Absolviture

In Reſpect that the Provincial Aſſemblie of the Kirk gathered in Chriſt’s Name, holden at St. Andrews the Twelfth Day of April 1586, For manifeſt Crimes and open Contumacie, hath juſtly and formally according to the Word of God, and ſincere Cuſtom of this Kirk, excommunicated Mr. Patrick Adamſon; and that in this General Aſſemblie they take upon them to abſolve the ſaid Mr. Patrick from the Sentence of Excommunication, the Proceſs not being tried nor heard in publick, the Perſon excommunicated declaring no Signs of true Repentance, nor craving the ſaid Abſolviture by himſelf, nor by his Procurators, before the very Time, wherein they abſolve him: I therefore for my Part, and the Name of all the other Brethren and true Chriſtians, who will be participant with me, take God to Record of the Dealing of that provincial Aſſemblie, and this Aſſemblie General; proteſting alſo before the Almightie, his holy Angels, and Saints here convened, that I have no Aſſurance in God’s Word to my Conſcience, to aſſent, allow or approve this his Abſolviture: And therefore until the Time I perceive his Converſion to be true and effectual, I cannot but hold him as one juſtly delivered to Satan, notwithſtanding of the ſaid Abſolvitur.