First, for eschewing of confusione in reasoning, and to the effect
that every brother speak with such modestie and measure as becometh
the ministers of God’s word to doe, with consent of the haill
Assembly, John Erskine of Dunn, Knight, Superintendant of Angus and
Merns, was continued Moderator, who was content for the present to
use the samen office.
Ordaines that some of the brethren, in name of the haill Kirk, make
supplication to the Lords of Secret Councill and Session of Justice,
that no excommunicat person have proces before their honors, unto the
tyme they be reconciled to the Kirk, chiefly when excommunication is
notour and objected againes.
Anent the supplication presented to this Assembly be Robert
Commendator of Haly-rude-house, showing in effect, how it was not
unknowne to their wisdomes, That he had diverse godly learned men of
his owne place of Halyrudehouse, sic as Alexander Forrester and Peter
Blackwood, who are men of good conversation and literature, were
admitted and receaved be the Kirk to the ministrie, and how he had
diverse kirks pertaining to the Abbacie, as the kirks of Tranent and
St Cuthbert’s, and alleadged that most decent and convenient it were,
that his said kirks should be served be the servants of the said
Abbay: Herefore, requested most earnestly that the Kirk presently
assembled should transport Mr Thomas Cranstoune and William Harlaw,
now ministers of his said kirks, and place them at some uther kirks,
as should be thought good be the haill Assembly to appoint them, and
to place his saids servants at his saids kirks as ministers, there to
be served be them in tyme comeing; as in the said request at length
was contained.
The Kirk haveing ryply considered the said supplication and advysed
thereupon, caused call before them some of the elders of the said
parochines, and diligently inquired if they had any fault to lay
against their ministers, or if they would be content they should
be transported from them? Answer was given, that they had no cryme
nor fault to lay against their ministers, but was better content
with them then they would be with any uther that would be presented
to them; and attour, on no wayes would be content that any of them
should be transported from them: Therefore, the Kirk presently
assembled on no wayes condescended to the transportation of them,
for the reasons foresaid; But brotherly requested the said Lord
Commendator to provide for some godly ministers for uthers of his
kirks whilks are destitute of preaching of the true word of God, the
speciall food of their souls, which they doubt not but his Lordship
will doe, for discharge of his own conscience.
Sess. 2^{a.} Junii 26, 1566.
The haill Assembly, in respect of the perills and dangers wherewith
the Kirk of God is assaulted, and that be mighty enemies, considered
a generall fast to be published throughout this realme in all kirks
reformed.
Anent the supplication given in be Paull Methven, makand a long
rehearsall of his miserable estate, the supplication presented in his
name to the Generall Assembly holden in Edinburgh in December 1564,
of the estate of the answers thereto frome the said Assembly, of his
long and tedious journey out of England to Scotland, and impediments
that chanced him in the way; finally requests for ane of thir two,
That is, either to suspend excommunication of the Kirk for ane tyme,
and receave him in the fellowship of the same as ane poor sheep,
upon ane condition, wherever he chances to be, upon half ane year’s
warning, he shall be bound to returne againe at command of the Kirk,
and obey sic injunctions as they would command him to doe; or if the
Kirk pleased not this petition, then to committ his answer to such as
the Kirk should appoint, who’s judgement and determination (as his
body might bear) he promised be God’s grace to obey; Finally, all
counsell that have followed heretofore, and himself most humbly, he
submitted to the judgement of the present Assembly; as in the said
supplication at length was contained: Last of all, it was ordained
that he present himself personally before the Assembly; and being
entered, prostrate himself before the haill brethren with weeping
and howling, and commanded to ryse, might not expresse farther his
request, being, as appeared, so farr troubled with anguish of heart,
was desyred to be of good comfort, and to depart to his lodgeing
whill order were taken anent his request. And forsuameikle as in the
said Assembly holden in Edinburgh in December 1564, it was concluded
to receave him to repentance, now rested to conclude upon the manner
thereof that he should doe when and where; and for that purpose
was appointed the Superintendant of Fyfe, Mr John Dowglass, rector
of St Andrews, David Forrest, Mr Hugh Hay, minister of Ruthven, Mr
John Craig, minister of Edinburgh, John Row of St Johnstone, William
Christisone of Dundie, and Adam Herriot of Aberdeene, ministers, that
they, seven or sex of them, should conveene the morrow, at seven
houres before noone, and take order in the premises; and whatsomever
they doe hereanent, to signifie the same to the Superintendant of
Lowthiane and Session of the Kirk of Edinburgh, deliver the said
ordinance to the Scribe of the Generall Assembly, that he may insert
the same among uther acts of Generall Assembly for ane remembrance to
the posteritie.