Chap. VIII, the HISTORY of the PURITANS. 38 annexed, obliging themfelves to maintain and defend the proteftant doc- Queen trine and the prefbyterian government. After this, in the year 5584. El'S9beth, the bJhops were reftored by parliament to tome parts of their ancient dig- t t nity ; and it was made treafon for any man to procure the innovation or Heyl. HAD. diminution of the power and authority of any of the three Oates; but .Pr. P. a3r. when this ad was proclaimed, the minifters protefted againft it, as not having been agreed to by the Kirk. In the year 1587, things took ano- ther turn, and his majefly being at the full age oftwenty-one, contented to an act to take away bifhops lands and annex them to the crown. In the year 159o. it was ordained by the general affembly, that all that bore PrJbytery, uce in the kirk, or fhould hereafter do fo,.fhould fubfcribe to the book of e/tablyhed by. difcipline. In the year 5592. all ads of parliament whatfoever made bylaw: the king's highnefs or any of his predeceffors, in favour of popery or epifcopacy, were annulled ;. and in particular, the at ofMay 22d. 1584. For granting commi/ons to hops, or other ecclefiaflicaljudges, to receive prefentations to benefices, and give collation thereupon; and it was ordained that for the future, " all prefentations to benefices (hall be.direded to the Heyl. Hitt:. " particular prefbyteries, with full power to give collation thereupon ..Pte!- °' and to order all matters and caufes ecclefiaftical within their bounds:P' 94` ft according to the difcipline of the kirk. .< Further, the ad ratifies and confirms all former as of parliament in favour of kirk difcipline, and declares, that it [hall be lawful for " the kirk and . minitlers to hold general affemblies once ayear, or oftner " if neceffity require, the king's commiffioner being prefent if his majefty pleafes. It ratifies and approves of provincial and fynodal. affemblies " twice a year within every province ; and of prefbyteries and particular fefllions appointed by the kirk, with the whole difcipline and jurifdic- " tion of the fame. Provincial affemblies have power to redrefs all things " omitted or done amifs in the particular affemblies, to depofe the office- " bearers of the province, and generally they have the power of the par- e' titular elderfhips whereof they are collected.. " The power of prefbyteries is declared to confift in keeping the kirks Power of'gew- within their bounds in good order.; to enquire after and endeavour nerd! afem " to reform vicious perlons. It belongs to the elderfhips to fee that the=eri', Pry' " wordof God be duly preached, and the. facraments rightly adminiftered, " and difcipline entertained ; they are to caufe the ordinances made by " the provincial, national, and general affemblies, to be put in execute " tion ; to make or abolifh conflitutions which concern decent order in. 6. their kirks, provided they alter no rules made by the fuperior affem- blies, and communicate their conflitutions to the provincial afïembly; " they have power to excommunicate the obftinate. after due procefs.. Concerning particular kirks, if they are lawfully ruled by fuf icient.mi- nifters:,
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