+Source.+--_Letters and State Papers chiefly Addressed to George,
Earl of Melville, Secretary of State for Scotland, 1689-1691_, p.
436. (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1843.)
_22 May, 1690_
_WILLIAM R._
HIS MAJESTIES REMARQUES upon the Act for settling Church Government in
Scotland, Which, together with some reasons designed for the clearing of
it, and answering those objections that might be made against it, was
sent to him by My Lord Commissioner.
1st, Whereas it is said that the Church of Scotland was reformed from
Poperie, _by Presbyters without Prelacy_, his Majesty thinks, that tho
this matter of fact may be true, which he doth not contradict, yet it
being denied by some who discourse much of a power that Superintendents
had in the beginning of the Reformation, which was like to that which
Bishops afterwards had, it were better it were otherwise expressed.
2d, Whereas it is said that their Majesties do ratify the Presbyterial
Church Government _to be the only Government of Christ's Church in this
kingdom_; his Majesty desires it may be expressed thus,--to be the
government of the Church in this Kingdom established by law.
3d, Whereas it is said that the government is to be exercised by sound
Presbyterians, and such as for hereafter shall be owned by Presbyterian
Church Judicatories, _as such_; his Majesty thinks that the rule is too
general, depending as to its application upon the opinions of particular
men; and therefore he desires that what is said to be the meaning of the
rule in the reasons sent to him, may be expressed in the Act, viz., That
such as shall subscribe to the Confession of Faith and Catechisms, and
are willing to submit to the government of the Church, as established by
law, being sober in their lives, sound in their doctrine, and qualified
with gifts for the ministry, shall be admitted to the government, and
his Majesty doth judge that the following Declaration might be a good
Test:--
I, A---- B---- do sincerely declare, and promise, that I will own
and submit to the present government of the Church, as it is now by
Law established in this Kingdom, and that I will heartily concur
with and under it, for the suppressing of sin and wickedness, the
promoting of piety, and the purging of the Church of all erroneous
and scandalous Ministers; and I do also assent and consent to the
Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, now
confirmed by Act of Parliament, as the Standard of the Protestant
religion in this Kingdom.
... 5th, As to what concerns the meeting of Synods and General
Assemblies, his Majesty is willing that it should be enacted, that they
meet at such and such times of the year, and as often as shall be judged
necessary, provided always, that they apply to him or his Privy Council
to know if there be any inconveniency as to public affairs in their
meeting at such times, and have his allowance accordingly; and that in
all their General Assemblies, a Commissioner in the name of his Majesty
be there present, to the end, that nothing may be proposed, but what
merely concerns the Church; and in case anything relating to the Civil
government, or that is prejudicial to it, should be there proposed or
debated, the said Commissioner may give a stop to it, till he has
acquainted the Privy Council, and received their direction in it.
6th, Whereas it is desired to be enacted, that the parishes of those
thrust out by the people in the beginning of this Revolution be declared
Vacant upon this reason, _because they were put upon congregations
without their consent_, his Majesty desires it may be so expressed, as
may be consistent with the rights of Patrons, which he thinks he hath
the more reason to desire, because in the reasons sent up with the Act,
it seems to be acknowledged that this procedure is Extraordinary, and
not to be drawn into consequence....
His Majesties resolution to be candid and above board in what he does,
and his desire, that what is now granted by him to the Church may not be
uneasie to him afterwards, do incline him to have the above-mentioned
amendments in the Act.
It is his Majesties desire, that such as are of the Episcopal persuasion
in Scotland have the same Indulgence that Dissenters have in England,
provided they give security to live peaceably under the Government, and
take the Oath of Allegiance.