of their Acts, there wer two fasts appoynted, to seik Gods direction
therein—the ane 26 April 1577, and the [other] 1578. Then all the
Acts of the Assemblies, clearing the meaning of the Kirk of Scotland,
concerning Episcopacie in the year 1580, 1581, wer red by the Clerk.
Then the Moderatour desyred to read the Act of Counsell 22ᵈ of
September 1638, in which Act his Majesties Commissioner and Lords of
Counsell declared, that they subscryved the Confession of Faith, as it
was professed and established in the forsaids years 1580, 1581. Then
there was a Letter, in Latine, writtine to some of our divines by the
Kirk of Helvetia, red by the Moderatour, giving approbation to the
Confession of this Kirk, and showing their opinion in the poynt about
Episcopacie, wherein they declaired it to be but humane consuetude
that appoynted the prioritie of Pastors above Pastors, and that divine
institutione had only appoynted a paritie among Ministers.
Then the Clerk said—It is evident that, in all their Assemblies, the
abrogation of Episcopacie, the establishing of the Booke of Discipline,
and the injoying of the Subscription of the Confession, wer alwayes
conjoyned. After the reading of many uther Acts,
The Moderatour said—Heirby any may perceave what the meaning of the
Kirk of Scotland was concerning Episcopacie, in the 1580, 1590, and
1591; and what shall be our meaning, except we shall deall deceatfullie
with our God in our Covenant?
Then the Clerk said—I know certainlie that this office of the Bishops
was never established by any Act of Parliament in Scotland, which I
never knew my selfe but within this twelfemonth, that I tooke speceall
notice of all the Acts of Parliament for that effect.
The Moderatour said—It becomes us to have a reverende estimation of the
Lawes of the Countrey; yet there is no Acts of Parliament that can be
the ground of our Ecclesiasticall Policie.
Lowdoun said—It is but too cleare what we are doing in Ecclesiasticall
Judicatorie hes nothing in the civill law repugnant to it. Then my Lord
Lowdoun red the Act of the 15 Parliament of King Jaˢ 6, and ane uther
Act Parlᵗ 1612. In the former there is nothing concerning the office of
Bishops, but only reserving to the Kings consideratione and advysement
with the Generall Assembly; and in the last there is a relation to the
former; so that there is nothing in the interveining Acts 1606 and
1609, and the Act 1612 does not ratifie that which is concludit in
Glasgow Assembly, which now is condemned. That ground being taken away,
the Ratification also falls.
The Moderatour said—Ye have heard a cleare deduction of this purpose;
and if it would please my noble Lord Argyle, whom I know hes tane
paines to be cleare herein, if it would please his Lordship to declair
if he be satisfied, we would be glad to heare him.
Argyle said—Indeed I cannot deny but all this tyme, both before the
Confession was subscryvit by the Counsell and since, I have ever found
that the question was drawen much narrower nor it was before; for the
greatest question ever since that tyme hath been only concerning the
government of the Bishops, and that will be the greatest question; and,
I think, for the declaration of any uther thing, we did all show that
we could be ruled by yow of this Assembly: and, since I am requyred to
speake, I must not thinke shame to confesse my ignorance. I neither
studied it nor did I see the Bookes of Assembly, and, whenever I was
demandit of this, I answered I would not determinatelie say anything
till it should come to be considered by a free Assembly, and find what
was the constitution of the Kirk. At that time I said, for aught I
know, I said, it was a lawfull office established by Parliament and
lawes; and I could not have thought even [when] the Commissioner went
away, that things had bein so clear as they are, and, for my oune
part, it satisfies me fullie—that, according to the Constitution of
our Church, the Government established at that tyme, when it was first
subscryvit, is verie cleare in my judgement.
Moderatour said—There is a lang tyme spent, and therefore we will
proceed to state the question—Whither, according to the Confession of
Faith, as it was professed in the 1580, 1581, and 1590, (I keip the
words of the Act of Counsell, because it is a clause of the explanation
of it,) there be any uther Bishops but a Bishop over a particular
flocke? or, Whether there be any to be acknowledged Pastor over
Pastors, having preheminence over the brethren? and, consequentlie,
Whither all uther Episcopacie, place, power, or preheminence is to be
removed out of this Kirk?
_Abjuration of Episcopacie._
Then the Rolles were called, and
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—The true sentence and meaning of the Confession of
Faith being made clear by these Assemblies, showes a incompatibilitie
betwixt Episcopall Government and Presbyteriall Power, that they are to
be removed and abjured out of this Kirk.
Then the whole Assembly unanimouslie in one voice, with the hesitation
of ane allanerlie, voited that Episcopacie should be abjured and
removed out of this Kirk.
Then the Moderatour spack—I think there be nane of us heir but we have
beine oftentymes calling upon the name of God in secrete and open,
that he, and he only who was able to doe it, would have beine pleased
to stay the course of defection that was going so fast on. And I think
there be nane of us but it was the earnest desyre and wish of, that
we might have sene a day to have taken to a consideration, whether we
have transgressed the Covenant of God or not, and gane on in a course
of defection; and now he has granted us the day wherein we may call all
matters to a reckoning, which day we much long for; and many a tyme
have I myselfe besought God to stop this course of defection, and so
he hes done. Many are the miseries, burdens, and calamities that hes
beine upon this poore Kirk thir yeares bygone; and we are scorned by
uthers that it was for the brecke of the Covenant of God; and we trust
it shall kythe to the world, when we are dead, that we have turned
unto him and renewed it againe. It rests now that we be thankfull unto
our Lord for the same; and I trust there is nane of us that are come
heir with ane honest mynd, but they would have bought this day at a
deare rate, and given a deare pryce for this voiting, whilk God hes
done far beyond our deserving or expectation—and our adversaries neid
not to say that it was the voites of a number of Gentlemen and Elders
that carried it away; but, blessed be God, that Ministers and everie
ane heir present, with great unanimitie, hes gone together without
any contradiction, which is a matter of admiration, and a wonder of
wonders, for the whilk we know not what we shall rander unto our
graceous Lord. Therefore we will not medle with any uther purpose, but
goe altogether and give heartie thankes unto our Lord for this harmony.
* * * * *
Sess. 17.—Decʳ 10, 1638.
After prayer to God,
Mr John Row declaired—That a brether sone of his, who had bein in
Germany and Pollᵈ these 13 yeires bygane, was willing, with heart
and hand, to subscryve the Covenant, which the Assemblie willinglie
accepted.
Then there was a Committie appoynted for gathering and viewing any
overture that was to be made for good order of the Church in tyme
comeing, when we had removed some of the cheefe corruptions—namely:
Mr John Adamsone,
Mr James Sibbald,
Balmerino,
Kinliet,
Auldbar,
James Cochrane,
Mr John Row,
Mr John Moncreife,
Gilbert Gourlay,
Moderatour said—We must begin where we endit on Saturday and goe
forward in that worke. There is ane great mountaine removed, blessed
be our Lord, who have done it. Ye know that in the explanation of our
subscribit Confession of Faith, we did oblische ourselves to forbeare
the practice of all novations or approbation of the corruptions of the
publict Government of the Kirk till a free Generall Assemblie, which
hes beine done conscientiouslie by many; and now, blessed be our Lord,
and blessed be he ten thousand tymes! and great reason have we to
bless him more—and I hope the posteritie that heares of it shall call
it a happie work that is past—hes bein done without any contradiction
of the voites of the Assembly. Now it rests that we goe to the uther
parte—the Inovations alreadie introduced. As for the Service Booke,
Cannons, &c., the Assembly hes declaired their judgement of them. By
the innovations introduced, I mean, principallie, the Fyve Articles of
Perth Assembly, which now is null, and, by consequence, they must fall;
yet we are obleist to hear the judgement of the Assembly anent these
novations, and, to the end ye may be prepaired for voiting, ye shall
heare something red concerning these novations; which the Clerk tooke
and red. After reading the first concerning Festival Dayes,
The Moderatour said—It is knowne that a festivall and holy day hes,
first, a cessation frae a’ warkes; 2, There is some service ordained
to be done where there is feasting, rejoyceing, or hilaritie, as it
is called. That commonlie is called a festivall day. Ye know the
Apostles doctrine concerning these dayes; and, altho’ there hes bein
great dispute about them, I think the brethren heir present are to
satisfie what to think concerning them. There is three words that the
Apostle uses. The first is to judge of a holy day—that is, to mentaine
it in our judgements. The second imports, that we affect it because
we esteime of it; and, thirdlie is, to proceid from our estimations
and affection to observe it. Indeed the common and rude sort gave an
estimation of ane day above ane uther as Baronius sayes—ane yeird of
ground is more fertile then ane uther, so there is some dayes produces
better effects then ane uther—as the day of Christs resurection,
assension, &c.; and I thinke there are none heir that are judicious,
but they can answer to this, and then truelie ye would consider that
the Kirk of Scotland is utherwayes oblissed, as ye see by that which
is red, then uther Churches. All uther Churches, except the Church of
England, and even in it before the latter tymes, it would appeare that
they rather speake of these dayes as tollerable then as a contendable
observation; and, becaus they cannot amend it and the Church purged,
therefore they excuse it. But, for us, we blesse God that our Reformers
hes gone so far on as to purge out those dayes from this land. We
are not to judge of uther reformed Churches, but to consider what is
expedient for ourselfes. I have beine grieved many tymes to see the
writtings of some divines, upon the Sabath day. They divide holy dayes,
in ordinary and extraordinarie dayes, and anniversarie holy dayes,
weeklie dayes, and the Lords day. Anniversarie are Pasche, Zuill, &c.;
and is it not a fearfull sort of divinitie to matche these dayes with
the Lords day? What dispute hes beene concerning these dayes thir
yeares past, ye are not unacquainted with, and ye perceave what is
attributed to these dayes of mens institution. Even als much is derogat
from the Lords day; and therefore, if any of you hes any scruple to
propone, there is now a tyme wherein ye shall be heard.
Mr John Row said—Truelie I am perswadit, in my soule and conscience,
that, if the Bishops had not beine raised up amongst us, the memorie
of these dayes had bein utterlie abolisched, both out of their owne
hearts, and hearts of people; and therefore let them goe with the
Bishops, in Gods name.
Then the Clerk proceidit in Kneilling at the Communion; and, as some
things were cited out of the treatise before the Psalme Booke, printed
at Aberden, 1625, where prayer is made against hyreling Papists, that
God would confound them. In these that are printed at Aberden, Papists
are left out. In ane uther prayer, these words, “the Romish Idol,” are
left out in reading.
Then Doctor Guild, in Aberdene, desyred that the printer might macke
accompt of it, who had bein the occasion of that. And after the Clerk
had endit concerning kneilling,
These considerations (said the Moderatour) are not presented to
yow concerning the gesture of Sacrament in generall, or concerning
kneilling in uther places, but what we should think of it in Scotland,
according to the order of our Church; neither doe we yet begin to
dispute the question, but only this—Whether it ought not to be removed
according to the Confession of Faith, and according to the order of the
Kirk of Scotland?
Then the Clerk proceidit in reading concerning the privat
administration of the Sacraments and Confirmation.
Mr John Row said—As for Confirmation, it is one of the five bastard
Sacraments, and is expressed in our Confession; and seeing Episcopacie
is condemned, the imposition of their handes falles lykewayes.
Moderatour says—I remember againe how circumspectlie and warilie we
have gone on in this bussines; not censuring uther Churches, but wishes
all thinges may be regulat weill in our owne Church. Neither goe we
to trouble any mans conscience with idolatrie, superstition, or any
uther thing of that kynd. The question shall be this—Whither or not,
according to the Confession of Faith as it was professed in the year
1580 and afterward, festivitie dayes, kneeling, &c., are abjured, and
ought to be removed? And if any of the brethren hes any thing to say to
cleare this matter, say it.
Mr David Dick said—The first year of my ministerie, when thir thinges
began to be agitat, we wer tryed with alse subtle distinctions and
insinuations as could be; and, when the matter was brought before our
Presbitrie concerning preaching at Zuill Day, the question was made,
Whether it was lawfull to preach that day or not? Whereupon I resolved
to take the narrowest way I could to try if there were superstition
in it; and I waited till the people conveined that day, having no
advertisement of any thing to be spocken from me, but only the ordinar
course of prayers. And there I fand the Kirk fuller than ordinar;
quherupon I tooke occasion to preach against the idolatrie that was
lyke to break foorth; and this I fand to be exponed athort the countrie
for a Zuill preaching; and out of that I learned to make a distinction
betwixt the act and honest intention of some that were slidden aff
their feet; ffor they sett downe the act ane way, and pleadit for them
ane uther way, and they were practised a third way. I speake not this
to excuse the wrong that God hes gotten, but only to excuse some honest
mynds _a tanto_ onlie.
Moderatour said—In Sᵗ Androwes, where I live, they professe that they
keepe holy these dayes only in tyme of preaching, and yet they have a
great bell they ring on these dayes.
Lowdoun said—There is ane thing not to be forgot, that, upon the
humble petition of the subjects unto the King, the Kings Majestie
hes beene pleased in these Articles given in be his Commissioner, to
discharge these thinges by a reall edict; and, withall, did offer to
the consideration of the Assembly what thinges they thinke fitt to be
represented onto the Parliament; so that none neids to scarre at that.
Not only is the Assembly at Perth, which gives auctoritie to them,
null, but if any fear the sanction of the civill law, they are abrogat
by it also, and full power given to present unto the Parliament what ye
thinke farder fitting to be requyred. And for the thinges themselves,
let men think of them as they will. The tries are knowne by their
fruits. What fearfull obstractions they have bein, usher to all thir
thinges that are come since?
Moderatour said—Indeed they have made way for the Service Booke, and
are principall limbs of it.
Mr Androw Ramsay said—I allow altogether and think it expedient, that
these Articles be removed; but for the information of some I will
speake a little. First, What is a holy day? There is twa things to make
up a holy day. The first is the commandment of God; the second is the
dueties commandit to be performed that day. This may be evinced and
cleared out of the fourth precept—“Remember to keep holy,” &c, and thir
twa is includit in the same precept—“He rested”—there is a cessation
from worke—“and hallowed it”—that is dedicat to holy uses; therefore a
cessation from a’ worke, and a dedication to holy uses, makes up a holy
day. So these three makes up a holy day—a commandment, a cessation, a
dedication. Now for kneilling at the Communion, it is dissonant to the
practice of Christ, and discrepant from the practice of the Kirk; and
for the action, a Papist could say that the action of the Communion
being ane action of joy, we should not use a humble gesture. If a
Papist conclude thus, much more we. And for privat Baptisme, it is
not to be understood when it is ministred in the church or at publict
prayers, but when it is ministred in a privat house; ffor in countrie
kirks there is sett doune preaching in week days. As for Confirmation,
I altogether condemne it.
Mr Robert Baillie said—For the removing of the Articles of Perth out of
the Kirk, I heartilie consent unto it; but to remove them as abjured
in the Confession of Faith, so that they all shall be abjured who
practised them, I doe not think.
Then the Moderatour stated the question of new againe, and desyrit Mr
Robert Baillie to tell his opinion when his voice was speired.
Then the Rolles were called.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—All these Articles being at once dead in this
Church, had bein revived and preached again by some unlucky birds,
becaus it makes for their purpose; and the more that stuff abounds, it
addes the more to the vaine lusture and glorie of their Episcopacie,
which had neid of much fairding and learning; and, if so be, we should
take them from these falcities and idle toyes, it would befall to them
as the Poet said, “_Moveat cornicula risum surtious undata coloribus”_;
and so with heart and affection, I send them, and the revivers of them,
both ane way; for they are abjured by the Confession of Faith, and
therefore are to be removed.
Moderatour said—I thinke there is no question; but if the question had
been made to the Generall Assembly when the Confession of Faith was
subscryved, Whither they shall observe Kneilling, Pasche, Zuill, &c.,
but many would have declaired negativelie; and if ever they had thought
that they should have bein introduced upon this Kirk, they would have
bein more particular in it, albeit the generall is cleare enough, as it
is cleare by the interpretation of the Confession of Faith according
to the Acts of the Kirk, that they are abjured, and therefore to be
removed. And, truelie, considering the great woe they have brought in
this Kirk, we have verie great reason to rejoyce in God, and to give
his Majestie heartie thankes that hes brought us to this comfortable
conclusion; and ye may see how comfortable a thing it is for brethren
to meit togither thus in ane Assembly, whereof we have bein depryved
thir many yeares, and that these Articles hath bein the caus of this
division. It is notour how many honest and faithfull servands of
Christ hes bein put from the ministrie, to verie hard shifts, and are
not yet admitted, of whom I thinke notice should now be taken; ffor
in all halcion tymes, when sore troubles were blowen over the head of
Gods Kirk, there hes bein still notice taken of these whom God made
sufferers; and ye know how many of ourselves hes bein threatened to
have bein put from our places; and if they had gotten their will, there
had bein few honest ministers left in the land; and therefore we have
caus to blesse God that we are delivered from these corruptions.
Then there was a letter produced from the Bishop of Cathnes, declairing
that the caus of his not coming to the Assembly was his bodilie sicknes
and his extreame disease, wherein he acknowledged the lawfulnes of the
Assembly, and declaires that willinglie he had subscryved the Covenant;
and it was found that he had not subscryvit the Bishops Declinatour.
My Lord Weymes declaired—That he had bein at the Bishop of Glasgow;
and he said that the Bishop regrated that he had put his hand to the
Declinatour, and told that he had intention to come to the Assembly,
but the Commissioner diswaded him; for Declinatour, sayes he, they
urgit him with it, and he did it in great suddentie, and repents it;
and said he would take his hand from it were it not that it would be
disgraceful to him; and when I desyred him to give two lynes under his
hand declairing his submission to the Assembly, he said he had not his
wittis about him, and desyred the Assembly that he should be dealt with
as those who had submitted themselves. And the Assembly answered, that
since he was amongst the subscryvers of the Declinatour, he behoved to
have his owne place.
* * * * *
[_Bishop of Edinburgh._]
Then there was Articles of Accusation given in against Mr David
Lindsay, pretendit Bishop of Edinburgh; and he was called upon and his
procurator, and his proces red, and probations thereof.
Then Mr Androw Jaffray and Sir John MᶜKenzie declaired that they saw
him bow to the altar. Mr Andro Kerr and [George] Dundas saw him
dedicat a kirk after the Popishe maner.
Then the Rolles wer called.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—He is a violent brecker doune of the hedge whereof
I spacke the last day; and, seeing he continowes obstinat, let the
sentence of excommunication byte him.
And the whole Assembly in one voyce voited to his deposition and
excommunication.
Then the Moderatour said—Ye see the Assembly agries, without a contrare
voit, that he shall be deposed from his present office of Episcopacie,
and from all function of the ministrie. I am perswadit that this
Assembly is seeking their salvation allanarlie; and we know no other
remeadie for gaining their soules but this only; therefore let us doe
it out of compassion to the Kirk of God and him also.
* * * * *
[_Bishop of Aberdeen._]
Then the Bishop of Aberdeines proces was red, and the probation thereof.
Mr John Row declaired, that he subscryved the Protestation given in to
the Parliament 1606, and that there was no man more against Bishops
in the toune of Stirling nor he; and he was mightilie offendit at Mr
John Grahame, who was taking a bishoprick; and, since that, all the
brethren here present were in mynd he should be given to the Divell
for betraying the liberties of the Kirk; yet nevertheless, he was the
man that tooke out the bishoprick out of Mr John Grahames hand. I
remember when he subscryvit the Protestation, he subscryvit verie neir
the end of the paper, and it began to weare; when he began to get the
bishoprick, we said he was going to loupe the dyke.
The Moderatour said—Mr Patrick Symsone said to me, he never lyked Mr
Wᵐ Coupar, and Mr Adam Ballantyne; for they were too violent against
Bishops, without any light, or good reasons; and, therefore, he feared
that they should never be constant.
Auldbar and Mr David Lyndsay declaired that they, being in the Bishops
house, when Auldbar said, “The only meane to take away abuses and
disorders in this Church was a free General Assembly,” he arose in a
great flame and passion, and said, “The first article that he would
make then will be to pull the crowne off King Charles head.”
Moderatour said—Though his hand be not at the Declinatour, yet he has
not submitted himselfe to the Assembly, and this would be considered
beyond the rest, (I may call it so,) his apostacie; for the being once
of our opinion, and now so far degenerat, that he is become _osor sui
facti_.
Mr Androw Cant said—There entered a contest betwixt Craigievar and
this Mr Ballantyne, concerning the patronage of the Kirk of Kinghorne,
and was long agitat before the Lords. Alwayes Craigievar presented a
Cusing of his, and the Bishop impedit him, pretending that the King had
the right, and, consequentlie, the Bishop of Aberdeine. At last, the
Bishop gave Craigievar 160 merks to desist, to the end that the Bishops
sone might get the place.
Mr Thomas Mitchell declaired that he was present by accident when he
did consecrat a chappell, the chappell being richlie hung, and all the
rest of it. The lady came in, and gave him a catalogue of the things
that are within, which she had wrought with her owne hands, and desyred
that they might be dedicat to God, and so delyvered the key to the
Bishop, who went in and preached a sermon of consecration, and baptized
a child, and then went to their feisting. His text was upon Solomons
dedication of the temple.
Then the rolles were called.