it was commandit and ordained, that everie Presbyterie within this
kingdome should have had a care that their parochinies sould have beene
furnished and provydit, betwixt and pasche last, with twa of the buikes
appointed to be universallie receaued throughout this kingdome, for
the publict forme of Service in the worship of God, as in the act and
proclamation made to this effect at lenth is conteinit. Quhairunto,
altho’ great numbers of the ministrie of best learning and soundest
judgement and gifts, hes given dewtiefull obedience, and hes conformed
thameselffes to his Maiesties royall will and pleasure in this point,
yitt there is some others of the ministrie who, out of curiositie
and singularitie, refuse to receaue and embrace the said booke, and
does what in thame lyes to foster and enterteyny destractioun and
troubles in the Kirk, to the disturbing of the publict peace thereof,
without remeid be provydit; Thairfore, the saids Lords ordains this
to be direct, charging the whole Presbyters and Ministeris within
this kingdome, That they and euery ane of thaime provide and furnishe
themselffes, for the use of thair Parishes, with twa of the saids
bookes of publict formes, or commoun prayer, within fyfteine dayes next
after the charge, vnder the paine of rebellion and putting of thaime to
the horne; and if they faillie, to denunce, &c. and to escheet, &c.
* * * * *
1637—July 28.
6. _Act anent Seruice Bookes._[30]
Apud Edinburgh, 28 July 1637.
Chancellor. Dumfries. B. Ros.
Thesaurer. L. Lorne. B. Brechin.
Glasgow. L. Alexander. L. Deskford.
Priuie Seale. B. Edinburgh. L. Naper.
Winton. B. Gallaway. Clerk-Regʳ.
Wigton. B. Aberdeen. Justice-Genᵃˡˡ.
Kinghorne. B. Murray. Deputie-Treasʳ.
The Court of Secret Counsell having heard the Prouest and Bailleis of
Edʳ tuiching the proposition made be thaime, and course takin conforme
thereto, for a peaceable exercise of the service-booke, and securitie
of the personis imployed, or who sall be present and assist at the
pratise thairof; the Lords ordains the Provest and bailleis to advyse
amongs thaimselffs anent ane obligatorie act to be given be the toun
for the reall performance there, so that they sall undertake in the
bussines aboue mentioned, and allowes thaime to publishe, by touck of
drwm, the ordars to be established be thame for keeping of thair toune
in peace and quyetnes, and preventing of all trouble and commotioun
within the same.
* * * * *
1637.—July 29.
7. _The Clergies’ Report anent the Seruice Booke._[31]
Apud Edʳ 29 July 1637, in the Chanʳˢ loodging—Sederunt.
Chanʳ. Kirghome. L. Deskford.
Theasʳ. L. Alexʳ. Clᵏ Regʳ.
Priuie Seal. B. Gallaway. Justice-Generall.
Glasgow. B. Abᵈ. Blackhall.
Wintown. B. Brechine.
The whilk day the Archbishop of Sᵗ Andrewes, Lord High Chanʳ of
this kingdome, for himselfe and in name of the remanent bishops,
reported to the Counsell, That, in regaird of the late trouble and
insurrection raised upon Sunday last, for opposing the service-booke,
and upon new emergent occasions and considerable respects, It was
thought fitt and expedient be thaime, that there should be a surcease
of the service-booke till his Maiestie sould signifie his pleasure
twiching the redresse and punishment of the authors and actors of that
disorderlie tumult, and that a course be sett down for the peaceable
exercise thairof, to the glorie of God, his Maiesties honour, and the
good of this Citie; and in the meane time, to the effect his Maiesties
good and loyall subjects be not defrauded of the comfort of the word,
the saids bishops had appointed and given order that, in the whole
churches of this Citie, sermon sall be made at the accustomed times,
by regular and obedient Ministers, and that a prayer sall be made
before and after sermon, and that neither the old seruice nor the
new established seruice, be vsed in this interim: Whiche report and
conclusion, takin be the saids bishops being heard be the Counsell,
they remitted to thaime to doe therein according to the power incumbent
unto thame in the dewtie of thair office.
* * * * *
1637.—August 4.
8. _His Maiesties Missive anent the uproare._[32]
Apud Edinburgh, 4 August 1637—Sederunt.
Chancellor. Ammondaill. B. Brechin.
Theasurer. Dumfries. Clerk Regʳ.
Glasgow. Southesk. Justice-Generall.
Priuie Seale. L. Lorne. Depute-Treasʳ.
Winton. L. Alexander. Aduocat.
Wigton. B. Edinburgh. S.R. Gordon.
Kinghorne. B. Gallaway.
The whilk day, the Missive Letter underwrittin, signed be the Kings
Maiestie, and produceit to the Lords of Priuie Counsell, was presented
to the saids lords, and read in thair audience, of the qˡᵏ the tennor
followes: CHARLES R. Right reverend father in God, and right trustie
and weil-belouit cousines and counsellors, and right trustie and
weilbelouit Counselors, and weil-belouit, We greit yow weill. Having
vnderstood that, in the churche upon Sunday last, when the forme
of divine seruice appointed to be receaued was begun to be read in
the churche, a number of rude and base people, did rise and behave
thaimselffes in a most tumultuarie manner, both within and without the
churche, as We doe not doubt, but hath beene particularlie made knowne
to yow all, whiche is so barbarous, disorderlie, and evil, both in
it selfe, and by the example, that it doeth deserve to be severelie
punished: It is our pleasure, that yow use yowr best endeavours to
examine, who ar authors or actors in that mutenie, and that yow
faile not to punishe them that sall be found guiltie thairof, as yow
sall find thaime to deserve; and lykeways that you communicat with
the clergie, by strengthening thaime in that whiche our authoritie
conferred upon yow, may contribute unto thaime for setling the said
forme of divine service, both in the said toun and other parts, as they
frome time to time sall require your helpe, which we verie speciallie
expect frome yow, and so doe bid yow heartilie farewell, frome our
Mannor at Oatland, the 30 of July 1637. Whilk Missive being read,
heard, and considered be the saids Lords, and they advised therewith,
the Lords of Secret Counsell ordains the persons who ar delate guiltie
of the said mutinie, to be putt to the tryall and punishment.
* * * * *
1637.—August 5.
9. _Act anent Seruice Bookes._[33]
Apud Edinburgh 5. Augusti 1637. Sederunt.
Chancellor. Dumfries. Clerk-Regʳ.
Thesaurer. L. Alexander. Justice-Genᵃˡˡ.
Glasgow. B. Edinburgh. Deputie Treʳ.
Priuie Seale. B. Gallaway. Aduocat.
Wintown. B. Brechin. S. R. Gordoun.
Amondaill.
The qˡᵏ day the lords of the clergie hauing remonstrat to the lords of
Priuie Counsell, That for the glorie of God and more decent performance
of his divine seruice, and for securing the persons to be imployed for
officiating the same, That the toun Counsell of Edinburgh attend upon
and meit with the Bishop of Edʳ, and conferre and resolue with them
anent the conveniencie of time when the service shall begin, and what
the assurance to be giuen be thaim for indemnitie which these who sall
be imployed in the service; and, in the meane time, that the ministers
sall preache in the subsequent weeke upon the ordinar dayes, without
service, and choose pertinent texts for disposall of the peoples myndes
to ane heartie embracement of the service booke, and for cleering and
removall of all prejudices and mistakes that may be conceaved upon
or concerning the saids bookes: Which proposition being considert be
the saids Lords, and they finding thaire desire to be reasonable, and
being willing to contribute thair best assistance for strenthening
the clergie to settle the service booke, The Lords allows of their
proposition, and accordinglie ordains the provest and bailleis of Edinʳ
to meet with the Bishop of Edinʳ, and to joyne and concurre with him
in all and euerie thing that may concerne the provyding of readers for
the same, and preparing of all things necessar and belonging thereto,
and that they give assurance for indemnitie of the Church ministers,
and peaceable behaviour of the inhabitants within thair citie: Quhilks
intimation wes made to Andro Ainslie and Johne Smith, bailleis of
Edinburgh, whame the Lords required to signifie their ordinance to
the toun Counsell, and to make report to the Bishop of Edinʳ of thair
diligence, and what thay will undertake and be ansrable for with all
convenience.
The Lords of Secret Counsell having heard the request of the most pairt
of the clergie present, that the service bookes cannot be orderlie usit
in the Kirks of Edinʳ the morne, the saxt of this instant, for want
of a sufficient number of readers to officiat the same, and others
difficulties attending therein, and that the same cannot convenientlie
be done before Sunday come eight dayes; and the said Lords of the
Clergie having lykewise declared that they have resolved that the said
service shall begin upon Sunday come eight dayes, and from thenceforth
continew, and, withall, having desired that the toun Councill of Edʳ
be callit and order given to thame for the peaceable exercise of the
said seruice booke, and that the said Lords would interpone their
authoritie thairto; Which, being heard and considerit be the said
Lords, they allowed of the course taken be the clergie, and interponed
and interpons their authoritie to the same, and accordinglie callit for
Andro Ainslie and Johne Smith, bailleis of Edʳ, whome they required to
signifie this their ordinance to the Toun Counsell of Edinʳ, and to see
the dew performance and obedience of the same.
* * * * *
1637.—August 25.
10. _Extract Bill of Suspension for Alex. Henderson and Others._[34]
The 3 ministers that wer charged with thesse letters, wer Mr Alexander
Hendersone, minister of Leuchers; Mr James Bruce, minister at
Kingesbarnnes; and Mr George Hamiltone, minister at Newbirne. They for
themselues, and in name of the remanent ministers of the kingdome, did
suplicat, in all humility, the Lordes to grant to them a suspensione of
the said charge, for thesse followinge reassons:—
First, Becausse the said seruice booke is not warranted by the
authority of the generall assemblies, wich is the representatiue kirke
of this kingdome, and hath euer since the reformatione giuen directione
in matters of Gods worschipe, nor be aney acte of parliament (wich in
thinges of this kynd) hath euer beine thought necessarey by his Majesty
and estaites.
Secondlie, Becausse the liberties of the trew kirke, and the forme of
worschipe and religion receaued at the reformatione, and vniwersally
practissed sinsyne, is varranted by actes of generall assemblies, and
diuersse actes of parliament, 1567, and of the lait parliament, 1633.
Thridlie, The kirke of Scotland is ane independent kirke, and her auen
pastors should be most able to decerne and directe quhat doe best seime
our mesour of reformatione, and quhat may serue most for the good of
the people.
Fourtlie, It is not wnknowen to your Lordschipes, quhat disputing,
diuisione and trouble, hath beine in this kirke aboute some few of the
maney ceremonies contined in this booke, wich being examined, as wee
shall be redey at a competent tyme assigned by your Lordschipes to
shaw, will be found to depairt far from the worschipe and reformatione
of this kirke, and in poyntes most materiall for the kirke of Rome, for
hir hierarchie and doctrine, superstitione and idolatrie in worschipe,
tyranie in gouerniment and in wickednesse, eurey way als antechristian
now, as quhen it cam out of her.
Fyftlie, The people hath beine otherwayes taught by ws, and our
prædicessors in our places, euer since the reformatione; and so it
lickly they will be found, wnwilling to the change quheneuer they be
assayed, euen quhen ther pastors are willinge, in respecte quherof the
saides letters of horneinge, haill effecte and executione, aught to be
simpliciter suspendit in tyme coming.
_Deliverance thereon by Council._[35]
The Lords of secret counsaile, wnderstanding that ther hes beine a
grate mistaking in the letters and charges giuen out wpone the acte of
counsaell made anent the buying of the seruice bookes, The said Lords
for removing and clearing of all such simplie declares, that the saide
acte and letters extend allainerlie to the buying of the said bookes,
and no further. Giuen at Edinbrughe, 25 of Aguste, 1637.
* * * * *
1637.—August 25.
11. _Letter from the Privy Council to the King._[36]
MOST SACRED SOUERAINGE,
According to the warrand of your Maᵗⁱᵉˢ commandiment, wee haue beine
most willing and redey to giue all concurrence and assistance to the
Lordes of the clergie for the establishing of the seruice booke; and
notwithstanding of that barbarous tumulte, occasioned alenerlie (for
aney thing wee can learne) as zet, by a nomber of basse and rascally
people, wee wer werey hopefull that in a shorte tyme, without aney
furder trouble ore importunity to your Maiesty, to haue brought to
practisse, by hauing appoynted a meitting of counsaill wpone the 25 of
Aguste instant, in this extraordinarey tyme of vacance, expresly to
thinke wpone the best expediencies for aduancing that seruice booke,
wee fand ourselues far surpryssed by our expectation with the clamor
and feares of your Maiesties subiects, from diuersse pairts and corners
of the kingdome; and that euen from thesse quho hes hertofor otherwayes
liued in obedience and conformitey to your Maiesties lawes, both in
ecclesiasticall and ciuill bussines. And this wee fand to be ane matter
of so heighe ane consequences, in respecte of the generall grudge and
murmur of all sortes of people, for wrging of the practisse of the
seruice booke, as the lyke has not beine hard at aney tyme; zet wee dar
not delay it, nor conceile it from your Maiesty, not knowing quherwnto
the samen may tend, and quhat effecte it may produce. Nather dare wee
diue aney furder in the trayell of the causse of the saides feares and
remedies thereof, vntill it shall pleis your Maiestie, in the deipnes
of your judgement and royall wnderstanding, to prescryue the way,
after heiring of all particulars, ather by calling some of your Maᵗⁱᵉˢ
counsaile, or Lordes of the clergie, to your Maiesties auen presence;
to the effecte that ane coursse may be takin for pacefing the present
commotione, and establishing the said seruice booke, or otherwayes by
such meines as your Maiesty, in your auen grate wisdome, shall thinke
fitting. And wee haue appoynted the 20 of September for attending your
Maiesties pleasur theranent, quhilke wee humbley, as becomes faithfull
subiectes, and thosse quhom your Maiestiy hes honored with your royall
commandiments, will follow and obey; and so, with all our most humble
prayers for your Maiesties longe and prosperous rainge, wee humblie
kisse your royall handes, from Edinbrughe, 25 of Aguste, 1637.
Traqhaire,
Roxbrughe,
Perth,
Lauderdaill,
St Andrewes,
Morton,
Vigtone,
Southescke,
Alexander,
Naper,
Da: Edinbrughe,
Tho: Galloway,
Jo: Hay,
Ja: Carmichell,
Thomas Hope,
Jo: Hamilton.
* * * * *
1637.—August 27.
12. _Traquair’s Letter to the Marquis of Hamilton._[37]
MY NOBLE LORD,
At the meeting of the Council here at Edinburgh the 23th of this
instant, we found so much appearance of Trouble and Stir like to be
amongst people of all qualities and degrees, upon the urging of this
new Service-book, that we durst no longer forbear to acquaint his
Majesty therewith, and humbly to represent both our Fears, and our
opinions how to prevent the Danger; at least our opinions of the way
we would wish His Majesty should keep therein, or before he determine
what course to take for pacifying of the present Stir, or establishing
of the Service-book hereafter; wherein all I will presume to adde
to what the Council hath written, is to intreat your Lordship to
recommend to his Majesty, that if he be pleased to call to himself
any of the Clergie, he would make choice of some of them, of the
wisest and most calm Dispositions; for certainly some of the leading
men amongst them are so violent and forward, and many times without
ground or true judgment, that their want of right understanding how to
compass business of this nature and weight, does often breed us many
difficulties, and their rash and foolish Expressions, and sometimes
Attempts, both in private and publick, have bred such a Fear and
Jealousie in the hearts of many, that I am confident, if His Majesty
were rightly informed thereof, he would blame them, and justly think,
that from this and the like proceedings arises the ground of many
Mistakes amongst us. They complain that the former Ages have taken
from them many of their Rents, have robb’d them of their Power and
Jurisdiction, and even in the Church itself and Form of Gods Worship
have brought in some things that require Reformation: but as the deeds
of these Times, at least the beginnings thereof, were full of notour
and tumultuary disorder, so shall I never think it will prove for the
good either of Gods Service or the Kings, by the same ways or manner
of dealing to press to rectifie what was then done amiss. We have a
wise and judicious Master, who will (nor can) urge nothing in this
poor Kingdom, which may not be brought to pass to his contentment: and
I am most confident, if he shall be graciously pleased to hear his
faithful Servants inform him of the Truth, he shall direct that which
is just and right; and with the same assurance I dare promise him
Obedience. The interest your Lordship has in this poor Kingdom, but
more particularly the duty you owe to His Majesty, and the true respect
I know you have ever carried to His Majesties Honour, and the good of
his Service, makes me thus bold to acquaint your Lordship with this
business, which in good faith is by the folly and misgovernment of
some of our Clergie-men come to that height, that the like has not been
seen in this kingdom for a long time. But I hope your Lordship will
take in good part my true meaning, and ever construct favourably the
actions of
Your loving faithful Friend, and humble Servant,
Edinburgh, Aug. 27.
TRAQUAIR.
* * * * *
1637.—September 10.
13. _Letter from the King to the Privy Council._[38]
CHARLES Rˣ,
Rᵗ trustie and weill beloued, &c. Wee have considered your letter,
and wee find that our former directions haue produced werey shallow
effectes; nather doe you heirby propone aney new expedient, bot onlie
you desyre some of the clergie and layitie should be send for to
deall with ws therin, wiche wee conceaue not to be fitt; and by a
neidlesse noysse make it appeire, that ather wee have a werey slacke
counsaill, ore bad subiects, wich wee will neuer beleiue, hauing had
so good a prouffe of ther affectione heirtofor; bot rather wills,
that a sufficient number of you attend still at Edinbrughe, or neir
thereabout, during the vaccance tyme, till the seruice booke be
settled. And wee are not weill satisfied nather with you nor our
citty of Edinbrughe, that after the seruice wes read wpon the Sunday
afternoone, it should haue beine intermitted immediately therafter,
and that no delinquents that wer actores and accessories to that
insolence and ryotte committed in the tumult that day, wer aney wayes
censured, for terrifeinng of others from attempting the lyke; and it
doeth lykwayes seime werey strange wnto ws, that the ministers of
Edinbrughe hauing offred to begin the reeding of the seruice booke,
prowyding they were secured from iniurey, and releiued by our said
cittey of the said charge within a mounthe therafter, that the said
offer was not accepted and performed; and it is our pleasure that euery
bischope causse reid the said seruice booke within his auen dyocie, as
the Bischopes of Rosse and Dumblaine haue alredy done. As lykwayes you
causse warne our burrowes particularlie, that none of them make choysse
of any magistrats, but suche as they will anssuer for ther conformity.
So expectinge that you will extend the vttermost of your endewors, by
doing quhat is necessarey, and preuenting aney inconwenient that may
occur, that wee may haue a good compte with diligence, wee bid you
fairweill from our courte at Ottlandes, 10 Septem: 1637.
* * * * *
1637.—September 20.
14. _Act of Privy Council._[39]
Apud Edinbrughe, 20 Sept. 1637.
The quhilk day, the Lordes of secrett counsaill hauing hard and
considered his Maiesties missiue and directione to them, concerning
the seruice booke, the saides Lordes, for satisfaction of his royall
pleasure signified therein, nominatts, appoynts and ordaines the Lord
Chanceler, Thesaurer, the Earles of Vinton, Vigton, Southescke, the
Bischopes of Edinbrughe and Galloway, the Clercke Register, Iustice
Generall, Thesaurer Depute, Kinges Aduocat, Iustice Clerck, the Laird
of Blackhall, ore aney seuin of them; the Lord Chanceler and Lord
Thesaurer alwayes being tuo, not excluding aney of the 10, quho shall
be pleased to be present, to attend ore resorte heir in this vaccance
tyme, for performance of quhat his Maiesty, by his said letter,
hes committed to our caire; lykwayes the Lordes suspendes to giue
anssuer to ther petitione, giuen in this daye be noblemen, barons,
ministers, burroughes and comons, aganist the seruice booke, wntil
his Maiestie, after dew consideratione of the same shall signifie his
gratious pleasure thereanent, wherewith the saides petitioners shall
be tymeously acquainted; and quherof mentione was judicially made
to the Earles of Sutherland and Wymes, in name of the rest of the
petitioners, and for themselues. And wheras the Duck of Lennox, his
Grace, has beine ane eare and eye wittnes to all that was moued or
treatted off in consaile concerning that matter, and quho is presently
to repaire to his Maiesties royall courte; the saides Lordes intreattes
the Duckes Grace to remonstratt to his Maiestie the trew estait of the
bussines, with the maney pressing difficulties occuring therin; and to
sollicit his Maᵗⁱᵉˢ gratious resolution theranent; for wiche ordaines
tuo or three of the pryme persones, wich the counsaile shall make
choysse offe, with a roll and list of the rest, to be deliuered to the
Duckes Grace, to be represented by him to his Maiesty at his fitting
conuenience. Extractum, &c. sic subscribitur.
JA: PRYMROSE.
* * * * *
1637.—October 9.
15. _Letter from the King to the Privy Council._[40]
CHARLES Rˣ,
Rᵗ Reuerend Father in God, &c. Wee greett you weeill. Wee haue seine
the letter and petitions ze sent ws therwith, wiche wee thinke not fitt
to ansuer at this tyme, bot will doe it quhen wee shall thinke fitt;
and becausse wee are not resolued for the present quhen to doe it, wee
command you to dissolue the meitting of this counsaile day, in so far
as it does concerne this bussines; commanding them to repaire to ther
auen duellings, wnder paine of horning, excepte such persons as shall
make knowen to you just causse of stay, for ther particular affaires;
and it is our furder pleasur, that you take especiall caire, and wsse
your best endeuors, to find out and punishe the steires wpe of the lait
tumulte at Edinbrughe and Glasgow; and so we bid you hartly fairweell,
from our housse of Hampton Courte, 9 of October, 1637.
* * * * *
1637.—October 17.
16, 17, 18. _Acts of Council._[41]
Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.
Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Kings Majestie, upon divers good
respects and considerations, to give warrant and direction to the Lords
of his Majesties Privie Councell, for dissolving the meeting of this
Councell day, in so farre as concerneth matters of the Church: And that
everie one that hath come to attend this businesse, repaire to their
owne dwellings, except such persons as shall make knowne to the said
Lords of Councell just cause of stay for their particular affaires;
Therefore the said Lords, according to his Majesties speciall warrant
and direction sent unto them, have dissolved, and by the tenour hereof
doe dissolve the meeting of this Councell day, in so farre as concernes
the businesse above written; And ordaines a Maissar of Councell to
passe to the Mercate Crosse of Edinburgh, and to make publication
hereof; And to command everie one that hath come hither to attend this
businesse, to repaire home to their owne dwellings within 24. houres
after the publication hereof, except such persons as shall make knowne
to the said Lords just cause of their further particular affaires in
manner aforesaid, under the paine of Rebellion, and putting of them to
the Horne; with certification to them, that if they faile they shall be
denounced Rebels, and be put to the Horn, and all their moveable goods
escheat to his Majesties use.
Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.