Answers to the particulars proponed by His Majesty's Commissionar.  
HAving seriously considered with ourselves that nothing in this world is so precious, and aught to be so dear unto us as our Religion that the diseases of this Kirk after long toleration did threaten no less than her own ruin, and expiring of the truth of Religion at last. And that a free general Assembly was the ordinary remedy appointed by divine authority; and blessed by divine providence in other Kirks, and after a special manner in the Kirk of Scotland; We have often and earnestly supplicated for the same; and have laboured to remove what was objected, or what we could conceive to be any hindrance to the obtaining of our desire, like as we have now for the same good end resolved to return this Answer to the particulars proponed to be performed by us before an Assembly be indicted.  
The particulars proponed are either matters Ecclesiastic or civil: Ecclesiastic or church matters are, the first concerning Ministers deposed or suspended by the presbyteries, since the first of Februar last without warrant of the Ordinar, that they be reponed to their own places. The second, concerning Moderators of presbytries deposed since the foresaid day to be reponed, and all Moderators appointed by the said presbyteries without warrant foresaid to desist from executing the office of Moderator. The third, anent Ministers admitted since the day foresaid, that they desist from exercising the function of the Ministry in that place to which they had been admitted, These three particulars do concern the power, duty and particular facts or faults of presbyteries, wherein we have no power to judge and determine whether they have lawfully proceeded or not, far less can we urge or command them to altar or recall what they have determined or done, in the suspending, deposing or admitting of Ministers or Moderators: they being properly subject to the superior Assemblies of the Kirk, and in this case and condition of the Kirk, to the general Assembly, where if they shall not after trial justify their proceed from the good warrants of Scripture, reason, and of the acts and practices of the Kirk, they ought sustain their own deserved censure. And since upon the one side there be many complaints, against the prelates for their usurpation over Presbyteries in the like particulars: And on the other side there be such complaints of the doings and disorders of presbyteries to the offence of the Prelates, We trust that his Majesty's Commissionar will not esteem this to be an hindrance of the indiction of a general Assembly: but rather a powerful and principal motive with speed to convene the same, as the proper judicatory for determining such dangerous and universal differences of the Kirke. Neither do we hear that any Ministers are deposed: but some only suspended during this interim, till a general Assembly for their erroneous doctrine and flagitious life: So that it were most offensive to God, disgraceful to Religion, and scandalous to the people to repone them to their places, till they be tried and censured. And concerning Moderators none of them (as we understand) are deposed, but some only changed, which is very ordinary in this Kirk.  
The fourth, anent the repairing of Parochiners to their own Kirks, and that Elders assist their Minister in the discipline of the Kirk ought to be cognosced and judged by the particular Presbytery, to which the Parochiners and elders are subject, since the cause may be in the Ministers no less than the parochiners add elders And incase they finde no redress there, to ascend till they come to a general Assembly, the want whereof makes disorders to be multiplied both in presbyteries and parochs.  
To the sixth, that Ministers wait upon their own Kirks; and that none of them come to the assembly or place where the same is keeped: but such as shall be chosen commissioners from presbyteries.  
We answer, that none are to come to the place of the assembly, but such as are either allowed by commission, or otherwise have such interest as they can approve to his Majesty's Commissionar, and the Assembly convened.  
To the seventh, anent the appointing of Moderators of presbyteries to be commissioners to the general assembly: only constant Moderatours who ceased long since, were found in the assembly 1606. (which yet was never reputed by this Kirk to be a lawful national assembly) to be necessary members of a general assembly. And if both the Moderators. Who if they be necessary members need not to be chosen, and the chosen commissioners repair to the assembly: the Assembly itself can judge best of the members where-of it ought to be constitute.  
To the nynth, that no laic whatsoever meddle with the choosing of commissioners for the presbyteries, and no Minister without his own presbytery: We say that according to the order of the Kirk none but Ministers and Elders of Kirks ought to have voice in choosing commissioners for presbyteries: And that no Minister or Elder aught to have voice in election, but in his own presbytery.  
The rest of the particulars are civil matters, as the fifth, anent the paying of the rents and stipends of Bishops and Ministers: Concerning which we can say no further but that the Laws are patent for them as others his Majesty's subjects. And that the general assembly ought not to be delayed upon any complaint of that kind.  
The eight, requiring that Bishops and other Ministers may be secured in their persons: We think so reasonable, that we will promise every one of us for our own parts they shall suffer no violence from us, and shall hinder others so far as we may, and if any trouble them otherwise, or make them any kind of molestation in that attendance, except by order of Law●s the parties are justly punishable according to the degree of their fall as other subjects are.  
To the tenth, concerning the dissolving of all convocations & meetings and the peaceableness of the Country. These meetings being keeped for no other end, but for consulting about lawful remedies against such pressing grievances as threaten the desolation of the Kirk and State, cannot be dissolved till the evils be removed. And we trust that nothing in these our meetings hath escaped us which earrseth in it the smallest appearance of unduetifulnesse, or which may seem to tend to the breach of the common peace; But although our adversaries have herein calumniated us, yet we have always so behaved ourselves as beseemed his Majesty's most humble and loyal subjects, petitioning his Majesty for a legal redress of our just grievances.  
To the last, concerning the Covenant: the Commissioner his G. having many times and most instantly pressed us with that point. We did first by invincible reasons make manifest that we could not without sinning against God and our consciences; and without wrong done to this national Kirk, and the posterity, rescinde or alter the same. And thereafter did at length clear the same of all unlawful combination against authority by our last Supplication & declaration, which his Majesties Commissionar accepted as the most ready and powerful of all other means which could come within the compass of our thoughts to give his Majesty satisfaction. The Subscription of this our Confession of Faith and Covenant, being an act so evidently tending to the glory of God, the King's honour, and happiness of the Kingdom. And having already proven so comfortable to us in the inward of our hearts: It is our ardent and constant desire, and hearty with that both his Majesty, and all his good Subjects may be partakers of the same comfort: Like as we find ourselves bound by conscience and by the Covenant itself to persuade all his Majesty's good Subjects to join with us for the good of Religion, his Majesty's honour, and the quietness of the Kingdom, which being modestly used by us without pressing or threatening of the meanest, we hope shall never give his Majesty the least cause of discontent.  
Seeing therefore according to our power and interest we are most willing to remove all hindrances, that things may be carried in a peaceable manner worthy of our profession and Covenant, do aim at nothing but the good of the Kingdom, and preservation of the Kirk, which by consumption and combustion is like to be desperately diseased, except remedy some way be speedily provided; and delight to use no other means but such as are legal, and have been ordinary in this Kirk since the reformation, We are confident that without further delay for preventing of greater evils and miseries than we can express, Our just desires shall be granted; So shall we be encouraged in the peace of our souls still to pray for his Majesty all increase of true honour and happiness.  
FINIS.