Exhortatione made be Mr Andrew Melvill. Leitts, Mrs Thomas Buchanane,
Peter Blackburne, Patrick Galloway, Robert Bruce, and Nicoll
Dalgleische: The said Mr Robert was chosen Moderator, _hac vice_.
The haill Kirk hes desyrit the King’s Majestie’s Commissioners, the
Mr of Lyndsay, my Lord Ochiltrie, the Laird of Lochlevine, and the
Constable of Dundie, the Tutor of Pitcurre, the Lairds of Kylluchie,
Capringtoune, Qwhyttinghame, Mr John Lyndsay, Senator of the Colledge
of Justice, John Johnstoune, Commissioner of Edinburgh, Alexander
Scrymgeour, Commissioner of Dundie, William Menzies, Robert Pont,
David Lyndsay, Andrew Melvill, Thomas Buchanane, Peter Blackburne,
and William Chrystisone, to concurr with the Moderator in advyseing
of speciall matters to be concludit.
Forsuameikle as this Assembly being extraordinary convenit for
the great dangers appearing to the Evangell within this countrie,
qwhilks, in a part, war declared be the Moderator: It was proponit
in deliberatione qwhat sould be the readdiest way to quensche the
present fyre of Papiscie kindlit throughout all the countrie; and
because the propositione was of great weight, the Assemblie requyrit
the Barrones and Gentlemen for their part, the Commissioners of
Burrows on the 2d part, and the Ministrie on the third part, to
conveene themselves apairt, advyse and propone their advyce to the
Moderator and his Assessors the morne, such mids as they find offerit
to them; and, for farderance thereof, ordayns Mrs Peter Blackburne
and Hew Fullertone to give informatione of the evidents thereof
in thair countries; injoyning farther to the haill breither and
Commissioners of the countries to give in their declarationes of
Papistrie and Jesuites in wreite the morne to the Assemblie.
Sessio 3.
The advyce of the Noblemen and Barrones was presentit to the
Assemblie, read, and be commone consent thought meit; allwayes
first, it seemed good that Archbald Earle of Angus, my Lords
Marschell, Marre, Ochiltrie, and Sinclare, the Lairds of
Coldounknows, Lochlevin, the Tutor of Pitcurrie, the Constable of
Dundie, Alexander Scrymgeour, John Adamsone, Mrs David Lyndsay,
Patrick Galloway, David Fargysone, Robert Pont, and Peter Blackburne,
to conferre with his Majestie upon the same head as they shall be
advertised from the Chancellour.
The AVYCE of the Noblemen, Barrones, and Gentlemen anent
the purging of the land of Idolatrie and sedicious intysers.
1. That the Lawes of the countrie be without delay execute against
all Jesuites, Seminarie Priests, Idolaters, and maintainers thereof,
and for that effect every man, alseweel of the gentlemen as of the
ministrie, here assemblit, shall, as they will answer to God, and as
they tender his glory and the weill of his Kirk, giue up presently in
catalogue, to the Moderator and Clark, the names of such as they know
and esteem to be Jesuites, Seminarie Priests, traffiquers against
religione, receivers, intertayners or mayntainers of such persones:
the qwhilks names shall be gine to Sir Robert Melvill, Thesaurer,
quha hes promised within 48 houres thereafter to dispatche summonds
upon them all. 2. Seeing the danger cravit be the saids persones is
imminent, and the formall executione of the Lawes will requyre a
longe proces of tyme, his Majestie and Counsell earnestly to soliscit
and urged to provyde incontinent some extraordinary remedie for the
extraordinary danger, and execute the Lawes without delay upon the
chiefest of the Jesuites and thair maintainers, doing as if treasone
war intendit against his owne persone and crowne. 3. If the Assemblie
shall think expedient, the saids Noblemen, Barrones, and Gentlemen
presently assemblit, shall gang togither to his Majestie, and regrait
the cause of the Kirk and commonweill to his Heines, and the dangers
wherein the libertie of this realme, their lyfes and consciences
stands into, be the craft of Jesuites and traffiquers, qwho hes
seducit and steirit up enemies, both intestine and forraigne,
to bereave them of the same, and offer themselves, their lyfes,
lands, and friends, to be imployit at his Majestie’s pleasure, for
preventing their most dangerous attempts and bloody devyses.
Sessio 5.
All ministers within their awne bounds war exhortit to travell
earnestly with their parochiners, and informe them of the necessitie
of the exiled brethren in France for the religione, that they may
be supportit: Ordaynes Mrs Robert Rollock, Andrew Melvill, Thomas
Buchanane, and Peter Scharpe, to visite the reply made be Mr Peter
Blackburne to Mr James Gordowne.
Sessio 6.
The Lords direct to the King’s Majestie reportit they had conferrit
concernyng Papists, planting of kirks, discipline, and the poore,
and receavit good answers, as, namely, that there was mair mister of
executione against Papists nor advyseing, and that his Heines was
glad of the solemnitie of their Assemblie, and before the discovering
thereof desyrit they sould resorte to him, qwhere they should hear
farther of his good will: yet because there was many particulars
qwhilk under generalls, his Grace had appoyntit sax of his Counsell
to conferr with so many as the Kirk on the other syde sould appoynt
the morne. The Assembly nominat for the part of the Kirk, the Lairds
of Wedderburne, Culluchie, Capringtoune, Ormistoune, Whittingham,
John Johnstoune, Alexander Scrymgeour, William Menzies, Oliver
Peebles, Mrs Robert Pont, Andrew Melvill, David Lyndsay, Peter
Blackburne.
Sessio 8.
The Assemblie direct the minister of Dysart to charge Mr Patrick
Adamsone to compeir personallie before them, and to crave his awne
petitione anent the supplicatione of Mr Robert Montgomrie. The Kirk
having taken consideratione of the proces laid against him, and
circumstances of that matter, ffinds he may be admittit Pastor over a
flock qwhere he hes not been sclanderous, provyding that he be found
qualified in lyfe and doctrine.
Sessio 9.
The Chancellor being present, desyred the breither to wey if James
Gibsone had not offendit the King’s Majestie,--not only that he
had uttered in his sermone thir words following againes the King’s
Majestie, viz. That he weined that James Stewart and Lady Isobell
and William Stewart had been the persecutors of the Kirk; but now he
finds be experience that the King himselfe has been the persecutor;
as Jeroboam, for erecting of idolatrie and permitting thereof, was
the last of his posterity, so he feares if he continued, he sould
conclude his race.--But also, that he, acknowledging to the brethrene
of the Conferrence that he had offended his Grace, he promised to
make satisfactione, and had fealed and broken promise; for after
calling of the said James, quho compeared not, my Lord Chancellour
desyred the Moderatour to put to the vote of the Assembly if the
words aboue specified were offensive: Quho, in respect that non
offerit any reasone against the samen, proponit the same termes to
them, quho for the maist pairt votit affirmative, the samen words to
be offensive.
Sessio 10.
Anent the forme of Repentance prescryvit for adulterers, homicides,
and uther crymes, qwhereof the satisfactione, of before, be acts of
the Kirk, was made before the Synodall Assemblie: Sieing in many
pairtes of the countrie the penitents at such tymes of the year when
Synodall Assemblies are halden are in lawfull traffecking out of the
countrie; It is found expedient in tymes comeing, qwhere Presbytries
are weill orderit and establisched be judgement of the Synodall
Assemblie, the saids penitents shall performe universallie throw the
realme, their satisfactione before the Presbytries, in such forme
as they were accustomit before the Synodalls, utherwayes, where the
Presbytries are not yet constitute be the judgement of their Synodall
Assemblie, the accustomit order to be keepit.
Sessio 11.
Forsuameikle as, James Gibsone being present, was summoned be the
voyce of the Moderator to be present afternoone, to hear the matter
concerning him reasonit, and as it was testified be diverse of the
brether, qwha satt near him, and heard, he promised to compeir; and
yet being oft tymes callit and compeirit not, the Assemblie finds him
contumax for not compeiring, nor sending any reasonable excuse of his
absence.
Sessio 13.
The Assembly present, adviseing with James Gibsone’s matter, for the
most part votit and adjudgit the said James to be suspendit from his
office and functione of the ministrie, during the will of the Kirk.
Sessio 15.
The humble SUTE of the Kirk, presentlie conveint at the
Generall Assemblie, to the King’s Majestie:--
SIR,--Your Majestie remembers the cause of conveining this
Assemblie at your Heines’ command, qwhilk consists principallie in
two poynts--ane for suppressing of Jesuits quho are enterit in this
realme, and practises with their complices to subvert the sinceritie
of religione, presentlie professed within the samen: ane uther to
provyde such meins, that in tyme comeing, such dangerous interpryses
may be avoydit and eschewit.
As to the first, we humbly craue--1. That some of the principall
Jesuites and uthers shall instantly be taken order with, to give
example to the rest, viz. Mrs James Gordoune and Williame Crichtoune,
quha are instantly in this toune, that they may be incontinent callit
before your Heines and your Councill, and there to be declareit to
them how thair lyves are in your Majestie’s hands, for contravening
your Majestie’s lawes, and yet of your Grace’s clemency, does spare;
chargeing them in the meane tyme within the towne of Edinburgh unto
the tyme of the passing away of the first schippes that shall depart,
qwherin they shall be enterit and send away; and that it be denuncit,
that in caice they returne at any tyme hereafter, in this realme,
without your Heines’ licence, the law shall be execute against
them to death, without any further proces:--Next, that the Lairds
of Fintrie, Glenberve, younger, and uthers excommunicat Papists,
shall be gine up in bill, callit before your Heines and Councill,
and such things layde to their charge, as they are culpable off,
according to the laws and acts of Parliament, that the penaltie
thereof may be execute against them, and such as are apostats from
the trew religione, qwhilk ance they embracit, be callit in lyke
manner and punischit. 3. That summonds be presently direct against
all receiptars of Jesuites, Seminarie Priests, and traffiquers
against trew religione, and lykewise to summond witnesses, be
qwhais depositiones they may be convict of the crymes forsaid; and
in speciall, that such as are of the estate, and are culpable of
apostasie or papistrie, shall on no wayes be sufferit until the tyme
they haue satisfied alsweill the Kirk as his Majestie and estate:
And, generallie, that all Noblemen whatsomever, without execptione,
knawne maintainers of Papists, or enterprysing any thing contrair
the trew religione, shall either be put presently in ward, or exylit
the countrie.
Anent the planting of kirks, this is our advyce unto your Majestie,
that Commissioners be direct from your Majestie and this Generall
Assembly to the north and south parts of the countrie, to visite
and plant ministers where need requyres, suppressing of papistrie;
having commissione and power alwayes of your Majestie and the Kirk to
call before them, all that are suspect of perverting trew religione,
or revolting therefrae, and to doe all wther things necessar for
reformatione of those partes: And because the said wark cannot pass
fordward, unlesse there be provisione made alsewell for Commissioners
of the Kirk as ministers to be planted in necessare places, that
certaine be deput from the Counsell and certaine of the ministrie,
to conveen with all good expeditione, and sicht the rowmes of the
thrids, that it may be considerit qwhat may be spared to that effect;
and where the said thrids has been abused in tymes past, to sie how
the samyne may be reformit, and that the act made for dischargeing
of pensiones out of the thrids and superplus, and proclamatione past
thereon, may take full force. Lykewayes, giving power to the saids
Commissioners to reforme colledges and schooles; and where the rent
thereof is abused, to put convenient remedie thereto, and where it
may not serve, to sie how it may be helpit, and that sufficient men
be placeit in the rowmes of idle-bellies, and to depose them from
the office of the ministrie, and from their benefices, all such
as shall be found vnworthie or sclanderous in lyfe or doctrine,
alseweill bischopes as wthers: That it wald please your Majestie to
take some solide order that the lawes made for punischment of vyce,
and Commissions appoynted thereanent, may take some good effect: And
last, that order may be taken with the poore that wanders up and
doune the countrie without law or religione.
GRIEVES of the Kirk given in to his Majestie.
1. It is an exceeding great griefe to sie Jesuites, Seminarie
Priests, &c. to be sufferit to pollute this land with idolatrie, to
sie practisers and traffiquers against the trew religione and the
libertie of this realme to be receipt and maintained, and receipters
and maintainers of both the ane and the wther so to abound every
where, and not only to be tolerat _impune_, but also to have speciall
credite, favour, and farderance, at Court, in sessione, in all their
affaires, and the trew word of God contemptuouslie despysit be the
multitude, his holy sacraments horribly profaned be privat, corrupt,
and unlawful persones--the discipline nothing sett by, the persones
of the ministers and office-bearers shamefully abused, themselves
beggerit, and their families hungerit, and yet neither the lawes
againes idolatry and vyce, nor the lawes for the libertye of the Kirk
dewly execute, as may be seen in the particulars following: About
Dumfries, Mr John Durie, Jesuite, seducing and preaching under the
name of Mr William Lang, qwho, with his complices, had masse within
Dumfries, before Pasche and Zoole last was: The Lord Herreis, the
Laird of Kilqwhamlay, the Goodman of Drumrischie, Mr Thomas Maxwell,
Commissioner, John M‘Gie, Commissar Clark, John Bruce, merchand, John
Rege, Notar, Paull Thomsone, my Lady Herreis, elder and younger, my
Lady Mortoune, the Lady Tweddall, Papists, apostates, maintainers and
profest favourers of Jesuites. Captain Horslinger does no lesse hurt
in Drumfries nor the Jesuites; no resorting to the hearing of the
word, nor discipline, superstitious dayes keepit be plaine command,
and controlling of the deacones of the crafts--all superstitious
rytes at Zoole and Pasche--no kirks plantit sufficientlie.
_In the North._
Mrs James Gordoune, Edmond Hay, Alexander MacWhirrie, John Scott,
Alexander Meldrum, Arthure Pantone, Jesuites, makes residence
chieflie in Moray and Strabogy, but seduces every where in Buchane,
Garrioch, Aberdeene, Marre. They repaire commonly with Airth, Laird
of Leslies, elder, Androw Harvie and his mother, Andrew Leslie of the
Peill, excommunicat for Papistrie, the Chancellor of Auld Aberdeene,
and to young Glenbervie, excommunicat, where they have their house
mass at their pleasure, and their publick mass erectit in the Laird
of Leslie’s chapell, with twa idols above the altar, and there hes
married two common adulterous harlots, Andrew Proctor and Janet
Wilsone, qwha wald never give obedience to the Kirk. _Item_, Mr Peter
Blackburne is compellit to desist from visitatione, bee diverse
charges of the King’s letters, purchast be the Bischop of Aberdein.
_In Ross._
Mr John Leslie restorit to the bishopric of Ross, in the last
Parliament, Mr Alexander Leslie, persone in Kinkin in Ross, newly
providit, an excommunicat Papist, in the Presbytrie of Aberdeene,
Sir Donald Simsone, profaner of baptisme, and abwser of marriage.
_In Caithness._
The Earl of Sutherland, with his Ladie and friendes, Papists,
vehemently suspect lately to have had masse, and contemners of the
word and sacraments.
_In Mearns and Angus._
William Dowglass, sonne to the Laird of Glenbervie, hes caused
unbeset at syndrie tymes, Mrs George Gladstanes and Andrew Myllne,
with armit men at their house, and lying in wait for them about
their houses, and were not the relief of God and good men, had taken
their lyves. In the west part of Angus, Patrick Lord Gray under
proces of excommunication, Mr Thomas Gray excommunicat, Sir John
Fyfe, Priest in Langforgund, David Grahame of Fyntrie excommunicat,
James Grahame his brother a Papist, Thomas Abercrombie of Middel
Gowrdie, haveing subscryvit, communicats not, but continues ane
commone reasoner against the religione--a defender of Papistrie--a
receiver of Jesuites. Patrick Lyndsay, brother to the Laird of Wame,
ane reasoner against the truth in every place. Mr Clark, servant
to the Lord Hoome, Mr George Hetley, minister at Abernyty, cruelly
invadit be Thomas Boyd, and in redding of them ane man slaine.
Fyft, No resorting to the Kirk in many places: their kirks ruinous
and destitute of pastors and provisione in many places. There is
superstitious keeping of Zoole, Pasche, &c. The Lords of Session
keeps not their ordinar dayes, Wednesday and Fryday, for calling of
the ministers’ actions. Mr Thomas Dowglas, minister of Logie, was
cruelly invadit be John Forret, brother to the Laird of Forret. The
Abbacie of Dumfermling gine to the Earle of Huntly, qwherunto he and
the Papists with him resorts. The Bischop of St Androis continows
in giving of collatione of benefices to unworthie persones, viz.
Mr William Thomsone, persone of Flisk, Mr Androw Allane, viccar of
Lewchars. The said Bischop withhalds from Mr David Spence ane haill
year’s stipend; and notwithstanding he hes beene at the horne, can
get no payment nor order of him.
_In Lawthiane._
Syndrie Papists, priests, confessing themselves to have said masse
and preachit papistrie in this land, being apprehendit be the
Magistrats of Edinburgh and putt in ward, are sett at libertie
without any punischment or satisfaction of the Kirk, viz. Mrs
Alexander M‘Whirrie, James Settoune, John Scott, and uthers.
_In Merss and Teviotdale._
My Lord Hoome, the Laird of Edmestoune, with uthers principall men
in the countrie, corrupt in religione, and the said Lord latting his
awne kirk ly waist, and mayntaining Mr Androw Clark, enemy to the
Gospell and ministers thereof: the haill people readie to revolt
because they sie the Prince careless thereof, as they say. Sir John
Bennet excommunicat for papistrie. The Lady Farnyhirst, the Lady
Mynto, quho horribly usurpit the ministratione of the Supper of the
Lord upon Pasche day with bread and water. The Lady Rydder.
_In Striveling._
Walter Buchanane, sonne to the Goodman of Auchinprior, and a Flymis
woman his wyfe, indurat Papists, and hes causit a priest lately
to baptize their bairne. Helen Hay, maistress of Livingstoune,
ane malicious Papist. The Sabbath there is every where abused and
profained: the kirks evill plantit; scarcely three hes ministers.
Superstitious ceremonies, pilgrimages and Christ’s wells, ffasting,
bainfyres, girdls, carrells, and such lyke.
Mr John Cowpar having resolvit that he is willing to accept the
charge of the congregatione of Glasgow, the Assemblie ordaynes him to
be admittit be the Presbytrie thereof.
Anent the disputs had betwixt Mr James Gordoune and Peter Blackburne,
committit to the review of Mr Androw Melvill and certain breither:
The said Mr Androw reportit, That on the pairt of the said Mr James
and the enemies, they find great diligence and sophistrie--alwayes
praised be God for the knowledge gine to their brother, in qwhais
answer they had found solid judgement and great light, to the praise
of God and the overthrow of the enemies.
Sessio 15.
All Ministers within their paroches with all diligence shall
travell with the Noblemen, Barrones, and Gentlemen, to subscryve
the Confession of Fayth, and to report their diligence to the nixt
Assembly.
Sessio 16.
Mr Patrick Adamsone, Bischop, is convict of transgressing the Act of
Conferrence, and is declareit to have incurrit deprivation fra his
office of commissionarie, and Mr Thomas Buchanan placit in his rowme
quhill the nixt Assembly.
Ane generall fast is appoyntit universallie to be keepit the first
twa Sondayes of July: The causes qwhereof, 1. The universall
conspiracies of the enemies of the trewth: 2. The flocking hame of
Jesuits and Papists: 3. The defection of the multitude from the
truith: 4. The conspiracies intendit be great men against the same,
intertayners of the Jesuites and Papists: 5, The coldness of all:
6. The wrack of the patrimonie of the Kirk: 7. The abundance of
bloodscheds, adulteries, incests, and all kynde of iniquitie, with
many uthers quhairof the particular kirks hes their experience.
[FIFTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk conveint at Edinburgh, in the
New Kirk thereof, and begune the 6 of August 1588, quhere was
assemblit the Commissioners and Brethrene.
Exhortatione made be Mr Robert Bruce. Leitts, Mrs Robert Pont, Thomas
Buchanane, Nicoll Dalgleische, and James Robertsone: Be pluralitie of
vots the said Mr Thomas was chosen Moderator _hac vice_.
The Kirk nominated Mrs Robert Bruce, Robert Pont, David Lyndsay,
John Robertsone, John Keith, Peter Blackburne, James Balfoure,
Robert Hepburne, John Durie, James Robertsone, James Nicolsone,
Andrew Melvill, David Fargysone, James Andersone, Andrew Young,
Andrew Milne, Andrew Hay, John Porterfield, George Gordoune, John
Clappertoune, Andrew Clayhills, the Maister of Lyndsay, the Laird
of Lochlevine, the Lairds of Elphingstoune and Kerss, and John
Johnstoune, Assessors.
Sessio 2.
It is thought expedient that, in the frequencie of this Assemblie,
the most necessar things be first handlit, concernyng the present
danger imminent to the Kirk within this realme, and to the common
weall thereof, be the arryvall of Spainʒards and Barbars; as also
the danger and decay of religione be the raritie and povertie of
ministers of the Evangell: The Kirk hes thocht for their pairt ane
dewtie in this behalfe, that ane fast be proclaimit the morne be the
ordinary teacher in the Kirk of Edinburgh, to be continowit in the
said toune the whole week.
Sessio 3.
Forsuameikle as, universallie throughout this realme, there is
neither religione nor discipline with the poor, but the maist
part liues in filthie adulterie, incest, fornicatione, bairnes
unbaptized, and themselves never resorts to Kirks, nor participats
the sacraments: Therefore it is thought expedient that all ministers,
in their paroche kirks, shall make intimatione, and denunce to all
poor that aither be parochiners or resorte to them, having women
and bairnes, that if they report not sufficient testimoniall of
their marriages, and baptizing of their bairnes, so many as hes
wyfes and bairnes; and sicklyke, where they have participat the holy
communione, that they will be refuisit of their almes at the hands of
all good and charitable persones: exhorting also their parochiners
that they rather extend their liberality to such as be of the
household of ffayth, and having discreit judgement in giving any such
persones of their almes, that gives not evidence to them as said is.
Anent the citatione direct to the Moderator of the Generall Assembly
against Mr Patrick Adamsone, callit Bischop of St Androis, makeing
mentione, that forsuameikle as be ane act of the Presbytrie of
Edinburgh it was ordaynit concernyng the marriage of George Earle
of Huntlie, that his bands sould be proclaimit upon his agrieing to
subscryve to certaine articles of religione profest in this realme,
qwhilk he did subscryve; and under hope that he sould subscryve the
rest before his marriage, ane inhibition was made according to the
tenor of the said act, to diverse of the ministers, and speciallie
to the said Mr Patrick, that nane of them sould take in hand to
celebrate the said marriage, unto the tyme the said Lord Huntlie
agrie to subscryve the Confessione of the Fayth, containt in the
acts of Parliament; with certificatione to them and every one of
them, if they failzied herein, they sould be callit for disobedience
to the voyce of the Kirk and Generall Assemblie, and punischit
therefore, as accords: Notwithstanding of the said inhibitione,
the forsaid Mr Patrick proceidit to the solemnizatione of the said
marriage, and celebrate the same upon the 21 day of July instant;
disobeying thereby the foresaid inhibitione and admonitione; as the
said citatione beares: Qwhilk being callit, and the said Mr Patrick
compearing be Mr Thomas Wilsone, his procurator, qwho producit ane
testimoniall of his sickness, subscrivit be the doctor, Mr Robert
Nicoll, and twa of his bailzies, requyring that the breither wald not
disquyit him in his sickness, they fand the said testimoniall not to
be sufficient.
Sessio 5.
The Kirk being informit that there is a ane schip arryvit lately
in this Firth from Dunkirk, suspect to be ane spie, out of the
qwhilk ane man, as appears of some mark, is landit; they, with the
Counsell present, desyrit the provest and bailzies to man the schip,
take the men and keep them qwhill his Majestie come over; yet it
is reportit they refuise, in respect it will be ane hinderance to
their traffique: The breither thinks it meit that Mrs Robert Bruce,
Andrew Hay, and Andrew Melvill, pass to the Chancellour to let him
understand of the said answer, and offer unto his Lordship their
concurrence to request the towne.
Forsuameikle as in no countrie qwhere any religione is allowit, it
is permittit that the deid be buried in the kirks, and that albeit
inhibitione hes been diverse tymes made for avoyding of that abwse,
yet the acts and constitutiones of the Kirk are dayly broken:
Therefore the Kirk inhibits that any persones in tyme coming be
buried in the kirks, and that no minister give consent thereto, but
directly oppone thereto; certifying such persones as shall be the
authors and inbringers of the dead unto the saids kirks, they shall
be suspendit from the benefites of the Kirk, qwhill they make publick
repentance therefore; and the minister that giues his consent, or
discharges not his conscience in opponyng thairto, shall be suspendit
from his functione in the ministrie: And to the effect this act
may haue the better executione, supplicatione shall be made to his
Majestie that ane ordinance may pass be his Heines and Counsell
discharging the said buriall within kirks, and such lyke erecting of
tombes, and laying of troches in kirkyards, under such paines as his
Heines and Counsell pleise to devyse.
Forsuameikle as sen the last act of Annexatione, his Majestie hes
transferrit the right of the patronages of diverse benefices, from
his Heines to temporall men, as Earles, Lords, Barrones, and wthers,
and hes annexit the same to their lands; of qwhom some hes gotten
confirmatione in Parliament, wthers hes obtainit the same sen the
Parliament, and the third sort hes gotten gift of the naked patronage
alanerlie, to the evident hurt of the haill Kirk: Qwherefore it is
thocht good, that his Majestie be intreatit be earnest sute, that
the saids dispositiones authorized, as said is, be Parliament, may
be brought back in the next Parliament, and such wthers as hes been
grantit sen the said Parliament, in lyke manner may be annullit: and
in the meintyme, that it may please his Majestie to close his hands
from disponing the said right of patronage, and transferring of the
same from his Majestie, qwhilk remayneth as yet undisponit; and that
his Majestie will provyde that the Commissioners and Presbytries to
qwhom the collatione of the saids benefices pertayns be not processit
or hornit for not giving admissione thereupone: Inhibiting in the
meantyme all Commissioners and Presbytries, that they on no wayes
giue collatione or admissione to any persones presentit be said new
patrones, as is above specified, unto the next Generall Assemblie.
Anent the supplicatione given in be James Gibsone, desyring that he
may be hard to purge himself of the contumacie for non-compearance
in the last Assemblie, and to repone him in his awne functione:
the Kirk thought it expedient that he should declare the cause of
his non-compearance before the breither of the conferrence; quha
reportit that he declareit his conscience, the cause of his absence
was never rebellion, stubbornes, nor evill will, but only in respect
of the good affection he had to the will of the Generall Kirk, being
informed that if he had compeired, and had not bein punischit,
the matters of the Kirk wald be casten off: Qwhilk reasone being
considerit be the breither, they thought the same sufficient to purge
him of contumacie.
Sessio 6.
Compeirit Mr Alexander Forbes, minister and persone of Fattercarden,
and in presence of the haill Assemblie, ratified ane promise qwhilk
before he made in presbytrie, that he sould sett no tacks nor
factorie of the teynds of the said kirk, without the speciall advyce
of the Generall Kirk; declareing also in their presence that he hes
sett nane yett; and farther promising before them, that he shall not
sett in tyme comeing, nor make any right thereof to any persone,
without the consent of the Generall Assemblie.
Sessio 11.
Mrs Robert Bruce, David Lyndsay, and John Craige, war direct to
his Majestie to understand be qwhat meines the religione shall be
maintainit within this realme, and continowit to the posteritie.
Sessio 13.
Forsuameikle as in default of Visiting of the North pairts, qwhere
chief and greatest necessitie is, hes great inconvenience followit,
albeit no wayes in default of the breither appoyntit to that charge,
but for laick of provisione and expenses, the assignatione of their
charges being made to be payit be the Bischop of St Androis, qwha
contemptuouslie disobeys good ordour, and lyes at the horne: It is
not the lesse found expedient that the breither to qwhom commissione
was given before, shall yet undertake the burden of the commissione,
their charges and expenses being assignit to them out of some readie
payment, and that to this effect the Commissioners of the North, viz.
Mrs John Keith, Gilbert Garden, and Alexander Rawsone, shall travell
with the Lords of the Checker, and delait the necessitie of their
Visitatione, and crave the samen assignatione to be alterit, and the
commissioners’ payment mair commodiouslie payit.
Anent the request of the Commissioner of Edinburgh, desyreing
the Assembly to ratifie the calling of Mr William Watsone to the
ministrie of Edinburgh: the Generall Kirk ratifies and approves the
same in presence of the said Mr William, desyrand to be transportit
from the said Kirk, qwhilk the Assemblie refused.
All ministers and pastors are exhortit, in their sermones to delait
openly the prejudice done to the haill Kirk be the spulzie of the
patrimonie thereof, and publicly to disallow and oppone against the
publick abusers thereof.
The Generall Assemblie understanding the appearing ruine and decay
of the evangell, within this realme, for fault of provisione of
ministers, and intertainment of schooles and colledges, hes thought
good and convenient to give their Commissione, and be the tenor
heirof to grant full power to Mrs Robert Pont, Robert Bruce, David
Lyndsay, John Craige, Andrew Myllne, Thomas Buchanane, Androw Hay,
John Porterfield, Peter Blackburne, John Duncansone, David Fargusone,
William Strivilling, Gilbert Garden, ministers of the Evangell, or
any seven of them, to compeir before his Majestie and Counsell, upon
Monday next, or such other day as his Majestie shall appoynt, to
call, conferre, and advyse upon the said head, and to craue humbly
of his Majestie that the Ministers’ and Readers’ assignationes may
be given out at Hallowmess, and that such as are already provydit
of their stipends _ad vitam_, and uthers that are content with the
assignationes alreadie made to them, be unalterit therein, qwhill
they obtayne better provisione, and to that effect to travell
earnestly with his Majestie and Counsell, and to report again answer
to the next Generall Assembly of the Kirk, firme and stable.
Anent the request of the Presbytrie of Dumblane, in respect of the
few number and povertie of their presbytrie, to joyne to their
Synodall Assembly the Presbytrie of Linlithgow: the Assemblie present
has found it more meit that the Presbytries of Perth and Dunkeld
shall be joynit with the Presbytrie of Dumblaine, and in ane Synodall
Assembly, to be first holden in Perth, and thereafter in ony place
qwhere the Synodall shall think it meitest.
The Generall Assembly hes given their commissione and authoritie to
the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, to call before them Papists and apostats
who shall happen to resort to court, or to the said towne, and in
speciall to summond my Lords Huntlie and Settowne, William Schaw,
John Chisholme, and Colonell Stewart.
Sessio 14.
According to the allowable custome observit amongst the antients
of humiliatione and fasting of the pastors, The breither and Kirk
conveint hes thocht meit, and be ordinance statute, that in tyme
comeing, qwhen it shall please God to convene the Generall Kirk of
this realme, That the first day of the Assemblie, at the place and
towne where they conveine, ane publick fast and humiliatione be of
the haill inhabitants thereof, alswell as of the pastors conveint,
and the chair of veritie alseweell occupyit before noone in the
morning as at afternoone, be the ordinare pastors thereof; the tyme
and houres of exhortatione made before the Assemblie, being keipit
as of before, to the effect it may please God to give his blessing
to the conventione and good ishew of their travells; and because the
next Assemblie is concludit to be in Edinburgh, the pastors thereof
is ordaynit to give intimatione heirof to the congregatione, the
Sunday before the said Assemblie.
Anent the questione movit, If a man, convict of adulterie three-score
years sensyne, satisfying the order of the Kirk be repentance, and
presentit new to serve in the ministrie of the Evangell, sould be
admitted thereto or not? The Assembly answers negative, and thinks he
ought not to be admittit.
The next Assemblie was appoyntit to be in Edinburgh the 17th day of
Junii next to come, 1589.[25]
[FIFTY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveint att
Edinburgh, upon the fourth day of August 1590, where there was
assemblit the Commissioners and Brethrene underwritten--
_The King’s Commissioners_:--
My Lord Chancellour--My Lord Blantyre.
_Ergyll._
Mr Neill Campbell.
_Zetland, absent._
_Orknay, absent._
_Caithnes, absent._
_Sutherland, absent._
_Ross._
Mr James Robertsone.
_Morray._
Mr Johne Innes.
Mr Alexander Rawsone.
Mr James Keith.
_Bawmff, absent._
_Aberdeene._
Mr Peter Blackburne.
Mr Gilbert Gairden.
_Angus and Meirnes._
Mr George Gladstaines.
Mr James Douglas.
Mr Patrick Lindsay.
Mr James Melvill.
Mr Andrew Leitche.
Mr Robert Ramsay.
John Dwrie.
Mr John Rigge.
John Fullartoune.
William Chrystisone.
James Andersone.
Mr James Nicolsone.
Mr George Hay.
Mr John Hepburne.
Mr Thomas Kay.
_Dunkeld._
Mr William Edmestoune.
Mr William Glasse.
George Grahame.
_Striveling._
Johne Earle of Mar.
The Laird of Airth.
The Laird of Kerss.
The Laird of Touch.
Gargunnock.
_Ministers._
Mrs Henrie Livingstoune.
William Coupar.
Richard Wicht.
James Smyth.
_Dumblane._
My Lord Drummond.
The Laird of Keir.
The Laird of Glenneglische.
_Ministers._
Mrs William Stirling.
Mrs Andrew Young.
John Davidsone.
Alexander Chisholm.
_Perth._
Mrs Archibald Moncrieff.
William Rynde.
Henrie Gwthrie.
_Fyffe._
Mrs Andrew Melvill.
James Martine.
Patrick Melvill.
William Cranstoune.
William Marche.
Andrew Duncane.
Thomas Buchanane.
James Melvill.
Nicoll Dalgleische.
David Fargusone.
John Fairfowll.
James Steuart.
Edward Mylls.
The Earle of Mortoune.
Lord Lyndsay.
_Lairds._
Ballverie.
Colluchie.
Pitmillie.
Cambo.
Balfour.
Lundie, Elder.
Raith, Elder and Younger.
Kynneir.
Abbotshall.
Hallhill.
Weymes, Younger.
Cleisch.
The Abbot of Culross.
The Maister of Sinclare.
The Goodman of Stravichly.
Kynnaldie.
James Elphinstoune.
John Logane.
_Lowthiane._
_Lairds._
Merchestoune.
Collingtowne.
Corstorphine.
Braid.
Dalmahoy.
Carberry.
James Richesoune of Smettoune.
Thomas Hamiltone of Priestfield.
James Hamiltone of Rochbank.
_Ministers._
Mrs Robert Bruce.
James Balfour.
Robert Pont.
John Davidsone.
John Craige.
John Brand.
John Hall.
Patrick Simpsone.
_Haddingtowne._
Mrs James Carmichaell.
Thomas M‘Gie.
Mr Thomas Greige.