drawn up, and were enacted at Aberdeen, for ordering of the house. He
pressed them all; yet, through negligence to exact them, thereafter
we fell at once into our old misorders. Always we hope that the exact
order the parliament has now taken for ruling their house, will make
us, ere long, follow their good example. He read also a list of names
for the committees of bills and reports. Now for the overtures; Till
those of Aberdeen were considered, very hardly would he permit any
to be added to those of his own number. For assessors to himself, he
shewed he would advertise privily those whom most he needed. Four
were named to appoint preachers for all the churches, in which Mr
James Bonner, my good friend, being chief, by his favour I got myself
shifted of that burthen, as in all this assembly I did what I could
to hold myself quiet, and well near mute. Mr Calderwood fell on again
impertinently, and very peevishly, as if it had been almost a null,
an evil-constitute meeting, for being translated without a moderator
permanent, and chusing of him for moderator who had no commission. Mr
Henderson dealt very patiently and respectfully with him: at last his
Grace commanded him silence. The moderator caused read some letters,
which were given him in England for the assembly. The first was from a
number of our gracious brethren of the ministry at London, and about
it, congratulating our happy proceeding, shewing their hopes to get
our discipline established there, telling that some of their brethren,
who were for independency of congregations, were great hindrances to
that design; also that they gave out that some of the most eminent men
in the ministry with us, inclined their way. The men they meant by, Mr
Henderson told us, were Mr D. Dickson, and Mr Cant; but none in all the
assembly were more against independency than these two. The matter,
after some days, was voiced: all in one voice rejected that confusion,
as contrary directly to our covenant: and appointed Mr Henderson to
write a courteous answer to our English brethren; which he did very
accurately. If I can, you shall have a copy thereof.
The next was from Mr Durie, for assistance to his negotiation of peace
amongst Protestants. While some were beginning to say somewhat to
the man’s prejudice, I excused all, so that his motion was received;
and it was laid on Mr Andrew Ramsay, Mr Blair, Mr Gillespie, and me,
to frame an answer. We left the labour to Mr Blair, who did it well
enough, in a fair genteel general, appointing him to keep, when he
pleased, correspondence with the ministers of Edinburgh. A third was
from D. Sibbald of Aberdeen, supplicating for his books, which at the
prior assembly were taken from him. It was granted that he should
have all except some of his sermons, whereupon a part of his process
was grounded. A fourth was from Mr John Guthrie, Bishop of Murray,
supplicating that his place, for a little time more, might be kept for
him. It was rejected as unreasonable, and his presbytery appointed to
plant his place; yea, order was given, that none who had delayed so
long to come in the covenant, should be received, without a singular
measure of satisfaction and trial, to be approven by the general
assembly. The Moderator fell on a notable motion, of drawing up a
Confession of Faith, a Catechism, a Directory for all the parts of the
publick worship, and platform of government, wherein possibly England
and we might agree. All approved the motion; and thereafter the burden
of that labour was laid on the back of the mover, with liberty to vaik
from preaching whenever he pleased, and to take help of whom he thought
meet. He did not incline to undertake it, yet it will lie on him; and
readily in this he may do some good.
Thursday the 29th. The moderators of the committees had no matter
prepared for the assembly; so we put off that session with general
discourses, especially upon the matter of translation, which had most
troubled us in bygone synods, and was like to do so in this also.
A committee was appointed to find out overtures for that difficult
matter. Lest I should be prejudged, I got it on Lord Eglinton and Mr
Robert Barclay. Glasgow also, by their importunity, got on Dr Strang
and D. Dickson. The presbytery of Glasgow, it were long to tell you
the way how they stifled both Mr Dickson and Mr Ramsay from being
commissioners. This was very evil taken by the whole country, and
turned over to Glasgow’s prejudice: yet Mr David was used no otherwise
by the assembly than if he had been a prime commissioner. This
committee did nothing for a day or two, and that, it was publickly
complained, because D. Strang and Mr David, for their own interest,
marred the rest; so they, and with them my Lord Eglinton and Mr Robert
Barclay, were removed from that committee. Thereafter they blocked a
number of tolerable overtures; the conclusion whereof was remitted to
the next general assembly. The moderator advised the town of Edinburgh,
and other prime burrows, to entertain abroad some good spirits, who
might be their own, if they proved apt for their service. Also he
shewed the expediency of calling home one Mr Thomas Young from England,
the author of _Dies Dominicæ_, and of the _Smectymnuus_ for the most
part; and of Mr Colvin from Sedan, to whose commendation he spake much.
If he has done any thing in private, let us have it, and write what ye
know of his abilities. There was a committee appointed to consider the
state of our far remote churches of the Isles, of Lochaber, Orkney,
and Shetland. Some present course was taken for Lochaber; and it was
laid on Mr Robert Blair, and Mr Andrew Afflect, to go in the Spring to
visit Arran and some near isles. There was a committee appointed to
consider the advancement of the weal of colleges and schools. All their
consultations we hope in time will produce good fruits.
Friday, the 30th, came in a number of particular bills; yea, some days
thereafter, there came more than 200, for augmentation of stipends,
for dividing or changing of churches; all which, without reading, were
referred to the parliament; regrets for the enormous sins of the land.
The removing of monuments of superstition, from divers parts of the
country yet remaining, was recommended to the presbyteries. Mr John
Guthrie, Bishop of Murray, sent out of the tolbooth, to the assembly,
a supplication to confer with the moderator, and some others. All the
subject of his discourse with them, as also of divers conferences he
had before with the ministers of Edinburgh, was only a stiff wrangling
about the formality of the process of excommunication. He sent in
another supplication thereafter for the same end, but was neglected;
for he and other of those men, seem to be obdured in perverseness: yet
it is like, that if the King and we had settled sure in parliament,
there are few of them, if any, but will supplicate to be permitted to
do all that shall be prescribed.
Saturday, the 31st, no particular business was handled worth the
writing. Aberdeen, in their commission from the general assembly,
had met and decerned Mr George Gillespie, then at London, for their
town-minister, and Mr Edward Wright for their divinity-professor, in
the Marischal college. Mr Gillespie’s cause came then to be handled.
His Grace pleaded, that these fifty years he and his people had been
vexed with a most weak minister; that he had got Mr George admitted the
first in Scotland without the bishops consent. Mr George spake well for
himself, that he nor his people were never advertised till the decreet
was passed, and divers other things. The dispute was long and hot:
it was remitted to the next session. Argyle spake of the regret many
ministers made under payment of their stipends, desired the assembly to
find overtures for remeid, and promised the parliament would consider
what should be proponed.
On Sunday afternoon, before the commissioners, I heard Mr Blair teach
very gravely for peace, and abstinence from all such meetings, as
in former times had been very profitable, but now were inexpedient,
unlawful, and schismatical. This some mistook, but the most took it
very well from him. Truly, I bear that man record, that in all his
English voyages, in many passages of the assembly, private and publick,
he contributed as much to the pacifying of our differences as any,
and much more than many. That day a very unhappy accident fell in the
hand of a minister, Mr Thomas Lamb, who had been deposed by the blind
Bishop of Galloway, for divers quarrels; but he gave it only out for
disobedience in ceremonies. The ministers of Edinburgh had obtained for
him a church in the presbytery of Peebles. The man had always been of
a contentious humour. They say he had struck a man, whereof he died.
However his presbytery, for his perverseness and contentions, had
suspended him. He had appealed to the general assembly. The committee,
on Saturday, had agreed them, and remitted him to the presbytery. On
Sunday, after both sermons in Leith, he told Mr James however that he
was displeased with that accord, and would complain to the assembly,
both of the committee and his presbytery. Immediately going to ease
himself among the stuff, a young man to whom the stuff belonged, fell
upon him with evil language, taking up his cloak and gloves: after
some mutual jarring, when he had got his cloak and gloves again, he
fell in some more quarrelling with the young man, and with his whinger
struck him, whereof presently he died. He wrote a pitiful supplication
to the assembly, to obtain some delay of his execution, till his wife
and friends might come to him. This was granted. He obtained easily
a letter of Slayans from the party; but we think the Constable will
cause execute him; and so much the more because he a minister, on the
Sabbath day, had committed that villainy in the time of the assembly
and parliament.
Monday, the 2d of August, the parliament sat not, so we had two
sessions. The forenoon was taken up with the business of Aberdeen. Mr
Andrew Cant laid out Aberdeen’s necessities very pathetically; Mr David
Lindsay and Provost Lesly, shewing their proceedings in Mr Gillespie’s
election to have been punctually according to the words of their
commission. Notwithstanding the moderator, desiring Mr George to stay
still in Fife for the use of St Andrew’s, did so state the question,
for all the northlandmen could say to the contrary, and notwithstanding
also of Argyle’s evident seconding them. His abode at Weems was craved
by plurality of voices: yea, when they pressed Mr Edward Wright’s
transportation, albeit all that favoured Mr David Dickson did voice for
them: yet they lost that cause also, in regard it was manifest before
the meeting of that committee, that Mr Edward was admitted to the
church of Glasgow, and before his citation to come to that committee,
or his knowledge of Aberdeen’s invitation, he was agreed with Glasgow,
and had obtained his dismission from the presbytery of Stirling. Mr
Robert Ramsay had set the town of Glasgow on that man, whereof I
suspect he now repents. The man is learned and blameless, but it is
not like Mr David’s way, nor among the most prudent. Factions among
that people and presbytery are like to grow. I wish they come not to a
shameful hearing, and that quickly, on the occasion of Mr Hugh Blair’s
election to that town’s ministry. Sir John Scot’s petition, to have a
description of our sheriffdom, by some in every presbytery, to be set
before the maps you have in hand, is granted.
In the afternoon Mr Andrew Ker, minister at Carrin, being transported
by the provincial synod of Lothian to the burgh of Linlithgow, had
appealed to the general assembly. His appeal was voiced null. This
preparative made Glasgow too eager to call my cause; but they found
the case many ways unlike. At Aberdeen there had been much ado for
planting of Inverness. The Laird of Steinson, patron, had presented
Mr James Annan. More than the two parts of the parish speaking Irish,
obtained Mr Murdoch Macbaine, a bold well-speaking man, to be conjoined
to an equal stipend and burden. This equality Mr Murdoch urged, and
refused to preach to the Irish congregation, but day about, so every
other Sunday they sang dumb. After some days travel, it was thus agreed
that a third man should be got to those who had never more than one
before to preach in Irish on 500 merks, the town to pay three, the two
ministers each to pay one. We being agreed privately, the moderator
thought it time to move the question about meetings, and regretted the
sinister rumours thereanent. It was remitted to a committee in the
moderator’s chamber. After two afternoons’ conference, Mr Henderson
fell on the model you have in print. On Wednesday he read it once,
twice, thrice. Many required delay to voice till to-morrow, and a copy
of the writ. All delay was flatly refused; but any man was permitted
to say what he would, if it were to ten at night. Mr Catherwood was
impertinent still in his opposition. Mr Harry Guthrie, and those who
were in this point, were feared to be more opposite than he had been.
All called to the committee, and read at length. Some who craved delay
were shortly taken up. Fear of raising and fomenting needless scruples,
if that paper had ran a showering through the city, before it had been
concluded, made the moderator peremptorily refuse that which is now
every day practised in our parliament, and I think were more necessary
to be practised in our assembly, except in some few extraordinary
cases. The paper that day was voiced, and was unanimously assented
unto: yet some voiced it too general and insufficient.
Tuesday, the 3d of August, was taken up with a very captious question
of your good friend Sir John Scot. He had promised to Mr Mungo
Law, second minister at Dysart, in the presbytery of Kirkaldy, a
presentation to the kirk of Kilrennie, in the presbytery of St
Andrew’s. The presbytery of St Andrew’s were not very curious to crave
his transportation; Sir John, in the provincial of Fife, urges it. In
the voicing, not only the whole presbytery of Kirkcaldy gets voices,
but some burrow two ruling elders, gets voices. Upon this, and some
other informalities, Sir John appealed to the general assembly. By
strong solicitation, and by a world of merry tales in the face of
the assembly, he gets a sentence for his appellation, to the great
indignation of the synod of Fife, and the moderator’s malecontentment.
Sir John held him with that advantage, and durst not pursue his main
point, anent the minister’s transportation, which made many to take him
but for a wrangler, who sought more the synod’s disgrace than any other
contentment. Overtures for planting universities, burghs, schools,
were read; also a letter of the King’s to the assembly, in favour of
Panmure, requiring the minister of Monhey to be transported to some
other church of his Majesty’s presentation: the desire, with the man’s
own consent, was granted.
Wednesday, the 4th, Mr William Bennet was ordained, according to the
act of Aberdeen, to transport to Edinburgh. Mr John Colins, after long
opposition of the presbytery and parish, was ordained to be received
to the church of Campsey. His presentation to the tack of Chanle of
the chapter, wherein also he was obliged to ratify the patron’s tack,
was ordained to be rectified. Mr Andrew Logie, deposed at Aberdeen
according to the provincial’s appointment, was restored to his own
kirk. Sir Alexander Abercrombie of Birkenbog fashed the Assembly much,
that he might be obliged to receive a new presentation; that a new
edict might be served; and so, that the assembly’s act of reponing him
to his own church should be evacuate: but his motion being found to be
from particular respects, it was misregarded.
Thursday, the 5th, Aberdeen supplicated Mr Andrew ____________
his transportation to their college. Arthur Areskine, of his own
liberality, had given him 500 pound during an old man’s life. The man
was but twenty-four years of age, and was extreme unwilling to flit.
Arthur Areskine, a well-deserving gentleman in our cause, when he began
to plead, was so choked with tears, that he became silent, and removed.
This accident made the assembly so compassionate towards him, that,
by plurality of voices, he obtained his point. These three rebukes in
end well near angered Aberdeen. By way of indignation they crave leave
to have back their deposed doctors; yet they gave in the fourth bill
for Mr John Oswald of Pencaitland. His misfortune was to be last, else
he had better reasons of staying than any of the former three; yet to
please Aberdeen, all he could say was misregarded; and he, full sore
against his heart, was ordained to flit.
Here came in my long-delayed action. After much altercation betwixt
the passionate parties, and some calm dispute between the Principal
and me, by the favour of the moderator, I got the invidious question
eschewed anent my appeal, and the state made, Transport, or Abide;
when, after I had read the reasons (which I here send you), there was
not twenty voices for my transportation. I foresaw that this favour
may readily transport me ere it be long to places where my life will
be much more miserable than it is like it would have been in Glasgow;
but yet I thought it incumbent to me, in conscience, to use all lawful
means to keep me with my people. I took it to have been a sin to have
neglected this duty for the preveening of crosses never so apparent.
The Laird of Leckie gave into the committee of bills a complaint of
Mr Harry Guthrie’s slandering of him at Aberdeen. Of this Mr Harry
complained in the face of the assembly. This was like to blow up that
fire again which we thought had been extinguished; yet even here God
was favourable to us. That matter was referred to us the moderator’s
assessors. We laboured so into it some nights, that at last we got
the parties agreed, both in a writ, read to the assembly, under their
hands, declaring their good opinions each of other: for Leckie truly
witnessed, that he knew no blame to Mr Harry, neither in doctrine nor
life; and Mr Harry testified, that he never had a thought that Leckie,
or any of his family, was guilty of those slanders he complained of.
Of this pacification we were all most glad. Being desirous to have the
assembly at an end, it was appointed to keep her sessions twice in the
day, and to dispense with the absence of so many of our parliamentary
members as could not be present in the afternoon with us. The rest
of that day, and much also of posterior sessions, were misspent with
the altercation of that bardish man Mr D. Dogleish, and the young
Constable of Dundee. He had obtained from his father to Mr David a
presentation to the parsonage of Dundee. The custom was, that all of
the tithes, the constable paid but to the church 500 pound, the town
gave to the parson’s supply 500 merks. The town having not much will
of Mr David’s ministry, refuses to pay the old 500 merks. Mr David
refuses to transport from Coupar till the Constable secure him in
a sufficient stipend. The assembly of Aberdeen ordains Mr David to
transport with all diligence, and refers the question of stipend to
the decision of the committee of estates. The Constable supplicates
the assembly to move Mr David either to accept the charge, or give
back the presentation. This Mr David peremptorily refuses, intending
by his presentation to erect a stipend to that place, and then readily
to leave it, if all do not embrace him. Mr David’s strong replies to
the moderator would have been taken in worse part, if the Constable’s
naughtiness, in proclaiming of the whole parsonage four or five
chalders of victual was too much for him to pay to the church’s use
had not offended us all. My Lord Fleming’s petition, to have a new
presbytery erected in Biggar, of thirteen near adjacent churches of
Lanerk and Peebles, was referred to the visitation of the bounds. It
was regretted by the moderatour, that Mr David Catherwood, who deserves
so well of our church, was so long neglected. He was recommended to
the first commodious room. Likely he shall not be in haste provided.
The man is sixty-six years old; his utterance is unpleasant; his
carriage about the meetings of this assembly, and before, has made him
less considerable to divers of his former benefactors. The case also
of Mr James Fairlie, late Bishop of Argyle, was much regretted; that
he having given so long ago satisfaction, that yet no place could be
gotten to him to deliver him of that extremity of poverty wherewith he
long has been vexed.
Friday, the 6th, a world of bills came to be referred to the
parliament. Among the rest, one of Anna Inglis, complaining, that her
husband, young Aiket Cunningham, having received above 40,000 merks
portion with her, had deserted her, after frequent tormenting of her,
with strokes and hunger, he debauching all with harlots in Paisley. We
sent two with this bill to the parliament to get present order. The
justice of God was in this matter. The damsel’s father had left her to
be married to Mr Hugh Montgomery of Hazlehead, his wife’s near cousin.
After, his wife falls in a conceit with Allan Lockhart, and gives
herself to him; and, by his persuasion, makes her daughter, when scarce
twelve years of age, without proclamation, to be married to his cousin
Aiket. For her reward, her husband Allan leaves her to pay 10,000
merks of his debt, which made her a poor vexed widow, and her success
as you heard. We were fashed with a bill of young Saville’s, a fine
gentleman, who required, that one Littletower, whom the patron Lindores
had thrust on his church, should be transported. The gentleman, for the
well deserving of his house, was much pitied; yet, seeing the young man
was admitted, and the most of the parish accepted him, it could not be
helped till the young man, Littletower, found commodity to transport,
which was not like to be sudden. The presbytery of Wigton complained
of their molestation by one Macghee a notary, a criminous fellow,
too much supported by that good man the Earl of Galloway. This bill
being referred to the parliament, they enjoined the Earl to go home
without delay, and fetch in that knave to suffer justice. There was no
remeid; his Lordship behoved to go away to that unpleasant service.
One Thomas Frazer in the tolbooth, being condemned to die for murder,
supplicated us to be relaxed, before his death, from the sentence of
excommunication. Some were sent to visit him. His true repentance
being reported, Mr Andrew Cant was ordained, on the Sabbath, after his
sermon in the great church, to relax him. On Monday he died penitent.
Dr Scroggie of Aberdeen supplicated to be admitted to our covenant. The
trial of his repentance was remitted to the provincial synod.
In the afternoon many overtures by Mr George Young, clerk of the
references, were read. Chapperton’s supplication, to enter in our
covenant, was referred to the provincial of the Merse.
Saturday the 7th. When Mr David Dickson, in the question of my
transportation, had declared his intention to have as much help from
me, in professing in the college, as he gave by his ministry to the
town, the moderator, and others then there, not generally liking of
mixing these two offices, every one whereof required a whole man,
Mr David, lest any rub or mar from this should come to him in his
ministry, which very profitably he did discharge, gave in a bill to
have the matter cleared. It was gladly condescended, that it should
be reason for him to exercise so much of the ministry there as he
found himself able without detriment to his profession; the Principal
not being foreacquainted with that bill, except somewhat for the
preparative, wherewith Mr David was not well pleased. It was moved,
that the declarations which the Earl of Traquair had alledged he
had made in the assembly, but very falsely, and had obtained to be
registered in the books of council, should be torn out and cancelled.
This was referred to the parliament; who, after the consideration of
the truth of our alledgeance, sufficiently verified by many witnesses,
caused rent out of the council-books, according as we required, these
full declarations. Two motions came in here, which were like to procure
us much fashry; yet both, by God’s help, were brought to a peaceable
conclusion.