for me to say; only I thinke surely we may reckon ourselves to be
like these that dreame; for who would have thought within these few
yeares to have heard in any convention of the Kirk of Scotland, such
ane Act as this so publictlie read, and hopefull to be made a law in
the Church: and these that knowes the difficulties that this poore
Church hes laboured under, may justlie in this respect, thinke this
day a beginning of joyfull dayes, and I am confident that all that hes
ane tender eye to the good of this Church, are wakened with a sweet
sunschyne day, above the darke cludy dayes that past before: and I
hope all of us shall studie to testifie our thankfulnes to God, and to
acknowledge the goodnes of our gracious King, who is pleased to witnes
himselfe so loving to his subjects.
Old Mr John Row next called upon, with teares, said—I blesse, I
glorifie, I magnifie the God of heaven and earth, that hes pittied
this poore Church, and given us such matter of joy and consolation;
and the Lord make us thankfull, first to our graceous and loving God,
and next obedient subjects to his Majestie, and to thank his Majesties
Commissioner for his owne part.
Old Mr John Ker said—I thanke the Lord who hes removed our evilles and
feares, and with my heart acknowledges his Majesties goodnes, and gives
thankes to his Majesties Commissioner.
Mr James Martine, called on, said—I doe acknowledge that wonderfull
hes beine the love and care of God towards this poore kirk and land,
and that all of us had enlarged hearts for praise, and open mouthes to
expresse the joy of our heart.
The Moderatour said—Our joy is not yet full; but I hope, ere this
Assembly close, our joy shall be more perfect.
Mr John Weymes, called on, could scarce get a word spocken for teares
trickling doune along his gray haires, like droppes of rain or dew
upon the toppe of the tender grasse, and yet withall smylling for joy,
said—I doe remember when the Kirk of Scotland had a beautifull face.
I remember since there was a great power and life accompanying the
ordinances of God, and a wonderfull worke of operation upon the hearts
of people. This my eyes did see—a fearfull defection after, procured
by our sinnes; and no more did I wishe, before my eyes were closed,
but to have seene such a beautifull day, and that under the conduct and
favour of our Kings Majestie. Blessed for ever more be our Lord and
King Jesus; and the blessing of God be upon his Majestie, and the Lord
make us thankfull!
The Moderatour said—I believe the Kings Majestie made never the heart
of any so blythe in giving them a bishoprick, as he hes made the heart
of that reverend man joyfull in putting them away; and I am persuaded
if his Majestie saw you shedding teares for blythnes, he should have
more pleasure in yow, nor in some of these that he hes given great
thinges unto.
Old Mr John Bell in Glasgow said—My voice nor my tongue cannot expresse
the joy of my heart to see this torne downe Kirk restoired to her
beautie. The Lord make us thankfull! Lord blesse his Majestie and
Commissioner! Alace! nothing is inlaiking but thankefullnes.
Old Mr Wᵐ Livingston being called on said—I thinke of the many corrupt
Assemblies that hath biene in this Church since the Reformation, I have
[not] beene absent for fear of them, except when I was confyned. I saw
them and the corruptions of them; and when I consider of them within
this thrie year, I would have beene content to have crupten on my knies
to Aberdene, to have seene such an Assembly as this. And now I have
seene it, and blesses the Lord for it, and begges the blessings from
heaven upon our graceous Soveraigne.
The Moderatour said—Would God the Kings Majestie had a pairt of our joy
that we have this day!
The Moderatour desired if any of the Assembly had any scruple to
propone, they would now doe it before the matter come to voiceing.
Further, he asked the Commissioners Grace if he had anything to say, or
any scruple to propone before voiceing.
The Commissioner answered—I sall only, before I give my voice, desire
this Assembly to remember the courses of all this bussinesse, as I have
somewhat confusedly exprest before; and I believe my way of expression
gives some ground of jealousies. I told you that notwithstanding my
Masters oune inclination and breeding in a church where Episcopall
government is allowed, yet such is his care to satisfie the desire of
all his good subjects, that he hes indicted this free Assemblie where
this is to be considered of; and if it be found by this Assemblie to be
such as hath beene expressed in your petitions, papers, and utherwayes,
I am commanded to give my consent to the Act of this Assembly against
it: and, therefore, my voice must be speired last, though I may read in
all your faces, and by the speaches of these reverend men, what shall
be the voice of the Assemblie.
Mr Alexʳ Henrysone said—Becaus Generall Assemblies are expresst in the
Act, but not Provinciall or Presbyteriall, therefore the Commissioners
Grace would declair his consent unto these; to which the Commissioner
acquiesced.
The rolles were called, and it was desyred that the word should be
“agries,” or “disagries” to the Act.
Mr Alexʳ Kerse, being first called on, said—How unreasonable this
unluckie bird of Episcopacie is to be brought doune, and here to
be slaughtered, is not necessar to give epithets unto, if we will
but consider that the four Bishops (if we may call them lawfullie)
established in this kingdome, which are full of abilitie and power,
and nothing can escape them! We have our Church Sessions, Presbitries,
Synodall Assemblies, and such a famous Generall Assembly as this, that
may be sufficient to prove and show the experience of this Government
that now happilie is to be fullie established in this kingdome; for
there [is] not so much as a little cockle or darnell of perverse
or hereticall doctrine that shall spring up but presentlie it shall
be cutt doune, and trodd at under, according to the saying, _vitium
convocationis in tribus, digentur in quarto_, which is true heir; and,
if it escape two or thrie, it shall not misse the fourth. If it shall
happen to escape Sessions, Presbytries, and Synodall Assemblies, it
will happilie be digested and concocted in such a famous Assemblie
as this; and now happilie these poisonable weeds that have oppressed
the stomach of this Kirk are now to be spued out: and here, for this
poynt, I give this Episcopacie an _eternum vale_! As for the Articles
of Perth, and these pretended Assemblies, they are dead it is true,
and appearandlie this is the day of their buriall. I am sorie they
should have gotten such a fair day lent. For me, I mynd to give them
no funerall sermon. But there is ane thing Solomon tells us, “I have
seene the wicked dead, and rise again.” We have need, verilie, to hold
them doune, that they revive no againe. As for the Service Booke,
it condemns itselfe. It carries the Anti-Christian markes, and a
reall practising of that which the Jesuits doth preach; and, (being
interrupted, he said,) therefore I abjure it, and agries to the Act.
All the rest of the Assembly, in ane voice, (not ane contrare,) did
approve and agrie unto the Act.
The Commissioner being desired to give his voice, said—I believe, for
formes sake, I may give it, but materiallie I have given it alreadie.
I have often told you that my Masters pleasure was, that Episcopacie
should be found by this Assembly to be such as they had alledged in
their petitions and papers, (which is now unanimouslie found by this
Assemblie to be such,) that I should both consent unto and ratifie
the same. And I shall neid to say no more in this. But if there hes
bein any jealousies or feares, I hope now they shall be removed; and
it becomes yow best, who are of the Ministerie, to remove them; and
not only to make your people sensible of his Majesties goodnes, to
render to him his due thankes—I meane the humane part of it; for the
praise is due to God, who hes so disposed of his heart, and it is his
oune act and goodnes: yet, when we consider our Masters inclination
and breeding, I hope we shall thinke the lesse tho’ we find greater
difficulties then we could have wished againe these that have beene
his Majesties good informers and instruments in working of this worke,
we must not forget them, but think that we owe them a great deall of
thankes. If any thinke that I conceave any of this due to me, I protest
nothing at all, for I act nothing but the part of an echo, and this
imployment came upon me by my Lord Hamiltons worke; and if ye knew what
I know him to have beene—a faithfull, carefull, and painfull agent in
this busines. I speake it not to derogat from my Masters thankes, but
that every instrument should have their aune acknowledgement: and for
my voice, I approve the Act.
The Moderatour said—We blesse the Lord, and thanke King Charles, and
doe pray for the prosperitie of his throne, and constancie of it,
so long as the Sun and Moone indures; and thankes be to all good
instruments! And since your Grace is pleased to name the Marquis of
Hamilton as a speciall instrument, we are glad—looking upon him as a
man standing on a steeple head on his on foote betweene his misinformed
Master and his native Countrie—to give him a favourable construction.
I am confident that this dayes worke hath made the impression of his
Majesties goodnes, who hath come over his oune birth and breeding, to
give his subjects contentment, so deeplie to be rooted and stamped,
that it shall not easillie be taken out of our hearts againe. And I
expect yow all, according to the place ye have put upon me, especiallie
yow of the Ministrie, to doe your best in giving evidence of your good
service to God in furthering of the Kings subjects to thinke, speake,
and cary furth affection towards him, and as he deserves at our hand.
And let these that are to preache the morne expresse themselves so
duetifullie, that neither the Lord of Heaven want his glorie, nor King
Charles his oune due praise, and instruments may have their place, and
all may be partakers of our joy; for albeit our joy be not yet full,
yet we have conceaved good hopes that ere we sunder it shall be; for
the which cause, we will make requeast for your Grace that there be
nothing inlaiking which may fulfill our joy.
The names of the Ministers that were to preach [not mentioned.]
To meet on Mononday, at 9 a clocke—_hora nona_.
[Sess. 9—August 19.]
After in calling upon the name of God, there was a Letter produced
from the sometyme pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, showing his unfained
griefe and sorrow of heart for undertaking that unlawfull office of
Episcopacie; and withall most humblie craving pardon of God and the
Kirk of Scotland, togither with a formall dimission of that pretendit
office; acknowledging the late Generall Assembly at Glasgow, and all
the constitutions thereof; swearing never to meddle directlie nor
indirectlie with that pretendit office any more; whereof the tenor
followes:—
Be it knowen to all men, I, Alexʳ Leslie, Minister at Sᵗ Androwes:
Forasmuch as I, by my missive letteris sent by me to the Generall
Assembly of the Church of Scotland, holden at Glasgow, the 21 of Novʳ
1638, last bypast, doe frielie submitt myselfe, dimitt, and lay doune
at the feete of the said Assemblie, my pretendit office of Episcopacie
as pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, and by my Letters promised to subscryve
what ample forme of dimission thereanent these Assemblies should
prescryve: and now the said reverend Assembly hath found and declaired
the said office of Episcopacie, as it hath beene termed and used within
the said Church of Scotland, to be abjured by the Confession of Faith
of the said Kirk, subscrived in the yeares of God 1580, 1581, and
1590; and, therefore, decerne the said office to be removed out of the
said Kirk of Scotland. As also, seeing the said reverend Assembly hath
decerned me, according to my said Letter, to subscryve a more ample
form of dimission of my said pretendit office, in the presence of Sir
John Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Baronet—Mr Robert Murray, Minister of
Meffen—Mr John Robertsone, Minister at Perth—Mr Alexʳ Petrie, Minister
at Rynd—and Thomas Durhame, Burgess at Perth—Commissioners appoynted
by them for that effect: therefore, for performance of my said Letter,
and in obedience to the ordinance of the said reverend Assemblie,
Witt ye me to have demitted, quytclaimed, and simpliciter overgiven,
lykeas I now, in the presence of the said Commissioners, frielie
demitt, quytclaime, and simpliciter overgive the foresaid pretendit
office of Episcopacie as pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, with the whole
title, style, name, and dignitie thereof, power of ordination and
jurisdiction, voiceing in Parliament, and all usurpation of the same
in tyme coming, and faithfullie promitts, and by these presents binds
and oblisse me, never to exerce nor use the said pretendit office in
the said Church of Scotland, nor no power of ordination, jurisdiction,
voiceing in Parliament, neither any other power ecclesiasticall
belonged, usurped, and acclaimed to belong to the said pretendit
office; lykeas, according to the Act of the said reverend Assemblie,
I acknowledge the said office of Episcopacie to be abjured in the
Confession of Faith foresaid: And, therefore, most justlie ought to
be removed out of the said Church of Scotland, and the whole premises
I heartilie acknowledge, as I shall answer to God at the great day.
In testimony whereof, I have subscribed these presents with my hand;
likeas, for further securitie, I am content that these presents
be insert and registrat in the Generall Bookes of the Assemblie,
therein to remaine _ad futuram rei memoriam_. And to that effect
Constituts __________________ my lawfull procurators, conjunctlie and
severallie, _promitten de rato_, &c. In witnesse whereof, (written be
Robert Reidheugh, servant to Patrick Rosse, nottar in Perthe,) I have
subscrivit the same with my hand, as said is, at Sᵗ Androwes the 24 of
Januar, 1639 yeares, before these witnesses Mr Joⁿ Patersone, and Mr
Alexʳ Dundie, Student in Perthe, and George Boiswell, Servitour to the
said Sir John Moncreiffe.
A Supplication of the Toune of Edinburgh for transportation of Mr
Samuel Rutherfurd, Minister at Anwith, and Mr Robert Douglas, Minister
at Kirkcaldie, to Edinburgh, presented in face of the Assemblie; and
to eschue all contestations and altercations likelie to arise, (by
reason of the violent opposition of the forsaid Ministers, and no
lesse violent persute of the foresaid supplicants,) if the same should
presentlie have bein taken to the Assemblies consideration, therefore
did appoynt a Committie for hearing of the reasons of them both, and
prepairing the same for the Assemblie, viz., Ministers: Mr James Bonar,
&c.
The Supplication of the Toune of Air for Mr John Fergushill being
againe given in to the Assemblie, the Committie was desired to reporte
their diligence thereanent. Their answer was, they had heard the
parochiners of Uchiltrie, and though they had a great love to their
pastor, yet if the Assembly fand that it might conduce much to the good
of the publict that he should be transported to Air, they would submitt.
The Commissioner urged that their transportation of Ministers that way
might not be prejudiciall to the Patrons right.
Mr James Bonar answered—The stipend of Air was not a benefice but a
modified stipend.
My Lord Argyle said—The Assembly may give way to his transportation,
and decerne him to be capable thereof.
The Commissioners Grace desired that if the voices of the Assembly were
for him to goe to Air, it might be conceaved that they fand the said Mr
John capable of transportation, and gife the Patron give his consent,
decernes him to be Minister of Air.
Mr Robert Eliots supplication for libertie of transportation, referred
back to his Presbitrie.
To meit to morrow at 9 a clocke.
Sess. 10.—August 20. Twysday—_Hora nona._
After prayer, the Supplication of the Toune of Glasgow being againe
presented to the Assemblie for the transportation of Mr David Dicksone,
present Moderatour, from Irwing to Glasgow, he desired Mr Alexʳ
Hendersone to moderat till that parte was discussed, requeasting the
Assembly hold their eyes single upon the glorie of God and good of the
publict, in respect he had casten the conclusions of his mynd upon the
determination of the Assembly.
The Committie appoynted for hearing all reasons and preparing of them
for the Assembly, being desired to reporte their diligence, gave in
with the reasons of the Toune of Irwing why the said Mr David should
not be transported, with the answers of the Towne of Glasgow to these
reasons, together with the replyes of the Toune of Irwing to these
answers, and the duplyes of the Toune of Glasgow to these replyes—all
which, with many other powerfull and persuasive reasons, delyvered by
mouth of Mr Robert Barclay and my Lord Eglintoun on the one hand, and
the Commissioners of Glasgow and Ministerie on the other hand, being
all publictlie read and heard to the full, the matter was putt to
voiceing.
Mr Alexʳ Carse, being first in the roll, said—Ye have to consider—_erit
judicium, res erit in effectum_. Yet when the affection hath any
reasonable centure of judgement, it is dispensable with. What
heartie affection we affect that noble Earle who hes interest in our
Moderatour—not for any personall or partiall respect, yet in such sort
that next unto God who upon the Mount was seene—next unto the Kings
Majestie, who made us heare the voice of joy, we owe ourselves to these
worthie Nobles; and such by mediation have beene instruments to procure
our happinesse. Therefore, for my oune judgement, it were a hard case
to remove a tree thus well grounded and faithfull, but keeping it still
that it may bring foorth more fruite. Therefore I voice for Irwing.
The roll being called, the voices for Irwing exceeded the voices for
Glasgow about the number of 24.
The Committie for Reportes were desired to give in their diligence to
the Clerk, that particular notice might be taken of their proceedings.
The Commissioner said—You remember at our first entrie to this
Assemblie, we layd all doune a conclusion for eschueing of rockes—to
witt—aither the mentioning or prejudging the Assemblie of Glasgow;
and I conceave some processes that have been deduced against some
Ministers for whom numbers of Supplications are presented to me, that
their case may be represented to this Assemblie; for as I desire that
these whose cases are so considerable may be taken to heart, so, on
the other pairt, whosoever shall be found by this Assembly to deserve
such sentences as have beene past against them, I shall consent unto
it willinglie: for as I desire to eschue the one rocke, so would I
have yow holden off the other. Therefore, I shall represent to your
consideration if it shall not be fitt that there be some of this number
from all corners of this Kingdome, where thir men live, who hath beene
processed, and doth now supplicat; that may meit in privat with me; and
it may be, when particulars are considered by us, we fall upon some
mids which both may satisfie this Assemblie as eschue such rockes as
hitherto we have shuned.
The Assemblie said, this desire of the Commissioners Grace is most
reasonable; and therefore did appoynt that the Moderatour or Clerk of
everie Commission, or, in their absence some other worthie minister,
with a ruleing elder from everie ane of the several Commissions, should
meit with the Committie for Reportes, and my Lord Commissioners Grace
at Kinghornes lodging.
A committie appoynted for taking up of the names of expectants, vacant
churches, and deposed ministers for non conformitie, or holden out for
that cause. (_Hic deest._) To meit in the Assembly house at 3 a clocke
in the afternoone.
To meit tomorrow at 9 a clocke.
Sess. 11.—_Hora nona_, Wedinsday [Aug. 21.]
The question about the alleadged adulterie of William Guarsone pursued
by a minister in the Presbiterie of Penpont, remitted to the Committie
for the Billes.
The Supplication of Mr George Hannay, sometyme minister at Torphichen,
but suspended for the present by a Commission, for restauration of his
place; remitted to the consideration of Mʳ Alexʳ Hendersone, Andro
Ramsay, David Lindsey, John Adamsone, Andro Abercrombie, Andro Mill,
Andro Wood, Laird of Dundas.
The Toune of Edinburgh, and the Toune and Colledge of Sᵗ Andrewes
having presented supplications for the transportation of Mr Samuel
Rutherford from Anwith to each of them, after many contestations
and altercations, and the reading of the reasons of Aberdeene and
Edinburgh, and answers to each of them from other, and the reading of
Mr Samuells owne reasons for not transportation at all from Anwith, the
said Mr Samuell, by the farr greatest of the voices of the Assembly was
ordained to goe to Sᵗ Andrewes to serve in the ministerie, and make
such helpes in the Colledge as God shall affoord him abilitie for.
Sessio 12.—To meit at 9 a clock [Aug. 22.]
After prayer, the Moderatour said—We trust that the Assemblie hath
a right construction of the lazarlie proceedings of the Assemblie.
The Lord was graceous unto ws this last weeke in bringing our privat
businesses unto a publict and unanimous conclusion. This weeke, also,
hath been spent in prepairing matters for your greater satisfaction.
That our proceedings may offend none, but give contentment to all
in reasone, we have to doe now with the Reportes; and, becaus the
particular cases of them who were processed before the severall
Commissions are many, we must put difference betweene the faults and
repentance of men, that none may in justice complaine, but that he is
dealt justlie and moderatlie withall.
The Commissioner said—I desire that everie thing be rightlie
understood, that there be no mistake betwixt his Majestie, or me his
servant, and this Assemblie concerning these deposed ministers. I have
alreadie spocken my mynd in it, and in no other termes but that the
state of your processes be so taken to this Assemblies consideration,
that if they be found worthie of deposition, let them be deposed. But
for such of them that are only guiltie of the errour of the tyme,
whereof our Master hes beene guiltie (this is an ill wealed word,
but I know it is so taken) as their refusing to subscryve to the
constitutions of that controverted Assembly at Glasgow, which they
have done by his Majesties speciall commandment, and according to the
light of their consciences, which they thought right then, I shall
only represent to the Assemblie whither or not they thinke our Master
may expect from us that such ministers who for life and doctrine shall
be found fitt to exercise the calling of the ministrie upon their
submitting of themselves to this Assembly, to the determinations of
this Kirk, should not be restored to their places? I speake it to this
end; and I beseeche yow take it right, that since our Master goes so
farr on our way with us in removing all the occasions of our feares,
and hath appoynted to this Assembly to try whither these ministers
deserves such a sentence now if they shall submitt themselves to this
Assembly? I only represent to your consideration, whither in some
things we ought to doe that that may satisfie our Master?
The Moderatour answered—We intend equitie and moderation, that none
shall have just cause to complaine. In the meantyme, becaus it is
incumbent to this Assembly to cleare their mynds towards his Majestie,
I will speak a little. I will not admitt to say so much as your Grace
hath said. We will not let that much imputation to goe from us so high
as to speake of guiltinesse in his Majestie, who hes not bein brought
up heir. We will lay the guiltinesse upon the ministers, who should
have knowne the constitutions of the Kirk of Scotland; and, therefore
we heare plead that his Majesties honour may be cleared, and they seene
to be in the calk. This I speake not, but this Assembly may shew all
moderation and favour to those whom his Majestie requires, in alse farr
as we wrong not trueth, and the libertie and constitutions of the Kirk.