should be heir, agitat or remitted to the Presbitrie, in respect that
the Presbitrie had refused proces alreadie, and it was reported that he
would goe shortlie out of the Countrie? And therefore it was concludit
to be decydit by the Assembly.
The Moderatour said—Lett us come to the third Committee concerning the
Service Bookes, Cannons, and High Commission.
Mr Androw Ramsay answered—It is a toylesome taske—a Papall Service
Booke, anti-Christian constitutions, and a superstitious Booke of
ordinations—and will take us eight dayes at the least.
Moderatour said—Ye would consider that ye are not to dispute against
ane adversarie, but to make such abridgement of the errours therein
contained, as may be seine to such a grave Assembly.
* * * * *
[_Complaints against Prelates._]
Moderatour said—Ye knaw there be some Complaints against the Prelats,
common against them all—some of them more personall against Pointes of
Doctrine and Conversation: As, for example, there is a transgression of
these Caveats, and limitations put upon them by the Generall Assemblie
when they wer first admitted to voit in parliament. Matters of this
kind will be so notour as the Assembly at the reading of the processes,
that we will not need great probation; and therefore the Committies
neids not to trouble themselves but in poyntes of doctrine.
Then were the Caveats red.
The Moderatour said—I would wish that uther some of them or all of them
had been heir to answer for themselves, and some of them objected, and
speciallie Doctor Lindsay, that these Caveats were put upon them, but
Assemblies had lowsed them. The Bishop of Sanct Androwes, in a Booke
which he calls “The Refutation of a litle booke anent the Government
of the Kirk of Scotland,” giving ane answer to that that is against
their booke of the Caveats: he says they never had a purpose to keip
them, but only to delyver them from the contentions of turbulent
men. This is not red that ye should give out definit sentence till
the whole complaint be considered by these to whose consideration it
is presented; but there may be an abridgement of the Caveats, and
particular transgressions of them drawn up.
The Shirreff of Teviotdaile [said]—That these transgressions, many of
them be notour to us, yet not to strangers, to whom the relation of our
proceedings shall come; therefore it is necessar all to be proven.
Moderatour said—It is objected be these that wrote that litle booke
of the Government of the Kirk of Scotland, which was sent over to
Holland at what tyme the Synod of Dort was sitting, for weightie
Causes and considerations, to prevent evills that might have come in
in the Kirk of God: It is said in that booke, that when they went
forward, there was protestations used against them. He answered, what
protestation they meaned I cannot tell, but for that Covenant wherein
they please themselves so much, it was rashly and unadvisedly forged by
braine-sicke men, to the destruction of the King and republict, and to
the mocking of God; therefore God hes recompensed them with shame and
ane unhappie success of all their interpryses.
Then answered ane Mr Law—That he saw him subscryve that Covenant that
he had so traduced. Then some said that things alleadged against the
Prelats which seemed most evident neided not to be proven.
Moderatour said—_Abundantia juris non nocet;_ and it is necessar when
a nation or Kirk would make it manifest to the world the lawfulness of
their proceedings, though it were never so notour to themselves.
Moderatour said—We have not farder to doe till the Committies have tane
paines and presented their labours to the Assembly. For the present ye
see they are relaxed from that limitation in the Assembly holden at
Linlithgow 1606 and 1608, and at Glasgow 1610. There are something heir
in a paper given in to be considered by the Assembly, concerning these
forsaids Assemblies, together with the Assemblies at Aberdeine 1616,
at Sᵗ Androwes 1617, at Perth 1618. These are the speceall Assemblies
they trust into, and these are the Assemblies that hes wrought this
Kirk meikle woe. It is not unfitt for yow to heare them in the minutes
of the proceedings in the Assembly 1616. The Bishop of Sᵗ Androwes
changed the Acts with his awne hand on the margine, deleiting and
adding acts quhereof some wer against Papists. The hand writt was seene
by severall of the Assembly, who constantlie affirmed, on hazard on
their life, that it was his hand. Some declaired that when the Bishop
of Murray said to ane uther of the bishops, “we will tyne the field,”
he answered, “I shall devyce a vyce—we shall give idle Ministers
ane warrand;” and so they sent for the number of 36, that were not
Commissioners, and delt wᵗ them for their voices; and they put out
Commissioners whom they suspected and put uthers in their places, and
sundrie that were Commissioners were not called on, and the Moderatour
said in face of the Assemblie, “I will committ twenty prejudices to
please the King.”
Mr David Dalgleishe said—There was neither booke nor Bible opened; but
the Kings Letter was read at everie Sessioun immediatlie before the
voiting; and in the tyme of the voiting, Waughtoun said they sett doune
the names of some who came away from that Assembly, quhereof I was ane.
Mr James Bonar said—He called on all these first that he knew would
voite with them, for he had a croce upon all their names, and lykewayes
he said that a number of voites should not doe the turne, for these
articles should be proclaimed at the Croce by sound of trumpet.
Mr James Cunninghame said—When I desyred Zancheus to be produced for
a testimonie, all the Bishops said the King was more learned than ten
thousand Zancheus; and he threatened continuallie with banishment,
imprisonment, and deprivation; and they put all their names together
whom they knew would voite for them, and resolved to gar them goe all
in a hurle together, quhilk they did quhill Mr John Martine turned the
chase, and this they did to weaken the hands of many.
The Moderatour said—There would be a Committie appointed for the
considering of these Assemblants, for it is a poynt of no small
importance.
The names of the Committie—
Earle of Home,
Lords Sinclare, Yester, Balmerino, Coupar, Cranstoun.
George Gordoune,
Mr Thomas Ker,
Lamington,
Barclay,
James Sword,
George Jamesone,
Thomas Durie,
Androw Baird,
Mr John Robisone,
John Maitland,
Mr James Scharpe,
Richard Ingles,
Gilbert Murray,
Wᵐ M‘Kenzie,
John Rae,
John Robertsone,
John Ker.
* * * * *
Sessio 10.—Primo Decembris 1638.
After prayer, the Moderatour said—Ye know a great pairte of these
affaires to be agitat this day, was committed to some worthie men upon
a Committie, to be presented to your view—such as the Confession of
Faith, the Complaint against the Prelats, the matters of the Service
Booke, the auctoritie, or null auctoritie of the Assemblies; and we
tooke this little tyme to heare some particular complaints against some
ministers, especiallie these who have their proces closed alreadie,
in a manner, and nothing left but the sentence and determination of
the Assembly; for they must be viewed by you. We should do nothing
without a warrand; and I doubt not but ye are better acquainted with
the warrand and ground of our proceedings nor I can expresse. Ye knowe
there is no familie, nor hous, nor republick—no citie, no kingdome, or
corporation—nor any humane societie, that can subsist without order;
and, in the midst of the world, where the Divell is opposing, and
corruption mightilie working, we may be assured that the integritie of
the Word of God cannot stand without Government and ecclesiasticall
discipline. Our Lord gives it the name of the Keyes of the kingdome of
Heaven—a glorious name, indeed; and the Apostle, 1. Cor. 5., calls it a
power committed to the Kirk, not for destruction, but for edification.
In the nature of it, it is not so much magisteriall as ministeriall
power; and, though the power be great it is principally in his hand who
is Lord and Master of the house—the Son of God, who hes absolute power;
and we are but his ministers and servants. Ye know it is requyred in a
servand, and especiallie in a steward, (and we are called stewards and
dispensatoures of the misteries of God,) that they be found faithfull.
We must stryve to approve our selves in the Masters sight, who is sett
over the house. The power committed to us is very great, if we consider
the effects of it. Mathew, ch. 18. the effects of it are set downe. If
we proceed in sentenceing of a man, especiallie if we goe on that far
as to excommunicat him, he against whom the sentence is pronouncit,
is counted a publican; or, if ye looke the Apostles word—more: he is
given over to the hands of the Divell: he is put out of the Kirk; and,
although it be horrible to think on such a thing, yet the fruites of it
are sweet—for God heirby is glorified; for surelie, in despyte of the
world and the Divell, he will be sanctified of these that drawes neare
him. The terrible example of Nadab and Abihu is a sufficient document
of this. Ye know the Word and the Sacraments are holy and sufficient
meanes to convey grace. They should be purged of inventions that men
hes put upon them; and sicklyke that Gods house should be purged of
scandall and leaven, and these also against whom the sentence passes,
if they be not in a damnable caise and incorrigible, it serves for the
subdueing of the fleshe and wakening of the spirit—if there be any such
distinction to be made between the fleshe and spirit. This is the last
and most extreame remedie to subdue the fleshe and waken the spirit.
So it is necessar, that we now assembled in Christs name, so solemnlie
and so weill warranted, goe on with auctoritie; for, though we be weake
and unworthie instruments, we must consider what keyes he put in our
hands, that hes the keyes of the house of David, that shutts and no
man opens, that opens and no man shutts. I may give you assurance, in
the name of our Lord, that if we goe on as we are warrandit by Him,
without partialitie and respect to men, but having respect to the
honour of God and weilfair of this Kirk—if we goe on with sentence and
excommunication, that which we doe on earth he shall ratifie in Heaven,
and we shall be all witnesses that he shall ratifie the same. If there
be any of the particular Complaints that are to be given in, let them
be presented heir, to be red be the Clerk.
Mr David Lindsay said—We have met, and thir processes which are deducit
and concludit we have sent the formalitie; and such as we produce
heir, according to our judgment, are of weightie causes, and formerlie
deduced. Uthers complaints are considerit by us, and we have advysed
and tane this course, only to advyse them before what judicatorie they
shall not intend proces; and if the Presbitries where they dwell be
competent judicatories, let them goe to them; and if not, let uther
Presbitries be joyned to them. Heir is ane proces against Mr David
Mitchell.
* * * * *
[_Case of Mr David Mitchell._]
Moderatour said—We should have heard truelie with regrait of their
persons—yea with joy when we see the Lord putting to his hand to purge
his awne house.
Then was the proces red against Mr David Mitchell.
Then Mr Henry Rollock said—It may be thought that he should now have
spoken more of that kynd; but truelie, till the last day of his
suspension, he was bussie therein; and some pointes of doctrine came
to our knowledge after the proces was closed—namely, that it was
ane abasement for kings to be subject to the Word of God; and when
he wrote to us he carried so much neglect to us, that he called us
not brethren of the Presbitrie, but brethren of the Exercise of the
said judicatorie—alluding it was _nomine tenus non re_. Lykewise he
hes declyned the Assembly; but, indeed, it wer a pittie of him, for
utherwayes he hes good partes.
Rothes said—Bellermine had good partes; but he would be ane evill
Minister for the Kirk of Scotland.
The Moderatour said—There are two sortes of Arminianisme. One is that
which hes troubled the Low Countries, and hath spred itselfe so farr,
and that is nothing but the way to Socinianisme, and _Socinianismus
inchoatus_ is _Arminianismus consociatus_. Certainlie no man that
will consider aright of the poyntes of Arminianisme, but he will
see more nor the seids and grossnesse of Socinianisme. There is
ane uther Arminianisme mentioned by some in England, and uthers in
Scotland, and that runs in ane uther way—it runs to Papistrie, and is
_inchoatus Papismus;_ and if ye consider this, how our doctrine, and
the particulars of our Confession of Faith, taught by the ministers
of the Kirk of Scotland since the Reformation, how thir pointes
began to be depraved by Arminianisme, and poyntes of Poperie, joyned
with their poyntes of Arminianisme, and next consider how that the
externall worship of God was in changeing by the Service Booke, I
see nothing deficient for the whole bodie of Poperie but the Pope
himselfe—Convertion of a Sinner—universalitie of the matters of Christs
death—justification by workes—falling away of the saints; and then, if
we had receaved the Service Booke, what difference had beene ’twixt the
Romane faith and ours, if we had subjected ourselfes to the Pope? I say
it, that we may acknowledge the goodnes of God that hes thought good to
visite us thus with so sensible an opportunitie, that if we had gone
on, our case had bein so desperat and miserable, that none of us can
conceave: but great is the Lords mercie; and we have all of us reason
to make good use of this good occasion, quherin sick evills may be
prevented in tyme. We heard the proces, and we desyre not to proceed to
the sentence this day; but we will heare the judgement of the brethren.
Then was Mr David Mitchell called upon.
The Moderatour said—We have to consider that this Kirk hes not been
acquainted with Censures of that kind, blessed be God! Howsoever,
there hes bein a great and lamentable schisme in this Kirk these many
yeares, yet few poyntes of heresie could be objected against any of
this Church who were verie free of it before; therefore no marvell
is that we Ministers and Elders be not so throughlie acquainted with
their differences as utherwayes we would have bein: but since the
matter is gone so farr on, and corruptions are vented so braid and
wyde in this land, it were meet we were acquainted with them that we
may discerne betwixt trueth and errour, light and darknes; and if it
seeme convenient to the Assembly, it is good that some Ministers that
are best able make some discourse of this matter, especiallie to shaw
what we hold with the reformed Kirkes, which hath beene so publictlie
contradicted by thir preachours, and how their tenets contradicts our
tenets as the reformed Kirkes. I know there is ane uther proces against
some uthers in Schooles of Divinitie that hes the same poyntes, and
uthers preachours lykewayes, and it would seeme to have beene done of
purpose, and that they are all joyned in ane combination together for
venting such poyntes of doctrine; for there is come doune some poyntes
from England, which were holdin to be the tenets of a great learned
man, and thir preachers seemes to be his schollers.
Then said the Moderatour—Let us heare some moe two or thrie Billes.
Then there was red against Doctor Panter, Master of the New Colledge
of Sᵗ Androwes, containing many erroneous and Papisticall poynts of
doctrine.
Then there was read a proces against Mr Alexʳ Gledstanes, Minister of
Sᵗ Androwes.
Then the Committie for Din and Carnaigies Commission was called.
Mr James Bonar said—If we find that if the last election had not
interveened, the first had beene good; and if the first had not
proceedit, the last had bein good. The first wants ane act of the
Presbitrie and their Subscription, and so it wants the formall poynt
but gives commission; and the uther hath proceedit from ane desyre to
be electit.
The Moderatour said—It were les prejudice to want the voices of them
both, then to doe any thing that may prejudge the Assembly afterward.
After lang controversie to and fro about this particular, the rows were
called, and the Assembly voited that neither of them should have voite.
* * * * *
Sess. 11.—3 Decʳ 1638.
After prayer made by the Moderatour,
My Lord Argyle said—Ye remember heir I made protestation that nothing
might be done that might seeme to wrong Soveraigne auctoritie; for
albeit I be not a Member of this Assembly, yet I have leive to
represent my opinion; and truelie I will say, I know no better way for
you then every way to cary yourselves modestlie, keeping all dutie
and respect to whom it is due. And I remember of a good passadge—_si
tacitus possit corvus_, &c.—therefore my humble desyre to you all, and
especiallie to the Ministerie, is, that ye be very spairing to meddle
with the Kings power and auctoritie—not that I suspect any, but that
I hope all knowes what is my meaning. They are wise I hope who are
entrusted in this worke, and knowes what is their duetie to a good and
graceous King; and I trust our Master will be wise in his commands, and
so there will be the lesse neid to meddle with any thing of this kind;
therefore take this advertisement from me, least any sclander be layd
on this bussines. I am very spairing to insist; but what I have said it
is out of affection to the caus.
Moderatour said—We are obleist to the goodnes and providence of our
God that hes given unto us so wise and honourable a Member to sitt
heir to give tymous advertisement concerning our duetie—perhaps
rather to prevent that which might ensue nor to censure any thing
that is done; and surelie we ought to consider, that, altho’ the
Kirk of Christ, especiallie assembled in ane counsell and such ane
Assembly as this, hath very great power, yet they should very weill
observe the limits of their power; for, first, altho’ we have power
to judge betwixt true and false doctrine—altho’ we have power also
to consider the mater of the Sacraments—the sealles of the doctrine
of the life and manners of men throughout the kingdome, and of the
maters of the Policie of the Government of the Kirke—yet our power
is not autocratistical but ministerial and subordinat, and ought to
give the Lord his owne soveraignitie annexed to him, and to give every
one their owne place. Let the Lord have the first place—we will not
give his glorie to another; and let Cæsars have their owne places.
And surelie he thocht I spack very distinctlie of this purpose that
said—“God or his Spirit, speaking in Scripture, is the judge, and that
the Kirk is not judge but index, and that the Christian Magistral
is Vindex; and so give every one his owne place.” The judgement of
Soveraigntie and absolute jurisdiction belongs to God; and this is
that great Soveraigntie which must keepe us in the right way, without
the which our sillie witts would wander in the bypaths of errour.
Since it hath pleased Him to manifest his will in his word as if he
were among us and we heare his voyce, we should stryve to decerne his
voyce, and governe our proceedings thereby. Next for the Magistrat—he
is the keeper of both the Tables, and ane avenger of the breakers of
both; and we are not to judge so uncharitablie and so unreverentlie
of our superiors, especiallie of him who is in the highest place
above us, that he will usurpe any thing propper to the Lord, who is
only absolute Soveraigne. It becomes us to content ourselves with
the interpretation of Scripture, or with the indications of it as
that word which I alreadie used imports; and for that which my noble
Lord hes bein speaking, it becomes us to think reverentlie and speake
modestlie of superior powers; and I am sure there is no subject but
they will be more carefull to take heid to their words and wayes both
in pulpits and other places, nor if the Kings Majestie were present
himselfe. I remember of ane example of ane worthie man in this Kirk who
did oftentymes preach in the presence of King James; and when the King
was absent he alwayes spacke with greater reverence, and recommended
subjectione and loyaltie to all subjects; but when he was present, he
told him all that he heard of him; and I wish all of us would carry us
so; and altho’ his place or his Commission be emptie, let us thinke and
speake as if one of them were into it: let us carry ourselves as in the
sight of God and of our Consciences which are both ane; for seeking the
approbation of a good Conscience we approve ourselves to God, and next
in his Majesties sight; and we need not thinke that the wordes that
are spoken heir will [not] be caried to him with a worse sense put
on it. If his Majesties Commissioner wer heir present there neidit no
report; but since it comes to passe that things are made worse, we have
so much the more to take heid to ourselves: and I hope of the Spirite
of Wisdome and Pietie, which teaches all loyaltie and subjection to
superiour powers, shall so direct us as there shall be no caus to
censure any man justlie.
You remember, right reverend and weil-beloved, there ware some thing
spoken heir be occasions of a particular complaint given in against Mr
David Mitchell, for mentaining poynts of Arminianisme; and we desyred
ane of our reverend brethren to speak somewhat for refutation of that
errour.
* * * * *
[_Arminianism discussed._]
Then Mr David [Dick] raise and spack as followes:—The taske is large,
the tyme is short; therefore I will sett myselff to as little tyme as
I can; only I would have this preface in the beginning, that we would
all labour to have errours in als great detestation as any corporall
vyce; and doubtlesse, if our eyes were open to see the bewtie of trueth
and the good fruites of it, and to see the vyldnes of errours, and the
fearfull consequences of it, we would need no exhortatioun of this
sort. For the preaching of errour is like the selling of poysoned
pestied bread, that slays the eater of it, and infects with the breath
every man that comes neir hand; and albeit the Lord hath brought in
wholesome food in his house, and hes held his table long covered, yet
the malice of Sathan, and the bussines of the Pope to recover his
Kingdome, and the dalliance of worldlie men, hes sett instruments on
foot to trouble our Church againe; and God, in his deep wisdome and
justice, hes suffered the matter to goe that farr on, that we might
see what a fearfull sin it was to put the keyes of the house of God in
wrong hands, and what evil freicks, errours in discipline would bring
foorth, and also that he might punische the unsanctified and proud
witts of men that would take upon them to governe his Kirk, as also he
would have these ministers in this land corrected for their negligence
who are like the rest of the countrie, who thinkes of armes whilst they
are in peace. So have we done. In tyme of peace, we were all secure,
and dreamed not of straites, and studied for no more but to get ane
sermone in the week; yet blessed be our God, who hes alse many painfull
and faithfull servands as will be sufficient to cleare his trueth of
his Kirk against all that will say the contrair.
By the power of Jesus, I will take up my speach in thir heads. First,
I will lay out their errors in 4 heads; Secondlie, I will lay out our
doctrine in uther 4; then, Thirdlie, I will lay out before you the
cullours they use instead of probation; Fourthlie, then I will lay
before you some maine reasons which are the cause and ground of all
the errours, and the grounds whereupon the dispute runs wrong on their
syde; then I will shaw you the bulwark wherein our strenth stands;
Lastlie, I will answer some objections, and so close. For the trueth of
our doctrine, I will content myselfe with a place or two, and is in the
hinder end of the 52 Isai, and 6 of John, 29 vˢᵉ, which is sufficient
for a confirmation of our all doctrine against all Arminians.
(1) For the first, The Arminians they grant ane election; but such a
ane as makes man to be a chooser of God, and not God to be chooser of
man, that by their course God shall choose a man 20 tymes, and refuse
him or reprobat him 21 tymes, and the man to goe to hell in the hinder
end.