The acts and articles warred against Parliament in the Scottish Reformation

I hope to be able to post more of these acts and declarations over the coming days.

THIR ACTS AND ARTICLES WAR RED†3 IN FACE OF PARLIAMENT, AND RATIFIED BY THE THREE ESTATES OF THIS REALM, AT EDINBURGH, THE SEVENTEEN DAY OF AUGUST,†4 THE YEAR OF GOD JM. VC. AND THREESCORE YEARS.
THIS our CONFESSION was publicly read, first in audience of the Lords of Articles, and after in 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 others of the Temporal Estate, who were commanded in God’s name to object, if they could, 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 the Papistry, and impugned our affirmatives: but while that no objection was made, there was a day appointed to voting in that and other heads. Our Confession was read, every article by itself, over again, as they were written in order, and the votes of every man were required accordingly. of the Temporal Estate only voted in the contrary, the Earl of Athole,†1 the Lords Somerville†2 and Borthwick;†3 and yet for their dissenting they produced no better reason, but, “We will believe as our fathers believed.” the Bishops, (Papistical,we mean,) spoke nothing. the rest of the whole three Estates, by their public votes, affirmed the doctrine; and many, the rather, because that the Bishops would nor dared say nothing in the contrary; for this was the vote of the Earl Marischall,†1—“It is long since I have had some favor unto the truth, and since that I have had a suspicion of the Papistical religion; but, I praise my God, this day hath fully resolved me in the one and the other. For seeing that my Lords Bishops, who for their learing can, and for the zeal that they should bear to the verity, would, as I suppose, gainsay any thing that directly is opposed to the verity of God; seeing, I say, my Lords Bishops here present speaks nothing in the contrary of the doctrine proposed, I can not but hold it to be the very truth of God, and the contrary to be deceitful doctrine. And therefore, so far as in me lies, I approve the one and damn the other: And do further 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 may vote, as it were by way of protestation, that if any persons ecclesiastical shall after this oppose themselves to this our Confession, that they have no place nor credit, considering that they having long advisement, and full knowledge of this our Confession, none is now found in lawful, free, and quiet Parliament to oppose themselves to that which we profess: And therefore, if any of this generation pretend to do it after this, I protest he be repute rather one that loveth his own commodity and the glory of the world, then the truth of God, and the salvation of men’s souls.”
After the voting and ratification of this our Confession,by the whole body of the Parliament, there were also pronounced two Acts, the one against the Mass and the abuse of the Sacraments, and the other against the Supremacy of the Pope;†1 the tenors whereof follows:—
 

THE ACT AGAINST THE MASS.†2
IN the Parliament held at Edinburgh, the tenth of July, the year of God JM five hundred threescore years, the said Parliament being continued to the first of August next thereafter following, with continuation of days, upon the twenty-fourth day of the said month of August, the Three Estates then being present: the which day, for as much as Almighty God by his most true and blessed word, hath declared the reverence and honor which should be given to him: and, by his Son Jesus Christ, has declared the true use of the Sacraments, willing the same to be used according to his will and word: By the which it is notour and perfectly known that the Sacraments of Baptism and of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, hath been in all times bygone corrupted by the Papistical Church, and by their usurped ministers; and presently, notwithstanding the Reformation already made according to God’s word, yet nonetheless there is some of the same Pope’s Church that stubbornly perseveres in their wicked idolatry, saying Mass, and Baptizing conformed to the Pope’s Church, profaning thereby the Sacraments aforesaid, in quiet and secret places, regarding thereby neither God nor his word: Therefore it is statute and ordained in this present Parliament, that no manner of person nor persons, in any time coming, administrate any of the Sacraments aforesaid secretly, or any other manner of way, but they that are admitted and having power to that effect; nor say Mass, nor yet hear Mass, nor be present thereat, under the pain of confiscation of all their goods, [movable and unmovable,] and punishing of their bodies at the discretion of the Magistrates, within whose jurisdiction such persons happiness to be apprehended, for the first fault; banishing of the Realm, for the second fault; and justifying to the dead, for the third fault: And ordains all Sheriffs, Stewart’s, Bailiffs, and their deputies, Provosts, and Bailiffs of Burghs, and others judges whatsoever, within this Realm, to take diligent suit and inquisition within their bounds, where any such usurped ministry is used; Mass saying, or they that be present at the doing thereof, ratifying and approved the same, and take and apprehend them, to the effect that the pains above written may be execute upon them.
Extractum de libro Parliamenti, per me, etc.
          (Sic subscribitur,)
 

 

The acts and articles warred against in the Scots Reformation

Understanding Christ as an intercessor for His people is a complex thing I think. Yet we, as mere men, and mere maggots upon the earth compared to the Great, Majesty of God, go before Him to His throne to plead and beg with Him, as well as in praise and adoration. The latter two things of course, though it is our duty, by doing so, we are still not doing God any favours, or giving Him anything He wouldn’t be perfectly fine and just as well without. Yet he accepts our weak, often inaffectual praises, as a Father accepts the weakness of a small child who goes to him with a glad heart and trust yet maybe unskilled in how to make known what it is he wants from his father.

We offer up if we only did realize, polluted sacrifices; as even our prayers are rarely without sin in them. Yet Christ our intercessor, takes them and purifies them, and makes them acceptable to the great God of the Bible. (John 14:2-3; Heb 9:11-12; 24) The smallest, weakest, most inept prayer of the weakest, most insignificant Christian will be heard by God because no matter how polluted our offering maybe, (1 John 2:1-2) if we give it with a sincere heart, Christ will purify our prayers and make them acceptable to God and conformable to His will. So, as Scripture says, we can ask with confidence, and believe we shall have. (John 11:42) knowing that Christ’s intercession for us makes our prayers fully acceptable and perfect in God’s sight. As even our offerings of prayers are not of our own esteem or efforts, but are purified by our Intercessor and Saviour, as he makes them acceptable to God and being purified by HIs blood. (Heb 1:3; 1 Pet 2:24; Matt 26:28) It’s a comforting thought I think. As when we are distressed, or afflicted or suffering or perplexed, we rarely think so clearly, and probably because of that communicate less well with each other, and also in trying to communicate in our prayers to God. But the Spirit groans for us, (Rom 8:26-27) and Christ accepts and purifies our weak, often inept offerings, and makes them acceptable to His Father.(Heb 7:25) The trinity is at work all simultaneously, in the act of our praying and God hearing and answering our prayers.

Poor on-board sound? Not a tech?

Phew! I have been and still are having connectivity problems all day, and even now are only connecting via a proxy server.  But thought while I did at least have some connection I would post something, that may or may not be useful to some readers. 

My computer which is around two years old, came with a very poor quality on-board sound system.  It did the job efficiently, but for doing audio editing it didn’t really meet the standards one would require.   So while surfing the weekend, I saw Creative’s X-mod at there site, which seemed the perfect and less costly solution to buying a high quality sound card.  And I didn’t have to get inside my computer to fit it, (it’s external) and it just lies on my desk, so for connecting things like microphone or so forth I don’t need to get to the back of the computer, which obviously for someone as physically disabled as me, is a bonus!  And the sound has been clearly boosted, and made my computer up to standard now sound wise.  And considering the high end of Creative Audigy sound cards (external) can run to well over two hundred UK pounds, the X-mod at sixty quid was a reasonably priced and just as efficient, (at least for most normal needs) alternative.  So anyone who may also have poor on-board sound card, and may not have confidence to go fitting things internally inside the computer,  I would recommend this to them too.  I’ve still not tested the full functionality of it, but it certainly seems to do what it says on the packet!

 

The Trinity at work in the act of Prayer

Understanding Christ as an intercessor for His people is a complex thing I think. Yet we, as mere men, and mere maggots upon the earth compared to the Great, Majesty of God, go before Him to His throne to plead and beg with Him, as well as in praise and adoration. The latter two things of course, though it is our duty, by doing so, we are still not doing God any favours, or giving Him anything He wouldn’t be perfectly fine and just as well without. Yet he accepts our weak, often inaffectual praises, as a Father accepts the weakness of a small child who goes to him with a glad heart and trust yet maybe unskilled in how to make known what it is he wants from his father.

We offer up if we only did realize, polluted sacrifices; as even our prayers are rarely without sin in them. Yet Christ our intercessor, takes them and purifies them, and makes them acceptable to the great God of the Bible. (John 14:2-3; Heb 9:11-12; 24) The smallest, weakest, most inept prayer of the weakest, most insignificant Christian will be heard by God because no matter how polluted our offering maybe, (1 John 2:1-2) if we give it with a sincere heart, Christ will purify our prayers and make them acceptable to God and conformable to His will. So, as Scripture says, we can ask with confidence, and believe we shall have. (John 11:42) knowing that Christ’s intercession for us makes our prayers fully acceptable and perfect in God’s sight. As even our offerings of prayers are not of our own esteem or efforts, but are purified by our Intercessor and Saviour, as he makes them acceptable to God and being purified by HIs blood. (Heb 1:3; 1 Pet 2:24; Matt 26:28) It’s a comforting thought I think. As when we are distressed, or afflicted or suffering or perplexed, we rarely think so clearly, and probably because of that communicate less well with each other, and also in trying to communicate in our prayers to God. But the Spirit groans for us, (Rom 8:26-27) and Christ accepts and purifies our weak, often inept offerings, and makes them acceptable to His Father.(Heb 7:25) The trinity is at work all simultaneously, in the act of our praying and God hearing and answering our prayers.

The Trinity at work in the act of Prayer

Understanding Christ as an intercessor for His people is a complex thing I think. Yet we, as mere men, and mere maggots upon the earth compared to the Great, Majesty of God, go before Him to His throne to plead and beg with Him, as well as in praise and adoration. The latter two things of course, though it is our duty, by doing so, we are still not doing God any favours, or giving Him anything He wouldn’t be perfectly fine and just as well without. Yet he accepts our weak, often inaffectual praises, as a Father accepts the weakness of a small child who goes to him with a glad heart and trust yet maybe unskilled in how to make known what it is he wants from his father.

We offer up if we only did realize, polluted sacrifices; as even our prayers are rarely without sin in them. Yet Christ our intercessor, takes them and purifies them, and makes them acceptable to the great God of the Bible. (John 14:2-3; Heb 9:11-12; 24) The smallest, weakest, most inept prayer of the weakest, most insignificant Christian will be heard by God because no matter how polluted our offering maybe, (1 John 2:1-2) if we give it with a sincere heart, Christ will purify our prayers and make them acceptable to God and conformable to His will. So, as Scripture says, we can ask with confidence, and believe we shall have. (John 11:42) knowing that Christ’s intercession for us makes our prayers fully acceptable and perfect in God’s sight. As even our offerings of prayers are not of our own esteem or efforts, but are purified by our Intercessor and Saviour, as he makes them acceptable to God and being purified by HIs blood. (Heb 1:3; 1 Pet 2:24; Matt 26:28) It’s a comforting thought I think. As when we are distressed, or afflicted or suffering or perplexed, we rarely think so clearly, and probably because of that communicate less well with each other, and also in trying to communicate in our prayers to God. But the Spirit groans for us, (Rom 8:26-27) and Christ accepts and purifies our weak, often inept offerings, and makes them acceptable to His Father.(Heb 7:25) The trinity is at work all simultaneously, in the act of our praying and God hearing and answering our prayers.

Enemies of the Truth and George Wishart

The malicousness of God’s enemies and those who fought and died for the truth demonstrated by the small excerpt of the case "against" George Wishart, before his ultimate Martydom.

“Many and horrible sayings unto me, a Christian man, many words abominable for to hear, ye have spoken here this day, which not only to teach, but also to think, I thought it ever great abomination. Wherefore, I pray your discretions quietly to hear me, that ye may know what were my sayings, and the manner of my doctrine. This my petition, my Lords, I desire to be heard for three causes: the First is, Because through preaching of the word of God, his glory is made manifest: it is reasonable therefore, for the advancing of the glory of God, that ye hear me teaching truly the pure and sincere word of God, without any dissimulation. The Second reason is, Because that your health springeth from the word of God, for he works all things by his word: it was therefore an unrighteous thing, if ye should stop your ears from me teaching truly the word of God. The Third reason is, Because your doctrine speaketh forth many pernicious,†1 blasphemous, and abominable words, not coming by the inspiration of God, but of the devil, on†2 no less peril than my life: It is just therefore, and reasonable, your discretion to know what my words and doctrine are, and what I have ever taught in my time in this realm, that I perish not unjustly, to the great peril of your souls. Wherefore, both for the glory and honor of God, your own health, and safeguard of my life, I beseech your discretions to hear me, and in the meantime I shall recite my doctrine without any color. First, and chiefly, since the time I came into this realm, I taught nothing but the Ten Commandments of God, the Twelve Articles of the Faith, and the Prayer of the Lord, in the mother tongue. Moreover, in Dundee, I taught the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans; and I shall show your discretions faithfully what fashion and manner I used when I taught, without any human dread, so that your discretions give me your ears benevolent and attentive.” Suddenly then, with a high voice cried the Accuser, the fed sow, “Thou heretic, renegade, traitor, and thief, it was not lawful for thee to preach. Thou hath taken the power at thine own hand, without any authority of the Church. We forethink that thou hath been a preacher so long.” Then said all the whole congregation of the Prelates, with their accomplices, these words, “if we give him license to preach, he is so crafty, and in Holy Scriptures so exercised, thaIt he will persuade the people to his opinion, and rouse them against us.” Master George, seeing their malicious and wicked intent, appealed [from the Lord Cardinal to the Lord Governor, as] to an indifferent and equal judge.to whom the Accuser, John Lauder aformentioned, with hoggish voice answered, “Is not my Lord Cardinal the second person within this realm, Chancellor of Scotland, Archbishop of St. Andrews, Bishop of Meropose, Commendatour of Aberbrothok, Legatus Natus, Legatus a Latere?” And so reciting as many titles of his unworthy honors†4 as would have laden a ship, much sooner an ass; “Is not he, (said John Lauder,) an equal judge apparently to thee? Whom other desirest thou to be thy judge?” To whom this humble man answered, saying, “I refuse not my Lord Cardinal, but I desire the word of God to be my judge, and the Temporal Estate, with some of your Lordships mine audience; because I am here my Lord Governor’s prisoner.” Whereupon the prideful and scornful people that stood by, mocked him, saying, “Such man, such judge,” speaking seditious and reproachful words against the Governor, and other the Nobles, meaning them also to be Heretics. And incontinent, without all delay, they would have given sentence upon Master George, and that without further process, had not certain men there counselled my Lord Cardinal to read again the Articles, and to hear his answers thereupon, that the people might not complain of his wrongful condemnation.[Cited from the Works of Jonn Knox]

Against Arminianism

Not only do Universalists, arminians, papists etc, etc, think God needs our help to save us, and that Christ’s death on the cross was inaffectual and didn’t accomplish all that was intended by them believing God died for all people, yet only some go to Heaven, they also seem to think, (and those who deny eternal punishment would also join them in this) that God needs our help to increase His glory. Is that possible? Is that not very self-conceited, presumptious and certainly vainglorious to think that we as mere men, and nothing but worms at that, can in the slightest increase his glory? But they must do, if they cannot think or believe that the God of the Bible didn’t die for just some men, and that He condemns the rest to eternal punishment; and the reason they can’t or don’t believe that, is they cannot believe it of a loving, merciful God. To them it is a contradiction in terms. Yet Scripture is quite clear on the matter. The book of Ephesians alone, is full of Calvinistic doctrine. Yet to do so, somehow to the universalists, makes God a monster, so they cannot counter it for a moment. As if He has to explain Himself to us! And as if we deny it, and so therefore deny and contradict Scripture we make him more merciful, more gracious and loving, and so give Him more glory. Its blasphemy at its highest. Especially since in those instances, God as He reveals HImself through Scripture, to those folks leaves an unloving, unmerciful God, if some are condemned to hell. And I believe this is why Arminianism in its purest form, is a damnable heresy. As many who claim to be Arminians, you listen to them pray and they pray just in the same manner as Calvinists, where everything that is given is given of God’s free grace. But the pure aminians, who are at the other end, they say they love God, yet they don’t. Because the God of Scripture who only saves the elect, of His own free will and free grace, and certainly because of nothing good or special about us, and condemns the rest of mankind ot eternal torment, leaves a monster of an unloving, unmerciful God. So how can they claim to love Him?

Enemies of the Truth and George Wishart

The malicousness of God’s enemies and those who fought and died for the truth demonstrated by the small excerpt of the case “against” George Wishart, before his ultimate Martydom.

“Many and horrible sayings unto me, a Christian man, many words abominable for to hear, ye have spoken here this day, which not only to teach, but also to think, I thought it ever great abomination. Wherefore, I pray your discretions quietly to hear me, that ye may know what were my sayings, and the manner of my doctrine. This my petition, my Lords, I desire to be heard for three causes: the First is, Because through preaching of the word of God, his glory is made manifest: it is reasonable therefore, for the advancing of the glory of God, that ye hear me teaching truly the pure and sincere word of God, without any dissimulation. The Second reason is, Because that your health springeth from the word of God, for he works all things by his word: it was therefore an unrighteous thing, if ye should stop your ears from me teaching truly the word of God. The Third reason is, Because your doctrine speaketh forth many pernicious,†1 blasphemous, and abominable words, not coming by the inspiration of God, but of the devil, on†2 no less peril than my life: It is just therefore, and reasonable, your discretion to know what my words and doctrine are, and what I have ever taught in my time in this realm, that I perish not unjustly, to the great peril of your souls. Wherefore, both for the glory and honor of God, your own health, and safeguard of my life, I beseech your discretions to hear me, and in the meantime I shall recite my doctrine without any color. First, and chiefly, since the time I came into this realm, I taught nothing but the Ten Commandments of God, the Twelve Articles of the Faith, and the Prayer of the Lord, in the mother tongue. Moreover, in Dundee, I taught the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans; and I shall show your discretions faithfully what fashion and manner I used when I taught, without any human dread, so that your discretions give me your ears benevolent and attentive.” Suddenly then, with a high voice cried the Accuser, the fed sow, “Thou heretic, renegade, traitor, and thief, it was not lawful for thee to preach. Thou hath taken the power at thine own hand, without any authority of the Church. We forethink that thou hath been a preacher so long.” Then said all the whole congregation of the Prelates, with their accomplices, these words, “if we give him license to preach, he is so crafty, and in Holy Scriptures so exercised, thaIt he will persuade the people to his opinion, and rouse them against us.” Master George, seeing their malicious and wicked intent, appealed [from the Lord Cardinal to the Lord Governor, as] to an indifferent and equal judge.to whom the Accuser, John Lauder aformentioned, with hoggish voice answered, “Is not my Lord Cardinal the second person within this realm, Chancellor of Scotland, Archbishop of St. Andrews, Bishop of Meropose, Commendatour of Aberbrothok, Legatus Natus, Legatus a Latere?” And so reciting as many titles of his unworthy honors†4 as would have laden a ship, much sooner an ass; “Is not he, (said John Lauder,) an equal judge apparently to thee? Whom other desirest thou to be thy judge?” To whom this humble man answered, saying, “I refuse not my Lord Cardinal, but I desire the word of God to be my judge, and the Temporal Estate, with some of your Lordships mine audience; because I am here my Lord Governor’s prisoner.” Whereupon the prideful and scornful people that stood by, mocked him, saying, “Such man, such judge,” speaking seditious and reproachful words against the Governor, and other the Nobles, meaning them also to be Heretics. And incontinent, without all delay, they would have given sentence upon Master George, and that without further process, had not certain men there counselled my Lord Cardinal to read again the Articles, and to hear his answers thereupon, that the people might not complain of his wrongful condemnation.[Cited from the Works of Jonn Knox]

Against Arminianism

Not only do Universalists, arminians, papists etc, etc, think God needs our help to save us, and that Christ’s death on the cross was inaffectual and didn’t accomplish all that was intended by them believing God died for all people, yet only some go to Heaven, they also seem to think, (and those who deny eternal punishment would also join them in this) that God needs our help to increase His glory. Is that possible? Is that not very self-conceited, presumptious and certainly vainglorious to think that we as mere men, and nothing but worms at that, can in the slightest increase his glory? But they must do, if they cannot think or believe that the God of the Bible didn’t die for just some men, and that He condemns the rest to eternal punishment; and the reason they can’t or don’t believe that, is they cannot believe it of a loving, merciful God. To them it is a contradiction in terms. Yet Scripture is quite clear on the matter. The book of Ephesians alone, is full of Calvinistic doctrine. Yet to do so, somehow to the universalists, makes God a monster, so they cannot counter it for a moment. As if He has to explain Himself to us! And as if we deny it, and so therefore deny and contradict Scripture we make him more merciful, more gracious and loving, and so give Him more glory. Its blasphemy at its highest. Especially since in those instances, God as He reveals HImself through Scripture, to those folks leaves an unloving, unmerciful God, if some are condemned to hell. And I believe this is why Arminianism in its purest form, is a damnable heresy. As many who claim to be Arminians, you listen to them pray and they pray just in the same manner as Calvinists, where everything that is given is given of God’s free grace. But the pure aminians, who are at the other end, they say they love God, yet they don’t. Because the God of Scripture who only saves the elect, of His own free will and free grace, and certainly because of nothing good or special about us, and condemns the rest of mankind ot eternal torment, leaves a monster of an unloving, unmerciful God. So how can they claim to love Him?

Man Flu

My blog is so quiet because I’m dealing with more increased illness than I have had to do for several months.  But is this "man-flu"  purely a UK phenomena? It’s well known here; almost every woman here who knows a man with a cold will say he has "man flu"   even though its only a cold. And its been my own personal experience amongst the male of the gender here, that this is typical of most men here, so is this just a UK Phenomena?