Series 3 > Register of the consultations of the ministers of Edinburgh and some other brethren of the ministry > Volume 1

148 THE REGISTER OF CONSULTATIONS
they themselves be the plurality, at least, by having
equalitie, have a negative voice in all questions that
may oecurr in all Congregations, Presbyteries and Synods
in this Kirk. 3, Wee doe againe desire, and in the bowels
of Christ obtest our Brethren, to consider if the keeping
open the gap of our divisions shall not much more pre¬
judge the kingdome of Christ in this land than such an
union which would be the result of our concessions. And
how inconsistent it is with their professions of such zeale
unto the kingdome of Christ to stand at so great a distance
with their Brethren, as now in the close to winde up the
differences to such a height, even when they have left
no mean unessayed for attaining of peace with them !
As to their first 'particular reason whereby they ajfirme that
our holding fast the constitution and authority of the two late
Assemblies and of the Publict Resolutions, as it doeth ex¬
ceedingly weaken almost all our other Concessions, making
them Concessions of mere-grace and favour, so being joyned
with our refusing not to react any such things in any time
hereafter, it yeelds no security to the cause and people
of God, etc.,
Wee answer, 1, That this reason imports that we must
not hold fast, but in order to peace passe from, the con¬
stitution of these Assemblies, which is a new demand
not formerly sought from us in the Conference by our
brethren, but rather expressly passed from by them in
their answer to our Querees, upon their 2d article. 2, Our
Brethren doe know we have yeelded that neither the
acknowledgement of the auctoritie of those Assemblies
nor yet of the Acts thereof, shall be pressed upon or
alledged against them or anie of their judgement as the
definitive sentence of this Kirk. Only we have refused
to grant unto that part of their desire that the Acts of
these Assemblies should be declared by us not to be the
definitive sentence of this Kirk or of the judicatories-
thereof, and that because, if the desire relate to time
past, we can not but assert that de facto these were the
definitive sentences of this Kirk and stand in record as
such in the publik registers both of Church and State,