nations, that with the veritie of doctrine received, the puritie
of discipline according to the word of God, whereby all errour in
doctrine, superstitione in worship, and tyrannie in government, and
especiallie all Poperie, hath beine opposed and removed; and that,
of late, we have laboured to recover that puritie by removing these
offices and corruptions that have no warrant by the Word of God, and
re-establishing these office-bearers that are warranted by the same;
notwithstanding, to the great dishonour of this Kirk, [it] is affirmed
in this Declaration that there is a great deformitie in our service—no
forme of publict prayer, but preachers, readers, and ignorant
schoollemasters, praying in the church, sometymes so ignorantlie as it
was a shame to all religion to have the Majestie of God so barbarouslie
spocken to; sometymes so seditiouslie, that their prayers were plaine
lybellis goeing against soveraignitie and auctoritie, or hes bein
stuffed with all the false reportes of the kingdome.—Pag. 16.
That we have taken such a course to undermynd and blow up the Reformed
Religion, that if the conclave of Rome, the severall colledges
perpetuallie sitting at Rome for contryving and effecting the meanes
of reducing all kingdomes to the Romane obedience; nay, if with both
these, all the Jesuites and their most especiallie combyned and sworne
enemies to our profession, all assembled in ane place, and had all
their witts and devices concentred in ane conclusion and resolution,
they could hardlie have fallen upon for turning all men out of the
pathes of religion reformed, or have settled upon such courses which
can bespeake no uther event but the undoubted everthrow of it, at least
in that kingdome, unles God from heaven (which we hope) have all their
cobble webs, contextures, in derision; that our maximes are the same
with the Jesuites; that our preachours sermons have beine delivered
in the very phrase of Becanus, Scippeius, and Swarez; that the
meanes which we have used to induce credite with our proselytes, are
meirlie Jesuitical fables, false reportes, false prophets, pretended
inspirations and divinations of the weaker sex, as if now Herod and
Pylat were once againe reconceiled for the ruine of Christ and his true
religion.—P. 3 and 4.
That out conclusions are quite contrarie to the Confessions of
all Reformed Churches in particular, and of our Scottish Positive
Confession, and that all the weapons wherewith we now fight against
these Protestant Conclusions, are stolen or borrowed out of the most
rigide Jesuit Magazens; to witt, that we are to be accompted not as
friends to the Kings Majestie, but as foes; not as Protestants, but
as the most rigide of Papists, Jesuits; and so being without in this
poynt, not bring scandall upon the reformed religion, and those who are
not with the same, especiallie considering we have gone about to wound
the reformed religion through the Kings Majesties sydes—Pag. 4.
That Ruleing Elders were brought in, onlie out of a feare that rigide
ministers designed for the Assemblie, might want a sufficient number
of their fellow ministers for their elections in their severall
Presbitries.—Page 189.
That Mr David Mitchell was processed and deposed, for doctrines
uncontraverted and generallie receaved by all Protestant Churches in
the world.—Pag. 206.
That the processe against the Bishops was pursued with such malice,
injustice, falshood, and scandall, not only to the reformed religion
in particular, but to the Christian religion in generall, as it cannot
be paralelled by any precedent of injustice in precedent ages; and
which, if it were knowen among Turkes, Pagans, or Infidells, would
make them abhorre the Christian Religion, if they did thinke it would
either countenance or could cousist with such abominable impietie and
injustice.—Pag. 207.
That some used a notable trick of forgerie and Romish imposture, for
advancing the worke of reformation, by working upon the weaknes of a
young maid, and makeing choyse of her as a fitt instrument to abuse the
people.—Pag. 226, 227.
That such was our blind obstinacie, that we scorned that any one should
sitt in the Assemblie who ran not in our rebellious courses, as holding
it a dis-reputation to abate any thing of our power or will, and we
would be sure to clippe the winges of auctoritie.—Pag. 245.
That we should have everie mechanick artizan, being chosen a lay elder,
to have equall power and state with his Majestie.—Pag. 246.
That the Kings Commissioner got certain intelligence of the Covenanters
unmovable resolution, that altho’ the Assemblie should be continowed,
and all things which they desire should be granted and effected, that
the quyetnes and peace of this Kingdome should be never a whitt the
more settled or established, but that they were determined to choose
certain committies, who, under the name of Commissioners from the
Generall Assembly, should keepe up their Tables, and be chosen and
continowed from one Assemblie to another, and so hold on the same
rebellious courses which they ever held, since the first erection of
their Tables—to the overthrow of the Kings royall auctoritie, and the
auctoritie of the Lords of Counsell and Session.—Pag. 269.
That under the name of Arminian tenets, many thinges in all the
Reformed Churches were condemned in the Assemblie.—Pag. 317.
That the conclusions in the Assemblie tended to the sedition and
rebellion, and the overthrow of the lawes both of Church and Kingdoms;
and that many of them were false and foolishe positions.—Pag. 324.
That the Covenanters are the worst and most disloyall pack of the
Kingdome.—P. 380.
* * * * *
_Thirdlie,_—Dishonourable to the Kingdome:—
For, although it hath beene the glorie of this Kingdome that it hath
continowed in duetifull subjection and obedience for many ages under
107 Kings, and we have ever acknowledged our quyenes, stabilitie,
and happines to depend upon the safetie of our graceous King, as
upon Gods Vicegerent sett over us for mantenance of Religion and
ministration of Justice—not having any intention to desire to attempt
any thing that might turne to the diminution of the Kings honour and
auctoritie;—notwithstanding, to the great dishonour of this Kingdome,
it is affirmed in this Declaration, that, although the Marqueis of
Hamiltoun, during his continowance among us, found that we gave him
civill respects as Marqueis of Hamiltoun, yet his being clothed with
the Kings auctoritie and Commission did much diminische them.—Pag. 86.
That the State of Scotland hath beene much of late discomposed and
disconected by the seditious practices of divers, impatient of all
lawes and government—Pag. 1.
That, by persisting [in] our tumultuous and rebellious courses, we
doe demonstrat to the world our wearinesse of being governed by his
Majestie and his Lawes, and our itching humour of having this Kingdome
governed by a Table of our owne devysing—a monstrous birth, as the lyke
hath not beene bredd in any kingdome, Christian, Jewish, or Pagan.—Pag.
2.
That we are like these of the bloudie League in France, who hoped that
the verie name of Holy League would cause in the world a mistake of
their meaning, and palliat their most wicked and unnaturall treasons
for rooting out that lawfull Soveraignitie and the true Religion.—Pag.
44.
That we begunne the most unnaturall Councells and horrible rebellion
that this or perhapes any other age in the world hath ever beine
acquanted with—that we begin to invest ourselves with the supreme
ensignes and markes of Majestie and Soveraignitie, by erecting publict
tables of advice and counsell for ordering the effaires of the Kingdome
without the Kings auctoritie, and by entering into a Covenant and
most wicked band and combination against all opposers, not excepting
the Kings oune persone, directlie against the Law of God, the Law of
Nations, and the Municipall Lawes of this Kingdome.—Pag. 53, 54.
That these our meetings at our tables have beene accompted by wise men,
rather stables of unrulie horses brocken louse, and pulling doune all
they can reach, and throwing dung into the face of auctoritie.—Pag. 54.
That we suggested some alteration in religion to be made by the
innovations, onlie to that end that the Kings Subjects might be keeped
from returning to their obedience.—Pag. 152.
That the divilishe obstinacie and malice of our factious spirits
found meanes to blindfold the peoples eyes, and so keepe them from
discovering and acknowledging the Kings Grace and goodnes towards
them.—Pag. 155, 156.
That it was our master peice to stoppe anything, though never so well
lyked be ourselves, if it wer commanded by the Kings auctoritie, as
fearing that if he had obedience In any one thing, the people might
recover the tast of governement.—Pag. 193.
That the heads of the Covenanters were affrayed that any shew of
obedience should be yielded to the King by his people in the least
poynt.—Pag. 204.
That not so much as the least inclination to peace could be discovered
in us.—Pag. 84.
That, above all things, they of the Covenanters table, were affrayed
that the people should receave any satisfaction from his Majestie,
or rest contented with the grace of his most reasonable proffers of
favour.—Pag. 90.
That the Leaders of the Covenanters studied nothing more then to
suppresse the Kings graceous intentions and favoures towards them—Pag.
91.
_Fourthlie,_—This Declaration is stuffed with a hudge number of Lies,
in averring Untruthes besides the alreadie mentioned—for instance, as
follows:—
That the Covenanters pretend religion, and intend nothing less then
that: their courses are tumultuous and rebellious.—Pag. 2, _et passim_.
That our Covenant, by Papists, was receaved with infinit joy, as
hopeing that the King and his successours might be brought to ditest
that religion whose profest zelots had beene the author of such ane
insufferable Covenant, which could not subsist with Monarchie—Pag. 74.
That, upon the removing of the Covenant, there was a suddaine
and frequent arryvall of Priests and Jesuits from Doway, and
other seminaries beyond the seas, in hope of their welcome to his
Majestie.—_Ibidem._
That our Covenant was receaved by the Protestants abroad with most
offensive scandall, and infinit grieffe—namelie, at Charingtoune,
Geneva, and other reformed churches in France—who were so scandalized
with this prodigious Covenant, as that they were affrayed of nothing
more then this, that It will bring ane indelable scandall upon the
Reformed Churches, and alienat the mynds of all Christian Princes from
ever entertaining a good thought of our religion.—P. 74.
That the Covenant was obtruded to all sortes of people with furie and
madnes, with threatenings, tearing of clothes, drawing of blood, &
cet.—Pag. 95.
That the seids of this sedition were sawen by the plotters of the
Covenant, _first_, at the Kings Majesties revocation.—Pag. 6.
_Secundlie,_ at the Commission of Surrenders.—Pag. 7.
_Thirdlie,_ Upon the refusall of honours at the late Parliament.—Pag.
11.
That the finall alterations of the Service Booke urged upon us, in
which it differeth from the English Service Booke, are such as might
best comply with the mynds and dispositions of the subjects of this
kingdome.—Pag. 18.
And that the same Service Booke was no different from the English in
any materiall poynt.—Pag. 19.
That the heads of the Covenant had no sooner notice of the peaceable
course intended by us, but they flew out in farr greater violence.—Pag.
79 and 113.
That the Proclamation, Julii 4, would have beene receaved by the people
with humble and thankfull acknowledgment, if they had not beene not
onelie diverted, but perverted by these men, who interpreted everie
satisfaction of the subjects to be a divideing from themselves.—Pag,
92, 93.
That, in our Privat Meetings and Publict Sermonds, we have endeavoured
to settle in the subjects mynds, opinions, feares, and jealousies quyte
contrare to our printed asseverations—Pag. 107.
That the principall Covenanters, Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Ministers,
protested to the Kings Commissioner, that their meaning was never
to abolische Episcopall governments, but to have it limited, and
censurable by the Generall Assemblie; and that they had farr rather
live under it than under the tyrannie of Presbitries, which they have
heard the Fathers complaine of, and bidd them bewarr of.—Pag. 114, 115.
That the heads of the Covenant had layd upon the King that aspersion
that he intended to bring in Poperie, or, at least, to tollerat
the same; becaus they believed it was the most powerfull meanes
of alienating the mynds of the people from him, which they onlie
intendit—Pag. 125, 126.
That the Marqueis of Hamilton presented to his Majestie not only the
improbabilitie that ever the ring leaders of that rebellion would
desist untill they had obtained their wicked ends, and that the
only hope of peace was placed in dividing the people from them, by
preferring unto the people such graceous favours as in all likeliehood
they neither could nor would reject.—Pag. 126.
That laymen did not sitt in Presbitries 40 yeares before.—Pag. 132 and
191.
That it is unquestionablie true that Episcopacie may and doth consist
with the Confession of Faith. Pag. 158 and 177.
That Archbishops and Bishops, September 1638, had and have still
a settled office in the Kirk be Parliament, nay, and be Assemblie
too.—Pag. 180.
That the Covenanters choose none to the Assemblie but such as they were
sure would receave no satisfaction, and keepe all uthers from accepting
any.—Pag. 188.
That the Covenanters laboured hard to persuade that none of these
thinges promised in the proclamation—no, not the Assemblie itselfe—were
ever intended to be performed by the King, but that he studied to deley
tyme whill he were readie for their ruine—Pag. 195.
That they resolved to increase thir disorders to such a height, and to
multiplie affronts upon the King and his auctoritie, as they imagined
should be past all sufferance, that they might compasse their desyres
of his Majesties Commissioner, either prorogation or discharging the
Assemblie.—Pag. 195 and 228.
That the witnesses in Mr David Mitchells process being all laymen,
wer men of such mean and ordinarie understanding, as that it was
improbable, if not impossible, that they should understand the
doctrines that he was charged with.—Pag. 206.
That the meeting at Edʳ was to agrie upon the conclusions to be made in
the Assemblie.—Pag. 133 and 231.
That the two Covenanting Ministers of Edinburgh declairing to uther
Covenanting Ministers that bemoned themselves, wondering that they
would give way to the utter defaceing of the Church by these laick
intrusions, that they grieved for it as much as themselves, but that
they must winke at it, else the nobilitie, gentrie, and burrowes
did threaten them with a desertion. That the Bookes of Discipline
were penned by some privat men, but were never confirmed by Act of
Parliament or Generall Assemblie.—Pag. 313.
That there is nothing in the Confession of this Kirk against the tenets
of Arminius.
That we confessed the 4 Bookes of the Assemblie not to be originalls,
but copies—Pag. 271.
* * * * *
_Fyftlie,_—Our intentions, wordes, and actiones, are miserable wreasted
in this Declaration.
That our refuseing to except the King out of the number of persons
against whom the Band of mutuall Maintainers was intendit demonstration
that, in our intentions, he was the persone chiefly aymed at.—Pag. 106.
Whereas he could not be excepted, because our Mutuall Maintenance
against all persones quhatsomever was in defence of Religion, the Kings
persone, and auctoritie.
That our meaning in explication of the Covenant was, that we would
continow the Kings obedient subjects if he would pairt from his
soveraignitie, and that we would obey him if he would suffer us to
command.—Pag. 115.
Whereas our true meaning therein was to cleare ourselves of the
imputation of disloyaltie to our graceous Soveraigne; and whereas the
Bill against the President and Clerk-Register was given in to crave
justice upon them as offenders, yet it is affirmed that it was becaus
we knew the Marqueis neither could nor would yield unto it, and that
by his denyall we might have meanes to irritat, even to disgust the
Kings graceous favours.—Pag. 93.
* * * * *
_The Assemblies Judgment concerning the Manifesto._
After the reading whereof, the Moderatour desired some of the brethren
to give their judgment of the said Booke.
Mr Andro Cant said—It is [so] full of grosse absurdities that I thinke
hanging of the author should prevent all other censures.
The Moderatour answered—That punishment is not in the hands of Kirkmen.
The Shireff of Teviotdaill, being asked his judgment, said—Ye were
offendit with a churchmans hard sentence alreadie; but, truelie, I
could execute that sentence with all my heart, becaus it is more
propper to me, and I am better acquainted with hanging.
My Lord Kirkcudbright said—It is a great pittie, that many honest men
in Christendome, for writing little bookes called pamphlets, should
want eares; and false knaves, for writing such volumes, should brooke
heads.
The Assemblie, after serious consideration of the great dishonour to
God, this church and kingdome, by the said Booke, did condescend upon
a supplication to the Commissioners Grace, that the same might be
represented to the Kings Majestie, that his Majestie might be pleased
to call in all the said Bookes, and thereby shew his dislyke thereof;
and next to give Commission to cite all such persones who are either
knowne or suspected to be the authors thereof, or informers anent it;
and in speciall, Doctor Balcanquell, who is knowne and professed to be
the author, at least the owner of a great parte thereof; that, by their
examplarie punishment, others may be deterred from such dangerous and
seditious courses; the tennour of which Supplication followeth:—[Vide
p. 206 of these Records.]
The Assemblie thought it expedient that some overtures might be advised
upon for keeping order in the Assemblie in tyme comeing.
The Assemblie found it expedient, for the preventing of all Innovations
which might impede this recovered reformation, that no dangerous
motion, tending to the hurt of the Church, be proponed or concluded
suddenlie in any Assemblie, Presbiteriall or Provinciall; but when any
question shall arise in any inferiour judicatorie, it may be communicat
to all others, agitat and disputed in Sessions, Presbitries and Synods,
and so might be rypened for the Generall Assemblie: lykewayes, that
nothing should come before the Generall Assemblie, but that which came
by reference or by appellation, and which could not be discussed by
another Inferiour Judicatorie: As also that no reference should be made
but orderlie—viz., from Session to Presbitrie, from thence to Synods,
and then to the Generall Assemblie.
The Commissioner being come in to the Assemblie, the Moderatour desired
his Grace to show the Assemblie the Declaration wherewith his Grace was
to subscryve the Covenant.
The Commissioner answered—For my Declaration [it] is verie short. It
is nothing els but what I have declaired many a tyme since we mett
here; for, as I told yow, when that Act, abolishing Episcopacie and
the rest of these evilles, past heir, the 17 of this instant, I was
to consent unto that Act in my Masters name, not as a thing that my
Masters judgement and opinion willed him unto, but that his tender
affection to our satisfaction moved him to assent unto it. Even so
now, I am to make a short Declaration, least if my Master should
subscryve simplie, he should condemne thinges that are allowed in
the Kirk he lives in, and which his judgement assents unto. A king
may be a king of divers kingdomes that are of divers religions: and
we hope we will not say but he may doe that that may satisfie one of
his dominions which will not satisfie another. And for my Declaration
quherewith I subscryve the Covenant as the Kings Commissioner, and in
his name, it shall not be obligatorie to any Scottis man to subscryve
with declaration; neither shall any Scottis subject whatsoever shelter
himselfe under it; but if he subscryve not with the Assemblies
Declaration, shall be lyable to the censures of the Kirk, and so
shall I myselfe be; for as Lord of Traquair I shall subscryve _totum
compositum_, with all the rest of the subjects, even as Mr Archbald
Johnstoune subscryves, which I believe is strict enough. And so the
Commissioners Grace arose and sought libertie to goe to the Counsell,
and the Assemblie to sitt still till he returned.
Thereafter the Supplication was sent in to the Commissioners Grace and
Counsell, by the Earle of Argyle, Rothes, Lowdoun, Mr Alexʳ Hendersone,
Keir, Provost of Irwing. In the interim the Moderatour exhorted the
Assemblie, and speciallie the Ministrie, to call to mynd the old Acts
of the Assembly, that were revised, anent the conversation and carriage
of Ministers, that by their painfulnes upon their people, the fruites
of the Gospell might appeare in the land, that all that lookes on
may see that we intendit nothing but reformation; and in particular
regrated heavilie the great slighting of the worke of examination, that
it was become perfunctorie when it was left to a few dayes before the
Communion, and there wished that there should be weeklie examinations,
and desired that some of the brethren should speake their judgments.
Mr Robert Blair said—I remember at the last Assemblie that King
James was at, holden at Holyrudhous, 1602 yeares, that there were
instructions given for the visiting of severall congregations, and
a number of questions that the Ministers are to be tryed in; and it
is expresslie said there, that they shall be asked whether they have
weeklie catechiseing through the year; and whill this be amended there
is small hopes that people will be brought to the knowledge of religion.
Mr John Weymes said—It is to be regraited that most parte of Ministers
scrufes the mater of catechizing, in making some stand up and repeat
verballie words of the catechise upon the Sabboth afternoone, or some
select tymes; quhereas some time should be spent everie weeke in
teaching the catechetick doctrine.
Mr _____________ said—A great helpe to this were, that familie dueties
were instantlie urged and pressed upon all masters of families, that
they might take such paines on their children and servands, that when
they presented them to us, they might tell us of what nature they were;
and so long as familie duties, catechiseing of servands and children,
and uther religious exercises, are neglected, our examination will have
but a small life.
The Moderatour added—It is very pertinently spocken; for so long as
devotion is slighted in privat houses, and masters of families makes
not conscience of these that are under their charge, the examination of
Ministers is but like threshing on the water, except it be supported by
privat diligence.
Mr Thomas Ramsay said—In my judgment, a great helpe to this were to
provyde understanding and well affected schoolmasters, who would use
diligence and paines upon the people, and that competent meanes were
allotted for their mantenance.
Mr John Row said—I thinke a great helpe of all this, were the carefull
visitation of particular Kirks by Presbitries, which is greatlie
neglected.
Mr George Lammer said—It is verie expedient that it be recorded
and made ane Act in this Assemblie, that familie dueties be urged,
especiallie catechising throughout all the Kingdome. To the which the
whole Assemblie willinglie acquiesced.
Heir the Commissioners Grace returned to the Assemblie.
The Moderatour desired his Grace to bring foorth these good newes which
the Assemblie hath bein long looking for.