The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Item, That place be granted to the party accused to explain and interpret his own mind and meaning; which confession we require be inserted in public Acts, and be preferred to the deposition of any witness, seeing that none ought to suffer for Religion, that is not found obstinate in his damnable opinion. Last, We require that our brethren be not condemned for heretics, unless by the manifest Word of God they be convinced to have erred from that faith which the holy Spirit witnesseth to be necessary to Salvation: And if so they be, we refuse not but that they be punished according to justice; Unless by wholesome admonition they can be reduced to a better mind. These things require we to be considered of by you, who are in the Place of the Eternal God (who is God of Order and Truth) even in such sort, as ye will answer in presence of his Throne judicial: Requiring further, That favourably you would have respect to the tenderness of our consciences, and to the trouble which appeareth to follow in this Common-wealth, if the tyranny of the Prelates, and of their adherents be not bridled by God and just Laws. God move your hearts deeply to consider your own duties, and our present troubles.

Item, That place be granted to the party accused to explaine and interpret his owne minde and meaning; which confession we require be inserted in publike Acts, and be preferred to the deposition of any witnesse, seeing that none ought to suffer for Religion, that is not found obstinate in his damnable opinion. Last, We require that our brethren be not condemned for heretickes, unlesse by the manifest Word of God they be convinced to have erred from that faith which the holy Spirit witnesseth to be necesiary to Salvation: And if so they be, we refuse not but that they be punished according to justice; Unlesse by wholesome admonition they can be reduced to a better minde. These things require we to be considered of by you, who are in the Place of the Eternall God (who is God of Order and Truth) even in such sort, as ye will answer in presence of his Throne judiciall: Requiring further, That favourably you would have respect to the tendernesse of our consciences, and to the trouble which appeareth to follow in this Common-wealth, if the tyranny of the Prelates, and of their adherents be not bridled by God and just Lawes. God move your hearts deeply to consider your owne duties, and our present troubles.