The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland. General Assembly
History
The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland. General Assembly
Ecclesiastical law -- Scotland; Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century
The second Article is violated because in stead of indeavouring to
extirpate Popery and Superstition without respect of persons (as is
exprest in the Covenant) there is in the late Declaration of the Committee
of Estates a desire of the Queens return, without any condition tending to
the restraint of her Masse or exercise of Popery; We do also conceive
there is a tacit condescending to the toleration of Superstition and the
Book of Common prayer in His Majesties family, because as it was reserved
by himself in his concession, brought home by the Commissioners of this
Kingdom, So these concessions were never plainly declared by the
Parliament to be unsatisfactory to their Lordships, howbeit it hath been
often and earnestly desired: neither can we conceive how the clause
concerning the extirpation of Prelacy, can consist with indeavouring to
bring His Majesty with Honour, Freedom and Safety to one of his Houses in
or about LONDON, without any security had from him, for the abolition of
Prelacy; it being his known principle (and publickly declared by himself
shortly after he went to the Isle of _Wight_) that he holds himself
obliged in conscience, and by his Coronation Oath to maintain Archbishops,
Bishops, &c. Can it be said that they are endeavouring to extirpate
Prelacy, who after such a Declaration would put in His Majesties hand an
opportunity to restore it?
As for the third Article we cannot conceive how the preserving of the
Priviledges of Parliament, and asserting the Kings negative voice can
consist; And we are sorrowfull that under the colour, of the Priviledges
of Parliament, the liberties of the Subjects are overthrown, and the
persons and Estates of such as have been best affected to the Cause and
Covenant are exposed to most grievous injuries, crying oppressions: And
whereas the duty in preserving and defending his Majesties Person and
Authority, is by the third Article of the Covenant qualified with, and
subordinate unto the preservation and defence of the true Religion and
Liberties of the Kingdoms, There is no such qualification, nor
subordination observed in the present Engagement, but on the contrary, it
is so carried on, as to make duties to God and Religion conditionall,
qualified, limited; and duties to the King absolute and unlimited.
The fourth Article of the Covenant is so foully broken, that they who were
by that Article declared Enemies, Incendiaries, Malignants, and therefore
to be brought to condigne tryall and punishment, are now looked upon as
friends and associates, and are the men who get most favour and
protection, and sundry of them imployed in places of trust, in the Army
and Committees.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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