_1. Let ignorant and scandalous Persons be put off, and kept off Kirk
Sessions._
_2. Let every Elder have a certain bounds assigned to him that he may
visit the same every moneth at least, and report to the Session what
scandals and abuses are therein, or what persons have entered without
Testimonials._
_3. Let all scandalous persons be suspended from the Lords Supper._
_4. Let the Minister deal in private with them that are professing publick
Repentance before the Elder of the bounds, thus to try the evidence of
their Repentance._
_5. Let these who have fallen in Fornication make publick profession of
Repentance three several Sabbaths, who is guilty of relapse in Fornication
six Sabbaths, who is guilty of relapse in Fornication, or hath once fallen
in Adultery, 26. Sabbaths, and these sins to be confessed both in one_
viz. _in Sackcloth, Quadrilapse in Fornication and relapse in Adultery,
three quarters of a Year, Incest or Murder a Year, or 52. Sabbaths, in
case the Magistrate do not his duty in punishing such crimes capitally;
They that fall in Fornication or relapses therein, are first to confesse
their Sin before the Session, and thereafter before the Congregation; They
that are guilty of greater degrees of that Sin and of the other Sins
mentioned in this Article, are to confess their Sin both before the
Session & Presbyterie, and there to shew some signes of Repentance before
they be brought to the Congregation._
_6. Some are to be rebuked at the time of Catechising, who deserve more
nor a privase reproof, and yet needs not to be brought to publick
Repentance._
_7. It will be a good remedie against Sabbath-breaking by Carriers and
Travellers, That the Ministers where they dwell cause them to bring
Testimonials from the place where they rested on these Lords dayes wherein
they were from home._
_8. Let all Persons who flit from one Paroch to another have sufficient
Testimonials, This is to be extended to all Gentlemen and Persons of
quality and all their followers, who come to reside with their Families
at_ Edinburgh, _or elswhere, and let the Minister from whom they flit,
advertise the Minister to whom they flit, if (to his knowledge) they be
lying under any scandal._
_9. Let Ministers be free with Persons of quality for amendment of their
faults, and (if need shall be) let them take help thereto of some of the
Brethren of the Presbyterie._
_10. Let the Presbyteries take special notice of Ministers who do converse
frequently and familiarly with Malignants, and with scandalous and
prophane Persons, especially such as belongs to other Paroches._
_11. Let privie Censures of Presbyteries and Synods be performed with more
Accuracie, Diligence and Zeal._
_12. For better keeping of the Sabbath, let every Elder take notice of
such as are within his bounds, how they keep the __ Kirk, how the time is
spent before, betwixt, and after the time of publick Worship._
_13. Let no Minister resort to any Excommunicate person without licence
from the Presbyterie_ nisi in extremis, _and let Ministers take special
notice of such persons as haunt with Excommunicants, and processe them._
_14. Frequent correspondence betwixt presbyteries is a good remedie._
_15. At the visitation of each Congregation, let the Session Book be well
visited, and for that effect, let it be delivered to two or three Brethren
seven or eight dayes before the visitation, that their report of it may be
in readinesse against the Day of Visitation._
The Assembly allows of all these Overtures and Remedies of the Sins of the
Land; And Ordains all of them to be carefully and conscionably put in
practise.
_Act for examining the Paraphrase of the Psalms and other Scripturall
Songs._
The Generall Assembly Appoints _Rouse_ Paraphrase of the Psalms, with the
corrections thereof now given in by the persons appointed by the last
Assembly for that purpose, to be sent to Presbyteries, That they may
carefully revise and examine the same, and thereafter send them with their
corrections to the Commission of this Assembly to be appointed for publick
affairs, Who are to have a care to cause reexamine the Animadversions of
Presbyteries, and prepare a report to the next Generall Assembly;
Intimating hereby, That if Presbyteries be negligent hereof the next
General Assembly is to go on & take the same Paraphrase to their
consideration without more delay: And the Assembly Recommends to Master
_John Adamson_ and Mr. _Thomas Crafurd_ to revise the Labours of Mr.
_Zachary Boyd_ upon the other Scripturall Songs, and to prepare a report
thereof to the said Commission for publick affairs, That after their
examination, the same may be also reported to the next Generall Assembly.
_Overtures concerning Papists, their children, and Excommunicate Persons._
The Generall Assembly considering the manifold inconveniences that follow
upon the sending of the children of Noblemen and others of quality to
Forraign Countries wherein Popery is professed, especially that thereby
such children are in perill to be corrupted with Popery, and so corrupt
these Families and Persons to which they belong, whereby that wicked root
of damnable Idolatry, Errour and Heresie may again be occasioned to spring
up and trouble many, and provoke the most High GOD to wrath, and to cause
his Majestie leave this Land to strong delusions to believe lies;
Therefore They Do in the name of GOD, Charge and Require all the
Presbyteries of this Kingdom to observe and practice the Rules and
Directions which are made in former Generall Assemblies for preventing of
the said fearfull inconveniences, and namely the Overtures against
Papists, non-Communicants, and Profaners of the Sabbath approven in the
Generall Assembly held at St. _Andrews_ in the year of God, 1642. and the
Act anent children sent without the Kingdom made in the Generall Assembly
at _Edinburgh, Anno 1646._ And that they use all diligence for putting in
execution the Acts of Parliament and secret Councell made against Papists
& Excommunicate Persons; And that they register their diligences
thereanent in their Presbyterie Booke which are summarily to be recorded
in the Synod Books from time to time, That the Generall Assembly may see
how these laudable Acts are put in execution, which here are presented
with some necessary additions in one view.
1. That every Presbyterie give a List of all Excommunicate Papists they
know to be within their bounds to the Commissioners of the Generall
Assembly, and of all Papists; yea of them also who professe to have
renounced Popery, but yet have their children educated abroad, with the
names of these children that are abroad, according to the fifth Overture
of the Generall Assembly, 1642.
2. That every Presbyterie conveen at their first meeting all known Papists
within their bounds, and such as having professed to renounce Popery have
their children abroad, and cause them finde sufficient caution for
bringing home within three moneths such of their children as are without
the Kingdom; to be educated in Schools and Colledges at the Presbyteries
sight if they be Minors; and to be wrought upon by gracious conference, &
other means of instruction to be reclaimed from Popery if they be come to
perfect age.
3. The Parents, Tutors or Frinds of Children and Minors shall, before they
send them without the Kingdom, first acquaint the Presbyterie where they
reside, that they may have their Testimoniall directed to the Presbyterie
or Classe within the Kingdom or Dominion beyond Seas whither they intend
to send their Children; And at the time of these Childrens return, that
they report a Testimoniall from the Presbyterie or Synod where they lived
without the Kingdom, to the Presbyterie who gave them a Testimonial at
their going away, according to the Act anent Children sent without the
Kingdom _Anno 1646._
4. That all Presbyteries give the names of such Pædagogs as were abroad
with the children of Noblemen within there bounds, and diligently enquire
whether these Pædagogs do continue stedfast in the true Religion, and
continue in their service, or whither these Pædagogs do either become
corrupt in Religion, or (continuing constant) are removed from their
charge and by whom they are removed, and that they signifie these things
to the Generall Assembly from time to time or their Commissioners, That
they may represent the same to the High Court of Parliament, Lords of
secret Counsell or Committe of Estates, for such remedie as shall seem
expedient to their Honours, for preventing of and purging the land from
the plague of Idolatrie.
5. That such Parents, Tutors or Friends as either send away Children to
forraign parts infected with Idolatry without such Testimonialls as
aforesaid, or do not recall them who are already abroad within such time
as is above prefixed, or do remove from them their Protestant Pædagogs
(that they may the more easily be infected with Popery) be processed and
in case of not amending these things, be Excommunicated.
6. That the names of such as are Excommunicated for these or any other
causes, be sent in to the Generall Assembly from year to year, that (from
thence) their names may be notified in all the Kingdom, and that the Acts
of Parliament and secret Counsell may be put to execution against them,
and all diligence used for that effect; and that by the effectuall dealing
of the Generall Assembly, with the Parliament, Lords of secret Counsell,
or Committee of Estates, their Lordships may Enact such further, just and
severe civill Punishment on such Excommunicants for Terror to others, as
shall be found necessary for purging this Covenanted Land from all
Abominations.
Because persons addicted to Idolatry will use all means for their own
hardening in their Superstitious and Idolatrous way, even within the
Countrey; Therefore all known Papists, or persons suspect of Poperie upon
probable grounds are to finde Caution before their Presbyteries, for their
abstinence from Masse, and from the Company of all Jesuits, and Priests
according to the second Overture against Papists, made _Anno 1642._ Also
Presbyteries are to presse them to finde such Caution; And to observe what
persons put their Sons or Daughters to such Families as are tainted with
Popery within the Land, the same being a speciall mean to corrupt them
with Idolatry, And to cause such Parents recall their Children, or else
proceed with the Censures of the Kirk against them.
All which Overtures, Presbyteries are seriously required and Ordained to
observe diligently with Certification, That they shall be severely
censured, If they shall be found remisse or negligent in any of these
points, which are so necessary for keeping of the Lords House and People
unpoluted with Error, Idolatry, or Superstition.
Aug. 11. 1648 _Antemeridiem,_ Sess. 39.
_Act for prosecuting the Treaty for the Uniformity in Religion in the
Kingdom of England._
The Generall Assembly, Taking to their consideration that the Treaty of
Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions is not yet
perfected; Therefore, Renews the power and Commission granted by
preceeding Assemblies for prosecuting that Treaty unto these Persons
after-named _viz._ Mr _Robert Douglas_, Mr _Samuel Rutherford_, Mr _Robert
Baillie_, Mr _George Gillespie_, Ministers. And _John Earle of_ Cassils,
_John Lord Balmerinoch_, and Sir. _Arch. Johnston of Wariston_ Elders;
Authorizing them with full power to prosecute the said Treaty of
Uniformity with the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of _England_, and
the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or any Committees Appointed by
them: And to do all and every thing which may advance, perfect, and bring
that Treaty to an happie conclusion, conform to the Commissions given
thereanent.
_Act Renewing the Commission for the publick Affairs of this Kirk._
The Generall Assembly Taking to their consideration, that in respect the
great work of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions is not
yet perfected (though by the Lords blessing there is a good progress made
in the same) There is a necessity of renewing the Commissions granted
formerly for prosecuting and perfecting that great Work; Do therefore
Renew the Power and Commission granted for the Publick Affairs of the Kirk
by the Generall Assemblies held at Saint _Andrews_, 1642. and at
_Edinburgh_ 1643. 1644. 1645. 1646. and 1647. unto the persons following
_viz_ Masters, _John Lawder, Andrew Wood, David Calderwood, Robert Ker,
John Mackghie, John Knox, John Sinclar, John Adamson, Robert Dowglas,
George Gillespie, James Hamiltoun, Mungo Law, John Smith, Robert Lawrie,
George Lesly, John Weir, Robert Eliot, Alexander Dickson, Patrick
Fleeming, Thomas Vassie, Ephraim Melvil, Hew Kennedie, Kenneth Logie,
Alexander Levistoun, George Bennet, David Weems, William Row, Robert
Young, William Menzies, John Friebaine, John Givan, Harie Guthrie, Andrew
Rind, David Auchterlony, Samuel Ousteen, Thomas Henderson, Charles
Archibald, Andrew Lawder, John Leviston, John Macklellan, Alexander
Turnbull, William Fullerton, George Hutcheson, John Genell, Patrick
Colvill, James Ferguson, Hew Peebles, John Hamiltoun, Alexander Dunlope,
David Elphiston, David Dickson, Robert Baillie, Robert Ramsay, Patrick
Gillespie, Patrick Sharpe, James Nasunth, John Home, Evan Camron, Robert
Blair, Samuel Rutherfurd, David Forret, Robert Traill, Andrew Bennett,
Walter Greg, John Macgill younger, John Moncreiff, Fredrick Carmichael,
John Chalmers, John Duncan, Andrew Donaldson, Will Oliphant, George
Simmer, Andrew Affleck, Arthur Granger, David Strachen, Andrew Cant, John
Rex, John Paterson, Alexander Cant, John Young, John Seaton, David
Lindsay_ at Bethelvie, _Nothaniel Martine, John Annand, William Falconer,
Joseph Brodie, Alexander Summer, William Chalmer, Gilbert Anderson, David
Rosse, George Gray, Robert Knox, William Penman, James Guthrie, Thomas
Donaldson, William Jameson, Thomas Wilkie, James Ker, John Knox, Andrew
Dunkanson_ Ministers: _Archibald_ Marques of Argyle, _Alexander_ Earle of
Eglintoun, _John_ Earle of Cassils. _William_ Earle of Lothian,
_Archibald_ Lord Angus, _William_ Lord Borthwick, _John_ Lord Torphichen,
_John_ Lord Balmerino, _Robert_ Lord Burly, _James_ Lord Couper, Lord
Kilcudbright, _Alexander_ Lord Elcho, Sir _Archibald Johnstoun_ of
Wariston. Sir _John Hope_ of Craighall, _Arthur Erskin_ of Scotskraig, Sir
_John Moncreiff_ of that Ilk, _Boaton_ of Creigh, Sir _John Wauchhope_ of
Midrie, Sir _Thomas Ruthven_ of Frieland, Sir _George Maxwell_ of
Netherpollock, Sir _James Fraser_ of Brae, Sir _James Hackact_ of Pitfirn,
Sir _William Carmichaell_ younger of that ilk, _Walter Dundas_ younger of
that ilk, _Thomas Craig_ of Ricarton, Mr _George Winrain_ of Liberton, Sir
_Alexander Ingils_ of Ingilston, _Alexander Brodie_ of that ilk, _Forbes_
of Eight, _Will. More_ of Glanderston, _John Ker_ of Lochtour, _Alex
Pringill_ of Whitbanck, _Walter Scot_ of Whitstyid, _John Crafurd_ of
Crafurdland, Sir _John Chisly_ of Carswell, _Robert Monroe_ of Obsteall,
_Cornwall_ of Bonhard, _George Dundas_ of Dudingston, Sir _James Stewart_
of Kirkfield, _Alexander Colvil_ of the Blair, Mr _Alex. Petrson_, Mr
_Robert Burnet_ younger, Mr _Thomas Murray, George Potterfield,_ Mr _James
Campbell, James Hamilton, Lawrence Henderson,_ Mr _Robert Barcclay_, Mr
_William More, William Glendoning_ Doctor, _Douglas, James Sword, Gideon
Lack_, Mr _Dongall Campbell, John Besrall, John Brown, William Brown,
Robert Brown_, and _William Russel_, Elders: Giving unto them full Power
and Commission, to do all and every thing for preservation of the
Established Doctrine, Discipline, Worship and Government of this Kirk,
against all who shall endeavour to introduce any thing contrary thereunto,
and for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting & bringing the said Work of
Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions to a happy
conclusion, conform to the former Commissions granted by proceeding
Assemblies thereanent, And to that effect Appoints them, or any seventeen
of them, whereof thirteen shall be Ministers to meet here in this City to
morrow the 12. of this Moneth, And thereafter upon the last Wednesday of
_November, February_, and _May_ next, and upon any other day, and in any
other place they shall think fit. Renewing also to the persons before
named the power contained in the Act of the Assembly 1643. Intituled, A
_Reference to the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the
Kingdom of England._ And further, incase Delinquents have no constant
residence in any one Presbyterie, or if Presbyteries be negligent or
overawed, in these cases, The Assembly gives to the persons before named,
such power of censuring complyers and persons disaffected to the Covenant
according to the Acts of the Assembly, declaring alwayes and providing,
that Ministers shall not be deposed, but in one of the quarterly meetings
of this Commission, And further Authorises them as formerly with full
power to make Supplications, Remonstrances, Declarations & Warnings to
Indict Fasts & Thanksgivings as there shall be cause to Protest against
all encroachments upon the Liberties of the Kirk, and to censure all such
as interupt this Commission or any other Church Judicatory, or the
execution of their Censures or of any other Sentences or Acts, issuing
from them, And with full power to them to treat and determine in the
matters referred unto them by this Assembly, as fully and freely as if the
same were here fully expressed, and with as ample power as any Commission
of any former Generall Assemblies hath had or been in use of before:
Declaring also that all opposers of the authority of this Commission in
matters intrusted to them shall be holden as opposers of the authority of
the Generall Assembly, And this Commission in their whole proceedings are
comptable to, and censurable by the next General Assembly.
August 11. 1643. _Postmeridiem,_ Sess. 40.
_Exemption of_ Murray, Rosse, _and_ Caithnesse _from the contribution
granted to the boyes of_ Argyle, _with a Recommendation to Presbyteries,
to make up what is taken of them by that exemption._
Concerning the overtture and desire of the Commissioners of the
Presbyteries of _Murray_, _Rosse_, and _Caithnesse_ for an exemption from
that contribution of fourty shillings recommended for entertainment of the
_Irish_ boyes in _Argyle_; The Assembly having considered thereof, and of
their offer in the the name of the said Presbyteries, if that exemption be
granted, Do Approve their offer, And Therefore hereby Exoners the said
Presbyteries of the said contribution of fourty shillings toward the
entertainment of the boyes in _Argyle_, And Ordains for that exemption
according to the offer of their said Commissioners, that each Presbyterie
of the said Provinces entertaine one of the _Irish_ language at Schooles,
and if any be found already fit for Colledges, they shall maintain them at
Philosophie, and so forward, untill they be fit for the Ministery: And
Because by this exemption the contribution for the boyes in _Argyle_ will
be so much lessened. Therefore the Assembly Recommends to all other
Presbyteries to think upon some way how by the charitable Supply that may
be made up unto them.
_Act concerning Collection for the Poor._
The Assembly Understanding that the collection for the poor in some Kirks
in the Countrey, are taken in the time of Divine Service, which being, a
very great and unseemly disturbance of Divine Worship Do therefore hereby
Inhibit and discharge the same. And ordains that the Minister and Session
appoint some other way and time for receiving the said Collections.
_Recommendation for securing provisions to Ministers in Burghs._
In regard that the stipends of many Ministers in Burghs are not secured
unto them and their successors; Therefore the Assembly Do seriously
Recommend to the Honourable Commission of Parliament for planting of
Kirks, to provide reall and valide security of competent and honest meanes
to the present Ministers of Burghs and their successors; where they are
not sufficiently provided or secured already; Ordaining Presbyteries to
use all necessary diligence for prosecuting thereof before the said
Commission for planting Kirks.
_The Humble Supplication of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of_
Scotland, _met at_ Edinburg August 12 _unto the Kings Most Excellent
Majeste._
Albeit your Majestie through the suggestions of evil men, may haply
entertain hard thoughts of us and our Proceedings, yet the Searcher of
hearts knowes, and our consciences bear record unto us, that we bear in
our spirits these humble and duitifull respects to your Majestie, that
loyall subjects owe to their native Soveraigne, and that it would be one
of our greatest contentments upon earth, to see your Majestie reigning for
the LORD, in Righteousnesse and Peace over these Nations: And therefore as
we do bow our knees daily before the Throne of Grace on your behalf, and
the behalf of your Posterity; So we finde our selves as heretofore,
obliged faithfully and freely to warn your Majestie of your danger and
dutie; Wishing, and hoping that the Lord will incline your Royall heart,
from the sence of the evil which hath befallen You, through the slighting
of former Warning, to be more attentive unto this. We are very sensible of
your Majesties suffering, and low condition, and do not in the least
measure approve but from our hearts abhorre any thing that hath been done
to your Majesties Person, contrary to the common resolutions of both
Kingdoms: Yet it shall be your Majesties wisdom, in this as in all that
hath befallen you these years past, to read the righteous hand of the
Lord, writing bitter things against you, as for all your Provocations, so
especially for resisting his Work, and authorising by your Commissions the
shedding of the blood of his People, for which it is high time to repent,
that there be no more wrath against you and your Realms.
The Commission of the preceding Assembly, whose proceedings are
unanimously approven by this Assembly, Having read your Majesties Letter
of the date at _Carisbrook_ Castle, _December 27._ And perused your
Concessions, did finde some of these Concessions destructive to the
Covenant, and all or them unsatisfactorie, and did therefore emit a
Declaration concerning the same, least your Majesties Subjects in this
Kingdom should have unawares imbarked themselves in an Engagement upon
grounds not consisting with the good of Religion, and the Solemn League
and Covenant. For preventing whereof, they did also present most just and
necessary desires unto the high and Honourable Court of Parliament of this
Kingdom; which, if they had been granted, might have through the Blessing
of God, either procured (upon Treaty) your Majesties re-establishment, and
a solide Peace, or laid open the expedience and necessity of a lawfull
War, and have united this Kingdom therein for the good of Religion, of
your Majestie, and of your Kingdoms. When the Parliament was pleased
without satisfaction to any of these desires, to go on towards the
determining of a War upon the grounds contained in their Declaration, As
many of their own Members who have been faithfull in the Cause of GOD from
the beginning, did dissent from their preceedings, so most of all the
Presbyteries and Synods of this Kingdom, and the Committees of War in
severall Shires did by humble Supplication represent to the Parliament,
how unsatisfied they were in their consciences concerning the present
Engagement: Notwithstanding of all which, the Engagement hath been carried
on without clearing either of the lawfulnesse or necessity thereof.
Therefore, We having now examined the same by the Rule of Gods Word, and
having found it unlawfull, as we have warned the whole Kingdom of the
danger thereof, So we hold it our Duty also to warne your Majestie as the
Servants of the most High GOD, and in Name of the Lord _Jesus Christ_, who
must Judge the quick and dead, Earnestly beseeching your Majestie that as
ye would not draw new guilt upon your Majesties Throne, and make these
Kingdoms again a field of Blood, you would be far from owning or having
any hand in this so unlawfull an Engagement; Which as it hath already been
the cause of so much sorrow and many sufferings to the People of God in
this Land, who choose affliction rather then sin, So it tendeth to the
undoing of the Covenant and Work of Reformation: As we do not oppose the
restitution of your Majestie to the exercise of your Royall Power; So we
must needs desire that that which is GODS be given unto Him in the first
place, and that Religion may be secured before the setling of any humane
interest; Being confident that this way is not only most for the Honour of
GOD, but also for your Majesties Honor and Safety. And therefore as it was
one of our Desires to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament that
they would solicitie your Majestie for securing of Religion, and
establishing the Solemn League and Covenant in all your Dominions, that
your Majestie might know what they intend on your behalf was with a
subordination to Religion; So we do now from our selves make this humble
address unto your Majestie, intreating your Majestie as you tender Truth
and Peace, you would be pleased to suffer your self to be possessed with
right thoughts of the League and Covenant, and of the proceedings of your
Majesties loyall Subjects in relation thereunto, and give your Royall
assent for injoyning of it in all your Dominions. If your Majestie had
been pleased to hearken to our Counsell heranent some years ago, the blood
of many thousands, which now lyes upon your Majesties Throne, might have
been spared, Popery, Prelacy, Idolatry, Superstition, Profanesse, Heresie,
Error, Sects, and Schismes which are now grown to so great a height in
_England_, might have been extirpate, and your Majestie sitting in Peace
in your own House, Reigning over your Subjects with much mutuall
contentment and confidence. And if your Majestie shall yet search out and
repent of all your secret and open Sins, And after so many dear-bought
experiences of the danger of evill Counsell, be now so wise as to avoid
it, and to hearken to us speaking unto you in the Name of the Lord, We are
confident by this means your Majestie may yet be restored, and a sure and
firme peace procured. We take it as a great mercy, and as a door of hope,
that God still inclines the hearts of all his Servants to pray for your
Majestie; And we would not have your Majestie to look upon it as a light
thing, that you have been preserved alive, when many thousands have by
your means and procurement fallen on your right hand and on your left
hand. God forbid that your Majestie should any longer dispise the word of
exhortation, the riches of his goodnesse, forbearance and long suffering,
not knowing that the goodnesse of God leads you unto Repentance; For if
your Majestie do so, As we are afraid, all Counsels and Endeavours for
your Majesties re-establishment shall be in vain and without successe,
because of the Wrath of the Lord of Hosts, who brings down the mighty from
his Throne, and scatters the proud in the imaginations of their hearts; So
we shall mourn in secret for it, and for all the miseries that are like to
come upon your Throne and your Dominions, and comfort our selves, in this,
that we have delivered our own souls. But we desire to hope better things,
and that your Majestie will humble your self under the mighty hand of God,
and be inclined to hearken to the faithfull advise of his Servants, be
willing to secure Religion, and imploy your Royall Power for advancing the
Kingdom of the Son of God, which will turn as well to the Honour and
Happinesse of your Majesties as to the Peace and Safety of your Subjects.