The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹This our Confession was publicly read, first in audience of the Lords of the Articles; and after, in the audience of the whole Parliament, where were present, not only such as professed Christ Jesus, but also a great number of the adversaries of our Religion, such as the forenamed Bishops, and some other of the Temporal State, who were commanded in Gods Name to object, if they could say any thing against that Doctrine. Some of our Ministers were present, standing upon their feet, ready to have answered, in case any would have defended Papistry, and impugned our affirmatives. But while that no objection was made, there was a day appointed for concurrence in that and other Heads. Our Confession was read every Article by it self over again, as they were written in order, and the voice of every man was required accordingly. Of the Temporal State, only gave their voice on the contrary, the Earl of Athol, the Lords Simmerwaile and Borthwicke: And yet for their disassenting, they produced no better reason, but, We will believe as our Fathers believed. The Bishops (Papistical we mean) spake nothing. The rest of the whole three States by their public Votes, affirmed the Doctrine; and the rather, Because that fain the Bishops would, but durst say nothing on the contrary;² for this was the Vote of the Earle Marshall; It is long since I have had some favour unto the Truth, and since that I have had a suspicion of the Papistical Religion. But I praise my God, who this day hath fully resolved me in the one and the other: For seeing that the Bishops, who for their learning can, and for their zeal that they should bear to the Verity, would, as I suppose, have gainsaid any thing that directly repugneth to the Verity of God. Seeing, I say, the Bishops here present speak nothing in the contrary of the Doctrine proposed, I cannot but hold it for the very Truth of God, and the contrary to be deceivable Doctrine. And therefore so far as in me lieth, I approve the one, and condemn the other: And do farther ask of God, That not only I, but also all my posterity, may enjoy the comfort of the Doctrine that this day our ears have heard. And yet more I must Vote, as it were by way of Protestation, That if any person Ecclesiastical shall after this oppose themselves to this our Confession, that they that have no place nor credit;

¹This our Confession was publikely read, first in audience of the Lords of the Articles; and after, in the audience of the whole Parliament, where were present, not onely such as professed Christ Jesus, but also a great number of the adversaries of our Religion, such as the forenamed Bishops, and some other of the Temporall State, who were commanded in Gods Name to object, if they could say any thing against that Doctrine. Some of our Ministers were present, standing upon their feet, ready to have answered, in case any would have defended Papistry, and impugned our affirmatives. But while that no objection was made, there was a day appointed for concurrence in that and other Heads. Our Confession was read every Article by it self over again, as they were written in order, and the voice of every man was required accordingly. Of the Temporall State, onely gave their voice on the contrary, the Earl of Athol, the Lords Simmerwaile and Borthwicke: And yet for their disassenting, they produced no better reason, but, We will believe as our Fathers believed. The Bishops (Papisticall we mean) spake nothing. The rest of the whole three States by their publike Votes, affirmed the Doctrine; and the rather, Because that fain the Bishops would, but durst say nothing on the contrary;