Seeing the generall Assembly, to whom belongeth properly the publick and
judiciall interpretation of the confession of Faith, hath now after
accurat tryall, and mature deliberation clearly found, that the five
articles of _Perth_, and the governement of the Kirk by Bishops, are
abjured by the confession of Faith, as the same was professed in the year
1580. and was renewed in this instant year 1638. And that the _Marques_ of
_Hammiltoun_ his Majesties Commissioner, hath caused print a Declaration,
bearing that his Majesties intention and his own, in causing subscribe the
confession of Faith, is no wayes to abjure, but to defend Episcopall
governement, and that by the oath and explanation set down in the act of
Councel, it neither was nor possibly could be abjured, requiring that none
take the said oath, or any other oath in any sense, which may not consist
with Episcopall governement: which is in-directly repugnant to the genuine
and true meaning of the foresaid Confession as it was professed in the
year 1580. as is clearly now found and declared by the generall Assembly:
Therefore the generall Assembly: Doth humbly supplicate, that his Majestie
may be graciously pleased, to acknowledge and approve the foresaid true
interpretation, and meaning of the generall Assembly, by his Royall
warrand to his Majesties Commissioner, Councel, and Subjects, to be put in
record for that effect, whereof we are confident, after his Majesty, hath
received true information from this Kirk, honoured with his Majesties
birth and baptisme, which will be a royal testimonie of his Majesties
piety and justice, and a powerfull meane to procure the heartie affection
and obedience of all his Majesties loyall Subjects: And in the meane time,
least any should fall under the danger of a contradictorie oath, and bring
the wrath of God upon themselves and the land, for the abuse of his Name
and Covenant; The Assembly by their Ecclesiastical authority, prohibiteth
and dischargeth, that no member or this Kirk swear or subscribe the said
Confession, so far wreasted to a contrary meaning, under paine of all
Ecclesiastical censure: but that they subscribe the confession of Faith,
renewed in Februar, with the Declaration of the Assembly set down in the
former act.

Act. Sess. 26. December 20. 1638.

_Concerning yearly generall Assemblies._

The Assembly having considered the reasons lately printed for holding of
general Assemblies, which are take