Perth Assembly, Part 1
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSEMBLIE HOLden at PERTH in August, Anno Dom. 1618.
TVesday the 25 of August, 1618, the first day of the Assemblie. The generall Assemblie was indicted by his Majestie to be holden at Perth the 25. day of August 1618. Intimation was made twentie dayes before by open proclamation with sound of trumpet. For obedience to the proclamation and his Majesties particular missiues, the persons following conveined at the said Burgh the appointed day: his Majesties Commissioners my Lord Binning Secretary. Lord Skoone. Lord Carnegie. Their Assessours Sir Gideon Murray Treasurer Deputy, Sir Andrew Ker of Pharnihirst, Captaine of the guard. Sir William Olphant the kings Advocate, and Sir Wil. Livingstoun of Kilsyth. Noble men, the Earls of Louthiane, Lord Ochiltrie, Lord Sanquhar, Lord Boyde. Barons: Waughtoun, Lutquharne, Glen-vrquhart younger, Clunie-Gordoun, Boningtoun-woode, Weymis, Balvaird, Bilcolmie, Balcarras, Balmanno, Bombie, Blackbarronie, Lagg. Burgesses: for Edinburgh David Akinheid George Fowlis. For Perth Iames Aedie, Constant Malice. For Dundie; Mr. Alexander Wedderburne younger, Robert Clay-hils: for Aberdine, Mr. Iohn Mortimer. For Sterling, Christopher Alexander: for S. Androes, Iohn Knox, Thomas Lentroun: for the Vniversity of S. Androes, Doctor Bruce. Bishops, all except Argyle and the Iles. Ministers, Commissioners from presbyteries.
According to the ordinance, and laudable custome of this Church anent the sanctification of her meetings by fasting and prayer, intimation was made vponupon the Sabboth preceding in the Church of Perth of a fast to be observed the first day of the assemblie: but the fast was little regarded, sauing that two sermons were made. The first was made in the morning by Patrik Bishop of Aberdine. His text. Ezra. 7.23. he observed and enlarged this ground, that nothing should be done or determined in the Church by any superiour power whatsoeuer, but that which is according to the commandement of the almightie King. The other sermon was made at the tenth houre by Iohn Archbishop of Saint Andrews in the lytle Church. His text. 1. Cor. 11.16. was very pertinent, but he ranne quicklie from it. He discoursed the space of two houres first in defence of ceremonies in generall. Next, of the fiue articles in particular. His best arguments for proofe or improbation was some testimonies cited out of Calvin, Martyr, Beza but perverted. The said Arch Bishop in his discourse, made ample protestation that he vnderstood not of the intended novations before they came of his Majestie. Item, that his Majesty would hauehave had these fiue Articles registred as Canons in the booke of the generall Assemblie, without either reasoning or voting: but by his meanes his Majestie was put of, till the consent of the Church should be obtayned. This his protestation he confirmed with a dreadfull execration, that the curse of God might light on him, and his, if he had not spoken truely. Immediately after the said discourse; was holden the first Session of this assemblie in maner following.
There was set in the litle Church a long table, and at the head thereof a short crosse table. At the crosse table were set chaires for his Maiesties Commissioners and the Moderator. At the syde of the long table were set forms for Noblemen, Barons, Burgesses, Bishops and Doctors. The Ministers were left to stand behind them, as if their place and parte had been onelyonly to behold.
The Arch-bishop placed himself at the head of the table in the Moderators chaire beside his Majesties Commissioners. After prayer he notified to the assemblie, that Maister Thomas Nicolson ordinary Clark had dimitted his office in favour of Maister Iames Sandelands Aduocate. He commended the said Maister Iames, as a man qualified for that office, and readie to further the brethren in their particular affaires: And so without formall voting or lyte he tooke him sworne and admitted him Clerk. The Brethren were ordained to giuegive in their commissions to him after the rising of this session.
After that, Doctor Young, Deane of Winchester, by birth a Scotishman presented his Majesties letter, directed to the Lords of the privie Counsell, and the Bishops. This letter was twise read in open audience. Terrours were mixed with allurements to mooue the assemblie. After the reading of his Majesties letter the Archbishop had a speach, wherein he protested, that neither he nor the Church of England had craued these nouations, nor geuen counsel thereanent, and that it was against his will, that euer they were motioned. Yet now he is perswaded, that his Majestie would be more glad of the consent of this assemblie therevnto, then of all the gold of India: assureing them on the other parte in case of their refusall, the whole estate and order of our Church will be overthrown, Some Ministers will be banished: other some will bee deprived of their stipend and office; and all will be brought under the wrath of authority. He advised them rather to consent in time, then afterward to beg favour by offering conformity, and finde none. He alledged a letter written to him by a banished minister, M. Iohn Sharp, requesting liberty to serue God in his own countrey, and offering to submit himselfe in all things. But the letter was neither read nor seen. O, sayd he, I know when some of you are banished, and others deprived, yee will blame us, and call us persecuters; but we will lay all the burden upon the King. And if you call him a persecuter, all the world wil stand up against you.
After his owne speach, he required Doctor Young to speak, if so be, hee had intention or commission to that effect. The Doctor after his preface of insinuation, layd out the proceedings of the last assembly holden at S. Androes, the taunt and reproches breathed out at Court against the same: his Maiesties high displeasure kindled by occasion thereof, like a flame of fire ready to consume all, except it were quenched in this present assembly by condiscending to the fiue articles. Hee taxed the state of our Church, whereof he was ignorant. It pleased his wisdom to bring in the Puritan and the Papist, like Herod and Pilat conspiring Si non contra Christum Deminum, tamen contra Christum Domini. In end with words framed for the purpose and uttered in a mourning maner, hee went about to catch consent to the fiue articles.
The ministers defenders of the established order perceiuing the drift of these discourses, and all other meanes to be prepared and disposed for dashing of simple men, modestly required foure things. 1. That none be admitted to vote, but such as are authorized with lawfull commission. The Archbishop answered, hi… Maiesty had written to noble men and Barons willing them to be present at this assembly, if any man had any exception against them, they should be heard. It was replyed that they were not to except against their honorable persons or presence; but earnestly to …rave that the order of the Church might be observed: whereby it is provided that without commission none hauehave place to vote in generall assemblies.
2. That the liberty of the Church be not broken in the election of the Moderator, and that a lawfull lite be made to that effect. It was answered by the Archbishop that, this Assembly is convocate within the bounds of his diocesse he would understand who will take his province over his head. So he intruded him selfe in the Moderators office without election.
3. That the articles proponed in short and generall summes, might be put in forme, and amply extended as his Majesty would hauehave them inacted, that they may be the better aduised and considered. The pretended Moderator answered, let alone these toyes, trouble us not with needlesse questions, we shall speak of these things in the priuy conference.
4. That some of either opinion may be set apart to collect, and put in order the reasons of either side for the more sure & easie information of the assemblies. The pretended moderator reiected this also as impertinent.
He proceeded at his owne pleasure without advice or information of the provinces or presbyteries to the nomination of the priuy conference, before that the Clark had received the commissions. Hee nominated besides his Majesties commissioners, their assessours and the noble men, all the Barons except three▪ all the Bishops, the Commissioners of Edinburgh, Perth, Dundie, 37 Doctours and other ministers. The most parte was such, as were already resolved to yeeld. Others were not experienced in the state of our Church, some few of the other opinion were taken in, to try the force of their arguments in private, that in publick they might either be evaded, or suppressed. After the said nomination the conference was appointed to convein at 3. afternoone and the assembly at 8. hours in the morning. So endeth the first session.
The conference convenied at 3. afternoon. His Majesties letter was read again. The Moderator aforesaid seconded the same with many terrours. To make them goe quickly to worke, he affirmed that foure articles were already concluded in the Assemblies holden last at Aberdine and S. Andrewes respectiue, howbeit not in forme as his Maiesty required: that kneeling allanerly rested to be consented unto. For assisting of his declaration a minute was read containing the poynts conferred upon at the places foresayd. And no further evidence was produced for probation of the alledged agreement. But particularly mention was made, that his Highnesse altogether refused cautions and conditions added by the said Assemblies as frustrations of his Highnesse intentions. And as was affirmed by the said Moderator, his Maiestie was still offended at that Assembly holden at S. Andrewes. For removing of that offence the Moderator aforesaid would hauehave had the Article of kneeling voted in the conference without reasoning. But after much businesse and earnest dealing, the said Article by plurality of votes was put to reasoning. For clearing the state of the question, the Ministers defenders of the established order, required againe that the sayd Articles might be extended to the full, and put in perfect forme. 2. That the party of the other iudgement, would proue them necessary and expedient for our Church, according to the revealed rule, Affirmanti incumbit probatio: or otherwaies improue our former order already established, as defectiue, superfluous▪ or confused. 3. That time and place might be granted to all, having calling and interest to reason freely, and heare reasoning in presence of the Assembly for their better direction. 4. That the reasons of moment might be proponed and answered in writing, and some few of either side appointed to put them in due forme and order.
The Moderator notwithstanding of the reference of these conditions to the privy conference, reiected them: and as for the party pursuer, and party defender in the reasoning, he determined by himselfe, that the Ministers defenders of the established order must either proue the Articles to be impious and unlawfull, or else they must proue disobedient to his Maiesty. It was replied, That poore subiects neither ought, nor conveniently could dispute a question so affected with disobedience to their Soveraigne, as was there alledged. But if reformation be intended, and the truth of the Articles proponed be sincerely to be searched so farre forth as they may proue good and expedient for this Church; the order agreed upon by his Maiestie at Perth 1597. cannot of reason be refused, viz. That matters touching reformation of external government be proponed, ordine & decenter animo aedificandi, non tentandi, for searching the truth the undoubted ground of true unity. Notwithstanding of whatsoever could be alledged, the Ministers standing for their possession, were forced to be persuers, and either to obiect against the said Articles, or else to be reputed disobedient to his Maiesty, and to hauehave no reason on their side. The time being spent, some few reasons were alledged by the Ministers, which were cut off rather by cavilling and quarrelling at mens persons▪ then solidly answered. The conference was appointed in the morning at eight houres, notwithstanding the said houre had been appointed for the second Session of the Assembly.
Wednesday the 26. of August, the second day of the Assemb…y.
THE privy conference convened at 8 houre in the morning. Much time was spent with the Bishops discourses, and other preparations for making way to summary reasoning. Some few Arguments were proponed by the Ministers against kneeling in the act of receiving the sacramentall elements of bread and wine; but answered as before. The pretended Moderator to cut off reasoning instantly required, that kneeling might bee voted in the conference. The Ministers alledged that the proper use of the conference is to prepare and put in order matters that are to be intreated in the face of the Assembly; and therefore required that the Articles might be formed: and after long debait it was concluded by plurality of votes, that they should be formed. The rest of this short time was spent in naming of Bishops and Doctors for forming and extending the Articles and Acts that were to passe thereupon. The conference was appointed to conveine at 4. afternoone.
The Assembly being frustrate of their diet in the morning, assembled at 4. afternoone at the call of the Bell, by the Moderators expectation. He shewed unto them, that that houre was appointed for the conference allanerly. But seeing they conveined, hee thought good to make known to them, that the foure Article… formerly condescended upon at Aberdine and S. Andrewes, as also the fift Article against kneeling, after long reasoning were concluded in the conference, and ordained to be formed and produced before them. And so hee desired them to depart to the end that matters might be exped, for ending the Assembly the morne. But opposition was made in the contrary, that kneeling was not voted, and the other foure Articles were neither reasoned nor voted. After the removall of the Assembly, the act of kneeling as it was formed, was read in presence of the conference, The pretended Moderator urged that kneeling should be voted. It was answerd, that it was an intolerable novelty in this Church, a great prejudice to persons, purposes, and priviledges, and a presumptuous usurpation of a few to vote and conclude under the colourable pretence of a conference, matters of weight belonging to the whole Church. They required therefore that according to order, reasoning and voting might be reserved to the full Assembly. The pretended Moderator answered, First, that it was the custome of the Lords, of the Articles in parliament to proceed after that manner. Next, that he would not spare to commit twenty preiudices to please the King. And thus kneeling was put in voting without regard of the Assembly, and concluded by plurality of votes. The rest of this short time was spent in talking upon Symony, the planting of the Church of Edinburgh, and order to bee taken with beggars. The conference appointed the Assembly to conveine the morne after Sermon.
Thursday 27. Aug. the third day of the Assembly.
WIlliam, B. of Galloway made a Sermon, his Text Rom· 14.19. His doctrine was far contrary to that which he taught before the estates of Parliament An. 1606 He set at naught the ancient order of our Church, sometime highly commended by himselfe, and extolled his new light. He presumed to teach them a new kinde of Catechisme, under whom he himselfe might be as yet catechised. The second and last Session of this assembly began after dinner▪ and ended this day.
The Kings Commissioners, and the Bishops, masters of this Assemblie, determined to end all this after noone: and hauing the assise enclosed for that effect, assured them that out of that house they should not go untill his Majestie were satisfied of his desire. The pretended Moderator earnestly aggreadged the nncessity of yeelding and instantly urged present voting without furder delay strongly enforcing, that his Maiestie behoved to bee satisfied, and assureing them, that his Highnesse would accept of no other answer but yeelding. To effectuate his purpose, hee blew out many threatnings in most peremptory maner. Hee insulted uppon the ministers assembled, as if they had been hirelinges, saying, I know you all well ynough. There is neuer a one of you will suffer so much as the losse of your stipends for the matter. Think not but when the act is made I will get obedience of you. There is none of you that voteth in the contrary mindeth to suffer. Some men, said hee, pretend conscience and feare more to offend the people then the King: but all that will not doe the turne. Albeit he had formerly affirmed in the case of requiring consent, that although the act were made, his Majestie would be mercyfull in vrgeing obedience thereto. And they knew him to be more fauourable to his brethren then any Bishop of England. Hee tooke it also vponupon his conscience, though it was not trew that there was neither lass nor ladde rich nor poore in Scotland some few precise persons excepted, who were not onlie content but also wished that order of kneeling to be receiued: whereof he had profe and experience in his own citie of S. Andrewes, and in this Town since he came hither. Hee made mention of a pamphlet casten in the pulpit at Edinburgh, wherein it should hauehave been affirmed, that the Bishops were bringing in Papistry, and that good professors will fight in defence of their own religion. By way of answer thereto, he confessed that the ceremonies make not the separation betwixt us and the Romane Church, but their Idolatry, the which if the Romanists would forsake, they would meet them mid-way, and ioyne with them. And as if the Ministers had known any such professors disposed to fight for the religion, or had been of purpose to ioyne with them, he disswades them to leane to such words, for he had seen the like of that before time at the 17. day of December. Hee wished if such a thing should happen, it would please his Maiesty to make him a Captaine, never any of these braggers would come to the field.
After these blasts and terrours, the Ministers with modest importunity insisted that the matters depending might be better cleared by further reasoning and advisement; so much the rather, because these matters had not been reasoned in full Assembly, for the information of all that had interest. After much dealing, and many earnest speeches and desires to be heard, some fashion of liberty was granted to a few, but with such checkes and limitations to the partie that preased to propone and reason, that quickly they were cut off and sourely rebuked, rather borne downe with authority, then satisfied with reason. His Maiesties chiefe Commissioner, & pretended Moderator, straitly enioyned them either to propone a new reason, or else to hold their peace, when as the argument either had▪ not been proponed in conference; or if proponed, not answered; or if answered, not suffered to be replied unto. And suppose all this had been done in the conference, yet all was new to the full Assembly, and ought to hauehave been repeated and fully discussed for information of all voters. Yea many Ministers had not so much a… accesse to heare or propone one argument: they had no seates provided for them, as the other party had: Gentlemen thronged in before them. The defenders of the Articles were permitted to discourse as long as they pleased, to gybe, mocke, and cavill, so light account made they of the matters in hand, or the fearfull schisme ensuing upon such disorders, that their behaviour was offensiue to the beholders. The best arguments and answers were taken from the authority of the Kings sword. Hee will ranverse all, except we yeeld; or the authority of his word; as when it was alledged out of Zanchius upon the fourth commandement, that things indifferent abused to Idolatry should be altogether removed. The pretended Moderator opponed the iudgement of the King of Great Britaine, to the iudgement of Zanchius, or any of the learned. In a word, the pretended Moderator professed plainly, that neither their reasons nor their number should carry away the matter. These Articles must be concluded, and should be concluded, although there were none but the eleven Bishops, with the authority of his Maiesties Commissioners, they shall impose them. After some few reasons proponed and answered, as is said, it was confessed, that if his Maiesty could hauehave been pleased, or put off, they would hauehave reasoned against these Articles, and the introducing of them in this Church. Doctor Lyndesay being posed in conscience, confessed that they had neither reason, nor Scripture, nor Antiquity for them, yet to avert rhe Kings wrath of this Church, yeelding was best. Kneeling was chiefly agitate. Some velitation there was made against Holy dayes. Nothing spoken of the three other Articles, boasting and posting confounded all.
The ministers not being permitted to reason and pursue their arguments verbally with such liberty, as of reason should hauehave been granted, and fearing prejudice in voting, gaue in some difficulties in writing, to be considered and removed, before the articles should passe in voting, like as they were ready, if place had been granted to present in writing particular reasons against every one of the said articles, as was plainly professed. But for cutting them short of that intention, the presenter of the said difficulties in a bosting manner was commanded to subscribe the same, and rebuked as not haveing commission. They suspected a protestation, against the proceedings of this Assembly, for preventing whereof they had declamed before against the protestation subscribed at the last parliament, as treasonable, and seditious. But when it was perceaved, that he sought a penne for subscribing of the same, the Moderator receaved them. Two of them was read, but no wayes respectted; the rest were suppressed.
The ministers notwithstanding of the preceding terrours most humbly and earnestly requested his Majesties Commissioners, that the concluding of the articles might be continued, which their reasons in writing were sent to his Majesty, and answer returned. But this humble request was dispysed.
Before the roll was called, his Majesties letter was read again in open audience of the said assembly, no doubt to the end the last impression might incline the voters to consent. The ministers defenders of the established order required againe, that none might hauehave place to vote, but such as were authorised with lawfull commission: but that order could not be admitted. Yea the pretended Moderator answered, that if al Scotland were there present they should hauehave vote.
The question put in voting was thus formed. Whether will yee consent to these articles, or disobey the King? the words chosen to distinguish the votes were: agree: disagree: non liquet. The question proponed was affected with this strait condition: he that denyeth one, denieth all. The question being thus contrived, the Moderator certified them, that whosoever voted against the articles, his name should be marked and given up to his Majesty. For gathering the votes, he took the roll in his owne hand from the Clarke, to whom of office it belongs so to marke the votes, that accordingly he may forme the acts truely as his oath and office bindeth him. First were called his highnes commissioners, and their assessours; then the Noblemen, Bishops, and Barons; then the Doctors and Ministers, last of all the burgesses. The Doctors and Ministers were called on without order. He called first on those, of whom he was assured to be on the affirmatiue side without respect of the order of Province or Presbytery, as for example, the Arch Deacon of Sanct Androes and Mr. Patrik Galloway a man of many pensions were ranked with the Ministers of the North. Some wanting commission were called and voted affirmative: diverse others having commission of whose negative they were assured; were omitted. In calling on the names, he inculcate these and the like words: hauehave the King in your mind: remember of the King: looke to the King. In the end by plurality of votes the fiue articles were concluded and consented unto. 1. Kneeling in the act of receaving the sacramentall elements of bread and wine. 2. five holy dayes: the day of Christs nativity, Passion, Resurection, Ascension, and the Penticost. 3. Episcopall confirmation. 4. Private Baptisme. 5. Private communion. His Majesties Commissioners and their assessors: all the noble men, except one: all the Barons except one: all the Doctors except D. Strang: all the Burgesses and a number of Ministers voted affirmative▪ one noble man, one Doctour, and fourty five Ministers voted negative: some few, non liquet.