A brief and plain Narration of proceed at an Assemsemblie in Glasco, 8. jun. 1610. anent the innovation of the Kirk-governement.  
With a narration of some strange Episcopal accidents lately happened in Scotland, worthy consideration: which the wise of heart will understand.  Psalm 2.6. 
I have for my King opon Zion.  Proverb 21.30. 
There is no counsel against the Lord.  Luke 19.37. 
Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  
Anno 1610.   

To the reverend Brethren in scotlan.  
Notwithstanding I can not (as I often desired) see with my bodily eyes, by what means & degrees the state of Christ his Church (there) is become so strangely defaced, that so I might with more feeling pray, and with more judgement help, as I could: yet have I never ceased with Nehemiah, carefully to harken after, & diligently to inquire concerning jerusalem. So that (of late) by sundry intelligences, I understand, that the Glory of the Lord, (can Nehemiah possibly hold in his tears?) is departed from that part of Israel touching outward administration of Christ his Kingdom by his own Office-bearers. Oh, that our sins have provoked God thus to move our David against us! We hoped that our gracious King (according to his promise made openly in Edingburgh that day before he went towards England) would rather have removed those Relics of Antichrist, which ever have troubled the peace of Christ his church in England, whereunto the God of peace did carry him in a wonderful peace, that he should prove a Prince of peace in building and beautifying the house of God. O thou highest, and most gracious Governor of kings, who didst turn our King's heart in Anno Dom. 1592. torestore Discipline, notwithstanding he had in anno 1584. set up Papal Bishops: give him now grace religiously to remember, That he hath by subscription sworn to defend Discipline then in scotlan, all the days of his life, and That he consented to a constitution of the general Assembly in Holi-rud house. And anno 1602. where by it was ordained (to prevent aspiring to the state of Papal Bishops in England) that those who were called by his Majesty unto that parliament, and were formerly entitled Lord Bishops, should from thenceforward, have no longer that title, and be called Commissioners for the Kirk to vote in parliament. Long have we (in these parts) expected from some of you (in whom the holy fire is not yet extinguished) a continuance of the faithful report anent th'assembly at Aberdene But supposing that either fear, or want of means hath restrained your zealous spirits, I have out of the said intelligences compiled this Narration with all faithfulness, though perhaps, there may be some small mistaking of the order of time. For most of mine intelligences (which I follow) show that the Archbishop of Glasco preached first. But one reported the Bishop of Orkney to be the first preacher. It is thought meet by more than myself to publish it, in hope, That, through the merciful working of our good Lord and God, it may occasion our wise & Christian King (according to that heavenly light, wherewith God hath endued him) to revive and redress such shameful proceed. 2. The Nobles, Barons, and Burroughes, to consider, that if such proceed hold on, many (besides the English Nation) will (too readily) say: Are the Nobles, Barons, and Borroughes of Scotland (as well as the bishops and some Ministers there) corrupted by the treasure of England, to yield unto the overthrowing of their Law, by directions from England, which proceed from the instigations of the Archbishop of Cantorbuie? 3. The perjured hirelings, and apostate betrayers of Christ his kingdom, to repent, if they have so much grace, or to be ashamed, if they be not past all grace, the wages of unrighteousness choking the spirit of God in them. And 4. Such faithful Ministers of Christ jesus, as fight the good fight of faith, to justify Wisdom, by learned and modest writings, to resist the approaches of Antichsist, by patiented suffering, though unto blood: and incessantly to pray to God of truth (who hath said to his Christ, Sat thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool) to take his own cause into his own hands, & to make our Noble King (all seducementes notwithstanding) a worthy instrument of his glory herein. AMEN.   

A brief and plain narration of proceed at an Assembly in Glasco, 8. june 1610. anent the innovation of the Kirk-governement.  
THE general Assembly at Linlithgowe 26. juli, 1608. appointed 10. approving the present church government, and 10. affecting the Hierarchy of Lord Bishops, to confer about middesses, to determine questions controverted among Ministers, but referred the determination itself to the next general Assembly then and there agreed upon touching time and place, and that with consent of Dumbar the King's Commissioner, according to the Statute. These 20. met at Falklande. The Bishops would have made a question, whether the government of the Kirk by Synods and presbyteries, or by the bishops, were more agreeable to the word of God. The other side would not yield to make a question of that point, because the present Kirk government by Synods and presbyteries was without controversy established by parliament and former Assemblies, & further confirmed by the Oaths of his Majesty, the Nobles & Ministers. And therefore without the compass of their commission from the general Assemblies The Bishops being defeated of their purpose (which was suspending the execution of Discipline, if question had been made thereof, as may appear by the sequel) the conference was so adjourned, that it never held again, neither the general Assembly, though by such lawful consent appointed for some weeks before the last day appointed, it was forbidden by proclamation. And why? If it had convened in dew order, than every Presbytery should have freely chosen 2. or 3. of the same to be Commissioners for the general Assembly, and (in all likelihood) would have given them such directions to be observed upon pain of Nullity on their proceeding, and of deposition and excommunication, if they proceeded otherwise, as all the presbyteries did in one form at the said former assembly, viz. that they should not give their consent to any alteration of the Kirk government, etc. All this being against the King's purpose, it pleased his Majesty to send Dumbar (a man after his own heart) with a multitude of Letters, some to several Presbyteries, and some to particular persons, such as could readily say, Placer. The bishops (forsooth) accompanied every Bishop in his own Diocese: the King's letters, with theirs to the Presbytery, as if the King's Letters were not sufficient without theirs. The parport of both letters was peremptorily to charge the presbyteries, to send to the Assembly to be at Glasco 8. Junii. that very man whom the King named, and in no sort to give them direction, that they might be free to vote as the King & they themselves would.  
Before the Assembly (or rather Dissemblie) convened, Dumbar and the Bishops had three days serious conference to plot all matters: when those tractable men were come, Dumbar honourably entertained them with Balaams' wages (perhaps sub nomine viatici) as he had formerly entertained the like Assembly at Linlithgowe Anno 1606. at what time (vijs & modis) he set up a constant Moderator, to make way for a Lord Bishop to be advanced in fullness of time, which was even now. For as Daniel, understanding by books, that the time of captivity was expired, fasted and prayed that God's people might return to their own land, so the Apostolical (I should say) Apostatical Prelates, knowing by certain intelligence, that the time of casting off Christ his yoke was come, fasted and prayed (I say not by daniel's spirit) thus Lordly, or (as the King calls them) Papal Bishops, might Domineer over the Lord's inheritance. The first that preached was the Archbishop of Glasco, his text was, jer. 51.9. We would have cured Babel, etc. This he applied only to Rome. But why did not the Archb. apply it thus: So we would have repaired Babel, that is the Hierarchy of Papal bishops, which is a principal tower of that great City which ruleth over Kings? Belike Dumbar & the Bishops had appointed that part to be played by other. For the second Preacher was the Bishop of Oarkeny, whose text was, Rom. 14.19. Let us follow those things which concern peace: He showed that peace is kept by keeping Truth. But whereas Truth touching the authority of Bishops over presbyteries, was controverted, He taught that Prelatical truth thus: What greater reason can be than the practice of the Apostles and the consent of the primitive Church, with authority of old and new Fathers, as Bez●, junius, Calvin, etc. Again, it is of it self either indifferent, or commanded, or contrary to the word: it can not be indifferent none (he thinks) can show it to be contrary to the word. Therefore it must be commanded in the word. lastly, it hath the command of our mighty King, who for knowledge of Theology, exceedeth far all the Doctors of Divinity. Therefore what ingratitude shall it be to us to refuse so necessary a law, a burden to us Bishops, but to the Kirk of God the only perfection of her liberty in this life. This done, the people were dismissed a while. In which space the dissembly chooseth the Archb. of Glasco Moderator, and a privy conference (which Englishmen call a Comittie) upon which were Dumbar, the Bishops, many Statesmen, and some deemed opposites to Bishops, as M. Hall, M. Copar, etc. The Archbishop produced the K. Letters, wherein he professed care to maintain discipline, whereof his Ma. ever thought Bishops to be the ground and pillar, And therefore hath convocated the Dissemblie to establish them in their full power, having long waited and looked that the presbyteries should have done it of themselves. Behold here Prelatical Theology. Behold the Prelates fast, In the midst of the pretended humbling their souls in a solemn man: before the King of Kings, an earthly King's letter must be read, elections must be made, they must fall to their business, before they have ended their fasting and prayer for direction and a blessing, But confused proceed are fit for a work of confusion intended. Well at last they go to the third Sermon made by Doct. Hodge sone (one of Dumbar his English Chaplains) his text was, Act. 2.1. his doctrine of cooks and kitchen stuff. And yet he had one argument of note for the superiority of L. Bishops, viz. Christ taught some of his Apostles at the head, some in his bosom, and some at his feet, Ergo, potlid. The next day being Satterdy, the dissembly convened about 8. hours, but sat looking one on another, till about eleven; The cause was opposition in the privy conference between Maist. john Hall, etc. and the Bishops about their negative voice in Ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The Bishopsoath to the contrary being urged, Dumbar produced a Letter from the King to the bishops, commanding them either to accept their whole office, or to quite their places: So were the bishops freed from their oath, the matter thereupon presently carried with plurality of voices, and then they went to the Assembly, wherein nothing was done that forenoon, only the Archbishop being Moderator, excused the long staying of the privy conference, and M. Primros would have protested against the proceed of that Dissemblie, but was interrupted by the Moderator, because it was high dinner time, and referred to the privy conference, after that Glasco (the Dissemblie then risen) had drawn him to discover his purpose. In the afternoon the privy conference met, and make up their conclusions, viz. 1. The Assembly at Abirdeen was unlawful. 2. All power of convening, & discharging general Assemblies, pertaineth only to the King. 3. Ordination, admission, deprivation, & suspension. 4. Visitation of Churches, and 5. Excommunication and absolution be proper to the bishops: if they be slack, the general Assembly shall try & report to his Ma. that he may censure them according to their merit. 6. Synods are to meet yearly in October, and April, and the Bishop is to be Moderator. 7. The Presbiterian Moderator, is to be the Bishop himself, or shallbe chosen with his consent. 8. Ministers admitted, shall give the oath of obedience to the King & his Ordinary. 9 Whosoever shall preach, writ, or speak against these conclusions, shallbe deprived. The Moderator propounded these to the Dissemblie, not severally to be discussed, but altogether jointly as one, requiring every one to answer, yea, or no: having made way to the first, with this reason: The brethren banished, have promised to confess a fault to his Majesty, if they shallbe condemned by a general Assembly, and so to return ●o their own Congregation. O reason archiepiscopal! But what if the banished brethren protest against this dissembly, & plead that they be unjustly condemned, because they be not heard what they can say for themselves.  
The Moderator likewise desired the dissembly, that a letter might be penned to request his Ma. for a yearly Assembly, orat the least to appoint certain times, as he should think expedient. Behold a Machevillian trick, by a pretended Synod to weaken the authority of Parliament in a Statute made in anno 1592. whereby it is ordained, that there should be a general Assembly at least once every year, and to give the King only all authority to call general Assemblies at his pleasure, hat statute notwithstanding. Moreover, before their votes was particularly demanded, an ordinary was made that none should speak but speared at. When votes were demanded, the affirmatives carried all before them, but some negatives charged the conclusions to be contrary to God's word: Some pleaded their oath to maintain Discipline so many years established, and some answered, they had no commission from their presbyteries. Furthermore, these conclusions get the more ready passage, because a fear was conceived that Dumbar had the kings guard present to commit such as should earnestly withstand the King's purpose. For his Lo. professed that he would have no man there that should give countenance of mislike. lastly, to make all sure, there were in this dissembly besides the 13. Bish. Nobles 13. and Gentlemen 40. which were not chosen by Synods or Presbyteries to carry the matter with plurality of votes, if in aunters, many Ministers should stand for their presbyteries, all other devices notwithstanding. When this transcendent authority of papal Bish. was thus obtained, Dumbar produced an instrument from the King, utterly to discharge all the presbyteries. If question had been made in the conference at Faulkland before mentioned of the then present kirk-government, would not Dumbar have played the prank even then to suspend the excom. thereof? When the discharge of presbyteries was red, there was an outcry in the Assembly: Dumbar took that occasion to promise upon his honour, to persuade the King, if he could, to recall that discharge: Provided they would subscribe the conclusions whereunto they had consented. By this cunning he got the hands aswell as the votes of many sworn Balamits. The next day being Sabbath, the King's Chaplains D. Hampton & D. Merdon, preached one in the forenoon, t'hother in the afternoon. D. Hamptons' text was, Psal. 122.1. I rejoiced. etc. In his doctrine he taxed sacrilegious persons, who rob God of his tenths, reproved the form of Discipline by Synods and presbyteries, & proved the superiorities of Bishops thus: To one maintaining parity, another said, begin parity in your own house, Ergo the staff stands in the church conner. M. Moret. text was, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our rejoicing is the testimony of a good conscience. A principal part of his doctrine was, a maintenance of superiority of Bishops, with these reasons: 1. There was superiority amongst Priests in the old Testament. 2. Though the high Priest was a type of Christ, yet there were Captains over the Priests & Levites. 3. Paul left Titus at Creta to ordain Elders, and it is not said. I leave thee an Evangelist. 4. Act. 20.28. & Revel. 2.1. conferred together. 5. Bees and Cranes have their governors, yea Angels have Gabriel, & Devils have Belzebub their princes, Ergo, the Pope is no ecumenical Bishop. On Monday the Moderator praising God for the happy success in the first cause of that dissembly propounded. 2. More, viz. Taking order with papists, & provision for Ministers, touching the which Dumbar & 4. Bishop's should meet, make up a roll of excommunicants & unplanted churches, and send it to the King. So the dissembly was dismissed, now new appointed, & Psal. 133. chanted. As Dumber, Bish. Noble men, and others returned by Stirling, M. Patrick Symson made such a sermon as grieved them at the heart, but nothing was said unto him. At their coming to Eding. M. Walter Bakanquell made a mighty sermon against the whole proceeding of the dissembly, for which he was called before the Counsel. But dismissed with admonition, and M. Patrick Galloway in his first sermon after his return to Edingborough from Perth. (where he had been all the time of the Assembly) inveyed (though wisely yet sensibly) against the dissembly, and threatened judgements, because of the same.   

To the Reader.  
BEfore I had altogether finished the imprinting of this Narration, I received from a faithful Brother (whose being is where be may have present & certain intelligence) a letter: Wherein he credibly reporteth these ensuing works of God. Which, because they be right worthy to be noted, I thought good to publish in the same words, as they came to my hands. Admonishing our Papal Bishops of the new erection, to consider these judgements of God: and withal to remember the death of the late titular Bishop Master james Nicholson, who was then troubled in conscience for accepting that title: So that he would not be called Bishop in his will, and by his Will rejected whatsoever was due to him out of his Bishopric. The Lord give us understanding in all things.  
Th' Arbishop of S. Androis, reposing in his bed in time of the afternoons sermon, the Sabbath after his Diocesan Synod in S. Androis, was wakened and all the Kirk & Town with him, with a cry of blood and murder. For his sister's son (master of his household) wit● a throw of his dagger killed his Cook, while as he was busy in dressing of the Lord bishops Supper, the dagger light just under the  pap of the Cook, who fell down dead immediately.  
Item, the said Bishop, at the Town of Hadington in Lawdien, where he keepit an other Diocesan Synod: after he had been in doctrine much upon the contradiction of Core, out of the Epistle of Jude, coming forth of the Kirk door, in the porch thereof, the earth under him, burst, and rend, and he sunk down: So that, if he had not been pulled out quickly by his Colateralles, he had gone the way of Core, and his companions.  
FINIS.