The recantation and hvmble svbmission of two ancient prelates of the kingdome of Scotland subscribed by their own hands and sent to the generall assemblie : as also the act of the said assemblie condemning episcopacy and other abuses which are contrary to the Word of God and the laws of this church and kingdome. Lindsay, Alexander, ca. 1561-1639. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A58291 of text R17222 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing R611). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 13 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A58291 Wing R611 ESTC R17222 12863376 ocm 12863376 94711 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A58291) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94711) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 255:E172, no 18) The recantation and hvmble svbmission of two ancient prelates of the kingdome of Scotland subscribed by their own hands and sent to the generall assemblie : as also the act of the said assemblie condemning episcopacy and other abuses which are contrary to the Word of God and the laws of this church and kingdome. Lindsay, Alexander, ca. 1561-1639. Grahame, George. Church of Scotland. General Assembly. [2], 6 p. s.n.], [Edinburgh? : 1641. The two prelates are Alexander Lindsay, Bishop of Dunkeld and G. Grahame, Bishop of Orkney. Cf. BM. Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library. eng Episcopacy -- Early works to 1800. A58291 R17222 (Wing R611). civilwar no The recantation, and humble submission of two ancient prelates, of the kingdome of Scotland: subscribed by their own hands; and sent to the Lindsay, Alexander 1641 2220 12 0 0 0 0 0 54 D The rate of 54 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2003-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-01 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2004-01 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE RECANTATION , AND HVMBLE SVBmission of two ancient PRELATES , of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND : Subscribed by their own hands ; and sent to the Generall Assemblie . As also , THE ACT OF THE said Assemblie , condemning EPISCOPACY and other abuse which are contrary to the WORD of GOD , and the Laws of this Church and Kingdome . Printed in the yeare , 1641. THE BISHOP OF DVNKELL his Recantation . BE it known to all men , I Mr. Alexander Lindsay Minister at St. Madois , forsomuch as I by my Missive Letter sent by me to the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland , holden at Glasgow , the 21. of Novemb. 1638. did freely submit my self , and dimit and lay down at the feet of the said Assembly my pretended Office of Episcopacie , as pretended Bishop of Dunkell , and my Letter promised and subscribed with ample form of dimission there anent , as the said Assembly should subscribe . And now the said reverend Assembly hath found and declared the said Office of Episcopacie as it hath been used and termed within the said Kirke of Scotland , to be abjured by the Confession of Faith of the said Kirke subscribed in the yeers 1580. 1581 and 1590. And therefore hath declared and decerned the said Office to be removed out of the said Kirke of Scotland . As also seeing the Reverend Assembly hath decerned Me according to my said Letter , to subscribe a more ample forme of Dimission of the said pretended Office , in presence of Sir Iohn Moncreeffe , Knight Baronett , Mr. Robert Murray Minister at Methven , Mr. Iohn Robertson , Minister at Perth , Mr. Alexander Petrye Minister at Kynde , and Thomas Durham Burges of Perth , Commissioners appointed by them for that effect . Therefore and for performance of my said Letter , and in obedience to the ordinance of the said Reverend Assembly ; Witt you me to have Dimitted , quytclamed , and simpliciter overgives the foresaid pretended Office of Episcopacie , as pretended Bishop of Dunkell , with the whole Title , Style , Name , and Dignitie thereof : Power of Ordination , and Jurisdiction , Voice in Parliament , and usurpation of the same in time coming . And faithfully promises , and by these presents bindes and oblidges me , never to exerce , nor use the said pretended Office , in the said Kirke of Scotland ; Nor no power of Ordination , Jurisdiction , Voice in Parliament , neither any other Power Ecclesiasticall , belonging , usurped , and acclamed to belong to the said pretended Office . Like as , according to the Act of the said Reverend Assembly , I acknowledge the said Office of Episcopacy to be abjured in the f●●esaid Confession of Faith ; and therefore most justly ought to be removed out of the said Kirke of Scotland ; and these whole Premisses I heartily acknowledge , As I will answer to God . In testimony hereof , I am content and consents , that these Presents be insert , and Registrate in the Generall Books of Assembly , therein to remain Ad 〈◊〉 rei memoriam . And to that effect constitutes my lawfull Procurators , conjunctly and severally , Promitter 〈◊〉 rato . In witnesse whereof ( written by Robert Re 〈…〉 , servant to Pattrick Rosse Nottar in Perth ) I have subscribed the same with my hand , as said is . At St. Madois , the 24. of January 1639. Before these witnesses , Students in Perth . Mr. George Paterson , Mr. Allexander Dundie , George Boswall , servant to . SirIohn Moncreeffe . THE BISHOP OF ORKNAY his Recantation . TO all and sundry whom it effeeres ; To whose knowledge these Presents shall come ; especially , to the Reverend and Honorable members of the future Assemblie to be holden at Edinburgh the 12. of August 1639. I Mr. George Grahame sometime pretended Bishop of Orknay , being sorrie and grieved at my heart , that I should ever for any worldly respect have embraced the order of Episcopacy ; the same having no warrant from the Word of God : and being such an Order as hath had sensibly , many fearfull , and evill consequences in many parts of Christendome ▪ And particularly , within the Chur●h of Scotland , as by dolefull , and deplorable experience this day is manifest , to have Disclamed ▪ Like as , I , by the tenour hereof , do altogether disclame , and abjure all Episcopall power , and jurisdiction , with the whole corruptions thereof , condemned by lawfull Assemblies within the Church of Scotland . In regard the same is such an Order , as , is also abjured within the said Church , by vertue of that Nationall Oath which was made in the yeer of God 1580. and 1581. Promising and swearing By the great Name of the Lord our God , &c. That I shall never while I live , directly exerce any such power within the Church ; neither yet shall I ever approve , or allow the same : not so much as in any private or publike discourse , But on the contrary , shall-stand and adhere to all the Acts and Constitutions of the late Assemblie holden at Glasgow ▪ the 21. of Novemb. 1638. Last by past : And shall concurre to the utter most of my power , sincerely and faithfully , as occasion shall offer in executing the said Acts ; and advancing the work of Reformation within this Land ; To the glorie of God , the Peace of the Countrey , and the comfort and contentment of all good Christians , As God shall be my help . In testimonie of which Premisses , I have subscribed these Presents with my hand ; At Brecknesse in Stromnes the 12. of Februarie 1639. Before these witnesses . Mr. Walter Stewart Minister at Sowthronaldsay . Mr. Iames Cheene Minister at Kirkwall . Mr. Robert Person Minister at Firth . Mr. Patricke Grahame Sonne to the said Bishop . Minister at Holme , THE ACT OF THE Generall Assembly . THe Kings Majestie having declared , that it is his Royall will and pleasure , that all Questions about Religion and matters Ecclesiasticall , be determined by the Church : having also by publike Proclamation Indicted this free Nationall Assembly , for setling the present distractions of this Church ; and for establishing a perfect Peace , against such divisions and discords ) , as have been sore displeasing to his Majestie , and grievous to all his good Subjects . And now his Majesties Commissioner Iohn E. of Traquair , instructed and authorized with a full Commission , being present and sitting in this Assemblie , now fully conveened and orderly constitute , in all the members thereof , according to the order of this Church having at large declared his Majesties zeal to the Reformed Religion ; and his Royall care , and tender affection to this Church ; ( where his Majestie had both his Birth and Baptisme ) his great displeasure at the manifold distractions , and divisions of this Church and Kingdome ; and his desire to have all our wounds perfectly cured , with a faire and Fatherly hand . And although in the way approved by this Church , tryall hath been taken in former Assemblies before from the Church Registers to our full satisfaction . Yet the Commissioner making a particular inquirie , from the members of the Assembly now solemnly conveened concerning the reall and true causes , of so many and great evils at this time past , and so sore troubling the Peace of the Church and Kingdome . It was represented to his Majesties Commissioner by this Assembly ; That besides many other , the maine and most materiall causes were , 1. First , the pressing of this Church by Prelates with a Service Booke , or Booke of Common Prayer , without direction or warrant from the Church , and containing besides the Popish frame thereof , divers Popish errours , and Ceremonies ; and the seeds of manifold grosse superstitions , and Idolatrie : with a Book of Canons , without warrant er direction from the Generall Assembly ; establishing a Tyrannicall power over the Church in the person of Bishop ; and overthrowing the whole discipline and government of the Church by Assemblies ▪ with a Book of Consecration , and Ordination , without warrant of authoritie Civill or Ecclesiasticall , appointing Offices in the house of God , which are not warranted by the Word of God ; and repugnant to the Discipline and Acts of our Church : with the Commission erected without the consent of the Church , subverting the Jurisdiction and ordinarie Judicatories of this Church ; and giving to persons meerly Ecclesiasticall the power of both Swords ; & to persons meerly Civill , the power of the Keyes and Church Censures . 2. A second cause was the Articles of Perth ( viz. ) Observation of Festivall dayes ; kneeling at the Communion ; Confirmation ; Administration of the Sacraments in private places which were brought in by a Civill Assembly ; and are contrary to the Confession of Faith 1590 as it was meant and subscribed in Ann. 1580. and divers times since to the order and Constitution of this Church . 3. A third cause was , the change of the Government of the Church , from the Assemblies of the Church to the persons of Church-men ; usurping the priority and power over their brethren , by the way , and under the name of Episcopall government , against the Confession , Anno 1580. Against the order set down in the Book of Policy ; and against the intentions and Constitutions of this Church from the beginning . 4. A fourth cause was , the Civill places and power of Church men , their sitting in Session , Counsell , and Exchequer : Their Ridding sitting and voting in Parliament ; and their sitting in the Bench as Justices of Peace , which according to the constitutions of the Church , are incompatible with their spiritual function , lifting up above their brethren , and worldly pomp , and do tend to the hinderance of the Ministry . A fifth cause was , The keeping and authorizing of corrupt Assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. 1608. at Glasgow 1610. at Aberdene 1616. at St. Andrews 1617. at Perth 1618. which are all null and unlawful , as being called and constitute quite to ● order and constitutions of this Church , received , and practised ever since the Reformation of Religion . And withall 〈…〉 ing to introduce Novations within this Church , against the order and Religion established . A sixt cause was , The want of lawfull and free Generall Assemblies , rightly constitute of Pastors , Doctors , and Elders yeerly or oftner pro re rata , according to the liberty of the Church , expressed in the Book of Policy , and acknowledged in the Act of Parliament 1592. Which his Majesties Commissioner having heard patiently , and examined particularly , and all objections to the contrary being answered to the full . The whole Assembly with expresse consent of his Majesties Commissioner , in one heart and voice did declare that these & such other proceedings , from the neglect and breach of the N 〈…〉 all Covenant of this Church , and Kingdom made in 〈…〉 have been indeed , the true and maine cause of all our evil 〈◊〉 and distractions . And therefore ordaines , according to the Const●tutions of the Generall Assemblies of this Church , and upon the grounds respective above specified , that the foresaid Service Booke , Book of Cannons , and Ordination , and High Commission be rejected still : That the Articles of Perth be no more practised : That Episcopall Government and the Civill places and power of Churchmen , be holden still as unlawfull in this Church : That the above named pretended Assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. 1608. at Glasgow 1610. at Aberdean 1616. at St. Andrews 1617. at Perth 1618. be hereafter accounted as nul and of none effect ; and that for preservation of Religion , and proventing all such evils in time coming , Generall Assemblies rightly constitute , as the perfect and competent . Judge of al matters Ecclesiasticall hereafter be kept yeerly and oftner as occasion and necessitie shall require . The necessitie being first remonstrate to his Maiestie by humble Supplication ; as also of these occasionall Assemblies , that Church Sessions , Presbyteries , and Sinodall Assemblies , constitute and ordained according to the Book of Policies , and Constitutions of this Church , be also hereafter kept as occasion and necessity shall require . FINIS .