Church hath bein burdened with these great weights and multitudes of
evills, the Service, &c. Ye know also how a great parte of the Subjects
of this Kingdome, of all rankes, did joyne together in a great,
peaceable, and humble maner, and did supplicat his Majestie against
these manifold and great evills; and when at the first, they had not
such great hope as utherwayes they would have wished, to have beene
free of these great evills, how they joyned together in that Confession
of Faith and in a publict declaration, that in their judgement these
evills were abjured in the Confession of Faith 1580. Ye are acquanted
with the words wherein these same evills are abjured; “and becaus efter
due examinatione we plainlie perceave and undoubtedlie beleive that
the forsaids narations and evills,” &c. Ye know it pleased the Kings
Majestie at last to discharge all these bookes and High Commission, for
the which we have reasone heartilie to thanke his gracious Majestie;
and it hes pleased God, by the indiction of this present free Generall
Assemblie, to bring us all heir, and is now calling us to give our
judgements concerning these bookes and High Commission. I did not
thinke that any of yow neids any farder information, both becaus the
Kings Majestie hes discharged them alreadie, and becaus it is not the
first day that ye have heard of them, but hath informed yourselfes
of the evill of them or now; and though your judgements had not bein
prepaired by the laboures of our reverend and learned brethren, I put
no question but ye would have done it before out of verie cleare light.
Ye know ye must consider whether these bookes and the High Commission
have bein brought into the Kirk without warrant of the Kirk, contrare
to the order thereof, whether they containe thinges abjured in our
National Confessione of Faith we have latelie subscryved—and, in a
word, whether they be by this National Assembly to be condemned?
Then Mr Alexʳ Somervell raise up and spacke.—I approve the travells
of our worthie and learned brethren, which, I hope, hes given full
satisfaction; and for these proud men who gives proud titles to them
quhilks, calling the Service Booke “a booke of commone prayer;” for
it is commone to all the reprobat that walke in the broad way; and,
for the uther booke callit “Cannons,” it is a name which is given to
Scripture itselfe; and for their owne pride, they were not content
with that which kirk, country, and parliament gave them, but would
rise above all; and nothing would satisfie their unlimited ambitione.
It seemes that Gods hand is upon them in this instance, and not only
will take from them that which they have usurped, but also that which
was given unto them; ffor as long as there was nothing concludit but
the Five Articles, many were deceaved with their indifferencie; but
now their courses are discovered, and it is weill knowne now they are
leading us toward Rome; and we have reasone to blesse God that by the
Kings majesties indiction of this Generall Assembly, they are now
coming to voiting. And if personall faults be so worthie of censure,
much more their ministeriall errours which crosse that holy calling;
and, therefore, I hope ye are all readie, not only to give sentence
against these bookes, but against the authors of them.
Then the Moderatour stated the question—Whither doe ye reject or
condemne these Bookes and the High Commission, for the reasons
foresaids, or not?
Then the Clerk called the rolles.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse being first called upon, said—As for these bookes,
_sepeliantur sine honore:_ as they were hatched and introduced in ane
unlawfull maner, let them be buried with reproach and shame, and send
them _ad infortunatas insulas_. As for the High Commission, no tyrannie
is of long durance, and, therefore, with a short cutt, I abjure it.
Mr Thomas Ramsay said—I reject them to the jacks of eternal destruction.
Mr Androw Cant said—I think the High Commission like the Spanish
Inquisition. I think the Booke of Canons full of Popishe and Pop-lyke
tyrannie. I think the Service Booke full of superstition and massing
Poperie; and I think that Booke of Ordination, like the beast in the
Revelation, with which none could buy or sell; and, therefore, I abjure
and condemne them all.
Then all the rest of the Assembly, without a contrare voite, rejected
and condemned them all.
Moderatour said—We have very great reason to acknowledge the goodnes
of God to us, that joynes us together after such a maner, in giving so
ample a testimony to Christ our Lord, and so large a testimonie against
the worke of Antichrist in this land; and every one of us should wishe
for the same spirit to goe on with us to the end of the worke.
Then divers of the Assembly desyred that the labour of these worthie
and learned men might be put to the presse, whilk was promised.
Then there was some desyred to depone their oathes concerning the
Bishop of Galloway, Mr Robert Aird, Neven Agnew, Mr George Gillespie,
Mr James Bonar.
Then there was a commission nominat for Dundie and some adjacent
paroches, for taking order with some transgressions in their ministrie
and in Angus, as namely—
Mr Alexʳ Hendersone,
Mr David Dalgleische,
Mr John Robertsone,
Mr Andrew Wood,
Mr George Somervell,
Mr Silvester Lammie,
Mr Alexʳ Bisset,
Mr Alexʳ Cunninghame,
Mr George Halyburtone,
Mr Frederick Carmichael,
Mr John Robertsone,
Mr James Lightoune,
Nobles—
Montrois,
Lindsey,
Sinclare,
Cowpar,
Barrons—
Auldbar,
Fintray,
Scottiscraig,
Thomas Durhame,
Din,
Newtoune,
Auchterhouse,
James Sword,
The quorum ij, whereof 6 ministers being alwayes present; and so their
session dismissed.
* * * * *
Sess. 15.—Dec. 7.
After in calling upon the name of God,
There were some witnesses sworne to depose what they knew against Mr
William Annand—namely, Mr James Bonar, Mr Thomas Garven, Mr James
Cunninghame, Robert Gordoune, John Knyᵗ, John Kennedie, Mr John Bonar,
Mr Wᵐ Smyth, James Cochrane, Adam Dalrymple, John Patersone, Wᵐ MᶜAdam,
Wᵐ Spier, Thomas Blair, Wᵐ Patoun, John MᶜNire, Mr David MᶜCorne, Mr
Johne Burne, Mr John Hamilton, Mr James Baillie, Mr James Scharpe, and
Mr Robert Baillie.
Against the Bishop of Dumblane—Mr Henry Livingstoune, Androw Raid, Mr
John Duncane.
Against the Bishop of Edinburgh—Mr Robert Murray, Mr George Gillespie,
Mr Alexʳ Symmer, John Blyth, Joⁿ Weymes, Mr David Dick.
Then Mr James Stewart brought in a letter, and produced before the
Generall Assembly, which came from the Bishop of Dunkell, wherein he
humbly submitted himselfe to the judgment of the Generall Assembly; and
Mr James Steuart shew ane letter written to himselfe, wherein he had
given him commission to intreat his reverend brethren not to rank him
among the rest of the Bishops, in respect he had neither subscryved the
declinatour nor protestation.
Then there was [a complaint] given in against Mr George Halyburtone,
and red, wherein he was accused for sacriledge for declyning the
Presbitrie, and for denying some of his parochiners the benefite of
baptisme, marriage, buriall, and uther benefites of the Kirk. The
Assemblie, having manie weightie and grave matters and affaires in
hand, remitts the same back againe to the Presbitrie of Sᵗ Androwes,
and adjoyned unto them, in Commission, the Earle of Rothes, Mr Robert
Douglas, Mr Robert Cranstoune, &c.
Then there was complaints given in against Mr James Fleck, wherein he
was accused for defending universall grace; who answered that he did
never defend it, as a parte of the doctrine of the Arminians; but only
that he said to the gentleman that he should not thinke hardlie of him
for that, because it was the doctrine of the Lutherian Kirk. I confesse
I citted two texts of Scripture—John 2. 1, 2, Pet. 2; but I was never
of that opinion that _Christus mortuus est pro singulis_. The Assembly,
finding it would consume much tyme to discuss the particulars, and
that they had weightie occasions in hand, did appoynt a committie for
that effect—namely Mr Matthew Brisbane, Mr Alexʳ Somervell, Mr John
Moncreiffe, Mr John Maitland, and Mr Samuel Rutherfuird.
* * * * *
[_Bishop of Galloway deposed, &c._]
Then were the Articles that were approven against Mr Thomas Sydserff,
pretendit Bishop of Galloway, given in; and it was sufficiently proven
and notour to the whole Assembly that he was guiltie of the breach of
the Caveats, besyde many poyntes of Poprie and Arminianisme, and many
grosse personall faults.
Then was red the paynes and censures of the Caveats furth of the Acts
of Assembly.
Then the Moderatour said—We must not esteeme of mans faults according
to the worlds estimatione; for ye know if a man be not a drunkard, a
theiff and robber, &c., in their estimatione he is a good man, whatever
fault he has utherwayes. But we of this Assemblie ought to thinke
utherwayes; not that I would extenuat the foir-named faults, but are to
consider their habituall and ordinary transgressions of a publict law
is a great guiltines; or, as schoolmen speakes, _spiritualia peccata_
are greater than _temporalia peccata_. So say I. The preaching of false
doctrine, and venemous poysone of that kynde, to bring the people
from the trueth of their profession to Papistrie and Idolatrie, must
have a great censure; and, consequently, the breach of these Caveats
by him, the declyning of this Assembly, and the bringing in of the
Service Booke—which you have alreadie censured and condemned for the
manifold guiltinesse that it hes in the bowells of it—he deserves no
lessa than excommunication. I remember in the English Church there
is a sort of excommunication which the Papists call _excommunicatio
lata_—that is, when the man committs the cryme, he shall be declaired
to be excommunicat. And there is two sortes of excommunication used in
this Church: the one is called summar excommunication, and the uther
uses to have admonition before, and is _propter contumaciam_. Summar
excommunication hath beene used in this Church in two cases and was for
hynous crymes. The uther was when the Kirk was in danger by suffering
of such a member—as a rotten member is cut off least it should
corrupt the whole bodie. The uther, which is _propter contumaciam_, is
knowne to all men. In respect that this pretendit Bishop of Galloway
is guiltie of contumacie, being cited to compeir heir, and having
declyned this Assembly, his excommunication cannot be called summar,
but _propter contumaciam_. It is pittifull to see some hath such a
great conceat of their owne words, learning, and engyne that they
will not be ranked among uthers; but, as they thinke themselves above
uthers in gifts, so they thinke they should be advanced above them
in place—and, therefore, ane ordinary stipend cannot content them;
and then they begin to tyre of preaching and catechising; and thus
are tane away with the pleasures and caires of the world and idlenes.
Therefore ye have to consider what shall be their censure; and least
you eire, ye shall heare some articles that were gathered out of the
Acts of the Generall Assemblies of the Kirk, as lykewayes ane Act of 9
Parlᵗ K. Ja. 6., wherein is exprest the censures that is due to them.
And ye shall understand, whatsoever sentence the Assembly shall thinke
fit to pronounce against these, when it is all for their good—for the
destruction of their fleshe that their saule may be saved in the day
of the Lord. But let us remember that these that are deponed witnesses
against them sitt not heir as voiters.
Then the Moderatour desyred some of the brethren to give their advyce
how they should proceed in that mutter.
Mr David Dick said—It is weill enough knowne that they, having
exeemed themselves from ane particular flocke, and from the censure
of Presbitrie, and acknowledged no kind of Judicatories but only the
Generall Assembly, whilk cannot alwayes sitt; and, therefore, for the
wronges they have done to Christ Jesus our Lord, and to the poore Kirk
of Scotland, which they have tossed to and fro now these sixteene
moneths; and, notwithstanding that everie sermon hes bein taught all
this tyme hes bein a summonds for them to repentance, yet doe we see
no appearance of it, but a constant ongoing to bring this Kirk to
ruine—stirring up the Prince against the people: therefore, my opinion
is, that we declair our zeale for the Lord; and that the last censure
which is the meanes to humble proud men, be given out against them
though they should laugh at us for so doing; for since neither the
troubling of this poore Kirk, nor our prayers and teares could humble
them, it is good the last meane be assayed, and solicite God to voiting.
My Lord Lowdoun said—The not appearance of these men upon their
citation and declyning of this Assembly, proves their contumacie.
Moderatour said—Their great guiltinesse is notour to the world; and
yet, notwithstanding of all, they could never cry so much as _peccavi_;
and since we excommunicat all that wer Papists, and disobedient to
preachers and pastors, from partaking of the holy Communion; since they
are guiltie of both, why should not the censure pas against them? I
will read some words of a reverend Father, Mr Andro Melvill. When the
Bishop of Sᵗ Androwes was to be excommunicat, he said, “That old dragon
had so stinged him with avarice, and swalled so exorbitantlie, that he
threatened the destruction of the whole bodie, if he were not cutt off.”
Then the Moderatour stated the question, which was this—Whither Master
Thomas Sydserff, pretendit Bishop of Galloway, upon things layd
to his charge—the breacking of the Caveats—for preaching of false
doctrine, Arminianisme, and Papistrie, and bringing in of the Service
Booke—whither he shall be deposed and excommunicat, or not?
Then the rolles were called.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse, being first nominat, answered—I chanced lately to
see ane Extract of ane Act of a Generall Assembly holden at Glasgow,
Appryle 26, 1580, wherein is registrat that the Bishops of Isles,
Aberdeine, and Sᵗ Androwes submitted themselves to the Assembly, and
I looked that our oune Bishops should have done the lyke; but instead
of their submission, whereby they might have quenched the fire that
they have kindled, they have addit contumacie; and the said Mr Thomas
Sydserff is _Incendiarius_. Soloman sayes, “he that breakes doune ane
hedge, a serpent shall byte him;” and they have brocken doune a hedge,
and therefore the serpent of sharpe excommunication shall byte them.
And since he is alse guiltie as any, he deserves excommunication, so
_abscindatur quem nos perturbatur_.
Then the rest of the names were called; and the whole Assembly in ane
voite unanimouslie did voit to his deposition and excommunication,
except Mr Silvester Lammie, Mr Andro Ker, Mr Robert Baillie, Patrick
Bell, who the morne, efter advisement, did voit to his excommunication.
Then Mr John Hay, Minister at Raffoord in the North, produced a censure
of the Service Booke which he had written; and the Moderatour receaved
with all thankfulnes, and the Assembly thought fitt that it and the
laboures of some uther worthie men upon that subject should be put to
the presse.
Moderatour said—Ye may see that the same spirit which breaths in the
South blowes also in the North; and as some of our reverend brethren
about Edinburgh and the South hath contributed to this, so also some in
the North hath not beene idle.
* * * * *
[_Spottiswoode, Bishop of St Andrews._]
Then the pretendit Bishop of Sᵗ Androwes was called on and the proces
red, and he proven to be guiltie of adulterie, drunkennes, preaching
of Arminianisme and Papisticall doctrine; and for this cause the whole
Assemblie voited to his deposition and excommunication as of before.
[_Bishop of Brechin._[138]]
Whilk being done, the Clarke proceaded in reading of the Crymes given
in by the Committie against Mr Walter Whytefoord, Bishop of Brechin,
[consisting of five Articles.]
After that thir and manie other faults proved against him were redde in
the Assemblie; ane paper was given in by the Committie, conteaning the
probation of his adulterie with Aleson Chrichtone, by the circumstances
which were done thereanent; as who had given her money at his instance,
who hes baptized the bairne at his requeist, and sundrie other passages
thereof were their commemorat. Which being redde, Mr Alexʳ Ramsay gave
in ane paper, conteaning that ane certaine woman, servitrix to ane
Nobleman, had told him, being to come to the Assembly, that shee had
lykewise borne ane bairne to the said Bishop, but by his persuasion
had given it to another, which her conscience accusing her for, shee
was forced to tell: whilk woman he had warned to be present at the
Assemblie for the probation of the same.
The voyces at last being sought anent his censure, he was adjudged,
as the other two, to be deposed from his office, Ministeriall and
Episcopall, and lykewyse to be excommunicat. After whilk, thankes being
given, they dissolved.
* * * * *
Sess. 16.—Decʳ 8, 1638.
[_Lindsay, Bishop of Glasgow._]
After prayer to God,
The Moderatour said—We wer going forward yesterday in the lybell of the
Bishops, and the complaints against them. We began at the Bishop of
Galloway and then at Sᵗ Androwes and Brechin, and least it may seeme
a neglect that we are lang in coming to the Bishop of Glasgow, whose
residence is so hard by us, let us goe on to the tryell of him.
My Lord Weymes said—The Bishop of Glasgow sent ane gentleman to me
desyreing me earnestlie to speake with him; and because I could not goe
to him before the Assembly, he intreated me to desyre the Assembly that
nothing might be done anent him till I speake with him.
Moderatour said—It is good for that cause to take some uther purpose in
hand; and since your Lordship desyres that he may be superceidit, yee
shall be pleased to joyne ane or two discreit Members of the Assembly
with you to speake with him, for it is better to wound ane then to
losse twentie.
* * * * *
[_Confession of Faith—Episcopacy._]
Then the Moderatour called on the Committie for the Confession of
Faith, and desyred my Lord Argyle to speake somwhat anent it.
Argyle said—Becaus I believe occasion may fall out that I must of
necessitie goe to Edinburgh shortlie, therefore I desyre that the
Confession of Faith, wherin I acknowledge myselfe to be tyed, might be
explained before I goe, that I may both be a witnesse to what is done
and be able also to informe uthers. There are two Confessions. One
is the Confession with the explanation: the uther is the Confession,
that which breids much questioning; some referring the explanation of
it to the Assembly, uthers subscryving it according to the meaning of
it when it was first sett doune, as the Counsell hes done: therefore
it is wisdome to consider whether ye take it to consideration as a
thing fitting and expedient or not? Or if ye take it (as the Kings
Commissioner and these of good qualitie hes done) as it was first
subscryved? If ye take it to your consideration whether Episcopacie
should be or not, it may be that more disputable; for I confesse I
have never dyvit deeplie in it. Therefore I humbly represent unto your
consideration the lawdable acts and estate of the Kirk at that tyme,
and to consider as in _Ecclesia constituta_.
My Lord Rothes said—I thinke it is absolutelie necessar, in regard that
my Lord Argyll is to be at ane Counsell day shortlie in Edinburgh,
where it is like, the Commissioner will be present, and so his Lordship
shall have occasion to give them satisfaction, if we make such grounds
heir as shall be answerable to explane the Confession that they
themselves have subscryved.
Then the Moderatour desyred Lowdoun to declair his mynd.
Lowdoun said—It is sufficientlie knawne to this reverend Assemblie
what great straites this Kirk was redacted to when the Popishe Booke
of Service, Cannons, &c., now justlie condemned, were injoyned as
the only forme of Gods publict worschip, and that some of the most
sinceare Ministers, Gods faithfull servands, were chargit, under
the paine of rebellion, to receave these Bookes, till by a Bill of
Suspensione they obtained some breathing tyme, that men of all rankes
might supplicat against these evills. It is knowne to yow also, that
by the Bishops malice and misinformation of our Prince, the answer
of all our Supplications at Stirling was returned by a proclamation,
under the paine of treason, that we should not presume to meit any
more to prosequute our desyres; so that at that tyme we are driven
to such exigencie that we behoved either to fall in rebellion and
excommunication on the one hand, or forfeiting of the way of trueth
and true religion and breach of our Nationall Covenant with God on the
uther hand; and we knew not to what hand to turne us, till it pleased
God to lead us by his light to the renewing of our Confession of Faith,
which ye know was verie solemnlie sworne throw this Kingdome; and ye
know also that no meanes hes bein left unassayed to have rescindit the
same. Then it was taxed to be ane unlawfull combination, whereof we did
cleare it sufficientlie. That our Supplication of it should be left
out, that it might be the more ambiguous in the interpretation, and
therefore it necessarilie at this time requyres ane explanation, and
the way that we have proceidit therin is this: First, we have drawen
up some reasons of the necessitie of ane explanation to be made; next,
that we may schunne the neidles dispute of Episcopacie _in abstracto_,
and of these corruptions that were introduced after they were expelled
out of this Kirk, we thought it most necessar to state the question
thus: Whither Episcopacie and these corruptions be compatable with
the doctrine and discipline of the Kirk, as it was established in the
year 1580 and 1581 to adhere? And this being examined, we hope it
will cleare all the scruples about the Confession of Faith, and for
this purpose we have drawen up a number of Articles thereanent. And
when we consider how the Bishops have striven to creip in by degries,
and have abstracket the Bookes of Records of the Kirk, which now in
Gods providence are come in our hands—and how they made many Acts of
Generall Assemblies which now are declaired to be null—and how they
have thrust themselves in the pryme places of the Estate, and by their
boundles power in the High Commission, and sheltered themselves under
the shaddow of auctoritie, oppressed the word of God;—no wonder that
some hes beene deceaved rather to think them tollerable then to suffer
themselves to be thrust from their flocks and places. We trust in God,
when it shall appeare that they have done nothing but what hes beene
protested against by Gods servands, and that they had never a warrand
from Ecclesiasticall power, and that these things were once abolished
as mens inventions, tending to the overthrow of religion and wanting
a warrand from Gods word, we hope, these grounds being cleared, we
shall all returne to our former puritie, and, by so doing, shall give
testimonie of our obedience to God, loyaltie to our King, and happie
conjunction amongst ourselves.
The Moderatour said—I am glad that my Lord Lowdouns speach hes come
to your eares; and I think that whilk scarres some most, is feare to
offend the Kings Majestie. But we are sure, when the Kings Majestie
sies we make conscience of our oath, and when it is manifest to his
Majestie that we doe nothing but what is sworne to be done in the
Confession of Faith enjoyned be himselfe, we hope he will think them
good and loyall subjects to him, who have proven so obedient to God.
Then there were reasons heard by the Clerk, showing how necessar it was
that there should be a necessar explanation of the Confession of Faith.
After the reading of the Reasons,
The Moderatour said—Ye have heard many reasons showing a necessatie of
this explanation: now heir the explanation itselfe. And I intreat yow,
Nobles, Gentlemen, Ministers, Elders, or any Minister of this Assembly,
call for reading of any Act that will cleare your mynd, and they shall
heare them out of the Book of the Assemblies; for I think there be many
Theologs in this Assembly that are not weill acquainted with the Acts
of Generall Assemblies.