4. “A Schort Soume of the wholl Actis of the Kirk,
takin out of the Buik of Discipline and Registers
of our Assemblies, for the instruction of Ministers
and Readaris in thair office”--under the heads of
“Doctrine”--“Examinatione”--“Ministrie”--“Discipline”--“Policie.”
Among these we find in the Collection of _Forms_ (2) thus
recorded, several documents which illustrate the mode of settling
ministers about the year 1590, viz. a Presbyterial Warrant for
“_Collation_”--the “_Institution_”--the notarial “_Instrument
tharupon_”--“ane Commission of a Benefice”--a “_Presentation of a
Laick Patron of ane new erection_.” There are also “Observations
of the Conferences betwix the Kingis Majestie and Counsells
Commissionars and the Kirks, with the Judgement of the Generall
Assembly,” which appears to be attested by Richie, the Clerk of
Assembly. All these are valuable, as evidents of the practice and
history of those times; and they will form a part of the Notes and
Illustrations which we purpose to subjoin--without which, indeed,
the Booke of the Kirk alone would be insufficient to afford a
satisfactory view of the laws and usages of the Church of Scotland
during the first sixty years of its existence. It is gratifying,
however, to have been enabled to lay before the Church and the
Country at present, a Copy of the Book of Policy of undoubted
authenticity, as well as to complete the publication of all the
earlier authoritative Acts of Assembly.
_May 15, 1839._