the Protesters, as previous and preparatory to a Conference, but also
maketh the end of the Conference (which was modestly and fairly exprest
for both in our Overture) to be, to hold forth light to the Protesters
in the matter of difference from the Publick Judicatories, and (as
the Letter to Presbyteries expresly beareth) that the dissenters from
the Publick Resolutions may be brought up to unite with the Publick
Endeavors of this Kirk, and so the state of the difference betwixt them
and us, is now again (upon what considerations, or expectations I shall
not descant) made as wide as it was before, when all the Malignant
party was in Arms to protect them therein.
4. The Answer asserts and justifies, not only the Calling and
Constitution, but all the Acts and Proceedings of the late pretended
Assembly and their Commissions, and condemneth all Testimonies against
the Publick Resolutions, and the said pretended Judicatories.
The said Answer declareth, That no Agreement is to be expected upon
other terms then the late pretended Assembly at Edinburgh did propose;
for the Answer doth affirm that they have found that the said Assembly
hath endeavored to the utmost of their power to compose the present
differences, and did condescend upon such Overtures as possibly they
could perceive most conduceable to that end.
Now, these Overtures, by them mentioned, do require an express passing
from all our former Testimonies, and that in time coming we shall never
give any Testimony against the Publick Resolutions, and other late
corruptions and novations brought into the Church, for it is required
to be set under our hands, That we shall not hold up debates by
preaching, writing, or otherwise, for any thing which doth concern the
late differences that hath arisen in this Church: So that we may not
give Testimony or declare our Judgements in any case, but must either
be altogether silent in these things, or else conform our language to
the judgment of the pretended Assembly, and if any Minister or Elder
cannot in conscience comply with these Overtures, though they be men
eminent for gifts and graces, and have been very useful and profitable
servants in the Lords Vinyard, and differ in nothing in judgment with
their Brethren in the Confession of Faith, Directory for Worship and
Government, yet they must be cast forth as unsavory salt, because
they cannot agree to a Novation which never was heard of before in
this Church, and which themselves in their Vindication grant to be
_indeterminati juris_. The same severity is enacted against expectants
to the Ministry, and they must be debarred for his sole cause, though
they were never so wel qualified. If this be not Usurpation and
Tyranny, the Prelats are very excusable for their carriage.
6. Observe how their Answer to us, and Letter to the Presbyteries
is stuffed with carnal policy, and very far from that simplicity
and candor which becometh Ministers of the Gospel. They say, they
are desirous to have the memory of our differences and distractions
buried, yet with the same breath they give out sentence, That we
have not only been agents, but active agents, and vigorously active;
and affirm this to be conspicuous, not only to some, but to all who
have been looking on the matter. But were it so, what need was there
to tell it? If they would have these things buried, why did they
assemble so frequently this Summer, to dig them out of their grave?
Were it not greater ingenuity to tell the truth (as some of their
number do) that these Publick Resolutions must stand as the Authority
and Warrant for the Body of the People, to rise all in Arms (without
making distinction of Friends and Enemies to the Lord his Work and
People) and associate among themselves, and with Forreigners, when
they shall land with the King. They say they will not question whether
we did, from a desire of removing differences, forbear to act in the
capacity of Commissioners from the General Assembly 1650, yet in the
very next words they do expressly question it, and say, It seemeth
not to consist well with our Answer to the Synod of Lothian. This
is but a seeming inconsistency grounded on a real mistake; for the
Overture mentioned by us is not the same with that proposed by the
Synod of Lothian, neither for the Matter, Persons, Propounders, or
the time of making thereof: It was a more equal Overture then that
from the Brethren of Lothian, for it did not condemn the Authority
of the Commission 1650, more then that of 1651, as that from Lothian
did; and it was propounded at a Conference with some of the Brethren
of the Presbyterie of St Andrews; and that diverse moneths after the
Overture made by the Brethren in Lothian: If our Brethren had been well
advised they had spared this reflection. They say, they absteined from
meeting so much as to adjourn the Commission, and that to prevent the
heightning of differences til the time of the Assembly did approach
that they behoved to meet. I will not say, as our Brethren do, That I
will not question if it was for that end they did abstein, and then
follow it with a contradiction; I do plainly and ingenuously profess,
That I think it was another reason which made them abstein: It was a
clear case to all who conversed with them at that time, That fear of
interruption by the English, and drawing prejudices on their persons,
made them abstein, until the Malignant party (their penitents and
correspondents) began to have power and favour, and procured some
under-hand assurances for their security. And it may be well remembred,
that their Meeting at that time in May, before their Assembly, was
coloured with specious pretences, of using endeavors for union with the
Dissenters from the Publick Resolutions; yet here they plainly tell
us, that the express end was, To determine the place of the ensuing
Assembly; to which I do readily give credit: for they slighted the
sending advertisement to us, and would not delay one fourtnight at the
earnest desire of some few of our number, that were present at that
Meeting. They say, they could not delay to constitute themselves into
a General Assembly without unfaithfulness, notwithstanding they know
that it was agreeable unto the practice of diverse Gen. Assemblies,
to adjourn without constitution, and no prejudice at all to their
Liberties, as was represented to them at the same time. They say, that
it hath been constantly holden in this Church, That a lawful General
Assembly (such as this was) is the most sovereign mean to heal ruptures
and distractions in the Church. If they take out these words “_such as
this was_” which they have foisted in to destroy the Text, their own
consciences will bear witness to us, that we are of the same judgment:
But to say, That a pretended Assembly, made up of such as have brought
in Novations and carried on a course of Defection, and continuing
therein without Repentance, is a Soveraign mean to heal ruptures and
distractions, is so far contrary to all reason and experience, as
it hath proved to be a main cause of the evils and troubles of this
Church, as is declared by the General Assembly 1639, in their Act of
the 17 of __________. They do without cause, resent, That the Narrative
of our Overture doth cast upon them reflections and aspersions, and yet
all along their Answer they make it their study under the covert of
_Albeits_, _Althoughs_, and _Parentheses_ to abuse us with Calumnies.
They declare, That they shall not at this Meeting, nor hereafter,
until the third Wednesday of February, act in prosecution of Censures
already pronounced, or which may be incurred by their Brethren; and
that they will interpose with Synods and Presbyteries for the like. But
what Sophistry is there here to delude the world, or rather to mock
their Brethren? For, first, They act what they had a mind to act, in
reference to matters in difference; and then after their Meeting is
dissolved, and no sooner, they declare to us they will act no more at
that Meeting, nor hereafter, till the third Wednesday of Febr., and
that is the time of their next Quarterly-Meeting. 2ly, This seeming
forbearence to act during that time, is not general, but limitted to
the matter of censures. 3ly, That’s clog’d with another limitation,
for, say they, We must leave Synods and Presbyteries to that prudence
and discretion which the exigence of their condition shall require,
for putting in execution the Acts for debarring Elders from Voting in
these Judicatories, and Expectants from the Ministry, which themselves
the last year did accompt to be no small Censure, in the debarring
Malignants from trust; but how much more in this case, which hath
great influence to corrupt the Ministrie and Judicatories. 4ly, Their
expressions which they chose in their Letter to the Presbyteries and
Synods, are such, as do rather incite to Censures, then prohibit;
for they insinuate a dislike of their former moderation in Censures,
which (they say) is well known to them, and to all men. 5ly, They well
knew by the Conference which we had with them in July last, that it
was not their Censures we feared, or much valued, but that we desired
that both of us might be in the accompt of either in a fit capacity
to confer together, and not they looking on us as Delinquents at the
bar, and themselves as our Judges; otherwise we see not to what good
purpose we should meet. 6ly, The time, place, way, and number of
Persons (which indeed is least of all) ought to have been agreed upon
by mutual consent; yet even in these smaller matters they must keep a
state, and authoritatively enjoyn all, without the giving us the least
intimation of their Resolutions, till they were risen and the Meeting
was adjourned. In the close of their Paper they would fain vindicate
themselves from persecution, but they would consider, that justified
defection endeth ever in persecution of the witnesses against it. Some,
who at the begining of this Defection, abhorred the very supposition
of troubling any godly Brethren who differed from them in judgment,
within some moneths were perceived to make no great scruple to help
forward the persecution; others, who called it a persecution the last
year, to debar Malignants from Civil and Military Trust, will have it
this year no persecution to debar godly and faithful Elders, from Trust
in the Kirk; and able, gracious and well qualified Expectants, from
the Ministry: Conjunction with Gods Enemies, is alwaies attended with
persecution of his Friends; and experience may teach us, that large
Charity to Malignants will dry up much former love to Gods People. Mans
heart is deceiptful above all things. I say no more, but I desire
heartily to pray the Lord, to forgive them the deed and thing, who
storm so grievously to be told of the name of persecution.
* * * * *
1651.
_Excerpts from the Chronicle of Fife; being the Diary of John Lamont of
Newton._
Jul. 16.—The Generall Assemblie satt att St Androus, where the Lord
Balcarresse was comissioner for the K. Majestie. At the meiting of
this Ass. Mr Andro Cant, m. in Aberdeine, preached in the forenone,
on Heb. 12, v. 12, 16, and Mr Robert Douglas, m. att Edenbroughe, in
the afternone, in Ps. 122, 6, 7, 9. The said Mr Robert was chosen
moderatour. The 20 of Jul. being Sunday, the Ass. meet at night, (upon
the defeate Cromuell had given our people about Dunfermling), and did
adjourne this Ass. till the 22, to Dundie. The forsaid night, at St
Androus, ther was a protestation given in by Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, m.
of St Androus, subscribed with 21 or 22 severall hands of ministers,
protesting against the lawfulnes of this Ass.; alleadging it was
corrupt, ill constituted, and not frie. The names of some of the
protesters were these, viz. Mr And. Cant, Mr Ja. Gutherie, Mr Pa.
Gillespie, Mr Sa. Rutherfoord, Mr Alex. Moncriefe, Mr Will. Oliphant,
Mr An. Donaldsone, Mr Jhone Hart, Mr Ja. Sympsone, Mr Jho. Meingzes,
and on Mr Neasmith. The day appointed, they meet att Dundie, where the
proceedings of the comission of the former Gen. Ass. was approven; a
warning, appointed to be read in the severall churches; the westland
remonstrance (before spoken of) condemed and declaired against; a
letter penned to be sent to the K. Majestie; Mr Ja. Guthrie, m. of
Stirling, Mr Pat. Gillespie, m. of Glasgowe, Mr Ja. Sympsone, m. of
Airth, neare Alloway—thir three were deposed; Mr Neasmith suspended.
Some of these things brought against them were, that they did
publicklie preach and speake against the proceedings both of the church
and state, and were ring leaders in the meater of the remonstrance
and protestatione; for the rest of the protestors, the Commiss. of
the Ge. Ass. was appointed to deale with them, and, give they could
not be convinced, to processe them. Mr Rob. Ramsay, m. of Glasgowe,
was appointed Principall of the colledge ther. Mr Jho. Heart, m. of
Dunkell, did supplicatt the Ass. that his name might be taken out of
the said protestatione. This Ass. did ryse the 1 of Aug. 1651. More,
the planting of the church of Newburne was referred to the presbetrie
of St Androus; and Chancelour Campbell (anent the meater of adulterie),
referred to the comission of the kirke. A fast appointed to be keiped
throwe the kingdome, Aug. 31, 1651.
Sept. 3.—The Scots armie that went from Stirling to England, was routed
by Cromuell and his forces near Worcester, The Kings Maj. escaped with
the Duke of Buckkingam. Duke Hamiltone taken and wounded, and within
some dayes after deyed; Earle of Rothis, E. of Kelly, E. of Laderdaile,
taken and placed in the Tower; Louetennant-Generall Leslie, Middelton,
Mungomrie, Pitscottie, Vandruske, with several other nobelmen and
gentelmen, both Scots and English, taken; 400 or 500 officers taken,
(amonge which were Lundie and Ardrosse), 6 or 7 thousand prisoners,
a great manie killed; 9 ministers taken; 9 crirurgions and 30 of the
Kings servants taken, with armes, bag and baggage.
Oct.—The greatest pairt of the protesting ministers against the
lawfulnes of the Gener. Ass. 1651, mett at Edenbrough, with a
purpose to anull the said Ass. holden at St Androus and Dundie. Mr
Jho. Livistone was chosen moderator; they sat about 16 or 18 dayes.
They resolved to continue the commission of the Ge. Ass. holden and
appointed 1650, bot not the comission appointed 1651.
Dec.—Mr George Haliburtone and Mr Alex. Rooge, ministers of St
Jhonstone, were silenced by the English garisone there, and discharged
to preach, because, (as they alleadged), they preached up the Kings
interest, notwithstanding of his defeate att Worcester.
1652.
July 25.—Some of the Gener. Major Deans regiment of foot, wha lay att
Largo and Levin, (viz. 2 corporalls), did challenge Mr Ja. Magill, m.
of Largo, (after he had ended sermon and said the blissing), before he
came foorth of the pulpitt, for praying for the prisoners in England,
and saying that they did suffer for righteousnesse sake, they affirming
they suffred for unrighteousnesse; bot after some words passed by them,
he answered them he wold be foorthcoming for what he had spoken before
a competent judge, and in time and place convenient: for he did not
acknowledge them, and so left off. Some dayes before this, they did
beginne to quarter some of ther foot upon him and Mr Alex. Moncriefe,
m. of Sconie, (this being the first time that ministers quartred ether
foot or horse in this shyre). Also, some of the English did pull downe
the stoole of repentance in severall churches they came to, as in
Kirkekaldie and Kennowhie; they did sitt also in them in some places,
wher they came in time of sermon. More, they did challenge severall
other ministers for praying for the king, and some other things, as Mr
Colen Edem, m. of Enster, and Mr Geor. Hamilton, m. of Pitten-Weyme.
Jul. 1652, some of Coll. Berries regim. took backe also some north
country ministers that were going to the Generall Assemb. at Edenb.
that sate 21 of this instant, under pretence they were ryding upon the
Sabath, and brought them to Cuper, and caused them pay 40 sh. Sterl.
amonge them. When they came to the church of Largo, some of them did
sitt ordinarlie (for contempt) in the stoole of repentance. May 24,
1653, the said Mr George Hamilton was badlie used att Pittenweyme (on a
Tuesday), by some of Fairfax regiment of foot, so that he was forced to
brake of his sermon, because he refused to ansuer them in publick; att
which time ther was a great uproare in the church there; and after they
came foorth, they affixed a peaper upon the crosse and every eminent
place in the towne, tending to defame the said Mr George, calling him
a ridicoulous parson, not regairding what he said, and that they wold
hold him so, till he made good his promise, which was to dispute with
him.
Aug.—This yeare the Generall Assemblie of this kingdome satt att
Edenbroughe, where Mr David Dicke, professor of Divinitie att
Edenbroughe, was moderator. (It sat downe Jul. 21; it rose August the
5.) The ministers, for the most pairt, that did protest against the
last Generall Assemb. at St Androus and Dundie 1651, did protest also
against this as unlawfull, unfrie, and corrupt. About 65 hands of
ministers did subscribe this protestation. In the first rowme was Mr
Andro Cant, Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr Robert Traill, Mr Ja. Guthrie,
and Mr Patricke Gillespie, wha were deposed by the last Ass. did
subscribe it also. More, about 80 laicks and others did put ther hands
to it also; it was printed, as also the Ass. ansuer to it. This Ass.
allowed the protesters a certaine time to come in and to passe from
ther protestation, viz. to the 2 Wedensday of Novemb. 1652, otherwyse
apointed synods and presbetries to proceide against them with the
censurs of the kirke. They apointed Mr Andro Louthian and Mr Andro
Pitcairne for to goe to Caitnes. Also a fast to be keiped through the
wholle land the 2 and 3 Sabaths of Sept.; also 3 acts for promoveing
the knowledge of the grounds of salvation and observing the rules of
discipline.
Sept.—A visitatione of the universitie (appointed by the English), satt
att St Androus; the measters being called, did insinuate as mutch as
that they were not fullie satisfied with ther power; they enquired for
the names of the measters, which they receaved, and for the names of
the students, which they did not receave, because not present. They
gatt ther rentall also, with a sight of the books of the foundation,
as also an extract of the act of the universitie, appointing all that
were graduat to subscribe the covenants. They desyred that no vaking
place in the colledge be filled till they were acquainted. They lodged
at James Suords house. They went from thence to Aberdeine, where they
deposed Doctor Guilde, and established Mr Jhone Row, minister ther,
principall of the colledge. (The said Mr Jhone, with Mr Menzies, not
long before, had turned anabaptists, and did refuse to baptize infants
att all.)
1653.
Feb.—Mr Patricke Gillespie, minister of Glasgowe, (bot deposed by the
Generall Assemblie), was admitted by the English to be principall of
the Colledge of Glasgowe. (A litell time before this, Mr Jhone Row,
minister of Aberdeine, was admitted by the English to be principall of
the Colledge of Aberdeine.)
Jul. 20.—The Generall Assemblie satt downe att Edenbroughe, the
which day Mr Robert Douglas and Mr David Dicke, both ministers of
Edenbroughe, did preach. After the sermons ended, they mett in the
ordinary place of meitting, and after Mr David Dick, moderator for the
time, had prayed, he began to call the rolle; in the meane time, ther
comes in two Louetennant Collonells of the English forces, and desyred
them to be silent, for they had some thing to spake to them: So one of
the Louetennant-Collonells began to aske them by what authoritie they
mett?—if by authoritie of the late parliament, or by authoritie of the
commander of the forces in chiefe, or if by the authoritie of ther late
king? The moderator desyred that those that were not members of that
Assemblie might remove, that so they might give a modest answer to
these gentlemen. He desyred further, that all the names of the members
of that Assemblie might be given him. The moderator replied that they
could not give them, because ther names were not called; bot if he wold
have a litell patience till they called the rolle, he sould have them.
He ansuered, if it were not longesome he sould doe it. So the moderator
beganne at the presbetrie of Argile, to examine ther comission; hire
the English officer replied that that wold prove tedious, so that he
could not waite upon it, bot desyred them to remove and to be gone;
and, if they wold not, he had instructions what to doe. Upon this the
moderator, in name of the Assemblie, protested that they were Christs
court, and that any violence or injurie done to them might not hinder
any meitting of thers when convenient occasion sould offer itselfe.
He desyred they might pray a word before they dissolved. The moderator
beganne prayer, and after he had spoken 5 or 6 sentences, the English
officer desyred them againe to be gone; notwithstanding, the moderator
went on in prayer, bot was forced att lenth to breake of, so they arose
and came foorth. All this time ther was a company of English footmen
in the kirke, waiting upon them, and a troupe of horsemen att the
Port. After the ministers were come fourth, they were gairded on both
hands up the way (by the said footmen), to the Whyhouse, where they
were caried alonge to the Port, and from thence to the Quarrell-holls,
where they made them to stand. The English required againe for all ther
names; they said they were most willing, so they told all ther names.
So the moderator protested againe att the said place. After ther names
were wretten, they discharged them to meite againe, under the paine of
being breakers of the peace; and that they might send for ther horses
and be gone presentlie; for (said they) that they knewe they had ther
horses in the towne. The moderator ansuered, that most of them had come
from the other side of the water, with a purpose to stay a fourtnight,
and for that cause had sent backe ther horses. Upon this, the English
desyred them to goe backe to Edenbroughe and lodge ther all night, and
to be gone before eght a cloke in the nixt day; and discharged that not
above two of them sould be seine togither, and that they sould send
ther names and ther lodging place to the court of gaird that night. So
upon the nixt day, they went away to ther severall homes, and did not
meite any more att that deyet.
Sept. 12.—Mr George Hamiltone, Mr Collen Edem, Mr Robert Bennet, and
Mr David Guthrie, all ministers of the presbetrie of St Androus, were
caryed by some of the English forces of Collonell Berries regiment
of horse to Edenbroughe prisoners, because the day before, being the
Sabath, they had prayed for the King. They returned the 20 of Sept.
upon condition either to returne to Edenbroughe within a fourtnight,
and to give assurance to the judges that they sould not pray any more
for the King, or else to expect sequestration.
Sept. 27.—The provinciall assemblie of Fyfe satt att St Androus, where
Mr Robert Blaire, minister of St Androus, was moderator. Mr Samuell
Rutherfoord presented a peaper to the moderator, relatting to the
sinns of the ministrie, bot it was not accepted; upon the refusall
of it some words passed betuixt Mr Samuell Rutherfoord and the said
Mr Robert Blaire, anent the publicke busines. About the close of
this meiting, two English officers came in to the place where they
satt; the judicatory enquired if they had come in with a purpose to
sitt and voice with them? they ansuered, not; bot onlie they were
commanded to come in to heare and sie, and that they acted nothing
in prejudice to the comon-wealth. They ansuered that they had not so
mutch as once nominated the comon-wealth since they satt downe; and
that they (meaning the English officers), were the first that spake of
the comon-wealth and not the assemblie. They appointed a visitation
for Cuper and Creiche, and some brethren to corresponde with Angus and
Stratherne.
1654.