The new General Assembly reenacts all the measures passed by the Glasgow Assembly the previous winter, as expected, but does even more, uncovering the real causes of the contest with the king.

It is no longer a struggle over simple confessional differences or even a question of church government—it is over the nature of political power itself.

Not only is Episcopacy abolished but churchmen are declared incapable of holding civil office.

What is worse from the king's point of view the appointment of bishops is declared not just to be wrong in practice but contrary to the law of God.

Charles had accepted Traquair's argument that Episcopacy might be set aside in Scotland as a temporary expedient.

However, to declare it contrary to Scripture means that its rejection cannot be limited by space or time.

If Episcopacy is universally unlawful how is it to be maintained in England and Ireland?