Читать книгу The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland - Church of Scotland. General Assembly - Страница 34

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The generall Assembly, remembering that among other causes of the application of the confession of Faith to the present time, which was subscribed in February 1638. The clause touching the civill places and power of Kirk-men, was referred unto the tryal of this Assembly; entered into a serious search thereof, especially of their sitting on the bench, as Justices of peace, their sitting in Session and Councel, their riding and voting in Parlament: and considering how this vote in Parliament, was not at first sought nor requyred by this Kirk, or worthy men of the Ministerie, but being obtruded upon them, was disallowed for such reasons as could not well be answered (as appeareth by the conference, holden at Halyrude-house 1599. which with the reasons therein contained was read in the face of the Assembly) & by plurality of voices nor being able to resist that enforced favour, they foreseeing the dangerous consequences thereof, in the Assembly at Montrose did limitate the same by many necessare cautions: Considering also the protestation made in the Parliament 1606 by Commissioners from Presbyteries, and provincial Assemblies, against this restitution of Bishops to vote in Parliament, and against all civil offices in the persons of Pastors, separate unto the Gospel, as incompatible with their spiritual function; with the manifold reasons of that Protestation from the word of God, ancient Councels, ancient and moderne Divines, from the Doctrine, discipline and Confession of Faith of the Kirk of Scotland, which are extant in print, and were read in the audience of the Assembly: Considering also from their own experience the bad fruits and great evils, which have been the inseparable consequents of these offices, and that power in the persons of Pastors separate to the Gospel, to the great prejudice of the freedome and libertie of the Kirk, the jurisdiction of her Assemblies, and the powerful fruits of their spiritual Ministerie; The Assembly most unanimously in [pg 059] one voice, with the hesitation of two allanerly, declared, that as on the one part the Kirk and the Ministers thereof are oblidged to give their advise and good counsel in matters concerning the Kirk or the Conscience of any whatsomever, to his Majestie, to the Parliament, to the Councel, or to any members thereof, for their resolutions from the word of God, So on the other part, that it is both in-expedient, and unlawful in this Kirk, for Pastors separate unto the Gospel to brook civil places, and offices, as to be Justices of peace; sit and decerne in Councel, Session, or Exchecker; to ride or vote in Parliament, to be Judges or Assessors in any Civil Judicatorie: and therefore rescinds and annuls, all contrarie acts of Assembly, namely of the Assembly holden at Montrose 1600. which being prest by authority, did rather for an interim tolerat the same, and that limitate by many cautions; for the breach whereof the Prelats have been justly censured, then in freedome of judgement allow thereof, and ordaineth the Presbyteries to proceed with the Censures of the Kirk, against such as shall transgresse herein in time coming.