most just and weightie
reasons above-specified, being found to be unlawful, and null from the
beginning: The Assembly declareth the oathes and subscriptions exacted by
the Prelates of the intrants in the ministerie all this time by past (as
without any pretext of warrand from the Kirk, so for obedience of the acts
of these null Assemblies, and contrare to the ancient and laudable
constitutions of this Kirk, which never have been nor can be lawfully
repealled, but must stand in force) to be unlawful, and no way
obligatorie. And in like manner declareth, that the power of Presbyteries,
and of provincial and general Assemblies, hath been unjustly surpressed,
but never lawfully abrogate. And therefore that it hath been most lawful
unto them, not withstanding any point unjustly objected by the Prelats to
the contrare, to admit, suspend, or deprive ministers, _respective_ within
their bounds, upon relevant complaints sufficiently proven; to choose
their own Moderatours, and to execute all the parts of ecclesiastical
jurisdiction according to their own limits appointed them by the Kirk.

Act. Sess. 14. December 6. 1638.

_Condemning the Service-book, Book of Canons, Book of Ordination, and the
high Commission._

I. The Assembly having diligently considered the Book of common prayer,
lately obtruded upon the reformed Kirk within this Realme, both in respect
of the manner of the introducing thereof, and in respect of the matter
which it containeth, findeth that it hath been devised and brought in by
the pretended Prelats, without direction from the Kirk, and pressed upon
ministers without warrand from the Kirk, to be universally received as the
only forme of divine service under all highest paines, both civill and
ecclesiasticall, and the book it self, beside the _popish_ frame and forms
in divine worship, to containe many _popish_ errours and ceremonies, and
the seeds of manifold and grosse superstition and idolatrie. The Assembly
therefore all in one voice, hath rejected, and condemned and by these
presents doth reject and condemne the said book, not only as illegally
introduced, but also as repugnant to the doctrine, discipline and order of
this reformed Kirk, to the Confession of Faith, constitutions of generall
Assemblies, and acts of Parliament establishing the true Religion; and
doth prohibite the use and practice thereof: and ordaine Presbyteries to
proceed with the censure of the Kirk against all such as s