subscribed _Anno_ 1580, and divers times since and to the order and constitutions of this Kirk. Thirdly, the changing of the government of the Kirk, from the Assemblies of the Kirk to the persons of some Kirkmen, usurping prioritie and power over their Brethren by the way, and under the name of Episcopall government against the Confession of Faith, 1580 against the order set downe in the Book of Policy, and against the intention & constitution of this Kirk from the beginning. Fourthly the Civill places and power of Kirkmen, their sitting in Session, Councell and Exchequer, their Riding, Sitting, and voting in Parliament, and their sitting in the Bench as Justices of peace, which according to the constitutions of this Kirk are incompatible with their spiritual function, lifting them up above their Brethren in worldly pomp, and do tend to the hinderance of the Ministrie. Fiftly the keeping and authorizing corrupt Assemblies at _Linlithgow_, 1606. and 1608. At _Glasgow_, 1610. At _Aberdene_, 1616. At S. _Andrews_, 1617. At _Perth_, 1618. which ar null and unlawful, as being called and constitute quite contrary to the order and constitutions of this Kirk received and practised ever since the reformation of Religion, and withal laboring to introduce novations into this Kirk, against the order and religion established. A sixth cause is the want of lawful & free General Assemblies, rightly constitute of Pastors, Doctors, and Elders yearly, or oftner _pro re nata_, according to the libertie of this Kirk, expressed in the Book of Policy: and acknowledged in the Act of Parliament, 1592. After which the whole Assembly in one heart and voyce did declare, that these and such other, proceeding from the neglect and breach of the Nationall Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome, made in _Anno_ 1580. have been indeed the true and maine causes of all our evills and distractions. And therefore ordain, according to the constitutions of the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk: And upon the grounds _respectivè_ above-specified, That the foresaid Service-Book, Books of Cannons, and Ordinaination, and the high Commission, be still rejected: that the Articles of _Perth_, be no more practised: That Episcopall Government, and the Civill places and power of Kirk-men be holden still as unlawfull in this Kirk: That the above named pretended Assemblies, At _Linlithgow_ 1606. and 1608. At _Glasgow_ 1610. At _Aberdene_ 1616. At S. _Andrews_ 1617. At _Perth_ 1618. be hereafter accounted as null, and of none effect. And that for preservation of Religion, and preventing all such evill in time-coming, Generall Assemblies rightly constitute, as the proper and competent judge of all matters Ecclesiasticall, heereafter be kept yearly and oftner, _pro re nata_, as occasion and necessity shall require; The necessity of these occasionall Assemblies being first remonstrate to His Majestie by humble supplication: As also that Kirk Sessions, Presbyteries and Synodall