Whereas Mr. _Thomas Lining_, Mr. _Alexander Schields_ and Mr. _William
Boyd_, have presented to this Assembly two Papers: One containing the
Expressions of their Purpose and Promise, of being subject to the
Authority of this Church, as formerly Constituted, and now Restored, in
its several Judicatories: The other Offered for the Exoneration of their
Consciences. Which Paper, containing their Submission and Subjection, did
after the exhibition of the other to the Assembly, Become Binding upon
them, according to the Promise therein made. Likeas, after that other and
longer Paper had been Read, before the Committee of Overtures, It was
exhibite to and received by the Assembly; together with the Reasons from
the said Committee why it should not be Publickly read in full Assembly.
Which Reasons being duely considered, and the said other Paper of
Submission and Subjection publickly Read, and Judicially Owned by the
forenamed Persons, in presence of the Assembly: The Assembly did conclude
by one single Vote, that the foresaid longer Paper should not be Read: And
that the above named Persons should be Received into the Fellowship of
this Church, on the Terms of Submission and Subjection contained in the
Shorter Paper: And after passing of the said Vote, and that they were
gravely Admonished by the Moderator to walk Orderly in time coming, in
Opposition to all Schisme and Division; It was declared to them, by the
Moderator, in the Name of the Assembly, That the Assembly did receive them
into the Fellowship of this Church, to enjoy the priviledges thereof, and
Perform the Duties therein, whereof they are, or shall be found Capable.
Whereupon, and at their desire, it was ordained that this Act should be
made; and an Extract thereof given to them in good Form. _Follows the
Tenour of the said shorter Paper._
_To the_ Moderator _and Remanent Members of the General Assembly of the
Church of_ Scotland.
_Right Reverend and Honourable,_
“With the greatest Earnestness of longing we have desired, and yet with a
Patience perhaps to excess, we have waited, for an Opportunity, to bring
our unhappy Differences (of which, all Parties concerned are weary) to a
Happy and Holy close; And for this end to have access to apply our selves
to a full and free General Assembly of this Church, invested with
Authority and Power, _in foro Divino & Humano,_ to Determine and Cognosce
upon them. The want of which an Assembly constitute in that vigour, to
which through the Mercy of God, This Venerable National Synod hath
arrived, hath been the greatest let and impediment of our composing these
Differences, in a way, wherein not only we, but all of the same Sentiments
would acquiesce. Now having obtained this much longed, and long Prayed for
priviledge; We cannot forbear any longer, humbly, to Accost and Address
this Venerable Assembly, with a free and Ingenuous Representation of our
Minds and Desires. The scope of which is, to Represent these things, which
have been most stumbling to us, for the exoneration of our Consciences;
and to declare our Design, after we have exhibited our Testimony against
these Courses, which we understand to have been Corruptions and Defections
in this Church, And laid it down at the Assemblies feet, to be disposed
of, as their Wisdoms shall think fit: That we shall in all Required
Submission, Subject our Selves, our Lives and Doctrine, to the Cognizance
of the Judicatories of this Church, and shall equally oppose Schism and
Defection, in any Capacity, that we shall be found Capable of. And here by
these presents, we bind and oblige our selves Faithfully, to live in
Union, Communion and intire Subjection, and due Obedience in the Lord, to
the Authority of this Church in her Respective Judicatories: As witness
our Hands at _Edinburgh_ the 22 day of _October_ 1690.”
_Thomas Lining._
_ Alexander Shields,_
_ William Boyd._
Edinburgh 28 of October 1690. _Ante Meridiem,_ Sess. 11.
VI. _Act anent Ministers that observe not the publick Orders of the
Church._
The Assembly Recommends it to Presbyteries, to take Notice of all
Ministers, within their Bounds, whether the late Conforming Incumbents, or
others, who shall not observe Fasts and Thanksgivings, Indicted by the
Church: Or who shall be found Guilty, of any other Irregular Carriage, in
administrating the Sacraments in private, or Celebrating Clandestine
Marriages, without due Proclamation of Bans: And to censure them
accordingly.
Edinburgh 29 October 1690. _Ante Meridiem,_ Sess. 12.