Subscrib.A. Ker.
No. V.
Act at Dundee approving the Proceedings of the Commission of the former Assemblie.
July 24, 1651. Post meridiem.
The Generall Assembly having considered the report of the Committee appointed for revising the Proceedings of the Commission of the preceding Assembly; and having also heard the doubts and objections of diverse Brethren, against their Acts and resolutions after-mentioned, after due examination, long and much debate and mature deliberation, The Assembly findes the zeal, diligence, wisdom, and faithfulnesse of the said Commissioners in the discharge of the trust committed unto them, very great, and in the manifold difficulties of this last years great and dangerous occasions, their watchfulnesse and labours to have been very singular and more then ordinary: And therefore do approve their Acts and Proceedings, especially their sense of the Western Remonstrance, Perth Novemb. 28, their Answer to the Parliaments Quære, anent the more generall calling forth of the People, Perth Decemb. 13, their Solemn Warning, Perth Jan. 6, their Answer to the Letter of the Ministers of the Presbyterie of Stirling, Perth Jan. 6, their Answers to the Letters from other Brethren and Presbyteries in relation to Publick Resolutions; their Answer to his Majesty, and Committee of Estates Letter anent the Protestation of the Ministers of Stirling, Perth March 18; their Act concerning the opposers of Publick Resolutions, and Letter to Presbyteries thereupon; their Answer to the Quære anent the Acts of Classes. And in these and the rest of their proceedings, do judge them to deserve high commendation. Onely the Assembly having considered their Act and Declaration of August 13, 1650, at the West Kirk, finding that some have already made ill use of the same: And to the end that it may not hereafter be to any a ground of unwarrantable proceeding in reference to the Kings Majesty, or any of his Successors, Declare, that the said Act and Declaration shall not in any time coming be interpreted to have any other meaning, then that the Kings Interest is not to be owned but in subordination to God, the Kirk being ever willing, as their duty is, to own and maintain in their station, his Majesties Interest in that subordination, according to the Covenants. And the Assembly Ordains Master Robert Bailzie Moderator pro tempore, to return to their said Brethren hearty thanks in the name of the Assembly, for their great pains, travell, and fidelitie.
Sic subscribitur,A. Ker.
No. VI.
Dundee, Julii 21, 1651. Ante mer. Sess. 19.
Act for censuring of those who do not acknowledge this present Assembly, and do not acquiesce to the Acts thereof, &c.
The Generall Assembly considering that all persons who protest against, and decline the authority of the General Assembly, are censurable by the Acts and Constitutions of this Kirk, with the highest censures thereof, and that by the Act of the solemne General Assembly of Glasgow, 20 Decemb. 1638, Sess. 26, Presbyteries and Provincials are ordained to cite and censure all such as would not acknowledge the said Assembly. And the Assembly being very sensible of the prejudice this Kirk may suffer in her Liberties and Priviledges, by the beginnings of such practices (if they be not timeously prevented and restrained.) Therefore according to the practice and example of the said Assembly, They ordain Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies, to call before them all persons that do not acknowledge this present Assembly, and to censure them according to the degree of their contempt and obstinacie to the Acts of this Kirk: And the Assembly having also considered that by the afore-mentioned Act of the Assembly of Glasgow; and another Act of the said Assembly, Decemb. 18, Sess. 24, Presbyteries are ordained to proceed against these that do not acquiesce to the Acts of the said Assembly, and that refuse themselves, or draw others from the obedience of the Act of the General Assembly, in manner mentioned in the said Act. Therefore do ratifie and approve the said Acts, and declare, that they are to be extended against Ministers censured by this Assembly, and all those that oppose the Publick Resolutions thereof. Ordaining also Presbyteries and Provincial Assemblies, To call before them all persons that shall not acquiesce to the Acts and Constitutions of this present Assembly, and to deal with them by conference for their satisfaction. And if in their conference with them they shall still oppose the Acts and Conclusions of this Assembly, That they censure them according to the degree of their offence and obstinacie to the Acts of this Assembly. And where Presbyteries are negligent or wanting herein, the Assembly appoints the Commission appointed for Publick Affairs, to proceed against the said offenders respective, and to censure them in manner above specified, giving unto them full power for that effect.