kirk, be the Presbytries qwher they make residence, qwhether they
have keepit and performit the articles subscrivit be them at the
receaving, and that they be urgit severally to perform every ane of
the saids articles, and if they refuse, that the Presbytries certifie
the King’s Majestie’s ministers thereof.
_Item_, For escheweing of farther evill qwhilk might come to the
estate of religione be the evill educatione of the youth furth of
the country, it wald be cravit of his Majestie and Secret Councill,
qwhen such noblemen and wthers as directs ane pedagogue with their
sonnes furth of the country, that their pedagogue be knawne godly
and of good religione, learnit and instructit in the same, and
approvit in his religione be the testimoniall of his Presbytrie; that
their remaining out of the country be in places qwher religione is
presently professit, or, at the least, qwher there is no restraint
of the same be the cruelty of inquisitione; that dureing the tyme
of their absence they shall not haunt any idolatrous exercise of
religione; and such as hes not the moyen to sustaine ane pedagogue
with their sonnes furth of the country, that they send them to such
pairts qwher there is no restraint of religione; and in caice their
sonnes, after their depairting out of the countrey, haunt these parts
qwher the profession of the trew religione is restraint, that they
find caution not to intertaine them: And in caice any that passes
furth of the countrey imbrace any religione except that qwhilk is
presently profest within this realm, that they shall not be able to
brooke moyen, heritage, honours, nor offices, within this realme;
and this to be ane exception against the service of their brieves,
and at the tyme of admissione of them to any office or honours, and
in caice any of their parents contraveine any of the premisses, that
they incurre such paine as his Majestie and Secret Councill shall
modifie, and that such as are already out of the country, either be
callit back againe before ane day to be appoyntit be his Majestie and
Secret Councill, or else that their parents be subject to the lyke
conditiones as is before sett downe.
_Item_, It wald be cravit of his Majestie and Secret Councill, that
all skippers, mariners, and owners of ships, be inhibite that they
bring in any Jesuites, Seminary Priests, declarit fugitive traytors
and rebells within the countrie, but such as they knaw to be of
good religione, or hes sufficient testimoniall of their honesty in
religion, from the places qwher they have been conversant, under the
paine of escheating their haill goods, and under the same payns,
that they deliver them in the hands of the magistrate of the toune
or port qwher they shall happen to arryve at, there to be keepit,
ay and qwhill they be examinat, and his Majestie’s warrant obtainit
for their liberty after they have been tryit and fand honest in
religione, and shall keep them, their goods, books, and geir in
schipboard, ay and qwhill they receive ane warrand, or the ordinarie
magistrate for relieving of the same; and to that effect, they sett
nane upon land but in common parts, qwher there is ane magistrate to
receave the passengers from their hands.
_Item_, That his Majestie be dealt earnestly with anent the removeing
of his dochter out of the Lady Livingstone’s company, in respect of
her obstinate continuing in the professione of Papistry, for the
qwhilk cause, his Majestie being requestit be the haill Assemblie,
promised that his Heines’ daughter sould be transportit betwixt and
Martimes next to come to his awne house.
And because of the nane planting of kirks is ane great part of the
wyte of defection from the puritie of religione, and that the best
way for the planting of the saids kirks is the furtherance of the
constant platt for locall stipends to be appoyntit to every kirk
within this realme, therefore the Assemblie hes ordaynit the brethren
following, viz., Messrs David Lyndsay, James Nicolsone, Robert
Pont, Patrick Galloway, George Gladstones, John Nicolsone, or any
three of them, to conveen upon the first day of Junii with my Lords
Chancellour, President, Secretar, Collector, Comptroller, Sir Patrick
Morray, Mr George Young, to intreat and advyse upon such overtures as
be their common consent shall be found most meet and expedient for
advancing of the warke of the constant platt, and to lay doune such
grunds as they shall finde most profitable for prosecuting of the
same, and to reporte their diligence to the nixt Assemblie.
Sessio 3. May 14.
The King’s Majestie having declareit his intention and desyre to have
a minister for his Heines’ house, in respect of the deceas of Mr John
Craige, and John Duncanson’s old age, and ane wther of the Queen’s
Majestie’s house, and ane to the Prince house, the Assemblie nominat
for his Majestie’s and the Queen’s house Messrs Henry Blyth, John
Fairfull, Peter Hewat, and Androw Lamb; for the Prince house, James
Nicolsone, James Law, and John Spotswood.
The Assembly ratifies the acts made in the Assemblies of before,
anent the dischargeing of applicationes particular to be made in
exercises, and of forbidding of young men not admittit to the
ministry to preache in the chief places of the country, and ordaynes
the same to be put in executione, under the paine of incurring the
censures of the kirk.
Sess. 4. May 15.
The Assemblie adjoyns the Presbytrie of Kirkcudbright to the ministry
of Nithsdale, ay and qwhill there be such a number of kirks plantit
within the saids bounds as may constitute ane lawfull presbytrie
among themselves.
The Assemblie ordaynes the Commissioners to recommend unto his
Majestie the provisione of competent livings to the saids kirks, and
nominats Messrs John M‘Birney, George Greive, and William Arthure, to
be plantit thereat.
Anent the questione referrit be the Presbytrie of Couper to this
present Assemblie, concernyng the cause persewit be the said
Presbytrie against Elizabeth Pitcairne, for satisfaction for the
adultery committit be hir and proven against hir, conforme to the
decreit of the foresaid Presbytrie; qwha being urgit to satisfy
the Kirk therefore, producit ane decreit of adherence obtained
against hir husband before the Commissaries of Edinburgh, ordaining
her husband to adhere to her, and be consequence exonering her of
adulterie: The Assemblie ordaynes the Presbytrie to put their awne
decreit to dew executione, notwithstanding the decreit of adherence.
Anent the citatione wsit be the Presbytrie of Couper against the auld
Laird of Kynneir, to have answerit for the abuseing of Mr Robert
Inschaw, minister at Kylmanie, in the solemnizating of the marriage
of his daughter, and in antedateing of ane testimoniall sent to Mr
Henrie Balfour, minister at Cullessie: The Assemblie, in respect
of the Laird of Kynneir’s absence, referrit the tryall of the said
matter to the Presbytrie of Couper.
Sess. ultima. Maii 16, 1601.
It being meinit be sundrie of the brethren that there was sundrie
errors that meritit to be correctit in the vulgar translation of
the Bible, of the Psalmes in meter, as also that there was sundrie
prayers in the Psalme Book qwhilk wald be alterit, in respect
they are not convenient for the meantyme; in the qwhilk heids the
Assemblie hes concludit as follows: First, anent the translatione of
the Bible, that every ane of the brethrene wha hes best knawledge in
the languages imploy their travells in syndrie pairts of the vulgar
translatione of the Bible that needs to be mendit, and to conferr the
same together at the nixt Assemblie.
It is not thought good that the prayers already conteinit in the
Psalme Book be alterit, but if any brother wald have any uther
prayers eikit qwhilks are meet for the tyme, ordaynes the same first
to be tryit and allowit be the Assemblie.
The Generall Assemblie, for causes and considerationes moving them,
hes ordaynt Mrs James Balfour, Walter Balcanquall, and William
Watsone, to be transportit out of their awne places of the ministrie
in Edinburgh, and plantit in such places as the Commissioners deput
be this present Assemblie thinks expedient; and lykewayes ordayns the
saids Commissioners to plant such uthers of the ministry in their
places in the Kirk of Edinburgh as shall be found expedient to God’s
glory within the same.
The Commissioners for the Towne of Edinburgh, viz. John Johnstone and
George Heriot, protestit in the name of the said Towne, that seeing
the Generall Assemblie had ordaynit their ministers abovenamit to
be transportit furth of Edinburgh, the said Towne sould be free of
their burden fra this tyme of their present transportatione, and that
the said transportatione should not be prejudiciall to them in any
tyme thereafter, but that they might be reponit in their awne places
when it sould please his Majestie and the Kirk to lyke well thereof;
qwhilk protestatione his Majestie and the Assemblie willingly agreet
unto, qwherupon the said Commissioners askit instruments.
The Assemblie hes ordainit, that in every Assemblie to be conveint in
all tyme coming, such as shall happen to be appoyntit Commissioners
for the Generall Assemblie to indure qwhill the Generall Assemblie
next thereafter, shall give ane accompt of their proceedings dureing
the haill tyme of their commission in the beginning of the Assemblie
before any wther cause or matter be handlit, and their proceedings to
be allowit and disallowit as the Assemblie shall think expedient.
The Generall Assemblie having ryply weyit the necessity of appoynting
Commissioners for this Generall Assemblie, not only to advyse and
awayte upon such affaires as shall be for the weill and wtilitie of
the Kirk of God, but also in giving advyce to his Majestie anent
the holding furth the enemies of the same qwhen they shall be
requyrit be his Heines thereto; Therefore, the brethren conveint in
this Assemblie hes given and grantit, lykeas, be the tenor heirof,
gives and grants thair power and commission to thir brethren,--Mrs
Alex^r. Dowglass, John Strachane, Peter Blackburne, George Monro,
James Nicolsone, Androw Leitch, Alexander Forbes, Patrick Symsone,
Wm. Cowper, Alexander Lyndsay, George Gladstanes, Wm. Scott,
John Caldcleuch, Robert Wilkie, David Lyndsay, Robert Pont, John
Spottiswood, John Hall, James Low, John Knox, John Abernethie, John
Hay, Gavine Hamiltone, Alexander Scrymgeour, David Barclay, with the
King’s Majestie’s Ministers, or any nyne of them; givand, grantand,
and committand unto them their full power, to plant such kirks in
Burrow Tounes as are destitute of pastors in generall, and specially
to plant the Kirk of Edinburgh, vaikand be transportatione of the
ministers thereof; with full power also to plant Mrs James Balfour,
Walter Balcanquall, and William Watsone, ministers transportit out
of Edinburgh, with his Majestie’s advyce, in such convenient places
as they sould finde expedient for the glory of God; with power also
to transport any of the ministry within the realme from their awne
places qwher they presently serve, and to plant them in the saids
vaikand places of the Kirk of Edinburgh, in the planting qwherof
they shall take the advyce of the Presbytry of Edinburgh, according
to the acts and statutes of the Generall Assemblie made of before.
Attour, if it shall happen the King’s Majestie to be grievit at
any of the ministry for qwhatsomever enormitie committit be any of
them against his Majestie, with power to them, or any nyne of them,
as said is, to try and cognosce thereupon, and take such order
thereanent as they shall think maist meit to the glory of God and
weill of the Kirk; and, finallie, with power to them to present the
grieves and petitiones of this present Assemblie to his Majestie
and Secret Councill and generall Conventione of the Estates and
Parliaments, if any shall happen to be, and to crave redresse of the
samen--_promitten de rata_.
The Assemblie ordaynes Mrs James Nicolsone, James Robertsone, Alex^r.
Lyndsay, and William Cowper, to take tryall anent the union of the
paroche of Forgandyne to the kirk of Arnegose, and if they finde the
same to have been done of old, and to be commodious for the people,
to ratifie the same.
Forsuameikle as in the Assemblies halden of before, it hes been
very wisely considerit that there hes been nothing more profitable
for advancing of the glory of God by the preaching of the gospell,
then appoynting of Commissioners for every schyre within this
realme, qwhois care and diligence should be pairtly to try the lyfe,
doctrine, and manner of conversatione of the ministry within the
bounds committit to their visitatione, and pairtly to plant the
kirks qwhilks as yet ly destitute of the comfort of the word, be
dealing with such as hes the Kirk livings in their hands for ane
reasonable moyen to sustain a minister at every kirk within this
realme; qwhilk loueable custome this present Assemble being mindfull
to prosecute, therefore hes given and grantit, lykeas, be these
presents, gives and grants their full power and commissione to thir
brethren: Mrs Robert Pont and Robert Durie for Orknay and Zetland;
Mr George Gladstanes for Cathness and Sutherland; to Mrs Alex^r.
Dowglass and Alex^r. Rawsone for Rosse; to Mrs George Hay and Androw
Crombie for Morray; Mr George Gladstanes for Aberdeene; for Angus and
Merns, Mrs Robert Wilkie and James Melvill; for Perth and Stratherne,
Mrs Thomas Dowglass and John Fairfoull; for Fyfe, Mrs James Nicolsone
and Robert Howie; for Lothiane, Mrs Patrick Simsone and Harie
Livingstone; for Merss and Teviotdale, James Gibsone and Mr Adam
Colt; for Clydsdale, Mrs David Lyndsay and John Spotswood; for Irvine
and Aire, Mrs Gavine Hamiltone and Androw Knox; for Annandaill, Mrs
John Knox and Patrick Schaw; for Nithsdale and Galloway, Mrs David
Barclay, Alex^r. Scrymgeour, and Nathaniell Inglish: with power
to them to try the brethren within the bounds particularly above
designit, in their lyfe, doctrine, qualificatione, and conversation,
and how they have behaved themselves touching the rents of their
benefices--qwhether they have sett tacks of the samen, but consent of
the Generall Assemblie or not, and so dilapidate the same--to depose
such as deserves depositione--to plant ministers in such places that
hes not been plantit heretofore; and to that effect to deall with the
tacksmen of every paroche kirk for provision of ane minister to their
kirks, and to report to the next Generall Assemblie ane answer of
the tacksmen in wreit, containing the planting of the kirks qwherof
they possess the teinds, and to reporte their diligence to the nixt
Assemblie--_promitten de rata_.
The nixt Assemblie appoyntit to be halden at St Androis the last
Twesday of July 1602.
[SIXTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assemblie of the Commissioners from the Presbytries
of the Kirk of Scotland, halden at Halyrudehouse the 10 of
Dec^r. 1602,[46] in the qwhilk the King’s Majestie being
personally present, were conveint the Commissioners following,
viz. Commissioners, with his Majestie, the Secretar, Thesaurer,
Collector, Comptroller, Sir Patrick Morray: for the Ministry,
_Orknay._
Mr Robert Pont.
_Cathnes._
Mr George Gladstanes.
_Ross Murray._
Mr Alexander Rawsone.
_Aberdeene._
Mrs Peter Blackburne.
Archbald Blackburne.
David Raite.
Richard Rosse.
John Strauchan.
Mrs John Rosse.
James Milne.
Abraham Sybbald.
Alexander Hay.
_Mearns._
Mrs John Erskine.
Alexander Forbes.
Mr James Sybbald.
_Brechine._
Mrs Andrew Leitche.
John Marshall.
Mr Josua Durie.
_Aberbrothoke._
Mrs Patrick Lyndsay.
Arthur Foothie.
Mr Henry Philipe.
_Dundie._
Mr Robert Howie.
Mr Andrew Clayhills.
_Meigle._
Mrs James Andersone.
John Barclay.
Mr David Browne.
_Peirth._
Mrs James Rosse.
Archd. Moncrieff.
Wm. Row.
Adam Balantyne.
Mrs Alex. Hoome.
John Edmonstoune.
William Glasse.
Silvester Ratray.
_St Androis._
Mrs James Melvill.
John Carmichaell.
Mr Robert Durie.
_Universitie thereof._
Mr James Martine.
_Cowper._
Mrs Thomas Dowglass.
Robt. Buchanan.
Mr Wm. Cranstoune.
_Kirkaldie._
Mrs Wm. Scott.
John Michelsone.
Mr David Spence.
_Dumfermling._
Mrs John Fairfoull.
John Cawden.
Mr Edmond Mylls.
_Edinburgh._
Mrs James Balfour.
Walter Balcanquall.
Mr Wm. Aire.
_Linlithgow._
Mrs Thomas Peebles.
Robt. Cornwall.
Mr George Inglish.
_Dalkeith._
Mrs George Ramsay.
Archd. Simsone.
Mr Adam Scot.
_Haddington and Dumbar._
Mr Edward Hepburne.
Mr Richard Ogill.
_Peebles._
John Keer.
_Merss._
Mrs John Clappertoune.
Tobias Ramsay.
Wm. Methwen.
Alex^r. Gates.
John Abernethie.
Mrs Wm. Clark.
John Knox.
James Dais.
John Smith.
_Glasgow._
Mr Andrew Boyde.
Mr Wm. Livingstone.
_Universitie thereof._
Mr Pat. Scharp.
_Paisley._
Mr John Hay.
_Dunbartone._
Mr Wm. Symsone.
_Hamiltone._
Mr John Howisone.
Mr Pat. Walkinschaw.
_Lanarick._
Mr Wm. Birnie.
Mr Robt. Ballantyne.
_Aire._
Mrs George Dumbar.
Nathaniel Inglish.
Mr John Welsche.
_Irwing._
Mr Hew Fullertoune.
_Dumfries._
Mrs Robt. Hunter.
John Browne.
Mr Richard Broune.
_Kirkcudbright._
Mr Wm. Hamiltone.
_Wigtowne._
Mr Robert Wallace.
Mr Matthew Reid.
_Edinburgh._
Mr John Robertsone.
Mr George Heriot.
_Dundie._
Mr Wm. Fargusone.
_St Androis._
Mr Wm. Russell.
_Leith._
Mr Jerome Lyndsay.
Mr David Orrock.
_Bruntiland._
Patrick Greiff.
_Commissioners for the Generall Assemblie._
Mrs Alex. Dowglass.
George Monro.
James Nicolsone.
Pat. Simsone.
Wm. Cowper.
Alex. Lyndsay.
John Spotswood.
John Caldcleuch.
Mrs Robt. Wilkie.
David Lyndsay.
John Hall.
James Law.
Gavin Hamilton.
George Scrymgeour.
David Barclay.
_Acta Sessione prima._
Exhortatione being made be Mr John Hall, Moderator of the last
Assemblie, the Assemblie, after the accustomed manner, proceedit to
the election of the Moderator of this present Assemblie; and, after
nominatione of the brethren following, viz. Mrs Patrick Galloway,
Patrick Scharpe, James Balfoure, and John Carmichaell, out of the
qwhilk number the Moderator should be chosen,--be plurality of votes
the said Mr Patrick Galloway was chosen Moderator _hac vice_.
The houres of convention to be nyne houres in the morning for
the privie conferrence, and eleven houres for conveening of the
Assemblie, and to sit qwhill 4 houres afternoon.
The Assessors appoynted to conveen with the Moderator in the privie
conferrence for treating of such things as are to be concludit in the
Assemblie, are Mrs John Hall, Robert Pont, George Gladstones, David
Lyndsay, Alex^r. Rawsone, Peter Blackburne, John Strauchane, David
Rate, Alex^r. Forbes, James Nicolsone, Robert Howie, James Melvill,
Robert Wilkie, John Carmichaell, Alex^r. Lyndsay, William Glass,
Patrick Scharpe, James Balfoure, Walter Balcanquall, James Law,
John Spotswood, John Clappertoune, John Knox, David Barclay, W^m.
Hamiltone, Nathaniell Inglish, John Hay, Andrew Lambe.
Sess. 2^a.
The said day, being callit, Mr George Gladstones, minister at St
Androis, qwha was direct be the last Assemblie to have remainit
for ane quarter or ane half year with the Marques of Huntlie,
to the effect, be his travells and labours, the said Noble Lord
and his family might be informit in the word of truth presently
profest within this realme, and the enemies thereof debarrit from
his company,--to give an accompt of his diligence done in his said
Commission, the said Mr George compeirand, declared that at the
tyme of his journeying northward for visitatione of the Presbytries
of Cathnes and Sutherland, he addressed himself to the Marques of
Huntly, and remained with him the space of three dayes, dureing
the qwhilk tyme he conferred with him anent the controvertit heads
of religione, and desyred of his Lordship that he wold schaw him
qwherin he doubted, that to the effect be his conferrence he might be
resolvit of such heads thereof as yet he was not fully satisfyit,
qwhilk his Lordship promised to doe at his back-coming; and
lykewayes, having demandit why his Lordship’s kirks were not plantit,
and why he resortit not to the preaching at the ordinare tymes in
paroche kirks? To the first he answerit, that the non-planting of
his kirks proceeds upon the not giving licence to the parsones of
the saids kirks to renew his tacks, conforme to the promise made
to his Lordship be the Commissioners of the Assemblie, at the tyme
his Lordship grantit to ane augmentatione of the rent of the said
kirks. As to the second, he could not well resort to the paroche
kirk, partly in respect of the meine rank of such as were within the
paroche, and pairtly in respect his Lordship’s predecessors were in
use to have ane chappell in their awne house, qwhilk he was myndit
to prosecute now, seeing he was presently prepairing his house of
Strathbogie. The said Mr George being demandit, why he made no longer
residence with his Lordship, conforme to his Commission, answerit,
he could not, because the Marques of Huntlie was upon his voyage
southward, at his Majestie’s directione, for reconciliatione of the
feud betwixt him and the Earle of Murray, qwhilk feud was the cause
why his Lordship could not communicat.
Being callit lykewayes, Mrs Alexander Lyndsay and William Cowper,
Commissioners appoyntit be the last Assemblie to await upon the
Earle of Erroll for the effect forsaid, compearand, Mr Alexander
Lyndsay declareit, that he had awaytit upon the said Noble Lord
dureing his remaining in the Carss of Gowrie, and that he fand him
ane diligent hearer of the word; and having requirit of him, if he
doubtit of anything, his Lordship answerit, that, at the tyme of
his reconciliatione, he did the samen unfainedly, and had casten
all scruples away. As concerning the planting of his kirks, that he
had provyded the samen of his awne benevolence, and that he wold
communicat at such tyme as the samen should be administrat at any of
his awn kirks, whereat his residence should be for the tyme.
Being callit, Mrs John Spotswood and James Law, Commissioners
appoyntit to await upon the Earle of Angus, Mr John Spottswood
excused himselfe, because he was direct be his Majestie to awaite
upon the Duke of Lennox in his ambassadrie to France, in respect
qwhereof, Mr James Law being appoyntit Commissioner conjunctly
with the said Mr John, could doe nothing him alone; but because it
was reportit be the haill brethren of these parts qwher the said
Earle does haunt, that he did neither resort to the hearing of the
word, nor participatione of the sacraments, but, be the contrair,
intertaint profest enemies to the religione in his company, such as
Mr Charles Broune; therefore, to advyse in the conferrence for remead
thereof.
Being callit, Mr John Carmichaell, Commissioner appoyntit to awayt
upon my Lord Hoome, declareit, that he execute no part of his
Commission, be reason of the saids Lord’s absence furth of the
countrie. The lyke excuse was usit be Mrs David Lyndsay and John
Hall, qwho were appoyntit for my Lord Herres, in caice he repairit to
Edinburgh, declarit to remaine a schort space in the said towne.
Anent the Commissioners appoyntit be the last Assemblie to await upon
the constant platt, my Lord Collector being present, declareit that
the stay of that wark proceidit upon the default of the presbytries,
qwho, for the maist part, had neither returnit ane answer of his
Majestie’s letters, direct be his Commissioners, of the constant
platt without the qwhilk they could not proceed, and therefore the
Assembly ordaynes such as had not reportit their answers, to produce
them the morne.
Anent the Commissioners appoyntit for visitatione of presbytries,
the Assemblie ordaynes them to give in their diligence in write the
morne, that the samen may be tryit and considerit be the Assemblie,
and because there hes been slackness, or no executione of such
Commissioners in tyme bygane, be reason of carelessness of such as
were appoyntit to accept the same; Therefore it is ordaynit, that in
tyme comeing, such as shall be appoyntit Commissioners on them, and
promise be their oathes in the face of the Assemblie to doe their
faithfull and honest diligence in the executione thereof, and to
report the same to the next Assemblie, in wreit, under the paines
contained in the acts of the Generall Assemblie, being callit be the
Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie to give accompt of their
proceedings sen the last Assemblie, they were ordaynit to give in
their diligence in write the morne.
The qwhilks things being considerit be the Assemblie, it was thought
most expedient that certaine qualified persones be chosen out of
the ministry, for planting of such parts of the countrie as are
destitute of the word of God, and specially, that qualified men be
chosen out to be appoyntit ministers to the particular families of
the said noblemen, and lykewayes that the cautioners of these that
are suspect of religion, and were be his Majestie ordayned to pass
off the countrey be straitit, conforme to their bond, and specially
for Patrick Butler, Patrick Mortimer, and wthers, and themselves be
lykewise charged for breaking of the said bond.
Sessio 3.
Anent the summonds raisit at the instance of the provinciall of
Lothiane and Tweddall, against Dame Helenor Hay, Countess of Lithgow,
makand mention, That in the proces of excommunicatione led and
deducit against her, be the presbytrie of Lynlithgow, she had made
appellatione from the said presbytrie unto this present Assemblie,
and therefore ordayning her to be summoned to compeir before this
Assemblie, the third day thereof, to prosecute her appellatione,
with certificatione, and schoe failziet, the Assemblie wald allow
of the proces led and deduced against her be the said presbytrie,
as at mair lenth is contained in the saids summonds, of the date,
at Edinburgh, the 3d of Nov. 1602:--the samen being callit, the
Assemblie continowes the same in the selfe same force and effect to
the morne.
The brethren appoyntit for visitatione of the presbytries in the last
Assemblie qwho were ordaynit this day to produce their diligence in
wreit, being callit, compeirit Mrs David Lyndsay and John Spottswood,
Commissioners for Clydsdaill, Mr Andrew Knox, for Aire; Mrs James
Nicolsone and Robert Harvie, for Fyfe; Mr Robert Durie, for Orknay;
and Mr George Gladstanes, for Cathness; and producit their diligence
in wreit. The rest of the Commissioners either were not present or
had done no diligence: Qwhilks diligences producit, the Assemblie
ordaynit to be visited be the brethren, Mrs John Hall, Walter
Balcanquall, Patrick Walkingshaw, Archibald Moncreiff, and James
Andersone, and thereafter to report what they have found in it to the
haill Assemblie.
The said day, the Commissioners qwho were appoyntit in the last
Assemblie, for planting of burrow townes, vaikand and waitand
upon his Majestie, qwho were ordaynit this day to produce their
diligence and proceedings in wreit, to the effect they might be
tryit be the brethren, and either allowit or disallowit, conforme
as they deserved,--being callit, they compeirit; and in name of
the rest, Mr James Nicolsone, minister at Meigle, producit their
proceedings in wreit, qwhilk being openly read in presence of the
haill Assemblie, and the brethren being demandit be the Moderator,
if they had anything to say against the same, or against them in any
other head therefore; after the particular votes of every ane of
the Commissioners was speirit, the Assemblie allowit of the saids
proceedings, and thanked God for the same.
The qwhilk day, the brethren conveint in this present Assemblie,
having considerit nothing is more necessare for the advancement of
God’s glory, and his trew religione within the same, than that the
chieff rowmes and places within the countrey, such as are noblemen’s
houses and families, be plantit with learnit and discreit pastors,
able not only to instruct and confirme the saids noblemen, their
wives, children, and families, in the trew fear of God and sincere
religion presently profest within this realme, but also qwho may be
their provident care and diligence, procure that the families of
such noblemen be not corruptit with the company of profest Papists,
Jesuites, and wthers Seminary Priests, qwho goes about daily to
smore and put out the sparks of trew religione and knawledge of God
kindled in the saids noblemen’s hearts; and because presently such
men cannot be found to undertake the charge of the said noblemen’s
families, as said is, Therefore, the Assemblie hes thought good,
that for a tyme, brethren meitest for the purpose sould be borrowit
from their awne places, to remaine for the space of ane quarter of
ane year, continwally with the saids noblemen, be qwhais labours in
the meantyme, qwhill ane constant and permanent provisione may be
found out for planting of these roumes, the saids noblemen and their
families may be confirmit in the truth, and the enemies thereof
debarrit from their companies, and thereafter to returne to their
awne charges: And in the meantyme, that the presbytries take order
that their places be furnischit dureing their absence, and therefore
they have elect and nominat the brethren following, to await upon the
saids noblemen dureing the space foresaid, viz. Mrs William Scott,
minister at Kennaqwhy, to remaine with the Marquess of Huntlie; for
the Earle of Erroll, Mr Alexander Lyndsay; for the Earle of Angus,
Mr James Law; for the Laird Hoome, Mr James Carmichaell; for the
Laird Maxwell, so long as he remaynes in the Castle of Edinburgh,
Mr Henry Blyth; for the Lord Heres, Mr Robert Wallace; for the Lord
Semple, the Presbytery of Irvine, during his residence within the
same; and in caice he remaine within the Presbytrie of Paisley, the
said Presbytrie to awayte upon him: and lykewyse for the Earle of
Sutherland, the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, because he makes residence
within the same: And in caice any of the noblemen make their
residence any tyme in Edinburgh, or within the Presbytrie thereof,
the Assemblie ordaynes the Presbytrie of Edinburgh to direct two
brethren of their number, with the like power as the brethren above
specifeit, to awayte upon every ane of the saids noblemen that shall
be found resident within their Presbytries; qwhilks brethren forsaid,
and every ane of them, shall receive the articles in wreit frae this
Assemblie, wherein they shall travell with the saids noblemen; qwhilk
articles the Assemblie ordaynes to be pennit be Mrs James Melvill,
James Nicolsone, Patrick Galloway, William Scott, and Alex^r Lyndsay,
to be given in the morne to the Assemblie, that the brether may
consider the same, the tenor qwherof follows:
Instructiones for the Brethren appoyntit be the General Assemblie
to attend upon the Noblemen above specifeit.
1. First, ye shall adress yourselves with all convenient diligence
and necessar furniture to enter in the companie and families, and
there to remaine still with them for the space of three moneths
continuall, dureing the qwhilk tyme your principall care shall be
publick doctrine, by reading and interpretatione of the Scriptures
ordinarly at their tables, and by conferrence at all meit occasions,
to instruct them in the haill grounds of trew religione and
godliness, speciallie in the heads controvertit, and confirme them
therein.
2. Take paines to catechise the families ordinarly every day, ance
or twyce at the leist, or so oft as may serve to bring them to some
reasonable measure of knowledge and feilling of religione, before the
expyring of the tyme prescryvit for your remaining there, and let
this action begin and end with prayer.
3. Preass to have their houses purgit of all persons living
inordinatly, qwhais ill example might be a sclander to their
professione, specially such as are of suspect religione, and found
any wayes bussie in traffiqueing against the truth and quietness of
the estate of the countrey, and be carefull to hold all such persones
forth of their houses and company.
4. Travell to have the kirks plantit with sufficient provision of
stipends and well qualified persones, and procure that be authoritie
and assistance, the discipline of the kirk may have execution within
their bounds.
5. Persuade them to make honest provisione of stipends for the
intertainment of resident pastors at their houses and chiefe
dwelling-places, and to make choice of learnit, grave, and wyse
pastors, to be plantit thereat.
6. Wrge the performance of the articles agriet upon and subscrivit at
the tyme of their reconciliatione, and registrat in the books of the
Assemblie, qwherout of ye shall extract them.
7. Informe the King’s Majestie from tyme to tyme how they have
profited, and what company resortes to them, and qwhat dispositione
their company is of.
Qwhilks articles being read in audience of the Assemblie, the
brethren approvit the same, and ordaynit them to be insert, with the
commission given to the ministers appoyntit to remaine with the saids
Lords, in the books of the Assemblie.
The brethren appoyntit to visite the diligence of the visitors
appoyntit in the last Assemblie, finds fault that in all their
diligences producit, except of Caithnes and of Fyfe, the visitors
hes not exactly tryit the lyfe, doctrine, and conversations of every
minister at his awne kirk and be his awne flock, but nakedly and
slenderly by a generall view of the Synodall Assemblie, qwhilk the
Assemblie finds fault with, and ordayns it to be mendit in tyme
coming.
The qwhilk day the brethren conveint, having ryplie weyit how
necessar it is that ane generall visitatione be for inquyrand in
the life, doctrine, and conversatione of every ane of the ministry
in particular, the qwhilk, albeit it was committit to the charge
of visitors appoyntit to the last Assemblie, nevertheless they, at
the leist the maist of them, hes done small or no diligence in the
executione of that profitable wark committit to their charge, excusit
partly be infirmitie and sickness, and partly be wther necessar
effaires qwherein they were imployit as they alleadgit: Therefore the
Assemblie, not willing that such a necessar and profitable wark sould
want their awne good execution, hes nominate, and be thir presents
nominats the brethren following their very lawfull Commissioners, for
visitatione of the bounds underwritten, every ane of them for their
awne parts as they are particularly designit, viz., for Orkney, Mr
Robert Pont; for Caithnes and Sutherland, Mr George Gladstones, Mr
Alex^r. Rawsone; for Ross, Mr David Lyndsay; for Morray, Mr Peter
Blackburne, Abraham Sybbald; for Aberdeen, Mrs W^m. Scott, Alex^r.
Lyndsay; for Angus and Marnes, Mrs Robert Wilkie, James Melvill; for
Perth and Striviling, Mrs James Martine, James Dalgleisch; for Fyfe,
Mrs James Nicolsone and Robert Howie; for Lothiane, Mrs Patrick
Scharp, John Cowper; for Merss and Teviotdale, Mrs John Carmichaell
and James Law; for Clydsdaill, Mrs John Spottiswood, William Arthure;
for Aire and Irving, Mrs Andrew Boyd, John Hay; for Nithsdale and
Annandale, Mrs John Knox, Patrick Schaw, John Smith; for Galloway,
Mrs John Welsche, Hew Fullertone; for Argyle, Mrs Andrew Knox, Andrew
Lambe: Givand, grantand, and committand unto them conjunctlie, and in
caice of sickness of any ane of them, with power to the wther, &c.,
to try the brethren of the ministry within the bounds particularlie
committit to every ane of their charges respective, in their lyfe,
doctrine, qualificatione, and conversatione, and how they behave
themselves touching the rents of their benefices, qwhether they
haue sett tacks of the samen, but consent of the Generall Assemblie
or not, and so incurrit the sentence of dilapidatione; with power,
also, to try the Presbytries within their visitationes, if they have
keepit their ordinarie conventiones and particular visitationes of
their awne kirks, and wsit and exercisit all things as pertaines to
the Presbytrie; with power, also, to them to try every particular
congregatione within the bounds committed to their visitatione,
and generally, to try every ane of the ministers, presbytry, and
congregatione, conforme to the particular order of visitatione
sett down in this Assemblie; and in caice any fault or enormity be
found be them in any of the saids visitationes committit to them,
with power to censure the same according to the act of the Generall
Assemblie; and as they proceed in their said visitatione, that
they report their haill proces and diligence to the next General
Assemblie, _promitten de rato_.
Sess. 4^a.
The said day it being considerit be the Assemblie, that for inlaike
of ane constant and uniforme order of visitatione of synods,
presbytries, and particular kirks, the labours and travells taken
hitherto hes been almost unprofitable, Therefore, that ane solide
order may be generallie observit in visitationes in all tyme coming
throughout the haill kirks within this realme, the Assemblie ordaynes
the brethren following, viz., Mrs Robert Pont, Patrick Galloway,
James Carmichael, William Scott, and Alex^r. Lyndsay, to advyse anent
the subject of visitationes, and they forme ane order of proces that
shall be wsit in the same in all tyme coming, and to produce the same
in wreit to the Assemblie the morne.
The qwhilk day the brethren having considerit the great travells and
paines taken in [be] their brother, Mr John Howisone, in answering
to Bellarmine in three sundrie volumes, and how profitable the same
will be to the kirk of God, qwhilk he presentit to the Assemblie,
desyring the same to be revysit be them, to the effect, if they be
found worthy, they may be put forth in print, they appoyntit the said
wark to be revisit by Mr Robert Howie, James Nicolsone, and James
Robertsone; thereafter be Mr Andrew Melvill; and last, be Mrs Robert
Pont and John Hall, and to report to the next Assemblie; qwhilks
books are presently delyverit to Mr Robert Howie.
Anent the constant platt, the brether appoyntit to sitt thereupon
with his Majestie’s Commissioners being demandit, qwhat effect their
travells had taken in the same? they producit the conclusione of the
commissioners of the said platt, resolving in three heads, out of the
qwhilk ane should be chosen, as the most ready way for effectuating
the said wark, qwhereof the tenor follows:
Overtures of the Commissioners of the Plat to be devysit with his
Majestie.
If every minister’s stipends being assigned out of the fruits of
the kirk qwhere he serves be the benevolence of the tacksmen, that
they shall grant to the augmentation of the said stipend? If there
shall be ane perpetuall securitie made be the saids tacksmen of
their teinds upone ane speciall grissome, to be condescendit upon
for ilk chalder, for the space of nynteine yeares, to be renewit
yearly thereafter for the said space for the lyke grissome, upon
this conditione, that the said principall tacksmen shall grant and
renew the lyke securitie to their sub-tacksmen, for payment of their
part of the said grissume _pro rata_, qwhere any sub-tacks are? Or
if the great benefices shall be provydit to ministers upon this
conditione, that all the kirks of the prelacies be plantit with
sufficient ministers, and be provydit with competent livings, as the
modifiers of the constant platt shall think expedient, and he to pay
to the King’s Majestie yearly the tent-part of the fruits of the said
benefice qwhilk shall rest, by and attour the sustentatione of the
ministry, and that all the inferior benefices shall be provydit to
ministers serving the cure of the saids kirks, alse well parsonages
as vicarages? Or if all the great benefices shall be dissolvit, and
the prelate to have the principall kirk of the prelacie, with the
temporall lands thereof, and the rest of the kirks to be provydit
with qualified ministers, and the said prelat and titulars of the
saids kirks to pay ane yearly dewtie to his Majestie, as the benefice
may beir at the sight of the Commissioners forsaids?
Qwhilks overtures being read in presence of the Assemblie, it was
ordayned that every synod should have ane copie of them to be advysit
therewith, until the morne, that they might give their advyce to his
Majestie, qwhilk of [the] three were maist meet to be imbracit.
Anent the referres and petitiones of the Synod of Fyffe given in
to this present Assemblie, to be advysit upon be the samen: the
brethren nominats Mrs James Melvill, Robert Durie, John Carmichaell,
William Scott, John Cawden, John Fairfull, James Nicolsone, Andrew
Lambe, Robert Howie, Patrick Scharp, George Gladstanes, and John
Spottiswood, to convene the morne at aught houres, and advyse upon
answers for satisfaction of the said petitiones, and to report the
samen to the Assemblie; qwhereof the tenor follows:
The Articles of the Synod of Fyffe.
1. It wald be meinit be the Generall Assemblie that they are not
ordinarly keepit, notwithstanding of the acts of Parliament and
Generall Assemblie, and necessitie of the tyme, but the dyats thereof
alterit without the knowledge of the presbytries and synods.
2. That ministers are callit before his Hienes’ Secret Council, _in
prima instantia_, for doctrine and discipline, qwhilk is ane great
incouragement to the enemies.
3. That all applicationes in exercise of presbytries is found fault
with, under the pretence of the act of the Generall Assemblie, the
qwhilk act therefore wald be sichtit and cleirly interpreted.
4. That the government of the chief matters of the Kirk continows in
the hands of a few number, under the name of a Commission, to the
prejudice of the liberties of the Synods and Presbytries.
5. That the Doctors beiring ordinar calling in the Kirk, be the
discipline and custome thereof, are debarrit from the Assemblies.
6. That the Assemblie hes taken no tryall, hithertill, anent the
cautiones sett downe for avoyding of corruption in the Commissioners’
votes in Parliament.
7. That the absence of the pastors of Edinburgh, alteratione of the
ministry thereof, qwhilk was the chief watch-tower of our kirks,
hurts greatly the cause of religion and encourages the enemies.
8. That there is distractione in opiniones different from that
consent of hearts, qwhilk hes been in the Kirk before, in weighty
causes, and over little consideratione, deliberatione, and reasonyng
had, qwherby conclusions pass, almost the halfe of the brethren
gainsaying.
9. That the land is defylit, and the Kirk indamnadgit, be the French
Embassador’s messe.
10. Excommunicat persones for Papistrie sufferit to haunt the
countrey publickly and peaceablie.
11. That the noblemen lately releicit fra excommunication for
Papistrie, gives no token of the profession of the truth, but raither
the contrair.
12. That apprehendit Papists’ directions and letters are keepit
closs, and the danger imminent thereby to the Kirk not communicat
to the watchmen, whereby they may make the faithfull warning, and
prevent the perrill.
13. That the discipline of the Kirk against murther, incest, and
adulterie, is not pursued with that holy severitie that becomes,
notwithstanding of the frequent remissions obtainit be criminall
persones, for eschewing of civill punischment.
14. That the remedies sett downe againes apprehendit dangers at
diverse tymes, and at diverse meetings of the Kirk, are not followit
furth.
Anent the act made of before, against such persones as abstaines from
the holy communione, either for Papistrie or collour of deidly feuds,
The Assemblie ordayns that every ane of the ministry keep this order
following within this Kirk, to witt, That he warne such persones be
the space of {blank space} moneths before the communione to compeir
themselves for the samen, qwhilk beand done, and they disobeyand,
that every minister incontinent thereafter, send the names of the
disobeyers subscrybit with his hand to ane of the King’s Majestie’s
ministers, qwha shall intimate the same to his Majestie and his
Hienes’ Thesaurer, to the effect that his Majestie’s Thesaurer may
put the acts made against non-communicants to executione against
them, and that every presbytrie command the ministers within their
presbytrie to be diligent in the executione of this act.
Because it was meint be the brethren, that the supplicatione made in
the last Assemblie to his Majestie anent the restrayning of noble
and gentlemen’s sonnes, that passes furth of the countrey to such
places qwher there is restrainit of the trew religion, Therefore his
Majestie declairit, in presence of the haill Assemblie, that he wald
give ane command to the Secretar that he sould subscryve no warrant
for passing of noble or gentlemen’s sonnes furth of the country,
except they first fand cautione conform to the tenor of the act made
in the last Assemblie anent passing of gentlemen’s sonnes furth of
the country.
The said day, the King’s Majestie having declareit that it was
requisite that his Hienes had ane wther minister adjoynit unto his
house, to the effect his Prince might be brought up in the trew
religione, Therefore the Assemblie transports Mr James Nicolsone from
the kirk of Meagle, and appoynts him to be minister at his Majestie’s
house, to the effect foresaid, and ordaynes him to enter in the
said functione betwixt and the 15th day of February nixt to come,
under the paine of deprivatione, provyding he be first sufficiently
provydit be his Majestie; and lykewayes ordaynes Mr Andrew Lambe to
enter to his cure in his Majestie’s house, betwixt and the first of
January nixt to come, under the said paine.
Anent the planting of the kirks of Edinburgh: John Robertsone and
George Herriot, Commissioners for the said towne, being callit,
declarit that for the present they had but three kirks, qwhilk
already were plantit with sax ministers, and qwhen as their fourth
kirk, qwhilk is presently bigging, is compleit, they would crave
supplement of wther two ministers.
Sess. 5^a.
The brethren appoyntit for penning the forme and subject of
visitatione of kirks, gave in their advyce as followes:
The visitors shall appoynt two or three dayes for the tryall of every
presbytry within the bounds of their visitatione, and be the space of
ane moneth, or twenty dayes, at the leist, before their edicts, they
shall make the presbytries acquaintit therewith, and send them the
edict following, to be published at every paroche kirk be some other
brother then the minister of the place, that it may be dewly execute,
reportit, and indorsat, to the visitors at the first dyet of their
meeting.
Let the edicts be so direct be the Presbytries that ane equall number
shall be tryit in every ane of the dayes appoyntit for tryall of ilk
Presbytrie, and the Commissioners of congregationes to be chargeit to
their awne dyets accordingly.
Try the estate of every minister particularly, thereafter the estate
of the congregations and countrie, and last the estate of the
Presbytry in generall.
The particular Tryall of Pastors.
Try ilk Pastor seuerallie in his graces and habilitie to discharge
his calling, in his furniture of books and necessare helps that
may inable him in his calling, with what fidelitie and prudence
he discharges himself in doctrine and discipline in his lyfe and
the estate of his living. For this effect, inquyre first of the
commissioners of his congregatione, what testimonie he hes of his
awne sessione and remanent of his flock, and in speciall if he be
resident in his parochine, upon his manss and gleib;--if his awne
life and the goverment of his family be such as breeds no offence,
but edifies his flock;--if he teaches every Sabbath ance or twyse,
and if he teaches any wther dyets in the week;--gif he ministers
the communion yearly with dew examinationes preceeding; if he hes
ane established session of elders and deacons; if he keeps ane
weekly conventione with his session for the exercise of discipline;
if he catechises weekly ane part of his parochine; if he keeps ane
ordinar visitatione of some families of his congregatione weekly;
if he visits the sick and distressed qwhen occasion requyres; if
he be carefull to take away all eylists and variances that falls
out in the congregatione: Thereafter, if neid beis, let him be
tryit be opening up some place of Scripture, and be questions; let
it be inquyrit of him what helpe he hes for the advancement of
his studies; if he hes the text of the Scripture in the originall
languages, in caice he be sene in the tongues; if he hes Tremellius’
translatione of the Old Testament and Beza’s of the New, with the
vulgar Inglish translatione; if he hes the Common Places; if he
hes the Ecclesiasticall historie; what Commentaries he hes upon
the Scripture, and speciallie upon his ordinar text; if he hes the
Acts of the Councill of {blank space} and what wther wreits of the
controversies of religione, and if he uses the conferrence of
brethren for his reformatione in the doubts that he finds in his
reading, and of qwhom; if he hes ane ordinary course of reading the
Scriptures, ecclesiasticall stories, and controversies; if he maks
any memorialls of his travells in wreit; what is his ordinar text;
if he be provydit in title of the personage or viccarage, and if
he have sett any tacks thereof, to qwhom and on qwhat conditione;
in qwhois hands are the rents of his kirk, and qwhat is the best
overture that he can give for provisione of a stipend thereat, in
caice it be not already sufficiently provydit, and sicht the Sessione
Book. The breither beand removit, let the Presbytrie be inquyrit ane
by ane, and declare wpon their conscience qwhat they knaw anent his
graces, fidelitie in doctrine and discipline, and anent his lyfe and
conversatione: after the qwhilk tryall let him be judgit, and either
allowed or admonisched, or wtherwayes censured, as the cause requyres.
The Tryall of the Congregationes.
Try every minister particularly if there be any Jesuites, Papists,
Seminarie Priests, traffiquers against the estate of Religione and
quietness of the country, within their congregatione, or resetters
of them: if there be any witches, excommunicats, contraveeners of
the discipline of the Kirk; if there be any superstitious dayes
keepit be setting out of banefires or wtherwayes; if there be any
superstitious places of pilgrimages, walls, and chappells; if there
be any non-communicants; if there be any homicides or deadly feuds;
if there be any adulterers or incestuous persones; if the Sabbath
be profaned be keeping of mercats and labouring, specially in tyme
of harvest: and as they finde in the premisses, to take order for
reformatione of the poynts forsaids.
Tryall of the Presbytries.
Let the Moderator be inquyrit if they keep up ordinar conventions;
if they have the monethly discourse upon the common heads and
disputationes; if they visite the haill kirks within their bounds
sen the last generall visitatione; if they take weekly and monethly
accompt of their breither’s diligence in the discharging of their
dewtie be teaching and visiting of their families, and such lyke; if
there be any of the number that be insolent and will not acquiesce
in the determinationes of his brethrene; if there be any eylist or
divisione amang the brethren; qwhat unplantit kirks are in the bounds.
Qwhilk forme the Assemblie thinks good, and ratifies and approves the
same, and ordaynes it to be universallie observed in all tyme coming
in all visitationes within this realme, and ordaynes the power of the
visitors to be direct conforme to the acts of the Generall Assemblie.
The said day, the brethren appointit to visite the petitiones of the
Synodall of Fyffe condescendit upon the answers following:
Answers to the Petitiones of the Synod of Fyffe.
1. Finds that the Generall Assemblie should be appoyntit to be keepit
according to the act of Parliament, halden at Edinburgh the 5 of June
1592 years, qwherof the tenor followeth, so far as concerns that
poynt: “And sicklyke ratifies and approves the Generall Assemblies
appoyntit be the said Kirk, and declares that it shall be lawfull to
the Kirk and ministers every year, ance at the least, and oftener,
_pro re nata_, as occasion and necessitie shall requyre, to hald and
keep Generall Assemblies; provyding that the King’s Majestie, or his
Commissioners with them, be appoyntit be his Hienes, being present
at ilk Generall Assemblie before the dissolving thereof, nominat
and appoynt ane tyme and place qwhen and qwhere the next Generall
Assemblie sould be; and in caice neither his Majestie nor his saids
Commissioners beis present for the tyme in that towne qwhere the
Generall Assemblie beis halden, that in that caice it shall be
leisume to the said Generall Assemblie be themselves to nominat tyme
and place qwher the next Generall Assemblie of the Kirk beis keepit
and halden as they have been in use.”
2. If his Majestie shall proceed against ministers according to
his Majestie’s awne declaration made and inactit in the Generall
Assemblie halden at Dundie {blank space} Session 10, the desyre of
the second article is satisfyit, and no wther thing meinit therby.
3. Thinks it expedient that the Act anent the applicatione in the
exercise be interpret not to forbid the wseing of the word of God
in applicatione to the generall ends thereof, qwhilk is lawfull
to exercise after this manner. This head of doctrine serves for
refutatione of such ane error, for the rebuke of such ane vyce,
for comforting of a person or people in such a case; and as for
particular and personall applicationes, leaves it to be advysit
qwhither it shall be in tyme coming or not, and how far any thinks
good that this be reasonit in the Presbytries, and then commission
sent with their reasons to the next Assemblie thereanent; and, in the
meantyme, no invocatione to be wsit anent personall applicationes.
4. Let all commissiones be giuen and wsed from this furth, according
to the four acts of the Generall Assemblie.
5. Finds that doctors hes had, and may have, vote in the Generall
Assemblie, they havand ane lawfull commissione for that effect,
according as it hes been found and declarit be the Generall Assemblie
halden at Edinburgh 10th Maii 1586, and at {blank space} 1581, qwher
it is found and declareit be the act of the Generall Assemblie, that
doctors should concurr with the elders as brethren in all Assemblies.
6. Let the caveats be lookt to and precisely keepit in tyme coming,
under the paines contained in the acts made thereanent answerit in
the Assemblie.
7. Acquiesces in the declaratione of the brethren that hes spoken to
his Majestie thereanent, and desyres Mr Walter Balcanquall to schaw
the same to the Assemblie, and how the Presbytrie of Edinburgh is
satisfyit in this poynt.
8. Let their names be given up, that his Majestie may take order
with them according to the lawes, and in speciall with Captain
Halkerstoune, Patrick Butler, Mr Alex. Leslie, Duncane Law, Thomas
Browne, William Leslie, Patrick Mortimer.