Charles Campbell of Sheldome, for the Kirks of Kyle;
George Hoome of Spott for the Kirks of East Lowthiane;
David Lindsay, minister, Andrew Lambe, and Patrik Boyman, for Leith;
Williame Harlaw, minister, and Robert Fernelay of Braid, for St
Cuthbert’s Kirk;
Williame Christiesone, minister, George Lovell, and Williame
Carmichael, for Dundie;
Alexander Guthrie of Halkartoune, and Williame Durhame of Grainge,
for Forfar;
John Eskine of Dunne and Andrew Milne for Montrose;
The Laird of Tullyvaird and Fethercairne for the Kirks of Merns;
The Laird of Gairlies, Younger, for the Kirks of Nithsdaile;
Mr David Weyms for the Kirk of Carnbie;
Mr Walter Balfoure for the Kirk of Lintone;
Johne Browne, Thomas Boyd, and James Polwart, for Torphichen;
William Lambe, Williame Benole, for Dunbar;
Jame Douglas, James More, for Calder Comites;
Mr Robert Wynrhame for Ratho;
Johne Kincaid for Kirklistoune.
The Names of them quhilks the Ministers and Commissioners thinks
most qualified for the ministring of the Word of God and
Sacraments, and reading of the Commoun Prayers publicklie in
all Kirks and Congregations, and given up be theme every one
within their own bounds.
In Kyle, for Reading,
Rankene Davidsone, Richard Bannatyne, Robert Campbell, Hew
Wallace, Andraw Lokhart, Andraw Chalmer, James Dalrymple, Adame
Landals, all Readers; and Johne Chalmer, appointed to teache.
In Saint Andrews, for Ministring and Teaching,
Master Johne Rutherford, Williame Ramsay, James Wilkie, Robert
Hammiltoune, Patrik Coustaine, William Rynde, Williame Skeene,
Archibald Hammiltoune, Alexander Arbuthnet, James Kirkaldie,
David Collase, Williame Scott, David Weymes, Thomas Buchanan,
David Spense, Robert Pont, Johne Wynrhame of Kirkness,
Alexander Spense, Johne Woode, David Guild, and Robert
Patersone.
Uthers q^{lk} are thoght apt and able, be the Ministers and
Commissioners foresaid, to Minister:--
Johne Erskine of Dunne, Johne Fullartoune of Kynnabie, David
Forres, Patrik Kinmonth, Mr James Melvill, Richard Melvill,
Mr Johne Kellow, Robert Montgomrie, Johne Hepburne, Thomas
Hepburne, George Hepburne, and William Lambe, Mr Johne Ramsay,
presentit be Sir Johne Borthwik, as Ministers for the Kirks of
Aberdour and Torrie.
21st December 1560.
The Ministers and Commissioners forsaids being assembled,--Finds that
the Ministrie of the Word and Sacraments of God, and assemblie of the
people of the haill parochine of Restalrig, be within the Kirk of
Leith; and that the Kirk of Restalrig, as monument of Idolatry, be
razed and utterly casten downe and destroyed.
The questione being proponed anent marriage in second and uther
degrees of consanguinitie, forbidden be the Pope to be solemnizat
betwixt parties,--It is found, that, of the Law of God, mariage may
be solemnizat betwixt parties, being of second, third, and fourth
Degrees of Affinitie or Consanguinitie, and uthere sick as are not
prohibited expresslie be the Word; and, therefore, to desyre the
Lords and Estates to interpone their authoritie, approve the same,
and make Laws thereupon.
27th December 1560.
The Kirk appointed the Election of the Minister, Elders, and Deacons,
to be in the publick Kirk, and the Præmonition to be upon the Sonday
preceeding the day of electione.
The Kirk appointed that, to the punishment of fornication, the Law
of God be observed, publick repentance to be made be them that shall
use carnall copulatione betwixt the Promise and Solemnization of the
mariage.
That all such as hes been in the ministrie of the Paip’s Kirk, good
and well conditioned persons, that they shall live upon the almes of
the Kirk with the number of the Poore.
Consented be the Kirk, that none be put in judiciall offices to be
Magistrates, as Provist, Baillies, and Officers of Towns, exceptand
them who are knowne to be plain and true Professors of the Evangell.
It is also thought expedient, that earnest supplication be made to
the Estates of this Realme in Parliament, and to the Lords of Secret
Councill, that all judges ordinary, and officers judiciall, sick as
the Lords of Secret Councill, Sheriffis, Stewarts, Baillies, and
uthers Judges, be Professours of the Treuth, of the trew Word of God;
and all Ministers thereof to be removet from sick offices, according
to the Civill Law.
To ask at the Estates of Parliament and Lords of Secret Councill,
for eschewing of the Wrath and Indignatione of the Eternall God, and
removeing of the Plagues threatned in his Law, that sharp punishment
be made upon the Persones underwrittin, and uthers Idolaters and
Maintainers thereof, in contempt of God, his true Religioun, and
also of Parliament, whilk sayes and causes Masse to be said, and are
present thereat, within the places following:--
In NITHESDALE and GALLOWAY,
The Pryor of Whittorne and his Servants in Cruightoune;
The Laird of Carswell in Carswell;
The Laird of Carleil;
The Laird of Kirnichael, who causes Masse dayly to be said and
Images to be holdin up, and Idolatrie to be maintained within his
Bounds.
In FYFE,
The Laird of Balwerie and Lathrisk; Mr Johne Scrymgeour’s wife.
In KYLE, CARRICK, and CUNNINGHAME,
The Erles of Eglintoune and Cassills; William Hamilton of Cambus
Keith; the Abbot of Corsraguell; the Parochiners of Mayboll,
Gariane, Oswald, and Divley, within the whilk kirks Masse is openly
said and maintained.
In EAST LOUTHIANE,
Johne Carbettle in Margill causses Masse daylie to be said; the old
Ladie Hoome in Thornetoune; the Curat of Currie for abuseing the
Sacraments.
In the FORREST of ETRICK,
The Goodman of Gallowschields, who not only causes Masse to be
said, but also maintains the sayers thereof, who are Enemies to God
and his Truth, and therefore were exylit out of Edinburgh.
The Kirks conveened continows this their Assembly till the 15th
day of Januarie nixt to come, and hes thought expedient that the
said day ane commissioner at the leist be sent for every kirk, for
requireing of such things of the Parliament as shall be thoght for
the well of the holy Kirk; and every Commissioner present permitts
to come themselves, or cause some others frae the Kirk the said
day to the Burgh of Edinburgh, to the effect foresaid; and ordains
every Commissioner, alswell of towns as of paroch kirks to landward,
to bring ane roll with them of the haill teynds, lands, anwalls,
profeits and emoluments of the paroch kirks nixt adjacent to them,
and what persons hes tacks thereof, to whom the samen pertains, and
their names to be speciallie named, and what dewtie they pay for the
samen.
[SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
Att Edinburgh, the 27th of May 1561.
The whole Kirk, conveened in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, hes decerned
and thought good, that ane humble Complaint be made and givin in, in
their names, touching the suppressing of Idolatrie, and uther points
after following, to the Lords of Secret Councill.
In the First, For suppressing of Idolatrie throughout the whole
Realme, and punishing of the Users thereof, Maintainers of the samen,
Haunters and Frequenters therto.
_Item_, For maintaining ane speciall provisione to be made for
superintendents, and disobeyers of them.
_Item_, For ordour to be taken anent the Abusers of the Sacraments,
and Contemners of the samen.
_Item_, That no Letters of the Sessioune be givin to answer or pay
to any persone their Teynds, without speciall provisione that the
Parochiners retain sae meikle in their hands as is appointed to the
Minister; and that all sick as are else givin, be callit in and
discharged, and likewayes that no Shreffs give precepts to that
effect.
_Item_, That the Sessioune nor no uther Judges proceed upon sick
precepts or warnings past at the instance of them that hes obtained
Fewes of lait, of Vicarages, Persons’ Manses, and Kirk-yards.
_Item_, That no Letters take place whill the Stipends, contained
in the Book of Discipline for the sustentation of the Ministers,
be first consigned in the hands at least of the principall of the
Parochiners.
_Item_, For ordour to be taken upon the punishment of such as
purchases, brings hame, and executes within this Realme, the Pope’s
Bulls.
28th May 1561.
The Kirk conveened; after they heard the Supplication and Articles
foresaid, being put in forme, read in the presens, at lenth advysed
therwith,--ordained the samine to be presented to the Secret
Councill; and for presenting thereof and obtaining of Answers therto,
nominat and ordained thir Brethren after mentioned to wait theron,
viz. The Maister of Lindsay, the Laird of Ferniehirst elder, Thomas
Menzies, Proveist of Aberdeen, the Laird of Lochinvar, the Laird of
Whittinghame, and George Lovell, Burgess of Dundie.
Upon the whilk Supplication, Articles, and sute thereoff, was granted
and followit be the Lords of Secreit Counsell, ane Act and Ordinance
therupon, with Letters thereupon, answering to every Head of the said
Articles and Supplication at length specified in the Act of Secreit
Counsell made therupon, whilk is to be had in the hands of Johne
Johnstoun, Scrybe therof, and Supplication past therupon.
May 29, 1561.
The whilk day, touching the sclander taken be the horrible fault
and impietie committed within this burgh under silence of night be
Marquies Dalbuife and his Colleagues, in breaking up of Cuthbert
Ramsay his ʒetts and doors, and searching and seeking of his daughter
in Law to oppress her, as appeared: It is thought good be the whole
Kirk that ane Supplicatione be made and given in to the Queen’s
Majestie, in name of the Professors of the Evangell, and the persons
before nominat present the samen, to seek the answer thereof: the
forme of the Supplication followeth:--
To the Q. Majestie, her Secret and Great Councill, her G.
faithful and obedient subjects, Professors of Christ Jesus his
holy Evangell, wishes the Spirit of Righteousness and Judgement.
The fear of God conceaved of his holy word, the naturall and
unfained Love we bear unto your G. the dewtie quhilk we owe unto our
Countrey, and terrible threatenings quhilk our God pronunces against
every realme and citie in the quhilks horrible crimes are openly
committed, and then be the Committers obstinatly defended, compel us,
an great part of your subjects, humbly to crave of your G. upright
and trew Judgement against sick persones as hes done what in them
lyes to kindle God’s wrath against this realme. The impietie be them
committed is so hainous and so horrible, that as it was a fact most
vyle and rare to be heard of within this realme, principallie within
the bounds of citie, so should we think ourselves guiltie of the
samen if negligently, or yet for worldly fear, we pass it over with
silence, and therefore your Grace may not think that we require any
thing. All that we crave, open malefactors condignly to be punished,
But that whilk God hes commanded us to crave, and has also commanded
your G. to give to every one of your subjects; ffor be this Link hes
God knitt together the Prince and the people, That as he commands
honor, fear, and obedience to be given to the Powers established be
him, so does he in express words command and declare what thing the
Prince aught unto the subjects, To witt, that as he is the Minister
of God his word, bearing the Sword for vengeance to be taken on evil
doers, and for the defence of peaceable and quiet men, swa ought he
to draw the samen without all partialitie swa oft as in God his name
he is required thereto. Seeing so it is, Madame, that this crime so
recently committed, and that in the eyes of your haill realme now
presently assembled, is so hainous, ffor who heretofore hath heard
within the bounds of Edinburgh, ʒetts and houses under silence of
night bruised up, houses ryped, and that with hostilitie seeking ane
woman, as appeared, to oppress her:--Seeing, we say, this crime is
so hainous, That all godlie men fear not only God’s sair displeasure
to fall upon you and your whole realme, But also that sick libertie
breed contempt, and in the end seditione, if remeed in tyme be not
goodlie provyded, quhilk in our Judgement is possible, if severe
punishment be not execute for the cryme committed. Therefore, we
most humbly beseech your Grace that, all affection laid aside, ye
declare yourselfe so upright in this case that ye may give evident
demonstratione to all your subjects, that the fear of God, joyned
with the love of common tranquillitie, have principall seat and
dominion in your Grace’s heart. This further, Madam, of conscience
we speak, that as your G. in God his name does crave of us obedience,
quhilk to render in all things lawful we are most willing, swa in the
samen name doe we, the whole Professors of Christ’s Evangell within
this realme, crave of you and of your Councill sharp punishment of
this cryme, and for performance thereof, that, without all delay,
the principall actor of this most hainous cryme, and the persewars
of this pretended villanie may be called before the Chief Justice of
this realme to suffer ane assyse, and to be punished according to the
Lawes of the samen, and your G. answer we most humbly beseek.
[THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Convention of the Kirk of Scotland, gathered in Edinburgh
the penult day of Junij 1562, in the quhilk were present the
Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners underwritten:--
_Superintendents_,
Mrs Johne Spottiswood of Louthiane, Johne Wynrhame of Fyfe, Johne
Willock of Glasgow, Johne Erskine of Dun of Angus, Johne Carswell
of Argyle.
_Ministers and Commissioners_,
Johne Knox, Minister of Edinburgh, James Barrone and Edward Hope,
Commissionars;
James Yong, Mr David Lindsay, Minister at Leith, Patrick Cockburne,
and Johne Browne, Commissioners;
Mr Johne Craig, Minister at Halierudehouse, Johne Hart and Williame
Oswald, Commissioners;
Williame Harlaw, Minister of St Cuthbert’s Kirk;
Johne Burne, Minister of Mussilburgh;
Mr Thomas Cranstoune, Minister at Tranent;
Alexander Forrester, Minister at Libbertoune;
Mr George Furde, Minister at Dunnune;
Mr David Weymis, Minister of Ratho;
David Cunninghame, Minister of Lanarick;
James Walker, Minister of Steinstoun;
Christopher Goodman, Minister at St Andrews;
Mr George Leslie, Minister at Strathmiglow;
Richard Melvill, Minister at Inchbraok and Maritoun;
Johne Douglas of Pumfrestoun, and Johne Douglas in Howden,
Commissioners of the Kirk of Calder;
The Laird of Spott, Commissioner for Dunbar and diverse in the Mers;
James Fleyming, Elder and Commissioner of Glasgow;
The Laird of Lye, Commissioner of Lanerick;
The Laird of Barre, Commissioner of Kyle;
Johne Cathcart of Cariltoun, Commissioner of Carrick;
Mr Robert Pont, Elder and Commissioner of St Andrews;
Thomas Scott of Hayning, Commissioner of Selkraig and Melros.
The quhilk day the fornameit convenit in Mr Hendrie Lawe’s House, and
after prayer the Heids and Articles following were treated:--
That Unitie of Doctrine may be retained among the Ministers.
That errors may be avoided, that manners may be reformed, vyce
punished without exception of persons, and so that vertew and
knowledge may be universallie planted through this realme.
Because the Lives of Ministers aught to be sick as thereby uthers
may be provocked to Godliness, It becomes them first to be tryed,
and therefore after the tryell of the Superintendants, if any man
have to accuse them in life, doctrine, or execution of their office,
The Elders of every Kirk most be charged in God’s behalfe to declare
their conscience of their Minister, touching their doctrine, life,
manners, and conversatione: if any be accused and convict of any
notable cryme, he must be subject to the censure of the Kirk, and
suffer punishment and admonition, as they shall pronounce.
After the Ministers, the Elders of every Kirk must be tryed, if any
hes to lay to the charge of any of them, the accused, whether he be
Minister or Elder, aught to remove out of the Assemblie whill his
cause be tryed: if he be convict, he can have no voit whill the Kirk
receive satisfactione.
After tryall be taken of the haill, then must every Superintendant,
with the Ministers and Elders within his Diocie, expone to the Kirk
the estate of the Kirk amang them, note the offences and crymes
that they know, to the end that the haill may advise some wholsome
remead, or at least make supplication to the superiour powers for the
samen; and lest that confusione should happen through rashness and
hastiness, lotts would be casten what Diocie should first be heard,
what secondlie, and swa furth of the rest.
That no Minister leave his flock for coming to the Assemblie except
he have complaints to make, or else be complained on, or at the least
be warned thereto be the Superintendant.
The Second Assembly, holden the last day of Junii 1562.
It is concluded be the whole Ministers assembled, that all Ministers
shall be subject to their Superintendants in all lawful admonitions,
as is prescryved as weele in the Booke of Discipline as in the
election of Superintendants.
That Superintendants take compt what Books every Minister hes in
store in the tyme of their visitation, and how the saids Ministers
and every one of them does profite from tyme to tyme in reading and
studying the same.
The Third Sessioune, holden the first of Julii 1562.
It is concluded that the Minister shall inquire his elders and every
one of them to assist him in all his Lawfull Assemblies; In the whilk
if they be found negligent, yet shall he proceed to all admonitiones
according to the rule of Christ, whilk they or any of them obey not;
then shall the Minister, with so many of the Kirk as will subscryve
with him, notifie the matter to the Superintendent, and if he be
his can profite nothing, then be his advyse that the inobedient be
pronounced excommunicat, and the magistrat, subject to the rule of
Christ, be not exeemed from the same punishment, being found guiltie
or inobedient.
To make supplication to the hier powers for the Manss and aikers to
Ministers to dwell in, according to the Book of Discipline, and the
Kirks to be repaired that are decayed, conforme to the act of the
Lords of the Secret Councill, pronounced before the Q. G. homecuming.
The Fifth Session, holden at Edinburgh, Julii 3, 1562.
The haill Kirk appoints and decerns Mr John Sharpe and Robert Wilsone
to minister in sick Kirks as shall be thought good be the Kirk.
The Sixth Session, 4th July 1562.
Touching the removeing of Idolatrie, the Kirk now, as of before,
concludes humble supplication to be given in to her hienes, but
the manner how, they have referred to farther consultation of her
Majesties Secret Councill.
That supplication be made to her hienes for punishing of all vyces
commanded be the Law of God to be punished, and yet not commanded be
the law of the realme, viz. blasphemie of God’s name, contempt of his
word and Sacraments, profanation of the samen be sick as were not
lawfully called to the ministration thereof, perjurie and taking of
the name of God commonlie in vaine, breakers of the Sabboth day, In
keeping of common mercats, adulteries, fornication, filthie talking;
and further, that punishment be execute upon the transgressors of the
last proclamation made against massmongers or hearers.
Anent the actiones of divorcement, to make supplication to the
Secret Councill, that either they give up universallie the Judgment
of divorce to the Kirk and their Session, or else to establish men
of good lives, knowledge, and Judgement, to take the order thereof;
provyding allwayes that the saids Lords make provisione and ordinance
how the guiltie persons shall be punished.
And sua dissolvet this Assembly, and appointed to conveen again the
25th day of December nixt to come in Edinburgh.
(Sic subscribitur) JOHN GRAY.
[FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveened at
Edinburgh the 25th day of December 1562, in the quhilk were
present the Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners.
The whilk day the forenamed Assembly in the old Councill-house,
Johne Knox, Minister of Edinburgh, called upon God’s name for the
assistance of his Holy Spirit.
In the second and third Session, Superintendants and Ministers were
tryed, every Superintendant is removed, and delations given in, and
swa the Ministers.
Session Second, holden the 25th of the same moneth.
Anent the sustentation of the Ministers, exhorters, and readers
within the burroughs, my Lord Comptroller required the haill
Commissioners of Burroughs, presently conveened at this Assembly,
that they wauld signifie unto him be word or write, within ane
competent space, what reliefe they would make to the sustentation of
the ministrie forsaid, In respect that they were before burdened with
diverse charges for upholding of sick as called themselves Ministers
in the abused Kirk.
Session Third, holden December 29, 1562.
The Kirk presently assembled ordains, That inhibition shall be made
to all and sundrie persons now serving in the ministrie who hes
entered, being slanderous before in doctrine, hes not satisfied the
Kirk: Secondlie, that hes not been presented be the people, or ane
part thereof, to the Superintendant; and he, after examination and
tryall, hes not appointed them to their charges; and this act to
have strenth alswell against them that are called Bishops as uthers
pretending to anie ministrie within the Kirk.
Mr Archbald Keith, Minister of Logy and Balmerinoch, was decerned
be the Kirk to be translated from the forsaid Kirks to sick place
as that his stipend should be more abundantly given him, In caise
he be not reasonablie satisfied be the Lords appointed to modifie
the ministers’ stipends, provyding he change not at his owne private
opinione, But to have therein the judgement and appointment of the
Kirk, who shall give their judgement herein ere this Assembly be
dissolved.
Session Fourth, holden December 30, 1562.
The Kirk presently assembled gives power to everie Superintendant
within their own bounds, in their Assemblies Synodall, with consent
of the maist part of the Elders and Ministers of Kirks, to translate
Ministers frae ane Kirk to ane other, as they sall consider the
necessitie. And in lyke manner chargeth the Minister sua translated
to obey the voyce and commandement of the Superintendant; and
ordaines furder, That the Superintendants appoint their Synodall
Conventiones twyse in the year, to witt, in the moneths of
Aprile and October, on sick days within the said moneths as the
Superintendant shall think good; and that they give sufficient
advertisements to the particular Kirks, that the Minister with
ane Elder or Deacone may repare toward the place appointed be the
Superintendants, at the daye that salbe affixed be them, to consult
upon the common effaires of their Dioces.
Session Fifth, holden the last of December 1562.
The Kirk gives commission to the Superintendants of Angus, Lowthiane,
Glasgow, and Fyfe, with David Forrester, to travell with the Lords of
the Secreit Counsell to know what cause sall come in Judgement to the
Kirk, and what Order of Execution sall be taken therin.
It is concluded, That ane uniforme order sall be taken or keeped in
ministration of the Sacraments, and solemnization of Mariages and
Buriall of the Dead, according to the Kirk of Geneva. Attour ordains,
That the Communion be administered foure times in the yeere within
the Burrowes, and twyse in the yeere toward landwart.
Forsamickle as it was heavilie lamentit be the maist pairt of the
Ministers that they can have no Dwelling places at their Kirks,
because the Manses ar either deteinit be the Parsons or Vicars of
the samen, or else sett in Few or utherwayes to Gentlemen, The Clerk
Register and Justice Clerk desyres the Superintendants to signifie
to the Clerk of the Rentalls where the said Mansis are, and in what
Countrey, to the Effect that the saids Mansis may be assignit to them
{missing text indicated by asterisks} Third-part; and thereafter that
the saids Ministers complimandand may be staiked and helped to the
samen for their commoditie and remaining with their Flocke.
Notwithstanding the proponing and nomination of the Superintendants
for Aberdein, Bamf, Jedburgh, and Dumfries, appointed of before in
the third Session, and the days appointed for election of the same,
the whole Kirk remitts further advisement and Nomination of the
persons to the Lords of Secreit Counsell, provyding allwayes that the
Dayes appointed for the election be not prolonged.
[FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveened and
holden at Johnstoun, the 25th day of Junii 1563, In the
whilk were assembled the Superintendants, Ministers, and
Commissioners of the Kirks.