A
DECLARATION
of
the
iust
causes
of
his
Maiesties
proceeding
against
those
Ministers
,
who
are
now
lying
in
prison
,
attainted
of
high
treason
.
AS
his
Maiesties
fatherly
care
hath
euer
bene
so
great
towards
his
people
and
louing
Subiects
,
as
he
hath
not
onely
bene
carefull
to
gouerne
them
by
iust
and
aequitable
Lawes
,
but
likewise
hath
euer
had
a
speciall
respect
to
the
true
and
right
information
of
their
minds
as
touching
all
his
publique
Actions
and
proceedings
:
So
for
this
purpose
he
hath
euer
from
time
to
time
by
publique
Declaration
and
Proclamation
interpreted
and
explained
to
all
his
louing
Subiects
his
true
intention
and
sinceritie
of
his
meaning
,
that
thereby
his
Subiects
knowledge
of
his
will
,
and
of
the
grounds
moouing
him
thereunto
,
being
ioyned
to
their
duetifull
and
naturall
inclination
of
obedience
,
a
reuerent
loue
together
with
a
feare
to
offend
,
might
bee
continually
encreased
and
nourished
in
their
hearts
,
their
obedience
not
proceeding
of
a
naked
feare
,
but
from
a
feare
mixed
and
strengthened
with
loue
for
good
reasons
,
and
founded
vpon
a
good
conscience
and
cleare
knowledge
of
the
trueth
.
And
as
this
his
Maiesties
fatherly
care
hath
euer
since
his
maioritie
of
yeeres
most
clearely
appeared
in
all
the
points
of
his
Highnesse
gouernment
in
this
his
kingdome
of
Scotland
:
So
now
vpon
that
late
occasion
of
the
Rebellious
and
traiterous
misbehauiour
of
some
particular
Ministers
within
this
Kingdome
,
his
Maiestie
continuing
his
former
louing
custome
towards
his
Subiects
,
hath
thought
conuenient
to
set
out
this
present
declaration
for
satisfaction
of
his
Highnesse
Subiects
of
all
rankes
,
concerning
his
Maiesties
course
and
proceedings
in
this
case
.
And
because
he
hath
iust
reason
to
conceiue
,
that
if
any
of
whatsoeuer
estate
or
degree
of
his
Maiesties
Subiects
bee
so
vndutifull
,
as
to
haue
any
scruple
of
the
Iustice
and
necessitie
of
his
Highnesse
proceedings
herein
,
it
doeth
onely
proceed
of
ignorance
or
mistaking
the
trueth
of
his
Highnesse
actions
:
His
Maiestie
is
therefore
moued
to
thinke
that
there
can
be
no
so
good
and
sure
way
for
true
information
of
all
his
Subiects
,
as
to
set
downe
vnto
them
the
true
state
of
the
question
,
together
with
all
that
hath
followed
and
risen
thereupon
,
The
mistaking
whereof
(
his
Maiestie
doth
assure
himselfe
)
is
the
onely
cause
from
whence
all
scruples
in
some
mens
hearts
(
if
any
be
)
doe
spring
and
proceed
.
His
Maiestie
for
the
three
or
foure
last
yeeres
together
before
his
departure
out
of
this
Kingdome
,
being
caried
with
a
most
ardent
Zeale
and
earnest
Affection
to
the
aduancement
of
Gods
glory
and
establishing
of
the
Religion
presently
profest
,
neuer
spared
to
vndergoe
in
his
owne
most
Royall
and
sacred
Person
almost
intolerable
paines
and
fashery
for
preuenting
of
all
disorders
and
corruptions
which
crept
into
the
Church
,
and
for
setting
downe
and
establishing
such
a
solide
and
comely
forme
of
gouernment
as
might
be
able
to
preserue
the
puritie
of
our
Profession
,
and
procure
the
establishing
of
a
solide
Peace
and
quietnesse
in
the
Church
.
And
for
that
cause
he
was
euer
present
at
all
the
frequent
Meetings
and
Assemblies
of
the
Ministerie
in
this
kingdome
.
And
if
his
Maiesties
affaires
and
other
incident
occasions
had
bene
such
as
he
could
not
bee
able
to
keepe
the
appointed
place
and
dyet
to
the
which
hee
had
called
the
assembly
,
his
Highnesse
did
euer
carefully
prorogate
and
continue
it
,
to
such
other
time
and
place
as
his
leasure
might
permit
him
to
be
present
at
the
said
meeting
.
And
as
his
Maiestie
by
those
his
traueils
had
already
put
this
our
Church
in
a
good
beginning
and
forwardnesse
of
a
good
order
and
frame
:
so
he
no
way
doubteth
,
but
if
he
had
made
any
longer
stay
amongst
vs
,
he
would
with
Gods
assistance
haue
brought
it
by
this
time
to
a
reasonable
and
expected
perfection
.
But
such
is
the
malicious
enuy
of
the
euill
disposed
sort
,
grudging
at
the
progresse
of
any
good
matter
,
that
some
of
those
Ministers
who
euer
had
bene
hinderers
and
crossers
of
that
good
worke
as
farre
as
they
durst
,
euen
in
his
Maiesties
owne
presence
,
conceyting
with
themselues
,
that
now
in
his
Highnesse
absence
from
this
Countrey
(
with
whom
they
supposed
all
memory
and
regard
both
of
Church
and
Common
wealth
had
bene
altogether
forgotten
and
neglected
)
and
that
by
reason
of
the
assignment
of
a
day
in
the
moneth
of
Iuly
last
past
,
for
keeping
of
an
assembly
(
betwixt
the
appointment
whereof
and
the
time
it selfe
,
interuened
that
most
happy
and
necessary
cause
of
his
Highnes
going
into
England
)
they
thought
a
very
fit
occasion
was
offered
to
them
for
prosequution
of
their
intentions
.
And
therefore
they
endeuoured
,
to
the
vttermost
of
their
power
,
to
reuerse
and
ouerthrow
all
those
good
orders
and
godly
Constitutions
formerly
concluded
for
keeping
of
good
order
in
their
Church
,
And
partly
by
secret
suggestion
of
false
calumnies
to
the
simple
and
ignorant
,
and
by
plotting
and
combination
with
those
of
more
turbulent
spirits
,
who
knowing
that
their
owne
inhabilitie
would
impede
them
to
be
any
way
preferred
,
made
choise
with
the
Camel
to
drinke
in
muddy
water
,
and
by
perturbing
of
matters
rather
to
ouerthrow
all
good
order
,
then
that
by
setling
of
the
Church-gouernment
,
the
vertues
of
others
,
and
their
vices
and
imperfections
should
be
clearely
discouered
and
distinguished
.
Therefore
to
assure
themselues
the
better
of
the
compassing
of
this
their
desseigne
,
they
spared
no
time
,
nor
left
no
meane
vnassayed
to
preoccupy
mens
opinions
,
to
anticipate
their
votes
,
and
to
make
vp
a
strong
Faction
against
the
meeting
of
that
assembly
,
thereby
fully
intending
to
bring
the
estate
of
this
Church
to
a
most
euident
confusion
and
disorder
.
Vpon
some
notice
of
the
which
mischieuous
Plots
and
Machinations
,
his
Maiestie
considering
,
that
his
absence
from
that
future
meeting
of
Assembly
,
and
the
neere
approching
of
the
time
appointed
for
keeping
thereof
were
embraced
by
those
turbulent
spirits
as
fit
opportunities
and
good
occasions
offered
vnto
them
so
to
ouer-rule
that
matter
by
thus
preparing
and
packing
vp
of
Votes
beforehand
,
that
howsoeuer
the
better
sort
should
oppose
themselues
thereunto
,
yet
they
should
be
sure
to
make
the
estate
of
this
Church
without
any
rule
at
all
:
And
therefore
his
most
excellent
Maiestie
continuing
in
that
fatherly
care
which
hee
euer
caried
to
this
Church
and
Realme
,
by
his
Highnes
Letter
signed
with
his
owne
hand
,
directed
to
the
Commissioners
of
the
generall
Assembly
,
signified
vnto
them
his
speciall
Pleasure
and
will
,
That
that
meeting
and
assembly
appointed
to
haue
beene
the
second
of
Iuly
now
last
past
,
should
be
deserted
;
and
that
no
new
Indiction
should
be
made
either
of
day
or
place
without
his
Maiesties
consent
.
And
thereafter
hee
desired
,
that
some
of
the
Bishops
,
and
also
some
of
the
best
,
wisest
,
and
most
religious
of
the
Ministery
,
should
repaire
towards
his
Maiestie
with
all
conuenient
speed
,
That
his
Highnesse
with
their
aduice
might
not
onely
resolue
vpon
all
such
grounds
as
were
fittest
and
most
expedient
for
the
setling
of
the
Peace
of
the
Church
,
but
might
also
appoint
some
fit
and
conuenient
day
and
place
for
holding
of
a
new
Assembly
.
Vpon
the
receipt
of
the
which
Letter
,
the
said
Commissioners
of
the
Assembly
,
by
their
Missiues
directed
vnto
all
the
Presbyteries
of
the
Kingdome
,
certified
them
of
his
Maiesties
pleasure
and
will
,
concerning
the
deserting
of
that
Meeting
;
Willing
them
that
they
should
not
in
any
case
send
their
Commissioners
to
keep
that
day
formerly
appointed
,
and
now
by
his
Maiesties
warrant
deserted
,
but
that
they
should
expect
the
appointing
of
a
new
day
and
place
for
keeping
of
an
Assembly
.
But
so
farre
were
some
of
the
Ministerie
from
making
any
accompt
of
his
Maiesties
directions
(
a
thing
most
detestable
in
any
subiect
,
much
more
in
any
of
the
Ministerie
,
whose
Doctrine
,
Life
,
and
whole
Actions
ought
to
be
Lanternes
to
others
of
all
dutifull
obedience
to
their
Prince
)
as
by
the
contrary
,
in
plaine
contempt
thereof
,
most
seditiously
they
conuened
at
Aberdene
.
And
being
guiltie
to
themselues
of
their
owne
inhabilitie
,
vnworthinesse
,
and
small
giftes
,
conioyned
with
a
bad
inclination
,
they
being
in
despaire
that
in
doing
good
they
should
euer
become
memorable
,
and
ouerruled
with
a
burning
desire
of
vaine
glory
,
resolued
by
ouerthrowing
the
gouernment
of
this
Church
,
and
by
inducing
all
disorder
thereinto
,
to
make
themselues
(
at
least
for
their
euill
)
famous
with
that
sometime
burner
of
the
Temple
at
Ephesus
.
And
howsoeuer
the
aduertisement
of
his
Maiesties
Pleasure
and
will
for
the
deserting
of
the
said
Assembly
sent
by
the
Commissioners
,
was
dutifully
receiued
and
willingly
obeyed
by
the
whole
Presbyteries
almost
of
this
Kingdome
;
Yet
some
fewe
Ministers
(
not
exceeding
the
number
of
eighteene
or
ninteene
persons
at
most
,
ouer-ruling
the
rest
of
their
poore
brethren
of
their
eight
or
nine
seuerall
Presbyteries
,
ouer
whome
,
by
reason
of
their
said
brethrens
simplicitie
,
and
their
owne
craftinesse
,
they
had
got
in
time
past
very
much
aduantage
,
&
had
them
in
a
manner
tyed
to
their
girdles
to
consent
to
any
thing
whatsoeuer
)
so
brought
it
to
passe
,
as
by
their
procurement
,
the
Declaration
of
his
Maiesties
pleasure
was
contemned
,
and
they
themselues
chosen
Commissioners
to
that
Meeting
,
which
by
his
Highnesse
commandement
was
deserted
.
And
wee
of
his
Maiesties
Counsell
fearing
that
the
presumption
of
these
fewe
(
howsoeuer
in
words
professing
,
yet
in
their
deedes
directly
impugning
his
Maiesties
Authority
Royall
,
vnder
a
coloured
pretext
of
their
zeale
to
Religion
,
which
alas
is
now
most
detestably
abused
as
an
ordinarie
couer
and
excuse
for
euery
treason
and
trespasse
)
thus
conuening
without
regard
of
his
Maiesties
command
made
to
the
contrary
,
might
be
a
dangerous
preparatiue
to
the
whole
Estate
,
considering
that
those
who
should
be
the
teachers
of
others
,
were
now
become
the
onely
violators
of
their
obedience
to
their
most
gracious
and
religious
Souereigne
:
Therefore
wee
directed
Sir
Alexander
Strayton
of
Lawrenston
Knight
to
the
said
Borough
of
Aberdene
,
with
speciall
warrant
and
commandement
to
prohibite
and
discharge
that
fewe
number
of
Ministers
from
conuening
at
all
;
and
also
by
a
speciall
Missiue
written
vnto
them
,
wee
signified
his
Maiesties
pleasure
concerning
the
deserting
of
that
Diet.
Notwithstanding
the
publication
of
which
charge
at
the
Market
Crosse
of
Aberdene
the
day
before
their
meeting
,
they
being
all
in
Towne
,
and
of
the
deliuerie
of
our
Letter
;
the
next
day
thereafter
they
being
all
conuened
,
were
so
farre
from
carying
any
respect
to
the
charge
which
was
directed
and
executed
in
his
Maiesties
name
,
or
to
the
Missiue
sent
from
vs
,
or
to
the
bearer
being
his
Maiesties
Commissioner
in
Church
affaires
;
as
the
first
being
contemned
directly
,
the
Letter
was
superficially
answered
,
and
the
bearer
(
whose
presence
at
all
their
doings
was
ordinarily
most
necessarie
)
was
neuerthelesse
at
this
time
excluded
foorth
of
dores
all
the
time
of
their
keeping
that
Assembly
till
the
end
thereof
.
A
particular
relation
of
all
which
circumstances
being
faithfully
made
to
his
Maiestie
,
his
Highnesse
tooke
occasion
with
his
owne
hand
to
pen
a
Declaration
,
whereby
not
onely
all
pretext
of
excuse
or
defence
which
may
be
pretended
by
these
Ministers
is
clearely
refuted
,
but
also
their
proud
contempt
and
disobedience
is
made
so
manifest
,
as
we
do
fully
assure
our selues
,
no
scruple
of
doubt
will
remaine
with
any
who
is
not
peruersly
preoccupyed
to
distrust
all
veritie
.
The
Declaration
wee
haue
presumed
to
insert
in
this
place
,
as
it
came
from
his
Maiestie
himselfe
,
and
is
this
.
BEcause
this
vnruly
handfull
of
Ministers
that
made
the
fashion
of
keeping
of
this
pretended
Assemblie
,
together
with
their
Associates
and
Allowers
,
do
so
much
bragge
of
the
equitie
of
their
cause
,
and
wilfully
maintaine
that
the
ground
of
their
proceedings
was
most
iust
and
necessarie
,
and
if
any
errour
was
therein
,
it
was
onely
in
forme
,
which
proceeded
out
of
necessitie
,
in
respect
of
the
vnlawfull
restraint
of
their
liberty
,
as
they
alledge
:
we
haue
herefore
thought
good
to
set
downe
most
succinctly
and
shortly
the
vine
Anatomie
of
their
actions
,
and
the
true
state
of
their
cause
;
to
the
intent
that
power
being
ioyned
to
reason
(
as
euer
hath
bene
our
constant
forme
of
proceeding
)
in
all
our
gouernment
,
their
nakednesse
being
truely
discouered
,
the
due
punishment
to
be
inflicted
vpon
them
may
the
better
appeare
in
their
owne
colour
as
well
as
their
transgression
.
And
therefore
whereas
they
bragge
of
warrant
of
conscience
,
warrant
of
lawe
,
the
due
obseruation
of
their
owne
customes
and
liberties
,
and
the
respect
of
the
weale
of
the
Church
,
as
the
true
Motiues
of
this
their
vnruly
and
seditious
contempt
;
The
contrary
of
all
these
shall
bee
made
clearely
to
appeare
.
And
first
for
warrant
of
conscience
for
their
generall
Assemblie
,
which
they
terme
the
Counsell
of
God
,
in
the
whole
olde
Testament
they
will
not
claime
to
any
warrant
of
a
generall
Assemblie
;
And
in
the
whole
newe
Testament
they
can
alleage
no
warrant
for
generall
Assemblies
,
but
that
conuention
of
the
Apostles
at
Ierusalem
mentioned
in
the
Acts
of
Apostles
,
which
indeed
was
an
vniuersall
counsell
of
the
whole
Church
,
and
no
wayes
like
to
a
particular
Scots
generall
Assemblie
:
and
therefore
they
must
leaue
the
Scripture
,
and
haue
recourse
to
the
example
of
the
Primitiue
Church
for
warrant
of
particular
Nationall
Counsels
,
To
which
warrant
we
are
assured
that
they
will
be
ashamed
to
claime
,
in
regard
many
Rites
and
Ceremonies
,
such
as
Vestiments
,
Crosse
and
Confirmation
,
will
bee
found
in
the
same
Primitiue
Church
which
they
do
vtterly
abhorre
.
And
since
the
Emperours
(
how
soone
they
became
Christians
)
had
the
onely
vndoubted
authoritie
in
their
persons
of
conuening
generall
Counsels
,
which
neuer
was
taken
from
them
while
the
Pope
ascended
to
the
height
of
his
abominations
;
how
much
lesse
ought
that
authoritie
bee
denied
to
a
Christian
Monarch
in
the
assembling
of
a
Nationall
Councell
of
his
owne
Subiects
,
who
hath
farre
greater
and
iuster
Dominion
ouer
his
owne
people
,
then
any
vsurping
Emperor
could
claime
ouer
the
face
of
the
whole
Earth
?
And
if
they
will
alleadge
the
new
purest
writers
of
our
dayes
,
professours
of
our
Religion
,
That
by
their
missiue
Letter
both
to
the
Prince
,
and
State
of
the
Church
of
Scotland
,
they
haue
wished
the
holding
of
frequent
Assemblies
in
that
Countrey
(
but
alwayes
by
the
kings
permission
)
as
a
meane
whereby
both
doctrine
and
discipline
might
be
maintained
without
disturbance
,
and
much
good
thereby
procured
in
the
Church
of
God
;
yet
these
very
arguments
of
theirs
doe
declare
,
that
they
onely
perswade
it
by
way
of
aduise
as
a
thing
very
conuenient
,
and
did
not
set
it
downe
as
a
rule
of
necessitie
and
an
infallible
law
.
Next
as
to
the
warrant
of
our
Law
in
that
kingdom
,
It
is
first
to
be
generally
obserued
,
that
no
priuiledge
that
any
King
giues
to
one
particular
body
or
state
within
the
kingdome
of
conuening
&
consulting
among
themselues
,
is
to
be
vnderstood
to
bee
PriuatiuĆØ
giuen
vnto
them
,
and
so
the
King
therby
depriuing
himselfe
of
his
own
power
and
prerogatiue
,
but
onely
to
be
giuen
CumulatiuĆØ
vnto
them
(
as
the
Lawyers
call
it
)
without
any
way
denuding
the
King
of
his
owne
power
and
authority
.
As
for
an
instance
(
which
hath
bene
too
frequent
in
all
this
I
le
these
yeeres
past
,
sauing
the
pleasure
of
God
)
Euery
Burgh
Regall
haue
their
owne
times
of
publike
mercates
allowed
vnto
them
by
the
Law
,
and
the
Kings
priuilege
:
but
when
the
plague
happened
in
any
of
these
townes
,
did
not
we
by
proclamation
discharge
the
holding
of
the
mercate
at
that
time
for
feare
of
infection
,
and
yet
thereby
did
no
preiudice
to
their
priuiledges
,
neither
did
any
of
them
ineptly
murmure
,
much
lesse
enter
into
that
high
contempt
as
to
say
they
would
obey
the
Kings
Lawes
in
keeping
their
priuiledges
,
and
not
the
particular
restraint
thereof
at
that
time
for
necessary
causes
?
And
as
to
the
nature
of
their
particular
priuiledge
in
holding
of
assemblies
,
they
haue
in
this
their
last
pretended
Assembly
broken
the
limitations
of
that
priuiledge
that
is
clearely
set
downe
in
the
first
Acte
of
the
Parliament
,
in
the
92.
yeere
,
which
is
the
latest
and
clearest
warrant
for
their
Assemblie
.
For
there
it
is
specially
prouided
,
That
as
wee
giue
them
licence
for
holding
of
their
Assemblies
once
in
the
yeere
or
ofter
as
occasion
shall
require
,
(
which
proues
that
all
their
power
onely
proceeds
from
vs
)
So
must
it
not
bee
conuened
without
our
owne
presence
or
then
of
our
Commissioner
,
nor
no
day
nor
place
set
downe
for
the
next
Assemblie
but
by
Our
or
our
Commissioners
appoyntment
,
except
we
bee
not
pleased
neither
to
goe
in
our
owne
person
,
neither
to
send
any
for
assisting
the
sayd
Assembly
.
And
how
these
limitations
haue
bene
obserued
by
them
at
this
time
,
let
the
world
iudge
,
first
in
not
onely
refusing
the
presence
of
our
Commissioner
,
but
most
contemptuously
and
iniuriously
barring
the
doore
vpon
him
,
and
next
in
setting
downe
the
dyet
of
the
next
Assembly
,
without
either
his
priuitie
or
consent
.
And
as
to
the
third
point
of
their
iustifying
themselues
by
the
warrant
of
the
constitution
&
custome
of
their
owne
Church
,
we
would
know
what
warrant
they
haue
for
holding
of
a
new
assembly
without
the
presence
either
of
the
moderator
of
the
last
;
or
of
the
ordinarie
clarke
of
the
assembly
;
The
Clark
specially
at
that
instant
being
dwelling
in
the
same
towne
where
they
conuened
.
For
their
custome
hath
euer
bene
,
that
the
moderator
should
call
for
all
the
Commissioners
name
by
name
,
should
see
their
commissions
from
their
Presbyterie
,
should
giue
them
the
lytis
for
election
of
a
newe
moderator
,
and
make
their
names
(
the
parties
being
remoued
)
freely
to
be
voted
among
them
;
but
first
of
all
the
moderator
ought
to
preach
vnto
them
,
and
out
of
the
word
of
God
teach
them
their
duetie
at
that
meeting
.
But
as
this
their
pretended
Assembly
was
kept
in
contempt
of
our
authoritie
royall
:
So
had
it
(
praysed
be
God
)
no
beginning
at
the
word
of
God
,
without
the
which
order
in
their
proceeding
,
we
would
know
what
might
let
as
many
sundrie
generall
Assemblies
to
be
conuened
at
one
time
in
diuerse
places
of
that
countrey
,
as
there
are
seuerall
numbers
of
ninteene
ministers
through
the
countrey
:
And
so
there
should
be
at
one
instant
farre
moe
generall
Assemblies
in
Scotland
one
against
another
,
then
euer
there
was
Popes
in
one
time
in
our
aduersarie
Church
.
And
if
they
would
alledge
that
the
straitnesse
of
these
euill
dayes
(
wherein
they
liue
)
compelled
them
to
omit
diuerse
of
their
auncient
and
lowable
customes
,
that
cannot
but
imply
a
direct
accusation
of
our
tyrannie
,
for
which
this
answere
may
suffice
,
That
besides
our
knowen
sinceritie
in
religion
and
constant
loue
to
do
Iustice
to
all
our
people
:
They
can
neuer
alledge
that
they
did
so
much
as
to
send
a
petition
either
to
our selfe
,
or
in
respect
of
our
absence
to
our
Counsell
there
,
for
permission
of
this
Assembly
.
For
whereas
they
alledge
that
this
day
was
continued
by
vs
and
the
Commissioners
of
the
Church
without
affixing
a
new
dyet
;
we
thinke
the
least
they
could
haue
done
,
had
bene
humbly
to
haue
craued
the
appointing
of
a
new
dyet
,
and
patiently
to
haue
expected
either
our
answere
or
our
Counsels
thereupon
,
rather
then
by
this
their
outrageous
contempt
to
haue
proclamed
either
our
vniust
persecution
of
them
,
or
else
(
which
is
the
truth
)
their
arrogant
and
seditious
disobedience
.
And
lastly
,
how
carefully
they
respected
the
weale
of
their
Church
in
this
course
,
it
is
manifest
to
the
world
:
First
,
by
needlesse
irritating
against
them
their
ancient
,
lawfull
,
religious
and
most
mercifull
King
,
whereas
they
might
haue
come
to
their
owne
end
by
their
mild
behauiour
and
due
obedience
.
And
next
by
making
as
needlesse
a
separation
betwixt
all
the
rest
of
their
learned
,
wise
,
graue
and
duetifull
brethren
,
and
them
,
who
for
their
parts
are
in
this
case
according
to
their
qualitie
as
farre
lightlied
and
disgraced
by
them
,
as
we
are
disobeyed
.
And
thirdly
,
by
bringing
on
a
publike
scandall
hereby
vpon
their
profession
,
as
rebellious
to
so
religious
and
iust
a
King
,
whereby
the
aduersaries
of
our
religion
(
who
like
roaring
Lions
goe
about
to
watch
such
opportunities
)
may
fill
their
new
bookes
and
pamphlets
with
such
scandalous
memorials
against
our
religion
.
And
lastly
,
what
charitie
they
haue
by
this
their
behauiour
vsed
towards
their
puritane
brethren
in
this
countrey
,
they
themselues
may
easily
gesse
,
hauing
by
this
their
contempt
done
nothing
else
,
but
animated
and
spurred
vs
to
the
straiter
animaduersion
and
order
taking
with
them
;
lest
otherwise
,
as
they
are
both
fauourers
of
one
discipline
,
so
they
may
some
day
by
their
example
(
if
they
had
as
great
libertie
)
giue
proofe
of
their
like
disobedience
and
contempt
of
our
authoritie
.
NOw
leauing
it
to
euery
one
to
obserue
both
the
Patience
and
Pietie
of
a
most
puissant
Prince
;
His
Patience
,
that
after
so
great
a
contempt
committed
by
so
meane
,
base
,
and
abiect
persons
,
who
were
neuer
any
way
remarkable
as
men
of
great
gifts
,
but
were
specially
noted
of
too
great
a
desire
to
bee
made
famous
,
if
by
no
other
meanes
,
yet
at
least
by
their
troubling
and
ouerturning
of
matters
:
And
although
his
Maiestie
had
most
iust
cause
of
offence
against
some
of
them
for
their
great
ouersight
in
former
time
,
and
that
others
of
them
had
most
vndutifully
in
that
same
action
made
breach
of
some
promises
made
by
them
vnrequired
,
to
his
Maiestie
himselfe
very
fewe
moneths
before
:
Yet
so
superabundant
was
his
lenitie
and
patience
towards
them
,
that
after
the
committing
of
the
contempt
,
they
were
not
committed
presently
,
but
suffered
to
staie
at
home
at
their
owne
houses
:
neither
were
they
presently
brought
to
their
answere
;
but
his
Maiestie
most
patiently
in
hope
of
their
repentance
was
pleased
a
long
time
to
supersede
the
ordinarie
course
of
Law
against
them
.
And
herewithall
his
Maiesties
Pietie
doth
most
cleerely
shine
,
that
beeing
euen
since
his
infancie
a
most
gratious
nurse-father
of
the
Religion
professed
,
and
protector
of
the
professors
,
but
specially
of
the
Teachers
of
the
same
;
And
notwithstanding
that
the
contempt
committed
was
so
hainous
,
as
by
the
ordinarie
course
of
Iustice
,
his
Maiestie
might
presently
haue
bin
auenged
of
those
disdainers
of
his
Authoritie
and
Royall
commandements
:
yet
so
farre
was
his
Maiestie
from
any
rigorous
proceeding
against
them
,
as
by
the
contrarie
,
to
the
intent
to
recall
them
backe
,
who
were
now
so
farre
astray
out
of
the
path-way
of
obedience
,
(
a
most
pittifull
,
yea
a
most
abominable
thing
in
a
Minister
)
it
pleased
his
sacred
Maiestie
most
gratiously
of
himselfe
to
set
downe
that
former
Declaration
,
that
vpon
the
view
thereof
,
these
Ministers
might
see
their
offence
,
confesse
their
guiltinesse
,
and
craue
pardon
.
Wherein
howsoeuer
some
of
them
were
euer
all
their
life
,
and
likewise
at
this
time
so
rammage
,
that
they
could
not
be
recalled
by
any
lure
;
yet
were
sixe
or
seuen
of
that
number
of
nineteene
which
first
conuened
,
so
moued
and
touched
with
that
open
Discouerie
made
by
that
Declarator
,
of
their
ouersight
,
as
in
all
humilitie
before
the
Lords
of
his
Maiesties
Councell
then
present
,
protesting
their
great
sorrow
for
their
offence
,
excusing
themselues
vpon
their
ignorance
,
and
purging
themselues
of
all
wilfulnesse
in
that
action
,
they
besought
their
Lordships
to
bee
mediators
at
his
Maiesties
hands
for
a
pardon
to
them
.
Who
presently
vpon
their
humble
submission
(
according
as
his
Maiestie
had
beene
pleased
to
signifie
his
will
and
minde
to
his
Councell
)
were
dismissed
,
and
sent
home
to
their
houses
to
attend
their
charge
and
ministerie
ouer
their
owne
flockes
.
So
farre
was
his
Maiesties
heart
from
intending
any
rigour
against
any
of
that
Profession
,
as
by
the
contrarie
,
by
his
Maiesties
present
pardoning
of
them
vpon
their
submission
,
it
doeth
manifestly
appeare
that
his
Highnesse
was
farre
more
willing
and
readie
to
embrace
their
penitence
with
clemencie
,
then
they
could
bee
capable
to
deserue
the
same
;
imitating
herein
his
great
King
the
king
of
all
kings
,
who
neuer
desireth
the
death
,
but
the
amendment
of
the
sinner
.
And
yet
it
is
most
true
,
that
those
so
dismissed
vpon
their
humble
submission
and
repentance
,
were
men
of
no
lesse
gifts
,
but
of
farre
greater
sinceritie
,
knowen
good
life
and
conuersation
,
and
nothing
inferior
to
those
others
which
remaine
still
obstinate
,
but
in
vnquietnesse
of
spirit
,
hautinesse
of
minde
,
and
desire
of
breaking
the
Peace
of
the
Church
.
But
before
any
further
bee
touched
of
their
conuenting
before
any
Iudge
,
or
that
any
relation
bee
made
how
by
their
pertinacie
of
maintaining
the
first
fault
(
beeing
a
most
presumptuous
riot
)
they
came
next
within
the
compasse
of
no
lesse
offence
then
Treason
:
it
is
not
vnmeete
that
the
very
point
of
their
first
crime
,
for
which
they
were
brought
in
question
,
to
answere
before
his
Maiesties
Counsel
,
were
cleerely
set
downe
,
as
well
to
refute
those
vaine
subterfuges
of
excuses
and
pretexts
they
make
for
their
obstinacie
,
as
to
remooue
from
the
godly
,
religious
,
and
well
disposed
Subiects
,
all
scruple
of
any
such
matter
whereof
those
ministers
and
their
fauorites
by
lying
rumors
would
sowe
the
seedes
amongst
the
simple
sort
,
whom
they
very
well
know
,
and
wee
often
finde
to
be
too
credulous
of
euery
false
report
.
As
therefore
the
keeping
of
a
generall
Assembly
was
not
the
matter
in
question
:
so
is
it
of
veritie
,
that
by
this
accusation
against
these
disobedient
ministers
,
there
was
nothing
laid
to
their
charge
concerning
the
lawfulnesse
or
vnlawfulnesse
of
a
generall
Assembly
,
nor
yet
of
the
power
and
limits
thereof
;
but
that
they
had
vnlawfully
made
a
priuie
Conuenticle
,
not
onely
directly
repugnant
and
against
his
Maiestie
and
Counsels
charges
and
direction
,
but
euen
as
well
against
the
continuall
custome
and
practise
of
the
Church
,
as
their
present
consent
which
was
well
witnessed
by
all
the
Presbyteries
,
abstaining
from
directing
any
Commissioners
thither
,
sauing
that
small
number
of
Presbyteries
already
recited
,
whereof
they
were
the
Commissioners
,
for
they
not
onely
disobeyed
his
Maiesties
Authoritie
,
who
had
discharged
that
time
and
place
of
meetings
,
but
euen
the
will
and
direction
of
their
owne
Church
,
whose
disassenting
to
their
proceeding
,
was
not
onely
manifested
by
the
Commissioners
of
the
generall
Assemblies
letter
,
certifying
all
the
Presbyteries
of
the
deserting
of
the
said
Assembly
,
but
also
the
Church
did
by
their
not
sending
of
Commissioners
to
that
diet
,
cleerely
demonstrate
their
obedient
acknowledgement
and
acquiescing
to
his
Maiesties
wil
in
that
behalfe
,
of
whose
power
and
lawfull
Authoritie
in
appointing
or
continuing
the
times
and
places
of
meeting
of
Assemblies
they
neuer
doubted
,
beeing
so
often
practised
,
(
as
is
already
rehearsed
)
in
his
Maiesties
owne
person
,
and
declared
to
be
his
prerogatiue
by
that
same
Acte
of
Parliament
by
which
they
are
warranted
to
keepe
the
saide
Assemblies
.
And
if
those
Ministers
who
stand
so
obstinate
in
defence
of
th'
assembly
(
which
they
must
confesse
hath
onely
warrant
from
that
Statute
in
92.
)
would
consider
how
farre
the
Prince
may
dispose
of
the
meetings
of
the
Parliament
it selfe
,
as
either
to
prolong
,
hasten
or
desert
the
meeting
thereof
;
and
beeing
conuened
,
may
dismisse
the
same
without
doing
any
thing
at
all
therein
;
What
foolish
prerogatiue
and
supereminence
is
this
(
seeing
they
must
needes
acknowledge
themselues
subalteme
)
which
they
would
claime
aboue
the
most
supreme
,
high
&
Honourable
meeting
of
the
whole
Kingdome
?
except
it
be
,
as
so
many
Popes
in
their
owne
conceit
,
they
would
exemps
themselues
altogether
from
all
Saeculart
power
.
And
so
the
particular
cause
whereupon
these
Ministers
were
conuented
before
vs
,
was
nothing
else
,
but
that
they
most
seditiously
,
contemptuously
,
and
in
plaine
disdaine
of
his
Maiesties
Princely
commandements
and
auctority
Royal
,
did
conuene
themselues
in
a
priuy
conuenticle
,
which
they
(
wronging
not
onely
his
Maiestie
but
the
Church
,
as
is
already
declared
)
prowdly
,
seditiously
,
and
most
falsly
termed
and
maintaine
to
bee
a
generall
assembly
,
notwithstanding
of
his
Highnesse
pleasure
and
will
signified
to
them
and
their
Presbyteries
by
missiues
from
the
Commissioners
of
the
generall
assembly
,
that
the
meeting
appointed
at
Aberdene
should
desert
;
And
notwithstanding
of
the
prohibition
by
publique
Proclamation
at
the
Mercate
crosse
of
Aberdene
,
and
of
our
Letter
sent
vnto
them
by
the
said
Sir
Alexander
Strayton
.
And
how
vnlawful
and
vnduetifull
their
pretended
excuses
are
,
being
grounded
as
they
alledge
,
vpon
the
feare
which
they
conceiued
of
the
suppressing
of
their
assemblies
,
and
ouerthrow
of
their
discipline
by
the
deserting
of
that
assembly
once
appointed
,
let
the
world
iudge
;
since
not
onely
his
Maiesties
zeale
and
care
for
the
maintenance
of
the
Religion
is
well
knowen
to
all
men
,
but
euen
in
speciall
his
great
loue
to
this
people
,
in
not
intending
to
lay
vpon
them
any
new
formes
or
ceremonies
,
is
well
manifested
of
late
,
by
that
Proclamation
which
his
Maiestie
hath
caused
to
be
published
for
clearing
of
all
such
doubts
out
of
his
peoples
heart
:
The
tenour
whereof
followeth
.
WHereas
we
haue
euer
since
it
pleased
God
to
establish
vs
in
the
Imperiall
Crowne
of
great
Britaine
,
equally
regarded
the
good
of
both
the
late
Kingdomes
of
Scotland
and
England
,
now
happily
vnited
in
our
royall
person
in
one
Monarchie
,
euer
minding
to
maintaine
and
continue
the
good
and
lowable
customes
and
Lawes
whereby
each
of
them
hath
bene
these
many
ages
so
worthily
gouerned
:
neuerthelesse
some
malitious
spirits
,
enemies
to
that
common
tranquillitie
so
much
desired
by
vs
(
forgetting
the
many
proofes
both
publique
and
priuate
,
which
we
haue
giuen
of
that
our
gratious
affection
to
that
our
natiue
and
ancient
countrey
of
North
Britaine
,
of
the
freedome
,
libertie
and
priuiledges
whereof
we
haue
at
all
occasions
taken
so
speciall
a
patrociny
,
as
the
solemne
assemblies
of
the
Estates
of
South-Britaine
,
and
Commissioners
from
the
Estates
of
both
Kingdomes
haue
bene
eye
witnesses
)
haue
not
bene
ashamed
to
labour
to
peruert
the
minds
of
our
best
affected
Subiects
,
That
whereas
the
insolent
and
factious
cariage
of
some
of
them
hath
merited
most
seuere
animaduersion
,
the
would
insinuate
themselues
in
the
commiseration
of
the
multitude
,
by
assuming
vnto
them
a
glorious
profession
of
the
maintayning
of
the
Priuiledges
and
auctorised
Discipline
,
intended
by
vs
(
as
they
affirme
)
to
be
vtterly
ouerthrowne
by
a
suddaine
and
vnseasonable
laying
vpon
them
at
this
present
the
Rites
,
Ceremonies
,
and
whole
Ecclesiasticall
order
established
in
the
Church
of
this
part
of
our
Kingdome
of
Britaine
.
And
as
we
haue
euer
carefully
regarded
how
conuenient
it
is
to
maintaine
euery
Countrey
in
that
forme
of
gouernment
which
is
fittest
and
can
best
agree
with
the
constitution
thereof
,
and
how
dangerous
alterations
are
without
good
aduice
and
mature
deliberation
,
and
that
euen
in
matters
of
order
of
the
Church
,
in
some
small
Ilands
vnder
our
Dominions
,
we
haue
abstained
from
suffering
any
alteration
:
So
doubt
we
not
,
but
our
good
Subiects
will
neuer
be
that
credulous
contrary
to
the
knowen
trueth
,
which
hath
euer
appeared
clearely
in
all
our
Actions
,
as
to
bee
in
any
doubt
,
but
as
in
all
our
proccedings
we
haue
bene
a
Patrone
of
Religion
and
Iustice
(
two
inseparable
conseruers
of
all
Monarchies
,
)
So
hath
all
our
study
and
care
euer
bene
to
retrench
and
reforme
all
courses
that
caried
any
preiudice
to
that
integritie
whereat
wee
haue
euer
aymed
,
and
as
by
so
many
good
Lawes
set
forth
in
our
gouernment
,
Iustice
hath
attained
to
another
perfection
and
splendor
,
then
it
had
in
any
our
predecessours
times
,
and
with
painefull
and
vnpleasant
businesse
,
we
haue
in
the
discipline
of
the
Church
taken
away
innumerable
abuses
and
corruptions
,
which
if
they
had
not
bene
remedied
,
had
brought
the
puritie
of
Religion
in
extreeme
danger
.
Yet
wee
hope
that
none
dare
be
so
impudent
as
to
affirme
that
by
our
Soueraigne
power
,
or
absolute
commandement
wee
did
the
same
(
although
wee
enioyed
our
auctoritie
a
freely
as
any
King
or
Monarch
of
the
world
)
but
as
the
disease
of
the
Ciuill
body
was
euer
cured
by
the
aduice
of
our
three
Estates
,
So
the
defects
of
the
Church
by
the
helpe
and
counsell
of
those
who
had
greatest
interest
in
them
,
So
as
the
presumption
of
our
by-gone
actions
in
our
administration
,
whiles
we
were
present
,
the
proofe
of
our
fatherly
care
towards
that
part
of
our
Kingdome
since
our
residence
here
,
may
bee
sufficient
to
secure
vs
against
all
such
malitious
calumniations
.
And
how
euer
in
rule
of
pollicie
wee
cannot
but
iudge
it
conuenient
that
two
Estates
so
inseparably
conioyned
,
should
be
drawen
to
as
great
conformitie
in
all
things
as
the
good
of
both
may
permit
;
And
that
no
Monarchy
either
in
Ciuill
or
Ecclesiasticall
pollicie
hath
yet
attained
to
that
perfection
,
that
it
needs
no
reformation
,
or
that
infinite
occasions
may
not
arise
whereupon
wise
Princes
will
foresee
for
the
benefit
of
their
States
,
iust
cause
of
alteration
:
Yet
are
wee
and
haue
euer
bene
resolued
,
not
to
make
any
suddaine
or
hasty
change
in
the
gouernment
of
that
part
of
our
Kingdome
,
either
Ciuill
or
Ecclesiasticall
,
but
with
graue
aduice
and
consent
of
our
Estates
,
and
the
wisest
and
best
sort
of
them
whom
it
most
properly
concerns
,
much
lesse
to
trouble
them
with
any
vnnecessary
alteration
of
indifferent
and
Ceremoniall
matters
,
and
that
vpon
such
foreseene
aduantages
,
and
preuention
of
confusion
and
euill
to
come
,
as
the
greatest
enemies
of
all
Peace
,
obedience
to
Princes
,
and
order
in
all
gouernments
shall
not
obtrude
any
inconuenient
to
the
contrary
.
And
as
by
Gods
holy
assistance
,
we
haue
drawen
that
part
of
our
Kingdome
out
of
infinite
troubles
,
factions
,
and
cruell
barbarities
,
and
reduced
the
vttermost
borders
and
confines
thereof
to
Gods
obedience
,
and
acknowledging
of
our
Lawes
;
(
an
Estate
neuer
heard
of
before
,
since
this
Iland
hath
bene
inhabited
)
So
by
the
same
diuine
prouidence
and
our
fatherly
care
ouer
the
whole
Iland
,
we
intend
to
transmit
the
same
in
good
order
,
happy
quietnesse
,
and
flourishing
pollicie
to
that
posteritie
wherewith
God
hath
blessed
vs
,
and
after
them
to
the
worlds
end
;
Like
as
for
the
more
verification
of
our
Honourable
intention
,
and
to
stop
the
mouthes
of
these
vnquiet
spirits
,
raysors
of
that
false
scandall
of
alteration
,
We
haue
appointed
a
generall
assembly
to
be
holden
at
Dundee
the
last
Tuesday
of
Iuly
,
whereat
we
expect
reparation
of
those
disorders
in
so
farre
as
belongeth
to
their
censure
,
and
to
bee
freed
in
time
comming
of
all
such
calumnies
.
Giuen
at
our
Honour
of
Hampton
Court
the
xxvj
.
day
of
September
1605.
yeeres
,
In
the
third
yeere
of
our
raigne
of
Great
Britaine
,
France
and
Ireland
.
AFter
the
publication
and
imprinting
of
which
Proclamation
for
indiction
of
a
new
assembly
,
it
being
still
hoped
by
vs
that
those
Ministers
remayning
in
Ward
,
vpon
the
sight
of
their
owne
offences
,
with
repentance
for
the
same
,
should
humbly
haue
besought
his
Maiestie
for
pardon
;
yet
did
their
obstinacie
still
continue
,
iustifying
all
their
proceedings
,
as
if
they
had
committed
no
crime
at
all
.
Whereupon
wee
of
his
Maiesties
Counsell
,
fearing
the
imputation
of
vnduetifull
and
vndiligent
seruants
,
if
by
this
our
procrastination
(
vpon
vaine
hopes
)
of
the
triall
of
their
offence
,
wee
should
leaue
it
vnder
the
hazard
of
euery
ones
censure
to
be
iudged
by
the
multitude
,
according
as
their
particular
conceits
should
lead
them
;
It
was
therefore
thought
meete
to
call
them
to
their
answere
before
vs
,
for
that
their
most
seditious
,
proud
and
contemptuous
disobedience
to
his
Maiesties
commandement
and
prohibition
.
Being
called
vpon
and
all
present
,
and
enquired
what
defence
they
would
make
for
themselues
,
either
to
iustify
or
excuse
that
their
intollerable
riot
and
contempt
,
first
by
speach
,
and
then
by
writ
they
gaue
in
the
declinator
following
,
as
disclayming
themselues
altogether
from
any
subiection
to
his
Maiestie
,
and
his
Counsell
,
making
all
their
actions
of
whatsoeuer
sort
(
by
their
owne
interpretation
)
to
be
meere
Spirituall
,
and
that
their
meeting
the
second
of
Iuly
last
at
the
Borough
of
Aberdene
,
was
such
an
essentiall
Ecclesiasticall
matter
,
warranted
by
Gods
word
,
that
therein
they
did
no
offence
.
And
if
any
they
had
done
,
the
Counsell
of
any
secular
Prince
was
no
way
to
iudge
them
,
but
their
owne
assembly
.
A
most
lewd
&
vaine
position
;
It
beeing
a
certaine
and
infallible
Maxime
in
the
Law
,
that
their
answer
could
not
exceed
the
limits
of
the
Libell
and
accusation
:
And
therefore
they
being
onely
accused
at
that
time
for
such
a
priuate
and
vnlawfull
misdemeanour
,
their
declinator
could
not
but
directly
deny
his
Maiesties
auctoritie
in
that
particular
point
.
Whereof
we
haue
likewise
set
downe
the
tenour
.
MY
Lords
of
secret
Counsell
;
Pleaseth
your
Lordships
,
The
approbation
or
disallowance
of
a
generall
Assembly
,
hath
bene
,
and
should
bee
a
matter
and
cause
Spirituall
,
and
alwayes
cognosced
and
iudged
by
the
Church
,
as
Iudges
competent
within
this
Realme
.
And
seeing
wee
are
called
before
your
Lordships
to
heare
and
see
it
be
found
and
declared
,
That
wee
haue
very
contemptuously
and
seditiously
conuened
and
assembled
our selues
in
a
generall
Assembly
at
Abeirdein
the
first
Tewsday
of
Iuly
last
,
and
therefore
the
said
Assembly
,
and
approbation
thereof
decerned
and
declared
to
bee
vnlawfull
,
as
at
more
length
is
conteined
in
the
summonds
executed
against
vs
thereanent
;
We
in
consideration
of
the
premisses
,
and
other
reasons
to
be
giuen
by
vs
,
haue
iust
cause
to
decline
your
Lordships
iudgement
,
as
no
wayes
competent
in
the
cause
aboue
specified
.
And
by
these
presents
we
simpliciter
decline
the
same
,
Seeing
wee
are
most
willing
to
submit
our selues
to
the
triall
of
the
generall
Assembly
onely
Iudge
competent
.
By
these
presents
Subscribed
with
our
handes
as
followeth
,
At
Edinburgh
the
24.
day
of
October
,
the
yeere
of
God
1605.
yeeres
,
Sic
subscribitur
:
M.
Iohn
Forbes
,
M.
Iohn
Welsche
,
M.
Ion
Monro
,
M.
Androe
Duncane
,
M
Alexander
Stranchane
,
M.
Iames
Greig
,
M.
William
Forbes
,
M.
Robert
Yongston
,
M.
Nathan
Inglis
,
M.
Charles
Ferme
,
M.
Iames
Irwing
,
M.
Iohn
Scharp
,
M.
Robert
Durie
,
Iohn
Rosse
.
THis
Declinator
being
repelled
,
and
they
hauing
vsed
some
other
friuolous
defences
with
more
losse
of
time
then
vttering
of
any
matter
,
at
last
all
being
repelled
,
they
were
found
to
haue
conuened
most
vnlawfully
contrary
to
his
Maiesties
warrant
and
charge
giuen
to
the
contrary
.
And
being
returned
to
their
seuerall
prisons
,
vpon
aduertisement
giuen
to
his
Maiestie
of
the
whole
proceedings
in
that
Processe
before
the
Counsell
,
and
of
that
proud
presumption
of
those
ministers
in
propounding
the
said
Declinator
,
without
any
respect
to
that
Acte
of
Parliament
made
in
Maij
1584.
or
any
paine
which
they
incurred
by
doing
therof
(
which
was
,
That
any
persons
either
Spirituall
or
Temporall
presuming
to
decline
the
Iudgement
of
his
Maiestie
and
his
Counsell
in
any
matter
whatsoeuer
,
shall
incurre
the
paine
of
Treason
)
therefore
his
Maiestie
presently
sent
his
Royall
direction
to
his
Counsell
,
that
the
ordinary
course
of
Iustice
according
to
the
Lawes
of
this
his
Highnesse
Realme
,
should
proceede
against
those
ministers
,
who
by
the
propounding
of
that
Declinature
had
made
a
plaine
denyall
of
their
subiection
to
his
Maiestie
,
and
of
his
Royall
power
and
Authoritie
ouer
them
.
Whereupon
sixe
of
them
being
then
in
prison
within
the
Castle
of
Black-nesse
,
were
vpon
the
tenth
of
Ianuarie
last
brought
to
his
Maiesties
Borough
of
Lynlithgrw
,
and
there
presented
vpon
panel
before
his
Highnesse
Iustice
being
the
ordinarie
Iudge
of
all
matters
Criminall
,
who
had
ioyned
to
him
a
great
number
of
Noblemen
and
others
of
his
Maiesties
Counsell
by
his
Highnesse
Commission
to
assist
the
said
Iustice
in
that
matter
.
And
their
Inditement
being
grounded
vpon
that
first
Statute
made
in
Maij
1584.
and
vpon
that
their
presumptuous
Fact
in
declining
the
Counsels
iudgement
when
they
were
first
brought
to
their
answere
,
they
were
then
demanded
what
they
could
say
for
themselues
before
the
matter
should
passe
to
the
tryall
of
a
Iurie
.
And
notwithstanding
that
some
of
their
owne
brethren
,
vpon
earnest
request
to
the
Counsell
hauing
obtained
Licence
&
permission
to
conferre
with
them
and
perswade
them
to
an
humble
submission
and
penitence
;
as
likewise
that
their
two
principall
Procurators
and
Counsellors
at
Law
not
being
able
to
perswade
them
to
this
same
course
of
humility
wherein
they
dealt
with
them
earnestly
,
did
vpon
their
obstinacie
directly
refuse
to
pleade
for
them
;
and
lastly
notwithstanding
that
they
were
publikely
admonished
by
the
Iudge
the
very
time
of
their
standing
at
the
Barre
,
that
putting
off
that
maske
ot
wilfulnesse
(
the
onely
thing
which
so
blinded
them
from
sight
of
their
owne
follies
)
they
would
humbly
craue
his
Maiesties
pardon
,
of
whose
great
Clemencie
,
in
case
of
their
submission
,
all
that
were
present
,
had
very
great
hopes
and
vttered
great
assurances
:
Yet
such
was
their
malignant
and
indurate
obstinacie
,
as
hardening
their
hearts
against
all
these
publicke
and
priuate
perswasions
and
admonitions
,
they
wilfully
persisted
in
iustifying
their
Actions
;
Hauing
still
the
assistance
of
so
many
Counsellours
at
Law
as
would
stay
with
them
:
and
the
only
thing
they
could
alledge
for
themselues
why
they
should
not
go
to
the
tryall
of
an
Assise
,
was
,
that
the
said
Statute
of
Maij
1584.
was
thereafter
interpreted
and
limitted
by
a
particular
clause
of
a
Statute
made
in
1592.
wherein
it
is
declared
that
the
said
Act
made
in
1584.
against
the
declyning
of
the
Counsels
iudgement
,
shall
no
way
be
preiudiciall
nor
derogate
any
thing
to
the
priuiledges
which
God
hath
giuen
to
the
Spirituall
office-bearers
in
the
Church
,
concerning
heads
of
Religion
,
matters
of
Heresie
,
Excommunication
,
collation
or
depriuation
of
Ministers
,
or
any
such
like
essentiall
Censures
,
specially
grounded
,
and
hauing
the
warrant
of
the
word
of
God
.
And
herein
they
doe
alleadge
that
their
meeting
at
that
time
in
Aberdene
being
an
essentiall
censure
,
warranted
by
Gods
word
,
they
might
lawfully
decline
the
Counsels
iudgement
from
taking
cognition
therein
.
Whereunto
it
was
answered
by
his
Maiesties
Aduocate
of
that
his
Highnes
Kingdome
,
That
that
their
defence
was
to
be
repelled
,
because
the
keeping
of
an
Assembly
at
a
certaine
time
and
place
,
and
the
appointing
of
another
assembly
of
new
,
contrary
to
his
Maiesties
charge
,
and
against
the
will
and
command
of
his
Highnesse
Counsell
of
this
Kingdome
,
and
notwithstanding
of
the
disassenting
of
his
Maiesties
Commissioner
;
much
lesse
the
keeping
of
that
petty
Conuenticle
in
the
towne
of
Aberdene
that
second
of
Iuly
last
past
,
is
not
any
head
of
Religion
,
matter
of
Heresie
,
Excommunication
or
essentiall
Censure
whatsoeuer
;
and
so
being
no
way
vnder
that
limitation
,
must
of
all
necessitie
come
vnder
the
generalitie
of
the
former
Statute
in
the
84.
and
they
must
haue
incurred
the
paine
of
Treason
for
declining
the
Counsailes
Iudgement
,
being
called
to
their
answere
vpon
their
contempt
.
And
likewise
in
that
same
very
clause
of
interpretation
of
the
former
Acte
,
howeuer
it
is
declared
that
the
sayd
Statute
shall
no
way
make
derogation
to
the
Priuiledge
that
the
office
bearers
in
the
Church
haue
giuen
them
concerning
Religion
,
Heresie
and
other
Ecclesiasticall
censures
(
wherein
his
Maiestie
will
be
euer
farre
from
the
assuming
vnto
himselfe
any
Papall
and
tyrannicall
Authoritie
ouer
the
expresse
word
of
God
)
Yet
doeth
not
that
clause
inferre
such
a
Priuatiue
of
his
Maiesties
Souereigntie
,
as
may
denude
him
of
that
lawfull
power
which
Christian
Kings
haue
ouer
the
Churches
that
are
within
their
dominions
.
The
matter
going
to
the
triall
of
an
Assise
,
these
sixe
are
found
guilty
of
high
treason
,
and
returned
to
their
seuerall
prisons
.
And
therfore
as
hereby
this
proud
contempt
and
disobedience
of
this
small
handfull
of
ministerie
(
to
the
very
great
griefe
and
sorowe
of
all
the
well
disposed
of
that
profession
in
this
kingdome
)
is
clerely
and
truely
set
downe
(
that
the
ignorance
thereof
should
not
be
the
occasion
of
mistaking
by
any
,
of
the
most
iust
and
necessary
causes
enforcing
this
hard
proceeding
against
them
)
so
are
the
said
wilfull
and
obstinate
persons
to
be
left
to
their
iust
punishment
for
their
deserts
,
whereunto
they
haue
most
contentiously
constrained
his
Maiestie
,
and
in
a
maner
extorted
the
same
against
his
will
.
And
neuerthelesse
since
there
is
no
contempt
whatsoeuer
,
but
hath
the
owne
fauourers
,
no
folly
but
by
some
patronised
and
allowed
,
and
that
vpon
vaine
curiositie
(
notwithstanding
of
their
knowledge
to
the
contrary
)
some
will
not
sticke
to
maintaine
Paradoxes
and
defend
absurdities
,
which
(
howsoeuer
in
matters
friuolous
and
of
no
moment
might
be
ouerslipt
&
not
regarded
)
yet
in
such
matters
concerning
his
Maiesties
royall
Auctoritie
,
and
the
excusing
or
iustifying
of
high
and
proud
contempts
by
any
sort
or
ranke
of
persons
,
so
farre
should
wee
of
his
Highnesse
counsell
(
in
our
duety
and
alleageance
to
our
Prince
and
Souereigne
)
bee
from
any
sort
of
carelesnesse
or
negligence
,
as
hereby
wee
haue
thought
meete
to
signifie
his
Maiesties
speciall
pleasure
and
wil
,
that
he
doeth
streightly
command
&
charge
all
his
Highnes
subiects
of
this
his
Kingdome
(
of
whatsoeuer
ranke
,
place
,
calling
,
function
or
condition
they
be
)
that
none
of
them
presume
to
take
vpon
them
,
either
in
publique
or
priuate
,
to
murmure
or
call
in
question
in
any
sort
,
this
his
Maiesties
prerogatiue
,
and
auctoritie
Royall
,
or
the
lawfulnes
of
this
proceeding
against
the
said
Ministers
,
or
any
way
to
make
constructions
,
or
to
mis-interprete
that
acte
of
Parliament
of
the
yeere
1584.
concerning
the
declining
of
his
Maiesties
and
his
Counsels
iudgment
,
otherwise
then
the
same
is
made
cleare
and
manifest
by
this
present
decision
of
the
Iustice
in
the
triall
of
the
said
Ministers
,
with
certification
to
them
that
shall
contrauene
the
same
,
that
they
shal
be
really
punished
in
the
qualitie
of
seditious
persons
,
and
wilfull
contemners
of
his
Maiesties
most
iust
and
lawfull
gouernment
.
Giuen
at
Edinburgh
the
seuenth
day
of
March
,
Jn
the
third
yeere
of
his
Maiesties
raigne
of
great
Britaine
,
France
and
Jreland
.
1606.