HAving seriously considered with our selves that nothing in this world is so pretious , and ought to be so deare unto us as our Religion that the diseases of this Kirk after long toleration did threaten no lesse then her owne ruine , and expiring of the trueth of Religion at last . And that a free generall Assembly was the ordinarie remedie appointed by divine authoritie ; and blessed by divine providence in other Kirks , and after a speciall manner in the Kirk of Scotland ; Wee have often and earnestly supplicated for the same ; and have laboured to remove what was objected , or what we could conceive to bee any hinderance to the obtaining of our desire , like as wee have now for the same good end resolved to returne this Answer to the particulars proponed to be performed by us before an Assembly be indicted .

The particulars proponed are either matters Ecclesiastick or civill : Ecclesiastick or kirk matters are , the first concerning Ministers deposed or suspended by the presbyteries , since the first of Februar last without warrant of the Ordinar , that they be reponed to their own places . The second , concerning Moderators of presbytrys deposed since the forsaid day to be reponed , and all Moderators appointed by the said presbyteries without warrant forsaid to desist from executing the office of Moderator . The third , anent Ministers admitted since the day forsaid , that they desist from exercising the function of the Ministerie in that place to which they had beene admitted , These three particulars doe concerne the power , duetie and particular facts or faults of presbyteries , wherein wee have no power to judge and determine whether they have lawfully proceeded or not , far lesse can we urge or command them to altar or recall what they have determined or done , in the suspending , deposing or admitting of Ministers or Moderators : they being properly subject to the superiour Assemblies of the Kirk , and in this case and condition of the Kirk , to the generall Assembly , where if they shall not after tryall justifie their proceedings from the good warrants of Scripture , reason , and of the acts and practises of the Kirk , they ought sustaine their own deserved censure . And since upon the one side there be many complaints , against the prelats for their usurpation over Presbyteries in the like particulars : And on the other side there bee such complaints of the doings and disorders of presbyteries to the offence of the Prelats , We trust that his Majesties Commissionar will not esteeme this to bee an hinderance of the indiction of a generall Assembly : but rather a powerfull and principall motive with speed to conveene the same , as the proper judicatorie for determining such dangerous and universall differences of the Kirke . Neither doe wee heare that any Minsters are deposed : but some only suspended during this interim , till a generall Assembly for their erroneous doctrine and flagitious life : So that it were most offensive to God , disgracefull to Religion , and scandalous to the people to repone them to their places , till they be tryed and censured . And concerning Moderators none of them ( as we understand ) are deposed , but some only changed , which is very ordinary in this Kirk .

The fourth , anent the reparing of Parochiners to their own Kirks , and that Elders assist their Minister in the discipline of the Kirk ought to bee cognosced and judged by the particular Presbyterie , to which the Parochiners and elders are subject , since the cause may bee in the Ministers no lesse then the parochiners add elders And incase they finde no redresse there , to ascend till they come to a generall Assembly , the want whereof makes disorders to be multiplyed both in presby●●ries and paroches .

To the sixth , that Ministers waite upon their owne Kirks ; and that none of them come to the assembly or place where the same is keeped : but such as shall be chosen Commissionars from pr●sbyteries .

Wee answere , that none are to come to the place of the assembly , but such as are either allowed by commission , or other-wise have such interest as they can approve to his Majesties Commissionar , and the Assembly conveened .

To the seventh , anent the appointing of Moderators of presbyteries to be Commissionars to the generall assembly : only constant Moderatours who ceased long since , were found in the assembly 1606. ( which yet was never reputed by this Kirk to be a lawfull nationall assembly ) to be necessarie members of a generall assembly . And if both the Moderators . Who if they be necessarie members need not to bee chosen , and the chosen Commissionars repare to the assembly : the Assembly it self can judge best of the members where-of it ought to bee constitute .

To the nynth , that no laick whatsoever meddle with the choosing of Commissionars for the presbyteries , and no Minister without his owne presbyterie : Wee say that according to the order of the Kirk none but Ministers and Elders of Kirks ought to have voice in choosing Commissionars for presbyteries : And that no Minister or Elder ought to have voice in election , but in his own presbyterie .

The rest of the particulars are civill matters , as the fifth , anent the paying of the rents and stipends of Bishops and Ministers : Concerning which wee can say no further but that the Lawes are patent for them as others his Majest●es subjects . And that the generall assembly ought not to be delayed upon any complaint of that kinde .

The eight , requiring that Bishops and other Ministers may bee secured in their persons : We thinke so reasonable , that wee will promise everie one of us for our own parts they shall suffer no violence from us , and shall hinder others so far as we may , and if any trouble them otherwise , or make them any kinde of molestation in that attendance , except by order of Law●s the parties are justly punishable according to the degrie of their faule as other subjects are .

To the tenth , concerning the dissolving of all convocations & meetings and the peaceablenesse of the Countrie . These meetings being keeped for no other end , but for consul●ing about lawfull remedies against such pressing grievances as threaten the desolation of the Kirk and State , cannot be dissolved till the evils be removed . And we trust that nothing in these our meetings hath escaped us which earrseth in it the smallest appearance of unduetifulnesse , or which may seeme to tend to the breach of the common peace ; But although our adversaries have heerein calumniated us , yet we have alwayes so behaved our selves as beseemed his Majesties most humble and loyall subjects , petitioning his Majestie for a legall redresse of our just grievances .

To the last , concerning the Covenant : the Commissioner his G. having many times and most instantly pressed us with that point . We did first by invincible reasons make manifest that we could not without sinning against God and our consciences ; and without wrong done to this nationall Kirk , and the posteritie , rescinde or alter the same . And thereafter did at length cleare the same of all unlawfull combination against authority by our last Supplication & declaration , which his Majesties Commissionar accepted as the most readie and powerfull of all other meanes which could come within the compasse of our thoughts to give his Majestie satisfaction . The Subscription of this our Confession of Faith and Covenant , being an act so evidently tending to the glorie of God , the Kings honour , and happinesse of the Kingdome . And having alreadie proven so comfortable to us in the inward of our hearts : It is our ardent and constant desire , and heartie with that both his Majestie , and all his good Subjects may bee partakers of the same comfort : Like as we finde our selves bound by conscience and by the Covenant it selfe to perswade all his Majesties good Subjects to joyne with us for the good of Religion , his Majesties honour , and the quyetnesse of the Kingdome , which being modestly used by us without pressing or threatning of the meanest , wee hope shall never give his Majestie the least cause of discontent .

Seeing therefore according to our power and interest wee are most willing to remove all hinderances , that things may bee carried in a peaceable manner worthie of our profession and Covenant , doe ayme at nothing but the good of the Kingdome , and preservation of the Kirk , which by consumption and combustion is like to bee desperately diseased , except remedie some way be speedily provided ; and delight to use no other meanes but such as are legall , and have beene ordinarie in this Kirk since the reformation , We are confident that without further delay for preventing of greater evills and miseries than wee can expresse , Our just desires shall bee granted ; So shall we bee incouraged in the peace of our soules still to pray for his Majestie all encrease of true honour and happinesse .