embrace such ordinances, and such a ministry as are
of divine appointment; and that we shall not presume to withdraw from
minister or member of that body for any offence, in any case, where
either the offence may be legally removed without withdrawing, or cannot
be instructed to be condemned by the word of God, and constitution of
this church, or is in itself an insufficient ground of withdrawing, or
where it is not defended, or obstinately persisted in, or is a thing to
be condescended upon, forborn, or forgiven; but shall study to maintain
union and Christian communion, with all and every one, whether ministers
or private Christians, who adhere unto the purity of the doctrine,
worship, discipline and government of the church of Scotland, and to the
whole word of Christ's patience, in the sufferings and contendings of
his people, in opposition to his enemies' encroachments; and shall join,
in the way of truth and duty, with all who do, and in so for as they do,
adhere to the institutions of Christ. And because many have labored to
supplant the liberties of the true kirk, and have in a great measure, of
late by indulgences and toleration, and now by oaths of allegiance and
abjuration, and encroaching on the freedom of Christ's courts, obtained
their design: we shall therefore, to our power withstand and witness
against all these encroachments made upon the liberties of Christ's
church in our land, and when we can do no more, shall withdraw our
countenance and concurrence from such as hold their freedom from, and
are modified by such usurpation; and shall neither hear their sermons,
nor pay them stipends, while they continue unfaithful; and shall,
whenever God gives us opportunity, endeavor to recover, and when
recovered, to maintain and defend the liberties and privileges of the
church of Scotland, against all who shall oppose or undermine the same,
or encroach thereupon, under any pretext whatsoever.

With reference to the third Article, wherein we are bound to defend the
privileges of the Parliament, liberties of the kingdoms, and the King's
Majesty's person and authority, in the defence of the true Reformed
religion: albeit God, in his righteous judgment, hath left the nations
so far to the counsels of their own hearts, as to suffer them to set up
Magistrates, wanting the qualifications requisite, and to fill places of
power and trust with insufficient and disaffected persons, who have no
respect to the interest of r