_HU. KENNEDIE._ Moderator.
XV. _Instructions to the Commissions for Visitations on the South and
North sides of Tay._
The following Instructions to the Commission for Visitations on this side
of _Tay_, were Read in presence of the Assembly.
“1. That there be appointed by the Assembly, a Delegate number of the most
experienced Ministers and Elders. This number to be Forty Ministers, and
Twenty Ruling Elders, fifteen of them to a _Quorum_, ten of these being
alwayes Ministers; And that they at their first Session, Choose their
Moderator and Clerk; And for the Sub-committe betwixt the Quarterly
Meetings, nine to be the _Quorum_, six of these being alwayes Ministers.”
“2. That the Work of this Commission for Visitations be, to take to their
Cognizance all References, and Appeals, and other things, which being
stated before this Assembly, shall by them be specially Referred to the
said Commission, to determine the same.”
“3. That the Commission give their Opinion to all Presbyteries and Synods,
who shall apply to them for the same, in difficult Cases: and though
Presbyteries shall not apply, yet if the Commission shall be informed of
any Precipitant, or unwarrantable procedure of Presbyteries, in Processes,
which may prove of ill Consequence to the Church, The Commission shall
interpose their Advice, to such Presbyteries, to sift such procedure, till
either the Synod, or next General Assembly take Cognizance of it; if the
said Commission shall not find a present fit Expedient, to direct them,
for bringing the matter sooner to a Right Conclusion.”
“4. That in discussing References, Appeals and Bills, They take care to
purge out all, who upon due Tryal shall be found to be Insufficient,
supinely Negligent, Scandalous or Erroneous.”
“5. That this Commission shall have Power of Visiting any Ministers within
the Bounds of any Presbyteries, on this side of the Water of _Tay_, as
they shall find need: And that this Power Reach Presbyterians as well as
others.”
“6. That they shall be Careful, that none shall be admitted by them to
Ministerial Communion, or to a share of the Government; but such as upon
due Tryal (for which the Commission is to take a competent time) shall be
found to be Orthodox in their Doctrine, of Competent Abilities, having a
Pious, Godly, Loyal and Peaceable Conversation, as becometh a Minister of
the Gospel, of an Edifying Gift, and whom the Commission shall have ground
to believe, will be True and Faithful to God and the Government, and
diligent in their Ministerial Duties. And that all who shall be admitted
to the Ministry, or shall be received to a share in the Government, shall
be obliged to Own and Subscribe the _Confession of Faith_, and profess
their Submission to, and willingness to Joyn and Concur with the
Presbyterian Church-Government.”
“7. That they be very Cautions of receiving Informations, against the late
Conformists, and that they proceed in the matter of Censure, very
Deliberatly, so as none may have just cause to complain of their
Rigiditie: Yet so as to omit no means of Information. And that they shall
not proceed to censure, but upon Relevant Libels and sufficient
Probation.”
“8. That this Commission do not take on them, to meddle with any thing,
not expressed in their Commission: And that it be declared, that this
Commission is only given, _Ad hunc effectum & pro præsenti Ecclesiæ
statu_.”
“9. That this commission be in all their actings, Countable to, and
Censurable by the next Ensuing General Assembly.”
“10. That this commission continue till the first of _November_ next: and
in case the General Assembly Interveen; Then this Commission is to
Terminate at the meetting of the said Assembly.”
The General Assembly approves these Instructions, for the said Commission
for Visitations on the South-side of _Tay_: And ordains the same also to
serve for the Visitors that are to be appointed for the North.