let them leave a testimonie in write of their repentance, as Bishop
Adamsone did.
Moderatour said—There are divers seeking transportations, and, among
others, Mr David Dalgleishe, Minister of Cowpar, who truelie hes great
reason, if we will consider and compair his gifts with his meanes. He
desyrit the benefits of it be transportation.
The Assembly allowes this transportation.
Moderatour said—Anent our cariadge toward excommunicat persones, I
thinke civill affaires may be done with them—a naturall duetie done to
them, but civill dueties verie sparinglie.
Moderatour said—We left about the Bishops declinator and protestation,
and we appoynted some to make answer. Now, consider whither ye will
heare a litle tast of their answer till the rest be ryper for the
presse, and let it be remitted to some brether to be perfyted before
the Commission close in Edinʳ, and put to the presse. Withal, ye know
there would be a consideration had of the declaration that it hath
pleased the Kings Majesties Commissioner to publische and print, that
ane answer may be had to it, and such lyke, that ane answer be made to
the protestation given in be him.
There is a great Booke fund to be authentick, containing many Acts of
Assemblies, belonging to Mr Wᵐ Scott, in Cowpar. I thinke the Assemblie
will joyne together to make him rander the same to the Assembly,
and that a Letter be written to him, subscryved be the Clerk of the
Assembly, to send the book heir.
The Shirreff of Teviotdaile said—There is a foull scandall in our
countrie—a fellow that hes lived in incest with his wifes sister; and
when Mr Thomas Abernethie was proceeding against him, he was prohibited
by the Bishops.
The Assemblie referris this to the Presbitrie.
The witnesses against Mr Thomas MᶜGill was examined, and their
probationes ordained to goe to the Commissions at Edinʳ.
A supplication was presented from the Paroche of Cardonald, becaus of
their distance from their paroche kirk, to witt, 12 myles. They desyred
a visitation, to the end that a kirk might be planted.
The Assemblie referris it to the Presbitrie, taking the help of the
Provinciall Assembly.
Mr George Black, in the Presbitrie of Dumfreis, his Bill referred to
the Commission at Kirkcudbright.
Mr Robert Wilkte declaired that he had spocken with Mr Robert Hamilton,
minister at Lismahago, and that he was resolved to give satisfaction
to the Assembly in many thinges, and therefore intreated that he may
have libertie to advyse him till the morne.
Then the Commissioner of Edinʳ urgit againe the reading of their
supplication, and cravit the voites of the Assembly.
The Commissioner of Sᵗ Androwes desyrit that becaus his supplication
was first given in, it might first have ane answer.
The Moderatour said—I am sorie that this Assemblie, conveined about so
great affaires, should spend any tyme about any thing wherein my name
is named; for it is knowne to many of yow how small my portion is, and
I pray God their earnestnes for me make it not lesse. I humblie intreat
this Assemblie to judge according to knowledge, and not according to
the solicitation of any, and I have alreadie submitted myselfe to the
judgment of this Assemblie, and not onlie so, but I acknowledge they
may command me to goe where they will: therefore I will remove myselfe
out of the Assemblie, and let ane uther Moderatour supplie: onlie this,
I certifie the Assemblie—if ye goe not on unanimouslie—if the ane half
be ane way and ane uther half ane uther way, I will neither consent nor
take it as a calling from God to remove.
Then Mr James Bonar, who was chosen Vice-Moderatour, said—I hope it be
the unfeingzied, desyre of all our hearts, whom God hes called together
in this Assemblie, to seik the honour of God and the advancement of the
kingdome of his Sone Jesus Christ in this land; and I hope it is not
onlie the desyre of the Assemblie in generall, but also the mynd and
meaning of these Commissioners from Edinʳ and Sanct Androwes, who now
doe supplicat, and if it can be qualified that the transportation of
Mr Alexʳ Henderson, our Moderatour to Edinʳ, will serve more for the
advancement of the kingdome of Jesus and good of the common earand,
I hope yee from Sᵗ Androwes will applaud; or if the contrare be
qualified, I hope these from Edinburgh will also rest satisfied.
Then the Commissioner from Sᵗ Androwes gave in a great number of
reasons, both in respect of the toune, the paroche, the Presbitrie, and
Universities, why the said Mr Alexʳ should be transported, which were
all answered at large by Mr Andro Ramsay, neidless to insert heir.
The Laird of Erlishall made protestation that he should not be
transported at all from Lewchars, for many reasons.
Lowdoun said—Since we are to prosesse ane end, let the publict head be
so prevalent with us, that no predominant affection cary us away.
Then the Supplications from the toune of Edinʳ, and all their multitude
of reasones, were againe read. Then the Moderatour desyred those who
were appoynted to heare the said Mr Alexʳ his reasons, and to declair
what they had done.
Mr David Dick answered—It pleased our Modʳ to lay furth his reasons
before us, wherefore he should not be transported from Lewchars, and by
them we were made sensible how great a burthen he tooke of any other
motion; alwayes, after in calling upon the name of God, and hearing of
all his reasons at leasure, our resolution ran on this—that the present
necessitie requyred his presence at Edinburgh.
Moderatour said—Ye have heard many considerable reasons on all hands;
therefore now, the question is, whither Mr Alexʳ Hendersone shall be
transported to Edinʳ or Sᵗ Androwes?
Then the rolles were called, and there were 75 moe voits for Edinʳ nor
Sᵗ Androwes. Then Mr Alexʳ being come in, Mr James Bonar declaired to
him that the Assemblie had ordained him to be minister at Edinʳ.
Moderatour said—Becaus I know what a fearfull sin it was for a man
either to obtrude himselfe upon a place or to resist Gods calling to
it, this made me to cast myselfe in the hands of the Assembly: and now
for ane externall calling, I have followed, you voited; and if ye have
had any thing before your eyes in voiting but the glorie of God and
good of the Church, to yourselfe be it said; and I will intreat you to
joyne with me in your desyres to God for a blessing upon my labours
that are weake, there, and withall, I beg of the Assembly that if
weaknes of bodie or mynd shall come on me shortlie, I may have libertie
to reture to some private place: which the Assemblie granted.
A Complaint given in against the Minister of Cambusnethen, and referred
to the Commission of Edinʳ.
Mr John Bellis Supplication anent the transportation of Mr David Dick
to Glasgow, referred to the Commission at Edinʳ.
Mr James Scharpe, minister of Govan, and Mr John Hamilton, minister of
Innerkip, were transported to Paisley, upon the toun of Paisley their
supplication.
Doctor Wᵐ Guild presented a supplication to the Assembly—That, whereas
there was great fisching of salmond neir Aberdene upon the Sabbath,
which occasioned great profanation of that holy day, by peoples
continuall I resorting to see that fisching, even in tyme of divine
service; and likewayes declaired how he had prevailed much, throw the
blessing of God upon his labours, to restrane that abuse, so that
divers worthie religious persones who have speciall interest in that
fisching, had bein moved to draw up a bond and covenant among them
to forbeare that sinfull practice in all tyme comeing; therefore
supplicats that the Assembly may be pleased to make ane Act against the
said profanation, that upon that ground he might proceed against them,
after his returne from the Assembly.
The Assembly, after much disputation of this question too and fro, in
respect they could find no Act of Assembly against salmond fisching
for the present, and not willing to make ane new Act, they appoynted
Doctor Guild, Mr John Robertsone, with some uthers, to thinke upon some
overture for it against the morrow.
The Provest of Glasgow declaired that he had mett with some uther of
the burrowes, and they had condescendit upon the change of Mondayes
mercat to Wednesday, and desyred reference might be made of it to the
Convention of Burrowes.
The Assembly appoynted the Earle of Montrois, my Lord Lowdoun, Burley,
Sir Wᵐ Dundas, Mr John Ker, Mr Robert Blair, Mr Thomas Mitchell, to
thinke upon some overtures to be proponed in Parliament, and the
Commissioners to it, against the morne.
* * * * *
Sess. 26. [December 19, 1638.]
After in calling upon the name of God,
The Moderatour said—Ye know, as we must rander ane account to God
for our proceedings, and be comptable to our owne consciences, so
it is meit, for the peace and quyetnes of this Church, that, as God
hes disposed our hearts to carry ourselves reverentlie in all our
proceedings, and be comptable to our owne consciences; so it is meit,
for the peace and quyetnes of this Church, that, as God has disposed
our hearts, to carry ourselves reverentlie in all our proceedings
towards the Kings Majestie, that he be acquainted with our proceedings,
and that some humble supplications be directed by this Assemblie to his
Majestie, that it may please him to approve, by his auctoritie, what
we have concludit. I thinke there be more heir but they will thinke it
very necessar. There is heir drawen up a little tast of the frame of
it; and at more lenth ye may alter and change it at your pleasure.
Moderatour said—Ye know there was a matter of verie great importance
committed to some, concerning these that should be commissioners in
tyme of Parliament.
Lowdoun answered—We, according to the knowledge we had of men, have
made a list of the names of some commissioners and gentlemen. There
is somewhat heir concerning them that shall heirafter subscryve the
Confession of Faith, as ye know some hes come in to this Assemblie,
young noblemen and gentlemen, and offered themselves willing to
subscryve the Covenant, becaus now it was a kynd of nonsense to
subscryve to suspend the practice of novations, till they be tryed and
allowed in a free Assemblie, since now the Assemblie hes determined it;
therefore, it is necessar that two or thrie lynes be prefixed before
their subscription, who heirafter shall subscryve as followes:—
“The Article of the Covenant, which was, at the first subscription,
referred to the determination of the Generall Assembly, being now
determined at Glasgow, Noʳ 21, 1638, and thereby the Five Articles of
Perth, and Governement of the Kirke by Bishops, is now abjured and
removed, the civil places and power of Kirkmen being declared to be
unlawfull, I subscryve according to the determination of this lawfull
Generall Assemblie.”
And becaus the Marqueis [of Hamilton] hes caused print a declaration,
that it was neither his Majesties meaning nor his owne, in urging the
late Covenant, to abjure Episcopacie; therefore he desyred the brethren
to think upon it till the morne.
Lowdoun said—The honourable Counsel, they have made an Act, wherein
they declair in what sense they subscryvit to the doctrine of faith,
religion, and discipline of the Kirk of Scotland—to witt, as it was
professed in anno 1580. This is _major propositie_. This Assembly
hes sett doune clearlie, according to the Acts of the Kirk, how
the doctrine, religion, and discipline was then professed. This is
the _minor_. The conclusion will follow:—That they have subscryvit
according to the determination of the Generall Assembly; for, at that
tyme, it is cleare there was no Bishop. The _major_ is the Counsells
Act; the _minor_ is the Assemblies explanation; and the conclusion any
bodie knowes.
The complaint against Mr Thomas MᶜGill referred to the Commission at
Edinburgh.
My Lord Lowthian presented ane supplication to the Assemblie, anent
the transportation of Mr Androw Cant from Pitsligo to Newbotle, in the
Presbitrie of Dalkeith.
Moderatour said—It would seeme reasonable your Lordship should get a
favourable answer, considering your diligence and zeale in this cause
above many uthers, and I know this not to be a new motion, but to be
concludit by the Patron, Presbitrie, and Paroche.
The Commissioner of Edinʳ alleadged that they had made an election of
him 24 yeares since.
Then the mater was put to voiting—Whither Mr Andro Cant should be
transported from Pitsligo to Edinburgh? And the most pairt of the
Assembly voited to his transplantation to Newbotle; and so the
Moderatour declaired him to be Minister at Newbotle.
The Commissioner of Sᵗ Androwes presented a supplication in name of the
toune of Sᵗ Androwes for transportation of Mr Robert Blair from Air to
Sᵗ Androwes, for the good of their Universitie.
Mr Robert Blair was called on, who answered—I confesse I am in the
hands of this Assembly; but I protest heir, in Gods presence, that I
had rather lay downe my life nor be separat from my flock at Air.
The Assemblie thought meit to referre it to a committie—Mr James
Bonar, Mr James Scharpe, Mr David Dick, Mr Robert Baillie, Mr John
Adamsone, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Robert Murray, Mr James Bruce, Mr Alexʳ
Hendersone, Mr James Hamilton.
Then Mr Robert Hamilton at Lesmahago compired; and
The Moderatour declaired that he had laboured to delay the discussing
of this proces very lang, of purpose to gaine him from his faults, and
therefore desyrit him now to declair frielie whither or not he would
passe from his declinatour which he had subscryvit? who answered, that
he was not weill advysed as yet. Efter much reasoning to and fro, the
Assembly suspends him presentlie; declaires him worthie of deposition;
ordaines him to compeir before the Presbitrie of Lanerk, and give
them full satisfaction, and then to compeir before the Commission at
Edinʳ: And, in case he have not given the Presbitrie satisfaction,
ordaines them to proceed against him. Because it was impossible for
everie Presbitrie to get a full copie of all the Acts of the Assemblie,
Therefore, the Assemblie ordaines them to get an index of the
principall under the Clerks hand to take home with them.
The Moderatour said—There is a poynt in our Confession of Faith not
yet cleared, and therefore it were well done to declair your judgment
concerning that ye know. There was a reference in the Confession of
Faith to the Generall Assembly. 1, It comends [condemns] the novations
alreadie introduced; 2. Concerning the corruptions of the publict
governement of the Kirk; and the 3 was concerning the civile places
and power of Kirkmen. The two former are already determined. It rests
now ye declair your judgment concerning the third; and for the effect,
it wilt be expedient that ye heare some few thinges red to yow—as,
namely, the Conference at Falkland, 1599, when the Kings Majestie was
first craving to the Ministrie, voit in Parliament, he appoynted a
conference for that effect, for clearing of the mater; and, lykewayes,
that ye heare red to yow, the protestation and reason thereof, given in
to the Parliament 1606, by Commissioners from Provinciall Assemblies
and Presbitries. We deny not but it is requisit that Ministers be
not far from the Parliament, that, if any case of conscience fall in
Parliament, they may give their advyce from the word of God. But the
question is—Whether the Ministers should voit or ryde in Parliament, as
Lords and Nobles? Their pretence, at first, was to vindicat the Kirk
and Kirkmen from contempt and poverty; but we neid not to doubt but our
Lord will see us get honour and respect enough, if we keep ourselves
within the bounds of our calling; and, I am persuadit, there is not
a faithfull Minister but he will have more joy when he comes from
catechising a number of landwart people, nor a Bishop hes when he comes
from ryding in Parliament. And they thought to vindicat themselves from
contempt and povertie; but, it is lyke, now both will come upon them.
Mr Andro Cant said—The Apostle sayeth—Who is sufficient for these
thinges? And yet they will take on two offices, and jumble the civill
and ecclesiasticall function throw uther, which is very incompatible.
Mr Andro Ramsay said—I have spent many sermons and treatises against
it; and, therefore, with my heart, I condemn it.
Mr David Dick said—The first thing that ever brought me in disgust
with the estate, was when I considerit what was the reason that
Christ dischargit his disciples to be rulers of the Gentiles; and the
satisfaction that I got from this, that Christ would not have his
kingdome ane eyesore to the world; so my heart could never be to that
course.
Moderatour said—When it was first instantlie urgit by auctoritie,
there were some of the ministers had the sagacitie as a foirmell, what
could come of it, which made many to protest against; and when, by so
doing, they could not hinder it, to put cautions upon it. But since
these cannons could not keepe them within their bounds, but they with
their voit in Parliament did prejudge the Kirk, whither should not the
Church be red of that which hath wrought her so great prejudice? And
I thinke there is no more hertrogenius from the matter of a ministers
calling, nothing setts him worse, nor nothing more contrarie to his
Masters cariage, nor to be a Lord in Parliament. The question is
twofold. The first is, Whither a minister of Jesus Christ, separat to
the Gospell, should breuke civill place as is usit in a Councell bench
or Session? And the uther is, Whether he should voit in Parliament or
not? In a word, Whither their exercising in civill offices be lawfull
or unlawfull?
The rolles being called, the whole Assembly most unanimouslie, all in
ane voit, with the hesitation of two, allanerlie declaired, that its
both inexpedient and unlawfull in this Kirk, for ministers, separat to
the Gospell, to bruike any civill place or office qwhatsomever.
Moderatour said—We have reason to blesse the Lord for this
harmonie—that we sing all ane song, and are led by ane spirit. I
answer, where mens mynds are put to a poynt in their worldlie ambition
and covetousness, they will, for their aine parte, be content to want
these dignities. Thir must either belong to ministers in respect of
their ministerie, or in respect they are prelats, and so are called
Lords; and if as they are ministers this be unlawfull, as they are
prelats it hes double unlawfulnes.
Moderatour said—There would be some considerations had concerning
Ruleing Elders. It hes pleased God so to dispence with the hearts of
our nobilitie, gentry, and burrowes, that they have by concurrence
helped forward the caus of religion, or, as the Scripture phrase
is, they have helped God; and, therefore, it becomes me, with all
thankfulnes, humblie to acknowledge it; and although we have gone far
on in our ecclesiasticall determinations, we must not thinke the mater
endit yet; but the Kirk of Christ in this land is yet wrestling with
many difficulties. Neither can we thinke ourselves secure in peace
and quyetnes, till civill auctoritie ratifie what is heir done by
ecclesiasticall constitutions. Therefore it were meit that these elders
should still give us their assistance, especiallie in extraordinary
occasions. Only ye have to consider whither or not there may be a
motion made anent the restoiring of them to the integritie of their
places that they had, at the first subscryving of the Confession of
Faith?
Mr Robert Murray said—Truelie, when I consider the case of our Kirk as
it hath beine a long tyme bygone, and the benefite it had by ruleing
elders, I thinke we should be verie glad to agrie to the restoiring of
them againe; for I find, ever since the reformatione, in all sorts of
Assemblies where ruleing elders hath bein, that they have done great
good; and I find that there hath bein many complaints for the want of
them; not, never for the having of them, either in Presbitries and
uther judicatories. For my pairt, if we looke simplie to the good of
the common cause, which we all pretend to doe, we will be glad of their
assistance at all our Assemblies; for it would be a strengthening of
our weake hands.
Lowdoun said—I understand that in all Parliaments where any thing hes
bein done concerning the Kirk, it hath ay bein the first act that the
privilege and libertie of the Kirk be ratified; and now the evills that
troubled Kirk and state, being, by the Confession of Faith in this
Kirk, and by the discipline of it removed, I thinke are, upon you,
but a parte of that which is requyred to be ratified in the generale
article which yee red first. But there is a policie and government sett
doune in this Kirk, not to be controverted in it selfe; and if, becaus
of the long disswetude of it, or suppressing of it, any hath feares
for any thing that may be in it, I think that may be adverted to; but,
for the thing itselfe, it is so conduceable for the strengthening
of the Kirk and her friedome and liberties, that there is no way
compairable to it; for it goes doune at the upmost, and goes doune
from the representative Kirke to Provinciall Assemblies; from them to
Presbyteriall; from prebyteriall to paroches and sessions; and so, what
is done heirby, this Kirk oblisses everie congregation to stand to it,
as a thing that concerns them all; and this it is sworne, because it
is the discipline of the Kirk, and the grounds of it are in the bookes
of policie; and, if it were not for the good of the Kirk, (what can
anything?) doeth it concerne ruleing elders, albeit many hes feares of
a predominant way. It is rather to be feared that we will be slack and
remisse upon the uther extremitie.
Moderatour said—I hope that God, who hes led us hitherto by a spirit
of wonderfull unanimitie, shall so regulat the hearts of everie member
that hes had place in this Assemblie, that all their designes shall
conduce to the weill of the Kirk. It is objected against us, that we
would not be content of 14 bishops, but now we have many hundreths
over-ruleing us. But let us take this for a suggestion of Sathan, and
hold our eye upon the great Bishop of all, through whose blessing this
will be a means to keip his work in unitie and peace.
Mr Andro Ramsay said—I think it no sort expedient to call it in
question, which I am able to cleare against all the world.
Mr Andro Cant said—We have sien such a great blessing of God upon the
constitution of this Assembly, that certainlie we have great caus to
rejoyce; and, next unto the presence of our God, I attribute a great
parte of this harmony to the good disposition of Ruling Elders; and
it is a very uncharitable prejudice to judge amisse of such a divine
institution before we have experience of the evil of it.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse said—There are two termes that are not scriptural termes
as they are used, or rather abused—to witt, the Clergie and [laitie].
The Popishe Kirk appropriates the ane to kirkmen, and in a maner
excludes the people of God as not of the Lords inheritance, and, in a
sort, have put the people of God from their station and place that they
have right unto by the law of God, that they will not suffer them to
_humane consultative_ or decesive voit in any sort.
The rolles being called, the whole Assemblie most unanimouslie
declaired the approbation of that old order of Ruling Elders.
Concerning Mr John Bellis supplication for a helper, the Assemblie
referris it to the consideration of the Commission at Edinburgh.
* * * * *
Sess. ultima. [December 20, 1638.]
After in calling upon the name of God,
Doctor Guild said—There is a motion made, as ye all hard the other day,
concerning salmond fisching, and proffanation of the Sabbath thereby,
and it was not thought expedient to make new Acts, but to search for
old ones, and to revive them. In Gods providence, there is heir found
ane Act, in the year 1562, of the Assembly holden at Holyrud-house,
12 Nov. 5 Session, where salmond fisching is expresslie inhibite and
ordained to be punished by the censures of the Kirk; and I requyre
that the Clerk may read it; which accordinglie was done, and the whole
Assembly, in ane voit, renewed the same.
The names of the Commissioners for the Parliament being red, and
the Articles which they behoove to present to it, they were desyrit
to represent them to the Clerk of Register some dayes before the
Parliament.