Sess. 7ᵗʰ. At Dundie, July 22.
First, the roll of all the members was called; and, beside these who protested, there wer many absent—towards the one half. After citation of the Catalogue, the Moderator declared, that, after their adjourning of the Assembly last Session at St Andrews, a protestation was given in; and [in] regard then it could not be read, he asked if there wer any now to present that paper?
It was answered, that none of the subscribers wer present; but one Mr Oliver Coult said, that he had found that paper quhilk was called the Protestation, and that he would give it in, but that he did not adhere to it, and desired it to be marked. After this, the Protestation was read, and did tend to this—That they declared and protested, in the name of the Kirk of Scotland, and all the members thereof quhich would adhere to that Protestation, against the lawfull constitution of this Assembly—1. Because it was a prelimited Assembly, in regard the free votes for choosing Comissioners was hindred by the Commission of the Kirk’s Letter to the severall Presbitries, desiring them to cite all unsatisfied men to the Assembly, if, after conference, they were not satisfyed; 2ly, Because of the King’s Letter, overawing the Assembly; 3ly, Because of the Commissioner’s speech, tending to the prelimiting of the members of the Assembly; 4ly, Because that the members of the preceeding Commission of the Assembly wer members of this, quhilk should not be, in regard the Commission had led to a course of defection; and therefor they protested against all that should be done by that Generall Assembly or their Commission. This Protestation was subscribed with 22 hands, and licence to add moe subscribers, and moe reasons, as they saw fitt.
After the reading of the Protestation, all their names wer called at the kirk dore, and none compeared.
Then the Moderator publickly enquired, if there wer any moe that would adhere unto them, and own that Protestation? quhilk was presently interrupted by another motion; but shortly after,
Mr W. Jameson desired the Moderator, that he might propone quhat formerly he had said—viz., to enquire if there wer any that would own the former Protestation. But the Moderator, upon his second thoughts, would not hear of it, I know not on what ground.
Quhen this was over, the Commissioner had a speech to this purpose:—That that Protestation was very derogatory to the freedome, liberty, and honnour of the Generall Assembly; and, if it wer requisite, that the King’s authority should be interposed against these men for the vindication of the Assembly’s honnour, to quhich he and all was tyed by Covenant, he promised that should not be wanting.
The Moderator replyed, desiring him to cease; for they should deal with them ecclesiastically, according to the freedome of the Assembly.
This was by way of nipp to the Commissioner; yet he desired to speak his mind, quhich he proceeded in to the former purpose. Nixt the Moderator enquired Mr Dickson’s mind how the Assembly should proceed in this weighty bussiness. He answered, that the bussiness was of the highest concern that ever came before ane Assembly; and that hitherto the Lord had preserved the liberty and freedome of this Kirk intire; and that this Protestation stroke at the root of the freedome of the Assembly. He desired that all would be diligent to deal with God in this bussiness; and least unripe thoughts should be vented anent that Protestation, that it might be referred to a committy to think upon.