XIII. Lastlie; it is most manifest by the Premisses, how absurd it is, and contrarie to all Reason and Practise of the Christian Church, that Archbishops and Bishops shall bee judged by Presbyters; and more absurd, that they should bee judged by a mixt meeting of Presbyters and Laicks, conveaning without lawfull authoritie of the Church. Howe, and by whome they are to bee judged, according to the custome of Auncient times, may bee seene by the Councell of Chalcedon, Can. 9. and Concil. Milevit. Can. 22. and Concil. Carthag. 2. Can. 10. Nor doe wee decline the lawfull tryall of anie competent judicatorie in the Kingdome, especiallie of a Generall Assemblie lawfully constitute, or of his Majesties high Commissioner, for anie thing in life or doctrine can be layde to our charge: onlie we declare and affirme, That it is against Order, Decencie, and Scripture, that wee should be judged by Presbyters or by Laickes, without Authoritie and Commission from Soveraygne Authoritie. For the reasons fore-sayd, and manie moe, and for discharge of our duetie to GOD, to his CHVRCH, and to our Sacred Soveraygne, lest by our silence we betray the CHVRCHE’S right, his Majesties Authoritie, and our owne Consciences, Wee for our selues, and in Name of the CHVRCH of SCOTLAND, are forced to protest, That this Assemblie bee reputed and holden Null in Lawe Divine and Humane; and, That no Church-man bee holden to appeare before, assist or approue it; and therefore, that no Letter, Petition, Subscription, Interlocutor, Certification, Admonition, or other Act what-so-ever proceeding from the said Assemblie, or anie member thereof, bee anie wise prejudiciall to the Religion and Confession of Fayth by Act of Parliament established, or to the Church, or anie member thereof, or to the Iurisdiction, Liberties, Priviledges, Rentes, Benefices, and Possessions of the same, Actes of Generall Assemblie, of Councell, and Parliament, in Favoures thereof; or to the three Estates of the Kingdome, or anie of them; or to vs, or anie of vs, in our Persons, or Estates, Authoritie, Iurisdiction, Dignitie, Rentes, Benefices, Reputation, and good Name: But on the contrarie, That all such Actes and Deedes aboue-mentioned, and every one of them, are, and shall bee reputed and esteemed vnjust, illegall, and Null in themselues; with all that hath followed, or may follow there-vpon.