Because I am loth to detain you, I will speak but a word of this by way
of application, rather than explanation. You know, beloved, besides the
professed enemies of Christ, he hath intestine and domestic enemies.
And these men that we are to sentence this day, and to give out the
censure of this reverend Assembly upon, have proven themselves the
enemies of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, these many years bygone.
We may say boldly, they have been the greatest enemies that Christ has
had in this kingdom; for, 1. They have been friends to the enemies of
Christ, the Antichrist. Who is Antichrist but the proudest and most
opposite enemy that Christ has? They would not let him be called the
Antichrist. 2. They have been friends to the Antichristian Church; for
they would not have the Roman Church called Antichristian, but have
disputed for her, and maintained affirmatively that she is the true
Church. And ye all know how Papists and the supports of Antichrist
have been preferred to honest Ministers, the servants of Jesus Christ.
3. They have proceeded according to the principles that the enemies
of Christ have followed since the beginning; for you see in the first
chapter of Exodus how the enemies of God did with his people: “Come,”
say they, “and let us deal wisely, lest they multiply and increase.”
They began with a piece of very barbarous cruelty against them, and
used the utmost of their power against the people of God, never
considering whether they were the people of God or not, nor considering
that their multiplication was from the blessing of God. And such have
these men done in times past, striving, by all means possible, that
the people of God should not multiply, using all the policy and wiles
they could, whereby there should be no more any people of God in the
land, but only a number of naked professors; for there was no man that
professed the power of religion, but he was ridiculed and mocked as
a Puritan. Ye know, in the ninth chapter of the Judges, there is a
maxim or principal rule of policy laid down, “Whether is it better for
you that all the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one only
reign over you?” And this is commonly opposed unto us. It is better,
say they that Bishops rule, than that every Minister be a Bishop and
ruler; and therefore they proceeded according to that craft men did
propose before them. But now, blessed be our Lord that has taken the
crafty in their own snare. Therefore, since we see it clearly that
they follow such rules as God’s enemies have kept from the beginning,
shall we not count them our enemies? And I add a fourth, surely they
that are friends to the world, and follows the world, are enemies to
Christ. And it is clear in their practice that they have followed the
world; for what is the world? nothing but these three things, the
lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. Now,
if any man will impartially consider their proceedings, ye shall find
that they have followed the world and the lust of their eyes; for they
think if any man be eminent in gifts above others, or, in the course
of their philosophy, quicker than others, and then acquire a better
gift of learning than others, and better expressions, &c.; such an one
must not lie in the dust of contempt with his brethren; nay, he must
have pre-eminence. And, 2dly, then they must have better fare than
ordinary, and fairer houses, &c. than others. And then, after that,
they begin to despise the calling of the Ministry as a base thing, and
they cannot abide to sit three or four hours catechising a number of
landward people; and they choose rather to attend the court, or some
nobleman. And thus, as before they followed the lust of the eyes and
the pride of life, so now they follow the lust of the flesh. And it
is these three that has made so many Ministers to become unprofitable
and rotten members, such as these men are whom we are this day to cut
off. But time being spent, I will proceed no further, but go on to the
pronouncing of the sentence of this honourable and reverend Assembly
against the pretended Prelates.
By the appointment of this General Assembly, so solemnly convened, the
like whereof has not been heard of at any time in this land, that we
know, there be divers censures to be inflicted upon these pretended
Bishops.
We shall first enter with the gravest and weightiest censure of
excommunication. The General Assembly hath declared, that they think
the persons following worthy of this censure—viz., Mr John Spottiswood,
pretended Archbishop of St Andrews; Mr Patrick Lindsay, pretended
Archbishop of Glasgow; Mr John Maxwell, pretended Bishop of Ross; Mr
Thomas Sydserf, pretended Bishop of Galloway; Mr Walter Whiteford,
pretended Bishop of Brechin; Mr David Lindsay, pretended Bishop of
Edinburgh; Mr James Wedderburn, pretended Bishop of Dumblane; and Mr
Adam Ballantyne, pretended Bishop of Aberdeen.
I need not inform the honourable and revered members of this Assembly,
for whose cause they are thus censured, for they are well acquainted
with it. But, for these that are not well acquainted with their
outbreakings, I will cause read a paper unto you, at the hearing
whereof I think your heart shall quake, your hair shall stand, and
your flesh creep, when ye hear tell that Christians, let be Churchmen,
who reckon themselves the chiefest and most eminent men in the Church,
and call themselves the pastor of pastors, should have fallen out in
such foul acts as these are. [Here the preacher gave out of his hand
an abstract of the proof against the Bishops, which having been read
publicly by the Assembly clerk, the minister proceeded.] Thus, ye
see, they have fallen foully by their abusing and ruining the Kirk—by
their consenting to unlawful acts, and voting in Parliament, without
consent or warrant of the Church—in not rendering an account of their
proceedings to the Church—in wareing on their riotousness and ambition
the emoluments of the Church—in dilapidating their benefices—in
neglecting the ministerial duties over a particular flock—in
usurping and tyrannising over all Presbyteries, Synodal and General
Assemblies—in suspending, depriving, fining and confining faithful,
painful Ministers—in relaxing excommunicated Papists—interdicting
morning and evening prayers—countermanding synods, and falsifying their
acts—moderating and tyrannising in General Assemblies—in causing great
disorder and confusion to fall out by their private marriages without
proclamation, even contrary to a Popish Council at Trent—in troubling
of professors for their maintenance of the doctrine and discipline of
the Church—in refusing to admit Ministers except they would first be
deacons—in preaching heresy and corrupt doctrine, Popery, Arminianism,
&c.—in exacting unlawful oaths of intrants, usurping of civil
dignities before the peers of the kingdom—receiving consecration to
the unwarrantable offices of Episcopacy—by tyrannising over the laws,
liberties, jurisdictions, persons, and estates, both of the Church and
Churchmen in the High Commission—by bringing in innovations in the
worship of God, such as, the superstitious Service-Book, tyrannous
Book of Canons, and Book of Ordination—by their loose and profane
lives—their excessive and extraordinary drinking—filthy dancings—common
swearing by the name of God—profaning of the Sabbath—profane
speeches—and excessive gaming, contemning the public ordinances of the
Church—bribery—simony—adultery—slandering of the Church—and stirring
up of authority against these who could not go alongst with them. For
these, and many other gross transgressions and slanders, at length
expressed, and clearlie proven in their process, which is not seemly
to be named in this place; and, instead of their repentance, adding
to all these evils extreme contempt of this Church, declining and
protesting against this honourable, reverend, and duly constitute
Assembly, they have incurred, and justly deserve, this fearful sentence
of excommunication.
Before we go to the pronouncing of this terrible sentence, the like
whereof has not been heard in a land, because we never have heard of
such matters in our Kirk, you shall hear particularly the sentence
which the Assembly hath ordained to be declared and pronounced against
the said pretended Bishops.
[Here the Moderator read the Sentence, which will be found in page 26
of these Records.]
After which the Moderator said—You, who are the congregation of God’s
people, are called of God to concur in this action. You have heard
the ordinance and sentence that this reverend Assembly have given out
against the eight persons before named; and you may easily believe
their warrant so to do, by the crimes you have heard, which have been
proved to the full. If it had been needful, and that time would have
admitted, you should have heard the haill process, whereof the crimes
you have heard mentioned are but a small part; for ever the further
that we searched, the fouler guiltiness was found in them. And surely
when any professor of the Christian religion, or member of the visible
Church, especially those who profess themselves Ministers of Christ,
be found guilty of such things as are laid to thir men’s charge; and
add thereto contumacy, yea great obstinacy, as these men have done, he
deserves no less than excommunication, though it be a very terrible
sentence. Ye know that the members of this Assembly do nothing at their
own hand, neither is it presumption that moves them to do it, for they
are commanded of God, and, being commanded, they dare not be so bold as
refuse. As there is a necessity laid upon us to preach the gospel, so
is there a necessity laid upon us to pronounce this sentence. Ye know,
in chap. xviii. of St Matthew’s gospel, our Lord’s commandment is, “If
he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man
and a publican;” that is to say, account him as a Turk, or a profane
man, a stranger to the household of faith. And 1st Cor. v., St Paul
commands the Church of Corinth to cast out the unhappy man that had
been guilty of incest; and we have the promise of Jesus Christ, who
hath given us this authority, that what we _bind on earth shall be_
also _bound in heaven_. And, for as mean men as we Ministers are, it
shall be found that our sentence shall be ratified; and those who will
observe shall see it, that we are sent to Glasgow to pronounce this
sentence. Neither is this a new thing in the practice of the Church;
from the beginning this sentence was in use. When Adam fell into the
great and high sin of disobedience against God’s first command, he was
cast out of Paradise, which was an emblem of the Church of God. And
you will find, under the law, there are many particular precepts and
statutes, excluding unclean and leprous persons from eating of the
passover. All which represent, by analogy, this sentence under the
gospel. In the New Testament there are several examples likewise. 1st
Tim. i., 20. Hymeneus and Philetus are registrate to the end of the
world, and branded with a note of reprobation, whom Paul delivered unto
Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme. And you may not think
but as we have commandment, promise, and practice for our warrant,
there is also great necessity for it; for, in such a case as this, God
cannot be honoured otherwise. Were it not dishonourable to God to have
men guilty of such crimes going to the pulpit to preach to his people?
Yea, it were enough to make people loathe the articles of their faith,
to hear such men as these take the Covenant of God in their mouths; and
therefore it is expedient that the Church of God be purged of such foul
scandals as it hath been polluted with in these men’s persons. And this
is profitable likewise for the faithful, that they may learn to be wise
and holy, and that they fall not into the same faults, lest the same
censure come upon them. And truly if the Lord had directed to another
remedy for these men, the Kirk of Scotland would have been glad to use
it; but there is no other known mean to keep them from the condemnation
of the devil, for the mortifying of their flesh, and saving of their
souls, than this.
And, as you see it is warrantable, necessary, and profitable on the
matter; it is likewise warrantable and necessary as to the manner. For
these and the like faults, the Bishops own tyrannous canons ordain
excommunication to be pronounced _ipso facto_. Next, you that please
to read the Book of Common Order before the Psalm Book, will find that
summar excommunication was appointed by the Kirk of Scotland, in some
cases. But we are not to account this summar excommunication; for it is
above a year since these men were summoned by the many supplications,
bills, and complaints, that were given into the Council-Table for the
superstition and idolatry they brought into the worship of God; for
the tyranny they brought into the government of the Church, and for
the heresy they brought in upon doctrine; and so, all this time, they
have got public warning from the Kirk. And, besides all this, they have
given in a declinature and protestation against the Kirk of Scotland,
and obstinately refuse to hear her; and, therefore, they justly deserve
to be accounted as heathens and publicans.
It rests now, before pronouncing the sentence of this reverend
and honourable Assembly, that we should call upon God that he may
be pleased to join his divine approbation to that which we are to
pronounce, that it may be seen by the world to be ratified in heaven.
Great Lord of the heavens and of the earth, who does in them both
what seems good in thy own sight—great King and Lawgiver, in thy
own church—God eternal and glorious in thy self, but merciful and
compassionate to thy people—we, thy servants and children, do again
present ourselves before thy Majesty. (The concern of the congregation
increasing as the awful part drew near, the amanuensis could not
distinctly transcribe more of this very fervent prayer.)
Prayer being ended, the Moderatour pronounced the sentence of
excommunication in these words:—
Since the eight persons before-mentioned have declared themselves
strangers to the communion of saints, to be without hope of life
eternal, and to be slaves of sin, therefore we—the people of God,
assembled together for this cause—and I, as their mouth, in the name
of the ETERNAL GOD, and of his SON the LORD JESUS CHRIST, according
to the direction of this Assembly, do excommunicate the said eight
persons from the participation of the Sacraments, from the communion
of the visible Church, and from the prayers of the Church; and, so
long as they continue obstinate, discharges you all, as ye would
not be partakers of their vengeance, from keeping any religious
fellowship with them; and thus give them over into the hands of the
devil, assuring you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that except their
repentance be evident, the fearful wrath and vengeance of the God of
Heaven shall overtake them even in this life, and, after this world,
everlasting vengeance.
Beloved, let us not think that this fearful sentence is merely the
wind of a man’s voice; surely these unhappy men shall find the truth
of it. It is true a farther blindness of mind, and hardness of heart,
is one part of the execution of this sentence; but it may be that the
Lord of Heaven shall kythe some sensible judgement upon some of them,
whereby they may be made spectacles of his wrath, except they repent.
Cain thought little, when he was cast out from the face of God, that
any evil should befal him; and surely in a lamentable case was he when
he lived, and miserable were his offspring and all that joined with
him. So was it with cursed Ham and his whole race; they were rooted
out, and the judgment of God came on them. In like manner, the fig-tree
being cursed, it withered immediately away; and Ananias and Sapphira
were struck dead at the first word of Peter. And though we do not say
that miracles will be wrought—for God can execute his judgements in an
ordinary or extraordinary manner, as best pleaseth him—we have cause
to be grieved that there are such rotten members in the body of this
Church; and, truly, it is ill with such Members when they are cut off.
We speak only from the visible Church, because they declare themselves
so obstinate to her, and acknowledge not their mother; and we mean only
the destruction of the flesh that their souls may be saved in the day
of the Lord; for it is the earnest desire of our hearts that the same
may tend to their salvation. And I do verily believe that there are
none here so willing to witness their excommunication as they would be
to receive them again to the society of the Saints: and that the Lord
may in mercy take the blot off them that is this day put upon them in
justice.
Now you shall hear the Sentence of the Assembly on the rest of their
colleagues.
[For the Sentence, see pages 27, 28.]
After which, the Moderator’s strength being outwearied, he only added—
Now you may perceive how circumspectly this Assembly have gone on, in
giving out their judgment against these men according to the degree
of their guiltiness. Neither have they judged according to rumours or
reports, nor yet by their own private knowledge, but have proceeded
according to things that have been clearly proved, which makes us the
rather be persuaded of God’s approbation of our sentence. Therefore,
let us again humble ourselves, and give thanks to our Lord for his
presence with us, and entreat him for a further manifestation thereof,
to the glory of his rich grace through Christ our Lord.—AMEN.
* * * * *
[_Eodem Die._]
After in calling upon the name of God,
A noble Lord, my Lord Montrois, who did formerlie undertake, for my
Lord Wigtoune, that he would come and declair his meaning to the
Assembly anent his subscryving to the kings Covenant, did give in a
letter of excuse, come from my Lord Wigtoune, wherein he declaires that
he is myndit to come to the Assembly whensoever his busines can permitt
him, and give them all satisfaction.
After this, there was ane proces produced against Mr Wᵐ Annand,
sometyme minister at Air, for maintaineing saints dayes, and many
poynts of erroneous doctrine; especiallie in ane sermone taught at
Glasgow, at ane synod 1637.
Mr John Fergussone and the Provest of Dumbartone, gave a large
testimony of his scandalous lyfe and erroneous doctrine. Then the
rolles were called.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—I know he subscrivit our Covenant, and efter
resedit from it, and so he proved a Proteus _quem vertit se in omnes
figuras_. Therefore, let him be deposed, and then he will be in a
figure that he was never in before.
The whole Assemblie did all agrie that he should be deposed, and the
way and order of his censure to be remitted to the Presbitrie of Air.
Mr Andro Rollock gave in his supplication, declaring that out of meir
ignorance he had subscrivit the Declinatour, being brought up with the
Constitution of England Church; but now, having gotten farder light
from God, and intelligence from Acts of Generall Assemblies, with
greiff of heart and conscience, declynes it altogether, and adheres to
the acts and constitutions of this present Assembly; and, therefore,
did earnestlie supplicat that he might deleit his name from the
declinatour, which the Assembly grantit, upon condition that he should
make publict declaration of his recantation in his paroche kirk, which
he willinglie condiscendit unto.
Lowdoun said that the favour granted to him who had been brought up
in the Kirk of England, should not be a preparative to temporizers
among ourselves, and so is pure negations, and uthers are prave
dispositions, or wilfull ignorance.
The Moderatour said—Fra we be delivered fra these diseases that
hath oppressed the whole bodie, I hope we shall have greater health
hereafter; for laying aside aines the hope of Episcopall dignitie and
the fear of Episcopall tyrannie, I hope men shall labour to be more
carefull and faithfull in their ministrie; and since God hes moved your
heart, Mr Rollock, to declyne your declinatour, I hope ye will not
stand to give the most publict declaration that can be; to whilk he
willinglie condiscendit.
After this Doctor Hamilton, procurator for the Bishops, was called on,
and the proces red and the probation thereof. Then the rolles were
called.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—He hes bein verie strict in urging thir novations,
and he hath bein verie officious _et nimium diligencie_ in agitating:
therefore, since the trie is cutt doune, let the woodbine fall with it
and be buried: therefore let him be deposed.
The whole Assemblie voited the same.
The Moderatour said—Since this Assemblie finds that he deserves
deposition, I, as the mouth of this Assembly, discharges him from all
function of the ministerie, exercise of discipline, or administration
of the Sacraments, and declaires his place to be vacant; and ordaines
him to make his repentance at Edʳ, and if he disobey and did not
passe from his declinatour, that they should proceed against him to
excommunication.
Then there was a proces given in against Mr Thomas MᶜKenzie, Archdeane
of the Chanrie of Ros, who for his fornication, drunkennes, marrying of
adulterers, &c. After the calling of the rolles, the Assembly voited
to his deposition, and if he did not satisfie in repentance, that he
should be excommunicat.
Mr George Muschet, minister of St Androwes, called upon and his proces
red, and delayed till the next day.
* * * * *
Sess. 21.—Decʳ 14, 1638.
After in calling upon the name of God,
Mr John Smart showed his Commission from Caithnes, to the end he might
have voit in the Assembly in the place of the former commissioner, who
is gone hame sick, which was accepted, and his name written in the roll.
Then Mr Androw Sheipheard declaired, that of meir ignorance he had
subscryvit the declinatour, and was deiplie humblit for his oversight,
and protested solemnlie that except that ane oversight he did never,
nor never would give way to any divisive motion; and therefore desyred
earnestlie that he might raze his owne name out of the declinatour,
which the Assemblie granted, and ordained him to make signification
thereof in the pulpit of Dundie.
Moderatour said—It is expedient, if the Assembly think good, to
appoynt Commissions through the Kingdome, for discussing of Complaints
and Lybells given in against Ministers. Then the Assembly appoynted
Commissions in severall places of the Kingdom.
The Moderatour said—If the Church were well established in her owne
power and jurisdiction, there could be no neid of such Commissions;
therefore, let us labour to get the ancient jurisdiction of the Kirk
restoired to its full power, and Presbitries, Provinciall and Nationall
Assemblies, to their owne jurisdictione: for the Generall Assemblies
cannot give to the Commissions to consider new processes, but such as
they cannot convenientlie decyde themselfes, and in such partes of the
countrie where Provinciall Assemblies cannot be had.
The Moderatour said—We have beine treating hitherto of matters of verie
great importance, howbeit, it hes bein only a primitively sort of
dealing; and now we are to fall upon positive acts. Therefore, I will
intreat yow to renew your former patience in waiting upon a comfortable
conclusione to this worke: for having banished out ane evill order,
if we labour not for ane good order, it may justlie be said, ane
evill order had beene better nor nane; and therefore resolve to stay
till some good order be established, that ye may know how to carry
yourselfes in tymes comeing. Next, there is a verie great necessitie
upon many considerations, that there be something done concerning the
Confession of Faith, that hes beine subscryvit with the explanation
of it; and concerning that Confession alse subscryvit by some few at
command of the Counsell; and it were good that some few were separat
for it that if it were possible—
Lowdoun said that there is something emergent now lately come foorth,
that gives the greater reason to aveir to that poynt; for now, when the
Assembly hes interpreted the Confession, to whom only it was referred
as competent judge, and lykewayes many of the honourable Counsell
having declaired their meaning is to keepe in these things that are
contrarie to the Assemblies explanation, so there is a necessitie of
some further explanation for takeing away of all scruples.
In the meane tyme, my Lord Wigtoune came and declaired, in the face of
the Assembly, that he had put his hand to the Confession of Faith out
of a resolution to adhere to the religion in doctrine and discipline,
as it was professed in 1580, when the Kirk was in puritie; and this I
speake not out of ostentation, but from certaine knowledge and zeale to
Gods caus, and will adhere unto it whilst a droppe of blood remaines in
my veins.
For the which declaration, the Moderatour and whole Assemblie rendered
his Lordship heartie thankes, praying God to assist his Lordship so to
doe.