The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 3

But so it is that Episcopall government is abhorred and detested, and the government by Ministers and Elders, in a.s.semblies generall and provinciall, and Presbyteries was sworn to, and subscribed in subscribing that Confession, and ought to be holden by us, if we adhere to the meaning of the Kirk, when that Confession was framed, sworn to, and subscribed; unto which we are obliged by the nationall oath and subscription of this Kirk, as is evident by the acts of generall a.s.semblies, agreed upon both before, at, and after the swearing and subscribing of the said Confession, in the years above-mentioned, and the book of policie agreed upon in the a.s.sembly which was holden at _Edinburgh_ the twentie foure of _April_, and twentie foure of _October_, _Anno_ 1578. Insert in the register of the Kirk, by ordinance of the a.s.sembly holden at _Glasgow_ 1581 and to be subscribed by all Ministers, that then did bear, or thereafter were to bear office in this Kirk, by ordinance of the a.s.sembly holden the fourth of _August_ at _Edinburgh_ 1590. And at _Edinburgh_ the second of _July_ 1591. but specially in the 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. and 11, chapters of the said book.

The Bishops being tollerat from the year 1572, till the a.s.sembly holden in _August_ 1575. And all this time the a.s.sembly being wearied with complaints made against them, did enter in search of the office it selfe, and did agree in this that the name of a Bishop is common to every one of them that hath a particular flock, over which he hath a particular charge, as well to preach the word, as to minister the Sacraments.

At the next a.s.sembly which was holden in _April_ 1576. Such Bishops were censured as had not taken them to a particular flock. In the generall a.s.sembly conveened in _April_ the year of G.o.d 1578. Sess. 4. Intimation was made as followeth.

_For so much as the heads of the policie being concluded and agreed upon in the last a.s.sembly, by the most part of the brethren: certain of the brethren had some difficultie in the head_ de diaconatu, _whereupon farther reasoning was reserved to this a.s.sembly: It is therefore required, if any of the brethren have any reasonable doubt or argument to propone, that he be ready the morow, and then shall be heard and resolved_. In the 6. Sess. _April_ 26. According to the ordinance made the day before; all persons that had any doubt or argument to propone, were required to propone the same; but none offered to propone any argument on the contrare.

In the a.s.sembly holden at _Edinburgh_, in _October_ 1578. It was showen by the Moderatour thereof to the n.o.ble-men, who were present, viz. _My Lord Chancelour_, the Earle of _Montrose_, my Lord _Seaton_, and my Lord _Lindsay_, _What care and study the a.s.sembly had taken to entertain and keep the puritie of the sincere word of G.o.d, unmixed with the inventions of their own heads, and to preserve it to the posteritie hereafter, and seeing that the true Religion is not able to continue nor endure long without a good __ Discipline and policie, in that part also have they imployed their wit and studie, and drawen forth out of the pure fountain of G.o.ds word, to bee a Discipline as is meet to remain in the Kirk_.

In the same a.s.sembly, the speciall corruptions were set down, which they craved such of the Bishops as would submit themselves to the a.s.sembly to remove, with promise, that if the generall a.s.sembly, hereafter shall finde further corruptions in the said estate, then hitherto are expressed that they be content to be reformed by the said a.s.sembly according to the word of G.o.d, when they shall be required thereto. First, _That they be content to bee Pastours and Ministers of one flock: That they usurpe no criminall jurisdiction, that they vote not in Parliament in name of the Kirk, without Commission from the Kirk: That they take not up for the maintenance of their ambition and rictousnesse, the emoluments of the Kirk, which may sustain many Pastours, the Schools, and the poore; but be content with reasonable livings according to their office: That they claime not to themselves the t.i.tles of Lords temporall, neither usurpe temporall jurisdictions, whereby they are abstracted from their office: That they empyre not above the particular Elders.h.i.+ps, but be subject to the same: That they usurpe not the power of the Presbyteries._

The question being proponed by the Synod at _Loutbian_ in the a.s.sembly holden in _July_ 1579. anent a generall order to be taken for erecting of Presbyteries in places where publick exercise is used, untill the time the policie of the Kirk be established by a law: It is answered, _The exercise may be judged to be a Presbyterie._ In the a.s.sembly holden at _Dundie_ in _July_ 1580. Sess. 4, The office of a Bishop was abolished by a particular act; as appeareth by the tennour of the act following.

_For so much as the office of a Bishop, as it is now used and commonly taken withen this Realme, hath no sure warrand authoritie, nor good ground in the Scriptures, but is brought in by the foly and corruption of mans inventions, to the great overthrow of the Kirk of G.o.d, the whole a.s.sembly of the Kirk in one voice after libertie given to all men to reason in the matter, none opponing himself in defending the said pretended office, findeth and declareth the said pretended office, used and termed, as is above said, unlawfull in the selfe, as having neither foundament, ground, nor warrand in the word of G.o.d, and ordaineth that all such persons, __ as brook or shall brook hereafter the said office, shall be charged simply to dimit, quite, and leave off the same, as an office whereunto they are not called of G.o.d: and suchlike, to desist and cease from all preaching, ministration of the Sacraments, or using any way the office of pastours, while they receive_ de novo, _admission from the generall a.s.sembly, under the pain of excommunication to be used against them, wherein if they be found disobedient, or contradict this act in any point, the sentence of excommunication, after due admonition, to be execute against them._

In the same a.s.sembly holden _Anno_ 1580. Sess. 10. This article was appointed to be proponed to the King and Councel, that the book of policie might be established by an act of privie Councel, _while a Parliament be holden, at which it might be confirmed by a law_.

The extent of the act made at _Dundie_, was interpreted and explained in the a.s.sembly, holden at _Glasgow_, in _April_, 1581. Sess. 6. as followeth.

_Anent the Act made in the a.s.sembly holden at_ Dundie _against Bishops, because some difficultie appeareth to some brethren to arise out of the word_ (office) _contained in the said act, what should be meaned thereby, The a.s.sembly consisting for the most part of such as voted, and were present in the a.s.sembly at_ Dundie, _to take away the said difficultie, resolving upon the true meaning and understanding of the said act, declare that they meaned wholly to condemne the whole estate of Bishops, as they are now in_ Scotland, _and that the same was the determination and conclusion of the a.s.sembly at this time, because some brethren doubted, whether the former act was to be understood of the_ spiritual function _only, and others alledged, that the_ whole office of a Bishop _as it was used, was d.a.m.nable, and that by the said act, the Bishops should be charged to dimit the same: This a.s.sembly declareth that they meaned wholly to condemne the whole estate of Bishops, as they were then in_ Scotland, _and that this was the meaning of the a.s.sembly, at that time_.

The Kings _Commissioner_ presented to this a.s.sembly the Confession of Faith, subscribed by the King, and his houshold, not long before, together with a plot of the Presbyteries to be erected, which is registrate in the books of the a.s.sembly, with a letter to be directed from his Majestie to the n.o.ble-men and gentle-men of the Countrey, for the erection of Presbyteries, consisting of Pastours, and Elders, and dissolution of Prelacies, and with an offer to set forward the Policie untill it were established by Parliament. The Kings letter subscribed by his hand, to the n.o.ble-men, and Gentle-men, was read in open audience of the whole a.s.sembly.

This a.s.sembly ordained the book of Policie to be insert in the register by the act following.

_For as much as travels have been taken in the framing of the Policie of the Kirk, and diverse suits have been made to the Magistrat for approbation thereof, which yet have not taken the happie effect, which good men would wish, yet that the posteritie may judge well of the present age; and of the meaning of the Kirk; The a.s.sembly hath concluded, that the book of Policie agreed to in diverse a.s.semblies before, should be registrat in the acts of the Kirk, and remaine therein_ ad perpetuam rei memoriam: _and the coppies thereof to be taken to every Presbyterie: of which book the tennour followeth, &c._

Immediatly after the inserting of the book of Policie, called there the book of Discipline, the a.s.sembly ordained that the confession of Faith be subscribed as followeth.

_Anent the confession of Faith lately set forth by the Kings Majestie, and subscribed by his highnesse. The a.s.sembly in one voice, acknowledgeth the said Confession to be a true, Christian, and faithful confession, to be eagreed unto by such as truly professe Christ, and have a care of Religion, and the tennour thereof to be followed out efoldly as the samine is laid out in the said Proclamation_, wherein that Discipline is sworn to.

In the general a.s.sembly holden at _Edinburgh_ in _October_ 1581. Sess. 10.

Mr. _Robert Montgomery_ is accused for teaching that Discipline is a thing indifferent. Sess. 23. The a.s.sembly gave commission to the Presbyterie of _Stirling_, to charge Mr. _Robert Montgomerie_, to continue in the ministerie of _Stirling_, and not to medle with any other office or function of the Kirk, namely in aspyring to the Bishop.r.i.c.k of _Glasgow_, against the word of G.o.d, and acts of the Kirk, under the pain of excommunication.

In the same a.s.sembly it is acknowledged that the estate of Bishops is condemned by the Kirk, a commission for erection of moe Presbyteries was renewed: and a new ordinance made for subscribing the confession of Faith, and to proceed against whatsoever persons that would not acknowledge and subscribe the same.

In the a.s.sembly holden in _April_ 1582. there was a new commission for erection of Presbyteries, where none was as yet erected, Mr. _Robert Montgomerie_, pretending to be Bishop of _Glasgow_, was ordained to be deposed and excommunicat, except hee gave evident tokens of repentance, and promise to superseed, which he did not: and therefore he was excommunicat shortly after, according to the ordinance of this a.s.sembly.

In the generall a.s.sembly holden at _Edinburgh_, 1582. The generall a.s.sembly gave commission to some Presbyteries, to try and censure such as were called Bishops, for the great slander arising by their impunitie.

Commission was given at this a.s.sembly to present some articles to the Councel and Estates, for approving and establis.h.i.+ng by their authoritie the Presbyteries, the Synodall, and generall a.s.semblies. In the 19. Sess.

The a.s.sembly declared, that no Bishop may sit upon the Councell in name of the Kirk.

In the a.s.sembly holden _Anno_ 1586. These two articles were agreed upon.

First _It is found that all such as the Scripture appointeth governours of the Kirk, to wit Pastours, Doctours, and Elders, may conveen to the generall a.s.semblies, and vote in Ecclesiasticall matters._ Secondly: _There are foure office bearers set down to us by the Scriptures, to wit Pastours, Doctours, Elders, and Deacons, and the name of Bishop ought not to be taken as it hath been in time of Papistrie, but is common to all Pastours, and Ministers._

In the a.s.sembly holden _Anno_ 1587. Sess. 8. It was ordained that the admission of Mr. _Robert Montgomerie_ by the Presbyterie of _Glasgow_, suppose to the temporalitie of the Bishop.r.i.c.k only, be undone and annulled with all possible diligence, to the effect slander might be removed from the Kirk. In Sess. 15. Mr. _Robert Pont_ shewed the Kings presentation to the Bishop.r.i.c.k of _Cathnes_, & desidered the judgement of the a.s.sembly.

The a.s.sembly in their letter to the Kings Majestie, declared that they judged the said _Mr. Robert_ to be a Bishop already according to the Doctrine of St. _Paul_: But as to that corrupt estate or office, of these who have been termed Bishops heretofore, they found it not agreable to the word of G.o.d, and that it hath been d.a.m.ned in diverse a.s.semblies before.

In the instructions given to such as were appointed to wait upon the Parliament, it was ordained in the same a.s.sembly Sess. 17. That they be careful that nothing be admitted prejudicial to the liberties of this Kirk, as it was concluded according to the word of G.o.d in the general a.s.semblies, preceeding the year 1584. but precisely to seek the same to be ratified in the a.s.sembly holden in _March_ 1589. where the articles were made for subscribing the confession of Faith with the generall band, it was ordained as followeth.

_For so much as the neighbour Kirk in_ England, _is understood to bee heavily troubled, for maintaining of the true Discipline and government: whose grieves ought to move us. Therefore the Presbytery of_ Edinburgh _was ordained to comfort the said Kirk in the said matter._

In the a.s.sembly holden 1590. when the confession of Faith was subscribed universally _de novo_, a ratification of the liberties of the Kirk, in her jurisdiction, discipline, Presbyteries, Synods, and generall a.s.semblies, and an abrogation of all things contrarie thereunto; was ordained to be sought both of the Councel and Parliament. In the next Session it was ordained that the book of Discipline, specially the controverted heads, should be subscribed by all Ministers that bear, or hereafter was to bear office in this Kirk, and that they be charged by the Presbyteries, under the pain of excommunication: Seeing the word of G.o.d cannot bee keeped in sincerity, unlesse the holy Discipline be preserved. The Presbyteries were ordained to get a coppie under the Clerks hand; there were sundrie coppies subscribed by the Ministers in the Presbyteries yet extant, as _Hadingtoun_, _Dumfermling_, &c. produced before the a.s.sembly.

In the a.s.sembly 1591. Sess. 4. The former act anent the subscription to the book of _Policie_ is renewed, and a penaltie imposed upon the Moderatour, in case it be not put in execution.

In the a.s.sembly _22. May 1592._ Sess. 2. These articles were drawn up.

_That the acts of Parliament made 1584. against the Discipline, libertie and authoritie of the Kirk be annulled, and the samine discipline, whereof the Kirk hath been in practise, precisely ratified. That Abbots, Priors, and other Prelats pretending the t.i.tle of the Kirk, be not suffered in time coming._ In the 11. Session the number of the Presbyteries were given up, and insert in the Parliament immediatly following. The fifth of _June_ 1592. The libertie, discipline, and jurisdiction of the true Kirk, in her Sessions, Presbyteries, Synodal and general a.s.semblies, is largely ratified, as the samine was used, and exercised within this Realme, and all the acts contrary thereto abrogat: The Kings prerogative declared not to be prejudicial to the same priviledges grounded upon the word of G.o.d, the former commissions to Bishops 1584. rescinded, and all Ecclesiastical matters, subjected to Presbyteries, according to the discipline of this Kirk. _Anno_ 1595. The book of Policie with other acts is ratified and ordained to be printed.

It was also cleared that Episcopacie was condemned in these words of the Confession, HIS WICKED HEIRARCHIE. For the Popish _Hierarchie_ doth consist of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, that is baptizing and preaching Deacons: For so it is determined in the councel of _Trent_, in the 4. chap. _De Sacramento ordinis, can. 6_.

(M1) _Si quis dixerit in ecclesia Catholica non esse heirarchiam divina ordinatione inst.i.tutam, quae constat ex Episcopis. Presbyteris & ministris, anathema sit._ _Bellarmine_ likewise in his book _De Clericis._ _cap._ 11.

saith, _That there are three Hierarchies in the militant Kirk: The first of Bishops, the second of Priests, the third of Deacons, and that the Deacons are also Princes, if they be compared with the people:_ This proposition following; _Hierarchia ecclesiastica constat ex Pontifice, Cardinalibus, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis & Regularibus_, was censured by the Facultie of Theologie in the Universitie at _Paris_, as followeth, _Inicta prima propositione enumeratio membrorum hierarchiae ecclesiasticae sen sacri princ.i.p.atus, divina ordinatione inst.i.tuti est manca & redundaus atque, inducens in errorem contrarium determinationi sacrae Sinodi Tridentinae_: The proposition was defective, because it pretermitted the Presbyters and Deacons; it was censured as redundant, because it made the _Hierarchie_ to consist of the _Pope_, _Cardinals_, _Archbishops_, and _Regulars_; the _Pope_ is not within the _Hierarchie of Primats_, _Metropolitanes_, and _Archbishops_, but as they are Bishops. Furthermore, this _Hierarchie_ is distinguished in the confession from the _Popes monarchie_. And howbeit this _Hierarchie_ be called the _Antichrists Hierarchie_, yet it is not to distinguish betwixt the _Hierarchie_ in the Popish Kirk, and any other as lawful: But the _Hierarchie_, wheresoever it is, is called his, as the rest of the Popish corruptions are called his: To wit, _Invocation of Saints_, _canonisation of Saints_, _dedication of Altars_, &c. are called his, not that there is another lawfull canonization, invocation, or dedication of altars: whatsoever corruption was in the Kirk, either in doctrine, wors.h.i.+p, or government since the ministry of iniquitie began to work, and is retained, and maintained, by the _Pope_, and obtruded upon the Kirk by his authority, are his. A pa.s.sage also out of the history of the councell of _Trent_ was alledged, where it is related, that the Councell would not define the _Hierarchie_ by the _seven orders_: we have in our confession of Faith the _manifold orders_ set apart and distinguished from the _Hierarchie_, but as it is set down in the cannon above cited: We have in the book of Policie or second booke of Discipline, in the end of the second chapter, this conclusion agreed upon. _Therefore all the ambitious t.i.tles invented in the kingdome of Antichrist, and in his usurped HIERARCHIE which are not of one of these four sorts, To wit, Pastours, Doctours, Elders, and Deacons, together with offices depending thereupon, in one word ought to be rejected._

All which and many other warrands being publickly read, and particularly at great length examined, and all objections answered in face of the a.s.sembly, all the members of the a.s.sembly being many times desired and required to propone their doubts, and scruples, and every one being heard to the full, and after much agitation as fully satisfied; the Moderatour at last exhorting every one to declare his minde, did put the matter to voicing in these termes: _Whether according to the confession of faith, as it was professed in the year_ 1580. 1581. and 1590. _There be any other Bishop, but a Pastour of a particular flock, having no preheminence nor power over his brethren, and whether by that Confession, as it was then professed, all other episcopacie is abjured, and ought to bee removed out of this Kirk._ The whole a.s.sembly most unanimously, without contradiction of any one (and with the hesitation of one allanerly) professing full perswasion of minde, did voice, _that all Episcopacie different from that of a Pastour over, a particular flock, was abjured in this Kirk, and to be removed out of it_. And therefore Prohibites underr ecclesiasticall censure any to usurpe accept, defend, or obey the pretended authoritie thereof in time coming.

Act. Sess. 17. December 10. 1638.

_The a.s.sembly at_ Glasgow, _declaring the five Articles of_ Perth _to have been abjured and to bee removed._

The a.s.sembly remembring the uniformity of wors.h.i.+p which was in this Kirk, before the articles of _Perth_, the great rent which entered at that time, and hath continued since, with the lamentable effects, that it hath produced both against Pastours, and professours, the unlawfulnesse and nullitie of _Perth_ a.s.sembly already declared by this a.s.sembly, and that in the necessarie renewing of the confession of Faith in _February_ 1638.

the practice of novations introduced in the wors.h.i.+p of G.o.d, was suspended, till they should be determined in a free generall a.s.sembly: and that in the same year at his Majesties command some had subscribed the confession of Faith, as it was professed when it was first subscribed: For these causes the a.s.sembly entered into a diligent tryall of the foresaid articles, whether they be constant to the confession of Faith, as it was meaned and professed in the year 1580. 1581. 1590. and 1591. And findeth that first in generall: In the confession of Faith we professe, _We willingly agree in our consciences to the forme of Religion, of a long time openly professed by the Kings Majestie, and Whole body of this Realme in all points, as unto G.o.ds undoubted truth and verity, grounded only upon his written word, and therefore abhor and deteste all contrary Religion and Doctrine, but chiefly, all kinde of papistrie in generall and partrcular heads, even as they were then d.a.m.ned and confuted by the Word of G.o.d and Kirk of_ Scotland, _and in speciall the Romane Antichrist his five b.a.s.t.a.r.d sacraments, with all rites, ceremonies and false doctrine, added to the ministration of the true Sacraments, without the word of G.o.d, his cruell judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament, his absolute necessitie of baptisme, and finally, we deteste all his vain allegories, rites, signes, and traditions brought into the Kirk without, or against the word of G.o.d, and doctrine of this true reformed Kirk, to the which we joyne our selves willingly in Doctrine, Faith, Religion, Discipline, and use of the holy Sacraments, as lively members of the same in Christ our Head; promising and swearing, &c._ And that these five articles are contrarie to the Religion then professed, were confuted by the word of G.o.d, and Kirk of _Scotland_, or are rites, and ceremonies, added to the ministration, of the true Sacraments, without the word G.o.d, or nourish the popish judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament, or absolute necessitie, of Baptisme or rites, signes, and traditions brought in to the Kirk, with out or against the word of G.o.d, and doctrine of this true reformed Kirk.

And next in particular, concerning festivall dayes, findeth, that in the explication of the first head, of the first book of Discipline, it was thought good that the feasts of _Christmas_, _Circ.u.mcision_, _Epiphanie_, with the feasts of the Apostles, Martyres, and Virgine _Mary_, bee utterly abolished, because they are neither commanded nor warranded by Scripture, and that such as observe them be punished by civill Magistrats. Here utter abolition is craved, and not reformation of abuses only, and that because the observation of such feasts hath no warrand from the word of G.o.d. In the generall a.s.sembly holden at _Edinburgh_ _Anno_ 1556. the large confession of _Helvetia_ was approved, but with speciall exception against the same five dayes, which are now urged upon us. It was not then the Popish observation only, with the Popish opinion of wors.h.i.+p and merit, which was disallowed; (for so the reformed Kirk in _Helvetia_ did not observe them) but _simpliciter_ all observation. For this end was read a letter in Latine, sent at that time by some of our divines to certaine divines in these parts to this purpose. In the a.s.sembly holden 1575. in _August_, complaint was made against the Ministers and Readers beside _Aberdene_; because they a.s.sembled the people to preaching and prayers upon certane festival dayes: So that preaching and prayers upon festival dayes was judged rebukable. It was ordained likewise, that complaint be made to the Regent, upon the town of _Drumfreis_, for urging and convoying a Reader to the Kirk with Tabret and Whistle, to read Prayers, all the holy dayes of _Christmas_, upon the refusal of their own Reader. Among the articles directed by this a.s.sembly to the Regent: It was craved that all holy dayes hereto-fore keeped holy, beside the Lords day, such a _Yooleday_, and Saints dayes, and such others may bee abolished, and a certain penaltie appointed for banqueting, playing, feasting upon these dayes. In the a.s.sembly holden in _April_, _Anno_ 1577. It was ordained that the visitors with the advice of the Synodal a.s.sembly, should admonish Ministers, preaching or ministrating the Communion at _Easter_, or _Christmas_, or other like superst.i.tious times, or Readers reading, to desist, under the paine of deprivation. In the ninth head of the first book of Discipline, the reason is set down against _Easter_ Communion.

_Your honours are not ignorant how superst.i.tiously the people run to that action at Pascheven; as if the time gave vertue to the Sacrament, and how the rest of the whole year, they are carelesse and negligent, as if it appartained not to them, but at that time only. And for this reason, other times were appointed by that book, for that holy action._ In the a.s.sembly holden 1596. begun in _March_ 1595. at which time the _Covenant_ was renewed, superst.i.tion and idolatrie breaking forth in observing festival dayes; setting out of bone-fires, singing Carols, are reakoned amongst the corruptions which were to be amended: And the Pulpits did sound from time to time, against all shew of observing any festival day whatsoever, except the Lords day.

Concerning kneeling at the Communion, findeth that in the confession of Faith prefixed before the Psalmes, and approved by our Kirk in the very beginning of the reformation, we have these words, _Neither in the ministration of the Sacraments, must we follow men: but as Christ himself hath ordained, so must they be ministred._ In the large confession of Faith chap. 23. It is required as necessary, for the right ministration of the Sacraments, that they bee ministred in such elements, and in such sort, as G.o.d hath appointed, and that men have adulterate the Sacraments with their own inventions: So that no part of Christs action abideth in the originall puritie. The judgement of our reformers, who drew up the large Confession, was by cleare evidents shewed to be contrary to this gesture in the act of receiving the Sacrament. In the order of celebrating the Lords Supper, prefixed before the Psalmes in meeter, _sitting and distributing by the Communicants_, are joined: as likewise by the second head of the first book of Discipline, as nearest to Christs own action, and to his perfect practise, and most convenient to that holy action, and all inventions devised by man are condemned, as alterations and accusations of Christs perfect ordinance: Ministers were enjoyned by act of a.s.sembly in _December 1562._ To observe the order of _Geneva_: that is the English Kirk at _Geneva_: where Master _Knox_ had been sometime Minister, in the ministration of the Sacraments. This act was renewed in the a.s.sembly holden in _December 1564._ where Ministers are referred to the order set down before the Psalmes, for ministration of the Sacraments; which is all one with the former: for that was the order of the English Kirk at _Geneva_.

In the Parliament holden _Anno_ 1567. It was declared that whosoever did not partic.i.p.ate of the Sacraments, as they were then publickly administrat in this reformed Kirk ought not to be reputed members of this Kirk. The act for the Kings oath at his coronation, to maintain the due administration of the Sacraments, as they were then ministred, _Anno_ 1567. Was ratified _Anno_ 1581. At which time the short Confession, adhering to the use of the Sacraments, in the Kirk of _Scotland_, was subscribed: as also _Anno_ 1592. after the second Subscription to the confession of Faith. In the Parliament 1572. an act was made against such as did not partic.i.p.at of the Sacraments as they were then rightly ministered: But the gesture of kneeling, in the act of receiving, putteth the ministration of the Sacraments used in this Kirk out of frame: whereby it is clear that whatsoever gesture or rite, cannot stand with the administration of the Sacraments as they were then ministred and were ministred ever since the reformation, till the year 1618. must bee condemned by our Kirk as a rite added to the true ministration of the Sacraments without the word of G.o.d, and as rite or tradition brought in without, or against the word of G.o.d, or doctrine of this reformed Kirk.

III. Concerning _Confirmation_; The a.s.sembly findeth it to be comprehended in the clause of the Confession, where the _five b.a.s.t.a.r.d Sacraments_ are condemned. And seeing _Episcopacie_ is condemned, _imposition of hands_ by Bishops falleth to the ground. And in all the acts for catechising or examination before admission to the communion, no inkling of _imposition of hands_.