THE PROTESTATION Reviewed and refuted; Briefly shewing the insufficiencie of the reasons thereof; and consequently, the justice of the Assemblies sentence condemning it.
AMongst the many sad judgements, wherewith the holy blessed GOD is pleased to exercise th s sinfull Land, staining the pr de of all our glory; there is none more terrible, then that he threatneth to remove our Candlestick, take his Kingdom from us, and set o [...]t his Vineyard to other Husband-men. And in this evill, that which extremely in-bittereth it, is, that in the day of Sions calamitie, as there is none to comfort her, so when she calleth for her Lovers, they deceive her, her very sons stand a-far off from her; and as if that were not enough, they persecute her whom the Lord hath smitten, and talk to the grief of those whom he hath wounded; like Jobs friends, miserable comforters; in her adversity they gather themselves together, in the place of Cordials, bringing Corrosives.
I shall be loath to trace that too-too ordinary by-path, of judging any mans everlasting estate, by his temporall out-breakings, o [...] his hea [...]t and intentions, by the out-side of his actions; yet (I think) I may safely say, that that Assembly at S. Andrews and Dundee, although despised of men, was owned of GOD; and that he guided their Pens, as all along in their Procedure, so particularly in their Warning and Declaration, and those words thereof, What ever hath been the intention of those who have [Page 4] been instrumentall, in making this rent from publick Counsels and actings, yet the Work it self, and the spirit that hath been stirring in it, hath been, and yet is most effectual, for carrying on of the Design of the Adversaries of our Cause. Which they prove by seven steps of their progresse, whereof that is the last and highest, their unparalelled practice (except that of the persidious Prelats) of absolutely declining the Authority of the Generall Assembly, and Protesting against it as null; and so at one stroak, throwing down the hedge of Discipline in this Kirk, and making way for every beast of the Forrest to break in, and that upon such frivolous and false grounds, as maketh the authority of all the Assemblies of this Kirk, since the begun Reformation, to be called into question, upon the same or the like pretences. This course, although they laboured to justifie, by whatsoever specious pretexts the patrons of a bad cause could canvasse, yet the unwarrantableness of that way, and the vanity of the grounds thereof, hath been evidently evinced in that modest, solid and judicious Piece, intituled, A Vindication of the late Generall Assembly, &c. Which I cannot but recommend to the serious perusall of all the Members of this Kirk, who desire satisfaction in the points of the present Differences, or to be armed against the like Procedures for the future; And that so much the rather, as that ye may see the same storm again tossing the almost drowned, and not yet recovered Ship of this Church. Whatsoever men are doing, the Devill is still driving on the design he hath found so advantageous; dividing, that he may conquer, and that he may divide, cleaving us with a wedge of our own timber, and adding to his violence, despight; doing it at such a time, in such a place, and such a way; I mean, by men who were eminent in our Assemblies, in the City of our solemnities, yea in the face of the Generall Assembly, and putting it to the Presse, even while they were treating with them for peace, and studying in the bowels of Christian condescendance, to reclaim them from so divisive and destructive a course.
This way, as it cannot but sadly affect every son of Sion, so hath it forced me, untill an abler Pen shall finde more leisure, for preventing further inconvenience, to write these few things following, that the simple may be undeceived.
[Page 5]And passing for the present, the Representation (as they call it) but indeed the misrepresentation of our state and differences; a bitter P [...]ece, filled with uncharitable asper [...]ions, mostly repeated again in the Protestation. Waving also the Propositions offered therewith to the Assembly, and so satisfactorily answered by it, I shall (Godwilling) grapple with them in their Arsenall of the Protestation it self, yet shortly glancing onely at some principall things.
Where I begin with the Title, A PROTESTATION, which was given in against the Supreme Representative of this Kirk, although I do not deny, but that General Assemblies may erre, and the godly be so put to it, as to have no remedy left them in Law, but to protest; yet except the case be clear and sure, this course is one of the highest contempts of Ecclesiastick authority. The last refuge for removing of scandals being Mat. 18.17. tell the Church, after which nothing remaineth, but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be as a heathen or a publican. I trust, whatsoever glosses others put upon the words, there is no difference betwixt our Brethren and us, about the exposition of them: And hence appeareth the equity of that Act and practice of our Assemblies, inflicting the highest censures upon such; and reason, since they (in the highest measure) neglect to hear the Church, neither is there now any ulterior or superior Judicatory to go to. It is the judgment of all moderat and modest Divines, that a great deal of reverence is due to the Church, even when she erreth; But what if she erre not? and whether she do or not, wherein have these men shown their reverence and respect to their Mother? who what in them lyeth (but blessed be the Lord it lyeth not) would discover her nakedness, when others then Brethren are to behold it. Let them take heed if this be not a main step to Separation, (which in words they seem to abhorre) when as they protest and professe they will not hear us, so they would cast on us a kind of necessity to hold them as Heathens and Publicans; But to prevent this, they have found a way of their own, and (as if they had not been of us) they are gone out from us, and setting up to do their own business without us, as they seem to intimate in the last page of their Printed Paper after the Protestation, contrary to the very fundamentals of the Discipline of our Kirk, which is, and hath [Page 6] ever been professed to be, by Presbyteries, Synods, and National Assemblies, duly subordinate one to another, all which their course overturneth, while they walk in a [...]other way to make the matters of their Propositions practicable, as they say.
But besides that, a Protestation is at best (except in the case of pungent necessity) in its nature odious, it is so much worse in our Kirk, where we are tyed by the strictest Bonds both of the National, and solemn League and Covenant, against all divisive motions and courses; and I pray, what is this other then a divisive motion, and that of the deepe [...] dye, for them to separate themselves, and joyning together make a Party, when the Supreme Judicatories of Kirk and State were going on in their continued Actings, in the day of great danger and distresse? They may be pleased to remember their own Act ngs and speeches, when God honoured them to be sitting in the Supreme Judicatories; How far short came the intended divisive Supplication in Anno 1648. of this course they are now on? Nay, the very crosse Petition in Anno 1642. both which some of them (I say some, for most of them are but of yesterday, and had then no place in our Judicatories) shewed to much zeal against.
And thus passing the Title of it, we come to the matter, where following their foot-steps, we begin with the Narrative which they begin, with asserting, that it is well known to diverse of our number, what peaceable endeavours they have used without successe, in order to the removing of the differences among us. To which I reply, that even by the permission of their own phrase, most part of the Assembly might, yea did not know any such thing, but were confidently perswaded, if any such endeavours were used, the lack of successe did and doth lye solely and sadly upon the Protestors themselves. When this was publickly debated in the Assembly, there was none found that knew ought in that kind, except that which was done in the latter end of the last year, which let the world judge, how peaceable an endeavour it was, and whence it came that it wanted successe.
Thus it was: They meeting then in Edinburgh without Order; after a little pause, did constitute themselves in an Ecclesiasticall Judicatory, wherein Magisterially they defined things so prejudiciall to us, as not onely perfectly obstructed all Peace, but also [Page 7] sounded the alarum to a new conflict, by emitting a Paper, wherein they peremptorily conclude among the chief causes of Gods cont oversie with the Land, the publick Resolutions and preceding Assembly to have a speciall place. And having thus fast locked the door of Peace, to mock the world, if it did nought else; They sent some of their number to St. Andrew [...], to essay if they could draw off three or four there, and others to Glasgow for the like intent, making accompt (which some of them spared not to professe) that if they could get five or six of our most eminent men off, they cared not for the rest of the Ministery; professing also at that Conference, and others of them in an open Synod that they would never unite with the most part of the Ministery of Scotland. And suteable to those ends was their carriage at St. Andrews, as is clear in the Relation of the Paper thereanent, which Paper though publick enough, we have never yet heard contradicted by any.
As for any other of their endeavours, they are inter occulta de quibus non judicat Ecclesia: But I shall desire it to be considered on the contrary, how the preceding Assembly at Dundee appointed, that Synods and Presbyteries should deal with them, to give them satisfaction ere they proceeded to censure; the publick Commission could do nothing of that kinde, being by the troubles of the time impeded to sit, yet were not such of them as could most conveniently correspond, altogether defective in th s, though pressed with either part of a doleful dilemma; for if they should act in the capacity of a Commission, the Protesters would not have conferred; and out of that capacity, their Acting (besides, that it could not have been obligatory to others) had been a silent quiteing, if not a betraying of their Trust; But Providence offered opportunity thus: In the beginning of this year, some Brethren from severall parts of the Country, being sensible of the then imminent snare and danger, resolved by common consent to come to Edinburgh about the 12. of February, at which time they heard there was to be a great meeting of our dissenting Brethren, where they resolved to deal with them, that there might be a common Warning emitted by consent of all the Judicatories of the Kirk, concerning things which we doubted not were agreed to on all hands: accordingly they dealt with such of them [Page 8] as were in Town, by the mediation of the Minister of Edinburgh, by whom they sent to them materials of a Declaration, desiring them to change or adde as they should think fit for the purpose, but they refused to joyn, to the great grief of those who did mediat, pretending they would first have a Conference about Difference, which was nothing else, but to disappoint the matter, the danger being so near, that a Meeting for such a Conference could not be conveened, and the danger prevented.
This past, the Synods in April being invited by that of Fife; by their acceptance of their Overture, shewed their Affections to such a Peace with their Brethren, as might not trouble their Peace with God: And for that effect, did Commissionate some of their Members to come to Edinburgh, to a Meeting in May last: But that is the next thing they complain and challenge us of. First for neglecting to give them timeo [...]s advertisement, when yet the very first motion of that Meeting in all our Judicatories, was in their presence, who if they had been of such a peaceable temper as they talk of, would no doubt have made such an invitation welcome, and embraced the occasion. As for particular advertisement to them separatly, the Delegats of the Synod of Fife intrusted therewith, used all possible diligence, a fortnight before that meeting, dispatching their missives (which for ought that is known) did not miscarry, yea upon their diligence we found at that Meeting, some from Rosse, and others from Drumfreise, places of very remote distance, both South and North: And it is credibly informed, that some of their chief leading men wrote both to Aberdeen, and Galloway, desiring their Complices not to keep that Meeting. Secondly, they complain, that not so much as some few dayes of delay could be obtained by those few of their number which were then present, whereby they might give advertisement to others. The truth is, in respect of their paucity, they required at least a fortnights delay (although they had probably a pre-indicted meeting reasonable frequent, in that same place the very week following, and others of them were in Town then, did appear to us, and some of them went out of Town immediatly before our Meeting) and so long a time could not be given, not only because our Brethren having come hastily from their several dwellings, were not able to attend so long, and once suffered to [Page 9] scatter could not conveniently be gathered again; but especially because having offered unto them a free Gen Assembly (the of old acknowledged proper remedy of all Ecclesiastical d [...]seases) where many of our selves might again be present, it was plain that nothing to any good effect could be done till then: And Providence happily casting that occasion in their hands, that they might appoint and determ [...]ne of the place of the ensuing Assembly, they cou [...]d not suffer the same to slip, which could not be shunned, for lack of timeous advertisement to the Presbyteries, if it were not then concluded. And so (which they perceived those they spoke with directly aimed at) let the Kirk in this difficult time be shaken loose of her Possession, of that her dear bought Freedome, which Mr. Welch, Mr. Forbes, and other precious men, that now rest, adventured their lives, and suffered banishment to preserve; As was gravely pressed home by Mr. Blair upon them in the Conference, and to which they could not, sure they did not, give so much as a seem [...]ng satisfactory answer. Thirdly, they say in the Printed Paper; That a Desire of Reconciliation was presented, but peremptotily, the Electing, and sending Commissioners to keep the day indicted by the Meeting of Dundee, was concluded. I know no opposition betwixt those two, as I conceive any good sense in the former, the one being the end, and the other a mean to it: Besides, I know no desire of Reconciliation presented to them, except the Paper of the offer of a free Assembly, as the proper Remedy of our distractions. But in the autograph, it is pretended, not presented; and so they most uncharitably assert, We pretended a Desire of Reconciliation, but had concluded another thing: It is so wel known in the Countrey, whether it be we or they that use to act so; That I shal only need to speak to the purpose? Our desire of Peace was reall, the obstruction of it was from them, and we had been very foolish, and censurable, if ever the Lord should blesse us with another Assembly, for not walking answerable to our Trust, in relation to this, if we had not designed the place thereof.
In the next room, They mention their Paper given in with the Propositions (wherein they say they have the concurrence of the Generality of the Godly of the Land) and did intreat for a Conference; which was denyed; the Commissioners proceeding [Page 10] to assume the Power, and constitute themselves in a Generall Assembly: Lest any should think, that in assuming the Power, and constituting themselves in a Generall Assembly, they d [...]d some new and uncouth thing, as those who challenge them did the last year, in constituting themselves a Commission of the Kirk; Be it known to all men, they did no other thing, nor in no other way then all the Assemblies since the last Reformation have been in constant practice of: And how necessary it was, in this staggering time, not to change in the least, will be assented to, by every ingenuous man, nor know I any reason why they should complain: For those to whom the Paper was given, were not in a capacity to give an answer, till they were first constitute in an Assembly (yea none but an Assembly could satisfactorily answer their Demands, as is evident too, and will be acknowledged by the judicious Reader) Which was no sooner done, then they went effectually about it; but on the contrary, the Protesters would not so much as wait till then, but presently gave in their Protestation. We will not now speak of that other Paper, yet cannot pass that arrogant Title of the Generality of the Godly, wh [...]ch they assume to themselves, and their abettors. We will not mention of whom they learned this, and whom in many other th [...]ngs they too much resemble: But we shall refer the Reader to that most fa thful and timeous Warning and Declaration of the late Assembly at Dundee, and the third admonition and charge of the second part thereof.
Where they affirm it their burden, and that they have no delight to be contesting with any who profess themselves to be maintainers of the Government of this Church. It is wished their works were consonant to their words, and made them credible to all on lookers: Certainly, how ever they may please themselves, this is not the ordinary opinion that most men have of them.
Next, they speak of a party of insufficient, scandalous, and corrupt M [...]nisters &c. complying with the times, expressing their disaffection to the Work of Reformation, as they found opportunity, as in the time of James Graham, and the unlawfull engagement, who got greater advantage by the publick Actings for bringing in of Malignants to places of Trust: And who perceiving they were not able to endure tryal and purging, began the last year to [Page 11] lift up their heads, and being encouraged by the Acts and Censures of Dundee, have so strengthened themselves, as to carry on Publick Determinations to their own ends, from whom (say they) what can be expected, but to favour every evill course, to persecute such as seek the Lord in sincerity, suppresse the power of Godlinesse, and open the door of the Mnistiery to such as for insufficiency, scandals, or dis-affection, have been justly deposed, in regard whereof, they think there is too great cause to make use of the Prophets words, Jer. 23.14, 15. There be many things here deserve animadversion.
I.
Although we deny not, but that in every Order there may be some out of Order; as Judas among the Ap [...]stles, and Saul among the Prophets, yet know we not of any such party as they speak of, nor did so much as any person of that kind sooner appear among us, then according to the measure of his offence, he found the severity of Discipline. It would be seriously considered, whether or not by this Party, they mean the Body of the Ministery represented at Dundee, whom thus they would cast an odium upon; but what favour the Party that was truly such as they describe, found at that venerable Assembly, let their Acts and Declarations speak; which Declaration of theirs mentioneth another Party, that hath, (alas) too long lurked among us, and under specious pretexts brought their design to that pass we now see. These men should (according to the common rule) first have purged themselves, and taken this beam out of their own eye.
II.
It is true indeed, and I trust, the Kirk of this Nation hath no reason to repent, that she still hath some, who (during the prevailing of the Prelates) were carried down with the Tide of the times, even to give subscriptions according to the then way of entry, and being weighted therewith, do comfort themselves with Paul, That God will be mercifull to them, in that which they did ignorantly. But for those horrid Oaths they speak of, nothing is known but the common subscription: And if ought concern the Kirk to know more, it should neither have been so long concealed by those who appropriate to themselves the title of the godly, nor now revealed at such a time, and in such a way. [Page 12] As for their subscriptions, they were generally known; yet notwithstanding thereof were the Subscribers even at first invited to the Covenant, and some of them with the first appeared against the Se [...]vice-Book, and many of them have not to this day fallen from their stedfastness; neither were all that have fallen of that number. But for further and full clearing of this, I offer these things. 1. Some of the prime of their number, are alse, if not more grossely guilty of the ill, then any of ours. 2. There are of our number ten for one of theirs, that in that hour and power of darkness, bare the heat and hard of the day. 3. Scarce twenty of them are yet of six years standing in the Ministery, and but about five only of them were Ministers, when the National Covenant was subscribed. 4. And generally all the old Ministers, and those that were admitted before the Episcopal incroachment, are for the Assembly. 5. Lastly, would we speak of those that suffered under the Prelats, the Assembly will be found to have three for it, where one is against it.
III.
As for any who by word or deed at any time appeared against the late Reformation, they still found so little patrociny from those who are now Assembly-Men, that I am sure, if we should serve the Protesters w th the like measure, for transgressions of he like nature, and perhaps greater, they would cry out, of cruelty and persecution.
IV.
As for the Epithets they give that Party; I confesse, ill enough cannot be done to, let be spoke, of men who are truly such as they describe: But we desiderate here both charity and prudence, at such a time, and in such a way, to fling filth upon the faces of their Brethren; and that (for ought yet seen or known) most unjustly.
V.
That the Publick Actings were for bringing in of the Malignant Party, to places of power and trust, and bearing down such as had been straight in the Cause, stirring up the Civill [Page 13] Magistrate against them; and subjecting the liberty of the Word in the mouth of Christs Ambassadors, for reproof of sin, to the immediat judiciall cognizance, restraint and cen [...]ure of the Civil Magistrate, will appear a mass of malicious reproaches, by shortly setting down the true stories related to: But I must first tell, that the odious term Malignant, doth not appertain to them, who having satisfied for their offences of that kind, according to the Order prescribed by these mens own assent and advice keep themselves free from new out-breakings of that abjured iniquity; And if we walk not according to this rule, many of them wil be forced to hear, what for the present I purpose not to speak. And n [...]xt adde, that all the bi [...]ds of their feather, were not so straight in the Cause, as they would seem to insinuat here: And on the other part, some whom they term Malignants here, have given unquestioned evidence of their affection to, and are still suffering for that Cause.
Now, the stories related to, are these two; The one so well known, that we need no more but remember how, when, and upon what pinch of necessity, (which themselves know how it came) the Commission of the K [...]rk being enquired by the State, who might be employed for the necessary defence of the Count [...]ey at such a time; The Commission of the Kirk gave that Answer, which their duty to GOD, their Mother Kirk, Native Countrey, and the Protestant Interest extorted from them, and which all Nations and Incorporations whatsoever, will, and do allow and practize in such a case. But, that people may rightly judge of it, for it is ordinarily mis-represented, we desire them to get, and ponder the Commissions own Papers.
The other story is shortly (in so far as it is most material) thus; It being represented by the Committee of Estates, to the Commission of the Kirk, what hazard the Garrison of Sterline was in by their Ministers there p [...]eaching and otherways dealing they withall signified how they behooved to take some course for securing the same, the Commission desired their Lordships, that they would not meddle with the matter, til they had first dealt w [...]th them, and returned their report of the Issue, which being assented to, the Commission wrote for them to St Andrews, where they met with them; and when by conference they would not receive satisfaction, [Page 14] began to entreat them first to give assurance, that they would not obstruct the Levies, but this they refused: Thereafter, that they would be pleased (for Peaces sake) to with draw for a season from Sterline, and they would provide their Places, but this they also refused, although Mr. Blair then (apparently adying) did gravely obtest them, both for the one and the other; which being represented to the Committee of Estates, and they thereafter informed, how those Ministers continued in their former practice, they wrote for them once, and again, to come to Perth; But ere they came, (the most part of the Committee being removed to the North) they who remained, desired them to stay at Perth or Dundee, till the rest should return; against which they protested in very h [...]gh terms, as encroaching upon the Ministery, &c. By the time the rest returned, the Parliament did sit, who desired the judgment of the Commission, whether or not the Committee of Estates had made any encroachment upon the Ministery and Government of this Kirk, by detaining these Ministers, and give their advice what course the Parliament should take in relation to them, for securing the Garrison of Sterline; the sum of the answer thereto was, the Brethren might lawfully protest, that nothing be done prejudiciall to the Liberties of the Kirk; but that they did not see that the Committee of Estates had encroached thereon, by that which they had done; and that they could give no advice to their Lordships, the securing of a Garrison being a thing not competent to them. After which, some of those Ministers friends entreated some of the Commission, to deal with the Parliament, to let their Brethren go home, under-taking for them, that they should not further offend; which the Brehren of the Commission did, engaging themselves to be answerable for their carriage; whereupon they were presently dismissed. This being the true story, let any judge of the truth of the former calumnies.
VI.
As for their purging humour, which time with these sad dispensations might have purged out of them, but belike it will never leave them; We grant indeed the Kirk should be carefull to purge out the old Leaven. All our question is, anent the manner [Page 15] how: And I shall desire them in the fear of God, to consider whether their practise in this hath been in every thing squared to the Apostles Rules, 1 Tim. 5.19. Tit. 3.10. Gal. 6.1. Jud. 22.23. And whether or not they made it a politick screw, to wind themselves into all places of Power and Authority, Civill, and Ecclesiasticall, and a mean of revenge, exercing it uncharitably and unseasonably.
VII.
As for any power in any to carry publick Determinations to any wrong ends, we can, and do blesse God, the contrary is known to be true, and all the Assemblies Determinations speak the same Language to the whole world; yea, I hope, to their consciences also, when the heat of their passions is a little allayed,
VIII.
For the following words, which are of the stamp with the former, I shall only adde 1. What measure every one that cometh not up their full length may expect of them, if their former actings had not sufficiently cleared, their present expressions put out of all doubt. 2. It is not one of the characteristicall properties of the Godly, to be so oft assuming that Title. 3. Such hainous accusations must not be taken upon trust, when nought is said to make them appear. 4. I believe the Assembly knoweth of none received to the Ministery, but according to the Publick Order; and when ought shall appear to the contrary, will take such course therewith as in Justice accordeth.
IX.
For their allusion to the Prophets words, I shall desire them seriously to read them again, and perpend if in conscience, they be appl cable to the points of present differences.
Next; they tell us, it shall be their purpose to maintain the Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government of this Kirk, and particularly the Nationall Assemblies, so long as they are preserved from corruption in the Constitution thereof: But many need better Arguments to perswde them of this, then their bare Profession, or practice this year and the last; Of which we may well [Page 16] say, what ever be the purpose of men, it is evidently the aim of the divel to ruine Generall Assemblies, and so to raze the walls of our Jerusalem; And they would do well to consider if, and how far they ha [...]e been instrumentall to drive on that design.
But they would make some clearing here, by telling us that All who are acquainted with the Principles and practices of our worthy Prodecessors, and of the learned and godly non conformists in England, will easily [...]ee how far they are from their judgments and practices, who follow the wayes of separation. Bel [...]ke they still dwell beside evill neighbours, but which is worse, they are hardly believed, when men call to minde, and consider how now of a long time, still they took the patrociny of all that were suspected to follow those wayes. 2. What Progress some of their chief and cryed up men have made in those wayes. 3 What affection they still carry to them, and how familiarly they converse with them, even although excommunicate. 4. But especially how unavoidable separation is upon their grounds: For if it be a matter of Conscience for them to joyn with others in Civill Duties, that necessarily belong to the Incorporation, whereof both are members, sure much more in Ecclesiastick. But a little time will further clear this.
As for an Argument drawn from the disclaiming corrupt Assemblies at Glasgow, or the following Assembly at Edinburgh, its affirming those corrupt Assemblies, were a chief cause of the evils we then groaned under. How weak, I say, such an argument will be for justifying their present practice; is palpable to any who will look either to the matter concluded in those corrupt Meetings, or the manner of their procedure, or the particular reasons whereon they were condemned, in all which there being nothing alike; I wonder why they are alledged, except perhaps, they know many of their Proselytes will take upon trust, whatsoever cometh from them, or seemeth to borrow countenance from Glasgow.
They say, they have a clear warrant from Scripture, to plead and testifie against corruptions: It is, indeed, but withall they should have better grounds then any we have yet heard of, or can conceive, before they trouble the Peace of a Kirk, and so peremptorily conclude, that a corruption, which they cannot prove [Page 17] one; yea what all, not only Reformed Churches, from the light of Scripture are perswaded of, but even generally all people from the light of Nature, and upon the Principles, of self preservation, are convinced is a duty.
We passe for the present, to give any verdict, concerning some by-past Acts of theirs (which they mention) how good they were, or how true. What is said being sufficient to clear, that this their Protestation is alse needless (to say no worse) as the following grounds given for it are frivolous, which themselves seem in part to assent to, while they say, they do it for all or some of the reasons following, and so insinuate, that some of them will not hold water, which (in my humble opinion) they might safely have affirmed of them all.
Their first reason is, that this Meeting hath its dependence, power and authority for its indiction, from that of St. Andrews, and Dundee. Is not that to beg the question? and besides, hath no weight, neither in respect of us who hold and have determined it a free, lawfull General Assembly, as indeed it was, and doth appear from the Vindication thereof, a nervous piece, not yet answered, nor easily answerable; Nor in respect of themselves, and their principles, who in their Arguments against that Assembly, do determine, that Presbyteries may by mutual consent, meet in a free, lawful Gen. Assembly; now the Commissions directed to this, do presuppose and import the mutuall consent of Presbyteries.
Their second reason is, That it is constitute after the same manner, and (for the most part) of the same members that the last Assembly was, to wit, of persons that have carryed on a course of defection, and in respect hereof, are incapable of being Commissioners; which again beggeth the Question, and besides that, it is answered in the fore-cited Vindication, includeth this falshood, that they are (for the most part) the same Members constituent, whereas the Rolls compared will clear, that not the third man who was present the last year, are Members of this, neither d [...]d this Moderator precede in that challenged Commission of the Kirk, nor was so much as present at it. But especially this Argument our Remonstrators have borrowed from the Remonstrants of the Netherlands, their Protestation against the Councell of Dort; at which meeting, it was largely and learnedly refuted, as may be seen in the judgments of the Orthodox Divines thereupon.
The third reason is, because of the praelimitation of Elections, by [Page 18] the Acts made at Dundee injoyning Synods and Presbyteries to proceed to censure all who oppose the Publick Resolutions, or should not acquiesce to the Acts made at Dundee, and so excludeth all not involved in the course of defection, from Elections, in pursuance wherof, there were sundry praelimitations made since, by severall Synods and Presbyteries. For answer, I would enquire, with what conscience this Argument is proponed by them, who (for ought I know) are clear against the major, and cannot be ignorant of the vanity or nullity of the minor. Their major must be no Assembly, that is praelimited, can be free. But to pass the judicious considerations thereof in the learned Vindication, sure I am, themselves will never assent to any Assembly in this Kirk, without strange prae-limitations, yea and prae-conclusions too; as they did signifie at the Meeting and Conference in May last. And for the Minor, there were prae-limitations here, I pray you what? Such as may nullifie an Assembly? No such thing. Is a future Assembly praelimited, because a prior determined the qualification of its Members? Was the Parliament 1649. praelimited and unfree, because the Committee of Estates excluded therefrom, all that sate and voiced in the former? Or the Assembly of Glasgow, because the Tables appointed and laid down a way who should be elected thereto, and who not? Or all future Assemblies, because that of Glasgow excludeth from them all that shal not take the National Covenant? Whither doth their passion lead them? To plead the Episcopall cause? Besides, did not the Letter of the Commission in May last, require of Presbyteries, to choose faithfull and honest men? Which, what ever some have said, was no sinful praelimitation Adde, although the Act of Dundee require Presbyteries and Synods, to proceed with the Censures of the Church against them, who after conference opposed the Publick Resolutions (not as they say, with a disjunctive, or who shall not acquiesce to the Acts made) yet hath no Presbytery nor Synod that I know censured any upon that accompt, or excluded any from voicing in Elections; but rather all Presbyteries did require them thereto. Now, if they might elect, they might also by the same reason been elected; but themselves fore-seeing that, in few Presbyteries obtainable; where-ever they were, they refused and dissented, being probably themselves praelimited by the order and advice of their ring-leaders. Lastly, it is at best needlesly added, that there were several limitations since in several Synods, I believe there wil be nothing else found but the same, viz. the assertion of the Constitution [Page 19] of the Assembly of Dundee, which we will not grant, and they cannot prove to be such a prae-limitation, as is destructive of the freedom of an Assembly.
Their fourth reason is made up of many particulars, which we thus particularly reply to.
I. There are many Presbyteries who refuse to send Commissioners to this meeting as an Assembly. But there be many unquestioned Assemblies have bin made up of fewer Members, as upon the inspection of the Rols will appear. Neither is a Meeting that hath no determinate Quorum, evacuate or made null, because a Minor part legally warned, cannot, or will not come thereto, as the perpetuall practice of Presbyteries, Synods, former Assemblies and Parliaments sheweth. Nor is the number of the Absents here so great; and although it were greater, it is not their simple absence, but unjust exclusion, that rendreth the Meeting obnoxious to exception.
II. They say, there are many Presbyteries that do concur in protesting against this Assembly, To which I reply, We have heard of dissents, but not of any Protestation, except this, which they now have given; which if they mean here, as the Protestation is not Presbyteriall, so the reason will be found to have no more of reason in it, then if they had argued thus; We find our selves necessitated to protest against this Ass. because we have protested against it. Or thus; This our Protestation is just and lawfull, because we have protested.
III. Where Presbyteries have sent Commissioners, the Elections are generally controverted, there being Protestations made, at least dissents entered, against most of their Elections, upon good grounds. But here (I think) a speciall providence hath ruled, that there was no Protestation. In most Presbyteries there were no dissents at all; and all that we heard of, were simply against the Elections, not against the persons elected, besides that they were not prosecute, nor brought in to be discussed. And a dissent inferreth not by the Act of the Assembly a suspending, let be a repealing of the Act of the Judicatory; Onely it maketh the Judges lyable to the censure of their Superiours, for what they have done; which if it be amisse, the dissenter is not involved in their guilt or censure; but if not, he is censurable himself. And if it were otherwayes, we should absurdly be forced to confesse, that every Member of a Judicatory, hath a negative voice, which will open a door, whereby every faction may elide all General Assemblies for ever.
[Page 20]IV. There be wanting Commissioners from Burghs, in respect of their present incapacity. We need say no more to this, since themselves answer it, that they are in an incapacity: and suppose they were not, yet have they not a negative voice. Besides that, all were not absent.
V. The generality of the godly in the Land go along with us (say they) and approve our protesting against this meeting. A strange assertion, and of dangerous consequence. Th [...]s Protestation was given in at the very beginning of the As [...]embly, ere ever it was constitute, and that upon the delay of taking in their first Paper: and is it probable they could gather all their consents in so short a time? Or had they them before? But that smelleth of a prae-medit [...]te Faction; Or go their resolutions along with whatsoever these Protesters do? But that is not suitable to them that are truly godly, to have their faith pinned to the slieves of any, how high soever they hold their head. Or is it that they will allow none to be of the number of the godly, who go not along with them in every thing? This (I suspect) be the marrow of the matter: But who gave them that power to put out and put in into the Roll of the Godly, whom [...]hey please? And as we doubt of their authority so to do, even so also of their power; can they reach the heart, or are they quicker sighted then Elias, who saw not one of the seven thousand God had reserved to himself? Wil they condemne all for ungodly, that are not of their way? How suiteth that with their professions elswhere? I am sure we have here reason to dissent and appeal from such an uncharitable censure of them that have no power, to the righteous Tribunal of the Lord, to whom we stand. There may be somewhat more yet of dangerous consequence in it, in that they seem to subject the Publick Ministeriall authority to the People, and amongst them, to such onely as are visible Saints, where if there be any mystery, they will do well to unfold it.
And now for the solemn words of the Protestation, the grounds and reasons thereof being houghed, we need say no more but if those Principles from which they say they do it, viz. the zeal they owe to the glory of God, &c. were rightly weighed, they would inferre, [...]nd have produced the quite contrary conclusion: Which the Lord out of his tender mercy to this poor bleeding Church and Countrey, imprint upon their spirits for Christs cause. AMEN.