come by your Grace rysing, must be ane; and we protest that we are free
of all: Therefore it must lye upon these unhappie men; they are the
band of all the evils, and their source sends foorth all thir secrete
suggestions and privat whisperings against Ruling Elders, is a chiefe
cause of this.
The Commissioner said—But I heard these men sweare that, for procureing
the peace of the Land, they were content to lay downe their offices and
livings, and leave this Kingdome. I grant the offer is but small, for
the Prince whom they serve can make it up another way.
The Moderatour said—I wische these men were more wise then to make
themselves more odious to the land, by moving your Grace to leave this
Assembly; for it is evidentlie seene by all, that they are the cause of
your Grace rysing.
The Commissioner said—I grant the cause is be urging in of a
declinatour and a protestation against lay Elders; but, truelie, they
are free of this my declaration, now red in your hearing, which I
desire to be insert in the bookes of the Assembly.
The Sheriff of Teviotdaile said—The paper your Grace craves to be
insert, is full of grace and goodness, and the registration of that,
proves the bookes to be an allowed Register, and the Assembly to be
lawfull; and if your Grace hath protested against the auctoritie of
these bookes, and lawfulnes of this Assembly, and will leave it as
unlawfull, how disassenting are these?
The Commissioner replyed—Whenever I have assented, it shall stand good.
The Moderatour answered—Your Graces direction to registrat these papers
in this, is ane acknowledgement that these bookes are good.
Mr David Dalgleishe said—I perceave, by your Graces speach and the
Bishops paper, that they desyre to be cleared of these foule aspersions
and imputations given in lybell against them. If, then, your Grace
shall leave this Assembly, it is evident that they have the wyte of it,
and have no will to be cleared, but would have all their challenges and
imputations lye undiscussed.
The Commissioner answered—I am sure the Bishops desyres nothing more
then to have a lawfull hearing before a judge free of partialitie; but
no man will submitt himself to a judge whom he thinks his partie, as
they think this Assembly to be.
Mr David Dalgleishe said—If I were in their case, and judged myselfe
free of such imputations, I would submitt myselfe to the meanest
subject of this kingdome, let be to such an honourable Assembly.
My Lord Lowdoun eikit—If they would declyne the judgment of ane
nationall Assembly, I know not ane competent judgment seat for them
but the King of Heaven; and, as for us, we sweare we have no personall
prejudice at them: but in sua far as they have wranged the Church, the
King, and Countrie, we desire they may be censured for it.
The Commissioner said—I stand to the Kings prerogative as Supreme Judge
over all causes, civill and ecclesiasticall, to whom I think they may
appeale, and not let the causes be reasoned heir.
My Lord Argyle desired the Assembly to heare him a little before his
Grace should departe, and said—I was called to this Assembly by his
Majestys command; but now, being come, I desyre to cleare myselfe, that
my pairt hes bein fair in every thing that I know, neither as flatterer
of the Kings Grace, nor for my own ends. I have not striven to blow the
bellowes; but studied to keepe matters in als soft a temper as I could:
and now I desyre to make it knowne to you, that I take you all for
members of a lawfull Assembly, and honest countriemen. As this Assembly
consists of members civill and ecclesiastic, I wishe that care may be
had that this bodie may byde together, as ye all band yourselves by the
late subscryved Confession of Faith; but I desyre that nothing be done
in this Assembly to the wronging of that Confession subscryved by us of
his Majesties Counsell, as if I had subscryved it with a mynd different
from that which all had at the first making and subscryving of that
Confession.
My Lord Lowdoun answered—Your Lordships protestation is very
reasonable, seeing it is very scandalous that ane Confession should
be subscryved be the Lords of his Majesties Counsell and Session,
and ane uther be the bodie of the countrie, as if they were two
different Confessions of Faith among the professours of ane religione
in ane kingdome; therefore, it is earnestlie desyred of all, that the
Confession of Faith be cleared, and a full explanation of all the heads
and articles of it, that all may heartilie joyne in ane Religion, and
duetifull obedience to our King, and that no slander goe abroad to
uther nations.
The Commissioner said—What is done by warrand of auctoritie shall be
cleared by the lawes of this Kirk and Kingdome, and wayes also shall be
found to cleare his Majesties intention and will.
My Lord Lowdoun replyed—We are nothing diffident of that, neither is
anything of that sort said by us to prescryve your Grace; but seeing
two Confessions are subscryved of divers constructions, as humble
supplicants we desyre that the Confession may be cleared, that all his
Majesties subjects may be joyntlie tyed to God and the King.
The Commissioner said—I had warrand to give order for that and much
more, but alace! I may not now stay.
My Lord Rothes said—It is pittifull that the Confession should not be
cleared, seeing it is subscryved with three severall Constructions, and
in Aberdein by some after a Popishe maner, admitting all the ordinances
of the Kirk introduced or to be introduced, and this is the Papists
implicite faith; by uther with that Construction only which it had
when it was first subscryved anno 1580; and a third sort with a mere
abjuration of all novations introduced since that tyme: therefore it is
necessar that the Confession be cleared in the Assembly.
The Commissioner said—I cannot stay now.
My Lord Rothes said—Becaus your Graces departure was surmized this
morning, therefore it was found necessar by this Assembly that a
protestation should be made against your Grace. But we are most
unwilling for to present it, and would rather intreat your Grace to
propone your scruple and exceptions against this Assemblie, that they
may be cleared. If your Grace will not, but will depairt, we must
protest that your Grace hes depairted without a just reason.
The Commissioner said—I make a declaration that nothing done heir
in this Assembly shall be of any force to bind any of his Majestys
subjects; and I in his Majesties name discharge this Court to sit any
longer.
[_The Commissioner leaves the Assembly._]
And while the Commissioner was in depairting, this protestation against
his depairture was put in the Clerks hand and red, and Instruments tane
of the protestation.
The Moderatour said—All that are heir knowes the reasons of the
meiting of this Assembly; and albeit we have acknowledged the power
of Christian Kings for conveining of Assemblies and their power in
Assemblies, yet that may not derogat from Christs right; for he hath
given divine warrants to convocat assemblies whether Magistrats consent
or not: therefore, seeing we perceave men to be so zealous of their
Masters commands, have we not also good reason to be zealous toward our
Lord, and to mentaine the liberties and priviledges of His Kingdome? Ye
all know that the work in hand hes had many difficulties, and God hes
borne us through them all to this day; therefore, it becometh us not to
be discouradged now by any thing that hes interveined, but rather to
double our courage when we seeme to be deprived of humane auctoritie.
He desyred some of the brethren should speake a word of encouragement
and directioun to the Assembly, as God shall put in their heart for the
tyme.
Mr David Dick said—Ye all understand that the great worke now in hand
hes bein from small beginnings; for at the first, we intendit only to
exoner ourselves, and to leave a testimonie to the posteritie that we
bure witnesse to Christs oppresst cause. We thought the Cause desperat
when we wer chargit to buy the Service Bookes under the paine of
horning; yet we gave in supplications to the Counsell, desyring us to
be heard against such indirect proceedings. When we knew not what to
doe nixt, God hes led us on steppe by steppe, keeping us still within
the compasse of his word and lawes of this Kingdome, for any thing that
we ken; and we have only followed our caus with humble supplications
to our King, and protestations against that which we could not obey;
and it is evident that God hes accepted our testimonie—for his hands
are about us still—for if he had not directed us, and his hand had not
guyded us, we had beene long since confounded in our witts, and could
have done nothing for the compassing of this great worke, more nor
young children; neither could we have continowed in ane mynd till this
day, if ane spirit had not told us. Seeing the Lord hes led us in a
safe way to this day, he is now to crave a solemne testimonie of the
Kirk of Scotland, and to ask of everie Man, who is his God? And we have
clearlie presented unto us, a lesson of our fidelitie to our Lord from
my Lord Commissioner. He hath stood punctuallie to the least point of
his Commission. It becomes us to be als loyall to our God, seeing we
are not restricted to particulars as he: Therefore, seeing this Court
is granted to us of God, under our King, and with allowance of our
King, and a parliament indicted to warrand all the Conclusions of it;
and now he hes drawen back his granted warrand, shall we for this be
disloyall to our God, and slyde from that which He hath granted? If we
goe not, we shall prove tratours both to God and our King; or if we
be silent, and passe from this Assembly, how shall the will of God be
demonstrat to our King in pointes controverted? There is not a meane to
informe our King fullie and clearlie, but the determinations of this
Assemblie: Therefore we must now proceed, and so proceed as all our
proceedings must answer for themselves, and, it may be seine, we have
proceedit as good subjects to God and our King. We must either goe
on, or take upon us all the imputations of scandalous and turbulent
persones, and grant that there hes been als many wranges as there had
been false imputations layd out against us; and this were to sin more
deeplie, and to quyte these glorious priviledges which Christ hath
granted to us, above all our Sister Churches, seeing there is not a
meane to cleare ourselves to the Christian world but this. Let us goe
on, putting over the matter upon our Lord and Master, and he shall
answer for us at the Court of Heaven, and justifie us in the eyes of
all that are wise.
Mr Hary Rollock was called next, who uttered a speech to the effect
foresaid.
Mr Andrew Cant, and some uther of the brethren, spack likewise to the
same purpose.
In the meane tyme came in
My Lord Erskine, before the Assemblie, and, with teares, did regrait
his so long refusall to subscryve the Covenant, and was now most
willing, with heart and hand, to subscryve it, if the Assemblie would
be pleased to accept of him: the seeing and hearing whereof caused
no small matter of joy to the whole Assembly; acknowledging, with
admiration, the wonderfull Providence of God—that some had deserted and
gone from them, so uthers were sent unto them. To encourage them there
were also, at that tyme, four or five uthers, some whereof had been
in uther countries, in tyme past, who all did enter in ane Covenant
with joy to themselfes and the whole Assembly. After which, the voites
of all the Assembly were craved by the Moderatour—Whether they would
adhere unto their Protestation newlie red, or continow to the end of
the Assembly now discharged?
All and everie ane of the Assemblie except six or seven, declaired
solemnlie, that, with all their heart, they adhered unto their
Protestation, and promised to continow till this Assembly, after the
settling of all matters, be dissolved be commoun consent of the Members.
The Moderatour, having renewed the question againe, Whether they found
themselves lawfull and competent Judges to the pretendit Bishops and
Archbishops of this Kingdome, and the Complaints given in against
them and their adherents, notwithstanding of their declinatour and
protestation? The whole Assemblie, except four, declared this Assemblie
to be most lawfull and competent Judges to the pretendit Bishops and
Archbishops of this Kingdome.
The Moderatour having called upon the name of God, this Session
dismissed.
* * * * *
Sess. 8.—Novʳ 29, 1638.
Moderatour—I must intreat yow, honourable and welbeloved, to consider
yow are in the sight of God, who not only requires inward reverence,
but also outward respect; becaus these who hath beene our old
adversaries, and hath now declaired themselves to be so, hath spoken
reproachfullie against this Generall Assembly, especially becaus of the
tumultuous carriage of the Members thereof, when they speake concerning
the suffrages—the voits of the Members of the Assembly. But that no
such occasion may be given to them heirafter, let your carriage be
grave as in the sight of God. Keep yourselfes quyet; becaus ye ought to
have your judgements exercised about the matter in hand, and elevating
your mynds to God to send downe light; and, when he sends downe a good
motion, ye may expresse it with gravitie, and that two or thrie speake
with leive—not that I assume any thing to my selfe, but I am bold to
direct yow in that, wherein I have the consent of your owne mynd.
* * * * *
After in calling upon the name of God,
The Moderatour uttered these words:—The Assemblie is not fullie
constitut—not that I call the lawfullnes of it in question, for the
authoritie of it is manifest—but let us leave nothing undone that is
necessar for the constitution thereof. There are some Commissions
controverted, quhilks are not yet discussed; therefore let the
Committies delyver their papers, and tell their judgements.
Then the Clerk called the Committie of Peibles.
Moderatour said—Have ye found these Commissions good and valide enough?
Answer—We find no reason against it; but yet we think it good to heare
any that hes any further information.
Moderatour said—If there be any Member of this Assemblie that hes any
further information to give to the Committie for the Presbitrie of
Peibles, let them give it in to my Lord Burlie at 4 o’clock.
Then was the Committie for Brechin called on.
Mr James Bonar said—We are not able to give ane answer to the Assembly
as yet, in respect we have not mett since. But if the Assembly please
to give us farder tyme we shall take farder tryell.
Moderatour said—Think ye not that ane of the fyve Commissioners that
are pretendit to be chosen, Mr Lawrence Kinneir, who is designit be
both sydes, may voit presentlie in the Assemblie; and no question if
the Assembly knew the Man, none would object against his persone, and
his Commissione cannot be cantraverted, since both pairties hath chosen
him?
Lowdoun said—Enquyre both the pairties if they have any thing to object
against him.
Carnagie was absent.
Moderatour asked Din if he had any thing to object, who
Answered—I beleive it is knawen to the Committie who tooke the oath
of the Ministers concerning the declaration of the veritie of the
businesse.
Moderatour—We’ll heare the judgement of the Assembly.—Then he called on
Mr David Dalgleishe, who approved that Mr Lawrence Kinneir should have
voit. Then he called on
Mr Robert Dowglas, who said—I was upon the Committie, and I think it
meit to let it lye, and let none have voiting till tyme it be better
sighted; for it may be, informalitie be found on both sydes—for
Carnegie being absent, it is good to let lye to see if he will compeir
to-morrow: if not, consider if the uther have such insufficiencie that
it cannot stand as a Commission; and if it be not insufficient, let him
voit.
The Moderatour desyred ane uther of the Ministers of Carnaigies
Commission to stay still, becaus he was a reverend Father, and was
acquainted with the Assemblies. Though his Commission was not lawfull,
yet he may be a witnesse to their proceedings: who answered, he should
stay if the Assembly would allow of his Commission.
Moderatour said—We are not to give sentence whill the morne.
Moderatour said—In the declinatour and protestations given in by the
Prelats, there were some exceptions tane against some worthie men
[who] came out of the Kirk of Ireland, admitted Ministers in Scotland,
and now chosen Commissioners to this Assembly; therefore it is good the
Assembly had all their mynds cleare concerning them: and after that we
will not have much adoe with Mr Robert Blair, Mr John Livingstoun, Mr
James Hamiltoun; for Mr Alexʳ Turnbull he is under censure.
Mr Robert Blair said—We have our reasons to give in against the unjust
proceeding of the Prelats against us in Ireland, proving their Censure
to be null. If the Assembly thinke it expedient, we shall read them.
Moderatour said—Doe ye remember the words of the Declinatour concerning
yourselfe?
Mr James Hamiltoun said—These are the words: “also some Ministers under
the Censure of the Kirk in Ireland.”
Then the Reasons were given to the Clerk and publictlie red.
Moderatour said—Take head to these Reasons that ye may object and
propone in any thing wherin ye get no satisfaction.
Mr Robert Blair said—There were some that were under censure, and we
were never chargit; only we heard about a year after we came away they
were seeking us.
Mr David Dick said—Moderatour, I will tell some thing to cleare that,
becaus I am their neighbour. Now, I heard that when they wer under
proces, the bishops had respect to their not comeing back againe, or if
they came, it might scarr people from hearing of them.
Moderatour said—I believe our Church is independent, and depends not on
the Church of Ireland.
Mr Blair said—And there is not ane in this Assembly that adheres to
the Confession and Covenant of the Kirk of Scotland, but the Prelats,
both heir and there, judges them all worthie of the deepest censure
that their pretendit power can inflict. It had bein small matter that
some four or five of ws been carceired, were not thereby the publict
caus had been woundit; for the same prelats are alreadie to charge this
whole Assemblie with the same, wherewith they charge us; therefore, if
there be any heir who have any thing to say, let them doe it publictlie
in the face of this Assemblie. If the declarations be not cleare, the
Assembly may get full assurance of this.
The Moderatour said—Ye have not a mynd to bring this Assembly to a
snair; but if there fall out any thing to be written against the
Assembly, ye will cleare the same by writt.
Mr Blair said—We promise so to doe, and for our owne parte, we thinke
all that speakes in ane Assemblie, should speake in the sight of God.
Shirreff of Teviotdaill said—I thought to have gotten farder
satisfaction and some information concerning your depairture out of
this Kingdome, at first removed.
Moderatour said—Weill remembred; for there is something of that in
the Proclamation, saying these who made Sermons against Monarchicall
Government are Members of this Assembly.
Mr Blair said—I thank God that, by occasion of this and that which
the worschipfull Shirreff have said, my declaration of this point is
occasioned, all which of my owne accord I would gladly have motioned,
were not I feared the imputation of takeing up too much tyme in
this Honorable Assembly. I first take God to witness, that all the
afflictions that hath befallen me from my youth, at my hand, hath
beene, for aught I know, for constant adhereing to the Confession
of Faith of the Kirk of Scotland, since the day that Perthes Acts
were determined, where I was present, and the Lord furnished me with
resolutions to stand to the trueth, which there I perceaved to be
oppressed. And I am sorie that this declaration, if I be particular
in it, will force me to expresse the names of some whom rather I
would desyre to sparr. It is weill knawne, while I was a Master of the
Colledge of Glasgow, there came a learned Countryman of myne, that
had been in forraigne pairts, and promised to reduce the Colledge to
conformitie to Perthes Articles; and finding me somewhat resolute
to stand out, it made some little grudge in that learned mans mynd.
There was addit to this ane uther in a publict theological dispute.
It fell out that a poynt of Arminianisme in the poynt of election,
where foirsein faith was mentained by that learned mans schollers,
who came out of France with him, I being the opponent. What I say can
be justified by a Commissioner within this house, who will be loath
to utter it unles he be put to his oath, in respect of the respect
that he beares to that learned man. This being the Controversie,
standing out against the corrupt course of conformitie, and that in
a dispute I taxed that Arminian poynt in my notes upon Aristotles
Ethicks and Politicks. Heirupon I, not being called to any publict,
civil, or ecclesiasticall Judicatorie; but in ane accademicall or
schoele meeting I was called there, and examined upon some dictats in
Ariatotles Ethicks, where I stood before all the Universitie, offering
dispute upon all that I had taught, and for three houres dyted aff
hand answers to the questions that were made, subscryved them with my
hand, and offered that they should be transmitted to the Kings Majestie
of blessed memorie. This being done, Mr Robert Wilkie, Rector of the
Colledge, being a hearer, stood up and said, “Would to God King James
himselfe were present to hear the declaration that this man hes made:”
Lykewayes, Mr Robᵗ tooke me in his armes and thanked God that I had so
far cleared myselfe. Perceaving what undermyning powers were against
me and the course of the tyme, I resolved to have resigned my place,
whereto I was bound seven yeares: wherupon Mr Cameron, that learned
man—a learned man indeed, whose name I wished altogether to have
spaired—perceaving he was lyke to have lost his thanks for labouring
to reduce me to conformitie, dealt with me in privat, and ingadgit
himselfe that I should ryse to preferments if I would be drawen to
conformitie, and that it was ane happie occasion to give up my name to
the King, having declaired myselfe to their satisfaction. Ane uther
poynt—the Archbishop of Glasgow was drawen on this course to examine
the poynt; but perceaving how he had bein led, and that malice had
caried on the course, he delyvered my papers wherein I had given my
answers, and would not take them back againe, and told to a worthie
man, Mr James Robertson, that he perceaved the ground of all the matter
was meere malice against me, and withall sent for me and requeasts
me not to leave the Countrey, for I should shortlie be provydit for:
And after I had gone to Ireland, he declared to my brother-German, Mr
Wᵐ Blair—a grave and judicious man, knawen be the most parte of the
Assembly—that he was resolved to plant me in the Kirk of Air, where God
by his providence hes now brought me. This was written to me the first
moneth I was in Ireland—and moreover, there was ane Letter written be
the Archbishop of Glasgow to King James; and before he wrote it he send
for me and said, “I fear there be some that not only carries evill will
at yow but me in this matter, and least we should be both wranged, I
will write ane Letter to his Majestie for our exoneration;” and thene
he wrote ane letter, and there was an answer returned to me by my Lord
Alexander, Earle of Stitlings sone, resolving me that the King was
more nor satisfied; and so there was no cryme layd against me, but that
I proponed some question out of Aristotles Ethicks; swa there was never
any judiciall proces, let be ane sentence against me: only there was
ane academick meeting, and becaus I wearied of philosophie and demitted
my place.
The Moderatour said—Then it is unjustlie said by same, that being
censured, yow are put out of the Colledge.
Then Mr George Young and Mr Robert Baillie and Mr Zacharie Boyd
declared that he had related the matter truelie.
Mr John Adamsone said—There is ane generall accusation against them as
is against the whole Assembly; and so they are but scandalls.
Moderatour—They scandall us for having laick Elders, and we shall make
it manifest be the word of God, that we should have them. Then the
Moderatour called on sundrie members of the Assemblie—Mr Robert Wilkie,
Mr James Bruce, Mr Androw Ramsay; Nobles—Johnstoun, Lowdoun, Cranstoun,
who answered they were all satisfied.