§. 1 AS the Division and rent that is now in our Church, (once beautifull and strong in its unity and harmony, as a City compact to­gether) is matter of sad lamentation to us; so it is a sharp and bitter pain to our spi­rits, to be making any mention thereof, or laying out the same before any, except in mourning and supplications before the Lord our God; acknowledging his righteous and holy judgement therein; confessing our provoking him to give us up to dash one against another, by not humble prizing of his mercy, but rather carnally glorying and confiding in our former unity, and not im­proving it as we ought, for his glory, and the promoving of his interests, and deprecating his wrath therein, lying so heavy upon us. We could heartily wish, that our breach, had it been the Lords good pleasure, being removed ere now, our differences had been buried in silence, and perpetual oblivion, rather then that we should be necessitated, yet to give an account thereof to the world: and we are so [Page 2]much the more averse from representing these our diffe­rences, divisions, and the consequences which have fol­lowed thereupon, and the effects they have produced; that this cannot be done without some, yet too just reflection upon brethren, and their practices; with some of whom we have walked to the house of God in company, and whom we do still love and respect, sincerely wishing from our hearts, (as the Lord knoweth) that we might with them serve the Lord with one consent. Neverthelesse, consider­ing how much we, and the truth through our sides have suffered, through mis-representations that are made of the state of our differences, and the foul asperosins cast upon this Church, and the servants and Ministers of Jesus Christ, who adhere to the publike judicatories thereof; and contend for the preservation of the government of the Church, in the due authority and subordination of judi­catories, as by the good hand of our God in his great mer­cy, they have been settled amongst us, according to the Word of God: And perceiving that it is our Brethrens de­sign in all this, either that they may find wayes to prose­cute some extraordinary and irregular course for remedy­ing of evils amongst us; or at least may keep matters in the confusion and disorder wherein they are, that men may do as seemeth good in their own eyes, in matters Ecclesi­astick, without controulment from the Authority of the Ecclesiastick judicatories: We are necessitated for the un­deceiving of these who desire information, and for the ex­oneration and freeing of our selves of all consequences that may follow in this Church, upon the continuance of our confusions through their misinsformations, to give a true information, and lay open the state of our differences and present case of our Church.

§. 2 For this end we shall hold forth, 1. The Rise of our Division, and what were the matters of our differences, that so the true state of the controversie betwixt us and our dissenting brethren, may be known. 2. Some of the irregular courses they have run into, and do practice, for strengthening of their party and faction. 3. What means [Page 3]we have used, and what we have condescended unto, to gain them to union and conjunction with us in the judica­tories of the Church, but without any successe.

Sect. 3. As for the first head, We shall not trouble men with ripping up the secret actings of that spirit of Divisi­on (which at last appeared in its own colours openly amongst us) in some of them, while as we were yet going along together, and there was no breach between our brethren and us. Albeit it is most certain, that before, even long before, that godly understanding men, who were upon publike judicatures, and had occasion to observe more neerly the wayes of some of our brethren; discerned therein principles and designs tending to that which after­ward brake forth. But we shall not rip up these things; The conception of the spirit of Division was too long a being looked to, that it might have been crushed; it was now come to such maturity, that it wanted but an oppor­tunity to break forth; which, for the punishment of the provocations of a sinful generation, was by the holy dis­pensation of divine providence, quickly brought to pass: For shortly after the flroak upon this Nation at Dumbar, cometh forth that Remonstrance, entituled, The Remon­strance of the Gentlemen Officers and Ministers, attending the Western Forces, containing matters of great importance, and which was the first matter of our publike Church-dif­ferences, and did produce the first open rupture and Divi­sion in the judicatures. Concerning which, these things would be observed and considered.

§. 4 1. It is from this evident, to all impartial ob­servers, That the Church judicatories were far from begin­ning this Division, by any resolutions of theirs (which are now charged upon us as a defection, and whereof our Brethren do make so much use to carry on their d [...]signs) yea, they were not so much as an occasion of this rupture: But while they are about their duty, and in the simplicity of their hearts, wrestling with the difficulties of the time on all hands; Our Brethren with some others, did con­trive and bring to light this Remonstrance, desiring the [Page 4]concurrence of the Commissioners of the Assembly in presenting it to the State: And albeit it did contain ma­ny points of highest concernment, and contrary unto the constant resolutions of both Church and State (as is after to be cleared) yet they would not lay it aside for any in­treaty, and join with their Brethren, and the rest of the Nation; but did prosecute it with eagernesse and inso­lence, and upon that account did act in a separate way, from the judicatories and Forces of this Nation, till them­selves were broken, and the Church and State cast upon all the difficulties which after followed, and particularly upon these resolutions which our Brethren do so much condemn.

§. 9 2. If we consider the matter of that Remon­strance, it will yet further appear, that they began this rup­ture in the Church, and that not upon the account of the publike resolutions, which were not then in being: For in that Remonstrance, they do condemn, and propund that there might be an overturning of all the resolutions of the Church and State, taken by them for securing of Religion, in reference to the Supreme Magistrate, and that not only all along, since the beginning of our late Reformation, but more especially in the years 1649. and 1650. after the State had been purged by the secluding of the Malignants, and the conclusions agreed upon, were more strict then any formerly; yea, and these who had a chief hand in that Remonstrance, were very active in carrying on these publike conclusions and determinati­ons. From which it is evident, that they did begin a rent, by departing from the received principles of this Church, yea, and from what themselves did formerly judge a sufficient security to the cause of God, and a great mercy to obtain it: and accordingly, some of them were but a little before chiefly active in closing Treaties and Transactions upon these principles, who afterward endea­voured to overturn them This may discover to the world, what a spirit it is which leads our Brethren in their way; seeing they can not only not acquiesce in the determin ati­ons [Page 5]of the Supreme Authority of a Church or State, con­cerning matters of greatest concernment to both; nor con­tent themselves with the exoneration of their own con­sciences, if they be not satisfied; but when themselves have agreed to these things, and have been chief contri­vers of them, there can be no security given, but they will retract their judgements, and overturn them again: Which principle and way is inconsistent with the safety or standing of any humane society whatsoever. It is true, in their Remonstrance, and since, in their emissions to the world in print, they would lay the great stress of this alteration in their judgement and way, upon after discoveries of crooked wayes in managing of Transacti­ons in pursuance of these principles, and of some parti­culars in these Transactions which were kept up from the judicatories; upon the knowledge whereof, they did see the evil and sin of these conclusions of Church and State. But if it were to any purpose to trouble the world with stories of matters of fact, we could easily demonstrate what a gaining trade they have made of misrepresenta­tions of this kind; and in particular, that it is more then evident to all who are acquainted with these affairs, that these resolutions were faithfully managed, and full satisfaction obtained in all that was required previous to a conclusion, and that no particular (though in matters only upon the by, and that whereof they make so much noise, was only a person who was bred in the Church of England, his taking the Communion once kneeling, after he had entred on a Treaty) was kept up from these who now complain of it; nay, or from the Assembly it self, as will appear from the report given in to the Assembly, and is now in publike record. But waving all these, it is clear from their Paper emitted to the world, Entituled, The Causes of the Lords wrath against Scotland, that they do hold out the very resolutions and determinations of Church and State in these matters, previous to any con­clusion, as the cause of the Lords controversie against the Land. So that, assert what they please to gloss the mat­ter, [Page 6]they have made a defection from the principles of this Church, and prosecuted the same with a rupture and sepa­ration.

§. 6 3. What ever may be said of Supreme judicatories, and their power to recognosce and re-examine their own conclusions; yet it would be considered, that the contrivers, presenters, and prosecuters of that Remonstrance, were but private men, or did it in a private capacity. They were some inferiour Officers, Gentlemen, and Ministers at­tending some Forces, who took upon them to condemn acts and conclusions of Supreme judicatories unanimously concluded, many of themselves (as hath been said) being present, and not contradicting, but positively consenting thereunto; and that concerning matters of State, and ci­vil Government, of greatest importance: Which any un­byassed and sober spirit will perceive to be a matter above their reach and station; especially to have condemned them by way of remonstrance, publikely emitted to the world, and presented to the State; without so much re­spect had to these judicatories, as once to desire them first to re-examine and take into consideration these acts and conclusions; yea, refusing to apply themselves to such a way as that, when advised and earnestly pressed thereunto, as more orderly, by some to whom they did communicate their design. And albeit, the Commissioners of the general Assembly were then sitting (to whom the management of publike affairs of the Church were committed) and who ought to have been consulted with in all weighty matters, especially when our Brethren did call in question the con­clusions of the preceding Assembly; yet it pleased them not to own them in this matter; but of themselves, did by positive determination, contrary to the acts of the Assembly, prevent their advice. It is true indeed, after thy had concluded the matter, they who were entrusted by the rest, did present the Remonstrance to the Commissi­oners of the general Assembly, desiring their concurrence in presenting it to the State; but withal, it is to be remem­bred, that when it was enquired, if they had any power [Page 7]to change any thing in it: They answered, that though some expressions might be changed, yet they had no power, and were not to alter any thing of the matter of it, which was in effect, to obtrude their determinati­ons upon the Church-judicatorie; As these things did evidence their small respect to the government of this Church, and their stretching themselves beyond their line, by determining in their private capacity, not only antecedently, but contrary to the conclusions of the Supreme judicatories; so divers of these who went a long with them in it at first, perceiving shortly after how divisive and destructive to al order that course was, did quickly withdraw from them, repenting that ever they had engaged with them.

Sect. 7.4. What ever charity might have been allowed them, in presenting their thoughts upon these Transactions, or of other faults, for a testimony and exoneration of their own consciences, and desiring to have them redressed in an orderly way by the competent judicatories: yet this can no wayes be justified, that not only they second their Te­stimony with a separation, but in the close of the Remon­strance, they hold forth a Declaration, and avowing of en­gagements upon their hearts (these are the very words) before God, if he shall lengthen their dayes, and take pleasure in them, to make them any way instrumental in his work, and for his peoples good and safety; That they shall, to the utmost of their power, endeavour to get these things remedied, according to their places and callings: Which was a real and plain en­gaging, and banding of themselves together, to prosecute the matter of their Remonstrance by arms and force, it being certain that the most part of the Remonstrators then were in a military place and calling. And this, several passa­ges in their carriage, before they were broken, did clearly enough evidence to be their purpose and intention. And the judgement of this Church of such divisive bandings of parties, hath been so well known, especially since the gene­ral Assembly, 1642. That our Brethren cannot free them­selves of walking contrary to the established order of this Church in that their practic.

§. 8 5. Albeit our Brethren, by this Remonstrance and [Page 8]the prosecution thereof, had made a broach upon our sweet harmony and unity, and laid the foundation of all our fol­lowing breaches; yet the Commission of the general As­sembly was most tender and careful to prevent any breach upon it, as may appear by their tender carriage before they proceeded to give any sense upon the Remonstrance and from the sense it self which they were afterward necessitated to give.

As to their carriage before, This in general may speak their tendernesse, that notwithstanding their just dis­satisfaction and offence at these proceedings; and notwith­standing the present hard condition of the times did call for their present appearing against these dividing courses; yet they suspended from October 24. (which day the Remon­strance was given in) to declare their sense of it till Novemb, 28. More particularly, when they were frequently conve­ned, Novemb. 14. to cognosce upon it at Sterlin, and had spent three dayes in conference and debates about it. They offer­ed to our Brethren, That provided they would not require nor presse an answer to the Remonstrance from the State, but be coutent to leave it with and before them, as a Testi­mony for themselves of their mind and judgement of affairs; The Commission would forbear to give any sense up­on it, and should endeavour and interpose with the State, that they would use the like forbearance; and accordingly one was sent to acquaint the prime Ministers of State with this overture, and they did so relish it, as they laid that bu­siness aside, till they should meet with the Commission. This overture and cendescention agreed unto by our Brethren, as also that in the mean time they should forbear meddling with that debate in publike preaching, was grosly violated by our Brethren. For not only did these Ministers for the Remonstrance, who preached on the next Sabbath, pub­likely fall upon that debate before the people; but before the Commissioners could reach Perth (to which they had ad­journed their meeting, on the Tuesday the easter, that they might interpose with the State) they basted thither, and gave in a supplication to the State, (denying any acknowledge­ment of, or respect to the Supreme Ma [...]istrate, though there present) professing their adherence to the Remonstrance, [Page 9]and pressing a satisfactory answer to it. Wherein albeit they did neglect that peaceable overture, and walk con­trary to their own condescentions; yet the State for six or seven dayes did follow all peaceable wayes of preventing a rupture; offering that the Remonstrance might lie as a testimony for these who had presented it, of their mind and judgement, and that if they would join with the rest of the Nation, they should declare nothing against it; but nothing prevailing with them, the State was necessitate to declare against it, and yet in so fair terms, as it could hard­ly have been expected a State should answer such a Paper in such a way.

§. 10 As for the Commissions sense upon it, Three dayes after being spent in conference with them, and find­ing matters otherwise irremediable, and being called there­to by civil Authority, they judged themselves bound in conscience to give warning of that snare, and to clear themselves from being accessary to such a divisive course. It is true, the Presenters of the Remonstrance, did (after the State had passed their sense upon it) propound to the Commission, that they would forbear, till they ac­quainted these that sent them; but such a desire was then justly thought strange. For, 1. They had even now pressed the State, contrary to all our desires for an answer, and men could not see how that was consistent with their desiring now of a delay. 2. The matter had been long enough deba­ted, and there had none of the prime contrivers thereof been absent all the while, that they needed to be sent for. 3. They did not at all desire a delay, that they might receive satisfaction in any of the particulars Remonstrated; that so they might alter it, in whole, or in part, but only that they might have a hearing to justifie their resolutions therein, to be according to the Covenant. 4. The Commission being required by the State to give their judgement in it, after so many endeavours for an accommodation which had proven ineffectual, they could not be wanting in their duty in such a case; yet the sense which they did give upon it, will wit­nesse how tenderly they walked in the businesse; for herein [Page 10]they do acknowledge what truths are held out in the Re­monstrance, though they were not clear that they held them out in an orderly way: they do not at all reflect upon persons nor offer to censure them, nor declare them censurable; but do only declare their judgement of things contained in the paper; and though they find in it some incroachments upon the determinations of the general Assembly, as also their medling with matters of State and Civil government, and their engaging themselves to in­deavour remedies in these things they remonstrate against; with all which (and because it is apt to breed division) they were dissatisfied; yet out of their tender respects to persons, they content themselves with declaring so far, & do forbear all further examination of it, expecting such satisfaction against their next meeting from the Remonstrators them­selves as might prevent all further debate.

§. 11 This Declaration, breathing so much meekness and mo­deration, although it had its wished effects in due time, in the most part of the Gentlemen engaged in that course; yet the Ministers who were Remonstrators, and were then present, and other Brethren with them were so enraged at it, that in a disorderly way they left the Commision (some of them not without threatning expressions) and never re­turned afterward to any meeting thereof.

§. 12 The next matter of our Church-differences and divisions, were the so much talked of, publique reso­lutions of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, returned in answer to two quaeries propounded to them by the King and Parliament. The one concerning the ad­mitting of Persons to the Forces then a levying, for the defence of the Land, of the date Decemb. 14. 1650. Wherein, after a repetition of the quaery propounded to them, and a Narrative of the States obligation to use all lawful and necessary means for the defence of the Land, of the broken and scattered condition of the Forces of the Kingdom, and the subduing of a great part thereof, disabling the rest from their own defence, unlesse there be a more general calling forth of the people: The conclusion and resolution is this, [Page 11] In this case of so great and evident necessity, we cannot be against the raising of all fensible persons in the Land, and permitting them to fight against this enemy for defence of the Kingdom; excepting such as are excommnicate, forfaulted, notoriously prophane or flagitious, and such as have been from the beginning, and continue still, or are at this time, obstinate and professed enemies, and opposers of the Covenant and cause of God; and for the capacity of acting that the estates of Parliament ought to have, as we hope they will have special care, that in this so gene­ral concurrence of all the people of the Kingdom, none be put in such trust or power as may be prejudicial to the cause of God; and that such Officers as are of known integrity and affection to the cause, and particularly such as have suffered in our former Armies, may be taken special notice of.

§. 13 The other resolution was concerning the admitting of persons to places of trust in the State, and the re­scinding of the Act of Classes, of the date May 24. 1651. Wherein after the repetition of several desires of the King, Parliament, and Committee of Estates, renewed with great earnestnesse (for the space of two Months) to the Com­mission for a clear and positive answer to the quaery pro­pounded concerning that matter: It is declared as follow­eth, Least any aspersion should be cast upon us of incroaching upon, or intruding our selves unto the Office of the civil Power and Authority; we do declare, that we do not assume to our selves, and that it is not competent to us but only to the King and Parliament, to make or repeal Acts of Parliament; and therefore, that as the Commission of the Kirk had not hand in making of the Act of Classes, so neither do we take upon us, to derermine the keeping up, or rescinding, or repealing of the same; yet be­ing required by his Majesty, and Estates of Parliament, to give our judgement and advice in point of conscience, whether or not, considering the ground contained in the Narrative of the Act of Classes, viz. The solemn league and Covenant, the solemn ac­knowledgement of sins and ingagements to duties, Declarations emitted by the Kirk, and the ingagement and pronnse made by the Committee of Estates, to the Kingdom of England; It be sinfull and unlawfull to admit to be members of the Committee of [Page 12]Estates, persons formerly debarred from the publique trust, or to rescind and repeal the Acts of Classes. We declare, that as for any engagement or promise made unto the Kingdome of Eng­land, concerning not admitting unto places of power and trust, persons accessary unto the sinful engagement, against that King­dome, we know nothing of the nature or grounds thereof, and therefore leaves it to the Estates of Parliament themselves, to con­sider how it doth oblige or not oblige in the present condition of affairs in these Kingdomes: But for the solemn League and Covenant, the solemn acknowledgement and engagement, and former Declarations, we do find that they do not particularly determine any definite measure of time, of excluding persons from publique trust, for by-past offences, but only binds and obliges condignely to punish offenders as the degree of the offence shall re­quire or deserve, or the supream judicatory of the Kingdom, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge conve­nient, to purge all judicatories and places of power & trust, and to indeavour that they consist of, and be filled with such men as are of known good affection to the cause of God, and of a blameless and Christian conversation (which is a morall duty commanded in the Word of God, and of perpetual obligation) so that nothing upon the account of these grounds, doth hinder, but that persons formerly debarred from places of power and trust for their offen­ces, may be admitted to be members of the Committe of Estates, and the censure inflicted upon them by the Acts of Classes may be taken off, and rescinded without sin by the Parliament, whose power it is to lengthen or shorten the time of such censures, accor­ding as they shall find them just and necessary; provided they be men who have satisfied the Kirk for their former offences, have renewed or taken the Covenant, and be qualified for such places, with the qualifications required in the Word of God, and expressed in the solemn acknowledment and engagement, viz. That they be men of known good affection to the cause of God, and of a blamelesse and Christian conversation; which ought always carefully to be observed and made conscience of, though there were no such Act of Classes, to the effect that no persons get such power and trust into their hands as may be prejudicial to the cause of God.

§. 14 These are the resolutions which have been, and are so much noised abroad in the world, because of which, our dissenting brethren have made such stirs in Preaching, and in writing, and Printed papers, determining them to be a horrid defection to our Covenants, and forsaking of the cause of God, and laying the weight of their first divi­ding from the rest of the Church and Countrey, upon these, (though unjustly, as may appear from what hath been cleared in the matter of the Remonstrance) yea, and branding honest men who concurred in them, or consented to them, with very odious imputations, and determining these resolutions to be the grand causes of the Lords wrath against the Land. Upon the account whereof they have separated from, and rent the judicatories of the Church, (the condition of the times contributing thereunto) and by their protestations, and declinators against the general Assemblies, the Church is brought into the confusions and distractions under which we do so sadly suffer. And albeit somewhat hath been al­ready spoken, for vindicating us in this particular, in the observations upon the differences in the Church of Scotland, from page 10. to 17. And it is not our work in this Represen­tation, to publish a Treatise in defence of these resolutions; yet we shall add a few things for clearing of the matter.

§. 15 As to the former resolution of December 14. 1650. we need not insist to declare; That this debate is extrinsecal to our Doctrine, Worship, and Church-government; and therefore it cannot be justified that such a rent should be made because of our differences about it: That there was no question made by our Brethren, of the lawfulnesse of the service wherein these Forces were to be imployed, which might have added weight to the grounds of their dissent: That the Country was really in that low condition, suppo­sed in the resolution (occasioned partly by our Brethrens separation upon the account of the Remonstrance) which could not but put State and Church into great straits, and warrant them in their stations, to improve all ordinary means, not prohibited by the Word of God, and the use whereof is not in it self sinful, for necessary self preservation; [Page 14]And that whatever latitude may be taken in such a case, yet the commission in their resolution, did use such caution, that if they be judged thereby (as they ought to be) there can be no defection fastened upon them, even by them who condemn a general concurrence of fellow subjects in cases of extremity; for in effect they approve of none to be ad­mitted, but such as are professed friends to the cause of God, and who enter in Covenant for that effect. But passing all these, we desire it may be remembred, that our Brethren did not content themselves simply to condemn this resolu­tion, or to assert that it was unlawful to take in or imploy such as they are qualified in the resolution; But running to another extremity, did assert, that it was sinful and unlawful for any honest and godly Subjects, to go forth and joyn in an Army, constitute according to the resolution, albeit called and required thereunto by the Civil Magistrate, in the case of necssary defence of the Nation, and every par­ticular interest in it. And in several papers did positively maintain this assertion, and by many arguments laboured to bear it in upon people. The grosse absurdity of both which assertions may be clearly seen in these few particulars.

§. 16 First, If we look upon all Nations and States through out the world, it may justly seem a strange Paradox, and of dangerous consequence, if once admitted amongst them, That it is not lawful for the Civil Magistrate in the case of forraign invasion, to raise an Army, as is qualified in the Resolution, for defence of the Nation; and much more, that it is not lawful for godly subjects to joyn with an Army so constituted. Yea, albeit that resolution was more limi­ted and straight, upon grounds and reasons of expediency; yet we doubt not, but that in the case of the invasion of a Nation, by forraign force, and when the whole Nation is in common hazard, all Subjects and compatriots, as well these that are Orthodox Christians as others, though they were Idolaters, Jews, Turks, or Heathens, may be called sorth; and that a conjunction of them in Armes, for the defence of the Commonwealth, and their own mutual preservation, is lawful, yea, and a necessary duty, to which the Magistrate [Page 15]ought to call them, and wherein they ought to concur; especially when their conjunction altogether is in rational prudence, a mean necessary in ordinary providence, for their preservation from the violence of the invading powers.

§. 17 As this is the universal and constant principle and pra­ctice of all States and Kingdoms, wherein there are such differences amongst Subjects (as most part of Nations have some one or other of these mixtures, and where there is most unity in Religion, yet most of the Subjects are carnal and prophane) and without which it were no great difficulty for an iavader to make a prey of any such Kingdomes; as suppose the Turk should invade Germany; so we sind Chri­stians and godly men in all ages and times have never questi­oned the truth of it, but by their practise have gone along with it. To passe the example of the primitive Church, where, in Christians were so far from making question of this, that a great part of the forces of the Roman Empire consisted of Chri­stians, as Tertullian doth affirm: As also of Orthodox Christi­ans in other Nations, who being joyned in civil Society, with others corrupt in Religion, do make no scruple of joyn­ing in Armes with them; and who may justly resent the scandal cast upon Protestant Churches, by the starting of such a debate: We shall only mention the example of our own worthy Reformers, who in the case of forraign invasion made no scruple to joyn in Armes with those who had been in bloody opposition to the people of God, so soon as they were willing to come off from the contrary party, and pro­fesse repentance for their former courses. Witnesse their joyning with the Duke of Chattellarault and his followers, who had been in opposition to the Congregation as they were then called. Yea, after some disaster received by the French at Lieth after that conjunction, they did not look upon the receiving of him, as a cause of that sad stroak, as some would make the world believe from Mr. Knoxes Ser­mon at Sterlin: For in the heads of that Sermon, Printed in the History of the Church of Scotland, Page 217. Edit. Edin­burgh, 1644. in 4. there is no mention of any such thing, but only of their carnal considence, that possibly they had [Page 16]not sincerely repented their former opposition, and that they who were late come in, were made to feel in their own hearts, how bitter a cup they had made others to drink before them: nor doth he (as our Brethrens Tenets now lead them) presse them to purge out such as were lately admitted, but doth only presse repentance upon all of them.

§. 17 But we need not insist on this, to instruct what was the judgement of our first Reformers in this matter, seeing before that time they invited even the very Papists, remaining yet Papists, to conjunction in Armes with them, against the Queen Regent, and the French party, as will appear from the Declaration recorded in the History of the Church of Scotland, Page 179. &c. Wherein as there are many things remarkable to our present purpose, so their exhortatory close speaketh thus, Page 182, 183. If you tender true Reli­gion (i.e. if ye be Protestants) ye know her Majesty beareth her self plain enemy thereunto. If Religion be not perswa­sive unto you (i.e. if ye be Papists) yet cast not away the care ye have over your Commonwealth, which ye see manifestly and violently ruined before your eyes. If this will not move you, remember your dear Wives, Children and Posterity, your ancient heritages, &c. Then Brethren let us joyn our Forces, and both with wit and manhood resist their beginnings; let no man withdraw himself; and if any will be so unhappy and mischievous (as we suppose none to be) let us altogether repute, hold, and use him (as he is indeed) for an enemy to us and to himself, and to his Commonwealth. All which doth make it clear, that they made no scruple of joyning with Papists, being their Country men and com­patriots, and that even when the quarrel with the enemy was complexe, both for the liberty of the Country and the interest of true Religion, they were content, and desirous that their Country men, though disaffected to Religion, should joyn with them upon the account of their common civil in terest, as they also afterward expresse in another Declaration, recorded in the same History, Page 197. at the beginning.

§. 18 Unto this judgement of our worthy Ancestors, speaking [Page 17]so clearly to the point in controversie, we shall only add the Testimony of a late learned Writer, who in his Treatise, En­tuled, Lex, Rex, Quest. 37. pag. 379. speaking of their opi­nion, who think, if the King command Papists and Prelates to rise against the Parliament of England, That we are obli­ged in conscience, and by our oath and Covenant, to help our native Prince against them: He subjoins, ‘To which o­pinion, with hands and feet I should accord, if our Kings cause were just and lawful. And a little after in the same page, he adds, I see no reason but the civil Law of a Kingdom doth oblige any Citizen to help an innocent man against a mur­thering Robber, and that he may be judicially accused as a murtherer, who faileth in his duty, &c.’ And afterward, page 382. after this supposition and assertion, If an Army of Turks and Pagans would come upon Britam, one part of Britain would help another, which includes more then the conjunction of fellow-subjects of one Kingdom: He addes, as Jehoshaphat the King of Judah did right in helping of Ahab and Israel, so the Lord had approved of the war; which may give a dash to the many objections mustered up from the Lords reproof to Jehoshaphat, against the Commis­sions Resolution.

§. 20 Secondly, As the judgement and practice of Christians and Churches, in former and latter ages, at home and abroad doth justifie this resolution; so the Law of nature doth strongly plead for us in this matter: For as in the natural body, nature hath put an instinct in all the members to put forth themselves for the preservation of the whole, and one of another; So the practical principles of nature, lay a moral obligation upon the members of a Political body, to join mutually together for the defence of the whole, and their own necessary self-preservation, when they are invol­ved in a common hazard. So that in such a case, if the Ma­gistrate do not put them to it, he betrayeth his trust; and the subjects, if they concur not, become guilty of the ruin of the whole; and as the Apostle, 1 Cor. 12. makes use of this beam of the light of nature, to enforce that there ought to be no schism in the mystical body of Christ, or his Church, but all [Page 18]the members ought have a care of the whole body, and one of another; so by parity of reason it may be as strongly ap­plied to the Political body and incorporation of a Com­mon-wealth, in things necessary for the preservation of its being and safety, and to repell unjust violence. Nor will it suffice to say, that as the Law of nature, when it obligeth us to defend our selves for self-preservation, doth not allow us to make use of every mean for that end, but only of lawful means, which cannot be said of conjunction and associati­on in arms with men corrupt in Religion, or ungodly in their conversation: For we reason not from the Law of nature obliging to self-preservation and defence, simpliciter, but from the Law of nature its obligation lying upon mem­bers of one and the same body, such as is the incorporati­on of one City, Kingdom or Common-wealth, in relation to the preservation of the whole, and of one another, when under the hazard of unjust violence and invasion. And so the argument speaks not only for the lawfulnesse of the end, or the defence and preservation of the Political body, but for the lawfulnesse also of the means, or the concurrence of all the members for that effect, which doth strongly infer our conclusion.

§. 21 Thirdly, As this is the verdict of the Law of nature, so we cannot see any thing in the Scriptures contrary to this; And no wonder, seeing Gods Laws (such as the Law of na­ture also is) cannot be contradictory one to another. Yea, we will find in the word, clear warrant for this assertion. But not intending a Treatise, we shall only touch a few ge­nerals which may clear it.

§. 22 And to begin with the old Testament, albeit, it need not be thought strange that we bring no Testimonies so directly speaking of conjunction and association in arms, betwixt the Professors of the true Religion and others of a differing Religion, as members of the same civil incorpo­ration, considering that the Church of God being restri­cted to that one people of Israel, their Church and Com­monwealth were materially the same by Divine institution; So that none could be members of the Common-wealth, [Page 19]but such as were also members of the Church, and so pro­fessors of the true Religion, as now under the Gospel it may be otherwise; Yet even then we will find this truth, That albeit oft-times many of that Church did make defe­ction to wicked and (to speak so) malignant courses, yet were they never refused or rejected from Church or camp-fellowship, when they professedly returned from their evil courses, although there was no real evidence of true repen­tance and godliness appearing in them. How often in the time of Moses did they turn aside? and albeit he knew well the generality of them continued graceless, notwithstanding their professions of returning, Deut. 29.2, 3, 4. yet were they never excluded from joining with the rest in their mi­litary undertakings. So also in the dayes of David, when Ten Tribes had for seven years shed much blood, in cleaving to the house of Saul, and opposing his Kingdome (which was an opposing of the Kingdom of the Messiah in the Type; and a fighting against the cause of God) and after­ward, when they joined in the unnatural rebellion with Absolom, yet, upon relinquishing their former course they were re-admitted into fellowship of Council and arms, with the rest, who had adhered to the cause of God. Many such instances might be produced from the History of the Judges, and by succeeding Kings of Judah, which might abun­dantly clear this truth, which we pass as studying bre­vity.

§. 23 The New Testament doth speak more clearly to this point, but we shall content our selves to touch a few things only, 1. It is evident these Souldiers who came to John Baptist, were professors, either Proselytes, or (as some think) native Jews under the Roman pay; And as Orthodox Di­vines do from Johns preaching to them, and not enjoyning them to quit their military employment, strongly argue against Anabaptists for the lawfulnesse of war to Christi­ans; So it will as strongly conclude the lawfulnesse of Chri­stians conjunctions in arms with men of another Religion, yea, even Heathens, such as many of the Romish Souldiers were. The like also may be concluded from the instance of [Page 20] Cornelius and Peters preaching to him. 2. It is an undoub­ted truth, that now under the Gospel, it is lawfull for godly, sound and Orthodox Christians to be of, and a­bide in one civil incorporation with wicked Idolaters, Heathens and Pagans; We say not that it is lawful for ho­nest Christians to associate and embody themselves volun­tarily, and of new, with such people, being before free and distinct from them; But that it is lawful to abide in such an Incorporation, we believe no Orthodox Christian (though Anabaptists and fifth Monarchy men may) will deny: as being agreeable to the tenor of the Epistles of the Apostles concerning marriage-fellowship to be kept be­twixt a Christian and an Infidel, if they be not forced from it by violence, though it were not lawful for a Christian being free, to enter into that fellowship; and Christians continuance in servitude to Heathens, unlesse they be made free. Now if it be lawfull to abide in one civil Incorpo­ration with such, It is also not only lawful for them, but their duty which they may not neglect when need requi­reth, to join and concur with their co-members in such actings as are for their kind lawful, which essentially be­long to the relation, and are necessary for the preservati­on of the Incorporation, and the just common interests thereof, such as conjunction in arms to repel invasion is. 3. As Christ never came to a people with his Gospel, to make that unlawful which was lawful before to them by the Law of nature (as this conjunction in arms in the case already mentioned must be acknowledged to be before a people embrace the Gospel) So we doubt not but under­standing Christians will find that the Scriptures speaking to Christians living under Heathenish powers, and comman­ding them to perform to them all things lawful and com­petent to the relations wherein they stood to them, doth positively warrant them to join with their fellow-citizens in this case. And particularly, that passage, Rom. 13.5, 6, 7, 8. doth clearly evince this, where the Apostle com­mandeth Christians to be subject to heathenish Magistrates, not only for wrath, but conscience sake, and to pay tribute [Page 21]to them (whereby they maintained their wars) and that is a voluntary and active way, upon the account that they are the Ministers of God, attending upon that very thing, even to protect Subjects and Common-wealths.

§. 24 Fourthly, The other branch of our Brethrens assertion, concerning godly mens not joining with an Army so con­stitute, it so grosse, that all who condemn withdrawing from exercises of Divine worship, agreeable in the mat­ter of Divine institution, as a sinful separation, will ab­hor it: seeing by their denial of the lawfulnesse of con­currence in a lawful necessary duty, because of the perso­nal sin to fellow-actors in it, they homologate with the tenent and practice of separatism; yea, we believe that they who are most strict in the matter of Ecclesiastick com­munion, will deny that such strictness is requisite in mili­tary conjunction; especially in the case of invasion. And we are the more confirmed in this judgement, that some of the great sticklers in our debates have separate from the communion of this Church, and that (as they professed) upon the very principles whereby they were led with the rest of our dissenting Brethren. Yea, one of our Brethren, now at his rest in the Lord, being desired by them to han­dle the controversie against the Separatists, after he had studied it accurately for a time, did professe ingenuously before his removal, (as is known to some of us, and o­thers who were ear-witnesses) that he found it impossible to maintain the truth against Separatists, retaining their principles upon which they had gone against the Com­mission of the Church.

§. 25 We are not ignorant, that not only against this asserti­on as we have propounded it, but even against the Reso­lution, which was more strict, a great noise is made of objections, from places of Scripture gathered together in heaps. And as to us, this Resolution is charged upon us, as a defection from our former principles, and a violati­on of our Covenant and engagements. As to this last cha­lange, we shall adde nothing to what is said in the obser­vations upon our differences, pag. 34, 35, 36. Neither [Page 22]shall we enter upon a particular examination of these Scri­tures. Only this in the general, most part of them are out of the Old Testament spoken to the people of the Jews then by divine institution, as in their Religion, so in their State, separated from all other people of the World; and relate to entering into voluntary and elective confederacies and associations with other Kingdomes or Nations: Yea, and some of them for active assistance unto the Nations with whom the confederacy was made; and so do not at all touch our case of joint acting in Armes for just and neces­sary defence of Subjects of one Nation, habitually and an­tecedently incorporate and now in common hazard. And for these alleaged from the New Testament, They are such as are alleaged by Separatists for separation from Churches for the the sin of fellow-members, (as that 2 Cor. 6.14, 15. &c.) which yet we believe judicious Separatists themselves will judge to be impertinently applyed to a se­paration in the case now in hand. As for that passage, Deut. 23.9. which was continually in their mouths in this de­bate, it would be confidered that it was spoken in the first instance to people so separate from all Nations, as hath been said: And in so far as it may contain a Moral rule for all ages, it doth not hold out any rule for regulating the constitution of an Army, but onely the conversation and carriage of a people in an Army going forth against an ene­my, that they should then especially keep themselves from sin and provoking God when they are carrying their life in their hand, as the Scripture speaketh. This appeareth from ver. 10.11. where purity is required not only from grosse open, and formally voluntary sin, but also from se­cret sins and the involuntary issues of natural corruption; which we believe fall not under the tryal of men, nor can be followed or looked unto in constituting of Armies.

§. 26 We shall add no more concerning this Resolution, but this one word; However our Brethren charge this upon us as a defection from our former Principles; yet we professe, we never knew any such Principle owned in our Church, so encroaching upon the power of civil Magistrates, and so dan­gerous [Page 23]to all Christian Nations; And we do for our selves disown and disclaim it before the World; humbly obte­sting all Civil Powers and Churches abroad, that they en­tertain no such thoughts that ever such a Principle or Do­ctrine was or is owned by this Church, what ever hath been the judgement or practice of some particular men, as to this matter.

§. 27 As for the other publick resolution of May 24. 1651. con­cerning the rescinding of the Act of Classes, there is so little said against the matter of it, that we need not insist on it. It is true, not only those who were against the former resolution, but others also in the State who were most active in the for­mer, did with great eagerness impede the asking or giving a resolution in this case. But they have their own hearts to examine, whether it was (not dissatisfaction as to the sin­fulness of the matter, but) self interest that drave them so to do. It is true also much is spoken to the complex business and prosecution of this Resolution; but the Church can­not therefore be charged with defection upon the account of the Resolution it self, which was only their deed; for it contains nothing else, but a clearing of the Commission that they claim no right to have hand in, or medling with the making or rescinding of Acts of Parliament: An acknow­ledgement of the power of the civil Magistrate to shorten or lengthen civil punishments, constituted and inflicted by him­self, as he finds just and necessary for the good of the Com­monwealth; And a resoluton in point of conscience (being thereunto required that the State might without sin take off the censures inflicted by themselves in the Act of Classes; with positive and expresse provilion, that they should observe the most strict conditions & qualification in the persons, that had been at any time formerly required, All which are so justifia­ble that we believe no ingenuous and judicious Christian wil carp at them. And therefore our Brethren do but unjustly challenge us on this account. They say, a design was carri­ed on to advance Malignants, and to crush these who had for­merly been opposite to them; and yet no such design can be fastened on the Commissions resolution; yea, before this [Page 24]resolution was given, they interposed for obtaining secu­rity for all that were to be admitted, in that very particular, and did not fail to bear witnesse against some who were ad­mitted by the State, against whom there was just cause of exception. They cry out that many of these who were ad­mitted upon this and the former resolution, were but super­ficial in professing repentance for their former miscarriages, and it was suddenly taken off their hands. But we need not vindicate how injustly this imputation is cast upon many of them who were most opposed by them, whose car­riage hath proved them more stedfast in the cause of God, and lesse seekers of their own interests then those that oppo­sed them. We do only assert, that this cannot be laid to the charge of the Commission, who as they walked justifiably in holding out the rule, so they did receive very few them­selves, but remitted them to the judicatories, charging them to be accurate in the matter, and to proceed according to the order appointed by the general Assemblies. Yea, it was some of our Brethren themselves, who did receive some of the most eminent of those, upon profession of their repen­tance.

§. 28 We proceed now to speak somewhat to the third matter of our publike difference; Which relates to the two last Assemblies of this Church, the one at St. Andrews and Dundie in the year 1651. and the other at Edinburgh the year thereafter. Against the first of which, our Brethren (ap­prehending that it was likely the Commissions resolutions might be approved there) were pleased to protest, and de­clined it as unlawful and evil, as to all authority; as they did also against that which ensued, and ever since will have them to be accounted no general Assemblies of this Church. The evil of this course being so notour, and sensible in the sad consequences thereof, both at home among our selves, and abroad also among all who hear of our differences, and do love that truth and peace which once was amongst us, we shall say but a few things to it, And

§. 29 First, It may be evident to all who are unbyassed, that our Brethren by protesting once and again against the su­preme [Page 25]Church-judicatory (and being ready and waiting on to have done it the third time, had the Assembly 1653. been permitted to fit and constitute themselves) have be­gun and continued a sad rent in this Church, destructive to the very being thereof, if mercy prevent it not. Albeit before this Rent, one of the leading men of that party had declared in a particular case, that protesting against the act of a general Assembly, or of any delegates having their power, deserved summary excommunication by the consti­tutions of this Church; yet they have not spared when it was for their interests, and the times seemed to afford them immunity, to protest against the very being of two Assemblies. Whereas had they contented themselves to have protested against the approving of the Resolutions, or any other acts of these Assemblies, (which might have been a sufficient salve and exoneration to them) we are confident it had been born with, as many such irregular practices and protestations of theirs are laid aside without censure by inferior judicatories. But by their overturn­ing the very being and authority of these Assemblies, They have taught ill-affected men too many criticisms upon all the Assemblies which have been in this Church; They have learned others by their example, to contemn the Au­thority of Church-judicatories, as we find by daily expe­rience; They have laid down a course how themselves (and others, if they please to follow their example) may do what they list, and then decline the Judge who should cognosce upon their carriage; They slight and oppose the resolutions of inferiour Church-judicatories, protesting and appealing to a lawful general Assembly, and yet by their principles they are sure the Church of Scotland shall have none lawful (had they never so many) till they be pleased to approve thereof. And, they have cast themselves upon a snare very sinful and scandalous in a National Church, that by their declinatures, they are engaged not only against what they think sinful in the acts of these As­semblies, but that they cannot join in most lawful things (were it humiliations upon incontroversed causes) which [Page 26]flow from that authority. These are some few of the sad consequences necessarily attending these protestations, which may abundantly evidence, the evil and fin of such a course.

Secondly, The evil of this course may appear further, if we compare their fact, with the Reasons upon which they ground it, no wayes like these Reasons upon which the ge­neral Assembly at Glasgow condemned some former cor­rupt general Assemblies; but for the most part so false and irrelevant, that it is to us strange, they should own them before the world, and publish them in print. They give out there was no access to many to come to that first Assem­bly by reason of the motions of Armies at that time, and yet (beside that this is very extrinsecal to the freedom and lawfulnesse of the Assembly) Commissioners came from pla­ces most infested. They say the Assembly was infrequent, and yet the Roles of that Assembly will evidence it was as frequent as many of the Assemblies which they do not que­stion. They alleage that the Assembly was not free, but over-awed, and yet some of themselves (who went along with that Assembly till the end thereof, though afterward they joined in the protestation) may bear witness, if they will speak truth, that never did Assembly more freely and fully debate and reason upon matters, then this Assembly did upon these Resolutions. They urge in their protesta­tion against the second Assembly, that many Presbtyeries re­fused to send Commissioners to it, and yet they were but some, and that where they had power, for which the As­sembly could not be blamed, and some others who thought fit not to send Commissioners, yet by their Letter to the As­sembly did expresly declare they were not against the Au­thority of the former Assembly, and consequently not a­gainst that. To this may be added that our Brethren them­selves did really evidence their own sense of the weaknesse of their grounds, in that, though all their Reasons were clear before the Assembly at St. Andrews and Duadie was constitute, yet they forbare at first to give in their decli­nature, but with some salvo's did sit and join in the Assem­bly chusing a Moderator, and acting both in the Assembly [Page 27]and Committes, for several dayes, never appearing with their protestation, till the day wherein a considerable part of the forces were defeat, & the assembly were met late atnight to adjourn to Dundie, and then very unseasonably they gave in it. Yea, it further appears from this, that the most part of these who now join in that protestation refused then to go along in it, nor did they after join with them, till the face of affairs were more fully altered.

§. 31 But that we do them no wrong, and may obviate what may seem plausible in their way, to these who are unac­quainted with our affairs, we shall speak a little to two particulars, whereof they make especial use to justifie their protestations. The first is, that many members were ad­mitted in these Assemblies, who were guilty of a course of defection, in the matter of the Resolutions formerly men­tioned, who therefore were incapable to be members. This is the strong argument whereby they study to engage the simple and well-affected to their party, and upon which they spare not in their emissions, to professe the weight of their cause lieth, and do condemn those Assemblies because they approved of these Resolutions. And therefore we an­swer, 1. Albeit the consideration of the persons whom they accuse as chief leaders in this defection, might make them (were they ingenuous) blush to declare them uncapable of such a trust, who for many years, both under Prelates and since, have been eminently honoured of God to be owners of truth and purity, and promoters of piety, when others were not; Yet we trust, what hath been hinted in defence of these Resolutions, and against their Remonstrance, will break this snare, and clear where the defection lyeth. And so these Resolutions being found to have been their duty, the whole Superstructure must fall. 2. These Resolutions (what ever they were) were not as yet, nor could be judi­cially found to be a defection, till the Assembly were consti­tute and cognosced thereupon, and therefore they could not inflict such a censure on so many formerly Ministers and Elders, till their cause was tried, and themselves heard. Only when their proceedings came to be tried, they were [Page 28]to be removed (as our Brethren know is the constant custom) and judged by the Assembly, and if they were found culpa­ble, the Assembly was free to inflict what censure they de­served. And our Brethren know that in the Assembly, 1648. such an exception was not accounted relevant in this Church, to hinder members of a preceding Commission, from sitting as members in the succeeding Assembly, and to voice (except in the matter of their own proceedings to be tried and judged) until an account were taken of their pro­ceedings. And if they should have been removed before, we see not but our Brethren who continued in opposition to them, should also have been removed with them, that the Assembly might have judged of both, though the Assembly did freely allow such as were opposite to the Resolutions, to sit and reason, and voice according to their judgement in these matters, when the Commission was removed. 3. What over may be said of these Resolutions, and the Assemblies approbation thereof, yet it was but one act; and we believe one act (suppose sinful) doth not make void and null, the Authority of a judicatorie to all effects; otherwise all judicatories might easily be overturned. 4. We desire it may be considered, how deep our Brethrens principle will draw. For if these mens being in a course of defection (as is supposed) do render the judicatorie unlawful where they are admitted, and oblige men not to join with them in that judicatorie; Then by parity of reason they must also overturn all inferiour Church-judicatories, whereof they are members; nor must they join in these with them. Nay we see not how their principles will allow them to join with them in any lawful act of Religion and worship, more then in an assembly.

§. 32 The next thing they alleage is, That Presbyteries were prelimited in their due election of Commissioners to the Assembly 1651. by a Letter of the Commission sent to them, appointing such Brethren as after conference remain un­fatisfied with, and continue to oppose the publike resoluti­ons, to be cited to the general Assembly: Answ. 1. This say­eth nothing against the Assembly 1652. where no such pre­limitations [Page 29]were, & yet they protested against it. They alleage prelimitations in it also by the acts of the former Assembly. But their consciences cannot but tell them, that any such acts (to say nothing to the matter of them, relating to the publike resolutions) were so far from being put in executi­on, that they were wholly laid aside, and the Commission of the Assembly at St. Andrews and Dundie, did at a meeting and conference with them, earnestly presse and intreat they would join with them in the ensuing assembly; which they refused to do, upon the account of the Resolutions (even though the subject matter thereof, and so all occa­sion of debate about them, was then extinct) and because that Assembly had a dependence upon the former, they had protested against, and had appointed time and place there­of, albeit legally they could no other way have accesse to keep a new assembly, but by vertue of the former indiction and appointment. 2. We think it strange our brethren should be against all prelimitations in the matter of consti­tuting assemblies, and that taking such course as the Com­mission then took, about emergent scandals, or errors, should render an assembly null and unlawful. We may say it, in our conserences with our brethren we have found them averse from joining in an assembly with us, without both prelimitations and pre-ingagements. And it is not un­known in this Church, that such courses as that of the Com­mission have bene followed, without any reflexion upon the freedom of assemblies. And to passe other instances which may be, and are elsewhere produced, we shall pitch on that parallel of the Commission 1648. Wherein some of our bre­thren had the chief hand, In which by expresse acts, The Com­mission earnestly recommends to Presbyteries, to take special notice and trial of every Brothers carriage in the publike business; That if any be found that do not declare themselves against the present malignant course, nor come with their brethren in the com­mon resolutions against it, nor give publike information to the people, that they be referred to the next general assembly; And if any of them have already declared for it, that they be presently censured. Here we will not only find a parallel to that done by the Commission 1651. but somewhat that went be­yond [Page 30]them: Here, such as were silent or joined not with their brethren, nor informed the people, were referred to the general assembly. The commission 51. did not meddle at all with such, nay, nor with their continued dissatisfacti­on after conference, if they did not actively oppose, and by their preaching and other actings, obstruct the execution of the Resolutions for defence of the Nation. Here, such as declared themselves, were to be presently censured by Pres­byteries; but the Commission 51. did only appoint op­posers after reference to be cited to the general Assembly, that they might be accountable for their carriage, as the Commission was for their proceedings, and that they might prosecute (if they had any thing to say) these libels they had emitted, against the judicatories and their proceedings. From which it is clear, that the Commission used more tendernesse in that case, then was usual and approven for­merly in this Church. If our brethren (as they do) re­curre to this, that the proceedings of the Commission 1648. were right upon the matter as these in the 51. were not, and so the cases are different: We hope what hath been said of these resolutions, will refute that imputation and clear there is a parity still. And however, we believe that matters of formality in constituting judicatories must be still the same in all matters, and what ever may be concluded from the matter, as to one act of the judicatorie, yet it cannot be simply null, if it proceed in form but according to former approven practices. 3. It would be impartially considered what effect that Letter had as to prelimit the assembly in the election of its members, wherein we hope the nulli­ty of the allegeance will sufficiently appear. For 1. It is known that Letter was sent but to a very few Presbyteries, & these (most of them) after their elections were past. 2. It needed not to be sent to many for that end they mention (viz. to prelimit them in their elections) for many Presby­teries had none at all of their judgement among them, and o­thers very few, and however they have emitted to the world an account of some in most of Presbyteries of their judgment, yet when they reckon again, they will find they have wrong­ed [Page 31]some, whom they name as theirs, and yet to this day they continue opposite to their course, and that they could not make such an account then of many, as they may do now; since divers taking advantage of the times, and seeking their own interests, have fallen to them. 3. Whatever they say of the Commissions deed, or their active prelimita­tions thereby; yet if they shall assert there was any passive prelimitation, either of Presbyteries in electing, or the Assemblies admitting of such to be members (in which case only it can plead the nullity of the Assembly) we may bold­ly declare that they speak against clear truth; for nowith­standing that letter, the most part of the most active oppo­sers were chosen by Presbyteries, and admitted and acted in that assembly, till it pleased themselves to protest and leave it. Yea, further, to assert this passive prelimitation of Presby­teries, will strike not only against the Commission, but against all the Presbyteries of the Land, as unfaithfull and betrayers of their trust, which were too heavy a charge against a Na­tionall Church. The truth is, the carriage both of the Com­mission, Presbyteries, and Generall Assemblie doth make it clear, there was no prelimitation intended, nor practised in electing members to, nor admitting them to sit in the Gene­rall Assembly; for they not onely might, but were actually chosen and admitted in it. Only (as is said) the Commission thought it fit they should be cited thither, and that however they might act and vote in other things, yet the Commission and they should be tried together in that debate, which we believe any unbyassed Christian will judge to have been their duty, and very far from prelimiting of the Assembly, and an irrelevant ground, on which they should have made a rent, and such an inlet of confusion upon this Church, as hath followed thereupon.

§. 33 Having so briefly as might consist with perspicuity, laid open the true State of the controversie betwixt our Brethren and us, and the progresse of our publique differences, till it came to a stated rupture by their Protestations; we shall now (in pursuance of the second head propounded) give a brief account of some consequences and practices that have [Page 32]followed upon this rupture. It may be, and is the matter of our sad lamentation before the Lord, and we might pour out abundance of complaints in the bosomes of sympathysing Christians, who ever were sensible of the mercy of a Chur­ches enjoying the sweet of harmony, that by these divisions sad prejudices have redounded to the Kingdom of Christ among us, that the work of the Gospel is exceedingly retar­ded thereby, Atheism and irreligion increased, true Religion and godliness exposed to hatred and reproach, because of the carriage and way of many who professed it, the authority of Church-judicatories enervate and rendred contempti­ble; their meetings, which some times were a reviving now turned into occasions of grief to the lovers and friends of Church-Government and order; yea, and the work of pur­ging (which our Brethren do so much call for) exceedingly retarded and obstructed. But leaving these before the Lord, who alone can apply an effectual remedy thereunto; we hold it our duty to give an account of some of our Brethrens irregular practices following upon their renting from the Judicatories; whereby (as by the effects) it may appear what their spirit and way in these differences is, and it may be discerned what accession they have to these sad distempers formerly mentioned.

§. 34 Their first course taken for carrying on their design, and strengthning their faction, and which they set on foot short­ly after their first protestation, was, the convening of great numbers of Ministers, Elders, Professours and Expectants from all parts of the Land in extrajudicial meetings Wherein after confession of sins and prayer, performed indifferently by Ministers, Elders, or others in these great meetings, they did and do proceed to determination of particulars, tending to the strengthening of their cause, and engaging of others in it, and do give equall power to all present in voicing and deter­mining in these matters of most publique concernment. The Lord knoweth that we do from our hearts approve of the duties of private mutual edification, as they are enjoined in the word, and are recommended and bounded by the acts of our general Assemblies, with the conseat, and to the good [Page 33]liking then of all our Brethren; and we do account it not sutable to the nature of these duties to make a noise of pro­fessing our own practise thereof accordingly. But we do not see that our Brethrens way in these is at all agreeable to the Rule, nor consistent with the peace of any constitute Na­tional Church. And particularly we cannot but resent in their way, 1. That they should make use of these religious ex­ercises, as a subservient mean for carrying on these courses, which we hope by what is said will appear to be most un­lawful in themselves. 2. That by giving out themselves in these meetings as the generality of the godly throughout the Land, or delegates in a sort from them; they do cast an imputation upon the bulk of the National Church beside, who are against their way, and do not joyn with them in these courses, as not only wrong in that matter, but as not god­ly, some very few excepted. Which as we know to be a most false imputation; (not many of these, of any rank, who owned the cause from the beginning, going along with them:) So it is an evidence of a strange divisive and separa­ting spirit in our Brethren. 3. That they should take upon them in these meetings to determine upon matters of greatest importance already determined both in State and Church, (as the first time these conclusions agreed upon by both, mentioned in the matter of the Remonstrance, were expresly condemned, was in their first meeting of this sort) for not only doth it reflect upon the established judicatories, as not worthy to be trusted in these things: but neither have they any power of themselves to determine in these things, nor have the generality of the godly whom they pretend to represent, power to authorize them for that effect, unlesse they will joyn issue with fifth Monarchy-men, in their opi­nions concerning the power of Saints. 4. That by their determinations in those meetings, so contrary to truth, and the received principles of this Church, and the results and pra­ctices that flow from them, and all under the name of the generality of the godly; they expose piety to hatred and contempt amongst us; while as men see pretenders thereunto so absurd and irregular in their opinions and practices. By [Page 34]this means (we may say it with regrate) impiety and irreli­gion have spread more within these few years, than of a long time formerly.

§. 35 Their next course for carrying on their work, was the erecting of the pretended Commission from the generall Assembly, 1650. as still in force, because of the pre [...]ended nullity of the Assemblies that have succeeded thereunto. The setting up of this Commission was one of the results of their first extrajudicial meeting, in October, or November, 1651. At which time, what they had agreed upon in their meeting, concerning the causes of wrath, and the overtur­ning of the setled resolutions of State and Church, was published as the deed of that Commission, hereby supposing to add authority thereunto; but in effect branding this Church as infamous; while as they who pretend to have supreme power therein for present, and give out themselves to be the only men who have adhered to the principles of the Church of Scotland, do make null and void all the publike Transactions concluded in the view of the world, do maintain such inconsistent principles, and do retract and condemn these things, which were held out as the constant tenour of the Churches conclusions and declarations.

§. 36 As this was the first Act of that pretended Commission; so they have since from time to time, adjourned and voted the continuance of that power as still in force to this day. And albeit (for any thing we know) they have no authentick Copie of their Commission, whereby they might know their power, what is intrusted to them, and the number which makes a Quorum; yea, albeit not only that Commission was legally expired at the day of the meeting of the next Assembly, which convened in the year 1651. But albeit the generality of the Members thereof did give up their Commission and proceedings to be tried in that Assembly, and were accordingly approved, and a new Commission given (as was also done at the Assembly thereafter, 1652.) yet our Brethren being but a small number of the members of that Commission, upon a pretence of the nullity of these Assemblies, did judge upon the validity of their own pro­testations [Page 35]against them, and set themselves down as a Com­mission, which (for any thing we know) may be a perpetual court; seeing they alledge the continuance of their power till the next free and lawful general Assembly, and none such can be had so long as they please to protest against it, even albeit the Presbyteries and generality of the National Church should own it, as they did at both these contraverted Assem­blies. We know not what can be, if this be not an usurpa­tion upon the liberties of the Church; when some of these who are intrusted with a deligate power till the next Assem­bly, do make themselves perpetual Prelates, and usurp a ne­gative voice over the Presbyteries, and their Commissioners met in a general Assembly; yea, and over the major part of these intrusted with them; and so do cast all who ought to call them to an account, that they may still continue in power.

§. 37 A third course taken by our Brethren to make and keep a party and faction, is their way of celebrating Communions, and observing of publique Fasts: Albeit the general Assem­bly in the year 1645. did establish an Order for uniformity and preventing of confusion in the celebration of that Sacra­ment, wherewith this whole Church then rested well satis­fied; Yet since our divisions, our dissenting Brethren have taken up a new and irregular way. To omit their way of ad­mitting persons who come from other Congregations, they do not now usually celebrate that Ordinance, but they have a great many (six or seaven, and sometime double, or more) of Ministers gathered to it, whose Congregations (most part) are left destitute of Preaching that day; great con­fluences from all the Country, and many Congregations about are gathered at them, and on every day of their meeting (which are Saturday, the Lords day, and Munday) many of these Ministers do Preach successively one after another, so that three or four and sometime more, do preach at their preparation, and as many on the Munday following; and on the Lords day, sometime three or four do Preach before they go to the action; besides, these who Preach to the mul­titudes of People that cannot be contained in the Church. [Page 36]These practices, as they are a clear violation of the Order unanimously established in this Church, and do occasion great animosities and alienations in simple People, a­gainst those Ministers who will not imitate these irregular courses; so uninteressed observers, do perceive a clear design in all this, to set up themselves, as the only pious and zea­lous people, worthy to be trusted and followed in our pub­lique differences. Which if it be not an injury to that sacred Ordinance, and an improving thereof (which is a bond of unity and communion) to be a wedge to drive on and fixe a rent, let the judicious and sober judge.

§. 38 The like may be said of their publique Fasts appointed by themselves, and for causes which they emit without the concurrence of the judicatories. We shall not insist to clear how untrue many of their causes are upon the matter, (as determining in our publique differences contrary to the judgement of this Church) nor to assert their want of au­thority to appoint Fasts and determine the causes thereof, except upon causes proper to the Congregation where the Fast is observed; especially upon such causes as are other­wise determined by the Church judicatories. But two things we cannot passe in this matter. 1. That a studied schisme and Rent is carried on by these Fasts; as will appear partly, if we consider the timeing of them so, as may make the division betwixt them and their Brethren conspicuous in these things. Since our divisions, the judicatories of the Church have been tender of a visible rupture in the matter of publique Fasting; and therefore when our Brethren would not concur with them in that duty, they forbare to observe week days for that effect (as was their custome for­merly, and they would gladly yet be at it, as they do con­tinue it where the division is not) that so all the people might be about religious worship, on days appointed for Fasting, though our Brethren would not joyn in it; but our Brethren not regarding this, do observe them on week days, wherein the scandalous rupture appears, in that they are about that exercise, while their neighbouring Congre­gations, (yea and sometime many in that same Congrega­tion, [Page 37]dissatisfied with their way, are at work. And partly if we confider their way in these Fasts, even such as they observe in their Communions; for they conveen many Ministers, and multitudes of people from all corners about to that work. 2. We are not a little confirmed in our ap­prehension of a design in this, that our brethren do refuse to joyn in humiliations and fasts with us, and that upon most uncontraverted causes, such as our calamities, divisions, and contempt of the Gospel, &c. Sometime they refused to joyn in them, because they flowed from the authority of the Assem­blies which they cannot own; which we do look upon as a visible and woful fruit of the needles Rent they have made, by overturning these judicatories, as null in their authority to all effects; and sometime when the fast is appointed by un­questioned authority of Synods and Presbyteries, they have refused to joyn, because they alleadged the causes were defe­ctive, that is (according to our brethren) because the Re­solutions of the Church, and the owning the authority of these Assemblies, were not brought in also as causes of fasting. We hope the judicious and godly will perceive this not only to be unjust upon the matter, and an injurious reflecting upon their brethren, who require no such thing of them in reference to their real declinings; but also to be a very divisive principle, that men will not joyn in causes of fasting, because that every cause (suppose true) is not held out in them; and that they will not concur in lawful duties, on lawful causes, because these with whom they joyn will not come up to their judgement in all other things.

§. 39 In the fourth place we shall give some account of our bre­threns other irregular practices in the matter of Church-Government and discipline, whereby they haue exceedingly disturbed the peace of this Church, and promoted their own designs. We need not relate what alterations are in meetings of Church-judicatories, occasioned by their contradicting and opposing whatsoever is not subservient to their design, or concluded contrary to their minde; and what bitter and unjust reflexions and reproaches, the judicatories meet with from them in their [...] in word and writing, which [Page 38]they pack up. We shall only point at some particulars of their actings, And

§. 40 1. Since this division in our Church, some Brethren within the bounds of a Presbyterie have erected themselves as the only Presbyterie of that bounds, and for no intreaty of the Synod to which that Presbyterie is subordinate, will they be perswaded to unite with the rest of their bre­thren within that bounds, for carrying on the common affairs of the Presbyterie; but go on to this day to plant Congregations as they please. And by their continual pro­testations against the Synod, and counter-actings to their determinations, do frustrate all the Synods endeavours for rectifying any abuse.

§. 41 2. It is a thing most ordinary with our brethren, to ob­trude Ministers upon congregations, sometime contrary to the mind of the whole congregation, sometime of the greater part thereof, upon the call only of some very few and inconsiderable part of that congregation, whom they are pleased to call the godly in the congregation: yea, sometime Ministers of other Presbyteries do usurp power to put in a Minister, not only against the hearts of the con­gregation, but of the whole Presbyterie to which that Congregation is subordinate. And they do not only thrust in Ministers thus in a forcible and violent way, but they do it where the congregation is already orderly planted with an able and godly intrant.

§. 42 3. These irregularities not sufficing to strengthen their faction, some of them went a further length, and pro­cured an order concerning the maintenance of Intrants to the Ministry, to be allowed by Commissioners appointed for that effect. Wherein, Scotland being divided into five Provinces, no Intrant was to have any stipend allowed him, without a Certificate from (at least) four of Ministers and others named for the respective Provinces where the Minister was to be planted. And however some few were named as Certifiers who differed from them in judgement; yet they conveyed the matter so, as in no one Province there were a competent number of them to give Testimony [Page 39]to any Intrant, though they had been free to act in a course so destructive to the order and government of this Church; yea, in one of the Provinces (and that the largest) there were so many named, as were a competent number of these who had separate from the communion of this Church; from whom little favour could be expected to men cordial­ly adhering to the Presbyterial Government, and the pro­curers of that order testified small affection thereunto, by endeavouring to put that trust in the hands of such.

§. 43 4. Our brethren do strike at the very being of Presbyte­rial government, and make every person or inferior judi­catorie his or their own Supreme Judge, while as they de­ny the subjection and subordination of persons to judica­tories, and of inferiour judicatories to superiour, in the matters of government and discipline. But when a man is questioned for an uncontroverted fault, if he please to appeal to a free general Assembly (which we know not if ever we may have in their judgement, had we never so many) he looks upon that not only as a legal defence gi­ving him liberty to bring his businesse to an hearing again, before the Judge-competent, but as a sufficient warrant to go on in his course. Likewise if any conclusion of an in­feriour judicatorie, be brought by appeal before a superior Court, and if their proceedings be judged irregular and unjust, they do presently appeal, and upon that, go on to counter-act against any such determinations. This practice, in matters of discipline and government was ne­ver heard of in this Church, nor we believe in any Church where the Officers and constitution thereof were acknow­ledged to be agreeable to the Word of God. But whate­ver the Superior judicatory might do as they would be answerable, notwithstanding an appeale; yet the ap­pealler and inferiour did alwayes submit and sist their pro­ceedings, till their cause was heard and tried. Otherwise, it were in vain to think of a remedy by a superiour judica­tory, especially, when our Brethren have learned a way to cast all Supreme Assemblies, till they be sure they be of their mind.

[Page 40] §. 44 5. What ever our Brethren speak of purging, yet they shew themselves very irregular and partial in that work. Al­beit we have been most tender of them, and since the Assem­bly at St. Andrews and Dundie have never censured any upon the account of the publike differences; yet when informa­tion is given in against any of them as scandalous and insuf­ficient, they decline all trial of the matter, and sometime for that end, decline the judicatories as corrupt. But their proceeding against any of our judgement, where they have power, is most disorderly: For they cast out men at their pleasure (and none but such as otherwise differ from them in publike matters) having nothing real or relevant against them; some of them being men, who when they joined with them for a time, were good enough in their account. And when those who are censured have recourse to superiour judicatories for redress; our brethren by their protestations & appeals do keep their cause from being heard, and by their counter-actings (yea, sometime by tumultuary wayes of some of their followers, abusing these whom they unjustly censured, and affronting Ministers who execute the Synods acts in their favours) do leave poor men under oppression, without any possibility of a remedy in an orderly way.

§. 45 Fifthly, (to add no more) Our Brethren have studied to carry on their design by reproaches and calumnies spread of those who are opposite unto them: They have published to the world in print, that this National Church is guilty of a defection from the Covenant and cause of God, many emi­nent servants of Jesus Christ are branded as authors and ring-leaders in that defection; godly men are said to be bla­sted, deserted, and back-sliden; The generality of the Mi­nistry are cried out upon as corrupt; we are traduced as op­posite to the purging out of scandalous and insufficient Mi­nisters, yea, the judicatories are accounted unworthy of that trust, in that they must have extrajudicial Committees appointed for that effect. To all which (omitting what hath been already spoken, to the matter of our controversies, and what may be after hinted at) we only say. 1. As some of these aspersions are (we hope) wiped off, by our clearing [Page 41]of the falshood of the grounds upon which they are laid to our charge; so the rest of them not being the cause of their first rent, cannot warrant them to continue in it, And of all of them we may say, that we hope no judicious Christian will like their cause the better, that they are so oft put to make use of personal reflexions and calumnies to defend it. 2. What ever be the clamours they raise of the general corruption of the Ministry, yet they have been oft put to it, and solemnly ob­tested to condescend upon particular persons and their scan­dals, that they might be tried; yet for most part they have alwaies declined it, which is a cleer evidence of a design in it, to keep themselves in the general. 3. We have ofttimes told our Brethren, that their continuing in their way, doth obstruct the work of purging, and rendereth the Authority of Church judicatories contemptible; and we have assured them that if they will unite with us, we doubt not (through the blessing of God) to purge the Church sufficiently in as exact a way as can be desired according to justice. 4. Albeit our brethren neither do purge, nor will suffer us to try any of their judgement, yet we are not wanting in that work to our power, but have ex­actly tried persons upon informations given in against them by our brethren, though ofttimes the reality or relevancy of their informations are not made to appear when put to trial; others also we have in several places under processe, and divers have been purged out in several parts of the Land.

§. 46 Having laid open some of the sinistrous courses followed by our brethren for carrying on their design, and of the conse­quences of this Rupture, We hold our selves obliged (in prosecution of the third head propounded) to give an account what have been our endeavours to prevent or heal this wofull Rupture: We need not here expresse what hath been the affliction of our spirits before the Lord because of our condi­tion, and our desires to him for curing thereof, nor what pains we have taken to lay before our brethren the evil of a schism, and how irrelevant their grounds were (suppose true) to bottome such courses upon. Nor shall we arrogate to our selves (in opposition to our brethren) that we could not, as Christians, look upon the wounds of our Mother, but with bleeding hearts; and would account our selves most unworthy [Page 42]of our trusts, if any private interest of our own should hinder an union; or if we should not stretch our selves to the utmost, (keeping truth and a good conscience) to have our breaches made up. But this we may say as rational men, we were the greatest of fools, if we did not thirst and long after union upon right terms, considering that all we meet within our opposition to their courses, is reproaches, and many sad disad­vantages our Brethren carrying on most of all their designs and courses; and our endeavours to prevent or remedy them, being all ineffectual and to no purpose, but the exoneration of our own consciences.

§. 47 That the sincerity of our desires, and our reall endeavours for obtaining union may appear, we shall only point at three particulars.

First, Albeit we continued in our dissatisfaction with their principles and ways, and wanted not competent Church-power generally throughout the Land, to have reached them with censures, and did meet with greatest provocations from them dayly; yet (as we have said) since the Assembly 1651. we have never censured one to this day upon the account of the publique differences. Nay, we hope it will appear to these who have observed us and them, that we have forborn to ren­der them evill for evill, or railing for railing.

§. 48 Secondly, As we have forborn to give any irritation which might alienate our Brethren, and make them more averse from peace; so our inclinations to accommodation with them were not at all extorted from us by reason of any disadvantages and prejudices we sustaind through our brethrens irregularities and their successe in them. But all along from the beginning, out of our respect to the peace of our Mother-Church, and affection to our brethren, we were most tender and careful in studying to prevent a rupture, and in studying to bind up our breach when they had needlesly made it. We have already declared what the Commissions tendernesse was in the matter of the Remonstrance, the first subject of our differences. Our brethren know what pains was taken in conferences, before the Assembly at Dundee to give them satis­faction in the matter of the Resolutions, and how it was desi­red, that if they could not be satisfied, yet they would but [Page 43]forbear to oppose, and actively to obstruct the execution there­of; but all to no purpose: It is also known how unseasonably and abruptly they gave in their first protestation and declina­tour; and thereafter immediately did not only desert the Assembly, but left the place of their meeting, retiring to their own homes: So that the Assembly could have no opportunity to confer with them, that they might fall upon amicable ways, to take them off that divisive course. Shortly after that Assembly, when the condition of assairs was so altered, as they needed apprehend no prejudice, had the judicatories been never so violent, some of us did deal with some of them, that they would forbear to prosecute their protestations, by counter-act­ings, or following any irregular course, but would let the matter lie for a time, if so be spirits of men might now be calmed, and there might be a healing of that rupture. But instead of hearkning thereunto, they proceeded immediately to convene in their extrajudicial meetings, to erect their pretended Com­mission, and to publish such things to the world, and fall upon such irregular actings as did widen the breach, and afford us too just ground of fear, that nothing would satisfie them un­lesse they had all their will; and were invested with chief power to manage all Church matters and govern the whole Church. Thereafter in May 1652. at a meeting of correspon­dents from Synods, it was desired that they would joyn in the Assembly shortly after ensuing, seeing the Assembly only could apply a sit and effectual remedy for curing of that breach. But they did not only refuse to hearken to this desire, but scat­tered their papers throughout the Land (some whereof are since published in Print) perswading not only those who had pro­tested against the former Assembly, but all who were not satis­fied with the publique Resolutions, not to joyn in electing or being elected Commissioners to this Assembly: a desire (beside the iniquity thereof upon the matter) most divisive & destructive to Church unity, and contrary to the Apostles rule, of keeping unity in a bond of peace, where there may be differences in judgement about some particulars; as we are perswaded learned and rational men will perceive and judge: And albeit they did refuse to joyn with us, yet that Assembly being con­stitute (and notwithstanding they did protest against the same, [Page 44]behaving themselves so in that matter, as we have no pleasure to repeat) did not cast off thoughts of peace, but made an Over­ture to them for peace, wherein all they required was (not re­tracting of their judgements, nor an acknowledgement of the offence they had given by their practices, which yet had for­merly been required of men who had not done so great disser­vice to the Church, but) only that they would for peace sake, passe from their protestations and declinatures which had made such a breach upon Church-Government, and led so bad a preparative for any who should please to trace their steps, (as a combined party of some Ministers formerly desposed did in part at that same Assembly) and that they would forbear to keep up debates upon the matters of our publique differences as those for the Assembly were also content to do. But our bre­thren did not so much as once hearken to this Overture, but ut­terly rejected it as hoping tospeed better another way in their designs, as indeed they did, some particulars whereof are touched formerly.

§. 49 Thirdly, Though our Brethren after that time put us out of all hopes of peace, and by their irregular actings and in­deavours to subvert the Government of this Church for some years, and by divers means and ways did give unto us matter of sad mourning before the Lord, and serious apprehensions of the result of their practices and ways: Yet as union was still in our heart and desires to God both in publique and private, so we continued in our moderate way of bearing their injurious reproaches, and forbearing to irritate them by any censures; though sometime the judicatories were necessitate for their own exoneration, nakedly to answer their reproaches, and declare their dissatisfaction and non-approbation of their irregulari­ties. And when we were hopelesse of curing our publique differences, at least till we had a general Assembly; yet conside­ring the many disorders following upon these differences, we did at meeting in June 1655. propound some Overtures to our brethren, for preventing the total subversion of Church-Go­vernment by these disorders, till an Assembly might meet, which were rejected by them. Thereafter when they did pro­fesse a desire of union (which how and upon what account it came on foot among them, themselves best know) and accor­dingly [Page 45]there was a meeting and conference for that effect, in November 1655. We gladly laid hold of the opportunity, and laying aside all prejudices, did stretch our selves to the utmost (keeping truth and a good conscience) to gain them if possible, to an union in the judicatories of the Church. The Papers which passed at that conference are in the hands of divers, and will speak for themselves, and (we are confident) will plead for us in this matter in the judgement of discerning and un­byassed men. The particulars of our condescentions are too large to be here related. Only let this suffice in brief; In or­der to peace and union, it was offered, that (whatever was our own judgement of the censures inflicted upon any by the assem­blie at St. Andrews and Dundee, yet) we were content that all these censures should be taken off, and that in such a way as might neither reflect upon the Assembly, nor our Brethren, or us; That any Acts ordaining censures because of these matters should be sisted till an Assembly, wherein we should endea­vour the abrogation of them; that in our after-joynt-actings, we should abstract from all reflexion upon by-past differences; that as to the matter of the Resolutions, and the two controver­ted Assemblies; however we could not in our consciences con­demn, nor be consenting to the annulling thereof, yet we did not urge them to renounce their own judgement in either of these; nor that they should passe from their Protestations as a standing Testimony of their judgements (whatever we judged they ought to do) but were content that these Resolutions and Acts and declarations concerning the same should never be urged against them as the definitive judgement of this Church to any effect; that the authority of these Assemblies should not be urged against them; that (however we doubted not of the lawfull constitution thereof, yet) ensuing Assemblies should be constitute according to the constitution of general Assemblies preceding our differences; and that we would not bind them up, if they pleased, from propounding reasons to any ensuing Assembly against the publique resolutions, though we judge they would never be able to bring any suffi­cient reason against them: Only we desired they would not urge us to renounce our judgements in condemning these Re­solutions, and declaring null the authority of these Assem­blies; [Page 46]and that they would declare that they should not at any time hereafter make use of these protestations in any judicatory to call in question and annull the constitution and authority of these Assemblies, so long as the authority thereof was not urged against them; which if they did not grant, we could not but foresee the ruine of the Government of the Church; We did also (beside other particulars) offer unto them, that not only should Synods take their determinations into a se­cond consideration, concerning the irregular plantations of Churches by our brethren, but should follow amicable ways of arbitration by judicious brethren of both judgements ante­cedently to the Synods recognition. As also that we should concur with them in all effectual and orderly ways for purging out any insussicient or scandalous Ministers.

§. 50 We hold it not necessary to discourse upon these our conde­scensions, seeing we hope it will appear, we did stand upon nothing which might consist with the safety of Presbyterial Government, and with the simple not condemning of our own judgements in the matters of our publique differences, which (with more also) we did allow to our brethren. Nor shall we dive into the reasons which moved them to decline union upon so reasonable terms, or whether some among them were but too active to keep off others who were moderate: We might also clear how little they (or at least some of them) minded union all along, in that not only in the very time of the conference, they voiced and agreed upon the continuance of their pretended Commission, 1650. and did resolve and conclude to Petition the Council here, that power might be granted them to purge the Church; but in that all they see­med to concede, was qualified with this ambiguous Preface, Of reserving the liberty of their judgement and practice in matters controverted as may consist with Truth and Peace; upon which they would never give a clear Commentary though desired thereunto. But leaving these, we shall briefly declare what the particulars were upon which the union chiefly stuck.

§. 51 1. Our Brethren would not condescend to any union, unless the Acts concerning the publike Resolutions, were rendered of no effect, so far as they do import or may be alleadged as the difinitive judgement of this Church concerning the matters [Page 47]contained therein: Which, however they glosse the matter in conference, was in effect, that we should condemn these Reso­lutions in our judgements, and should annul the authority of the Assembly which had determined them as the difinitive judgement of the Church. This is no conjecture of our own, but clearly held out in their last Paper at that conference, wherein they complain of our not granting of this, as suppo­sing and inferring not onely the constitution and authority of these Assemblies, but also (in shew and appearance) the justice and equity of these Resolutions. Whence any man may ga­ther, that to grant their desire was not at all to suppose any Authority of these Assemblies, but not to leave the least shew of the justice and equity of these Resolutions. Which if it was to seek peace and union, and not rather that we should be­tray and yield up our judgements and the truth (as we believe) let any judge.

§. 52 2. They would not unite, unlesse an extrajudicial Com­mittee of equal members of both judgements were set up to manage the chief matters occuring in our Church; Which unto us was a casting of the Government in a new Model, wholly overturning it, and enervating the Authority of Pres­byteries and Synods, and allowing to our Brethren at least a negative voice in all matters. This we could not but look upon as a way of Government not warranted by the Word, and more tyrannical than the yoke of Prelacy. And though the whole number had been offered, to be men of our judge­ment, yet we could never hearken to a Proposition so destru­ctive to the Government of the Church.

§. 53 3. They declined also to engage themselves to that sub­mission to the Government, and to observe that subordina­tion of persons and judicatories in matters of Discipline, which we were willing should be mutual. And albeit we re­quired nothing but what is essential to Presbyterial Govern­ment, and that which the Assembly, 1647. in the Act con­cerning the CXI. Propositions, in the 7th head of Doctrine therein contained, doth approve; And albeit their former actings had given us just cause to require the same might be secured for the future; yet they did wholly decline it; which was in effect to make all union void; for had we agreed in [Page 48]all things beside, yet when they pleased, they might have stept out again at that door, and made the breach worse.

§. 54 We have thus briefly declared our mind in these matters of our differences, and given a true account of the consequences thereof, and of our carriage thereupon; Not (the Lord know­eth) to render the persons of our Brethren odious, nor to be an impediment to Union; but onely for our own vindica­tion, and to prevent any prejudice to the cause of God and Government of this Church, through our silence, now when they are so active in prosecuting some designes prejudicial thereunto. As we have no greater ambition in the World, then to have this Church united in the judicatories thereof, in its former harmony and unity; and as we drive no parti­cular interest, nor desire any thing but what tends to the com­mon good of this whole Church, our Brethrens as well as ours; So our hearts and armes are yet open and ready to em­brace them upon safe terms, Providing they will not seek any thing irregular, and destructive to, or our of the channel of the Government. We are perswaded in our consciences that the discipline and government of this Church is agreeable to the Word, And we in this Nation are obliged by the Oath of God to the maintenance thereof, and to continue therein all the daies of our life: And therefore we cannot recede from it in the least, but are resolved in the Lords strength to adhere thereunto. And as our Brethren are engaged with us in this Bond (which makes their course the more sad, and grievous unto us;) So we cannot but expect to be encouraged, and countenanced in this Resolution by the People of God in the two neighbouring Nations, who are bound by the same Oath of God to maintain the Discipline and Government, establi­shed in this Church. But if our Brethren will still persist in their irregular designes, and if it please the Lord (for the fur­ther exercise of this poor Church) to permit them to proceed in them, and to overturn yet more the Government they are bound to maintain; We must leave the matter upon the Lord, and wait on him, contenting our selves that we have delivered our souls, and are not accessary nor consenting unto any such destructive innovations.