9. That the Commissioners from Presbyteries, be chosen by the Ministers of that Presbyterie onely: And that no lay-person whatsoever, meddle in the choice, nor no Minister without his owne Presbyterie.
10. That all Convocations and meetings bee dissolved, and that everie man repaire to his owne house, and that the Countrey not onely be made peaceable, but also that all such Acts be forborne, as may make it appeare to be otherwayes.
And since his Majestie is still displeased with the Covenant, wisdome and our dutifull obedience to our Soveraigne require, that some such course should be taken, whereby his Majestie may receive satisfaction therein; and in the meane time, that there be no pressing, threatning, or perswading of men to subscribe the Covenant, nor no mention be made thereof any more in Pulpits.
1638.—July 28.
56. Answers to these Articles.[81]
Having seriously considered with our selves, that nothing in this world is so precious, and ought to be so deare unto us as our Religion; that the diseases of the Church after long toleration did threaten no lesse then her utter ruine, and the expiring of the truth of Religion at last; and that a free Generall Assemblie was the ordinarie remedie appointed by divine Authority, and blessed by divine providence in other Churches; and after a speciall manner in the Church of Scotland, wee have often and earnestly supplicated for the same, and have laboured to remove what was objected, or what we could conceive to be any hinderance to the obtaining of our desire, like as we have now for the same good end resolved to returne this answer to the particulars propounded, to be performed by us before any Assemblie be indicted.
The particulars propounded, are either concerning matters Ecclesiasticall, or Civill: Ecclesiasticall, or Church matters are, The first, concerning Ministers deposed or suspended by the Presbyteries, since the first of Februarie last, without warrant of the Ordinarie, that they bee restored to their owne places. The second, concerning Moderators of Presbyteries deposed since the foresaid day, to be restored, and all Moderators appointed by the said Presbyteries without warrant aforesaid, to desist from executing the office of Moderator. The third, concerning Ministers admitted since the foresaid day, that they desist from exercising the function of the Ministerie in that place, to which they have beene admitted. These three particulars do concerne the power, dutie, and particular facts, or faults of Presbyteries, wherein we have no power to judge or determine, whether they have proceeded lawfully or not, farre lesse can wee urge or command them to recall what they have determined or done, in the suspending, deposing, or admitting of Ministers, or Moderators; they being properly subject to the superiour Assemblies of the Church; and in this case and condition of the Church, to the Generall Assemblie, where, if they shall not after triall justifie their proceedings, from the good warrants of Scripture, reason, and the acts and practices of the Church, they ought to sustaine their owne deserved censure. And since on the one side, there bee many complaints against the Prelats for their usurpation over Presbyteries in the like particulars; and on the other side, there bee such complaints of the doings and disorders of the Presbyteries to the offence of the Prelats; wee trust that his Majesties Commissioner will not esteeme this to bee any hinderance of the indiction of a Generall Assemblie, but rather a powerfull and principall motive with speed to conveene the same, as the proper Judicatorie wherein to determine such dangerous and universall differences of the Church. Neither do we heare that any Ministers are deposed, but onely suspended during this Interim till a Generall Assemblie, for their erroneous doctrine and flagitious life; So that it were most offensive to God, disgracefull to Religion, and scandalous to the people, to restore them to their places till they bee tried, and censured. And concerning Moderators, none of them (as wee understand) are deposed, but some onely changed, which is verie ordinarie in this Church. The fourth, concerning the repairing of Parishioners to their owne Church, and that Elders assist the Ministers in the discipline of the Church, ought to be cognosced and judged by the particular Presbyteries, to which the Parishioners and Elders are subject, since the cause may be in the Ministers no lesse then in the Parishioners and Elders. And in case they finde no redresse there, to assent till they come to a Generall Assemblie, the want whereof maketh disorders to bee multiplied, both in Presbyteries and particular Parishes.
To the sixth, That Ministers wait upon their owne Churches, and that none of them come to the Assemblie, or place where the same is kept, but such as shall be chosen Commissioners from Presbyteries, we answer, That none are to come to the place of the Assemblie, but such as are either allowed by Commission to have voice, or otherwise have such interesse as they can justifie to his Majesties Commissioner, and the Assemblie conveened.
To the seventh, Concerning the appointment of Moderators of Presbyteries to bee Commissioners to the Generall Assemblie, onely constant Moderators, who have ceased long since, were found in the Assemblie 1606. (which yet was never reputed by the Church to be a lawfull nationall Assemblie) to be necessarie members of the Generall Assemblie. And if both the Moderators, who if they be necessarie members need not to bee chosen, and the chosen Commissioners repaire to the Assemblie, the Assemblie it selfe can judge best of the members whereof it ought to consist.
To the ninth, That no lay-person whatsoever meddle with the choosing of Commissioners from the Presbyteries, and no minister without his owne Presbyterie, we say, That according to the order of our Church discipline, none but Ministers, and Elders of Churches ought to have voice in choosing Commissioners from Presbyteries, and that no Minister, or Elder should have voice in Election, but in his owne Presbyterie.