s Dyocie: And
by the saids Presbyteries, referred to this Assembly to be tryed: The said
pretended Bishop being lawfully cited, often-times called, and not
compearing, but by his letter of excuse upon his sicknesse, proceeded to
the cognition of the complaint and lybell it selfe against him, and
finding him guiltie of the breach of the cautions, agreed upon in the
Assembly holden at _Montrose_, _Anno_ 1600. for restricting the minister
voter in Parliament, from encroaching upon the liberties and jurisdictions
of this Kirk, which was set down with certification of deposition,
infamie, and excommunication, specially for receiving consecration to the
office of Episcopacie, condemned by the confession of Faith, and acts of
this Kirk as having no warrand nor foundament in the word of God, and by
vertue of the usurped power, and power of the high Commission pressing the
Kirk with novations in the worship of God: Therefore the assembly moved
with zeal to the glorie of God, and purging of this Kirk, hath ordaineth
the said Mr. _John_ to be deposed, and by these presents deposeth him from
the pretended Episcopall function, and from the office of Commissionary to
vote in Parliament, Councel, or convention, in name of the Kirk, and doth
suspend him from the ministeriall function. And providing he acknowledge
this Assembly, reverence the constitutions of it, and obey the sentence,
and make his repentance conforme to the order prescribed by this Assembly,
will admit him to the ministerie of a particular flok: and likewise, in
case he acknowledge not this Assembly, reverence not the constitutions of
it, and make his repentance conforme to the order prescribed by this
Assembly, ordains him to be excommunicate, and declared to be one of these
whom Christ commandeth to be holden by all and everyone of the faithfull
as an Ethnick and Publicane: and the sentence of excommunication to be
pronounced upon his refusall in the Kirks appointed, by one of these who
are particularly named to have this charge of trying his repentance or
impenitencie, and that the execution of this sentence be intimat in all
the Kirks within this Realme, by the Pastours of every particular
Congregation, as they will be answerable to their Presbyteries and Synods,
or the next generall Assembly, in case of the negligence of Presbyteries
and Synods.

Act of the Assembly at _Glasgow_, Sess. 16. December 8. 1638.

_Declaring Episcopacie to have been abjured by