Records of the Kirk of Scotland: containing the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly.Church of Scotland. General Assembly
History
Records of the Kirk of Scotland: containing the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly.
Church of Scotland. General Assembly
Church of Scotland -- History -- Sources
Whereas we were in hope by Our late Proclamations to have given
satisfaction to Our People, and to have removed their Mistakings of
the Book of Common-prayer, which We caused to be published, having
thereby declared, that it never entered into Our thoughts to make any
Innovation in Religion and Form of Gods Worship, nay, not to press
the said Books upon any of Our Subjects, till by a fair way they
were induced to approve the same; yet having understood, that to the
contrary (by what means We know not) occasions have been taken to
confirm them in their former Mistakings, and to bind them by Oaths
and Subscriptions against the Laws established by Our dear Father of
blessed memory, and ratified by Our Selves since Our coming to the
Crown: howsoever there is in that more than just cause offered to take
punishment of such an open Contempt and Rebellion, yet considering
that this is not the fault of the simple sort and multitude of People,
who have been seduced through specious pretexts, as if nothing were
contained in the said Bond or Covenant, as they call it, but the
promoting of Gods Glory, the maintaining of Our Honour, and Liberty
of the Country, with the preserving of Unity among themselves, We no
way willing to use Our people with rigour, or to enquire severely
into their errors of that kind, have thought meet to renew Our former
Declaration, by assuring them, and every one of them, that Our constant
Resolution is, and hath been, to maintain the true Religion professed
and established by the Laws of that Our Kingdom, without any Change
or Innovation, at the hazard of Our Life and Crown, and that We will
not force on Our Subjects either the said Book of Common-prayer, or
Book of Canons, till the same be duly examined, and they in their
Judgments, satisfied with the legality thereof; nor will We permit the
exercise of any Commission upon them, for whatsoever cause, which may
give unto them any just cause of Grief and Complaint. Willing therefore
and requiring all Our People and Subjects to acquiesce to this Our
Declaration, and not suffer themselves to be misled by the private or
publick Informations of turbulent spirits, as if We did intend any
thing contrary to this Our Profession, having always esteemed it a
special point of Royal Dignity, to profess what We intend to doe, and
to perform what We do promise; certifying all Our good Subjects, who
shall hereupon rest quiet in obedience of God and Us, that We will
faithfully perform whatsoever We have declared, whether in this or
in Our former Proclamations made to that purpose, and be unto them a
good and merciful King: as on the other side, if any shall hereafter
make business, and disturb the Peace of that Church and Kingdom, by
following their private Covenants, and refusing to be ruled by the
Laws established, that We will use the Force and Power, which God hath
put into Our hands, for compescing and subduing such mutinous and
disobedient Rebels. Given at Our Palace of
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