lately obtruded upon the reformed Kirk within this Realme, both in
respect of the manner of the introducing thereof, and in respect of
the matter which it containeth, findeth that it hath been devised
and brought in by the pretended Prelats, without direction from the
Kirk, and pressed upon ministers without warrand from the Kirk, to be
universally received as the only forme of divine service under all
highest paines, both civill and ecclesiasticall, and the book it self,
beside the _popish_ frame and forms in divine worship, to containe many
_popish_ errours and ceremonies, and the seeds of manifold and grosse
superstition and idolatrie. The Assembly therefore all in one voice,
hath rejected, and condemned and by these presents doth reject and
condemne the said book, not only as illegally introduced, but also as
repugnant to the doctrine, discipline and order of this reformed Kirk,
to the Confession of Faith, constitutions of generall Assemblies, and
acts of Parliament establishing the true Religion: and doth prohibite
the use and practise thereof: and ordaines Presbyteries to proceed with
the censure of the Kirk against all such as shall transgresse.
II. The Assembly also, taking to their consideration the book of
Cannons, and the manner how it hath been introduced, findeth that
it hath been devised by the pretended Prelats, without warrand or
direction from the generall Assembly; and to establish a tyrannicall
power in the persons of the pretended Bishops, over the worship of
God, mens consciences, liberties and goods, and to overthrow the whole
discipline and government of the generall and Synodall Assemblies,
Presbyteries, and Sessions formerly established in our Kirk.
Therefore the Assembly all in one voice hath rejected and condemned,
and by these presents doth reject and condemne the said book, as
contrare to the confession of our Faith, and repugnant to the
established government, the book of Discipline, and the acts and
constitutions of our Kirk: prohibits the use and practise of the same;
and ordains Presbyteries to proceed with the censure of the Kirk
against all such as shall transgresse.
III. The Assembly having considered the book of consecration and
ordination, findeth it to have been framed by the Prelats, to have been
introduced and practised without warrand of authority, either civill
or ecclesiasticall: and that it establisheth offices in Gods house,
which are not warranded by the word of God, and are repugnant to the
Discipline, and constitutions of our Kirk, that it is an impediment
to the entrie of fit and worthie men to the ministery, and to the
discharge of their dutie after their entrie, conforme to the discipline
of our Kirk. Therefore the Assembly all in one voice hath rejected
and condemned, and by these presents doe reject and condemne the said
book; and prohibits the use and practise of the same; And ordaines
Presbyteries to proceed with the censure of the Kirk against all such
as shall trangresse.
IIII. The generall Assembly, after due tryall, having found that the
Court of high Commission, hath been erected without the consent or
procurement of the Kirk, or consent of the Estates in Parliament,
that it subverteth the jurisdiction and ordinarie judicatories
and Assemblies of the Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries, provinciall
and nationall Assemblies, that it is not regulate by lawes civill
or ecclesiasticall, but at the discretion and arbitrement of the
Commissioners; that it giveth to ecclesiasticall persons, the power
of both the swords, and to persons meerly civill, the power of the
keys and Kirk censures: Therefore the Assembly, all in one voice, hath
disallowed and condemned, and by these presents doth disallow and
condemne the said court, as unlawfull in it selfe, and prejudiciall
to the liberties of Christs Kirk and Kingdome, the Kings honour in
maintaining the established lawes and judicatories of the Kirk: and
prohibits the use and practise of the same: and ordaines Presbteries
to proceed with the censures of the Kirk, against all such as shall
transgresse.
_After the serious discussing of the severall Processes, in many
Sessions, from Sess. 14. (which are in the Clerks hands and needeth not
here to be insert) the following sentences were solemnly pronounced
after Sermon by the Moderatour, in the Assembly of Glasgow, Sess. 20.
December 13. 1638._
_Sentence of deposition and excommunication against _ Mr IOHN
SPOTTISWOOD, _pretended Archbishop of St Andrews;_ Mr. PATRICK LINDSAY,
_pretended Archbishop of Glasgow:_ Mr. DAVID LINDSAY, _pretended Bishop
of Edinburgh:_ Mr. THOMAS SIDSERFE,_ pretended Bishop of Galloway:_
Mr. IOHN MAXWELL, _pretended Bishop of Rosse:_ Mr. WALTER WHYTEFOORD,_
pretended Bishop of Brechen._
The generall Assembly, having heard the lybels and complaints, given
in against the foresaids pretended Bishops to the Presbyterie of
Edinburgh, and sundry other Presbyteries within their pretended
Dyocies, and by the saids Presbyteries referred to the Assembly, to be
tryed: The saids pretended Bishops being lawfully cited, often-times
called, and their Procutour Doctour Robert Hammiltoun, and not
compearing, but declining and protesting against this Assembly, as is
evident by their declinatour, and protestation given in by the said
Doctour Robert Hammiltoun minister at Glasfoord, which by the acts
of Assembly is censurable with summar excommunication: Entered in
consideration of the said declinatour, and finding the same not to be
relevant, but on the contrare to be a displayed banner against the
setled order and government of this Kirk, to be fraughted with insolent
and disdainfull speeches, lies and calumnies against the lawfull
members of this Assembly, proceeded to the cognition of the saids
complaints, and lybels against them; and finding them guiltie of the
breach of the cautions, agreed upon in the Assembly holden at Montrose,
Anno 1600. for restricting of the minister voter in Parliament,
from incroaching upon the liberties and jurisdiction of this Kirk,
which was set down with certification of deposition, infamie, and
excommunication, specially for receiving of consecration to the office
of Episcopacie, condemned by the confession of Faith, and acts of this
Kirk, as having no warrand, nor foundament in the word of God, and
by vertue of this usurped power, and power of the high Commission,
pressing the Kirk with novations in the worship of God, and for sundrie
other haynous offences, and enormities, at length expressed, and
clearly proven in their processe, and for their refusall to underly the
tryal of the reigning slander of sundrie other grosse transgressions
and crymes laid to their charge: Therefore the Assembly moved with zeal
to the glorie of God, and purging of his Kirk, hath ordained the saids
pretended Bishops to be deposed, and by these presents doth depose
them, not only of the office of Commissionaire to vote in Parliament,
Councell, or Convention in name of the Kirk, but also of all functions
whether of pretended Episcopall or ministeriall calling, declareth
them infamous. And likewise ordaineth the saids pretended Bishops to
be excommunicate, and declared to be of these whom Christ commandeth
to be holden by all and every one of the faithfull as ethnicks, and
publicanes; and the sentence of excommunication to be pronounced by
Mr Alexander Henderson, Moderatour, in face of the Assembly in the
high Kirk of Glasgow, and the execution of the sentence to bee intimat
in all the Kirks of Scotland by the Pastours of every particullar
congregation, as they will be answerable to their Presbyteries and
Synods, or the next generall Assembly, in case of the negligence of
Presbyteries and Synods.
_Sentence of deposition and excommunication against_ Mr. ADAM
BALLANTYNE, _pretended Bishop of Aberdeen, and_ Mr. IAMES WEDDERBURN
_pretended Bishop of Dumblane._
The generall Assembly, having heard the lybels and complaints given in
against the foresaids pretended Bishops, of Aberdeen, and Dumblane,
to the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and sundry Presbyteries within their
pretended Dyocies, and by the saids Presbyteries referred to this
Assembly to be tryed: The saids pretended Bishops being lawfully
cited, often-times called, and not compearing, proceeded to the
cognition of the complaints and lybels against them, and finding them
guiltie of the breach of the cautions, agreed upon in the Assembly
holden at Montrose, Anno 1600. for restricting the minister voter in
Parliament, from encroaching upon the liberties and jurisdictions
of this Kirk, which was set down with certification of deposition,
infamie and excommunication, specially for receiving consecration
to the office of Episcopacie, condemned by the confession of Faith,
and acts of this Kirk, as having no warrand nor foundament in the
word of God, and by vertue of this usurped power, and power of the
high Commission, pressing the Kirk with novations in the worship of
God, and for sundry other haynous offences and enormities, at length
expressed, and clearly proven in their Processe, and for their refusall
to underly the tryall of the reigning slander of sundry other grosse
transgressions and offences laid to their charge: Therefore the
assembly moved with zeal to the glorie of God, and purging of the Kirk,
hath ordained the saids pretended Bishops to be deposed, and by these
presents doth depose them, not only of the office of Commissionary to
vot in Parliament, Councell, or Convention, in name of the Kirk, but
also of all functions, whether of pretended Episcopall or ministeriall
calling, declareth them infamous: and likewise ordains the saids
pretended Bishops to be excommunicate, and declared to be of these whom
Christ commanded to be holden by all and every one of the faithfull
as Ethnicks and Publicans; and the sentence of excommunication to
be pronounced by Mr Alexander Henderson, Moderatour, in face of the
Assembly, after Sermon, in the high Kirk of Glasgow; and that the
execution of the sentence be intimat in all the Kirks within this
Realme, by the Pastours of every particular congregation, as they will
be answerable to their Presbyteries and Synods, or the next generall
Assembly, in case of the negligence of Presbyteries and Synods.
_Sentence of deposition against_ Mr. IOHN GUTHRY, _pretended Bishop
of Murray:_ Mr. IOHN GRAHAME _pretended Bishop of Orknay,_ Mr. IAMES
FAIRLIE, _pretended Bishop of Lismoir:_ Mr. NEIL CAMBELL, _pretended
Bishop of Isles._
The generall Assembly having heard the lybels and complaints given
in against the foresaids pretended Bishops, to the Presbyterie of
Edinburgh, and sundrie Presbyteries within their Dyocies, and by the
saids Presbyteries referred to this Assembly to bee tryed: the saids
pretended Bishops being lawfully cited, often times called, and not
compearing, proceeded to the cognition of the complaints and lybels
against them; and finding them guiltie of the breach of the cautions
agreed upon in the Assembly at Montrose, Anno 1600. for restricting of
the minister voter in Parliament, from incroaching upon the liberties
and Jurisdictions of this Kirk, which was set down with certification
of deposition, infamie and excommunication; and especially for
receiving consecration to the office of Episcopacie condemned by the
confession of Faith, and acts of this Kirk, as having no warrand nor
foundament in the word of God, and by vertue of this usurped power, and
power of the high commission, pressing the Kirk with novations in the
worship of God; and for their refusall to underly the tryall of the
reigning slander of sundrie other grosse trangressions and offences,
laid to their charge: Therefore the Assembly, moved with zeal to the
glorie of God, and purging of this Kirk, ordaines the saids pretended
Bishops, to bee deposed, and by these presents doth depose them, not
only of the office of commissionarie, to vote in Parliament, Councel,
or convention in name of the Kirk: but also of all functions, whether
of pretended Episcopall, or ministeriall calling: And likewise in case
they acknowledge not this Assembly, reverence not the constitutions
thereof, and obey not the sentence, and make not their repentance,
conforme to the order prescribed by this Assembly, ordaines them to be
excommunicated, and declared to bee of these whom Christ commandeth
to be holden by all and every one of the faithfull as Ethnicks and
Publicanes: and the sentence of excommunication to be pronounced
upon their refusall, in the Kirks appointed, by any of these who are
particularly named, to have the charge of trying their repentance or
impenitencie, and that the execution of the sentence bee intimate in
all the Kirks within this Realme by the Pastours of every particular
Congregation, as they will be answerable to their Presbyteries and
Synods, or the next generall Assembly, in case of negligence of the
Presbyteries and Synods.
_Sentence of deposition against_ Maister ALEXANDER LINDSAY _pretended
Bishop of Dunkell_.
The generall Assembly having heard the complaint and lybel given in
against Mr. Alexander Lindesay pretended Bishop of Dunkell, to the
Presbytery of Edinburgh, and sundrie Presbyteries of his pretended
Dyocie, and by the Presbyteries referred to this Assembly to be tryed:
The said pretended Bishop being lawfully cited, often-times called,
& not compearing, but by a letter of excuse submitting himself to
the Assembly, proceeded to the cognition of the complaint and lybell
it selfe against him, and finding him guiltie of the breach of the
cautions agreed upon in the Assembly holden at Montrose, Anno 1600. for
restricting the minister voter in parliament, from encroaching upon
the liberties and jurisdictions of this Kirk, which was set down with
certification of deposition, infamie and excommunication, especially
for receiving consecration to the office of Episcopacie condemned by
the confession of Faith, and acts of this Kirk, as having no warrand
nor foundament in the word of God, and by vertue of this usurped power,
and power of the high Commission, pressing the Kirk with novations in
the worship of God: Therefore the Assembly moved with zeal to the glory
of God, and purging of this Kirk, hath ordained the said Mr Alexander
to bee deposed, and by these presents deposeth him, from the pretended
Episcopall function, and from the office of commissionarie to vote in
Parliament, Councel or Convention in name of the Kirk and doth suspend
him from all ministeriall function, and providing he acknowledge this
Assembly, reverence the constitutions of it, and obey this sentence,
and make his repentance conforme to the order prescribed, continueth
him in the ministerie of St Madoze; And likewise, if he acknowledge
not this Assembly, reverence not the constitutions of it, and obey
not the sentence, and make his repentance, conforme to the order
prescribed by this Assembly, ordains him to be excommunicat, and
declared to bee one of those whom Christ commandeth to bee holden by
all and every one of the faithfull, as an Ethnick and Publicane, and
the sentence of excommunication to be pronounced upon his refusall, in
the Kirks appointed, by one of these who are particularly named, to
have the charge of trying his repentance or impenitencie, and that the
execution of this sentence be intimate in all the Kirks within this
Realme, by the Pastours of every particular congregation, as they will
be answerable to their Presbyteries and Synods, or the next generall
Assembly, in case of the negligence of Presbyteries and Synods.
_Sentence of deposition against_ Master IOHN ABERNETHIE _pretended
Bishop of Cathnes._
The generall Assembly having heard the lybell and complaint given
in against Mr. Iohn Abernethie pretended Bishop of Cathnes to the
Presbytery of Edinburgh, and sundrie Presbyteries within his Dyocie:
And by the saids Presbyteries, referred to this Assembly to be tryed:
The said pretended Bishop being lawfully cited, often-times called,
and not compearing, but by his letter of excuse upon his sicknesse,
proceeded to the cognition of the complaint and lybell it selfe against
him, and finding him guiltie of the breach of the cautions, agreed
upon in the Assembly holden at Montrose, Anno 1600. for restricting
the minister voter in Parliament, from encroaching upon the liberties
and jurisdictions of this Kirk, which was set down with certification
of deposition, infamie and excommunication, specially for receiving
consecration to the office of Episcopacie, condemned by the confession
of Faith, and acts of this Kirk as having no warrand nor foundament
in the word of God, and by vertue of his usurped power, and power of
the high Commission pressing the Kirk with novations in the worship of
God: Therefore the assembly moved with zeal to the glorie of God, and
purging of this Kirk, hath ordained the said Mr Iohn to be deposed, and
by these presents deposeth him from the pretended Episcopall function,
and from the office of Commissionary to vote in Parliament, Councel,
or convention, in name of the Kirk, and doth suspend him from the
ministeriall function. And providing he acknowledge this Assembly,
reverence the constitutions of it, and obey the sentence, and make his
repentance conforme to the order prescribed by this Assembly, will
admit him to the ministerie of a particular flock: and likewise, incase
he acknowledge not this Assembly, reverence not the constitutions
of it, and make his repentance conforme to the order prescribed by
this Assembly, ordains him to be excommunicate, and declared to be
one of these whom Christ commandeth to bee holden by all and every
one of the faithfull as an Ethnick and Publicane: and the sentence
of excommunication to be pronounced up on his refusall in the Kirks
appointed, by one of these who are particularly named to have this
charge of trying his repentance or impenitencie, and that the execution
of this sentence be intimat in all the Kirks within this Realme, by the
Pastours of every particular congregation, as they will be answerable
to their Presbyteries and Synods, or the next generall Assembly, in
case of the negligence of Presbyteries and Synods.
* * * * *
Act of the Assembly at Glasgow, Sess. 16. December 8. 1638.
_Declaring Episcopacie to have been abjured by the Confession of Faith,
1580; And to be removed out of this Kirk._
The Assembly taking to their most grave and serious consideration,
first the unspeakable goodnesse, and great mercy of God, manifested
to this Nation, in that so necessarie, so difficult, and so excellent
and divine work of reformation, which was at last brought to such
perfection, that this Kirk was reformed, not only in doctrine and
worship, but also after many conferences and publick reasonings in
divers nationall Assemblies, joyned with solemne humiliations and
prayers to God, the discipline and government of the Kirk, as the
hedge and guard of the doctrine and worship, was prescribed according
to the rule of God’s word, in the book of Policie and Discipline,
agreed upon in the Assembly 1578. and insert in the register 1581.
established by the Acts of Assemblies, by the confession of Faith,
sworn and subscribed, at the direction of the Assembly, and by
continuall practise of this Kirk: Secondly, that by mens seeking their
own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ; divers novations have
been introduced to the great disturbance of this Kirk so firmly once
compacted, and to the endangering of Religion, and many grosse evils
obtruded, to the utter undoing of the work of reformation and change
of the whole forme of worship and face of this Kirk: Thirdly that all
his Majesties Subjects both Ecclesiasticall and civil, being without
consent of the Kirk, commanded to receive with reverence a new book of
common prayer, as the only forme to be used in God’s publick worship,
and the contraveeners to be condignely censured, and punished, and
after many supplications and complaints, knowing no other way for the
preservation of Religion; were moved by God, and drawne by necessitie,
to renew the nationall Covenant of this Kirk, and Kingdome, which the
Lord since hath blessed from heaven, and to subscribe the Confession of
Faith, with an application thereof abjuring the great evils wherewith
they were now pressed, and suspending the practise of all novations
formerly introduced, till they should bee tryed in a free generall
Assembly; Lastly, that some of his Majesties Subjects of sundrie
ranks, have by his Majesties commandement subscribed and renewed the
confession of Faith, without the former application, and that both the
one and the other subscribers have subscribed the said Confession of
Faith in this year, as it was professed and according to the meaning
that it had in this Kingdome, when it was first subscribed 1581. and
afterward: The Assembly therefore, both by the subscription of his
Majesties high Commissioner, and of the Lords of secret Councel,
Septem. 22. 1638, And by the acts of Councel, of the date foresaid,
bearing that they subscribed the said Confession, and ordaining all
his Majesties Liedges to subscribe the same, according to the foresaid
date and tennour, and as it was then professed within this Kingdome,
as likewise by the Protestation of some of the Senatours of the
Colledge of justice, when they were required to subscribe, and by the
many doubtings of his Majesties good Subjects, especially because the
subscribers of the Confession in February 1638. are bound to suspend
the approbation of the corruptions of the government of the Kirk, till
they be tryed in a free generall Assembly; finding it proper for them,
and most necessary and incumbent to them, to give out the true meaning
thereof as it was at first professed, That all his Majesties Subjects
in a matter, so important as is the publick Confession of Faith, so
solemnly sworn and subscribed, may be of one minde, and one heart, and
have full satisfaction to all their doubts, and that the posteritie
afterward may be fully perswaded of the true meaning thereof, after
earnest calling upon the name of God, so religiously attested in the
said Confession; have entered into a diligent search of the registers
of the Kirk, and books of the generall Assembly, which the greatest
part of the Assembly had not seen before, and which by the speciall
providence of God were preserved, brought to their hands, and publickly
acknowledged to bee authentick, and have found that in the latter
confession of the Kirk of Scotland: “We professe, that we deteste all
traditions brought into the Kirk without, or against the word of God,
and doctrine of this reformed Kirk: _Next_, we abhorre and deteste all
contrarie religion and doctrine, but chiefly, All kinde of papistry in
generall, & particular heads, as they were then damned & confuted by
the word of God, and Kirk of Scotland, when the said Confession was
sworn and subscribed, An. 1580. and 1581. 1590. and 1591. _Thirdly_,
that we deteste the Romane Antichrist, his worldly monarchie, and
wicked hierarchie: _Fourthly_, that we joyn our selves to this reformed
Kirk in doctrine, Faith, Religion, & discipline, promising and swearing
by the great name of GOD, that we shall continue in the Doctrine and
Discipline of this Kirk, and defend the same according to our vocation
and power all the dayes of our life.”