab- 
 lick Refoluttons ; and his Commiflioner did fecond the fame by a 
 Speech to the Afsembiy,imimating that he hoped that fach a courfe 
 ftiouid be takenwith them,as that all others might be deterred from 
 doing the likehereaftennone of all which things thatMeetmg did re 
 fenr,bst ftrft were fileht thereat, and afterwards did approve them. 
 
 0£J4#, It was not any prelimlting of the AiTembly in the free- 
 dom of their voices for the King and his Commiflioner to fur them 
 up to their duty againft thefe who diffcred,and (hould not obey the 
 Aflembly: Nay,? it was incumbent to the King and his Commifsio- 
 ner to do fo , as it is incumbent to the Judicatories of the Kirk to 
 ftir up the Civil Magiftrate to his duty. 'Anf* If the King and his 
 Commifsioner had kept themfclvcs within -the bounds fpoken of 
 in the Obje&!on,lcrTe could have been kid; but whijft the Ailembly 
 had not yet mcdled with the Publick Refolutions and proceedings 
 of the Corn naifsioo -either to condemn or approve them,thcy (lined 
 up of the Ailembly to punifh and cenfure, not thefe who /hall dffer 
 from the Aflembly in their Ac% and Concladons , but thefe who 
 differ from the Commifsion in their Acls and Conclufions. 
 
 4. Reafe'4. That is not a free Aifembly wherein perfons allowed 
 by tke Ads and Policie of the Kirk to fpeak their Confciences are 
 denied liberty fo to do. Bat fo it was in the Affembly at S. j>An~ 
 ^r<f*j-,that fuch perfons were denyed that liberty. Perfons allowed 
 to fpeak in an Affembly, arc not onely Ecclefiaftick perfons having 
 calling and power to vote therein ; but others alfo are allowed to 
 propone,hear and reafon, as is evident from the Policie of the Kirk 9 
 and A&s of Aflembly i58i,and i^Be^and 1596. all which expref- 
 fes this as a part of the freedom of the Generall Aflerebly of tne 
 Kirkof Scetland^nd it was the ufuall practice of this K;rk, to de-* 
 fire any judicious Member of the Kirk to prefent unto the Aifem- 
 bly in wntmg their thoughts of any dangers to Religion, or to the 
 Kirk, and of the bed remedies of the fame, as is evident from 
 the Records of the Afscmblies 15^7, 1587, itPm 1594, 
 j 5.95. and efpecially in the time of any trouble or difference. Yet 
 notwithstanding of all thefe things, Sir Archibald Johnfttun Clerk 
 of the General! Aikmbiy,a man to this time, undeniably faithful!, 
 . ~-T " and 
 
and finguk'ly tcmvrxcd with the acls and proceedings oFthisKirk, 
 and w tb :h-:- n.^ttc $ patiently in controvcrfie and dcbatc,and wh# 
 hath been »Yefi|i above many m all the tract of the work of Refor- 
 mation from the Ixgining throughout ail the fteps thereof, both at 
 hoii.-e and abroad ; -having written his mind to the Meeting ( cot 
 being able to conif h ppfelf ) about the things which were to be a- 
 gitatm the Aflembiy, and holdcn out much clear light from the 
 Scnptur; s,and fcoqp Ads of former Aifrmblics in thefe particulars; 
 albeit the Leter was delivered publickiy to the Moderator in the 
 f<cc of tht: Aiscmbiy and uvged to be read by him who prefented it, 
 .that then the Moderator did break it up,ard proraifed to caufe read 
 it ; and that many Members did thereafter upon fcveral oecafions, 
 tnd at faveral Diets prefs the reading of it, yet couid never the 
 .reading thereof be obtained, but it was fmothcred together with a 
 Ptoteftation which was contained therm agamit a Paper given in by 
 the CommiiTion to the Parliament, approving what was done 1 y 
 the King and the Committee of Eftates againft the Minifters of 
 Sterlinc. 
 
 5 Reaf, That cannot be accompted a free AiTembly to which 
 there was not free atcefs and recefs e But there was not free ac- 
 cefs to this Ailembly by reafon of two Armies being interjacent be- 
 Wixt the place of meeting,and the dwellings of many of the Com- 
 n*iflfionc» :s ; thcie Armies in the very time when the Commiflion- 
 ers ihould hive come to the Affcmbly, being purfuing one another 
 hotly, and having the.r parties roving abroad cveiy where, There- 
 fore many Members were abfent , above the one half of the Bur- 
 roughs»an'i many Prcsby rerte<,tc< the number of nine or ten : Nei- 
 ther was there free recefs from it, net only becaufe of the former 
 reaion,but alfo becaufe the King and tht Committee of Eftates did 
 detain and keep under a kind of confinement at Sterling , fever al 
 Members thereof as they were returning to their own home, ha- 
 ving norhipg, norallcadging any thing to challenge them of, unlefs 
 it were their mr age at the AHembly. 
 
 6 Re*l% That is not a lawful free Amenably, in which perfons 
 lawfully under the trial thereof, are admitted to fit as J udges in the 
 fame thing for which they are under tnah But the Netting at St. 
 JmdreKs and Duneee is fuch, becauic the CommiiTioners of the 
 Gen Aflfembly w^re, before the approbation of their proceedings 
 by the &iierably,*dmittcd to fit as Judges of theProtcftation,a part 
 
 whereof 
 
whereof was, that their proceedings flioufd not be ratified, becaufe 
 they did involve a conjunction with the Malignant Party ; which 
 is contrary co the Word of God,the Solemn League and Covenant, 
 the Solemn Engagement, many Ads, Warnings and pecliratidtfe 
 of this Kirk &c. Yea, not only did they before the approving of 
 thefe proceedings by the Affembly, judge the Proteftation, whereof 
 their own proceedings were a part, but did a !fo before the appro- 
 ving their proceedings, j udge the perfons who had given it in, and 
 gave their voices amongft others who of them fhouid be cited , in 
 order to Ccnfure ; nay, the Committee wherein that bufmefs rela- 
 ting to the Protection and the in- givers of it was handled,and up- 
 on whofe report thcreanent the Resolutions or the AfTembly there- 
 in did mainly hang, Was for mod part made up of thofe who had 
 been Members of the CommUfion ; which things , when they are 
 impartially considered by indifferent men,X bclecve will r;e acknow- 
 ledged to be very unfutable and inconfiftent with the liberty of a 
 free Affembly. There be two things, as to the matter of Fad 
 needful to se verified in this Argument * one is, That the Protefta- 
 tion wa* judged and condemned, and the five Members appointed 
 to be cited before the approving of the Comrniffion -Book. Another 
 is this, That th? Members of the Commifsion had voice in thefe 
 things. Of the truth of both thefe we arc informed by fomc, but 
 if any doubt, wefhall deflre him to lay no weight upon the Argu- 
 ment until he get the cercaintie ; and we our felves do not lay any 
 Wc ght upon it, but as thefe things fhall be found true. 
 
 Ohy ft* Albeit thefe Reafons do indeed hold forth fomekindof 
 encroachment upon the liberty and freedom of the Affembly, yet 
 do they not prove the Nullity thereof: Every degree of encroach- 
 ment is not fuch as deftroics an Affembly,and makes it no Affembly 3 
 but it were hard ever to find a lawful free Affembly in the World* 
 Anf. It is true,That every encroachment upon the liberty of an Af- 
 fembly docs not deftroy it and make it no Affembly, but wc deny 
 that thefe encroachments contained in our arguments doth it not, 
 and we give thefe two Reafons of our denial : i 'Becaufe the things; 
 mentioned deiisoy alrnoft all the effential requifits of a free Aflem- 
 bly ; freedom of Elc&iom,freedom of Vo!cing,frec accefs & rccefs^ 
 and free hearing of what is offered far 1 ight, impartial hearing and 
 dtfeafsing of Exceptions apatnft conftituent Members, admitting 
 psrtks,or thefe who arc under trial, to be Judges in the fame thing. 
 
 2 Becaufe 
 
(it) 
 
 a Bectufe thefe arc fuch encroachments as moved thf General A(- 
 fernbly in the year 1638. becaufc-of the like, to judge fevcral of the 
 former Afiemblies of this Kirk to be null, as may dg feen in the 
 Afts of that Aflembly. We belccve, that there is none of thefe 
 pretended Atfcmbltc* for the Nullity of which ftrongcr Rcafons are 
 brought then thefe are which we have brought for the Nullity of 
 this, and will appear to thofc who fljall take but a little pains to 
 compare them together. 
 
 ObytL If fo be this Affembly had proceeded right upon the 
 matter, or according to the mind of thefe who oppofe the Publick 
 Rcfolutions, it is not like that they would have thought that the 
 Reafons alleadged did prove the Nullity of it ; and if fo, why then 
 fliould fuch things be made ufe of to prove the nullity of it,becaufe 
 Tome men are not fatisfied with the proceedings and acts thereof. 
 ^.Albeit there were no fuch Rcafons as is alleadged,nor any thing 
 relating to the point of form, yet conscive, and that wich much ap- 
 pearance of Reafon, that any Aflembly proceeding wrong upon the 
 matter, is a Null Aflembly ; becaufc Kirk Judicatories have no po- 
 wer to deftruclion,but all their power is to Edification. But wb.at- 
 foevcr power the Commifsioners in a Gen. Aflembly have, it is by 
 Commifsion from their Presbyteries,which Comifsion limits them 
 to theWord of God and the Covenanted Ads of former Aflem- 
 blies ; therefore in fo far as they do any thing contrary to thefe, in 
 fo far they may be declined, as having no power nor authority for 
 doing any fuch thing ; which furnifhes another considerable reafor* 
 for declining of this Affembly, not before alleadged, "becaufe they 
 have in moft of all, and the mod material of their proceedings, pro- 
 ceeded contrary to the. truft committed unto them by Presbyteries. 
 2. Albf it they had proceeded right upon the matter, yet would 
 there ftill have been reafori to have infiftcd upon the Ob/eeli^g of 
 thefe things, for preferving and vindicating the liberty of An\m- 
 blics ; and if any had, even in the cafe of. their righr, proceed or 
 ftuck clofcly to thefe things , we fee not what caufc there was to 
 blame him for fo doing, though yet webeleevc that men in,thc cafe 
 of right procedor , upon the matter would have more cafie. dige- 
 &ed faults; in the forme we muft fuppofe it to be in thefethings as 
 in the cafe of two Ministers, both of them for the fame fault, dc- 
 ferving depofition in firiSio jure - f and the one, as a man who Is 
 known not to Edifie, but Deftroy 5 the other, known to Edifie, 
 
 thougfc 
 
though giilty of thefe faults ; Will not men think that they may 
 with fomc good confcience fpare the one, when they cfcpofe the o- 
 ther? We take it to be not without fpecial providence, that the 
 Lord hath tryfted together in this Aflfembly fo much illegality in 
 Forme, and fo much iniquity in Mattcr,and thefe being joyned to- 
 gether, do convincingly prove, That it is none of the lawful free 
 C#urts of Jefus Chnft, nor to be reckoned amongft the free Gen. 
 Afltmblics of the Kirk of ScetUnA. 
 
 Okjctt* It is without precedent,that the Confutation of a Geir. 
 AfTembly hath been Proteftcd agajhft in the Kirk of Seot'Und : 
 Jjtfm It is the Ignorance of the Hiftory and Acls of the Kirk that 
 makes men fpeak fo, we iTiall gWe but one inftance, becaufe it doth 
 moft quadrat to th« prefent cafe in the year, 1 597; it being carried 
 by plurality of voices in the Aflcmbly,that the Petition of theCom- 
 mitfToners of the former Afsembly, given in to the Parliament, for 
 Minifters voting in Parliament in name of the Kirk,and as the third 
 Eftate of the Kingdom, fhould be approven ; and that the Paper of 
 Greivances which was given to the Afsembly againft that Petition 
 by feveral Members thereof, lKould be buried aad obliterate for the 
 continuance of Peace and Quictnefs in the Kirk; Mr. John T>avid* 
 fen for himfelf, and in the Name of the Brethren, entered his Prote- 
 ftation in thefe tearms , That this prefent Afsembly is not a free 
 General Afsembly , and defired it be inferted in the Books of the 
 Afsembly. 
 
 f Objctf. It feems that the Pro tefting againft this Afsembly hath in 
 it no good nor profitable ufc at all, becaufe protefting againft their 
 proceedings, had been tcftimony enough for the truth, though 
 there had been no Proteftation againft the Afsem bly ; yet the next 
 being fuch as it ought , might have taken the Conftitution of this 
 in consideration, and declared it Null* Anjw. If the latter part of 
 what is alieadged have any weight, it fpeaksalfo againft any Pro- 
 teftation againft the matter of their proceedings : But the Lord 
 calls for Proteftation againft both the matter and manner , and it 
 hath thefe g* >ods in it, beftdes many other : 1 . Our exoneration of 
 our Confcieiices to the duty and refpedl which we owe to Jefe 
 Chrift,in maintaining the liberty and freedom of his Courts, unvio- 
 lated. 2. Ground of conviction upon the Confciences of thefe who 
 have incroached upon the fame. ; . A keeping of the whole Kirk of 
 ScjtUnd free of fuch guiltinefs. 4. Preferring a legal right and fair 
 
 D regrefi 
 
regrefs to thefe outward Privlledges of Chrifts vifible Kingdom. 
 5 . One example of the like faithfulnefs and zeal to others in this, 
 and the fallowing generations. 
 
 Ob jell. This Preteftation fecmeth to. have two great evils in k, 
 i. Is a difcovery or our Nakedriefs before the face of the Enemy, 
 who is now in the Land , and doth infuit, and re Joyce, in thefe our 
 Divifions ; and takes occafton thereby, to fpeak evi; of the Go- 
 vernment and Difcipline of our Kirk. 2. It cafts loofe the whole 
 Frame of our Kirk- Government , and puts oat of capacity of ha- 
 ving any more Afifemblies. csfnfw.* It is not the Proteftmg that 
 ruth difcovercd our Nakednefs, or made the Enemy fpeak evil of, 
 or defptfe our Government, but it is the groflTc miscarriages which 
 are Protefted aga;nft : The Proteftation is rather a covering of our 
 TNiakedncfs > and making up of the Breach , and flopping of the 
 mouthes of Enemies, when they hear that all are not involved, 
 nor give not way to thefe corruptions of Government, but that 
 many bear teftiuiony sgainft the fame : Neither doth it caft loofe 
 the Form of Kirk- Government, or pat us out of a capacity of ha- 
 ving AlTemblies,beciufe it is not a Proteftation (imply againft Gen» 
 Aftcmblies, but againft the Constitution of this Aflembly : The 
 De&rine, Difcipline, Worfhip, and Government of the Kirk of 
 Scotland is fully and clearly acknowledged and averted in the Pro- 
 teftation>and General Aftemblies rightly conftituted, and proceed- 
 ing rightly, are acknowledged to be amongft the effecluall means 
 for remeding the prcfent d&rences and diffractions ; and there are 
 ievcrall wayes and capacities left unto us, by which a Grnerail Af- 
 fembly may aga : n be called , one is by the mutuall confent of Pref- 
 by teries ; a iecond is by the Commiilion of the former Afsemblie, 
 which feems to be in force until another lawful free Gen. Aflembly 
 do fit : a third is by the Civil Magiftrate, and others aifo there be 
 which providence may offer. But it m3y be faid, That by the Pro- 
 teftation the cxercife of the Government is fufpended, which may 
 confequentiy prove dangerous and deftrucl:ive;To which we reply, 
 1 That the excrciie of the Government is preferved in the inferior, 
 Judicatories. 2 It is much better that thefe who a r sumc power 
 to themfelves and exercife it to dcftruclion, that they fhould want 
 ir r and not have it; Better no General Afsembly then a preten- 
 ded one, which deftroies inftead of edifying : as better no Minifter 
 then one Uiurncr over the Flock, who poyfons inftead of feeding. 
 
 Objttt. 
 
Ot}*&* To proteft againft a General Assembly hath alwaies 
 been looked upon in this Kirk as a thing very cenfurable; «nd there- 
 fore in the year 1 5 82. there isoae Acl of the General Afsembly,ap - 
 pointing fuch as decline the General Afsembly, to be fummarily ex- 
 communicated. Anfw. To make fach^n acl: wcre,eiiher to fuppoft 
 that a General Afsembly could not be wrong conftitute, and could 
 not err in their proceedings ; or clfe, that fuppoie they fhould be 
 wrong conftitute and err, yet they ought not to be declined or 
 protefted againft, both which are equally abfard, and therefore we 
 cannot think that the Kirk of Seel land hath at any time made any 
 fuch Acl in fo general and unlimited terms. As to that in the year 
 1582. itisgrofly miftaken, becaufe it is no waies anent declining 
 of unlawful Afsemblies, but againft appealing from lawful Afsem- 
 blies to the Civil Magiftrate in Ecclefiaftick caufes, for flopping Ec- 
 clefiaftick Difcipline againft the perfons appealers, as is further evi- 
 dent by "the occafion thereof: Mr. Robert Montgomery Bifliop of 
 GIafgQw y \i\s producing Letters of Horning from the King & Coun- 
 fel, barging the Afsembly to dcfift from his Proccfs , and fufpen- 
 ding their Sentence In the mean time^till the King and Counfel con- 
 fider the fame ; sgainft which the Kirk entred a Protcftation. From 
 thefe things it may appear how unwarantably the Meeting at 
 ^2)«W^diduponalieadganceof this Acl fill upon debate of the 
 Fumrnar Excommunication of thefe who had protefted. 
 
 Dz A Vin. 
 
VINDICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Freedom and Lawfalnefle, and [q 
 of the Audiority of die late 
 
 GENERALL ASSEMBLY* 
 
 Begun at §i. Andrew s 7 %n& continued at Dmdce\ in Anfwcr 
 
 to the Reafons alleadged againft the fame in the Protection 
 and Declinator given in by fome Brethren at St. 
 vftdreypji; and in another Paper lately 
 contrived by forne^ e^. 165 1. 
 
 Together with a Review of the faid Vindication, 
 
 plainly holding forth the Nullity and unlawfulneflfe of 
 that pretended Generall Affembly : In which the 
 afperfions cart upon the Protefters in chat 
 Vindication are taken oft: 
 
 And the Anfwers brought unto the Reafons contained in 
 
 the Proteftation, againft the freedome and lawfulneiTe 
 
 of that Meeting, and in the Paper afterwards penned 
 
 for clearing and confirming thereof are 
 
 difcufled , and the ftrength of thefe 
 
 rcaions eftablifhed to be 
 
 a Null AlTcmbly. 
 
 By a Friend of the Protefters caufe. 
 
 Gal 5.1. Stand fajl therefore in the liberty frherefrith Cbrifl hath .made us 
 free, and be not entangled again "frith tbeyokg of bondage. 
 
 2. Cor. 1 0.8. Our authority ^hich the Lord hatbgi^en ttsf$r edification, and 
 not for your aejlruttivn. / 
 
 for frc fan do nothing againfl the tfuthiut for the truth 
 
 nmm 
 
 Printed Ann$Dom* 165 2< 
 


 &*&?& ! Q S>^ 
 
 
 mm 
 
 1 he Iih r criptionof the Vindication, 
 <L/f Viytdicaiion of the freedom and L^- 
 
 fuhffje asdfvef the Author H^ 01 r the IsteGcnerall A}- 
 Jemb/y be^un 4 s\ ^\<<tt\v<^?M continued at Y}X}t\&£%^ 
 in An\xver to the Reasons d' lend zed &%4tn(l the fame in 
 the p70tefiAtie# And 1 ecLvaur W&en »'# b'j \$?&e Tlre-- 
 thnn 4t S. Anti'f w* , mdin zmthtr P'apgr Utefj con- 
 trrvedb? feme f**&ttptfg so foment divi fhns ,*na i§ fix 
 4 Scheme tn tbs Kiri • and f$r that effect^ Jfread a- 
 broad me 7 into the hands of (uch a4 they conceive ml be 
 inclinable to * foiim their -my , but k§epdupfr$mdl 
 others. 
 
 The Review of the Infcription, 
 
 \ N this Title, Tome things are infinuated,and 
 others arc .aflti ted; Ic is irifinuated,that the 
 Proteftation was given in but by a few , for 
 he calls them fmt Brethren • I acknow- 
 ledge , that the multitude and greater 
 number are upon tb'e other fide, yet that is 
 ttot-a thing wherein they have cauie to 
 boaft»or the Proteftcrs eecd to be-afliamed; it feldome falls out, 
 cfpecially in declining times, that the folio wees of the truth are 
 the moft numerous; yet were thefe even for their number,m3ny 
 moe then by the Law are accounted witoeffes fuificient to atteft 
 a truth ; and many there he throughout the Land, who put to 
 thea* tea! to their Teftimony as true; Minifter.^Elders and Pro- 
 fcflbrs-,yea,the Generality of the Generation of the Righteous, 
 and fuch as know GOD , and live godly in the Land. It is affer- 
 
 A 2 ted 
 
tedfirft, Tiut the other Paper was lately contrived, that is, a 
 litle while before the writing of this Vindication : But if the 
 Vindication was not written many moneths before it came a- 
 broad, the Author thereof is miftaken in this,becaufe this Paper 
 was contrived within a very few weeks , three or four at moft, 
 after the Protcftation it fcif; it may be that it came bnt lately to 
 his hand , but it was abroad long before his Vindication was 
 heard of. 2. It is aflcrted,that this Paper was contrived by fome, 
 practizing to foment divisions, and to fix: a Schifme in this Kirk. 
 But their hearts bear them record, that the fomenting or fixing 
 of divilion or fchifme juftly io called, as it never was,nor is cficir 
 purpofe, fo hath it been far from their pracl c~, eithc in that or 
 any other parrcular This indeed they do acknowledge, :hat they 
 are unwilling to fuffec themfelves to be divided from the truth 
 formerly received and profelTed by the Church of Scotland; and 
 that they conceive themfelves bound in their ftations and Cal- 
 lings, to bear tcftimony agauft the courfc of back-Hiding, carried 
 on in che Land , of which they judge the common Conibtution 
 and Actsof that Aflcmhly tobeno imall partjand though to 
 foment divisions and fix a Schifme in the Church,be a heavy im- 
 putation , yet being confeious to themfelves of their own inno- 
 cencie, they are not much moved with it, rememoring that ft is 
 tbc common Topkk whence decliners in all the Ages of the 
 Church have argued a»a nft thefe who would not be conlcnting 
 unto,or did teft.rie agai A\ their defection ; Peace and unity hath 
 been their plea, and fedition, di virion and fchifme their charge 
 againft their opnofers ; upon this accompt doth the Lord Jefus 
 and his Apoftles , by the Serb. 1 * and Pharifces and Elders of the 
 ^twtSiLuthcr and CW^»,and our firft Reformers by the Pope 
 and his Clergy; Nonformifts by the Prelats and their adherents, 
 ftand recorded in the Catalogue of thefe who practized to fo- 
 ment divifion*, and fix a fchifme in the Church. 3 . It is allerted, 
 That this Paper was [pre Ad abroad onely into the handt of juch 
 At ihty ctnceive will be incline able to follow their *my, but \ee- 
 ■ped up from all ethers* f f they had direclly fent Copies to thefe 
 of a contrary Mgment, it might htply been thought a piece of 
 vanity and prefumpt'on; and if the Author of this Vindication 
 thought fuch a thing incumbent to them, why did he 001 fenda 
 
 Copy 
 
(5) 
 Copy of his Anfwcr to the contrivers of thefe Ptpcrs>\vhom ( as 
 he afterwards bears us in hand) he doth very wel know, or hath 
 he ipoken with, or received evidence from all others, who were 
 not inclinable to follow that way chat he doch fo confidently af- 
 fert that Paper to have been kept up from all of them j I will 
 allure hinye was not fo as he arfirmes ; As the contrivers did not 
 vainly nor boaftmgiy fpread it to the provoking of any, fodid 
 they not purpofeiy keep it up from any of whatfoever judgment, 
 but were willing and defirous that it fhould go abroad, for edi- 
 fying of as many as the Lord ihould be pleafcd to bleife it unto ; 
 And therefore did they not oncly giveCopies to fuch as did defire 
 them, butalfo did ufe forne means to have gotten it Printed, and 
 could get none to undertake it. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 Before Tfaf upon the Ex Ami nation of the Keafons brought 
 dgAtnfl, And the difcovcry oftbefxlfe Afpcrfions call upon 
 the Affemblf by theft Papers mentioned • I d$ obtejl the 
 Reader , whofoevcr he be^ into w.hofe hinds this Fin- 
 JicationfhaK come in the fear of God, And as thou loves 
 not to be led ax* Ay with err our } but to know, debate H and 
 for thy edification decern on what fide Tr«tb and fafiice 
 is h thou would take heed that thy judgement be not either 
 blindfolded, or byajjed and fixed in prejudice bj (omev&hat 
 which may haveftrong influence this wAy, And t bit is meer~ 
 lyextrtnfecAlito the Caufe^su truth or fa!(hood > juftice or 
 in)uflice. 
 
 There be three things^ one or moe, have ( I doubt not ) had 
 influence on the mi (leading of forne Already in this matter, 
 dndntdi'yet I f'n'pect mi (carry others, And fix feme that 
 come to the reading of this Paper , with atntnde pre-occu- 
 pyedwith one of -thefe Extrwjecall refpetfs. 
 
 Review. 
 
 I Jnall not contend w'th the Author about the truth of that 
 General Affertion: That things extnfifecai to a Caufe may have 
 
 mrluence 
 
00 
 
 influence upon mens judgements, to byaflc them againR the 
 weight of rcafon; It doth indeed oft- time* fall out fo to be/fpe- 
 chlly in things trm relate to Religion* neif her (hall I make any 
 application to himfclf,or to the owners and fallowers of theCaufe 
 which he defends 1 wilh that all of u.% on all hand* miy from 
 the real! fe Sc of the greac bl nd.dTe that is id our under ftandings, 
 and many b^uffes chat are in our hearts, with much trembling 
 and fear, make humble, ierioin and frequent addrefics unto 
 God, thai he would gives right y to know, and in hnglcnefle 
 of heart t Miidgeof the truth in thefe things, without laying 
 weight on any thlrig that will not bear weight in the bal farce of 
 the Sanctuary . But ha -vy in.iinvre t men would have accounted 
 it fairer dealing, if not more prudence »f he had left theCaufe 
 /imply to be determined fey the weight oi his Anfwcr> and Rea- 
 sons; and had r,oc fo operovily and mdiftrioufty laboured to 
 bring the Reader in di&ke wth the Protcfters, by charging 
 jfotrie of them with biph crimes, and endeavouring to weaken 
 the Reputation of all of tTietn, by along deduction, and many 
 rkrref ccHe3 Iriftinces of thng^on the by; If h s Anfwers be 
 ftro. g e .-■■•■ugh for a batter e, wfc<t -ceded thefe undermirdmgs? 
 But t- fli [O take lbme View <>f chefe misleading Principle?, 
 where w th hechargeth rhfc Prorefters, and their adherents, and 
 or w«' <ch he denes <>the s to i eware leaft they be thereby 
 alfo infnatvd; o ely his ao*v rt.u rrci.t I give, that his charge 
 in all thefe thn-gs runneth onely upon the Prineip'es and Pra&ifes 
 offorr.cof the Protcfters ; Now upon fuppo fall that all hisal- 
 legeancc were rruc, what a poor way rsf arguing would thefe 
 that are for the Publick RefolutiWhs, and for the Aflembly at St. 
 ssfndreVts and 'Dvxde* account it, to eel 1 them over fomc few 
 or the m?ny g-o e Principles, ann 1 Practices holden and a&ed by 
 f<^me of their pahyJitKi fi ojn bhehee co conclude againftthcir pro- 
 feilions , and to the pre i ad ice ot their Caufe. 
 
 Vl NDICATION. 
 
 Fir ft felfifb Intereftyit is far from my thoughts to charge this 
 upsn all ftbo have concurred in proto fling againfl^and Aulining 
 this ss4§embly as the motive that led them thereupoa^I am per- 
 
 ftta&cd 
 
r 7 ) 
 
 fWdded of many of them th At they followed that e+urfe in thefim- 
 flicity of their hearts-jet I leave it to all judicious indifferent 
 tntn to confider & give their judgment ,tf it be not very Apparent 
 that (omewhat of this kindwas the jpring that rn^ved lome y the 
 -prime contrivers and flickers in thi\ buftntffe, who having ai- 
 Ventured upon (uch high counes and attempts, t?ndi*g t* the 
 'Violatton of the National! F#ith^ renting and ruining the King- 
 dom, trampling upon Authority 5 ana carrying wih the w te- 
 nentf^ contrary to the minde and P rati tee of all Orthodox Kir k/ f 
 and to the Faith, and not being able to akiie tnall m thefe 
 thing t by anAffembljjtvho in themselves Was not able to be«rthe 
 ftyaj 9 and carry things to their minde , and finding others inftm- 
 fhcity of heart with them dtjl'kjng .omePublicj^Re olutions ^nd 
 Ablings^ ant fo apt to be led on with them upon any courfe that 
 Could be prefented with the colour of a Ttft m?»y again ft thefe 
 Rof*lnt<ons ana A clings, found it i*fefi ; for. they rather alo* 
 gtxher do dtj claim the authority of the Affembly , then to ha- 
 xardnpon a fair and orderly t>yall of their matters ; yea, have 
 We not feen fame already (hip i*,a*d fan.i out of, and lh>p in again 
 in that ^Proirftation^ccoraino as they cone ivea the fti»de of af- 
 fairs then in the time to blow Wither again fi it, to creditor dtf~ 
 ere dtt \ cidv ant a ge or dt fad vantage ; conjcientiaus men Would 
 heWare new that this fame motive or inter t ft } do not prevail over 
 them, to nrglett due 8 xaminxt ion of the gr ttneis ef that Pro* 
 teflation, or to clofc their eye againfi (uch light as might hap- 
 ly be ho-lden farth in this matter^ to the oi covery of the iigh ■■-- 
 nefjeant non relevancy of :hefe troitnds and reasons ^ There* 
 fore put repu'atton and dtf-reputation in theeftimatiou of m*n t 
 aivanta^e ■ or df /-advantage worl ly to thee and thy con- 
 dition, put off thy fight for awhile y untill thoH haft pondered 
 'and compared reajon With re of on % 
 
 Re v i i w. 
 
 In the Application of this FrincMe of fcififli intcreft, the Au- 
 thor alio Is fome,co cc-vmg chm co.be Jc 1 on in the hmpljc ry of 
 tfieir heart , by the l-'bdry -And mifguiding of others, whom he 
 charges w*ch adventuring on htgh tourics and attempts^ tending 
 
 to 
 
Cs) 
 
 torhcviolition of the National: Oath, renting and ruining the 
 Kingdom, trampling on Authority , and carrying with them te- 
 nets contrary to the mind.? and practice of al! OitbdoxChurch.es 
 and to thef nith, &c What .sail this, but the way, if not vxry 
 near the words of the Prelaticall and Malignant party, againft the 
 Inftmmentsof the Work of Reformation 4*fti 1635 and .here- 
 after, who hecaufe the Integrity of fo^.c of thefe Inftruments 
 was above exception, they did cait the appearing of the ie in that 
 Work upon their fimpl oty, and did charge others with tilling 
 on a com fc of rebellion, as not being able to endure trial! in the 
 high crimes, whereof ( as they laid ) they were guilty; but the 
 Lord ere long did make their righteoufnes break forth a* themor- 
 mng,and their clearing as the noonday, and 1 trull that be who 
 kn owes the innocency of thefe Protefters upon whom the l;ke 
 things are charged, fhall alio fhew them the like nrurc y in Vindi- 
 cating them from all the reproach that hath been unjuft y caft 
 upon them. But to the point, if thefe. prime Cont-ivers and 
 ftitklers in the bufinefle, had before that time adventured on fuch 
 high courfes, and were guilty of fuch grievous crimes as the Au- 
 thor chargeth them with, then furely thefe flmple ones of whom 
 hefpeaks, were fimplc exceedingly, who could fee nor dtfeern 
 none of thefe things that were fo obvious to the view of others ; 
 but notwithstanding of what he fayes , they are known to 
 (harp fighted decerning men, and for learning, Grcumfpccti- 
 on, judgement, prudence and experience in the things of God, 
 and the Affairs ofhishoufe to be far beyond thefe whom he 
 takes for the prime contrivers and fticklers in thebufinefle, and 
 to be inferior to none of their oppofers ; yea,if there be any who 
 deferve the name of the prime contrivers and Lticklers in the mat- 
 ter of theProteftationit is fomcof thefe who had no hand in thefe 
 high courfes which he mentions, and who upon his accompt art 
 among the fimple ones. Thefe crimes which he doth fo po- 
 fkively, and without hefitation charge upon fome, especially be- 
 ing fo hainous and great: It would feem, that both charity and 
 and j'uftice would have required that he had brought fomc good 
 evidence of them, leaft haply his Reader truft not his naked Af- 
 fcrtion, in that which doth not onely reach the reputation, but 
 alfo the life aad being of others : And if he would have men to 
 
 believe 
 
(?) 
 
 Relieve their tencti to be contraiy to the minde and practice of 
 aJiOrchodox Churches, and to the Faith; he would do well to 
 pco ve them to be fo, untill he do it, he will I hope allow chari- 
 ty to thefe who deny it: Some of thegreateft Divines of this 
 Church, and of this age whofe praife is in all the Reformed 
 Churches do affirm and have proved the contrary, and if the Au- 
 thors Aifertion be true, I fear not to fay, that the minde and 
 practice of this Church thefe years pail hath not been Orthodox 
 nor agreeable to the faith in order to thefe tenets , beaufe they 
 have been clearly taught and pracMed by this Church thefe years 
 paft, and a man but (Tenderly feen in the Doctrine thereof miy 
 bring forth thefe tenets aflcrtcd by this Church in the fame let- 
 ters and (illaoes • and may give clear inftances of her praftiees a- 
 agreeing with the fame ; it hath bc^n done already by fome in a 
 more convincing way then the fharpeft oppofers of thefe tenets 
 have as yet fatisfymgly anfwered. I would fain know what 
 ground qhcAuthor h d to fay,thar tie prime contrivers and (tick- 
 lers found it fafeft for them rather altogether to difclaim the Au- 
 thority of the A(femr»ly, then to hazard upon a fair and orderly 
 trial oi their matters. Their conkie-nces do bear them record that 
 it was not upon any jcaloiifie or fufpition they had of theirCaufe 
 as not being able to endure the light ;& rcafon may perfwadeindjf 
 ferent men to think,thatthey did not look upoaproteftingagainft 
 the Aifembiy as the fafeft courfe othcrwife then in order to their 
 duty, for if we take fafery as it might concern their perfo s,they 
 could hardly have done any thing that could have more endan- 
 gered thefe: It was a fpcedy way to expofc them to the cen fares 
 both ofChurch and State,as did appear in the fequel,fome ofthem 
 becaufe of their Proteftmg being depofed by that Aflembly, and 
 other of them confined by the civil Magiftrate t and there is 
 ground to prcfume that they would have been proceeded againft 
 wit 1 ? f rther cenfures, both civil and Ecclefiaftick,iftheL>rd had 
 not ftopt the current of thefe tftings^If this was their fafeft way, 
 why do men of his own judgment fo frequently fay, that if the 
 Proteftationhad been forborn,theAiTemb!y would r.ot havecenfu- 
 red sny,no not in the cafe of their adhering to their judgment,and 
 diifentingfrom the judgment of the AiTembly in the matters of the 
 Publick Refolations.If we lha! take fafcty in order to the caufc, 
 
 B they 
 
(to) 
 the y could not be fo dull as to tfeu k, that their Protcft'ng aga'r.ft 
 the Afl'embly would keep the AflemWy from trying and jud^.ng 
 Of their caute, 01 other ind : .ff..-rent men from fearchiiig into the 
 fame, a t ;d if ue fore the Protestation, it co-Id not abide the trial), 
 it did but put them in unuch worfe condition to Proteft upon an 
 unwarrantable gnu'd, it being worfe to defend twoevill caufes 
 then one; And therefore it doch not appear from thefe things that 
 fcif intereft was the spring from whence thefe Actings did flow ; 
 yea, the contrary ( if any thing) is manifeft, becaafr by fuch a 
 way they co Id expect nothm.- but the hightning of all former 
 reproaches cafe on them,the expofmg fthemfelvs to the cen fares 
 both ol Church and Stare, if men that in all the r precous inte- 
 refti muft be fufferen becaufe of their doi:.g of fa eh things be led 
 to acl the ein upon * principle of felfilh inter eft , we leave it to 
 judicious and indifi? ent men to coniider and give their judge- 
 ment, whether it be vt.ry apparent, yea, or not ? ft is true that 
 fome two 01 three did partly by the perfwalion, and partly by 
 the threatning of fome at ^Dmndte^ relile a little from the Tcfti- 
 mony which they had given at St, Andrews in the matter of the 
 Protection, which within a fhort time thereafter they did re- 
 pent of, and again adhered to their former Ttftimony, not upon 
 any felrifh-intertft, or eye to credite or advantage ( as the Au- 
 thor affirmes ) there being no appearance firft or laft, that by 
 adhering to the Proteftation they could gain any of thefe things, 
 but on the checks of their own conferences, and the vice they 
 heard behind themJAjingjhu u the waj vulk^ye in it, when they 
 had turned afidc. fome of them are fince that time taken out of 
 the land of the livin£,and I truit are now in glory,and I canaffurc 
 theAuthor and all others,and tf it be doubt ed, I wil get it attefted 
 under the hands of famous wJtnc(fes;that after their refiling from 
 that teftimony they had no peace nor quietnei in their fpirits for a 
 longtimCjbut went down mourning to their graves,becaufe they 
 had fo done, and. upon their death beds did often and fadly be- 
 moan it,that they had mitfed the opportunity to give fomepublick 
 Teftimony and Declaration with others of their forr^for the 
 fame, and of their purpofc and resolution to adhere to the Pro- 
 teftation. It had been no loffe to the Author nor hlscaufe, to 
 havefpared fuch foirp (let me not fay bitter) and perform! 
 
 reflection 
 
 
(ii) v . 
 
 reflexions upon contentions and godly men, as he mtfty timS 
 needkfly ufeth, he and all othet£ whole eyes God hath opened^ 
 to fee their way canncft butbeconfcious to themfdves ofr their 
 own wandrings,and hoW much they owe to the exceeding riches 
 of the mercy and free grace of God,chat hath recovered them out 
 of fnares. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 SEcondlj, eftimttion of the perfons, the Authors or Abbet" 
 tors ofthisproteftatien. God foi bid J fljould thinI^,fAj,or ad' 
 vifc any thing to the prejudice or dtfadvantage of godUneffe or 
 godly perfor/S) neither Jb*ll 1 queftion their godlinejfe t my judge* 
 meat concerning fome^yea mAny of them is very pofitive .having 
 by experience and acquaintance feeu, Imuft (ay, much of the 
 image of J e s u S Ch r I s T in themes for other s^hat ever they 
 have been ev-ry whit y J take net on me to judge them, nor yet 
 thinl^J it pertinent or fit fo to do - That there are godly mtn $ 
 net mfcW on the other fide to$ , is manifeft , fame that were in 
 Chrifi before them y atdmen th*t h4tb fuffcred for the Truth 
 and CAufe ofCjodJtobcn other t had not the honor to be doers for 
 if, and are ready to \uffer,ij he Jhal caII them to it ^though fome 
 uncharitably and rajhty ( to fay to the befi of it ) fpares not to 
 traduce them as eslpojiates And bacl^jlUers ; but this is it 1 
 Would fay, that men fh**ld take heed \ftei they make not a fnAri 
 of their opinion^yeA, or the reall conviclion of the godlinefi* they 
 have of Any per Jons bj approving, taking up y orfoMorving their 
 faying* opinions or yr Atlice s^wit loout due examination and triall 
 upon this Accompt, bccAuje they are go I y per/ons from whom 
 fuch things proceeds. 
 
 It is wel' and expedient for fuch as would in this dangerous 
 tirvefta/l^ csrcumipeBly , And Jbnn (nAres, to remember as to 
 this prcfent cAntto* two things : i . Thai true godltnejfe is not 
 of fuch perfeblton in Any on this fi*e of eternity , as doth exempt 
 them from aliening^ -whether in >u gement or pr aHire, nor jet 
 from' ft iff* mAintaining mrfiak^s 1 *>h n once they have turned 
 A fide um o them. Luther wis a godly wan, And hdd mm h of 
 CHRIST in him ; 1 thinly none of them interest din the p>efent 
 4>ufincjje will tompAre With htm, yet who lenoWeph not what greAt 
 
 B % trrours 
 
 V 
 
(it) 
 
 errouns he held in the matters of ty ^, And maintained ttot only 
 ft'jf'h* but violently to the great preju ire pj Relttyo* t and ob- 
 ft HtHe* of the wrrkj'f 'Ref».- motion, trader which the Reformed 
 Kirkj do groi-tnyet H'-'tt'-liU day* 2 HowWofull a f»are 9 this 
 (7 mean not godline(fe , but the over^eightng conceit of per forts 
 reputed to be go.Jy) hath proved in the neighbour Nation And 
 KWk\ HAih *ot thii be n one of the chiefefi (Iratagems and en- 
 gines whereby Satan hath prevailed 9 t& mar the fair wo>\of 
 Reformatio*, fo happily and hope fatly once began there , and fil- 
 led that L nd with u*paraleiled confu forts under which noVo it 
 groans } Fce'ix quern facfunt fl.iena pfcficula cautum. It were 
 good for us t » learn \X>ifeaome by other rxens dangers, *nd io be 
 Warned by the beacons which others JhipVvrac{ hath jet up to #/, 
 left we alfo make [hipwracl^vpon the the famefchelves* and then 
 f*h ^ ut te0 ^ ate * non P uc * v ' mus > Prove* b, flill Scoftifh men 9 
 wife behmde the hand 9 prove all things, from what foe ver hand 
 they come, and hold fait that which is good. 
 
 Review. 
 
 I do indeed believe, dm the Author doth not intend to fay 
 or advife any thing to the prejudice or difadvantage of godlines, 
 or godly men; yet do I de<;re him ferioufly, and in foberneffc of 
 minde,as before the Lord, to confider, whether there hath been 
 fomething in the late Pubiick Refolutions,and in the proceedings 
 and Acts oi the late Ailembly at Tlund'e, to both which ( if I 
 cniftake not) he had a great acceflion, that is prejudicial! to god- 
 linefi and to godly men : Refpcft to thefe d'-d exceedingly abate 
 with the Publck Resolutions; ye3, enimity againft thefe did ex- 
 ceedingly grow with thefe refolutions; a thing (o mamfeft,that 
 they who did run,could not but read itj and did not the Arts at 
 Dundee , wherein betides the cenfurcs that were infilled on 
 fome, all, whether Minifters* Elders,Ex.pc3:ants,SchoolmaftrTf, 
 Students or Profeflors of whatfoever fort, who fhali not acqui- 
 cfee to the Ads and Conclufions of thatAifeT>bly,and who after 
 conference for their fttisfafHonjOppofe the fame, are appointed 
 to be cei-.fured, do not ( I foy ) thefe Afts import a prejudice to 
 godUncfs and godiy oiemif oro'ecuted and executed, they woui.d 
 at laft non-Office, and oon Church many Godly Church-Oifi* 
 
 cers 
 
 U 
 
/ 03) 
 
 cers and god ! y Church Members j yea, I fear the greateft part of 
 tEe Godly in the Land. His teftimooy concerning the godli .efs 
 of -any of the Authors and Abettors of this Proteftution , I 
 do willingly accept, as favouring of ingenuity » Hid having truth 
 in it: I with he had been as plain and poikiye in. giving his 
 judgment concerning others : Whil^ft he differences them from 
 thcil to whofe godimefs he bears teftimony,and fathjthat what 
 ever they have been every whit , he will not take upon him to 
 judge; it feems that he would render them fuH-sected, if not have 
 them taken for perfons naughty or little worth,whac ever be his 
 meaning in it, or his judgment of thefeotbrrs,I ftial not ftand to 
 enquire into it ; there be none of the Authors or Abettors of 
 that Proteftatton,to whom many of the godly in Scotland will 
 not give an honcft teftimony, neither will any thing that any of 
 them have been, contradicl the fame , if at any time they have 
 been in a wrong way, yet have they through grace repented of, 
 anil forfaken the fame: And it concerns the Author, who hath 
 been a (harcr of the like precious mercy,not to upbraid them.but 
 to acknowledge the goodnefs of the Lord both to them and to 
 himfelf. I de-ny not, that there are godly men on the other fide, 
 and fuch as furl-red for the Truth and Caufe of God ; but why 
 heihouli fay,th:it fome of them were in Chrift before the Pro- 
 tefters, and that they were lufrerers for the truth, when others 
 had not the honour to be deors for it, I do not well underftand; 
 fundry of theProtefters,for their being inChrft,and Ciflering for 
 the Truth and Cau<e of God,are through grace,of a very old and 
 longftanding>and fauious & honorable in a;l thisChurcbl cannot 
 reckon the moneths or years fince the one or the other did begin 
 to be in Chrift, and had the honour to fuffer for the truth , nei- 
 ther do I delirc to infift on the com pari fon, ble(Ted be the Lord 
 for all that are in Chriit,and for all who fufferi for his Caufe, I 
 wivh. and pray, that all of chem may conquer and overcome, and 
 if any of them be turned out of the way, the Lord may again re- 
 cover them,and make their iaft dayes better then their firft. it is 
 true, fome of the Protefters had not the honour to be doers for 
 th'- Caufe; yea, were oppoiers of it, when fome of the other fide 
 w re iuffering for it; but what if they have obtained mercy ,be- 
 caufc they did it lgnorantly through unbelief: if not to be a doer 
 
 Bj, for 
 
 - 
 
(i4) 
 
 fortheCatifr; yea, if to be bearers down md oppofers of the 
 Caufe, when others were fuffenng for it, be a good plea agamft 
 any of the ProteftcrsJ fear moft part of die late Alicmbly rm.ft 
 leave their Benches and go to the Bar. I know none that tra- 
 duces thefe godly men as Apoltates ; yea, 1 know and am pcr- 
 fwadedjthat the Protefters have an h gh and honourable eftima- 
 tionof th'.m for theif piety and parts, and for che great things 
 whereof the Lord hath made fundvy of them inftrumcntali in his 
 Houfe; and though they cannot but ttftifie, unldlc they would 
 be unfaithful] , that the courfe which thefe men have followed 
 this while pi ft in the matter of the Publick Rcfolutio s , is a 
 courfe of defection and back- Aiding , yet do they not ufe to call 
 them back- Aiders, much leffc Apnftates, and if any others do it, 
 they are not therein approven or allowed by them I joyn with 
 the Author in his advice , that men fhould take heed th*t they 
 make not a (nare of the opinion; yea, or the reall conviction of 
 thegodlinefle they have of any perfons by approving, caking up, 
 or following their faymgs,opinions or pi act: ees, without due ex- 
 amination and tryall upon thisaccompt bectufc they are godly 
 perfons .from whom fuch things proceeds , as being an advice 
 whoiefome and profitable in it felf. and as having ground to 
 thmk, that the eftimation of fome mens perfons and judgeme t$ 
 the laft year,had influence upon fome , to gam them to che Pub- 
 lick Reiolutions, and cothe proceedings of the Aflembly. I do 
 alfo ,oyn with him in the fubftance of the two things wh ch he 
 adds for ftrcngthningofthis pcefent caution, only defiring him to 
 be impartial in the application of the rirft,and to 1< ok homeward 
 afwcll as abroad,.md to guard well both in the firft and laft, that 
 in difcovering the errors or weaknefs of iome who are truly god- 
 ly,or the hyp- cririe of others who pretend it , the hands of the 
 prophanc, and l'uch as hate and mock at godlinefs , and infult o- 
 ver the infirmities and blerniftves of the Saints be not ftrengthe- 
 ned, nor godlinefs nor godly men brought in contempt. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 3. The fretenccs and yigfrofejpons *f g**d> upright *nd 
 &saUtu intentions And *$itt%9ns f^ar^s the Canfe ofGod*nd 
 
 frelftn 
 
 \( 
 
0$) 
 
 welfare of the Kirj^ofGodin tb» Land.I fhall Jior dare "question 
 the uprizhtnes of the intentions of fome*,yea,mAny of them m*j / 
 Am verity per j^paded of (ome oftbem,that they arc fir from do- 
 fag Any thing intentionally or formally And direcl/y intend- 
 ing the overthrowing *r ^rofgirg Any ofttocOrdinAnces offefus 
 fbrift fatted inihk Kirl^ or the pedce thereof: and that if they 
 be led in Any courfo i* the matter prtjudicuill to any of thefe it 
 is 44 many w-nt out Vvtth Abfolorn , in the jimplicity of their 
 hearts* Bu t fi-ft it ikokld he ytmembrcd.ihat many may be ve- 
 ry zj-alou* tn ihtir intentions for Ged> and yet thAt sjeai bt hot 
 accerdirg ts> knowledge: where there is much zeal for any ertd 9 
 there be alfo much mi flake *beut mids towards that end : And 
 Vvherc there u much and clcAr k*° pledge in many things 9 there 
 may he much miflakiffg about fome or moe particulars : a good 
 intention u necefjary, that a man may be appreven before God 
 in hid afforfSftut it is not enough to make bis anions good or imi- 
 table by otherrt And certainty thii is the chief thmg to be con* 
 fidercd by tb?*,ere thou alow, follow, or comply with the cenrff 
 of any other man , not %hat goed intention or z,eal thsy do pre* 
 fe(Je,but ^hat good ground or reAfon they h Ave for the courfe ; 
 ay, but may [ome gr.at kno^ers fay, This is poor, who know** not 
 thh? this id a common known principle of acting, thai Veefheuld 
 not lifpen to mens profeffions, offiraigbr^ hone ft ard good inten- 
 tior,s,but jtek what warrant they have tor their alhions, It is 
 tr*e> it is a common kjoVrn and plain principle y but common 
 principles are better \n»wn % then made ui^of\ and hath need to 
 bepre'fjed, that $key may be hated in our ablings, and amtngfl 
 others, this efpectally in thefe times, great Profefsions of ho- 
 ne ft aniftraight purpojes and intention ',efpecially made by men 
 Vfho are presumed to have much knowledge, and have been found 
 in many things right , are ready to make others Who are credu- 
 lous And more ftm pl? 3 oftentimes (ecure And negligent , to try 
 and prove their actings , and ft oftentimes fuffer tbemf elves to 
 be led out of the Vt ay* a. Albeit { as I [aid before ) J do not 
 auefiion the uprightnes and fmcerity of /owe pr r >fefsi«n , con- 
 cerning their intention and their *ffzttion % yec IJball de fire the 
 Reader to compare the profejpons made in- the Narrative of the 
 Protefiation in hand , Wtthjome late prattles s of jome that h^td 
 
 hand ; 
 
(\6) 
 hand thereiu y and theft nit if the low form. Firft, they profeffe 
 that while they live it (halt be ar\nowledgfd htw graciem GOD 
 h*th b'en, ir> gixirg 10 thu K ,\fure Ordinances % And that 
 they dtttrt mtrcy **4 grace to adhere to the JVe,jhip y Do- 
 firing , Vifcipline a»d government eftabiifhed in this Land. 
 Thuindeedis a go^dTrof ffien , but fuppoje tbAt Which is 
 certain and evident , that when We fpeale^oj great estimation of 
 tntdddbering to the Difcipiine and Government efiabtifhed in 
 this Kirhjpoe ma ft conceive this in relation to the Ord\nances t 
 not only i» the abfhatl *nd d*>gwtte,but alfo in conirct<V?4 at 
 they arc in jidtu exeriito,*^*"*'^ exifting, and at they are exer- 
 ci td *r Judicatories constituted accordingly , let a wan pro- 
 feffe what he Wi// of foundries and conftaneic in pomp of judg- 
 ment concerning 'Dt/cipline and Government eflablifhed in the 
 K k^^y^t if hi b' found a contemner of the cxercife of that 
 1)icipline 9 and of the lawful 1 'Judicatories invefted With the 
 Government^ no wife man will acknowledge that man to have a 
 due t fit matt on of y or to br aconfyant adherer to thejeo v din i inces i 
 extept it may fe tn fo far as he holds [omthing of them in his 
 §Wn h*nd J and that is hintfelf '• nay^fuch profefftons are but 
 XpMs-oAo}*/ x) lv>oyU h £°ed words and fair fpeeches to deceive 
 th? h-arts of the JimpL.This laid down , let any ingenuous and 
 indifferent men take unto con fider at ion but jome pratlice of 
 fomr of the Protefters y and judge hoW agreeable they are to the 
 former prof effi on y and adhering to the Difcipiine and Cjovern- 
 m?nt fet led in this Church* i.Condemning Alls and ^onftitu- 
 tion; ofihe \upream Judicatories of the Kir^moit unummouf* 
 ly conclude^ ( then* el yes being prefent and not contralitlwqr^ 
 but pofitivay by their votes consenting thereunto ) and that 
 net t* a private way, but in a Remonftrance public kjy emitted 
 'to the World , and pretexted to the Stat* » without having jo 
 'm-'*chre!*?bl to thee Judicatories as ( Which due eflimation 
 if And ad her i ig to i h* -ftablifted (government of the Kirl^did 
 rtauire) once to have had rccourfe to them^ fir it by fupp\icati- 
 on or defire to re-examine, or to take to their confideration a- 
 gam thefe Alls and ConftttUtions^ yeajrefufing to *?ply them- 
 felves to Weld in fucha way, as that When advi fed and came fi- 
 ll preffed thereunto, at orderly, by jome to Whom they had com- 
 
 municA- 
 
municated the defign of the RemonftrAnce : the firmer part &f 
 this is evident frem the Weft em Remonflrance^cohdemning the 
 Treaty with the King t and clofmg thereof, allo^eed y appr even and 
 ratified bj the Generall Affembly 1 650. If it be faid t that that 
 Remevftrar.ee wasjcemmunieatedte the Commiffion efthe Kirt^ 
 before it was pre tented te the S ft ate 9 that ts true • 'But beftde 
 that t the Commijsien had nit poWer 1 9 judge the Acts and (fon- 
 ftisutions of the Afjembfy* It was prefenied unto thtm meer- 
 ly to have had their concurrence in pre fen ting it to the Eflate y 
 if that could have been obtained -^ but with ne defire to advifs 
 and give thair judgment upon the matter contained in it 5 ye#\ 
 theie that cami with it y required , If they had any power com- 
 mitted to them te ch*in$e any thing at it * they plainly declared*. 
 that though feme exprefftons might be changed^ yet they hadno 
 p ewer .and were not to alter one jote of the matter ; fe aetermi*- 
 #ed were they of thcmfelvesy and antecedently te the cognition 
 ef the Public k Judkateries, The latter fart is evident by 
 Mr. John Carftajres Letters written to the Lerd Regifter , a-. 
 bout the time of the contriving tfjat Remouftrauce from Edin- 
 burgh,**^ intercepted at tht Ferry of Airth, er thereabout, 
 
 R E view. 
 
 I Shall fay nothing of the charity he alloweth many, and of the 
 perfwafion that he hath of fome,that they are far from doing 
 any thing intentionalIy,or formally and direcilyintendmg to over- 
 throw or wrong any of the Ordinances of Jesus Christ, 
 fetled in this Church, or the peace thereof; he hathreafon to 
 allow them that and fomewhat more, but this allowance of his 
 to fomc, doth leave others under a hard conftruction* not onely 
 in regard of their work, but aJfoin refpect of that which is their 
 formall and direct intention, another years proof of them, may 
 haply force better thoughts both of their intentions & -actions, in 
 the heart* of fome who now for along time haveTDiftaken them., 
 becaufe they could not ./oin*in the PuHick Refolutions, wh;ch to 
 them was to be found in the way of Egypt, and to drink the wa- 
 ters of Sihon in the mean whiJe they are comforted in this, that 
 their own heart! doth not condemn them> neither in their in- 
 
 C tentions 
 
(i8) 
 tendons or actions, what he faith of a z<?al, not according to 
 knowledge and of miftakes about midfes and of a good intention, 
 that it is not enough to make a mans actions good or imitable by 
 others j but that is to be co ifidered, what good ground or rca- 
 fon they have for their courfe , and of the applymgof common 
 prnciplc* which are better known then madeufc of. In all thefe 
 things I do agree with him,and willies, that they may be blefled 
 of God unto his Readers and all others- But let us come to ex- 
 amine the things whereby he endeavours to render the Profefli- 
 Ous of the Pn tefters fufpecled , as not agreeing with fome of 
 their principles and actions; for making oat of which, he deiires 
 the Reader to compare the profertions made in the Narrative of 
 the Prottftation,with fome late principle^ of fome that had hand 
 thereip,ani thefe not of the !o welt note. Fir , ( faith he) they 
 profeflc-jthat while they hve, &c. I acknowledge, that ! have no 
 great skill of School tearms ; but I conceive, that w hen in this 
 place he fpeaks of the Ordinances in concreto, and as they are in 
 *tiu cxercit*^ actually exifting, and as they are exerciied in 
 Judicatories conltirute accordingly, he means not of every kinde 
 of concretion and exercife of Ordinance qnovis modo ; for they 
 may have an honeft and honourable efbmation of Ordinances, 
 who bear tefttmony agai.-.ft the corruptions and mal-adminiftra- 
 tion* of the abufers of them •, other waye* thefe who have been 
 moftzealous and ftraight- hearted for the Ordinances in all 
 Ages , fhould be found among the defpifers of Ordinin* 
 ces, and none more then many of the gracious Wor- 
 thies of this Land , who were ready to lay down their 
 lives for the Ordinance! , and yet did bear publick te- 
 ftimony both againft the corrupt conftitution and corrupt 
 Acts of Aflemblies , and all male-admmiftrations that were 
 of any importance to the prejudice of the Kirk>or any of the Or- 
 dinance? of Chr It therein, which was fo far from rendering their 
 prof'efHons fofpe&ed . that it was a reall evidence of the truth 
 and fincerity thereof. But I think he means of fuch a concre- 
 tion and exercife of Ordinances , ( though it had been fit to 
 exprefle it more clearly ) as is agreeable to the ru'e of Gods 
 Word, for fo he ieeros to hinr, when he fayeth , *s the) are 
 Judicatories conftitfttc accordingly ; and in this fenfe the carri- 
 age 
 
( l9 K , ' 
 
 age of the Protefters doth well ftand with their Profefliors , m 
 reference to the Ordinances. Having laid down i h s gi ound 
 and diiiinction of Ordinances, not oneiy in the abftract and dog- 
 mate but alio in <■ thereto, end as they are in &&u exercifo • he 
 corner in the next place to give fome mftances of feme practices 
 of fome of the Protefters, in letting down of wh ; ch he hath been 
 very induftrious , to gather and put together a cund;e of fuch 
 things as he thinks may bring their Profeiftons in iufpicion and 
 contempt ; I fhall not meet him with the like meafure ; if it 
 wece Chnftian and feafonable work, more haply might: be hol- 
 den forth of the practice*, not of fome only, but of many Uick- 
 lers for the Pubhck Refolutions, that goes crofi, theii PiofciTion 
 to the D- -clnne, Worilup, Difcipline and Government of the 
 Church of Scotland, then the Author can or will anfvver; but 
 becaufe to recriminate,is not jto anfwer, I come to the particular 
 jnftances which he gives r The firft is, their condemning Acts 
 and Conftitutions of thefupream Judicatories of this Church, 
 which he aggravates by many circumftances. Firft, that thefe 
 Ads were rnoft unanimoufly concluded. Secondly,that themfelvs 
 were prefent,and did not contradict. Thirdly, that they were 
 politively confenting thereto by their Votes. Fourthly , that 
 they condemned thefe Ads , not in a private way, but in a Re- 
 monftrance, publickly emitted to the World , and prefented to 
 the State. Fifthly, that ail this wa« done, without having fo 
 much refpect to thefe Judicatories , as firft to have recourfe to 
 them by Amplication, and deiire to re examine,or take to confi- 
 deration again thefe Acls and Conftitutions, yearefufing to ap- 
 ply themfelves to them in-fuch a way, when advifed and earneft- 
 ly preiTed thereto, as orderly, by lome to whom they had com- 
 municated the defign of the Remonftrance. To all which I re- 
 turn, that the Argument taken in its ftrength, doth not feem to 
 conclude much for evacuating the Prof eflions of the Protefters 
 to the Doctrine, Worfhip,Difc>piine and Government of this 
 Church,unlerTe we lay this for a ground, that whofoever repre- 
 fents and remonftrates his judgment againit any one of the Acts 
 oftheAdemblyofthis Church, belyes the Profeflion which he 
 makes of refpect to the Doctrine, Woiih'ip, Government and 
 Difcipline thereof. 
 
 C 2 Secondly 
 
Secondly, the Affemblywas not furflciently informed concer- 
 ning thefe tranfa&ions with the King, but feverail j 
 particulars which would have contributed much for clearing of 
 the bufinoife, were • cv om, and not i eported to the Af- 
 
 femL'fy; to wit, th given tq the King, the Act 
 
 ^pointing hun to be reftfcred to- the cxercife of his power, the 
 .Kings Letters to James Grah im^hc Kings talking the Sacrament 
 after the order of the Service Book kneeling, from an Epifcopall 
 Doclor, and an IriiTi Bifhop, notwithftand ng that fee had sig- 
 ned the Trcaty,and»that intcrceiTIons were made to him bdth y 
 word and write, to forbear the bringing to fea with the King all 
 the Enghlli and Scots Malignants that were with him *t &ndd 
 after the Commiffioners had received theLetters and A its both of 
 Church and State, difapproving the Treaty at B>-cti*\ The way 
 how the K ng was induced to fubferibethe Covenant, and haw 
 immediatly before his taking it. being ready to land in Sco+Und, 
 he was about to have made a Prote, ration, but that fomeofthe 
 Commiffioners would not tender hiar: the Covenant upon theie 
 terms . How lame the accompt was that was given to theGene* 
 rail A^Tembly, of that bufineflfe; fome of the CommiiTionerscon- 
 feffion before the Commiflion of the Church at Strivelir.g af- 
 ter 'Dunbar doth bear witnefle; it may be remembered that the 
 Moderator then regrated , that the plain bunncflTe was not made 
 known to the Gencrall Aflfembly, and thatmoftof what was 
 fpoken in that debate at S traveling tended rather to clear the 
 Gen. Aflfembly then to juftifie the Treaty j and indeed thefe af- 
 ter difcovcrie> of hidden and finfully concealed truths,may plead 
 for a fair conftrudion of what the AlTcmbly did in approving 
 their Commrftioners proceedings, which belike they would not 
 have approven if they had known all the truth : And do afford 
 fufficicnt ground for the Remonftrators afterward to Remon- 
 ftrate them, without reflecting upon the Aflembly or upon their 
 own profertions.of refped to the Doctrine and Government of 
 this Church. Second ly,thefe ads were not fo moft unanimoiifly 
 concluded as the Author arllrmes: It is true, that there was no 
 ?roteftatian nor open and plain diflfent by any member of the 
 Aflfembly againft them, but feverail members who had profeft 
 their dtf-farisfa&ion with that matter in private, when it came to 
 
 be 
 
be voted in Pub'ick, they did fo qualific their Vote, that it did 
 relate oneJy to the approving of the diligence of the CommiffU 
 oViers^nfmuating that they were not clear to approve of the mat- 
 er ; I acknowledge that it was a weakaeii? that they did not 
 pii'fiiy declare the.<r minde (which fome of che >. were requeited 
 to forbear ) but this (hews that there was cot fo g?£«t unanimi- 
 ty in that muter as he fpeaks of: He is sot fgnOrarit that as that 
 btfiffieife was from the nrfl: to the laft rafhly tranfaeied, and a- 
 gamft the inclinations of the generally of the Godly in the land, 
 wbdft chey yet did feetheKing continuing in his oppo(it:on to the 
 work of God* fo alio againft the inclination of many id the Af- 
 fembly^wLo yet could not find a ground ro diflent opperJy irom 
 thac conciuiion, -becaDfe of the fair reprefentation of the matter 
 made 10 th m Thirdly, before theRemonftrana* wa? penned,there 
 was palpable and clear difcoveries of the hollownes of that tranf- 
 a&ion in Holland ; the King had given Commi Hons to the Ma- 
 lignants to vife in Armes, and had himfelf deferted the Judicato- 
 ries, and gone away to join with the Malignants, and feverall o- 
 ther things of that kinde were made known, before there was 
 any meeting about the Remonftrance, let be any conclu^on taken 
 upon it. FourthIy,there could not be any addrefs to thefejudica- 
 tories by way of fuppl cation,or other wife todeiire them to re- 
 examine, or to take to their confederation again thefe A.'b and 
 Conftituttons,becaufe the Gen. Aff. which ( only by the Authors 
 own acknowledgement ) had power fo to do, was not then fit— 
 ting*nor to fit for eighc or nine moneths thereafter; and the Lord 
 having 1 mitten us fo fore, as at Dxtifar, and being ftill threat- 
 ning more wrath ,it was no time to delaymor dallie the reprefent- 
 ing the grounds of his. controvert. Fifthly* when that Remon- 
 ftrance paft, the Forces of the Weft, were enclofed between the , 
 Englifh Forces at GUfgew&nd thofe at C<*riiie, and refoived to 
 lav down their lives in the defence of their Religion and Coun- 
 try > and therefore thought themfeives b>undto exone» their 
 conferences in a free and plain way, tnd to leave that Tdvm^ny 
 behinde them concerning the guiltieerTe of the Land, and the J u- 
 dicatories thereof. Sixthly, that Remonftrance was not the deed 
 of iomc of the Protefters onely, but for the fubftance : Firft* the 
 deed of one of the beft, and mod famous Synods of this Church, 
 
 and 
 
(it) 
 
 and afrf rw»rds both for fubfta ce and words, the deed of a very 
 cohflierable number of Officers, gentlemen and Minifters,whofc 
 integrity and zeal for the Publicke Caufe from the beginning was 
 known and approven, notoncly to the Judicatories of Chinch 
 and St^te, but to all good men throughout the Land. Seventhly, 
 that as it b rrue,that theft who came with the Remonftrance to 
 prePr t it to the Committee of Eftates, being required if thty had 
 an> power committed to them to charge any th ng thereof, did 
 pi* j»»ly declare, that though iome expretflons might be i hanged, 
 yet they had no power to alter any thing in the matter ; So it is 
 no lefle true, that thefe who did require them , if they had any 
 fuch power, being told,that they had power to comma nitate the 
 fame unto them, before they gave it in to the Committee, and 
 to tske their advice and-afliftance therein , did not after the read- 
 ing and healing thereof, profeflc any diflike of the matter therein 
 contained,much lefle did they ufc any arguments to difwade them 
 from giving it in, which gave jtft ground to the other to chink 
 that they did approve thereof, they being men of fuch ripnefle of 
 judgement, freedome, intimacy and friendlinefle with thefe who 
 ga\eitin, that they could not but look upon their filenceasan 
 a} proving of their way. E'gthly, let it be confidercd, whether 
 the Remoiiftrators , or thefe who were hugged by the Com- 
 miflfionof the Church, and the Meeting at «S t. ^ndy e^s and 
 I>H*dee % was their beft friends, and moft forwaid for the Pub- 
 lick Relblut ons, are this day moil: tender of the Liberties of 
 Church and State ; the latter confenrng to all the demands of the 
 prefent power, and the former every where refuting, as to that 
 which is fatd to be proved by Mr. John C*r[tarcs his Letter to 
 the Lord Reg fter, how weakly is this alledged ; Mr. John Car- 
 + flares ws then a prifoner at Edinburgh , the Remoi (trators 
 were ztTtttrnfreis ; the Remonftrance was preferred at Snive- 
 ling j he knew not fo much a> cither matter or forme of the Re- 
 monftrance till it was prefented, how then could he give advice 
 therein ? Or if his Letter was intercepted,how could that advice 
 come to their hands that they might hearken thereto } If there 
 hid been any thing in that Letter that made for his pflrpofe, why 
 did not the Author cite the words of it after the intercepting 
 thereof? It was (hewed to Mr. Robert Douglas , and diverfe 
 
 others, 
 
(*3) 
 
 others, and as it did the?fj fo if it were needful! to make it pub- 
 lick, it would now prove; that there was nothing in it of which 
 either Mr. John^ or my Lord Regifter needs to be afhamed; and 
 it would abundantly confute the calumnies of fome, and correct 
 the miftakes of others, particularly in the thing for which it 
 is alledged. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 SEcondly ypublicKvtlifying of^Albs of the Generall A^emblj^ 
 as not to he preyed in matters of conference , witneffe A4r m 
 James Guthrie hu Speach f uttered pnblickjj in the Commission 
 At StrivelingjW&rr* *# conference Hp$n the pVeflem RemoxftrAnce 
 when the Moderator did once and again prtffs the tsitt of the 
 Generall tsfffcmkly approving the dole of the Treaty with the 
 King, and the Declaration of the fame A jjemblj emitted when 
 the Snglifh Army entrcd the Land^ againft fhat part ofthr Re- 
 monflrance 9 condemning the clo[e of the Treaty t he pnblickjy 
 Anfwered y PrerTe me not with humane conftitutions in matters of 
 Conscience ; *H that were prefect y who Were many from fever alt 
 parts of the Kingdove, befides Commifsiomrs can well remem- 
 ber thtt. 
 
 Review 
 
 IF Mr./** (jHtkrie be a vilifler of the Acls of the AiTembIy,he 
 feems to be neither fo ingenuous nor prudent as need were,for 
 none hath pleaded moreAc'fo ofAiiem: lies in a 1 chefcpublick dif- 
 ferences, and (for any thing I knowjhitheito without any ratify- 
 ing anfwer; as for that Speech of his, \t wa* thus,in tHat meeting 
 many Arguments being broughc to confirm the Remonftrance* in 
 that point,relatmg to theTreaty t and fome continuing ftil toargue 
 againft the Remonftrancc in that prticular; Mr. ■ o> Ran/ fay 
 fummed'up the arguments broughc for itrengtheaiflg the Re- 
 monft: ance into a Syloglfme,to which no reply was made,bu : the 
 Authority of the Gen: AJTseipbly was pref ed in the mean while: 
 fomc godly and tender men , who were Commiflifsne'-s for the 
 Church xnHolland^ld publickly and with much weight ofipifit, 
 declare themfebes in the hearing of all the Meeting, that they by 
 
 their 
 
(M) 
 their miftakes in that mattered conceive tbemfelves acceflbry to 
 all the miiery that was come upon Scotland & that chcy defired 
 to repent chcreof : and others having added lomewhat concern- 
 ing the unkings of their coni'cence in that particular , it was re- 
 ply ed by one in the Meeting, where were ail thefe tender confer- 
 ences at the General! Aflembly » and when he who made that 
 Reply, and others did infift -n prcfang the Act of the Afsembly, 
 Mr. J urncs guthrie laid,you would ftudy to fatisrle the fcruples 
 of mens confeiences , otherwayes then by prefsing on them the 
 Aft < f the Afsembly : was this fpeech thus circumfhntiate,a pub- 
 lick Vilifying of the Ads of the Afsembly. Let us take the words as 
 the Author aileadges them, yet have they a very good meaning, 
 becaufc humane Confutations as fuch do not binde the Confid- 
 ence, ne^ enim cum hominibn* , fed cum uno Deo negotium eft 
 confeuntiis noftris, faithagteat D vine : and therefore unlefs 
 men would (train rhe words of their brethren further then cha- 
 rity or verity will allow * hem, there can be no weight laid upon 
 thefe words for proving Mr. James Cjuthrics prances to be 
 contrary to his profefsions; We {hall fmde the Author haply be- 
 fore the clofe of this Vindication, going a? great a length as this 
 fpeech will reach,in order to Acts of Generall Aflemblies,and yet 
 I believe he would think it hard meafure to infer fuch confe- 
 quences from his words. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 THirdly, tumultuous defer ting and running out of the pub- 
 lic ^Judicatories of the Kir1e y and threat ning the [**ie y 
 becaufc of feme matters carried therein contrary to their oWtt 
 mindjvitnefje their carriage dt the Cemm'jfiin in Perth , No- 
 vemb.i6so. where befaufe of that moderate fenfe given them 
 upon the JVffiern Kemonflrance^many of them did in a di (orderly 
 way, defer t and leave the Commiffienjtever daignin^to come to 
 any meeting thereof afterwards ; feme of them as they were go* 
 ing »ut y threatningfrom an high f lace, with a loud voice and 
 revenge flaming out of their eyes , in fuch tyords as there , We 
 
 hope well we fhall get our day about of them yet. 
 
 Rev iew 
 
R i v t i w. \ 
 
 T"*Hcy did not tunukuoifly dcfert and run out of the Com- 
 miilion,inuch Icfs did they threaten the fame.brcaufe of fome 
 matters carried therein>centrary tothdi *mind-j fuchof them as 
 did departed go away in a pcaeeableaad qaiet way, without any 
 tun; ait and diforder,.h a ving now it *yei for a conriderabie time, 
 fifjft at St.nif^ and then at Ptrth^cA not knowing any further 
 b« fines of importance that the Commiflion meaut to medle with 
 at that time As for the mrtance given by the \uthor, feeing he 
 is plcafed in other places of his Paper to name particular perfons, 
 why did be not alfo name the perfons who ipoke thefe threat- 
 en* words, with revenge fcanng out of their eyes : I do indeed 
 remember, that the f pines of many gracious men who were then 
 prcfent*were amch weighted and fore grieved with the preci pi- 
 ta it proceeding of the ComraUHon at that time, and that a bro- 
 ther did lay this fenoully before the Commiflion, and did ufe 
 fome fuchexprtflion,as the Author relates; but that it was in a 
 threacning way,or with revenge flaming out of his eye , is more 
 then can be made good : Such a word may be fpoken with fo- 
 berncfle of minde,and to good purpofe, without any threatning 
 or defi-e of revenge : whither they did never daign to come to 
 any meeting of the Commifsion thereafter, 1 cannot confidently 
 fpe^k to it esther upon the one hand oronthe other ;but I can con- 
 fidently faj , that as they did sever tike any refoiution not to 
 come, lb alfo that their fraying a way .was not to much occasio- 
 ned by this proceeding againft the Remonftrance., though that 
 was. a matter of (tumbling and offence unto them , as by feme- 
 thing that followed thereafter, which did convince them, that 
 their coming to the Commiflion might well enereafe ftnfe and 
 debate, but that it would contribute little or nothing for their 
 own edtfication,or the edification, of others. Before we pa;Te 
 this point, I ITiaII give the Reader a fliort accompt of this whole 
 bufincfTe. After the prefenting of the Remonftrance unto the 
 Committee of Eftates i&Sttrlwe , it was thought fit both by 
 the Committee oi Eftates,and Commiilion of the A(fembly,that 
 thefe refpe&ive Meetings fliould meet at Steriine> the 
 
 D diy 
 
(.6) 
 
 day of to take into confideration what anfwer 
 
 it was fit to give inato the Remonftrance , and what to 
 do iti other things chat did concern che Defence of Religion,and 
 of the Kingdom in tha: it rait they then ftood,and that therefore 
 not only the members of chefe Meetings but alio feverall others 
 Gentlemen and Mi n titers fhould oe adverttied to keep the dietj 
 notwichftinding of which appointment, the Committee of fi- 
 nite* did afterwards adjourn their Meeting to Tedrth, where 
 the King was for the time > the CommifMOn of the Church, 
 accordmgto the ruit appointment , with feverall other M;ni- 
 ftcrs, having met at Steriinc. The Remonftrators came there to 
 understand che.r judgment of the matters contained in the Re- 
 monftra <ce ; which being read, and the chief heads thereof de- 
 bated the inaior part of che Commi s on then prefent, fcemed 
 to be fatisficd therewith, and fome were deiiroHS to have a prc- 
 fent determination upon it : The Moderator and fome others, 
 inclined to give no lenfe at all upon it,eirher for it,or againft it: 
 and the Committee ot tftates which was then fitting at P nh % 
 having now once aad again written to the Commission; it was 
 for peace fake con:! efcended to on all hands,tbat no fenfe fhould 
 be paft on che Remonftrance by the Commtfsion , and that the 
 Meeting rhould be adjou. ned to P**rth , and that it fTiould be 
 their endeavour, that the States ihould declare nothing againft 
 it. This refolution being taKenat Stcriin upon the Saturday,the 
 Members of che Commifsion, and iuch other Miniftersas wss 
 prefent, and che Remonftrators , did addrefle themfdves to 
 Ptarth. On the Monday rooming, the Remonftracors after 
 their coming thither , hearing that the Committee of Eftatcs 
 were about the condemning of the Remon(trance,thcy having it 
 in Commifsion from thefe that lent them z and thinking it incum- 
 bent to them in duty to deiire an anfwer, and in fuch an exigent 
 to p ofetfe their adherence thereto, did make application to the 
 Committee of Eitates for that effect; after which , the Com- 
 mittee" of Eftates did pa fs fev.rall Votes condemning the Re- 
 monftrance , to the great grief of fandry of their own number, 
 who d d difle 't from it, and p oce s i againft the lame ; and the 
 fentence or the Committee being commHii'cated to the Com- 
 miftion of che Church , and they alfo defired by them to give 
 
 their 
 
fc*JI 
 
 their judgement of the Remonftrance. Theft who were ftnt 
 from the Weft, did earntftly Jup plicate the Co'irmifsion, before 
 they fhould give any fentenc*? upon the Remonftrance , that 
 they would be pleafed to allow them fome ome, till they might 
 return and communicate with theic who had knt them, hoping 
 that ail of them would give fuch an explication of their mean- 
 ing in the things whxh were (tumbled at, as would (attte the 
 Cojnmiision; Which defire fecmed fo reafonable in it ielf, and 
 necetfary at that time,for preventing of differences, and the grie- 
 ving ofthefpirits of n any gracious and godly men, who had 
 been faithful! and zealous in the Caufc from the beginning, that 
 many Members of the Commi'sion , did earneftiy prefle that it 
 wight be granted, especially feeing they had met w'thlo great 
 d'fappomtment in the carriage of the Committee of Eftates in 
 order to that bufinefs,- yet notwithstanding hereof it was refu- 
 fed,acd the Commit ion d d proceed aifo to conderone the Re - 
 monrlrance, and refer the further fentencing of it to the General 
 Affembly \ fundry of thefewho were at Stgrlin being now 
 gone , and fome others come from places more Northward, 
 wh eh gave occafion to fundry at that time to apprehend that, 
 which i^ now plainly profeft by fome confiderable Members of 
 th^ Committee of biUtcs, who were eager in condemning the 
 Remonftra. cc > that if they had not been put upon it by fome 
 Members of the Commlftios, they would not have done*, from 
 th'SVoteofthcCoir.rmision , a confiderable number of their 
 Members,aboat fixteen or kventeen, as I remember, did-dif£nt 
 and the perfons interefied in the Remonftrance, did profrftj and 
 I fear not to fay, that this peremptory precipitant, and needled 
 hafte of the plurality of the Commit ion in that particular, was 
 a great occasion of all the d?vi(ion and rent that followed there- 
 after. In the mean while the Malignants who had rifen in 
 Arms, were agreed with, and an A& of lndempnity was paft ro 
 them, and Col nell Montgemerie was fent agakft the We- 
 ftern Forces, w«th directions to force them, <f they would not 
 willingly agree to the States demands ; and it was no great 
 wonder,if after fo many dayes (laying at Stertin andPe?th 9 
 they thought fit to return home,when not only the eJge of rhe 
 cenfurcs of Church and State, butoftheCivill Sword, which 
 
 D s was 
 
was juft now ir>p!oyed againft cm M.q-gnants that rofe in Arms 
 without any warrand , is on a Hidden turned agirntt the Wc- 
 ftrrn Forces which were raiiVd by their fpcoal Warrant ?nd en- 
 couragement, expreft in diVerfe Acb and frequent Letters. 
 
 Vl NDICATION. 
 
 F\Qurtkty y Taking upon them to determine matters of r» e fi 
 ptibU:\ano great :B concernment , antecedent unto, and 
 Ttoiik0*?jg much m 9nutfcaki*£ $r waiting for the judgment 
 of the ^ublir]^ Judicatories , i$ which the deter mi *atlok of 
 fuch matters do £; Ufig • md private men and inferiour Judi- 
 entries ought to have their recourfe to y before thty take upon 
 thtm to emit any determination thereanent * witntfje the We- 
 ftern RemoxfisAvcc^cttrm ning theexclufion of the Ki^gs In- 
 tereftoutcfthequarretloftheDefenfive War y before any ad- 
 vice or (entence given there upon jor once fought from any 'Pub- 
 Uck^Judicatory* 
 
 R S V I E w. 
 
 THe matter of moil publrk and greatefl concernment 
 which he alleadges, they take* upon them to determine 
 was, tbcexthifion of the Kings inter eft out of the quarretl of 
 the defenfueWar, before any advice or fen t e*cc given there- 
 upon , or once Jought from any pub/if^ Judicatory I but 
 they did not determine theexclufion of the Kings inrcreft out of 
 the quarrell of the defenfive war, other wife then it had been be- 
 fore that time determined, both by Church and State, by their 
 joynt Declarations at the Weft Church cf the date i g.of tsfug. 
 165 o. which at the time of the contriving of the Remonftrance] 
 was ftan J ing unrepealed, and to which there was thermKerea- 
 foathento adhere, becaufc the King had deierted thePub- 
 Jick Counfcis of the Kingdom, and joyned himfcJf to the Malig- 
 nant party. I know there arc two things here alled^ed: 1. That 
 thu Declaration at the Weft Church was repealed, by the Kings 
 fubferiving the Declaration emitted by him at T>xmftrmeltng y 
 alitlc thereafter, a. That the Rcmonftrancc goes a greater 
 
 length 
 
length in excluding the Kings I it- reft, then thn Declaration 
 at the V\Vil\ hucih. Co the hrit ofdjKfe 1 imfypt.^ tjiatthe 
 Kings cbiitti g ofh>s D eclar*! iftfr dd not m the Jud^em^tof 
 the Committee of c-'-.ur , *nd CoiiimiJion of the Chmth, re- 
 peal the other ; andch rero e chc other Det'arat -ou had Deen 
 fent unt<>the Engluh Army, before the King did :n;;t h s Dec a- 
 rat'on; f*> after that, dpo&jjii cm ittii g una lend.-ng th rcof to 
 the Generall or the EsgHfla torce*, he dd make a return, im- 
 porting their feniethereunopi. The other Dasl&asioft at the 
 WeftK'rk, with a letter, was fejBtbsgck, iittimspfng, tiiat we 
 did (till adhere unto, and ioteifd to nem BpGfl c t thre«»f q ar- 
 rell cwutefcd rfwriii ; to th-- other i w.u rrea rfftifed by thefe 
 who came from the VV>ft= drattFthe ewai m/ th^ng in ti'c He- 
 rn fflftranec that feemed to go a greater Icogth y. that particular 
 then the Declaration at the Weft Church had don-, they wctik 
 wdi ( ng torxo am it, and to fight on that itateofthe quarrell 
 that wu* contained in that Declare tu>n,w ; th-isi: adding a leering, 
 or dmrrflihmg, but that was not accepted of, and order was gi- 
 ven a litle thereafter to C(»loneil Robert Alomtgomzry to deiirc 
 or force them in the Wert to joyn under him , and fight f r the 
 Kings mterctt in all hisD >mmions, 3ii ; afterwards the Meeting 
 at Dundee did ratsfie all the proceedings of the former Commii- 
 fion excepting that Declaration of the 13. o£ Augu/t, which 
 as it did iniinuate a cacitecondernnng thereof, and of that ftate 
 of our quarrel! and caufe, ypon wtrch we have fonght thefe 1 3* 
 years §pit, fo did it inunuatc a new ftate of quarrell in order to 
 the Kings intercft. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 Fifthly, emitting CAufes of a Tnblickfaft, And fending them 
 abroad to aII the presbyteries and Congregations of the 
 Kingdom, being but private men, and not having Authority % 
 nor being a T'ttbiic^fudicatory, witnejfe the T aft Appoint ed^and 
 C 'au ft •s thereof emitted from Striveling/ he 1. September 1650. 
 wherein take thefe things to CGnftderation, 1. The Meeting tfoat 
 emitted thefe Caufes were no Pnblick^fudicAterie, but fome 
 members of the Presbytery of the Army, and fome of the Com-* 
 
 mi f si oners, 
 
fje) 
 
 wiftiontrs* 2. That funirj goaJy and under fianding men m 
 
 that Mating earneflly endeavoured that condefc ending upon 
 Pubti^C**fes of the wrath of God maniftfted in that defate at 
 Dambar, as Caufes of a Faft might be delayed untill the wrck^ 
 next followirgt i hat there might be a full Meeting of the Com- 
 miffion conveened together, to go about that purpoje With Au- 
 thority , and more deliberation, but were born doWn by the vehc- 
 mency, and head-ftrong forwardrteffe ofjomc \yho are chief men 
 in th* c Proteftation % prof Jpng fo much refpeEb to the eftab/i/bed 
 Government of this Kirk,. 3. That there Was no necefftty of 
 bafte in emittirg particular Caufes (there tyas rather much 
 danger in doing it upon /o/bort deliberation ) Jeing the public^ 
 calamity i ana kyoWn publicly fins Was caufes evtaent enough to 
 all, of humiliation for the prefent, and Within tefle then eight 
 dayes, a Meeting of the (fommifsion might have been conveened 
 ( as it was de hdto conveened, Within that [pace ) to condescend 
 upon particular s ; Ml t he fe things being confidered, whs it not 
 ufur potion and contempt of lawful I ^Authority ,and the Govern- 
 ment eftablifbedin thtsKirk^to fay, that the Commifsion at their 
 Meeting Which folloftcd^ aid approve of the caufes emitted by 
 thtm 9 it doth not avail to clear them from ufurpat'ion and con- 
 tempt of the Government , jor to (ay nothing of that that the 
 Commifsion did both alter fomelhirgs in them,andadde to them ', 
 about recommending or oyer for the King ( as Will as mourning 
 for hi* fins ) in the humiliation. Which was feemed to have been 
 furroiely left out, as appeared by the debate made about it^ when 
 it W*s mention, d and de fired tn the Commifsion for the /pace of 
 half an hour at leaft y by Mr, James Guthrie, and the Regifter, 
 to fay nothing of this, that which the / ommiiiion approved was 
 the matter of the fe caufes, «nd not tie wayofemifsion, where* 
 with many of the Commifsion {hewed themfelves exceedingly 
 dif'-fxtisfi'd, as a praEtice Without example, and a preparative 
 tending. to the overthrow of the Authority of Government 9 but 
 did forbear to challenge it at that time for peace fake* 
 
 Review. 
 
 Here is a greit deai ?doe here for little or nothing , wh»ch 
 kith, thAtthcfcmuftbefomeniyfteryinthe bottom, be- 
 fore 
 
(30 
 
 fore I come to difcover it, I (hall mai\c anfwer to the particulars 
 allcdged; Firft by a narration of the Hiftory, as it was in matter 
 of fact, and then by taking off the things which are challenged 
 by ch« Author: Our Army being defeat at r Dttm^r upon the 
 Tucfday morning , and feme of the fcattercd Forces hiving re- 
 tired towards Sniveling in the cud of that week , a conliderable 
 number of the members of the Commifiion ; and Presbytery with 
 the Army did meet there, to take in consideration what 
 was fit for them to do in that junCtarc of time & afFairs,and after 
 mutuall debate and advice, finding that in aL appearance they 
 might be driven from thence, and fcattered one from* ano- 
 ther very fuddenly, the Town then not being fenced* nor any 
 furniture or provihon in it, nor we having any bod jc of (landing 
 Forces in the fields to intei pofe betwixt the Town and the Ene- 
 my , and the hand of God laying heavy and fore upon the 
 Army, and upon the whole Land 3 by that dreadful! llroak at 
 Vnmbar; they thought it expedient that there being o«c or two 
 wanting to make a Quorum of the Commiffion, and thefe of the 
 Commttfion who were prefent being alfo members of the Presby- 
 tery of theArmy,and fundry other Mmiftcrs* who were alfo mem- 
 bers of that Preibytery being prefent, that they iliould fet down 
 the heads of thefe things for wh chr as they conceived)the Lord 
 had fmitten us,& fend them abroad to the Presbyteries through- 
 out the land,with a Letter written from thcPre*bytery of theAr- 
 my,n^t in joining them as caufes of a humiliation ro bc.keeped by 
 any Authority,^ t humbly reprefenting them as their thoughts q 
 fo fad a ticce,and defiring their brethren cojom in a publick Fait 
 and humiliation thereupon ; What ufurpation or contempt of 
 lawful! Authority and the government eftablifhed in this Church 
 was here ? As to the things challenged by the Author , they did 
 notafiumcto thcmfelves any authority, bat onely write their 
 humble advice, as their Letter did humb!y fheir, and this they 
 might do; yea, it was expedient for them to do it, as things then 
 ftood; neither were they fo private as the Author infinuaces; 
 the Author fpe*ks a little diminutively of them, when he cals them 
 fome members of the Commiflion, and iome member* of the 
 Presbytery of the Army ;there wanted but one or two of a Quo- 
 rum of the Commiihon, and the Presbytery of the Army was 
 
 numerous, 
 
numerous ind wel' conveened, as many ccrtamly asgayethem 
 power to A t k\ any thing that was tit for tht !Pre*bjtery to 
 meddle W'th. Thefe fundry g«»dly and underfhnd mg roer of 
 who n he (peaks who were for a delay, were but a few, and 
 when the reft of char Brethren did not flnde it expedient, they 
 &d not e ter any d.llc« t, wh ch belike thry would have done if 
 they hid thought it a b'l fifles of any fuch conference as the Au- 
 thor would - ow make it, when hefttyeth, they were forrtdvtyn 
 by the hectd ftr&fig-fmvardnefje of fome 9 frofefsi*gfo much re- 
 fprB to the eftnlfh (bed government of thps Church: He doth but 
 fliew himfeif like the man who w anting better weapons, did 
 throw feathers at his adverfary, which dd irianifell a great deal 
 of deiire to reach blows but drew no bioud j all the Proteftcrs 
 who were then prefent were two or three at molt, and they had 
 no more voices but their own ; but it feems that in fome u ens 
 judgement, where ever any Proteftcrs are they muft bear the 
 blame of all the things that are conceived to be done amine. As 
 to the next, there was a neceffity , becaufe there was no appear- 
 ance thit they w >u!d get leave to ftay together for to meet With 
 any conveniency for along time thereafter , let be that the Com- 
 miflion might meet within eight dayes as the Autbor ttfertt. It 
 will be acknowledged by inch as knew the truth, that if the 
 BngHJb had at any time within eight dayes after Dumbar either 
 advanced with their whole Army , or fent any confidcrable part 
 thereof to StnveUr.g, they had in all appearance gained thit 
 place, and fo made an eafie paffe for themfelves to overrun the 
 whole Land, and was it not every bodies fear that they fhowld 
 fo have done at chit time j yea, did not all of us many time bleiTe 
 God that they did it not: And what could be the danger of 
 emitting thefe caufes by way of humble defire, and brotherly re- 
 prefentition, feing they did medle with nothing but that which 
 was -palpable and mamreft; yea, which for the matter had been 
 condefcendednponby the Commifiion , before th^t t*me, and 
 was ( as the Author himfelf acknowledged ) fech as the Com- 
 miffion did at their next Meeting approve ; the onely th ng that 
 had anyfhadow of newnefs in it,was that of the crop- ed and prc- 
 c iptant wayes that had been taken for carrying on the Treaty 
 with the King, but neither was that new , becaufe the Com- 
 mifiion 
 
' 4 fctf i 
 
 ^^ictMi'Sdinburgh^ before the Kings home comming, had 
 in a very large Letter to thr Conamiflioners at Holland^ hoiden 
 forth their great -dit-famfacljon with the Proceedings oft hat 
 Treaty in many par* iioUfsj and the Commifsion at Leitk s hc- 
 fore the defeat at Dxmbtr, hid alfo hclden forth the Malig- 
 nant defign chat was then carryed on, and had given it in as a 
 publick caufe of hum liar ion to t,fte Committee or Eftates. It is 
 true that the Cooomitlion was def*Et§ conveened within sight 
 dayes, but as we have already (aid: lr was not propableat the 
 time or cutting theic eaui; s a that it fhould fo have been ; and 
 I pray the Author or any rational! men loberly, to think whit 
 mo ivcbutfhcleuicof cuc f y, and the prcfliog expedience of 
 the th.ng dibuld have induced t heft P; oteft-ers cf whom he 
 fptaks f o be io hca ftrong and forward, to anticipate the Meet- 
 ing ufihr Com in illion, icing they had ground to think, that 
 the Common at their Mtetmg were like to condefcend on 
 thi 'hn^sas caufeS of Gods, wrath , which was verified 
 thereof- r> by the approving, thereof but the Authors Is us 
 that the Co: miiTi n did botk alter feme what (of winch I 
 ftuli afterwards t'ptak, and adde fome thing; to wit, a Polr- 
 Icript, rccommcndfi g prayer for the K ng ; afwell as mourn- 
 ing for h *iins,whkh y ciic debate that was made ag*:n(t it by 
 Mr. fames G i* i brie and the RegtHer , tor the fpace or half in 
 hour i as he taycth ) (cf med to have been purposely left out,and 
 thar which the O>mm?flfion approved was the matter of thefa 
 caufe and not the way of e nifticjn, wherewith many ©f the 
 Commif* on (licwedthejiBfeivesdif'iatisficd as a praclice wi-h- 
 dut example, ani a prepaiative tending to the overthrow of 
 the Goves nment. The Commifsion did indeed adde th*t poft- 
 fenpt concerning prayer for the King, againft- the expeiiency 
 of which addition to be made at that time, "Mr. '-;*me s Gmhrie 
 and thr, Rrgitrer did for a li tie ckbate, how the Author fhouid 
 know (o exactly ihe meafu cof thtimej leaver il for himielf to 
 anfwer, the ground of their lo doing- was not thai which he 
 aUcdgeth; the Regiftcr hath many living witnelTes that he was 
 no adverlary to praying tor the King; and Mr. J Ames Guthrie 
 having ke; ?ed that humiliation pubiickly in the Congregation 
 tlStrivclingi before the Commifsion did meet or nuke any 
 
 E inch 
 
(JV) 
 
 fiKh addition, did pray for the King, and why flhouM tfry 
 have oppofed :hat waich was their o wn practice; rh: Anchor 
 is a little beyood dus bounds, wh *n he iayeth, it feems t» h*ve 
 been Uf. ou §fpurp*fe , their debating againft the ad Jing of t 
 w*s, becaufc at ri< il trVy iid nor Conccw<* that ther? \va«. a^y 
 neceisiiy ro make an txpreffeand diftind Article of; hat, m -re 
 then of many other things when we were no led j bound to 
 pray f >r, it being a thing f jobviouv,commonand or.iiniry, and 
 that now tq aide it was to raiu;ft roccahon Without ground, 
 to mak 01 lurs conceive that it had been indeed forme ly left 
 ou' of purpoif 1 , an-l foto raile needL-fle jcaloufies and fupttioni 
 of Tome, aibcmgdifaff.dkd to the King. Next, beeaufe fary 
 to< k it tobei .-eluded in tht cauics former y emitted, though 
 notexpr fly; y^ttoasmjghtbe memorandum enou r h f»r de- 
 cerning men not to omit it ; he that mourneth rightly f ;r the 
 Kings fins, will alio bean imerc (lor to God tor him , to be- 
 ftow upon him he contrary graces and vcrrues. I lhtll not de- 
 bate with the Author wn.-thcr the Commit ion did ap rove 
 on Ly th; matter, or alio the way of emifsion of thefecaufes; 
 fure I am, they dd not condemn the wsyof emifaion, and if 
 he fhall beplcafed to look upon the tenour of rhe Utter that at 
 that time was written by the Commifsion to the feverall Prcf- 
 bytcriet, wherein thefe caufes r irr menti meJ , he Will finde 
 fomething that looks towards an approving of the way oft m<(- 
 fion aj wdl as of t he matter; it is true that iomc of • h . C >mmi£- 
 fion (hs wed t hernial vrs exceedingly dif-fatisfted; yea, more ex- 
 ceedingly then wis fit and befcemirig their plice and parrs, or 
 the gravi y of fuch a meeting, but they w*re but (omc and not 
 many ; if ft was a praftce without example , it had alfo a 
 ground without example : but if tht Author Hull be ple-ai- 
 ci to pcrufc the Regifters of thrChuch, Ibelrve that 
 he (hall iind? examples of particular Presbyteries fending 
 thefr advice abroad concerning c iittcs of a pubii k humiliation^ 
 and that the members nf the Commifsi on in things thar were 
 clear and unquestionable, and could not admit uf a ^eSay, have 
 fometimes when they wanted one or two of ;heii Qjorum done 
 fom^ things of pablick concernment; let him l< ok upon the 
 Regiilcrs of the Prcsbytcnc of EdinltHrgh, audoftheCom- 
 
 mif mod 
 
(35) 
 firfsion and he will find ir fo.Thit it was i preparative tending 
 to tru overthrow of government ; 1 camot fee when I look 
 upon it as impartially as I can 2 I know that he formerly called it 
 in usurpation, and, if it had been fo, there were (cone ground 
 for this new charge, butltrtft, lhave fufficiently vindicated 
 it f .on? uiurpar jon, and therefore there is nothing brought that 
 can bear the wci|ht of this : But fc r the difcovcring ef the rai- 
 fttry of ail th's Lufintfle, upon whirh lo great a ftreife is laid, I 
 defire rhc Reader to be infer need', that when thefeeaufes of ha- 
 w 1 at on were h* ft lent abroad , one of the Cominifs oners of 
 tht Church who had been lmpioycd in HoiUnd'm the nfiatter of 
 the Treaty wth the Kim?, conceiving that his carriage in that 
 imploymerit was reflected upon in that article, wh<h f peaks 
 of the crooked and precipitant waves that were tsk-n f.r carry- 
 ing c n the Titaty With the Kjng, §s one of thecsufes for wh vh 
 the Land onghr to b? humbled • he did take it lo impatiently, 
 that nor only did he declare that he could not read thdecaulcs 
 as they were firft emitted, and that f they lhoulci be read in the 
 Congregation, wherein he bad charge, he behoved to make fomc 
 Pr< tefiation or Dear fome teftimony againft ibem; bur alio when 
 hecaroc to theCommifsion didfharply chalen'gc the w. y of emit* 
 ing of them; rhc want of an article re! at rig to prayer foi th K ng, 
 and that Article concerning thetreaty,as reflecting upon the car- 
 riage of theCcmm'ifsioncrs of the Church imployed in Holland 
 in that bufincfle,becaufe the Article as it was fir It emit/edjdid 
 mention the crooked and precipitant wayes that Were taken by 
 fundry for carrying on of the Treaty, wvhout relinking the 
 fametootir Statefmen , therefore for peace lake, and to give 
 him faiisfadion, a Puftfcrir. t was added to the Lettc r whichwas 
 at that time written by the Commifsion, and fern to P; chytcries 
 concerning prayer for the King, and th Article concerning the 
 Treaty with rhe King wasfomewhat altered by reitti&ing the 
 fundry that are Ipokcn t herein to lui^ry ct our flat cfmerijWhci e- t 
 as betort it was indefinite,and without any fuch reltricfcon$aod 
 thefe are the addition! and alterations thai he ipeaksof. 1 write 
 not thefe things for lefning the crcdite and reputation of that 
 perfon, or bearing upon him more then upon others , any par- 
 ticular guilt in the matter of the Treaty, but tor the tnithcs lake 
 
 h 2 and 
 
and rha? he may be cxhorttd to coniider yet again, whfthrr th* 
 zeal of his own ciedjte, which many times byallrv th f-uitse- 
 ven of gool men, hate not too tco much imaged hi mm -the de- 
 fenceof ihat oufinc(fe,and in exapgeiatin^and^hallcnging every 
 thing thatfeemsin the leaft meahire to refkd on the fame, 
 wh^h hehiththe more reafon to lo, not oneiy becaufeitis 
 ingravenon the heart* of the generality of the godly in the 
 L,3twl> as with a pen of iron, and with the point of a Diamond, 
 thatth;s Land, and elpecialiy the Rultrs unci Minftcrs thereof, 
 have tinned a great fin in that matter of the Treaty with the 
 King; but alio becaufeiuniy of the precious and god y men 
 who were with hiTiimployed in that mnter, do bemr fuch a 
 conviction of the gu kindle thereof upon thvir Ipii ts,that rhcy 
 are not like to forget it whiift they live, and feme or ttiofe who 
 were molt acr-ve and forward in the buhnedc, being now ta- 
 ken out of the land of the living, did upon their death bed con- 
 feiTe their guiltinelTe in this thmg , and fadly bemoaned it be- 
 fore the Lord in th. heating of fairhfuil witnem.s who do bear 
 record of it. I know that thefc things are no rule to hm, but 
 thty m*y, and I hope lhali provoke him to (earch this th ng, 
 and himfelf therein again and a^a.n. 
 
 VlNDI CAT ION. 
 
 Sixthly , Suffering feme in their publicJ^Mteting at 'Edin- 
 burgh^ en trary tofolemn Declaracion AndoAtb m«d? y b»th 
 in our TfytionaU C oven Ant ^and Solemn League And Covenant^ 
 iy writ , to reprefent this as a main CAufe of wrath upon the 
 Za*d,that we had bound And engA^ed our/elves to c Presbvteri- 
 all Government^ without any venture fa fed upon the f aid 7 J a- 
 feror tefiimonj given againfiit to this day , though now it be 
 going abroad in Print* 
 
 Review* 
 
 HT He Meeting at Edinburgh did not omit any thing that 
 
 x Wat ui t heir power , for the hindering of the giving in of 
 
 that Paper,fuch of them as heard of it before it came i/?,(riew- 
 
 td a great diflike of it, and dealt as lecioudy as they couid with 
 
 the 
 
(37) m 
 the Gentlemen wbogavcit in ,to forbear it ; and when U 
 caant in the Meeting fhewrh-ir d.flk: of i^ and did appoint 
 f©mcofthe>rnumUr to confer with fum iboot it ; who did 
 accordingly confer with him,and endeavour to inform, h m of 
 the errors contained therein , and in tht Caufes of the Lords 
 wrath which were co?ide feended upon by the Meeting at the 
 fame time; chey did |iveateftn^onyagamftthernatttrohhc 
 errors contained ;n that Pa; cr^ hough they did not expreffe the 
 particular word* and ankles thereof , conceiving it not fit fo 
 to dojfecmg the V*sei was not then pubiick,th«t it afterwards 
 came in publxk,vvasc':ncrary to their dtiircs and endeavor--, & 
 alio to the knowledge te intention of him who gave it m,if we 
 may trufth-s ow^ tcihmony,whichLUclieve the Author wil not 
 queftion in matters of fa&.But the Author -rtumblcs at this,that 
 wc have given no teit-imony againft it to this day : If he ruth 
 rtad the teftiinonies which we have Since that time given a- 
 gainft ail thing* in that kind, that may import any. prejudice 
 to Presbyteriill Government , or to any part of the Doctrine, 
 Wotthi'p, Dtfciplinc and Government of the Church or Scot- 
 l/t»d y he doth us wrong to write ioyBc if he hath not read them, 
 then hefhallbepleafedto do it s I hope in this he thaireccjvc 
 fatisf adtiun ; If becoroeth us roc to boall: of any thing that we 
 do,it is through grace,and not of our felves; but when ground- 
 lefs imputations are born upon us * to render the intcgriry of 
 our Prof (lion ! uipedted , indiff rtnt ir.cn will bear with us a 
 little in our folly » if we fay that in this d*y cf temptation 
 we have Dot betn behind the greateft Zealots for the Pul lick 
 Rc(ohuionf,m bearing ttftimouy for the Doctrine , Woiihip, 
 Discipline and Government of the Church of Sc#tUnd } and 
 for all thi lgs relating to our Religion and Lbt ny,and yet nol 
 we,but the grace of God in us. 
 
 V I N D I C A T I O N. 
 
 SEventhlj y taking ttpin tkew judicially to determine a Cjenc- 
 rati A^embly e$nvtened % continued and clofea y t» he an un~ 
 la® full con flit nte csfjfembly , and judicially to condemns the 
 tAfts thereof^ Which no p§Wer on earth could do , inferiour t* 
 
fit) 
 
 Another (fCn.Alf'jnbJy, and to a§nme unto themfehes the autht- 
 rtty of a pMblukJjHiic*torj in the Kirh^ as hAvingCommifsion 
 fr*m another priortsf J emb/y, before it was examined And deter- 
 mined by a judge dompe*ent y whether the interveen'wg Affembly, 
 ( wffofe meeting^ lawfully didextinguifh all Commit s>on from 
 a prior Afsewbly) \\>A4 la&ftttl constitute tr nvt. All the wrrld 
 flat not be able to dear this from ufurpationj flat adde nimore 
 inftances to this purpof* y though I might adde not a few; and as 
 for thcjel h *ve brought j he Reader m*y perceive that they do not 
 belong direBly and formally to the matter of the qwftions.in 
 contr over fie between the Trotefting Brethren % andthe late Judi~ 
 catoriesof the Kir\^ y but that they are fnch as fufpofe the late 
 JudicA'ories hud gonewro+tginfome of thefe matters in con. 
 trover fie \ yet tney can never be cleared from contempt and 
 wringing of theeftablifhed Government of this Kir^ Which in 
 their carriage to the General A ([em (fly did appear -fvhich was not 
 ftraight and according to their Profefsion and the efiablijhed 
 governmental leave it to be judged by what folloVeeth in the 
 examination of the Reafons they alleadge for what thej did, 
 
 R S V I E w. 
 
 TShill not debate wi'h the Author , whether they hive ta- 
 ken upojit htm judicially to determine the nullity of the 
 A'fcmbly tt St. Andrews mi Dundee % md judicially to con- 
 demne trie Ads thereof, though he take it for granted, it may 
 bethtthe iavefoinedirfkul'y to prove it from any deed of 
 theirs ; but the hinge of th*s whole birfnefo in reference to 
 that AfTembly and the Afts thereof^nd the letting up and pro- 
 ceeding of the Commifs.on of the Pnor AfTembly of the year 
 1650. is i 1 this , whether that Meeting at 5f. Andrews was a 
 iavvfuil free Gcnerall Aflfcmbly ; fj>r if it tvas i.ot fo, then was 
 it null ab initio ^nd the Cooiontfion of th; prior AiTembly are 
 full in power ; and therefore are not suil y of ufurpation, or of 
 the adiuni.i^ of any authority , whLh is not competent for 
 th m, h ut do only cxercilc thir which was given them,whcre- 
 ofrhcy have ft lithe juit poffeiTioojand the cafe being thos,as I 
 hope ufhall be iiitie co appear, notwtfhftandmg of any thng 
 
 the 
 
the Author harh faid to the contrtty, might not thf Com- 
 miflion being clearly convinced upon good gr mvU,of ih" un- 
 lawful™ fl<,unfreedome and corruptnHTe of r hat Meeting, and 
 the A&s thereof, with the advice of divet VM niftcrs from ie- 
 venll parts of the Land , agree upon this a* one o thr Oufef 
 of theLorda controvert* and offrr and advifc the lame to be 
 made ufe of by all the Lords people in tins Land»W as it a f\ult 
 in our nan- conforming fore- fa hers , to bear a tc£hmory and 
 give their judgment againlt the hx corrupt Afletnblies , and to 
 reckon thefe AiTembl-es among the fins and guiltinefle 'of the 
 Land,and to denre the Land to be humbled for then . if *ny of 
 the Presbyteries of thdt times did patle a rrcsrytenall judg- 
 ment and fentenccupon the nullify c f any of thoie Affcmolics, 
 and the iniquity of their AcV,c'id they wrong in io doing? at id 
 was this more then any pow<r on earth eoulJ do that 's »nfe* 
 riour to anothci G rncrail AflembJy / If it be thus,tfct Church 
 is like to be in an ill cafe, 'f a Geuerall Aflembty once go 
 wrong. I know that I feriour Judicatories have nor pow c 
 ove r the Superior , as a Commidjon or Pre^ by try over a Ge- 
 neral! Aflembly,but this hinders not if any aflumc to rhrmklvs 
 the namr and power of the Superior to whom rbty do not 
 belong, and bv the pretended autfcorry rherc^ make unjuft 
 Acto; but the Inf. riour n ay from th: Word of God, ind from 
 the Ads and Conhituticnscfr he Church, excur theriullty 
 of thtfepoweis,and tht iniq iryofthelc Ads. The Author 
 hath taught u<y hat an ArTcinbly both wrong conftuure and er- 
 ring,or only wrong conihrute, is no other w*yes an AffemMy, 
 then a painted M-ui is a Man ; and it can be no great fault for 
 any Lving Man to difcover the dt ceit of an Image , that others 
 be not deceived t hereby. He iainuatc?,that he f onld adde rr o 
 inltances not a few : It is like that hi harh brought for h thefe 
 in which he conceived the greateit wcighe to lye ; and if f h fe 
 being weighed in the ba lance be found ii^ht , we need nor be 
 afr aid of what is yet in h<s treaicre. He faith trae,thit . he in- 
 ftances which he ha h brou.hr , doth not belong £ rmaliy and 
 direcliy to the matter in qudiioo, but he hath fetched a great 
 compafs to get them in,fuppo f jng by t hefe things to reach fore 
 bio WcS to the Profcffiom of the Proteftet s, and to difcover e he 
 
 hypoaiue 
 
(4o) 
 hyponrifie thereof but how hi huh proven his alleadg eance, 
 I Lave urn i n - rT rent u:c^ to judge, who may aUo give fca- 
 t< i#cis of thsrir cunage rotheCcnewll Affea>Wy, ahct the pcr- 
 uUli or His Vindication and this Review. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 'T'Heir next pretention or proftffion u, that they IsoJ^ upon the 
 prelent a ff<rcnces of the Loins (ervants of a be Mrniflery, 
 as one of the grep.tcft tokens of the Lord hit indignation againft 
 this Ki> ^ and that they hold it their duty jo be humbled before 
 the Lord in i he jen(e thtretf,,ind by all lawful and jure means, 
 "within the compajs of their poWey and flatten, to endeavour the 
 r emery, feri/j , thefe differences are Jo to be looked upon f be- 
 $at*fh of the anger of the Lord, thu Land is darkened •; a 
 m*n fpareth not his brother, Ephraim is *gai*Jl Manafleli, *nd 
 Manalkh *gai*$ bv>ht z\m>and both againft y^dah*ayfndas all 
 the Lores People a?.d fervants in the Land have caufe to be 
 humble a he fore the Lord in the J en (e thereof ; fo, fome of thefe 
 t Br< thren in a (peciall Way , as being the main Authors and 
 . promoters of thefe rents and dtvifions. Let impartial! men looie^ 
 b. i k^andc^nftaer the beginning and progreffe^and every flep of 
 the prejent diviftons in t- ts'Ki/ k^and Kingdom, Jince the defeat 
 at i'}unbtf,a»dfee Who have been the prime Agents thereof ; / 
 Jhall but point at fome particulars, Who were they ntho after the 
 defeat at D.mbar ,dindr4 one part of the remnant of the Army 
 from the other ( which yo<u the firfi appearing ftep of our divi- 
 Jions) and Would never fuffer them to jojn and unite together 
 agnin, was nut the contriving ef the fVefyern Remonflrance the' 
 next flep of our div;fi n y and of it f el fa mofl divifeve courfe* as 
 containing pofitive determinations of matters ofpublici^and 
 - high' 0*1 er< mevt,& tend mning approven public kj4ch,n9t on- 
 ly of the St,itejjut alfo of the Cjtn.tsSfjembly by private men, 
 W'thont any advice had or fought from the *Public\ Ju itAto- 
 rits either of Kh\or State*, yea x containing alfo in the clofe 
 thereof, a bond engaging them; elves toprofecute the matters 
 of that R *wonft>a*ce according to their poWer, a thing judged 
 always >n thpsKa\a moft divifive thing for any privat men to 
 do by themf elves* Was it not feme of thefe Brethren,who When 
 
 the 
 
(41) 
 
 the Conference was at Petrtfc upon the Remonttrance oppofed 
 by ail means conjunction- with the diftraftea Forces of the 
 Kingd om, and When it wo* pr opened in the Conference, if they 
 injoying their own judgement concerning the dij -owning of the 
 K-ngs Inter eft, jet upon other grounds of the cju*rrcl, therein 
 thy agreed With the reft of the Kingdom, would joyn With 
 the reft of the Forces for defence againft the common tncmy 9 
 dia not f*r»e publicity and plainly profefje, that they could not, 
 andthey would not joyn: Are not thefeBrethren the men{that be- 
 ca^e the fenfe given upon the tVcftern Rtmo>>ft ranee , though 
 the me ft moderate , and With much tender ne^e and refpecl of the 
 ferfons having hand in it jwith-drevt themfelves in a meft tu- 
 multuous and dij 'order ly way y rever daigning themfelves to come 
 to the Meeting thereafter, which was the next ftep of our divi- 
 fions. Was it not a ciivifive courfe, When the Refolutions were 
 given to the Parliaments ffhttre, concerning per fons for to be 
 employed in the defence of their Count rej 9 prefently to emit and 
 fpread Tapers through the Count rey ( under pretence of Meri- 
 ting them onely as "Letters to the Commission, expr effing their 
 fcruples) condemning the [aid Refolutions as adefetlionfrom 
 the Covenant and former principles , fuppofe they thought in 
 their Confciences thefe Refolutions to be fuch: yea, fuppofe that 
 really they had contained jome matter of t! at kind,cjr that their 
 Commiffton had erred ( as hurcanuoi eft Itbi) yet they Jhall ne- 
 ver be able to clear them(elves before indifferent Judges , and 
 impar tial I of divi five walking, in difdaining to come and pro- 
 pose their doubts andreafons agair.fl that Rejolution , in an a- 
 micable and modeft way in the Commtffion it felf y and taking 
 fuch a way of Writing and fending abroad teftimonies ( as they 
 called them amongft themfelves , peremptorily condemning^ 
 traducing,and tending to the rendring odions, honeft, faithfull 
 undgodiy Brtthrcn,and agenting as diligently as they could, to 
 induce others through the Countrey to do the tike, Many other 
 inftances v or divers motions may be given, but by this much let 
 any man judge, if they have not caufe to ba deeply humbled for 
 the divifiQns in the Land amongft the Lords jervants* 
 
 F Revibw. 
 
(40 
 
 Review. 
 
 I Shall not deny , but fome of thclc Brethren have fn a fpe- 
 ciailway , rcafon to be humbled for the divifions of the 
 Land , as thry are the righteous judgments of the Lord upon 
 the>r (ins, which have been greater then the (ins of miry . nei- 
 ther am I (o zealous of their credit, as to fay, that no circum- 
 ftance of thar carriage in thelc things, could have been better 
 ordered, they are but poor weak mcn» compaflcd vvih ;,.a y 
 infirmities, and fub/efrto the like paffions with others • but 
 that ih- y have reafon to be humb'ed in a fprciall way , up< n 
 the acco^opt of being rheA'ithors, let be the main Authors 
 and promovers of rhetc rci t$ and divifions^is a groundlcff and 
 unjuft charge, whsch no man is able to make out; th Auihor 
 doth either unknowingly or wllingly irrft'ke in that whi-.h 
 he calls ?hefi>ft/}cp of the divtfiens^o w t, the dividing of one 
 part i the remnant or the Anny from tfh. Army, by th-fe B e- 
 threus Thelc G-ntlemcn who did remove from Sierlin im- 
 mediacy after D unbar % unto the Wed, did go thither by the 
 order and approbation of thr C >mmittee of fiftares , who did 
 alio appoint the Leavies of the Weit, and their Conduclcrsjand 
 defigned their w>rk to them from time to time,as can be made 
 good by many A ^s and L-ttcrt , unit r the Lord Chanccllour 
 and Clerk of the Committcff hand ,tnd they ive c therein alfo 
 countenanced by the Commiflionot the Church, who wrorc 
 to them for their encouragement ; yes, it wis the coui.fdlof 
 iomeotthefewho were chief in the Atfcmbly at Dundee,\hzt 
 thefe Gentlemen went Welt. That thry did not joyn with 
 the reft of the Forces of the Kingdom, Wis, becaufe it was re- 
 fufed to ftatc the War as it was formerly fated by the Decla- 
 tion oftht Church and State on the 13. of Auguft^ 1650. and 
 to fatis fie them in the conduct of the Army, by appointing a 
 man qualficd according tnefolemn Engagement, to lead 
 the Forces. What he iayeth of the Remonltrance ,which he 
 calls the next ftcp of our divi{ion,is anfwered already , except 
 that which he tllr adges, that it doth in the clofe thereof con- 
 tain a bond , engaging themftlves to profecute the matters of 
 that Remonltrance 3 according to their powsr,which hath been 
 
 often 
 
(43) . 
 often cleartd by themfelves, that it did contain no new bond 
 to any new thmg,but a declaration of their refolutions to keep 
 then' former bonds and engagements; in tcftiuiony whereof, 
 they were wjlling > and did often offer to explain their meaning 
 in this particular , for the lamfact on of thzk who doubted 
 thereof. He doth ( under favour ) make a very Uirc relation 
 of the Conference at P earth. In that conference thtfc Gentle- 
 men and Miniften who were tot from the Wcft,did often de- 
 clare , that they, were willing to fight upon that flatc of the 
 quarrell holden forth in th? Declaration of the i$*Auguft g md 
 to joyn under the leading Officer of the Forces of the King- 
 dom, providing tnat he were a man qualified according to the 
 fokmn Engagement to duties>to wit, of a blameldfe and Chri- 
 ftian converfation, and of unqueltlonable integrity and arrldi- 
 ontotht CauieofGod; In neither or which, famfaclion was 
 offered unto them, and therefore it is no wonder though they 
 had refufed to hearken to the Proportion which the Author 
 fpeak* of. What he (ayeth of their with-drawingthetnfelves 
 from the Commiflbn, upon occafion of condemning the Re- 
 monftrancejand of thair not.daigning to come again, I have al- 
 ready anfwered fume what unto it,and fhtii anfwer more here- 
 after. For clearing of rh it which concerns th* Letters written 
 to the Commiilion, and teftimomes given agamft th- Commjt- 
 flons Acifwer to the Parliaments Quaere, I thall fis ft fet down 
 fome thing of the matter of fac%then aniwer (hortly to what 
 the Author faycth. After that the Party of Malignant and dif- 
 effected men in the Lin i , who by fubt ility and fair pretences 
 had got the power or the Judicatories and of ihe Army in their 
 hand,/*»»* 1648* were defeat at Prc(lon> the Kingdome and 
 K>rk ufScotUttd taking in confederation how often they had 
 been deceived by that Party , and how much they had tinned 
 aga nfl God,and formed under his hand by intruding of th^ra, 
 and complying with t hem,did in a blemn publick way confeis 
 this fin,and did (oiemnly before the L:>rd,engage themfelves to 
 do no more fo , but to be carefuii to purge out all fcandalous 
 and malignant men out of the Judicatories and Army, and to 
 endeavour that fuch as was intruded therein , ftiould be of a 
 blamelefTe and Chriftian converfation, and of couftant mtegri- 
 
 F 2 ty 
 
ty and ahWti^n to the Cajfe or uod. In order to thi< fole mn 
 Concision and engagement, did many Supplications, Warn- 
 ing*, Re uo.>ftra«>ccs and Declarations iliuefforntheC i n\mi m 
 fioti *t he Chjrch,ar.d (cverali Ltw.s and A h f ooi he Par- 
 liamerit an -Goinmitree or E tarcs,t ^r purging and kcoin ; pure 
 the J j iicarories & theArny,acc< >rding to wh ch.au y en iea- 
 vours were ufed for putting rhe fame in execution whi.hfor 
 fo uc rime we it on with fomc meafure of iuccelfe nd ole.sing; 
 but .hat fo good and ncceflary a work, Jid very loon begin to be 
 retarded and op;)o ed; fint clofeiy,and in an under mini lg way 
 by iomc who did again begin toowne Malignant Inter; ft? , and 
 aft r wards u?ore openly and avowedly; yet Aras thefiufulnefle 
 of complying with, and employ ng that Pary fo much abhor- 
 red an4 feared by the Church or ScetUni , that no: oneiy did 
 the CoimniUio i of the Gunerall Aflcunbly of ttieycar 1640. 
 an 1 thcGcnerall A'lemb.y ittelf 1650. in the very tons wh n 
 the Land was invaded by the Engbfta , declare the employing 
 and uitrufting of fuch tooc unlawfull, even in the catc of icar- 
 city of men for ihe Lands defence, but alfo the Cemmifion of 
 theGenenll Aflemblyoftheyear 1650. did after the defeat at 
 D*»b*r t once and again give publck warning to all the Land 
 to beware of complyancei with thn Par y , and to t>ke heed 
 that under a pretence of doing for the Caule t and for the King- 
 dom, they get not power and rtrcngth in their hands for ad- 
 vancing and promoting their old malignant defignes; yea, the 
 queftion being directly propounded by the Kmg to the Com- 
 iniflion, concerning the employing of thefe m«n, it was an- 
 fwerei negatively in a Letter written to him for that cried:; 
 yet after all ths,the Commifsion did it an occafional Meeting 
 give that Anlwcr to the Parliaments Qjsre;by which a door 
 was opened to the fpeedy taking in and employing of all that 
 Party jfirft into the Army , and then into the judicatories: 
 Concerning which occafionall Meeting, I defire to be obfer* 
 vci that notwithstanding of ail that is formerly faid, and that 
 it was known that manyrnembers of theCommiflion,and many 
 godly Minifters and Profeflors throughout the Land, were in 
 their judgements oppofite to the imploymg and intruding of 
 thefe men, and thattherefolvingtoimploy them before fatis- 
 
 faftioa 
 
faftion given to mens conference* in the ro?nt could not kw he 
 matter* f-^r jrftumbhn^ and otfence, and tint t little belt-re 
 that time there hid been one o wo tokmn Mr ngs«tthe 
 Comm Hi n , and that there w s a let Meet, rig of" <h C m- 
 miflian tQ be w! hiriaweekor two thereafter, yet wasihtrc 
 no mention of ihatbuJ ndie in thefe (bie-rtn frequent Meetings, 
 and the other fet Meeting was peve'iud by ihit occalicn&Ji 
 > e ti g called by the Moderate * Letter, upon fhc defire of. he 
 Parliament, the leading men whtwf at ;hat time hzv\r g ong 
 hunted after,and earncitly prelied ifut conjunction, did thsrion 
 occafion of the defeat of the Forces at Hawmilten y dive :t ve- 
 hemently on, under a pretence of neceffity ; and there were 
 few above a Quorum of the ComrniiHon pr« fent at this occa- 
 fionall Meeting, and many of thefe out of th.- Sy^aod \fFtfe g 
 who hid go;»r far in the determination of thai Dufi >efrein their 
 Synod bef i e that time; neicher can it be ^Hedged truly that 
 the reft ofthe member of the Commilsion were advertiled to 
 keep the Dier, because no adveuiiemei.t at all w*s fent to 
 many ituh. North, who both night and ou^ht to have been 
 advertifed; thebuiineflc being of io g>eat and common con- 
 cernment, and (o muchfcrupled incontcience; andtheadver- 
 tneinents for Sterline^T>umbUne x G Ujgo^^ D^mbartan^PAJley^ 
 Hajnmi!to>? y IrT¥ine i Air i Laj3rtcl>Jind thefe places, wherea^reat 
 man) of the Commikioners were, and who were moftlikcto 
 fcrouple at the bufwene, came but to Ste> line on Tvieiday about 
 ten a Clock in the forenoon, to keep the Diet of the Comrmf- 
 (ion the next Tfnarfday thereafter at dearth ; and no man can 
 rationally fay, that thefe ad votifements could be tranfrnitred 
 from thence, and the CoromifMoners come thereupon timeouf- 
 ly to ? earth within the fpace of 48. houres > it being now the 
 Winter fcalon, and when the day was about the iTioneft; nay, 
 though convenient fpeed was ufed in diipatching thefe Letters 
 from Sterline % yet the D et was circumduced before the adver- 
 tifement came to fever al of the Commilsioners hands: I am not 
 ignorant that all this \% coloured with the necefsity of a prefent 
 Leavy,becaufe of the defeat of the Forces %tHammilten % but to 
 {•y nothing; that that leerns to prefappofc a determination of 
 the queftion in the afrSrrrritive before it was either propounded 
 
 or 
 
or debated; neither yet to fay any thmg,that in the conftruction 
 of too many who did drive on a conjunction with thcMal/gnant 
 party, the necessity of a prefent Leavy was i;ot iocrcalcd 
 but rather dimmifhed by the dtfea: at HammUt§n y \{ there was 
 fuch a necefsity,then fuch a courfe ought to have been taken, as 
 was m ft like to bring the bufinefle fooncft to eft <ft,whch was 
 to have done things in a fair wty, and after mutuail debate and 
 advice of all parties having intereft, and not thus to have car- 
 ried it wi'h^ut acquainting, let be hearing or farisfy ing of many 
 who were no icfle tntcrefled thm they, and wham they knew 
 to have many things to .objeclagainft the imploymgof the(c 
 men; but after-carriages d\d .Hake it plainly- to appear, that 
 there was no Inch prefsmg impulsions of necefslty as was pre- 
 tended, bfCiofe no great fpecd was made in th Leavies for 
 iuidry moneths thereafter, and nothing wasa&edfora long 
 time after the Leavying ot the Army, and until I the A<ft of 
 Clattcs wasrefcinded, yea, anduntillrh; Generall Aflcmbly 
 was f#t down to interponc their judgements in approving the 
 Publick Reflations, which was fix moncthi after givjng the 
 asfwer to the Qu*re\ and could not that ncceisty that admit- 
 ted of fo many moneths before execution, have admitted of 
 fome weeks before refolution. The Commifsion having thus 
 determined in this gravcand important cafe,did prefentiy write 
 Letters»to Presbyteries,requiring them to concur in their ftat/ons 
 to make the Leavies efte&uall/accordtng to th- O der and Re- 
 foiutions of the Parliament thereanent; which were founded 
 upon the Commilsions anfwer to the Quart y wherewith ma- 
 ny Presbyteries not being iatisfied in their cenfcienccs, did 
 write the ground of thmr ftumbling and dif-fati fidion 
 intheir feverall refpecltve Letters, and fent the fame to the 
 Commifsion by fome of their own number, wh ch Letters were 
 not (pread abroad before they were communicated ro the Com- 
 mifsion, and if th : Commitson had grten a fat sfymg anlwer, 
 it is not like that they would have been fpread at all, but Pref- 
 byteries being ftili pretled to obedience , without fatisfadion 
 toth«ir Consciences, they could not bat make known the rea- 
 fon of r heir rr fufall, left they ihouli have feemcJ to others to 
 be wjHuII and-obftinate, that thty did amongit 'themf*lves call 
 
 them 
 
(47) 
 them Teftimooes f and amonglt others too ) I believe it to be 
 true, and that mcaicthtyfliould not bo fatisfied, thy did in- 
 tend them as Handing Teft>inoni«$ of their duty in that particu- 
 lar, which y^t > hey i nought more fit to do by Letter then any 
 other mote pubick way, that they might therein (hew*: hem- _ 
 ielves the more tender and refpe&ive or the Gimmifsicn. That 
 th-y coudeii ned the Put lick Resolutions as a cfefeclion froiil 
 th Covenant and former P inciples,was that which then Duty 
 and iht i Coniciences called them unto ; yet die they no other 
 wayes condemn (h.m t.t&eq by a{Tc>tir<g that they conceived 
 them tpbcio, of which aff.rtionth y did givear;alon from 
 thcW^rdofGoD. and from the Covenant, and Warning, 
 Declarations an i Remonftrances of this Chivch, ro which 
 if heComu'i^on hud returned a fatisfadoy aufwer , thy 
 w -ild have been quiet and l'&id no more in the bufinefiV. That 
 they did not come t hemic hres and propound th- ir doubts was, 
 becauie they w -re mar y in feverall piaces, whole Presbyteries- 
 & (uch a way as tfnsf eimd to th<m to favour rather of tun u t 
 ani facT.ou th nthe w*y which thry cook, and experience did 
 prove,tnat no great lati fadion was to be expected in that way f 
 becauk when the Mi niters of Sttrlin wtre called by the Com- 
 mltsipn to a cent renc* at $t»Andrews,zni did not acqu elee to 
 be fi^nt & fay no moie agalhft the publick re(olutions,theGom- 
 jn ifs o idid inform the Kins;, and Committee of Eftates there- 
 of, who lent for them to Pm&,. and confined tbeu-a moneth 
 in that place; and when the Synod of GUfgow by th ;ir Letters 
 totheCornmifvon, defired a Conference, no fatistadion was 
 obtained in the point of tht Publick Resolutions* That -they 
 did in thefe things traduce hons(t,^odiy,aod faithful Brethren* 
 I think [fny may wtfh reafon denyjThefeL* tters contained no- 
 thingthat was ptrfonail, but on iy that wheh concerned the 
 matter of thefe relolutjous , which if it was eviil on thefe 
 B-ethrens part who were Authors and aoettors of the fame; 
 there is no caufe to charge thofe who did endeavour the 
 difco very thereof as traducsrs, oral the doers of thefe th^ngi 
 that tend to render their Brethren odious. That they did a- 
 gsnt diligent- y thorough \ heCouatry to induce other* to do the 
 likejis more then the Author can well provejbut though it had 
 
 b«en 
 
' (48) 
 been fo, wis there not a caufe to hop ( if they could ) the be- 
 ginnings uf oackfltdings and d< fed ens, vvhch is as the break- 
 ing out of waters, therefore *e th^y well able to cUarthcm- 
 fcWe* b fore indifferent and impart-ail juJfceiof d.vinvt wal- 
 king w f his matter, notwithstanding or any thing that is laid by 
 the Author in the contrary. 
 
 VlNDI CATION. 
 
 AS fir their Pofeffions , by all lawful and fair means 
 within the compajje of their poWer and flatten to rtmead 
 th- diviftons. It is the duty indted of all Who Would prove live- 
 ly Members */Ch bists b&dy> and lovers of the Prefperity of 
 Si&»; and happy nere the man that could be the Peace-maJ^r % 
 And repairer of our breaches. But if the late and prejent pra- 
 ctice of 'thefe our ^Brethren do Well agree with r Profeffioi9 s let 
 God, and m liferent godlj men judge. I fhall not now 
 infift upon the carriage and motions offome of them jn the begin* 
 m *l of the late jiflembly at St. Andrews ( Which Were by a re- 
 ve> end and judicious gcd f y man^ in their own hearings faidjufi- 
 ly to befisry motions^ and peterc jugulum pads ) nor yet upon 
 the Proteft aiien againfi the Affembly\ as to this effctl of Which 
 I am new upon^ 1 /hall onely (ay this for the prefent , had it not 
 been a more probable and Chrifiian li^e mean for the remeading 
 ej the divifionsjo bave dealt for a Mcetingof judicious and godly 
 men on both fides ( which certainly Was within the compare of 
 their power and ftation ) for a brotherly and amicable confe- 
 rence in eaual terms about the dtfferencesithenthey being but the 
 one fide jo take upon them the Authority of a publickludicatorie^ 
 an i by themfelvs firaight Way to condemn the other fide as guil- 
 ty carrying on a courfe efdefeclion $ and that to be the main 
 Caufe of the Lords Wrath on the Land, and to go on in that 
 continued and ajjumed Authority , And acting by vrrtue there- 
 of (as they declare peremptorily they Will do in their anfwer 
 given to the moderat and peaceable Vaperfent to them by the Sy- 
 ttedofLovfthhn i* their late Meeting in November ) Whtleas 
 the moft part of the Mimfiery in tbts Kingdom cannot in con- 
 science but give Teflimony againfl this as u[urpation y which 
 may heighten differences and render them mere incurable ; 
 
 might 
 
(49) 
 
 might not tbefe things have been for born Without prejudice 
 ' to thcmj 'elves, for peace fafety,at teafl till that other fray had 
 been ejfajed^ If peak. Ket n *™ rf the laWfulnejfe of the late Af- 
 fembh, oroftheP^blicl^re;clutions y but [tipping thefe mat- 
 ters to be fub judice , as they are at mojt betwixt us andihem 
 could there have been a way more obfirutlive to union between 
 the parties difft ring, or more effectual I to render the dhifons 
 defperate then for the one party y and that the far lege party by 
 more at ten to one to condemn the ether in a "PublickjWay and 
 repreftnt them as the m^in procurers of the Wrath of G O T> 
 upon the Land y and to take npyn them at their own hand to be 
 fudges over their Brethren; C] O T> will not be moch^d thu is 
 not agreeable to their Profejfion and endeavor/^ by all UWfull 
 and fstr means to ufe Re medes of Peace, what theje our Bre- 
 thren "toil do hereafter towards Peace,! Veil not nzw t*ks upon me 
 to pre determine nor to prepoffefs any with prejudices againfi t hem • 
 many of them I amperiwadedarc men fearing God,and not only 
 loving the "Peace of Sion,but atjo are learned and undemanding 
 in theje things that belong to the Peace of the Kir^yet cer- 
 tainly it is feared by many both godly and wife, that fome a- 
 mongft them, for all the bufweffc that is made about Conferences 
 upon diff-rences ( which indeed are not to be rejetted, but to be 
 followd by all means ) and profefsions made of aims and defies 
 thereby to have all divrfions removed, yet hath no other purpofe. 
 but fofar as they can toftrengthe* their own Way in every point 
 and to fix the divtfionfrom the mop part oftheKir^ofScotl^S 
 the good Lord avert ihis ; but if this appear at Uft , we hope 
 that men of underfiandmg and foundnefje upon that fide of t he 
 differences wil remember and makj uje of What they have learn* 
 ed and ^noto and have profeffed concerning the Cnurch CottftU 
 tution and of fchtfme, and feparation againft independents and 
 feparatifis* 
 
 Review. 
 
 THere is nothing fad here of the Protcfters that doth 
 infringe th ntf grity of their Profcflion,ana refolunon by 
 all lawful and fair m^sns within the compais oi tfteir powcrand 
 ftition to endeavor the remedy of the dtvifions;it is true thacone 
 
 G of 
 
of th* members of the Commiflion to whom Ido not deny the 
 Tcflimony of a reverend, judicious and godly man, did cal; the 
 exceptions propounded againitthoft members of the AftemLdy 
 who had been members of the Commifsion, a fir) motitn, and 
 fuch a thing as petit jugulum pdris, which was not then more 
 {harply fpoken then it was modeftly taken ; but to fay nothing 
 that in that particular, he was a party that fpetks (o (pace tanti 
 viri ) there was no juft realon to'cail it fo,the exception, being 
 fo wel grounded as it was. I wfli the Author rmy by as much 
 weight upon the words of that worthy man i i other things con? 
 cernmg the Puolick reloluno :s,as h.- doth in thai (peach of his. 
 As to ih e Ajthors difcouif concerning th ir Lakiog upon them 
 the Authority ofaPuMick J?idicatory,a -u1 declaring perempto- 
 rily that they will fo do,a id co idfinnmgthc other »"iJ;»,th y be- 
 in;; by fir the f.wer n iriber, and whiitfit. the unttei vva-yet 
 (ubjud'ce, when h« (hail be pleafed to give us an an( we-- con- 
 ceuvng his. and other m*nst;;k:ng upon them to be an Alf mb!y 
 and to m*k^ a<frs not onely condemning th^ir Brethren? judge- 
 ment but alio centering thrm with the fentences of (ufpcniioa 
 6c depo(ition,then flial an anfwr be given him concerning this. 
 If ir be f«id that they were an lawfull Aflfembly, but the other 
 was no tewfdi Commifsion, thaf is the oueft k n, and if » ruth 
 be on his fide, as to the frcedome and iawfuku-iT or the After*. 
 bly what heiayethof their fctting upof <heCo»iir»iai.'nhath 
 weight? but ifihat Affembsy was no AlTcmbly, then wasvhf 
 ■ former Comrmfsion ftili (landing, and they were in no fault to 
 convcen and exercife the fame ; it is true t hat the matter is /W£ 
 jnMce'.buz was not the matter alfo/#£ jttdice betwixt the Meeting 
 ai®Hxdee 9 ind theProtefters when that Meeting toojtupon them, 
 notvvithftanding of the ProtetUtion to be an Affcmbly, and did 
 make ads, ceniuring fome , and laying an foundation for the 
 censuring of all theiethat foouldrefufc to acknowledge thdr 
 confttutioiijor after conference oppofe their Ads. In anfwer to 
 thercftoffaisdifcourfc upon this head, I defire the Reader to 
 take notice, that after fererail eflayes of a conference with the 
 Commifsion by theSyood oiGUfgow to litle or no erfed, at the 
 Meeting at St. Andrews, thefe whower? diffatisfited with 
 the Pubhck rcfolutioni, did offtr to th« Meeting a humbit 
 
 fup- 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 finpcitbi 3 dcfiring them to forbear to conftitnte thetr?~ 
 felves in an Aflcmbly , and to adjutne the Meeting umill 
 peaceable and fair means fhould be ufed for com pofing of dif- 
 ferences* which was altogether refufe*! to be read; then after 
 that the Meeting had conftitute them felves in arA(fembiy,it wis 
 defiredby thtfe brethren that they would appoint fome or their 
 number to confer with them about dirferences,whichw§s long 
 &tenacioufly oppofed^s canying with it a reflection upon thefc 
 of the Commifsion who had carried ©n the Ptiblfck Refolutiom, 
 and a prejudice to the AtTembly in judging of thelc refoiutions; 
 at laft the refuit was thr>, that fuch of the Affembiy as they de- 
 fired to confer with might f peak with them, but that no par- 
 ticular perfon fhould be "nominated , nor any thing written 
 thereof in the minutes ohh? Affembiy ; In profecution of this 
 defire, fome of the unfatisiied Brethren did rseet whh the Mo- 
 derator of that Aflembiy, and fome other eminent men mem- 
 bers of the Commifsion at Mr. Rsbert Blair his chamber two 
 feveral diets, and after fome conference to and fro,did earneftly 
 befcechand prelT<? upon them (fome with tears) that they 
 would be pleated to be inftrumental in adjourning the Aiferably," 
 and in delaying to ratifie thePublkk Refoiutions; but they were 
 nctplcafed to condefcend fo much as to undertake to be aisjiting 
 tothefe brethren in obtaining their dcfire,& that night in which 
 the Meeting was adjourned from St. zAndre^s to Dundee^ the 
 dif-fatisfied Brethren did again publickly prcfte that the AiTcm- 
 blymighbe adjourned till fome confiderable time, -till pains 
 might betaken in an amicable way forcempefing of differences, 
 which being refufed, they were necefsirated to Protelf , as fe- 
 ing no other remedy sgai ft the current of backfliding;notwith- 
 ftandingof thisPrctcfi3tion, the Meeting zt Dundee went on, 
 not on«ly to the ratifying of the pubiick refoiutions , but to the 
 condemning of the Proteftetion, cenfuring of fome of the Pro- 
 tefters, and OJakmg of Acts declaring all of thefecenfurable 
 who (hall not acknowledge their conftitution, andfubmitto 
 their Ads, and appointing Presbyteries and Synods in their rc- 
 fpe&ivc bounds to proceed to the execution thereof, and giving 
 power to their Commifsion for that eft &. where Presbyteries 
 were negligent* What length their Commifsion was g©ne, and 
 
 G 2 what 
 
(*0 
 
 whatthey hid in eonfideracion igainft theProte{lers,when they, 
 were interrupted and brok *n offby the furprizill at Eliot them- 
 fclves b«ft know. After that I imc the Lord was pleafed to cx- 
 crcife the Land with (o fad difpenfations , as for a good while 
 ' made all Publick Meetings of Ministers very difficult and dan- 
 gerous, untill the Cnintry being fomewhat quieted, about the 
 midft of October, thefe who had Proteftcd agiinft the Meeting 
 at St. Andrews and Dundee , at not being a lawful! and fee 
 Generall Affembly , with many other Minifters and Elders 
 from ftverall parts of the Country, did me«t at Edinburgh, 
 where after fome day es fpent together in Prayer , and fuppli- 
 cation, and in confessing of their fins to God, and one to an- 
 nother, thty did in the next place after conference, and mu- 
 tuall communication of L'ght one with another, fet down their 
 thoughts concerning the Caufes of the Lords wrath agaiuft the 
 Land, that in that time of dirkneiTe , there might befomc 
 light and directory in thefe things to fuch as wer« willing to re- 
 ceive and make ufe thereof- amongft thefe caufesof wrath, 
 they did condefcend upon and reckon the Public k Refo- 
 lutions of Church and Stat* , for bringing the Malignant 
 party, firft to th* Army, and thentoihe Judicatories, and 
 the afh;aU intruding of them with iht power of the 
 Kingdom both M.litiry and Civil, and the prclimiting and 
 corrupting of the Gcnerail Affembly in the free ard lawfull 
 conftitution thereof; and its ratifying of the Publick Resolu- 
 tions, which did involve a defection from the Caufe,and hying 
 a fcunda- ion for cenfuring of all fuch who did not approve of 
 xKt conftitution of that A'Tembly,and fubjrit to the Acts there 
 of; and finding themfeives more and more convinced of the 
 nullity of that Affembly at 'Dundee , and how needfull it was 
 to preferve the Church of Scotland \n the poffefsion of her due 
 privilcdges,and to keep together a remnant, who might be as 
 a branch of hope ( iffobethe Lord would be favourable to 
 thcir^andjiks plcafurc inthem) for repairing of the breach, 
 fuch of thcrn as were Members of the CommiGion of the 
 Gen. Affembly, did find themfeives warranted and called of 
 God,to take poffefsion of the power and trult committed unto 
 them by the Affembly 1650. yet (0, as they did not authorita- 
 tively 
 
(53) 
 tively impofe or require obedience to any of their Emifrions 
 
 concerning the caufcs of the Lords wrath ( which was the on 
 iy thing they racdied With ) but having agreed ufon thefe 
 Caofes # with the advice of diverie Brethren from feverall parts 
 of the Kingdom , did offer sni advife the fame to be made ufc 
 of by all \ he Lords people in the Land leaving place to adders 
 the Lordihould tmke further difeoveries thereafter. At the 
 fame time all the Brethren who were met, did write Letters 
 to fun dry reverend and godly men in the Mini'iery , of a diffe- 
 rent judgment , defiring an amicable Conference with them; 
 and conceiving that they could net well be brought together 
 te'onc place in fuch afeafon of the year, and when travelling 
 was fo difficult , they did appoint fomc of their number to 
 wait upon fome of them ixSuisdndrews , and upon others of 
 them at Qlafgw , who might hold forth unto them what in 
 their judgments was rhe moft conducible means for union and 
 peaeeboth with Goi and among our fclves, and to hear what 
 Should be offered unto them by thefe Brethren; what parted in 
 thefe Conferences,! leave it to thefe who were prefent to re- 
 late,hoping that none who were prefent will fay, that the de- 
 fires and endeavors of union did break off upon our fisiejthoieof 
 our number not only propelling themfeivs willing to confer 8c 
 hear what fhould be offred unto them,but toattend at any other 
 diet that uSouid be appointed, and to endeavour it it were deft 
 red, a more numerous and frequent meeting ofBrethren of both 
 fides: From all which it doth appear, that the Protefters all 
 along,have been purfuers of peace, and not promoters and fo- 
 ftcrers of divifion. The Author propounds the queftiou, If it 
 had not been a more probable and Chriftian Lke mean for re- 
 medying the divifions, to have dealt for a meeting of judicious 
 and godly men on both lides,and for an amicable and brotherly 
 Conference on equal tearms about the dfference^hen that the 
 Protefters being but the one fide* fhould have taken upon them- 
 feivesthe authority of a Publick Judicatory, and by themfclvs 
 ftraightway to con de nine the other fide as guilfy. In anfwec 
 to whichjbefide what is already faid, I would firit a^k the Au- 
 thor ,Whet her it be fair dealing, that thele at St. Andrews, af- 
 ter they were carueftly entreated of their Brethren, to adjourn 
 
 and 
 
(54) 
 
 and delay the ratifying of t he Publick Refolotions , (hall firft 
 take upon them the Authority of a Gencrall Affembiy, to rati- 
 fie the Publick Rcfolutions , condemne their Brethren who 
 proteft agsintt theng , cenfure fome of them with Sufpenfion, 
 andothcriof them with Depofition- for .that very thing, and 
 lay a foundation for cenfuring all of them, and all others in 
 th-i Church of Scotland, who /hould continue to d ffcr from 
 them,and oppofe them in tbefe things,and then afcer wards cry 
 out upon their Brethren,who hold forth the fin and iniquity of 
 fuch proceedings, as upon men- who arc not for peace, and do 
 not take the moft probable and Chnftian-like mean for reme- 
 dying the divisions ; The Author knowes who were in the 
 Church of Scotland , who did tread th fe ftcps not long 
 ago : Next, they did conceive it to be the molt pro- 
 bable and Chriltisn-like mean for remedying the di viri- 
 ons , to fall upon the root of the master , by holding 
 ing forth thit which had divided us from G >d,and God from 
 us,and one of us from anocher,taking this for the moft genuine 
 md(ouiid,& fate,& Chriftian method of proceeding,yct walk- 
 ing io therein, as that they did onely foberly and by way of ad- 
 vice hold forth their judgmnts ,and not impofe upon any; and 
 as they left an open door to othcrs,to adde what further difco- 
 veries of guiltinefs the Lord (hould make known to them , fo 
 were they as (harp and icarching againft theinfelvcs,as againfl 
 any others. What djflbnancie from their Profefsion is in all this, 
 and if it be but a mocking of God ( as the Author jnfiunatsj I 
 hope and pray, that the Lord will reveal it unto them, feeing 
 they did it tn the fimplicity of their hearts, looking upon the 
 fame as a fpeaall and neceflary point of their duty, in this day 
 of indignation and back-Aiding • but if it was acceptable fcr- 
 vicc to God,as I truft it wa% I hope the Lord wil countenance 
 and follow it with a blefsing from Heaven, that there may be 
 a profitable fruit thereof to his poor fervants , a. id to his poor 
 Church. 1 know not well whothcle be-of whom the Author 
 fpeaks, whonotwithftaniingof allthebufineffe thatismade 
 upon conferences a£out differences &c. yet if the fears of ma- 
 ny ,both godly and wife may have weight, hare no other pur- 
 pofebutfofarastheycan to ftrengthen themfelves in their 
 
 own 
 
own way , and to fix the di virion from the mod part in the 
 Church ofScetUnd* )f any profelTc what h$ doth not intend, 
 he may abufe others , but he doth but encreafi his own guilti- 
 neiTe. I it re f&y, thu iht defies of Union upou the Protcfters 
 fide in the Meeting at £</;W#~|£,whxh was prof.il to be cal- 
 led in order to Uoiow ; werc reaU,aiid in theft hearts as well as 
 in their mowns ; as it w^s to them a matter r © h of grief and 
 wonder, when the ComnnifsioDets.who came from the £ v* rail 
 Synods, did not 61 ly ref sfc to delty^nll Brethren of ad# rent 
 judgment ( who were abfentbecauie r hey hid nocaUrgor 
 invitation to command cnuld nol intrude rhemfelves ) m ght 
 be gorten conveentd , but a'so wkhcFUt any previous right un- 
 derftan ijng.or any Overture in order thereumo,didrefoi%e up- 
 on keeping an Affembly, according to the Incision at Dundee 
 th Uftycar , which gives juftoccabon of fufpition to m any 
 godly and vvie to conceive that the zealotes of the Publick 
 R . foltit on-, had more in their eye the ftrengthening of them- 
 felves in* heir own way > and bearing down and cenfuri;g of 
 rheir Brethren who Iffli r from them, then any union and right 
 undcrltanding wih them ; ihe G'ffim (mods that force who 
 camctorhat Meeting were cloaiheJ w th, and the Letter and 
 Arncles that others of them 'idfo much magnifie, and do fo 
 clok'y flick to, do confirm them.there«n, and this brings forth 
 in them this fear, th*t ss the Unci: adhering to the Pubiick Re- 
 folutions,and to the Conititution and Afts of the Aflembly at 
 J0> undee , jfhall obllruc*^ the purging of this Church from cor- 
 rupt Officers and corrupt Members t and bear down and drive 
 out many precious oocs,w ho cannot be confenting u^to , but 
 moftbear teftirr-onyagainlt the(ethings;fo alio that it fhalmakc 
 manyof the godly ^n the land to Mumble exceedingly at thego- 
 verr ment of our Church, and from a defj a:r ever to lee this 
 Church r urged,to think of repairing from ityh which though 
 theymay do what they ought not to do,yet it doth exec edingly 
 concern the Author and ot hers of his way to consider of this, 
 and to take heed that truy do no more cftend the little one*, 
 nor temps them above what they are able to bear, 
 
m 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 ITfhoufd now follow that we come to the examination of the 
 Rcafons xileat-gcd agni>fi the Afjcnblyjut that there it one 
 p^Hagemore in the Narrative of their Trott fiction ^which can- 
 not be paffeA by without feme inquiry upon it , it it in ihrfe 
 Words: T>xt <u th JMthftill \crvams of J ejus Chrift in this 
 Kii\i* former times , did by the good h*nd of God on thcm % 
 bring the Work^o 4 Reformation unto a grout perfection and rent 
 conformity with the fi>fl patern 9 fome unfaithful men m'mdi> g 
 their cw"- things more then the things ofChrift y & u urpirg over 
 th'ir 'Brethren and the Lords Inheritance y uid deface the bt nu- 
 ty thereof y firfl by encroaching on the liberty and freedom of the 
 j4f[embly- 9 afterward by takjng away the very Afjcmbly them- 
 f el ves y t here fore remember ^c, 1 fball not flay here to examine 
 theCjramar andLogick^of this pafsagc in relation to antecedents 
 and con(equents Jfcherein \it feems) While as they have been too 
 forward and ear reft to let out indiretlly a bhw at honefl men % 
 they have /omewhat overjeen them/ 'elves , as might be clearly 
 evidenced^- but this is not wrth the while y nor Jh all I ivfift upon 
 if to enquire the my fiery* It may be infinuat there y where they 
 fay s t hat th' faith] nil M'mifiers ofjefus C hrl ft informer t mes 
 brought the fVot kjf Reformation to a treat perfetlion y a d\o a 
 near conform ty With the firfi p*tem; for thejO epithets of great 
 and near Cunnot be looked on in this place, but as termini dimi- 
 tiV^toitS^ecaHfe perfection & conformity to a rule y are in them- 
 felves and their oven pure figniftcat'xon y fuch terms as no epi- 
 thet of quantity in the mccr fofitive degree can be added to them 
 without diminution of the thing Jigni fed bythrm JVhenyou faj t 
 an allien is c«me to a great perfec7-ion y *nd to a co formi;ytyith» 
 You fay not (o much as if you (aidfimplyjt u some to perfection 
 and conformity wth its rule ; no\\> the Worhj>f Reformation 
 here beiig meant the outWardOrdinancesyhehrethren Woulddo 
 well to tell y and it were wifdomefor every homfi profeffor to en- 
 quire fthat they judge Wanting ofperfeblion and conformity to 
 the pater n y in a Reformation of outward Ordinance s y carryed on 
 by tbe good hand of God upon thefe hisfervants 5 for my own 
 
 fart 
 
fart, I am not given to be jealous , jet 1 thinly itisfafe now i$ 
 t,Ms heed ncfoteit aoguis ia herba,r£* rather, knowino- that it 
 hath bin the Way of fame ofthefc lands fince the wor{ of Fnifer* 
 mi ty "began in them , to fay >., that the JVork^ of Reformation in 
 Scotland was ageodyvaj on- } but that there are yet farther at- 
 tainments then it was brought to y &now it is begun bsldly to he 
 prefented into a Meetings pretended to be the publichjCommif- 
 fion of the Ki^k* that the taking of c Presbjterian Government 
 is the great eft per fetlion attainable inChurck- government t and 
 that the maintaining leffe then pefitive evidences of Grace % is 
 fuffcient for conftitutmg one a member of the vifible Kirk^, and 
 fundrj other weighty points of the 'Doblrine and Government of 
 the Church if Scotland,*!?-* chief caufes that have brought the 
 prefent judgments on the Land-whichl dare faj t the pref enter of 
 them would never hazarded to h*ive prefentedjoad he not known 
 offome good liking of them in (ome Minifters -, nay, 1 will fa} 
 further, though the man he under ft anding as to hisftation ) be- 
 yond many others y yet who ever kjioVvs him be(l,and "will confide? 
 the ftile^contrtvance & conceptions in thofe articles now extant 
 in print, "will ( / doubt not ) fay, there hath been the hand of 
 Joab, another head and pen in them then his otyn. This by the 
 Vvajjhat which l^Would have efpecially objerved in this pajfage, 
 is t$ what purpofe in this place are brought in the/e unfaithfull 
 men the Prelats^whe minding their own things ,& c. and all this 
 madean antecedent, wher upon is inferred theProteftation againft 
 the late A(femblj,for immediatly it followeth ; therfore remem- 
 bring &c, wkereunto tendeth all this, but to bear all in hand 
 that fbal happen to read this Protection jhat the Brethren that 
 have been latelj,& are oppofite to themfhe profejfors have been } 
 and are treading the fteps of thefe unfaithfull men the Trelats, 
 and their mt ntioned practices ? a (hreu&fuggeftion (to fay no 
 more) againft their brethren , many of them not only fuch as 
 jet they dare not but profejfe f efteem highlj of^but even manj 
 ethers "whom thej defpife , have been honoured of Gsd to {land 
 co nft ant againft the Prelats ufurpations for the liberry of Af- 
 femblies 9 when ftw of their accufers have had the honour to 
 have had their hand at the Work., jea, feme ( it may be thefs 
 frtmWbemtfte faggeftion if sued) were taking nnwarrAntdble 
 
 H orders 
 
(5«; 
 
 orders from Prelats^ and dmngmore too } How can boneft 
 Cbriftian hearts admit jo {lander ens a fnggefl^n agairfl fo r»A- 
 ny bone ft mc» y who(e faithfuhefs integrity y Ivjneftj ,> conftancy 
 in the trutb t hath been jo wel knoVtn and/ealed by God <xS\i tule- 
 rit Gracthos (I fpeal^not of them all) dc feditionc loqucntft? 
 if need bt it will be eafie to difcoverjr rather to name ( for they 
 are not hidden in the dar^the Prelaticallfteps thatjome have 
 trod t he je years I aft by-paft. 
 
 Review. 
 TTHe firfi thing which the Author challenges in that pafli^e 
 of the' Narrative of the Pi otclUtion is, the Grammar and 
 Logick of it in relation to antecedence and conft quencc, con- 
 cerning which he thinks that too great forwardncs to let out 
 indireclly a blow at honrft men, is made,the Proteltcrs fome- 
 whittoo^er fee thcmfclves, but hefpan.sthe clearing of if, 
 and not being worth the while till it be c; eared, theie who fee 
 it cannot take with it. In the ntxt place , albeit he profefles 
 hi mf elf not to be given to be jealous, yet it is too great /cilou- 
 (ie and prejudice that raifes fo great a ttir about fo innocent 
 andharmlefle an expreflion as this. That the faithfoU Mini- 
 tfersof Jefus Chritl informer times brought the Work of Re- 
 formation in Scotland to a great perfection and near confor- 
 mity to the Word of God; What myffcery is here ? have 
 not the like expreflions been ufed heretofore in the Pa- 
 per! and Books of the Relatcrs and Ailerters of Reformation 
 and Government of this Church- but (faith the Author )great 
 and near are here diminishing terms,and imports yet fomthing 
 to be wanting to perfection and conformity to the patern ; and 
 therefore he thinks the Brethren would do wel to tel ,& that it 
 were wifdom for every honefl: profeflor to enquire what ths: is 
 that is yet wanting. Thebrethreo dotel,& all honefl Profeflbrs 
 maybe perfwaded to belicve,that thev had no wil before them 
 that expreflion, and that they do willingly fubferibe to the te- 
 fttmony of a worthy man in this Church, whofs love unto, and 
 cftimation oft he Work of Reformation , is above ai 1 excepti- 
 otvo witj that the Church of Scotland, after the Reformation, 
 did by degrees attain to as great perfection both in Doctrine 
 
 and 
 
and Difcipline,a$ any othet Reformed Church in Bnrope s Bife 
 it may be this wiil not ftti He the Author, becauie hi> Logiek 
 teach shsm that by laying j-r^/ perfection and near Cunror- 
 mitjf; thsy hive hid idle then if they had faid "finely , ' " i$ 
 come to p: ;« lection and conformity. To by nothing* thai the 
 Work of RJormation is capable of a greater grout.h i? the pra- 
 fticall ufc of the things that are known and profcit, and of a 
 difcovcry of further degrees of light and petiwafion in thefe 
 tKbgcWiiltfa-: Auhorf*y,that nothing atall.no not th leaft 
 pin orcircumftancc of peifcd on & conformity with the firftpa- 
 tern,was then wanting to the wot k of reformation in Scotland, 
 if fo wedefire him to teli us, whit kind of power it is tnat is 
 ex? rcifed by the Magsftra^ and Counccls of Burghs then tfety 
 ch&ofe Commi lionets to the Generall AiTembiy, and whit is 
 the extent of the Dxffcors Orrice ? I asknottheieth ngsto 
 caft any blemifho nhe Work of Reformation , which 1 do 
 willingly acknowledge to be fuch as may coinpaife w th any 
 of the R formed Churches, and in fome refpi-cl: ( io fir as I 
 know;h ta the pr- eminence, but to fatisfie the Au hors need- 
 leffc Curiofity^tJiefc things being considered, makes it to appear, 
 that thefe words even when ttreaehed upan the tenter-hooks 
 of tie Au. hors nicety, .io yet bear a convenient and true mean- 
 ing,and that none needs tbence to fear a ferpent lurking in ttiQ 
 bufti. I acknowledge that it ha:h been the way of fomc in 
 thefe Ltn U fince the Work of Reformation began in them, to 
 fay Jthit the Work of Reformation in Scotland^ was a good 
 way on, but that there are yet further attainments then it was 
 brou, h* unto • but it wis apparent from others of the r ex- 
 pressions* and from the whole tenor of their carriage,that they 
 had therein a bad meamng/6 wir,that we (hould not hold fall 
 the thiogs which we have already, nor Wiik by the fame rule, 
 but that we fhould make an alteration and change thereof; and 
 therefore there is Yeafon to be jealous over fuch; but to be jea- 
 lous over thefe whole exprefsifions $c carriage gives no ground 
 for ir,is but to torment our felves with m< d effe fears , and to 
 wrong others. 1 have already giv.n iomc accompt of the 
 Paper presented to the Meeting at Edinburgh, ( which the 
 Author doth here repeat again ) and flail now adde thefe 
 
 H 2 few 
 
few things in anfwei' to fome orcumftances of his difcourfe. 
 F»rifc,that Paper was not prefented to i Meeting that either re- 
 ally was or did pretend to be the Co nmiision of th* Church, 
 but on ly to a Meeting of Mimfters and P/of (Tors , afting not 
 in th? capacity of any J idicatoryreall or pretended. Secondly, 
 ifiit all the M iiifttrs who were theic,did teftifii their diflike of 
 that Piper,and cvtn thife wham the Author and (omi others 
 do haply molt fu{p:&,did lerioufly diffwade from the in-giving 
 of it. TnirJiy,I kiow not who is tht Jodb he means of; but 
 I do wellknovv, that the men of chit M eting who are mod 
 (la ideted aj the plotters and contrivers of fuch things, had nei- . 
 ther hea i,nor hind.nor heart in ihu Piper; and it I rightly re- 
 member,! hear i it aflerted by the Author of it, thei e was no o- 
 thcr head nor pea in it but h sown; thefe who know hi <n wel t 
 mayth nk that he hath that m ich ability as to reach the liile, 
 co unvancca iJ co icrpro ism thefe A ncl<s; and therefore 
 whilelt the A thorlpeiksth^fcth ;.gs by the way , he hath 
 gone a little o :t otrhc way.Thit when ne would h«ve chi fly 
 oDferve i m his paffage , u>, To what purpoU in this place are 
 bro i^ht intheleu.jfa thfull me i the Prelates s who minding 
 th i own things, &c. a id fuch an inference made there* 
 upon , as tendeth to bear all in hand that (hill happen lo 
 read the P otcftation , that the BrerJren rhat have been 
 lately, and are oppoiite ro the Prorcfters, have been, and 
 arc ncading theft. p. of thefe unfaithful I men rhe Prelates, 
 and h k raaritiojied praitik-s and ihr w 1 (uggeftio is,as he cals 
 th^n , on which he wtxeth hot m the Vindication of his Be- 
 threrv and in recriminations upon others ; but I delire him and 
 others who read th-fe th ngsin (obemefleof m nde, to con- 
 fider fir i that the eftjmation wnjch the P.otefters have of the a- 
 bliiy and godunefleof fundry of the Brethren, who have been 
 and are oppo r uc co 'hem in the Pablick Resolutions , is above 
 exception and mamfvft, I hope, to the Conferences of thrfe 
 Brethren themselves. 2. Thit thisneeis not, nor ought not 
 to hinder 1 hem to give their judgement of the r way in order to 
 the Publick Refolutions,if io be it be done without pcrfonal re- 
 flections, to far as is poffiole. 3. That ( as the Author hath 
 diftjngu.fhsd before ) thvrcis* difference beiwccn mens in- 
 tention 
 
(6i) 
 
 tcntion and their work; men may be treading the fteps of de- 
 fection, as thefe unfaithfull men the Prelaw did, who yet do k 
 not With an unfaithful and prelatical mind,cvenas in thefefame 
 veiy tiroes of the courfe of defection that was earned on t y the 
 Pielats, there was fundty able and godly m* n ingaged therc:n t 
 without whofe help it could not have bsen io eaiiiy, nor unob- 
 (ervedly to many, csrryed on by the multitude or carnallsnd 
 corrupt men, who would have brcn but a (mall cedite with- 
 out tluie other. 4. That if the Pro'teiters had had to do wah 
 thefe onely whofe fa ithfulaefTe , integrity, honcfty and con- 
 ftancy in the truth have been fo wcl known and feai d byGod, 
 they had haply expreflcd rhemfelvcs foine other Way* but th< y 
 had to do in this particular with all thofc who owned thep ub- 
 lick Rtiolutions , and amongrt thefe were many ; yea, not a 
 few active lead ng m^n, members of,or aflifting un o 1 h? C^m- 
 miflion in thef things,and in the Meeting at Dundce^'no were 
 deeply engaged i \ the Prelatical 1 way, as not onely their m':- 
 {criptions in the B {hops black Boofc, which is y t extant, and 
 canoe produced if need were, but aifo t he tcnoureft heir car- 
 riage for a Ions; time did witnes; and 1 fear it of not a f w, that 
 though they feemed to forfake thde things with the changes 
 of the time , yet have they not repented thereof unto this day ; 
 not that I would fetch all thof- whofe names are in tha^ black 
 Book, and others the Ike book , and who were involved in 
 thete couries under that compaffc; I know that iund y of them 
 have from their veiy hearts repented of, and do from ?.he r fouls 
 abhor that way-, 1 mean even of thefe who ate tor the P blick 
 Relo' u ions, out t hi Church hath been io f nfible that there is 
 caufc to chi ;kothcrWife,that (lie hith icveral times §ivcn war- 
 ning thereof in her pubi ck Papers; and who knoweth not that 
 throughout all the Land, thdewhohad been molt ind ffrtcnr, 
 andluke-w*rminthc CuifcorGod , greater* undermines of 
 it, molt Preiacicali in the times of th? B {hops, moil iviaJ gna? t 
 in James Grahams time, and in the rime of the unlawful! En- 
 gagement, and moft dciigning. and active to carry on the 
 Treaty w>- h the King, in a wrong way, and wi hout fecuriy 
 to Religion ; yea , and inch as wc<e fcandaious in their Lite 
 and coaveifauon wire for the azoil pare amongft the raoft 
 
 zealous 
 
(62) 
 
 zealous and v r o!ent for i&e. Publick Refolutions , and are 
 fo full , now the courie it fdf frying evill. and cnvolving 
 a foundation of defect on, owned and countenanced ,aad 
 zetloifly promoted , by all the lukcwatm Prelaticail, 
 and Mmgnant icauia o.rs men in the Land; was there not 
 doolfull exjcnence of iuch backfliding in the ti i e of ihe 
 Prelates, to hefti»red up in ourfclve^ani to P:ottftand t Uiric 
 to othersagaintt th.ngs,thuugh fundrygodly men were engaged 
 therein; nay, the more need there was to (peak plainly, 1-aft 
 their ability and godlincfle fliould be a dure to any. 5. What- 
 ever the Author is pic afed to alledge, the Protefters do not dc- 
 fpifeany of thof'e who hive been honoured of God, to Hand 
 confUnt againti Prelars ulurpations, and for the Liberties of 
 Afferoblies, they acknowledge that they owe much to fuch, 
 and though they cannot but tcftific againft the ill of thePjblick 
 Reio utions»,yet they do retain a honourable Impreflion of thefe 
 parlous, and of what is good in them. 6. If it were lit to com- 
 pare,fundry of the P.otefLrs arc in nothing;yca,m none of thefe 
 things wh v h the Author rocntioued as praifc worthy, bchinde 
 with the veiy ch.t fot thefe who have appeared for the Put 1 tk 
 Refolutions,bnt both of them arc by the grace of God,that that 
 thyare. 7. That none of the Protcllee^s for any thing tha. I 
 know, did take unwarrantable ordets from the Piclats, and do 
 more to accept one who hath often in private, and in Pullck 
 acknowledged, and is ftdl ready to acknowledge the fin of that 
 way m which he was bred up from hisyouth f and therefore did 
 it ignorant .y through unbelief, who becaufe of the exceeding 
 rich .5 of the b4«W y of God, in recovering him out of 1 hat marc 
 holds himfeif the more bound to be vigilant and zealous 
 againft alldefertions for the time to come; this ma i hath 
 forbidden me to lay any more to the Author, in anfwer 
 to thefe things; but th.ft words, dignits ifo qui patior indig. 
 tthftu qm ftceres t<*men> and to leave the explicit on to his 
 own coi.fcicnce. S. It had been fa rer dealing in rh* Author, 
 to have difcovcred or named the Preiarieali fteps thar (ome of 
 the P, otefter* have troden rhefc years pair, and not thus to have 
 alfertf d w -thout any proof or iuftance, which he thinks a fault 
 in matters of UfTe moment : The ftcpt that thefe men have tro- 
 den 
 
.to) 
 
 den t hefe years pad in their Publick Actings ( for sf thefe I 
 take the Author (o mean) werefor thematter the farnethat 
 were croden by himfeif, and ty tundry leading men ; n the Pub- 
 lick Refolutiom, who were alfo leading men in all thefe iteps 
 from the higheft to the lowed ; and I do not think ( though 
 not a few be) he is come that length to condemn thdc things 
 and for the manner of their Actings , th.y acknowledge them- 
 felves to be men iubject to the like paffiot s with others, 
 batknowesnocaufe why thefe the treading or Piclaticall 
 fteps fhould be charged rather upon them then upon other?, 
 fome in the following of their duty are more remifs, and others 
 more forward, but as long ssthey do liraitly aid honeftly own 
 their duty, it is hard either becaufe of the one or of the ©thereto 
 charge them with fo heavy imputations. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 "T T"T TEfball now Weigh thefe reaf ens whereupon theTro- 
 y V teftation is built, and which have been added lately, 
 AS hatter ages to htld.it tip ; /urely the grounds thereupon men 
 Would Adventure on fuch An^Acf, or others would joy -w in ap* 
 proving of it, had need to be weighty in themf elves and relevant^ 
 And at Jo clear in mens Conjciences:To Trotefi,againfi 9 or diffent 
 from fome particular ails and confiitutions -of aGen^Affembly^ 
 AthingWhich may be done Without ft hi f me ^and derogation to the 
 Authority and being of Government-^ but when a (jen.Afsembly 
 it (elf is protefted again ft, and declined as unlAssfull, and hav- 
 ing no Authority at «ll i Who fees not how fad the ctnfequences 
 muft readily be in that Kirk^, hardly can it be by any outward 
 means , but turne to a fixed (chifme , Which thing how have 
 godly , orthodox chriftiAn, in all ages of the KirkJ/etefted and 
 abhorred, c hoofing rather ever to toller Ate great offences(Which 
 they did fee, but could not mend ) rather then to divide the Kirk^ 
 of Chrifty and then it would be ferioufly confidered, if the reafons 
 And grounds of fuch an AH be not clear and relevant , hoW 
 high ah attempt it againft the Kingly Office of fhrift , to 
 trample underfoot his Supre4m external I Court y in a Ration- 
 All Kirk- fiome we then 4»A ponder the Keafons alledgedfor 
 
 this 
 
(64) 
 
 thii Preteflatien, and dec It nature whether they befotwd weigh' 
 ty or light, vincat Veritas. 
 
 Review. 
 
 1 Shall not ftand to difcufe the relevancy of all that is afTerted 
 in ihis general! difcourfe, but returns this anfwer thereunto: 
 Jt lccmi the Author doth not deny that it is lawful,and in fome 
 cafts neceflary, to Protcft againft, an4 decline fomc Gi»n. Af- 
 femt>lies,an.i that it would be (bin ourHypothefis if the grounds 
 were clear and relevant , whatibevc* Will plead for a Prote- 
 ftatipn againft particular Ads that are wrongthe fame & greater 
 reafon will plcaJ for aProteftation againft a wrong conftituti- 
 on f> becauFe the eirtur of a wrong conftitution is cf greater 
 cor.feqnentc,asimp©rting more prejudice to the work and Peo- 
 ple of God,and oeing a hi ;her attempt againft the Kingly Office 
 of Jdus Chnlt^hen many wrong adts are, and therefore th re 
 is the greater reafon to prevent the fame in fure 9 where it can- 
 not be done \nfatlo, even as men by fuchlike Protcftations pre- 
 ferve their Rights jure, when by the fpateofa declining Judi- 
 catory rhcy are like to be opprellcd de ftllo, and therefore have 
 Orthodox Chriftians in all ages bornTeftimony,andProtcfted a- 
 gamft corrupt councils as wcl as corrupt acts^we fhal not^ofar 
 back to feck inftances: It is known what the Proteftant Chnrch 
 did againft the Councel ot Trent, and how often faithfull men 
 in the Church (ince the Reformation from Popery have-born 
 Teftimory and prutefted againft ur.lawfiill AiTettfblies, as well 
 asag-iin'; unwarrantable ac>s, neither doth itcau(c fthifraein 
 the Church, orderoga^eany thing from the Authority and be- 
 ing of Government, to Protcft againft ufurpers, corrupters,or 
 pervertersof ir, in a falfe court, but it if the lawfully and hath 
 been the uluall mean in this Ciu.ch, bleftd unto her of the 
 L*d, to prevent and remead tichifme, and to preferve the Au- 
 th .nry md being ofGcv rnircut,wi' h the purity aai Liberty of 
 til rheOrd mane ts,ani whatfo-vcr fad coniequcncescan beima- 
 gmed to follow upon it , do lye at the doors of thefe who by 
 declining fiom their Principks,carncs on, and deavci to a cor- 
 rupt conftitution of *n A3criVv>Iy, and not on thefe who adhe- 
 ring 
 
0*5) 
 ring to found Principles, do from the confciencecf their duty 
 bear Tcftimony &gainft the fame. It hath been often and truly 
 laid, that the iide wail which his, a.id mt the g*rill wh ch 
 ftands is to blame for the rent and nxine oftkt Huuie; I do wil- 
 lingly acknowledge that it is m high attempt againft he King- 
 ly Office of Jcfus Chnft,to trample under foct his Suprcaa? ex- 
 ternail Court in a Nationall Chivch, but as the Profilers are 
 guiUy ohhtrhifh an ernpt, if truy have Protctted againft the 
 Jvka B£ at St. AtdnVrs zudDttndee without a caufe, and up- 
 oi' grounds i fair are rot relevant ; fo if the Authors andabet- 
 toripfthe P.iblitk R-fulutions have corrupted this Court in 
 th tree an- iawLil conftitution ih riof, and have taken uron 
 themfelves to be an Aifcmfry vvbleft truy were none, then w"l 
 thcy.aninut the ocrier be fo^nd guilty pf this high attempts 
 Let us therefore come to the d*fcufling and clearing of the rea- 
 {ons that the Pioufters plead for themfelves. 
 
 Vl NDICATION. 
 
 T Heir fi.fi reafonforunfreeneffe, And ttnlaVpfulneffe of the 
 es#jjembly y that the tletlion of Commifsioncrs to the fame 
 Vfias prelimited andprejudged in the due liberty thereof ^y anAfb 
 & Letter of their Commijsion of the UftAffembiyfent to^Presbj- 
 terteSy appointing fuch Brethren as after Conference remained 
 unfatisfiedVcithy and continued to epfofe Pnblicl^RefoUtions to 
 be cited to the Gen.AjJembly. Thus it is briefly proponed in the 
 <Proteftation. In the late larger paper emitted and f pre ad abroad 
 ftnce y wherein as may be conceived^ are mufrereda.il the Forces 
 that could be gathered together againfi that Affembljyand many 
 heads have been imploded in that one^ every r»4n that readeth it 
 decertteth W ho fe fen hath given the forme an J , frame t$ it ;• and 
 any decerning man al/o may perceive in it fomstbing of School % 
 andfomethingof Law And regifters Vehich the former behoved 
 to have from thefe auarriers. It is put in a Sfiogifticl^form 
 thta : That it is no free Generall S?jfemkly,tbe EieclU* ofwhofe 
 gommiffioners is jo prejudged and pre- limited in the due freedom 
 and liberty thereof \ that many Mini ft ers of Presbyteries in 4 
 capacity t* b* chofen^ for their ability And faithfuln-jje ate by 
 
 I the 
 
m 
 
 the Presbyteries M the order of theSupream Judicatory pafl bj 
 andfet a fide in theSlecliov^nd rcndred uncapable to be members 
 thereof; Bnt the UteMee t ing i s fuchiTherefore^crVe toil not 
 follow om foot for foot the tratt of many objetlionswhtch the con- 
 trivers of this Paper have either found jomc way mate by o { hrs t 
 or have formed ihemjelves At their oton pleasure again ft thie and 
 other following rea ons y and their rep/ yes thereunto, "But /ball 
 propone fuch reafens as toe conceive dif covers the nullity of thefig 
 and other reafens t not omitting the co>fideratio* of anything 
 c»«t*i*edin this Paper which /ball feem to meet with what we 
 /hall bring as occafion (ball be offered Without tying our {elves 
 to the order of this Paper; For an/to<r then to thi* fir/} g round* 
 I. As it iyeth in the Vroteftatit>n y it could have no to, ie to prove 
 a* j il.egudty or nullity of the A sembly at the time of the'Pre- 
 ttft&ti* i/Hppofe that the Commffi oners All & Letter e»t toPref- 
 byterits had indeed contained under P delimitation^ bec*u,e this 
 fault of the Commifsi^n could not be imputed to the Affembij 
 to nmltiieit, while as yet it was to the \enotoledge of the A' sem- 
 bly y but ^n al'edg*"Ce n*t proven % that fuch under prc-limitAii- 
 §n had been ujeoitn the Ictlion of Ccmmifsttners, and that they 
 had not as yet determined not approver* th' deed of the £*m- 
 m'tfsion^ n»r dcei of P< esbyteriesdone thereupon ineletlions- at 
 the giving in of tbuProttftatie* the A; sembly had not as yet con- 
 fid'red the Commi A<ners Proceedings neither tndeedtoas it in 
 their power to co^no^ce upon exceptions dg^inft the C*mm ffion^ 
 without change of the Order of proceeding that had been ujed 
 fonftantly i» all bygone time, and upon a great debate toith the 
 Parliament it lef m the +y4[ sembly 1648. had been eftablifhed 
 by a fo-mall atl ', as the ProteflerS themselves toell under flood 
 and aclenotole ged y and therefore it Was y that upon this they offer- 
 ed to the J t (sembly , before the c hoofing of a Modern tor t a Paper 
 trejpng tht changing , and reform the order of prcceeai>g in the 
 Gentrall Af sembly ^ which before had alwayts been m u e y as if 
 feme ofthemfelves bai not bd n the main m< intainers and pro- 
 curers of the eftabltjhment of that order before y when it made for 
 them. And as the Aj sembly as yet but in heap of the matter , 
 and not conflitute into a Judicatory y cou'a have taken into corji- 
 deration, and have altered tht pratticetnd constitution of for- 
 mer 
 
«7) 
 
 mer Afsemhlits* The Afsemklj therefore dtdeffer to call in thk 
 exertion , and to give unto it all due confiderdtions 4s {eon 4s 
 f*Jfitty they conU win at it* 
 
 Review. 
 
 \ T X 7"^ 3t nce( ^ s *^ tns wa ^ ot " w 01 ^** concerning the ga~ 
 V V rhering and muttering of forces, and the imploymg 
 of ai my hiadte, and the pen that gave the forme, and fome 
 thing of School, and fomtthingcf Law, and R'gtters, wh'ch 
 the for met behoved to have from thete Qjacrecs ? The truth if, 
 that if it were a purpofs to tell it , there were very fc w_ heads 
 imploycd inthac bufindTe; haply aifcW as about the Vindicati- 
 on, and there was ii'tthr gathering of forces for if, the difficulty 
 of correfpondencc and (hortnefte of time wh-rein it wapsnned 
 admitting of v«.y little communication of thoughts; and the 
 Author is mifttk^n when he fpeak-i of two Qjseres, oat of 
 School, another pf R^giftcrff and of Law, out of which the 
 former behoved to have h s materials, and haply alfo concern- 
 ing the pen that gave it the frame, as fome otht rs have been be- 
 fore film ; but what though all thefe things were true which he 
 alleadgath: Ij it any fault in weak Souldiers to call in their ki- 
 lo ws to their hd-?,a id to ftrengthen one another m maintaining 
 of their ground agattfft many and ftrongAdverf* ie«; or doth he 
 hunt after commendation and appiaufepy fetting forth the pre- 
 parations, and muititu ie and ftrcngth of his oppofkes, whom) 
 y«t he by hlmfclf alone fuppofcth to have defeat. It was free 
 for the Author in anfweriog the reaiopfcontahifdinthe Pro- 
 teftation,and the other Paper relating to it , to choofe fuch a me- 
 thod as feem^d belt to him, though it would have fee icd to be 
 more eafk for his reader?, if he had followed foot fpr foot what 
 is contained tn rhefe Papers; I do more wonder that h: hath left 
 many things of importance unanswered, nOt (o much as once 
 touching them. But let us come to the anfw:-rs which he give*, 
 which 1 ihall take as they iy in the Vindication, upon fuppoial 
 that! he Letter an iacKcnt by the Cammifsion to Presbyteries, 
 did contain an under-prelimiiation; tht fit ft ground as it lycth 
 in the Protcftation, bath force to prove th? iikgaiity, or null i- 
 ty in --die Aflembly, notwithftanding of ar^y thmg thi A^:hoc 
 &ith to the contrary. Firft, he feem* to lay this ground, that 
 
 I a . nothing 
 
nothing can ba of fores to prove the illegality, or nullity of 
 the Atfem ily,but that which can be imputed to the Affembiy it 
 fclf; bu: 1 r ;ar thu this ground which is here hinted at by him, 
 gndmushmadsufcofby (ome others ia th's particular, (lull 
 fajUli wioie in thereupon: I fu.)r>ofc that by a Letter an! Al 
 of the Cam iiM(Tion, aid a deed of the Pre^ayteriesdoic there- 
 upon, eletftipns hid been fo prc«litrwcd,that all Ruling Elders 
 bad been ^v.iulei, and Ministers onely chofen. or th". one half 
 pfthe M' 3i(l,-rs excluded, without a juft cau(e from having voice 
 in the clcd ons, or from o^ing ch Men C ^mnifsioners ; would 
 nut thef^ prc-li nutations h3ve force to prove a nul AiTembly,rhe 
 fame being proponed and reje^ed as not relevant exceptions, 
 when the Comoiifsioners did meet to conftitute the nfclves in- 
 to an Aflembly; it teems by the Authonrgroun I th?y could not, 
 bccaulc they are but alied^eances not yet provcn,and th y have 
 art determined therein, no approyen thereof, becaafe it is not 
 in their power to cog nofce upon exceptions agnnft the C>oa- 
 mifjion without change of the or ler of Proceedings to theAif. 
 which hjdbcen constantly ufed in all timeby£one;there may be 
 many things done in Commifsions & Presbyteries id preb tilting 
 zni perv:irngthseleclion*,thit ca mocbt imp ited; yea, which 
 the Atfembly may condemn, thst may mak: an illegall and null 
 A'lemblv; and thctcf >rt upon (uppofadthit the Letter and A^ 
 fent to Presbyteries didcontain an under-pre-limitation,it might 
 have f*rce ac the tiaie of the Proteftauon to prove a null Afo-n- 
 bly, though it could not be imputed to the AiL-moly ir (elf : But 
 how 'o:h heprovethat it could not be imputed totheAfcrnMy? 
 firft,it was(futh he)to the knowledge of the A Tern l ;> y,bjt an al- 
 ledgeance not proven;it lecms thz A uhor doth not qjeftion the 
 rclevancic of it in J*re y if the truth of the fad: had been proven, 
 but it being relevant in Jure (as upon hi* fuppolallit needs 
 Siuft)and offered tobe proven in/4#*;y:* ? thc natter of faS, as 
 to the prefumptionof ir,being manifest to the conkiences of ma- 
 ny of the Aflioably, ought they not before conftitunngchcmlcivs 
 m an Aflembly, either to hive tryed and ddcuiled the lame , or 
 elfeto have laid afide the perfons againft whom it was pro- 
 pounded, from fitting as Mem'oers in the Aflembly , untiU it 
 might have bcei gotten tryed and dilculTcd ; but they did nei- 
 ther 
 
her of thsfe, and wis not this to be f mpueed to the Aflfembly ? 
 N^xtfheftycthjthacthcAflfembly had nor yet determined in, 
 nor approvcn the deed of ;he Commiflionjnor th? detd of Prel- 
 bytenes done thereupon in Elections , at the giving in of the 
 Proteftit'on ; B t in this he is muck miftaksn,Decaufe the Af- 
 fembly by admitting rh« Com mifliuners from Presbyteries fo 
 ele&et !,did as really approve thefe limited EiecYions,and fo the 
 -deed of ihs Commiiskn an J Presbyteries don; thereupon , as 
 ever any preceeding Aflem. ufed to approve the raoft free EU- 
 ctions; to wit,onclv by admitting the C jmmitTIoners; yea, the 
 Aflcmb. rejecting of the exceptions,and allowing the Comimf- 
 (ioners againii whom it was propounded, to (it notwithstand- 
 ing the propounding thereof was a real approving of theCom- 
 rniflion,and of what the Presbyteries did thercupon,ts we uial 
 afterwards God Willi ng clearly llicw. Thirdly, he fayeth, 
 that the Affembly had not yet confidered the proceedings of 
 theCommifsion , neither was it in their power to cognofce 
 upon exceptions agafnlt, the Commifsion, without change of 
 the order of proceedings , which had been ufed conftantly in 
 all time by- gone, This is a pretty fane ie to defend an ill 
 cauiei the Church ofScstland have found it neceflary in the 
 intervall betwixt Generall Aflemblies, to have herCommif- 
 fion, whofe truft fhouid be to preferve the Liberties of tha 
 Church-and to take care of fome things of more General con- 
 cernment committed unto them , and that in all thefe things 
 they (hould keep them fdves within the bounds of their Com? 
 mifsion,and proceeding according to the (landing A&s of for- 
 mer Generall AtTembles, and that in the next cnfuicg Ailerrt- 
 bly they fhall give an accompt of their proceedings during the 
 whole time ohheir Comm:f*ion in the beginning of the Ai- 
 femb!y,before any other Caule or matter be handled, and their 
 proceedings to be alow^d or dif-allowcd, as the Affemolyr 
 fhall think expedient. Now,faith the Author, this matter of 
 pre-limitation being in exception againfl: the Commifsion, 
 could not be taken in confederation, without the change of 
 this order. I fhall not fay, that it might have been done with- 
 out any fhadow of change of order i Bat I defiic to be confi- 
 dcred,th*t it never was the intention, nor did it ever come in- 
 to 
 
(70) 
 
 to the mind of any free lawfnll Gen? rail Aflembly of the 
 Church of JV«;/W, to give power to their Commifsioners to 
 give Lawws concerning the conftitutng of an Aflcn.bly ; 
 thefe arc clearly fet down in the Policy and Ads of tht 
 Church , according to which , the Commifsion ought to 
 walk in all things committed to their truft , not medling with 
 try thing not committed unto them,much lefs mcdling with it 
 in a way contrary to that Policy & thefeAch:and therefore did 
 th -y appoint the proceedings of thefcCommifsioncrs to be try- 
 *d,v>d allowed or dif-allowed in the nextAflembly,before the 
 doing of any thing clfc. Now a Commilsion contrary to their 
 truil, doth meddle with the Conftitution of an Aflembly, and 
 by their Letter and Ac%and the deed of Presbyteries thereupon, 
 the elections are prcli anted (as the Authons content tofuppolc) 
 and when thcAffemoly inetts,and this is proponsd as an exce- 
 ption to be taken in confidcration againlt ifuch Members of the 
 A*I:as was Members of thatCommilsionjhe tcls us,it cannot be 
 conlidered without change of order,being an exception againft 
 the Commissioners proceedings. What a fad cafe the Chuc his 
 brought to by this mtans,that >s,to fuffcr the coulhtution of her 
 Aflcmbiies to he corrupted by her own Commifsion, and that 
 without remedy; or why it umif, as to the Conft tution of the 
 Afkmb.be taken in confederation before the admitting of ihefe 
 Commifsioners to fu as Members, or elfe not at all, becaufcif 
 if thcCommif\ioncrsbe once receivcd,the Members admitted, 
 and theAfemb: conftitutcd hoc ipfathut theie things are done* 
 that prelimitation is approven;or why the Aftem: harh already 
 constituted & found themlelvs a lawful Aifcm.with thefcCom- 
 mifsioners inc /#/i/*,notwithftandingof that cxception.That the 
 matter may b« yet further cleared, it woul i be confiderecy hat 
 agsinft the conftitution of Judicatories in their Members, there 
 may be exceptions of levcrall forts, fome that are more perfo- 
 nali or particular, relating to one or two , or fome few upon 
 perionali fcandals and mifcarriagcs; Some more common and 
 univerfail, that concerns ail or many; a Judicatory may pro- 
 ceed to conftitute it'ieif, and ad as a Judicatory before difcuf- 
 fing t xccptiOns of the fir ft lort; having laid alidc the Members 
 Jgamft whom (facie exceptions arc propounded, till conveni- 
 ently 
 
(70 
 ently they m&y be gotten tryed and difcufTt d , becaufe there it 
 no exception but a^rinft a few, and upon particular and pcTfo. 
 nail fcandals ; the far greater part being Members uuconcrol- 
 able and rightly qnalifie-^but they cannot proceed to couititute 
 themfelves and ad as a Ju ^icatory before difcufsing ot excep- 
 tions of the fecond Ion, unleuV we would fuppofe, that after 
 constituting themfelves into a Judicatory, or rinding themftlv* 
 to be * Judicatory, h.y might a^ain find themfcivs to be noju- 
 dicat y. Exceptions of a more common and un verfal influence 
 againlt. cmh(u c*ufa t - r the C^i ftitution of an AiTcirbly } to wit, 
 sgaintt bleefcons,which is the ground of h G>tr>udfeions • as 
 tht Coma iteions arc of the conhituticn of i he AiTcmbiy, ought 
 to i e confjaered bef re conftitutiou be declared ; for unfree E- 
 kcl on$ make null Commifsions, and all, or a gr ( gt many null 
 CoirimihioD5,m^kea ni 11 AQemcIy. From |kc(e things, I 
 truft ir is maivf dt> that the c xcept ons agamft i he fr --.edomc of 
 E e&ion,btcaule of (tie Act and L ttcis of the Coo}mifsion,and 
 thedeedofthePresiytcries following thereupon , ought to 
 have heen t ken In coufidrrar on before the Meeting did con- 
 ftituic thcmfcLves in an Aff. <v>bly, and that the Commifsioners 
 whom that exception d.d conct in, ought not to have been ad- 
 mitted to (it as Members , before the trying and difcufsing 
 thereof: as to that of the change^f he order cf proceeding, 
 whtch had been ufed confi ant! y, upon whit h the Au/hor ft ems 
 to lay (o much wekht,be(idt s whit U aniwered ulr eady,l Uy f 
 there needed no change in that Order, in difcufsing cf any 
 thing that was intrufted to the Commfsion • for thm was not 
 withm the compaiT, of their power and trufl , but dian erraliy 
 oppufitetothe lame ; and thrref retht Own Ksion having fo 
 far exceeded ther bounds, as to meddle wth Co- ftitutiorsof 
 the Affembly, by preiimitingof the hleclionsjtb'sdii u: avuid- 
 a \y necef itate the cognition and confid^ration or that part of 
 the Comm fcions proceeding, fo far as it did relate to the Con- 
 ftitutiun or thcAfleinbljyho'igh not formally,2s t did concern 
 their ca' nage. I know not to what purpoie the Author al- 
 leadgtSjthat that order was on a debate w th the Pali accent it 
 ie!f mthsyear 1648. cUa'ol ftied by a former Act,** the Prof- 
 ilers themselves wdi undciftood j would h? by this infiWte, 
 
 that 
 
(7>) 
 tbif ttrre was a debate betwixt th< P rlnment and the AfTcm- 
 b!y,concermngth«Comm s-i. » s , ie-i rfi i fing < f EUd om,r d 
 that the PaW- a*fiw 4 th'sto b co tfi iered (^ before the AH m- 
 blieiCoa'Vt tir*gthejlfe(eUeJ*intoa June rn y,andtha- the At- 
 femMy did re f ' >' i f > ani h rw« d eltabnlli.a he Ad which 
 he (}'e.:ks of . ? 'h tthrl' J i;.lta»mnt diet defirc tht Cuinmifsi- 
 oners of the f mo A temfc y ilvuld be removed fro m fitting as 
 Members in tht Aflem iy 1^48. untylt the £xcepii- ns pro- 
 pounded tgainit them, by ifum fliould be tak n in confi derati- 
 on and diicuff-.M .' If he mea> any of thte , he is much n^fta- 
 k*n, becanfc there was no iuch debate betw xt the Parliament 
 and the Atttmbly , nor betwixv the AiTembly and a? y petfons 
 whatiuever in the year 1648. as we iliall afterwards convin- 
 cing y clear. And he^ n > leile mift«ken when he fayeth, 
 that it wis acknowledged by theProtcfttfrs , an i that upon 
 this they offered to the Afsembly at St. tAndreyvs y before 
 the choofing of a Moderator , a Paper preffing the chan- 
 ging and reforming the order of proceeding in the Gcnerall 
 Affembly ,wh ch before had alwayes been in ufc. The Prote- 
 fters nv'ght haply acknowledge an Ad of the Affembly concer- 
 ning the trying, and allowing and dif-allowing the proceed- 
 ing* of the Commifsion before the handling of any other Ciule 
 or matter. If there was thy qutftion about that Ad , ir could 
 not but be readily acknowledged by the Proteftert.ruviD:! been 
 fo lately revived in the AlTem. 16*48. but that ther* was any 
 fuch acknowledgment as the Author insinuates, is ailcadeed 
 without all ground ; as aUothat which he fayeih of their offe- 
 ring » Paper for thang ng of rheir former order ; They di^ nc*- 
 vcr offer any fuch Paper, nor did they ever pen or draw np a y 
 fuch Piper; and the Author cloth wrong them not a In J , ai d 
 himfelf more, when he doth affirm ir. They did indeed offer 4 
 Paper to the Affembly, before the choofmg of the Moderator 
 but there was not one title therein concerning the changing 
 and Reforming of the order of proceeding (formerly Wed \ y the 
 Affembly; but upon knowledge and coiiicience of ih* main 
 weight that lay againlt that Meeting, jvhy they could not c 
 a lawrull, free Genecall Affembly ; the Protefters did o/fcr 
 a Paper unto thsm for choojjng of the Moderator, con- 
 tain- 
 
(73) 
 taining a hurable dctfrc , and fomeTeafons to perfwade 
 them to adjourn their Meeting , ad to fo.beat to confttntc 
 themfclvtf in an A^emi ly j the Paper is yet extant under the 
 hands of ail tht Proteftcr^snd m*y befecn by any who pleafe. 
 If the Mettmgat jh^t time had been plealcd to read and hear- 
 ken to the dclireof that Papcr,many things that have followed 
 fince, night have been prevented^ but many, wh therfroma 
 fearofniiiing a ratification of the PublkkR ioiut^ns, or up- 
 on any o^rur ground, 1 . hewfelves beft know,di ^ fh w themfclvs 
 fo z alousagai.ft the veiy c ff.rerir, that the Meet ng would 
 not hi much is rail or hear it ; and thetefore whiitt the Au- 
 thor thought to have reached a great blow to the Protetters, m 
 fafhmrg upon than tin* prefs,ng of the changing & reforming 
 the ordrr which theinfelycs not long ago (as he aLeadg~s;had 
 been the main maintained and procurers of, to get it cibbuth- 
 ed bcfjre, when it nrta.de for tht id, he hath quite milled them, 
 and wounded himfelf by aiicadgmg things that are not true. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 i 
 
 BVt come wc to the Argument as it lieth in its fulVform 
 and ftrength in the I /iter Trfer* Paffing the fir ft l^ropo- 
 fttion thereof ^ let tu come to the trjall of thefecond^ or tlx *si'f~ 
 fumption. That the election of Commi (ft oners to the Affembly 
 \X>a* prejudged and pre limited in the -due freedom thereof \ That 
 this alltadgeance might be verified , it Vtat neceffary to have 
 wade clearly out ; Ehft % That the (^ommifft oners cAEb and 
 Letter exclude and difchxrge many Mini ft trs to be chofen* 
 Secondly ,That the Presbytery in the Ekfcionfvere pofsibly fre- 
 limited by the Letter of ths Commifsion i .^admitted ihepre~ 
 iimkdfion of the Commiffioners ,nd did not ufe their vwn free- 
 dom in electmg y but weerly followed the direction of the Cemmif~ 
 (ion^ let the Commiffton be never fa guilty , and their brethren 
 never f> undutly prehmitcd 9 yet if the Presbyteries fybo are the 
 only El tiers ujed their awn freedom, their election is free and 
 valid^nd nothing can he forced againft the Affembly as nnfree 
 and unhgall in the confiitution ofit y becanfe of any fnch At~l or 
 Letter of the Commifsions^as fo licit at ion active ef fudges and 
 
 K Members 
 
(74) 
 Members of Any Judicatory, proves not a Judicatory corrupt, 
 ltnlc§c it can be evidenced, that they have excepted And yeelded 
 unto the folicitaiion. Now, doth this 'Taper prove either of 
 thefe as it under takes,and^o^iU hear the Reader in hand, When 
 It fayeth,The feconxPropofitionis proven^ &c, Cjoodani inpe- 
 9 uons Reader,confider if it do (of And fir ft for the latter of thefe 
 particulars Jtohat fayeth it}Tfhe fecond ts pr$ven by thePresbytc- 
 ries proceeding according to the Letter and All •ftheCommif- 
 fion fentunto them about the time of choofm^theComm^f signer s^ 
 appointing that (uch,&e. Anfwer.Didthe Writer of this Paper 
 at the emitting of if, thinly-, that it fhouldever c$me under the 
 confiderationof decerning and impartial! judgements , that 
 would try ere they trufl ; or rather hath he purpofed that it 
 fbotild come to none b*t fuch at were prccnga^ed,or pre-inclined 
 to take any thing iff his hand for good coy*, pr ,§f good enough ? 
 For here as to that part of the Aflttmption on the Which we art 
 for the prefent, thtre is nothing but a naked pctitio Principii,* 
 naked affirming of the fame which was allcadged before in the 
 firfi letting down of the tsffftimptUn; for what is it elje that is 
 faidfPresbyteries proceeding according to the Letter and A Eh 
 of the Commijsion abont the time &cfbut the fame that Was al- 
 leadgid there, that presbyteries at the order and appointment 
 of a Supream judicatory pajfed by.&c* and therefore whatever 
 the rVriter fay afterward in the pretended proof of that Ajfum- 
 ption, concerning things included in the (fommi[iions ^AEl and 
 Letter, to/beVv that they intended prelimitation of the eletlion 
 of (fommifsioners Jet all be never fo true. It is but Words he 
 gives his Reader in the clofe of that Setlion , faying thefe thngs 
 do clearly prove that there was fuch a prelimitation of Eletlion 
 as is formerly fpol^n of; For, let thefe things he never Jo clear 
 fpoken of the (fommifsions ^AH and Letter, yet for ought that 
 he [aid as yet, it is not clear ,f hat ^Presbyteries proceeded accor- 
 ding to thefe,or were poftively prelimitedby thcm p thjt they did 
 not ufe their oWn liberty in eleclion 9 and fo the fecond Propofiti- 
 on is not yet proved* 
 
 Review. 
 
(75) 
 Rev i e w. 
 
 SEing he is pkafed to patfe the fir ft Propofition of the A r gu- 
 mentis It lyeth in the fccond Paper. I fhall alfo pailc ity 
 conceiving that he takes it for a truth, a.s indeed it is. To i he 
 Aflumptionhefsyeihmary thirgs,whchl ihall t*ke in order 
 8s they lye. Let it beyeclded to hinyhat for verification of the 
 alleadgeance contained therein, that thde two things which 
 ne mentions arc to be made cut, ***. that the Letttr and Act of 
 the Comrriifsion-did exclude aud difchsrge many M snifters to' 
 be chofen,and that the Presbyteries did admit or [hat prdimi- 
 tation, or wtre pafsively pre-limited by that Letter and Act,yet 
 whhthtfeanimadverfiors upon that which he fpcaks in the 
 explication of his pafiive prt limitation : Firft, that he con- 
 fines his pafsivepre-limitation* within' too narrow a bounds, 
 and he will not have it extended to the Presbyuries , uslefTs 
 thty did meerly follow the Election eft he ComrrjlYion in that 
 matter,that is.as I t ike his meaning, go quite contrary to their 
 own inclination snd judgment , fo aiihey were but mecr pati- 
 ents in that bulintfs, (upon which accompt a wrangler might 
 haply deny that there is any pre -limitation at all of EU&ioiis : 
 for it men br fuffered to make any ele&ion, or io patient in it, 
 that if tfcey hz& been left to themirlves,they would have taken 
 another coirfe : But what if they had fbme inclinations that 
 way, yet were not herein fully determined, but were hovering 
 and fuf pending the ultimate determination of their judgment, 
 until! theyfhould hear the matter debited in their Presbyte- 
 rits,or advile and confer with others ©f their Brethren abroad, 
 and then the Lei ter and Act of the Commiflioo comes unto 
 them, and by the authority hereof, determines that judgment, 
 and fhuts out all that thereafter could be faid by uy to the 
 contrary. Was there not a pafove pre- limitation here, though 
 luch pevfons did not irecrly follow the direction of the Cam- 
 miflion,but alfo in fome part their own inclination , which I 
 think indeed was the cafe of many of the Presbyteries. Next, 
 when he fayeth,that if thePrfsbytcries who are the onclyE- 
 lectors ufed their own freedoms, their Election is free and va-* 
 
 K 2 lide. 
 
(70 
 lid*, If he meaned as to any prelimitation from without, it is 
 true; but if he meaned (imply , and in all cafes wherein they 
 ufetlu'irownfrcedome , I deny that the blectionis always 
 free and valde: if the Presbyteries hai fretly and by mutual! 
 agreement amongft themfelves, or two or three Presbyteries. 
 or one Presbytery for the plurality of it , hive agreed to ex- 
 clude ail chelc from voycing in the Elefliom, or from bem* c- 
 lecled, who were for, or thofe who were again ft the Public*? 
 Refolutions, would thefe Elections have been free and val-d ? 
 M ly not P .'esbyteries theralclves unwarrantably intrench np- 
 on the freedoms of their own Elections , asw.ll as it may be 
 dcm~ by others from without. Th.rdly , 1 delire tha- to be ta- 
 ke i notice of , which he fayeth, for illuftntlrig the du inefle, 
 that (oiicitatioD aetnr* of Judges and Members of toy Jud.ca- 
 tory,prbves not adjudicatory corrupt , unlcflV it can t>e eviden- 
 ced that they have acc-p;ed and yeclded to the felici?ation. 
 Well tho,dth-ir acceptance and yielding can be evidenced, 
 it proves them corrupt by the Airhor* own i^rant. Wnethcr 
 the Piper proves cither of theft* as it under -takers , we (hill fee 
 anon. For verifying the laft of thefe,the Pa jer iaycth, fhat it 
 is proven by the Presbyteries proceed i»g , according to the 
 Aft and Letters of the Commifsion lent to them , abouc> the 
 ti*ne of choo^ng tht Comm.fsioners, appointing thit f nch,&c. 
 Over this probation, the Author makes a great deal of oufi- 
 nefleupon the Writer. To all which, I fay, that he was 
 not fo fimple as to entertain himfelf with inch thoughts and 
 purpofes as the A it hor fpeake of j h e did vvel enough know that 
 \v ha; he laid in this matter, would come under the considerati- 
 on of d«ccrning,ani both impartial and partial judgments, and 
 did expsft contra li&iun either from the Author.or (one other 
 of his mind,and therefore thef< things need not;but it is no pro- 
 bationbut/>*f*V*0/>r*«^>«, faith he, a naked affirming of the 
 fame which wus allcadged before,undcr favour it is no: fo^lt is 
 not tht fame thing to fay that Presbyteries at the order and ap- 
 pointment of Judicatories palled by,c£r. and to fay thatPiesby- 
 teres proceeded according theLettei aniA^ofche Commif- 
 fion; the fecood fpccifies what Snpream Juiicaiory it was, not 
 the abfolutly or firftiy Supream in this Church; to wit, the Ak 
 
 fcmfely 
 
femblybuttheSsipream, by delegation in things committed 
 to them; to wi^the ComrntfwotH and it (peaks aho what order 
 and appointment if was, condescending uppri it in particular, 
 that it was a Lettc and K*\ for this purpoe, fo thit the lilt 
 brings clearer Ight and evidence in both tlicfe particular* then 
 the firit, and therefore it is n k petitio principti, or a naked af- 
 firming or the iai^e thing, ihijgh it be not fo full a proof of the 
 whole matter, wh'chthc witer thought not {j needfull all at 
 once,becau;c he was to (peak? of ft afterwards in snfwer to the 
 ob jedions which were bn>u*ht in of purpof?, t hit the whole 
 bufines might be cleared an i confrmed ; bullet all be never fo 
 trus winch $ fad afterwasds for pro-f of rhtr a(fumption,th^ Au- 
 thor wii have nothing to be faid or given to thcR?ad«r h^-re but 
 words. If u be tru:* which is faid iherwirds ( a^ I hope it foil 
 after tryill be found ) it is no great nutcer though he be differ- 
 ed to enjoy his opinion in this* 
 
 VlNDI CAT ION. 
 
 I Affirm and makf good that Presbyteries Were not pofitivc- 
 ly pre-limnedjettt did choafe freely: i . ^4 great part of the 
 Presbyteries 9 I may {ay Without overreaching Jour parts for five 
 at that time hai no oppafite to the Pxblic{ Rfolmions amongfi 
 them 9 <tndfo Were not CApab'e by prs-Limitation to exclude Wham 
 they hainoi. 2. Of thefe presbyteries Who had any ' oppojitt to 
 the Re feint ions y the far mofl part didch&ofe fnch^nd no other 
 for the CemmijfionerS)pme choofedfuch, and otherwife minded 
 indifferently ( as -will appear by the Rills oftht A,sembly y and 
 the confideration of the minder of Presbyteries at that time, and 
 thefe veryfeft Who didpafs tht-m by, in their Eleclion i ws rea- 
 dily avoW j they did it meerly of their oWn accord 9 following 
 the freedom of their own minde^ without all pre~limitation by any 
 from wit hottt t the contrary is not frovm y and we can infirtttl 
 the affirmative offome who did pafs by fuch,ere that AU or Let- 
 ter came to them, or were mide k*ow* to them. 
 
 L 
 
 R E V I I w. 
 
 Et us examine thefe th ngs upoi which th* Author is bold 
 toatrlrirj, andpromies to make good, that Presbyteries 
 
 Were 
 
( 7 S) 
 were not paflively pre-Umite* but did choofe freely: Thcfirft: 
 is i that a great part of the P Ciby:ene*,r out parts of five uthat 
 time had nooppofnc to the Pubhck RcioUtions amongrtthem, 
 and To were not capable by prcliuvtauon to exclude whoir tlvy 
 had not; what though it were true that as many Pr;-v yttnes as 
 h: Cpa ks t f had no oppofit at that time to the Publkk Refoluti- 
 ons, yet what if all, or forne of tfhfe Prcs y cries had in them 
 foire few or many, who w re as yet indifferent, and not de- 
 termined in the biifincfte; but were afterwards oveihviyed 
 With the Author i:y of the Com mi doners Let t< rand Aft; w*s 
 th.renot a pyre- limitation upon them in their yoking in th» o 
 lc&icnofCommifsicnery, becaufc overfwayed by th« Utter 
 and A&ofthc Commifsion to ihoo(c thefc who did approve 
 of ;hc Publick Rclolntfoiw, which before the influence that that 
 Letter and Aft h*A upon them, they were not determined 
 in, but trrght haply have been determined in the contrary, up- 
 on fuppoial that many were ind ffcrent at that time in the mat- 
 ter of the Publick Rdolutions, as indeed not a few were, if wc 
 may judge by their carriage a becaufc they had not declared their 
 judgements for cr againft th*m ; who kr.owes but they might 
 before the elections, have been determined againft them ? If by 
 the Letter and Ad of the Commifsion that gave evidence of 
 procefling fuch, they had not been prc-limitcd in their choice, 
 and fo there ihould have been fomc oppo(ite to the Publick Rc- 
 foiutions in thefePresbyteries,had it not been for that pre-limi- 
 tation. 2. I think be w 11 not deny, but loan- P estyteries had 
 in them oppofites to Publick Refolntkns; Let ustakf (as it 
 would fecm he would grant it ) a fifth part, there might be a 
 preltmitation upon thefc, and to prelimite the elections in every 
 fifth Ptcsbytery of the Church o{ Scotland, is certainly a great 
 blow to the freedomc cf the Aflcmb-ly. But 3. Isffirmand 
 make good, that it is not true that four parts of hve of the Pref- 
 by cries at thit time had In them no oppofitc to Publick Rclo- 
 foiutions; yea, on the contrary, that the one half of the Presby- 
 terirs in Scotland and above , had in thena at that time forue 
 oppofites to Publick Refolutions.Whenl did read the confident 
 Preface of the Author to this affertion of his, in which he faith 
 he doth not overreach ; and the affertion it feif,I did fulpc^lcft I 
 
 had 
 
(79) 
 
 had miftaken the mcaning,andth r.f rereadagain and again.but 
 thcwords being plainj iidapprchend,that they might ba wrong 
 traofcribed, tad therefore 1 (ought for another Copy, in which 
 I found it alio fo w itten, that it may appear to him and others, 
 how groffe an overreaching there is in that auertion. I defire 
 that it may be confidered, that there be in Scotland of landing 
 Presbyterkf 65 • or thereabouts, four parts of whieh makes 52. 
 none of which 52. by his affrruon, had at thst time any oppo- 
 fuctothe Pa olick Resolutions, and 1 3 . onely do remain, who 
 can be f.ippolcd to hs?e had any fuch m ihem , but ihert wtre 
 at f hat tim:' ni ^h 40. Presbyteries, who to y knowledge had 
 in them loin eeppofites to the Pubiick Refojutions, andmoe, 
 I doubt not rot he knowledge of fomc ©thinner), at leaft fome 
 other Presbyteries which are not here named uhe truth whereof 
 w 11 appear by the following Table, in which are fet down both 
 the names of thefe Presbyteries, and names of fo me one cr other 
 in them, who were at that time oppofus to thcbubLickRe- 
 folutions. 
 
 $Uinx*ucr } M. Al<x.Turnbull. Jernfyde, Mt*Thcm/ts Ram- 
 
 Kdcudbr. M r . Samuel Rew. fay. 
 
 Wigtoun,Mr.i?*^rr Richifon. Edinburgh, Mr. %okert Trail. 
 
 Ar, N r. Thimas tVylie. Lithgow, Mr» Efhraim Mrfc 
 
 h win?, Mr. Math. MoWet. vill. 
 
 Dnmoart. Mr. Hen. Semfle. Bigg:r,Mr. Alex. Livingfton. 
 
 Paiky, Mr. Alex. Dxxlep. Dalkeith, M . foha S'mcUre. 
 
 GlafgoWjMr.P^frt Gillejfic. Stcrli/ic, Mr fames Guthrie. , 
 
 Hammiltoiw Mv.ja. Nefmith. Auchtcrardor, Mr. Geo.Mur- 
 
 Lcnnck, Mr, wHSimervatl. raj. 
 
 Daufeice, Mr. Hen. Hen- Penh, Mr. Alex. Rtllock* 
 dtrfen. D iokc'l, Mr. }«hx Hart. 
 
 Penpont, Mr. Sam. Auftine, Dum&nmtyMr.fPit Oltpkmu 
 
 Loch-iiaben, Mr. Thtmas KirkaLdic, Mr. Alex.M«wt* 
 Henderfen. crief. 
 
 MiJcbey, Mr. David Lang. Couper, W*J*hk Maggill. 
 
 Jedburgh,Mr. Jo.Livingften. S. .Andrew , Mr. Sa. Rnthtr* 
 
 Turrcff^Mr. Arthur Mite he L ford. 
 
 GcrwchtM.Geerge Tel lifer. Porfarre , Mr. "David Lini* 
 Keifo, Mr. lehn Simtrvail. fay.&G. 
 
 Aifiitoun, Mr. Johnfeatcb. Arbroth, Mr. Alex.Rejndis. 
 
 Aberdeen 
 
fflp) 
 
 Aberdeen, Mr. *A*dr. Cant. Eleginc. Mr. Jtfcph Bridie. 
 K ncardmr,Vr. Aux. C«nt. Inertly, Mr. Aiex t Gtraoun. 
 £>tar, Mr. Rtbert Keith. Dundtr,M.'.exf>dr. Olipk*nt. 
 
 THerebcfome of thefe Presbyteries, tru whde members 
 whereof were at that time oppofi.eto the Pub lick Re olu- 
 tions, and otji rs of them, the plur-li; y wh reof were onpo- 
 fitt to tht-fc Refolutions, and others of thcip; wh* had in i hem 
 fundryo poiites, both Mmifters and Ruling Elders; but WC 
 have named one Miniller onely in every Peslytoy, becaufe 
 this vvaseotuh o make fuch anaflemVn afhamed, and to h da 
 it felf that it mUht never again be heard abmad. It may be 
 the Author will queftion whether all thefe Were oppditeat 
 thntimeto the PubhckRdolutions: Bin 1 believe the truth uf 
 thisjcoiiccrningasn a; y ohhem as will make him *ftc r fup- 
 putatkn fee that he did trover-reach, whm he laid t hut four 
 parts or five haJ at that time rooppofite to the- Publitk Rcfolu- 
 tions, is ("ufHcitntly known to h mfelf by thrir ttftimoi.y knt 
 to thcCommitMcn, orth i- Letters writttn t(» particular mem- 
 bers tlureof, or occafionaLl Conference Wtttwhcmfclvesor their 
 Sermons, orcenftart and uncontrolled report or their judge- 
 ment and carriages; Let it be true but of 20. of t hem, it doth 
 abundantly confute his affcrtion; but if he or a.,y other doubt of 
 what is faid, it (hall be no dilfkill matter to get it atttfted un- 
 dctr their own hands, and the hands or other*, that th^y were 
 at that tit^e not only dif-fatisfled in their judgements with the 
 t>ablickRefolution% but alfo did bear teftimony igafaft them. 
 The Coppir which I have in this place warns i'ome words, 
 and hath fomcrhing wrong wiitter, of when I cannot Well 
 make fenfe, bur theie words which I have ci'cd arc plainly fet 
 down in it. The 2. thing that he brings that Pres ! yrertes vvre 
 not pofuiv.ly pre-iimitcd,is,? hat of thefe Pre* yrcrj s who had 
 oppofites to the Publick Rrfoliuions, rhc far 'molt ptrrdid 
 chooiefuch 3 and that few did parte by them in the electons 
 But this ovcrQvits as far as the o;hcr, asw.il appear by view- 
 ing the number of Presbyteries, in wich there w re fome oppo- 
 fites to the Publick Rdblutiam; and confidcring how m-,ry ,f 
 thtfewerr, in which thetc were any chofen who we e a-^atnft 
 t'hefc Refolutions, which I bclie?c &all not be found above 20." 
 
 or 
 
i 
 
 or very little more, if t bey come to that number j but lei vts fup- 
 pofethtm to be more, they arc not the far moft part of j he 
 Presbyteries who \ ad in th ro oppofites "tothc Publick Resolu- 
 tions, and thele who remain will not be few of that number. 
 The Ai thor doth readily avow,that whf r<£ Presbyteries did pais 
 by iLch they did it meerly of their own tccntd , follow- 
 ing the frecckaieof their own minde, without ail pre-lm* sta- 
 tion trom without 5 if he had fo readily avowed it, he ftiould 
 have brought good proof of it, that men might have been per- 
 fwadei thit he did avoweja truth ; his proof is,- that the 
 conttary /$ not pt oven : Though it were fo , that it is not 
 good ptotf. f w hat hcivows. Next he faith, that hecanin- 
 ftructihe arnrcitiveof fome who did pafle by father* that Act 
 and ILettet came unto them, but how many « hey arc he tcls us 
 not, left the paucity of them being known , fticuid make 
 little to rhe purpoie, very frw elections in Sjctland were paft 
 before f hat Letter and Ad came unto them , it being iflucd be- 
 fore the ordi a y tin e of clt-cYon, and great diligence and care 
 being ukd in the diipaich rht reof, fo that came to the hands of 
 the mc ft remote Presbyteries , who lay under the feet cf the 
 Enemy, fuch as thtfe of Mcrfe^TtiidAlefDumfricce %vdG*lh- 
 way before l heir elections, that in fome few places the electi- 
 ons was made before it came, is far from proving whai he dotft 
 readily avow, as the comming of an fwaliow is far from pro- 
 ving the fpring in fome places jlome were acquainted that there 
 waifucha purpofe and delign, be fore it was jud c ally con- 
 cluded or emitted; and therefore fonif Minilters of the Pr- sby- 
 tery otGiafgow, b fore the fluing of that Retention, did op« 
 pole rhe electk n of Commiflioners at one diet, and preffe a de- 
 lay rill another diet, aponth s realon among other?, that there 
 were iome directions to come from the Con rmflion ef the 
 Generall Ahxmblv, concerning their Proceedings in the electi- 
 on of theirCommiffioners^cV that it was fit that tfuy fhouid not 
 proceed till they £nt thefc direction?, which rh<mgh ic was not 
 put among the written reafons e.f their Ptott ftatit n, yet can bf 
 tcltiiicd by many living w ; tnefte.v who were prcicnu God- wil- 
 ling before this debate clofe, it fh<;l be made to appear, that 
 notwithstanding of all rhefe cvahons, the Lwtter and Act of the 
 
 L Com- 
 
(g *>, . I! 
 
 Cornmifsion did in many places pre-ltrnite the Elections, by 
 excluding thofe who were for aoiiity and faichfulncfll in a ca- 
 pacityfo be choicn, and if it wis ( as the Author faith ) that 
 a great part of the Presbyteries, bur parts of five had at thit 
 time no oppofite to the Piulick Refolutions, and that this was 
 known to th* Cornmifsion; to me it is a wonder, and I believe 
 will be fo alio to others, that the Com million fhouid have been 
 fo imprudent, as to give fo great an advantage agajuft them- 
 fclvts > anifo much mater of * gain faying ro th* oppoiitcsof 
 Pdblick Refclutions, and have laid £0 great a (tumbling in the 
 way of many who hid already ftuaabied at their Proceedings, 
 which were now to fall under the examination and judgement 
 of the General! Aflembly. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 A Gain? the (cco>.d jomewhat may feem to be [aid in the 
 ■writers reply t* the thtrdobjett.on hfformes> a^atnft this 
 objection of the Aftmbfies nullity >,Wherejn the ohybhon nmong 
 ether particulars allc-idged ; it is faidi* the third, t hut t foe 
 Letter and Ate hadUttle or no inflnence in r Pre>bjt ries in the 
 choofe ofComni,sioners t to Which is replyei by the W iter, that 
 isfpken againft the truth, for proof whreof he £ives inftances, 
 I, All the M'mifters who oppofe the Publit I^Re/elutiotf Are 
 known to befAitbfnllnrtd honeft, moft of them j H r h as hat wont 
 thefe years pafi, becaufe of their integrity and ability to be chc- 
 fen Commifsioners , but feW of them Were chojen thu year 
 to the Assembly % and if any ftch wrechrfen it wis Where 
 the while presbyteries was unanimous again ft the Refo- 
 lutions , or if the presbytery was divided in thir jns'g* 
 ments, then were therefor the mo ft part either tW9 elections, or 
 diffents, or Proteftations again ft the clettion ofjuch us were nn. 
 fat isfied With the < Pullic\ Rejolutions or elje both, as i* the 
 elections at Sterline and Giafgow, #/ *ll wheh no rtafon can be 
 given^ except tbcsAti and Letter of the Cornmifsion* To the 
 matter of this in fiance, We fay the, e things 1 \. I t is too Wide 
 a Word t AH the Minifte r s Who oppofe the Public^Refolutions 
 are lenoWn to be, &c* And how ever, m*ny of them Will not be 
 aueftionedtebefnch; yet We mnfl fay fome, even of thefe Were 
 notfofdithfull as they fhouid have been this lajt year bypajt, in 
 
 tb e 
 
the par tic H lar of defence of Count rey and Covenant in all the 
 /worn Articles thereof; This the Nation feels today, And. the 
 pofterity when this generation is dead and rotten, will give im- 
 partial] judgement of it. 2, 'Beitfo, that fome were wont to 
 he c ho fen (^ommifs toners were not noW chofen^ yet this is for 
 little purpofeto'tht point % that t he eletlion was carried by in- 
 fluence of the Commif lions Letter , that theft fame men have 
 Wont to he often chofen without intermtjsion to he Commif si- 
 oner s t the whole Kirk^ \yas growing fenftble of this thing as 
 dangerous, whereby the Whole power of Publicly Government 
 Was nigh by become fettled in the perfons offome particular 
 men, and thefe but afeW as conftant Commifsioners oftheKirh^ 
 If ever the Lord faall be pleafed to grant again to thisXirk^ 
 the Libert j of a general! Affemblj, it were neceffary that Pref- 
 byteries be pre-Umited indeed, that they maf^e not fuck an ufe 
 and wont, 3 . ThatfeW oppofttes Were chofen • it is no Wonder 
 becaufo they Were but feW in comparifon of the reft of the Afi- 
 niftery of Scotland. 4« Even where neither whole focieties Were 
 unanimous again ft the Refolntions, nor yet the plurality were 
 oppofers, yet/ome unfat is fed Were chofen Commifs loners with ^ 
 out a certain eletlion, and without Troteftation ( diffenting in 
 the enumeration is idholy reckoned up ) as is evident from 
 the Commifsioners t both of the Presbytery and univerftty 
 of Aberdeen. There was indeed a Protection againft the 
 oppofmg Brother, but it was taken up and paffed from and the 
 eletlion unanimoujly approven afterWards in the Presbytery, fo 
 there is fomething againft the truth clearly , 5. The Writer 
 makes enumeration of elections ofPreshyttries divided in judg- 
 ment , fome doubted , fomt , diverted from , or Protefted 
 againft , fome both Wayes , but gives no particular 
 inftances of all ihefe forts butonely of two , thefe c/Giafgow* 
 and Sterlin?;***/ lJufpeCh be can give us no more or very few. 
 'But ftxthlyto themain drtft of this inftanceexprefsed in the I aft' 
 words thereof ', of all Whicb no reafon can be given , except the 
 AU and Letter of the (fommifsion : We anfwer, tms is a very 
 poor Way of proving, that the Letter and Aci of the Commif- 
 fton had much influence upon the eleiiion of Commifsioners, a- 
 gainft a man denying it, to fay no other reafon can fa given 
 
 L 2 of 
 
of thefe defied, and thefe not defied, and this o r that dene 4- 
 gainft the elefiion of fome oppofers of the Publicl^Rcfolutioms, 
 Ht the Letter a»i Afi ef the Commifsiorn What is this but 
 to begge the cjuc/lion^and when jcu have affirmed a thing , *nd 
 taken upon you to prove itjo do no more for the froofofit y but 
 to fay the Adverfarj cannot prove the negative^ Whereas affir- 
 mant! incumbit probatio, and yet We fay another rea fan may 
 be given of thefe things then What the writer alLadgeth y 
 fee page io. 
 
 R I V I B w. 
 
 BEoaufefomethingfeeros tothe Author to be faid again 
 vvhit is now alieadged in the Writer his Reply to the 
 thud Objection tint he forms againft hi* own Argument. Tht 
 Author takes thefe things in confideraiion, and gives fbme An- 
 fwe.s unto chem,but let us fee what they arc, hrft, he thinks 
 it too wide a word to fay , Taat all the Minifters who did op- 
 pole the PublickRefoIutions , are known to be faithfull and 
 honeft,and he gives an inftance in the carriage of fome of them 
 that fcems to weaken this tcftiraony, his inltance is, that fomc 
 of thefe were not fo faithfull as they fhould have been this la(l 
 year pati in the particular of the Defence of the Countrcy and 
 Covenant : but what is this but a branch of the thing that is in 
 Controvcrlic ? Taefe Minifters arc pcrfwaded in their Conici- 
 ences before the Lord upon good rcafon , that it would have 
 been in them great unfaithfulncfleto have allowed of that way 
 of the Defence of the Countrey and Covenant holden forth in 
 tht PublickRefolutions,andthat befidwS all th/ir provocations 
 which are great and many, they would by this alio have been 
 acce(fory to what the Nation fmartf uoder this day,as the righ- 
 teous reward of fuch revolting from God ; and therefore if ye 
 have no more to inftance but this, it doth not prove, but that 
 they may all of them be dill called faithfull and honeft men. 
 Secondly he fayeth,B2 it fo that fome were wont to bt chofen 
 CoromiiTioncrs who were not now chofen , yet this is Ltle to 
 the poim 9 that Elections was carryed by influence of the Com- 
 miflions Ltttcr and Act. But granting that Presbyteries did 
 
 upon 
 
(85) 
 
 upon that Letter and A&, leave their wonted way thefe years 
 pat* in their Eh-tftion, it is to the point in hand , oceanic it is 
 prafxmptio juris 9 & dejttre' that this change flowtd from the 
 influence that the Letter an.1 Ad hid upon ihcm> the Author 
 feeing fomewhat of this , intimates another caufe that moved 
 that change, to wit, that the whole Kirk was growing fenfible 
 of this thing, as dangerous, whereby the whole power of PuS- 
 ljcfc Government , was near become fettled in the perlons of 
 fome particular men, andthelebut a few, as coorYantCjm* 
 mifsioners ,. in which he thinks there will be need to pre-li- 
 mite Presbyteries,* hat they make not an ufe of it. If the Lord 
 (hall be pleated again to grant the Libeny of an Afiembly. 
 But to fay nothing , that this was the language* which was 
 wont to be fpoken by dif-affedled men thefe years paft, ef pen- 
 ally dif-sftveted Mimftjrs,whofeU under the cenfures of the 
 Church, whofe pretences and aliexdgeances in rhis particular 
 have Itrength added unto them by the Authors aflcrting the 
 fame thing : It is noncaufa fro canfd y as Will appear by thefe 
 t wo things; Firit,there were a good many of thefe who were 
 for the Pub kk Rcfolurions, who had wont to be Comoiifsio- 
 ners thefe years p«(t,and who had a great,fomc of them a grea- 
 ter hvey in Government than the other, and yetmoft, if not 
 all of tft tfe were chofn alfo the iaft year. Now, if that was 
 the caufe which the Author fpeaks of , why did it not bring 
 forth the like effcel in regard of both, feeing both were alifcc 
 ly able to that exception. Next, ft he whole Church was fo 
 grown in the fenfe of that cvili, why did they not provide the 
 remedy aft he latl Affembly, it being in their power fo to have 
 done, and the Commifsioners { as the Authors aflertion will 
 import ) having fuch an imprefsion of the fame upontheir 
 fpints ? If the Author will fpeak his Conference, I think he 
 will not deny, hut if thefe men whom he faith to have been 
 excluded upon that ground, have been fur the Publick Refolu- 
 tions,evefi thefe amongft them whom that ground might have 
 been conceived to reach moft, would have been chofcn and ad- 
 mitted Commifsioners as well as others* If the whole Church 
 was growing tenfiblc of this thing , fare ly th* Meeting at St. 
 $A*dreWs did litle regard or expccile it , wh*n thcychoofed 
 
 *>ne 
 
one to be their Moderator, who not oncly hid been Moderator 
 ofthg former Commifsion , whoie proceedings were then in 
 qutftioi^andtobcexaminedjbutalfoin many preceding C >m- 
 mifsions and Art'embhes , and wko had been a chief Actor til 
 that while in all thefe things that concern Publick Govern- 
 ment, whlchlfptak not to bear tny pi. ticular blame u^on 
 hit»,or upon his carriage, but to let fee that either the whole 
 Church was not growing fenfible ofthis,as the Author infinu- 
 atcs,or elfe that her fenlc ot it in h-*r Reprcfemative, was let 
 out, or holden in upon men, according to their judgmeat and 
 carriage in the Publick Refutations j and fo was not the cauie 
 of the Presbyteries, not choofing iuchisthc-y were wont to 
 choofe. Thjrdly,That few oppolcrs w«re chofen ; he thinks it 
 is no wofldcr,b?caufe they arc but few in companion of the 
 reft of the Miniftcry of the Land. How few foevcr they wen 
 in companion of tfie reft of the Miuiftery in the Land,yet thefe 
 of them who were formerly wont to be chofen Coram lfsion- 
 crs, Wwicnot few in reipeft of the reft of the Commifsioners, 
 neither yet were they fo few as the Author reckons them,when 
 he fiycth,that four parts of five of the Prei bytertes,had in them 
 at that time no oppofers to the Publick Refolutions ; nay, they 
 Were and arc ftjll a very confidcrable number; and whenfoevcr 
 an exact calculation fhali be made by a particular lift of the 
 w hoi* Miuiftery in the Land , and of thefe who were agatnft 
 the Publick Relolutions at the time of the El<?ctions,and of the 
 whole Coi»mifsioncrs of the Affembiy at ^.Andrews andDa*- 
 dee y I believe it fhall be found,that the number of Commjfiio- 
 ners who were chofen from among thefe who were agamft the 
 Publick Relolutions, was no w»y in proportion anfwerableto 
 th; number of the other: That fomeuniatisfisd, were chofen 
 without another Election , and without Protection , even 
 when neither whole Societies were unanimous again'r the 
 Resolutions , nor yet the plurality were oppofers, he doth 
 arfirra ir,but doth not prove it: for theinitances which he gives 
 oftheComrai(uonet&,D3thofthe Presbytey and fjnivrrfi'y of 
 ^Aberdeen prove nothing lefte : For the Univerlity, the Letter 
 and A& came not to it, at lcaft,wcrc not tead in k,and the plu- 
 rality there were oppofcrs of the Pubhck Resolutions : And 
 
 for 
 
for the Presbytery , by his own grant, there was a Prottfhtlon 
 agiinfl: the oppoiing B: other who was chofen, which wis ta- 
 ken up again with imieh difficulty, andbyearneft dealing of 
 kvaieof 'he Brethren, oppofite to the Publick Resolutions, 
 whole dehre was condeiccndcd unto, wifh condition , th^r 
 there ih?uid be a third Commifdoner , >t being in the nican 
 while luggefted >n private , that he who hid firft appeared in 
 th Protection qgajng the opooieryrsisht be the man, which 
 I relate nor up;n bear-lay- , but upon th^ fibtcnbed teitlnibky 
 of theft wh ) w re w; neiT $ t > the manter of fad. So'i hope, 
 that nosh o?agaiT* the truth harh been atlertei by the Wri- 
 ter in ih s part or h $ Aniwer. The Author layeth in a Parca- 
 th ft , f htt ditf nt*ng in the enumeration, is idlr ly reckoned up* 
 Why he iluuld lay fo,I do not co jq lure, qakffe that it be he 
 th.nks diflejting and protelbi gthc fame thiag wh:ch hey are 
 not, as apcears clearly from an AS: of the Alku bly 1644. 
 Concerning iident and P.oteitauons w P.ewywne 1 . H f.cui§ 
 unlatisficd with eke W ter,th.Jt whdtt he aaaKes enuu erat 011 
 of elections ot Presbyt* nes divided in judgn en ,iome doubted, 
 f< »me dirfented rroo\or protected agt nft,loir.t both wayes,that 
 hr gives no particular inftanevs of ail the le lores, but only twq, 
 and he tells h Reader, that ha iuirerh he can give no mcr ,or 
 v.ty trvvBu he is foCptcioaa wuboue caulc, muc can be given 
 ani a, e given by the Wr ter in that very Pa£er tha- the Au- 
 thor is repiymg to, and irioe then all thefe can yet be given if 
 needba »• And though they were but few, this is no gteat 
 wond^f , becaufc there was but few Prts 1 ytrics did 
 choofc any oppoiite to the Pu lick R.l lu o is , or according 
 to the Author,couid ch ? ofc any iuch, becaufc rh< y had none 
 fuch amongft them. Whereas he fayeth>that it is a poor w^y 
 of provuigthe Act and Letter of th; C -minif i »n to hive had 
 much uitkence upon the hic&ionot Comifidsioners, to fay, 
 that of all this, no other rtaion can be gtver, beeaufe it is no 
 more; but when you have atfrmtd a thing, to fay, that the 
 Adverfa y cannot prove the negative, wheieas djfirmf'i in- 
 €t*mbit fribatio. It t hi w*y of prov ng be poor, yecf ,& can- 
 dle and ingenuous f by putting an aiv.ntage in the hand if 
 gain-(ayers f »f they can g ve another reaton, which the Ant hot 
 
 iayes 
 
(88) 
 fryes mty be given,«nd (lull be confidercd in this pVc j But 
 1 '.Tilts WiH cell h'in, rhat Mi non nobis inc*n>bit probatio , be- 
 tmule wc h»v* prafumptionem Ju, is, & de Jure qua nos rele- 
 vat fib onere probandi , &• probAtionem dcvolvit in adver[a- 
 rium* 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 AS for the eletlions ^mentioned here a Word of them, and 
 then wepafse in to the next inftance* for that of Sf crime 
 it is kjiorvn that the firfl'proteftation there {was not Againft the 
 etetlton of oppofers of the Re folutions, but a gam ft no oppojers 
 when At the Diet of the Presbytery Appointed for eletlion of 
 fcommif signers to the Afsembty, the matter Was put to voice ■ 
 And Commifsioners ch.ofen by plurality ofvotes % fomeofthe 
 brethren of thAt 'Presbytery, the fewer pArt in number dif- 
 ftnted , and the election held a neW Meeting by themjelves 
 Without the prefent Moderator and Clcrl^, And made a »eW 
 eletlion of the oppofers of the Refactions to be Cemmi(sioners % 
 rvas there not reafon enough to P rot eft again ft that eletlion 
 ( if it Was TroteftedagAir.fl ) be fide the Atl And Letter of the 
 Commijsio*. As for that of Giifgow be it fo, that the Let- 
 ter And Atl was a reAfw that moved feme 'Brethren of that 
 Presbytery to Proteft AgAinfi the fir/} eletlion $ being oppofers 
 if the Refolutions, yet it was not the reAJon th.it movedfloem 
 toPreteft' they had fnn dry other Weighty motives beftdes thAt 
 as is \now** % J eA > ** was evident, that it had the leaft in- 
 fluence in that matter of Any; for in the eletlion thAt tfllfe fame 
 Brethren made AfterWArd, they choofed one of thefe fAtne oppo* 
 fers to be a Cemmifsioner, notwithftanding of the AH and Let* 
 ter of the Commifsion* and I verily thinly, that there was none 
 thAt At that time in Eletlion staffed by any oppofers or difjen- 
 ters from the Eletlion if Any of them; but they would hAve paf» 
 fed by thefe fame % and di ffented from thefe fame , though they had 
 net at alljuch a Letter and *sfcl come from the Commijsio* 
 they conceived in it fflfa duty at that time, and they looked upon 
 the Aft andLetter bat as a Warning , the more to mal^e them 
 mindfull of their duty* 
 
 Review. 
 
(79) 7 ^ 
 
 R E V I I W. 
 
 THe Author doth much mif-reprefent the inftanccof^^r- 
 /**/ m kverall impoitaut circumfta^ces: Firft, he lay th, 
 that the Commiisionctsm the firft Hccton were chofen by 
 plurality of votes; There were that day but thirteen Members 
 of ;he vvhule Minsters and Ruling fiiders preicot in the Pref- 
 bytcsy, and but fix of theie voteu to the choice of thefc Com: 
 mifsioners, and fix ire not the ptoral ty of thirteen. S condiy, 
 in that he iaye'.h, That the fewer pate in number , d ..(content 
 at the Elrcl.on, held anew Meeting by thcmfclve*,wthout the 
 prelent Moderator and C e k. There was no Eie&ion at all 
 Kr which thty could be diicontented ; neither were they the 
 frwr part in number , neither did »h y rrcct by thtrnfcivea 
 without the prtfent Moderator and C\:\ k, but the whole Pref- 
 bytcry met at th^ ordinary diet, with the prefent Moderator 
 •nl Ct' rk,t hough a long time after the Mceting,the Clerk fal- 
 ling ikk,i id W!th-draw;and wbi^ftihe Moderator was prefent, 
 it was found very clear in the minutes of the Presbytery , that 
 th^re had been no Election at tht former dict> and the Presby- 
 tery disi by plural ty of voice y heMoitrator and all the friendi 
 of the Pu Mick R ( lutions of their number bs\n% prefent, con- 
 clui , that th< y (h >uli then proceed to the flection ot Com- 
 mit«ooers,in which votes four on'y of rhe whois number did 
 voice in th Negative ; after which, the Moderator and thefe 
 of his mindjceojoved upon a difco.ueat • after whofe going, 
 the Presbytery did proceed to the election of Commiflioncrs* 
 Xhcfeth ogsas to the truth of them, ncedinot to be quflti©- 
 nfd,becau(e they are agrceab;e to the Reg-fters of the Presby- 
 tery,wh th are patent to a w wh :» dc fires to be Wormed there* 
 ©f. As for thai oiGlkfgW, the AuthojycrU*; that the Act 
 was a reakm that moved loin? Brethren in that Presbytery to 
 proteft aganft rhe tiiit Elect on, ^ut fayes,that it is not the only 
 rcafon that moved thrm,th:yhad fan iryoi h r weighrymorives 
 befides.if it was a rea(bn,the*i certainly i* tuJ influence upon 
 theii judgmentMgainft the chuling of iuth as %veie oppofers of 
 
 M the 
 
(So) 
 the Publick Reflations , and to here was t pre-lim<tation by 
 the Aft and Letter of the Conimiflsiun. That they chool.d 
 one or thefe oppofers to be a Commilsioner , notwuhftandmg 
 of the Aft and Letter: That do: h not make it evident, thattha 
 Aft and Letter had i he lead influence on them in excluding of 
 others; thsre m ght be, and there was another reaicn or their 
 fo doing. As to that pcrioothat made them dilptnle wth 
 the Letter and Aft of the G^mmi'sion : He w» v prec ous and 
 dear 10 :he godly who knew him in all parts of the Lmd for 
 his tendernefle and piety, and was but lately Iwofcd hvm the 
 bonds of his ciptif icy, and if they had rej ft *d him, i: would 
 have been a great imputation upon them, to fay nothing that 
 their defigne had been more open and m inifeft : yet rhe Au- 
 thor cannot but remembtr, that notwithftmding he was cho- 
 fenbo hby them,ani alfo intherlrfleleftion, y-t wasitrefu- 
 fed to lee him litinth.- Ad^m^lie , till that reafon fh >uid De 
 firlt difcufled , though it was propounded and urged by a 
 very Honourable Herfon, a Member of th ATembly ;I cannot 
 fublcri :c to that which the Author thmks,that there w«s none 
 at that time,who in Elections pafle.1 by any oi)polers,or dilTen- 
 tci from the Eleftionsof any of them ; but th-y would hive 
 paffed by th~fe£ame , anddifkntedfom thefe lame, though 
 there had not at all fuch an Aft and Letter come from the 
 Commifsion. If here were no more to prove , rhat fuch a 
 thought is not well bottomed, but this one thing, that fome in 
 thcPresbytctyofD/*^/, diffented from the cleftionof th fe 
 who were oppofite to the Publick Relolutio risyneeHy and on- 
 ly upon the Letter and Aft of the Commifsion, as rmy be fren 
 in rhe rcafons of their diflent given unto tk: Syno d,»t is enough 
 to do it. 
 
 VlKDICATlON. 
 
 ^TT* Hefirfi Infiance to prove the great influence th*t the Let* 
 X ter and Att had upon elections , the Presbytery of Dunkel 
 having chojen then Commifsioner §** of that number Who was 
 a Member of the Commifsion^ having protefted again ft the £- 
 leciton 9 becaufefneh as Were chofen Were un/atisfied wtth the 
 
 Co 
 
(8ij 
 t^ommifsions proceedings. The Synod $fVt$Xt\\ meeting a little 
 aft errand receiving the Alt and Letter of the Commi[sion 9 did 
 thereupon fufttin the dijfent And Proteftaticn ef that man in 
 their number , And did Ap point the Presbytery of DunkeJ to 
 choofe the Commifsioners new again. Aof. This it the onely In* 
 fiance alleadged With fome colour to evidence fome influence of 
 the Commifsions Letter And AEl ; but jet When it is difcufjed, 
 there will be title to the purpose found in it} but let it-.be fo^hat 
 the Synod fuftAtned the ProteflAtien on thAt grounded appoin- 
 ted Anew £leClion : yet it is known that the Presbytery in the 
 fecond Eletlion^ftill did choofe Brethren dif-fatisfied with the 
 Refolutions , And as I believe thefe j ame Whom they had chofen 
 before, who Were admitted in the zsfffembly without any quefti- 
 on y And reafoned And voted therein According to their minde, 
 Without Any reflraint or hindrance -Jo thas if there was AnyfAUlt 
 herejt might be well in the Synods Aft y but not in the Prcsby- 
 tery 9 which was the onely Acl about this bufine^e^ capable of, 
 & chargeableWith the fault of pre-Umhation but this was done 
 With freedom.T his much to the one part oftheAffumption y wher- 
 bj it maj Appear y t hat Whatever prelimitations were y or might be 
 in the Commi/stons All or Letter \ yet the Elections were free , 
 becaufe tp res by ttries therein Wire not pafsivety pro-limited^ 
 but choojed freely according to 'the,r oWn minde. Were there 
 no more to befaid % this much may make the Proteflers bethink^ 
 themfclves better in their fecond thought s of their rafhadventu- 
 ring upon fo high an ASi ara ProteftAtion and Declinature of a 
 (jenerall Afjembly >as unfree and unlawful \and may make others 
 advife better ere they adjoyn themfelves to it by approbation* 
 
 R B V I I w. 
 
 ALbeitthisInftance feem to the Author to be alleadged 
 with fome colour to evidence fome influence of thcCorn- 
 mifdons Leter and AcT: ; yet he thinks when it is difcuffed, 
 there will be found litk to the purpofe in it , and his reafon if, 
 becaufe jt is known that the Presbytery at the fecond Ele^ion 
 ftili did choofe Brethren dif-fatisfied with the Refoiutions»and 
 
 M 2 as 
 
(80 
 
 as he believe thefe fame wHom thy had chofen before , o?c. 
 B if novw thfhiuingofi 1 h* Autnor fay*, there is veiy much 
 to the purpof in it. Fiift, thue is ikis in it to the purpoie, 
 that thfc lud^incn s ami vo ccs of fome of the Members of the 
 Pfcsbytery,f '*.f *hi (c who did ditfent from the firft cleftion 
 were pre limited by the Letter and A& of the Commiihon, 
 they giving thefeonely forthcrcafonof their ditfmt.S^con iy, 
 th re ii th s in it to the purpofe , that the judgment or the 
 wh>l Sy.ioi,wfiich doth include rive Prcsbyterict ( (x;,-'ti 
 f w wh > did tiiHent frora,and Prutcltagamtt the Syio-i, mfUt- 
 nmj» thrill n-. of tfecfc in x Dunkcl from the EucT: >>: uj.cn 
 that g ound ) wiibythefaro' Letter and Aft pre limited to 
 the declaring of chit Election void a d null, mtcrly u >on this 
 real n, hanhey had proceeded contrary tojhe Litter an< Ad 
 ofrh C > rvmi lioa. Thhd!y,thre is this to th* putpofew it, 
 th^ t!u- vvrisic P;«sbyterie was fo pre-lmifyd by anActuf 
 the Sy no *,t-ju tided oo the otb?r Ait and Letter, a- to b^ neceC- 
 fitite topiikf.oiDthefirft Election which Wis iawM'y ma-Je, 
 and igamft which no exception was made, but th.- Letter and 
 A'l; and to mak? a new Election , th tt th.-y did a^ain choofe 
 perlons op; o^te to the PublickRefoluti nswa^fioti) rhe over- 
 bearing Conicie^cc of their duty. That tfuy were ad mtted 
 in the Arte mi 'y without ary quctiion,is not true; their admit- 
 tence wa qneftionedby a Member of the GommilJion, then a 
 Member of the Aflomoly, a man zealots for the Public k Refo- 
 lurioni; and the Moderator ptrct iving that others op polite to 
 f he PJolickRcfolutions were like to take advantage by ?t, he 
 did handfomely wave it. Now, thefc things bein^ examined 
 which the Author fayeth to the flrft partof the AiTumprion,I 
 leave if to be judged whether he had caufe to fay, that what- 
 ever pre-lirmtations were in the Gomuufsions A<ft and Letter, 
 yet the Editions were frt c, becaufe Presbyteries therein were 
 not pafsivcly pre-liroired but chofen freely according to rhcir 
 own minde ; and whether he had cauie to draw fo ftrong in- 
 fulting lines as he fubjoyns thertto.If there be oo more to fty 
 then he hath yet (aid,i omfafle ingenuoufly.I fee oo caufe why 
 the Protefters ftvauld bethink t hcmftlves setter in their fecond 
 thoughts of their, adventuring on fuch a hi^h Aft, as topro- 
 
 teft 
 
m 
 
 teft igainft, and declvne from that Meeting at St. Andrews ,and 
 Dundee %s not being a lawfull free General! Adlmbly, or why 
 others thould hive advifed better, ere thty had joyned them- 
 felveb to it by approbation ; it feems a little beyond the bounds 
 ofmodeityformento drive and vent fuch conclu (ions upon 
 their own reafonio^f, though haply they might bear them; It 
 being fit to leave theie things to the judicious andunbyaffed 
 Readers, to give judgement as they find caufc. 
 
 VlNDI CATION. 
 
 TT Is trtte that for pro$f rfth* nnlawfnlnefs ofthefe pretended 
 Assemblies* condemned by the ^A( sembiy at Glafgow 3 8. 
 amongji other reafons the want of frtedome in the matter if 
 eltftion of Commifsioners is alleadgedas a main and principal 
 one y but there the matter Was not meerij alledged y hut clearly 
 evidence^ that 'fbt Cvmmifsione ri fent to theft Meetings were 
 not indeed eleitcdhy Presbyteries, but nominated by the Kings 
 Letters , See Stfsion 1 a. Reaf. agahfi the pretended Ajsembly, 
 *;Lith£ow 1606. and at Glafgow 16 io. 
 
 Review. 
 
 THe Author for taking off of this prejudice , and rcafon 
 wikh ttood in the way of the Aflfembly at Glafgow 3 8. 
 who prove the unlawfulotrTeofthefe pretended A^cmblies by 
 the want offrecdoine in the matter of election ©f CommirH- 
 oucrs (aith, that their matter was not meerly elladgcd, but 
 clearly evidenced that the Commifsioners fent to thefe Meet- 
 ings were not indeed elected by Presbyteries, but nominate by 
 the fcrtgs Letters, if he mean that the y were not freely elected 
 by Prefbytcries proceeding mttx\y -ex pnfrio motu ; It i$truc 
 becaufeth- King and the Bifhops Letters had influence upon 
 them to pre-litnite their 'elections, but if he mean thit they 
 were not all elected by Presby eries, eor had any Comcmfsi- 
 on from tbcm, but came mcerly upi?n the Kings Letters, it is 
 not true; taouifr albeit the rctton agamft the pr c tended Af- 
 fottbly at L'tthgow 16Q6* feems to favour this, yet that againft 
 
 the 
 
(84) 
 \hc pretended Atembly at Glalgow 16*10. intimatcteth that 
 they Wtrechoknini had Compulsions, becaufe it faith Firft, 
 that the elections were not free,-an tle&ion then there wis,but 
 not a free election; if there had been no election, \hc Aflem- 
 bly 38. would,no quefHon,have io expreflkd ir # as importing a 
 reafon of nullity more clear and ftrong. Next,that the Bifhop 
 of St. Andrews required than to (end iuch Comnifsioncrs as 
 the King had nominate, affuring thtm that no ether would be 
 accepted; If the Presbyteries did fend them as their Commif- 
 fionerSjthen loroe fort of elcftiootherebehoved fo bc,as indeed 
 there was, both to that Adembly itLuhgor* 1606. and that 
 cfgtafgoW 161^. For clearing of whxh, ir would be re- 
 membred, that there is an election materiall, when perfons 
 are inftruAei and authorized by us as our Commifs«oners, 
 though we have not nominate aid formally chofen them for 
 thatcfTeft,and an election formal, when we do formally nomi- 
 nate and choofe, an election materiall there was at Lithg$vf t 
 becaufe thofe who were nominate by the Kings Letter, were 
 inftructed and authorized by thcPresbytcnes as their Cominif- 
 fioncrsjand therefore in the 4. reafon tor nullifyingof that Af- 
 fembiy, there is mention of the power which thefe Mimfters 
 had,ani of thelimitation thereof by theirPresbyteriesjbut there 
 was no formal nomination of thefe men by the Preibyteries, 
 therefore it is faid in the a. reafon, that they were not at all e- 
 lectcd ty thtirPresbytcries.-but KGlafg*wi6io.ihett was both 
 amateriall and formall elcctioryhough not fre« but prt-limi- 
 ted, becaufe the King and the Bifhops bad defigned the per- 
 fons whom they would have them to fend, anr' let it be con- 
 fidcr*d, whether upon the matter there be not the Ike and 
 as reall! a prc-limitation, by the Aft and Letter of f h Com- 
 roifsion: In the year 1606. and 161 o. the King and theB fhops 
 nominate who fhall come and defign, whom the Presbytery 
 (hall fend, without leaving them tochoofe (uch of their num- 
 ber as they thought fit, and in the year 165 1. the Commitsion 
 defignes who of their unmber they fhall not fend, to wit,none 
 that were oppoflte to the Publick Retolutions ( for this 
 much their Act wherein they requite them to be cited to the 
 Atfcmblydoth import, as afterwards (hall be cleared) not 
 
 leaving 
 
(85) 
 leaving Presbyteries tothdr own f-eedome, choofe fitch of 
 their number as thcyt ho gk 6, and ft n.jc the oneofthe.e 
 a prr-limitariof»,and binders a fue ebon v as wej as the other > 
 Do» h not he pre limste who Uith that you (hill not choo fe 
 fuch men of your number, as wdl as he who faith you fhali 
 choofe fuch men of your number; in the mean while it is to be 
 obferved, hat the AnVmbly 38. hath no Itch difrwn&jca as that 
 of active and rWsive.folicitauabs, but inf.rs the I alt Preempti- 
 on;*^ &de-jUre from and upon the rnit, and not without 
 good reafon, becaule none dou:t of the influence of commands 
 of Superiors, whenthedefire is granted, and the direction is 
 followed by the inferior, ef^ecially when the effccl: is contrary 
 to the former cuftome aid practifc when they were fret : B^- 
 cauic the Aathor hath endeavoured to darken as much as he 
 can the pre-limitmg of the elections in Presbyteries , by the 
 Letter and Aft of the Commifsion, y his diftinftion of adlive 
 and palfive pre-limkation , therefore upon fuppofall that the 
 Letter and A<ft of the Commifs.on, did contain a pie- limita- 
 tion of the elections, which fhail be afterwards cleared; 1 rea- 
 fonthus : For proving that Presbyteries were pafltvjy pre- 
 limited in their elections by that Letter and AS ; whofoin 
 their eleftions accepts of, and yeelds obedience unto a Letter 
 and A<ft containing a pre- limitation of their elections* arc paf- 
 fively pre-limited in their ele&ions: But the Presbyteries did 
 accept of, and yeeld obedience ro fuch a L tter and A&, erg& % 
 &c. The hrll Proportion is a clear truth, and agreeable to the 
 Authors own words when he is explaining paffive pre limita- 
 tion, active folicitation of Judges and members of ^Judicatory 
 faith heproves not a Judicatory corrupt, unlcue it can be evi- 
 denced, that they have accepted and yeelded unto the foli- 
 citation. The iecond Proposition to wit,That the Presbyteries 
 did accept of, and yeeld obedience unto that Letter and Ad, 
 becaufe it was not onely received and read in the moft part of 
 Presbyteries before th.ir tlec"tions, without any teftimony given 
 againft it,but alfo appointed to be put upon record intheir Dooks 
 in teftimony of their approving thereof, and as the ground and 
 order of their rroceedings in the things contained therein, and 
 obedience was gtven thereto in taoft places , by forbearing to 
 choofe any fuch as appeais by the Roils of the Commiffionefs, 
 
 in 
 
(*6) 
 in fame places ranverfing fo» mcr e!ecTioDi,and appointment 
 ones to be made upon th*r^rund, at appears in the electi- 
 ons of the Presbytery or D unwell ; in iome places oppofn.g the 
 ehoofing of lueh as wceoppoiite to the Punlick Rei<»Iunons 9 
 and diiUnnng from, and Presetting again t their being eholen, 
 as Hi rhe Elections of GUfgov* , in f .ch places intiira i ig to 
 fuch as were t hoofing n their aolence, ihatthry might ftof a<- 
 mitthem unlcfle they did declare chemfclvis f at sfi^d wrhihe 
 P biu-k Refolutions, as in the pres ; ytery of Mc*rn<s\ f>r ve- 
 rily! igof whl h>I acfireittobetaken roiiceot, that rmPcf- 
 ty cry hiving cho^enh L Ofd ArlfHYtbrnt to be Ruing fcHer 
 to the Overall AHembly, they did afterwards wr tui.to h m 
 aL-tter, and fent by lemeof their own minor, in wh ch 
 Letterare contained rhefe words: VVc hive lent two of our 
 num K cr who will tak? your L>rdlhi;>s Declaration when you 
 accept and g ve your oach to di(cha^ c your null fanhfolly, 
 whether your Lord fhip if faisficd Wiih.h* Pubiick Resoluti- 
 ons; but lfyou have any hefiration andicrou^ieth-ai n(a* we 
 hope you hive not ) we inuft mak< choice of ano« far, a id in 
 (omt places rehtfing upon i hit a-:co«npt to iubicnbc and ap- 
 prove thr Cominifsion of *hefe who were fern from Burghs, 
 as in the Presbytery of Kirl^iUie y who after the reading the 
 faid Ac\ and Letter of the Conmtfsion, did refufe to fiblcribe 
 the C ommifsion given by the Burgh of BruntiUndto M»gn*u 
 tA'tonn. becaufe kt compeared nqr ws<h the Commilsion 
 himfeif to decia e hi* amide aient th; Prfbhck Relolutions. 
 Thcfe may be inltances enough to prove their obedience ; If it 
 wrre ncedfuil to take up time i.i {o clear a b ifinerte , we could 
 bring fundry moe whrch we now delay, becaufc th^y may be 
 -Cub joy ned to the end of his Paper ; but to lay no more of this 
 purpofe, the Synods a d Presbycerijs citing of fuch to the Ge- 
 neral! Aif.-mbly as did oppofc tht Pubhck R Solutions by he 
 order o^ the Letter and Act ( which order for cua:ion did by 
 ncce(f;ry confqn nee incapacitate rhem to bcCommifsioncrs j 
 is an u f ide ayabte t- (bmony that they accepted of, and yccldcd 
 obedience thereunto. 
 
 Vin- 
 
(P7) 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 BVt let hs prove it further in the difcovery of 'the nullity of 
 the fir ft reafon, and for that purpofe confider the other far* 
 ticular thereof, which concerns the CommifsionsAtl And Let- 
 ten As to the matter in Generally the 'Protefters themfelves 
 nor any other judicious or found Chriftian Will fay and thinks 
 that the eletlion of(fomm{fsioners inures by teries ought to be of 
 fuch a lax liberty as is bounded With no limitations at a/i- this 
 was the looje way pleaded for by the Arminians at the Synod 
 $f Dort, and Wjhich Would tend to the fubverfton of true Reli- 
 gion; certain it is, that Treshyteries are fo far limited in this 
 that they mnft not choofeany to he (fommifsioners to a general 
 tsiffembly, that teaches \Dotlrine contrary to the word of God, 
 andConftitution of the Kirk^agreeable thereunto, and there- 
 fore if a Commifsion of the gen, Affembly , or any other Kir £ 
 Judicatory, ace or ding to their inter eft y perceiving Mini ft ers 
 throughout the Kirk teaching contrary to the trnth^orpraclifing 
 to the prejudice of the true Religion,JhouldWrit to Presbyteries 
 defiring them not to choofe any fuch Commifsieners to a Gene- 
 rail Affembly, this were no undue pre :- limitation or prejudging 
 their Liberty in eletlion 9 but a neceffary and I aw full warning 
 puttting them in minde of, andftirring them to a duty there- 
 unto they were bound , though no fuch direclion were fent to 
 them ; This laid down in general^ as to that AM and Letter of 
 the late (fommifsiou fent to Presbyteries,We fay firft y That the 
 Commifsion did nothing therein but that which other Kir^- 
 Jtfectings and Commifsions had done before them in the fame 
 matter, in relation to the eletlion of Commifsiensrs to the ge- 
 nerall lAffembly, aU Which muft fall unto the ground as null, 
 unfree and unla/l, if the late Generall tAfsembly be un- 
 free and unlaWfull in its conftitutions ; Vpon this accompt 
 We muft lookjbachjo the Generall zAfsembly at Glifgow 38. 
 it f elf, what directions were fent from the Tables then at Edin- 
 burgh in relation to eleclingCommifsioncrs thereuMQ* Next, 
 We muft refer alfo to the Letters fent to Presbyteries by the 
 Kirk^Commifsiomnrii* i6$9.$i. 41, concerning Commifsi* 
 ens to Brethren to theje Generall ^Affemblies f all Which are 
 
(98) 
 yet extent in <presbyterj Boo\ej 9 but Y*v /hall content our {elves 
 to hold near hand^ the Ute Commifsion did nothing but what 
 the Commiffton did in the year 48. Wherein the chief Trotefiers 
 hAd a chief hand 9 andyet maintain the Uwfutnejfe of that deed 
 Andthefreedome andlAwfulneffe of the confiitution of ths? A[- 
 fembly that jollied thereupon \ To this the Voritor of the 
 large Paper replyeth fundry things in anfVoer to Objetlioni, 
 But nothing to tak? Away the force thereof ': Firfl y he hints At 
 two differences between the one and the other 9 as he would 
 have the reader thinl^he might m*ke ufc of 9 but pajfeth by % as 
 having to [ay befide ^ To (ay nothing (faith he ) of the dtffe- 
 rence of reference and citation, neither yet of the difference of a 
 Letter and All importing that there is a confiderable dvffe* 
 rence between thefe things , and that the Commifsion 48. ap- 
 pointed perfins difsentient from them- onelj to be referred, and 
 did fend a letter onelj; whereas^ the Commifsian ^O.made a* 
 zAU «lfo, and appointed c Perfons Alfo to be cited 10 the Gene. 
 yaII Ai'embfy; 1 which we oppon* fir fi y the diff'reKa between 
 a citation and a reference ,Vfhe-i the reference of a per (on to be 
 tryed and judged on a fault , and the perfon is prefent at the 
 reference is juft nothings fee Assembly \6^y Seffisi 2. Ang. 3, 
 Overtures anent Bits , &c. And I defirc the Writer to 
 fay if it Wrfx not the purpofe of the Commiffton 48. when they 
 did require Presbyteries to refer fuch to the Ge".Ajsembty % that 
 there fhmld be laid on them An obligation legal 1 § e*mpeArperfcm 
 naily before theGen.Afsembly for tryal And femenee up*n them y 
 andwhAt elfe is the end of a citAtion Andjummonds>nor yet is the 
 mere difference betftixt the Jtlof the Commiffton And perfon s 
 to be referred or cited by Tresbyteries, and a Letter requiring 
 it to be done^ for is there not An Ail for fuch a Letter, and the 
 matter efit 9 Aud hAth theLetter it /elf the force of An AH -would 
 not the refufing of what is de fired be counted dij obedience to 
 the Commiffton ? But it feemeth the Writers memory hAth 
 failed here> % behold An Aft in termini's, as itfiands regiflrate in 
 the Commifsion boo\ the 5. of June 1648. The Commiffton of 
 the GenerAll A fsembly recommends etrneftly to Presbyteries to 
 take fpeci all notice of every Brothers CArriage in the Public? 
 bufinefs thtt if *ny be found thn donotdtcUre the mf elves a- 
 
 gAinfi 
 
(99) 
 againfi the f repent MAligmtnt cater fe , ntrjojn "frith their Bre* 
 thren in the Common Refoiations thereof i they Preferred to 
 the next Cjenerall AfsemWy, and if Any of i hem have already de- 
 clared for it > that they be frefently cenfumd , fie fab. Andrew 
 Ker. This may make us fanbt the more efaliedgances efthis 
 kinde^ afterwards in matters of fall , when we fee net clear 
 andeirCH&ftfWtiat tefiimonies of Re gift ers brought forth. 
 
 R E V I I w. 
 
 IN anfwer to what is here faid by the Author,I acknowledge 
 chat the elections of Comm«(Tioners in PresDyterics ought 
 not to be luck as it bounded with no limitations,and that ir any 
 Commtflion of. a General! Affembly, or any other Church Ju- 
 dicatory, according to their intereft, perceiving Minifters 
 throughout the Church teach ng contrary, or pra&ifing to the 
 prejudice of thcTruth (hould write to Presbyteries defiring not 
 to choofe any fuch Commifsioners to a GencraJi Affcmbly,thif 
 were no undue pre-1 imitation or prejudging their liberty in e- 
 lcdion; I believe that none of the Protefttrs will differ from 
 the Author in this : That Presbyteries ought not to choofe any 
 to be CommifTioners that teaches doclrine contrary to the 
 word of God, and Conftitutions of the Kirk agreeable thereto, 
 and if the Com million in their Letter and Aft had terminated 
 themielves wjthin thele bounds, no Protefter would have con- 
 troverted with th. m about it, and I think neither will he con- 
 trovert with them in this, that if a Commifsion , or any other 
 Kirk Judicatory teach do&nn* contrary to the word of God, 
 and to the conftitution of the Church agreeable thereuntctnd 
 write to Presbyteries to choofe none to be Commiffioncrsto 
 the General Atlembly who* doth oppofefuch <o<ftrinc,that this 
 is a pre-limiting and prejudging of Pi esbyteries it&he liberty 
 of their elections , according to thefe coadefcen^i ns. The 
 CommilTion in the 5 1 . having fent to Presbyteries'* Letter and 
 Acl before theirele&ions relating theretojlt feems unavoidably 
 to follow, thatfoineliRikationand direction there was in that 
 Letter and A<51 concerning the elections : But all the queftion 
 is, whether it was a limitation warrantable or unwarrantable 
 Now if io, why hath the Author lb cautioufly, and fo much 
 
 N 2 wraftled 
 
(ioo) 
 wraflled to deny thtt that letter and Act had any influence upon 
 the elections in Presbyteries -if it was nothing but a neceflary & 
 lawful warning, putting them in mind of,and flirting them up 
 to a duty whereto they were bound, though no /rich direction 
 had been fent unto them, then there was no caufeto beam-aid 
 of iheloofing of any ground by acknowledging of its intijence, 
 the Authors long wrangling about that,doth either fecro to fay 
 that he is fufpicious of the limitation contained therein,as not 
 being w4rrantable,or elfe that hehath too great good wii to dif- 
 putc, (ting this would have been a lTiort and fatisfying an- 
 fwsr. The Cornmiflion in their Letter and AddiJputno 
 bonds on Presbyteries in the election of C'jmmiisioners, but 
 fuch as arc well warranted by the word of God, and Acts and 
 Cor. ft tutions cf this Church, and therefore as the on* did no- 
 thing but their duty in holding forth the fame, fo the other 
 didnotfrngnut their duty in accepting thereof, and giving o- 
 bedience thereto. His long and operous deputation gives his 
 readers occafion to think,that he is jealous of fo open an J plain 
 a defence: His next and great refuge is, that the Commjfsion 
 did nothing therein but what othcrCommifcions and meetings 
 had done before them in the fame matter, in relation to the e- 
 lection of Cominiffioacrs, which I do confidently deny, for 
 the inftances which he names in the years 1638. $9. 40. and 
 41. Becaufehedothbut name them without condefcending 
 upon any particular,which it is like he would have done, if he 
 had found them much tohis purpofe ; I patfc them with thefe 
 Con(id«rations,that what was done in 3 8. was no authoritative 
 direction,but a friendly information and advice,and that not in 
 a Church adhering to Reformation, but in a Church that had 
 made defection tkercfrom,and whit was done 39. 40. and 41. 
 Was agreeable to the Word of God, and conftitutions of the 
 Churcfe : But what was done in the 51. was an authorita- 
 tivedircction in a Church now reformed from corruptions. 
 and was contrary to the word of God,tnd conftitutions of this 
 Church. As to thetnftanceof the Commifsion 1648. which he 
 makes kis great refuge, and the things which he faitk thereof: 
 Fkft,I do not know who arc the chief Proteftcrs, they are all 
 joined as yoak-fcilows in one and the, fame duty, and I think 
 
 he 
 
(ioi) 
 
 he doth is little know who had a chief hand in that of the 48. 
 but I believe ,ali of the Protefters do own it, and maintain both 
 the lawfnlnefle of that cited, and the frcedome and lawfulneffe 
 of the Conftitution of that Aftembly,and yet do no ways there- 
 by hold themfeivesbound to maintain the deed of the Com- 
 er? ifsion 165 1 • or the freedom and lawfulneffe of the AfTcrably 
 of that year,becaufc of the great differences betwixt thefe two 
 dceds,wlrch doth ft'iU yet ftand unreconciled,notwithftsnding 
 all the pains the Author hath taken to make them?fpeak the 
 fame thing. As to pre- limitation t I (hail not wrangle with 
 him about tht dirT.rence of a Reference and a Citation 3 whethec 
 itbeconfiderableornot; ondy fh<s , the Reference in the 48. 
 was not a Reference of particular concern r»ent,(of which fort 
 only the Aflembiy i<$43.Scff.2. e^^.gfpeaks, making it equi- 
 valent to a Citation it the perfon be prefent ) or in order to a 
 fentence upon the perfons,and therefore requires no Citation in 
 cafe of their abfence,but of generall concernment,that the Af- 
 fgmblym-ghtafter hearing fuch of therafelves as did appear be- 
 fore them,advife what couth- to prefcribe to Presbyteries anent 
 them; and if a Reference and a Citation (as he ftates it ) be &- 
 lone, why didtheConmifsionof the 51 require them noton- 
 ly to be reftrred,but alio to be cited. If he fay, becaufethey 
 might happen to be abfent from the Presbytery, then either the 
 Commifsion m the 48 and their C!erk,did not underftand thefe 
 Legalities,or elfe they meaned not to have them cited , incafe 
 of their abfencefom th: Presbytery. A$ to his defiretothe 
 Writer,! have fpoken with him concerning his knowledge of 
 thepurpoleof the Commifsion in the year 1648. when they 
 did defire Presbyteries to rcferre fuch to the Generall Aflem- 
 biy, and he defires me to return the Author this aufwer, That 
 to the belt of hi*, knowledge, and fo tar as he doth remember, 
 the Coramifaion had not that purpofe,that there /hould be laid 
 on thefe who were referred, an obligation iegall^to compeare 
 pel foaaliy before the Generall AtTembly*, for trysll and fen- 
 tence upon them; and he feems to me therein to (peak truth : 
 Firft,becaufe there is no mention in the Aft of ufing any Cita- 
 tion to thofc who fliail be abient from the Presbyteries, with- 
 out which there could be in that cafe no obligation upon them 
 
 to 
 
(102) 
 
 to compear. Secondly, be caud. they liy no Icgall obligation 
 uponthc Prcshytcics, uncr tocite or rcferrc thcnVout ^com- 
 mends oiiely to rcfrre them ; and I do notCee how any p fc f. 
 bytcrics rcfufing what was deiired,could have been fenttnetd 
 for diiobediencc 1 know that when any Judicatory writes 
 a Lettcr,thcre is an Aft for it,and for thereafter of it « but the 
 Author is a tide wide in hU Criticks,whcn he Gyet h> That the 
 Letter it fciffuththeforceofan At. if he mean ic of every 
 Letter from a Judicatory , wherein any thing is recommended 
 or defned to be done, and of an A ifc laying o 1 a Icgall obligati- 
 on; but behold ffayeth the Author) an Aft in ter minis , as it 
 ftandiregiftrate in the Commifsion-Bouks the 5« of Junc t 
 1648. TheCommifsion of the Gcnerall Aflembly recom- 
 mends earnestly to Presbyteries, to take I'ptciall notice of every 
 Brothers carriage in the Publick bufineffe, that if any b« found 
 thatdonotdeclarethcmfclves againft the prefcot Malignant 
 courlc, nor joyn with their Brethren in the common Rcfoluti- 
 ons thereof , they be referred to the next General! Aflemblyj 
 and if any of them hiv* already, declared for it , thit they be 
 prefentiy centered, ftcfubfcrikithr Andrew Ken For all the 
 Authors exclamation, here is yet no Aft, I mean nothing au- 
 thoritative and importing a icgall obligation,but a mecr recom- 
 mendation; whio fo perufesthe Com mfsiom Books, will find 
 their Afts by which they mean to lay on legal obligations upon 
 thefe whom th^y concern, cattcn in another mould, they do or- 
 dain, appoint or requirc,as is evident from the Letters and A^f 
 fromtheCommifsion 51 relating to the oppofits of thePublick 
 Refolutions. And albeit the Authors memory hith failed him 
 in a word, in calling it a Lstter, yet ic hath failed him nothing 
 upon the matter, feeing it is clear, that his meaning was,that it 
 was nothing authoritative for laying on a Icgall obligation;but 
 a Lc'ter,or fuch a thing as a Letter, that ufually doth eiely re- 
 commend or defire,and therefore this fofmall a miftak *, needs 
 not make any to doubt the more of alleadgeances of this kind 
 afterwards in matters of faft, though haply clear and circum- 
 fttntiall teftiinonies of Registers hi not brought forth ; and if 
 the Author will be content to be weighed in his own hailance, 
 there {hall upon this ground bfrj'alt occafion to doubt of many 
 
 things 
 
things which he fayeth 3 becauic he doth oft-tiiucs in matters of 
 fad, aflcrt thu g^ that never 1 had abeing- , lee be to miftakc the 
 name of a Papcr,ty calling it a Letter, when it is an Ad. From 
 what hath been laid i it appeares that there is a conside- 
 rable d iff. renccbttwixt what was dom in the Commifsien 48, 
 and theCommifsion 5--i- In the 48 there it no more but a 
 nicer recommendation to referre to the Aflembly, which doth 
 not lay any legal! obligations u r on the Presvyrenei to do it -nor 
 upon the pcrions to compeare hcafe of cheir abfencc from the 
 Presby!ery,an4 nor being cited: But in th 5 1 th re is a formal 
 authoritative Ac%rcquiring them to be refcrrsd and cited. 
 
 VlJIDI CATION. 
 
 NOw to our prefect purpofeyf ye Will compare this AEi of 
 the Commifsion Afcjmith the AEi and Letter of the Com- 
 mifsion 51 not in qutftiun* The Letter will be found, much mor* 
 moderate and fpanng- forfirfl i the AEi and Letter of the Com- 
 mifsion 5 1 % doth net require the presbyteries to cenfure any at 
 all for oppofing V ublickjtefolutions^but onely requires them to 
 be referred and cited to the General/ esffjembljf, whereas the ei- 
 ther 48 requires ^that all who did declare in the leaft agdinfi the 
 Refolutions,be cenfur ed prefentlj t fundry being depofed y namely 
 for ffeakingj ~eme fe^o words againft the CommifsionsDeclarat* 
 agatinft the engagement*i.the AEi & Letter of theCommi[sien t 
 requires not (as the other duty) any to be referred for meer fi» 
 lence, nor all that profeffed themfelves unfatisfiid With the 
 TublickRefolutiofiS , though after conference they remained 
 unfatijficoffbut only fuch as make oppofition to the Publicl^Re- 
 folutuns. Yea, only fuch as continued in their oppofition obfti- 
 nate y all due means of fa tisfaUien being offered and refufed ) 
 to the hindering people from going forth to the prefent andne- 
 ceffary defence of the Land , and not drafting others from it 9 
 which at that time "was a mofi evident cxpofng of the Land 
 without refinance to the poster of the Enem]* This much to 
 the fecond Difference hinted *t % and profejfed to bepa$ by. 
 
 Rbviryv 
 
(io4) 
 R E V I i w. 
 
 IDefire that in making oft his comparifon,if may be taken 
 notice of, that the Commifsion in t he year 165 1. had long 
 before the (ending of that Letter an 1 Aft now upon debate 
 fent to Presbyteries , not only Publick Warnings, wherein 
 the oppofits of Publick Refolutions arc characterized asMa- 
 lignants, and holdcn forth upon the matter , as the betrayers 
 oftheCtufeand Countrey,and animating the Civil Magittratc 
 to ufe Civill Cenfures againft them ( as (hall be afterwards 
 proved from the Papers themfelves ) but alfo a Letter and Ad 
 requiring them to cenlure fuch , the tenour hereof folio weth: 
 Reverend and Welbeloved Brethren,finding that notwithftan- 
 ding of our Faithfuil Warnings an \ great pains taken to fatisfie 
 all men to concur in thejr phces for furthering of the Leavics, 
 for defence of Religion,King and Kingdome, and all other our 
 deareft Intcrefts,many are fo far from concurring, that they do 
 very vehemently go about to ©bftruft the Work, by writing, 
 preaching and pcrfwading to the contrary : We do therefore 
 require you, that you carefully enquire in your Presbyteries, 
 what Minifters do preach, or otherwifa pe.rfwade,comrary to 
 our prefent publick and published Refolutions; and that you 
 proceed to cenlure fuch as are in your own number j and if any 
 Minifter that travels among you,tranfgrcfle in that kind, let him 
 net be permitted to preach in your bonnds ; Sic [ubfcribitHr 
 dearth, March 20. 1651* It is not then to much purpofe to 
 tell us,that the Aft and Letter of the Commifsion doth not re- 
 quire thcPresbyteries to cenfure any at all for oppofing of Pub- 
 lick Rofolurionsjfceing they had expreflfely done it long before 
 that time in another Letter and Aft fent for that purpofe ; and 
 the fecond thing wherein he comparts them , will alfo 
 be found no wayes considerable , if we {hall remember that 
 thefe Warnings of which we .fpok, hath no diftinftion of fuch 
 as profefle themfelves unfatislied with Publick Refolutions, 
 and fuch as do oppofe thsm, but takes in both the one and the 
 other; yea,and thefe who are filerit too, and appfys the Afts of 
 former G;neraii AlTemblies agahft them , as is evident from 
 
 the 
 
(io 5 ) 
 ths Warning iflued from P earth, March io, 165 1 . 1 ! wi'fli 
 the Author had told us how he differences iuch as profeife 
 themfelves unfatisfied,and fuch as oppofe. Can a man prcfdfe 
 -himfelf unfatisficd^and even afar conference prpfeffe hinjfclf 
 fo, and yet be filent,and fay nothing to the contrary ? I believe 
 he means not oppolition by force ; but a Minifters declaring his 
 judgment,and bearing teftimony aga ; nft the courfe in his nati- 
 on and calling, and how a man fhould profefft himfclf unfatif- 
 fietUand not to do this, I csnnot tell, urikiTe he fhould become 
 neutrall and indifferent in the matter, e f his duty. He afferts 
 fundty to have been depofed in the' 48. namely , for fpeaking 
 fome few words againft the Commiflions Declaration again!]: 
 the Engagement, but doth not let his Reader know who thefe 
 wcre,and by whom and when they were depofed; I do- not 
 remember of any (neither yet do others who were much im- 
 ployed about thefe matters ) that were depofed by the Com- 
 million for f peaking againft their Declaration againft the En- 
 gagement before the Aflembly 1648. and if he mean it after 
 the Aflfembly, it is not to the purpofe. Which things make it 
 appear, that the Author hath not found theComcniilion 4S (q 
 rigidc and fevere, that he hath any caufe to preferre the Com- 
 mifsionofthe 51 unto them for moderation and fparingne(Tc 3 
 though there were no difference upon the mattered in regard 
 of the perfons with whom they had to do. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 NOw to the reft infixed on • Firft, faith the Paper in the 
 year 48, when a little before the eleclion of £ommifsion- 
 ers to the getter all Afembly^ it ^ailmovtd by feme of the 
 Ccmmifsion 9 that feme thing might be written to Presbyteries y 
 requiring them to choefe none but fttch as veers #g*<inft the En. 
 gAgement* it was o-ppofed and refund by the C ornmif si on^as fa- 
 vouring a Voayefpre-Hmitaiion oftheAffembly^and all that was 
 there dene was a Letter written to Pre byteries , giving them 
 accompt of their proceedhtgs^and exhorting them to their duty % 
 to ckeo/e able and faithful men. Anfwer* That mere ^ as done 
 in the preceding Cjenerall %s%fftmblyjfyc have m#de it evident. 
 
 But 
 
(l06) 
 But ivhat ts all this f aid here to what Was alkadgek x that the 
 Ute Commifsion had done nothing in* what the Commifsion 
 ^ had done before them ? Did the Commifsion 51 write to 
 P res bjteries,re quiring them not to choofe any ag*i*ft, §r oppo- 
 fite to their refvlutions, to be C. ommifsioner s % not one Word more 
 crlcfjeofthit } Or did not the Commissions Aft A.S y bear and 
 import as much as the AH and Letter of the CommifsUn 5 1 ( 
 yea, as much and more both extenfive and inienfivr^as ass clea- 
 red in tbepreceeding/But yon will Jay ( ^s it is in the Paper) 
 pn the Commifsion 4.% } aboutthat time that a moit9n Was made 3 
 that jomethingpyrtuld he written to require Pres^yteries^not to 
 choofe any but juch,&c. and was wppojed and refufed^s favou- 
 ring pre-hmittation. Anjwer. J Will/ not [ay Who made the 
 motion'but Jfayjhis is t* little pu ■ p -Je i for y Wh At if I/h.Jl fay 
 the like motion Was made in the Commifsion 5 1 t a nd oppofed and 
 refufed too {But further I prove by ht fV> iter of this Tsper his 
 grounds what thtComnifsion 48^ upom the matter yh+t *h ch 
 they did, Was really to pre limit At Presbyteriesjhat they fhould 
 choofe none but fuch, as if they htdwriiten as much to them 
 in formal expreffe terms ^ f§r their (\'ommi(sion required Pres- 
 byteries either to refer ( or upon the mutter to cite) to Gencrall 
 Affemblies^r to centre prefently thele Who were otherwtfe dif- 
 pofed Without leaving Any of them -Fir ft now fuch as were under 
 any cenfure clear ,coutd not be chofenCummifsioncrs^thc Wri- 
 ter him/elf faith in anfwer to the 3 ObjeEiion y branch I, That it 
 cannot be denyed,that a citation in matter of (candal in do tl vine 
 or manner s f Will or ought to exclude a man from btir.g & Com* 
 mifsioner. Therefore upon the matter that the Commfsien 
 did require , that Presbyteries fhould choofe none but juch as 
 were againfi the Engagemeut, the AB and Letter of the Com- 
 mifsion 51, if it did import exdufion of any from being Com- 
 mij sioner s,Was not fo Wide by far^lt requirednot all unfatisfied, 
 but fuch as continued to ofpofe to be cited', and there Were ma- 
 ny unfatisfedat that time , "who made no oypofition^ and there- 
 fore might have been, for ought that can he i*ny wayes drawen 
 from the Alt andLLetterfhofen to be Commif sioner s, as fxndry 
 "were de fa&o. Second con ft deration pre fen ted in anfWer to the 
 former alleadgeance % is % that that Letter of the Commifsien 48, 
 
 W4S 
 
C I0 7) 
 Was not Written by the fcommtf stents We remember % until mop 
 
 p*rt 9 if not all elections in Presbyteries were paffed, as will be 
 cleared in the date thereof, A*f* So were many of the elellions 
 of Presbyteries paft before the Letter of the late Commijsion 
 Cameto them "Jb fit that all, or mofi fart ofaletlions were pa ft be- 
 fore thatLetter was Written 48 to Presbyteries ,We cannot upon 
 A naked ajsertion believe. The Writer would have dsne wel here 
 to exprefse the date of the Let tcr^for I doubt not but he might 
 have hadit out of ' fome near Pre shy terie *Book^; I cannot give a 
 double of t for the prefentjbutl [hat give an evident prejumpti* 
 on that it Was otherwayes then it is /aid here. Fir ft y in fome Pref- 
 byteries, I will take upon me to prove , that (ome ^Presbjterjy 
 dayes,ere they began to thin\ejn the Elellion ofCommiiuoners 
 feineof their Members Were upon that Letter of file nee in the 
 Public kjtufines y referred and cited to the Gen. Afsembly .Next , 
 Uok^to the date of the AH: of that Commijsion formerly fet 
 doyen hereof is upon the 5.0^ June.2V>wy> is evident y that this 
 4Sitl hath been made in order to that Letter % if it felf was net al- 
 fo fe*t with it, and the Afsembly did Jit that year upon the 12. 
 of July; /o that betW^xt the appointment of the Letter and the 
 date of it could not be much after it^and the doWn-fn ting of the 
 Ajsembljythere inter seemed full five Weeks. Now, allowing 
 eight day es for the difpatch thereof unto ^Presbyteries ( to the 
 moft part to what Presbyteries it might fooner come) it might 
 have been at Presbyteries tWenty or twenty five dayes before 
 the Afsembly. Now, it is well known \that few ^Presbyteries, 
 except it be fuch as arefartheft diftant, cboo/es their (fommif- 
 fioners fo long before the Afsembly. 
 
 R 1 v 1 1 w. 
 
 THat no more was done in the Comnr-ifsioo of the 481 then 
 w ting of that Letter which §ave the Presbyteries an ao 
 Compt of their proceedings &c. is not iftcrted by \\\t Writer^ 
 yea,he tells -plainly enough, that more was done; for the thing 
 which he f«ith s is , that no more was then done , h* e. when 
 that motion was made , and within two or three lines he (ub- 
 joyns.thst thatLetter which is rrentkned in the obj\dtion,was 
 
 O 2 not 
 
 
(io8) 
 not Writ en by theCommi(sioiy.mtil irioft pirt,ifnot all (he ele- 
 ctions inPi esbyteaies were pair., and therefore the Author does 
 wro :ig when he leaves out the circumfhnce of tim?,which the 
 writer put in,a' id expounds him fo to h : s reader,** ir he had iajd 
 thauhere was no more done atany nme,neithcrthen nor there- 
 after; but he cannot undcrfhn.i what all that is ia.d of this is, 
 to that which was alLdged that the lateCornir.jiTio ■ tad done 
 nothiog,but that which theCommifsion inth.48. hai done 
 before them. It is to thav which wis ailedged,becaufe it con- 
 tributes tor clearing of the Commifssonofth - 48. as to t : c mat- 
 ter of pre-iimitation , becaufe they did rej cl: all mo- 
 tions tailing that. way. Ic is true that th~ Act and 
 Letter of the 51. did not tx »r*ily, and in the woras bear 
 that none wh >diJ oppofe th-: Pj dick Rcfolution.s ihould be 
 chof nCo nmillbnci sjbut it did by good and clearconiequ'. nee 
 import no lcfle, anJ what ever the Anrhor be pleated to lay 
 of the recommendation that was fent to Presbyteries in the 
 48. that itdothcontai » as much *nd more then th<. Leturand 
 Act of the id J 1. yet hath he not proven it.Tht Aufboi tols vis, 
 that he Will not fay who made ih: motion in the CoimiiiiTL»n 
 in the 48. for writing to P.csbyteries ro choofc none but fuch 
 as were againlt the engagement ; And w thali,what if he i"hal 
 fay that the like motion was made in the Co.nmifsion 51. and 
 oppofed and refufed; 1 believe as he will not fay iofj he can- 
 not fay who made the motion, and the men whom haply by 
 fuch hints he would render lufpeded,w<. re not the makers, but 
 theoppoiers of it. If the like motion was made and oppofed in 
 ths Comraifsjon jfi. why did he notfpeakit out? but con- 
 ceiving thefe things to little put pole, he falls upon proving by 
 the writers own grounds, that the Coannifsion48. did upon 
 the matter that that did , as really prc-ltmitate Presbyteries, 
 that they ftiooid choofe none, but fuch as did oppofethe en- 
 gagement, as if they had writen as much to them informall 
 exprefs termes.His proof of this point as he layes it down, may 
 b: thus drawen in form: Wholoevcr requires Presbyteries ei- 
 ther to refer to the Generall AfTembly, or to cenfure prefent- 
 ly.thefe who are otherwife difpofed, they do by the writers 
 grounds pre- limiute the Presbyteries in their elections : Bat 
 
 the 
 
fiop) 
 t he Qorr* milsion of the General! Afkmbly 164S. did fe, <?-££■, 
 e^f. The raft Proportion he m;kcseut thus: Suehaswere 
 under a clear cci lure could not Leehof*o CorrrnilHoners, and 
 the writer himfeif faith in anfwer to the third Objection, 2. 
 brine h, thatitcsnio.be denyed that a citation in matrercf 
 fcandai), in doctrine or manners will or ought to exclude a 
 man from being a Conumfiienu . 1 (hall not in anfwer to this 
 yeeid unto him all that he aliedguh, though it all might be- 
 yeelded Without ?ny prejudice to the Oufe ; becaufe on fup- 
 pofail that th.re had been a limitation inthac which was done 
 by th ComrojfsiQil in the 48. it being a limitation agreeable 
 to the Word of God, and co.= .ftuut Otis of this Church , it was 
 due snd warrantable , which the other in the 51. was not; but 
 leavmg thii to fall in its own puce. I return anfwer fit ft to 
 the firlt Propofition, by diftmg" fhing of the times when fuch 
 a thing is done, whoioeyr before or in the time of elections 
 requires tfns th ng , it is nuc of them that hey do pre-limite 
 elections; but who iorequnes not this til the elections befirft 
 made; itis not tiueof thefe, and this was the cafe in the year 
 48 th: election being paft m molt places bef< re it was done, 
 and n ight be jnftly greiumed to have bi en pail: in a 11, a&fhall 
 afterwards be more fully cleared; but it was not (0 in the 51. 
 wbui was then done,being previous to the elections. Nex-, I 
 give clear anfwer 6y denying the minor, becaufe the Commif- 
 fion did not require Uich a thing, the. mo ft that they did was to 
 recommend it, which is far from requiring , and therefore by 
 the writers grounds tfu Author hath proven nothing at all. 
 Tothcfecondconfideration, that the L tter and Ad of the 
 Commifsie>n 48 was not writen until! molt part, or all electi- 
 ons in Presbyteries was paft, he makes anfwer that 10 w re ma- 
 ny of the elections of Prcsbyteriei before the Letter and Act of 
 the Cdromifsion 51. cane unto them : But that is not true,if 
 we take the Authors own ground, tovyir, that few Presbyte- 
 ries,exccpt it be iuch as are fanheft dutant choofeth their Com- 
 mifsioners 20. or 2$. dayes before the Aflembly, and allowing 
 8. dayes for difpatch to Presbyteries, and take w thall the date 
 of the Letter and ActoftheCommilsion i6$i -which is the 28. 
 d$yofA4*j! 9 - *ad compare it with the day of the down fitting 
 
 of 
 
(no) 
 
 oftheAffembly, which wtttru- irf.diyof^ty, the untruth 
 of ihs will appcar,oecauic between rh date ot the Ad. an l the 
 diet of the Ailcmbly at c 48. iay< s,of which deducing 8. for tht 
 dilpatch,c>.ere do remain 40 da-y^s till the Aflembiy,which do 
 far exceed thf time ipoken of by the Authof, for the other part 
 of it, that moftpntofthe elections^, were patt btf re the 
 Lecrcr and Ad of the i ommiUion came unto them ; I do ap- 
 peal to the Presbytery Book*. There is little or no w< Lht in 
 the preemptions rhat the Author gives to the conn a*y. 1. He 
 takes upon him to prove, that (ome Presbyteries did upon that 
 Letter and Ad refer and cite {ome of thtir members to the Gc- 
 nerall Aflembly , (ome Pres u ytery dayesbcf jrethry began to 
 think upon the eledion of Commitfioners but he ha h namtd 
 neoe, aid complies them uft4cr the word fome , haply lclt it 
 (hould be known how few there Were, probably but one, that 
 is, St. zyindYty*>^\<\ the matter of one of their univcrfity men, 
 who was alfo a M n ft r. N tt he makes a fuppu aiion but 
 oftf. dayesforthed.fparchot the Letrerto Presbytciies, and 
 that to the mod pan of Presbyteries, it migh have (oon come, 
 and but of 20. or 25. dayesinterveening betwixt the diet of the 
 Aflcmbly and rhcelid.ons in ii)oft parts ofPrcvbytrrics- }f the 
 cuftome of difpatch had been by p&fts hired, and difpatthed to 
 fcvaall parts immediarly, after the w .-itiogof the Letter, and 
 making of the Ad, it might have come rothe mod part of 
 Presbyteries in 8. 4 ay es,bwtfo it w»f not, r ei he in the 48. nor 
 51. but by occafionali bearers, andhe efore would take more 
 time, and I thnk it is faid gratis , that few Pres yte & do 
 make their elections 20. or 25. dayes bef ire rhe Aflcmi ly ; but 
 there is no fare ww of determining theiedift.rc .-ncesabou. cir- 
 cumftances of time, when rreirhc! the ore-nor the other Letter 
 came to Pesbyteries,but from the <'rc$bycerybookf,snd there- 
 fore tothdc I do appeal tofbn^ orfal in this matter, a heir 
 fetvtence,only remembering this,that \t is clear that rh- oate of 
 the Letter »nd Ad of (he Com mi Is ion 48. is but five w eks be- 
 fore the AiT mbly, whereas the date or the other is 7. weeks 
 before the Aflcmbly. 
 
 V I N- 
 
<I Ml) 
 
 VlNDICAT^lOK, 
 
 THe third ۥ* federation frefented by the writer of this Pa- 
 per, i Si that before the Writing of that Letter ( by the 
 Commifsi»« 48. ) the Whole Kirk "^Scotland almofi in all the 
 Presbyteries a*d Synods thereof had declared them elvs in con- 
 fctence uxjaiisfitd With the engagement , excepting a very few 
 Miniftsrs Scattered here and there in presbyteries, Which few 
 were alfo kjiow* to be oppofites to the worle^ofCjod or neutraUs 
 and indifferent therein fro n the beginning, AnfWer \ % If by the 
 Kirkjtf Scotland be here under ftood,the colletlive Kirk^ lean- 
 not fee how i 1 is t rut that is J aid here , that the Whole Ki ^ of 
 Scotlin \for the mofi fart, except a few Minifies had declared 
 t he mf elves tt# fat is fitd wjth the engorgement • certain it is, and 
 too certain, hat very manj in the Kir\ f/acotlgrjd in this fen fe 
 of all ra**k y # *^ quarters aim oft were too evidently too atlive 
 for it , as the cenfure civill and Ecclefiafticall which thereup- 
 on followed do witnejje^ ifth? Afinifteriail Kh\ be unierftoad. 
 it ps true 1 hat the far greater part Were dif-fatufied, hut yet 
 they We e &&t fo few A&inijlers that were of a contrary- minde, 
 they Were too many, and in fame places th greater part ofwhole 
 presbytries. It totey w-li he remembred What a ftimme they 
 were like to h*ve a-ccompted to, at the time *f the Generali Af- 
 fembly y anditfzcm< to me too much, that ail of them were ei- 
 ther oppofrs of the wo;\(whet her hereby be under flood the out- 
 ward work^of Reformation, or the poster of Religion ) or neu~ 
 trait , or indifferent from the beginning, the contrary is known 
 offome of them ; and I w*uld not fay jo much of all them that 
 werecen(ur<d, th*ugn I acknowledge their cenfure Wasjuft. 
 a. ts€ great part of the Ki k vf Scdtitttd , before the writing 
 of the late C^ntmifs ions Letter, had declared themfelves fatif- 
 fiedVrith the Commifsi^ns Refolutions, anddiffatisfied With the 
 courfe of 'he oppofers thereof* and count When the Writer will, 
 he (half find that the d'ffentersfrom the Commifsio^ 48. Were 
 mtfeWer* yea, not fofew 4s the diff enters from the Cimmifti- 
 en 5 1 we know that the number of the fe amounted to at their 
 greateft Meeting, at of late $ and howjesver moe of 
 
fill) 
 
 theft then of the fir ft be godly wen , and had been more faith- 
 full in the (^aufe formerly.; yet their prefent cour Je at that 
 time being not faithf nines to the Caufe, but fre^udiciall to it, 
 and the Whole Kh\and Country both; they might )n ft ly have 
 been referred and Called before thcCjcn.A§embly s to give an ac- 
 comut of their Way as wel as the forme were } though they be 
 more tenderly dealtWith^as to themfelveswas evidently feen in 
 the whole frogrefs with them , and Was alfo really apparent in 
 the verj Att and Letter of the Commifsion. 
 
 R B V I B W. 
 
 I Think the Author did well enough know , that in fctting 
 down of the third Difference , the Writer did not mean of 
 the Coll«clive,but of the Miniftcriall Ghurch,of which not on- 
 ly the greater part, but almoft all had declared thcmixlvcs un- 
 iat/sficd in Confcience with the Engagement, excepting a few 
 Miniftcrs fctttercd here and thi re in Presbyteries , who were 
 known cither to be oppoiers of the Wot k of God , or neutral! 
 and indifferent therein from the beginning; it is true, they 
 were too many in regard of the cviii courfe they were engaged 
 into 5 yet were they but f<*w in number who did not at that 
 time in fome outward way,at lcart,give i»mt teftimony againft 
 thatEngagemcnt,though{aia$)fomcphhefeinthefcltceRc- 
 folution$,havc now diflemblcd it in their words, and moe have 
 betrayed it in their adions,that what they then did in condem- 
 ning the Engagement , and afterwards approving thefolemn 
 Pu'ollck Confefiion of fin?, and engagement to duties , was a- 
 gainft their hearts jwhen tfuiAuthor hath ftreatched their num- 
 ber to the utmoftjthemeft he dare lay or it, is the great part 
 of whole Presbyteries in fome place? ; Butthefe (owe places 
 tint he fpeak? of were to few » that it will be bund they will 
 come to a very poor accompt when they fhall be named , they 
 wecefo far from being like to amount to any number at the Ge- 
 neral! Atfembly. If he mean of thefe who were Membersof 
 the Atfembly, that there were few (if any at all^ who did not 
 jr.ya in approving the Declaration of the Aflembly againft the 
 Engagement: If hi mean of thefe who fn.'ifi ij'i nti'i ^iiirT 
 
 Suppli- 
 
Supplication, thcfc were fo few , that they did not all of tWsa 
 being put together, amount to the twentieth part of the Mini- 
 ftery of Scotland, and fundry even efthf-, did before the Ele- 
 ctions, joyn wiih their Presbyteries and Synods 9 in bearing te- 
 ftimony again ft the Engagement: I will not blame him for his 
 charity to iome of thde men : The Writer did not fay, that all 
 of them were known to be oppofers, or neutral!, or indifferent 
 inthe Workof GoJ from th^ beginning, but {poke indefinitly, 
 meaning ( as I take it) of [he bulk and generality of them; 
 and I believe the Author himfclf bcin^ judge,but few inftances 
 te the contrary can be given ; It is true" that a great part of the 
 Church of Scotland before the writing of ihe late Com mifsioni 
 Letter, had declared themfelves fatistied with the Commiffi- 
 ons Rcfolatioas, and diflatisfied w th checourfe of the oppo- 
 (prh thereof; But it is alfo true that there was a great part of the 
 Church of Scotland, who had net declared themfelves fatish> 
 «d with th fe RdoJutions. yea, a great part who had declar- 
 ed themselves dif- fatisfied therewith; and it is a wonder to ms 
 that tne Author (hould fay, that count when the Writer will, 
 he (hall find that ihc diiienters from the Commifaion 1648. 
 Were not f-wer; yea, no. to few as di (fencers from the Corn- 
 mifson 165 !• I hope he isfpeaking of thcMiniftctiall Church 
 in regard of oodi, the q ae'dion now being of pre-iimiting the 
 elections, and it being to no pur pofe to (peak of any other, in 
 regard of aefe* ct h m name if -he can, any Synod, Pr?:sby- 
 tei y, or Kirk-Sesi jn in Scotland that did give any teftimony 
 or evidence of their diflent from the proceedings of the Com- 
 ■mifsionagainllthc engagement 1648. If he will believe the 
 tellimony ofthe Gnerall AfTemjJy 1650. the wholeMiniftery 
 and body ofth;: People in the Land did joyn in their Prayers 
 and Supplications in private and in Publ : ck againft the engagc- 
 ment,andthe Mini iters every where in their Sermons did bear 
 clear tcftimony againft >t, and all the Church Judicatories, Sy- 
 nods, Presbyteries and Sds.ons did petition the Parliament a- 
 gainft it, and another declaration of the (ame Ailembly, with- 
 in a few dayes thereafter, in anfwer to a paflage of the Decla- 
 ration of the Engliih Army , tcls h;rn fomewhat to the fame 
 purpofc; we do not remember, fay they, that any of the Mi- 
 
 * nifttrs 
 
C"4; 
 
 nifter* did pretch and cry up a war againft England t and as 
 we know that rhe body of the Minifteiy were unanimousjand 
 zealou* in bearing a joynt teftimo iy, both in theirSermonsatid 
 oth.r.w le, againft that war,tothcfe few that were (ii nt have 
 been centered for their filence; and the Committee of E.tarcs 
 at eh ft iiie.i'fine in trr.'irDecUntiont;ft fie thin: Did riot all 
 th Judicato ics of the Kirkunammokfly oppoU* and define 
 agamft ir i Dii not the Mini fter$ far I r i y PreacK'and Pray 
 ag*i>ftir, and generally all that-feared God in the L/nd Pe- 
 tition agaKhft t,and many fuch Paffagcs art to be found in pur 
 Pu'.)lickP4pcrs,from thetimcofcarryi; go i the e -gjgemenr ; 
 yct'h A J hjr n (o zealous to weaken every th>: g, rhat the 
 writer faith,h>r diffcenc ng that whuh was done by thcCom- 
 miflion 1648. and the Coromifsion 165 1. thar he had rather 
 retrench noon that which hath been often and truly declared 
 by fh/sCiurch ohh ir btirigfret tf ay acotfkn to the un- 
 lawful engagement then not to do i'; this defer ves his ieconil 
 thoughts; but upon the o< her hind , befiie the generality of 
 thelci 1 theUi d who areof k iown approven godlimffe and 
 piety, and are dif-fatisfi-d win the Piblick Relolmions, at 
 will, Itruft, be acknowledged by godly men of a contrary 
 mind, f pc^kug foberly, and without the heat of difpute: It 
 iseaic to give him fomeinftancesof fo:nc Synods,and of ma- 
 ny Prerbytcriea, 'besides many particular members in Presby- 
 teries hrou^hout all the con. era of the Cotfi rry, who were 
 notonriy filent in ipeaKiiig for the Pu^lick R dotation*, but 
 who did bear tcftimony and 1 peak openly ig^inft them: A 
 tiling fo wcl known tha:I need not ihy to name the particu- 
 lars,^ they mull Itil be few in his catologue; we know faith 
 he what the number of tkeleamounted to at their grcarefiM -et- 
 ingatf^H^j^ofUtej If he mean that all thcMinift c rs of 
 the Land who are of that judgement were at that Meeting, he 
 is much miltaken, and if not fb, it if not much to the purpoft , 
 there are rut ny Miniftersin the Land of that judgemrnr, who 
 were not at that Meeting, and yet there were v. ry near a hun- 
 dred MinHtcrs at thn Meeting who are approven in the Con- 
 science* of the godly throughout the Lan i. He acknowledge! 
 that many wore of thele then of the firtt wcrs godly wen, and 
 
 had 
 
Cii 5 ) 
 had been faithfull formerly, but their prefentcourfeatthit 
 time being not faithfulnes t© the Caufe,Hnt prejudicial to it,and 
 the whole Kirk and Csuntrey as he thmks,they might /uitly be 
 referred and called before the Affernbiy as wel ts the other. It 
 is w ^1 hat they were godly , and fuch as had been formerly 
 fa thfull; as for their unfaithfulnefle at that tirae,it is the point 
 in qucltion Oct wixt them and the Authors and ahbettotf of the 
 Puoiick Refutations, they are ptriwaded in their Conicienccsv 
 and have clearly hoiden forth th: fame unto others, that they 
 Were keeping the ground on which ?h?€hirch ofScotUndiid 
 run their many y ars pa't,for cit fending theCounuy an 1 Oufe 
 againtt the enemies thereof; andifotbers did foifike their 
 ground, they were not tube tfteemed unfaithfull , nor to be 
 charged with that en me, bectute they would not leave iheii 
 Matters Colour* .* I &*1 not infitl upon what he fpciks c f the 
 tender dealing which they met with, becaufe there may be op- 
 portunity to ipeak to this afterwards, what is apparent in the 
 Letter and A&of cheCoinmi/sion is already Ipokcn unto. 
 
 VINDICATION. 
 
 T He fourth confederation proposed by the Writer ,is y thAt the 
 Refolutjons then (viz.4§ were Agreetkle to the CovcnAHf, 
 Atts And Conftittttio* ofjot mar Generall Affemblies 9 where AS 
 the Refutations of the I Ate (^ommiffton Veere.poh t blAnkjcontra- 
 ry to the C oven Ant 9 And the former A&s And Conftitutiens of 
 this K*r-bj Anfwer, this is the onely mkferHM d'fferenee be<» 
 tween the tVeo tsltts tak**, to wit, from the mAtter thAt the 
 Qommi/sions Re feint tons 48 were right, but the other 51. 
 Wrong, And upon thts Alleatdgance, that the Refolutionf of the 
 lAteXlommij s'ton veere eontrArj to the £6vtn&nt And Cofiftitu- 
 thns of this Ktrl^ hAngeth the ftrtngth of the moft p*rt hf the 
 reft of the Arguments , brought to prove the unlawfulnejfe of 
 the I Ate Afiembl] • I will not chAttenge t he Writer tha t alleadg- * 
 
 ing the err our ofthefe Refolutions Jse fo often mentions, oneiy , 
 the C*vendnt, And Acts And ^onfti tut ions of '-Affemblies , and 
 feldome the Word of G*'d or Scripture; For my part in fpeaj^ 
 i#g'of the truth or err our of ah opinion , in mAttrrs of Cenfri- 
 ence p orofthefnfulnefs or UWfuinefs of a ceurfe, I Would not 
 
 P 2 mention 
 
(nrf) 
 
 mention, rtgu\*srcgi\*tu fine regula rcgalantt, the fab ordi- 
 nate rules without the Supr<*m And SovcrAt?* rules. But 
 to the point i. That the Relo, nttonj cf the late Commiffien 
 ■were (*ch as the Writer jAtth , is as eAfi/j denuA as 
 he cffirmeth tt> the greAtefi part of the Land Mi^ )}e,^ and 
 ethers als intelligent in Religion as he p did , and do this day 
 judge otherVti/e of them then he, And he Jhall never be able to 
 prove what he affirmes y And the late Commifsioners r%ere y And 
 yet are content that their late Relolntiohs be examined, trjed 
 and judged by the Knk^of Scotland, *r all the O '.-thodox Chri- 
 ftiAn Churches of the Worla, by the Word of God,CovenAnt t And 
 Contentions of this Kirkj 
 
 I 
 
 Review. 
 
 Shall not contend whether the d rY.rencetiksnfrora th« 
 matter, be the otly material 1 aiffcierce, t is certa.n'y the 
 mainly mareriali di&rcnce, 'hough the oth r d f£rer cesor the 
 time,and of Presbyter c> & Synod ^haying declared tluiLlcivs, 
 and that taken from the nature of the thing be olio important It 
 istrue,thit muchofthethcn^tnoHiv^rili o her of: the Argu- 
 ments hangs on this Alieadgea.iCf, that the Resolutions of ihe 
 late Co innniion, were cont ary to the Cui/enaot and Resolu- 
 tions* f.h^Church^nd ( I hop.) that tlvs AlcaJgcance w 1 
 bear th* ftrcngth of all he A guments that arefoundt d therc- 
 upon.Thffe worthy AiIcinDlies 163 8,& i6?9,j"yn<:d the mat- 
 ter w-th chc form in th reafons Drought for nullifying of for- 
 mer unlawful 1 Aitemoiies. Bcf>rcth„ Author gves anfwer 
 to the d flfcrciw, bctax-th the Wrter,that alleadging the er- 
 ror of theU Rcfolutions, he (o often mentions onely rhc Cove- 
 nant, A<5fs and Conliitutions of rhc Atfetnblies,but fcldome the 
 W~>rd of God or Script mc f and tells uifor his part in fpeak ,>g 
 of the truth or error of an opinion in matters of Conic lence* 
 he would not mr won reguUtAJ fine regnU reguUnte. Welt, 
 it (ctms foroe of the Protesters ( if the Writer of th s Pt cr be 
 of that number ) hath refped enough to the Aeb an \ Conlti- 
 tutionsofthc Aflcmbly ; for the want of wheh, the Author 
 challenged one of them not long ago, as fay mg,th«t he was not 
 
 to 
 
to be preffed with them in fitters of CoDtcienee; and 
 it tlfo iceuis thar in matters cf Conference , the Aiuhor 
 likes not the ir.aiu:aining,rmich IcfTe the preflfmg of thtA w th- 
 out the Word or God^and fou?e will perhaps thii k that a man 
 ©f that n ind m ghtbtar w> f h his-brothcriaymg, I'teiknienot 
 with humane C>-4titirnons in matters of Confcience ; fed 
 mulinm intercft qnidioquttur* The rcafon why the Writer 
 doth ofren mention only the Covenant , A&s and Confti- 
 tutions or Aflembiies, is, bccaule when we (peak of a defection 
 in refolutions and actings from formcrPriociples,it i$ the mort 
 Bear and convincing way to mtntion the former A&$ and. 
 Conl>ituri«nsof that Church , which im medially mute decide 
 wh ther a delegated CommirTion, which is only intruded to 
 execute former Affcs , *ud hath no power to make new ones, 
 hath walked acc^rdin^ to their truft,yea, or not: and a iccond 
 Rcaion ?s, becaufe the Writer took it for uncontrovetrcd , ag 
 being acknowledged by all the Kirk ofScnUnd, that the Co- 
 v nant and Ad:> and Conititutiops of this Chinch , di \ preiup- 
 poie and include the hVft and (upreme rule, I he Wcrd9fGod' t 
 And the Author cannot but know, that though th Wnter had 
 not mentioned the Word ot God further then it is included in 
 the Covenant, and Ads and Conltitutions of the Ch ; ch % he 
 hath great Puron*fr his fo doing, to wit , the Allanbly at 
 GIaji*V> 1638. which in their great Ads agaiuft Epifcopacy, 
 Pive Aticl %ui Peart h Service Bo^k, &c. do Hate, VO tc tad 
 print the Qu eft ions anent them>mecrly upon their contrariety 
 to the National; Covenant, and Aft* a-d Ceatiuut:ons of 1 his 
 Church,without mentioning Rrgulam Reg*Untemjhu being 
 prcluppoicd by all at being it eluded in RtgnU rtguUta* But 
 to the po'.nr. Fult, the Author denys , that the Refolu- 
 tions of the late Co nmulion 1 were contrary to the Co vr nant 
 ani Conftitutions of this Kiik, and iaye^tbat the great ft part 
 of th Lan %Minirters and others, a^ imeljjgeot inRc*ig o» as 
 the W icer is, did, and doth this day judge other w ie of th m 
 then ht ,and tha ? h; fhail never be acle to prove it. There hath 
 been more faid for the proof of it, then for ought I k ow hath 
 been anlwered to this day,or can be anfwercd, t men deal f a r- 
 ly and ingenupufly ; and thertfwe I (hall not here iiay, to re- 
 peat 
 
(»8) 
 
 peat and refnmethefe things , I fhallonely ask the Author t 
 
 very few pUi • Quellions , end aefifea down-tight and plain 
 Anfwtrto them m order to this point : F rft, whether in tht 
 judgiCt of mahy of th fc who were by the Publick Refo- 
 lution*ofth*C unmiflion, 1651. admitted to truft in the Anny 
 and Statejthc Solemn League and Covenant and former Adls 
 andOxifth'ut ons ofth,sChuich,wcrc notoppofite to thcfeRe* 
 {olucions. Secondly, whether in the judgmentof many of the 
 godly in the Land,thrfe Refolutions and proceedings were not 
 oppofiteto the Solemn League and Covenant, and the former 
 A&a and Conltitutions or this Church, and could not be recon- 
 ciled there With . ? Thirdly , whether it was not though' and 
 fpekenby no meaniiicn, Members of the Comwilsion 1651, 
 and or heYs who carried on the Publ<ck Relolutions, that thele 
 who had hand in the penning of the Publick Papers of the 
 Kiik thele years pa!r,hai in reference to the matter then in de- 
 bate foifted in many (i-nrences and exprclsions in rhefc Papers 
 contrary to the true intent and meaning of the Judicatures of 
 the Church, \vh ch chry then made iiu of for their own ends. 
 4.whithi the fin of imploymg mat yMalignant & d'-f-affedted 
 men in ourAnnu s,wh ch is confeft in the folemn Pub'ickCon- 
 fci.Mon of firis,bc not comprehrnfive of imployingof fuch in our 
 def nfive war igiinft J *ntesGrah*me.Y \ft\i\y >whcther the So- 
 lemn Engagement in the 48,^0 nut bind us to avoid all t he-fins 
 that wt : acknowledged in the Solemn Confcfsion, and all the 
 fnares and temptations that led thereunto, and to endeavour all 
 thexontrary duties . ? Sixthly, whether the General! Aflem- 
 bly a )d their CommifsioD,afrer the coming of the h nglifb Ar- 
 my to invade this Land , did not pofitivcly , and oftcuer then 
 once, determine and warn againft the im ploying and intrufting 
 Malignant and dif afke'ted men incur Armies, even in the cafe 
 of fcarcity of men for the Lands defence ? Seventhly, whi- 
 ther at the tune of the Commifsion its giving their anlwcr to 
 the Parliaments Qjere , there was not a very .numerous Party 
 of Malignant and dif-ftffe&ed men in the Land, who ilid adhere 
 to the r former principles > E ahthly, whether rfceAnfwer 
 to the Quer< ,or any thing contained in the P abl ckRe(oiutk>ns 
 do acknowlcdg, it, or hold it forth as finfull and unlawful to 
 
 impioy 
 
(HP) 
 
 imploy and intruft Malignant and dif-affeded men in the de- 
 fence of the Caufe and K.ngdomc ? Or whither char .Anlwcr 
 and thef: Refolutiens, do acknowledge a id hold i tforch to be 
 lawfull to imploy and intruft fuch ? Ninthly, whether there 
 be any Aft,or Conftitutiou,or Warning, or Declaration of this 
 Charchjor any Pubiick Evidence of her judgment before the 
 AnCwertothc Qjarre , that (peaks for the warranting and al- 
 lowing the PubiicR R-iolutions ? or whit it is, or where wc 
 may Hi dc it ? Tenthly, that- the Comroifsioncrs are yet con- 
 cent to have th-ir hte Reloiutions tryed mi judged by the 
 Church of Sc9 t Und i h no great matter, when they hive firft 
 pre- limited an Alfembly , excluding many of theie who were 
 of a contrary mind,and constituting it moftiy of thtfe who are 
 of th ir own judgmt nt,and have made Ads for centering of all 
 who ftiall not acknowledge the- Conftitut ion of that Aflfem* 
 bly,ani after conference, (ubm it to the obedience of thefe Acts'; 
 but if the Author wojldtake the collective Church oi Scotland 
 to fit as lunges upon the iateRefolutionsoftheCommifsion. 
 and (late thequcftion thus,? whether are the late Reloiutions 
 of the Comniision,igreeablc to thQ Solemn League and Cove- 
 nan ,and to former Ads,Con{htutions,- Warnings and Declara- 
 tions of this Church, I fear the determination (houldbe m the- 
 negative; yc», if the whole Miniftcriall Church ftnuTdfp?ak 
 their hearts of that Queftion as bciort the Lord, 1 ftiil fear it 
 (houldbe in the negative , all th, O thodox Churches in ths 
 Wo;ld is a broad word, and I fay no more of .it ,- but that men 
 wMl killed in their docf rine,and to whom (I beiicve)the Au- 
 thor himlclf in this rcfpccl^and for piety and learning will not 
 deny an honourable teltimony , do teach us otherwayrg. The 
 matter is already pleaded by the Word ofGod 9 and Ads and 
 Conftitutions of this Chnrch 9 and I lliull now (peak no, more 
 thereof* 
 
 Vindication, 
 
 BVtfece«dij , whatever be u be f aid to the nature of theCe 
 &( options, yet the matter Was At icft *//$, te the Gene- 
 ral Apmbly *tt*e time ef the conflttntien of the Ajembly, 
 
 *n& 
 
(no) 
 
 and the 'Proteftation againft the fame ;for the refolutions and 
 fricredmis of the fommifsion q$ B Were no leffe quarrelled b j an 
 op p fit Purtjytben were the refolutions of the Commifsion 51* 
 the Party quarrelling 48, being] no le(fe then the Par lia- 
 mcnt , andin thU enely few Mi^ifterSj and thereafons of the 
 former ^Qert a great deal fir o^ger and harder to be loo[cd> % the 
 Gentrall Affembly Was here Judge to both y as in the fir ft quar- 
 rell,the Commifsion would not be abfolvedfrom the accufation 
 charged upon them untill all w*s heard and tryed, fo the Com- 
 miisionfi, could »et be condemned for the exceptions and al- 
 leadgcances of afeW Brethren, before that any of them were or 
 could be eognofced upon. *Bj all this which hath been fpoken % 
 thatwtoat the fYriter faith t /hutting up the fame , that thefe 
 things being put together ^malee up a Wide difference betweenthat 
 Which Was then dove 48, and that 5 1 Was but a groundleffe af" 
 fertion-j we have evidently Jhowen that there is no difference 
 betWtxt the one deed and the other ( fo that if the one Was guil- 
 ty of pre limitation of election of Commifsioners, fo was the 
 other no lefs ) except that the deed of the Commifsion ji, Was 
 a great deal more [faring and moderate. So *toe have vindicate d 
 that particular anftoer to the fir ft reajon againfi the .freedome 
 and la&fulnefs of the late lAjscmbly y allcadging pre-limitation 
 of theeUUionof Commifsioners % viz. that the Commifsion did 
 nothing therein but What Teas done by the (fommifsion /fiphoje 
 deed the Trotefters maintains f»ith hs* 
 
 1 
 
 Review. 
 
 f is eafieto give fun dry material! diflfjrences: 1. Thefe Re- 
 solutions at the time ofthe Conftitution of thz AiTcmbly, 
 an Hhe giving n of the Proteftation- befides that, they were 
 againft the clear Letter of A^s of former Aflfeoiblies. So were 
 fu idry (landing up in tht Art>mbly,and offering insanely to ve- 
 rifi* that it was fo; but in the 48, the proceedings were igcee- 
 *\)\t to the A#s of the Aftembly ; and albeit there were fomc 
 who defired that th*fe proceedings might not be ipproven till 
 thev were heard; yet nope di Lorru mftantly, or at ail to v§- 
 rine,thathey had carryed on a coude of defection, contrary to 
 
 the 
 
thf Coventnt , and A&s and Conftirutions of the Church. 
 Second y, in the 48, the proceedings of the Cammiflion 
 Were not teftifieu. againlt, by Presbyteries and Synods, 
 much idle diffented from,and protcfted agaip.ft by many in the 
 C otnmifsion it (elf: but to it was in the 51, not onely did 
 Presbyteries and Synods bear testimony againft thefe things, 
 bur a great part of the Commifllon; yea, fo great • psrt,that 
 whofo /hall reckonj bclievc,fhall find them very near, if not 
 equal! the one half of the number, to whom f he truft of thefe 
 things were committed by the General! Aflembly. Thirdly, 
 in the 48,therc was no exception at all proponed from the un- 
 frecdome of Eic<flions,or from pcrfons under fcandall, becaufe 
 of defection and back-frdmg from former principles ; but fo k 
 was in the 5 1. Theie things evidence a very great difference 
 between the one and the other at the time or the Constitution 
 of ihe Aflembly ,&thcProt citation againft the i*tne,and to take 
 off any thing that the Author faith, for proving them to be a- 
 like,I do derire it further to be eonfidered,That as in the 48, it 
 was not the Parliament who was the party quarrelling the 
 Commifsion before the Aflembly, the Parliament being rifen a 
 good while before the Aflcmbly fate down : So, in all this bu- 
 fines or the quarrelling that was made againft the Commifsion 
 in the Aflcmbly 48,1s much mil-taken and mif-reprefened by 
 the Author all alongs his Vindication , as fhall in its proper 
 place be cleared. Second !y,that it was not deflrcd ( as the 
 Author doth insinuate) that the Commifsion 51, fhouid be 
 condemned for the exceptions and allcadgeanees of a few bre- 
 thren before that any of thefe Refolutions were or could be 
 cognofced upon,but onely that they ftiould not be admitted t© 
 fit as Members of the AHembly, untill the exceptions propo- 
 ned againft them were tryed and d;fcuffcd. Thirdly, that in 
 th^48,as the party quarrelling did not cither at the time of the 
 Conihtution of th? Afllmhly, or afterwards before the frying 
 and approving of the Proceedings of the Commission, ofe/ any 
 reafons to the Aflcmbly agafeft thefe Proceedings; lo the rei- 
 fons which they did afterwards offer, were not f ery ftrong noc 
 hard to be loefed, much iefle ftronger and harder to be loofed* 
 then thercafons offered in the 51, by thefe Ministers, the laft 
 
 Q^ being 
 
(1*2) 
 
 being founded upon the Wore! of God and the Covenant, and 
 the clear A&s and Conftitutions of this Church , and the other 
 notio; Theft thing* being thus difcuffed, it ftill appears that 
 the Writer had good rcafon to fay, that there is a wide diffe- 
 rence betwixt that which was done by the CoinaiiCsion 
 1648, and 1 hat which was done by the Commifsion itfji. 
 astothepre-iifiiitingof the Affemuljr, and that the Prote- 
 ftcrshavereafon to condemne the laft, though they main- 
 raiath* flrft. 
 
 V I N D I CATION. 
 
 WE (h*ll adde fome further confederations in anfWer to 
 the firfi Res fen ; But ere We proceed y a Word upon what 
 the Writer of the 2. Paper hath upon th: 2. Objellion,Which 
 either he hath formed to himfelf , or found I knoW n§t Where, 
 vh.That it Was in the C$ntmifsions poWer, not one ly to Appoint 
 thefc whioppofed the Publicly Resolutions to be cited to the 
 Cjenerall zsffjembly , but aljo to have cenfured them by vertue 
 of a claufe contained in the Commifsion • and that therefore 
 having kceped themfelves far within the bounds of the Commif- 
 fton,(3rc. The TVriter of this Paper for clearing of thU bufinefs, 
 runs out in a difcourfe concerning the nature of delegated Ju- 
 dicatories , that they are andmuft be from the light of nature 
 and common reafon, limited to a certain rule in all their admi- 
 niftratiens^ to wit, to flanding Lawes of the Incorporations to. 
 Which they do belong,and to a certain end,v\z t the good and pre- 
 [crvation of the Whole body^and in application unto, or accufa- 
 tion againft the late Commifsioners of the Generall lAffembij 
 their Refolutions : He affirms , they were notonelj without the 
 fVarrant of an *A& of the tSfjfembly (Which (hould have been 
 their rule) and not only not contributiv'e for the frefcrving and 
 advancing of the Worf^of Reformation ,but exprefly contrary to 
 thzclear letter of the Covenant , and multitudes of tAtts, and 
 defbruttive to thevporl^ ; and that therefore affuming to them- 
 felves a power to cenfnre or citefueh as didoppofe them^they did 
 nrt onely go beyond the bounds if their Commission , but de- 
 stroyed the very end of it, viz. the prefervation of the Liberties 
 of the Kirbjn bringing Generall A jfemblies to bondage, by ex- 
 cluding 
 
eluding allfnch as would not con fen t to the eourfe ofdcfeBion 4 
 danger ow and damnable preparative , laying a foundation fe r 
 the tot all overthrow of c D%fcipline % yea ofDoUrineandtVor- 
 Jhip; yea y the Commifsion being eticc corrupted, the introducing 
 ofPrelacie y Service- Beo^ Topes fupremaey, the while body $f 
 poperie. Here certainly, the Writer hath filled his Pen DJgri 
 fueco fuliginif, to render the Commifsioners odious anddeteft- 
 abletoaU. But to thefe briefly \- Fir ft, if it Ve as another man 
 that proponed the Objection then the Writer himfelf I verily 
 thinly he did not mean that the Commifsioners had poVcer by 
 their Commifsion to cite and cenftire oppofers of anyRefolutions 
 made by themfelve s t right or wrong (neither d»th the Objection 
 as fet doH>n by the Writer him [elf import any fnch thing ) but 
 oppofers only of their juft and right re[olutions t fuch as (I doubt 
 notj he tookjhe late refolutions to be,and therefore all the Wri- 
 ters running out upon the nature of a delegated Judicatory^ 
 &c % as to that Objeftion % is hut a fighting againft his #W» (ha~ 
 dow» Secondly y we k/tow and acknowledge , that delegated Ju- 
 dicatories art limited to a certain end % and a certain rule • yea % 
 Vee thinkjurthejr, that Judicatories not delegated, hut having 
 power originally in themfelve s humane arefo limited too. But 
 that the late Commifsioners did in their Refolvtions carry on a 
 eourfe of defection 9 contrary to the exprefs letter of the (fove- 
 uetnt andmultituie of AUs of this Kirfe^, anddeftru&ive to the 
 Workjof Reformation, and that they deftroyed the Liberties of 
 the Kir ^, brought the Generall Afsembly to bondage , is faid % 
 but was never , nor will never be proven^ andfo but afoul c a- 
 lumnie and falfe accufation *f the Brethren, of Which that un- 
 charitable exprefsion , calling ^hat the Commifsioners did y 
 damnable , ( which being ufed for aggravation ber*\ cannot 
 fimply mean onely, that the thing done was worthy to be con- 
 demned, as every errour even the lea ft is but alfo damnable t& 
 the doers) I pray the Lord give the Writer repentance and 
 forgivenefs. 
 
 <J^2 Review 
 
(iM) 
 R ft v i 1 w. 
 
 TO all this I return. That albeit the maker of the Obt jefti- 
 on conctrning the Commiflions power took their Rcfo- 
 lutions to be right and juft, yet doth not tht Writer fi^ht with 
 his own fhadow, becaufc the objc&or and the Commifiion 
 both in the matter of thefe Publkk Refolutions takes wrong 
 for right, and unjult for juft, and upon this mifrak« conceives 
 them to havt power where they hive none, which n ifhke the 
 Author difcovers by holding forth the dilcordance ot thefe 
 Refolutions,withthe rule according to which .hey werebound 
 to proceed, both upon the mattcr,and by vertue of tht ir Com- 
 milfion which the Author i$ pleaCed ro call a foul calumny, and 
 uncharitable accufation of he Brethren, that never was, nor 
 never (hall be able to be proven: But I defitc him fobcrly tore- 
 member i. That neither he, nor a;»y or his judgement to this 
 day have iotar befriended their own caule, or fatistfei theft 
 who itumble and gainfay, as to bring forth any A^t of this 
 Church prior to thefc Refutations for juftifying thereof, though 
 it ofteu hath betn called for. 2. That many Acts of this 
 Church hath been brought forth,fpcaking plainly agawft ihcfe 
 Refolution«, to which all tht aniwtxs which hath been retur- 
 ned may ( as I take it ) be comprehended in one of theft two, 
 Either denying that the Malignant party were joyncd with,a- 
 6out the defence ot which drnyall the Author ana others may 
 txcrcife their ingincs, but (hall never be able to fatisfiethe 
 coniciencesofthegodlyinit, and 1 fear nor their own fully; 
 or clfe in telling us that it was a new cafe , which we never 
 before had to do with, or occafion to detemioe , to wit, tht 
 cafe of tht defence of Caufe and Kingdom againft a rorraifl in- 
 vasion; but it hath been ofttn told him and others (and I wiih 
 they would once confider- of it,) that even in the cafe of the 
 Cauic and Kingdornes defence ag3inft £. rrain invafion, the un- 
 lawfulncffein;oyntng with the Malignant party; hath been 
 often determined by this Church; yea, id that very cafe which 
 istheprcfentqutftion, and in the higheft advantage they can 
 JbavtinthtlUtcingoiitj that is the cafe of fcarcencffc of men 
 
 if 
 
as to hit great exception againftthe word damnable ; lean" 
 not think that the Writer meant it of bringing with it damna- 
 tion to the Writer; he cannot be fo grofie as to take it for the 
 fmagainft the holy Ghoft- yea, he wMl , I believe, allow as 
 much in the matter of Salvation to fomeof thelc as to any o- 
 thcrs, and dclires to think charitably of ail men; Idarifay,ali 
 his meaning was, that it was a thing worthy to be condemned 
 butfo ( faith the Author) is every crrour, even the leaft; and 
 I would aske him, is not every errour even the leaft dam- 
 nable, bo; h in it ftlf, and if mercy prevent not, aifo to the do- 
 ers, though fome be more damnable then others: If Iunder- 
 ftand any thing of common language , the meaning of that 
 phrafc, a damnable preparative is ordinarily thiv, it is a pre- 
 parative worthy to be condemned; andlth:nkthe Waiter 
 might think himlclfin no ill condition, if he had no more 
 to repent of then the calling of that praclicc of the Commit 
 fion fuch. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 NOw further in anfwer to that fir ft reafon again ft the late 
 Affembly as not free, and unlawful I, grounded upon the 
 Commiffioners Ail and Letter font to presbyteries • Qoefider 
 in the next place, fir ft what We touched at before , that the All 
 and Letter did not require Presbyteries to preffe all who were 
 unfatisfied With the ?nbUc\^Refolutions,uor yet who after Con- 
 ference remained unfatisfied, and continued to oppefe, to Wit, in 
 their e Publie\^T>oUrine and aCtive pratlifing, to the hindering 
 of people from going forth unto, or withdrawing them from th§ 
 prejent juft and necefsary defence of the Lmd % fo that for any 
 thing that could be imported in that AB and Letter , jet who- 
 ever Were unfatisfied in their judgements with the Pftblicl^Re- 
 folutlons, but did abftain from oppofition and afttng Againft 
 the exeeuiion-ofi might been chofen^ommffioners to th * Aftttn- 
 bly t and many fuch Were in the Land, who wifely andChrifti* 
 *.uh confidering the integrity of the Commifpon in the end the J 
 had before them t conceived the difference ah«ut ther means re* 
 folvcdupon, not to befucb for Which they fhould any way hinder 
 the pre font nesefsary defence of the Land, andfundry jueh Afi^ 
 
 nilhr 
 
(i 16) 
 niflers were chofen CommiJJioners , and did fit and vote in the 
 Afsembly freely according to their judgement* 2. That the 
 main end of the Commifstoners Atl and Letter font to Presby- 
 teries Was meer tenderneffe towards fomc men, Who have given 
 an evil! re quit tat! for it* The Commiffion upon feme prior Pa- 
 pers, finding feme Presbyteries ready enough to have put Jharp 
 cenfures upon feme, who hath been too bufie ftickjers againfi 
 Church and State x to flop them and take them off, fent that All 
 and Letter for referring all their queflions to the General Af* 
 fembly; 'But as for pre limiting the elections y not * Word more 
 0r lefs in them* 3. Is not onely fun dry' unfatis fed with the Pub- 
 lick^Refolutions who were not within the compafse of that Order 
 for citation contained in the Letter, but alfo fome Were eon- 
 fl ant continuing op pofersy Who were chofen Comniij signers to 
 the Afsembly, 4. There Was not fo much as one mans Com- 
 mifsien excepted againfi, let be rejected in the Afsembly for be- 
 ing unfatisfied with the publicl^Refolutijns; jea y on the con- 
 trary , fundry mcfl eminent oppojers Were net onely admitted to 
 be members Without any quarrell, but fate Moderators and 
 Clerkj of Committees, fo long as they Were pleafed to flay, 
 
 Riviiw. 
 
 T"0 thefe things I do joyo firft, That the Author for drain- 
 ing oft he Commiftions Ad, to make it co mprehenfivc of as 
 few he can,confinei oppofing to Publick Preaching, an i active 
 pracYifing, to the hindering of people from going for<h «nto,or 
 withdrawing them from the prefenr juft and ncccflary defence 
 ©f the Land; but are there no more kindes of oppofing but thefe 
 two ? What if a »t:i alter Conference hid continued to pray 
 agamft th« Publick Refoluti^nj, as a courfe of defe&ion, or in 
 private difcourfe holden forth the finfulncfTe of them , or wri* 
 ten to the Presbytery or Cosnmiftion that he was no more ft- 
 tisfied thfnat the beginning, and before the Conference; would 
 nottheA fthaye reached thefe, and fuch as thtfr, though thty 
 hai not been PdbiickPrcachers, cr active pracTifers againfc the 
 PibiickRefoiu'ions; Wtfree not whythe Author flioulddriw 
 itfo fliWovf^J ^jttnesteniim eft , uki lex non difiinguitx the 
 
 AS 
 
0*7) 
 A& ^cak« indefinitely ©fall who after Conference remain ur> 
 latisfiV, and continue to oppofe, iow then can he reftri&it 
 to two iorts of oppofers ofiely,whcn the re may be, and I know 
 arc feverall other forts. 2. Taking the Aclras ha expounds it, 
 it doth n learns tothefe include a prc-limitation^ by exclud- 
 ing them in the elections, anJ thefe might hive been many,be~ 
 caufe there were very few who did once profe ffe difT&tisfaelion 
 With the PubiickRsfolutions, that by Confer ces , cr other 
 means then ufed by Presbyteries, *nd Synods , came tobefa- 
 tisficd; yea, there wtrt not aft W; who before the elections 
 were conferred with, and yet didftill continue to oppose. 3, 
 1 deHre that it may be marked, Thit the Author grants that 
 there were many in the Lsnd who were unfatisfied in iheir 
 judgements with the Publick Refolutions, betide thefe who did 
 oppofe andAdt againft the execution or them ; by which many^ 
 he mufl mean many members or Presbyteries , and fuch as 
 were in a capacity to be eleclcd Commiflieners to the Generall 
 Aflembly, 'ct.herwife it were not to the purpoie ; it is after 
 wards cleared by himfelf, when he faith fund ry fuch Mitiifters 
 were chofen Commiflioncrs, and late and voted in the AflTcm- 
 bly ; andifthere were many unfatisfied with the PublickRc-- 
 folutions, who did abitain from oppoMng ( as he him fell affer- 
 teth ) and many who did oppofe,. by teftifying Publickly a- 
 gainft them, as ( we have proven ) it (eems that the number 
 who did approve of them were not io great, and th at Presby- 
 teries an*i Synods were not fo harmonious about them as is of- 
 ten given out. 4. Thit there is not fo much as probability, let 
 be good evidence for that which the Author afferts, that the 
 main end of the Cammiflions A& and Letter fent to Presbyte- 
 ries, was racer reodernefle to keepPresbyteries from cenfuring 
 of fome who had been too bulk ftickiers againft Church and 
 State: I give thefe probable evidences to the contrary: i.Thefe 
 too bufie (ticklers sgainflChurch and State, by the Autfiors ac- 
 corupl, were very few, and in very few Presbyteries, but that 
 Letter and Ac** wis fent to ail the Presbyteries in the Land, if 
 it be true which the Author faid before, that at that time there 
 were foar parts of five of Presbyteries that had no oppofitt to 
 the Publick refolutions,thert was no hazard of untender dealing 
 3* there 
 
(tii) 
 
 there againft too buiitftick!crs,nor could that be the fcope md 
 «nd that the Corn ni (lion did propone to tbcmfclvs,in (ending 
 their Letter and Act to ihcfe. 2. Albtit I know that there 
 were lon.e in the G> munition who did tenderly affect the op- 
 pofers of Publick Rt lo.utiont, and did ftudy to keep ttroaki off 
 them, yet to make it appear that the plurality in their actings 
 towards thefe who were unfitisficd with , and did oppofe tht 
 Pubhck Refolutions were not led with any (uch tender fpirit, 
 is the Author here and cite where hints; 1 ftial fet down (ome 
 Acts and orders of the Comtnifsion which are hinted at by the 
 Author himfclf , under the name of (ome prior Papers: 1. In a 
 Letter written from Perth, J ah. 1 6.1 6*$ 1. They gave thisOrder, 
 And fiftrr&tfr we do hereby require an i exhort you to take no- 
 tice or them, of whatsoever place or ftatton, wh :> do obltruct, 
 ipeak againit, diflwa <e, privately orPublickly from the prefent 
 Lcavy, or wh<> fnvin* a calling to fpcik for it, arc (ilent there- 
 in, and to make report thereof at the next Meeting of ourCom- 
 mifsion at SuJtndreVrs, ft*. 21. and in their warning from 
 Per h M*>ch the 20. after th y have applyed many of the 
 Characters of the old Malignant* which arc fet downinfor- 
 mcrPu p lick Papers of ih. Ghurch,to thefe who were unfatiifi- 
 cd with ti did oppoie the PujlickRefolutions,andcited fundry of 
 theA&madf for cenfuring them, they ckfe thus:Therefore for 
 execution of the forciaid Acts of Atltmbhcs,r>r. We do in the 
 Nunc of God inhibit and difcharge allM'nifterf to Preach f and 
 all Mimftm and P<©feflor> to detract, write , or fpeak tgainft 
 the late PublckRctolutions, and Papers of the Commilsion 
 oftheGenerall Artcmbly, in order to the calling fonhofthe 
 people • and wc do fenoufly recommend to Presbyteries, that 
 wi'h all valiancy they take fpeciall notice , and tryall of fuch 
 perfons within their bounds, whether fuch as have ftation 
 there, or (uch as in this troub'.clbmetimc, have their prefent 
 refidmcr, Mwifters or others, and impartially to proceed a- 
 gatnfl them as they will be anfwerable ; and leaft this {hould 
 not b- effectual eaough,as being bur a recommendstion,though 
 yet with a certificate, therefore at th» iaroc time,they did fend 
 this particular fallowing order co P esbVterics. Reverend, and 
 welbclovcd Brethren , finding thac notwithstanding of our 
 
 filth- 
 
(1 2 9 ) 
 
 faithf illWarnings,ind great pains taken to fatisfie all men to cou 
 cur in theii places, for furthering of the Leayicj, for defence of 
 Religion , King and Kingdom, and ail other oar deareft Interefts: 
 many treio far fr^m concurring, that they do very vehemently 
 go about by Preaching, Writing, and perfwading to the contrary 
 to obftrnd the Work- we do therefore require you f that you care- 
 fully enquire in your fresfcyrcnes what Minifters doth Preach, or 
 otherwife perlwade, contrary toour prtfent Publick an J pubiiili- 
 cd Resolutions, and that you proceed to cenfure iuch a«> are in 
 your own number, and if any M.nifters that travcll among you, 
 tranfgrelTe in that kind, let them not be permitted to Preach in 
 your bounds; hers is no -great tend erne ffe, that would nst fpare fo 
 much as rhde gracious 'Minifters of Ireland^ who were driven 
 from their flat ions, and forced to retire to this Land , and fome o- 
 thcrfaithfull men among our (eives, who were alio neceflitate 
 to retire from their charges at that time; thefe were the travellers 
 who could not be p?r ratted to Prcach,fundry of them being then 
 Preaching in vacant Congregations in the Welt,and foine in Fife % 
 neither was the ComroUston latisflad with thefe things, but did 
 alfoftirupthcCivitlMagiftrateagainftrhcm, as afterwards (hall 
 be made to appesr from their ow \ Warning and Remonftancei. 
 3. confidsr the thing in it k\f; is it tender dealing to be taken out 
 of the hands of a Presbytery, and to be broygfk before the higheft 
 and moft publick Judicatory of ;he Church ; th« Apoftle layes 
 weight upon being r.-buked cy many. Next, as the Author tells 
 us that the end uf 1 ht Cocnmifsions Ad and Letter , was tender- 
 netfe to fome men, To alfo he tels us that there was not one word 
 more or 1 ffe in them for pre- limiting the elections : But what 
 though the words be in them,yet if they do infer the thing by geod 
 and neccifary confequence, is not thQ matter there ? It is not much 
 to the purpofe, that fundry unfatsfied with :he Publick Reioluti- 
 ons who were n;>t within the compafte of that order for citation, 
 and alfo fome who were conftant continuing oppofgrs, were cho- 
 fen Commiflioncrs to the A(Iembiy,becaufe fome fuch were cho- 
 icn in Presbyteries, which were whoiiy oppofite to the Publick 
 Refolutions,and iome in Presbyteries where* the greater part were 
 oppofite, yet not without diftents or Pr< teftatians , or double e- 
 Icftions. The Author doth not well to fay, that no mans Com- 
 
 R raifcion 
 
03°) 
 .nifsion wis excepted againft,bccau(e of the Publick Rciolutions; 
 I told him before that the Commiflion of the Presbytery of 'Dnn- 
 kell wis excepted againft upon that accotupt , and that the Com- 
 miflionofrh.frft election in QUjgoVo was not oncly upon that 
 tccompt excepted againft; but after long and ferioui d«bat« untill 
 the Comraiflions Proceedings fhould be rlrft tryed, whjch not on- 
 ly rcfutcth what the Author faith, but doth alio prove another 
 thing, which all along he fecms to deny, to wit, that the Letter 
 andAttotthe Cornmifsion concerning citation, did import thefe 
 men? being excluded from being Couamifsioneri to the Affembly, 
 othcrwile let them render arctfon, why the objecting againft 
 them, upon the Letter and Ad to cite them, fhould hive enforc- 
 ed the laying of them afide, untill the Commifsion.* Proceedings 
 fhould be firft tryed, if the Affembly had taken it for grant cd,that 
 it did not import this, they could not have admitted this as a rca- 
 fon to exclude thtm for an houre ; That iundry mod eminent op- 
 poieri were admitted to be members without any quarrelling, and 
 to be Moderators and Clerks of Committees, the Writer gave the 
 reafoa of it to be Policy, and I fhal take in confideration in its ©wn 
 place what the Author anfwereth thereunto: But fupp At all this 
 f be true, will this make a free Affembly, orVindicatc the electi- 
 ons from prc-limitation ? The pre-limitation which is now in 
 queftion is, that of the elections in Presbyteries, which wojld ftil 
 have been a-pre-linita? ion of the Affembly, as to its cenftituent 
 members, though the Affembly had condemned it, much more 
 was it fo when they did approve and allow ofitjbut of the^rount" 
 of this miftake I fpakc before. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 TO the two Utter particuUrs fomething mAj feem to be f Aid in 
 that Utter Petperi to the former that which is upon the fee on A 
 hr*nch of the third bjetlion, though every citation doth not ex- 
 clude Am ah from being chojen a Commijfioner y or fitting as a mem- 
 ber U A GenerAll Affembly , jet We thinkjt Will not be denied that 
 A citation in mAttQr of fcandall , in dotlrine or manners will §r 
 •nght to exclude a man from being a (fommifsioner , or fitting as 
 a member in An %Af[embl) % andfuch Was the citAtion Appointed by 
 
 the 
 
the Ute (fommiffi oners, viz, in matter of fcAndall more then or- 
 dinary ( injhe judgement of the Commission ) both in 'DoElrine 
 and manners ^ w Sefides 9 it is unqueftio*able that til citations do 
 exclude men from lteir.g)Hdges in the matter for which t key Are 
 cited, therefore though they might have fit ten in the Afjembly A4 
 judge sin othtr matters, jet not in t hit ; Therefore it folloV*eth 9 
 that as to this p Articular Vehch Was the main 3 if not all to bo hand- 
 led>the Affembly was frelimiteof, Arfwer \ % To the latter fart ofthU 
 refill lf r9 f c \ 5 not rnnch skill in the matter of legall exceptions, 
 And constitution of Judicatories; but fo far as common fenfe and 
 reafoncAH lead me. It feems to me a firange afsertien that feme 
 few perfons ha ving oppofed them [elves to a ceurfe taken by a judi- 
 CAtory, intruded with the Tublic Affairs •fthe Kir\ eonfifiing of 
 men to that time judged fsithf tell, and fiillprefej sing faithfulness 
 therein, as in the fight of God, and accufing this judicatory for 
 that courfe they havr taken, as guilty of dtfetlion^ and de fir oyer s 
 of the Caufe of Religion, if I fay, thefe feto men being cited to be 
 tryed by a Gcnerall <sAfsembly , and confequently excluded from 
 judging in that particular matter which is in controverfie • the 
 lAjftemhly is in this to be judged pre. limited in that matter, al- 
 though there be be fides thefe excluded a competent number of mem- 
 bers lawfully author tzjed: ( For fuchwe may fuppofe all 'the refi % 
 to be for any thing that is (aid in this particular that we are upox 
 the anjwer'of) to m*k? up a competent Judicatory } to cognofce^and 
 judge upon the m Alter m controverfie, according to the rule of Gods 
 Word, and the ^onfiitutions of the Kirl^, which they are bound by 
 their Commifsions and oaths to judge by ; I Ae fire no proof of this % 
 for it is principall clear and evident, exterminis, and the Writers 
 assertion is no warrand to receive it for an un que flion able truth; I 
 doubt nop, but if tho Writer Jball a! say to prove this, that he fhall 
 fall upon that fame exception Which the Remonfirants made again fi 
 the Synod of Dort,tbat the mofipart (tftheSynod Were their adverfe 
 party ; having declaf ed their judgement contrary to their doffrine; 
 which was rebelled as a null exception by all Orthodox divines in 
 that Synod, 
 
 REVIEW* 
 
 R a, 
 
(no) 
 R B V I I w. 
 
 BFfore the Author come dire&ly to (peak to what is alletdged 
 by the W iter, he feems firil to an(w<*r by denying that there 
 w*ij any pre-limitanonof the Afarably, even upon (uppofall that 
 thefe men w*rc by that Citation excluded from fritting Members 
 thereof; But let us cor.fider the Reafons of his der yali. Tht 
 firft is,that there were bur foine few perfons oppo'n .g thcuslcl vet 
 to a courlc taken by a Judicatory intruftcd wth the Puoick Af- 
 fairs of the Church, coniiftingof man ( till tbat^imc ) juged 
 faithfulL ,and (till profelVmg faithfulncfle therein,** in tht light of 
 God,tnd accusing that Judicatory for that courfc tfuy had taken, 
 as guilty of defection, &c. although they had been butf-w, yet 
 their Teliimony againft the proccedii gs of that Judicatory, asa- 
 gainft the courie of defection, notwithstanding of any thig that 
 that Judicatory had formerly been,and was then prof-ising, cwig 
 true and clearly confonant to the doArine and dett rminanons of 
 this Church, it was a pre-lirmtationof the Affembiy, becaufeof 
 that Teftimooy to exclude them : But I have often told him,and 
 made it to appear,that they were not fcw>but many. It is true 
 that th* Commitsion till that time had been judged faithfull- but 
 itisalfotrue , that a great part of thefe to whom that Teftimony 
 was due, did with-drawf o n theCommifsion upon occafionof 
 that defection, and gave open teftimony againft the f*me. And 
 tfcough fome eminent men did abide with them, yet the plurality 
 were fuch who had not been much converfant in , nor well ac- 
 quainted with the Publick Affairs of the Church. The other part 
 of his Anfwcr i^that there were bcfides thefe exclude^ a compe- 
 tent number of Members lawfully authorized (for fuch as ke fu»- 
 pofeth the reft to be for any thing that is faid in this particular 
 that he is now upon the anlwer of) to make up a competent Ju- 
 dicatory, to cognofee and judge upon that matter and controvcr- 
 fie,according to the rule of Gods Word, and the Conftitution of 
 the KirkjWhich they arc bound by their Commifsions and oath 
 to judge by. Ycelding all this, yet may there ftill be a pre-limj- 
 tation , incafe others no lefla in capacity to be cWen to fir as 
 Judgas, be excluded. If the Presbyteries by order of the Con> 
 
 miisjon, 
 
too , 
 
 mifsion,ihal! exclude a great vam-y of their Members in a capacity 
 to be choica from bdng Comflsifsione^feoi%h they (end a com- 
 petent .lumber of othcrs,is not the AflL-mo y pre-limited m thee- 
 kdion ofics cdnftltuent Members , even as if the Barrens and 
 Burghs {h>uli exclude from their Elections many of their num- 
 ber \ in a cipadcy of beiogchafen Commissioners to the Parlia* 
 men*,and yst tend the ordinary number of Commtfsioners,wouid 
 not the Parliament becaufe of ihu thing be urc^limitcd in the ele- 
 ct o n of its conftitueht Members? Bac in order to that which fit 
 faith of a competent Judicatory to cegnoice and judge upon the 
 ojatter^accordtng to the rules of Gods Word and Conltitutions of 
 the Kik, a rid of the exceptions of the Remonftrants made againft 
 the Synod of Dart: I de^re him to confider firft, of that which is 
 faid of Hr /David C*therwQQd y a witnefs thatdeferved well of the 
 Kirk o(Sc0tUnd 9 md whom (I believe) he will not except in this 
 ma-tcr on his nullities againft T earth Aflembly , and in his Tra- 
 ctate agaiaft confufed Communions, concerning competent Jud- 
 ges in a time of dcfedtion,and of what is faid of the fame purpofe, 
 by the reforming Party in their PublickPapers in the year 1637 & 
 1*38. to whofe judgments, I bclieve,the Protcfttrs will fubmjt in 
 the matter of a competent Judge. Seeondly,that if the exception of 
 thcRemonftrants of the Synod of D#rf had been this, that the 
 Members conftituent «f that Synod had declared th?ir judgments 
 not onely contrary to the doctrine of the Remonftrants , but con- 
 trary to the Word of God, and to th~ clear doctrine and conftitu- 
 tionofthe £<?/£*^Churchcs, it would injure have bet n a rele- 
 vant exceptioa, and being true infatto t had fuftained as well a- 
 gainftckat Synod , as the like exception againit the Councell of 
 7V«*f,which ii-tenhis day counted valid by all the P<©teftant Di- 
 vines. Thirdly,let us fuppofe hac eadem vta, armed* & metht~ 
 do, that the Commit ion had brought in the Prelaticall or Popifti 
 Party,as they did the Malignant Party, and had by- Presbyteries c- 
 bcying their order therearcnt,excluded all fuch from being Mem- 
 bers of the AiTembly as did bear teftimony againft them > whofe 
 number we ihaH alio lappofe to be as few as the oppofers of Pub- 
 lick Refolutions , and the number of the other as many as thefe 
 who arc for them ; whether would this have been a pre- limited 
 ACcMbly,ycaor not, and a Competent Judicatory to judge that 
 
 matter 
 
(i?4) 
 mitfcr according to the W©rd or 'ot»4 tai Conftitutions of the 
 Church ? All theft things being put together, make \: to appear 
 that the Wrifcr hath brought innofichftraks in the bufincs* is 
 th# Author fuppol'eth. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 SEcondly t To the firmer $ Art of the Reply % J confejfe that it is 
 probable^hAt Atman being cited to the Cjenertll Afftmbly up$n 
 A fca-idall in dotlrine nnd mAnners where the Jcandall tj uncontro- 
 vertcd y **d aWsady particularly determined iqiiotd ju*# or in point 
 of Law,atid the que ft ion U only ah out the fatl f ought not to be cho- 
 fen Comntiffioner to the A(fembfy f 4tlea/i not to fit And vote u till 
 he be trjed ant judged ± f*r I doubt, if he m*j not be chofen Com- 
 miJJijHer , if there be nit fome prob tble preemptions of the fal~L 
 But if the fcandAl be yet co.it r ovn ii & in ieterminati }UV\s y eontr0' 
 verte d,a*d as jet not A determined CAfe tn point of Law by the do- 
 Brine of ihe KirJ{ 9 1 fee not but a mon cited upon fuci aground^ 
 may be chofen a Commiffioner to the Affewbly, And fit 4nd vte As 
 A Member in other matter s y except that thereupon he Was cited j 
 And do remember Well , thAt upon this very ground anno 48, 
 Upon the putting off of fome from the Lift to be Cbmmifponers to 
 the ts4fsembly } \\ho had been referred And cited to the Ajsembly for 
 ftlence At that time % ac cor ding to the diriBion of the thin Commif- 
 (ion, exception was made by feme , thAt fuch perfons could not be 
 chofen Comrtiffi oners 9 andconfequentlj could not be upon a Lift, 
 This motion was rejecled by feme judicious a*J piotu , affirming 
 indeed, that fuch perfons could not well vote in the Afsemblj y u*til 
 their matter ^as tryed % but that that reference could not binder 
 them to be upon a Lift for eleclions, andconfequently not from be* 
 ing elected to be Cemmifsioners. Now , fuch Wat the cafe of the 
 C it At ion in handjt Was upon alleadgeance effcandall, as yet con - 
 trorerfi juris,*/ to any particular determination thereanem by the 
 tublick judgment of the Ksrl^ A*dthere}ore both the perfons cited % 
 and the fe that ordained them to be cited, were to be tryed and judg- 
 ed by the Affembh f and for that removed in that particular y not 
 only about tkefatl,bu.t alfo about the matter Juris ofLtW. How- 
 ever if this ple*f* n*t the Writer, let him AnfWer what he will for 
 
 cleAring 
 
(i ? 5 ') ... . , , 
 
 charing the order of the Commiffi on 48, Andit-'totllfervt sts-weM 
 the order of the Cojnmifsion 51. As to any illegality relating i 6 
 the Confutation of the Ajfemkly ; for upon the form clearly both 
 were alike ^except in What nil make for the advantage of the later % 
 and as for the matter in both it Kas alike , as to the General I Af- 
 fem^lies judgment at the time of the froUsixtion . andalfo in re- 
 ipii, which w* take ufonus to makf good. 
 
 Review. 
 
 ALbeit this be more then probable, is appears from the con- 
 ftant tenor of the proceedings of Aftcmblies in the scatter of 
 CommifiionerSjWhich was intimated-by the Writer jet I am con- 
 tent to take what the Author gives. He diftirguifties betwixt a 
 (can Jal,which as to the ground ef it is contreverfi feru , & a (can- 
 dall which is determinate jurts^nd makes the fcandail of oppofing 
 the Pubhck Rcfolutions to have been only c ontr over ft juris % as to 
 any particular determination thereof by the publick judgment of 
 the Kirk,and thence infers, that theoppofcrs of Publick Rcfoluti- 
 ons might have been chofen, this notwithstanding , .and admitted 
 to fit as Judges in the AfTembly, though not in this particular; and 
 I offer thefe particulars hercancnt : Firit > That by the Authors 
 own grant, they arc full excluded from fitting as Jadges in that 
 particular , and therefore as to a competent judge in this 
 particuiar.which was the main, if not the all of the Aflembiy,'the 
 AfTembly was pre- limited. Secondly, That this was not a bu.fi- 
 neffc wh'.ch was controverfi juris, but as clearly determinate juris 
 as any thing could be; I mean , that the opposing ©fxhe Publick 
 Refoiutions, was no fault , but a duty clearly determined by the 
 Church of Scotland*, 1 coafe(Tc,mcn may queriion any thinf , even 
 the cleareft truths, but rhcrc is no cafe ortentr or more clearly de- 
 termined by thisKirk,thcn that of the unwarrantablenctTeof joyn- 
 ing in Counfel or Arms with the Malignant Party for t he defence 
 of the Caufe and Kmgdome, and of the obligation that lyeth upon 
 Mini(ters,efpecially to bear tertimony againft the fame; and there- 
 fore a notable injury was done , ancfa groffe pre- limitation com- 
 mitted, by citing them upon that accompt.ThirdJy/uppofe it had 
 not yttbztndeterminati juris z$ to the publick judgment of the 
 Church in an AvTemblys yet as to the judgment of the Commifsi- 
 
 on 
 
. fi34) 
 on and Presbyteries who did hear and obey them, it was JttermU 
 naii juris, and men were excluded from Elevens, and cited 
 to the Aflembly there-upon , as upon a thing that was dtteV- 
 minati juris : Therfore as there wai thereby a pre- limitation in 
 regard of thefe, who though they were chofen, yet could not fit in 
 that particular, becaufe or the Citation ; fo alfo in regard of o- 
 thcrs,wiiO were therby excluded from being chofen. 4. If this fcan- 
 dal was not (Determinati Juris) by the Pubiick Judgment of the 
 Church, the Author would let us know why the Com nidi on in 
 their Warnings at Perth, March 20 by applying many forn er Acls 
 aj d Remonftranees of Gen. Aficmblies againft it, do defi e it to be 
 fo:And whuWarrart the Commifliori had by their truft from the 
 Gen.Affembly,not only to declare the oppofers of then Refolutions 
 to be guilty of practices leading to encourage the hearts, and 11 en- 
 then the hands of Enemies, in profecuting their wicked purpofes to 
 make faint the hearts, and feeble the hands of Gods People, and to 
 feduce their minds with devifive andfeparatmg Couniels and Prin- 
 ciples , and thereupon, not only to requ re Presbyteries to cenfure 
 them, but alfo to ftir up the Civil Magiftrate againft them. Sure- 
 ly, if the Commiflion did all this without any Pubiick Judgment of 
 the Kirk(that is of former Ge? era! Arfemblies defining thefe things 
 to be fcandal) they did as to thefe things act without a Commifli- 
 on, and without Authority, and were beyond their bounds, and led 
 with no fpirit of tendernefs. The Author did a little while agoc 
 feem to fay, That the Commiflion had no power to cite or to cen- 
 fure the oppufers of any Refolutions made by themfelves ; and yet 
 here he tels, that thefe things, as to the Pubiick Judgement of the 
 Kirk, were controverfijurit : And if fo, they were as yet but Re- 
 folutions of their own, and they had no power to cite or cenfure 
 any, or to give Order to cite or cenfure any for oppofing thereof . 
 That the Pubiick Refolutions were controverfi, and not determi- 
 nati juris by the pubiick judgement of the Kirk : That the Com- 
 miflion ha d no power for citing or cenfuring any Oppofing Refolu- 
 tions made by themfelves •, That they gave Order to Presbyteries 
 to cenfure and cite the oppofers of Pubiick Refolutions, are things 
 that I cannot reconcile. I wil not fap but the Authors ingyne may 
 ftndafhift, but if he extricate thefe things to the clear capacity of 
 p4un and ordinary undcrflandings, is more then at prefent my weak 
 
 eye s 
 
(*37) 
 eyes do fee As for that he tells us concerning the rejecting the 
 motion of putting off of fome from the Lift to be Commiftioners, 
 who had been referred and cited to the Affembly in the year 1648, 
 I can fay little to it, as not knowing it nor the circumftances ther- 
 of. I beleeve it be an inftance of a particular perfon in a Pref- 
 bytcry giving his judgment anent the lifting of another, but when 
 it is all granted it yeelds a great part of the caufe s to wit,That thefe 
 perfons could not fit in the AfTembly as Judges in that particular ; 
 And if 1 be not miftaken in my conjecture about the perfons,! think 
 I may fay, if that judicious and pious man who rejected that mo- 
 tion had been in any fear that thefe perfons would be chofen, be- 
 like he would have holden hi* peace, and fufferred the motion to 
 paffe uncontrolled. But the Author ( if this pleafe not the wri- 
 ter,) defires him to anfwer what he will for clearing of the Order 
 oftheCommiIfion48. and it will ferve afwell the Order of the 
 Commifsion Ji* as to any illegality relating to the Conftitution of 
 the Afifembly ; becaufe, faith he, upon the form both clearly were 
 alike,excepting what will make for the advantage of the latter; and 
 as for the matter in both it was alike , as to the General Aflfemblies 
 Judgment at the time of the Proteftation, and alfo in reipfa, as he 
 takes upon him to make good. It feems that it doth not pleafe the 
 Author him felf very wel,and I think it wil pleafe theWi iter much 
 worfe, becaufc of the things which I have mentioned , and other 
 things as weighty which may occur to him, as to that cf the 48. 
 I have already given clear anfwers for the writer , or rather vin- 
 dicated his own , that there was a vaft difference both in the form 
 as alfo in the matter ; and that both, as the AiTemblies judgement 
 at the time of the Protection (unlefs they were not to admit the 
 judgment of former Affemblies in thefe particulars ) as alfo in re- 
 ipfa, and he fhall but lofe his labor, and not be able to make good 
 what he undertakes. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 THat which may feem to fay fomewhat againft the other Par- 
 ticular (viz. That no mans Commiffion Was rejetled^nor any 
 man chofen to be a Commiffiover Was refufed to have vote in the 
 Affembly upon that accompt, that he Vea* unfatufied with the Re- 
 factions) u in the Anftocr to the 3. ObjelHon, Branch 4. Firfi, 
 
 S {beftdes 
 
{be fide fomthing that hath been a»fWered already) he faith fPoli- 
 cie taught the ty^jfemblj fo to do : The votes of fo few a number 
 not being likely to p rove fo great dij advantage to the bufmefje 9 as 
 the profeffed denjing to them a vote wopld have done. Anfwcr, If 
 the Writer had ufed fo much mode fly and refpetl to the tsfjfembly 
 as to have /aid, That pofjtbly 'Policy might have taught thtm to 
 do this, or it may be probably thought it Was thus , it baa been 
 fomewhat tolerable', TSut I m*ft fay it is too much boldnejj'e thus 
 to have f aid, pefitivelj, That policy did teach them it, Good Sir, 
 did you fee into the hearts of men in the is4(]?mbly y to fee this poli- 
 tical defign moving them to do this > Or ca* y u bring a demon- 
 flrationfrom any evidence Without, that their doing of it, did a - 
 rife from no other principle or motive but thu > 'But if it be fo 
 that they did it upon a political motive and end : yet if it Was fo 
 reai'y as none wns re jetted or reft*{ed , to have vote upon the ac- 
 compt ofdiffatisfaclienythat exception is to no purpofe to the point. 
 We are upon the freedom of the as4 'jjembly .which is to be meafured 
 by the aits done about the Conflitution and managing of it, con- 
 fidered according to the Matter of \hem^and not according to the 
 Intentions and Amoral Motives Wh'reupon men does them. 12 ut 
 the W r ittr does add two things further jar A»(Wer. i. Th<t the 
 dif cuffing and judging of the Commiffions of thefe in G!afi;ovv 
 andSter inf, who were unfatisfed With the publicly rejolutions, 
 Were laidafide-, becauje Mr. RobRamfay his Pr deflation againfi 
 the Eletlion, taken from their DifjcHtsjatlion^oulu not be difcuf- 
 fed, until thefe Rejolutions were either condemned, or approven, 
 Which, was in effect to exclude them from voting, btc*nje of not 
 approving the Publicly Resolutions • and this is io much ths fir on* 
 ger^confidering that it Was refufed to lay afide thcCommijJions of 
 thefe that carried on theRefolutions until their proceedings fbould 
 be tryed and approven. Anfw- I. Bejides that Mr t R. Ramfay 
 his Pretefiation was not again fl thefe a/Sterling at all, fo that it 
 is impertinent to fay , that their (fommifsian was laid a fide becauf 
 of that P rote flation \ And befides, that the (fommijsions of others 
 controverting with them r and pretending by as probable reafons 
 their Co.mmisfion aj thefe, Was laid a fide alfo. It followeth not 
 hence that they were fimply excluded from voting, butfufpended 
 from voting for * time, and had not vote in that particular which 
 might Well 'had been without imputation of pre-limitation on the 
 
 tsfffembly 
 
(n9) 
 
 Afsembly, m hath been Jhewen before. 1. The Confederation 
 added for confirmation is very inconfiderable ; because the Com* 
 misfions ofthefe cfG'afgow and Sterl ng were controverted in the 
 very Bleltion, and therfore their Commisfion could not but be laid 
 nfide wtiii the 'grounds of the C ' -on t rover Jie fhould be dtfcu$ed % that 
 it might be feenwhether they were orderly eletIed s or not\ but thefe 
 others had their (fomnrisfion byBleEtions orderly and uncontr ever- 
 ted in the presbyteries that fen t them ; jet neither were they to 
 have vote in the matter of the Refolutions. what is faidfrom the 
 Exception made agair.fi their Admisfiou to vote at all, given in 
 to the A^embly,fball be anfivered afterwards. Secondly ( faith 
 he) it is to be confidered fThat the Affembly didfuflain & approve 
 the Letter and AH of th/; Commisfion for citing fucb as Were unfa- 
 tisficd, which was a real excluding of all thefe upon their disfatis* 
 fatlion, at leafi from being fudges in that particular. Anfw.i . 
 The Writer doth here, as all along this Paper , bear his Reader in 
 hand, that the Commisfion hath given order for citing fuch as 
 VCcre nnfatisfied indefinitly, which is contrary to the truth ; for 
 only fuch {as all means ufed, do continue in oppoftng) were to be 
 citedy as is evident by the Atl and Letter. 2 Jtu true,after tryal 
 d'id examination of the Commisfions proceedings, they did approve 
 that Aft *nd Letter : *But did not the Affembly, 48. do the fame in 
 relation totht Letter and AH: ofthethen Commisfion of the like 
 nature ? 'But yet further, Did not all Commisfioners from Pres- 
 byteries, wh» were unfatufied (excepting fuch only whofe Commis- 
 fions Were controverted in ihe very EleBton) were yet undifcujjed, 
 and were plea fed toftay in the Affembly, fit aud vote in that fame 
 very particular ; / mean the Refolutious of the Commiffion^ how 
 then could they be really excluded from being fudges in that par- 
 ticular therein the) really did fit Jmges ; or were any of 
 them excluded after the Ati and Letter was approven ? If tt be 
 faid, That the approving -jf that Acl and Letter did import, that 
 they eught in the judgment of the Affembly to have been excluded. 
 I anjwer, 1 . Yet though this may fay fomewhat, that the Affem- 
 bites determination in thu point dijure did not agree wel with that 
 pre- ceding fsd: in admitting fuch Members to judge in that par- 
 ticular,jct it faith nothing to the point in hand t feeing thefe Mem- 
 bers of whom we fpeakjid [really and actually without any Letter or 
 exception made againfl them Jndg y net enly in other matter s t but 
 
 S 2 alfo 
 
040) 
 
 a-lfo in that very particular* Thus much in anfaer to the firft 
 Reafon again ft the late Affetnbly, and what U brought in that Pa« 
 per for confirming and upholding of it • If it have any force Ma- 
 lignant* may thinl^themfelves obliged to the Pretefters for tea- 
 china them, if ever they /ball h*ve potyer again > hove to call in 
 queflie* *nd condemn their tsfjembly 48. yca y and if 'they find it 
 make for their purpofejven other Afsemblies too t even th*tS»lcmn 
 esf/'semblj 38. at unfree and unlawful, becaufe of pre limitation 
 in {he tlcUion of Commiffuners* 
 
 R B V I 1 w. 
 
 '"p* He Author here pasting by a great and material part of the 
 X Writers Anfwer,to wit,That albeit all thar, were true, yet it 
 doth not make void what is faid for prelimuing the Elections by 
 the L?tter and A3: of the Commisfion, becaufe thefe were prelimi- 
 ted in Presbyteries, by barring fundry from being chofen, who o- 
 therwife were in a capacity to be chofen, failcth upon iharp cenfu- 
 ripg of him, for faying, That Policy taught the Aifcmbly fo to do. 
 But I conceive that though the writer did not fee into the hearts 
 of men in the Aflembly, yet he had reafon thus to fpeak, becaufe 
 their admitting fome of them to fit, was not onfonarit nor homo- 
 genous neither to the Letter and Ad: for citing of them, which by 
 the Authors own grant did infer the barring of chen from fitting 
 til their matters fhould be tryedaior yet to theAflemblies aprovmg 
 of the Letter and Ad which did exclude them, which the Author 
 aifo confeflfes ; it was either great policy,or great Simplicity that did 
 lead them in fo contrary and difcordant parts ; But as the Author 
 elf-whcre fpeaks, they were no children; neither was it fo really 
 that none were rejected or refufed to have vote npon the accompt 
 of dif-fatisfacYion , becaufe as fome of them were rejected defatlo, 
 to wit, the C ommisfioners of the firft Election in Glafgyyv - fo all 
 of them were rejected de jure as we fliall hear anone. h could not 
 but flow from fome ftrange principle, and be matter of wonder to 
 thj beholders. That at the fame time, in the fame Judicatory,f me 
 fhould be ftanding at the Bar,as rei % and cited to be tryed and jud- 
 ged, and others no lefs guilty of the fame Crime fhould be admit- 
 ted to fit upon the Bench as Judges of that very particular. I be- 
 kevc the Author (hal not find many presidents nor paralels of fuch 
 
 apra- 
 
(*4U , 
 a practice as this in any well conftitute and rightly proceeding Ju- 
 dicatory Ci v lor Eccefiait ek ; fo chat measuring the freedom of 
 the A'Tembly by the AJts done about the confrtution and mana- 
 ging of it, according to the matter of it, and not according to the 
 intentions or moral m jp ves upon which men did them : There is 
 ftiil rtafon to fay, that it was not free, notwithstanding that f me 
 were admitted to fit and vote, who were unfatisfied with, and op- 
 pofit to the pubiiik refohitions. As to that which he fayeth in 
 Anfwer to >he other two particulars : To the firft of them I dehre 
 it to be-confidered. i. That the irnpertmency is on his own fide, 
 when he faith, that Mr. Rob. R*m/ay hi-s Proteftation was not a- 
 gainftthefe of Sterling &ti\\ \ b-canfe the Writer did not at all 
 fay in writ that it wasfo, or that the Commiffion of Sterling was 
 laid afide, becaiifeof that Protection ; if he found it fo written 
 in any ^opy 1 it had favoured a little more of cbaiiry to impute to 
 the inadvertence of the Tranfcnber, feeing no man bel-ke of com* 
 mon fenfe would bring in Mr Rob. Ram fay a Member of another 
 Presbytery, and in another Province, protrfting againft the Ele&ion 
 of Sterling; 2. Not to fail on the debate of the laying of the other 
 CommiHions afide, which were controverted with them, notapon 
 the probablenefs,nor improbablenefs of the reafons they pretended, 
 as not belonging much to the bufines which we are now upon. The 
 Author doth yeeld much of the caufe when he faith, It followes 
 not hence that they were (Imply excluded from voting, but lufpen- 
 ded from voting for a time , and had not vote in that particular ; 
 beciufe he yeelds thefe two things : 1. That they had not, nor 
 were not to have (de jure) any vote at all in the particular 
 of the Publick Resolutions. 2. That ( de fatto ) they had 
 not, nor were* not to have a vote in any particular till that ex- 
 ception fbouli be difcufled, and fo are they excluded for a long 
 ttme,and from many particulars. But when the exception is difcuf- 
 kd and fuftamed, are they not wholly excluded, both dejure, and 
 defaUo^d cannot at all be admitted^ unlefs we will bring in the 
 Aflembly going over the belly of what fhe hath prefently found 
 juft and reafonable ; neither is it fo inconfiderable as the Author 
 would make it, which is added by the Writer for Confirmation, 
 but is very confiderable to evince the pre-limiting of the AfTembly. 
 That which was added is this, and this is f§ much theftronger^ if 
 we fball confider that it was refufed to lay afide the Cornmidions 
 
 of 
 
of thefe who had carried on thefe Rcfoluttons in thcCommifiion 
 of the A(femb!y,until their proceeding 1 fhould be tryed and appro- 
 ven. To wh.ch the Authors Anfwer is, That it is not conlidcra- 
 bie,becauie the Commirtion of the one was controverted in the E- 
 lection, but fa was not the other ; and becauie they were not to 
 have vote in the matter of the Refolutions ; but this doth not at 
 all loofe the difficulty. One of the grounds upon which the Com- 
 mifllon of the one was controverted in the Elections, was, becaufe 
 the perfons elected were oppofers of the Publick Refolutions * and 
 that ground afwel as others,did to themwards ftiftam as a relevant 
 exception *'* jure to keep them from fitting and voting in theAffcm- 
 bly, not only in that, but alio in any particular elfe, until it fhould 
 be difcufled; yea, fome of the Commiflioners were fufpended from 
 having a vote m any thing till that fhould be difcuHed, mterly and 
 allenerly upon that ground.to wit,That Brother who was nomina- 
 ted in both the Elections; Now was not to be the Author or A- 
 better of the Pablick Refolutions, involving a courfe of defection, 
 being objected a t the down -fitting of the Affembly, an exception 
 as relevant injure to bar thofe who were chofen by their Presby- 
 tery, without any controverfie in the Presbytery it felf,from fitting 
 and vocing in the Aficmbiy in any particular until that Exception 
 fhould be tryed as the other was, though objected in the Presby- 
 tery at the time of the Election. Let us take the Authors ground 
 (to wit; That the matter was centrovcrfi, and not dtterminati 
 juris^ and let him or any man elfe vindicate it from partiality and 
 pre- limitation, that exceptions being propounded lane ihde , he 
 who carries on Publ ck Refolutions ihall be admitted to fit in all 
 other particulars,cxcept in the trying and judging or thefe, and he 
 who oppofes them frull be fufpended from fitting in any part cular 
 til thefe be tryed and Judged. On what he faith to the iecond par- 
 ticular 1 offer,?. That the Writer doth not all along this Paper 
 bear his Reader in hand (as the Author alleadges ) that the Com- 
 midion had given order for citing fuch as were unfatisfied indefi- 
 nitiy, becaufe the very firfi: time that he mentions the Letter and 
 Act of theCoinmiilion he faith,That it was a Letter and Act ap- 
 pointing, That fuch as after conference ihould remain unfatisfied 
 with,and continue to oppofe the Publick Refolutions , fhould be 
 cited ; and having thus once fet down the true nature and extent 
 of it, it was neediefs as often as he fpake of it to repeat the fame 
 
 ,v ; < words 
 
(*4» 
 
 word*, and was enough qn*UcH*% modo to crcumfcribe it | 
 
 therefore the Author doth more han«- to himfelf then the Writer, 
 when he taxeth him as fpeakmg contrary to the truth in this. 2. 
 That it helps him not to fay, That as the Ailembly % 1. did ratify 
 the Letter and Ad of the Comiri.iion , fo alfo did the Atfembly 
 4$. becaofe of tfce many d rTerences already eftablifhed betwixt the 
 one ai d the other. To which i thall now add this as to the point 
 of Ratification, That the Act and Letter 48. was not contro- 
 verted by any, nor any Eiecli'-ns becaufeofit, uor any Excepti- 
 on propnned thereupon aganft the E eedom of the Ailembly ; nor 
 indeed well could be, it beiog clothed with fuch circumftances as 
 we have formerly fpoktn of, which needs not now to be repeated; 
 but in 51.it wis cootroverted,and Elections therupon were questi- 
 oned, and Exceptions thereupon p; oponed againft the freedom of 
 the General Aflembly, which were rejected, notwithftanding of 
 contrary crcumftance^ wherewith the Letter and Act were clo- 
 thed, 3. That the Author by yeelding, that the Allen blies ap- 
 proving of the Letter and Act of the CommiiTion (which he is ne- 
 ceflitate to yeeld becaufeit was fo ) doth import, that notwith- 
 ftanding Oppofer c did fit yet they ought in the Judgment of the 
 " ArTembly to h ve been excluded ; puts himfelf to the difadvantage 
 many waies- 1 . Becaufe the At*embl es approving fimul & femel 
 all the Acts, Warnings, Declarations and Remonftrances of the 
 Commifron agatrft Oppofers of the Publuk Refolutions, did not 
 only judge, that fuch by that Letter and Act ought *b initio to 
 have been debarrd from fitt ng m the Affembly in that particular, 
 but alio in ail other particulars, yea not at all to have been chofen. 
 z, This goes far to nullify the Affembly another way,becaufe it ac- 
 knowledges that defacio they allowed many fcandalous men to fit 
 as Members, therof, who dc Jure and by a Law approven of them- 
 felves, ooght to have been removed. 3. It holds forth a groffe 
 contradiction betwixt the Aflemblies Principle and their Practice, 
 and fo makes more then probable what the Writer faid for admit- 
 ting fome to (it upon Policy and dehgns. 4. It holds forth a great 
 folicifm in the matter of Juftice ; that is; Socij crirxin is, to fit as 
 judge? to give Sentence on their complices, to wit, other oppofers 
 of the Publick Refolutions,- who v/ere cited, and now ftanding as 
 rt i before the General Affembly. All thefe things which the Au- 
 thor hath brought in Anfwer to the firft Reafon again(U.the late 
 
 Aflembly 
 
044) 
 Aflembly, and what is fet down for confirming and upholding of 
 it in the other Paper, being now fully difluO, 1 leave it to the 
 Reader to judge, whether that Reafon of the Proteftition doth 
 not ftill ftand ftrong againftthe freedom and la wfulnefs of tliat 
 Aflembly, and how little caufe he hath to lay, That if it have any 
 force, Malignants may think themfelves obliged to the Protefters 
 for teaching them, if ever they fhall have power again, how to call 
 in qucftion and condemn the Aflembly 1648. yei, and if they find 
 it move for their purpofe, even other AflVmbles too, even that fo- 
 lemn Aflembly 1638. as unfree and unlawful, becaufc ofthepre- 
 limitationof hlecl.on of Commiflioners thereto. The Malignants 
 are in themfelves prone enough to evil inventions though they be 
 not taught them by others, but I beleeve (themfelves being Jud- 
 ges) they had rather,as to the matter of conftitution of Aflembhes, 
 and the interpretation of their Afts, be Difciples to the Authors 
 and Abetters of the Publick Refolutions then to the Protefters; for 
 they have there in a little time learned the way how(notwithftan- 
 ding of all former AcTs excluding them) to be admitted to all the 
 priviledges of the Church, and to be imployed both in the Army 
 and Judicatories, and by complying with the Commiflion to get 
 an Aflembly after their own mind for ratifying and approving all 
 thefe things which would never have been taught unto them by the 
 Protefters, who ftudies to hold faft the AcTs of ATemblies in refe- 
 rence to Malignants in the genuine and litteral fenfe and meaning 
 thereof, and to prevent and oppofe all corrupt conftitutions of A(- 
 femblies, and that they maybecompofed of fuch as do adhere to 
 former Principles, which being attained, there is no caufc to fear 
 that Malignants ihill eafily ranverfe either the Aflembly 48. or the 
 Aflembly 3 8» or any other l*Wfa I free General zAfsembly of this 
 Church. I dial clofe this whol budnes annent the pre limiting of 
 the Elections, and the excluding of thofe who oppo r ed the Publick 
 Refolutions,with one (entence of the Britane Divines in the Synod 
 o^T>ort y who in anfwer to the Proteftition of the Remonftrants 
 fpeak thus, Qua ratio reddi poteft cur ffiffragiornm Jure priven- 
 tar omnes Mi P aft ores , qui ex officio receptam Ecclefi* DoElri- 
 nam propugnantes y fecm docentibus adver fat i funt, ft hoc obtine- 
 re nova dogmata fpargentibus nemo shftfteret ne ipfofaSh \tu om* 
 nt foftmodum dc Wis controverts judicandi amittereu 
 
 Vindi, 
 
0*5) 
 Vindication. 
 
 T 7" \ T% & e on m ^ t0 *^ e ( eC0 *d in order of the ?roteflation % 
 y V Which is this\ BecaufeofthejtbfenceofC*nimijsionert 
 of many 'Burghs, at wanting f res accede becaufe of the motions of 
 the Enemy, in the order of the late Paper y wherein other reafons 
 Are added to thefe in the Proteftation y this is jet doWn in the 5. place 
 And is cafi in With j'ome addition to the matter , 
 
 becaufe as firfl proponed it hath not /eemedfafi enough thm : That 
 cannot be afreeAj]embly Jo Which there is nofree accefs.and recefs y 
 but there was no free acceffe to the ssifsembly byteajon of tWo 
 Armies interjacent between th? place of the meeting and the ^Wel- 
 ling of many of the Commifsioners y and being purfutng one another 
 very hetely^ having their parties comming a broad every Where at 
 the time they fbould had come to the *Afsewbly y and therefore ma- 
 ny wftre.abfent about the ene halfe of the Burghs y many Pres- 
 byteries 10 the numb§r of 9. or 10. neither Was there free recefs 
 from ir, not onely becaufe of the former reafon , but becaufe the 
 King and Committee of Efiates did detain and keep under a l^nd of 
 confinement, (ever all numbers thereof ', at their returning to their 
 oWn homes y having notmng y nor alleadging any thing to challenge 
 them for > but their carriage at the^y4\sembly % Anfwer, I muft 
 profefs ingenuously y When at firft I did read the r Protefiatio» 
 iWondredmuch how men>e[peciaily Mtniflers ofthe(fofpell y ma- 
 kjvgf Solemn and high prefefsion and attejiation as they do in this 
 Proteftationy z. That they made ene of the grounds containedthcre- 
 in y as being a* fit eus to be faithful in the day of 'ten tat ion, and to 
 exoner tkir confidences as in the fight of the LORD^could allead? 
 this as ground to declaim the late Af\embly y ^as not a free and law- 
 ful tsfjf'mbly of this Kirk^ 1 confefs my Wondring is not a whit 
 abated \but increajed by this fecond propounding Argumentation 
 of it, F»r fi---ft % As to the propofal of it in thcPrntcftxtion y (ufpofe 
 that a good m*r,j Commifsioners of Brought and Presb teries had 
 been abje»t then \ this might have been alleadgedWtth (sine appea- 
 rance of reafon to /how that the Afjembly Was nrt feful in pmiDus 
 integialihusj/o numercxs as could have been Wifhe&.yctwtth no co- 
 lour could it be alleadged^hat it was netfree y legal ef sen- 
 Hal requifit for the conftitution therof y unles it could be dew, on fir at 
 
 T either 
 
Ch<0 
 
 either that their abfence ft as for wantoftimous advet tifment con- 
 cerning the time and place of it y Which cannot be alleadged (the 
 time being Itnown by the preceding Afsembly ^ and *dvc r tilr»cut 
 concerning the place having been given timoptjly by the Commit si. 
 en) or that there was fome appearance that feme in the Afjemblj 
 might have been inclined to all favour abty for the enemy t or that 
 the enemy miehi have fome influence on the Aitembly to formtt 
 or pervert it y which 1 t onceive the Prateftors wil not fay. J know 
 that the abfence of many (fommiffioners is alleadged as one ground 
 annlling this pretended Afsembly condemned at Galg W 38. btot 
 it is as wel known that the ab(ence *f Commiffi oners was cam fed by 
 unttmotis indication andadvertijment or fome iher internal caufe 
 having influence upon the corruption cftkis Afsembly, 2. It had 
 been requtjit the Writer of the l*ft Paper bad cindfcended namely 
 upon thefe 9. or 10. 'Presbyteries ah fent -^ which hud he done y l doubt 
 but it Wauldhave been found that fome of them were abfent becaufe 
 they had none to fender were hotl^resbytcries cxifiivg at all at that 
 lime>as Qtkiay and Ci t <h^t'is, 2. ft [honld be f*tt*A that fome 
 of thefe Commisfi oners of Treshy tortus cume within fbort face to 
 the place where the Afsembly was fitting t andVtwld not comef^r- 
 Ward to it % asferinftanee thejeof\\\mb\*x.on. 3. Commi s fin- 
 er s cam* to the Afsembly > between Whom and the place of t*e A{- 
 fcmblj the Admits Veere as interjacent, as to thefe that came n t • 
 for did not Commisf oners from Pr sbyteries of Mer'e and Tevi- 
 da!e, GalloWJy, Glafgcw^Wr/? Country \ yea y the Commi ft oners 
 of the Presbyteries offarthefi parts of lying that V*ay were pre' 
 fent , and that other scame not it may jc-m to have proceeded out 
 of negligence ', rather then from * nec/fflty 1 Why then jbould the 
 Afsembly he counted null ff or the ah/ence of [uch^ it is k^nwn 
 that CommiJJioners came not from 'Burghs , and yn Mimfteys 
 came out of thefe fame Burghs .Sojf becaufe of the abfence of fome 
 Co mmijs 1 oner s y fur fear of the motions of the 8nemy, or becaufe of 
 l]ing of Armies through the Countrey y the late Affembly be ]udg* 
 ed unfree and unlawfully Then t by as good reafon muft the Assem- 
 bly in the time *f James Graham his reigning and raging through 
 the Ceuntrey>be holden unfree- for as manyjf not moe Commif si- 
 oners Were upon that occafton ab fent from the (mm* Afsembly 'then 
 fee here again hoW good friends our Brethren proves to the former 
 Afsembly >bj devifwg arguments tgainft the late Afsembly ; Wher- 
 
by they plainly fetch Malignant s whe were Cenfured by thu Af- 
 femblyjiow to eaft them as nul upon grounds of confcience.Sixthly, 
 let the Rols of this Afsembly,be compared With the Rolls of former 
 unqveftionedjffcmbltes , and it fhaH be found to h^ve been more 
 numerous and full, then fundries of them ^ yea, WetyoW, that at 
 the Afsemblj of Ao< rdeen i6f o. there were bat about twenty per- 
 fons prefent, which notWithftanung is oWned by the Kirl^ ef :>cot- 
 ltni as a free and tawM Generall Afsemkly , and it cannot be 
 faid, that any fuch excuie as this was made in that Afsembiy for 
 the abfence of any t ani granting that the motions of the Enemy had 
 hindered feme ,yet here kei*gfo inconf durable a number in com- 
 parifon of this Afsemblj theje Who were conveened, fhould not, nor 
 could not lawfully be hoUen an A(sembly,andgone about their du- 
 ties. Seventhly, as for What was (aid abont the want of freedom 
 of recefs, the fir ft p Art is certain and clear in common fenfe , that if 
 any Afsemblj maj fit, or do fit out its time, and conclude freely, 
 though there be danger to the Members in their recefs , this can- 
 not in any way resell: up*** the C9»fit t ution of the Afembiy , hoW 
 many Members of the Assembly in Jimes Grahatnts time Were 
 there that had not fafe recefs to thri r own homes- F*r the other 
 part ofthefe Members fp^ken of h re y had preteflodagdinft , and 
 declined the dfsemb' y, ant de/trted [which the fV< iter &ieij gaf- 
 fes infilence^andfii^s only tf}-y Were returning to their oWn homej: 
 as iffsrfeoth the A semh'y had been clofed, or that they had ta^en 
 fair leave before tlje do e ) and mi^ht not the King and the Com- 
 mittee do all this } They Jay unto tfiem, nntil thy had been tnjor- 
 med upon what ground theyh^d come away fo untimoufly Without 
 any imputation to the freedom and lavrfulnefs of the sAficmbly : 
 Did not the Commifponers of the States at the Affembly of Dort 
 when the Rtmonftrants proceeded againft, and declined that Synod, 
 prtfently confined and charged them to bide within that City un* 
 til th?y fhoul i anffrer unto the djftmhiy, without any imputation to 
 the freedom of that Affembly* 'But again,the truth is thts y upon the 
 Proteffers deUning of the Afs^mU/y, and going through the Army 
 towards the tVeji, the report W04,Th t they had m&de a broil in the 
 zAfsembty, 1 * i V?er* come to trouble the A my y anl htnier the Le- 
 vies appointed in the fain ptatef % whither they Were going : here* 
 upon the King and the Committee required fome to keep their 
 Chambers til their carriage in the A sembty might be \tnown % But 
 
 T 2 fo 
 
(£4$) 
 
 fofoon m the Assembly heard §f '/Bis, they difpatched unto the King, 
 Whoprefently fent them all to their own horns, excepting that they 
 did require (tsch of them as Were cited to the Ailcmbly to return to 
 it, andanfwerfor themfelvs (which jet I cannot lay, Was certain- 
 ly done) without one erofs word given to them* Thefe things being 
 confidered, impartial judicial Rea lers will Acknowledge that there 
 hath not bin much ingenuity or confcience either in allendging this 
 reafonfor annulling the late Attcmb\y 9 *nd cannot but thtnkjthe al- 
 leadgers thcmfclves wU blu/h that here hav: propounded it for ju- 
 flifymg their own protefting, and hold it fo^th to others to induce 
 them to joy n with them as a ground of conscience whereof they could 
 not but exoner their conjctence* 
 
 Review. 
 
 THe Author ufhers in anl clofcs his Anfwer to this reafon 
 with a great deal of wond r ng , aii many 'xclamationi 
 againft the wmtofi >genuirya.id conscience in the P k \HciVr c ,be- 
 cauteofalltad^ing this reafon agshlt thr freed o we and Uwail- 
 nelfeofthe A.n.nbly ; aid he is la court lent as to think, whm 
 hU Anfwers art coiUiierecf, riot onely wli his R,a iers be of one 
 tDinde wuh himinthis , butthatthe Hrot ft rs themfcives will 
 blufh i hat they htve proponed it : We have a provcrfyThat great 
 Words fly th burns; and 10 we may alfo fay, Great words per- 
 fwa Jes women aid children, but men of r< alon and undei find- 
 ing will bonder whit is (aid. Albeit the Pioieftcrs did not lay 
 all.nor moft of he weight of their Pruteltation againft. the Aifem- 
 bly upon this , yet ih^y did ingenuoufly t id co.Ucicntioufly con- 
 ceive^ hat there was weight in it, and do think foftll, not w thr 
 ftand ng of all the Authors great words; 1 wifh he had taken the 
 Pro )ohtious of the A r g^mcnts as they lay, and anfwert d them fe- 
 veraHy and diftinrlly; he doth not ( fo far as my weak decerning 
 can reach; tell us hs mind plainly and directly, either of the firlt 
 or fecond Proportion of the A^ujient, hut fpeaks directly one y 
 to thele things that arc brought by the Writ, r , ibi confirmation 
 of the fecon .1 Proportion ; and to that part of ihe fird Proporti- 
 on that relates to freedom* of receflfe ; i iliall rlrft fpeak a iit'le to 
 the irft Pr >p >finen of the Argument, a id trien to the application 
 of it. The medium is none of the Pirotcftcrs inventing, but /iae 
 
 bee 
 
been generally received and mai* ufe of ^y Divines > to prove the 
 unfreedonie of Cctiuccls where j he e was truth in it • as to the 
 matter of fad , as appears [frftiri m>h« learned- R vkw of the 
 Counceli o£ Trent, in which thks Afgdfeenii is cleared an 1 con- 
 firmed at targe. Secondly , In the Book intituled 'Advert k$ Sj* 
 nodi Tridcntini reftitutionem fen continuAt^onem'a Pio JQuarto 
 P ontifice indittam eppojitA grtvtmina cjaibus cau[<c necc[i#ri4 & 
 gYAVtfsima exponuntur , cjuareea BUHortbusijiterif^ Imperii 
 frincipibns & Ordinibns Juguji in* Confefsiohis ne^ue agnnf- 
 cenda neque adeunda ftterit. Which Book I do the rather cite,be- 
 cauf ■ it doth contain the joy at judgment of mai y choiic and fa- 
 mous Divines and Lawyers of that t irne. Whoio ihall be pU-aied 
 to lo< k either upon the Review of the Cnuucell of Tre*t^ or up- 
 on ihefe grtvamina) as th y are cleared and tmfvkm d By thefe 
 Divines and Lawyers, (hail find this Argun enr cleared ana ion- 
 firmed at Large, and f© much fa^d cfit , as wo- li be- tedious to 
 traofcribt*. Thirdly , the Divines of Breme \n the CouhecU of 
 "Dort anfweringto the Proteitation oft he Reiiionltranccjth'nk it 
 not enough to iiy^null^ hie velinfid* flruunttir velultttnt peri" 
 cvtlum inttniitnr\ but alie adds, ^u nimojtcur^tas public a om- 
 nibus ad accejjum c§mm«rati9nem & recefsum profi^iur. As to 
 the AiTumption,I {hall oneiy addc to what is faid in the Proafta- 
 tioa and the othrr Paper for verify ng of it ; Tfist leyerall Pre. y- 
 terks,^eeaufe of the tumults of t rule tunes,could not meet w th- 
 in their own bounds to cfuofe Commifionm , but n.ade 
 their Elections in places far remote,as thefe of th P^ t sbyteri s of 
 Edinburgh and Had ingtexn. Secondly , That many Minift; rs 
 thought it not fafe to ttay wth their own flocks, and therefore re- 
 tired North wards,fome to one place, fonae to another. Thirdly, 
 None could at hat time travel 1 fafely on the S >uth-fideof For ft 
 without a Pals from the Engl fh, which was not eafie ro be pur- 
 chafed, and could not be taken without fulpicion; and therefore 
 though (undry did hazard to fteal through , yet (ome vvt re tak ii 
 priioners arrd kntback, as (undry M niltcrs in the p-es.ytetie of 
 Llthgow^JXo fay nothing of thefe many reproches that were ca.t 
 upon,& u any threatnings that w<re u<ed agamtt fun ryot the op- 
 polers of PublickRefolut!ons,by theSouliiours in ther j *u»ncy to 
 St.«^"^tt'r f and in the place,and in their returning from it,ail of 
 them were More that time declared bnemiesboth to Church 
 
 and 
 
and Kmgdoire,«nd Laws made by the Pari lament ,and A&s itfued 
 by tftcCororoUTion to proceed againft them with punifhmentf 
 and cenfures; arsd dpth not the Author in this his Vindication tell 
 tn f thu therefore the Cltrk> Papers which he lent to thtAfltoi- 
 biy,w< re not cca<Vea(ltht y ifi mid have inferrad hazard and dan- 
 ger o ht;n ; >f then he had been there petfonally, and fpekeu the 
 {ame thing? in the Ailemhly that he wrote unto it,which no doubt 
 if :,e had been prefent , he would have thought himfelf bound in 
 C .''faencc to do, he could nut hve done it withlafcty, and yet 
 thd were rhinos relating to the PublickReloiutions. All thele 
 th.n^s beifig put togerher, do make it to appear, that acceffe to the 
 Ailcinbiy wes nor tafc,out full of hazard and danger. But I come 
 toth^ Au tu>r his A >iwers, and in order thereto, defire it tobt 
 conlidrred : E;rit., Th it as the want of integrant parts fometimes 
 may belog tr*t,rhat t dothdertr y the very being of the body ;lo, 
 when aconfid.rabie number of integrant parts are waning , it 
 renders the bo y weak in its f.<nctbns and opcrations,and drawes 
 along wuh it many other nco leniences. I doubt not but the 
 Author w U grant, that the number of Commiifionera coming to 
 an AvTjtn h ly,my be to few, that they cannot make a lawfull and 
 free A t-mt ly;*s upon the oihc?r fide 1 (hall willingly yeeld, that it 
 is not every w mt or Members con'htuent, that makes an untrte or 
 unlawful A 'em y^rci hertru oncortheothci {hould be denied: 
 As twoorrh ee C <>n w llioneis n i^ht make an Afteunbly, (o the 
 want of tw> or three m^ht unmake it. I think he will alio grant 
 that when many Con.m:flioners are abien*, tipLCialynot ncgli* 
 cent.lv> but upon rclev jai t caufei that it is not fit to adjourn it till 
 inoth t time,thc n to proceed to cc n kute themfelves or ad as an 
 A^mbly. Su ow YVoithy Reformers adjoined theAtfcmbly 
 X-6tf.fr mD-CeuK). a;.ro ten. 25. becaufe many Wcrcablent 
 by e^an uf the troubles of the time : and upon the fame ground 
 th Alt u.biy rtotb was adjourned from February to March,ffOfH 
 Spring to Edinburgh, And if ihe Meeting at S*A»drcwj hadoern 
 p sedtorsd and condefc^pd unto iVk Supplication that wis 
 off re4 to ioc murder ihv Hii'diuf rra-. y Brethren for ana-'-jomn- 
 n aui \r.t n the * C ) lUitunon, the e hid been nocaufe f r ih fe 
 De, ate*< * l\ te^ ?l!N t0 bc ***** l1 ' >' he Author,? hat w her it 1 an 
 bc&aw -jilusfe -v i&Jfc itgPftd si'*'') C>n m flbnttf area, lent, f r 
 fc*»t of xwti* jtavemiinci^coiiwvruUi b ih* time ana plac, of he 
 
 AiTembly, 
 
051) 
 Assembly, there is caufc upon that ground to except agamft the 
 Aifembly,as not free an i iawfuLAnd the Aikmbiy at gi*fgorv did 
 put it at>o%e €|Uetti m fur aaulling the pretended Afseuib. uLithgo 
 \6 j6 & that at Aberdeen 1616. And is it not equivalent to this, 
 if y reaton of external force Pcesbytenes sfter advertifmen' g.ven 
 wot o them cannot meet and chaof their Comrmffi oners,or i thofe 
 wha arc cfeofen cannot come beciufe at farce k eping h m back, 
 V Vhar it the cmk why undue a'^ vertifment ef many Prcsby:cr;es 
 and Bulges makes a nui Af$enr>bry? 1$ it not btcmf n^any or fhfe 
 who arc in a capacity to fend Coarmnlioncrs, are by an invincible 
 impediment kept back from doing of it; anirmhrnt this alfo 
 place in the other cafe t If Presbyteries neglcel m chufe Cummif- 
 noners, or if they beJngchofenfh* llnegied to come, that alters 
 t be, cafe- and puts the fault wh My ivpoa th:m who neglect tfe r 
 Arty t but if they be kepr back t>y v mlence from wi famt t s equal 
 to tteeir not being advcrriled at ali, or their nor being timoufly ad- 
 vertifed; or if they cannot choir, or being chofen cannot come, 
 to wh*l purpofe is the adverciimenr, or fa >w can it pm them in a 
 Woric cafe then if they had not been advemfed, or rot timoudy 
 advertifei* Though th* Presbyteries of Orknay and Gaitfatejs be 
 deduced^ and others too which are wanting and have no Com- 
 naiiTioncrs to fend .• yet if the Author iliil &e pleated to confuk the 
 Rolls of th« AtTembly, it fcapijrmay beftill found that nine or ten 
 Presbyteries were aofent, and thirty Burroughs if not aoove : 
 for thefe ofHamehen who came afterwards to the place where 
 the Anembly wjs htfng, and would not come forward, as thzy 
 came thither With hazard and difficulty, fo did ihry not think it 
 a duty to come forward, being convinced of the nullity ofthe Af- 
 fembly, which made them fend their teftimony agamftitj It is 
 true that Commifsioners came to the Aflfembly,bet wixt whom and 
 the place ofthe AfTembJy the Armies were interjacent , and from 
 feverali parts befouth Forth-, but it is as true, that fome comming 
 from thefe places were taken prifoncrs, and that others offered 
 nottocoroe from home as being hopelelTe to pafle thorough the 
 danger, being fo apparent and reall, which it feems the Author 
 hath been fomewhat convinced of , when he fpeiRs fo mincmgly 
 as to fay that it might have feemed to have proceeded of negli- 
 gence, rather then of a ly neceflity : He tels us that CommifiSo- 
 ncrs camenot from Burghcs,and yet Miniftcrs came from the faro@ 
 Burghs , but that proves not that there was free acceffe 
 
 to 
 
fi50 
 
 tt> the Coromtflioners of Burghs who flayed «wayj to Cay nothing 
 
 that th* re wa& few B »rgbi whofc Commiflioncrs were abfent, 
 w hole Mi nit km were Commifsioncrs and came to the Atfcmbly ; I 
 know not any Aflembly fo impeded and indangcrcd mja.grabdms 
 time ;thcre was noAflernb y hat fate from the time of his invading 
 the Land by the Infhts till ihc time of his defeat except one , and 
 that late in Jan. at which rime he was not reigning or raging 
 thorough mu^.h of the Country, but was forced to keep himfelf in 
 th Highlands, and in the places of the Country letfe inhabited, 
 whence few Co mmi(s oners were come : if the Author prove it, 
 by bringing forth ihe Rolls ot borh Aflemblie*,that as many were 
 abftnc from that Aftemmy >f not more, then it fhill appear that he 
 had j'jftcaulelb toaflLrt ; but until that time he will give us leave 
 toiuipendour aflenttothe t uthofthis. He will ftil have the Pro- 
 tc'ierj. to be unfriends »o former AtTemblies, and to be teachers of 
 Ma -jgnants h >wtooft them as null upon grounds of C9tifcien^e; 
 bu ihe Proufters do difclaim them for Scolders, and fo do they the 
 Protcft-'rs for ma:rers or teachers; and as there is noihingtanght 
 by the Protect rs that can g.ve thrm any juft ground upon which 
 to qnarrellorcaftthecenlurrsof that A(T mbly, fo were it fuper- 
 fluous for them now to be at the pa>ns to learn it, feeing the Au- 
 thors and abbettors of the Pu lick Refolur inns haih eafed them of 
 the pain oft his cenfure already, aloeit ihe Rolls of this A i< mb'y 
 were mere nnm rous thtn the Roll, of lorn? unquestionable Artcm- 
 blies that would not much help himyoecaule sblents from th:s Af- 
 iemblyin many was not voluntary, but by want of free acccfle, 
 but (o doth n not appear to have been in other Alf mblies, and 
 wharcvet the Author talks cf the Roll of this Atfembly ; yet I be- 
 ll ve before thy come to the ratify n:^ ofthe PublickRefolutions 
 whieh was their greajt bufineflc, ti ey were but a thin Meeting,ma- 
 nyoftKeir number having left them, fomeout of discontent and 
 djflfatisfacl-on With their proceedings f and others fearing to be 
 farpr.zel by parries of the E^glifh ; As to the AlTembly at Aber- 
 deen, in which there was but twenty perfn-Js preieot, which not- 
 With'ta-nd #igfs owred by the Church ^{Scotland as a free and 
 1) G ■ er 11 Ali-mo\> ; it i> to owned as that thefe who met 
 
 \ la wt ifly Gummfsiotwed from then: P.e^by terks , an ha- 
 ving nn. at . h v e;me and place appointed fo- holding the AfTem- 
 
 ir 3 accounted iulficknt to adjourn the Aflembly, and to pre- 
 
 ferve 
 
fcrveand Vindicate the Liberties of the Church aga'nd the en- 
 croachments that then were made upon then? by the K jag and his 
 CoEmiiifsicnersiJ So I believe the Author will not (ay that thefe 
 twenty coulcl have proceeded to make Ads of General! concern- 
 ment to the whole Church oiScetUnd 9 ox that if they had fo done, 
 theieacls would have been authoritative & binding. What theWri- 
 tcr fpeaks of want of f?eedome,in regard of recede is not upon any 
 emergent after the down- fitting ot dole of the Adembly, but up- 
 pon caufss known at the time when the Commifsioners fhculd 
 have come from home, and tlierefore he doth not urge it as a re- 
 levant Argument apart by it feif, but joynes it with the want of 
 freedoms of accede, and it is very agreeable to common fenfe 
 for men to think that Adembly not free, to which there is no free- 
 dome in camming to txoner their Confciences; nor any freedom 
 in going after they have done it. He jufUfies the confinement of 
 the Mimlters of Sterling In this particular at Sterline i.He chal- 
 lengeth the Writers pafsing in (ilencr, thefe Minifters ProtefHng^ 
 againft the Affembly, but though the Author think this wifdome 
 yet 1 hardly believe that the Writer did it upon deliberation, the 
 thing being foroamfeftly known, there was no need to mention it; 
 The Author asks the qutftlon, whether the King might not have 
 confined thefe men, without any imputation to the freedome of 
 the Adembly, until 1 he had been informed upon what ground they 
 came away io untinaeoufly. It feems that as the cafe was'eircum- 
 ftantiat , it could not well be done withont an imputation of the 
 frecdome of the Adembly; may the King and Committee confine 
 every one who comes away untimcoufly, untillthey be informed 
 upon what ground they come away, illttdpofsHmns quod Jure pof~ 
 fumus\ But where is there luch law, for cenfuring thefe by con- 
 finement that come away untimeoefly from the Atfemblyj but it 
 feems they were informed of the caufc of their comming away, o- 
 therwifehis inflanceof the Commifsioners of the Eftates at the 
 Adembly o{Dert y their confining of the Rcmnnfirants, and char- 
 ging them to bide within the City till they fhould snfwcrto the 
 Afle mbly, after they had Profefted againd, and declined the fame, 
 will not mike much tothepurpoic to juftifie the confinement 
 MSt4rline 9 becaufe that at "Dert was not but upon certain 
 knowledge and information of the fad , and if the King 
 or Committee did know that thefe Minifter* had Proteftcd , 
 how doth the Author infinuatc that it wai done until! they iTiould 
 
 U learn 
 
learn ap)n what ground thefe Mimfters came away, or whence 
 had they their information, he tels usthctruth is this : Upon the 
 ProtcftersdeleitingthcAtfembly, and going thorough the Army 
 towards the Weft, the report wis, that they hid made a broil m 
 the AflL-mbly, and were come to trouble thr A; my, and hindci tht 
 Leavy in thefe places whaher th; y were goiut>: But to fay no. hing 
 that he either wfcly orcarekfly paif.s over th s , tbattneyw.re 
 going to their own honks, thy havingthe^r chi ges an \ it jt tons 
 in the VVVft: w II he be aniwcraole to his Reader* , that what he 
 hath tuld id this is truth, and nackcdly told ; I dou n h can, and 
 that it be but a dev: fed fancy , the vuy tearmes wh-rerf fc ms to 
 dikover he van ty uf it, and that he ha \ told mofcof h trurh, if 
 h^ hai iiid the infor'.i ation came from the place wh re he Ail ro- 
 biylate,and from peftotii who hi 1 anov rlweyin _\ hand in itjl lliU 
 not contradict in whit he faith: That lo loon as theAflfjinbly heard 
 of this rh y d l^iteh d tothe K ng , who prelently lent th m to 
 their own home*, excepting that they had requ red fu h « f th rn 
 as hid def.rted the AiVembly to return to it, anl anltver f >r ;hem- 
 felVes; wheh yet he cannot fay was cerramiy done, till he nay 
 inform himfeif about it; I wd tell him fom what in this ua ! r i ubr 
 tha* was certainly donv-, that I di ubr be will be able to Vmd i Hie 
 fruin being {bine imputation upon the freedom w of the A ''en- v,to' 
 wit, that whileft thefeMinilters were thus Co fined it SnrJint y iht 
 Aflemb.did eitefetcral ofthem to comne-r b f -re rhem zxDundee, 
 and that notwithftandingthatthcir cor.finmcnt was nor taken c fl^til 
 the very day of their appearance; and that then: was4o. milesdi- 
 Itance between the place of their confinement, and the place wh re 
 the Afferobly fate ;yct that fame day did th- Affcmbly.to w hem. (by 
 the Authors own conf Jsion ) their confinement tva^ known, pro- 
 ceed agamlt them, and fentence them, fome with depofuion, and 
 oth rs withlufpeniton from their Miniftery • he may .emember 
 that thty were cited to the day of beir.^Tud'day; 
 
 the (sine day did the K ng and his Army depart from Si er line, and 
 not till a litle bctore his departure did he take offthar confinement 
 as **an be tefafied by many witneiles; as to the Authors initance of 
 the Commsfsioners orthefiitates confining t fee Remonftutntf at 
 Dortjt doth not meet With th^prcfent caie Firft, becaufe to fay 
 nothing that the Remonftrants ofDtrt bad P otefted a^ai ift, and 
 declined a lawful! Affcrobiy, which the Proteiters at St. tAndrc^s 
 """" had 
 
(*55) 
 
 hadnotdonej neither yet to fay any thing, that I can finderio 
 inch confinement in charge as the Author fpoaks of, put upon the 
 Remonftrantsin the Pnnced Records of that bynodjt hdeCommif- 
 iionersfad certain knowledge and information of the matter of 
 fac*, out (o had not the King and Committee of Elates..." Secondly, 
 becaule the Proteftation and declinature at Dort was now judged, 
 and found irrelevant, and the Commifsioners themlclves being 
 prelcat* but not io in the other. 
 
 V I N D I C A T*I O H. 
 
 THe third Redfor according to the order of the Proteftation s dnd 
 fecondly in the order of the late tyaper is thu in fumme\ 
 thdt the late Afsembly cannot be counted a free lawfnll Generall 
 ts4(semblji becaufe relevant exceptions being tiweoufiy proponed 
 And offered to be in/trusted and verified agatnfi many §f the mem- 
 bers thereof * t viz. Such of the late Commiffien as had hand in the 
 Public^ Resolutions , that they fbould not be permitted to fit and 
 Yote in the <y?(sembljy as being under a fc and dll^and guilty of pro* 
 . meting a courje of defection, and untill fuch time as they (bovld be 
 tryed y yet it was refufed to take any fuch exceptions into confide?*- 
 tion,until they Jhould be tryed and difcufsed.Fer clearing^- confirm 
 ing this argument ^the Writer undertake upon him to- {bow 2»thittgsi 
 i.Tbat tt was a thing incumbent in duty to the tsifsembly to have 
 removed from their Meeting all perfons under fcanddll ( though 
 fome being k,< ott>n to them ) untill they Were purged thereof 2* 
 That the perfons ob jetted againft Were under tuck jcandal as ts dU 
 leadged y for the former he alleadgeth firfli That it is without con- 
 trover fie , and next he brings four things for the proof of it* I. The 
 light of nature ', and the Word of Cjod^ but names not one parage of 
 tuiSome claufes of bothffevendntsjbedefires ofth?(fommiffit)n%% 
 Cjr §ftheJotemn engagment that fame year % &all the Remonftr duces 
 for f urging of the tArmies and Judicatories 9 even the I ate 'Papers 
 given by this fame Commiffien to the parliament at $ ter line ^ab out 
 the <£sid; of (Uaffes % for removing of Scandalous perfons from be* 
 ing members of th? Judicdtories(It is good that thtWriter yet even 
 in thu 'he at again ft the Commifsion finds fomething right tn their 
 paper sjbut he tets not all the truth that he might have done here % 
 in their Papers they held forth not onely fcanddlom 9 but po» 
 
 U 2 fitively 
 
0*0 
 
 fitivelj all fuch as \*sre not qualified ' [hould be deb4rred front being 
 
 members of fulicatorics^.ifd rule kni order fet doty* in theAftm* 
 blj 1562. f* be found alfo in the o4fembfy 1575. 1580.1581.awJ 
 exactly k?ep?dfer above 20. Aljemhltet^nl *o. jearsto order\ vz. 
 at the entry f every Ajfembiy: Tve f fl rvori> is tohe about pur- 
 ging the members thereof, and *>ther met .ppvittved b: charged to 
 declare their conferences, touching th irf) jllr'me and. life^and exe- 
 cution of theirOfficejf therein thy be (candi 9us t a^d it if appoint- 
 ed, that A*y to Whofe charge any thing t s t Aid ought to be removed 
 out of the Ajfembiy, untill his c lu e ?< t<-?ed y aid if he be convict 
 he can have no vote Hntiil the Kirl^fitJ fatisfatlion. 4. Th.it a/i 
 th? Afemblies ftnce tht late Reformation began 38. have upon the 
 objection of [candal agjinft any of the mmhers in the t>me of the 
 constitution of the Adeceing^ removedthe'e members untill it "tots 
 tryed and difcujfed; yet in this fame Meeting at S:. AnirtfW upon 
 the objection that t Je fcandalofBl alters, and others acce [Jims to the 
 unlawful engagement wts not 1 efficiently pureed by notification and 
 approbation of tharrepentante in 1 he A$cmhly t thvy Mere remov- 
 ed from being members, and the Writer rnagno friru bids any man 
 in the wirldbnng a reafon rvhyfomeuptn fuch exceptions have been 
 removed^ an I others againft whom were as relevant exceptions al- 
 mitted; for the other particular that the per [on s sb)e tied againft 
 Were under a, fcandall of carrying on ac ;urfe of defection , he faith 
 thatitismanifrft, not onely from common report > th? fr ft Where- 
 of is made Deut, 15.12. A ground of fear ch s And th". other a ground 
 of proceeding againft the inceftuous per [on : 1 Cor. 5. we may 
 fee by this What doom the late Commifstoners lively might h,ive 
 gotten^ had the Writer of this Taper been judge, excommunication fumnary 
 fom this Church, and de/iructton by the frord from the Q1V1U Magistrate, 
 fuch conft'ering the crime he charges on them, and tht place cited is net on- 
 ly hinted at (but blejfedbe GOD that fe HMtled a Qo^badfo fhort homes) 
 iut alfo from thofe four. 1 . The /tumbling and fad complaints of the godly 
 againft their froce dings. 2, The teftimonies and Letters of many fresbyte- 
 term hating their flumb hng and disfatis faction 'With the fame . \. The clear 
 [handing Jets , !{emonftrances and declarations of former jipmb 'its, unto 
 tbhich ihefe were dianetrally opoofue. 4, The tefiimony of f miry Brethren 
 in the Affmbly offering to prove it. 
 
 Review 
 
R B V I E W. 
 
 BEforelcometothedilcufling of the Authors Anfwers to 
 thisrat'on, I cannot but take notice of a few interiud 's of 
 hii in repeating of thefe i hings which 'he Writer brings in for 
 clearing and confirming of if: Firft,thcfe words of h sfir thefey 
 wr.he alleadges firft-j hat it is wirhout controverfie ; and next he 
 brings four things- for the proof of it, the light of Naturr,and the 
 Word of God, bur names nor one pallage of it. The Writer laid 
 not,that it w-is without controverfie; bur his words be iheic- al- 
 beit (as we conceive) n* great centrtvtrjie Wi// &e ab*m it ; A»«d 
 although he had (aid,' hat it is without controvcrtfe, was it a f ult 
 to bring forntthin^ (o\ ftrcugrhening arTent to the truth of it. T.iat 
 he|naii*ed no pallage of the Word of God wa?,beeaufc he took it 
 to be UppU & tonforibus mtum ambngft Qitijbabs , that an El- 
 der ftiould be blamelcfle,and of good report. A feebftd .s, That 
 it is good that th- w*itei,yeaU*en in'thu heat of aifputau©n,h*nds 
 foaiethingri ht in the Cora- ilTiomn. Papers , but that he tells 
 not all the trut h. The Writer de^r-.s not at at >y lme to be fo hot 
 agamft the Co nmiffi n , is not to acknowledge andTcommend 
 what is right in rhe<r Paper and aoHips ; and Wi>y jfhould it be 
 made a natter of challcn e3ga nft kiai , thithetei snotalithe 
 truth, feeing he had nof to do wr h any a. ore then he tells ; his 
 point wis to tr*!!, thar the perfous cinder (can jail, ought to be re- 
 moved from the Aflem'dy,and not the politive qualifications to be 
 required in thde who -re to be admitted to fit a Mernbefs\ If the 
 Author think that thai can contribute any .hin.> cither for llreng- 
 thening what the Writer intends to prove , o for clearngof the 
 Cominulion he doth w<l aibw it to be toM. Thirdly , Thefe 
 words of his The Writer magna hiatu bids any man in the world 
 bring a*reaio.i : his magno hiapu are not words very befeennng 
 that ibberneflc and gravity hat becomes a man of h s place and 
 parrs.he may iff mcaioer thar h? ufcththe like expreisions himfelf- 
 all the world v faith he in a certain place of his Vindication ihdl 
 not be abie to ct ar this from ufurpanon ; and is there not need of 
 as w dca n ou h for the one of th ie isf or the other. But that 
 which is moftobftrvable , is the ft range i ite^ence which he 
 drawls from the Writer 8 citmg T)eut.i$. 12. to prove thai com- 
 mon report is made a gr ui d vt learch : 1 CV.5. to prove that it 
 is made a ground of proceedings 9 wn may fee by '.tins what 
 
 doom 
 
doom the late Commifs. likely n i-ht have gotten,hid the Writer, 
 ofih*s»becn Jndgc>Excomcni.nicationfuii!mar y rrom hu>Chur^h 
 and denVucltoribythi* Sword from the C vili ,*■ agiftrate, cor.fi- 
 deringi he crime he charges on them , an-< the place cited it not 
 oiKly bmtei at, ( but bUttcd be God that io ill-willed a G w had 
 fo (he rt horns) but aiio from the l.'i 'fojf.3.1 1. The Author told 
 us above,? hat he is not given to be jealous, buf ihi* iavours too too 
 much or jealoufle,ani oft he want of Charity, wh ch thinker h not 
 evili.I wou d fain know from what Topkk he vvil ( from all that 
 the Wr'.ter h<ah faid)frame a probable argumcnt,that it is iike,that 
 if the Writer were Judgty luCommifliontrs doom would bt (urn- 
 mar Excommunication from this Church, and dcftru&on by the 
 Swot d from the Civili Magiftrate : I know him to be a man thtt 
 hath good ability in argumentation, but it will lurpaflfe all his in- 
 gyne,by any probable confequence, to inf*r this conclulion from 
 the Writers citing of theic placet of Script ure,to prove that com- 
 mon report is made a ground of fcarch a d proceeding) and I am 
 confident , that as he fhall not be able to bring any probable evi- 
 dence of what he hath aileadged,fo alfo that it did never enter in- 
 to the Writers heart to have fuch a thought. 
 
 Vindication. 
 ^Husfar the Wiiter^So Vce have noV? btfore us at one view thu 
 Argument fo opcrous and Urge y as full andfirong as it could 
 he made, to Which a very fiert an/wer might be made {for all hangs 
 upon this , that the I ate Comrnifsioners were under a fcanaall of 
 carrying on a courfe oj defection , and this hangs necefjarily upon 
 the third particular lafi mentionedjtohich tht Writer onely di flats 
 mag ifter tally we deny, Khich alone lajes the whole argument 
 in the hollow , and fu/pend/ affent to the conclufion thereof^ 
 untill the Writer {hall in a neW Edition filled out his Argu- 
 ment ,and make that particular good, which he {hat I never be able 
 to do ; But for clearer fatisfatlion to all honefi Chriftians about 
 this matter, Uv prefent this confederation in anfWt r to this argu- 
 ments .The very like accufation & exception came into the A§cm 
 48, from the ve r y P arliament % agjwft t ho Members of t ken Com- 
 mifsioners 9 who were Commijstoners to the tyifembly, and jet af~ 
 ter a long andferious debate jt was found ( by none more then our 
 pre font ^protefters , And concluded that none of them c$uld be re- 
 moved j r*m J'-tting in the Ajfemblj t and voting in other matters 
 
 untill 
 
059) . 
 ftvlill their proceed' ngs iP*r\ firfi heard andtryed>when the Writer^ 
 fhaUJh^ipean anj&ir lojuftijfe thi Corfti t ution of that Afjemblf % 
 notwtthftan&trg thts that wus done , thn we doubt not bni it Jhall 
 the Ute Ajsembly . fc We fee that it is contrary 
 to the truth which the Writer aileadgeth in anfyoer to the fir ft Ob- 
 ne tl ton Again ft this Argument , when he fayeth, that though it be 
 true that the Members of the Commifs ion have been aliased to 
 fit untiil their proceedings Were t ryed and judged , yet that is as 
 true^tkat fuch ObyEltons and h xceptions being presorted 9 was ne« 
 ver r ejebled* We have given afrejh and recent tnftance to the con* 
 trary ye. at he addeth there % viz*. that fince the Ute Rformatisn^ 
 there Mas nt* canfe to propone fuch thing ; the C*mnnf s ioners til this 
 ye tr , having carryed themfelvcs f ithfully , *toe grant the 
 former did. carry the mfeives faithfully , and that tl ere was no 
 juficaufe of proponino that exception againft the (^ommijsion 48; 
 dna "toe affirm. that the Commi/non -5 j, carry ed them elves fait h- 
 fulh^and that there W*?.r no jufi cauje of propor.i- g th«t exception 
 aqnnft them "frhtcb the Protefters mdde y but whether it was fo or 0- 
 therwayes in rdpfa tn the very deed it fe If , fence both exceptions at 
 the time they were made, were alij^c to the 4ffembly , and therefore 
 {to borrow the word of the Writer we defire any man in the world to 
 brir g a rea; on why the ene Ajjembiy Jboula be condemned f 'or re- 
 telling fuch an exception before the proceeding of the perfons ex- 
 cepted tgainft , weretryed and judged whenas the other AjfembJy 
 which re j< ilea the like exception u maintained, But good Reader 9 
 look forward upon the Writers folUwirg of his Anfwcr to the Obje- 
 tlion menttoned^and fee a my fiery ^md judge thou 9 ifit be not 4f ini- 
 quity ^gatnft all the Ute Ge«erall Afjemblyes ofthuKirky he tells 
 us of an All madeznna i60i y and renewed 1648, andfayethjhat 
 it doth neceftarily infer , that the Commifftoners of aformer Af- 
 fembly y (hot* la not be admitted as Members in the fucceedin^ Af- 
 fembly y although there be no fcandad or exception proponed upon 
 their proceedings untiil they be tryed y much lejje when a fcandaU or 
 exception u fr opened. Thts is a fair blow, by one fio^ given to 
 the late C onfiitutions of all the AffembL es of this Ki> £, posterior 
 to that Affembly at G\i{gow,without exception andmofi of all to 
 the lAflembly 48, for in all of them, Commfjt oners oftheprecee- 
 dtng Ajsembties refpftlive have been admitted to fit <*s Member s % 
 before their proceedings Weretryed and judged, and in that dfsem- 
 
bly qSythey were admitted to [it, nti Wnthftandtng exception being 
 made again ft their fitting bj the fuprsam Civili Power of the 
 Land. This is remarkable jh at the Writer, to the ejftll he might 
 full dm* the iate^Afsembly <,\ % he Weald put down ali toe reft with 
 it, Hut the truth is, the Writer is [emewhat rafh tn hi* a sett ion 
 concerning the confequences of that *s4t~l mentioned, lookjthe tenor 
 efit as ir is extant in the Afsembly ^^efs.6. ft lajth only this 
 muchfTkatthe Commiffioners of former Afsemblies fh ail give an 
 accompt of their proceedings in the bt ginning of the Afsemblj, be* 
 fore any other matter or caufe be handled, and their proceedings to 
 be allowed or dif-allowed^cjrc. from chichi cohfefse , this mnch 
 may be inferred by one flicking precifely to the letter of the toord, 
 that after the Afsembly is conftitute, the handling of all ether 
 matters fhould be [ufpended, untill the Qommifsioners proceedings 
 fhould be tryed and put to apoint 9 during which try al,t be Commif* 
 (loners that are members vi mater \z>muft be removed, becaufe the 
 fameperfons cannot try their e\\>n proceedings , but that they may 
 not be admitted in any wayes to be Aicmbers of the Afsembly, not 
 fo much as to vote in the SletJion of a Moderator* (which ypas the 
 thing required by the Protefiers) cannot be inferred from thtnce % 
 if it were other^ayes it [eemsftrange to me, that that fame Afsem- 
 bly 48, which did reneW that Ail, did at the fame very time , admit 
 the Commifsioners of the preceding Afsembly (fundrj of the pre* 
 fent ProtefUrs,and amongft the reft, none more then the Writer of 
 this Paper , avdthe fuggefler to him of this confideration, being 
 chief aclors in the bufines) to fit as Members of the ^Aftembly^be* 
 fore their processings "here tryedy yea, and to vote infumdrj other 
 matters during the time of their trjaU; aud that Whenas there V>as 
 exception made a<rainfi them,hut be fide this retortion of the Argu- 
 ment, Which the protcfters are obliged to anfwer. 
 Rivnw 
 
 ALbeit the Author is pleated to fay /That the Writer (hall never 
 be able to make good,that the PublickRcfolutions were dia- 
 raetrsiiy oppofite to clear (landing AcT:s, Remonftrance$,and De- 
 clarations of former Aflfembliesjyet h?,or Come others in his room 
 hath often made this good 3 out of thcfeAft^Romonftranccs, D«- 
 clarations,&c.whereinthc > very contradictory of the PublickRefo- 
 lutions, is clearly fet down upon the very circursftantiat cafe of 
 defending th« Caufe and Countrey againft forraign Invasion ; and 
 
 there- 
 
thcrforc though tkcrt were no more to uphold the Argument but 
 this,the conciu fion thereof may lafely be aflented to, without tny 
 new Edition or the Writers in -following his Argument^ am glad 
 thatthcAuthor ii brought toackoowledg,that til hangs upon this, 
 end doubt* that iome of his friends who quarrel! at fundry former 
 A&s, Remonftrances and Declarations, as not knowing how t« 
 reconcile them with Publick Resolutions , approve inn in this. 
 He would rcmcmbcr,& others would be infurmed s that in the be- 
 ginning of the Meeting at St. Andrews^ this point was offered to 
 be inftantly verified out of the Records of the Church under the 
 Oerks hand, who is generally acknowledge d to know the»a bed: 
 of etiy, and was bound by his plate and particular Ads of Aflem- 
 blicSj to off.r them unto them, and yet they could not be heard; 
 and the exception being relevant in it fclf (as is acknowledged 
 by the Author) and rejected when offered to be inftru&ed: as to 
 the matter of fadt it is alike as if it had been pro vector it (tandsfor 
 pt oven in Law,as to the Judge who refutes to admit probation to 
 be inftantly produced ex *ttu /**r.To his firft particular anfwer 
 I reply .Firft, That do like acculation nor exception came into the 
 Affcwbly 1648, from the very Parliament (or any efher) againfc 
 the Members of the Commiflion who were Commillioners to the 
 Aflembly •, neither after a long and krious debate was it found (ei- 
 ther by our prefent Protefters or any others ) and concluded that 
 none of them could be removed from fitting in the AlTembly, and 
 voting in other matters, until cheir proceedings were firft heard and 
 tryed. There was in the Affembly 1 648. no fuch accufacion nor ex- 
 ception, nor debace, nor conclusion, which is a ftiort and clear an- 
 fwer for juftifying that AiTembly, and for vindicating the truth of 
 tha: which is alleadged by the Writer in anfwer to the firft Obje- 
 ction, to wit, That fuch exceptions being propounded, were never 
 rejected ; and doth withal give a clear reafon why the one Aifembly 
 Should be condemned, though the other be juftified ; becaufethe 
 one Aflembly rejected fo rcleuant an exception, which the other did 
 not, it being never propounded unto them. In all this bufinefs the 
 Author is greatly miftaken, and (whether through mif-informatw 
 on, or how I know not) doth afTert that for a truth which never 
 had a being, and therefore ali his defences built upon it do at one 
 inftant fall to the ground. The ftory which as it fectns he hints at 
 in the 48. Was briefly this ' In the year 1 64S. the Alfembly being 
 
 X met 
 
(i6i) 
 
 met and conftitutcd without any exception propounded or mentio- 
 ned by any perfon or party whatfoever,againft thefe who had been 
 Members of the former Commiffion,and were now Members of the 
 Aflernbiy, after they had licten five or fix dayes, a$ is evident from 
 comparing the date of their firft Seflion with the date of the Papers 
 after mentioned, the Committee of Eftates (for the Parliament was 
 adjourned a good while ere then,as is evident from the printed A&s 
 therof ) heanng that the AflfcmbJy were now gone a good length in 
 thetryaiof the proceedings of the Commiffion, fent in the Earlc 
 ofCjlencam the Treafurer-Depute, and Archibald Sy defer f 'to the 
 Affemblie with a Paper wherein they did defire, i. That the Af- 
 fcmbly would be pleafed to appoint fome of their number to meet 
 with fuch as fhould bt appointed by the Committee of Eftates , for 
 composing of mif-undcrltandings betwixt Kirk and State, and for 
 clearing the Marches betwixt the Civil and the Edefiaftick Power, 
 and thefe Queftions which had been debated betwixt the P a r- 
 l i a m e nt and the Commissioners of the Gen. 
 Assembly, a. That they would be pleafed to for- 
 bear the emitting of any Declaration, either to this Kingdom, or 
 the Kingdom of Sn^Uttd^chtwg to the then Engagement and pro- 
 ceedings. 3. That before the General Aflembly did proceed to any 
 approbation of the actions of the Commiffioners of the former Af- 
 femblies, that in thefe things which might relate to the then En- 
 gagement, and to thefe Queftions that had been debated betwixt 
 the Parliament and them, they might be firft heard. In order to thefe 
 defires there palled feveral Papers betwixt the General Aflembly, 
 and the Committee of Eftates : But in none of thefe is there any 
 Exception propounded by the Committee of Eftates again ft any of 
 the Commiffioners of the former Aftemblies; nor any defire there- 
 upon, that they might be removed until thefe Exceptions fhould be 
 tryed and difcufled : But all the Ob/eclions and Exceptions they 
 fpeak of, is,Objeclions & Exceptions againft the proceedings of the 
 Commiffion in reference to jthe Engagement, which though they 
 were a good while waited for, and again and again delired, yet did 
 •not the Committee of Eftates offer one tittle of particular Objecti- 
 on or Exception againft the proceedings of the Commiffion in the 
 matter of the Engagement,before the tryal and approbation of thefe 
 proceedings by the General AflTembly, much lefs did they offer any 
 Objection or Exception againft the Members ' of the Commiffion, 
 
 who 
 
who were Members of the Aflembly. The Committee ofEftates 
 did afterwards print and pubhih very i"ha pand reflecting Papers a- 
 gainftthat Mlcmbly, and their Declaration, wherei j as was pro- 
 bably conceivedp they had the help of iome very aolc Mmifters and 
 Lawyers, and yet in all thefe they do notib much as once infinuatc 
 any thmg of this kind that they did propound fuch an Exception a- 
 gatnft the Members of the CommiiTion,who were Members of that 
 Aflembly, which doubtlefs they would not have qmitted if any 
 fuch thing had been : But if the Author will not truft none of thefc 
 things, which if need were can be atteft d by many who were eye 
 & ear witnetfes therto. To the efFecl tfut there be no place for gain- 
 faying in thiv matter, I have fet down after the clofe of, this Review, 
 the true Copy of the Papers that paft betwixt the Committee of 
 Efhtes and the General Affonbly at that time in that bu fine (^extra- 
 cted faithfu iy out of the Regift ~rs of the Committee of Eftates ; a- 
 gainft which no flying report that he hath heard, and taken impref- 
 fion from, can bear any weight. That Myftery of Iniquity which 
 the Author fuppoies to have found agaioft all the late Gen. AfTem- 
 blies of this Church, is but a Myftery of his own very groundlefs 
 and uncharitable fanfie, wherein he may haply pleafe himfelf, but 
 brings no edifiotion to his Readers, nor advantage to his Caufe 
 thereby : It were bert^r for him to be exercited in dif covering true 
 Myftertcs of Iniquity which are nearer home, and as yet a vail to 
 his eyes, then thus t© ftretch his lngyne and fpend his time to find 
 a knot ; n a Ruit. Rut what i* that Myftery ? The Writer tels uf, 
 faith he of one Aft made anmo^ 1601. and renewed anno, 1648., 
 and faith,That it doth necellarily infer, that the Commiflioners of a 
 former Adembly fbould not v e admitted as Members of a fuccee- 
 ding A'dembly, though there be no fcandal nor exception propoun- 
 ded upon their proceed n^ until they be tryed ,• much lefs when a 
 fcandal or except on is propounded. This faith the Author, is a fair 
 blow by one ftroke given to thehte conftitutions of ail the Aflem- 
 blies of this Church Pefteritr to tb n Alembly ixGUfgw without 
 exception, and moft of all t<uhe Alembly 48. for is all of them 
 Commiflioners of the preceding A-tfemblies refpe&ive have been 
 admitted to (it as Members,before their proeeeeings were tryed and 
 judged; and in that Afsembly 1648. they were admitted to fit, 
 notwithstanding exceptions being ma 'e a*ainft their fitting, by the 
 Supream Civil Power of the Land. B^t if this be candid and con- 
 
 X 2 cludent 
 
(i*4) 
 dudent reafoning, I defire lctvc of him to difcover another Myftc- 
 ric of Iniquity in fvs own words, before he clofc this purpofc that 
 gives as great a blow to all the late Conftitutions of all the Afsem- 
 blies of this Church (incc the $8. none excepted ; hn w>rds arc 
 thefe, I confef* that trms much may be inferred by one ft eking 
 precisely to the Letter of the A&, That after the Artemb y is confti- 
 tutcd, the handling all oth*r matters ftiould e fufpended until the 
 Com:nilTioners proceedings be tryed and put to a point, during 
 wh ch tryal the Commiilioncrs that are Members vi materia muft 
 be r moved ; becaufethe fame pcrfons cannot t y th-ir own pro- 
 ceedings. But fo it is, that though the Lttter of the Act ani vii 
 mattria do infer thefe things yet after 'he conft tu ing of the Af- 
 fembly, Commiilioncrs of all the preceding Aiemb'ies r^foe&ive 
 fince the 33. have been admitted to (it as Members oi the Alk.n- 
 bly, before the tryal and difcuflim: of their proceedings t Fherforc 
 there is one Myftery of Iniquity in the Authors words, wheh pulls 
 down all thefe AHemblies of the Church What vtyftery of Ini- 
 quity imaginable that reaches unto the pulling down of the A km* 
 blies can be found in the Writers words, but this, That thefe Acffc 
 1601.& 1648. docrofs the ordinary practice of all thefe Aiembhes 
 in this particular,conccrning the trying aid difcuiTing of the procee- 
 dings of the Cummiflioners, or that the proceeding of all thefe Af- 
 femblies in this particular have not been agreable u:ito,but diifonant 
 from the Rule holdcn forth in thefe Acts : And doth not the Au- 
 thor yeeld , That both by t' e Letter of the A#, and vi r,*ateri 4% 
 that they ought to have been removed ? But fo have they not been 
 in any of chefe Artcmblics before the judging of their procerdmgs : 
 Doth not then that Myftery of Iniquity work in him, as well as in 
 the Writer ? But he tels us, that it cannot be inf-rred fro n th nee 
 that ih< y m y not be admitted in any waies to be Members of the 
 Aflembly, not fo much as to vote in the Election of a Mod rator, 
 wh ch was the thing required by the Prottfters(if he had dealt fair- 
 ly he (hou'd have faid, which is the th ng inferred by the Writer • 
 but pet haps he faw fome difadvantagc in th.it) be it fo, That that 
 inference cannot be made from thence, yet may th s inference well 
 be made from thence, That after the chafing of the Moderater they 
 cannot be admitted to (it and vote irrany bunnefs in the A fembly 
 before their proceedings be allowed or difalfo-w ed, and that if they 
 be admitted before that ume^thcfc Acts of the Adcmbly are dearly 
 
 crofscd 
 
crofsedand contradi&ed, which being done by all thefc Afsemblics 
 fincegS. they aire to be pulled down as null. When the Author 
 fhal extricate himfelf and his Readers out of this Myftery of Iniqui- 
 ty, he (hall alfo help the Writer how to clear himfelf of the other. 
 The truth is, though there hath been fome crofting between thefe 
 Aifemblies and the practice of the A'iembly fince the * 8. both the 
 one way and the other, by the fitting of the CommiiTioners of the 
 former A(Temb!y, not on'y nil the A*1emb!y was confhtute and in 
 the choice of a Moderator, but alfo afterwards m the debating and 
 vot ng of other butinefs before the allowing o difallowing of their 
 proceedings •, yet doth not this reach any blow to the constitutions 
 of thefe Atablies, becaufe the Act of the Alembly 1 60 1 > till the 
 yc ar 1648. Was almoft inter non eagnifA y e£* non nppAre tin ; yea, 
 ther^ was no caufe to urge it, the CommiiTioners of ah thefe Af* 
 femblies carrying themf elves faithfully, and not being under Any 
 fcand d or ar y exception thcrupon proponed againft them. Aad al- 
 beit things belonging to *o mer order being propounded and ur ^cd 
 (efpecially m cafes of confequence upon the matter ) cannot be paft 
 by, unlefs they be formally sepealed; yet if through inadvertency 
 or cuftom they come to be om tted, there being no particular emer- 
 ge* t pivmg occ tfion to urge them t yet doth not this give any blow 
 t the Judicatory wherein thefe forms ftiould be uted; neither doth 
 he, who faith, that their own Laws piefcr be fuch a form , prove 
 guilty of any Myftery or Iniquity But the Author infifts, That 
 the A embly 48. winch did te new that Act, did at the very fame 
 time admit the Commiiioner* of tie preceding Aden ibly, fundry 
 of the prcfent Protefters, aad amongft the reft none mo r e then the 
 Writer of this Paper* and the buggefter to h m < f this Confiderati- 
 on, bring chief aelors in the bu ine s, to (it as Members r»f the Af- 
 femblv,beforc their proceedings were tryed : yea,and t vote in fun** 
 dry other mater- during the tine of zhei try al, and that whereas 
 there wa« exception made agaiuft theTi. I na< s hi* niubmg up n the 
 Writer of the Paper, and I know not that Suggt fter to him of that 
 con deration, as eing a th>ng ordinary to bin in all this De ate, & 
 yet little either for his own honor, or for the edification of others : 
 I thiiik theienow are not afliamed to give the r m tual hetpjtiid a- 
 fiftar.ee one to another either by fuggeftng or iigeft.ng asGod hath 
 gftedthem, whit may contribute for the defence of th Tnith. 
 But fure 1 au; 5 though he may fpeak his fanfie,and vent his reflecting 
 
 con* 
 
(i6*) 
 
 conjedures that lie neither knows who writ the Paper.or if any, or 
 v\ ho fuggtfttd that con< deration to hm, or what the r ading was 
 in that butiiicfj* n the Aflembiy 4b. If he fhall take into confidera- 
 t'.ontb. c rcumfhnce* of proceedings in the Affembly 48. which 
 revived the ad of the Aflembly 1601. he will not need to think it 
 ftrange that they did admit the Commiisioners of the former Af« 
 fen bly to lit & vote in other matters before their proceedings were 
 tryed and judge* 4 , becaufe the motion of reviving that ad was not 
 made till a very little time before the report of their proceedings by 
 the Committee of the Aflembly, to whom the infpedion of the 
 Commifsion- Book was, committed : any who looks upon the ads 
 of the Aflembly will find, that the ad 160 1. was revived, and the 
 Comnufsions proceedings apptoven both in one day, thconc ir the 
 fore -noon, and the other in the after- noon ; and 1 beh eve that he 
 {hall not fid that in the interval betwixt thefe two Ads, any thing 
 was voted in the Aflembly. He insinuates, as if at that time there 
 had been a debate about the removing of the Commiflloners, upon 
 exception madeaga nil: them ; but in this he is miftaken ftill: There 
 was no exception made againft them, nor any debate thereupon, as 
 we have already cleared. If it be asked, what then was the reafon 
 of reviving the Ad 1601. the reafon was, beoule the Committee 
 of Effaces did the day before the report made of the proceedings 
 of the Commiflion) defire that the A (fen bly would not proceed to 
 thr approbation of thefe proceedings befcre they might be heard in 
 the ; e things that did relate to the E gagemert (as we have already 
 fhownj And thr Aflembly knowing that ths was but a fhift to gain 
 time, a; d to dev de the Aflembly , as they thought fit to call the 
 G nmn ttee, if thty had any new Objedions againft the proceedings 
 of the Comrmftion or only the fame Objedions made by the Par- 
 liament or their Comnitrees before ; a d upon the Reply of the 
 Committee of Eftates. that they had juft and material Exceptions, 
 befides any formerly made, to coi tnue til the next day at io.hou r s, 
 and to appoint that time for hearing thefe Exceptions; fo for pre- 
 venting of the like inconveniences for time to cotne 3 tbcy thought fit 
 to renew the Ad 1 60 1 But it wonders me that in all the Authors 
 Anfwer to this point, he doth not fo much as once touch upon the 
 parity of the reafon brought by the Writer for making of the Ad in 
 the Aflembly 1601. and ui ging it in the Aflembly 1651. there be- 
 ing in both thefe Aflemblies a fcandal of defedion upon the Com- 
 mifTioncrs 
 
0*7) 
 
 mitfloners of the Kirk ; upon the firft, for taking upon them to give 
 in Petitions to the Pari. for vote* in Parlament to the Miniftcrs chat 
 fhouJd be provided to Presbyteries, as reprefenting the true Ciiurch 
 of God,and being thcTh'ri Eftate of theRcaim;uponthelatter,fbr 
 taking upon them to bring in the Malignant party 3 which did not ft! 
 out (nor the Jike in any of the Alkmbhes fince the 3 8. J and there- 
 fore there is no reafon to queftion the Conft .tucion of theic AiTem- 
 blies, for not proceeding according to that Rule, it neither being 
 urged, nor there being any cauie to urge the fame. 
 
 VlNDICATIO N. 
 
 I^jfre next place to come to a more dirett Anftoer : It is certain? bat every 
 propunding of Exceptions or dlleadganee offcandals againft per fins ± and 
 offering to proVe them, is notfufficlent to deprive them from being Mem * 
 hers of, or fining in the Gener d Ajfembly : fortyere Uf9 9 ptrVerft and bold 
 men migbt return and dif appoint the Church efallGen.AJJembliesfor ever : 
 this the Writer of the late Taperacfyo^ledges in anfker to Objection g. 4- 
 gain/i the 'prefent Argument \ and therf ore he proceeds to q^alifie the Excep- 
 tim\\kiebmayb< fufficientfw that ejjfecl s by fettvng duMw three Conditions 
 requifit in it, wherein he fpea\s not altogether amifs, oftebkh Ke fb lilmafy 
 our up (toe hope) for our advantage t baling Added a little before pr further 
 clearing* Zirft then We humbly conceive, that ai'to the admitting to, or remo- 
 ving frmn fitting in the General Ajfembly* of necejfity there mifi be diffe- 
 rence acfyisWledgcd befteizt Bxceptims made in frcshytertes or fcieties, by 
 WhomCommifiloners drechtfen U aOeneraUij]emb\y 9 a-gawfitbeelettionof 
 fuch .'or fuch per fons 9 nominated to be Commif toners, dud the Exceptions 
 made in the Jjfembly it fe If again/if uch as hate been chofen by Societies from 
 whence they cameWitbout 9 quefiion y exception or contradiction > and haVe a, 
 formal and regular Commission ; the former 1 cmfejfe being followed, and 
 being pre fentedydotbfufpendperfonsfrbm being admitted to fit as Members 
 in the dffembly, until the exceptions be tryeA, becaufe it is as yet under que- 
 ftion whether they be elected andcormmfsionated, which mujl be fyoWm be- 
 fore they fit as men clothed With authot ity^clothedto'iudgput the other cannot 
 alftaies : I grunt it may and ought "When (as the Writer qualifies) firfi the ex- 
 ception for the matter prima fronte appears to he relevant in Ltfte , an evi- 
 dent, and undoubted fault. Secondly, that for the truth of the fd& in applv* 
 cation to the per/ons againft Whom it is made there be afcandal offome pre- 
 fumptions for itdf either of the fc be Wanting(\ cannot in any Ways accord With 
 the Writer in that alternative Which he addeth in the fecond conditioner fom 
 offering to infimtf and maken out; fuppofe the matter be relevant clearly in 
 LaW * for grant that , andflill the am fed confequence folloWeth of a ready 
 
 VP4) 
 
0*8) 
 
 nay made for perVcrfe and fold per fons to dij "appoint the IQirJ^ of all Affem- 
 him for eVer) if either (}f*y)of tbtfe he Kant'mgfbe exception is not relevant 
 to remove perfons from fitting as Members in the *Affembly he fore the Ex- 
 ception he tryed and judged ; though it he true, that the AJhnhly being con- 
 ftitu>te>tbc exception and grounds thereof ought to he tryed'toitb all convenient 
 diligence And expedition ftbicb n>as offered to the Trotejlcrs in theprefent cafe 
 and dehate. 
 
 R ■ v i i w. 
 
 I Do humblyconccivc chtt eh* Author by diftinguifhing and diffe- 
 rencing of exceptions made in the Prckbyrcry, and exceptions 
 made in the Gtn. Aflembly,and granting that the ririt doth exclude 
 from (irtiog in the Afombiy, but not the laft, except where the ex- 
 ceptions frim*fr§ntc 9 at leaft ire relevant in Law , and that for 
 the matter or ra3, theirs being a fcandall of fome preemptions, 
 doth but darken a clear bufinefle, becaufc if we (hall take the fame 
 exceptions, and in the lame cafe thry have alwayei ai'ke force to 
 exclude pcrfons nominate to be Commiflioners, whether they be 
 flrft proponed in the Presbytery at the time of the election, and af- 
 terwards followed in the General Aflcmbly, or not at all proponed 
 till it come to the Aflcmbly : All exceptions againft Commiffio- 
 ners whether made in Presbyteries, or in the Aflcinbly, majreon- 
 veniently be reduced to that compaffyu to lye in fomewhat that 
 concerns the Comraiflfion, as not being for mall and regular, as the 
 Author (peaks; for if we take a formal! and regular C mmirtlon in 
 all the caufes and requifits of it, it doth Comprehend all thefc things 
 •gainlt which my exception doth ly ; but for the better under- 
 ftanding of the bufloeiTe, it is to be confidertd, That aimoft all ex- 
 ceptions againft Commiflionersly in one of thefc , either because 
 they are Commiffionated by thcic who have no power, ©r becaufc 
 the elections was not free,or btcaute thcCommiflion doth not con- 
 tain its dut powers > or becaufe the pcrfons chofen are not capable 
 tobeCommifsionated; now let us take exceptions of any ofthtfc 
 kinds , or ofanyorher kind that may beinfttneed bcfidesthefe : 
 have they not the v (a i>e weight, being proponed prim§ inft*nti t 
 in the Aflcmbly, as if thsy had been at flrft proponed in thePresby- 
 tery, and afterwards followed in the Alterably ? Hath not every 
 member of the Atfcmbly liberty before the Conftitution of the Af- 
 
 fcmb\y 
 
^ferahly to propone exceptions of all or any of iheU kinds, gs well 
 a* any perfca fe the Presbytery , or camming from the Presbytery, 
 and >s not the Afkmbly w> hout reference, or appeal, or diflbnt.ot 
 Prot- Ihtiou made in the Presbytery prime inflann a j idge compe- 
 tent to uke in and judge thefe exceptions being proponed; TheAu- 
 thor gives a difference, to wir, becaufe exceptions of rhfidt kind 
 feeing followed and prelented, put under queftion whether rhey be 
 ele&ed ana comoiitsibnated , which »uft oe known before they 
 fit as men cloathe i wicri Authontyjbut to paffe that, it feems to be 
 insinuate that <he election cannot be qucRioned in the Aflfm ly, if 
 it hath no;: oeen qae tioneiin th P.cs yeery , do not excep- 
 tions of the Uit kinle put in qieiiioo whether thy be men 
 capable of authority- 9 and is it' not as relevant to exclude a man 
 from being a j idgt, 'hat he is not capable to rec«ive auth rity, as 
 that .no authori y hath been given him: That he h n©t capable to be 
 elected, as hat he is not elected, that he 1$ not r-ghtly Comm ifsi o- 
 narc , as chat he is not Comraifs donated at all; notwithstanding of 
 ths diftin&ion made by the Author ( which for my part I tec little 
 or no lcis &f in this matter ) y. the grants that eXceptions,at leaft 
 priwafronte do appear to be relevant inLaw,and concerning which 
 th r? arc fcanialls or preemption as to the roatteOof hci, are re- 
 levant to exclude per ions from fitting m the Ailembly, till they be 
 firfttyed arid judged , andouely denyes the third branch , to 
 wir That it i> enough if there be io*ie perfons offering to mak out 
 what isaileadged; in order to which, I would fit it ask , whether 
 upon foppofall thar at the tune of the election, fomc perions or the 
 Pr s yte^y offered to inftruct, and becaufe of their not being heard 
 rfurc had att-r wards come and often d it to the Arte mbly before 
 their conftitution,would it then be a relevant exception to exclude 
 them from firing ctU t (hould be firil ttyed and judged ? If he fay 
 it would , then Jay 1 , >t would aife have been relevant, though 
 h had rtffr brer proponed untili the A'T mb!y, and if it be 
 ceryed ? I would know the reafbnofthe difference , if he fay it 
 would not have been relevant,then i defire it to he confide*" d, whe- 
 ther the offrr of Come perfom undertaking infterhtfy to veriiie what 
 they do alkadge; be not of a*; great weight as fpin'c prefumpt-ions 
 of the facl, fet be a fesn iali of foroeprefumptions of the fad,which 
 js^rantedby the Au h.irt » be fu ri, m^, if the matter be relevant 
 in Laws Bat granting thif, he cannot Fee but Itili the abated confe- 
 
 Y ouence 
 
quence folio wes, to wit , the miking a ready way for permit and 
 bold perfonstodiiappaint the Charch of all Assemblies for ever. 
 Upon fuppofiil that there werefomcoccafion given hereby to fear 
 fuch aihing, ytt if another as evill a confequcncc do more probably 
 follow upon denying his : That is rcmsadilefs corrupting of A(- 
 iembhes in their conft.rutionj what ftull be done in that cafe? That 
 this coifrquencc will follow, dpeciaUy where the exceptions do 
 concern many, and leading rnenare, it of a more c >mmon and uni- 
 verfall influence, appears,becau(e ifthefe perfon>be admitted to fit 
 as members after the proponing of th;fc exceptions , before tryall 
 of them , there can be no regrefs to the removing if them after- 
 wards upon that ground, unlets we lay thit the Alsembly may af- 
 terwards un Joe th*t which formerly th y dii approve, in for* con- 
 tradiftorie , ani that 'hole tha: were once found members , not- 
 withstanding of thele exception, ye^ afterwards by the lame ex- 
 ceptions may be found no mcmbjrsjthat the one coni qudncc doth 
 more probably follow t hen th other, appears not ouely from this, 
 that it is not ordinary tor men of com uon fenfc and re Hon, not al- 
 moftfor the molt pe.verie and irrational! men, to offer that to a 
 Judicatory, againfl cheir conft tu\ ut m mbers, which they h*vc no 
 projablr hope to vcrifie; but alio from the doolfull experience of 
 this Church. When did it ever fall out in the Church of $cotU*d t 
 jhat aGencrall AdemoJy was difappointcd t y p^rvede and bold 
 men, offering to prove exceptions relevant in Law, but fals in fuel 
 agamft the conltituent members thereof? who can give any initanc* 
 thcreof,unlefs men will bring the Assembly 5 1 . (which is to bring 
 the thing in queftion) for aninttancc : Bur upon the other hand, 
 the admitting of men to fit againft whom fuch exceptions were, or 
 might have been proponed, hath been one of themaia caulesof 
 corruptions of Afscmolies,and def &i in in thisChurch,as ts known 
 in the time of the Prelatc8,and it is the duty ot wife men to provide 
 moft againfl that which ut pltirimum is their danger : But as I do 
 not (2 e how the lall confluence by the Authors way, can be pre- 
 vented^ ldo not fee howthe ftrft confequencc doth follow,becaufc 
 thele pjrverfc U bold pcrlons who propones the exceptions, & of- 
 fersto vcrifit them lnftantly^othnot fuppofe that all theMceting to 
 whom they offer the exceptions arc guilty ; for if they did fuppoff 
 th n thy could not propone any exceptions to betryed by them, 
 but bshoved prim* infttnti to decline them all as judges, rclcrving 
 
 tf*e 
 
'07O , 
 the verification of their alleadgances to a judge competent. Now 
 if they do thus, theAfsembly is not difappbinted by pervcrfcand 
 bold perfons,c.ffcnng to verifie cxceptionsjbecaufc in this cafe they 
 do not make any offer of verification of any exception, before that 
 Meeting- upon the other hand , if they do acknowledge a part of 
 them as perfons competent , and fitly qualified to try anddifcufs 
 thele exceptions which they offer to verifie,then the per tens againu; 
 whom they except being removed., and the exceptions taken in, 
 andcognofced upon, acconiingto the verification offered, they 
 are found either true or falfe; if they be found falfe, theAtfembly 
 isnotdifappointcd, but may proceed to its Con&itiition, having 
 found their members blaraeleffe, and having flopped thefemens 
 mouths. If the exceptions be found true of fuch a number, with- 
 out whom the reft cannot mske an AfTembly, there is a great ad- 
 vantage in ftcad of a feared difadvantage, that is the prevention of 
 a corrupt Meeting, constituting themfelves in an Affembly; if 
 but a fewer number, the corrupt are removed, and the blameleffe 
 are admitted, and the Affembly goes on: Bendcsalith s, itmayby 
 way of Commiflion , without any difadvantage to the Protefters 
 caufc be yeelded to the Author j that it is to be looked to that the 
 Perfons offering to verifie thefc exceptions be not perverfe perfbns, 
 but men of a good report, and fuch as are known to walk honeltly, 
 and not to ad npon a Principle of malice or il-will againft the per- 
 fons whom the exceptionsdo concern,all which wis true in thePro- 
 tefters cafe,they being (undry of them members of that Meeting, to 
 whom it was incumbent tx officio to propone any exception con- 
 lifting in their knowledge, ana allowed to lit as Members of the Af- 
 fembly(a priviiedge not belonging to per vers men) and all of them 
 men of good report,& of a blameiefs converfation, and fuch as are 
 known to be fo far from malinging the CommifTieners , againft 
 whom they did except,that they then hgchrnd ftilhave them in efti- 
 mation, and do love them as brethren. The Author yeclds that the 
 Afsembly being conftitute, the exception and grounds thereof are 
 to be tryed with all convenient diligence and expedition ^ and al- 
 leadgesthatths was offered to the Proteiters in the present cafe 
 and debate. That fuch an off r was made, I (hall not contradict; 
 I believe it was fo, but to pals by that, even this which he himfelf 
 thinks reafonable, though offered, yet was not well performed ,be- 
 caufe moft of the time that the AfsembJy fate, was paft before that 
 
 Y z except!- 
 
07*) 
 «xctptioD «*.* the ground i h?reot were try.-d, thcfc men til the 
 wh' c, an I r u >a g>od many dayei, fitting a. .J voycing m all hingi 
 that paft in the Ais«»oly. even in thefe things th<t did concern the 
 pr^po trs of the exception : Thf P ot< ftn s coi 1 1 not acceot of this 
 off'j r ,not one y nccaufe if duj 1 poofe th.ir fitting in the Assembly 
 as mem-Vis before the tryhg of the exception, but al(o betaufe 
 th- exception wis not an txcepiion agi ot one or iomc few parti- 
 cuUr pcrfonsmthcealcot fnmc pirricuiar or perfonal fcandali f fruc 
 an -xccutjon of common conccrnnjcnt to many m things relating to 
 the difvharge cf their truft in rhe Ca '<e. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 BZJt faith the writer m h^nu ( both thefe Were clear in the 
 r ent C4* , to wit , ths ex r eprion made again ft the lute 
 Comnnffionrrs , rt was relevant in jure, if there be any re Lev ancle 
 why a man (honld, not fit in the Cjenercill 4§cmbly, this certainty U 
 one that he hath betrayed his form r truft, hath made defection from 
 the Covenant andC>tufe,and being t » ft > urn* nt all to carry on a conrfe 
 of defection throughout the Ki* k^- in K l g^^m^andat to the truth of 
 the j titly in reference agair.fi Wnom the exception Wo* made,all theft 
 did concur a fltrrant (caniall, pragma it p^eiumptions and perfons 
 in the judicatory, offering lomftrucl and vert fie what ft as aUead- 
 ged) by this the Writer believes that he h.tth cleared as Wit ha 
 Sun beam, and gained his point, but we hope i t fb+ll be made t o *p~ 
 fear, that he hath left the matter yet in the mift, and gained never 
 aVrhite. Irs true indeed that for Commifponers to (fctr ay their 
 truft, to make defection from the Covenant and Caufc,cfrc. is in 
 jure a relevant caufe to exclude any m^infrom fitting in the Gene- 
 rail Affembly as a member, andde erves more ( as I doubt not but 
 the Writer, andfome others intendei the challenge of it againfl the 
 Commifponers for more ) but that tve Commifponers for the mat- 
 ter of f*cl had betrayed their truft, &c. There might have been 
 And Was indeed by foms (pre id a flagrant fcandalf , but there was 
 no fl*gr#nr (c?.ndall ( thefe fame Who afterwards accufed them in 
 the Aftembly ) / mean prefumptions objective by any pri™£ they did 
 though there wns prefumptions enough in fome men againft them y 
 and as for fome perfons offering to inftruCi it, thtt is to little pur- 
 pofe to aroue them fcandallous, but the great jophifm in this whole 
 difcourfe ( whereinto Infill not determine, whether out oftnanim- 
 oAvtruncy QrWiitingly the Writer hath rnn) lyeth in this, that 
 
 the 
 
the main *** principal que fthn & jar p 9 whick fhould have bttneh£ 
 
 red t > thee ffdtth^t (caniall might bttn^nftj cbtrgtd upon the 
 C*mmi sionersjtoasnet the (jenerall or the ft, whether betray mgcf 
 t^uft or mtkjt% d?fe%ion front tbeCovonantaadCaufr^fh be fucb 
 af tult as deiervctbexclufien from fitting at aMewbtrina Gene* 
 ral Affemb* J out (his fan icutar hypothefts y whether the refelving 
 that ait p rfons in the Unl y excepting inch as are notorioufiy &e 9 
 m^yb'e admitted tojoyn in Arms for jttfi & neceftarj defence ofthe 
 Kinodom'Jtohen otberWayts there cannot be Forces badotnerVvayg 
 in warrant ab U prudence for defence of it, item refolding thatthe 
 time of civ ill centres injlifted by the P Arliamint upw perfons 
 acce(fo*-y i§ former malignant courfes, ds the fin full Enrage* 
 ment y might be difpenjed with and taken of try the pArlta* 
 menty With this provifion ? that none JhnulA.be admitted to> 
 places of power and tmfi y but fucb as are quaiifid po« 
 fti&ely according to the rules of the W>rd of Godwin that cafe held 
 in our Solemn Engagement , it^m or dining Presby teries to pro* 
 ceedwith per Jons formerly guilty of malignant cour)es 9 for Admifm 
 fion of them unto publiekjepe itanc-\ in a Way conform to ih: rules 
 Jet do^n by the general! Afjemhly , for admitting of fucb upon te* 
 ftimonialsfrom Presbyteries , bearing (atis faction given by th<-m 
 conform to thefe rule s^w^et her thefe things{J iay)contains dtfecli- 
 on from thiCovenant &Caufe^& con fecfuently doth import betray- 
 ing oftrufi in a Commiffi^n intruded with the care of preferving 
 the Covenant and Caufe* this is a queftion in jure, that the Writer 
 fhould have atteadged to have been clear f I mean tn the affirmative 
 of it t ere he alleadged chat there Was upon the late C*mmi[fioiers 9 a 
 fcandalieffomcf resumptions , that they had betrayed their trafi 9 
 made defection from the (fovenant a*d Caufe< but the Writer paf- 
 feth by this in pence. No^> 9 though Vce might fay, and are able 
 in the L*rds jlrength to make it good , that theje things contained 
 not any Aefeftionfrom the Covenant and C aisle , yet noft we Jhall 
 fay but this\ that this was not at the time of the *Prote§atton dear 
 to the A r semblybecau(e as yet there W^j not any particular deter* 
 mination thereanent informer Generall AfsemblUs therefore for 
 further clearing of this matter that we are upon , the excluding 
 theperfons chojen by their Presbyteries tyithmt contradict ion ^to be 
 Commiffi oners from fitting as Members in the Affembly upon «/- 
 ledgance ofjcandal againfi them^it fhould h ebjerved by all honeft 
 
 7ff ■'■ ' and 
 
074) 
 
 and ingenuous Readers , that when the imputation of [caudal upon 
 them depends upon a particular hypothecs y Which at Uaft is quefti- 
 onal'le, and the very point of controverfte bet\X>ixt them and their 
 Accu/ers, is again ft all reafon and equity that they fbould be holden 
 to be under a prejumption offcandatl y untill that hypothefisjhould 
 be difcufsed and clear ed^and therefore untill that be done f he tAd- 
 verfaries alleadgeance of fcandaU again ft them is to be held but a 
 meer alleadgeance , which by the Writers own confefpon is not a 
 fufficient ground whereupon to exclude perfons from being admit' 
 ted to fir as Members in a Generall Afsembly , untill their caufe 
 be tryed and judged* 
 
 R « V i I w. 
 
 IShal pafsthe Authors interludes/^ the Writers believing that 
 he hath cleared as with a Sun beam,and gained hit point j and 
 of that he doubts not but that the Writer and foine others did in- 
 tend to challenge for more; and that there was a flagrant fl mder 
 fprcadby fome; and that there was prcfumption enough inlome 
 men; and come unto the difcuffing of that Sophifme (a» he is 
 pieafed to call it) whercinto he will not determine, whether out 
 of inanimadvertencie or willingly the Writer ( at he alL adgea ) 
 hath run. But let us hear whir this-Sophifusc is; The main and 
 principal queftion de jure(which (hould have been cleared (faith 
 he) to the eflfccl that fcandai might have been juftlycharged up- 
 on the Commiflioners, was not the Generall or The/is whe- 
 ther betraying oft ruft,and making defection from the Covenant, 
 dec. be fuch a fault as defcrves exclufion from fitting as a Member 
 in a Generall Affembly ; but this particular Hypothefis, whether 
 the refolving that all pcrfons , excepting fuch as are notorioufly 
 prophanc, &c. msy be admitted to j*yn in Arms for juft and ne- 
 cefiary defence of the Kingdom, when otherwife there cannot be 
 Forces had in warrantable prudence , furBcient for tfec detence of 
 it,cVc. If the right Rating of the Hypothecs were the thing now 
 dire&ly in queftion, it were needful! to confider more largely of 
 the Authors ftaring of it; but becaufe it comes in ©n the by,! ihall 
 •nely dtfirc thefe few things to be taken notice of in the (late of 
 the queftion which he gives ; firft, That it doth fuppofc fomcthing 
 untrue,to wit, That Forces ( in warrantable prudence,) Aiffkient 
 for defence of ^hc Kingdom f could not otherwife be had, uulefle 
 all perfons in the Land ( excepting thefe included in the excepti- 
 ons fet down in the anfwer to the Q£#rc ) were brought forth. 
 
 If 
 
(i75) 
 ifwemayfuppofe , that Forces equail in number to thofe wh© 
 were invading the Land , were Forces fuffkient in warrantable 
 prudence to defend the Land , that number, yea the double of it 
 were to be found be- North JW£, ( to fpeak nothing of oihct 
 parts in the Land, out of which there were alfo Leavies made both 
 of Horfe and Foot ) though all the perfont in queftion forthdr 
 Maljgnancieanidif-afFediontotheCaufe, had been laid afide. 
 The Forcea which by thete Refolutions was leavicd, were by the 
 acknowledgment of all who knew both the Armies as numerous, 
 if not more numerous than the Forces of the Ad verfaries, and yet 
 the Leavies in many places was but the fourth Fcnfible man, and 
 in few or no places beyond the third; whence it will follows hat 
 cither the two part of the perfons in thtfe places where the Le- 
 vies were made, were iuch as did fall within tke exceptions con- 
 tained in the Commillions Anfwer to the Qna?re , or elfe that 
 there was no fuch ncctflity of an univerfall coming forth, as was 
 allowed in that Anfwcr^nd that therefore the neceisity that was 
 alleadged for iir ploying of theie men who were formerly exclu- 
 ded, was but meerly pretended. Secondly, That there Were no 
 fuch If ems fas he adds) in the Commiisions anfwer to tke Quaere, 
 which was the foundation of the Publick Refolutions , and the 
 main thing in debate betwixt the Cornraifsion and the oppoStcs 
 of theft Publick Refolutions ; The firft Item reiolving, that the 
 time of Civili cenfui e$ infliclcd by the Parliament upon perfons 
 accefforie to former Malignant conrfes, as the (infall Engagement 
 might bt difpenfed with and taken off by the Parliament , with 
 this provifion , That none fhould be admitted to places of power 
 andtroft but fuch as arc qualified pofttivey according to the rule 
 of the Word of God in that cafe holden forth in our Solemn En- 
 gagement , ( To paffe by the way of carrying of it , which was 
 palpable and obvious to the whole Land J was not added until th* 
 Forces were almoft compleatly lea vied , and the bulk of the Ma- 
 lignant Party brought into employment, and places of power and 
 truft in the Army. The fecond Item, ordaining Presbyteries to 
 proceed with perfons formerly guilty of malignant courfes,for ad- 
 milsion of them into Pu^litk repentance, in a way conform to 
 the rules fet down by r he Generali AHembly, for admitting fuch 
 upon testimonies from Presbyteries, bearing fatisfa&ion given by 
 them conform to thtie rules, wss not at all included in the Com- 
 
 raiffi* 
 
tr iftfons anftfer, iselcbfr was i litre- fo much of it at ont word in 
 that br^ VVaw'tfpftfMT? of ?'*»i6si. coated 1 yib< Co I(mi f, 
 fi-.j. f >i fticiujth pu)^ f fut Anlwer,and wrunai y hi got that 
 giiid in latter vV minus, Act* and Utters camw to beaded 
 Wis alwayc -5 h 1 <cn forth out as expedient, in order to the em- 
 ploying f theft men, out ni'verwaa Puffed in any ofth fe Papers 
 asanec<{Lny du y o exclude all thefc from bting employed foe 
 defence ofth Caute and Kingdom , who did not give evidence 
 of their iepsntanceyiccording to the Aclsof the General! Aif m- 
 bly; nay,it couU not be 10 preiTed, unl< iTc they had dcftioytd [he 
 foundation which th y had laid in thair. anfwer to th^ Qu*re, and 
 in that Warning. The truth is, what was done in the matter of 
 repentance, in order to the employing thefe men, was upon the 
 ftumDlipg and out-crying of many againft the Publick Rdblutf- 
 ons « th y came firlt forth, and yet fo as the Hrlt ground was al- 
 wayc.s hnlden raft as to the matter of judgment; and for pra&ice, 
 the bufmefle was hereby rather made worle before the Lord , and 
 to the point of guiltindfe, then it was before ; The Commifsibn 
 pot oiuy ranverfing former Acls made by themlclv^s for exclu- 
 ding thiU frnn the Sacrament of the Lords Supper wh were in 
 the: rebell on after Dumbar, till the next G rural] Alfembly and 
 making new Acts for receiving of them; but receiv ng pr.^mif- 
 cuoufly inch as came unto them, and by their example reaching 
 Pres 1 yteriestodotheltkc , by wh ch was produced a fearful! 
 mocking of the Ordinance of ^oci in publ ck Repentance, wh ch 
 no doubt hath been one of the provoking cauks of the L»rds 
 wrath,todrawon thele deadfall liroaki wherewith hv hith a* 
 gain tauten our Auiics and ou whole Land. But tothe hyp^. 
 dicfisirf-lfjeramingtothe Aurh>r that which be aiieadges that 
 this hy pot nelis was not cl~ar at he nme of the Proteftation be- 
 cauic as yet there was not ay particular determination therea- 
 nent informer Gei-crall Alien blies. iirft , I doubt of that af- 
 ftrtionof his, Thsf whman imputation of Icandall depends up- 
 on a par-ncula-- hypothefu which at leaft is queftionable and the 
 very pointt conimvcrli.: bawixt shem and their accusers it is 
 aga mt all reafon a; d equ ry^hat tlKy.fhooid be holdcn to be un- 
 der a pulumpronot icandai!, untill that particular hypothec's be 
 4)feu^?oi and cleare-d,and therefore untiii that be done,the adver- 
 fatic«alkadgcanceagainitthem, is to be held but as a nse*r ai- 
 
 leadgeancp 3 
 
leadgance, upon. which they are not to be exclucfed from fitting as 
 Members in the Afsembly, until their caufece judged and t ycd.' I 
 fuppofe that fome Commiflioners to the Afsembly fhould object a- 
 gainft other Commifslonen. that had comitted murder, and uiould 
 offer inftantly to venrie the fair -e,and defire that the perfons againft 
 whom it is propounded fhould be removed from fitting as Members 
 unol it migbt pe v yed ; and they in the mean time fhould fay, that 
 it was trucjthey had taken the life of fnch perfons,but in their own 
 juft and neceflary defence, and therefore they could not be holden 
 under a fcandal of murder, nor b? thereupon removed from fitting 
 in the Ailcmbly, till that particular Hypothecs were firft determi- 
 ned : Would the Author thiek it a wrong done to thefe pcrfons,or 
 rather a duty in reference to the conftitution of the Afsembly, to re- 
 move them ti ! l the master fhould becognofced upon . ? 2. I do af- 
 fir , Thatnot only former Afseirplies but the Afsembly \6%i. 
 dui remove Commifsioners upon Exceptions propounded againft 
 them, the grounds wherof was not yet clearly determined in Law> 
 for inftance, The Comrmfsioners of the ftrft Election of the Pres* 
 by eerie ofG l asg o vv, who were laid afide (as for 
 other Reafons , fo alfij for this as one , in foro controdifti* 
 rio y fuftained to be relevant) becaufe of the Exception of 
 the oppofiog- of Publick Refolutions propounded againft them. 
 Nexr, Mr.R»hrt C<t*de» Commiflioner from the Presbytery of 
 : Dunce, was removed upon the propounding of this cxception»thac 
 there were but three or four Mimfters in that Prcsbytcre to chufe 
 Commiflioners, all the nft of the churches thereof being vacant ; 
 and can any Determination of this Krk be produced, that three or 
 four Minifters in a Presbytery, where the reft of the Churches of 
 that Presbytery arc vacant, cannot chufe Commiflioners to the Ge- 
 neral AfTembly. 3. I do upon the ground which the Author him- 
 fclf laies down, prove the carriage of the Commiilioners to have 
 been fca ;dalous, and fuch as did minifter j'uft ground of excepting 
 againft them, why they fhould not fit as Members in the General! 
 AiTembly, till their carriage friould be firft tried : my Argument is 
 this, Whofoever Commiflionen of the General AHembly being in 
 their truft and carriage in the Publick Affairs of the Kirk limited 
 and tyed to proceed according to Aels of former General ArTem- 
 blies, does upon the accompt of the difcharge of their truft,declarc 
 many godly Minifters in the Church of Scotland ( till then of un- 
 
 Z queftionabic 
 
queftionablc integrity and faithfulnefs in the work of GOD) to be 
 Malignant^ and unfaithfol in the caufe, &c» and requires Presbyte- 
 ries to cenfure them, and to refer and cite them to the General Af- 
 fembly, becaufeof their oppofing of Resolutions taken and iflued 
 by them> co icerning which there is no particular Determination in 
 any former Atfcmbly: Yhcy give fcandal and offence in the difcharge 
 of their trufl, and may Jultly becaofe thereof be excepted againft, 
 as not fit to lit in the General Allcmbly as Members thereof,beforc 
 their carriage be tryed : But the Com nflioncrs of the Aflcmb'y 
 1651. who were Members of the Commiflion, were fuch ; Erg* t 
 &c> The alTumpnon is clear, the matters of fad contaned therein 
 being evident from their own Papers, and that they were not war* 
 ranted by any Ail of t>e AfTembly fo to do ; is the Authors own 
 ground. The firft ^ropofition I prove chus : Wholoever fo far 
 tranfgreffes the bounds of their Communion, as upon the accompt 
 thereof, to declare many formerly faithful, to be Malignant-s, un- 
 faithful,and ordain* them to be cenfured and cited, when they have 
 no warrant thereby fo to do -, gives fcandal and offence in the dif- 
 charge of the r trull : But the Comirnfsioners by fodoing did fo far 
 tranfgrefs the bounds of their CommTsioi, Sec. Erg§ what the 
 Author will here aniwer I do not well kno*v ; But I would fainc 
 have him to tel a reafon why the Commifsion dealt lb fharply with 
 many godly men,as to iffue luch Declaration* and Warnings againft 
 them, and to appoint them to be cenfured and cited, and to ftir up 
 the Civil Magiftr-tte againft them, becaufc of their oppofing of Pub- 
 lick Ref ulutjons ; whileft, by his own acknowiedgment,there was, 
 as yet, i:0 determination of the Church in favours of thefe Refolu- 
 tions, or againft the oppofers of them : I thought it had been his 
 mind that the Commifsion could not cenfurr any, or ordain any to 
 be cenfured for oppofing Refolutions of their own, not yet deter- 
 mined nor approven in a General Affembly • and I would have him 
 to give a reafon,why he accompts it againft all eq uty that when the 
 imputation of fcandal againft the Commifsioners depends upon a 
 pirticular hypothefis, which at leaft is qu ftionable, and the very 
 point of controverfie betwixr. them and their accufers ( as he calls 
 them.though un juftly, becaufe they, as Members of the A lemhhc, 
 were doing of that duty wheh is common and competent to every 
 Member of the A'Tembly, that is, to objedt what they know of fcan- 
 dal againft any other Member* that the Affembly might beconfti- 
 
 tuted 
 
079) 
 
 tuted of pcrfons riphtfy qualified; they ftiould be holdcn to be un- 
 der a preemption of fundal until that hypothefis be difcuffed and 
 cleared, and why itftiould be agreeable to equity and reafon, that 
 up »n fuch a particular hypothefis, which at the leaft is queftionable, 
 and the very point in cont:overfie betwixt the Cofnmifsion, and 
 many faithful men, and fome Synods, and not a few Presbyteries 
 in tbe Land j ftiould be holden not only to be under a preemption 
 offcaodaJ, bit alfo fuch as did deferve to be publickly declared a- 
 gamft as Mai ^nant and unfaithful , and appointed to be cenfured 
 and cited : 1 1 feems that whilft the Author reafons thus about his 
 hypothefis,that what he gains one way he lofeth another. I fee 
 not how by his queftionable hypothefis he can defend the equity 
 of the Commiflions proceeding* in their Warnings. Remonftrancef, 
 and A :is against thefe who were unfatisried with, and did oppofc 
 the Publick Refolutions ; and when he rtiali do ir, ] hope his own 
 grounds ftiall heb the ^roteilers to prove the equity and reafon of 
 removing Corr miflioners,even upon fuppofal that it was but a que- 
 ftionable hypothefis. 4 I defire to know of the Author,by what 
 power, or in what capapty the CommilTion did look upon thereto 
 determine this queftionable hypothefis: as a CommilTion they 
 could not do it, becaule there is no claufein their Commiilion that 
 gives them power or warrant to determine any point of Doclrine 
 not formerly determined by the Church of Scettand ; but their 
 Commiflion ties them in all things to walk according to former De- 
 terminations, Acts and Conititutions of General Atfemblics; and 
 I think he will not fay that by vertue of any other power or capaci- 
 ty they cither did it 5 or could do it. The Author hath by his own 
 confeifion and ground, brought the CommilTion a greater length in 
 the exercife of their power, then ever the Gen. Aflembly did give 
 to then , or ( for any thing I know) did mean to give unto them, 
 that is, To determine points of -Doctrine of great importance and 
 confequence ; as to the fecurity of Religion, and of the Caufe and 
 Covenant, not formerly determined by this Church. in any.efhcr 
 Gen«Atfemblies,& upon thefe Determinations to declare fuch as are 
 unfatisried with,and do oppofe the famc,not only to be cenfurablc, 
 but alfo appoint them to be cenfured : I thought if any thing had 
 been the proper work of aGen.Affembly this had been it. But more 
 diredly to the point : I do affirm that this Hypothefis, the Publick 
 Refolutions determined by the Commiilion of the General Aflem- 
 
 Z 2 b!y 
 
fi*o) 
 bly i tf ?o. and iflued to this KMc in their PubhckWarmng^tetterSj, 
 Rerr.onftrantes &c. do contain and involve a courfe of defer/lion, 
 was at the time of theProtcftation cle-nly determined in former 
 General Aifemblies, becaufe the General A lemblies of this Kirk 
 had often before that time determined an aflociation inCounrel and 
 Atrres With the Malignant parte, even in the cafe of the defence of 
 the Kingdom againft forraign invafion ; to be finful and unlawful, 
 as will appear to any who (hall be pleafed to read the D:clararons, 
 Warnings and caufes of Humiliations , and Pohlick 5 J apers or' this 
 Church thefe year< p. .ft; and particularly the So'ernn Publkk Con- 
 fellion Of Sins, and Engagement to Duties ; ani the DecJa ations 
 and Warnings iPmd by the Ge >eralArlem->Iy i6$o upon the E»g- 
 lift ii.va fjfrg of this Land : But thefe Rviolut on did involve f eh 
 a Con u cli -n, beta fe they did involve a Gun junction with all the 
 Subject ir. the Land, excepting thefe few included in the xc. pri- 
 ons contained fa the * nfwer to th<- Q:ia?re ; but amongft t^:c?e was 
 the very body and bulk of the Maligna t party, who are by thefe 
 Re folutions all wed to be tik n in and employed in the defence of 
 the Kingdom, without ar y repentance or forlak ng of ther malig- 
 nant waie^as a thing necefiarily previous to the employing of them, 
 and without whi h they could not be em plowed- Thefe were the 
 things wheh the Proteltersatlcadged and offered to verifie, not 
 only the general, that the Corm> ilsioners had mad - defection from 
 the Caufe and Covenant; but that thefe pa* ticular Refolutons con- 
 cluded and carried on by them, did involve a defection from the 
 Caufe and Covenant ; tfrs (1 fay) they off red to inftrinftTrorn for- 
 mer Acts of Afsembliesfpeaking clearly and pofitivcly there anent; 
 which yet were refufed to be heard by the Meeting until they firft 
 fhould conftitutr themfelves in an Afsegibly deluding thefe Mem- 
 bers, againft whi,h the Fxception was propounded, a greater im- 
 putation upon their freedom then they will eafily wipe off* 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 ITisltuotyH thdt the 'Belgicl^ Remonftranct in the c ProtefiAtL 
 en AgAtnfl t he Synod of Dort *Ue*dgcd*m*tter §f ScahMu/ a- 
 gAinft the mofl pArt •/ the Members thereof, viz. ThAt they h*d 
 m &t a Schijm^Ani Vcere Schifmatic]^ • The feint de jure in thefi, 
 That Schijm r?4s tfwlfcAnAtl^n&fHch *J mndc them an fit to fit 
 
 in 
 
(i*0 
 
 in that Judicatory as Members 9 I fuppofe was cleer 9 and the RtZ 
 monftrants brought many pUtifiblt TrcfUmptions that they were 
 
 Ur 
 
 byteries fro h tl)e Rsmmflrdnts refnfivg tOjoyn'in prayers or Sa~ 
 cram? its ^th them : wh-rtas our HV iter allead^es nothing but 
 Generals, offence of ma*y go Uy t jtregn ut; prefumprioHt % m * /*«- 
 dt>-tafejng to i*fl+uih H &c. Hut her eft as a Qtitftton in Hypozhrfy 
 W'mh-r it be \i[chi m t* k* e P ftparAted C >xg-regAti?us A'lj, P rcf~ 
 by/tries frioW% and to r fuf'e >« t joyn in Prayer t arid Sacraments 
 With m-H that hzi depArtidm heir dvlhin front -fuck and fuch 
 A r t'cUs of t'-oe Dtclrin of th.a Reformed Kirle^ as the Remen* 
 fir Ants ha i dine ? A«d therefore theft Mimfters accufed by then* % 
 could not be held as under ,fc and V of Schifm, or^refumption 
 thereof until the Points iyt'C^tV^Verfie were tryed y fVhether the 
 RemmftrAnts Ttnents were Srronetus^ and tf what confequence 
 and importance they were ; a»4 until the*, the Remonftrants 
 Challenge »f S'hifm againft them could not be reputed but a meer 
 AUeadgance, I kno^O or her things were •sfnityered to thu Rea/on 
 of'httproteftatifntby the 1 forrAin 'Divines from the Members 
 thi-mflves in £«ntrover(ie betwixt th? «ne and the ether ; but it 
 nt iy he evidently perceived iffundri of their judg me*ts upon that 
 P oteftarion that they had all one Eye to this tb.it W^ have (aid, 
 H^nce ia it thAt of the judicious 7$ 'n'ttah ^Divines in the feeonX 
 Branch of their •yfnfw'er to that zAccufation f , Conftat haec Sy- 
 nod us rx perfonis nulla cenfura frcclefiaftica nbtatis nullo publico 
 aut legirmo yidiao de Sditfrafce cormdlis vuquam aut condera- 
 natis Protefhtio autem flcmohftrantium fafla m contrarium vim, 
 lata* fentenciae habere noi debet. And that of the Naflean 'Divines 
 Eft veneranda & fancli ha?c Synodu Congregaca in eum flnem ut 
 dodnnam R monftraniun propoiiram defenfartique auditc , ad 
 Dei verbum probe eximinct de ejus verititc vH 'faJfitate pro- 
 nundetcoufqiic igitur fententianr de fcifmite e/ufquc aachoribus 
 fufpendend-<m eflfe fentiamus. So f-y &e y The many bufint'fje of the 
 late General ^jfembly teas to Hear^Trj^nd Examine the Tro- 
 csedings and R delations of the late Commijjiantrs whether the J 
 we're con far m to the Wortof god, the Covenant, and Conflitutions 
 §fths4 Kirf^, and what could bo jatd for, or againft them ; and 
 
 there- 
 
there fere until then was the matter ofT)efcEkion objetted againft 
 them to be fujp ended. From all this that hati) bee fatd % it is evident, 
 That feeing the tsiffcmbly Was tog* about the Try at of the Com- 
 p$Hfions proceedings witio all convenient expedition, it is no w*ycs 
 a relevant exception again ft the Freedom and Conftitmtion of the 
 tsfjjemoly ih*t they were admitted to fit as Members notVrtth- 
 fiandtng the Exception that was alleadged ug*inji their fitting : 
 oy4nd as for the fame Objeilion, it teas fo far from flu l^tng upon 
 thr Protejhrs themfelves at fr ft , That Mr. Andrew Cant v> tfj 
 tJje good-lilejng of all of them, fo far as could b* perceived, did put 
 Mr. Robert Blair, and Mr* William Ret upon the Ltfl of Mode- 
 ration ; and jundry of them gave their Vote to Mr. Robert Blair 
 To be Moderator^ Let be to fit as an ordinary Member of the 
 tsfjjembly, 
 
 R B V I I w. 
 
 THis Inftance which the Author gives of the Belgicl^ Re- 
 monflxancc in th ir P»oteftation againft the Synod of Do>tjs 
 quite differing from our cafe in f eve rail refpeds; Fi ft, The hypo* 
 the' 15 that was in qutftion bcrw^xt the R-monftrants an>i the An- 
 ti-Reiiionflrant.vvhoro they defired to be removed out of the by- 
 nod ,as they were determined in the Conf< (lions and Cat ch foes 
 of the Be/gicl^md other Reformed Churches ; So did tfuAnti- 
 Rcmonftrants which were Members of that Synod , adhere to 
 thefedcterminationSjand were willing that their Doclrinc fluuld 
 be Judged thereby ; whereas the Remonstrances did decline the 
 Doctrine of the ielgick and Reformed Churches in their Cate- 
 chilroes and Conferfions and do require it as one of th • Conditi- 
 on! of the Synod , that every man (hould give hs oath , that he 
 {houldhaveno regatd in this bufi >efte to ConKflion or Catc- 
 chifae,but onely to the Word of God, as appear , from their own 
 Words, which lethele > Ideofecfuiffafub file juramenti coram 
 Deo fanBc fr £ ftandi promittatfe non rcfpellurum in hoc negoti§ 
 ad Confeffiomm Catechifmum ant ullum aliud human* authori- 
 tis jcriptum fcriptoremcfue^fedad joUm Scriptur^m *n& pro folk 
 fideinorm* habetur. But the Comniflioners of the Generall Af- 
 fembly , a$ they do deny heir refolutions to have been formerly 
 determined by this Church,and (o upon the matter do handfome- 
 
(i«0 { 
 
 ly decline to be judged in theie things by the A&8 thereof, 19 not 
 being quadrant to their cafe: So do they cry out upon the ©ppofera 
 or Poblick Refolutions,for citing thefe Adte fo orten againftthem, 
 and for infifting folittie upon the Word of Gad, which thty c^rli 
 for as theoneiy rule whereby they will be judged in theft things, 
 to be determined by former AiTemblie$ s fo Were they moft willing 
 •nd defirous, that they and the Comroiflioners in their judgments 
 and adings upon thcie things,(hould be iudged thereby. Second- 
 ly, The Rcmonftranis did accufe the Anti-Remonftrants of 
 Schifme,and as Schifajaticks mo* t un juftly t of which we fhdl 
 give t he reafon^ in the words of the Brttain Dsvioes then in 
 the kynod ; £*** *ffi remonfirantes recedendo a doEirini 
 ctmmunittr recepta^ inirium & cAuJAti* httjtts (eparationit-rxti- 
 terunt t nam Veritas hahetur 9 qtt*d a primer do in Eerie jia aliquk 
 traditnm & receptum fuerit^rpor reputatnr qnodpeflea induci- 
 tnr^doncc bakite legitime examine & Judicio conlrarinm conctu- 
 datur, tjHtetiam aecedit quod Mi did non pofjunt 'a dottrina Ke<* 
 THonfirantium recefltjfe ( qttod i/ifchi[m/ite pra/upp&nendum es~i ) 
 qui illam nnnqH+m receperint (edab initio [ibi prepofitam rejece- 
 rtnt & co*demnarint> (words worthy of obfervation in order to 
 the whole debate upon the Publick Refolutions ) but trufe who 
 did except againli the fitting of the Comimflioners in the Gene- 
 rail Aflembly, upon their making dcfdlion from theCaufc and 
 Covenanted it juftly, becaufe of their departing from the recei- 
 ved Doctrine of this Church , aud the bring ng in of new and 
 ftrange Doclrine in rha point which the othtrorYcred to verifie. 
 Thirdly, The thing which the Reraonftraws did defire,was, That 
 the Ami-Remonlirants fhould be removed wholly out of the Sy- 
 nod,and befettothe B*?rtoaniwct asguiityof Schifme, and as 
 Parties againft the Rtnoonfttants in this hulincU ; and hence arc 
 theie feriiencet oft he Britain and of the other Divines which are 
 cited bv the Author, But the th/ng defired by thefe who excep- 
 ted against th Ccmmtiibnerf., was not that they (hould be remo- 
 ved wholly from the Affembly , or ridden as guilty befuretryail B 
 but that theif filing in the Atiemb y might be Impended unnll it 
 were tryed whether they were guilty ,yca or not,and therttorrthe 
 Author in citing and expounding thcie leniences is he doth, hath 
 not onely done wrong to the* Prot Iters , but alfo to the conftant 
 received Ordet of thU Church in the couftitution ci hat An'cm- 
 
 biics 
 
(i84) 
 blies, becauteif thefc (entences be cxponed rof onely againft the 
 removing wholly out of the Alt mbly, but alfo agjmtt the remo- 
 ving of therm for a time till they betyed, then have til the Afsem- 
 blies »f this Church followed a wrong method, who did ordina- 
 rily upon exceptions proponed , re nove fundry of their number, 
 though they were not as yet cinv&i nor ctndtmntm^ and though 
 they did fulpend their fentence about removing <,f them wholly, 
 yet did they not fulpend their fcntMicc about removing them for 
 a time , Mntill the exception fhould be ttyed, this bring tile very 
 way eftablilhed, and conftantly followed in al) the free and law- 
 fuil Atfemblics of this Kirk, tor keeping c\f her A Pemblies pure, if 
 the Author will not admit of the removing of any till he be can- 
 vicl, and will have thole D vines at Dort foto be cxponed, then 
 let him tell us how he will reconcile them and ourChurch in this 
 particular; But it is cauj by the anfwer waich we have given , fo 
 to do ; yea, it is maniftlt from the whole fcope of thebufincfs at 
 Vort^hzt thefc Divines fpeak in order to a total! removail,whiCh 
 Was never dclircd oy the Protetlcrs in reference to the Com nifsi- 
 ouers. B'it let us turn the Schcnc a Little , and (uppoie that the 
 'Se/ghl^ Chare h-s had cholcn and lent to the Synod of Dort the 
 Remonitrants as their Commiisionersjand that the Anti-Remon* 
 ftrauts had been cited before the Synod , and had proponed ssan 
 exceprion againft the R monftrants fitting i.n the Sy-?od, that they 
 were under a lcandall of errpneous and corrupt dodrine , which 
 th y did offer inftaniiy to prove by comparing their Doctrine 
 With the Doeirine oitheBelgiekjind Reformed Churches in their 
 ConfcfsionsandCatechitmes , and thermpon d^fired that they 
 might be removed from fitting as Members in the Synods untill 
 this exception W re tryed: Doth the Author thiok that the r<ft 
 of the Synod, would or could in realon have refufed to g ant this 
 deftrt. Pom ad thefe things I hope ir doth appear , that not- 
 Withftanding of any thing anlwered by the Author, it is a relevant 
 exception againft the freedoine ?n4 right conltitution of th * Af- 
 femoly,that they did before trying of thr Commifsioners procee- 
 dings a ioiir them to fit as Members of the Afsembly, no'.with- 
 ftanding of the exception of (candall upon them timcu fly pro- 
 poned and offered to be irftrucled. Asforthat which the Aa- 
 thor (aith of the Protcftrs (ufFering Mt.Andrew C<*n t w >ih s,^od 
 ljkia^ ot all of them lo far. as could be perceiYed,to put MuR-'fort 
 
 BUir 
 
(i85) 
 
 Blair anr? Mr. WlUUm Re ate upon the Lift to he Moderator, a n( j 
 that (a i !y ith-m gave their vote to Mr. Robert Blair to be 
 M Aerator, let be to fit as an ordinary Member of the Aisembly: 
 I aafarfcrj There wen. many 1 the Proteiters who had no place to 
 {peak m smki: g ©f the Lft,3$ nor being Members of the Meeting, 
 and J believe, hat rhete did give no token either of their good or 
 ii liking or whir Mr. AndreW Cant did in that particular : Th (e 
 vjh-. voted, th u^hihty would not rtfule to vote in i he election 
 of a Moderator's th y d d afterwards for fome ti re in oiher par- 
 tjt u -a. -i o yet defpajnng of fome reaionabie (at-sfaclion to their 
 de-jrc ot a \p mi g the AiTemb!y, and that they voted to Mr.A >b* 
 !5 ^Tysoneof iu molt pi u<,p uderiufc peaceable of tk$x way, 
 th r being n-MH e <e upon the Liit,yet did they vote with a Pi ;ce- 
 ftauoo -and though th y had made no Proteiiatioo,ihe molt tnat it 
 wo.Ud p ove, w rerhis, that from- loathncffe to hk h ard 9 and 
 h sof i alteration i > a peaceable way, they went further w th 
 th.. Atf nab y. th™ adhering itncllyto their rght they ih » aid 
 have done, a*d( I I eLevc ) a \ a<s;c;nate defire of peacedid a io 
 n-ov- Mr. Andrew C« nt to putthci'emt-nuronthe L' ; , though 
 afiei W't'ls when it could not oe obtained without prejidi eco 
 the v uthjht law i?ood caufc to Protcft againli theAllerr)tly,as>not 
 free,ana a* uniawfuil. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 A^ for the particulars contained in the Writers Urge prtfe- 
 iwion of this Argument, wt fhall not need to infjfl much up- 
 on them \ or yet w iltwe follow him in AnfWers to his Ob>eclions 9 
 onelyfomwb it br'.efty t° « *« particulars; andfirfl what is a/lead- 
 ged from the Afjembly l 56 2,So,8 1 .F\rfl i t had been gocd the Wri- 
 ter had jet down the very Acts, related in their full and formar 
 words^that we might have feen , (/fir every one of us are nop keep- 
 ers of the Regifiers^no'r have Copies of them b eft de m} whether they 
 manned all persons againft \^hom anyfcandalwas *t!eadged y jhould 
 be removedeven before rbe Affmblybe co flitute into afudkd- 
 torj , which was the thin% pretended by the Protefiers y and becaufe 
 not done, was the ground of the qu&rrell- y for we fee not tku by any 
 th'ng that u brought here* Secondly , we fuppofe it could not be 
 th§ minde of theje jifiem&Utsjhat alUaageancc of/cAndals againfi 
 
 A a perjons 
 
086) 
 per/ons, fhouldbe d cdufie to remove them from fitting in that Af- 
 jembly as Members altogether , unleffe the feandall were clear and 
 nnqueftionable , for the point de jur -, andfo their appointment 
 comes not home to our pre fent cafe,T{ext,for the g oundi brought 
 to prove % that the Commifftoners were under f can iall of defettion* 
 firfi We grant that hearing of a common report may be a ground of 
 enquiry concerning a matter of candall- r but this Was not refit fed 
 about the pre fent cafe in cjueftion^ Secondly , ts*s for th it cited 
 from the \ .Cor. 5 , 1 . that proceeding ordered there t was an order to 
 pre fent cenfnre^ foWe m t,y fee that the Brother that writeth thn t 
 is of that minde^ th.it the Commifftoners upon that common report 
 "fo.tcb he alleadgeth to have been pafftng upon them 9 fhould have 
 been Without more ado (entenced to cenfure, Go >d Sir, hold your 
 handy for my part I cannot wonder enough thai he fhoutd have al- 
 leadgedfrom ihe Apoftlet "toords fo generally without any qualifi- 
 cation, that common report may be aground ofpre/entfentence *- 
 gainft perfons % ashe doth here certainly this ought to have bee^Wel 
 qualified and limited, otberw*tyes a wide door is opened to injufttce 
 and undoing the innocent and guilt[e(s me n^f or, cannot one or twe % 
 or fomefew ill tongues fpread an ill report ofvny honefl men, and 
 hoy* ea fly fball that report become common , if that of the Poet be 
 true,as it is mufi certainly, 
 
 Fama malum quo nunaliud velocms ullum, 
 Mobilitate vi£et,v rciq< eacquinreundo. 
 Therefore a common report that may be ground of fo fbort and 
 fttmm ry proceeding, muftbefuchasfift is of a matter that in 
 pant dc jure is clear ana unejuift onably a fcandalL Secondly, 
 For the fall in a manner univer fall , uncontrolled either by the 
 p«rty, or any that hdth befl and nearefi notice of his aCtionr, 
 both Were in that matter of the Corinthian , the matter Was 
 in jure cleanly a haimus cry me, Incefl, viz. having his fa* 
 thers Wife % and for the fatt , the Repert that had come to 
 Paul tods fuch as We have faid,omnmo anditur, as the Arab inter* 
 preter marjeed by Beza hath *>,pafsim & in tota achaia;*i«rf another 
 interpreter on the fame place in Marlorat- q.d. Sine negatione fine 
 tergiverfacione non du bius eft rumor fed ref manifefh,pafsim cum 
 magno oflfcidiculo publicata. In the present ca e in hand, both con- 
 ditions were Wtuttng , the matte* was not clear de jure in the 
 main quefiionofit^ its report Was notfo common as the contradi- 
 
(i8 7 ) , 
 Uion thereof. g. the $ fence And (tumbling of the godly ^dt the Pro- 
 ceeding of the Comm'ifsioners might have been, and was indeed not 
 given by theje Proceedings efthemfelves, but caujedand born up- 
 on them by the information y and mifreprefentation of them, by 
 feme of the fame per fens who are the alleaigers and accstfers % and 
 will be made gooa before any impartial! judge in the world, by 4 
 right information and dijco-very efthe Proceedings th.mfelves t and 
 of the praltifings of the accufers again]} them .ana therefore thiscan 
 be no argument of theCom^ifsiones being unaer jcandal. j^.There 
 'tyerc more teftimvnies by very far from Pres by teries andSynoasfor 
 them then agairft them, and thtje ttfiimonies given againfl them- 
 were ready and in themfelvs fear dais pending mofl evidently to the 
 expofmg of the Kingdom and Caufe to ehepotyer of the invaders, 
 -whereof the invaders them[elves ^ere very fenfib/e, and for that 
 can e nere /ome of the tefiimonies foone r put in their hands then 
 communicate to the C'ommi/sieners, ar>d they in thar\fnlnc§e wdS 
 very carefull to caufe 'print them. The third particular is a 
 poor mans argument , the beggirg sf the very principal ^Utefiion % 
 and this very begged Qutftion is the onely man j urn of this whole 
 *Paper repeated over and over again , this the t&yfffembly 
 Vfas to try and examine^ and till it was try*d % 4 nay- fay was good 
 enough anffycr to this Affirmative. 6. The Brethren who in the 
 tA§'mblj tffcred to prove the alleacgance , Were feme of ths 
 fame who had been chief in Spreading the t<fttmonies y and bearing 
 the^offence upon the godly ', and had defamed the Commissioner s % 
 andlwere inters(j*i ta kzveh*i them noted as under ]canda\l» 
 its agairfl all equity that for the accufation of inch they fiould 
 have b en reputed I candalous ■ // tyas a word ofjuftice uttered by 
 Ham tr» otherfttfe wicked: Julian ike dppoft4te K Qy\\% innocens dfe 
 pocerit fi accufare furficat. 
 
 Rbvimv. 
 
 THeAuthor doth handfomely wave many things in theWrlf ers 
 Paper that arc of ifi portance, and I th nk hi* Readers will 
 do him no wu rig to take for granted in that Paper , wha< he doth 
 not anfwer nor contradid 1 What is there fet Hnwn cleaily ani at 
 lan»e by the writer out of the A<fhof thtGai.Aflcmb!y,he turns oS. 
 With a few words. 1 . He tcls us it had beta good that the wri- 
 
 A a 2 ter 
 
 •; 
 
(188) 
 ter had fet down the very Aits winch are eked in thei full and 
 formail words (oecaufe every one are not keepers of the RegiMers, 
 nor hive not Coppies of th?m befide them ) that it might have 
 been feen whether they mean that all perfons agatnft whom any 
 fcandall is alieadged, fh >uld be remove i even b frt th AlTem- 
 bly be Conftitute into a Judicatory: To which I Rep'y,that thole 
 Afts even in the fdi anirormallw>rds thereof were ( ffcrcd unto 
 him & or hers at the Meeting at S. Andrews under the CUrks hand, 
 andthey would not do (o much as daigne themfelves to h> ar chea?, 
 or to read them , or to collation them with the Principle Regifters 
 which they then had in their pow^r, but arc now delivered into 
 the hands of the Engl.fti, or diip-rfed, I k k>w not whether. But 
 are not the* citations for the matter clear and home to the point i If 
 the Author think there is wrong done in any cf them ; I believe if 
 he wH call to the Cierkof the AlTembly , he may yet find the 
 means to get him the double of the very words of the Ads aflertcd 
 mitt his hand; It is true that every one is not a keeper of the Re- 
 gifters, nor hath Copies of them befides us: But (hall they not 
 therefore be trufted who are keepers of them ? or have Copies^ It 
 had been bidikf good for ihe Church of Scotland^ that the Author 
 & Come others who have been lb actively ipftrurrrcn«5 for thcPub- 
 lick Refoluf.ons had been keepers of theRegi : ters, or hat hid Co- 
 pies of them befide them 9 then haply knowing th- ie things more 
 perfedly they Ihould not have walked io erode th: rto injheir late 
 Proceedings, nor have quelHoncd them when they are cited. It is 
 certainly a thing blame worthy in not a few Mimlters of the Kirk 
 ofcScotland y that they arc too great ftrangeis to the Acts of Af- 
 femblies of the Kirk, which is a fault fo much the greaterjbecaufe 
 there was no lack of opportunities theie 14. years to have acquain- 
 ted themfelves therewith, and to have had Copies of them befides 
 them: The Acts are vailed with no fuch mid as theAnthor would 
 caft upon them, either in the firft particular which he mentions, 
 whether they mean all perfons againft whom any fcandall is al- 
 leaJged Ihould be removed even before theAftembly be conltitutc; 
 or in the fecond, that it cannot be meaned by them that alleadg- 
 ance of fcandals againlt perfons Ihould be caule to remove, unleflt 
 the fcanoall were clear and unqueftionablc , tor the point de \ure y 
 they fpeak clear & home,that at the entry of every Aflemblyrheir 
 firi't work flul be the trying and purging of all their Members,and 
 
 men 
 
(1*9) _ 
 men are appointed to bs charge in Gods behalf to declare their 
 Conscience touching their Cog|rioe,life and execution of ihtuo£* 
 Sects, if therein ib y be (candalous; and char ay to whole charge 
 any thing is Laid ought to be removed ou'* of th> Aifembly^ti'l this 
 eaufe be tryed, and that if he be convicY, he may have no voice 
 imcsll the Kirk receive fatisfa&ion. Here is no duhncYon or q u«- 
 fricnable hypjf hefo, nor allowance to him to (it before the try all 
 of his caufe, but when any other of the Commiflioncrs to the Af- 
 fembly charges him with any thing, in his Do&rine, life, or exe- 
 cution of his Ortice, he is to be removed till it be tryed; But lakh 
 the Author, it is not clesrrhat this is to be done before the Ail: ni- 
 b!y be conftirute into a Judicatory, which was the thing pretend- 
 ed by the Potefters, and becaufe not done, was the caufe of this 
 quarrell. This is clear that they are to be removed immediat-y ?f» 
 terthey arc charged with any thing, uotillch-ybe tryed, which 
 was th$ thing refufed by the AtTembly ) and therefore \t the ob- 
 jection bi moved before the conftitution , they are to remove be- 
 fore the conftitution of the Afiembly. 2. It is clear that this is ap- 
 pointed to be their firft work, at the entry of every Afllcmbly^ and 
 if any would fay, Tiiat the Aflembly muft firft enter by being con- 
 ftitute, I give thefe two things for clearing, that it is mt :aned be- 
 fore the conftitution: Frft, becauftr this Ad and practice which 
 concerns the purging of the Aflfembly from (cancellous peribns 
 fs previous in time to theA&and practice of choollng,a Moderator, 
 as will be obvious co any who looks upon the Records: 2. Be- 
 caufe it hath been the conusant practice in all the Afferubliesof 
 this Kirk from the very firtf Reformation, to propone exceptions 
 offcandali, and to remove perfons upon proponing thereof, be- 
 fore the choice of a Moderator, as alio obvious in theminutsal- 
 moft of every AfTembly, and cannot but be known to the Author, 
 and all fuch as have been frequenting our AtTemblies, and obier- 
 ving the order thereof, and therefore the Author doth but feek out 
 inventions to darken clear and manifelt truths: To the anfwec 
 which he brings to the grounds of proof brought by the Writing 
 to the matter offcandali, I return thciereplyes: That by granting 
 that the hearing of a common report may be a ground of enqui* y 9 
 if he deal candidly therein, according to the meaning of the place 
 cited by the Author, Dent. 13.14. It muft be of diligent enqm y, 
 for fo it is expreiled there. Chapter 17. v» 4* and ip»j8, which 
 
 imports 
 
(i 9o) 
 import* that it fhould be an enquiry without delay , but this was 
 refuted about the prelcnt cafe in qucltion, and notwithstanding of 
 thrs common rcpo<t, and objecting the fcandall thereof in the 
 Atfembty, the enquiry was delayed untill the Aflcmhty was con- 
 ftitute,and no more diligence was uicd in it,thcn if there had been 
 no iuch report at all; he doth injury to the Writer, ty labouring 
 to bear upon him and upon others, that he is of that minde, that 
 the Com miHion upon that common report which he alleadgcs to 
 have rcen palling upon them, (hould have been without more a- 
 doe fentenced to cenfurc The utmoft that the Writer all along 
 hath pleaded in this hath been, that the Commifiioncrs ought to 
 have been removed till their carriage were tiycd:But twogroundt 
 he laycs to prove this to have been the Writers minde: l.That the 
 Proceeding ordered, i C«r. 5. 5. was inordtr to prefent cenfure, 
 2. That he alieadgeth the Apoltles words fo gcoerall,without any 
 qualification,, I fhall notltand upon the firft, but the Writer not 
 being upon the handling of that point, what common report, or 
 how qualified, was need hill to be a ground of fentence, but 
 onely fh-wing that fomctimes common report may be 10 ; he 
 thought it enough to cite theApoftks words Without qual fying of 
 them, and if the Author will make this a ground of challenge a- 
 gaiplt the Writer, he may make it agamft the Apoftlc him- 
 hlf, f r he fets> down the words generally, without any lueh qua- 
 lification, and the Writer doth not extend them to any ether cafe 
 then that of whah the Auoltle is trcating:He only faith that com- 
 mon report is n ade a ground of proceeding agair ft the inccftuous 
 C^nnthian 9 without making ary application of it to the 
 CommiHions cafe , or faying that it ihouid alfo be aground 
 of proceedug againft them; if it be asked to what purpofc 
 then it was cited, the anfweris V(ry obvious and clear trom 
 the whole drift c f he Writers dilcourie , which is to (hew that 
 the pcrlorso' j cled apirft, were under a fcanda.l, and this he 
 doth: 1. By fhvW ngthat the e was ahe<r f3y and commonre- 
 porttftr, in c4o which the Scriptures layts \o much weight, as 
 sometimes to make it aground of try all: As 1^^.13. Sometimes 
 aground of proceeding, as 1 CV. 5. It is true 1 hat the Scriptures 
 doth not make every hear- by and common report a ground to ac- 
 comnt men under a tcandall, or to proceed againlt then* $ othr r- 
 WilehoncftiitCiHQdcedmi^ht be in an ill condition, but the qua- 
 lification 
 
(ioi) 
 
 liflcatlon of thefe things are to be drawn from the circumftances 
 of the fads whereunto they are applyed,and of theie wc have ipo 
 ken in the fad of the ComtmiTIorers, and therefore the Author in 
 this particular dcth but trouble h mfeit and others without csufe^ 
 yet muft I lay ,t hat though tor a* y thmg I know or can becolleded 
 from thswrifers wo< dsyhe utmoft that he pleadsfor being a delay 
 or their admiflion to be members of the Aflcmbly, wh\ch could 
 not De accounted a lenience againft- there, more then agamii o= 
 thcrs, who were delayed upon exceptions to be admitteVhat his 
 meaning was not, That the common report that paft upon the 
 Commitfiouers, was lurhcient to be a g oand of prefent temence 
 againft them, yet when the Ax: hot hathflxeached hinafelfto 
 theutmoft, h\ ha h >roven no good advocate for the Comm llio- 
 ners to execm them from preient ceniures: He £c!s us tha? a com- 
 mon report that rai^v be a ground of fo fhort an I (umrRary pro- 
 ceeding, muft be tuch as hrft is of a matter that ifi point de j% r e 
 is cleary and unquefbonaoly a fcandall. 2. i^or the fa& in a 
 manner univerlal-y uncontrolled ciihtr ay the ptrty , or 
 any that ha hbetior nearcft notice of hi* a&ious ; mrheprefenc 
 cale t iaithh ) bothihefe catcs were wanting , th« matter wss 
 Dot clear de jure in the main question of .t , it* report was not fo 
 common as the contradiction of it; But I lay,the matter wts clear 
 <fcj#^inthemainqueltionofic determined verbatim in forn.er 
 A<fts ©f Aiicmblics ; and the fadt was not at all Controverted or 
 -Controlled by my,bur taken with both by (he party 9 and known 
 and acknowl dged by ihefe that had be*i and neareft notice £ 
 their act. ons: Tne qu \ ty of the fad might be comrovertc < s wne- 
 thcr right or w r ong,wh.'Ch is a point belonging to t he jusok it, but 
 the fad it felf was not com radioed, either by the Com mi (lion; rs, 
 or any oth?r,and Ivs omnin§ anditur^ and pafsim & in t«t* ackaiA 
 &c. and res mantfefia pafsim cum magn§ ojfemiiculo public at s^ 
 asrto the matter of tad was true of that which th* Corr.m.ilione s 
 tuieLne;the offence and (tumbling of the godly was not cauiclefs 
 & born upon them by the mil-information and mii-reprcfenration 
 ©f th.-Commiffi oners proceed ings,by feme of (he fame perfonswh© 
 arc tkealleaagers; the Author there doth a double wrong to the 
 godly mScotUnd: 1. That he makes them to h*ve<Tumbied wirhuut 
 iicauie, whereas there was very reaUeautesof ftumbltng given 
 unto tht m% both in regard ot that which was done, and for -he 
 
 manner 
 
09*) J c 
 
 maner of doing. That which was done wis , employing °* 
 
 the whole B, dy of the Land pro mtcuotifly ( a very ifew 
 perfons bemf, • xcepte.4 ) amun.jr, whom were manyM i'g- 
 nant and dtf-*ff <fied wen, who hid been formerly exclu- 
 ded, and with whom the Lords .people mtheLand had lear- 
 ned from the Word of God , and from the conltant tenoui of the 
 dotflrincof ail thefaithfull Mm fters of this C hurth, to keep a di- 
 ftauteas toimployi g^hem in the defence of the Caufe and King- 
 dom ; As this was a main occa' on of conniving the League arid 
 Covenant, foil, there a fpeciail Article therein relating thereto; 
 the breach whereof wa* one of the fpeciail and main (ins contell 
 in the Soleu.n a* k luwledgn ent of nn ,and the contrary duty,one 
 of the main things to which we engage our lelvsin our iolemi En- 
 gagement. I; is rrue,that theCommifsion having dene th.s,& find- 
 ing many to ftumble, did afterwards fin Je cut lorae evahons a. d 
 dilHndlions to fave their own credit ; but the contradiction be- 
 tween their refolutions and former pr ncipks & proceedings, was 
 prima frame fo palpable and obvious, that men of ?ll fcrts; both 
 w ll-aflj <5ted and ill-affe<5ted, did fee it fo, as the one did n Joyce, 
 and thcormr m urn ; the Godly dd not more (tumble then the 
 JViali^nanc and prophane were glad, and both the one and the 
 otnet as to the general ty of them, did then, and do at th-s efay a- 
 g< ce in thi?-,That the pubiick Rclolutiot s ate not agreeabe o tor- 
 D-e principles and proceedings. There was caufe of (tumbling 
 gvenallotothe Godly in regard of the Comu lfTiorers their ma- 
 ner of proceeding, bectuie a Quorum very f, w moe of the Com- 
 mdliondid lay the foundation of the(e re lolutioi>s,i otonly with- 
 out tiiere%or their number , but alio without averuhYg a 
 great many of them: And fo ma; y being aofent and not ad verti- 
 f?4 , f h y did in a day or two determine that n t ft grave cafe, 
 wh.ch had often before that time been determined in the nega- 
 tiff, and fenr abroad the ; r D terminations to Presbyteries , requi- 
 ring obedknce,and upon mc* s offering tiir grounds of their dit-fa- 
 tjsfa<ftion,and ptof Isi g their ad hen nee thereto, till (atisfa&ion 
 fh ul'- be g ven, it > ifla luoh Warn ngs and Acts as we have for- 
 n ciy i'okenof. I appcfcl h Author hiu.,«icif, whether at he 
 tunc of rhe giving otthi- Aniwer to th Quaere, it was nor known 
 toh G»mu if son , ha many godly arid fuirhfull Mmifters and 
 Pfofciiors in tht Land, were averts from employing thde men n 
 
 the 
 
the Army, and had great fcruples about it j and that many Mem- 
 bers of theCommiffion,who were not to be defpii" d.had of en pro- 
 feft their diflikc of it ; albeit the matter had been lawful, furely 
 there was great precipitancy and raihnefs in the frft Retention, 
 which is acknowledged by ibber men, even of the fame judgment | 
 but fuch was the zeal and forwardnefs of the Court , and of fomc 
 Parliament men on the one hand, and the readinefs of fundry of the 
 Com million (who had before that time declared themfelves for that 
 way) on the other hand to hearken unto them, and the faintnefs of 
 any that were prefent to oppofe if, that hold was taken of the op- 
 portunity to do it quovU mod*, whereby real offence was given to 
 the godly in the LandjJ* quid imp or tuna levitate t aut lafctvia^aut 
 ttmeriiAtc non ordine nee Jh§ loco facias quo imperiti imbccilUsfe 
 ojfendantur, fcandalum abs te datum dicetur, qttoniam tua culpa 
 faStumfuit ; ut ejujmodi ojfenfiofufcitaretur y ac omnino jeanda- 
 luminre aliqua datum die itur cu)ui culpa alt Ant ore rei ipfm 
 profetta ej? : arc the words of a great Divine, fpeaking of (candals 
 very applicable to this cafe. Next he doth a wrong in making them 
 fo ignorant, (imple and facile as in thefe things to be led away , with 
 the mif-rcprefentations and mif informations of others : Many of 
 the mod: judicious decerningChriftians in the Land were (tumbled at 
 the Commiflions proceedings^ pon the firft hearing of them ; & be- 
 fore the Protefters did make either right or wrong Reprefentations 
 of them f I will not fay but they were confirmed in the diflikc of 
 thefe proceedings, by conference with the Protefters & other Mini* 
 ftcrs of that judgments they alfo were mutually edified and confir- 
 med by them, but that all the (tumbling and diflike did arife from 
 the fug^eilions and praclifings or fome or all of the fame perfons, 
 whom the Author calls the Alleadgers and Accufers, is not true ; 
 yea, I dare fay, that albeit all the Protefters, and all the Minifters in 
 Scotland had been of one mind with the Commiflion in the matter 
 the Publick Refolutions, yet many of the godly in Scotland would 
 have ftumb'ed thereat t It would have been in this cafe as in the bu- 
 finefs of the Treaty, wherwith many of the godly in Scotland were 
 diffatisfied, notwithstanding that there feemed to be a harmony and 
 confent amongft the Miniftry there anent. That there were more 
 Teftimonies for the Commiflioncrs from Presbeteries and Synods 
 then were againft them is no great wonder ,• multitudes commonly 
 inclining to the worft fide in the day of tentation, and they being 
 
 Bb I'M but 
 
(iP4) 
 
 but few who keeD th?ir garments pure: yet did not the (trength of 
 the teftitnonies upo t i the o ic hind or oo the ocn r y m che um- 
 ber of the vVicnefses, but upon the truth and cieanufs of fhe r Evi- 
 dence : what was tclti ied by the oppjfers oftbc Co nmiilion was 
 co rimirdby clear Evidence from the co .{Vint D ictcine of this 
 Church grounded upon the Word of God, and let fawn in the Co- 
 venant and So'emn Acknowledgment of Sins, aid Engagement to 
 D st.es, and Pubiick VYarni gs, Declarations, Runonltrance\&c. 
 but not o much as a tittle or thefe for Evidence on the other iide. 
 It is acknowledged by the Author himfelf, That he Pubiick R o- 
 iut ons was a cafe noc formerly determined by my Pubiick J ud.;e- 
 nientof ths K< k, and if fo there could noevdencebe brought 
 from the Doctrine of trrs Church for dealing and con Arming of 
 theie Refolutions. The Author is plea fed to call ih: Tell mon es 
 given a gain ft the Pubiick Refolutions, rca 'y aid iq themfelves 
 Scandals, tending molt evidently o che expo ing of the Kt .gdom 
 and of the Caufe to the power of che Invaders : He was pleafed a 
 little above to call them SI mder?, and fo al! the godly in Sc>tU*d 
 who fpeak againft thefe Re oiuc ons are upon his accompt 
 Slanderers. But thefe Til nonie , were neither Slanders, 
 nor Scandals, they did coot* n r^al Truths, and we<e Duties to 
 which the givers of th m were obliged in a bockftiding time, for de- 
 livering of the r own fouls, and order vi >g the Caufe of Go J from 
 being overborn withafpate of defection ',ai id though in many things 
 they acknowledge themfelves to be a nongfl the mot (inful, yet in 
 this they were fo far from expoling of the; Kingdom & Caufe to che 
 power of the Invaders, that the v h »id themleives bound to blefs 
 the Lord while they liv.: who ave them mercy to be kept free from 
 that carnal (inful cour e th it did provoke the Lord to give fo great 
 a ilroak to the Kingdom and the Caufe, in thofe dreadful Rods 
 wherewith he hath fnrtten us fince theie Refolutions. Whai was 
 thefenfe that the Invaders themfelves had of th s, 1 do not well 
 know, but this it's like enough they rejoyced in our Divisions s 
 But it was noc theoppofing of che PubLck Refolutions wherein 
 theyd.d directly rejoyce : Nothing from us-ward would have 
 been matter of fo great terror to them , as to have feen us unani- 
 mous in feparatmg from, and oppofing of all Malignant Interefb : 
 As it was upon the other hand, th. 3 matter of their confidence and 
 joy, that their former 4U«rrel fcemed to be juiiiued by the Pub- 
 lick 
 
Ci?5) 
 Uck Refactions, which did fo much ftrengthea and promove Ma- 
 ligna] r»tlntcrefi$, if we may faeieeve their own bxpfc-.iions and 
 Letter, written from fome of the Chief of them to the Higher Po- 
 wer in Enatan<i, He tcls us, That for that caufe fome of the Te- 
 fhmomes were fooner put into their hands, then communicated to 
 theC mm'ts oners; and they in thankfulnefs were very thank- 
 ful to ca^fe print them- This is a crimination of no fmal 
 conference to the Name and Fame of thefeof whom the A thor 
 fpeatw ; and tfurf )re if he had dealt candidly a; d ipoken tru b up- 
 o; peri wado.-. and evidence, he fhould have told us of wtat Tc- 
 ftimo . ies he meaned, ar.d who it was chat put them *into cheir 
 hands,that thefe men night have been noted & known. I doubt nor. 
 but if he co M hive doneir,he woul J hive done it, feeing he {pares 
 not to p t Imputations upon men by Name and Sirnar?;e, when he 
 conceives himfelf to have any ground for it, an<i that Jt will bring 
 any a i vantage 10 his caufe. But wh left he wo Id fatn render omc 
 of the oppoiers of the P. bhckRefolutons* od ous, *nd yet hath i.ot 
 ground -pon wheh he can confidently do it : He fpeaks f > indefi- 
 nicly fome of the Tcftimonies were pet &c ne ther tell ng us what 
 T ib •nor.ies,nor by whom they were pfturi their hands, that if he 
 be chulle g,d fo <t, he .may have a fh ft to make his retreit. But 
 I Jo bt that this way of defaming hi* neighbors wd be found 
 ftai^hi b f o e God. If I rray con ecTureof whatTeft rnon'es he 
 fpeaks, it eems v, be th< Letter of the Presbytery o£Stcrli*g , for 
 that, io fir as I know,w >s the only Tcftimony pnnted by the €*g*\ 
 hfh ; and The n ear of that he f peaks i-ntr ly when he fjith that 
 it was fooner put nt' s mm hinds, then Je t unto the CommiiTio- 
 n< r ; I •: an confidently ailure him, and all others, t^at it was 
 fent unto the <Jf>mn;iiIi ners, before any copy of t was given, oc 
 fert co any whei we ■ e bt t Members of -he Pi i sbytery ; and i can 
 as co frctent ) fay, That roneof chefe had any hand chreclly or in-* 
 d . eeriy in convey ng chat Lerter ro the Engiijtj : The man amongft- 
 therr: who w- J -s rrP it (1 itn&fcd h: rh given me warra 1 1 >iay, { and 
 1 1« uft that he will abide by it) That h s conrcierce doth bear him 
 record, that k e was moctnt or tfut as of all things or that k rd ; 
 and that to t 5 s day he knows not how that Letter was put i to 
 their hard-, unlofs it was by occafion of intercepting the Copie 
 thereof by the Englifh r w;ch Mr. And evr Ker the Clerk of the 
 Comunfliou ; bia Servant who was fent over the Water to fome 
 
 Bb 2 of 
 
 1 
 
(196) 
 of lis friend? unto Edinburgh trom Perth immediately after that 
 Meeting of the Commiffion, to which the Lctrer of the Presbytery 
 of Sterling was fent. f hi t the Englijh did ^rint theie Teft.mo- 
 nics is no great wonder : it is very like that they would print any 
 thin^ cbutdid hold forth our defection, an! owning of the Malig- 
 nant lot reft. The Third Par ticular is in the Autlors Judgment, 
 a poor mans Argument : B*t poor men, through mercy, oft-times 
 obtains more foliid difcovenes of OivineTruths in a d^y of tcntati- 
 on, then the Learned and the Rich do : Neither is it yet a begging 
 of the principal Queftion, becaufc what was offjrred in this, was 
 offered to be inftructcd out of thcRegifter^and they who made the 
 offer were Member of t' e Aflcmbly, who in conference and duty, 
 and by the Acts of the A'Tembly which relate to the Conftitution 
 thereof (as we have already fhown) were bound to declare their 
 confeience, touching others who were called to be Conftituent 
 Members thereof in their Doctrine, Life and execution of their Of- 
 fice ; and for the po.nt of that Intereft it is the fame thing that wis 
 objected by the Remonftrants againlt the Anti-remonftrants at the 
 Synod ofbwt ; and by the Prelats in their Declinator 1638. To 
 which we return no other Anfwer, but that of the Brittane Di- 
 vines at Dtrt, Vcritts communis EcclefuThef auras eft t nee pe- 
 teft ullo pacio fieri peculium, finj^uUrum perf*nArum 9 *Dei <#• 
 Ecclefi* Public* c*uf* efi mn fua cujuffc qu& in Synodu Agitmr* 
 In the clofe of this difcourfe, as all along, he /peaks of thefe who 
 moved this Exception, as of the CommiiTIoners Accufers, and cites 
 that of Jul**», Sittcufafe fuffictAt cjuis it?ocens erit. But that 
 they weee not Accufers, neither yet to be called fo, I have already 
 fhewed. Why fhould they be efteemed, or called Accufers more 
 then others, propounding Exceptions againft Conftituent Members 
 of the Aflerobly ? neither was it ever defircd that the propounding 
 of the Exception iriould be taken for a verification of it ; or to 
 fpeak in the Authors lauguage, That the acculingofthem fhould 
 be the holding of them for guilty ; but only that the Corumiffio- 
 aers fhould be removed from fitting as Members in the AfTembly, 
 till the Exception were tried ; and thcrfore that offutian can have 
 no place in this cafe* 
 
 VlN ft I C 
 
( *P7) 
 
 VlMDICATXO N. 
 
 IT is alleadgedby the Writer ,That the (awe AJfembly at St. An- 
 drews upon the like exception and objattion , others Were re- 
 movedfrom fitting as Member s, as Blacketer and other s, becaufe 
 the (candalof their acceffion to the unlawful Engagement toas not 
 f efficiently purged ^ &c. and he would have any man in the tyerld 
 give a real on V>hy thefe were excluded, and not others , againfi 
 whom were as relevant, yea more revelant exception* Anfwer. / 
 t hi* lemony mam in the tor Id that hath common fenfe informed of 
 both Cafes may give a real on 9 and may perceive that the pvriter 
 hath been rafh When he hath Wrote thefe Words upon the like Ex- 
 ception and as rclevant,yea more relevant Exception: Ft r Blacketer 
 and others : i . Their fcandal was deer in the Law, 2, They had 
 been convicltdof thefaSi, yea 7 $.They had becn*cluailj cenfured % 
 and were yet lying under the Cenfure, 4. A part of their cenfure 
 was exclufion from being members of Kirl^ Judicatories. 5 .There 
 was one expreffe Act of a Gen, AJfemb/y, That they fhould not be 
 liber at from that ceufure,nor be capable to be members of any in~ 
 ferior Kirk; Judicature until their fatisfatlion fhould be fir ft no- 
 tified unto, and approve n by a Gcn,A(fembly. NoW let any man in 
 the World teH me if the exception againfi the one and the other Wat 
 alike % or if there wot more relevancy in the exception aganft the 
 Commiffioners, then in the exception again ft thefe for their 8 x- 
 clufion from being Members : the matter of Exception might 
 haply (confidered in abftra&0 3 ) be of greater importance » hut 
 We jpeaknoW of the exception in relation to perfons and Circum- 
 ftances as it is to have effett or not > to have effect upon the Judge 
 for Cenfuring and Noting , or not Cen[nringanA Noting the 
 Eerfons* 
 
 R 1 V 1 l w. 
 
 THe Author in Anfwerlng the Inftance concerning Blacketer? 
 fcetas to himfelf to have gotten a great advantage of the 
 Writer his raflinefs ; but though his advantage were as great as 
 he takes it to be, in that particular, it would noc better his Caufe., 
 becaufe multitudes of Inftanccs can be given from lime to tirae in 
 
 the 
 
(i*8) 
 
 the Gen. Afle mbly of this Church, of removing perfont upon cx- 
 cep Jons oi lontfai Urore at y conviction of the I -aft , or cenfure 
 for the fame;yca,in the fan c Aifembly 1 65 I it vera pd foi s were 
 laid atide upon txc ptorrs before any legal corv ftion or fci.ttncc 
 paft upon the i aet.as the Coma iflioners or fomc Prctbyu ri<-,who 
 were protcftcd againft becaufe of oppoling publuk Ri olutior s : 
 And the * omn iiliont is of the presbytery of Dutfi, u hole Cafe 
 was not cleer in Law, ne ther yet legally found true as to the mat- 
 ter of Fad. But kt u^ fee wha? it is that he hath ga-ntd in theln- 
 ftance cot ce ning HfokgrerAt is agreed on ai h»r,ds,That Uttk/ter 
 upon p owning «»r one Exu ption ygair ft Mm, wa^ removed : the 
 matter thenis, To g ve a Region why he was excluded, and the 
 Committor! ers admired notwithftand ng"f exemptions piopomd 
 a' lb aeainit, tkm. The Writer fa«th No plan in ih w« r ; d can 
 give a Realofj or it, feeing the except ons o; the one hind were as 
 relevant ( if not ■ ore lelevart) then the other. Thi> the Author 
 oppofes, That »hey were not 10 n levant i a ■ r! he brii gs 5. D tfe- 
 rences for proving or t, which may be all r duced to ehete Two, 
 1 Thit the fcandal ' f theo. c Cafe was cleer in -aw, but (o was 
 not the <>th'.r. 2 Ti at for matte' of Her, there wav Omvichon 
 and Cenfure put upon it, but to pais rh.r the fttfrfnNIy did 1 < t give 
 any th» leaftmtin anon o h nt that n <xl dug the one, aid ad- 
 mitting the other, they found thee D nve' as or whu h f he Au- 
 thor fpea\s. I Anfwer, The fcatwlal of the C.< miuihoners ( afe 
 Wa-s alio cleer in L w> unlefs we will deny rhit the fame Laws 
 wh ch condemned conjund'O-i v\ th, and u pioyrg or h'al^nants 
 for the time paft, do a lo corden n th> m fo' the tine to cone 
 Temjfora mutat.tur, et ros wutAwur in Hit* .■ But I vt s com- 
 manded by God, and Covenanted by us ; aid Sins Prohibited by 
 God, and engaged .gair ft by us, are lift fame in tbt yecr 1^48, 
 and in the y^ er i6> i . As to the matter of Fa#, if 'BUI^ ttr was 
 before that rime particularly convift: d and cenfurt d this s >nd' ed 
 eattnu*, a difference bet v xc -.fit bit Cafe and the ■■ ther : bur rhe 
 Author hath alfeadged that, w rhout bringiog.any evidence of the 
 truth or t, and i beleive t \hr\ beh>rdfo r hm todo-t. ^ome 
 who are Members ofth.it i'r *b.- Tf, \h m i have enquired co- 
 cerning this bufineffe, do rofeA, Tf t h c y do not renvarber «Ta- 
 ny fo mal cenfure paft upo rrim foi h> iub cnbmg the ba; d 1 ^48, 
 neither did the AiTembly at St. An6re"tos at the tin*e of the propo- 
 ning 
 
099) 
 ning of that Exception, give any int.rrution that th?y d ; d remove 
 him, becaufe he had been alrea y convened and centred for that 
 ' Fad: : But the Exception being releyant in Law, and the Fad: as to 
 his particular concernment therein being/allcadged by one of the 
 Meeting, the Ailembly did lay him afide until it lhou.ld.be tryed 3 
 without further enqu ring of the bulinefs at that time. 
 
 Vl NDICATION. 
 
 WE faid we toould not felled the fever al Objections where* 
 with the Writer meets^ nor need We ; only there ii fome- 
 thlng in [he lAnfwer to the Fourth Objection, whereto 
 we fla* I fpeal^a W$rd\ It ie'mg Objected by the Writer him(elf 9 
 §r feme other (it matters not by whom) That tbt Exception could 
 not be fallen into fonfideration until the Jud' eatery v?as firfl con- 
 ftitutedy and a Moderator chofen^ and that therefore it was nop 
 agawfi the freeiom of the Affembh, that they didrefufe to fall 
 Upon tt before that was done : He Replies fo y as he would feem to 
 , faften fundry points of iniquity up*n \ he *A§cmblies carriage in 
 this matter ; if jaith he, the ^A'^emblj had immediatly upon the 
 chufmg of the Moderate*" fallen upon the try at of that except ion 9 
 and removed theft txcepted t* gain ft y it Would not have looed 3 
 though it might bavf /ejjened the jk.ength of the Argument y btit 
 even after that they were allowed to (tt as M'mbers , and to be 
 fudges tnevtry thing eljc^many days together^ before the Judg- 
 ing of that Exception : nay, which u more, before their procee- 
 dings wcreApD^ovm^ they ate as Juiges to give vote and fen.'* 
 tence upon the very Exception proponed agamfi themfelves, the 
 fame being one of the p-inc pal reajons of the prot.ftation Watch 
 were condemned before thee p.coeedmgs Were app'tven i yet that 
 wou/tnot, jaith hejoo'ed rh- difficulty , bcau.e the thir g defired 
 ys as not the trial and di/ tuff* g of the exception in(t**tlj before 
 the- choofng of the M<> -erator , but that ( as it was done to other 
 Members excepted ag **"*/? J fo thefe (bould be laid a fide until the 
 Afcmbly were conflitufd and ta\^e the fame into Confederation i 
 This the A fjemby peremptorily refufed, and permitted them t§ 
 vote which Was in efftl to reject the exceptior p either as not rele- 
 vant , or as falfe b$th wnich Were ab'urdy the former Would have 
 been to comradici clear light of Re aj on i the latter had been to 
 
 approve 
 
(2O0) 
 approve the proceedings before th*$r trjal or hearing what was t* 
 befaidfor verifying the exception'. An'Wer jve flay not much upon 
 the objection, but efpecially What u [aid hrre to render the procee- 
 dings oftheAjJembly odious l>ks in this matter. I .The Afjemb.im- 
 mediatly after the chafing of the Moderator, did fall upon the tryal 
 of that exception having fet apart a Comittee for that very pur- 
 fofe to fro about tt With all diligence,. & that the Comijftoners did 
 in the mean time fit & vote in theAjfem.in other matters for fan- 
 dry dayes, wds } becaufe the AJfembly could not adjourn and be idle 
 all thetime that that Committee Was to be upon that kufmefs,and 
 it had been the conflant practice of the proceeding A^e mb lies fine e 
 %$.to admit the proceeding Commiffi oners to fit and vote in other 
 matters during the time that their proceedings Were under tryat 
 and examination : yea, even When exception hath been made 4- 
 gainft them as is evident in the Aff^mblj 48. Secondly in that 
 which U brought in as an abfurdity With a quod majus eft, that 
 before their proceedings was allotted, the Commi'sioner s did fit as 
 fudges upon the very Objection proponed again fl them/elves, it 
 being the principal reafon of the Proteflatien, thnt c$ntaineth a\ 
 agrofs ParaUgifm which can beguile none but juch as are too 
 ftmple,and too Willing to be beguiled,ftnce tn judging the Protefta- 
 tion ( whereof a reafon was the exception againft the CommiJJio- 
 ners fitting in the Cjcu.AJJembly before the tryal of their Procee- 
 dings, Judgment was not given upon the truth orfalfhood of the 
 thing eontained in it, whether the proceedings of the Commijfio- 
 ners Were right or Wrong, contained in them a ceurfe of defection 
 or not : but only, Whether the tAfsembly refufing to remove th§ 
 Commi/Jioners When it Was alleadged again/} them in the Way that 
 it was alleadged,and before the alleadgance was trjeddidany thing 
 contrary to the duty and freedom of the Afembly, or if the 
 Prtteflers did wrong the Afsembly in declining it upon that 
 ground , noW for the Cemmijfiat(rs fitting and voting as 
 fndges in this matter , Was no irregularity , or elfe the Af- 
 fembly 48. alfo was irregular, Wherein as the Protefters may 
 Well remember, the Comm'ffioners voted as well as other Members 
 upon the relevancy of the exception given in by the Parliament a- 
 gainft themfelues ; and the truth is, Their voting in that matter 
 of the Proteflation % being no other thing but that whicb We have 
 (aid Was no prejudice for their advantage in the matter of their 
 
 ft*- 
 
proceedings for their alleadgance uf their cdnying on i M their 
 proceedings a cottrfe of dtje Elton at the tune in the manner that 
 it Wets alleadged, might have betn found a non-relevant except on 
 for their removal from being members before the tryal of their 
 proceedings, andcenj*quently tkerefufmg to admit has an Ex- 
 ceptton to that effect a non-relevant ground of Vroteffng agiinfb 
 the Ajsembly, and yet haply afterwards their proceedings might 
 be \udged to bejuch indetdas they Were alleadged to bejvtthout a- 
 ny cr offing aud contradiction between the one Alt andt^e other* 
 
 Review. 
 
 TH E Author ftudies in this place to take off force things al- 
 leadged by the Writer^ordcr to the proceedings of the Af- 
 fembly,b^t let us fee how he doth it: I It is yeelded that not with- 
 fhndingof the Exception proponed againft. thtComrnjfTioners,they 
 were not only admitted to fit ami Vote in the choice of a Modera- 
 tor, but aKo afterwards in every thing that came before the Af- 
 femb'y for many dayes together before the trying of their procee- 
 dings ; yea, that before that tryal they fate as Judges to give vote 
 and fentence upon the Proteftttion , one Reafon whereof was the 
 Afsembiiesrcfjfing to remove Jth em, til) the Exception proponed 
 againft them fhould be difcufsed; for the defence whereof h al- 
 leadges, i That the Assembly immediatly after the choice of the 
 Moderator, did fall upon the tryal of that txception : but as that 
 was not enough, becaufc by the Ads of the Aifembly already ci- 
 ted, and conltant praclifeof ATemblies in the matter of Excepti- 
 ons ; Perfons excepted againft, are immediatly to be laid afide till 
 the matter be tryed : So was it alfo defective in this, That during 
 the time of the tryal, the Comrn-iTioners did fit and Vote in the 
 A'< 5 .emb!y. 2 Hefaies, That the Aftembly could not adjourn and 
 be idle all the time that the Committee was to be on that bufinefs: 
 but could not the A ! *emb y have fitten, and be im ployed about bu- 
 finefs, uiilefs theie who were Members of the Commiflion did (ic 
 and vote in fuch bufinefs as came before them ? were they Members 
 fine qutbm non I 3. He alleadges, That it had been the prafhfc of 
 the preceding Aflfemblies fince 38. But neither doth that loofe the 
 difficulty, becaufe in none of thefe AfTemblies was there any Ex- 
 ception proponed againft the Commiifioners , nor was there caufe 
 
 C c for 
 
(202) 
 
 for it : He is miftaken in his Inftance in the Aflembly 48, as we 
 have already deered, and therefore he murt feek for another De- 
 fence. But in that which follows, he plaies the acuratc Logician, 
 and finds the Wrter in a grofs Paralogifm , which he thinks can 
 beguile none but thefe, who are too fimple, and too willing to be 
 beguiled. I would not willingly be beguiled,yet 1 muft profefs my 
 fclf fo fimple, that when I have put on the Authors Spectacles, 
 and looked throw thi-m as attentively as I can , I cannot difcover 
 the Paralogifm nor the Sophiury thereof,but to me it ftill feems to 
 be a plain and convincing Argument. The Writer alleadges, That 
 the Members of the Commi Hon fate as Judges to give Voce and 
 Sentence upon the Excepcon proponed againft themfelves before 
 the Aflembly did judge of their proceedings ; and he br.ngs this 
 for proof of his alleadgance, That before ay Judgment given a« 
 nent their proceeimgs, they face as Judges upon the Proc* fntion, 
 whereof the rejecting ot 1 hit Except on was a ipecial Reafon. To 
 this the Author Anfwers> That it is a Paral^gilm.becaufe the th ng 
 which was juJ^ed,was not rh truth or falfhood of the thi g con- 
 tained in it; to witjVvhcther the CommilTioners proceedings were 
 right, or wrong ; but only whether the A(T mb'y rchiii g co re- 
 move the Commifsioners when this Exception was :«lleadged a- 
 gair.ft them, in the way that it was allcadgtd, and before the al- 
 leadga ce was tryed,did any thing contrary to ch- freedom and du- 
 ty of the Aflembly, or if the Protefters did wrong the Aflembly 
 in declining it upon that ground, I i"hall not now trouble my felf to 
 prove that by judging of that Reafon of the P.oteftation they did 
 judge of the proceedings of the Com' nifsioners right or wrong, 
 becaufe this will fall in afterwards, more directly in the laft Argu- 
 ment ; but taking what the Author grants , I Reafon thus, Who 
 fo judges of the relevancy, or non-relevancy of one rxceptionin 
 order to their own fitting, or not fitting Judges of one Exception 
 againft themfelves : But the Commifsioners before the approving 
 of their proceedings did judge of the relevancy, or &c. €rg§ 9 the 
 Firft Propofition is cleer, and may be illuftrated by Inftances. I 
 luppofe the Author in one aflembly ftiould object againft fome men 
 that they cannot fit as Members till they be tryed, becauie they 
 are Papifts, or Murderers, or Adulterers, which he of&reth to in- 
 ftru&,and when theAiTembly comes to judge upon the point & ex- 
 ception relevant or not relevant to remove thefe men, if thefe men 
 
 them- 
 
themfelves fhonld fit and Vote iri this queition,were not this to ad- 
 mit them to be judges of one Exception proponed againft them- 
 felves. The Second Proportion is the Authors own grant, for be- 
 fides other things to that purpofe, he faith,The Commissioners lit- 
 ting and Voting as Judges in this matter was no irregularity,or elfc 
 the Atiembly 4b was alio irregular, wherein the Protcfters may 
 well remember theCommifsioners voted as well as other Members 
 upon the relevancy of the Exception given in by the Parliament a- 
 gainft themfelves : Well then, the Commifsioners in the AfTem* 
 bly, 5 i . did Vote upon the relevancy of the Exception given in a- 
 gainft themfelves. If any would deny it, ic is cade to prove it 
 thus, Who fo were admitted to judge of the relevancy or non-re- 
 levancy of the grounds of the Protection were admitted to judge 
 of the relevancy or non- relevancy of that Exception, becaufeit 
 was one of the main grounds of the Proteftation : But the Mem- 
 bers of the Commiilion, &c. Ergo. The Anthor, or fome others, 
 wil htply think, What need all this? it is granted that it was fo,and 
 the thing that is denied is, That they did not fit as Judges to give 
 fentence of the right or wrong of their own proceedings : Perhaps 
 ere all be done, we Avail alfo rind them doing that,but if it be gran- 
 ted, That they did judge of the relevancy of that Exception, all Is 
 granted that was alleadged by the Writer, to wit , That they fate 
 as Judges to give Vote and Sentence upon the very Exception pro- 
 poned againft themfelves ;and fo he hath committed no Paralogifm, 
 but by the Authors own conception which he cannot gQt avoided i 
 It is proved that the writer did alLadge wh ch was not that they 
 did judge of the right or wrong contained in the excepcion(though 
 that alfo might have been alleadged jbut that they did judge of the 
 Exception proponed againft themielves, before any judgment given 
 by the Adembly upon their proceedings ; ar.d now its granted that 
 they dii judge of the relevancy thereof, as to their httmg or not 
 fitting; and was not this to be both Judge and Party ? who then 
 is guilty of the Paralogifm the Writer or the Author ? The Wri- 
 ter faith,They were admitted to judge of the Exception proponed 
 againft themfelves; and this by the Authors grant hath a real truth 
 in it, becaufe thty were admitted to judge the relevancy or irre- 
 levancy of it as to their fitting or not fitting (yea the CommiiTio- 
 ners did oftnerthen once judge this before their proceedings were 
 judged by the Affembly- Firft,They judged it at the firft proponing 
 
 C c 2 and 
 
and reje&ing thereof by the AfTcmoly before the choice of the Mo- 
 derator, for none of them were then removed, neither wis lefs 
 weight laid upon what was fpoken by them, as to the rejecting of 
 that Exception then upon what was fpoken by any other Member 
 o^ the Affembiy who was not queitioned. 2 Tney judged ic in 
 judging of the Proteftaion,at which time they did approve of what 
 the Aflembly had formerly do ^e in rejecting ofir,atid did condemn 
 the l'ropofers 1 »fit,as doing Wiong to urge ir,and to decline the Af- 
 fembly thereupon. The Author faith , T-uy were riot adm tted 
 to fit as J udges in chat hXLeptior,becanfe they did not jadg of the 
 right or wro ;g of the thi gs contained therein * f and th<5 is a »o»- 
 fequittsri becaulethcy were admitted to jud_;eof the relevancy 
 thereof which did a< well concen them , the exception being pro- 
 poned aga«nil chemf. Ives, as the right or w o.g >f the things con- 
 tained therem. But healledgeth, 1 Thu thi< was no irregula- 
 rity, orelfe the Alfembly 4s was as irregular. He doth often 
 make his r "treat «pon that Aifmbly whe 1 he is (trated,but it wii 
 allow hi n no help in this particular, becaufe there was no f jch ex- 
 ception proponed nor judged in that Aile^'bly 2 He alleadges,That 
 their Voting in that matter of the Proteftaton, beiog no other 
 thing then that which he hath faid, was no prejudice or advantage 
 in the m atter of their proceedings, becaufe the alleadgance of their 
 carrying on in their proceedings a courfcof defection atthefme, 
 and in the manner that it was allcadged might have been found o ie 
 un-relevant exception for their removal from beingMembers before 
 the tryal-of their proceedings,and confequently the refuting to ad- 
 mit it as one exception to that effect an un-relevant ground of Ex- 
 ception agamft the AfTembiy , and yet haply afterwards their pro- 
 ceedings might have been judged to be luch as they were alleadged 
 to be without any Crofting or Contradiction betwixt the one Act 
 and the other. I fuppofe that all were true wruch is here fpoken 
 of, yet what is this to prove that they did not at al! judge of the 
 exceptions proponed agamft themfelyes ; It is already yeelded, 
 That they did judge of it as to the irrelevancy of it for removng 
 of them before trial. But that the determining of the one.did pre- 
 judice the determination of the other: Yea, go far to determine it 9 
 I prove Firft thus, If fo be the exception as to the relevancy there- 
 of did include many Points de Jure , the cleering and difcufling 
 whereof did belong tnoft intimately and eifentially to the verifying 
 
 or 
 
f205) 
 
 or ftlfifying of the exception upon the matter it feJf ; then did the 
 determining of the one, bring a prejudice to the dcterminationof 
 the other, if not go f*r to determine ; But che Firft is true, and 
 agreeab.e to the Authors own words in the ntxt * age of his Vin- 
 dication. Ergo, alfo the laft,The Conexion feems cker becaufc the 
 determining of the relevancy or irrelevancy of the exception did al- 
 fo d termm, thde point ae -ure, which did belong molt intimat- 
 ly and effentialiy ro the verifying or falfifying of the exception up- 
 on che matter; as for i :lta.-jce, the Afferbblies determining that 
 the Protefters objecting againft the Commifsioners that their Re- 
 folut'.ons did involve a courfe of defection was not a relevant ex- 
 ception whereupon to remove them, was alfo a determining of this 
 PoiiC dejftre^zhit thefe Refolutions did not involve a courfe of de- 
 fection, this did indeed belong moft intimately andeflenrially to 
 the f alhfying of the exception upon the matter , and fo to the pre- 
 judging of the determination', yea, to the determining of the o- 
 ther queftion : Or more deerly thus, If fo ! e the exception could 
 not be determined as relevant or irrelevant till the queftionable hy- 
 pothecs of the pubhek Refolutions was rirlt decermined, then did 
 the determining of the relevancy or irrelevancy of the exception in- 
 volve a determination of the right or wrong of their Refolutions : 
 But the Frft is mamfeft from the Authors own words, where he 
 faith, Thit the main and principal queftion <ie jure which fhould 
 have been cleered that that fcandal might have been charged upon 
 theCommi>*»oners was the particular hypothecs, if this fcandal 
 could not be charged upon the Commiflioners , but by clearing of 
 this hypothecs : How could the Commifiioners be cleered of that 
 fcandal, and found fuch afc were fit to fit in the Alfembly notW'th- 
 ftandmg of the exception thereof proponed againft them without 
 cleering that hypothecs. In thefe things I deal fairly and candid- 
 ly fo far as my light reaches, without detaining the tru f h in unrigh- 
 teoufnefs, or feek ng to darken or pervert the fane fo far as my un- 
 derftanding doth reach ; and i think I may refer it to the Gonfci' 
 ences of thefe who Condemn the Proteftation, and that exception 
 as irrelevant if they would have fo done but upon perfwafion that 
 thcCommiflioners proceedings were r ght , and if after the Vote 
 of Condemning the Proteftation,they could notwithstanding ther- 
 of have alfo condemned their Proceedings. 
 
■ > (to6) 
 
 VINDICATION. 
 
 THirdly, How/oever it be true, that the thing Which was defi- 
 red by the Protcfiers in the entry of t he ^fffembly y y e f ore the 
 choice of the Moderator Was not cxprijly and formally the trial Hn 4 
 difcufjion of the Exception given agatnfl the Commiffioners, as t$ 
 the truth allea 'ged thertn y \ Whether the Commijponers indeed had 
 carried en a courfe of defection from the Covenant and Caufe but 
 that the £ommi(fioners fhould have been laidafide until the ^yff m 
 fembiy had been confiitutedto take that into confideration ; yet cer- 
 tain it id that they having been chofen to have been Commtfsioners 
 nnaueftionably by the Society they came from (and that jome of 
 them by the exp r efs vote & confent of feme of the Protefters them- 
 (elves y as Mr. Robert Blaire m theTresbytery^ and Mr. James 
 Wood in the Vniverfity •/ St. Andrews, by Mr. Samuel Ruther- 
 ford) and having a formal Commifjion t and fo the Exception be- 
 ing perfono.1 {as in relation to that Affcmbly) and not propounded 
 againfi their being (fommifs toners : But noyi> in the Ajjembly con- 
 veened ofnecefsity , the Exception behoved to have been tryed and 
 difcuQed and judged, as to the relevancy of it, frr their pre! em re- 
 moving^ and laid a fide until it jhould be tried and di/cufled as to 
 the truth of the thing contained in it ; for the Writer him! elf con- 
 fefses^that every Exception upon alleadgance of Scandal is not a 
 Efficient and relevant ground to that e feci z Novo there Was a 
 groat Queftion about that Exceptio*,namely 9 concerning a ^ue- 
 ftion demure belonging to it, as We have before cleared. 7S(yw tell 
 me, if the Ajfembly before the EUlHon of the Moderator , and be m 
 fore it was conftitute into a Judicatory , could try y di(ctsfs^and judge 
 that t Quefiion ( which of necefsity it behoved to do y ere it could 
 be clear about the relevancy of their exception for their removing 
 becau/e>as the frriter grant sjhe exception relevant to remove per- 
 fons, muft be prima fronte, clear in the Ltw ) Certainly it could 
 not, and therfore ofnecefsity they could not upon that exception be 
 removed before the election of the Moderator, and corftitution of 
 the Judicatory ; As for their Members excepted againft t a*dthc r - 
 upon removed, there was a Wide difference , the exceptions againft 
 them Were % as to the relevancy for their removing, in cafes every 
 Way clear and determined before, info far as Was requifit for that y 
 
 to 
 
to VvittTrtteftmtns m Trtshyteries Afainft their eletbUn y ftdm* 
 ding cenfures excluding th mfrom all Kir\^ Judicatories tmrtpeAm 
 led % So we fee the exception Wherewith the Writer wets here, map 
 fian\ good wnh a little exception^ v-z. That no Exception cjneftU 
 onable could be difen^-d until the Judicatory were fir ft conftitut*, 
 And the Moderator choien . and tksrfore it mah^s nothing againji 
 the freedom of the late zsf semblyjhAt before it was conftisnte y and 
 the M>d?rAt*r cho fa n,the (f^mnHYioners Went not removed upm 
 the Exception m ide againji them % becaufe the relevancy of tht 
 8xcepti°* was qwftiona ' le inminy pnnt< de jure belonging ther* 
 unto, being controverted, at haft not prima fronte : The clearing 
 anidifcufnig thtreof did belong mosi intimatiy and efsentially to 
 the verifying o r fa' lifting of the Exception upon the matter it je/f^ 
 whermth a meeting nor conflitute into a Judicatory could not mrd* 
 die, 4. .As to 'hi W iters O 'lemma in th> end, That thereftt* 
 fingto remove the C 'ymmifsioner s upon the Exception mad" againff: 
 them- was to deter mm? ^cither that the £x~e?'ion wu nor. relevant 
 or that it vpm falfe^ and both Were abtur ■•;. w An wr^ it was in- 
 dee I f be determined th it it was not relevant in that circumftancg 
 of time When it teas proponeu for r m >ving tb*m off the ^A ' sem~ 
 biy 5 *w4 whereas he faith this were to co*tradib~b clear reafon^ this 
 is but a nak^d afsertion, and we have cleared the contrary, 
 
 R E V I E VV. 
 
 T^Trft, I defire it to be confidered, That he yeelds that the thing 
 Ji wh-ch was defired by the Protefters at the entry of the Ailem- 
 bly, before the choce of the Moderator* was not exprety and for* 
 mally ( yea, nor implicitly nor materially) the trial and difcuiUng 
 of the Exception as to the truth alleadged therein,- but that the 
 Coram .ffioners fhould have been hid afidc until the AtTernbly had 
 been conftitute to take the fame into consideration, which clears 2. 
 things formerly averted, i.Th at it was not dciired chat any fentence 
 (hould be paft upon the Commi (doners by the Alfembly, before the 
 conftttution thereof. 2. Th it the C >mmi> f ioners 1 before the judg*- 
 ing or their proceedings by the Afllmbly) did judge and give fen- 
 tence upon the relevancy of a defire made againft themfclvs, to wit, 
 That they might be removed till their proceedings *hould be rlrft 
 judged. 3. I deny not but this Exception behoved to have been 
 tried and difcuikd, as to the relevancy o£ it ? fo far as was needful 
 
 for 
 
f*o8) 
 for laying afide of the Commif^oner till further trial : and to that 
 which the Author faith, That it co Id not be done becaufe it d«d 
 involve a great Qutftion de jure, which was yet queftiof.able, and 
 not clear ; whereas it is yeelded by the Wr tcr, that the Except on 
 ought to be rcletant in Law, at leait fuch as prima fronte feems re- 
 levant. I anfwer. Th^t that Queftion was (prima fronte} re- 
 levant in Law , becaufe prima fronte agreeable to the ve- 
 ry letter of the Law. I may appeal to hirofJf, if the Publick 
 Rcfolutions do not prima fronte feem to be contrary to many 
 things formerly expreft in the A&s , Conftitutions and Publick Pa- 
 pers of this Church ; and though he would deny it, yet fure I am 
 all indifferent men will acknowiedg it, that whatsoever may be in 
 the matter it ft If, yet there is at leaft a fceming contrariety betw xt 
 thefe : I frull remember him of the fpeech of a judicious and godly 
 man(whofe words are cited by h mfelf in his Vindication m another 
 cafe) who in a Conference at St. Andrews about the Publick Refo- 
 lutions, when the Acts, Warnings and Declarations of the Alfem- 
 bly was objected againft thefe Rcfolutions, faid, I conf<.fs that you 
 have the Sough of the Ajfemklies for you : yea, in this thing that 
 prima fronte it feems to be fo,we have the univerfal confent almoft 
 of the whole Land, as weljfhefe who arc for the Publick Rcfoluti- 
 ons, as thofe who are againft them ; elfe what meant that which 
 was fo frequent in the mouths of fome of the Commiflion, and ma- 
 ny others the laft year, who when Acts of Aflemblies and Pub- 
 lick Papers were objecled,faid,That fome men who had hand in the 
 penning of thefe Papers had upon defign foifted in many things in 
 them,which they now made ufe of againft the Publick Rtlolutions; 
 and that which was then, and is ftill frequenaly fpoken by the ge- 
 nerality of malignant and difafFe&ed men in the Land, to wit, The 
 Church is now come to us, and^we are not gone to them. Thefe 
 things are more palpable and bertcr known then that they can with 
 any colour of truth be denied. Bit 3. Was not the Exception pro- 
 pounded by the Protcfters againft the Commfli oners difcufled by 
 the AfTenv ly,3s to the relevancy thereof, before the election of the 
 Moderator ? Did they not, after the propounding of it, fuffer the 
 Gommiflioners to fit ? which they could not have done unlcfs they 
 had rejected it: And how could they reject it,unlefs they had found 
 it irrelevant ? Was not the allowing of the Commiflioners to fit, 
 after propounding of,and debate upoa that Exception^ real a Judg- 
 ing 
 
(209) 
 
 gingof the irrelevancy thereof, as the removing of other Commit 
 iione s upon Exceptions p opounded againft them, was a jndgi g f 
 thofe Exceptions to be relevant ? yea, doth not he himfelf exprefly 
 fay in anfwer to the Writers Dilemma, That it was indeed to be 
 determined, that it was not relevant in that circumftance of time ? 
 4.I lee not to what purpofe it is,that he teJs us,That the election of 
 Commifsioners was not queftioned in their Presbyteries, that fome 
 of the Protefters voted and confented to the chujing of them : That 
 they had a formal Commiftion, and that the Exception was perfo- 
 nal as to thatAuembly, & not propounded againft their bein<* Com- 
 mifsioners,but now in the Aflembly conveeued ■: What is alfthis as 
 to the keeping of the AiTembly from confidering and difcuffing of 
 the fame ? Were there not others who had a formal and uncon- 
 troverted Commifsion,not objected aga-nftin the Presbytery, who 
 yet upon perional exceptions propounded in the Aftembly, were re- 
 moved til thefe exceptions fhould be difcu fifed and tried ? 'And was 
 it not as free to propound perional exceptions in the AiTembly a^ in 
 the Presbytery ? and being propounded there, were they not of as 
 great weight as if propounded elf-where? And ought not the Af- 
 lembly to have taken them in confederation ? Were they not pW- 
 mo injf}4»ti y the proper Judges of them,as well as the Presbytery > 
 That fome of the Commifsioners were chofen by exprefs vote and 
 content of fbme of the Protefters themfelves, as Mr Robert BUire 
 in the Presbytery ofSt.rsindrem % Mr. fames mod in the Univer- 
 fity of St. Andrews by Mr. Sam. Rutbcrfordjt may be true , Mr. 
 S Am. Rutherford his defire of Peace and teftifying of refpecl to'thefe 
 men being fuch as it is, together with the hopes that he had of their 
 being inftrumental to accommodate things in a right way at the AC. 
 fembly: but that hinders not why the Protefters might notwar- 
 rantably propound the Exception at the AiTembly. Another branch 
 is, That the AiTembly had not as yet chofen their Moderator, and 
 was not yet constitute, and therefore could not difcufs that que- 
 ftion, &c. But not to repeat that they did difcufs the relevancy of 
 other Exceptions? yea, of that feme chat was propounded againft 
 the Commifsioners, as to their fitting, or not fitting till the matter 
 fhould be further tried : It is to be confidered, that if controverted 
 Commifsions and Members, upon Exceptions propounded agai ft 
 them, be laid afid; till trial, which hath ahvaies been the cuftom of 
 the AiTemblies of this Church. It is not fo very material whe^h^ 
 
 Dd the 
 
the ful difcufstng of the Exception be before the ehufing of the Mo- 
 derator or after it ; there ire pracftifes and inftances of both wayes; 
 fome Aflfemblies firft: difcuiling the controverted Commikions 
 and Members, and then -ehufing the Moderator ; others laying afide 
 thefe things til the Moderator be fit ft chofen ; and then immediatly 
 before the doing of any thing elfe, falling upon the difcufs ng or 
 them ; though it feems the moft regular way,that the controverted 
 Commifsions and Members be laid afide, the uncontroverted ones 
 being a competent number, fhould proceed to the choice of a Mode- 
 rator, and thereafter , be fore the doing of any thing clfe,pi't rh-t to 
 a point wh.ch concerns the reft of their conftitueuM.-mber*. In the 
 cafe now in queft on both were defired,either to difcufs the Excep- 
 tion^ to the truth or falfhojd of the jlleadga-ce befori the » ha- 
 ling of a Moderator ; or elfe, to lay 3fide the Commifs orers, and 
 to do it immediatly thereafter : but both were re I 
 the more confiderable, becaufe the Exception proroum*ed a^ainft 
 them, was but mecrly perfonal, or dJMMi perfoniti 6i p* tku- 
 kr fcandtl*, but of more common concernment, a .t i • t f i.<gs re- 
 lating totheCaufe, as breach of Publick RruiV, deft ftir-n from t'-e 
 Gaufeand Covenanr^which did require confident. on befitt the ad- 
 mitting thefe perfons ■ J would ask the Author chi.s ore Q^cftion: 
 Uponfuppofal that theAflfembly after the Commifiioners fitting 
 and voting therein many dayes; yea.even in the condemning of the 
 Pi otefhtion, and citing of the Protefters ; fhould have found their 
 proceedings to involve a couifc of defection from the Caufc and 
 Covenant, and therupon have removed and cenfured them : Could 
 Beholders have looked upon this a? a handfom way of proceeding, 
 that they would not take into confideration an Exception defervmg 
 fuch things,when it was firft propounded unto them,and offered to 
 beinftrueledj but wonld judge the Exception irrelevant, cenfure 
 others for protefting, becaufe of refufing to accept of it : admit the 
 C6mi(sioners to be fellow- Judges in condemning that Proteftation 
 & after al this find thefe Comifsioners guilty or the thing alleadgcd 
 in that fame very Exception when tfrft proponed,& reaove & cen- 
 fure them upon it ; Are things handfom? or do they wd cohere? or 
 can a tender eye look upon them without offence .' How much fairer 
 had it been, firft to remove them, and prefently or immediately 
 after the choice of the Moderator, to diicufs the Exception ? There 
 is more danger to the Caafc, & offence to God & his People in rafli 
 
 admitting 
 
<«0 
 
 adrmtfn;* fuch as arc guilty,then in ciutioui delaying even of inflcn 
 cent perfons when legally challenged^ innocent,they may after- 
 wards be admitted with more honour and rdpeft; but if guilty,ei- 
 therthey ilui be continued Members with much detriment to the 
 cauf^or elfe ilialbe caften out with more fhamebsth totherafelvs 
 aud tujthe Aflembly,wh© at firftrefufed to Jay them afide till they 
 were tryed. Bscaufe the Author fa w that an objection rni^ht be 
 moved againft what Ut hath (aid from theAflembiies removing of 
 othcrMembers who were excepted againft before thi choiceof the 
 Moderator; therefore for preventing of it he tdis us, that there 
 Was a wide difference, becaufe the exceptions agajnft them, were 
 as t* their relevancic for their removing , in cafes every way clear 
 and determined before, m fo far as was requisite for that , to wit, 
 Proteftations in Presbyteries againft their elc&ion , ftanding cen- 
 fures,?xcluding them from all Church- judicatories unrepealed: 
 To which I retiarn thefe particulars j Firft, Some even before the 
 choice of the Moderator were removed upon exceptions againft 
 whofe elections there was no Proteftation, and who were under 
 no (landing cenfure either of one kinde or another,to wit, Mr.Ro*> 
 bert Canden Commifsioner from the Presbytery or Dunce % who 
 was removed upon this exception, that that Presbytery could not 
 choofe Cenamifsioners , bdngfofew in number asthty were; 
 here was no Proteftation, the man under no cenfure, yea nor the 
 ground of the exception clear and unquc ftionable in Law as to a- 
 ny aft of any former Aflcmbiy,onely prima fynte^x fcemed rele- 
 vant that two or three could not eh* jfe ; therefor* was he there- 
 upon rcmoved,though afterwards, (if my information hold ) he 
 was again (as feems upon not finding the exception not relevant) 
 admitted. Secondly, Neither was a Proteftation againft the cle« 
 ft; on, furficient to make it clear upon the Authors gronnds. I fup« 
 p tie thar it had been allca iged,that the ground of the Proteftation 
 was not clear ,but qucftionablc ; as to the relevancy of it by his 
 ground fuch a Proteftation again t the eleelion , wauid not have 
 been enough to lay the Canaunifsioncrs afide, till the matterhad 
 been tryed. To come nearer the cafe, k t usfuppofe that fame of 
 thcoispofer*?ofPj i ck Reflations ha i in the Presbyrene or in 
 the Umvcrfite of St. Andrews proteftei againft the cleftioo of the 
 Co modskmers there, upen this ground, (hat thtfc who were ele- 
 cted, were mftruroentail in the Pubiiek Refolutions, will the Au- 
 
 Ddz thor 3 
 
(212) 
 
 thor iay,thi8 had been fufficient to lay thete Commifsiontrs afide, 
 from fitting as Members of the Aflcm. !y, till the u attcr had been 
 tryed: lflo,why then was not the proponing of that except ion in 
 the Affmbly agiintt all thefe who were Members of the Com- 
 mifston,and ha t hand in thefe Relolutions, furBeient to lay th.*m 
 afide: Or,if that be drnycdj would defire to know a reafon oithe 
 difference, if it be faid,that all the Commiis'ons which were laid 
 afidc,becaufe of Proteftations againft them,were iuch as were pro- 
 ttfted against upon clear & urqueftionabL grounds.I anfwer,that 
 itwasnotfo, asappears by the mltance aheady given/ wh.ch 
 I adde another ,to let lee what partiality of proceeding there was 
 in thefe things even upon the Authors own grounds: Did not the 
 Aflcmb'y lay afide rhe CommilTion of rhtrfc who Were firft chofen 
 by the Pn sbytery o&GUfgtft upon this ground f rhit ihe Commif- 
 fioncts wcrcoppofcrsof the Publick Rcioluuons, which (ifwc 
 may believe the Author ) was yet a qucftionablc hypothecs i*j0- 
 re. Thirdly,I iuppofe that in thefe calci which ( he faith) were 
 clear,any perlons intcrcfied fhould have object d, that the Piote- 
 ftation was falfe and fictitious ; or that their being under cenlure, 
 was a mcer alleadgance , or that the grcund cftke Protcftation 
 and cenfure was an hypothefis not yet determined in jure, 1 ask 
 him, whether the Affembiy in thele cafes, was to admit the pcr- 
 fonsjor to lay afide the Commiflions,and remove the pafons, till 
 the matter fhould be tryed ? If he lay , they were not to be ad- 
 mitted , then th^y bthoved to rcfuft to hear ail Parties inr erefTed, 
 and to take a qu -ftionable cife for clear and granted , before they 
 hear and try which teems to be abfurd. If he tay,thac th y weie 
 to fall upon the dilcufling of qucft.ons and objections kinc indg % 
 then I pray you, why not one queftionable exception as well as an- 
 other ? Wny not the queftionable exception proponed againft 
 the Commifiioners,as w«ll as the queftionable exception contain- 
 ed in the Protcftation agamft the eledion in Pr csi yteries ? And 
 if he fay, that it was not ablurdto lay afide the perlons, n twih- 
 ftanding of their alleadging that the Protcftation washlfc- and h> 
 ctitiousi&c. but that the matter being que ftionable, they wereto 
 be laid afiic tilt it fhould be tryed and cleared ; then why not alfo 
 the Commifsioners upon the exception of a fcaidall of defection 
 proponed agamft chemnotwithftanding of their denying thereof, 
 and affming the contrary , feting ( by his own ground,) the mat- 
 ter 
 
ter was not yet clear to the Aflenrtly, tit her upon the ©nc hand or 
 the other. By thde things we may fee whit will come of h:Au- 
 thots conclufion, to wit, that no exception qutftionablc coeid be 
 diicu fled, until th-Judicatory were fir ft conftituted,and theKode-. 
 rator chofenjand that therefore it snakes nothing aeau ft the iree- 
 dom of the late Atfcmbly, thatbeforeh : wasconftituted, and the 
 Moderator cho(en,thit the Conrri's toners were not removed up- 
 on chc exception made agslift them, bee auk the relevancy cf the 
 exception was queftionableinmsnythi gs desire \ bjon^iog 
 thcreuntOjbeing controverted at leaded not prtn kjronte clear ; 
 the clearing and difcutsing whereof , did belong moft intimately 
 and eflentially to the verifying or faftfying of in: exception upt n 
 the matter it (elf ; whereupoir the Meeting not confiture into a 
 Judicatory could not meddle; upon which Conclusion I a^kthtfe 
 queltiom. Firft, if no except on qusftionable could be diicufled 
 untill the Judicatory were conftitute, and the Moderator chofen, 
 thtn,how did the Meeting at St. Andrews before the corftjtuttng 
 ©f the Judicatory, and c hoofing of the Moderator, rejt&thc ex- 
 ception proponed ty the Protefttrs againft the Commdsjorkrs, as 
 not relevant to remove theoa,wa$ not that to dilcufie an txct prion 
 queftionalle , as to the relevancie of being a ground of removing 
 or not removing. Secondly, I ask how it came to palTe that they 
 removed the Commifsioners of GUfgow upun the exception of 
 their oppofing the Publick Reiolurior.s , was not that alfo to dif- 
 cufle an exception questionable , as to the relevancie of being a 
 ground,as before. Thirdly,If the relevancy of the exceptions was 
 qusftionable in many points Demure belonging thereunto , the 
 clearing and difcuising whereof , did belong moft intimatly and 
 elTentiaUy to the verifying or falsifying cf the matter it felf , how 
 could it be judged and difcullcd as to the relevancy thereof , and 
 yet this be no prejudice to a judgement upon the matter contained 
 therein? or how could the exception be found non-relevant, and 
 the Commifsioners proceedings be alfo found to involve a cour(e 
 of defection, fourthly, if the cleaiing and difcufsing of that exce- 
 ption had {uch connection with the matter of the Corormisioncrs 
 proceedings that firft when it was proponed^it could not fee judg- 
 ed before the judging of th queftionabk hypot' efis of their pro- 
 ceedings , how came it topafs that the Atfcmbly afterward did 
 judge it>and admitted the Coaimifsioneis themfeives to (it is jud- 
 ges 
 
get therein before the judging of that hypothrfis. Fifthly, If the 
 exception was (o queltionablt in jurejxvvt could the AC'di bly be- 
 fore the di(c uising of the Con mils loners ptocetdmgs, fo level cly 
 reprove the diflcnters for proponirgof it, and condemne the 
 Protection founded thereupon. Theft rhings 10 my weak un- 
 demanding feems inconfiftent,and fuch as ordinary Readers can- 
 not reconcilc.In the laft place he labors to gtve aniwtr to thr wri- 
 ters DileMTJMyto wit t at the refufing to remove the Commifsion- 
 ers upon the exception propooed againft them , was to determine 
 either that the exception was not relevant , or it was falle, 
 but both were abfurd* His anlwtf is , That it was indeed 
 to be determined , that it was not relevant in that circum* 
 ftancc of time when it was proponed for removing of them from 
 the Aifembly, and this he denyes to have been abfnrd cr to con- 
 tradict clear reaion,and tells us,that he haih cleared the contrary. 
 When I had read thefe words again and agam , I could not with 
 any p*rfwafion,fall upon the Authors mcaning,his way of cxp;cf- 
 fion being dubiout,he faith, it ftas f he determine^ which makes 
 roe fufped that he may haply point at the determination which 
 was afterwards made by the Alaem ly,whxn the relevancy of ihat 
 exception was condemned in the Prouftation: If that be hit mea- 
 ning,he hath but covered himfclf with fig-tree leavts,becaufe the 
 rejertmg of it was the a&uail determining of the irrelevancy of it, 
 astotheb:ingaground of removing the Coumnifsioners our of 
 the Afscmblyj but if he mean that it was determined n*t relevant 
 when proponed j I would know why it was not relevant in that 
 circumftance ©f time , whether becaufe of the matter contained 
 therein,as not being relevant injure , or becaufe the Afscmbly 
 could not judge thereof, the Moderator not being yet chofen, nor 
 the Afscmbry conftitutei ? If he fay, not relevant upon the matter 
 at that circumitancc of time , then this non-rdevancie wai either 
 becaufe t he exception was founded upon things done by tfnCom- 
 mifsioners agreeable to the Law , and lo no matter of exception, 
 but matter of commendation, or elle becaufe foundci upon thingt 
 cj frfli- nable,aiid yet not determined in )urei Not th- fit ft,Sccaufe 
 that hid been to determine the Comrr doners proceedings ro bt 
 agreeable to the Law before the trying of them: Not the'laft,be> 
 caufc that had b : en to determine , that the proceedings of tb« 
 CewnmitTittiKrfi were not yet determined by the docTrmt of the 
 
 Church 
 
Church ofScttland , before the trying and judging of thtCe pro- 
 ceedings The truth is, the Atfembly gave no fuch judgment 
 upon that exception,nor no ftich reaion tf their rejecting of it; but 
 the only reafon that was fpoken of, and did carry the bunnefle in 
 the Aflembly was,that the AiTetisply could not rail upon the try- 
 all of jt r the Moderator not yet being ehofen,and the Aflembly not 
 con(litutedj& if this be the Abhors rneaning,when he iaith ic was 
 indeed to be determined not relevant in that circumftance cf time 
 when h was propone d. it is no anfwer at all ; Firit, B -caufc rhe 
 Afembly could have judged thereof before the chcofing of the 
 Mo deraror, ether Aflembiies feverall times hiving fo don- ; a id 
 thi . lame Afeembjy did jadge the relevancy of fenciry exceptions, 
 as to the laying ajSdc of the Comm?iIi oner ; yea the irrelevancy of 
 this faa.e exception by the Ant&orf QWfl ceuceisjon in thefe very 
 words; by what authority k th y c >u: i Mfe the relevancy of one 
 exception, by the lame au? horny the y might have judged the re- 
 leva: sy of another, and by what auihork'y tiny could rej\cT it ss 
 iptetevatfr' bytht fame- audi;, t'uy they could havedifcufsed it re- 
 levant or not r tovont. Secondly , Becaufe it was alfo urged af- 
 ter the c hoofing of :he Moderator, but was not then condefcended 
 unto ; but th- Conmiifsioners againft Vvhoni it was prGponed, 
 w re ftiil allowed to fie as Members of the Afscmbly, without ha- 
 ving any regard to that exception, which gave probable grounds 
 to think, that the rejecting of k before the choice of a Moderator 
 upon that pretext, was but a meer pretext : becaufe a Moderator 
 now being chofea,it was f:iU reje&ed ; and therefore rejected as 
 pmflicittr irrelevant , without reference to any circumftance of 
 time , as afipeareth by condemn ng it in the Protection. But \t 
 may haply be faid, That by the circumstance of time when it was 
 proponed, he means all the interval! of time that was between the 
 proponing of it, and the judging of the Commifsioners proceed- 
 ings. If fo it was relevant in oo circumftance of time, it being 
 proponed meerly in order to their removall for thatinrervali of 
 time, when their proceedings were now approven and condem- 
 ned,^ would have been vary impertinent and uleleiTe to propone 
 any fuch exception. He would let his Readers kiow in what 
 drcuajftance of time it was relevant. As to the removing of the 
 Cemmifsioners before jadging of their proceedings ; for if any 
 circumftance of that time it w« relevant ,the Af&mbly did wrong 
 
 in 
 
fit*) 
 
 in not finding it to be fo ; and if in no circumftance of that time it 
 was relevant as to that dL\ *,he doth but tr flfle with his Readers 
 in telling them that it was not relevant in that circumftanceof 
 time it wa* proponed f it had been candide and fair dealing to have 
 told them that t W3S relevant in no circuinftance of that time, ot 
 not relevant it ail, but ths would not have been well digefted. 
 
 V I • K D I CAT I OK. 
 
 SO Vce fballnoVcpifft to the next ground of the Protefia\ion % what 
 is contained in the Writer of the fcco*d7>apcr his replyes to the 
 fir ft objection; or other Objeftions is either nothing to their/frin- 
 ging of ohy anfwer^ or cleared by what hath been (aid already y on/y 
 thumuchl adde, T 'he [e men who he faith hath fallen from their 
 ftedfeslneffe, and. made defection y at which others could not winj^ 9 
 becaufe of their former integrity-, feme of them have been ftedfafi 
 in the truth and Caufe of God, when others that accufes them leneW 
 it not-.fome of them we doubt not will by Gods grace give teflimony 
 oftheirftrdfaflmfle in it in their fuffe ring condition ,when fome that 
 accuses them may Be will be founder already are tampering about 
 and dexnfmg glomes how they may with fome colour fhuffell them" 
 felves looje from Articles of the Covenant-, And the Writer fhal 
 never be able to in fiance that they have made defcll ion in their late 
 Refolutio*s> either from any Article of the Covenant, or from the 
 truth of Religion in any head thereof y Dotlrine,Worfhip % I)tfcipline 
 and Government received and established in this Kir k^ or from 
 prablifmg according to thxt truth,I mean by any ^Public \allow :d 
 pratlife or courfe contrary thereunto, for as for per fon all failings 
 anifhort commings in particular duties, they \enow themf elves to 
 be but men compiled With a body of death, and we doubt not but 
 they are as far from Pharifaicall j^ftifying efthemfelves as others. 
 As to the other particulars m'ntionedin the Protestation^) at thej 
 ftirredup the Civitl Aiagiflrate again (I fuch as were unfatisfied 
 with their 'Proceedings ; Its contrary to truth as fhal I be cleared 
 afterwards, there alleadged prilimvating of the A(femb!y y is 
 cleared before, as is formed and inUrged in the fecond "Paper* 
 The Meeting at St. Andrews had no liberty nor free dome to vote 
 in matters agitated and debated therein , which is alleadged to be 
 manifeft from the particulars , that the Commiffionhad in their 
 %emonftrances and Papers ftirred up the Civil! Magistrate again f 
 fuch as did differ from i hem in their Refolutions and Prceedings 
 
 And 
 
and accordingly the M agi§rate hai confined feme Minifters; viz. 
 thofe of St^vlmt upon that accompt } and had made Laws and A&s 
 tf Parliament ord*i*i*g all (uch to he p> weeded again ft as ene- 
 mies to Religion ana the Kingdoms 3. The Commijjtoners had 
 by their Warnings and Tapers to Presbyteries ^irred up thsTres* 
 hyteries to conjure [uch, and ate them to the Cjenerall Affembly, 
 and accordingly the Presbyteries did cite many of them, 3. The 
 Kings Majefty wrote to the Jfjembly a Letter moving andftirring 
 them up topunijh and cenfttrc thofe who differ ed from the Publicly 
 Refelutions, andthe Qommlfftoner didfecond the fame by his fpeech 
 to the lAfsmbly, intimating, that he hoped f uch a conrfe Jbould 
 be taken with them, that all others may be deterred from the like 
 thereafter, none of the (e things that Meeeing did refent , but were 
 filent there at , and afterwards did approve. /Anfwer, To the fir ft 
 particular, it is contrary to the truth that the Comm\(fton had in 
 their Papers ft irred up the Civ ill Magi fir ate again ft /uch as did 
 differ from them about theirRefoluttonr and P roc ee dings ^t he Wri- 
 ter if he would have dealt ingenuoujlj and faithfully, either with 
 the Commifsioners,or withjuch as was to read this P aper Joe Jbould 
 have infianced or produced fome, at le*ft one or two ( for he j peaks 
 as if this had been done injundry Papers) pagages out of their Pa- 
 pers bearing this, 2. That the Civil I Magiftrate did confine {as 
 the Writer termeth, their requiring them to ft ay at Pcnh/*r^ 
 fface y untill their buftneffe Jbould becognofcedy the Minifters of 
 Sterlin being ftirred up thereunto by the Commifft oners, and that 
 he confined them upon that accompt,v\zTioat they differed from the 
 publick^Refolutions, both are affirmed Wrongfully and contrary 
 to the truth t tke realftory of that buftneQe was this in jumme : The, 
 Committee being informed that the Minifters of Sterlin were in 
 their publicltD olirine,and otherWife pratlftng the hindering of the 
 Leavies, according to Publicly Re/oiutiens, and moving fundry 
 perf on s * n l ^ e Garrifon of Sterlin to quite and defer t their charge, 
 which tended to the endangering of the whole Lsnd , andparticn- 
 larlj that Garrifon, the only Bulwarkjf the whole land under Cjod, 
 the Committee reprefented the matter to the Commijsion of the 
 General tslfsembly ', Shewing them that they could not permit that 
 Garrifon to be endangered, yet in regard they Were Minifters ,they 
 defircd the Commifsion to take a dealing With themfift, and 
 required the Commifsion to make report to them What effdl their 
 
 E € dealing 
 
(218) 
 
 dealing with their brethren fbould take* TheCommifsioners Accord- 
 ingly havingmet atSuKndr£ws 9 and having ha J aConferenrt With 
 thefe r Btthren i & having found by their o\Vh acknowledgment that 
 inPublick^they had fr alii fed agahftP 'ubiickjiefolntiens t & in pri- 
 vate had given to fame perfons as they faid y asking their advice 
 refolution that it was not laWfu/l to continue in th*t feryice being 
 in fitch a conjunction as the Re folutions carried \ Fir fl they la- 
 boured to give them fdtisfaftton about their re/olutions , but 
 having effetluated nothing therein , at Ufl th^y dealt with them 
 in mofi earnefineffe dnd tender ttefs, both publicity and privatly to 
 give afsurdnce that they Would not proceed to do or fpeak^any 
 thing in their Public^ Dotlnne, or in private to the hindering 
 and obftrutting of the Ltavies which were gci*g on , according to 
 the Refolutions^ or might tend to the moving of any cftheGarrifon 
 to quite their charge, Which they refufed peremptorily to de, and 
 fo departed home from the Conference : The Commission having 
 fent a meer report and narration-, xc\ geftse, without more or lefs to 
 the Committee of Eftates, according as they were required ; the 
 Committee required thefe Brethren by Letter to come to Perth, 
 that fome courje might be taken in relation to them for fecurinp 
 the Garri/on of SterU^ from danger* The Brethren having come 
 to Perth, but not at thefi'fi D it t appointed to them, the Commit* 
 tee required them to attend at Pi th, or atD.\aAce, untill the 
 Kings return fromA.b.zdtcn 9 that there might be a morefulMect- 
 ing of the Committee , a great pan of the mofi confiderable mem* 
 hers thereof being With him^after the Kings return, a Paper being 
 fent in by the Committee of Efiates to the Qommifsion of the Kirk 
 requiring the Commifs'ons advice as about other P usages that 
 had pajfed between them and theje Brethren, What (bould be done 
 With thefe Brethren in relation tofecuring of theGarrifon of Stcr- 
 line, the Commifsion declared in their anfwer as to thisjhey could 
 not take upon them to determine , the matter being meerlj Civil, 
 but that they de fired and expelled that the Committee Vtould deal 
 With them i* tender ne^o and refpecl^.s being Adiniflers of the Gof- 
 pel; this ii the truth of the bufnejje in /urn , fo it dotfj appear cvi~ 
 dent/y 9 that the Civill Aiagiftrate did confine them ( as they are 
 fo p leafed to term it) neither being fiirred up thereunto by the Qom- 
 mi/sioners 9 nor yet upon their accompt of meer difference from the 
 Cemmijsion % and Public^ Rej clarions, but upon the accompt of 
 
 their 
 
(U9) 
 
 their aftive oppepng of their Re fvlutions to tbt obftruilUn of the 
 Leavies, and endangering the G^rrifon, and their refusing t& de- 
 (tfi from that oppofttiem-, but neither muft it he forgotten here what 
 was the time eft hat con fin men t ( as the Writer termeth it ) and 
 compearing of theie Brethren be fere the Committee: If the Wit- 
 ter be ignorant of it Jet him %*owit was this, Mr, Robert Dowglas, 
 and Mr. James Wood being dealt with by feme ofthefe Brethren* 
 intimate friends, tointerceedwhb the Parliament tljat was then 
 conveenea to pafje from calling them further >did readily undertake- 
 it & obtaineA their defirejo that they were aifmifsed prefrntly 9 and. 
 then $ne efthefe Brethren came and as know ledge d to theje two 
 their i^indnejfedonein their behalf e^ jet now in the Proteftation 7 
 and in this fecond Paper it is requited with a flan der , that they 
 Vfitb other (^•mmifsioners flirredup the Ctvill Magiftrate a- 
 gain ft them for differing from Publicly Re Joint ions. 
 
 R i v i i w. 
 
 BEfbre the Author come to anfwer the next ground of thePro- 
 teftation 5 he tak^s notice of (•mcthinos r and but of fome- 
 things, ( paliing by many others) fpeken or by the Writer in his 
 anfwer concerning the ComrrirTioners, their ft^dfailnefTe and fai- 
 ling off from iti To which I reply,that though it may be true that 
 feme of them have been ftedfaft inthe Truth & Caufe of God, 
 when ethers whom he calls their accufers knew it not, that 
 will neither juft.fie the one nor condemn the other,- In the things 
 of God it doth fomctimes fall out, that the fir ft are laft, and the 
 laft firji; though yet if he make an impai tiall reckoning, I believe 
 that neither he nor his party have reafon to prefer themielvcs be- 
 fore the Proreftcrs for men of integrity, and old (landing in the 
 Caufe tf God, nor yet to boaft thtmklves, as though there were 
 none among them wr>o had but lately come to know the Caufe of 
 God; I hope no Protefterdoth,or fliaii envy feme of thefe mens 
 giving tcftimony of their ftedfa^nefle for the time to come in thtk 
 fufferings.The Lord fit them & all his people fotodo:But it is not 
 enough for the Author to iptakthispromifingly of them,unlesupe 
 on hi- may bees he do alfo pro^nofticatevil of others : He tels ns f 
 that when fome of theft scculers it may be wil be foundtampcring» 
 or already are tampering about or dcvifing gloffes how they may 
 
 E c 2 with 
 
(lio) 
 with fame colour Hi rifle themfclvs leofc from Articles of theCovc- 
 nant, fomeof them wil give teltimony of their ftedfoftnes in it. 
 Thsmeafrre wherewith tht Author repayeththcProtcthrSjismore 
 then an eye f >r an eye , aid atoo:hfor atoorhjthey did not excapt 
 agalnft the ComrmfTioneri upon may btesjzm upon things really 
 and already done, and to his may be, I fay: That t hough this be a 
 hour of temptation, wherein many sun aiide both to the lcf: hand 
 and t o the right; y*t I h*pe that by the Lords gracr, the genera- 
 lity of ihofe who have L o^n tcftimony agamft the Publick Resolu- 
 tions, Hi i b' found among the uiolt fteJfaft io theLand in the Co- 
 venant andCaufe of God: What if I fhouKl till him that it may be 
 when oppofers of Publick Relolutions are keeping their integrity, 
 andcleaviiigtoth* Covenant^ fom* men of no (mall -note who 
 have bcai,and ftill are zealous for thefe Refolutions, w.ll be lick- 
 ing up the vomite of Malignancy and Prelacy, cr if that be to fifli 
 too farbdforc the n«t;Iam content to appeal to h m'elf who are the 
 grcatefttamperersof this time, whether the followers of thePub- 
 lick Resolutions or the oppol'crs of them. I do not relolve to de- 
 ny an honourable testimony to not a few of the ie who arc for the 
 Publick Rcfoluti jns,in th^ir love unto,ind tte ifaftnes in, and zeal 
 for the truth in other things, nor yet to ju'lifie th? turnings alidc 
 of others whohavebrcnoppof.rsofthe Publick Rcfolutk-ns; yet 
 I think it will not be questioned chit the generality of thefc who 
 have given up the Interefts both ofChurch & State into the hands 
 of (trangers,arc fuch as were aff.ctionatly zealous for the publick re- 
 folutions, which is too probable an evidence that their profeiTIoni 
 of Repentance the laftyear,and of zeal for the Covenant and work 
 of Reformation, and or love to the King, and of defireto preferve 
 our Liberties were not ftraight and upright ;and that the Commif- 
 fk>n of the Church who after (b many experiences of their turning 
 a{i4e,did trulVthem, and were inftr-mcntall toimploy them in de- 
 fence of thcCaule andKin2;dom,hath caufe to think that they were 
 a little toocrdiulous, I Thai not infifl: upon what the Author faith 
 of the Writers never being able to prove what he aMers anent the 
 Co mmUHoners their making dcfcclon; This as to th.- matter of 
 the PjblickRefolutions,hath been futricienrly p oven tit her by hinn 
 or others,and needs not hereto be repeated; Therefore I come to 
 What ht brings inanfwer tot hefe things which arc brought by the 
 j f ; chic th:re was got liberty of free voting in fh A(- 
 
 fembly. 
 
fembly. The Writer for proving this,alleadgcs,that the Commifsi- 
 on had ftirred up the cjvill Magiftrate againft fuch as did differ 
 from them in the Publick Refo;etions in their Warnings and Re- 
 monftranccs; This the Author denyes as being contrary to truth 
 and calls for proof of it out of thefc Warnings andRemonitraQcet ; 
 Thefe Warnings and Remonfrrances being : Pjblick and common, 
 I conceive that the Writer thought it not neeiful to cite the places^ 
 nor to infill: much upon proof or the bufinefs other ways then in in- 
 dancing the reall effects of it; but becaufc he deiircs evidence from 
 thefe Papers he (hall have its i. Th? Commiffion in their ihort 
 exhortation to the Minitters and ProfeiTors of this K.rk,. March 
 20.1651. expreiTc themfeives thus in order to thefe who areun* 
 fatisiied with, or do eppefe the Pbblick Rckluticis ; The 
 C >nfcienceof our duty ( according to the tmit committed to us, 
 and the carriage of fome who either oppreft with a lethargy ly ftil 
 or fsafed upon fcyabenumming coldnes move flowly,or carried a- 
 bout with the windc of ftrangc DocVine, as children arc tolled to 
 & fro & movecontrarily) doth conftrain us to lift up our voices, 
 & from the, watch tower whereon we are fet to gvc Warning to 
 the ProfeiTors &Mimfter€ throughout the Land,& to wacken them 
 up to their duty, as they would avoid the difpiealure of the Al- 
 mighty, and efcapethedefetved pumfhmems and centres which 
 may be iufl-ded by Judicatories C v 11 and EccUfialtick rei'i>etlivc 
 upon difieients in, and Delinquents againft duty, according to the 
 degree of their offcncc,and again in the fame Warning, having ap- 
 plied the chare^ercfMalignants totuch as through diflatitra&i- 
 on with Pu:>Ii k Refoiutions, were filentor didoppofej they ufc 
 thefe words,we with it may be t he car e of al 1 to ftumihc way st hat 
 may bring them under the f« foul chsre&ers, and wherby rhey may 
 run themfeives under the hazard of the difpieafure &£Gp$>md the 
 cenlures of the Church, and no doubt of civil paniihuieiitft alio to 
 be infliAtfd by the State; From thefe pafTage* theft two things are 
 man.feft: 1, That jn the judgement of the Commiftion, defici- 
 ency in the Publick Rriolutions , 6y not moving atali, ©rfl-JW 
 moving, or contrary moving, was deiervably lyable to punfh- 
 -ment by the Civill Magiftratc. 2. That rhey did make no domt 
 but that civill pundlimcnt would be inflicted by th Srste; To 
 thefe two things aade, That this exhortation arid Warning is di- 
 rected to all the Minitters and Profefloia of this Kuk, and to to tie 
 " ' "' ' * % ~~ Cm! 
 
(Ml) 
 
 civil Magifrra*. among others in their place fc ftationjyea,no doubt 
 before the emitting thereof , it was by way of correfpondencie, 
 accoi dirg to the cooftant cultome kept ijfc thefe things communi- 
 cated unto the State; let any indifferent man then judge whttrur 
 this be not a ftirring up of the Civill Magiftratc againft them,wh( n 
 it is declared to the Civili Magistrate in a publick exhortation and 
 Waring to duty, that puniiliment from the Gvill Magiftrat is by 
 thfelemtndeiervcd, and that the State will no doubt infli&that 
 civil punifhrrxnt in anfwering the inftances of theCivil Magistrate 
 his Procee inu accordingly : The one of thei»,towit,thcir making 
 ofLawesand Acts of Parliament, appointing fuch to be rro- 
 ceeded againft as enemies to Religion, and to the Kingdom, he 
 doth not fo much as once touch, and the ether concerning the 
 confinirg theMniltersof Sterling , he «loth in many things 
 nmteand peivr ^therefore for informing of the Rtaders,and ju- 
 ftifying of what is laid by thcWriter in this particular- 1 &*1 fhort- 
 ly and truly let down the matter of fact lo far as is need full, and 
 make fome remarks upon what the Author iaiih in this burn ffr; 
 Firlt to the matter of faft,it was thus : After that the Miniltcra of 
 Steriine did return to their Nations from the Conference with 
 the Commiffion at St- *si'^rtit9s y the Committee of Eftatc* be- 
 irg informed by the Commilsion of the refulc of that Confe* 
 rence, and hearing that the Mimfters of Steriine did continue to 
 Prca< h againft the Publick Rciblutions, did rclolve upon a Letter 
 containing a citation^ tocorne to Perth to be wrtten from the 
 Committee to thrk? MinilUrs, whiih being paft and apptoven in 
 the Committee, was im medially thereafter by fome of their num- 
 ber communicated to the Comm (sionof the Kirk,to whom it was 
 pu Ifc'kfy read, without io n u h as the least iignificat'on made by 
 them if their d (1 ke thereof, which did clearly enoughimport 
 tfr it approbation of the f mc, becaufe it was the cuilomeofthe 
 C mn if i;>n thefe years pad, when any thng was cornn umcated 
 m-rothem by th< Parliament 01 Committee of £ftates,with which 
 they wer-not iarisfitd,either to repiefent their d'.flxti? faction in a 
 humr k w*y by Writing, or elfe to dclire a Conference thereupon, 
 and when th y were tflent$ was always exponed to import their 
 fat; f -<f*,on ; lbs Lrtrer being difpan hed from Terth where the 
 Cotr>n.itree < ftftatts 'hen fare,ro tht Miniftets of Sterlinejx came 
 not to their hands before the Tuefuay at rwght, notwithstanding 
 
 that 
 
that it had been writen a food many dayes before , and that it d\i 
 require them to compear before the Committee the next day after 
 recept thereof : The one of the Mimfters being fomewhat fickiy, 
 anfvver was returned from both to the Lord Chance lor Prtfident 
 of tie Committee, that by reafon of his weaknerT?,they could not 
 Weil keep the Diet mentioned in the Letter , but that in the cafe 
 of his being able to tra veil, both of them (h-j-uld be at Perth thzt 
 week, or that if he could not travcli,rhe other ihould come with- 
 out fail, and intra ti igthe Lord Chancel&r to uake their excufe 
 to the Committee, and that it might not be interpreted as any fign 
 ofdif-reipec^ordifobedience^hat they d u not come inttantly upon 
 the rtccpt of che Lefter,fcing the one of th- m was not at t ha time 
 able to travell: This Letter being communicated by theLurdC£*ff- 
 celor to the Committee upon the Thurfday, they were pleated 
 not wi i hftanding thereof, and before the cotnmmg o hearing of 
 theie Miniltcrs, to order another Letter to be fent unto then?, or- 
 dainiDg them to come to Perth before the next Sat urnday at mghf t 
 aod to ftay there,or z*Du»deet\\ the Kings return t\o\i\9s4bcrdeen 9 
 whether ht was then going; before this fecond Letter came to 
 their hands, thefe Minjfters came to Perth upon the Friday at 
 night upon the firft Letter, and making application to the Com- 
 mittee of Eftates on the Saturday m rung, did ( after Protefta- 
 tion that they did not acknowledge them as judges in the matcer 
 of their doctrine) profeft them (elves willing and ready to hear 
 and to anfwer what the Committee of Eftates had ro challenge 
 them (ri, upon which the Committee did intimate unto them the 
 order contained in their fecond Letter, and caulcd the Clerk dc li- 
 ver the fame unto them; the Mimftcrs of Steriin alter hearing the 
 order contained therein , did earnefUy beteech the Commute* 
 ofE f tatesthat ( upon furetyro compear when they ihould be cal- 
 led for) they might have liberty to return to then Charges, which 
 being deny ed, they did in the nex r place defire, chit temgthcy 
 had no purpofe to go un$oD#»<&<?*thcy m.ght be permitted to go g. 
 or^rrnles without Terthl for retraining or themleives, wrncfe 
 favour was at run: grautcd, snd w>thin a iittic (pace thereafter, 
 they being gone to theii lodgings , was recalled, and ihey were 
 fent for to come back to thsGoiomtttee of Eftates; and when they 
 came k was intimated unto them, *hatthc Committee could not 
 take it upon them to allow them that liberty} therefore wc*e they 
 
 con** 
 
(224) 
 
 conftrained cither to be tranfgrefTors of the Comrmttees order , or 
 elfe to abide within the Town of Pcsrtk, which they did for fome 
 wceks,nntill «ha King and others of the Cornrmttec,having retur- 
 ned f om Aberdeen upon the Friday afternoon, and a report being 
 made in the Committee of ElUtes what had pa(t concerning the 
 Mi jffc rs of Stcrlinejhty did that fame night appoint another or- 
 der to be lrnr unto them, ordaning then* to (lay in the Town till 
 thcCoiTmiitfion of the Church {houid meet, and that it might be 
 thought upon, what courfe waj> to be taken in thefe thing*, which 
 was accordingly done, and the Parliament meeting at Pesrththz 
 next week thereafter/ hey did fend unto theic M milters two Maf- 
 fe s.coromaniing them toftay that weeft ; which being expired, 
 they lent unto them another perfbn , commanding them to ftay 
 thf.r further order. During this tine the Commifsion of the 
 Church met at Pe*rtk,to whom all that had paft betwixt theCom- 
 mittce of fixates and thefe Minilters , was communicated firtt by 
 thefe Minittcrs rhem(elvcs t and afterwards by the Par' lament, who 
 deGred to know the Comrmfsions judgment of two Proteftations 
 given in to thcComraittec of Eftates by thefe Minrfter s , the fum 
 whereof wis > that their compearing before them to anfwer m 
 thefe things that did relate to their Doctrine and difcharge of their 
 Mintlteriall function, might nut import that they did acknow- 
 ledge them to be competent Judges thereof ; and that incroach- 
 ment was made upon the due liberty of the Subject, by a fentence 
 of Confinement paft upon thrm,wi hout hearing them after they 
 W; re called te be heard; Which Proteftations being taken in 
 confederation by thr Gomniifsion , they'did give their judgment 
 thereof in a large Pap*r condemning the lame , without fo much 
 as calling thefe Miniftcrs, to ask a rcafon of their judge- 
 ment anent the things contained therein , notwithstanding that 
 th' y were in Town, and had communicated the fame unto thc», 
 and all that paft betwixt the Committee of E'tates and them , by 
 this narration , which can be verified from the Regiltcrs and Pa- 
 pers tie mfclvcj,** to the fubftance and oaoft of the Circumftanccs 
 ofit» and ( wh ch cannot be jnftly contradicted in any circum- 
 ftance thercof,for if it ilvniid,can be attefted by witneffes ; it ap- 
 p« ars that thtrt was a legal] fentence of Confinement pad * and 
 often renewed upon thetc Minilters, before hearing of the Party, 
 and that this Confinement was for a Moneths time,and that with 
 
 wal 
 
(»s) . 
 
 was done therein 'as to the fubftance of it) Was done with the 
 knowledge and conriivtnce,if pot dired: approbation and allowance 
 of the Commiision. The Author In his Relation firft carps at 
 the word- of Confinement, But I would know of him what was 
 here wanting of a Confinement, properly fo called, was there not 
 a Judicial Sentence,tying thofe Minutes to fuch a place, for fuch 
 a time and , reftraining them in the ufe of their liberty from going 
 to their own homes and Rations, or to any place elfc, except thefe 
 places mentioned in the Order of the Committee of Eitates, 2. He 
 alkadges,that it is affirmed wrongfully and contrary to the truth, 
 that the Commifsioners ftirred up the Civil Magiftrate againft the 
 Minifters olSie^iine^ot that they were confined upon the accompt 
 of their differing from the publick Refolutions. The Writer did 
 not fpeak of any particular inftigation coming from the Commifli- 
 oners to the civil Magistrate in the particular of thefe Minifters,but 
 gives one Inftance therin of the Magiftrates proceedings according 
 to the general warnings of the Commulion w r herin they do declare 
 their Judgment of the defert of fuch things, and that the ft Ate 
 Will no doubt inflitt civil pxmfimen? mpon them, though yet be- 
 fides any thing that is already fpoken that the Corn-million was ac* 
 quainted with thefe th ; ngs 5 and did in every bodies conftra&ion 
 allow therof : Somewhat more could be to!dl him concerning fomc 
 leading men in the CommiiTion , which I am now content to fup- 
 prefs. Whew I read the other particular, to wit , his affirming it 
 to be contrary to truth, that they were confined upon-accompt of 
 differing from the publick Refolutions ; I did fomewhat wonder 
 what" could make him write fo, were they not Confined , becaufc 
 of their publick Preaching and exprefsing their disfatisfaclion in 
 publick and private with thefe Refolutions. The Author cals it, 
 Their oppofing and praclifing againft publick RelblutionSiand their 
 active difpoiing of their Refolutions to the obftrucling of the Lea- 
 vies, and indangering of the Garriibn, and their refuiing to delift 
 from that Oppofition, let him give it as many names as he wiil,and 
 aggravate it by all the Grcumftances that he can,it is ft>ll upon the 
 accompt of their dffering from the publick Refolutions * doth he 
 (when he hath (brained himfelf to the utmoft } give inftance of any 
 other th ng, or of any thing that they did in this, that was not fu-- 
 table far Minifters to do in the difcharge of their minifterixl Functi- 
 on. Upon fuppofal that thefe Resolution* were Wron&they write 
 
 Ff pub- 
 
(226) 
 
 publickly to the Commifsion tgainft the Publick Refolutions, they 
 Preached publickly againft them, they gave their advice to fuch as 
 asked ic,they refufed to deMt^what was in al thi> chut would h've 
 been blamed in a Minfter in the unlawful Engagement m the 4 8' 
 and tb ; s is all that i$ alleadged As for their indangering of thtGar- 
 rifo i> which he is pleafed to call the only Bulwark of the whole 
 Land under God ; I wifli that it may be remembered, and laid 
 to heart, That the Lord wa.< gracioufly pleafed (as long as thefe 
 Minifters were there) to preilrvc that Garrilbn Without any 
 appearance of danger or hazard , and that after they wt-rc dri- 
 ven a way it was firft abandoned by our Army a when men were a- 
 mong them who preached according to the.r heartjand afterwards, 
 whichouc any oppofiuon, given up to the hands of the Englifb by 
 thefe who had ilandered thefe Minifters , as compilers with 
 them, and had been inftrumental upon the actiompt of their oppo- 
 sing the Publick Resolutions to drive them from their ftations. 3. 
 To pafs by that which he faith, that they found by their own ac- 
 knowledgement> that they had given Rcfolution to fome perfons, 
 feeking advice, that it was not lawful for them to continue in that 
 fervice,bdng in fuch a conjunction as the Publick Refutations car- 
 ried : I take notice ©f what he fets down, that the Brethren came, 
 not to Perth at the firft Dyct appo nted to them ; and afterwards 
 the Committee required them to attend at 'Perth or Dttndee y un- 
 til the Kings return from Aberdeen x\i\x. there might be a more full 
 Meeting of the Committee, a great part of the mod confiderable 
 Members of it being with him, how could they come at the firft 
 Dyct ? the advert'fment being fo exceedingly fhort, from the time 
 of their receipt of thcLetter,to that time of their comperance ; and 
 the one of them being fome what fickly and not able to travel. The 
 Committees appointment for them to ftay at Perth, was before 
 their eo;Ding,and befors the Kings departure,when the Committee 
 Was full and numerous, though he doth insinuate it to have been 
 otherwaieSi and there was a Quorum of the Committee of Eftates 
 flill at Perth after the Kings departure, who yet would not med- 
 dle in that bufinefs, and faid,They could not. The truth wa«,the 
 men who were the great fticklersin it ( whom the Author calls 
 the moft confiderable Members of the Committee) were abfent, 
 and t^ey had before their departure taken fuch courle that the bu- 
 iinefs Ihould not be medled with, till the Kings return from Aber* 
 
 deert* 
 
(227) 
 
 ieen. 4. I take notice of that which he faith, That when the 
 Committee of Eftates did require the Commiftions advice what 
 fliouli be done with thefe Brethren, in relation to the fecuring of 
 the Garrifon of *SV*r //'#£, That as to this they could not take on 
 thereto determine the matter, being meerly Civil j but that they 
 defired & expected that the Committee would deal with them in 
 tenderncfs,as being Minifters of the Gofpel,was the bufinefs, as to 
 the intcreft-of their carriage in it, and the ground upon which they 
 were cited,rneerly Civil; Was it any other thing then the difcharge 
 of their confeiences in thdrMinifterial funclions,as Minifters of the 
 Congregation of Sterling > It is true, that there was fuch a defire 
 of tendernefs in the clofe of the Commiflions Papir, but there was 
 fo much faid in the body of it for exaggerating their carriage,that a 
 greater punifhment then a continued confinement - might have been 
 thought tender dealing to fuch men. That Paper was of fuch a 
 nature,that not a few of thefe to whom it was given in, who were 
 none of the greateft friends to the Minifters of Sterlings were not 
 well fatisfied therewith, if it may be beleeved what was then con- 
 fidently reported to thefe Minifters zv 'Perth, byfomewhodid 
 profefs to know it- 5 . I take notice of that which he fpeaks upon 
 their dimiflion, what dealing there was by fomeof their intimate 
 friends with Mr. ic«£. 'Douglas and Mr. James Wood, to intercede 
 with the Parliament, to pafs from calling them further. I do not 
 know unlets he mean of Mr. James Durham ( who had from the 
 begining been againft fuch away of proceeding with them ) his 
 dealing with thefe t\vo,that the Parliament might not meddle fur- 
 ther with thefe Minifters, but fuf£r them to go to their Charges; 
 and though they do willingly own him as a friend, yet what he did 
 in that particular, was not only out of refpecl to them, butalfo 
 from refpecl: to the Commiffion, and to the Parliament, conceiving 
 it not to be for their advantage to meddle with thefe Minifters in 
 fuch a way ; and though thefe Minifters did not arBS: to come to a 
 Publick Hearing before the Pari, yet would they have chu fed that 
 and more too,rather then to wrong their confeiences in the thmg 
 whereof they were challenged: and as at their firft appearing before 
 the Committee of Eftates they fhewed themfelves ready and wil- 
 ling to give an accompt of their Doclrin and carriage in that parti- 
 cular, fo (the Lord aftiung them ) they would have been neither 
 afhamed nor afraid to have dom it before the Parliament , if they 
 
 F f 2 had 
 
(n8) 
 had been called thereunto. That Mr. Robert "Douglas and Mr. 
 James Wood did fo readily obtain their defire, it was a token that 
 they had power in that particular. That one of thefe Brethren 
 ctme and acknowledged to thefe two ; kindnefs done in theirbehalf, 
 is more then that Brother doth take with.He faith,that h? came in- 
 deed to Mr. Rob* c Doug(as and laid to him, that he hoped to have 
 no caufe to repent of what he had done : but what/uppofe both of 
 them had come to both and done fo ? That which is lefs then ju- 
 ftice and equity, to wit, a breaking off of oppreilion and iniquity 
 may be acknowledged by the opprefled for courteiie and kindnefs 
 without bypocrifie and diilimulation, and it makes no bad requital 
 nor llander afterwards to tell the truth how tar men were acceflbry 
 to the opprefling and afflicting of them, 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 TO the Second partieular y the Commiffion in their Aft and Uft 
 Letter to Presbyteries y d*d reftain presbyteries from Cen- 
 furinff a*y of them y hey, ii not /<? much as defire any of them to be 
 refcrcd or cited to we General Ajfembly for differing from th m in 
 their Refolutions^ut on.y fuch as continued to oppo e y P,esbyteries 
 cited but few y and fome of [hem as tot ft be found by the Regifters of 
 the cs4LJembly t V?erc chofen Commijfnners to t^e Affembly, but 
 was there net far more d»ne in 48. did not the Commijfton fiir up 
 all presbyteries to cite all thdt Were in the meant' ft degree of diffe- 
 ring from them : Such viz*, as were only guilty for filence and not 
 fpealfing With them % and to cenfure forthwith all that oppofed: will 
 the Writer the r fore fay that voycing in thefe matters Vqos not free 
 in that Affembly ; tfnot^ Why then doth he ufe double heights > 
 
 Review. 
 
 WHat though it Were true that the Commiflion in their Acl 
 and laft Letter to Prcsbytrics,did reftrainPrcsby tries from 
 cenfurmg any of them , yet what is that to contradict or 
 refute what is alleadged by the Writer, That the Comini Hon did 
 in tfecir Warnings and Papers ftir up Presbyteries to cenfare fuch, 
 and cite them to the Gen ♦Affembly : thefe are more evident truths 
 then can be denied, and even that A& and laft Letter doth vcrifie 
 
 that 
 
that point of the Alleadgance concerning the citing of them to the 
 Allemb!y» which Citation as it did exclude thefe who were cited, 
 from a Vote at leaft in that particular; fowasit (in the nature of 
 it) ape to obftrucl the/recdom of others in voicing. He tells us, 
 they were but few who were cited: well then, feme there were, 
 yea many were cited; the Synod of Perth did at one Dyet^upon the 
 accompt of that Letter, cite, not a few of their number who were 
 prefect, and did direct Summons to others who were abject; the 
 Presbytry of Jedburgh did cite th ee of their number;fuadry al- 
 fo in the Presbytery of GlafgotyyChymfide and elfe-where were 
 cited. He repeats again his dtftin&icri of fuch as differed from 
 Publick Rcfolutions, and f ch a$ continued to oppofe them ; the 
 laft whereof only, as he infinUites,were cited* But to pafs by the 
 diftinclion it felf, (which feems to teach men a way that doth not 
 feem well to become the Mimfters or* the GofpeJ, h> e. to d ffer in 
 fuch things as concerns the judgement and practice of the people 
 committed to their chirge,in matters of fpecial intereft to the caufc 
 of God, and yet to be hlcnt and ceafe to give teftimony thereof", 
 cither for their own exoneration , or information of their People 
 (which was one of the deiires and overtures preft upon the Mini- 
 fters of Sterling it St* Andrews ) Who fo will look upon the Cooa- 
 miHions Paper March 20. will find that in reference to cenfurc , it 
 takes in, not only fjch as continue to oppofe and move contranly, 
 but al'o fuch as move not at all or move flowly; as well thefe who 
 are indifferent and neurral,as thefe who oppofe, fee Pag.2.& 5 .ther- 
 of. That fomc of there were chofen to the AlTembly , we have al- 
 ready cleared, how it was done, as alfo that which wa* done in the 
 year 48. betwixt which , and that which was done in the 
 year 51. there are many real and important differences formerly 
 fpoken of and cleared,and therefore doth the Writer ufe no doubte 
 weights. 
 
 Vl NDICATION. 
 
 TO the Third P Articular, concerning the Kings Letter y and 
 the Commffi oners Speech to the sfjf.em&ty $ there was not e*e 
 rrordin them mare or lefs for Tunijbing or Centering any that 
 D ijfered from the pufrlick^Refolutions^ut if any thing ofthtiekjhd 
 was de fired it ^as for 6fj>ofing&Y>e earning of the hands ofthekig- 
 dom mdfirengthning the hands of the Enemy jojntd tyitkexfrejfir 
 
 ons 
 
(2$o) 
 
 ons efearneft Ac fire t-o evdcavcur by all fair means t » gain all that 
 differed, to untty : did i his take aft ay the freedom and liberty of 
 9oyr$rg e[pict«lly confidering thu which Wa6 deftredWas proponed 
 by Vctiy of meer 4efire, without any thycatni&g or alurement to be 
 byafjedby mens voting, but that the hon eft Reader may be able 
 the better to give his Judgment of this matter, he may reade the 
 Commiffioners Speech {the Coppie of the Kings Letter 1 ' hav* net, 
 but both were 10 one purpofe en the matter ) fet doWn at the end of 
 this Paper faithfully a* it Was deliver ed s alW 'ayes Whatever Was in 
 the Letter , I dare affirm, that in that A [fern bly, there Was ae 
 great freedom and liberty in Speaking and Veting about thefe Re- 
 folutions in debaters well as in any other \ as Well contra as pro, */ 
 was in any esffembly thefe years by*paft, yea, more then was in 
 feme ofthem t Wherein it Was Well known, that oftentimes to the 
 grief of men in the Kirl^,meft eminent for Grace, Gifts, gravity, 
 and 8xperience,fome Who noW unadvi/edly accufes thu isfflembly 
 of Want of freedom and liberty , have endeavoured to carry mat- 
 ters with a ftrong handy cutting down with (bar p reflections, and 
 flouting fuch as any Wayes dared tofpeak, and vote in a different 
 way from them, which ( if report may bebeleeved, fome of them 
 hath acknowledged in their late Confejfions.) The Writer after 
 the propounding of the Argument, meets with one Objetlion a- 
 gainft it ; WeflsaH not ft and upon the dif cuffing of bis Reply *s it 
 relates unto that Objection, but fhall fpeakjone word to that which 
 he chargeth upon the Kings Letter as inorderiy and irregular* 
 viz.That when as the Affcmbly had not yet medied with the pub- 
 lick Re folutions , to condemn and reprove the m> he fhould have 
 ftirred up the Aitembly to Cenfure fuch as differed from them. 
 Anfw. Befides that as hath been already faid y the Afyembly was 
 not deftredto Cenfure any for differing from the public^ Refoluti- 
 ons fimply. Fir ft, It was net de fired that the *y4§embly fbeuld cen- 
 fure them without any trying or approving of their re folutions, nor 
 Was it de fired that the Affembly fhould approve without due tryal, 
 but the King fuppo/ing them to be right and juft in themfelves, 
 and that t'he ^Afiembly upon due try al finds them to be fuch, deft- 
 red, that fuch as had oppofed them ( howbeit it could not be but te 
 the prejudice of the defence of the Caufe and Kingdom ) might be 
 dealt with to be reclaimed, or if that could not be obtained , C*** 
 fared. Secondly, Confider what a cafe he Was in then, he Was ok- 
 
 leidged 
 
leidgedby Treaty to ft/lew the Advice of the (fommifpon of the 
 KirkJ* the intervals of Afrmblies in matters EceUfiafiicl^ s he 
 had] ought and gotten then Advice in thefe matters qucftionia^nA 
 no men in Scotland were more earncfl to have that Condition in the 
 ^Articles of the Treaty then tfay who accufes him here : 'But it 
 may be hejhouldhdve ufed hx judgment of discretion upon any re- 
 folutions given by the Comnnfitvn, Iconfefs that istrue^ yet any 
 man may petceave that the words in that Article $f ihz Treaty arc 
 very peremto*y and general in the later , for no more is (aid y but 
 that he [hou Id follow the Advice of the Commiffion\ and it was foell 
 kno^n when it was mentioned^ that it ftjould be exprefly added, A- 
 greeable to the Word of Cj §d y and D o£lrine y and Constitutions of this 
 Kirkj The Motion Voas oppofed and flopped by fome of the Aecu- 
 fers : This Ifpeak^ not to fay that he was bound logivt blind obe- 
 dience, but to /hew that he was in a right tickjijk cafe here : ^But 
 leaving this, the civil Magi ft rate being convinced in his Confci- 
 ence t upon good, true, and [olid grounds of the 8 rr our of fome 
 'Doctrine, or Pratlke of fome Alinifters Which hath not been par- 
 ticularly determined in hypotheji by the conftitution of the Kirf^^ 
 and of evil that they have done to the P ublickjn following it, may 
 he not exhort one general A ffembly being conveened even in the en* 
 try thereof^ to Cenfure fuch without pr ^limitation, or encreching 
 upon the liberty and freedom of the tAffembly in judging and vo- 
 ting upon it } 1 doubt if he may not, but (uppofe he cannot With** 
 out encroaching and pr ^limitation active upon hi* part, yet fur € 
 the fe can not prove the A 'jfem blj not free in Voting andfudgintr s 
 unlefs there can, be fome evidence given of the impreffion And effect 
 of it on the Members in their Voting and Judging. A Judge may 
 he tempted ankfolliched^ and yet may be tsnquejiianable , uncor* 
 runted and free in his judging. 
 
 Revi i w 
 
 T 
 
 >He Author doth not deny, and I bekeve he cannot, but that 
 . the Kings Letter, and the Commiffioners Speech^ did contain 
 fomewhat relating to Punifhment and Cenfure 5 but fecks a fhift 
 by telling us v That if any thing of that kind was, it was for Op- 
 pofing the JLeavies, and vveakning the hands of the Kingdom, and 
 ftrcngthning the hands of the Enemy. 'If either the Letter or the 
 
 Speech 
 
Speech had bcf n exhibited , they had fpoken beft for themfeives ; 
 none of them is fubjoyned to that Coppy of his Vindication^vhxh 
 is come to my hands. But upon fuppofal that it was as he faith ( of 
 which yet he feems not to be very confident , and therefore aftcr- 
 " ward* helps himfelf with his wonted word , That it was not fer 
 differing from the public^ refeltitions femplj or mecrly J what bet- 
 ter is it then it was ? Did not all the Affembly to whom that Let- 
 ter was written and that Speech fpoken know, that the opposing of 
 Leavies,and weakning the hands of the Kingdom, and ftrengthning 
 the hands of the Enemy which was meant of, was Preaching and 
 bearing Teftimony agamft the publick Rcfolutions, neither doth it 
 take off the difficulty. That it was joyned with expressions of ear- 
 ned defire to endeavour by all fair means to gain them : Thefe de- 
 Ares could very well ftand with incitations toCenfures, and that 
 whatever was the way of proponing, whether by way of meer de- 
 fire (as the Author alleadges) or otherwayes, yet was it not with- 
 out threatning fpeeches, upon the matter of which , 1 am content 
 that Judgment may be given by the Letter and Speech thcmielves: 
 He dare affirm/That in Speaking & Voting about thefe Rcfolutions 
 there was as great Freedom and Liberty as was in AfTembJics thefe 
 yeat s paft, yea, more then was in fame of them , but in this he is 
 too daring : Was there any AiTcmbly thefe years paft, that had lo 
 many bonds and reftraints upon them ( as we have already ir ftan- 
 ccd)all that he inftanccs is, That iome of thefe who accufes this Af- 
 fembly of the want of Freedom and Liberty, have in other Aflfem- 
 blies endeavoured to carry matters with ftrong hand, calling down 
 with fharp reflections, and flouting fuch as any way dared to fpeak 
 and vote in a different way from them : For proof of this, he gives 
 us , It is Well fyioyvn : and the aik*9wledgment of feme of them- 
 feives in their late Confeffions. I think indeed that it is wel known 
 that too often in moft of our Kirk Judicatories, there was in moft 
 men that fate therein, too much of a carnal Spirit, and too little of 
 the fobcr,ho!y,grave Spiritual, meek way of the holy Ghoft : And 
 fome of thefe aien have, as to their own carriage in Judicatories, 
 acknowledged th s, and are indeed convinced of it, before the lord, 
 defiring mercy in his fight, and grace, That if ever it fhall be again 
 allowed them to fit in Judicatories, there may be more of the 
 beauty and image of the Lord upon them, and their way. But that 
 they cryed down fuch with fbarp reflections, and flouting as da- 
 red 
 
red to fpeak or vote othcrwayes then they did , is that which no 
 man is able to make good,^ whichf 1 rowj their own confciencei 
 doth not accuse them of: haply fome would have expe#ed that 
 the Author would havefuared to have refiecled upon thefe prr- 
 fons in their confeilions , feeing he is a man fubjecl to the like Paf- 
 (ions that others be ; and I doubt not to the fame convidrons and 
 confeilions upon them Hn defence of the Kings Letter is fuch,that 
 I fear fhall fcttiifie few. i .He repeats, that it was not therin defired 
 to cenfure any for differing from the publick refol-ution.s (imply , to 
 what 1 havefpoken already. Next it is but xfukterfuge ,* which 
 he faith, That it was not defired that the AiembJy fhould cenfure 
 them without trying or approving their refolu tions ; but the King 
 fuppofing them to be nght and jutt in themfelves,and after the Af- 
 fembly fhouid after due thall findc them to be fuch , defired that 
 fuch as had oppofed them ( howbeit it could not be but to the pre- 
 judice of the defence of the Caufe and Kingdom ) might be deak 
 with to be reclaimed , or if that could not be obtained , cenfured. 
 Thereis nothing here for aniwering what is alleadged by the 
 Write, to wit, that the Aflembly whileft they had not yet med- 
 led with thepublick rcfolutions,and had not found them right,were 
 ftirred up to cenfare thefe that could not be reclaimed from them ; 
 and tak.ng it as the Author doth a!leadge,That the King did fuppofe 
 them to be right, and withall, that he fpakc nothing to the Atfem- 
 bly to allow a fair hearing to thefe of a contrary minde , or to 
 fearch whither they were right or wrong. It faith that the Kings 
 Letter did contain a dear intimation of his minde to the Aifembly, 
 not only in order to thefe who fhould continue to oppofe, or could 
 not be reclaimed, but alfo in order to thefe who fhouid vote^r* or 
 csnrrain the Atfem ' ly ; that Utter and that Speech were but an 
 exprcfleof the C >mmifsions Warnings and Ads , and Ads of Par- 
 liament made there anent,in order to the furthering the execution 
 thereof, by getting them backed w th a new Ad of the Affembly to 
 the fame purpofe as afterwards they were: I cannot well decern 
 whither the parenthefis caft in by the Author in thefe words ; h&W- 
 beit it couli not be bat to the prejudice of the defence ef the C*wfe 
 4xd Kingdom, be cited by him as theKiogf words, or interlined as 
 his o.vn , and therefore fhall not give judgement of them. 2, His 
 next defence, That the King was bound by the Treaty to follow the 
 advice of the Commifsion of the Kirk, in matters Ecclefiafdck, in 
 
 G g . in- 
 
intervails of AflTemblies; which heloofeth himfe'f by acknowledging 
 that he (hould have ufed his judgement of d'feretion upoa any re- 
 folucions gvenhimbythe Commifsion ; but becaufe the Author 
 interlaces in order to this, feverall particulars ; therefore in anfwer 
 to whac he faith in this part of his defence, I offer thefe things. 
 Firft , That there is nothing here fpoken by the Author that makes 
 for the vindication of the Kings Letter • It fpeaks indeed to the vin- 
 dicating^ leaft to the ex ;ufi:ig of the King htmfeif in writing fuch 
 a Letcer,becaufe he was advifed by the Cornmifsions,as to the pub- 
 lick Reioiuuons but that doth not fay , that th< Letter did not 
 contain fuch things as were apt to hinder liberty of voting in the 
 Aflembly. Secondly, I acknowledge that the King was indeed 
 in a right ticklifh condition ; But who had put him in that condi- 
 tion, but the Authors and Abettors of the Publicfc Refolutions, 
 who afitff an cxpreffe Article of the Treaty for removing of Ma- 
 lignant* fom him, and cxpreffe defirts from ihe Gcnerall AiTem- 
 b)y and their C^mmiflion renewed again and again,, and expreffe 
 Aniwers to the Quaere proponed by himfclf , of bringing in the 
 Malignant Piny ; In ths negative did advife him to imply and 
 brioej in that Party for his own defence % and (he defence of the 
 Caufe and Kingdom. ^Thirdly, As to the ptrenvtorineffe of fome 
 to have in that condition in the Articles of the Treaty; I know it 
 not , but though it was fo,itwasno more then his Ptcdecv-tlbrs 
 was ufed to be tyed unto before the Reformation in the old Oith 
 of Coronation,and which his own Father had condescended unto. 
 in the Tfeaty at the Bricks , as appears in the Acts of the Afiem- 
 blies,and the A<5ts of Parliament i6;9,and 1640. Forthly , As 
 to the Authors quarrelling of the words of the Article as peremp- 
 tory and gene rail in the Letter,bccauie no more is faid,but that He 
 jhould follow the *tdviee of the Commijfisn ; and his quarrelling 
 ibmc for oppoGng and flopping of a motion made by others , t hat 
 it (hould beexprefly added, Agreeable to the JYordofgod^nd Do- 
 Urine and (,'onftitHtions of this Church : He ihould have told the 
 circumihnces of time and place,and perfons; For my part I pro- 
 feffc ingcnuoufly,I remember no fuch things^ and ©thers alfo who 
 may be prefumed to know it,fay the fame. But let it be fo, they 
 did in this but adhere to the former way , which (as alfo th?s Ar- 
 ticle J did fuppofc that addition wfrich the Author fpeaks ©f, 
 though neither Kirk nor State thought fit to cxprefle it, left occa- 
 
 (ion 
 
(235) 
 fion of jangling {hould have been g ven thereby. But the Au- 
 thor by this hiscarpmgftuw*, that when he pleafes„he can quar- 
 rell wnh fame things in the Treaty t atid with the Ads of Affem- 
 biies thereanem,as well as others $ an d 1 bdieve, he would think 
 it hard oiealure to have it inferred from this , that he doth vilifie 
 the A^s ofth? A(Tembly,ani that his preteffions to the Govern- 
 ment, .DifcipHne and Constitutions of this Kit k,are not (Wight 
 nor upright.* I (hall not charge him with imhithhiincfs,but if he 
 was one of thole who was inftrufted by this Churcb in the Trea- 
 ty at the H*gue % he hath ( by that which is fallen from his Pen) 
 here furoifhed (bine occafioo to his Readers to think that he hath 
 fume han3 in,or fome way wnke^ at thefirft modellof the Trea- 
 ty, as it was fuftiettlcd and traniacled between the King and the 
 Commiftioners; wherein notwiththnding that there was anex- 
 prefs inftrudion,that his Majtfty (hould not onely confent and a- 
 gree,that all matters Ecclefiafticall {hould be determined by the 
 Generall Assemblies, and (uch as in the intervalls of Afsenblies 
 (hould be authorized by them ; but that his Majtfty in things Ec- 
 clefoftick>(hould follow the advice of the Gen. Afiem.of this Kirk, 
 and fuch as (hould be authorized by them; yt-t the matter was fo 
 tran(a&cd,as that thefe 2 claufes of the Kings following the advice 
 of theAfsembly,&ufch as (hould be authorized by them, and of h's 
 being content that in the Intervals betwixt Afscmblievhings Ec- 
 clefiaftick (hould be determined by (uch as (houli be authorized 6y 
 them,wtrc wholly left out : And if he had any hand iif, or did 
 wink at the omitting of this Article of the Treaty at the Kings 
 Coronation: That it Ihould not be preft upon the King to declare 
 according thereto, albeit by the Treaty he was t xpreil baund fo 
 to do, he would either forbear to prefs the Treaty io much upon 
 othe?s;«r learn to be more tender thereof htirfelf. Fourth y, as 
 to his Queftion, whar a Civill Magiftrate may do in a point ot Ho- 
 drine wherein he hi nfeif is convinced in Conference upon good 
 grounds, of ths error of loins doctrine and practice of fomc Mini- 
 fters,whkh hath not been particularly determined in bypothefi by 
 the Conltiiution of th§ Kirk, whttha he may not < xhort a Gi De- 
 rail Afsembly being conveened,to cenfure fuch without prelimi- 
 tation, for encroaching on the liberty and freedom of theAfsera- 
 bly in judging and voting ia it ? I (hall not debate , it fetms that 
 he himfelf doubts of it; but this was notour queftion, the point 
 
 Gg^a wis 
 
was determined by theOnftitutions of this Kirk, andthit anfwcr 
 was once given to the King by the C unmiftion of th: Kirk, upon 
 his moving the qudtion ; anittuydii exceedingly wrorghim, 
 who by contrary Aufwers did draw hifli ki many fnarei, and put 
 him upon anny rocks. Fifthly, as to h's great aniwer of active 
 and paflive prdimi-a ion, i$ will not fervc hi n much uead in this 
 p2rticuUr,bccaufe the Afscmb'y did really vote, acl an.* cenfure 
 according to the defire of that Letter, which is evidence iurflcient 
 to provfithat the prelbnitation was both scYve and pailive. It is 
 not evidence enough to prove, thatadetirehatliimpreflion upon 
 raethit I grant the fame, and do accordingly ; whit other proof 
 doth the Af cmbly at GUfgoVe 1638 > bring to venfiethe paflivc 
 preljimtmgof the Af i cmbiy zxGlafgw 1610, mi at Tetrth 
 161 8, by the King his thrcatning Letters and Commandments; 
 but th s, 1 hat the L.tters ca m to th t Assembly , and that ihc A(- 
 fernbly did proceed according to the defire thereof ; w il the Au- 
 thor a nut of no proof of pjflive prelimitation,uniefs tvidencc c^n 
 be brought from a mans own brea.l. Thit ths very th>i g , and 
 nethjn ; elfe was the thing that weighed with hi n for approving 
 the Publ ck Reiolutions , cenfuringtheProtefttrs, and laying a 
 found tficai for cenfuring all, both Min flers and ProfeUcurs , that 
 flioiild continue to oppofe there Rcfo'utins. I cUieth-s pur- 
 pofc with the words of thefe Divines and Lawyers,cited before in 
 the bookconumugth6t gr a v ami » a r^tMt tfceCoonia] or Treat-. 
 Mamfeftimum efiTrldentinAm hanc Sjntdum nequasjptAm ej[e 
 Ant diet pofje /thrum Concilium^ (edfervum potius &■ m nit id /*#- 
 minibus iurijjime obftrittum Atque tAptivum,Libtrum etenim du 
 citur^usdmetu emni & coAElione CAret y ubi Concilia emnU om- 
 mfaueres non ex Alien* vei •voltintate *<l grAtia , vel etitm (x 
 fermiju alterins AUt imperio pendent Jed ttb his omritbtu expfditx 
 funt & integrate cu\u[quAm nut odium AHt invidia % ant mint 
 extimefcendajunty nee res uUafit qu* plus poll 'eat apud eum qui 
 dicit fententiAm t quodipfiut honefia voluntAi & judicium minimi 
 coAtlu*n*T>emquc ubi cjua (AlutAria cjuifque & veritAti comfentA- 
 nt*e§ejntns t & apud Animum in tell t git f Adorn etiamfine ullius 
 perieult metn in medium proponere Itbere & in faciem curvu mo- 
 defle dicere UceAt % c»jus rei praclarum exemplum #»Paulo tApofto- 
 lo nobis propofitum efttf** ( *« *d Gi\*i.ip[e fcribit) Pctro Apojh* 
 /# infAciem oh to cntus err*ru tfm in t/fntiochtnfi Sjnodo pub Ike 
 Arguit. y iN ! 
 
(my 
 
 V I N D I C A T I O N. 
 
 THe next ^Argument proper to the fecond Paper t4 f becaufe in 
 the AQembly at S?. Andrews, per fens allows* by the Atts and 
 'Policy cfthu Kirk.* t$ fpeahjheir Qonfciences were deny ed liberty 
 fotodo y and to prove th$s 9 the An: her taketh much pains tt-fyeV? 
 from eight old Affemblies of this Ki^k., that not onely pcrfons Sc- 
 cltfiafttck^havivg calling poWcr to vote , but ethers alfo are allow* 
 ed to propone andreafon y yea to preftnt thsir thoughts in Writing 
 to the Affemhly^hut he needed not to have been at fo much pains in 
 eafiing over fo mmy Affemblier for this purpofe • the point is ge» 
 neraUy co*fe§edin all Orthodox Kirks 9 and k*ow.i to all who have 
 read the Common-head Dc Conciiiis in thiir Sjfiems* Secondly 
 hefaith, that Sir Archibald J ohnftone ( whom he mentions with 
 many Encomia s to makj the matter he hath tofpeal^ more bulks 
 feme) having wr ttco his mindc to the Meeting, not able to come 
 hiffifdf , absmt rh@ matters to be agitated in the Affom.Iy, hold- 
 ing fouh much clrar light from Scapiute an 1 Acl* ef former Af- 
 feosbiiesin tbefe particulars, C if it was much light he heid forth 
 infome of thefe fame particnlart in conference at Peat j y* ^as but 
 very little^ani no much to be feared by any of the contrary mind) 
 alfo the Letter was publkkly delivered dn i required to be read by 
 hiai thai: prefeaud ic ; the Moderator having Ofokcp it up,prcmi- 
 kd to ctule read it, and maty Members &d at fund ry occasions 
 prefe the reading of ir,yet it could never be obtained,bat was fmo* 
 thered together with a Proteftation contained therein , tgainft a 
 PipcroftheCofanifsionersiothe Padiam. approving what was 
 ctane by the King and Committee of E tares to the Minifters of 
 Stcriin. Anfwer. Here is much-Want of ingenuity jtnd nothing of 
 the truth of th? matter makjngagainfl the freedeme of the tAf m 
 jemblt- 9 the Afsembly never rcfufed to have it readi M*ft p*rt of 
 the Whole Assembly was earneftly defirousto have it read, and now 
 more then the mo ft pan of thefe fchom the Reader Would infinuate 
 iobtKeadersMnacquainted^gith the bufinefsjo have been the oppo- 
 ffrs.of the reading ofit^ndfmotherers ofit^as being of a different 
 judgment from Sir Archibald , and feared for the pith of his 1*4* 
 fsrs* The troth of the bufnes^as this^as I doubt not but the fVri* 
 ter knows inhis Confcience 9 hadhe been fo ingsnuom a* to tell h 
 
tofome per font in the A fscmbly Rearing much refpeil and tendernes 
 t* Sir Archibald, partly becauje of intimate friendjhtp Vritb him % 
 partly becaufe of many former goodfervices y dia plead for a delay t 
 alleadging that it Was unreafonable that the *s4[sembltes precious 
 time whereof they kncW not hoW fhort liberty they might have % 
 fhould be jpent in reading any particular mans Letters , Whereas 
 the Committees Were not as yet n»minated andconftituted y and the 
 -proceeding of the Commijfion which (by the appointment of former 
 Afstmb lies) ought to be the fir ft bufin. s fallen to confederation y werc 
 ftotfo much at once looked "f** 9 <*nd indeed the Tapers which were 
 fent and de fired to be read concerning his minde, amounted to fuch 
 a volume , as the reading thereof might have taken up all the ttme 
 that the ^Afsembly could probably expetl for fit ting ,t hough never 
 any other bufines had been touched* There was ( if mj memory 
 fail me not) a Letter of four or five [bee is of thick tVrit^and other 
 'Papers Dith unrequired to be read before the tyfiscmbly did enter 
 upon the firft Atlim,tke appointing of Committees , amounting t§ 
 an hnndred fbeets at leaft, nd mufl it be fuch a crime as for which 
 the Afsemhly mufl be judged nullah at fuch a motion Was referred 
 and delayed to a more convenient time, rvhicb was the one ly thing 
 the Affembly did^ and that not of their own inclination^ but 
 upon much entreaty and pleading of/ome ofhu befi wel~wijhers in 
 the Affembly y whe although they alleadged the caufe vv have only 
 mentioned in public^ jet had another caufe of thnr pleading fo 
 earnefily for this which they did in a private Way communicate to 
 [ome who were defirous they fhould be read , whereby they moved 
 them to defift from urging fo earnt ftly the reading ofthem % not out 
 of fear f his 'Paper s y or difreffeft to his LordJbtp,but out of meer 
 kjndnes and r e fpe ft 9 be caufe viz.f hey did perceive by looking on thun 
 (I believe) in private fundry high reflections againft the Supream 
 Powers of the Kingdom^ both King and Sflates y which could not 
 but have brought him inprejent trouble. This is the true ftory of 
 that bu fines y judge thou noW {ingenuous Re ader)imparti ally jf this* 
 *fyas a confcientious or relevant argument Jo nullifie that Afsemb. 
 but aide to that other in theAlsembly 48 '^.(V did not diftinftly 
 remember which j but the thing is certain , and the Writer will 
 remember better) a 'Paper then , c sneer ning matters tfjen in de- 
 bate' give* to the Afsembly y anddc fired to be read 9 was publicly 
 laid a fide and refufedto be reaA^and yet the lawfulnes of that Af- 
 » fembly 
 
femblyjs not cjuettioned.The Writer in the clofe eft his Argument 
 
 would infinuate to his Reader , that the Commi [ft oners had been 
 Authors a f (mothering theje Papers of Sir Archibald Johnfi®ns, 
 becaufe of a Proteftation therein contained , againft a Paper of 
 theirs^ approving what was done by the King and Committee f 
 the Minifters of Steriin ; but if he meanethfo , it is a \\rongfull 
 Jlandering of them y t he Commifftoners were far from de firing them 
 U be fmotheredjhough one or two out offender refpetl to his Lord- 
 Jbip f were unWiiling that he (hould be brought in trouble by them % 
 nor feared they his Pr-Jte^atton againft that Paper of theirs , <*- 
 gainfi Whicb t neitber he t nor any for him^ouldhave any jufl ground 
 of challenge^ the funsme a^d [ubflknee thereof was nothing elfe 
 but a clearing of the Committees calling before them the Mini- 
 fied of Stcrl n ( after they had been dealt with by the Commifiion 
 of the KirJ^about their preaching a?<dpralT:iz,ing to she obftru- 
 tltng of the Leavies according to Publicj^R$filutions 9 and occafi- 
 oning fomcto relinefulfb their charge in the Garrifon of Steriin, 
 and they refufed to dejift)tb4t fome convenient courfe might be tu- 
 bmen in relation to themjnfecuring the Cjarrijonfrom danger from 
 the guilt of encroaching ut>on the Liberties of the Kirk^ charged 
 u fen them by a Proteftation of the fe Minifters of a very high 
 [trainband together approving thefe 'Bretbrens proteftlng in fofar 
 as it Was Shvifionall for the Liberties and Priviledges of the 
 Kir k^.. and expriming that thefe Brethren might be dealt with by 
 the King and Committee in a tender and re [pel} full Way as Mini- 
 fters of the GofpeU 
 
 Review. 
 
 Sometimes the Author crrenis when pains is nor taken to 
 prove things that are generally confc ffed , as for inftance to 
 prove from the Word of God, that all fcandaloos pcrfons ought 
 to have been removed from the Gencrall Affembly, and here he 
 feems to carp at his tsking pains to prove from the policy andActs 
 oftlusKirk, that not oncly perfons Eccieiiaftick having calling 
 and power to vote, bat others aifo *re allowed to propone, hear, 
 read and debate; yea, to prefent their thoughts in Writing to the 
 Affcmblyt But albeit the point be generally confeft by all Ortho- 
 doxChttrches, and known to all who have read the head de Con- 
 
 ciliis 
 
(240) 
 ciHisytx was it to purpofr for the Writer fo take pains to prove it 
 from the Arts rf the AlCrmblies of this Kir k, becaufe he had to do 
 not only with theie who arc acquainted withtkc heaJ deCtnaliis 
 but alfo with others who are not wel acquainted with tha h «.{ 
 I mean fundry profeftors in the LmJ, who had need to h«ve tnc 
 ground arid relevancy of this Argument clc^r d unto them, and t 
 was a near r and more convincing w?y to clear it f om the recei- 
 ved Dodrineofourown Church,then fiom the Dotfhinc of other 
 Churches. D ;th not Sir •yfrchikald Johnftonc by \ he teftimony 
 of unquestionable wit nt Acs defcrve all the commendation that is 
 given him? Why then Should it be carped at, if the things rhat 
 are faid of him be truc( as they are ) they do indeed n ake the Ar- 
 gument more bulkk me; the Author doth t nee and a^ain under- 
 value the light held forth by him, and rith of his Papers: I, (hall 
 not deny the Author tbc tcftimony cf Learning and abjl ty, and 
 wifhesthattheLord may more & more incr"afe,and more & more 
 fan&ifle it unto him, that it may be improvenfor the Edification 
 of many; Bur there is much of a Thrafonick Spirit that as a von 
 mm through all this V indication; the man whofc light and pith 
 he doth fir io low hath ( by i he G ace of God ) been inftrumen- 
 tallto hold forth vet y much light to the Kirk ot God fa Scot la»d y 
 in things relating to the work ot Rtf rmation , andhc piih fry 
 the power of the Lord, hath be. n acknowledged inbqfch Nations, 
 The Writer in relating ot the buhiunV of > he Smother ng of Sic 
 Archibald J 9hn[t$ns Letter, is challenged Ly the Author of much 
 want of ingenuity, and ipeaking nothing of the truth ; But Ictus 
 fee how this great challenge isma c out. ? i. Hcfa-h'he Affem- 
 bly never refufed to have it read • but was it ever read ? Was not 
 the Aflembly often defired to caute read i: ? Was there not often 
 much debate about the reading of it ? An A was it not for a long 
 time waved from diet to diet, &at laft bunee?I fear not but this m 
 the accompt of ingenuous men wil amount to a refufai : But faith 
 the Author, rnoft part of the whole AiTcm: ly were earn frJy de- 
 firous to have it read; if it was fo, then were there (ome f w who 
 did carry i: other wife , notwithitandmg of'ihc earn ftdefircsof 
 the rnoft part of the Afl'cmbi e, and it argues no great fr- cdoine, 
 when thecarneft dciires of the rnoft part cannot prevsi' to gain the 
 reading of a Letter, becaule of the opposition of iome ft w, who 
 arc otherwiie minded. He doth withali intiuiatc unto u^ That 
 
 *c re 
 
(Mo) 
 none were more defiroas to have itread then the mod part of thtk 
 whom the Writer would infiouae ( to be Readers unacquainted 
 with the bufmeflc) to have been oppofers of the Reading of it • I 
 would a«,k him who were the oppofers of the reading of it . ? men 
 for the Pubiick Resolutions, or men againlt them; I believe he 
 Will not deny but all the oppofers of the Publick Resolutions who 
 were in the AfTenmly did earneftly feektohaveit read, and that 
 all the men who oppofed the reading of it were fuch as were for 
 the Publick RefijJutions, and fome ot them fuch u did belong to 
 the Co a* million, and ha i hand in the contriving aid carrying on 
 the(erlefbluttons;?h'.s leems not to be denyed,butfor takingeffrhe 
 weight v>ff it, he comes to tell us that which he calls the truth, 
 which he doubt! not but the Writer knew in his Conicience , had 
 he b^en fo ingenuous as to tell it ; Bur I can anfwer him by war- 
 rant from theW'itcr,?hat he concealed nothing concerning which 
 Jbch'idany perfwafion in his Confidence, as to the truth of it, in 
 that whfch the Author fpeaks of: The matter alieadged by h\m,i$ 
 that all thi, was from teniernctfe and relptcl to Sir AtebibM 
 Jobnft§n t oy iome ot his friends in the AnVmbly who did perceive 
 by looking on h-sPassrs fundry ht^h reflexions againft the Su- 
 prcaro powers or th * King >om,both King and Eftates,wh*ch could 
 not but have brought nun in prefenc trouble. This neceflirates the 
 telling nnoreof the truth, which the Writer formerly fpare d to hi« 
 own diladvantsge : The Letter was delivered to the Moderator 
 Puwlick!y,in the race of rhe Artc*Bb!y,m the forenoon,a little after 
 the fitting down of the Allen >lyi upon the delivery thereof, the 
 Moderator prouiife^ that it (hould be read,and brack tt a pending 
 open inthe hand of h;m that was Clerk to the Pubiick Rcioluti- 
 orfe> and was now Clerk to the ^flembly, opportunity was given 
 to him, and fundry of thefc who wcte for the Pobrtek Rcfoiutionf, 
 and ware the men who oppofed the reading of it in t he AvTembly 
 to read it in private) after which it was preffed to be read with 
 much earoeiWtf; and importunity at (everall Diets of the Amena- 
 bly, and much- deb ate there was to and fto at {everall occafijas 
 about the readmg of it , but the refule was alw<yes carried to a 
 dtiay, untill at latt the Prorellers leaving the Au*cnolv,?here was 
 lirtle or no more heard of it. That this was done out of nicer k'nd- 
 neffe,and refpedto my LwdWarifton from whom th^ L^tecrcame 
 is not likely: i. Becaule not oneiy did hehnnteif in rhe very 5o- 
 
 H h fome 
 
(24*) 
 
 fomcof it earneilly bcfeech; y..*a, obtcft and adjure in the Name of 
 Chrift, that what he wrote to the Affcmbly might bereaiand 
 confidered, b-Jttheneareftand mud intimate friend* he hath in 
 the world, who were like to be tender of hisdanger(if any) aid 
 prellethe reading of it, I in^an not ontly thefe in the Afleinbly 
 who weri of his intimate acquaintance , and intimacy engaged 
 with him in the defence of the fame Ciulc; but alfohiaown wie 
 who came to St. Andrews of parpofe with that Letter; and that 
 notw thitanding flae was dealt with by fundry- of thele who were 
 for the Publick Resolution! to take itu,j, and not to preffe the 
 reading of it (that there might be fame handforne (hi ft for the not 
 reading of it) rcfufrd to do it, and Women are known to be as 
 tender of their husbands dangers as others. 2. The Lord fV*ri- 
 pons Judgement and ex lreilions in all tkefe thmgi w ;re w. lie- 
 no* jgh known before that time, to t he King, and to the Com mt tec 
 of Eftatpi , and the reading might well h ■■ ve been a confrmation 
 of the lame thing, but would hive furnifti d iict^e or no n w mat- 
 ter of titty 5. There w«rcno reflections in tha* Letter agai ft the 
 King&G'Oimitteeof E ; tats>biit in order to a couj incti*n w th me 
 Maligna;.! p^rty, aud >f the reading of thefe »; the AuVmoiy vv 'ild 
 have Drought him prefect trouble, then fureiyit was no free nor 
 fafe for men who were of chat opinion that the Public k R.vio uti- 
 ons did involve Cuch a conjunction, to fpeak heir judgement free- 
 ly in the Amenably ur»on thefe Retaliations, feeing h* freedom? of 
 writ ng in thefe things would by the Abhors own conccflion 
 have brought htm to prefent trouble. 4. This wis not ihs way 
 to keep off the dangei,but rather to fetch it on, becaufe ir was the 
 way toftl the Country with he noife of thsLorijp^ */?•*/ writing 
 fach a Letter to the AtTembly, wh<ch fomc that loved him a^r 
 the delivery thereof, Publickly did (mother and keep back from 
 being re a i, notwithfh nding it was eaineitly prcft by moft part of 
 the Affembly, which repot com ning to the Kins, and to the 
 Commiilioners, would in all appearance have occasioned them 
 to call for the Utter, which could not have been denyed nor put t uc 
 of the way, being now publickly delivered,and io much debate 
 xaade thereupon in the Amenably: But upon (uppofall that it was 
 friendfliip and tender refped of fomc^which yet upon the foi rocr 
 confiderations may be juttly doubted of,at leaft it was all,or rheir 
 moft. weighty real©;? ) to the Lord fVtriftin} yet to fay nothing 
 
 of 
 
C 2 43> 
 ofthcfr being more moved with the fear of his danger, thin the 
 
 prejudice or thepublick Caufe, which could not but fuffer two 
 ways by ftndthering of theLecters andPapers therewith (ent,both 
 by the wane of the light held forth therein,and by the imputation 
 offnaothering ©fit; I wonder that the AfTembly fhouSd have 
 been £o eafiiy moved with thefe alleadgances which he fpecb of, 
 to wit,that the Affcmfelies precious time, whereof they knew not 
 how tfiort liberty they might have, fhonld be fpent in reading a 
 particular mans Letter^ whereasthe Committees were not yet no- 
 minate, nor the Com millions Proceedings which isthifirft bu- 
 EnefTe that ought to bg tryed, yet looked upon, and that the Pa- 
 pars offered to be read did amount to a Volume which would have 
 taken up all the Affembhes time, though there had been no other 
 bufineffe, they beingof a hundteth Sheets, and the Letter being of 
 four or five fheeis of thickWrite. There was more time (pent up- 
 on the debate of reading of the Letter, then it would have been 
 read in to, it being not above the halre of thefe fheets which the 
 Author fpeaks of $ if his teftimony who wrote it may be believed; 
 neither was the Aflembiy fo much ilraitned with time, . elfe they 
 ware no good husbands of it, becaufe the iirft day they refuted to 
 read theLetterjthey fpent a great part of aSeflion more theowouM 
 have ferved foffeading of theLetttr,debating about aMini iters roans 
 and his gleeb, as many honeft witnefles can teftifie; and the Letter 
 was urged and pretfed to be read^not oniy before,but alfo after the 
 nominating & fetling all thcCo«imittees,both that which concern- 
 ed the proceedings of the Co 0) million ,and all others. It was not 
 a particular man* Letter, tf by a particular man he mtan a private 
 peifon writing of butineffcs of his own ; but it was the Letter of a 
 publicktervantof the AfTembly, writing of the pubiickbufinefTes 
 of the AfTembly. ; I mean the Clerk who was by his place bsund to 
 offer unto t h^Afliemb.from theirAc*tir.fc Records what he knew to 
 bt contributive for clearing of their proceedings , efpeeiaiiy in bu- 
 finefles of common concernment of the Church; and this Letter did 
 contain only purpofe and bufineffe of that nature, and nothing at 
 all of private or perfonali concernments : Amongft r-ther things, 
 there was therewith fent an Extract of many A&s of former Al- 
 femblies extracted out of the Regifters of the Kirk 5 contradicting 
 the Pubhck Rgfolations. For the length of the other Papers, they 
 were not fo long, but they might have been read in a day or two at 
 
 H k 2 moft 
 
(M4) 
 moll, or if the Afombly would not have read them , they might 
 have committed them to fome of their numScr to tike itafce&NRI 
 if th re was any thing therein that might contribut to give light to 
 thv Afenbly in th; matter of the Publick ReloLutions.lt is fomc- 
 what itrange, that the Afombly being upon iht corMWeration and 
 debate of thefe Resolutions, whether th*y were agn-eable to the 
 Word of Gjii the lolemn League and Covenant, the folemn en- 
 gagement to Duties, andocher A<fls aniCoof.Htutions of the Kirk, 
 that they fluuld have refuted to cake in eond deration , or to read 
 what was timeouQy offered to them in the contrary, by their own 
 Clerk; and it is more itrange, that notwithstanding off his, they 
 wilL in the Ad wherein they approve thefe Refolutjon* Preface 
 thus, after due examination, long and much debate aod mature 
 deliberation, but muft it ( faith the Author ) be fuch a crime for 
 which the Atfembly muft be ju igei null, that fuch a motion was 
 referred an i delayed to a more convenient time. It was not a de- 
 lay to a more convenient time, but a delay altogether; let the Au- 
 thor tell us, if he can, when that convenient time came, or whe- 
 ther the Letter was not wholly laid afide, though no: by a positive 
 and formall refolution, ycc waved from Diet to D.cr, and never 
 read, which is the m nreconfiderable, that the reading of it before 
 the Protection being fo much urged , an i theProteftation contain- 
 ing realons againft the unlawfulnefle of theAflembly^ecaufc of the 
 want of frecdomc; yet even after that the A fettibty went on, and 
 approved the Co nmi doners Proceedings, w fthout reading oft hat 
 Letter t whatever theAuthor make of it; I doubt ail circumftances 
 being confidered, if fuch an inftance can be given in any freeA(Tem- 
 b!y, the refufing to read former Ads and confticutions of Atfetn- 
 biics.and other things timeout!/ offered unto them fro n the w iri 
 ofGod, and the Covenant andPublick Papers of the Kirk by theic 
 own Clerk out of thetr ownRegifters for clearing of eheCommiffi- 
 ons proceedings which were now in dehace, and if the term of re- 
 fufaii pleafe not the Auch >r, th* Aflcmblies procee iing to ratifie 
 the preceding? of the Commiflion , without reading or taking in 
 confideration thefe things offered unto them by their own Clerk, 
 out of the Word of Goi, aad their own Regitters for clearing of 
 thefe proceeding?, notwithstanding that thefaroe wastimeoufly 
 ottered, and carneftly preffed by-many members of the AtTembly, 
 and proraifed by the Moderator to be reed • I believe common rea- 
 
 fon 
 
(MS) 
 
 {on teaches, and jhefs who treat of the nullity of J udicatories,md 
 fentences tel us that rt is a relevant groud of a dechnator,or appeal, 
 if the judge give fentenee, withoat hearing what is timeeufly of- 
 fered unro him out of his own A%; and the Lws by which he 
 is bsund to judge,for clearing of the caufe. As to that inftmce gi- 
 ven by the Author of a Paper laid t&ie in the Affembly 48. or 40. 
 The Writer Uich, that he is fo far from remembring it well, that 
 he doth not remember it at ail ; neither yet doth others whofc 
 memories are better then his; Its ftrange that the Author ihould 
 know it for certain, and yet (hould neither know what Aflembly 
 it was, not what the bui'mtflfe was , nor who the perfons were; 
 yet becaufe h- arfirms it 6 jr certain,I ftul not deny it,oor fay that it 
 is untrue, bat till he tell us the particular circumftantiat cafe, and 
 make it to a ppear that it is a paralel of the cafe now in queftion; I 
 think hewil alow us not to lay weight upan it. Before he clofc his 
 Anfwer to this Argument, he labours to Vindicate the Commifsi- 
 oners from being Authors of f mothering a Paper of Sir Archibald 
 fenftexs, becaufe of a Proteftation therein contained , againft a 
 Paper of theirs, approving what was done by the King and Com- 
 mittee of Eftates againft the Mtnifters oiSterline, and tells if the 
 Writer meant fo, it is a wrongfuil flanderin* of them : The Wri- 
 ter hath fail nothing that may import that which the Author cals 
 a (lander: He thinks that it is infirmate ; but I think he hath more 
 infinuated it himfelf, whileft he faith the Commlfsioners were far 
 fromdtftring them to be fmothcrfd, thojgh one or two out of 
 tender rcfpecT: to his Lord -(hip were unwilling that he (hould be 
 brought to trouble. B.it was there any thing in that Protection 
 that would have brought him in trouble? I think it will not be 
 alleaJged; why then Onuld that have been f mothered, where 
 even the rcafon which is alleadged to have been the true rea- 
 fon of fmothcring thefe Papers did fail? What ground of challenge 
 there was againft theCommifsions Paper doth not properly belong 
 to this debate,and I ihil not now meddle much with it,but leave it 
 to the Minifters o{Sterlin whom it doth concern ^yet did fome ju- 
 dicijas men, even Corns ofthofe of the Civill Judicatory to whom 
 it was given in, think that the Cornmifsion had gone too far there^ 
 in, to give wound to the liberties of the Kirk in thefe things, 
 which many worthy faithfull Mmifters of this Kirk have been 
 zealous to maintain and (a$:t for* Iraeanrefufingto fubjedlMi- 
 
 nifter 
 
( 2tf) 
 
 n»fter$ Doftrine to the Civill Magiftrate as the proper ind imme- 
 diate judge thereof; He gives the fumme of thitPaper in fome par- 
 ticulars: The firft is the clearing of the Committed calling before 
 them the Minifters of Sterling {hould have (ad theCommittces 
 citing and confining ;i them becaule of their Preaching a- 
 gainftche Publick Rcio!utions;and that before they were cittd and 
 fentcnced,by any other Judicatories of the Kirk; yea,beforc there 
 was (by the Authors confefsion) any determination of theChurch 
 in that particular calf; yea, when there was clear and pofirive de- 
 terminations of the Church upon their fide, and Adts binding 
 them ( under the pain of cenfurc ) not to be lilent , nor to fpeak 
 ambiguonflv \bwi to bear teftimony againlt fuch courfes, which al- 
 ts by the Oa:h of God in the Covenant , they were bound to 
 reveal an.1 make known. As to that praclifing of the obftruc't- 
 ing of the Leavies,vvbich he fo frequently mentions, he would tell 
 what it was beyond the bounds of their Calling, left his Readers 
 think that he would fain have them to believe iomewhat of thefe 
 Mmifhrs, that did not become the Minifters of the Gofpei , b»t 
 cannot tell what it is. He faith , that the end why they wtre 
 calle d,was, That feme convenient courfe might be taken in rela- 
 tion to them ,a id (ecurjng the Garrifon from danger, but hath not 
 told us what that convenient courfe was,or could have beenjnei- 
 thcr (I think) can he tell us>but by juftifying the courfe that was 
 taken, that is, the detaining of thefe Minifters from their charges 
 by Confinement. What convenient courfe could the Committee 
 of Eftares take in order to thefe Minifters , in an orderly way for 
 preventing any pretended or apprehended danger that was like 
 to come to the Garrlfon by their preaching, they having now de- 
 clared thcmfelvcs that tta y could not , but for the difchargingof 
 their confciencc*,continu€ to give warning againft the (infulnes of 
 thefe refoiutions;they could not ftnience them with any Ecclcfia* 
 ftick cenfure,& to cenfincor imprifon upon peiuts of their doclrin 
 and Minicftriall Casing, without sny Ecciefiaftick precede going 
 before in a Kirk fettled iu her Judicatorie^Government and Difci- 
 pline. I know not if the Author will /ultifie it as orderly, The 
 next thing done iu the Piper was , to vindicatcjthc Committee, 
 from the guilt of encroaching on the Liberties of the Church, 
 charged upon them by a Proteftation of thefe Minifters , which 
 fas he aileadges) was of a very high ftrain.I confefsthat theCom- 
 
 m /f- 
 
(247; 
 
 miflion was concerned to endeavour the vindication of the Com- 
 mittee , becaufe they were scedfory to what was done a as we 
 have fhe wed before; bat how th^y have acquitted themicives in 
 that Vindicarion,{hall not now oc infifted upon , neither yet the 
 ftrain of the Prot* (tattoo » which is ero higher then th* truth will- 
 bear; but to make up all that Pap*r, did aifo approve thek Bre- 
 thren* ProtefHng. in fo far as it was provifionali for ihe Liberties 
 and the expreflc defires that thefe B crhren might be rcfpccWully 
 ufeJ as Minifters of the Gj fpel. To which I ihali lay not hmg, 
 'but leave to tneic that can have bppGrtttfii y to read that'Pa^er, 
 and then they wdi be beft able fo judge whit that approbation 
 was,and whit arguments arc uled in the ^ody of the Paper for, 
 enforcing the deiire in the Coociufion concerning their ufage. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 THe Ufi ^Argument is , that it cannot bs a law full free 
 Afiewbly in which perfons under tfyaH are admitted 
 to fit as judges in the fame thing for which they are under try all: 
 'Bnt the Meeting at St. Andrews andj}u. dee wasj'uch, the Com- 
 nufsioners therein Were admitted to fit as judges in the felf fame 
 things for which they hereunder try Mi Thjs is abfolutly denved, 
 hut thefyriter goes abmt to prove it by thrinftance of feme parti* 
 Gulars:i,B?caufe the (fommifs toners before the approbation of their 
 e JProceedidgs y did fit as judges of the Pr«tsftation^ a part whereof 
 ypas t that their Proceedings fhou'd not Be ratified 9 becaufe they did 
 involve a conjunction With the M-dignant party 9 contrary t y &c. 
 2. They kid alfo before the approbation of their Proceedings judge 
 the per Ions Who had given it in y and did give their votes amongfi 
 other s>Who of them fbould be cited in order to ecnj&re; 3. Hjty- 
 the Committee wherein that bufinejfe relating to the Protefaiion 
 and in giving of advice was handle d y was for the mo ft part of it 
 made up of Members of 'the Commifsion^ Wbich thing Will be ac- 
 knowledge d^e believe (faith he) by indifferent men very uufnitable 
 andttneottfiftent With the liberty of a free General ssfffembly^and 
 then he addeth 9 that neither Would he have others , nor do they 
 themfelvs lay much weight upon this argument t mie$e tWo points 
 of f aft upon Which it is grounded be found true: Firfi, that the 
 tproteftation was judged, and the five Members ( it is yet ejuefti* 
 enable whether they ^ere Members §rnet * their Qommifsion 
 
 being 
 
being c$ntroverted y unlefje hethinkj them effentially members) 
 were appointed to be cited before the proving of the Commifsion 
 •fthe K'trkz Secondly^ that the members of the (fommifsion had 
 voice in the fe things , in finuating , that ifthefe matters of /*# 
 be clear ■, as thejr Were informed; the zsfrgument is voted to bat- 
 ter down that isiftembly , as not free y and as uulL An'fwcr : It 
 is true thrfe five perfons were appointed to be cited before the ap- 
 probation of the Proceedings of the Commifsion y but not in relati- 
 on to cenfttre > abfolutly and peremptorily ; but to anfWer for 
 their deed of P rote fiing % and in cajethey jhauld notjuflifie it, or 
 paffefrom it to be cen[ured* y Whether the ^rotefiation itfelfwas 
 judged before the approbation of the Commifsion , my memory 
 ferveth me not to fay pofitively y l (uppofe it wa* % yet let it be clea* 
 red by the Minutes of the tsfjfembly ; bnt give me leave to fay it 
 humbly y that granting both thefe matters of fall > yet the argu- 
 ment will be found by any indifferent judicious man in the world t 
 able to bear little weighty and in effctt but a meer paralogifme in 
 the whole probation of the Ajumption y viz. that the (fommijjio- 
 fters did fir Judges in the very thing in which they were under try- 
 alh For as to the firfi particular y might mot the Afembly have 
 judged the Protefiation before the approbation of the Commiffien, 
 and yet in judging of it y not have judged the matter wherein the 
 Commijftoners were yet under try all : yea verily they might ; for 
 Why? they might as to that part ofit y that is a/teadged in this ar- 
 gument ,viz.f hat the Commiffioners proceedings fbould not be ra- 
 ti fie d^have judged that they fbould go on to try them y and if they 
 did find them right and agreeable to the Word if Cjod , and the 
 Conftitutions of this Kirkjn that cafe to rarifit them-, and I dare 
 take tt tip on me y that if they did judge the Protection before the 
 approbation of the Commifpon, they dtd no other thing in relation 
 to that particular \ NoW to judge that they jbonldge on in the 
 try all of the proceedings of the Commifpon to approve them at it 
 fbould be found, asfaidis, and to judge in the thing wherein the 
 Commifpon was under tryall y to judge upon the procteai*gs % Whe» 
 ther they were agreeablc t as faidis y or not Jin themfelves y are not 
 the fame but very different things } as ar.y that hath half an eye 
 may lee and decern .trfnd did not the Members of the Commifsi- 
 on ^,fudge and vote With other s y that that Affcmbly fbould go on 
 *» trying the proeee dings y ratifie them if they fbould be found right 
 
 and 
 
(HP) 
 
 and yet wig he not fay for that % nor earth in trHth he faidjhat thef 
 j*dgeda*d voted tn thatHing Wherein they Were under tryall^and 
 therefore it is evident y the C*mmifsioners might fit as fudges of 
 the t Proteftario* i even before the approbation if their proceeitngs y 
 and jet it now*yesfottewes they did as Judges in the feme thing 
 therein they ?ftre under tryall^ whether the Writer hath reafoneA 
 thus Isofely &ut of miflak^y or en pnrpofe , I cannot tell y I fan 
 hardly fnppofe the former ofth?m y coxftdering that this 'Paper evi- 
 dences be is no child , if the latter be true , hehathfurepromi- 
 fed himfclf very undecerning Rcadsrs^andhis carriage is the more 
 foul. To the Jecend, the (fommifsioners might aifo have given 
 vote With other s^who of the frotefters flould be cited and judged 
 them alfs^and that befoy e the approbation of their eWn proceeaings % 
 and yet fo as itcouldfoUoW no ways that they had fitten as judges in 
 the fame ^Wherein they were under tryalifvz.theirewn proceedings*, 
 ■for Why they might have voted With other s t & tkey did in no ether 
 manor efways vote in the matter of the fe per fens citation Jbut that 
 they jfbould be-cited to an/Wer and be tryed upon the grounds of the 
 Proteftation^and they might alfo With others judge the grounds of 
 the Protefiation t ana found them not relevant^ and thereupon fen- 
 tenc ed them for prottfttng and declining the General! tsfffembly 
 upon fuch grounds , and yet the Affembly might have found upon 
 tryall the proceedings of the Commifsien afterWard Wr&ngand 
 cenfurabie Without any contradiction. There is not aground of 
 the^Pretfftjtion, but it might have been found non-relevant for 
 protefling againfi the Affembly, -before the tryall of the Commif- 
 fons procee dinghy and yet nothing beixg thereby imported more for 
 approbation then for condemnation of the proceedings of the Com- 
 tn'ifsion.As to the third particular y the force ofitfals to the ground 
 With the t&o former , for it containeth no new gr.mnds^but only 
 a teeming aggravation of ^thern ,*] (tkey might fit in the Affembly in 
 plena Qs^ki^tnd jndge decifive ,they might as Well in a Committee 
 both deliberative and praparatoriejn thefe matter s y vi z. upon the 
 ^rotefiation and Protefters , and yet not judge any thing in the 
 thing wherein tbemfelves were under tryall^ nor yet done any thing 
 therein that could be; any prejudice for approving or dif-appr eving 
 oj their own proceedings. Nay % I dare affirm it,that neither the Wri- 
 ter, nor any that was in the Affembly flail be able to in fiance ^t hat 
 ■any of the Commifsionsrs did judge or vote either in theA(femblf, 
 *rany Committee ofths Affembly, sr any Act of it importing ei- 
 
 It thct 
 
fmpmrntnuHJtrftAndmf kc«4er t o kp^u if this lull Ar , H . 
 the B - ;^ '^ fVrHo'-turcdx Wether l»* v 
 
 ruth 
 
 tXSSBl then ingv- O th, ,«muft , (Ml «• * P* 
 
 £ Vi :trVs^r » ^ p**««U« mlUoc ,i by the Water. 
 te« h,.«r h s™« (h , £ fi „ Merobtr> w<frc apposed to b« 
 
 2 £3&#£!«* «* tW proceeded the Comn.f- 
 citrJ^ctoreili^ *PP and nptori y 
 
 fc „,,u f oot » g JS3KB5 a,d m /ale rbcy (Wd 
 
 tUr " 1 ,nccninf CaLur Eworoimnicaion. wherein ( fcb* 
 SSSSSS3SS fc«* J-ay—cU a, oche,, The 
 
 before 
 
bf fore MTuing oFthe fttmmtmd>. ; and therefore the Author hath 
 through inadvertence or willingly rniftakfn, when he insinuates, 
 that there wis place kit f r defending or juftifying of. 1 heir deed 
 when they (hould compear. It were a ft range method of 
 proceeding , ifirre Co-xraifsion (hould firft condemn their deed, 
 before hearing of wh t they had to fay for juftifying of !t ; and af- 
 terwards cite them in or det to cental e,yet w^th thb provlf^htt 
 they would hear them to juft fie their deed; and it is little to pur- 
 pofethatth y muht patfe from it , their paising from it did not 
 exeem th^m from cenfure, unlets * hid been ex.grAtia ; *nd by the 
 mercy of their Judge ; But upon fuppoiatl that the fummoadf 
 ha in>i been peremptory fWc-niure > whit is that rathe pur- 
 pofeJto refuse what is alieaiged by ihz Writer, that the Commit 
 fioners were not Judges of th ■ Protefters, before the approving of 
 their proceedings. I%\lh6t^*f&pcifari & fententiam ferre ? 
 And did not their voice in the citation of the perfons of whatfo- 
 ever nature it was irtefrasa lyfay, that they might warranrably be 
 Judges of their centuictt feems the Author (aw fomwhatof this, 
 & therture afterwards he aniw< r^that vheCommifsioners might 
 have given vote with others, who&f the Protefters fhould be ci- 
 ted, and judged them alfo ; and that before the approbation of 
 thtir own proceedings, and yet fo as it could follow m no wsyes, 
 That they had httcn as J ^dges in the (am« thing wherein they 
 wrc under tryall, r. f. their own proceedings ; for 'why ( faith 
 he) they might have vot dw.thochcrs , (andtfuy did no ether 
 manner of w*y vote m the matter of thde perfons citation ) bit 
 th*t thy fhouid be cited to ar Aver and bcl tiyed upon the grounds 
 of the Pro elation, and found them not relevant, and thereupon 
 fehtcticed them for p rotfcftittg and dec] ning the Generall Affera- 
 bly upon (uch grounds , and yet the AfTembly imght have found 
 upon tryall,the proceeding? of the Gnrnmution "afterward wDng 
 an J cenfur able, without any cutnruidtion : for why, if we will 
 believe the Author,there is not one ground uf the Proteitation,but 
 it might have been found nor relevant for protetiing agarnft the 
 Anembly,before th % s ryall o?th«! Coairmffions proceedings , and 
 yet nethiog been thereby imported, more for approbation then 
 for condemnation of trre proceedings of the? ComrniiHon, To 
 Ihefe?hingslhav^anfwtre4b^re * but becaufe the Author is 
 pleafed to repeat them, I fh*M firic offec an argument for proving 
 that the Cossifsiongrs by judging of the Prof citation, were Ju^ge s 
 
 X i 2 of 
 
of their own proceedings, and then another Argument for proving 
 that the condemning. or theirPr tcltatioi. could not wel limd with 
 the condemns g of t: e r proceedings. TIk pirft Argument iswho 
 fo judges upon the irrelevancy of the exceptions grounded uron 
 their own proceedings ; Judges of their own proceedings i Bat 
 the^ommiiiioncrsin judging of the Proteftation, did judge of 
 the irrelevancy of Exceptions grounded upon their own procee- 
 dings, Ergo, in judging of the Proteftation they judged of their 
 own proceedings The Second Proportion, I hope, will not be de- 
 nied, becaufe the Proteftation co aid not be judged irrelevant but 
 by jad^ing of the Exceptions propounded agai; ft the CommiMio- 
 ners irrelevant, as the Author himielf did formerly acknowledge ; 
 and that thefe Exceptions were grounded upon thefe proceed. ngs 
 is manifest: the exception of preii n.iting of the Auembly being 
 grounded upon thair Letter and Acl: fent to Pre^by tries which was 
 a part of their proceedings ; and the Exception of their being fcan- 
 dalous bemg grounded upon the publick Refutations which was a- 
 nother part of their proceedings. The flrft Pro n ofition fee us to be 
 cleer from the intimat connexion , that s» bet wixt the one and the 
 other or which the Authpi himfclf gave a hint before : But I prove 
 it thusjWho fo j'udgcth of the irrelevancy of Exceptions grounded 
 on their own proceedings muft find thefe exceptions irrelevanr, ei- 
 ther becaufe t! ey have no weight i.i liw as not being contrary but 
 confonant to the law, or not as yet being determined by the law, 
 or clfe becaufe they are not true, or the truth of them, not being 
 yet made to appear, but they cannot jndgc of a: y of thefe with- 
 out judging of their own proceedings, £?£*, &c. The bufineffe 
 fh.aU be deer by applying it to the things in hand ; There is one ex- 
 ception proponed ;n the AtTcmbly againft the Commi dinners, That 
 they are fcandalous, becaufe of carrying on a cpurfe of Defection 
 in publick Rcfolutions : This exception is by the Comtuifsioners 
 thernfelv* together with the rcftof theAflembly judg d irrelevant; 
 now I defire to know upon what ground, either becaufe to car- 
 ry on fueh a courfe in the publick Refolutions is no relevant ground 
 to make men fcandalous ; and if io, either beca-fe thefe procee- 
 dings are not contrary to the Law, orelfe becaufe they are not yet 
 determined in law, or if they judge it irrelevant in reference to the 
 FacT:, it .muft e either becaufe they judge the FacT falfe, or clfe be- 
 caufe they judge it not yet proven ; fo that take it what way v*e 
 will, it ftiil follow* that theypaifed judgement upon thefe pro- 
 ceedings 
 
ceedings after that judgment, theic proceedings are not contrary, t© 
 the Law : or chus,thefe proceeding* a e not yet d ^eroamed by the 
 Law : or thus, theie proceedings are fajfe in fad ; or r • th >fe 
 proceeding- -are noc yet -proven to be true v\ h % and t!-.r i-> c the 
 Exception founded upon them is not relevant to look "upon the 
 Couimfsioners a* under a fcanda!, lb al 6 w application to that ex- 
 ception proponed againlt tbetn bec.m or' chc preiinuling w tfic 
 AiTembly by thar'Lerrrc and Ad ; That exception is judged i re- 
 levant by tnemielv^ a d other , either becaufe there vyas^ho iiacft 
 Letter and Ad to be found anong their pVoceedmgj : or becauie 
 fuch a Letter and Act did jncfade no preIi;rj:tac'oa b t fi ich is agrees 
 to law: or elfe becaufe it is not yet decern .ed as to the j>»>'riji f 
 law, or not proven as to the maccer of fact ; and fo take it what 
 way we will, it ft 11 mcludes a judgment upon the proceeAngs, for 
 wh ch they are under tryal The Argument which I offr foe 
 proving of the other Point) is this , Who fo once Judges the 
 CommiiTioners proceedings to be confonant unto 3 or not to be con- 
 demned by the Law according to which they ought to be tryed and 
 judged, cannot afterwards condemn the fame proceedings, or find 
 them wrong : But who fo judges thefe Excepcions proponed a- 
 gainft their proceedings to be irrelevant, judges thefe proceedings" 
 to be confonant unto, or not to be condemned by the law accor- 
 ding to which they ought to be judged. Erg*,&c. The Firft Propo- 
 rtion feems clear aid undeniable : T he Second is proven, becaufe 
 Exceptions that are propoied upon matters of- fad: that are true 8c 
 manifeft as to the exiftence of them,cannot be found irrelevant but. 
 upon one of thefe two grounds; either bee ufe thefe Fads are con- 
 fonant to the law, or not condemned by the law,and what is once 
 found by the Judge to be confonant to the law , or not condem- 
 ned by the law, cannot be afterwards ( unMs we would make him 
 judge contrary judgment ) found to be wrong , becaufe what is 
 wrong is contrary to the law. The applic.it on of the A gument 
 may help the Reader to the clear Uiiderftanding or" it, when the 
 Commiffi >ners with other Members of the AhVrbly, by Con- 
 demning the P' oteftacion , Judges and Coudemns the Exceptions 
 contained the ein as irrelevant , they muft upon fup?oial of the 
 troth of the Fads which are marifefl: and 3ck~o pledged , rirti 
 thefe Exceptions irrelevant, either becau'e, thefe Fads upon which 
 they are founded, are confonant to the law by which they are to be 
 
 judged; 
 
Judged • to wit The Word of God, and Acls of the General Af- 
 *emb y 3 o» becaufe th<y are n« t condemned therhy : If they judge 
 them confonant to the iaw,rht y canot afcet wards hnd them w ong 
 by thit law,becaufe they have already by the fame law found them 
 ri^ht; Ir not condemned,ncither can they find them wrong,becaufe 
 that we;e to find them condemned by the law,by which they have 
 already iound them not condemned. If it be (aid, which for any 
 thing my weaknefs reaches, is the only thing that can with any 
 colour be faid,That they might hnd the fe Facts a 1 to the relevancy 
 or irrelevancy of them not condemned, not determined by any Ad 
 of any General Alfembly, and fo no §rounds of relevant Exception, 
 when they were offered unco the Alfembly , and yet might after- 
 wards find them condemned, by theWord of God,and fo find them 
 wrong. I return, i . That by this Anfwcr it is granted, That thefe 
 could never be found wrong by any Aft of the Affembly , which 
 then was in being. 2. T .at the Commiffioners and the Affembly 
 when they judged of them in order to the relevancy of the Ex- 
 ception founded upon them, did not on'y negled: to give a judge- 
 ment on them according to the juft and infalible rule,by which they 
 are bound in the firft place, and by their oath, to fquare all their 
 proceed)! gs, to wit, the Word of God ; but alfo gave a judgment 
 of them contrary to t! e Word of God, to w"t , That they were 
 not relevant grounds of Exceptions, which is a judgment contrary 
 to the Wnrd , becaufe the things being in themfelves wrong 
 bv the Word, cannot but be relevant grounds of Exception. If it 
 be Old, That all that they judged was that it was not yet manifeft 
 by the Word that they were relevat grounds of Exception jThat 
 ftdi i but a poor llaift to defend an ill Caufe , becaufe this follows, 
 That they did condemn them,before they knew whither the Word 
 of God did condemn rhem, or approve them : and this is indeed 
 to my understanding the up-fliot of thebufinefs, That <t mull ei- 
 ther be yeelded that che condemning of thefe Exceptions, was the 
 approving of thefe proceedings, or elfe that men in condemning of 
 them, went on blindly, not knowing whether they did therin judge 
 accord ; ng to the Word of God,oragainilit ; Becaufe what I have 
 already faid, doth cleer and take in what is material and of confe- 
 quence to this bufinefle : Therefore I iliall be the ihoitcr upon his 
 Aafwers to the other two Particulars mentioned by the Writer: 
 He doth not deny ] but the Protcftatian was judged before the ap- 
 pro- 
 
probation of the Commiffioners proceedings : and furely if fo,rhfs 
 was no handfumc work, not only be< auie the Commiisioners l^ce 
 a'» Judges to co demn the Except on* propounded jgai.it them- 
 felves : but alfo becaufe a pa t of the Pr< teludon was that the 
 ComrthiTioners proceedings fhould ot be approven as involvi g a 
 conjunction w«th the maligna.it purty.&c.And iti? fomwhatftrang 
 that they fhould condemn a Proteftation agamft the approving of 
 thefcRefolutio* s before they find thefeRdblutions approvable:& 
 that the men who were under tryal in o der to thefc Refoktions, 
 fhould (it as J udges , in condemning a Proteftation againft the ap- 
 proving of then). The Autiww thicks, that the Argument wit be 
 found by any iniiflfvrent judicious men in the World, to bear little 
 weight, and to be a meer Paralogif o in the whole probation of the 
 atfumption ; t" wir, That the ConimifTi oners did fit as Judges in 
 the very thing fox wii-ch they were under tryal: I hope before this 
 time judicious men may fee fomething in it that will bear weight, 
 and that there is no Para^ogifm in the probation of the affumpt-on. 
 The firft part of ha Anfwer to the Firft Particulars a p#j/V 'ad ejfe', 
 that the A l1 em~>!y might have done fo, therefore they did fo ; that 
 the A0- m >!y might have judged the Proteftation before the appro- 
 bation of theComn i non : and yet in judging of it, not judged 
 the matter whereof the Com.niiTIoners were yet ;nder tryal: 
 yea, verily they might ( faith he ) for why they nvght aj» to that 
 part of t which is aPeadged in this Argument, VJZ.That the Com- 
 mit doners proceedings fhould not betat:fied,have judged that they 
 ftiould go on to t y them,and if they did find them right and agree- 
 able to the Word of God and Constitutions in this Kxk,in tint cafe 
 to rat'fy them; whether they might have done this is net now the 
 Debate : It feems by what is faid , That they could not have done 
 it, but he dare take it on him, That if they lid judge the Protefta- 
 tion, before the approbation of the Commitfion, they d .duo other 
 thing in relation to that particular : Now faith he,that they fhould 
 go on m the tryal of the Com aiffion? to approve them if it fhould 
 be found as faid is, and to fudge in the thing wherin the Commit* 
 fion was under tryal, &c are not the fame, but very different 
 thingv as any man that hath half an eye may lee and d icern. This 
 feems to fuppofe that when the Aflembly did firft condemn the 
 Proteftation, they did not condemn it all, but only a part of it, 10 
 wit, That part that was againft the lawfulnefs and freedom of th^ 
 
 Afsem- 
 
Atfembly, leaving a referve for the other part, againft the ratifying 
 oi the Comrmfiioris proceedings, until thefe proceedings fhould be 
 ttyed ; but 1 cannot take thi* for granted , until he verify it by the 
 Act it Teif, which d th condem the Proteftation, whereof I doubt 
 exceedingly ^ »t ^° contain any fuclii limitation ; if it had, it is like 
 tfiat he would have rold us dirediy of it, but upon fuppofal tbat r _. 
 it did, yet that doth not take off the difficulty , nor Anfvvcr the 
 Argumeot,b -caufeas we have already {hewcn,the ComiiTi oners, by 
 judging the relevancy of the exception proponed againft themfclves 
 (which they judg: d of, when they condemned the firft part of the 
 Proteftation, againft the lawfulnes & freedom of the Aflemb.)they 
 judged their own proceedings, wherof no fuch infbnce can be given 
 either in the 4&.or any other lawful free Atlcmof this Kirk, As to 
 that of the 4&.we have often' fbewed that in al that bufines he goes 
 upon mjftakesj to wit, That the Parliament did except againft fuch 
 Members or" the Aifcmbly as were Members of the Comiflion. As 
 to his judgment of the Writers reafoning, it is fnch as doth make 
 it appear, that he had rather chufe to allow to him the teftimony of 
 fbme ability, then not to faften the imputation of a foul mifcarri- 
 age upon him • 1 or he faith he cannot tell whether the Writer 
 hath reafoned this looily out of miihke, or of purpofe ; he can 
 hardly fuppofe the former,confidering this Paper evidences that he 
 is no Child : if the latter be true, he hath furely promifed himfelf 
 very undecerning Readers, and his carriage is the more foul. It 
 feems the Au hors judgement of the Writer towards the end 
 of his Vindication differs a little from what it was of him not fir 
 from the begining of it, or elfe he {peaks of him fo as may contri* 
 bute moft tor making him contemptible. There he brings him m 
 as one that in the pening of his Paper muft have the help of others, 
 for the School and for thcLaw of it,that he may be looked upon as 
 a weak marrj and here he ft les him as one that is no Child, that he 
 may be looked upon as a Sophifter : But I beleere the Writer will 
 rather chufe ratherto be accompted weak, then wicked ; rather a 
 CI lidjihen a Deceiver ; and he hath upon this accompt, and upon 
 the accorcpt of his own inocercy in this particular, warranted me to 
 t?V. the Author, andali others who reads thefe Debates, That if in 
 tW proof oFthe \nin9r of this Argument (that the Commiflioners 
 f c i$ ] <Vdges in their own proceedings) he hath reafoned loofly, he 
 hath the teftimony of his own confciencc 'bearing witnefs to his in- 
 tegrity 
 
tegrety . that he bath not done it of purpofe,biit out of miftakejnot 
 wilfully, but in ilmplicity ; and withal, that he is k> far from be.ng 
 convinced of ar y miftake in this, by any thing that is yet laid, tint 
 he is more and more cleared and confirmed that they did (it as jud- 
 ges in their own proceedings,for which they were under trial, not- 
 withstanding of any thing that is faid by the Author for clearing of 
 them ; but of this I leave the judgment to the Readers. As to the 
 third part cular \ 1 acknowledge, that if the ocher two had been fa- 
 tisfyingly anfwered,the force of it would have fallen to the ground, 
 It being indeed but an aggravation of the former ; yet fuch an ag- 
 gravation as adds not a little weight to it ; for all men know what 
 influence the preparations and deliberations of Committees have 
 upon the Judicatories,whofe Committees they are. But thefe two 
 particulars being eftablifhed a and it being true (as it is not denied by 
 the Author himfelf ) that the Committee wherein the Proteftati- 
 on, and that which concerned the citing of the Protefters was han- 
 dled, was for moft part made up of thefe, who had been Members 
 of the Commiffion 3 no queftion they had in all this bufinefs a great 
 influence upon the determination of the Aflembly, and did bring a 
 prejudice to the judgment ,reJating to their own proceedings, yea 
 did that,that did involve an approbation of their proceedings,at leaft 
 a judgment that they could not be condemned or found irrelevant; 
 and therefore the Author dares to arhrm too much, when he faith, 
 That he dare affirm it that neither the Writer nor any that were in 
 the Aflembly fhall inftance,that theCommiflioners did fit and vote 
 either in the A(kmbly,or in any Committee of the Aflembly,or any 
 Ad of it importing either formally, or by way of confequence, ap- 
 pro^at'on or condemnation of their own proceedings; we having 
 made the contrary to appear, what was the carriage of the Com- 
 mslTioners in thefe things that paft in the Aflembly towards the 
 Protefters, whether their voting and judging in that matter was 
 to their prejudice or difadvantage ; if Re mean in order to cenfure 
 I do not know, as never ha ring had the opportunity to be perfect- 
 ly informed about it ; I do indeed beleeve that fome of the Com- 
 mifliotiers were tender, as to the matter of ceo fares, both in re- 
 gard of the cenfure , and of the number of perfons who 
 were to be picked out for cenfure ; But to fay nothing that 
 all of them were not fo , and for any thing I know none of 
 them were free of laying the ground of their cenfure #. *.*o£ 
 
 K k con- 
 
r*s.8) 
 
 condemning the Protection, and declaring it to be cenfurable, 
 it doth not contribute any thing , for anfwering of the thing that 
 was objected, that is , that they were admitted to lit as Judges of 
 their own proceedings,for which they were under trial ; and ther- 
 fore notwithstanding thi?, or any thing that is faid to the Argu- 
 ment, itftill hath weight againlt the Afiembly.of which I am con- • 
 tent that all impartial underftanding Readers ihould judge : I do in 
 reference to this Argumenr, and the Argument of pre limitation, 
 and that of the rejecting of the Exceptions propounded agamll: the 
 Commnlioners clofc with the words of thefe Divines and Lawyers 
 in their Greivances agamft the Councel of 7>**j, £l*ale vera hoc 
 Concilium futurumjit 9 aut quid tandem libero Concilia fimile ba~ 
 biiurum s in quo litigatornm Alter a pars y <^r cjuidem rea i cum con- 
 fo^tibm eod&m judicio. oerfonam judicts cjuo^fihi (um\t y o? juki- 
 cii adfe[\ores fub Arbitratu deligit 9 judicium % pro (ha /Undine 
 ciuftituitrfUxrtlam & accufAtionem null Am audire vu/t> lmo ac « 
 cufatores i»#ud'ta caufa y & priufquAm judicii compareant 9 pro- 
 tinH4 damnet id (mquam) judicium quid judicij jimth habitnrum 
 fit facile cui v'u fine longiore commemoratiene ttoftra cfiimAre po* 
 terit. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 ANd now upon All tbAt hAth been [Aidy let every one judge in 
 thefeAr And fight of (jod, Whether or no all the ReAfons con- 
 tained in the ProteftAtion it felf $r in the Utter Papers , be rele- 
 vant grounds to proteft again ft y 4r.nuili fie the late Ajfer/ibly as un. 
 free and unlawful in the Conftitutioyi And manner of pr§ceeding 
 therimor if in the Constitution or manneY ofprocedor therin there 
 was fuch encroachments upon the liberty & freedom of Ajfemblies 
 as Vthich the Writer boldly affirms in Anfwer to his firft general 
 O bjf Eli sn formed AgAinft himfelf, as deft r eyed Almoft all the E[~ 
 [entials of an Afem blies freedom in Ele£Hon 9 r r eting i $-c* or fuck 
 incroAchments as moved the Ajfembly 38. to judge null the pre- 
 tended rf J] em blies condemned therein , or if the Arguments brought 
 Again ft the late Ajfembly be as ftrong as any brought AgAin ft 
 tJjefe t, both which the SYriter Affirms too bolJy ibidem, but puts 
 their trtAl over upon the Re Ader t wherein I thinly he did wifely f 
 for 2 r am perfwaded had he t Alton the pains to ma\ea particular 
 fAralelfAithfu/lj cempAring the ons With the other 9 hefhould evi+ 
 
 dently 
 
dently fail l» the proof, and Wong teti eredit by fc difedvering the 
 rafhnefs ofhU Affertisn.tAs tyc have cleared the Reafons brought 
 againft the Affembly, Jo we have been at, a little pains, according 
 t9 his defire 9 to take a view of the Reafons breught againfi thefe 
 zApmfrlieS) and fha/l alfo be at the paittstofet dsp* feme of them 
 hcre y that the Reader of the Vindication (Who it may be hath not 
 the A Sis of that Aftembly at hand) may cenfher them ; as IiLjth- 
 gow 1696. but [even dayes • Aberdeen 1 $06. but 20, dayes before; 
 Perth 1608. but 20 dayes be fere ^contrary t§ clear & exprefsLaw f 
 andcaufing the abfence of many Commiffioners* 2 CommiJJUners 
 from Presbyteries not elecled, but enjoyaedto come by the Kings 
 or Bijhops Letter s y or both Lithgow i6o6.ftrfi & fecqndy Glaf- 
 gow 1 610. firfl Sejfion* 3. Many voters^ as Judges having n» 
 Commiffionfrom the Kirl^ y Lithgow 160.8. only 22. mevfi fficers 
 of St*te, Ceunfellers, 'Barrens and'Biffjops : Glafgow i6zo» 30. 
 Noblemen andBarrons % be fide the fret ended Bifheps. Aberdeen 
 1616* 25. Noblemen & Cjentlemen. Perth 1618..19 Noble ween and 
 'Barrens: 1 1 Bt/hops, 4 Many Supernumerary Commiffteners for 
 Presbytries^Burroughsinfundries ofthem^ Threatning of Com- 
 mijftoners to vote as the King weutdfi fofgow 1610 j Perth 161 g. 
 With tkeVvrath §f Authority JmpriJQnment ^anifhrnsnt ^Depriva- 
 tion of Minifier shutter fuhverfion of the Eftate^yeajhat whether 
 reafvning or number of votes Jhould carry the matter. Bribing of 
 Commifjioners ,GlafgO\v 161 o. 3*5 ,7 ', m ^ election of a Moderator ^ 
 but ujurpation of that place by the Bifhops^ Aberdeen i6id. 'Red fa 
 Perth 1618. 2.8. No Ruling Sldersfent from Presbyteries y GM- 
 gow i6io»Reafonfirfi,p, grounds of proceeding in voting net in 
 the Word of God, Confcjfion of Faith \ A els of the AfsembUes: but 
 the Kings Commands Perth 1 6 1 8«> Reafony. 2%jw Reader com* 
 pare thefe With what hath been fold in the Examination ofthem % 
 andjugde thou impartially x if no firenger Arguments was brought 
 for the nullity of thefe pretendediA 'Jem bites then this Writer hath 
 brought rfgainft this, 
 
 R B V I E VV. 
 
 ■ 
 
 IT is indeed fit that in a matter of fuch confequencc , men apply - 
 themfelYs ferioufly to fearch out the truth»and to judge there- 
 of in the fear and fight of God ; and therefore without oppofing 
 copfidence to confidence, I leave men fo to do upon all that hath 
 
 IK k 2 been 
 
(i6o) 
 
 been laid, and then to give fentence whether the Reafons contai- 
 ned in the Protection , and in the latter Papers, be not rekva.it 
 grounds, to proteft againft & to nullify the late Aflembiy as unfrce 
 and unlawful in the Conftitution & manner of proceeding ; & whe- 
 ther the Writer had not reafon to affirm, that there was fuch en- 
 croachments upon the Confutation thereof, and right manner of 
 proceeding therein , as did d.-ftroy almoft all the eflVntialrequiilts 
 of a free Alfembly ; freedom of Election, free Voting, freeaccefs 
 aqd recefs, free hearing of what was offered for light, impartial 
 hearing and difcufling of Exceptions againft Conftituent Members; 
 admitting of Presby tries, who were under trial, to fit as Judges 
 upon particular, relating to themfelves: and whether- tru re was 
 not fuch encroachments as moved the AiTembly 38. becaufe of the 
 like to )Bifft fevcral of the former Affemblies to be null .; or whe- 
 ther (trooper Reafons a-e brought for nullify in» ay of thefe pre- 
 tended A'icmblies then of this. The Author thinks thefe to be too 
 bold Alfert. ons in the Wntcr : but 1 hope th; y are net more bold 
 then true ; and viriras non qu*nt dnguUs* Trnt the Writer did 
 not make any particular paralci of the Reafors of the nullity of 
 this Aflembly,with the Reafons of the nullity of thefe Aflemblies, 
 was upon no fich politick principle as the Author iniinuats, to wir, 
 The fear of wronging his credit, or the discovering of the raftmefs 
 of his Aflcrtion ; but to fpare (as 1 conceive he thought,) needlefs 
 pains, the Acts of the Aflembiy being (o common, and the paralcl 
 being fo eafie to every Reader of ordinary capacity and undeman- 
 ding • and if it was a fault in the Writer, not to make a particu- 
 lar paraleljfaithfully comparing the one with the other,andweigh- 
 ing Reafon with Reafon ; the Author can much lefsbc blaraelefs 
 who feems to undertake it, and yet doth little as to the perform- 
 ing of it , only he makes a iliort recipituiation of rhe Reafons of 
 the nullity of thefe Aifemblies, and leaves the Reader to make the 
 paralel & comparifonjand in this, what hath he done more then the 
 Writer . ? except that he hath been at the pains to make fome com- 
 pend of thefeReafonSjWhich are more clearly fet down in the prin- 
 ted Acts that are common. It is to be marked, that it is not af- 
 ferted by the Writer, that ail the Reafons brought for anulling 
 of all, and every one of thefe Aflemblies, are quadrant to this Af- 
 fcmbly ; but that, there is none of thefe Aflemblies, for the nullify- 
 ing of which ftronger reafons ire brought, and therefore though 
 
 fome 
 
(2*1) 
 
 fome breaches of the right Rules of Conftitucion may haply be 
 found in fome or thefe Afiemblies, which are not inftanced in this 
 AflFcmbly, it makes nothing agai^-ft thu Aflertbn,. nor for /unify- 
 ing this ArTembly more then thefe , becaule there is none of thefe 
 in which moe or more weighty breaches of the Rules of Conftitu* 
 tion can be found, then can .be found in this. But let us take a view 
 of the moft coniiderabie Reaibns brought for ■ nullifying thefe Af- 
 fcmbiie •, and compare them with the Reafons which are brought 
 for nullifying this : the fi«ft is,Thc want of timous indiclion which 
 caufed the abfence of many CommifTioners. To this there was 
 foinething equivalent in this Afiembly that caufed the abfence of 
 many Commiifioners, to wit, The troubles of the times which in 
 fome places hindred the Elections,and in others hindred the Com- 
 miflloners from coming. The fecond i*-, want of freedom in the 
 Election of Commifsioners in Presbyteries, becaufe of Letters from 
 the King and the Prelats, requiring them to chufe fuch and fuch. 
 To which vas equivalent in this Aflembly, the pre limiting of Ele- 
 ctions of their freedom by the Letter and Act of the CommirTiofi, 
 excluding all thofe who were oppotit to the Publick Refolutions« 
 The third is, the admitting many to voice in the Aflemblics , who 
 had no Calling nor Commiflion lb to do ; to which is equivalent 
 in this AilemMy, the admitting the Commifsioners to voice, not- 
 withstanding of juft Exceptions proponed againft them, before the 
 difcufsing of thefe Exceptions, and the admitting them to voice in 
 thedifculfingofthcm. The fourth is, the want of freedom in 
 voicing, becaufe of threatnings under no lefs pains then the wrath 
 of Authority, Imprifonment, deprivation of Minifters, &c. To 
 whkh was equivalent in this Aflembly, the Kings Letter and the 
 Commi^ioners Speech, with the previous Warnings, Remonftran- 
 ces, Letters and Act i of the Csmmifsion characterizing thofe who 
 were againft Publick Rcfolutions as Maiignants , and appointing 
 them to be cenfured, avid ftirring up the Civil Magiftrate againft 
 them, together with the Acts of Parliament made againft fucby 
 which Acts did involve more and more certainly againft the oppo- 
 fers of Publick Refolutious then any of thefe threatnings could do, 
 becaufe there was no Law,ts yet, for executing of them. The fifth 
 is, the practicing fome of the Articles concluded in thefe Aflemblies 
 before the AiTembly it felf, notwithftanding that thefe Articles 
 were formerly condemned by theChurchj by which their Voices 
 
 were 
 
(i6i) 
 were pre-j'udged by the practice or chefe Articles before condem- 
 ned by the Church, and therefore they fhould have been feclu- 
 ded from voicing. To which in this Afanbly is equivalent, the 
 pracTifing the Publick Refolutions by many Members of theAflem- 
 bly before the Aflfcmbly concluded the fame, notwithstanding they 
 were before that time clearly condemned by the Church : I dare 
 fay as clearly as ever kneeling at the Communion, or feaftval-daics, 
 were condemned by this Church, before the Aflcmbly did conclude 
 them to bepraclifed. Thclixthis, the limiting of Commifsioners 
 of their power and Commifsion given unto them by their Presby- 
 tries, which was alio done upon the matter by Presbytrics, fending 
 Commifsioners to this Aflcmbly : For befides thit many Presbya- 
 trics , in olbedience to the Letter and AcT: of the Commifsion , did 
 chufe none but fach as was for the Publick Refolutions parting by 
 all fuch as were againft them: fo fome Presbytries did exprcfly 
 difchargc fome who were chofen becaufe they were oppolit to the 
 Publick Refolutions ; of which I have given two clear inftances 
 already, one in the Presbytry of the Mttrncs who did by a Let- 
 ter intimate the Lord Arbttrtbnet ( whom they had chofen to be 
 Ruling Elder to the General Atfcmbly ) that if he had any hciita- 
 tion or fcruple to declare himfelf fatisfied with the Publick Refo- 
 lutions, they behoved to make choice of another : Another in the 
 Presbytery of /OHfz/<fy difcharging the Ruling Eider chofen for 
 the Town ofHurftt-Ifland, upon the accomptof his being oppofit 
 to the Publick Refolutions. Befides thefe Reafons , there bc.alfo 
 others mentioned and cleared, in the Debate that contribute for 
 proving the nullity of this Aflembly; and when all thefe are put 
 together, I beleeve it (hall not be found that there were ' moe, or 
 more material Reafons brought by the Aflembly at Glafg9y* y for 
 nullifying of any of thefe 6. pretended AiTcmbiies,then are brought 
 for nullifying of this • and therefore the Writer hath done no 
 wrong to his credit, nor fhown himfelf rafh in affirming fo. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 ArLr all thefe Arguments broucht tomdhfie the late dflemblyjthe Wri- 
 ter brings fome general Objections againfl their protefling againft the 
 jfjfembly, formed at his oWn pleajure,aHd rfnftoeretb th?m. Be need- 
 ed not been at this pains J doubt notjbomji and under/landing men interejfed^ 
 fo time convenient > >W// reprefent \eafom enough againfl it tbemfelvef, 
 
 nor 
 
nor "frill Wsjlay to trace him in tbefe, cmjidering how fecHefis and wea&jhe 
 grounds tiere \vbereupou the P< otejiation Was built. The Authors of tt> tb QU n^ 
 l qzejlion not their finding me>cy at Gods bands y yet Jhali they neVer be able 
 to Wjje a. ray before the eyes of impartial men vf this and fiuccedinggenerauons 
 "mojhall be rightly informed of it, the blot of 'Dividing this I(tr^ and expo- 
 fng our Government to be reproached of the Enemy y by needlefs prifonino of 
 ana of the bloody unfeafovablenefis of it; it may filing them to remember What 
 a time it %>as tbeygaVe it in, therein the Blood of their Brethren fihed in J)e~ 
 fence of their Qounprie, Wasasyet reeling from the ground, md What content* 
 mtnt atii iufultatlons many of item tithed in their countenances anafiptech > 
 at the very cucumfitance of time ; ana coat they Would not delay the iii-giving 
 of tt one day, though Hearing and admittance Was promifeatotbem • and if 
 they could not at all be prefect Per finally might baVe beenprefenied in their 
 name, but they Would neeasgive it then though it Was near midnight,and the 
 tran/Ution of the Ajfembly Was Voted before. L [kalladdbut AWordortWo 
 more , one u this : 1 pi, tit tofome of their confidences if itw<ts not apprehew 
 fion that the A/jembly Would approve the proceedings of the Commtffi 'oners, 
 togtt^er with the occajion of that aayes event that moved *bem indeed to give 
 tbatfrottjtation more then confidence of any Weight of the grounds whereon 
 it was built, i give only thefie ffio Evidences of this, i. That they did fio ear- 
 nejtlyprefs t»e Ajfembly to be but adjourned upon that ground , that there 
 Werefucb differ cues about tbefe proceedings. 2. That until that day fiome 
 of themfielves badfitten and Voted in it, as in an Ajfembly laWfudy confiitute, 
 compeared in Committees of the Ajfembly, yea, fittcn as Members in them, 
 fome of them being Moderators ana 0erks (f the fe Committees cogncfcedup* 
 on matters that came before the djjhnbly, made reports to the full- Ajfembly, 
 c 'oncur red With Votes inmakingfimdr} Acts of the Ajfembly t until that Very 
 day the blow was given at Inetkekh 11 ; ana even then when the «Ajfembly 
 met at night faadvife about tranflationjbey Voted in that bufinefi • lis true, 
 They Voted not for tranflatWh but for adjourning of it : But that fame did 
 necejfarily import their acknowledgment of it for the pre feat di a lawful dfi~ 
 fiemhly ; however now they do profefis that that Was -an error and fault : Tet 
 tbefe things do clearly enough evidence, that at the time ofthein-giVingof 
 he TrDteftation, it Was not confidence of the Weight of the grounds Whereon it 
 Was built {as they pretended in the froteftation) but fome other thing, even 
 tb&twbtih Was J aid before, that moved them toprotejl againft the Ajfembly: 
 
 R B V I B W* 
 
 THc Author is pleafed handfomly to wave the anfwer brought 
 by the Writer to thefe obfe&ions, though many of them be 
 home to the purpofc ; He brings for his Reafons, that the grounds 
 of the Protection are weak and fc&lefs. But the fentence of one 
 
 wh© : 
 
who is party,is joftly liable to the fufpition of partiality. If there 
 be no more to be faidaga'nft the grounds of the Protcftation then 
 is in his Vindication, they may haply be found ftrong enough not- 
 withstanding both of his underminings and batteries : I fhall the 
 lefs wonder at his big words, to wit, That the Protefters fhall never 
 be able to wipe away, before the eyes of impartial men of this and 
 (ucceeding generations, who (hall be rightly informed of it : The 
 blot or dividing this Kirk and cxpohng our Government to the re- 
 proach of the Enemy by need lefs proponing of it ; becaufl it is of 
 hisintereft and concernment to put thefe things from h;s own 
 door and the door of his complices. But in this the Protefters with 
 much trembling and fear do make- theii humble appeal to the Lord 
 Jefus Chrift, defiring Him in mercy both to the one and to the o- 
 ther,to bear teftimony at whofc door the guilt of thefe things doth 
 mainly lie,whether at theirs who on a fuddeo do change both their 
 principles and party,or at theirs who adhering to their former prin- 
 ciples have born teftimony agtinft chat change , and have ftudied, 
 though in much weaknefs and with many failings and infirmities to 
 preferve their Union cum Deo, cum Fceiere, cum Prifiina SccleftA 
 ScQticana.\ and to preferve the Liberty of the Kirk of Scotland 
 [_jure2 by protcftation, when they could not do it C/*tf<Q by 
 any other lawful means. As for the reft of the things which he 
 faith in this Paragraphe concerning the bloody unfeafonablc- 
 nefs of it ( as he calls it ) When I read thefe things, that of Da- 
 vtdiSdm* 1 6. i2« when much like imputations were caftupon 
 kirn , occurred unto me ; not that I mean to compare the Author 
 to Shitjci, though yet 1 wifh he had been more modeft in thefe 
 things j but dedres the Protefters to be comforted in their own in- 
 nocency againft unjuft imputations. I fee no eaufe why he fhould 
 defire them to remember at whit a time they gave it in ; from any 
 guilt they had in the in-givmg of it, the eonfideration of the Lord* 
 tryfting that doolful ftroak at /»<?>£<* /*£*>;, with the more d >olfu 
 defection of the Church ofStttUnd, doth indeed afflict them and 
 wound their hearts as often as they remember of it > But in the in- 
 giving of the Protcftation they have peace, as having done their 
 duty therein : That any of them did kythe contentment and in no- 
 tation in their countenance and fpeech at the very circumftance of 
 time is a caufelefs reproach, and more then he or any others fhall c- 
 vcr be able to make good, or hath any juft ground to alleadge : He 
 
 had 
 
(265) 
 
 had dealt fairly if he had fet dowrsthefc fpeeches that gare evi* 
 dence of their infultations, their own breafts beft know what was 
 the frame of their fpir its, and no man under Heaven can bring any 
 evidence of their contentment, or infultation in their countenance 
 and fpeech. That they would not delay the in-giving of it,was up- 
 on thefe grounds : i Becaufe they did perceive they were already 
 pat to disadvantages by delay. 2Becaufe they did fafped: that it was 
 not fafefor them to go to *D nmd** jft-fcch fufpition was afterwards 
 verified not to be groundlefs, by the ufage that fome of their num- 
 ber met with in that place. 3 Becaufe they doubted if the Af- 
 fembly fhould have liberty to tranfport themicives to fit elf-where, 
 the Bnglxfo now being Matter of the Fields,. That it was given 
 in when it was near midnight, and after the adjournment of the 
 Affembly,are no agravating circumftances of the bufinefs ; but the 
 rcafon was, they deiaied as long as pollibly they could, being loth 
 to fall upon this laft remedy til they have the utmoft* As for 
 that Queftion that he puts to the confeiences of the Protefters, I 
 {hall give a confeiencious and ingenious Anfwer thereto in both the 
 parts of it, expecting that he will do the like upon Queftions put 
 to him aftc* this manner. As to the nxft part of it I do indeed think- 
 that the ap prehenfion,or rather the almoft certain knowledge, that 
 the Affembly would approve the proceedings of the CommuTio- 
 ners, had weight with the Protefters, both to look more narrow- 
 ly to the lawfulnes and freedom of the Aflembly,and to think more 
 ferioufly upon a Proteftation then otherwife they would have done 
 if the Affembly had been like to improve their power ( whatever it 
 was) unto Edification : many things may be born with and winked 
 at in legalities and form r , and wayes or proceeding in Judicatures, 
 when their proceedings for the matter are right, which yet may be 
 juftly cenfurablc in themfelves, and which others may be ftirrcd 
 up to take notice of by things relating to the mutter : But that the 
 appreheniion of the AlTcmbiies approving of the proceedings of the 
 Commiflion did make them hazard upon a Proteftation agatnft the 
 Aflcmbly, upon fuch grounds as to their confeiences were not 
 weighty and relevant, 1 w 11 arfure h m is an untruth ; they were 
 convinced in their confeiences before the giving in of that Protefta- 
 tion, that thefe grounds were relevant, and their light and convi- 
 ction is from day to day more and more encreafed in this thiug. al- 
 beit it was,and is unto them a matter of great fadnefs to fee aGene- 
 
 Ll ral 
 
(i66) 
 
 ral Aflembly of the Kirk of S-otUnd corrupted in the Constitution 
 and actings of ir, yet they did, and do look upon it as a wonderful 
 providence of God,that as> all the former Atfemblies that carried on 
 courfes of defection in this Church,were alfo corrupt in theirCon- 
 ftitution ; So this AiTembly which did ratifie the Publick Resoluti- 
 ons that do invo ve a courfe of defection, & make fundry dangerous 
 and destructive Acts, was, as to the Conftitution of it, unfree and 
 unlawful, and therefore no Aflembly at all. As to the other part of 
 thcQueftion, That it was the occafion of that dayes event that 
 moved rhem to give in that Proreftation, more then the conTcsence 
 of any weight of the grounds whereon it was built. He that is 
 thefcarcher of hea t« knows that it was not fo, and tkat that 
 dayes event had no influence at ali upon the Protefter? in givmg in 
 or that i ; rotvlhtion, other wife then thit the dayes event occafi- 
 oning the adjournment of the Aflembly from St. indrews did oc- 
 cafion the givmg in of that Prot ftation before their rifing, left 
 there fliould not be another oppyrtunity. And to make it to ap- 
 pear that it was not the occaiion of that daies event that moved 
 them to give it in, I de. re;hefe particulars to be taken notice of: 
 i That it was re'olved upon and fubferibed 48. hours before there 
 was any report of that daies event at St .Andrews • it was fubferi- 
 bed upon the Friday,and the report of that event came not till Sun- 
 day at night late. 2 When it was fubfcribed,it was earnrftly preft 
 by fome, that it f r>ight prefently after the fubferibing thereof, or 
 the next day without further delay be given in to the Atfembiy : 
 and upon this very realon among others, left ifour^torces fhould 
 be defeated, before the in-giving of ir, it might open rhe mouths of 
 fome to fsy,that which is now fpoken by the Au; hoi\ Jf it be af- 
 ked, Why it was then delaied ? The reason .vyas,becaufe fome was 
 abfent who had been upon the debate of it, and were like to fub- 
 fcribe it ; therefore it was refolved, that k fhould be delay- 
 ed until Monday , till they might be prefent to put to their 
 hands, and that on that day without further deiay,it fliould be gi- 
 ven-in without refpect to any events, yet fo,, as if that the AfTem- 
 bly fliould be adjourned before that time , of which there was a 
 conftant rumor becsufe of the fear of the approach of a Party of 
 the Bnglifh^ that it fliould be given in at the time of the adjour- 
 ning the AiTembly, and accordingly fome of the number were na- 
 med to waite on and to do it upon that exigent. The things which 
 
 the 
 
. c .( l6 7) 
 the Author brings for verifying his alleadganccs are foon Answe- 
 red. The prcfling to.adjourn the AlTembly upon that ground that 
 there was fuch differences about thefe proceedings, was becaufe 
 they did rather incline to (train themiclves to the utmoft. and to 
 except of any tolerable remedy, then that the AlTembly fhould go 
 on to ratifies courfe of Defection, and to lay a foundation of bea- 
 ring down oppofers of publick Refolutions, by making Ads for 
 centering of them, asafterwards they did : yet io 9 that if the o* 
 verture of adjournment had been hearkned to,thcy would not have 
 been fatisfied, but with fuch provifiens as might have been remedy 
 at leaft for the future, for preventing fuch things as were wrong in 
 the Conftitution,and might have given fome probable hope of right 
 competing of Differences ? That till that day fome of themfelvcs 
 did fit and vote in it, as one Aiiembly lawfuilyC onftituted,is an a!- 
 lcadgance without a bottom. They did indeed fit and vote in it Se- 
 veral dayes, but with a Proteftation oftentimes renewed both be- 
 fore and after the chufing of the Moderator to be heard upon the 
 Conftitution of the AfTembiy without fatisfadion, in which they 
 could not acknowledge the Affembly.And the reafon why they did 
 fit and vote till the day of lnerkeitking y was that wh ch I have 
 told already, becaufe they were loath to ufc the laft remedy , till 
 there was no hope,That any other could be cfFedual to bring things 
 to any tolerable condition .♦ the Author cannot but remember that 
 there was Conference both upon the Thurfday, and upon the Fri- 
 day, betwixt lome of the Commiffioners and fome of the Protc- 
 fters in order to a good understanding, and fome right way of con?-* 
 poling Differences ,and preventing of further Divifions,and of a wi- 
 der breach > and how much and how earneftly fome did With tears 
 prefs the Commissioners, that they would be inftrumental to get 
 the Aiiembly adjourned, and how peremptorily they did refufe, fb 
 much as once to fpeak in it. Their falvo in the Aflembly wasalfo 
 falvo enough for them to be in Committees : and for their voting 
 in the adjournment. I have told upon what ground they did it, it 
 doth but at the utmoft fay, that they did ftrain themfclves to the 
 utmoft, and further then otherwife could have been conven?ent,un- 
 till ncceflity forced them to.ufe the laft remedy of Protefting , : 
 From all whtch it may appear, notwithftanding of any thing laid 
 by the Arithor to the contrary , That it was the confeience of the 
 weight of the grounds whereupon it was b*ilt,and not that which 
 
 LI 2 is all 
 
aileadged by the Author that moved thefe men to protefl: againft 
 th«A(iembly : The Author is a very bold and unchirtable Gen- 
 fiircr of the Protefters,not o dy as to the matter of their actions 
 but as to the motives and inducements of their adings. In th? be- 
 ginning of his Vindication, he ruth holden forth fome of them, as 
 acting upon ByalTed and Self- mt nt, and as b lyi g all their great 
 ProfeJion : , of refped to the povwrtrfient ttf tn s Kfrk by the.r A- 
 ctions. Now in theclofeof it,heholdeth f rth ill of them as men 
 void of confeience in this partiru! n\an J ;teti g upon other ground*, 
 notwnhlbnding of their pretending to Gohfcience: I thought 
 that whitcyer had been h s Ooinion of fo t of th m, yer t K ac he 
 had had a better and iUoreBonorabie eft mation or others of the mo 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 I Shall in the next place fpe^ a Word re **<* *r two paffagf c**~ 
 tailed in ike g neyai Objtftions y becauje in the ))te / he Writer 
 pret ends to hoid forth *new Argument agAinji the /tfivfHlricjJe of 
 the Ajfemb/y, in the other through rhe fides of it, he ft <l^ s at the 
 jiffembly 0/GlafgOW 38. It felfl The fo* mer »» the anfvfer to the 
 fecond Objection is this, ^Albeit there were nothing relating to the 
 point of fsrme,v\l.t$ theCenftitution and manner prsccdor of the 
 Ajfembij, yet feme conceive, and With much appear aaee of rta on 
 that an A jjembly proceeding Wrong upon matters is null, tecaufc 
 Kirk, Judicatories have no power to deftruHion , but alit^eir 
 ■ptWeris to Sdififation, and a/l poWer Commifsieners of a Ge- 
 nerall Affewbly have, it is by Cemmifsions from Presbyteries 
 Which Commifsion limit eth them to the Word ofCjod, the Cove- 
 nant andtAfts of former Ajjrmblies, an i therefore in fo far as 
 they do any thing contrary to thefe, info far they may be declined 
 as having no poWer for doing any fuch thi*f, Which fmmtfieth * 
 neW argument, not before aileadged f*r "declining the A jjem- 
 bly, becauje in the mofi of all the materials of their proceedings 
 they proceed contrary to the trttft committed to them by Presby- 
 teries. Anfwcr: We Are net neW dilpHttng about the right or 
 wrong of particular Acts And ConflitHtiens of the tsffjemMie- 9 
 the Writer doth but affirm they are Wring, and this laying is net 
 to be holaenfor fententia lata, nor ,s it an Oracle ; but to the pre- 
 fent matter % 1 , Suppeftng as the Writer drth, and We conceive m 
 - - - hav 
 
Uave in^ch at g*ts before made a more clear ffippejit ion, nothing 
 conhbeaUeadgedin the point of fo^m*, that which indeed here 
 mak^rh no thing for ptftifying the dud »] the 'Protefters who Pro- 
 ■ teftedagahfl the Uwfulnejfo cf the A!l*mb-v, wham as it had not 
 come to any ofthefe Proceedings \\h ch the VVriter a/leadgethto be 
 Koronginthe ma'ter, this fure I am cannot be -jufltfiabtei 'But />- 
 C04dlvjfr.h?fVie- by ihefefomeffibo coneeive,a$ he 'faith, meaneth 
 any feme O -ihodnxtVnters, it had bet a fit be hadnameo- them and 
 cited th'ir words an.;lVritings whtnin thnexprrfs that conception, 
 that we tr.jgto; have had c&ufi e^atim of them i If he mean fome of 
 them elves, tbtir Authority ca*n>t have wi^hr in this matter, 
 be^ng but a party without authority, l*eakt*g-in their own c&ufe % 
 and for their own advantagt but for the ihi.g it (elf Vcbieh u af- 
 fertedhete, that an^frmb'*; a; infi which nothing can be aU 
 leadged in the poi-t eff^?me } /© wit, in the Confutation of it, for 
 its manner cfpreceedirg ts a null %/tffembly % i. According to the 
 fiate of the qUtftien tn hand, a not having the being of 'an ^sem- 
 b/j> but to i e holden a meer meeting diftitute of Authority >becaufe 
 proceeding wron^ tn the matter, id eft, m^kfnofome wrong Atls % 
 is In my we*kj\udj?entent a m oft dangerous and irr*tionall concep- 
 tion, I cevfejs indeed that a (Jen, tsifsembly is not a "Judicatory 
 ab-c/ntfyfover/ign^hoe Con/titution is to be im^raced upon its 
 bare and nah^d autho r i'j as P apt/Is r^ak theirCouncels to he, but 
 Minifleriai fabordtnate u-n<z,a*d limited by a rule,&nd notnnfaU 
 libU, and theref are that inferior 1 udicateries, and private Chri- 
 ftians a!fo mufl makz »!e of the judgement of difcrction to compare 
 the Conflitutions with the rule^ and are not oblieged to receive 
 them iftbty be contrary to, or difsentient from the rule-, but to 
 fay that notftithftanding it be conftitute fo as nothing is wanting 
 or amifs as to the foint of forme requite in fuch a Judicatory, jet 
 if it makf Wrong confiitutions upon the matter,that it is to be holden 
 noAfembly 4t ad-, that is to open agape to confufionjnferring that 
 abfnrd confequence, thaf that dffembly is not comfleatly conftitute 
 in the being of an Affembly % untill all the A3 s of it be concluded 
 and ended; and that until I it be concluded no man can acknowledge 
 nor 'nbmit to it, but with are(erve % and if it (hall be fo, I fee nor 
 how it can be avoid d by the li^e reafon 9 that dels wrong upon the 
 matter mufl m he * Presbytery not * Presbytery; jea, and a Mi" 
 nifiertnon-Minifter , tyhich no man will not fee to bs moft con- 
 trary 
 
(270) 
 
 9 r ary to the praBife *f C H RI ST and his cAppofiles in relati- 
 on to the Prirftj and Kir ^Judicatories am*ng the Jetos White they 
 WereaKirkj, it is alfo remarkable, that that folemn Afsembly of 
 GUfeow in declaring the nullity of the fix f reading Aflemblitsioth 
 never tak* an argument to prove the nullity of an) of them from the 
 mAtter of the Alls made in them, while yet there Vcas very fair oc- 
 cafion to have done jf that Aj semb Ij had been of theWriters minde. 
 The fecond grounds upon which the Writer faith this conceit hath 
 great appearance efrcafon> are of that fort of arguments that Ar- 
 riftotW calls Im, iti yAivo[jLiv£v um threw, id eft, That hath appear- 
 ance^ but not folidity, id eft , That Kirl^ Judicatories have no 
 power for deftruction, but all their pewer is for Edification ; he 
 might have taken a large fab jell to his denunciation, even all Ju- 
 dicatories both Civill and Eccleftaftieall y for nn Civill Judicatory 
 nor Judge, rior Magifirate, more then Ecelefittftkkjhath his poWer 
 if acrUy id eft, mar all poster for defiruttion, but all is for edificati- 
 catie*y in their kjnd y w.Z f fir the preferring and procuring the good 
 andfafty of the people 9 which is fuprtma lex by jufta5ts, Is then 
 that a good conference , an Afsembly that maketh dcfiruclive 
 Acls is null, then its as good a confeejuence^a Parliament that ma- 
 kjthdtftrtiElt've Alls is no Parliament, and a Kir g that make th 
 deflrnlUvc Ails is no King. The truth is^an Afsembly that makes 
 VvrongAEbs di/sentingfrom the rule it Jhould wallaby, Alls not as a 
 lawful Afsembly Jhould da y nor are the fc Alls maae obligatory $ or to 
 be obeyedybut yet for all thatjt may be a true and lawful A fembly, 
 as to the sfsence and being of an Afsembly , and having laftvfull 
 authority as the Parliament 48. in carrying on the ft % full En* 
 gagment, and many AEls deftrutlive to the Commonwealth, and 
 to the ends of '^Parliament , which people thought them/elves not 
 cblieged to obty , and were afterwards condemncdf, and yet that 
 parliament Was never denyed to be a laVefull Parliament'. It was a 
 diftinBion at that time common and uncontradicted , and for my 
 part I cArinot fee a reafon Why it fljouJd not have place in relation 
 to a* Afsemhl)y that the all < of it may be unlaw full , and yet it 
 [elf an laVofull tAfscmbly. The other reafon is never a whit more 
 to the purpofe more then, the former ; for to let that pafs which he 
 faith in the antecedent ) that whatever power (fommifponers of a 
 general Afsembly have, it is by Cemmifsionfr&m t &c (Whick 
 defcrves examination ) and if he mean that Commifsioners fitting 
 
 together 
 
(171) 
 
 together and voting in a General* ^Afsembly^ have only a delegate 
 fewer, anddeputed fewer (ubordinate to Presbyteries, can hardly 
 be reconciled with found Dofb'ine, concerning Church Govern- 
 ment ) jet fuppofmg it to be fan* mere follow J, but that infuch acts 
 as the tsijstmbiy makesjontrary to the limitations and rules con- 
 tained thertin, they may get no obedience, and that fnch abls may 
 be declined and Proteftea agamfi ; And indeed the Writer him fe if 
 in his confeejuent infers no more but this much y f§r getting %nj # 
 fhort bounds What he had propontd as the point to be proven, for 
 thefe a*-e his very lords'. % r in lo far as they do any thing contra- 
 ry ro tki*, !n f° f ar r h f y ma y De rtechi ed> as having no power oc 
 authority in doing filch things . Jphtsb* what is it e'Je but whs* we 
 have [aid} Hut it doth not follow, that becauje they waks alls 
 contrary to the limit at; en of thetrCommi (fie*, iher fere the Afftmbly 
 may be declined and protefled againfl ab(olutiy, as not having the 
 being of a lawful free Afsembly, jufi as becaufe 3 the members of a 
 P^r tinmen t have all their poster by Comm-ffmn from the people of 
 the L «*-'* C*mmi(fi»ners of Shires ft om their $hires t and Commif- 
 fion-rs sfTZurgksfroTZi thei r r Burghs by a temporary eletlion- y &' as I 
 humbtycevceive )Nob(ementooty a kjnd ofeleclion,beriditaryfrem 
 theCommcnwealth ,& the) are limited to the I auaable fundamental 
 lavees of ihe Kingdome, and unto the common principles of J, slice; 
 it follows Weil that if they ma{e alls contrary to theie they are not 
 obligatory unto obedience, and tn (o far they may be protefted a- 
 gtiinft-.Butit doth not folio\\>, that therejore the Parliament that 
 makes them may be abfo u^y declined and T? defied again ft as n* 
 lawful trfrecTarM'knoVe there are many differences between thefe 
 Judicatories in other things , but 1 thinhj-he Writer fh all be hard- 
 ly able to let us fee a reafon why th- par ale I of tht6 [bould not held 
 foodr This is it that takes away the force of the fee end ground^ 
 for proving the point that Was intended^ however the impertinency 
 eftkis fecond ground as to the point it V?as intended for 9 is difco- 
 yered before-, and I hope by what h*th been faid y it is fufficientlj 
 evidenced that the Writer hath brought no nety con fider able reafon 
 f§r the nullity of the late Jjfembly, as to the being ofalawfull 
 free %A(sembly, even fupvofe sundry of the alls and confiitutiens 
 V^ere wrong upon the maiter(which yet is not granteet^andhe fkould 
 have proven and not n*k?dly affirmed) bnt hath brenght difad~ 
 vantage to himfelfand the 1> rot eft at ion* 
 
 Rsyisw 
 
(*7*) 
 Review. 
 
 THc Writer is not pofitive in delivering his own judgement 
 upon this point, that is herefo muth mfiftcd uponby the 
 Author, but onely lakhthat it is the opinion or conception 
 of Tome with much appearance of reaion,and therefore upon fup- 
 pofailthat this opinion were not well grounded, he hath brought 
 little or no difadvantage cither to hwaUlf or to the Protection, in 
 alleadgmg the fame; yea, I believe he will take it for an advan- 
 tage to have the Truth ^(covered unto him , either in this or any 
 other particular,* For my part, I am loath, ntithr do I inrend to 
 fall upon the debate of this que ft »on, or ro deliver my judgement 
 positively therein ( bccauf<% ( if 1 b^ not miftakcn ) it is a thorny 
 queftion, and full of difficulties on both hands, yu I canrut but 
 take notice of fome things that arc (er down by the Author in ms 
 large Anfwer to what was laid (hortly by the Writer: F.rff, He 
 tels in that the Writer doth but affirm that the Acts and Conftitu- 
 tions of the Alfcmbly are wrong; and that his laying is not to be 
 holden for fententi* Ut*f\ox is it an Oracle: None fpeaks Oracles 
 but God, and the Writer takes no more upon him but tofptakhis 
 opinion as a poor weak man; but \ believe the Author k iow5,that 
 it is not only the opinion of the Writer, and uf the Ptorclters, and 
 offuchMiniftersaiidProfedbrsasareunfatisriedwith rhj Confti- 
 tution of the Affembiy, but alfo of many or hers,cven of not a few 
 of thofe who were no oppofitts to the Publick R- tolutions ; l have 
 hitherto sier with few or none in eftimation for Piety and Goi- 
 lineiTethat doth juitifie and profefTe their adherence to all the A ^s 
 of that Aflembly as things tending to £d fication, and promovwg 
 the work of Reformation in the Land ; and feeing he is pleafed to 
 make bold with or hers, I think he will not offend if I appeal his 
 Confidence, whether he thinks thefe Acts of chat AHcm6'y that 
 do relate to the centering of all Mmitters, Expe&a ts, Students, 
 Elders and Profeflors who do not acknowledge the Conllitotion 
 of that AiTembiy, and fubmit to the Aft* thereof , fuch Ac^s as in 
 tfumfeivestend 10 the furthering of the work of R formaaon,and 
 advancing of Piefy and Gedlinefle in the Land. Next,! take notice 
 of thaf which he faith, that iuppofing as tta Writer doth, that no- 
 thing was wrong in the point of format hat there is nothing n the 
 
 matter 
 
6?l) 
 
 matter that willjaftifie the deed of the Prote(tcrs,bccaufe ihey pro- 
 tected againit the lawfulncffc of the Auembly, when as ft haa not 
 come to any of thele Proceedings which the Writer alieadgeth to 
 be wrong on the matter; in this the Author is mtftaken,bccaufe the 
 rejecting of relevant exceptions proponed againft fundryofths 
 Conimitfloner*, both before and after the chofing oftheModera- 
 tor was wrong on the matter, being prejudiciall to the right Con- 
 stitution of the Aflcmbly, and a preparative to the juftifymg of the 
 Commiflloners Proceedings. Thirdly I would have ftitn to know 
 that the Writer by thefe lomc, whom he fpeaks of, doth not mz&n 
 any of the Protcfters themfelvcs, though the Authority of fame of 
 them be of as great weight in the Protcitaht Churches as any of 
 the Divines of this age, and being prior to the Prott ftation, needs 
 not, nor ought nor to be looked upon as the temmony of a party, 
 , but he means fom - Orthodox Writers, and thefe of chief, not m 
 the Proteftant Churches, whom ( as I conceive ) he thonghtlie 
 needed not to ntme,as hiving no great purpofe to infift much upon 
 the bufineffe: But tor the Authors fatisfadion, and the fatisfx&ion 
 of otherSjI (hall name lome* Firft faivin writing upon the 23. 
 of the Atts harh thele words , Najeitnr qnafiie y fi henere n$n eft 
 privandas qui male officii fnngitur , peccavit P^ulus Ptntificem 
 lienor: fpehans? ReSfonps. Inter Aiagiftratus Civiles & Ecclefit 
 Prafulej aUqttid eftHi(crimi*is f qnamvis enim Civilis Imperii 
 cenfufaftt perverfaj^ adminiftrath , D ominns tamen vulp fabjif 
 Eiionemfalvam manere, fed nbi jpiritnale regimen degenerately 
 vuntur piernm cenfeientia meinjnftt d»minati§»i pareant ; pr&- 
 fertim ft impii Sacerdotii utnlum , falfo ad evtrtendam falntis 
 dothri*am$r&texant ^fibique dtminatientm arrogant qua ipfc 
 Dcus in ordinem cegitur. And Partus upon the fame place 
 moves the fame Qacftion, and gives Anfwer to it in thefe Word*; 
 Non feqnitur a MagiftraUt Politic e ad EccleftalHcumtfttiamag- 
 na eft difjimiiitude % magiftratus politietts poteft effe magtftratuj •-• 
 qnamvis fit impius idea que ei obtemperandum quead n§n pracipit 
 qttidimpittm; fedjMiniftri Ecclcfi* deficientes d pur it ate dettri* 
 na^& ff>argentet falfs d*gm*m, jam nen amplius funt Miniftri 
 Chrifti' } f>z\x[asAf4giftratum qutmvis impinm agnefcitprtMagi- 
 ftratuflmpittm vera psntifcem non agnsfcit pr&ptmifice. He will 
 alio rlnde moe writing upon that place fpeakingto the fame pur- 
 pose: as alfo upon the 2. CV.io. 8. and 1 3,8.tnd 10. It is not 
 
 M m new 
 
nowmypitfpofe fo fall upon rhe confideration of the extent of the 
 meaning of thole D. vines in thef* places , it is enough thai I give 
 himth k teitrwo ;ies (peaking as nuch clearly as the Wnttr laid 
 they did.4. I doubt if for any thing that is fa id by tht^Author^his 
 exception will be found fo dangerous and irrationall : Tirft, He 
 thinks that it is to open a wide gap to conf nfion, interring that ab- 
 furd confluence that that AflVmbly is not compieady conftitute 
 in the being of an Alterably ,t ill all the Ada of it be concluded and 
 ended; and that till it be concluded,no man can acknowledge nor 
 fubtait to it jbut with a rcferve.Thc reafon of tJusfc-nlt quence «uft 
 be, becaufe haply in the clof- they may maki an Ad wrong upon 
 the m3ttcr,which on: Act nullifies t he AnVmbly, though rhcy had 
 done all other things well, but (o fa:d not 1 he Writer, neither can 
 any fuch thing rationally be gathered froHi his words; the meft 
 that he mfinuates i*, that an Aflembiy proceedu-g vvhoLy wrong 
 u on t tic matier t jr m the moft lubfta ntiitl and inatcr<all thinner 
 in the rule> of its constitutions of greauft concernment , or as that 
 fofar as an AfT: nobly proceeds wiong upon the matter, it is fo far 
 Without aurhohty,as appears from his own words in the inference 
 which he inakts froin the pow^r which the Comrrmfcoiurs have 
 committed unto them by their Presbyteries, and from the Conclu- 
 fion that he makes in order to the Afseisbly now in q leftion f to 
 wit,That they having in rnoft of all,and the mod material of their 
 proceeding proceeded contrary to thctruft committed unto theua 
 byPrcsbyrcries;Ie furniihcth another confidcrable re a ton for decli- 
 ning of them. Secondly, He thinks that it will alfo infer the nul- 
 lity of Presbyteries, and make Minifters no Minifters, if they iliall 
 proceed wrong upon the matter , which no man will notice to 
 bt contrary to the practice of Chrift and his Apoules,in relation to 
 the Prielb and Church-Jndicatoncs among the? J ewes whtlft they 
 were a Church. But to f*y nothing of th : difference between Mi- 
 ni&crs , t arhamentt , and Afsemblies, the one being ordinary md 
 fixed; tht other not fo , the mod that it would infer would be 
 this, That in to far as they proceed wrong, or that if in the moft 
 fuDftantiali and material! parts of their duty, they proceed wrong 
 upon the matter, their authority *,snot to be acknowledged, and 
 this teems not a very dan^rous confequencc. Thirdly, He 
 thinks this contrary to the judgment of the Afscmbiy ofGl*fgow $ 
 soacwning which he thinks it remarkable , that in declaring 
 
 the 
 
W5) 
 the nullity of fonac preceding Afseroblres , they do nevci 
 
 take an Argument from the matter to prove the nullity of 
 them , vyhilti yet ( faith he ) there was very fair occafion 
 to have dune ir,if that the Aiferobly had been in the Writers mind* 
 The Writer hath, not yet pofinvely declared his rmnd in this mat- 
 ter: But the Aetkor upon fecond thoughts will find his remark 
 concerning the Afsembly cf gUfgew not well grounded, becaufc 
 that Afsembly in proving the nullity of fome preceding Afc 
 feaabliesjdo reafon nwt only from the form, but alio from the mat- 
 ter or grounds of their proceeding in their Acts, ss appears in the 
 lait reafon brought for nullifying the Afsembly at Vtkrth y which 
 ij this,That the ground of their proceeding wss not the Word •£ 
 Goethe Confeffienof Faith a and A<fts of former General! Afscm- 
 blies, but the Kings Commandment onely . F©r the queiUon was 
 thus Hated, whether the Five Articles in reipect of his Majefties 
 Commaqdmentfhould pa fs in After nor, as the Records of that 
 pretended Afsembly bear, where i t is declared {that for the revs* 
 renee andre/pefi which they hear to hit Mayflies Royal Command, 
 they d» agree to the f *ref aid ssfr tides. And that the Church of 
 Scotland had refpeel to the matter as well as to the fon» , in an- 
 nulling thefe Aflembhcs , is manifeft from that notable Acft at E~ 
 dinkurghy in the year 1639. concerning the caufes and remedies 
 of the byg©ne evils of this Kirk, in which tke fifth Caufe is decla- 
 red to be the keeping and authorizing corrupt Aflemblies at Litb~ 
 gtT»i6c6md i6o$ -at Glafgtw, 161©; at Aberdeen 1616 • at 
 St.Attdrewx6ij'-> tt'Pearth 1618 ; which A&mblies are de« 
 chred to be null and unlawful! , as being called and conftituted 
 quite contrary to the Order and confutations of this Kirk,received 
 and practifed ever mice the Reformation of Religion, and withall 
 labouring to induce Novations in this Church , againft the order 
 and Religion cftablilhed. Whence it appears, that either the Au- 
 thor hath not known, or eife hath not eonlidered , that this Kirk 
 hath laid weight upon the matter for nullifying of thefe Aflwm- 
 blies,as well as upon the form 5 and ( I believcj Orthodox Di- 
 vines arguing againft corrupt counfejs , do the hme ; any wk© 
 doubt ir^ay ^e pleafci to r*ad that learned Review oft he Coun- 
 ceii of 7>m,and that Book of the Gravamina againft the Coun- 
 celi ef 7>r*f,in the laft of which it 11 firft proven by many inftan- 
 ces that many Counccls both of old and late have erred ? and from 
 thence that conclufion is inferred ; Ergo necegnrio ex hoe confe- 
 
 M m 2 q aunt 
 
qnitur illud Concilium tantum relle did & eje Ckriftianum, in 
 quo ex verbo Dei & non ex hominum trAdittontius, conftitutio - 
 nibus, decretU i fomniky aut nil a dent que quAntumvU inveterate 
 cenfttetu Unties religionii judicetur At que determinetur y quamvu 
 mavni in eo imerfmt viri. Etenim externam i/Iam fpeciem ah- 
 tboritAtis fapientia humane excell-ntia & fantlimoni* detrftatur 
 & refteit Propbeta inqmens , Quomodo dicitis, [Aplentes fumus, 
 & Lx Domini apud not */?, at t amen tcce mendAcium opcrtiHs eft 
 ft] Ins y falfo & fvuftra fcripferunt Scnb& % vudefatli [unt 
 fapientes perterriti &• CAfti funt y ecce verbum Domini repra- 
 bavernnt^quA ergo tllu fapientia reliqua efje poteri^Joy 8. Which 
 words are applyed it length to thcC^uoccl t,iTrent,& the whole 
 purpofe doled thus; Atq^ex loU qua dfQIorift'tAnorum Conciliorum 
 proprietatibus brevtter diximus hallenus pUnum fit & irrefrAgA- 
 biliter efficitur 'PontificiamSynvJu qu<t Trident i hAbet ur y & nunc 
 prope ftnitA exiftimAtnr ntj 3 generals vel universalis, ne^ itberi 
 ncc etiam ChrtfltAni concilu nomine dignam effe y a q; *deo Coxcilii 
 nomine prorfns wdignam^uxtA regulam communtm & vulgo tri- 
 tijjimam, Si reprtveris nee nomen habere mereris,(*r quid opus eft 
 w. n It is con'ytturis in re plena & aptrta cum if [a forma proceden- 
 do qUA Utuntur <£* Sejftones quai vocAm y & qu* e x his confequut* 
 funt deter min at tones Canones & decreta mamfcftijfime deceant 
 an am difsimilis fit TridentinA ilia congregAtio>pio liber o &Cbrg- 
 ' (Ham CoricMioyOpus iffum,Artificem quod dtcitur arguit , ex'tus 
 etiam atla frobabit. Thefe pillages ind many fuch whxh may 
 be cited from the Writings of Orthodox Divines make it appear, 
 that they lay weight upon the matter as to the nullifying of Coun- 
 cels. To that part of the Authors Reply which concerns the rea- 
 sons brought by the Write r,to wit,that Kirk- Judicatories have no 
 power for deftruclion, but that all their power is for edification, 
 and that whatfocver power the Commirfioncrs of a Generall Af- 
 fembl ie have, it is by Comrniflion from their Presbyteries; which 
 Gommiffion limits them to the Word of God , and to the Cove- 
 nant^ and to Ads of former Gcnerall Aflemblies. I anfwer thefe 
 few things: Firft, Tfcarhelayes more upon the Writer, than the 
 Writer doth aflert or infmuatc either as his own judgment, or the 
 judgment of others , he hath neither faid nor infinuate, thattht 
 making of feme wrong Ads,doth make an Aflembly null j Nci- 
 ehcr do I think that he would fay or infinuate any thing of this 
 
 kind? 
 
( 2 77; 
 
 kind; he did ts little deny the authority of the Parliament 48, as 
 any other. But if there be no cfciiference between the Atfemb'y 
 tnd r he Parliament in thefc cafes 9 and that no reafon can be gi- 
 ven why it (Wuld not have place in re^ationto the one as well as 
 to the other,! ("hill ddire him ts reconcile his judgment with C*l- 
 iti* his Auqni(l r Di(crimi*i$ % ad w th Partus KlS Magna Dtjsi- 
 milifude. The Author knowes that the Gvili Power is Archi- 
 tcctonickand Dcipotick^he Ecclttiattickbut Hyoerctickor Dia- 
 conick; t he one Lordly, the other but (le warily and meerly Mini- 
 fteriall. The oihft reaion (if wc may believe the Author) is ne- 
 ver a whit nearer to the purpofc then the former; Br (lakh he) 
 to let pafc what h faith in the antecedent. That what ever power 
 C«mimi1ioncrs of a Gen. Atfembly have,it is by CommilTion.&e. 
 \yhich defc ves cxa -nination , and if he mean th*> Gmimifsi- 
 oners fitting togethcr,and voting in aGenerall Aflemb*y,have on- 
 ly a delegated and deputed power (ubordinate toPresbyterieSjCan 
 hardly be reconciled with found doclrme concerning Church- 
 Go verncnent,yet (uppofing it to be fo, no more followes, but that 
 infuch Aftsasthe A'Tsuibly makes contrary to the limitations 
 and rales contained themn,they may get no obedience, and that 
 fuch Acts may be declined an.l prottfted agnail, &c The Alienor 
 doth here grant , that the Writer infers no more but this Oiuch, 
 forgetting (as he faith) infofhort bounds whac he intended to 
 prove. It will be hard to make it appear that the Writer did in- 
 tend to prove any more.* The Author may (train that indefinite 
 expreffion of his , an Atfembly proceeding wrong upon the mat- 
 ter, as though he had meant, that the ieaft wrong Acl: in the lead 
 thing,did make an Aflembly null, though to the conttitmion and 
 A&s of it in all ihings clfe 'it were never fo right: But fo abfurd an 
 affenioncan hardly befuppofed tohaveentred in the thoughts ©f 
 any ration all man ; and I think it is clear from the reafon , that 
 he bring ,that this is not his meamng^scauf? he frys thatChurch- 
 judicatories have no power to dettru&ion,but all their power is to 
 edification; in thefe things then in which they imploy their pow- 7 
 cr to cdification,and make right Ads ( having other nt ceffary re- 
 quires of lawful 1 confutation ) th^y are not null, nor to be de- 
 clined. The Author in repeating that reafon ulh us , that that 
 which is laid by the Writer B to wit jvkat ever pefter £ommijffn- 
 zrt cf a genertlt ts4§cnhly have , it is ky fimmipUn fr$m the 
 
(2? 8 
 
 pm^fmV^dothdcfervc examination; I w'fh he had alf* told 
 uswhat ftumblcf him inthjs ; as fo thit whichhsfufpeftstobe 
 the Writers mcanin^thu Cornimfsioncrs fitting to^eth r,and vo- 
 ting in a General} Aiiembly , have ondy a dclc^tid and depu- 
 ted power iubordinare to Presbyter e , there is nocadfc to iufptdl 
 kimoHuchamtaung, as that th? re being nothing in his words 
 that look that way. Ialiowilh, that thcA^hor in repeating 
 of the Writers Argument had tnadc mention not onely of 1 mirati- 
 ons and rules in generall contained in the Commiflion of the Pref- 
 byteries,but of the particular limitat ions and rules ipccific i by the 
 Writer/ hat is,the Word of God,the Covenant,tnd Acts of former 
 Gentrall Affcmblics,becaufc it is not upon the brvach of limitati- 
 ons and rules firaply,but up©n tht breach of t> fe limitations and 
 rules fet down in their Cummiflion that the Writer layes weight. 
 The Authors fimilitudc of the Pari, and A(s. is anfwered already, 
 and (hewn what m*y5c conceived by (ome^why the paralci holds 
 no f , though as to ths point, the d fcrence betwixt him and tht 
 Writer, feems not to be fo wide as he would give out.His conclu- 
 fion is, That he hopes that by whit hath been (aid, that it i* fuffi- 
 cin tly evidenced, that the Writer hath brought no contiderable 
 realon for the nullity of the late Afsembly,cvcn fuppofing fundry 
 of the Ads and Conftrutions thereof were wrong upon the mat- 
 ttr, he fhould have faid,luppofing the moft of all iti A#s, and the 
 moft materiall of them to be wrong upon the mitfer,for fo it was 
 (uppofed and affirmed by the Writer , and upon the fuppofall the 
 Author fhould have told his judgment upon the point: The reafon 
 may be confiderable enough , and fuch as brings no difa^vantagc 
 ether to the Writer or to the Protcf'ation,for any thing that is yet 
 faid by him for infringing ; thereof ; yea, I wil alsurc him that it is 
 moft confidcrable & weighty in the hearts of motVpirt *»tthe god- 
 ly in thcLandjwho do not ftand fo much to difpute and debate Le- 
 gaiforrcis,as they do look toAds of th( Aflembly.and towhat good 
 or whit ill is done by than for promoving or hindering the King- 
 dome of JcfusChnit , and the good of fouls, where they fee not 
 godlincfle advanced 3 and the hands of the: godly ftrengthened , and 
 their hearts made glad; but a wound given to Piery,and the hands 
 «f the wicked (trengthencd,and their hearts made glad ; it is not 
 externa (f tries autsrh*tu t to ufethe words cited before, nor any 
 thing that is in that,or can be faid for it that will conciliat refpect 
 
 and 
 
md authority to A^Temblies in mtm conferences ; and if th^rg 
 were no more initiate Affembiy at S. Andrews and Dundee, 
 but the looting of authority in the conCcientfes of the godly in rhe 
 Land by rh ir wrong Ads? it is that which concerns the Authar 
 and others who had hand in thefe Aets,excsedi >gly to think upon. 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 THe other paffAge We Would fp eal^a word to, is his tsfnftyer 
 tothelaftOhyllon : He faith^To make an A<fl appointing 
 ' fuch as dtcbne a General! Aflem^y , to be (amnurly txcom* 
 municate , were either to fuppote that a Gentrall AiTernhiy 
 could not be wrong conftityic,or coul i not erre in their proceed- 
 ings^ cite fuppofc they irnuld be w> ong comtkute,and erre, yet 
 they ought not to be declined and protege! agajnd -: bath of 
 which are equally abfurd. There he (aith f£h\t the AS of the Af- 
 fembly i58i.aUtad|ed rot chit purpofe^s trolly roiiUken, it bt- 
 ing nothing againft dechn ng unlawful Aft- rrfclies (he is as g r of- 
 ly wijt*kf*> White be infnuateth^ that fuch oa (peak^for the late 
 Ajjembly^o me * n that fuch «* Act fbtnld be againfi declining Any 
 ts4\fembly lawfnll or unlaWfuM ) but aganit. appeal ng from a 
 lawful AflfcmblytotheCiviii Magiftrase, and then clofeth, that 
 from thelc things it may appear how unwarrantable the Meeting 
 at Dundee (it muft be foil for ought he hath Alleadged y the General 
 Affembj at 'Dundee )d\d upon aileadg ancc of thi$ A&. fall in de- 
 bate ofthe fuorimaryexcomrounication of thefe who had peteftedo 
 Any debate that Was in the Affembly, was no great or long debate 
 Hfo* that matter , and it Was not fo much oat of any purpife or de- 
 fire to do it, as to finde out what they might have done by the Con* 
 ftitutions of this Kir^ if they Would have minded feveritj ofcen- 
 Jure; neither was it thst Aff of A'jfembly 1582./"* mncb that they 
 Uok*dto>A* the authority of the folemnA^embly efGi.afgow 1^38. 
 Which in the fentenct of Excommunication againft the pretended 
 3-ifb9ps t andmtki*g there protecting and declining »f that Afssm- 
 bly y oneofthe cau/es of their excommunication f Which by the acts 
 §f 'Afsemblj » cenfurabls with fummary excommunication ( whe- 
 ther it dsth mean that <*# 1 s 8a, or fome others^ could u*t be got- 
 ten tryedat Daa&ccfor want ofth? R gifters thm in the BalTe^** 
 fuch re f peel Was had to the Authority of that grave Afsemblj^ tJoat 
 
the truth of the relation made by it "tods not queftioned ) ft that ai 
 the abfurditics alltadged here by the Writtcr^ ftn\tes as wel again fi 
 that tsfjsemblj , a/ a gam ft any man that aieadgeth juch an atl- 
 and the Jfsewbly at Dundee fnppofmg themfelves to be a free laVv'- 
 full GentraU. A,sembiy , alleAdged no other ground in falling upon 
 debate of that matter then which the Afscmbly o/Glafeow alledg- 
 ed {and the Afsembly •/Glalgaw f**th , there hath been fuch an 
 aft made) bj a Dilemma,he is in a great miftalte him f elf, for con- 
 fidering that the all appointing fuch to befummarily excommuni- 
 cate jrrh* &c. is intended onely again ft protefttug again ft , and de- 
 clining of a General Afsembly i not in any particular ait or alls 
 thereof (which Wr eonfefs may be protefled againft ) but againft 
 the very bring of it as null in it felfy and having no authority, 
 there is no necefsity either of the one fuppofition , or of the other fol- 
 lowing upon it t not of the later; for the all we fpeal^of faith , that 
 dec liners of a Generall yffsembly fhould be excommunicate, but an 
 Afsemblj wrong conftitute and erring both, or only wrong confti- 
 tute y is no ether&ife an dfscmbly , then a painted man is a man : 
 . nor yet the fo, mer y for 1 fbal give you a third, it fuppojeth a Gene^ 
 rail ^4 ffembly rightly conftitute *nd net errirg dcfaclo, though 
 not altogether infallible in itfelfor right Ij conftitute in all things 
 belonging to the being of a free and la^full tsfffemblj, though it 
 may be erring in fo me particular *sfcls y and ordains excommuni- 
 cation to be the cenfure of thefe that dee line th and protefteth a- 
 gainftfuch an Aflembly> 1 mean as to the very being §fit. Truly 
 thy dilemmatick^argument of the Writers have been made a/well 
 againft that All made by je/us Chrift, Marh. 1 8. 17. He that nc- 
 gk&cth to hear the Church, let him be a* an hr athen or publican, 
 id eft, 8xcommunicate\ For, I Juppefc this canon, comprehends 
 not onely fuch persons as havtng offended againft particular Tire* 
 thren comes by degrees efprocefje before the Church, but alfofuch 
 as fhould offend ontij immediatlg againft that Church it lelf 2, 
 It is propounded in generall termes Without any exprefs diftlnftion 
 or limitation; he that neghcls to hear the Church let him be ex- 
 communicate-^ uft as thu,he that declines a gen t Afsemglyjet him 
 he excommunicate '.light not then thofe that heard that canon fir ft 
 propounded reafon itjuft as the Writer dothhere(tf his argument 
 were good)to maf{e fuch an one as that it unreafonab!e\For it Were 
 to jp-fpofe either that a Church cannot be corruptly conftitute, and 
 diderre^ yet that it ought not to be dtj obeyed or declined , but the 
 
 argument 
 
argument hddl&H a C*Vill*ti**i for neither did foIUW xecefidri- 
 lytebe fupptfcd) there was a third % A^htirchunivocAlly (q cal- 
 led \ id eft, a Chttrth right confiitnte^ ana dting dntie thungk net 
 unerrtble in it [elf. 
 
 R 1 V I B 
 
 w 
 
 THefirft thing the Author tikes notice of in his Anfwer to 
 this Objedion, is that which is faid by the Writer, that 
 the Ad: of the Affembly 1582. alleadged for the fura- 
 miry excommunication ofthefe who decline the Gen.Afifembly is 
 grofly miftaken,it being nothing againftdeclining lawful or uniaw- 
 tul Afsemblies, to which he retorts that the Writcris as groffely 
 mi(Uken,whileft he infinuats that fuch as fpeak for the UteAiiem- 
 do mean that iuch tn Ad fhould be againft declining any A&efiR. 
 null or unlawruil. Wei then, luppofing the Writer to have been 
 grofly miftaken in the writing of fach a thing, and that a wrong 
 conftitute and erring Affembly , or onely wrong confti:u?cd,is no 
 othf rwaya an Afsem.thcn as a painted jdsd is a msa(3S the Author 
 fpeaksjafterwards,and that theAflcm.at St. A hdretos icTjmndee is 
 but an unlawful Affembly, wrong in the Conftitution(as is proven) 
 and erring in its Ads, then might it warrantably have been de- 
 clined and protefted againft/ notwithstanding of that Ad 1 5,82. 
 or that Ad idg&or any other ad of any of the Affemblics ©f this 
 Kirk, as the fix corrupt Affemblics upon the fame reafons , upon 
 which they were afterward repealcd,might in the time when they 
 were fitting have been warrantably protefted againft,a$ feme other 
 Alscmblits which arc inftanccd by the Writer, and paft by the Au- 
 thor in filence were protefted againCl ; and fo all the debate that 
 was in the Meeting at Dundee for making ufe of thefe Ads 
 against the Protefttri 3 was ground leffe and without warrants But 
 the Writer is not fo grofly miftaken is the Author giyes out , be- 
 caufe it hath paft current, and doth ftili ftick with not a few, that 
 the Ads of a General! Affembly could not be protefted agamft, 
 muchlcflfe the Conftitutian thereof, though culpable and wrong, 
 and the Author himfelf feems to coaie near the borders •fit: That 
 *n Affembly cannot be well protefted againft in regard of its con- 
 
 Na ftitutjofl 
 
f282) 
 
 ftitution though wrong, when iiuhc fame V; 'id ; cation where he 
 comes to w?igh the reafons whereuoontfu- Proteftanon ipbuilf. 
 he faith, That where a General! Afl'ciriDly itf-lr is protcif^ a- 
 gainR as unlawful), and having no authority , who f^esnoth w 
 fad the contlquences moft readily be in that Kirk, harcf.'y caott 
 by any outward meancs but turn to a fixed fchiltne, which thug 
 godly orthoiexChriftiansin all age* oft he K rk have deteft< d and 
 abhorred, choofmgraiher ever to tolerate great offence* whivh. 
 they did lee, but could not amend, then to divide th- Church <f 
 Chcift: I know that he may fay that he means not h> re of an Af- 
 fcmbly wrong in its conltitunon; but if fo,what commodious fvnfc 
 in reference to that which he is fpeaking of,to wit, protecting a- 
 gainftaGcn. Aftembly wjII he put upon the reft of his words, 
 concerning godly mens tolerating gr tat offences, rather- hen to 
 divide the Church, an AiTernbly right in its constitution is bo of- 
 fence, much lel'e a great offence. He doth not deny thit there 
 was a debate at the AiTernbly at*D/*;?^* l conccrningthciummary 
 excommunication of thelewho had protcfted,buttels usthat it was 
 not great nor long ( If fome who were prefent maybe believed) 
 it was profecutcd by fundry with a great deal of earncftnetfe and 
 forwardnctfe, and though the Author ( if I mittake him not) 
 was none of the proiccufcrs of it j yet it fcems by his Vindicati- 
 on that his judgement i<, That they might notontly have debated 
 it, but alfb have done it by th: conftirutions of this K rk, if th y 
 would have minded feventy of cenfure, but it would have contri- 
 bute fomc what for clearing of the AiTernbly in that debate, and 
 for famfying of others ancnt his judgement upon the p%'int , if he 
 had brought any adt or conftitution of this Kirk, that would 
 have born the weight of (umr.iary excommunication agai lithe 
 Protefters, for the Writer hath made it clearly to appear that nei° 
 thcr theadl i582« nor the act ic*3$.dothat all meet wththe Pro- 
 testers cafe,and theAuthor hath replycd nothing to t he differences 
 of the cafes, and therefore they may be ftill taken ss granted,what 
 act the meeting at Dundee did in their dfebate look onto , whe thee 
 that of 8a or that of 58. thcmfelves bcU know,but if it was the 
 Ad of the AiTernbly at GJ*f£*W (as the Author faith) upo^> whie fy 
 they had their eye, the Writer ha a fhewed how that could 
 Gotwithanyfliadowofrcaionbeapplyed to this cafe » The de* 
 
 clioatcis 
 
drclinifcr of th* Bifliops 35. ltt/k:ng at the efstntiall confutation 
 fifths Government, and aga'mft the rule itfeif ; and that of the 
 Pr^d>ciiick:^wkigingthe government and the rule, andpvo- 
 tefting or lely ftgiinft &«' conftitution,becaufe not agreeable to the 
 rule. It fcemsthu all that they had their eyes upon was, that 
 they fount I in the act J Gufgow y that protefting again ft, and de- 
 dinwgofth* Aikrcbiy wai by the ads of this Kirk cenfura&le 
 with iummary excommunication, but fhould they not have found 
 what the ads were, and whether they were applicable to the pre- 
 sent calc: The Author grants that it could not be gotten fjyed 
 whether if doth mean 1 5 8a. or fome others for want of the Re- 
 gifters, 'which were then in the Bats* I (hall n#t fay that this is 
 foine evidence that the members of that meeting were not very 
 well acquaint edwith?hc ads of the Afsembliee of this Church, 
 and that jthad not been much amifs for them to have read and 
 perufed thefe ad$ of Afiemblies which were offered unto them a 
 little after their downiitung under their Clerks hand, concerning 
 the PubitckRelolut ions: If my information fail me not, a good 
 part of the Regifters, particularly the great Book of the old ads 
 oftheAtsemblies, in which that ad: of the Afsembly 1582. is in- 
 to, was then \nD»f»ke t in the hand of their then Cierk,who took 
 ■fome paint to find out that ad, but could not fail upon it: It may 
 haply feem ftrange tofomcjthat becaufe they found theft words 
 which (to Wit, declining and Ptotefting againft the Afsenbiy) 
 by tkcAtts of thedficmblj is cenfurable vtttk ifnmmtry excommu- 
 niedtitn in an ad of an Assembly at GUfgW, that they will have 
 fuch refpeds there to, wthout looking upon thefe ads, orcon- 
 fidering their grounds, 01 extent, thence to infer that thefe ads 
 Wf re applicaple to this cafejthis were to defer more refptd to the 
 authotity of that grave Assembly then was fit, or they themfclves 
 would have taken with,if they had been biting ; for they did no- 
 thing without viewing and peruung thr Regtfters themfel vef, and 
 proving and clearing every thing thereby, that they did alieadge 
 therefrom, which Vindicates that AfTembly Sufficiently froai the 
 absurdities here allea iged by the Writer againft thefe who alicadg- 
 ed fuch in ad. The Author thinks that the Writer is in a great 
 miftakc in h\$ dilemma .but let us fee what hirmiftake is: The wri- 
 ter anlweting a com won alleadganc?, that there is an ad of aGen* 
 
 Nn 2 A(Tcn> 
 
Alfembly appointing fuch as decline tK» Aftiembly to be fummari* 
 ly excommatucatcd,dcnyc» tbit ever the Church in my of her Af- 
 ferablies made any inch ad m fo generali and unlimited ttrmcs;and 
 he gives this for a reafon of his denyall,thit fron fieace it will toi- 
 low,either that they thought that anAffembly could not be wrong 
 in its constitutions, aud could not erre , or elfe that though wrong 
 in conftitution, or etring, that they could not be protf fled againft; 
 both which he faith is ablurd: To this the Author anfwers, that 
 considering that the ad appointing fuch to be fummariiy excom- 
 municated, is intended only againft protefting againft, and decli- 
 ning of a Generall A(Tembly,not in any particular ads or ad: there- 
 of which he confeflcs may be Proteftcd againft, but againft the ve- 
 ry being of it, as null in it fclf, and having no authority; there is 
 oo necciTity cither of the one fuppofition or of the other follow- 
 ing upon it; not of the lattcr.fce.But ffrft to paffc by.thar he fcero- 
 eth in all this debate to iuppofc that there is fuch an ad in fo gene- 
 rall and unlimited termes which I believe (hall not be found, nor 
 doth the words of- the aft of the Aflcmbly 38. fay or luppofeany 
 fuch thing. It defervea configuration, which ha ftith,thit that ad 
 concerning the excommunicating fuch as proteft againft, orde* 
 dine an Aflerobly. is intended oncly againft thofc who protcft 1- 
 gamft the being of an Afennbly, and not in any parricular ador 
 idsthcreof, becaute as the Writer told hint, the ad 15 82. which 
 is the oncly ad relating to that bufincflc ( fo far as I know,or can 
 be informed by thtfe who take moil: piinf in the Records of the 
 Affcoibltes; is not anent declining Affcmblics, in their being and 
 conftitution, bur againft appealing from la tyfull ads of lawful Af- 
 femblies to the CiviUM titrate in Ecclefiaftick taufes, for (lop- 
 ing of Ecclertaihck Di ciplme. Secondly , though an Aflferobly 
 wrong canftirute and erring both, or onely w rong conditute be no 
 otherwayes an Aflembly then a painted man is a man, that it is not 
 really or truly, but feeraingly only, yet it bciog fccmingly an Af- 
 fcwibly, it geta ordinarily and in common expreiSon,that denomi- 
 nation; an* aaa painted mandrawen by the hand of a cunning 
 Printer may deceive th fc who have rot decerning eyes, and be 
 taken for a mie man, fo an Adfodbly wrong in the conftitution and 
 adts, or in the conltkution onely, mayoy the vermilion of fair 
 pretext put upon it pafTc with many for a trucA(Icmbly;ye*,in or- 
 dinary 
 
(*85> 
 dinary way of txprefiion , an AHembly which hath ar# thing of 
 the colour or frudoW of the being of a lawfull aad righr'proweed- 
 ing Aifembly iscelled an Ailesably, rhou^h wrong in its eeft&itu- 
 tion, or alfo erring in its ads , and therefore to hare faid Amp- 
 ly in tn ad, that cicclincrsof aGerterail Amenably without any 
 qaalificction, lawfull, or unlawful!, erring or unerring, or any 
 thing in the ad insinuating orcxpreffing the fame ftiould be ex- 
 communicated, it would Follow, that though an Aflcmbly ihoHld 
 be wrong conftitutc and crre ifi its Proceedings , yet it could not 
 be declined A* to the third, to pafle by that the General I Af- 
 fembly at St. Andrews and Dundee is none of thefe Affemblies, 
 but an Aisembly wrong beth in itfcouftitutions, and in iti ad!*, 
 The Aft if it were fo general! as that cited and anfwered by 
 the Writer, it would fuppofe more then any of teeie, to wir, a 
 General! Afsembly which is oncly fuch, nomine tenus ia&fecu*- 
 dum Afftrentitm in regard of its conititution, and a General! Af~ 
 fembly right upon the conftuution, and erring wholly et en in the 
 thing of grcateft coniequence upon the matter; as to this fimile ©i 
 his Drought from the words of Chrift, M*th % \ 8. It doth not hold, 
 becaufe Chnft never maintained it to be unlawful! to decline any 
 Chucch,truc or falfe, as thefc whom the Wrster fpeaks of in his 
 objection. The truth is, that the Writer meant of propounding 
 and aniwering that objedion, to remove a grof s njifbke that hath 
 been ordinary in the mouths of many; that a Grnerail Afsembly 
 could not be declined nor proteftcd agtinft, becaufe of an ad of 
 an Afsembly appointing fuch to befummarily excommunicate 
 which in the cowmen conttrud;on that pan: upon it was f© ex- 
 pounded , that whofocver upon whatfoever ground did protcft.a- 
 gainft a Generall Afsembly of this Church, or any of the ads 
 thereof right or wrong, were by ?he ads of the Afsembly fumma- 
 rily to be excommunicated, wh-.ch miftakc the Writer ftudieth 
 to takeoff, by holding f'nhth«abiurdconfequence§, that would 
 havefollowed upon fuch an ad, as that thereby to make it appear 
 that there is no fuch ad in ioa~bfolutc and il-li»ited terror s as 
 will reach thefe who prouft againft Afscmblies wrong in their 
 conftitution, or alto erring in their ads, and this being gained, he 
 hath all that he did mtend to prove and hold forth in this par- 
 ticular. 
 
 Conclufion 
 
H 
 
 Conclufioa of the 
 
 Vindication. 
 
 Ere I leave the Writer toitb tkefe addition all reaf on s> and 
 ^.leaves all that hath been [Aid hithertil to be impartially pon- 
 dered by the Chriftian Reader ', And accordingly judged «f. The Fa- 
 ther of Lights give unto thee 9 and all his ferv ants and people in 
 the La tit ^ Wi(d9me , even that which is from above, pure and 
 peaceablt. 
 
 R B V I B \y. 
 
 THe Author hath been plcafedto leave the Writer here with 
 his additional reaions, tnd other things contained in his an- 
 fwers toObje&ions; but if fbmt of good judgment be not miftaken, 
 he hath done it to the dtiadvantagc ef his caufc, becaufe he hath 
 left him with many rhings that were brought by him in that Paper 
 of add it \o nail rcatons unanlwcred, I (hall not (ay what fomt have 
 '■faid,thatif the thing- in that Paper which theAuthor hath not an- 
 fwercd hold relevant an i true, they would go far to juftifitthc 
 P otcftation, and annuil the Afrem.-ly, albeit all his anfwers to the 
 things which he hath tak«n not ce of had not been fatisfyingly ta- 
 ken off; but I confeis that I do furaewhat wonder that the Author 
 having taken lo much pains to contend wich no (mall carneftnefs 
 and at length about many things that arc ii the by, and things 
 that are of na fuch c*nfr quencc in the caufe, fhould yet pafTe in (i- 
 lence , not a few things of importance contained in that Paper, 
 which did morfe concern himto have anfwercdjlfhal fay no more, 
 but wilhcs the Lord grscio fly to appear m the convincing and 
 comfortable determination or this queftion toali his fervants and 
 people in this poor defoiate and diftracted Church, that our bruifc 
 which is fore, and our wound wh ch is incurable may be bound 
 up and healed by his hind who hath imiten us in his wrath , bc- 
 csufe of the multitude of our in quaes ; To the praiie and glory 
 of his free Gncein all the Churches. Amen. 
 
 FT ^ IS. 
 
(i2 9 ) - — 
 
 Instances #/ the Influence that the Letter and Aft of th$ 
 Commission of the Gen*A§emblj 165 o<had ufon fever at Prep- 
 by t^ries And Synods % And upon fever aI fer(ons therein, in the 
 hle'dion of Commiffioners to the Jfftmbly 165 1, and in th& 
 Citing of the (e if their Number i&ho were Hf-jAtufied with the 
 Publicly Refolutions as they Are Attefted out of the Regifter s> 
 or by Members of thefe Presbyteries And Synods , tV ho -mere 
 Witncffes ts their Proceedings in thefe things. 
 
 1, Infance in the Presbytery of Jedburgh. 
 
 He Letter and Ad of the Commiflion of the 
 Gen. Affemblyi^o. concerning the Citing of 
 fuch of their Number as were Oppofite to the 
 Publick Resolutions , came to the Presbytery 
 of Jedburgh y btforc the chufing of their Cora- 
 miiHoaers to the Aflembly: At the time of the 
 ? Ele<ftion,the Presbitery after the reading ther- 
 of, did in obedience thereto, make enquiry, who of their Number 
 were not fatisfied with the publick Refolutions ; and finding that 
 JAr.John Livingfton, Mr. ]a t Ker y and Mr. Jo* Scot 9 were dif- 
 fatisfied with thefe Refolutions, they did appoint Conference with 
 thefe Brethren in order to their fatisfaclion, by reading of fome 
 publick Papers, refufing any other way of Conference unto them ; 
 after which,they went on to the Election of their Commifftoners, 
 patting by thefe dif- fatisfied Brethren , and Citing them by vertue 
 of the Act of the Commiflion, to Compear before the General 
 Ailembly to be hoiden at St. Andrews the day of Jnly % \6% 1 , 
 
 2. Inflance in the Presbj terse of Dunkel. 
 
 THe Presbyterie of Dunkel having chofen fuch of their number 
 to be Commiffioners to the General Aflembly 165 1. as were 
 in their judgments oppofite to the pubiick Refolutions jfome of the 
 Presbytery diffented from the Election of thefe perfons upon the 
 ground of their being uncapablc to be Comtmffioners , becaufe of 
 an Acl of the Commidion for citing of fuch to the Alterably , and 
 
 Oo . urged 
 
u'fg^d', That the r>ifTent, and ground thereof, might be marked in 
 the Presbyte.y-tfouk^o be judged by the Synod. 
 
 3. Inftttnce in the Synod of Perth. 
 
 THe Synod of Pcrth^ which met in ?#»<? 1 65 1 . having received 
 and r^ ad the Letter, and Ad of the Com million , concerning 
 the citing thefe who were oppofite to the publick Resolution*, did 
 find it incumber;t unto them for fat'i fying the faid Letter and Act, 
 to appoint the fcveral Presbyteries \v thin their Boun !s, and w : ere 
 the plurality of the Pr.-sbytery was dif-fatisfiei with thep.iblick 
 Refolutions, fome nominated by themfelves to Confer with dif- 
 fsttisficd Brethren ; and in ofc of their not receiving fatisfaAion 
 by Conference , to ate them to the Gen. Aflembly at St. A*4rews, 
 from which Ad of the Synod, fuch dif facisfied B ethrcn as w<re 
 pre(ent,vvho were about eight or riie, d d I >i(lent, and were ther- 
 fore cited tpHdtttn by the Synod , to Compear before tht- Afltm- 
 bly, becaule of their oppoiition to the publick R:folutions : and 
 concerning the reit who were abfcot, it was ordered by the Synod, 
 That '^erfonal Simmons fhould be lent unco f«>me of the r^and that 
 others of them, in cafe of their not being fatisfied by Conference, 
 fhould be cited by their refpe:livc Presbyteries, and fach as were 
 appointed to Confer with them : Ac the fame time, the Synods ta- 
 king in confederation the Dilfent of fome of the Members of the 
 Presbytery of D#*^/,and the grounds thereof, from the bledion 
 of their Co nmiflioners did fulVain the fame, and appoint the Pref- 
 bitry to make a new Election. 
 
 4. IrtftAfJCt in the Vresbperj of Kirkaldie. 
 
 THe Presbyteric of Kirl&ldie , having received and read the 
 Letter and Aft of the Commiflion, did thereafter and in or- 
 der therto, refufc to fubferibe the Commiflion of Magrnu Jytoun, 
 then etnfen Co nmifHoner to the General Aifembiy by the Town 
 of B^unt-lUnd , beca ife when his Commiftion was preferred to 
 th- Pre* b tery, he was not prefent to declare hit judgment concer- 
 ning the p lbfek ilefolntio is. The fame Presbytry did by vertueof 
 the lame better and At and themfd^s oblidged to Refer or Sum- 
 mon tvVj of the»r NaiTuer, to Wit ; Mr.v^/^\/tt/wrajf,and Mr. 
 
 George 
 
0*0 
 Cctrge Nwnt to the General A terribly , becaufc of their ^emg 
 dii fatistied with the publ ik Rcfolutioos, but remembring that 
 thefe two had a little before that time D^cnted from an Ad of the 
 Synod of Fifty appointing fnch Ministers in the Bounds of that Sy- 
 nod as were dif fatisfied with the publ ck Refolutiom, t<> be refer- 
 red r o the General A'iembly, did find that they were obliged to 
 compear Defore the Ailembiy, to give in the Rcafons of their Dif- 
 fent from thtt /*c*t ; and therfore the Presbytery did draw up a Pa- 
 per mentioning their regard to the Acland Letter of the Commif- 
 fion, and alio bearing the Diifent of thefe two Brethren, and that 
 they judged it not neceflary to fummon rherrij who were already by 
 their Ditient obliged to compear ; and this P -per they did deliver 
 to their Comrniilioners , appointing them to prefect it Co the Af- 
 fembly. 
 
 5. Inflect in the trtsbpery of Glafgow. 
 
 THe Presbytery of GUfgew did choofe Commiflioners to the 
 General A ifembly 165 1. before the Letter and Act of the 
 Communion came to their hands, from which Election fome of 
 their Number did DifTent upon this ground amongfr. others,btca«fe 
 the perfons chofen were of a contrary judgment to the publick Re- 
 flations, and that they knew that the Commitfion of the General 
 AfTembiy was to fend lome publick Directions to the Presbitery a- 
 nent that matter, and the dilTenting part of the Presbitery,though 
 the fmaller number by many , did thereafter make a new Election 
 of, their own, and did cite fomcof thefe of the Presbitery who 
 were oppofite to the pubHck Refactions, to compear before the 
 Affembly upon the ground contained in the Letter and Ad of the" 
 Commiilion ; and fome of the fame D Renting part of the Pref- 
 bitcry, who were frequently w'th the Coir.miftion, in promoting 
 thefe Affair*, did fend the Letter and Aft of the Commifston in- ' 
 clofed in a Letter of their own to two of the Brethren of the Pref- •" 
 bitery of Lanric\y advifing them , That before the Election of 
 Commi^oners in their Pres&tery, they fhould caufe read the Let- 
 ter and Ad of the CommiTion , and endeavor to carry on the E- 
 lection accordingly ; and that if they could not attain this, that 
 then thefe of their N mber who did approve of the publick Refa- 
 ctions, fhould make a New Election amongft chern fd ve«,and leave 
 
 Oo 2 it 
 
it to the Aflembly to judge which of the two Elections was valid; 
 fignifying withal unto them , that they had done fo in the Presby- 
 tery of g lAjgw- 
 
 6, Inftance in the ? res biter] of Bif gar. 
 
 THc Letter and Aft of the Commiflion 1 65 o. concerning fuch 
 as did Differ from the publick Refolutions, came to the Pref- 
 bytery of 'S-ggrf^and wa * publick y read therin before the chufing 
 of their Commifsioners to the General A'tembly ; and thereupon 
 Intcrogators were made to the Brethren, for trying of their judg- 
 ment anent the publick Refolutions, that thefe who profdl them- 
 selves dif-(atish*ed therewith, might be rendered uncapable to be 
 chofen Commifs. oners to the General Aflembly. 
 
 7. Inftance in the Presbytery of the Merns. 
 
 THc Presbytery of the/kfrr»j,having chofen the I>rd Arbuth* 
 net in his abfmcc from the Presbytery, to be Commifsioner as 
 Ruling Elder to the General Aflembly 165 1. did fend two of their 
 Number unto him to take his Oath to be futhful in that imploy- 
 ment ; and withal,to take tryal whether he were fatisfied with the 
 publick Refolutions ; and to fignifie to him , That if he were not 
 fatisfied with thefe Refolutions , the Presbytery could not be an- 
 fwerable to give him a Commifsion for fitting in the Affembly, but 
 behoved to chufc another. 
 
 Thefe Inftanccs wayfuffice far verifying of what u alleadged 
 in the former Debates concerning the inf.uer.ee that the Letter 
 Andzsltt of the Commiffion 1 of the General Affembly had upon 
 fever al Presbyteries and Synods and Per font therin^ in the Elelli- 
 on of Commiffioners to the Afembly 1 65 1 . and in Citing of thefe 
 who were Dif fatisfied with the publtck^Refolutionj, and therefore 
 itjhall not be needful to trouble our felves or the Reader With the 
 bringing and fetting down of more of this kind. 
 
 Pa 
 
 P E R S 
 
0?3) 
 
 P a v s Rs betwixt the A s s e m b l y and Committbi. 
 
 Ofiers and Defies from the Committee ofEjlates, Prefcntedhy the Earle of 
 Glencarti A Tbefaurerfiepute,& Archibald $ydfcrf> the Gen.Affembly. 
 
 AS we cannot but with fad hearts regrate that notwithftan- 
 ding of the many endeavors of 9 and great pains taken by the 
 Parliament and Committee of Eftates, for removing of Dif- 
 ferences, and offering ail juft fatistaclion to the Defires of 
 the Co rmi. r ioners of the General Aflembly concerning the neccf- 
 fity and lawfulnefs of this prefent Engagement ; yet they have aii 
 hitherto proven ineffectual, and Diviiioas betwixt us are rather in- 
 creafed, then leflened ; fo we cannot but here promife to our felvei 
 better Succefs from the wifdomi>f this grave and venerable Af- 
 femblyj especially whiift our confeienees bears us witnefs, that in all 
 our undertakings we have nothing before our eyes but the glory of 
 God in the firft p'acc ; and in the iecond,the good and prefervation 
 of Religion; and next therunto, the fafety of his Ma jefties Per- 
 fon now in danger,and the purluanee of the fame ends of oar Cove- 
 nant which hath been fealed with the blood of fo many of our 
 friends and country men : And that our Onccrity and realiity in all 
 thefe may be manircfted to all the wor ld,we are content now again 
 at this time, not only to renew all thefe offers which were former- 
 ly made by the Parliament to theCommiflioners of the Gen.Affem- 
 bly,for the fecurity of Religion- but hereby we offer to grant what 
 further fecunty the General Affembly (Hall be plea fed to demand 
 in reafon of us for Religion ; And although we cannot lay nega- 
 tives and reftricliions on the King, but rrmft as obliged in conference 
 and duty,endeavor his Refcue, that he may come with honor, free- 
 dom and fafety to fome of his Houfes , in, or about Lsndon ; yet 
 we are moil willing to give what A3 France can be demanded for 
 our felves and our Army, even by an folemn Oath, if fo it (hill be 
 thouebt fit by th^ Gcnersl Afcmbly, that we (ball not be fatMicd 
 and lay down Arms , until Religion be fecured in all his Majefties 
 Dominion?, according to the Covenant ♦• Thcrfore oat of the deep 
 fenfc we have of the great danger that the further growth of thefe 
 Divifions may bring to Religion, the Kings Majefty, and t) thefe 
 who doth iinceily wifa the iettling of Prcsb'terial Government in 
 all his Majefties Domiaibns, We cannot but defire yo ferioufly to 
 weigh the fad Conferences may enfue, if at this time there be not 
 
 found 
 
(*9A) 
 
 found amongft you, fome who will endeavor to heal, and not to 
 mase wider the Breaches betw-xt Church and State, to remem- 
 ber that no mch cfKclual help can be ycildoi at this time to that 
 
 , as to have 'he hearts a \& confeiences of 
 
 the people prepofeflfed with prejudxe* againft the Kefolutionsof 
 the Eftaces and their io p;ous and n.-ceifar) Engignent.And for this 
 caufe, to the end thefe unhappy Differences n ay iprcad no further, 
 wcdolitrcatyou would be pleafed to appoint ton. c of your Num- 
 ber, to meet with fuch as (hall be appointed by m, for I ompoftng 
 thefe mif-underftandings betwixt Church and Stat. : Ai:d 1'kewife 
 for fo clearing the Marches betwixt the Civil and Eccfefiafttck Po- 
 wer in thefe Queftions hath been Debated betwixt the Parliament 
 and thcCommiihoners of the Gen.Afltmb'y ; a<> the Kirk may be 
 freed of all fcandals in mcdling with Civil Bu(i:iefs,ard the Eftar.es 
 from the fcandals of Eraftianifm : And feeing our de'ires herein are 
 only to remove all jealouiies betwixt the Church aid Sme, and to 
 witn fs to the world our unfaincd intentions to do al that is in our 
 powers for the mod fatisfa&ion of the Gen.AiTemlly.We do deflrc 
 that ye would be pleafed to forbear the emitting of any Declarati- 
 on either to this Kingdom, or the Kingdom of £»gUn^ relating to 
 our prefent Engagement and proceedings , corfideringhow unfea- 
 fonable it may prove whilft cur Army is in the Fields againft tbc 
 great obftrucitons of any Enemies to our Reformation , to do any 
 thing may encourage and ftrengthen the hands and hearts of that 
 
 whodoubtlefs wll encourage them- 
 
 felvcs in their own waycs,tlie more they have ours difapproven by 
 you : And as their unhappy d fferecces and divihons have already 
 fo wrought upon the hollow hearts of fomc of our Countrymen, 
 as to move them to rife in Arms againft the Parliaments Forces^nd 
 of fome to run and /oyn thcmfelves with thefe 
 
 fo much the more wil thefe be ftrength- 
 
 ned aniencouraged againft u^ by their hearing of our Divifions : 
 We do likewife defire, Th-it before the Gen. AiTembly proceed to 
 ary approbation of the actions of the Commifsioners of the Gen. 
 AHcmbly, That in thefe things that may relate t«> the p'-efent En- 
 gagement and to thefe Queftions hath been Debated betwixt the 
 Parliament and them , we*may be firft hard. All thefe we deiirc for 
 nootherend, but that thefe untimely DifTcrfPces and Rents now 
 grown to fo great a height as that they threaten the ruin both of 
 S Church 
 
Church and State,may by the blelsing of God in the fpirit of tov&. 
 ocfs be orcd and bound up , That neicher Malignants on the onV.^ 
 
 hand may have occasion to laugh at our Diviiion^nOF on 
 
 the other hand encouraged and ftrengthsed againft us : But that 
 we ( ss formerly ) rruy go on in one way, being all engaged in one 
 Caufe for one and the lelf-fime E ads ; And fo may receive a blef- 
 (ing from the Lord of Peace and Ofdcr (which hatef the inftru- 
 mentsof D;yifionand"Confufiony upon all our endeavors, for ad- 
 vancing the bletied work of Reformation, and for bnngingtoan 
 happy end all the Mferies and Confufion-s now, which thefe Lands 
 ruth been fo long tolled and confumed with. 
 
 'Before the A^:mb f j give any Anfwtr U the Paper pr§dnced 
 from the Honorable Committee of Eftdtes^ The tsfjfembly thinkj 
 fit to enquire at the honorable Perfois ^hg prefented the Papers^ 
 If tht Committee of Sfiutes have any new Objections again)} the 
 Precet&ings $f the ^ommifsion of the late A[sembly % gr only the 
 fame QirieftUns made 4 j the Parliament >or their Committees be- 
 fore. Sic iubferi i . A- Ker. 
 
 The Committee of Eftates do make this Return to the Paper of 
 the Gen. AiTembly, That they have juffc and material Exceptions a* 
 gainft the proceedings of the Commifs'oners of the Gen. AlTcmbly, 
 bdides any formerly made by Parliament or Committee of Eftatcs. 
 
 The 'A family continues until the morn at ten hours that Ex- 
 amination of the Proceeding* of the Commit sUn of the late Af- 
 fembly^ and do appoint that time for Hearing any New Excepti- 
 ons the Committee of Eftates hath to give in againfi the Procee- 
 dings efthe (aidC emmifsion. 
 
 Paper fent into the A s s b u b l y . 
 
 \T \ /"^ crca<; ]t ^ at ^ ^ ecn c ^ c con ^ ant Care and Endeavor of 
 V V the Parliament and Comm ttee of Eftatcs, Toufe all 
 means for removing and fetiing the D .'tferenccs bctw x the Church 
 and the State ; and in purfuance of that good way, The Co.. irn it- 
 tee did yefterday give in fome new Hef-res and Offer? t the Gen. 
 Aifembiy, That fome might be appointe4 to meet and confer with 
 
 filch 
 
(2 9 6) 
 { un .\ as fhould be appointed by the Committee therupon: But fince 
 >nftead ofimbracingand laying hold of this opportunity of compo- 
 sing Differences , The Gen* Aflcmbly doth proceed toward an ap- 
 probation of the proceedings of the Commiisioners of the Ailem- 
 bly, wherby we conceive all hopes of making up the Breaches will 
 be removed, and the prejudices will be great that will thereby en- 
 fue to this caufe and Kingdom ; For preventing whereof, we hold 
 ourfelvcs obliged again,to defircyou,as you tender the furtherance 
 of the workof Reformation,theGood,Peacc,cV union of the King- 
 doms, and thecornpofingof ail Differences and Jealoufies, that 
 you would apply your felves to thefeour Defires,and appoint fome 
 of your Number to confer with us therupon for the Exceptions wc 
 have againft the proceedings of the Commifiioners of the Gen. Af- 
 fembly : We have confidence a Conference may preveen the fame, 
 and are more willing not to give them in at all, or at leaft only to 
 give them in to thofe you fhall appoint to confer with us , that if 
 it be pofsible Differences may yet be removed, Then that we be ne- 
 cefsitatc to appear in publick amongft them: And that this and our 
 former Paper may remain as a teftimony of our Dehres for Unitic 
 and Peace, we dclirc that they may be Recorded in the Books of tbc 
 General Alfcmbly, 
 
 The Afscmblj do give this humble return to the Papers font this 
 day from the Hon. Committee of Sftatcs, That they are mvft wit- 
 'ling to appoint a conference with anj of their Lor 'dfh \number Jbut 
 that according to the Order and Ails of former gen, Afemblies 
 they conceive them felves obliged^ firfl to examine the proeeedings 
 of the Commifsion of the late Gen, Afsembly t and thereafter (had 
 be billing to confer , being alfo now ready as of before to hear Ex- 
 ceptions , if there be any againft the proceedings of the [aid Com- 
 mifsion* Stibfcrib. A. Ker. 
 
 The Committee of Eftates underffanding that the Gen.Affembly 
 is to proceed to the examination of the proceedings of the Com- 
 mifsioners of the late Gen.AfTembly in order to an approbation be- 
 fore they agree to a Conference ; and the Committee being to give 
 in their ;uft exceptions againft the proceedings of the faid Com- 
 mifsioners, do defire the GcrvAflfembly to allow fome few dayes 
 delay to the Committee to prepare their Except oris before the Af- 
 fembly proceed in the Bufincfs. The 
 
The %sf[s(mtly continues the txamttation ef the Proceedings 
 ef the /ate Gen* A/s<mb/y until four after noon y and appoints 
 that time for Hearing any neVe Exceptions the Honorable Com- 
 mittee of Eftates have to give in agafrft the Proceedings of the 
 JA*dC*rtifmfi**n. Subfcnb* A.Ker. 
 
 The Committee of Eft ates finding it iropcffible in fo&ort a 
 tir*e to prepare their Objections againft fuch of the proceedings 
 of theComrfciflionersof the General Afsemb!y a as relates to 
 tiieir Engagement : and yet being woft willing t© efsay all fair 
 means fbr procuring an happy-Underitandiug betwixt Kirk and 
 Statc,art content to appoint iome of their Number to meet with 
 fuch as (hall be appointed by the Geucral Afscmbly for Compo- 
 fingof Differences betwixt the Church and State , without pre- 
 judice to them to uteall their jufi Objections againft the procee- 
 dings ef the Comrnifsieners of the late General Afscmbly, 
 if the Conference (lull not produce theft happy ErTc&s they 
 canreftly wiftu 
 
 The General Afsembly unto the Amotion fent this afternoon 
 from the Honorable Committee of Eflates , Do return humbly 
 shit Anj'voer, That they jeeldte their Lordfhips ^De fires of a (fon- 
 ference, and for this end appoints M rs * David Calderwood, David 
 Dickfen, Robert Douglafs, Andrew Cant, John Moncrcif, Johw 
 Smith, and John Mac Clclland, Minifiers ; and tho Earl of 
 Cafsilles, f£<?I:rfr/#f Louthian, Lord Balmernio, the Lairds of 
 )vioncreif*»^ Fredand, With the Moderator to confer ,y toith any 
 appointed by the Honorable Committee of Eftates y at fuch time 
 and place as Jhall bo appointed by their Lordfhips , upon the pre- 
 fent Dangers to Relighn and the caufe of God % the great pre]u* 
 dices done to the Liberties of the Kir 1^,^ and the befi remedies 
 thereof*. And to Report the Refult of their Conference from time 
 to time i And they have aljo Power to. receive any Offers or Pa- 
 pers from the Honorable Committee of Eflates , and to prefent 
 the fame to the Afsemblj : Declaringthat the proceedings of the 
 lommifsionof the late Afscmbly being nsW (Xattly tryed, and 
 unanimoujlj af proven, there is no place left for any Objections 
 again ft the (ame. Subfcrib. A. Ker. 
 
 p p %e/tfins 
 
(2PS; 
 
 c JR^fons why thefe who disapproved the 
 
 publick Reftlu 19ns and Ads at Dundee , Ratifying the 
 fame, and ordaining c ensures t$ pajfe upon the 'ppejers and 
 im\ati$ficd. canntt keep he 4jjembly nw mdided, n»r be 
 con\enung tint 9 the Elect ton of C$mmijstoners for that 
 
 epo'L 
 
 THechiefcaufeof many evils which have befallen this 
 Church in time <>f deft dlionund.r Pfelacie being clearly 
 dturminedbythe Gen: AlTembly at Edinburgh \6\9* 
 to have been th* \jefing and 4u)hlriifog corrujtt 
 Generall A lemblies , it is of h.gd concernment , tfeat we 
 takt h*cd that we be not contenting nor concur ring to the keep- 
 ing and authorizing fuch Arte mb lies in thw dedinng time ai«on,ft 
 which the Afembly iniicted by ih C m mflioncrsof the preten- 
 ded Affrmbly at Sr .^Andrew anal Du*dcejs to lie reckoned, and 
 confequently ought i)*t to bt kecped oy any who hare protcfted 
 againft,or arc in their confidences unfatisfied with the Pablick re- 
 solutions and A&s of the Alscrobly at Dundee \ •(tabiiili ;ng the 
 fome as involving dsfe&on and backfiring from the Qxuft of 
 Goi and Covenant. 
 
 Tcfpeaknotking of the indiftion of tlte enfuing Afsembly s 
 (which can neither be acknowledged by any who have proteftcd 
 agatn(t>orby any wh* doubts oh h* freedom*? , lawfulness and 
 contitution «f the Afembly at Dundee) bu allanerly of the con- 
 ftituti*n thereef, in fo far as it depends upon the A&s of that Af- 
 fem ly . Th :f»; ritfoni feem to warrand an i require the forbea- 
 rance an .* no o-coucurrence of all rhefe ( wh« difallow of the 
 K^vf'tepritciYitJAiicmblyit'Dttndee) in the cledion of 
 Co nmiiionermnxo a keeping the diet of the Afsembly now in- 
 dic^jtd. 
 
 x. Nci rnanotighr tobi coofrnting unfo the autkorzing of 
 C©mmi fonert to k#e.# a i Af*erri6ly which is conftitute oy a cor- 
 rupt rufe. Bus in the judgment of fa$h as approve Rot the Ads of 
 
 the 
 
the Afseaibly otDun&ee, the valuing Afstmbly is conitkute by a 
 corrupt rule: Ergo^he major Propontlon is nnqneftionable, the 
 minor is proved thus : It jstobeconftuutedby the. Ads of the 
 pretended Assembly of "Dundee as by a rule: 8 rg o, By a corrupt 
 rule; the antecedent is manifclt,becauic all thz unrepealed Ac% of 
 former Afscrnblyss that do determine ihequal ncatsonofCom- 
 rniilioners are eipecially the Ads of the Ailem. 'mmediatly prece- 
 ding,ace ihe rule by which the Afsem.is to be conduutedjas isma- 
 nif it from the A n •£ thcA(knuhcrnfelvs 5 old and late ,ani from 
 the contiai-t practice or this Kirk in all her Assemblies , and that 
 'the Adts oi Dundee include a corrupt rule as to the judgements 
 andconieencesof thofe who condemn thefe Ac% as involving 
 acourfeof dcfection,ismani<it, becaule they ajppo nt all-hofe 
 who <.io not acquicfee and is oocdient to the Ads and Onftituti- 
 on* of r hat AfsenDly , to be proceeded againtt wirh th^ cen(ur«s 
 of he Xirk,and fo to be exduJcd from being capable of being ele- 
 cted a^ C xnmiilioners for fitting in the Aisembly as Member? 
 right !y qualified. 
 
 2. No man ought to concur in any Election of Ccsnnrflioncrs 
 when the tltction is not free, IwKougkt father to give iciim^ny 
 againft the fame ; But the Election ot Comroitfeners toth. A(- 
 fco bly indicted by the pretended a >th riry of the Cemmiilitners 
 of the Afsem ly at Dundee cannot be f ce in the judgement of 
 thde who do not approve of the Acts of Dundee; E*ge> Nothing 
 here need* confirmation but the Aisumption , which may be pro-* 
 Ved rhus = That Election which is -limited and rcftricted unto iueh 
 only as are involved in a courfe of defectoa and back-Aiding, and 
 is cxclufive of all other who have not been involved m the f»re- 
 faid courfe,cannot bt a free election, but the election of the C6m- 
 mifsiorursoftheenfuingAf'emoly is fuch, in the juigeiBentoF 
 thele who do not approve the Acts of Dundee-^ Ergo, The reafon 
 of he arTumprionis , becaufc il/udpofsumus qued jure pojsumw. 
 Now, no Fresbyterie^Sefsion, or pcrfon acknowledging the c*n- 
 ftjtBtion and authority of the Aflenu of Dundee, and yet tcftifying 
 agamft the Act? thereof relating to the approbation of Poblfckre- 
 foi*tions,and to the cenfurirg of she oppofers, and fuch as do not 
 acquielce and give obedience the^etOjC&n legally c hoofc Coa^mif- 
 fioters j contrary t# a (landing unrepealed Ad: ©f aft Art mbly. 
 Therefore the ele$ion of Com.siti$ipneisto the enfong AiLm- y 
 
 " P p 2 ' muft 
 
(300) 
 muft be iim'ted and unfree in tht judgments of thefe who protcft 
 againft it in their conferences, or chl- approve the Ads of ih- Af- 
 fcmblyof ItHndct, as involving the approbation of thecourfeof 
 defection. 
 
 3 . No man ought concur in the election ofComrnifiioners to an 
 Afltmbly, unto which none are to be admitted Members, but fuch 
 as are involved in a courle of defection and back Aiding from the 
 Caufe of God,and from the Covenant, bu? th* enfuing Aflambly is 
 to be £uch in tht judgements of thtfe who dil-approve tht A ts of 
 Dundee; 6rg9 t t)\% Proportion is granted on all hands, even the 
 A^cwb\yo\ c Duftdee • and thealitttcts of the authority thereof, 
 grantthcNbllityofan Affernbly , when the aqthors and abet- ors 
 ofacourfeofdcfcction are admitted to be conftirucnt mtmirrs. 
 The adumption is p.-ovcd,to wr, That AfTembly now indictat, is 
 to be fuch an Aflemblythat Aflfimolyj unco which none can be ad- 
 mitted MemberSjbut fuch as approve th- Publick Rcfolutjons,and 
 the Afls at Dundee ratifying tht fame,is in the judgment of th^fc 
 who dif-approve the A&>,but not the authority of the Affcmbly 
 of Dundee an Ailcmbiy unto which none can be admitted Mem- 
 bers,but fuch as are involved in a courfe of defection : But unto 
 the enfuing Afltmbly none can be admitted Members, bat fuch as 
 approve the A<ffc ratifying tht Publick Refolut ions : None but 
 thefe can be admitted, b*cauft none can be admitted contrary to a 
 (tending unrepealed Law, and yet thefe arc involved in a defecti- 
 on in the judgment of them who dif-approve the A-*s n Dundee, 
 
 4.M0 man ought to concur in keeping an Afltmoly from which 
 many faithfull and godly Mm fters and Ruling Elders be excluded 
 for no other caufe but for their being faithful in witneising againft 
 the back- Aiding of the Land: But from rhis Aflembly, many fuch 
 are excluded by the Ads of 'Dundee , and that for no other caufe 
 but for teftifymg againft the defection of the Land , according to 
 ihcjnJgmeotofthtfc who condemn thefe A<fb , and therefore 
 thefe cannot concur in keeping this enfuing AlTembly. 
 
 5. N« man ought to concur in keeping an Afsembly wherein 
 the conftitucnt Members are for the moft part (uch as are citheu 
 authors or approvers of the enacting a perlecution of many godly 
 men , but the enfuing Aisembly is to be fuch in the;udgment of 
 thefe who dif-approve the Ads of the Afscmbly at Dundee ^Erg* 
 the Proportion wil be granted by every man , the aflumption is 
 
 abun- 
 
(mi 
 
 abundantly proved by the clearing •fttwfe things : i. That ea- 
 icYn* the drawing forth or cenfurcs of th* Chare h agaruit *oiiy 
 nun, (tofptaknothingohhar which is already executed ) for 
 jhat which is no fault in them, is rjie enaduig of a perfection of 
 godly aen, cannot b 2 denyed by any. i, That she enacting 
 to draw forth all the cenfiiri*soT th: Kirk againft thefe who do 
 not approve the A3$ and C )nfticunons of the Arfemsly of T>&M 
 dee, to th* enacting of drawing forh ceniarcs . agiint godly men, 
 for that which is no fault in the n. but duty, is u^qaeftionablc in 
 tfee judgment or thefc who di- approve thefe Acts. 5. That the 
 A6*en*bty now in4iclfccd,i9 to be made up of fueh , is cleare from 
 what if before fpoken>and {h«Hne further cleared imroediatly. 
 
 Ob. Hoft doth it appear that the tsfjsembly now inditted, is 
 to heconftitnted, as all thefe reafons do import , can we judge of the 
 confutation of it before we fee how tt is conflitftt-ecft 
 
 £/**/. i. It mult be constituted according to the a&sarid rules 
 contVitutin*,which are nor yet repealed, ami therefore according 
 to ruUs of the AfTembly at Dundee, in the judgment of thefe who 
 acknowledge the authority of thar A&rmbiy, aad thefe acts can- 
 not be repealed before the constitution of another AStnibly* 
 2*That it mull dc fo conftitucc>m ty appear from th* tenacio ufnefs 
 of Synods and Presbyrcrtes, to maintain the authority aud afts of 
 thac pretended AfTembly »who being involved in the approbation 
 ofth« fa ne,have giv*n gsK>d evidence, that tht enfuing A lembly 
 muft ne Co confticate , if it be urged as for inftance tht Litter or tha 
 inftant Co musilTioBers, which doth appoint the place of meeting. 
 of the future Ad. hid y# dodefire Presbyteries to choolc Commif- 
 fioners according to the known and ordinary rules of eledion;bat 
 thcie know 1 and or imary rules cannot be fuppofed to include 
 th* acts of the AlTembiy at Dnndecx 1 . Becauft thtfe ads are not 
 kixjwnjthe fame not being pub;i(hcd 3 yea not extant, neither can 
 they be cailei ordinay, being once oar ly done, an i being quefti- 
 onei much by many, it is aufwered,Thefe are poor fhifts: \ . Bc- 
 caufe theie ads were finally concluded and voted, and do yet 
 ftand unrepealed* 2. Bgcaafe it the authorty or tht Gomminl- 
 on who wrote this Lttte ,ought to be acknowledged and fuburit- 
 ted unto,thcn ought dieic a els which flow from tht fame autho- 
 rity to be acknowledged and fubmitted unto* 3. Thefc ads arc 
 publick , and in the hands of the Prcsbytf ric$ up aad down the 
 
 LanJ, 
 
f j«0 
 
 Land,and regift rated m fundry of their Books,as alio in the Book* 
 of tome Sy sod* ; and lome Presbyteries have proceflcd fome pcr- 
 fons upon theic afts, and they cannot be excluded from the ordi* 
 nary rulc^beciUfe but once done,bccau(e the meaning of the Oi di- 
 nary rule to this place mud be ? that thefc onriy are ro be circled, 
 when no ftanding^ad or .he Kirk dath exclud^and yet it do h not 
 make it ccaf to be a iule,fo long 3S the authority of the Aflfcmbly 
 (lands,and the aclit fclf fhnds unrepealed , how much loc»cr it 
 be questioned by (•cae^ 
 
 Ob. 'But we way probacy fnppofefhat the Atts of the AQembly 
 <?/Dundec> Shall not be tenecmhfly fluckjo in the con&itHtim §f 
 the A(semblj now inditted, but that Protefters agamfl the confti- 
 tution *r Afts at Dundee , fhal be admitted a* Members in the 
 CQ'fltution of this Afsemblj* 
 
 An/w. i. Probably that may be the judgement of foaie godly 
 3n d moderate brethren ; but how few fuih arc to be rdund , and 
 how uncquall to carry it fo, agaialf many that a»e oth rwtyes 
 minded. 2. Ifonc malicious inftru'ment that «iefirtsn»t the h»al- 
 fflg of rhelc differences (whereof ih. re is no penury } (hill * j#d: 
 th . aft of the Ad; mbiy ot Timedec. It is iinptfliolc thar any who 
 acknowledge the authority ot that Atftmbly , can ref »ai the ex- 
 ception a^ irrelevant, as long as that ad lUnds unrepealc \ which 
 cannot oe before the conftituti*'.. 3.H*w improbable is that con- 
 sidering the temprr of the are Meeting at Edinburgh, the 1 2. of 
 /^j,thei» (trillions g ven by Synods to tuch as were lent r hi- 
 ther undrr a pretence of endeavouring the Union of r he Church, 
 but really to carry una defigne rohave an Afiembly depending 
 on 'he author iy of the pretended A$*m. af Dundee ,%nd codtitute 
 as that was,snd coniidcnng the articles that carsr from the Coro- 
 njition,^**.tha' no Union could be,excej»t the authority, conft tu- 
 tion } ac%,ceniur>:s and ComniMkms iflbfd from the faid Afsem. be 
 acknowledged by aM,and the Declinator i3?f\frorn 3 which art tics 
 are magnihed by th it men , and fame Synods have n*t been fo 
 cautious as orhcrs to k*ep back a SynudicaU mtruchoo, to do n*~ 
 th«ng in order to an Union, Without the advice aforefaid. 4. If 
 (in h a copcedion had been intended how ea(ic had it been t« the 
 pretended Commiffeicn that takes up on them to ind ; cl thif Afs#m- 
 bly to have given fome around in their Letters tocxp*cHr,and n#t 
 ro have wrapt the rule of ejections in ambiguous words,io f*y no 
 
 worfe 
 
worfc. J.Su^pbfe a pofsibuity ofeenftitutuig the Aisemoiy §- 
 therw*yes n#r according to the ads at D#»dee- yet htw^can any 
 that have born tdtimony agiinft- the PuDlick Reflations and afts 
 ratifying the fame as involving defe&ion, N't With the authors and 
 promoters of that courfe,and not propone that exemption which is 
 on all hands atk M)wle4ged to oe relevant , and that fuch as are 
 guilty of \t,cught not to be admitted to fit in an - Afaembly ; or if 
 jt be propounded how thai] it be Satisfied imce there is i'uch diffe- 
 rence or judgment abuutihat mater. 
 
 O '•• 3 ■ r ^ fit ^ lt not better t§ fcfep that zAfcmbly^nd hear te- 
 ftim$ny a^ainft un Jaw fa II aEls , ana i*b$ur to ks?p *ff ill, then to 
 forbear and 1st things ke carried en tyithnt opf*fition> 
 
 Anfw. if any can Utsifi * his own canfc euc« 3 th*t fee may Wstft 
 cleamels concur , notwithstanding thele and the like reafunshe 
 B^ay do f sand w« ih*.l ir/oyce to hear or his telhmeny and Stan- 
 ding againft a (pate of back-flidinfj but if kc {"bill through caitmg 
 himfclf in a tcnaptation,bt d. awn a further length th«rn he iptend- 
 « d,erihalt approve hunlclf in attctward , he {full (in againlt a 
 Warning. 
 
 O 4. By this means Vffc fhtll have n$ Afiemblies* 
 
 An}. Trie rcafons will indeed conclude } that we fhould have 
 no corrupt Afscmblies, fuch as are prelumted in the ele&ionSjCor* 
 ruptedin tht cor ft: tut on exclufive of mary of the godly for thefc 
 laithhilne{3,ani made *p f©r she uauft pait, if not onely of fuch as 
 arc authors or approvers «fthe late defe&ion , and to want fuch 
 Af^coBDlics is no w*ycs prejudicial!, but is a mercy to tht Church 
 in the judgment and language of the General AUcmbly, cited in 
 tht be guming «f ciiis Paper, neither js the running with the fpate 
 of dcf.dian the way to retain and prcferv* the privilege of ule- 
 fuli AfsesiblitB^bui 00 the contrary the giving of tcff:mo; y agamff 
 a courfeef declining in tht time thereof,ha h oy experience often 
 proved a mercy and in ihr wife and gracious providence of God, 
 fcfae beft greund of hopc^nd an open doe«r fur free Aisemblics.- 
 
 FINIS. 
 
im) 
 
 Becaufe in thefe (as in other Papers relating to the preient puBlick 
 Differences) the tolemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement 
 to Duties are frequently mentioned ( And it being conceived by the 
 fearful flighting or the tame, which of late hath appeared in the Land) 
 that they are forgotten by the moll part , and call by as out of date; 
 Therefore it was thought fit they fhould be hereunto fubjoyned. 
 
 A Solemn Acknowledgement of publick^ Sins and 'Breaches of the Covenant ; 
 And a folemn Engagement to all the 'Duties contained therm, namely thefe 
 *tobieh do in a morejbecial tyay relate unto the dangers ofthefe Times. 
 
 fSSS^ E Noblemen, Barons, Gentiemcn,BurgelTcs,Minifters of 
 |f! ~W$ the Gofpel,and Commons of all forts within this King- 
 2^pj|l dom, by the good hand of God upon us, taking in ferious 
 consideration the many fad afflictions and deep diftrettes 
 wherwl'h we have been exercifed for a long time paft,and that the 
 Land after it hath been fore wafted with the Sword and the Pefti- 
 lence , and threatned with Famine , and chat (name and contempt 
 hath been poured out from the Lord againft many thoufands of our 
 Nation who did in a finful way make War upon the Kingdom o£ 
 B'ngUn^ contrary to the Teftiroony of his Servants and defirei of 
 bis People, and that the remnants of that Army returning to this 
 Land, have fpoiled and opprefled many of our Brethren, and that: 
 the Malignant party is ftill numerous , and retaining their former 
 Principles, wait for an opportunity to Raifc a New and Dangerous* 
 War, not only unto the rending of the bowels o£ this Kingdom,bu£ 
 unto the dividing us from EngUnd^nd overturning of the work of 
 God in all the three KingdomsiAnd considering alfo that a cloud of 
 calamities doth ftill hang over our heads , and threaten us with fad 
 things to come , We cannot but look upon chefe things as from the 
 Lord, who is righteous in all his \taycs,feedtng us with the bread of 
 tears, and making us to drink the waters of affliction, until we be 
 taught to know $ How evil and bitter athing it is, to depart from 
 him»by breaking the Oath and Covenant which we have made wth. 
 "him,and that we may be humbled before him by confeilng our fin, 
 and forfaking the evil of our way. 
 
 Therefore being preifed witbfo great necefTities and flraits, and 
 warranted by the word of God, and having the example of Gods 
 
 Qj people 
 
(106) 
 people of old,who in the time or their troubls,and when they were 
 to feek delivery and a right way for thcmfelvs,that the Lord might 
 be with them to profper them, did humble thcmfelves before him, 
 and make a free and particularconferfion of the fins of their Princes, 
 ibeir Rulers. the'rCaptaii^their Pncfts and their People,and did en- 
 gage themfeives to do no more ib,but to reform their waycs,and be 
 ftedfaft in his Covenant • and rcunembring the pra&ifc of our Pre- 
 deceffors in the year 1 596. wherein the Gen. Aflembly , and all the 
 K;rk judicatories, with the concurrence of many of the Nobility, 
 Gen cry & Burgefo, did with many tears acknowledge before God 
 the breach of the National Coveuant,& engaged themfeives to a re- 
 form aton,even as our Predecelfors and theirs had before done in the 
 Gen. Affembly a id convention of Fftates in the year 1 567. And 
 perceiving that this puty, when gone about out of confcieacc and 
 in fincenty,hath alwaics been attended with a reviving out of trou- 
 bles, and with a bleJing and fuccefs from Heaven : We do humbly 
 and (incerely as in his fight, who is the fearcher of hearts, acknow- 
 ledge the many Mis and great crsnfgreffions of the Land: We have 
 done wickedly, our K<ngs,our Pci >ees,oiir Nobles, our J'idges,our 
 OrHcerSjOur Teachers, and our People : Albeit the Lord hath long 
 and clearly fpoken unto us, wc have not hearkened to his voice,. al- 
 beit he hath followed us w;th tender mercies, we have not been al- 
 lured to wait upon him and walk in his way ; and though he hath 
 ftr.ken us,yet we have not grieved: nay,though he hath confumed 
 hs,wc have refufed to receive correction. We have net remembered 
 to render unto the Lord according to his goodnefs,and according to 
 our own vowes and promifes, but have gone away backward by a 
 continued courfe of back- Aiding, and have broken all the Aiticl's of 
 that folemn League and Covenant which we fwore before God, 
 Aagels and Men. 
 
 Albeit there be in the Land many of all ranks, who be for a Tc- 
 ftiixiony unto the truth,* for a name of joy & praife unto the Lord, 
 by living godly ,ftudying to keep their garments pwe,and being fted- 
 faft in the Covenant and Caufe of God ; yet wc have rcafop to ac- 
 knowledge that moft of us have not endeavored with that reality, 
 (incer ; ty,and conftancy>that did become us,to preserve the work of 
 Reformation in the Kirk of ScnUni i many hav? fatisfied them- 
 feives with the purity of the Ordinances,aeglecl:ing the power ther- 
 q$ j yca 3 fame have ^imcd aiide to crooked wayes * dcftru&ive to 
 
 both 
 
both. The pr ophane,loofe,and infolent carnage of many in oar Ar- 
 mies, who went to the Afliftance of our Brethren in ingUnd , and 
 the tamperings and unftraight dealing of Tome of ourCommiilioncrs 
 and others of our Nation in L*nd*n y the Ifle oi Wight^ and othec 
 places of that Kingdom , have proved great Jets to the work of Re- 
 formation,and fetling of Kirk government there, wherby Error and 
 Schifm in that Land have been encreafed, and Sectaries, hardened in 
 their way. We have been fo far from endeavoring the extirpation 
 of Prophanefs, and what is contrary to the power of godlmef^that 
 prophanity huh been much winked at,and prophane perfons much 
 countenanced, and many times imployed, until! iniquity and ungod- 
 lincfs hath gone over the face of che Land as a flood 5 nay,fuiticiene 
 care hath not been had , to feparate betwixt the precious and the 
 vile, by debarring from the Sacrament all ignorant and fcandalous 
 perfons, according to the Ordinances of this Kirk. 
 
 Neither have the Privi ledges of the Parliaments and Liberties of 
 the Subject been duly tendered , but forne amongft our fclves have 
 labored to put into the hands of our King, an arbitrary and unlimi- 
 ted power deftructrve to both • and many of as have been acceffory 
 of late to thofe means and way es, whereby the freedom and pnvi- 
 ledges of Parliaments have been encroached upon, and the Subjects 
 opprefled in their Confciences, Perfons, and Eftates : Neither hath 
 it been our care to avoid thefe things which might harden the King 
 in his evil way ; but upon the contrary, he hath not only been pcr- 
 rnittedjbut many of us have been inftrumcntal to make him exercife 
 his power in many things tending to the prejudice of Religion and 
 of the Covenant, and of the Peace and fafety of thefe Kingdoms ; 
 which is fo far from the right way of preferving his Majefties Per- 
 fon and Authority^that it cannot but provoke the Lord againft him 
 unto the hazard of both • nay.under a presence of relieving and do- 
 ing for the King whilft he refufes to do what was ncceflary for the 
 Houfe of God , fomc have ranverfed, and violated moft of ail the 
 Articles of the Covenant. 
 
 Our own confeiences within,and Gods judgments upon us with- 
 out,do convince us of the manifold wilful renewed breaches of that 
 Article which conccrneth the difcovery and puniin-ment of Malig- 
 mnts, whofe crimes have not only been connived at, but difeenfed 
 with and pardoned, and themf elves received unto intimate fellow- 
 fhip with our feives, and cntruited yvith our Counfels,admitted un- 
 
 Qjj 2 to 
 
(308) 
 tcrojc Parliaments, and put in places of Power and Antho-ity for 
 managing the publick Affairs of the Kingdom , whereby in Gods 
 joftice they got at iait mto their hands the whole power and 
 ftrength of the Kingdom, both in Judicatories and Annies, and did 
 imploy the fame unto the enacting and prosecuting an unlawful 
 Engagement in War againft the Kingdom of England , notwith- 
 standing of the d»ifcnt of many ccifiderablc members of Parliament, 
 who had given constant pro f of their integrity in the Cauie from 
 the beginnings! ;?iany faithful ttftunonies and free warnings of the 
 fcrvants of GodjOf 'he f ;ppl cations of many Synods, Presbyter es 
 and Shy es, aud of the Declarations of the Gen. Aflembly and their 
 GommiiUoners to the contrary: Which engagement as it hash been 
 the caufe of much iin,fo alfo of nuch uiifery and calam'ty unto this 
 Land,and holds f >rch to us the gncvoufnefs of our fin otcomplying 
 with Milignants in the greatnefs of oar judgment, that we may be 
 taught never to fpiit agun upon the fame Rock , upon wh ch the 
 Lord hath fet fo remarkable a Beacon And after all chat is come to 
 pafs unto us becaufe of this our trefpafs , and after that grace hath 
 been fh* wed unto ns from th« Lord our G >d , by breaking thefe 
 mens yoke from ofFour necks, aid putting us again into a capacity 
 to ad for the good of Religion, oar o v vn fifecy, and the Peace and 
 fafcty of this K ngdom, (hould we again break his Commaadment 
 and Coveaant by joyning once more with the people of thefe abo- 
 minations, and taking into oat bofome thofe Serpenti wh ch had 
 formerly fting us almoft unto death : This as it would argue great 
 madnefs and folly upon our part, fo no doubt, if it be not avoided, 
 will provoke the Lord againft as to confumc us until there be no 
 remnant nor efcaping in the Land. 
 
 And albeit the Peace and Union betwixt the Kingdoms be a 
 great b!e;Ti\ig of God unto both* and a Bo id which w? are obliged 
 to prefers unvolated, and to endeavour that juftiee may be done 
 upon the oppofers thereof: Yet fo ne in this Land, who have come 
 under the B end of the Covenant , have made it their great ftudy 
 how to diif )lve this Unio.i , and fe<v o: no endeavors have been 
 ufei by any m us for p intfhiiag of fuch. 
 
 We have f itftred many of oar Brethren in feverail parts of the 
 iandi to b^onprelfed of the common Enemy, Without compaftibri 
 or relief: There hath been great murmuring and replying becaufe 
 of expense of meia* and pain? in doing of our duty) Maay by per- 
 
 fwafion 
 
U°9) 
 fiyafion or terror,have feflcrcd themfelves to be divided and with* I 
 drawn,co make defeifbon to the contrary part ; Many have turned 
 oft to a deteitahie ind.rFerency and neutrality in this Caafe, which fo 
 much conccmeth the gJo y of G O D, and the good of thefe King- 
 doms ; Nay, many have made it their (tody to walk fo , as they 
 might comply w'th ali times , and all the Revolutions thereof. It 
 hath not heeu our care to countenance, encourage, intruft and em- 
 ploy fuch oneiy, as from their hearts did affect- and minde God§ 
 Work ; Bat the hearts oi fuch many times have been difcouraged, 
 and their hinds weakened,thdr fufferings neglecTed,and themfelves 
 flightcd,and many who were once open Enernies,snd alwayes fecret 
 undermsners countenanced and employed; Nay, even thofe who had 
 been looked upon as Incendiaries, and upon whom the Lord had fee 
 marks of defperate Malignancy, Valfliood and Deceit, were brought 
 in,as fit to manage Puoiick Affairs ; Many have been the kts and 
 impediments thac have been call in the way to retard and obftruct 
 the Lo ds Work,and fome have keeped fecret* what of themfelves 
 they were not able to fupprelfe and overcome. 
 
 Bdides thefe andtcany other breaches of the Articles of the Co- 
 venant in the matter thereof,whkh concerned! every one of us to 
 fearch out and acknowledge before; the Lord,as we would wifh. his 
 wrath to be turned away from us ; So have many of Us faded ex- 
 ceedingly in the manner of our following and purfuing the duties 
 contained therein.not onely fecking great things for our Cdves, and 
 mixing of private Intcreits and ends co jcerning our felves , friends 
 and followersjwith thofe things which concern the PublickGood, 
 but many times preferring fuch to the Honour of God and good of 
 his Caufe/and retarding Gods Work, untill we might carry along 
 with us our own intcrefts and defignes. It hath been our way to 
 trufi in the means, and to rely open the Arm of Fkfh for fuccefle, 
 Albeit theLerd hath many times made us meet with difappointment 
 thereiD,and flamed the pride of all our Glory ,by blading every car- 
 nail confidence unto us ; We have followed for the moft part the 
 counfels of liefh and blood, and walked more by the rules of Policie 
 thai Picty,and have hearkened more unto men then unto God. 
 
 Albeit we made folemn puMck profession before the World of 
 oisr unfained deiires to be hutabled before the Lord for our own 
 {ins, and the (ins of thefe Kirigdoms,efpecially for our under valuing 
 of the ineliimable benefit of the Gofpel- , and that we have not la- 
 boured 
 
(3 io) 
 
 boured for the power thereof and received Chrift into our hearts, 
 and walked worthy ol him in our lives, and of our true and unfai- 
 ned pu poie,ueRre and cnJeavour for our felves and all others under 
 our power and charge both m ptblick and prnratc,tn all duties which 
 we owe to God and man, to mend our lives, and each one to go 
 before another in the example of a Real Reformation,that the Lord 
 might turn away hs wrath and heavy indignation > and eftabhfh 
 theie Ksrks and Kingdoms in Truth and Peace ; Yet we have refu- 
 fed to be rcfonned,and have walked proudly and ofr'inatly agaiiit 
 the Lordyriot valuing hi*, Gofpel,nor fubmitting our fclves unto the 
 , obedience thereof, nor feeking after Chrift, nor ftudying to honour 
 him in the ExceHencie of his Perfon , nor employ him in the 
 vertue of hs Orrices , not making confeience of publick Or- 
 dinances , nor puvate nor fecret duties, nor ftudying to edific one 
 another in love. The ignorance of God and of his Son Jefus Chrift, 
 prcvailes exceedingly in the Land > The greateft part of Mafters of 
 families amonoft tsL blemenjBaronSjGentlemefyBurgeffes and Com- 
 mons neglect to feek God in their Families, and to endeavour the 
 Reformation thereof ; And albeit it hath been much preflfed, yet 
 few of our Nobles and great ones ever to this day could be perfwa- 
 ded to perform Family duties thcmfelves and in their own perfons; 
 which makes fo nccellary and ufefull a duty to be mif regarded by 
 othes of inferior rsnk ; Nay, many of the Nobiiity , Gentry and 
 Burrows who fhould have been examples of GodliRelTe and fober 
 walking unto other*, have been ring- leaders of excefle and rioting. 
 Albeit we be the Lords people engaged to him in a folemn way, yet 
 to this day w r e have not made it our ftudy , that Judicatories and 
 Armies ftiould conlift of, and places of power and truft be filled 
 with men of a blameUfle and Chfiftiari converfation, and of known 
 integrity a ,d approven rrdeliry,arTed:ion and zeal unto the Caufe of 
 God , but not onely thofe who have been neutrall and indifferent., 
 but (Rf-affe&cd and Malignaat,and others who have been prcphane 
 and fcan ^ious, have been intruded ;by which it hath come to paffe 
 that j <*d catories have been the feats oi" injultice and iniquity, and 
 ma y in cur Armies by their mif carriages have become our plague 
 unto the great prejudice of the Caufe of God,thc great IcandalLof 
 the\ oipe;,& the great increafe of loofnefs & prophaniiy through- 
 out *1 the Landiit were impoffible to reckon up al the abominations 
 that are in the Und,lut the blafpheming of the name of God,fwea- 
 ring by the Creatures, prophanation of the I ords day, uncleanneff, 
 
 drunk- 
 
f3«) 
 
 drunkennefoexcefs & notmg^anity of apparrel,tying & deceit, rai- 
 ling & curiing,arbitary & uncontrolled opprerfion ? & grinding > r the 
 faces or' the poor by landlords & others in place and power, are be- 
 come ordmarv & common .fins ; And befides all thefe things, there 
 be many other tranfgreffions, whvreof the land wherein ws live is 
 guilty i All which we defire to acknowledge and to be humbled tor, 
 that the world may bc-ar w:tnes with u?,that rightoufnes belongeth 
 unto God , ind ihame & conrufion of face unto us as appears this 
 day. And becaufc it is needful for thefe who -find mercy not Only to 
 confefs,batalfo to forfake their S;n ; therefore that the reality and 
 fincerity of our repentance may appear, We do refolve,and folemnly 
 engage our felves before the Lord, carefully to avoid for the time 
 to come alt thefe oftnees, whereof we have now made fofemn pub- 
 lick Acknowledgment, and all the inarcs and tentanons which tsnd 
 thereunto : And to teftifie the integrity of our refolut'o-i herein, 
 and that we may be the better enabled in the power of the Lords . 
 ftrength to perform the fame, we do again renew onrfolerun League 
 and Covenant,promifing hereafter to make confeience of -11 the du- 
 ties Whcrcunto we are obliged m all the heads and Articles there- 
 of* particularly of thefe which follow ; 
 
 i. Becaufe Religion is of all things the mod excellent and pre- 
 cious, the advancing and promoving the power thereof agafeft all 
 Uflgodlinsfs and profanity, the fecaring and preierving the purity 
 thereof againft all error, h^refie, and fchifm ; and namely, *f*dt- 
 -pendency \ Anabaptiftn, *s4*tin&miAmfrt^ rfrminiAmfm^ Steinid- 
 nifm> Famiitfm, Ltbertimfm* $cepticifnt y *r\d Erafttamfw, and 
 the carrying on the work of uniformity {halt be ftudied and endea- 
 voured by us before all wordly mtereft , whether concerning the 
 King, or our felves, or any other wkatfoever. 2. Becaufe iptffy 
 have of late labored to fupplant the liberties of the Kirk, we iliall 
 maintain and defend the Kirk of Scotland ■ in all her liberties and 
 privilcdges, againft all who fhail oppofc or undermine the fame, or 
 encroach thereupon under any pretext whatfoevcr. 3. We fliall 
 vindicate & maintain the liberties of the Sabjeds in all thefe things 
 which concern their confeiences, perfons and Eftates. 4 We ihaii 
 carefully maintain and defend the union betwixt the Kingdoro^and 
 avoid every thing tkat may weaken the fame, or involve us in any 
 meafure of accelSon unto the guilt of thofe who hav- invaded c e 
 Kingdom of En giant 5. As we have been aiwaies loyal to ou£ 
 Kins . fo we ftiail ftill endeavour to sire unto God that which is ._ ... 
 
 • ■ - s S ■-, =• o 
 
 x- 
 
(in) 
 
 God?, and to C4 dr tne ^^S 8 which are C*l*rs. 6. We (hall be 
 fo far from conniving at, complying with,or countenancing of Ma- 
 lignancy, injuftice, iniquity, pro, han ty, and impiety, that we (hall 
 not only avoid,and di Countenance thoic thing, and chenfh and en- 
 courage thefc perfons, who are zealous for the Caufe of God, and 
 walk according to the Gofpd ; But alio fhall take a more effectual 
 courfe t! en heretofore in our refpeftive Places aod Callings,for pu- 
 n'fhing and fupprefling thefe evils, and faithfully endeavor that the 
 beft and fit tell remedies may be applied for taking away the caufes 
 thereof, and advancing the knowledge of God , and Holinefs and 
 Righteoufnefs in the Land. And therefore in the laft place, as wc 
 fhall carneftly pray unto God, That he would give us able men 
 fearing Gormen of tmth y and hating Covet9ujne[s i to judge and 
 bear charge among his people, fo we fhall according to our Places 
 andCallings.endeavor that Judicatories and all places of Power and 
 Truft both tn Kirk and State raay confift of, and be filled with fuch 
 men as are of known good afFe&ion to the Caufe of God, and of a 
 blamelefs and Chnftian converfation. 
 
 And becaufc there may be many, who heretofore have not made 
 confcience of the Oath of God, but fome through fear, others by 
 perfwafior, and upon bafe ends, and humane mterefts, have entered 
 therunto,who have afterwards difcovered themfelves to have dealt 
 deceitfully with the Lord in f wearing falfly by his name,Tbercfore 
 we who do now renew our Covenant in reference to thefe duties 
 and all other duties contained therin,Do in the fight of him who is 
 the fearcher of hearts, folemnly profcfs,That it is not upon any po- 
 litick advantage,or private irtcreft,or by-end,or becaufe of any ter- 
 ror or perfwafion from men, or hypocritically and deceitfully, that 
 we do agam take upon us the Oath of God, But honcftly and fin- 
 cerly, and from the fence of our duty, and that therefore denying 
 our felves and our own thinf s , and la) ing afide a>l felf intereft and 
 ends, We fhall above all things feek the honor of God, the good of 
 his Caufe,and the wealth of his people,and that forfakmg the coun- 
 fels of fleih and blood, and not leaning upon carnal confidences, we 
 fhall depend upon the Lord , walk by the rule of his word , and 
 hearken to the voice of his fervants ; In all which profefling our 
 own weaknefs,, Wc do earncftly p^ay to God, who is the Father of 
 mercies, through his Son Jefus Ghnft, to be merciiul unto us , and 
 to enable us by the power ot his might , that we may do our duty 
 unto the praife of his Grace in the Churches. Amen. 
 FINIS. 
 
, Is If ^ 
 
 3^-9 » » 3 
 
 id - 
 
 III I 
 
 J cc 
 
 o -° « w= o £ S r= P "-o 3 >• S 
 
 
 ■°s-§ 
 
 Q -J 
 
 < -9 £ 3 
 
 o « g 
 
 £ a 5 
 
 if, ^i H.i 
 
 w e . C 
 
 £3 ?2Su»| -g-^f^i," 
 
 I J.-.J.1 
 
 life fl flV3 
 
 -00 
 
 *:: 
 
 u 5 
 
 
 .S .2 „ -6 S o ? . I 
 
 ■""=T3 D >.llS fctl=«DJ3»'.ti > *S"='°m- > " 2 S 
 
 £nSn £ a-'Cj3 s-OS^jc! 5 -!? = ^ s £ ra ^^ £ .2 $ - 
 
 iS % % 
 
 H 
 
 = o a 
 
 £ .3 
 
 
 a fi & 
 
 15 J al-S; ? sa-3 »g«3 -3 a .2 srji 
 
 II! 
 
 o § n 
 
 g - S 
 
 g"2 e 
 
 ^ £ 2 «S ^ 1 | .§ 
 
 --rlfllil 
 
 C w a a J p b g 
 
 * "5 H ■ ^ 
 
 1 V3 Sj *€ 
 

 
 -- J" 
 
 
 % 
 
 
1 
 
 .a-S 
 
 Hi* 
 
 "3 
 
 S*S 
 
 5lJs 
 
 e >. « 
 
 < 2 
 
 2 A 
 
 ■3 
 
 % e 
 
 J .• fc s s 
 
 i » i s . ■*.... s* * i 
 
 U TJ '?» „ « 3 - 331 o -= ° •- ^ • !i So > 
 
 § £g 
 
 3 e -a a -o 
 
 
 KB a •§ 5 ^ i "S jb # 2 jj * -8 B 3 -« 
 
 * £ v, >5 o\ '«? . in £ » h 
 
 S u _ ,S a -a 
 
 15 
 
 - _:■ 
 o « '— 
 ° * 3 
 
 := 3 =: "r-u^iS 
 
 *M "s 
 
 S'-e 
 Ir. | 
 
 
 3 "O -: >- u 
 
 ■3-^ 
 
 f 1\ 
 1 
 
1 
 
 s I 
 
 £ C2 3 
 
 km i 
 
 
 *e s 
 
 
 IS-* « 
 s-S.fi 
 
 g e a. 
 
 rami 
 
 (Mil 
 
 * ill 
 
 rr 3- e- _. 
 
 Ym 
 
 g rnn 
 
 ^ I IOt+ 
 
 « • 1 1 1 1 
 2" • i i i i 
 
 $ Httt 
 
 ET Kill 
 
 Ililfi 
 
 8 M 
 
 -• ~r ! ! 1 
 ; t fl I I I 
 
 IUOT 
 Mill 
 
 m 
 
 TM I I 
 
 JIM! 
 1 1-3*+ 
 
 ri n i 
 
 I CT-f" K" 
 
 I lOH> 
 
 \\Ui 
 
 ! J I I I 
 1-0-4-+ 
 flit I 
 
 III 
 
 14JEH 
 
 I ! I 
 
 iiiii 
 
 ll.lll 
 
 Wd\ 
 
 IIMI 
 
 1 <$ , 
 
 I I I I I 
 
 I ifii 
 
 j m w 
 
 s inn r* 
 
 hrif 
 
 silt t$ihi*9 tl s 
 
 ||ff iltn'i-i 111' 
 
 i?f| »!|Sf*t* SSI 
 
 :«.& I:* 2 - 
 
 ..T-f g 
 
 sr- a. a- a. »5! Z. "* £-<2 r 
 
 & = £ rfSa.£jriS I I r 
 
 = a. -.i*^ sr^SiJEs' S-„ — 
 
 ~ u 3 2 -• - a.- re -P-" 
 
 tS-f! 
 
 Iff! 
 
 .Hi 
 
1 
 
ill 
 
 * 5 i 
 
 2 )| 
 

 - 
 
Mb 
 
 jap 
 
 ftti *&