The Earle of Erroll’s Answers to the Articles.
1. The first is obeyit; for he haveing sufficiently excusit his
absence fra the first dyet, the 27th of March, came to Aberdeen the
5th of Apryle where the Commissioners appoynted him to resort to
Aberdeene, about the 20th day of Apryle, to have conferrence with
such as they appoyntit of their number, to meit him there, qwhilk he
did, coming in the towne the 20th day of Apryle, and there abode,
resorting to publick doctrine and conferrence till the Commissioners
were satisfied with his resolutione; and so the conferrence was endit.
2. The brethren appoyntit to deal with him brought him, after long
reasoning, to confesse the verity and haill grounds of religion,
_affirmative_, resolvit his doubts be the word of God, and ancient
doctors, and movit him, with knawledge, to refuse all heads of error
in Papistrie, contrare to the same.
3. He acknowledges the Reformit Kirk of Scotland to be the trew
Kirk. He is ready to joyn himself thereto, and profess himself a
member thereof,--will hear the word,--obey the same, be the grace of
God,--participat the sacraments, and obey the haill discipline of
the Kirk, as it is acknowledged presently be his Majestie and Estates.
4. He solemnly promises and offers his written bond, that, lyke as
sen his promise and entering his conferrence with the Kirk, he never
intercommunit with Jesuit, Priest, or excommunicat persone, except
with such as shall have licence of the Kirk and King’s Majestie;
and, finallie, nane shall have receipt in his hands that are profest
enemies to the Kirk, be his knowledge.
5. He is ready to swear and subscryve the Confession of Faith, in
presence of the haill Commissioners, so soone as they shall come
back from the next Generall Assemblie, with power to pronounce his
absolutione.
6. He is content to satisfie for his apostacie in the place
appoyntit, and there to ratifie the forsaids promises.
7. At the desyre of the saids Commissioners he presently remitts
all rancour and malice, conceivit be him for any occasione or deid
offerit to him be the countreymen in the King’s service, and promitts
upon his fidelitie, never to quarrell any for the same--speciallie
the ministrie, south or north.
8. He agries that such of the ministrie as shall be appoynted, with
such friends as he shall appoynt, sett downe qwhat shall be his part
for planting of the Kirks within his bounds, whilk he promises to
execute, after his absolutione.
9. Be the advyce of the Commissioners, he is content to take a
minister, and intertain him in his owne house.
10. He professes he gave sufficient matter to the Kirk to have
deducit the sentence of excommunication against him.--_Sic
subscribitur_,