Grace’s speache, which the Moderatour hes seconded verie pertinentlie;
for it seemes to be incumbent, that the supreme magistrat, when, in
the churches of his dominions, any questions shall arise in matters
of religion, whither it hath bein determinat before, that those that
have power in Assemblies, are bound not onlie to take the same to their
consideration, but also to receave in reverence his Majesties doubts,
and give him satisfaction, that they and auctoritie may joyne together,
the one directing and the other confirming. I thinke it out of question
in the judgement of all that are acquainted with the governement of
the Church, that there be two sortes of church governement. One is
Christian and Apostolic by the Assemblies of the Church; the other is
Episcopal governement. And I verilie thinke so farre as ever I learned,
that our Church, from the beginning, had a intention to establishe the
governement by Assemblies, and did prosecute it with great zeale; yet
it is also evident by the ecclesiasticall historie, that the Church
hath been still vexed with Episcopacie; for some Popish Bishops,
renouncing Poperie, would have bein Bishops still; and I think it was
more out of a desire to brooke the livings than to advance that office.
First, they wer Superintendents, who got commission for visitation;
and its knowne that Superintendents were no Bishops, and what reall
difference was betweene them. And it is also knowne that they did
neglect their function, and not good with it. Another sort of Prelats
that were, or rather supposed Bishops, who brooked the benefic, but not
the office, and these were called Tulchan Bishops. A third sort came
in afterwards by being Commissioners to Parliament, and voters, and
then ascended to that height that ye yourselves are witnesses unto.
They entered as foxes, raigne as lions, and I wish they may die as
Christians. Now for the warrands of this Church against this Episcopall
function. I hope these that are acquainted with the registers of the
Church will find them cleare; and if your Grace doubt of the auctoritie
of them, we thanke God that we have this occasion to give your Grace
satisfaction.
The Moderatour craved libertie to expone what was meant by Tulchan
Bishops. It was a Scotts word, used in their commoun language. When a
kow will not let doune her milk, they stappe the calfes skin full of
strae, and setts downe before the kow, and that was called a Tulchan.
So these Bishops brookeing the title and the benefice without the
office, they wist not what name to give them, and so they called
them Tulchan Bishops—(at which the Assembly laughing heartilie)—The
Moderatour said—Their follies were worthie to be laughen at in this
Generall Assembly.
Mr Andro Ramsay being desired to speake, said—That which hath the
begining of it from man and is of humane institution—that which hath
beene destructive of the discipline of the Kirk—that which hath
beene introductorie of Poperie, superstition, and idolatrie, and
antichristianisme, and the barr of all good reformation,—justlie for
thir reasones ought to be cast out of this Church; but I am able to
qualifie that Episcopacie is such: therefore, for these reasons, it
ought to be cast out of the Church, and can never come in againe.
The Commissioner declaired that he was not desirous that they should
fall upon any scholastic dispute. It was only to represent to their
consideration how farre these that have gone before us in the
reformation, hath found it contrare to the constitution of this Church,
that hath ever beine the ground of all your Petitions.
In reading of the Acts, it was questioned whither the Clerk should
begin at the year 1560 or at the year 1580.
The Commissioner said—It seemes that this worke have had its beginning
from the 1560 year of God, and hath had a continuall progresse ane way
or other ever since; and I believe Mr Archbald [Johnston the Clerk]
is not so ill versed, but without much looking on his booke he could
deduce all the Acts either the one way or the other.
The Earle of Argyle urged that, becaus the Confession of Faith was at
first subscribed 1580, they would begin at that tyme.
My Lord Lowdoun said—It is true that Act in 1580 is the maine Act
against Episcopacie, yet becaus there is a word in it, “as it was then
used,” &c.: therefore the case of it as it was then used, would be made
cleare in the preceiding years 1560, 1575, 1576, 1577, 1578, &c.; for
in all these yeares, Episcopacie came still under consideration: first,
before they came to the office itselfe, they came to the corruptions of
it, ane whereof was—they assumed to themselves titles and dignities:
secondlie, they meddled with civile places: thirdlie, they usurped
power and præ-eminencie over their brethren: fourthlie, they confounded
offices civill and ecclesiasticall: fifthlie, that they had more rents
then was competent to churchmen, and was only imployed for their owne
pompe and grandour. All thir at that tyme were corruptions; whatever
was above a pastor over a particular flock—so that being condemned in
the 1580, the compairing of it with the anterior Acts makes it cleare,
and so it is follie for men to object that that Act against Episcopacie
was but only against that dependencie that it had from the Pope: for
its cleare that they call ane Protestant Bishope, above a pastor of a
particular flocke was chapped at: and take this from them and let them
sie what remaines of that office? Then when it was condemned out of
the Church of Scotland as having nothing adoe there—as wanting warrand
from the Word of God, in place of it, with consent of auctoritie,
Presbyteriall governement was sett downe; and [in one] of the last
Acts of ane and the same Assembly 1581—“whither there was a totall
abolition of Bishops in the Assembly at Dundee, 1580”—the Assembly
answered, that both the name and office was totallie abolished, and
then the Presbyteriall governement put in the place of it, and the
discipline sworne unto, wherein is clearlie sett downe what offices was
esteemed lawfull; whereof Episcopacie is none, but immediatelie before
condemned: so that the connexion between 1574, 1581, is so cleare,
when the ane is put out as wanting warrand from the Word, and the
other put in as having warrand, and that discipline sworne unto—that I
thinke there is many here would be glad of ane occasion to cleare the
matter by dispute to your Graces satisfaction. And becaus his Majestie
was not pleased, at our last happie meeting with him, to approve some
of our proceedings, it is very good reason these grounds be cleared
againe, that we may be that happie as to have the civile sanction
added unto it; and, on the other hand, that it be all our cares, with
that loyaltie and duetie that becomes us, and all tender respect to
our Kings Majesties honour, but to mantaine the same as farr as the
cheefest of these parasites that speakes his Majestie so fair.
Mr Alexʳ Henrysone read a testimony out of ane Epistle of Bezaes,
written to Mr Lennox, dated July 12, 1572, testifying that not only
was Episcopacie put out of this Kirk, but knowene to all the world to
be soe.
The Commissioner said—I intend not to presse any thing but in that
way that shall be satisfactorie to all; yet there are some rockes and
difficulties wherein possiblie our Masters name is ingaged, and I wishe
we may take notice of these, and stryve to come by them.
The Moderatour answered—Your Graces expression is verie good; but
becaus they that know not these rockes well, cannot saill by them;
if your Grace should be pleased to specifie these rockes, we should
endeavour to hold off them.
The Commissioner answered—I desire, so much charitie of them that
heares me, as to believe that I may heare, and possibly have heard,
some thinges of that consequence that they toutch my instructions verie
farre—not for what may concerne the bussines; therefore, I should wishe
we should rather seeme to misken some thinges, rather then toutching
them, to make unnecessary disputes. I conceave we desire nothing but
peace and trueth: therefore let us take a course to establishe these
two, and whatever may hinder these, I take to be the rockes. I have so
good and charitable opinion of some men, that I would yet wishe thinges
were prepaired by them in privat, for [fear of] mistakes; for some
thinges may very possiblie escape some men here that I cannot sit heir
but make answer in a way that I have not as yet. I desired yesterday
to speake with the Moderatour, and I believe he understands me and I
him better then we did; and, therefore, I say over againe, for feare
of mistakes, I should wishe that everie thing [be] now prepaired and
consulted betwixt me and the Moderatour, with some other wise and
honourable Members of the Assembly, and not proponed in publict till it
were thus prepaired.
The Moderatour answered—If it might please your Grace, so farr as I
conceave, there needed no preparation, but only the expression of it by
a mouth that well can, such as your Grace is.
The Commissioner answered—I shall but represent to your consideration,
if God may blesse this meeting with so happie a conclusion—and I thinke
there is no Christian but they will think it happie to see King and
People goe all one way—that the Kings Commissioner, by the warrand he
hath from his Master, sitt here to the end of this meeting, and consent
to everie thing shall be done in it; and in the Parliament, to adde the
civile sanction unto it. I take it to be granted as all our desires;
if, then, we can light upon the way how to make it evident by reason,
that these particulars which I have bluntlie and rudelie expressed,
our Master hath conceaved, the Moderatour farre better expressed to be
the true causes of all our greevances; if, I say, we can light upon
such Acts and Constitutions as may serve us in this, I thinke there is
no more to be done. I desire and hopes it shall offend none, that I
conjure yow, everie one in your stations, Nobles, Peires, and worthies
of the land, and yow of the Ministrie—if it be lawful to conjure such a
reverend company—to take to heart, that the king will doe all that may
secure us of our feares. Only let us be tender of his Majesties honour,
and not make unnecessarie breakes, nor marre that thankes that is due
to him. Lett us not put him to it in shaddowes, for we shall have the
substance.
Argyle said—For the affection and desire of this honourable Assembly,
to give his Majestie all satisfaction, your Grace needs not to call in
question; and for eschewing any rocke in clearing the Constitutions of
the Kirk, lett the clerk be charged upon his fidelitie to his Master,
that he read nothing but what is contained in the Acts, and in the
Confession of Faith.
The Commissioner urged that all further medling with it might onlie be
delayed till 4 a clocke in the afternoone.
Lowdoun said—Delayes are verie unpleasant; and, in suspitious mynds,
breeds many jealousies; yet becaus it is ane cause of the meeting of
this full and free Assemblie, to give full satisfaction to our Kings
Majestie, it seems very reasonable that we take some tyme to agrie
upon the best way it may be done, that both his Majestie may be best
contented, and in such a way as it derogat nothing from the liberties
of the Kirk.
The Commissioner said—The gravitie of this bussines we are about,
should not, I thinke, stand upon dayes, farre lesse houres.
It was condescended by the members of the Assembly, that till 4 a
clocke in the afternoone should be spent in consultation in the great
Kirk among the Commissioners, of the best meanes how the Kings Majestie
should get best satisfaction of all their proceedings, and with all the
liberties of the Kirk preserved.
The Clerk produced ane of the bookes of the Assembly, which he had
gotten from Mr John Rigg, and desired that it might be cognosced upon,
whether it wer authentick. The Kings Advocat declaired that he had
perused the booke, and knew it to be Grayes hand writt, becaus that
same subscription is at divers of his extracts.
To meet at 4 a clocke.
Sess. 5.—At 4 a clocke in the afternoone.
_Episcopacie proved unlawfull, with the Service Booke, Booke of
Cannons, &c._
After prayer the Moderatour said—Please your Grace, I was useing
diligence in searching out wayes how to behave ourselves, and finds all
peaceablie and modestlie disposed; and when we had thought upon all
mids, we could sie nane, but that way onlie of his Majesties justice
and goodnes, which pleaseth his Majestie to walk in. It is knowne that
his Majestie refused to authorize our controverted Assembly at Glasgow,
neither can we urge the same, seeing his Majestie hes not gotten
cleernes, and is not here personallie present to receave satisfaction,
we can urge no farther. Againe his Majestie, out of that justice, did
not urge his subjects to passe from that Assembly, becaus he knew
they were tyed by so many bands; and soe we resolve to walke through
betweene thir two rockes as circumspectlie as we can, and not toutching
any of them, but keepe our distance betwixt both; and, therefore, I
expect that this whole Assembly to walke verie tenderlie in so great a
bussines that concernes the great honour of our great and graceous King
JESUS, and the tender honour of our good and graceous King Charles.
The Commissioner said—These rockes that I have feared, yow have
discovered, and yow are best able to go by them.
The Moderatour answered—I hope we are neare by the straites of them.
The Clerk proceeded to the reading of the Constitutions of the Kirk,
beginning at the year 1575 and so furth.
The Clerk said—Please your Grace, thir two goes on still togither; some
Acts against Episcopacie, and other Acts, establishing the Booke of
Policie, wherein not only Episcopacie is abjured, but the governement
of the Kirk by four office-bearers, Pastors, Doctors, Elders, and
Deacons, sworne unto; and so furth continouallie, from the 1575 to the
1579. And the Booke of Policie is established. There are about 9 or
10 Assemblies conveened, onlie for the treating of the policie of the
Kirk; and when they conveened they appoynted that the articles that
were to be dispute at the next Assembly, should be dispute in every
Presbyterie and Kirk-Session, that when they came to the next Assembly
they might come with the better advysement. And, as he was proceeding
in reading,
The Commissioners Grace said he was satisfied to the full, and,
therefore, he needit not proceed any further.
The Moderatour said—Your Grace sees how undeservedlie we are calumniat,
and what good grounds we had for all our proceedings at Glasgow.
The Commissioner said—I wishe we may proceid weill now, and that all
our actions be such as may anwer for themselves.
The Clerk proceided on in the reading.
The Commissioner desired that all these evills that were the grievances
might be voiced together, and included under one Act, which the
Assembly acquiesced unto.
The names of these that were to preach on the Sabbath, &c.
Sess. 6.—August 16. _Hora nona._
After prayer, the Moderatour asked if the Commissioners Grace had
anything to say concerning these seven evilles, that hath so greatlie
troubled this Kirk, which have bein represented unto your Grace.
The Commissioner answered—I was desirous that yow, with some of your
brethren, should take the paines to come to me yesternight, that so
we might conceave a way how to order our carriage, that, both in
voicing and conceaving of the Acts, it might be so done as I might
be satisfied, and my Master also, wherein I fand a great deale of
satisfactione. The first thing which yow offered to your consideration,
to be the occasion of these illes, was Episcopacie. My Master was
pleased at the Campe to say so far, that if it could be made appeare
to him, (notwithstanding of his owne inclination and opinion, which
his breeding and the Kirk of Scotland [England] doth possiblie give
him of Episcopacie,) by the Assembly of the Kirk, that it was contrare
to the Constitutions of this Church, he commanded me, not only to
concurre with yow, but to doe all that could be expected from so good
and graceous a King, both by my consenting to it, and ratifieing it
in Parliament. I was desirous that course might be taken, how all
our proceedings might be grounded upon reason; and upon this ye were
pleased to cause read the Constitutions of the Kirk, and I, by the
Clerks paines, and uther helpes that I have gotten, and by that that
passed amongst ws yesterday in privat, am satisfied, and I believe ye
know all, what conclusion I would make—that I desire to be taken _pro
confesso:_ onlie I did represent to their consideration, whether they
should be conceaved all in one Act, or to voice them severallie.
The Moderatour said—There can be no questiones amongst us who would
eschue the rockes we spock of yesterday; but it will be satisfactorie
unto us if there be one Act past heir and ratified in Parliament, and
this, as we conceave, will be the best way to keepe us off rockes.
The Moderatour desired the Clerk to proceed in reading the rest of the
Acts and Constitutions of the Church.
The Commissioner answered—It is not necessary for yow to proceed any
further, except it be for the satisfactione of some of yourselves, for
I tell yow I am satisfied; and, in his Majesties name, will consent to
the Act against these things.
The Moderatour said—We acknowledge his Majesties bountie and goodnes
in so doing. We desyre to give declaration of our reasonable desires
and proceedings, that it may be seene all is granted to us for these
reasons. Therefore it is expedient that all our reasons and grounds to
proceed against these evills be read and make manifest.
The Commissioner said—When we shall consider of thir thinges that
were established by law—when we shall consider that some of them were
practised in his Majesties fathers tyme, a wise and religious Prince,
and never questioned till now—I hope it shall move us to thinke more of
his Majesties goodnes, who hes a greater care of our contentment then
we could have expected.
The Clerk proceedit in reading the Reasons and Acts against the Fyve
Articles.
The Moderatour said—Your Grace hes heard the reasons; and as we desire
to rander to his Majestie, humble and heartie thankes for dischargeing
these illes, so we desire that these reasons and grounds of our
lawfull proceedings may be showen to his Majestie, that it may be made
evident to his Majestie and to all the world, that we have beene very
reasonable in all our proceedings, and especiallie at Glasgow, which
they have so much traduced to his Majestie.
Sessio. 7.—[August 17.]
After prayer, the Clerk proceidit in reading the reasons of the
nullities of the six late pretendit Assemblies, which was confirmed
by the testimony of many old and reverend men in the ministerie,
who had beene at these Assemblies, standing up and testifieing the
same; likewise the reasons for condemning the Service Booke, Booke of
Cannons, Booke of Ordination, and High Commission, were publictlie red.
The Commissioner still urged that it was not neidful to read more,
except it were for the satisfaction of some of their owne number. It
was answered, the Assemblie did esteeme themselves bound of duetie to
make knowne the reasons of all their proceedings for the satisfaction
of his Majestie. After all were read,
The Moderatour said—We have now cleared sufficientlie the reasons of all
our proceedings, trusting that your Grace will signifie the same to his
Majestie; and desires likewise that the civile sanction may be added to
it; and, therefore, that we may conclude somewhat, it seemes necessar
that so much as is bygone may be drawne up in ane Act. The Assembly,
with consent of the Commissioners Grace, appoynted a Committie to
goe about the frameing of the Act, that when it came before the
Assembly it might be put to voiceing with all diligence; namely,
_Ministers_—Masters Andro Ramsay, Harry Rollock, James Bonar, Andro
Cant, Robert Blair, David Lindsay, Robert Douglas; _Nobles_—Cassiles,
Lowthiane, Balmerino, Lowdoun; _Barrons_—Cavers, Auldbar, Keir;
_Burgesses_—John Smith in Edinburgh, Provost of Dundie—to meit at
the Clerks Chamber, after the dissolving of the Assembly, about the
frameing of the Act.
The Commissioner desired their way of conceaving it might be showen
to him, that he might come the better prepaired against the morrow;
further, craved libertie of the Assemblie, to depairt for that night
for some important affaires, in respect there was nothing materiall to
be handlit that night, and the Assembly might spend an houre or two in
hearing of some particular billes without him, and promised to returne
tomorrow at 9 a clocke.
_Imprimis_, presented to the Assembly a Suplication from the toune of
Leith for the transportation of Mr James Scharpe, minister at Govan in
the Presbitrie of Glasgow, to the Kirk of Leith, vacant through the
deposition of Mr William Wischart. The Assemblie referred the bille to
the Presbitrie of Glasgow, to consider till the morne.
A Supplication from Air for transportation of Mr Joⁿ Fergushill to Air;
for the transportation of Mr Robert Blair to St Androwes. Becaus of Mr
Johnes unwillingnes, he was ordained to prepair his reasons against
another Session.
A Supplication from the Universitie, Presbitrie, and Toune of Glasgow
for the transportation of Mr David Dicksone, present Moderatour, from
Irwing to Glasgow; and because there was ane hote contestation like
to arise thereabout, between the Commissioners of Irwing with my Lord
Eglintoune, and the Commissioners of Glasgow, the Assembly appoynted a
committie for hearing of both parties, my Lord Argyle, Mr James Bonar,
James Hamiltoun, Robert Blair, John Home, Samuell Rutherfuird.
The Assemblie appoynted a committee for considering of overtures to
be given in to the Assembly; viz., _Ministers_—Mr Robert Murrey, &c.;
_Nobles_—Yester; _Barrones_—Auldbar, &c.; _Burrowes_—Clerk of Dundie,
&c., to meit at Kinghornes house, to morrow, at two afternoone, for the
overtures: And so, after thanksgiving, the Assembly dissolved.
Sessio 8.—_Hora nona._ August 17—_die Saturniæ._
After incalling upon the name of God, there was a letter presented to
the Assembly from the some tyme pretendit Bishop of Orkney, testifieing
his repentance and dimission of that pretendit office. The tenour
followes, [vide Acts, p. 204]:—
After the reading of the said recantation, the Moderatour thanked God
who had extorted a testimony out of the mouth of a man who once was ane
overseer, &c. I wishe all the rest might take the lyke course.
The Moderatour said—Your Grace remembers that there were appoynted a
number of Ministers, with some other worthie members of this Assemblie,
upon a Committie for frameing of ane Act upon these thinges that went
before in this Assembly, wherein such paines have bein taken as we
trust now all the scruples of all the members of the Assembly shall be
removed, that so they may behave themselves in every thing incumbent
to them as good Christians and good subjects, and we hope to have the
consent of the Commissioners Grace to what we doe heir; becaus his
Grace hath heard, being a man of understanding, the equitie of our
cause, and hath warrand from His Majestie that what he shall find right
and reasonable in this Assemblie to give his assent unto it here, and
to ratifie it in His Majesties name in the insuing Parliament.
Mr Andro Cant, having a strong voice, was desired to read the Act, the
tenor whereof followes—[vide Act, p. 204]:—
After the reading of the said Act, the Moderatour desired Mr Alexʳ
Hendersone to speake his judgment of it.
Mr Alexʳ answered—I will not make any discourse, but only tell my owne
particular judgment, and I would wishe that anie here who hes any
scruples concerning the Act, that they would propone them; for I love
rather to satisfie any mans doubts of it, than to fall in any other
discourse at this tyme. And for my selfe, it is alse joyfull a day as
ever I was witnesse unto, and I hope we shall feede upon the sweit
fruites heirafter.
Mr Andro Ramsay being desired to speake, said—I am fullie satisfied,
and hes no doubts but ane, that we come short of thanksgiving to our
God.
Mr Alexʳ Somervell, desired to give his judgment, said—I cannot
testifie the joy that the hearing of that Act breids in my soule.
My heart so abounds with it when I consider the former griefes and
troubles of this poore Kirk, and what a gracious change is now come in,
and albeit some heir have some unnecessar scruples, I thinke they have
reason to tredd upon them; and in respect they heare the matter so well
concluded, and such a comfortable successe likelie to follow, it may
make us all ashamed to entirtaine scruples, but rather studie to randar
thankes to our gracious Lord, and wishe all happinesse to King Charles.