The Generall Assembly hes concludit that all Readers within this
realme shall be tryed and examined _de novo_ be the Commissioners
of the countries, with the advyce of their assessors, so far as
possiblie they may, betwixt and the nixt Generall Assemblie; and
so many as beis sound and travellit in reading be the space of twa
yeares, and hes not profited that they are able to be pastores and
to preache the word of God, shall be deposit from the reading be the
saids Commissioners, with assistance of their saids assessors, and
the diligence to be done herein to be reportit again to the nixt
Generall conventione of the brether. Sicklyke because Readers hes
no ordinarie office within the Kirk of God, The Generall Assemblie
declares that no simple Reader sall be capable of any benefice, or
bruik or possesse the same in tyme cuming, nor yet bruik or joy the
manss or gleib, where there is any minister actuallie serving.
The Assembly hes recommendit the executione of the King’s
proclamatione concernyng papists, unto the haill Commissioners, as
they will answer unto his heines and unto the Kirk.
It is thocht meit to be cravit of his heines, that the Kirk of God
within this realme may be restorit to the benefice, of the act
of parliament made concerning the thirds, in respect of the many
and grievous hurts qwhereby the Kirk recognises to have receavit
be the takeing away of the said act from them; Therefore it is
thought expedient the Moderator, with sic as are assessors to him
upon the articles, and, namely, upon the article of repositione and
restitutione to be presentit againe to the Kirk, and considerit be
commone advyce and consent of the Kirk.
Sessio 8.
Compeirit Mr Henrie Keir, servitor to the Earle of Lennox, and
declareit, that albeit he had lang remainit in blindness and
papistrie, it pleasit God to illuminat him and call him to the
knawledge of the trew word qwherein be his grace he is now resolvit,
acknauledging the same word to be trewlie preached and professit
within this realme, and be act of parliament established, and to
be the only trew religione of God, qwherin he is content aither now
or when the King’s Majestie’s house beis settled, with his heart to
subscryve at the will of the Kirk as they sall think best.
It is, be vote of the haill Assembly, after lang disputatione,
resolvit and concludit, that it is not lawfull be the word of God,
that ane pastor be burdenit with the charge of feeding of twa
particular flocks or mare congregationes nor ane, nor yet bear the
name or be callit pastor of moe kirks nor ane.
The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk hes statute, that the
Commissioners of Countries shall call persones who hes, after their
professione of religion within the country, declynit to idolatrie,
and now returnit within the countrie, ilk ane within their awne
bounds, before their Synodall Assemblies, and accuse them thereof: if
they be tryit to have committit the said defectione, to charge them
to make repentance thereof, under the paine of excommunicatione; and
gif they disobey, to be excommunicat be sic persones to be appoyntit
be the Synodall Assemblie to that effect, lawfull admonitiones
preceiding; and if they offer obedience and repentance, to superceid
the taking thereof, the forme of the same be advysed on the next
Generall Assembly, suspending them, in the meantyme, from the
participatione of the sacraments qwhill the said Assembly; and heirin
to report their diligence thairto, as they will answer to God--and
the same order to be observit with them that willinglie acknowledges
the said defectione, and comes and offers their repentance.
Compeirit Captaine Anstruther, and lamentit to the Kirk, that he
beand in France, and certaine years bypast had gine his bodilie
presence to the Masse, albeit in conscience he hated the same as
idolatrie, and keepit alwayes upricht mynde towards the religione
profest in this realme, and feeling grief in his conscience for his
defectione, is come to utter his repentance unfainedly for the same,
submitting him to whatsumever correctione the Kirk will injoyne him,
desyrand to be reconcillit thereto; and, in token of his sincere
meining, held up his hand as to the boutcherie and massacre of Paris,
declares he keepit the King’s ʒett of Lovar, the tyme thereof, but
past no farther.
Because some breither meaned, that the transporting of Mr Andrew
Melvill and Thomas Smetoune sould be many wayes hurtfull, and aucht
not to be permittit; at the desyre of their breither Mr Andrew Hay,
alleadgeand that he had many greit reasones privatly to propone,
if the Kirk wald agrie thereto, appoynted the Moderator with his
assessors to the heiring thereof.
Sessio 9.
Anent the act made in the last Assemblie, concerning the suspension
of Visitors from giving collatione of benefices to uthers nor serves
actuallie at the kirks where the samen vaiks, under the paines
expressed in the said act; The Kirk ordaynis the said act to stand
in full strenth, with this additione, That if any collatione or
admissione beis gine be any Visitor againes the tenor thereof, shall
be null and of nane availl; and sicklyke declares all collations and
admissions that shall be gine heirafter be any pretending the style
of bischops, shall be null in the selfe, in tyme cuming.
Sessio 10.
The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk gives full power and commissione
to their honorable and welbelovit brethren, the Lairds of Lundie,
Braid, Colluchie, Ryress, and Carltoune, Mrs James Lawsone, John
Craige, John Duncansone, Thomas Smetoune, David Lyndsay, Robert Pont,
Andrew Hay, Andrew Melvill, George Hay, Thomas Buchanan, John Brand,
ministers of God’s word; John Johnstoune, Commissioner of Edinburgh,
Richart Blyth, Commissioner of Dundie, George Elphinstoune,
Commissioner of Glasgow, or any sax of them, to passe with all
convenient diligence to the King’s Majestie and his noble Councill,
and that with dew humilitie and reverence present to his Heines and
Councill sic heids, articles, and supplicationes, as are conceivit in
wreit, and delyverit unto them be the Kirk; most humbly supplicand
and requyring his Majestie and Councill’s good answer thereto, and to
travell effectuously and with earnest suite for granting of the same;
as also, if need beis, to conferr and reasone upon every article and
petitione proponit therein; and what here beis done, to report againe
to the next Generall Assemblie.
Forsuameikle as throw a great part of this countrie, the afternoone
exercise and doctrine upon Sabbath dayes is not usit, and speciallie
to landwart, and therefore the people are not dewlie instructed in
the Catechisme and Rudiments of Religione; The Kirk hes ordaynit that
all pastors and ministers sall diligently and zealously travell with
their flocks, to conveine to the afternoones sermones, alsewell they
that are in landwart as they that are in burghs, as they will answer
to God.
It is concludit be the Generall Assembly, that in every principall
Assemblie, there shall be certaine assessors nominat to them, to
concurr with the Commissioners of the Countrie, who shall subscryve
with them in all weightie and greit matters.
Articles proponit be the forenamed Commissioners to his Majestie
and Councill.
1. First, That order may be taken with sick as puts violent hand in
ministers, or troubles them in exerciseing of their offices.
2. That they who for just cause are deposit from the ministrie may
losse alsweill their benefices as other qualified persones provydit
thereto, the Kirk may be servit.
3. That punishment may be made for sic as passes in pilgrimages to
kirks or walls; and that order may be tane with them that past to the
Holie Rude of Peblis, and sic uther places.
4. That no presentatione of benefice be directit to any persones but
sic as beirs commissione from the Generall Assembly, according to
the act of Parliament; and if any be utherwayes receavit, that their
admission be declairit null.
5. That all benefices vaikand, where ministers are plantit, be gine
to ministers serwing the cure where they vaike, they beand able
therefore; and that no presentatione gine to any wther persone be
receavit, unless the minister serving the rowmes be first found able.
6. That order be taken with Alexander Arbuthnott that the Bibles may
be delyverit according to his receipt of money from every paroche;
and to that effect that he and his soverties may be commandit be
letters of hornying for delyverance thereof, and no suspensione to be
grantit without the same be delyverit.
7. In respect of the good and godly zeall of James Lord Arrane,
alwayes schawine in defence of God’s cause and commone wealth, it
will please your heines and councill to resolve upon some good and
substantiall order that may serve both for the health and curing of
his bodie and comfort of his conscience.
8. That the Book of Policie may be establisched be ane act of Privie
Councill, qwhill ane parliament may be had, at qwhilk tyme it may be
confirmed.
9. Because there is great necessitie of a printer within the
countrie, and there is ane stranger banisched for religione, called
Vantrolier, who offers to employ his labours in the said vocatione,
for the weill of the countrie, It will plese your Grace and Councill
to take order herein, as your Grace thinks meit, and to give licence
and priviledge to him to that effect, if it shall be thocht expedient
be your Grace and Councill.
[FORTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assembly, conveint in the Over Tolbooth of
Edinburghe, and begune the 20th of October 1580; Qwhaire there
war present the Commissioners.
Sessio.
Exhortation made be Mr James Lawsone. Leitts, Mrs Robert Pont, Andrew
Hay, Andrew Melvill: the said Mr Andrew Hay, be plurality of votes,
was chosen Moderator _hac vice_.
Assessors Mrs Robert Pont, James Lawsone, Andrew Melville, Thomas
Smetowne, David Fargysone, George Hay, Thomas Buchannan, Wm. Rynd,
and the Commissioners of Edinburgh, all desyrit and nominat be the
Moderator.
Sessio 2.
The Bischops of St Androis, of Glasgow, of Aberdeine, and Morray,
beand callit, nane compeirit.
Sessio 3.
Anent the report of the King’s Grace and his Council’s answer to the
petitions proponit be word be the brethren of the kirk yesterday; the
brethren returnit answer to the articles. His Heines and Councill
promittit to giue resolute answer to the same the 15th day of the
next moneth, and to stay the place whill then.
In name of my Lord Lennox compeirit Mr Henry Keir, and saluted in
his name the whole Kirk, declairing that his Lordship was maist
willing to have ane minister in his awne house, for exercise of the
trew religion; and albeit he had promised at the subscryving of the
articles of religion to send for ane minister that had knawledge
of the French tongue, yet be reasone Mr Bower had promised that he
should cause him be provydit of ane qualified minister, according
to his desyre, qwhilk took no effect, and wtherwayes also, because
his desyre was that rather the Kirk should chuse him ane sufficient
pastor, the matter hes sensyne lyen over; willing hartilie that
the Kirk should write to some pastor of the French Kirk of London,
for whais provisione and good entertainment he should be carefull:
promising also in his name, that in the effaires of the Kirk, either
in generall or particular, he should imploy his good affectione and
labour as he sould be chargit; desyring that no uther opinione sould
be conceived of him nor of any man that meines trewly towards God.
The Kirk present hes willit their brother Mr James Lawsone to pen
ane wryting in their names, to the minister of the French church of
London, to the effect foresaid.
Anent the transporting of Mr Andrew Melvill, Principall of the
Colledge of Glasgow, and Mr Thomas Smetoune, Minister of Pasley,
to the Universitie of St Androis, conforme to the King’s Grace’s
writting direct to that effect; after some publick wrytings in the
matter had on ather syde, the Kirk referrit farther disputatione
thereof qwhill afternoone. In the meane tyme, the questione being
movit, if the Kirk might concurr with the King’s Majestie in
transporting of Doctors from ane Universitie to ane uther for
weightie and necessar causes, The Kirk and Assemblie present for the
maist pairt votit to the affirmatione of the said questione.
Sessio 9.
Anent the act made in the last Assemblie concernyng the damning of
the pluralitie of kirks in ane minister; The Kirk ordains the same
to be put in executione be the Commissioners of provinces after the
tenor thereof, under the paine of disobedience.
Anent the act made in the last Assemblie touching the Bischops;
In respect that the order of the said act hes not been followed
out against Bischops of Morray and Aberdeene conforme to the tenor
thereof, The haill Kirk, as of before, ordaynes the Commissioners
of the countries to put the said act to executione in all poynts,
sa far as concerns thair pairt thereof, and the ministry so far as
is appoyntit be the said act unto them, under the paine of making
publick repentance in face of the haill Generall Assemblie, in caice
they be found to contraveine the said act: And as to the warning and
suiting of the saids Bischope of Morray, ordaines him to be warnit in
Elgine publickly in the kirk; ordaynes Mr Thomas Buchanan, to summond
the Bischop of Cathnes, and Johne Hepburne to summond the Bischop
of Brechine to compeir in the nixt Generall Assemblie, to giue their
submission and assent to the speciall heids conferrit and agreit
upon be the Bischops of St Androis, Glasgow, and the Isles, with the
Assembly, to be convenit expressly in the summonds; Certifying them
and they compeir not, the Kirk will proceed with farder admonitiones
against them. And in caise that the saids Mrs Thomas and Johne
fulfills not this ordinance, the Kirk hes decernit against them that
they shall make publick repentance in face of the haill Assemblie.[20]
The Generall Assemblie gives full power and commissione to their
lovit breither of the Exercise of Edinburgh, with Mr John Craige,
minister of the King’s house, if he be present, to call the Bischop
of Orknay before them, and to chairge him in name of the Kirk,
to give submission and assent to the articles and heids greit
upone betwixt the Bischops of St Androis, Glasgow, and Isles, and
to receave his answer thereupon, to be reportit with the haill
proceiding therein to the nixt Generall Assemblie.
Ordaynes Mr Andrew Hay to summond the Visitor of Argylle to compear
the next Generall Assembly to answer upon the usurpatione of the
office of visitation within the saids bounds, under the pain of
disobedience.
Anent the request made be the Commissioners of Perth to the haill
Kirk, that in respect of the inlaik of umquhill Mr John Row, their
late minister, ane notable man within the Kirk, and of the greit
necessitie that the toune had to be prouydit of a singular good man
both for doctrine and good discipline, That the Kirk would favourably
grant to the placeing of Mr Thomas Smetoune and John Craige there.
The Assembly considering the many impediments why their said breither
might not be plantit there, Giues to the said towne any of the
ministers following, viz. Mrs Andrew Symsone, James Andersone, John
Davidsone, and ordaynes any of them that shall be best lykit of the
said Towne, the said minister to be placit at the said kirk.
Sessio 10.
Qwhither if any minister may be removit be the Generall Assembly of
the Kirk from his particular flock by consent of his flock for good
and reasonable causes? The Kirk answerit therto affirmative.
Qwhither in respect of the present necessitie that there is no
Doctors within the realme, ane minister may superceid the office
of pastorschip for a tyme and use the office of a Doctor? It was
answerit be the Kirke that it may be, be command of the Generall Kirk
upon good considerationes.
Sessio 13.
Forsuameikle as be evident experience it is knawne to the Kirk, that
of late dayes syndrie apostates are returned within the countrie, and
are spread in diverse provinces, as in Angus and in wther pairtes,
and no kynde of discipline as yet used against them, to the great
sclander of the Kirk of God, grieff of the consciences of good men,
and contempt of the acts of the Kirk; The Generall Assembly ordaynes
the Commissioners of countries to put the act of the last Assembly
to dew execution against them in all poynts, and to use the forme of
discipline against them, as is used against adulterers, and this act
and ordinance to be followit out be the Laird of Dun against the 10th
day of November nixt to come within his province, against the Master
of Gray, and uthers suspect of the said apostacie.
Anent the order of Visitors, Forsuameikle as it is considerit be the
Kirk to be ane corruptione and to sound to tyrannie, that sic kinde
of office sould stand in the persone of ane man, qwhilk sould flow
from the Presbyteries, and not the lesse the estate of tyme and laike
of present ordour for establishing and constituting of Presbytries,
suffers not the present alteratione of Visitors; It is considerit and
thocht meit that my Lord Clerk of Register sould be requestit, with
the Laird of Dun, Mrs Robert Pont, James Lawsone, David Lyndsay, John
Craige, or John Duncansone, or any thrie or foure of them, to lay and
devyse ane Platt of the Presbytries and Constitutiones thereof, as
best appearit to their judgements, to be reportit be them against the
nixt Generall Assembly; and as to the present, appoyntit the Visitors
to have the oversicht of the provinces whill the next Assembly.
The Assemblie giues full pouer and commissione to the Laird of
Lundie, Bredhaltoune, Andrew Kar of Fawdonsyde, Mrs John Craig,
John Duncansone, ministers of the King’s house, Robert Pont, James
Lawsone, David Lyndsay, John Craige, Patrick Adamsone, James Boyde,
Thomas Smetoune, George Hay, Andrew Hay, Adam Johnstoune, David
Fargysone, David M‘Gill, John Prestoune, elder, Commissioner of
Edinburgh, or any sax of them, to compeir before the King’s Majestie
and Counsell, the 15th of November next to come, and with all
reverence crave answer to the articles gine in sen the last Generall
Assembly unto his Hienes and honorable Councill, and to reasone
and conferr thereupon; with power to thir haill nominat in this
commissione, or the maist part of them, to resolve, decerne, and
finallie conclude, in name and behalfe of the haill Kirk, with the
King’s heines and Councill thereupon, as shall be maist necessar and
expedient for the advancement of the glory of God, intertainment of
the Evangell of Jesus Christ; sicklyke and alse freely as if they
were personallie present, ffirme and stable haldand and for to hald,
whatsomever their said breither or the maist part of them in the
premisses leids to be done.
The Generall Assemblie ordaynes their breither the Lairds of Lundie,
Seagie, Colluthie, and Mrs Robert Pont, James Lawsone, and Williame
Christisone, to passe with Mr Andrew Melvill to the New Colledge
and sie him plantit there, conforme to the directione and decreit
of the Kirk; and sicklyke to call the papists that are within the
universitie before them, and put order unto them, according to the
acts of the Kirk.
Forswameikle as the Generall Assemblie, according to the King’s
Majestie’s wreiting, and for the weill and universall profite of the
Kirk of God within this realme, hes thocht meet and expedient and
alse concludit and ordaynit, that Mr Andrew Melvill be transportit
from the Universitie of Glasgow to the new Colledge of St Androis for
erectione and planting thereof: Nottheless that the good beginning
and labours taine be the said Mr Andrew be not frustrate, The haill
Kirk hes found good, necessare and expedient that the said Thomas
Smetowne occupy the said Mr Andrew his place and office in the said
Universitie of Glasgow, and ordaynes him to accept the charge thereof
upon him: and ane writting to be direct in name of the haill Kirk
to the Rector and Principall of the Universitie, requesting them
to receive him in the said Mr Andrew his place, for the weill and
comfort of their Universitie: Mr Andrew Hay, as Rector of the said
Universitie, in name thereof, dissenting from the removall of Mr
Andrew, many wayes made protestation as of before.
Qwhither if ane minister entering in the functione of a ministrie,
serving there in divers years by past, and thereafter leaves his
vocatioun, and applys him to a civill office, may be admitted to be
ane elder of the kirk? It is answerit, that this man is _desertor
gregis_, and sould not be admittit to be ane elder, but rather aught
to be callit for his desertione.
Ordaynes Mr Braid to delyver to my Lord Justice Clark, at the King’s
Majestie’s command, gine in wreit, for raysing of letters against Mr
Nicoll Browne.
[FORTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assembly, conveint at Glasgow, the 24 of Aprille
1581, where there was present the Commissioner for the King,
the Laird of Capringtowne.
Sessio.
Exhortation beand made be Mr Andrew Hay; Mrs Robert Pont, David
Lyndesay, and William Chrystisone, were put in leits, and the said Mr
Robert, be pluralitie of votis, was chosen Moderator. Assessors, Mrs
Andrew Hay, James Lawsone, David Lyndsay, Thomas Smetowne, William
Chrystisone, the Lairds of Braid, Downrod, and Pilrig.
Forsuameikle as, for purgatione of the ministrie from unworthie
persones that had enterit in the functione thereof, to the greit
sclander of God and his Kirk, Ordour was taken in the last Assemblie,
that all men, alseweell Barrones, Gentlemen, as uthers of the
functione of the said ministrie, sould giue up the names of the
saids persones unto the Kirk, as they will answer to God upon their
consciences, not the less be schortness and inlaike of tyme, no
greit effect followit, so that yet the sclander lyes upon the heid
of the Kirk; Therefore, yet as of before, the Assemblie requires all
men, as they tender the glory of God and the weill of his Kirk, that
they delate and giue up the names of sic persones in wreit, the
morne afternoone, that order may be taken for removeing of the greit
sclander aryses to the Kirk be sic unworthie persones.[21]
Sessio 5.
Anent the act made in the Assemblie at Dundie against the Bischops
beand, some difficultie appearit to some breither to aryse be the
word of office conteinit in the said act, what sould be meint
thereby: The Assemblie present for the maist pairt of them that votit
and was present at the Assemblie in Dundie, to tak away the said
difficultie and resolve men of the trew meining and understanding of
the said act, declareit they meanit haillilie to condemne the estate
of Bischopes as they are now in Scotland, and that the same was the
determinatione and conclusione of the Kirk at that tyme.
The Laird of Capringtoun presentit the King’s Majestie’s Letter unto
the Assemblie concernyng also ane Commission from his heines to
concurr with the Assemblie, together with certain rowes containing
the planting of the kirks, and the number of the presbytries, with
the kirks of every presbytrie, qwhilk the Kirk ordaynit to be
considerit be Mrs John Ross for Rosse, John Ines for Morray, the
Commissioners of Aberdeene for Aberden, William Chrystisone for
Merns and Angus, Duncan M‘Call for Dunkeld, Thomas Buchanan and
David Fargusone for Fyfe, John Johnstoune and Mr Adam Johnstoune for
Edinburgh, James Carmichel for Haddingtoune, George Johnstoune for
Jedburgh, the Laird of Luce for Lanerk, Androw Hay for Glasgow, John
Young for Dier, John Clappertoune for the Merss, William Duncansone
for Gallaway, and to conveine the morne at sax houres to sicht the
samen, and to report their judgement thereof to the Kirk.[22]
Mr Patrick Gallaway transportit to Perth, Mr Alexander Arbuthnott
transportit to the ministrie of Aberdeene, and ordaynit to demitt the
principalitie of the Colledge in the favours of Mr Nicoll Dalgleish.
Anent the King’s Majestie’s Petitioune presentit in wreite and
exhibite to the Assembly this day be his Grace’s Commissioners, with
the answer unto the Articles gine in be the Kirk unto his Heines, and
the copie of ane Letter to be direct to the Barrones, Gentlemen, and
Ministers, for unione and discipline of the Kirks, with the names
of the persones to be chargit to take travells therein. The Kirk,
understanding thereby the godly zealous meaning of his Majestie,
praisit God greatly, that had movit his heart to have ane care of
his Kirk; and first entering to the consideratione of the Answers
made to the Articles of the Kirk, thocht good that thir Articles be
insistit in at his Heines hand and Councill; his Honor and Councill
to be earnestly desyrit to appoynt a Judge in Edinburgh to cognosce
and judge upon injuries and wrangs done to ministers in executione
of their office, and to punische according to the qualitie of the
crymes, according to the forme of punischment to be gine in be the
Kirk; and that his Heines wald appoynt Mr John Skeene procurator for
the ministers that are so injured: 2^o, That an act of Parliament may
be made concernyng the deposition of ministers, and the causes at
lenth to be specified in this article: 3, That the benefices vaikand
be disponit to the ministers where the benefice vaiks, if they be
able, according to the meaning of them that conferred at Striveling.
Anent the King’s Petitions.
As to the first petitione concerning the forming of the Articles
agreit upone in the conferrence, The Kirk appoynts Mrs Robert Pont,
David Lindsay, John Skene, Thomas Craige, and John Craige, to that
effect. As to the second, delayit quhill afternoone; as to the 3d,
reasonable, and agreit upon: the haill rest referrit to the reasonyng
at afternoone.
The Tennor of the King’s Majestie’s Petitions gine in be his
heines Commissioners.
Instructions to our trustie and well-belovit William Cunninghame
of Capringtoune, direct be us with advyce of the Lords of our
Secret Councill.
To the Generall Assemblie of the Ministers of the Kirk convenit
at Glasgow, the 20th of Aprile 1581.
Ye shall delyver our letter unto them, and let them understand that
sic of their number as travellit with us, having desyrit of us
answer to their articles sent from the Assembly halden in Dundie, 3d
July last, We causit sum of our counsell conferr with them severall
tymes in October last, as also now of late, qwhilks all finds the
matter towards the thirds of benefices mentionat in the first of the
saids articles, as the same is there requyrit, not to be the readiest
meine, either to make the ministers assured of their stipends and
livings, or yet to make us to have any reasonable support thereby,
for reliefe of the commone chairges of our estate, there being
so great alteratione and diminutione of the rents, and so great
confusione utherwayes enterit in that matter, dureing thir 20 yeares
and mair now bypast; and that thereby their behoves ane forme and
order be prescryvit unto, mair licklie to have continuance to the
posteritie to come: To the removeing of all occasions of complaint
for the furtherance thereof, there is be commandment and advyce of
sic of our councill and the ministrie as conferrit in this purpose,
some forme drawne, how Elderschips may be constitute of a certaine
number of parochines, lyand together; small parochines to be united,
and the greit dividit, for the better sustentation of the ministrie,
and the more commodious resort of the common people to their kirks.
There is also the forme of letter of ours to be written to some of
the principall noble and gentle men, and certaine of the ministers
within the bounds of every Elderschip, to conveine, advyse, and
reporte unto us their advyce in all things requyred be us in our said
Letter, betwixt and the 24 of Junii nixt. This we thocht convenient
to communicat with yow to the Assemblie now to be convenit at
Glasgow, requyring them in our name to consider thereof, and to send
to us their judgement and opinione anent this intendit wark, and of
any thing they wald wische aither to be added or dimminished in the
forme of our Letter utherwayes, before the same shall be directed:
qwhairanent, if care and diligence shall be taken be them, as our
intention, God willing, is to doe, to the forderance thereof, as
becomes ws, We have no doubt, but God shall send fruitfull success of
our travells, to the removeing of the greit disorders and confusions
now standing for want of reformatione.
These grounds advysit weill and agreit upon appearandlie, it
shall not only really, with reasonable tyme, make the ministers
to be surelie provydit of their livings, but it shall bring the
ecclesiasticall discipline to be farre better exercisit and execute
over all this realme nor it is presentlie; it beand declarit first,
what every Presbyterie may cognosce upone; nixt, what shall be in
every Synodall Assemblie; and last, what causes shall be devolvit
to the Generall Assemblie, and what persones shall orderlie neid to
repair thereto, and to have vote therein. The reporte of thir our
Letters returning againe the sooner, it may be provydit with diligent
travells, in the good order now intendit, may take beginning at the
first day of November nixt without delay, and if our Parliament upon
any necessar occasione shall be conveinit. In the meane tyme, the
said ordour, or sa meikle thereof as shall be in readiness, may be
past and approvit in forme of law.
The second article was answerit in sic sort as we trust they were
satisfied therewith.
To answer the third article, the desire thereof must be more speciall
before it receave ane speciall answer: they have to consider in
qwhais default and negligence the persons complaint upon in their
forsaid article, remaynes unpunisched. Our answer to the first
article is sufficient, qwhill upon farder advyse it may be made more
speciall.
We doubt not also but our answer to the saxt article shall be found
reasonable upon speciall conferrence had thereanent, and that their
desyre, if it were grantit in the forme requyrit, could not but
induce inconvenients.
There is order taken anent the desyre of the sevent article.
There is same order alreadie begune for the farther help of the Earle
of Arrane, qwhilk shall be followit as occasione shall serve.
We have causit and yet will cause, the conferrence to be keepit,
for furthsetting of all things requisite, that may set fordwart the
Policie qwhill the same may be establischit be law.
Our former answers are reasonable, and no insisting has been in the
contrare in the matter sensyne.
Mairover, ye shall lat the Assemblie understand, that in the
particular conferrence bygane, syndrie matters hes beine agriet
upon in generall termes as they were talkit and put in memorie, but
yet are not put in sic forme and termes as war meit to put them
in Articles in Parliament, to be past and approvit as particular
Lawis; and therefore let the Assemblie appoynt some of their number
to extend and put thir articles in sic forme and order as they wald
wische them to be past in Parliament, specially in thir heads,
viz. That the Assemblie will cause inquyre and cause informe us of
the speciall names of the persons culpable in the faults nottit in
their last Assemblie halden at Dundie, viz. That the Bischopes
and Commissioners may be admonisched to refuse Readers the titles
of benefices vaikand since the first day of November last bypast,
although presentatione have happinit or happine to be; that the
Assemblie declare how many sufficient and weill qualifiet ministers
there is presently in Scotland, and in what place they wische them
ratherest to serve.
And that they give their advyce how the remanent kirks, whereunto
ministers cannot be had presently, may be servit, qwhill mair
ministers may be had, and that the present auld possessors of the
benefices be departit this life.
That they give us thair opinione and advyce of that portione of the
rents pertayning to the kirks before the alteratione of Religion,
qwhilk they think shall fall to us in case all benefices were now
vaikand; and in the meine tyme qwhill they be, qwhat We shall have
yearlie for the supporte of our estate and publick affaires of our
realme.
That they consider the forme and proceeding, how the taxt for the
speciall meins pairt shall be payit in tyme cuming.
As also to make us some licklie and good overture for the personages
that shall occupy the place of the speciall estate in our Parliament
in tymes cuming, after the decease of the present possessors of the
place, in respect of the greit decay of the rents thereof.
That they send us their good advyce how ane forme of Judgement may be
established, qwhill a Parliament, for calling of persones provydit
to benefices sen our coronatione, to be depryvit therefrae upon the
clauses irritant conteinit in their provisiones, for not doing their
dewties in their vocationes, but leaving their charges and medleing
with their secular benefices.
That the Assemblie giue their advyce upon the forme of presentation
that We shall giue to these to be provydit to benefices, if this
order take effect; qwhom to our presentatione shall be direct; qwhat
shall be the forme and order of the tryall; and how shall the persone
presentit be tryit, and what forme of admissione or collatione?
For ane grund thir heads are to be considerit.
That besyde the Diocie of Argyll and the Isles, of qwhilks boundes
never rentalls war yet gine up, there is in Scotland about nyne
hundred and twenty-four kirks, countand fyve score to the hundreth.
Of thir, syndrie are pendicles and small parochines, and many kirks
demolischit. Some parochines also are of greater bounds nor the
parochiners may conveniently conveine to their paroche kirks. It
lies bein thocht meit, therefore, to reduce thir nyne hundreth and
twenty-four kirks to vj^c. and at every kirk to have ane minister,
their stipend and living to be in four degrees.
Ane hundreth at 500 merks the piece.
Ane hundreth at 300 merks the piece.
Ane hundreth at 100 punds the piece.
Ane hundreth at 100 merks the piece.
Or somewhat mair or less, as it may be neir thir soumes, beneath
or above; all stipends and livings to be modified according to the
possibilitie of the rent in that place. Thir considerationes are to
be taken in, although all the benefices were presently vaikand.
Qwhair the parsonage and viccarage pension at any kirk are now
severall benefices, to be all unitit and annexit in ane, for the
better sustaining of the minister there.
Thir six hundred kirks to be devydit in fyftie Presbytries, twenty to
every presbytrie, or thereabout.
Thrie of thir Presbytries, or moe or fewer, as the countrie lyes,
to make ane diocie, according to ane forme after following, to be
considerit of.
Of thir number, certaine of the Presbytries shall be the Synodall
Assemblie, and ilk Synodall Assemblie shall appoynt the place within
that province for thair nixt Synodall.
Of persones direct from the Synodall Assemblies, shall the Generall
Assemblie consist.
Kirks devydit in quarters shall be provydit to ane man:--And if
these quarters be annexit to any uther benefices, the quarters to be
disseverit out of the provisiones of the persones to be provydit to
these benefices when they vaike.
The Kirks devydit unto Prebendaries, to be gine to the ministers as
they vaik. All benefices provydit to ministers, to be devydit the
yeir of their deceis, equallie betwixt their wyfes, children, or
executors, and the intrant minister.
Young men new come from schooles, shall only be promotit to the
benefices and stipends in the low degree; and the eldest, of the
greatest learning and judgement, to be promotit to the highest rank;
and so to ascend _gradatim_, as they shall be judgit and tryed
worthiest, from three year to three year, for the better eschewing
of ambition and avarice; and that the chairges of the greater
congregationes shall not be committit to young ministers at the
first, nor shall they be preferrit to the eldest, of greater gravitie
and judgement, at the first.
The estate of all prebendaries to be agnoscit and considerit, qwhilks
are foundit upon the teynds of the paroche kirks, and qwhilks are
temporall lands, To the effect that sic Prebendaries as are foundit
upone teynds, may accress to the living of the ministers serving
at the kirks, and the uthers to be provydit for the helpe of the
schooles in the best forme that may be devysit.
And alwayes the Laik Patronages to remaine haill and unjoynit or
provydit, except it be with consent of the patrones.