1. That our thoughts are not guilty of anything which is not incumbent to us, as good Christians towards God, and loyall Subjects towards our sacred Soveraigne.
2. That all the Protestations generall or particular, proponed or to be proponed by the commissioner his Grace, or the Prelats and their adherents, may be presently discussed before this generall Assemblie, being the highest Ecclesiasticall judicatorie of this Kingdome: and that his Grace depart not till the same be done.
3. That the Lord commissioner depart not, till this Assemblie doe fully settle the solide peace of this church, cognoscing and examining the corruptions introduced upon the doctrine and discipline thereof: and for attaining hereof, and removing all just exceptions which may be taken at our proceedings, we attest GOD the searcher of all hearts, that our intentions, and whole proceedings in this present assemblie, have beene, are, and shall be according to the word of GOD, the lawes and constitutions of this church, the confession of faith; our nationall oath, and that measure of light, which GOD the father of light shall grant us, and that in the sincerity of our hearts, without any preoccupation or passion.
4. That if the Commissioner his Grace depart, and leave this church and kingdome in this present disorder, and discharge this assemblie, that it is both lawfull and necessary for Vs to sit still and continue in keeping this present Assemblie, indicted by His Majestie, till we have tryed, judged, censured all the bygone evils, and the introductors, and provided a solide course for continuing Gods truth in this land with purity and liberty, according to his Word, our oath and Confession of Faith, and the lawfull constitutions of this Church; and that with the grace of God, We and every one of Vs adhering hereunto, shall sit still and continue in this Assembly, till after the finall setling and conclusion of all matters, it be dissolved by common consent of all the members thereof.
5. That this Assemblie is and should be esteemed and obeyed, as a most lawfull, full and free generall Assembly of this Kingdome: And that all acts, sentences, constitutions, censures and proceedings of this Assemblie, are in the selfe, and should be reputed, obeyed, and observed by all the Subjects of this Kingdome and members of this Church, as the actions, sentences, constitutions, censures, and proceedings of a full and free generall assembly of this Church of Scotland, and to have all ready execution, under the Ecclesiasticall paines contained, or to bee contained therein, and conforme thereto in all points.
6. That whatsoever inconvenience fall out, by impeding, molesting, or staying the free meeting, sitting, reasoning, or concluding of this present assembly, in matters belonging to their judicatorie, by the word of God, lawes and practice of this Church, and the Confession of Faith, or in the observing and obeying the acts, ordinances and conclusions thereof, or execution to follow thereupon, That the same be not imputed unto us, or any of us, who most ardently desired the concurrence of his Majesties Commissioner to this lawfull assembly; But upon the contrary, that the Prelats and their adherents, who have protested and declined this present assemblie, in conscience of their owne guiltinesse, not daring to abide any legall tryall, and by their misinformation have moved the Commissioner his Grace to depart and discharge this assemblie, be esteemed, repute, and holden the disturbers of the peace, and overthrowers of the liberties of the Church, and guiltie of all the evils which shall follow hereupon, and condignely censured according to the greatnesse of their fault, and Acts of the Church and Realme: And to this end, Wee againe and again doe by these presents cite and summon them, and everie one of them, to compeere before this present generall assembly, to answer to the premises, and to give in their reasons, defences, and answers against the complaints given in, or to bee given in against them, and to heare probation led, and sentence pronounced against them, and conforme to our former cytations, and according to Iustice, with certification as effeirs; Like as by these presents We summon and cyte all those of his Majesties Councell, or any other, who have procured, consented, subscribed, or ratified this present Proclamation to be responsable to his Majesty and three Estates of Parliament, for their counsell given in this matter, so highly importing his Majestie, and the whole Realme, conforme to the 12. act. King James 4. Parliament 2. And protest for remedy of law against them, and every one of them.
7. And lastly wee protest, that as we adhere to the former protestations all and every one of them, made in the name of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Ministers, Burghes, and Commons; So seeing wee are surprised by the Commissioner his Graces sudden departing, farre contrary to his Majesties indiction, and our expectation, we may extend this our protestation, and adde more reasons thereunto in greater length and number, whereby wee may fully cleare before God and man the equitie of our intentions, and lawfulnesse of our proceedings: And upon the whole premises the foresaid persons for themselves and in name aforesaid, asked Instruments. This was done in the high Church of Glasgow in publike audience of the Assembly, begunne in presence of the Commissioner his Grace, who removed and refused to heare the same to the end, the twenty eighth day of November: and upon the Mercate Crosse of Glasgow, the twentie ninth day of the said Moneth, the yeere of God 1638. respective.
1638.—November 30.
102. Letter from Traquair to Hamilton.[130]
Falkirk, Nov. 30th.