108.—Committee to confer with Mr Petrick Hamiltoun. _Ib._
109.—Act concerning Mr Patrick Hammiltoun. _Ib._
110.—Recom. for assisting the petition of the people of Athole for
dividing Paroches and planting of Kirks. _Ib._
111.—Committee for preparing a report in the matter concerning G. M.
Midleton. _Sess._ 23.
112.—Act for citing the E. of Abercorne. _Ib._
113.—Committee for conference with Mr Harie Gutherie. _Sess._ 25.
114.—Approbation of the report of the Committee appointed to revise the
proceedings of the visitation of the university of Saint Andros. _Ib._
115.—Ref. D. Barron and Mr Thomas Glagge to the Presbyterie of St
Andrews. _Ib._
116.—Ref. Mr Thomas Rosse to the Presb. of Dingwall. _Ib._
117.—Warrand for printing a Tractat of Chronologie. _Ib._
118.—Recom. of the Petition to the Parliament for erecting the Kirkes
of Fairnie. _Ib._
119.—Recome. of the Petition of D. Sharps relict to the Parliament.
_Ib._
120.—Ref. Mr Harie Cockburne to his Presbyterie. _Ib._
121.—Order from citing of Mr Andrew Ramsay and Mr William Colvill. _Ib._
122.—Act for visiting the Hospitalls and Mortifications. _Ib._
123.—Recom. for changing the manse of Mr Charles Archibald, Minister at
____________ to a more comodious place. _Sess._ 25.
124.—Recom. of the petition of Mr Robert Scot Minister at Ettleston to
the Commission for planting of Kirks. _Ib._
125.—Recom. concerning the disuniting of the paroch of Abirchirdar.
_Ib._
126.—Ref. for the matter concerning the transportation of Mr Neill
Cameron. _Ib._
127.—Act sustaining the Appeals of the parochiners of Northberwick,
with an order for citing the Minister and parochiners of Baro to answer
in the cause. _Ib._
128.—Ref. Earle of Abercorne to the Presbyterie of Paislay. _Ib._
129.—Continuation of the matter concerning Mr Andro Ramsay till the
morne. _Ib._
130.—Continuation of Mr William Colvill till the morne. _Ib._
131.—Recom. of the petition of the towne of Couper to the Commission
for planting of Kirks. _Sess._ 26.
132.—Recom. the Officers come from Ireland to the honorable Estates of
Parliament _Ib._
133.—Deposition of Mr Iohn Graham sometime Minister at Auchterardor.
_Ib._
134.—Approbation of the sentence of Deposition of Mr David Drumond,
sometime Minister at Lithgow. _Ib._
135.—Recom. Mr Iohn Nairne. _Ib._
136.—And for giving in the appeals and References to the Assembly. _Ib._
137.—Approbation of the report concerning the Collectors accompts.
_Sess._ 27.
138.—Act in favours of Alexander Blaire. _Ib._
139.—Act for giving up Mr Hary Guthries appeal upon his desire to
cancel the same. _Ib._
140.—Continuation of Mr Andro Ramsayes businesse till the morne. _Ib._
141.—Deposition of Mr William Colvill. _Ib._
142.—Intimation if any doubt upon the Declaration to come to the
Committee. _Ib._
143.—Order for writing a letter to Mr Theodor Haack for hasting forth
the Dutch Annotations upon the Bible. _Sess._ 28.
144.—Deposition Mr Andro Ramsay. _Ib._
145.—Commission for visitation of the University of Aberdeen. _Sess._
29.
146.—Recom. Mr Gilbert Mershell for a competent maintenance, to the
Commission for planting of Kirks. _Ib._
147.—Recom. Mr George Clerk for a charitable supplie. _Ib._
148.—Commission for visitation of the university of Saint Andros. _Ib._
149.—Ref. to the Commission for publick affairs for planting the place
of the provest of the old colledge of Saint Andros. _Ib._
150.—Committee for examining witnesses in the matter concerning Mr Tho.
Ramsay, with an order for citing witnesses not appearing. _Ib._
151.—Act in favours of Mr William Douglas. _Sess._ 30.
152.—Act appointing Ministers to preach in Edinburgh during the siting
of the Assembly. _Ib._
153.—Ref. Mr Iames Affleck to the visitation of Angus and Merns. _Ib._
154.—Committee for considering the petition of the Towne of Stirling.
_Ib._
155.—Act in favours of Mr Thomas Ireland, Minister at Weyme. _Ib._
156.—Act permitting Iohn Gillon to exercise his gift publickly. _Ib._
157.—Commission for visiting the Colledge of Edinburgh. _Ib._
158.—Recom. to the Parliament for reparation of the losses of Mr
Alexander Ferreis, Mr Robert Iamesone, and Mr Iohn Keyth. _Sess._ 31.
159.—Ref. Mr Richard Maitland to the visitation of the universitie of
Aberdene. _Ib._
160.—Act in the matter concerning the Kirk of Dairsay. _Sess._ 32.
161.—Remitt. the matter concerning Iames Rosse of Banneil to the
Presbyterie. _Ib._
162.—Act exeeming the Presbyterie of Dunkeld from payment of the fortie
shillings for the highland boyes. _Ib._
163.—Ref. Iohn Maxwell younger of Calderwood to the Presb. of Hamilton.
_Ib._
164.—Ref. of the Earle of Athols bill for planting the Kirk of Dunkeld
to the visitation of the Presbyterie of Dunkeld. _Ib._
165.—Commission for visitation of Rosse, Sutherland, and Caithness.
_Ib._
166.—Commission for visitation of Stirling and Dumblane. _Ib._
167.—Commission for visitation of Angus and Merns. _Ib._
168.—Commission for visitation of Dunse and Chrynside. _Ib._
169.—Continuation of the matter concerning the transportation of Mr
Iohn Stirling to Northberwick till the morne. _Sess._ 33.
170.—Approbation of the sentence of deposition of Mr William Wilkie.
_Sess._ 34.
171.—Suspention of Mr Robert Balcancol with Ref. to the Commiss. for
publick affairs. _Ib._
172.—Recom. Helene Ersken to the Parliament for a charitable supplie.
_Ib._
173.—Reposition of Mr Marten Makilwrae, with a Recomendation to the
Synod of Argyle to settle him in some charge in the Ministery. _Ib._
174.—Ref. my Lord Cochrane to the Commission for publick affaires.
_Sess._ 35.
175.—Ref. of the petition of Iames Sanders to the visitation of
hospitalls. _Ib._
176.—Act in favours of Violet Dauling, spouse to Mr George Hanna. _Ib._
177.—Act refusing the transportation of Mr Iohn Stirling of
Northbarwick. _Ib._
178,—Ref. to the Commission for publick affaires for planting the Kirk
to Northberwick. _Ib._
179.—Committee for conference with the Earle of Lithgow. _Sess._ 36.
180.—Ref. of the Articles for election of Ministers to the Committee
for publick busines with intimation to all that have objections to come
there. _Ib._
181.—Act in favours of Mary Hay spouse to Mr Richard Maitland. _Ib._
182.—Ref. Mr Alexander Monroe to the visitation of Rosse. _Ib._
183.—Recom. for Mr Alexander Monroe his three hundred merks of
augmentation. _Ib._
184.—Ref. Mr Thomas Ramsay to the visitation of Dunce and Chirnside,
with continuation of his suspension in the meane time. _Ib._
185.—Commission for visitation of the Kirks in the Hieland. _Ib._
186.—Commission for visitation of Dunkeld. _Ib._
187.—Recom. Ionet Andro to the Parliament. _Ib._
188.—Recom. Mr Iohn Rosse to the Presbytery of Kincardin for supplie
out of the vacand stipends. _Ib._
189.—Order for presenting the Declaration to the Parliament and for
desiring that the acts given in may be passed. _Ib._
190.—Act concerning Kircurds passing from his appeal, and a
recommendation to the Presbyterie of Peebles for further dealing with
him. _Ib._
191.—Petition to the Parliament in favours of the laird of Glenurchie.
_Ib._
192.—Petition in behalfe of Doctor Sharps relict to the Parliament.
_Ib._
193.—Letter to their Brethren in Ireland. _Sess._ 37.
194.—Committee for conference with Generall Major Medleton. _Ib._
195.—Ref. certain persons accessory to the late unlawful engagement to
the Commission for publick affaires. _Ib._
196.—Ref. Alexander Urquhart of Craighouse to the visitation of Rosse.
_Ib._
197—Recom. Agnes Maxwell for a charitable supplie to the Parliament.
_Ib._
198—Ref. for planting the Kirke of Kircaldie. _Sess._ 38.
199.—Ref. Earl of Lithgow to his Presbyterie. _Ib._
200.—Ref. for planting the Kirk of Lithgow to the Commission for
Publick affaires. _Ib._
201.—Ref. for planting the Kirk of Stirling. _Ib._
202.—Ref. for planting the Kirk of Dunce. _Ib._
203.—Ref. for planting the vaiking Kirkes of Edinburgh, and the vaiking
places of the professors of divinitie there. _Ib._
204.—Ref. for planting the Kirk of Dunkeld. _Ib._
205.—Ref. to the Commission for publick affaires concerning the
education of the Earle of Athole. _Ib._
206.—Ref. Mr Colin Mackenzie and Mr David Monroe to the visitation of
Rosse. _Ib._
207.—Act for collecting the history of these latter times. _Ib._
208.—Recom. of persons for charitie. _Ib._
209.—Recom. Iulian Wilkie for charitie. _Ib._
210.—Recom. concerning the Kirk of Bervie to the Commission for
planting of Kirks. _Ib._
211.—Act for wryting to Universities for prosecuting the course of
Philosophie. _Ib._
212.—Recom. Mr Robert Iamesone for some supplie out of the vaiking
stipends. _Ib._
213.—Ref. concerning the adjoyning the paroch of Mouth hill to the
parish of Glasse to the Presbyteries of Strabogy and Fordice. _Ib._
214.—Recom. concerning the dividing of the paroch of Turro. _Ib._
215.—Ref. Lewis Gordon to the Commission for publick affairs. _Sess._
39.
216.—Ref. William Innes of Tippertae to the Presbyterie of Allane to be
relaxed. _Ib._
217.—Petition to the Parliament concerning exacting Oathes in the cases
of custome and excise. _Sess._ 40.
218.—Commission for visitation of Rosse. _Ib._
219.—Commission for visitation of Orknay, Zetland, Sutherland, and
Caithnes. _Ib._
220.—Act concerning the payment of Ia. Murrayes dews. _Ib._
221.—Recom. to Mr Iohn Smith and Mr Iames Hammilton to draw some
articles concerning the duties of Elders. _Ib._
222.—Ref. Vicount of Kenmure. _Ib._
223.—Ref. Doctor Strange. _Sess._ 41.
224.—Ref. concerning the modification of Alexander Gutherie to the
visitation of Angus and Mernse. _Ib._
225.—Act and Recom. to the Magistrates of Edinb. for repairing of the
Assembly house. _Ib._
226. Ref. to the Commission for publick affaires to provide some way
for Ministers to say Prayers to the Lords of Session. _Ib._
227.—Ref. to the Commission for publick affaires for providing a
minister to the Castell of Edinburgh. _Ib._
228.—Directory for election of Ministers. _Ib._
229.—Ref. Mr George Hannay to the Commission for publick affaires. _Ib._
230.—Ref. and Recom. to the Commission for satisfying the paines of the
writer of the paraphrase of the Psalms. _Sess._ 42.
231.—Ref. concerning G. M. Midleton to the Commission for publicke
affaires. _Ib._
232.—Act concerning the University of Saint Andros during the vacation
of the provests place the old Colledge. _Ib._
233.—Recom. to the Presbyteries in the North to compt with the Laird of
Eight upon the fines of excommunicate persons to be applyed to pious
uses and to report to the next Assembly. _Ib._
234.—Act appointing Ministers for the Army. _Ib._
235.—Ref. Rorie Mackenzie to the visitation of Rosse. _Ib._
236.—Ref. Mr William Colvills paper to the Commission for publicke
affaires. _Ib._
237.—Recom. Presbyteries and Synods to send any informations they can
give concerning the passages of these times to the Moderator. _Ib._
238.—Recom. for sending the contribution of 40s. for the Highland boyes
to the Collectors. _Ib._
239.—Ref. to the visitors of Argyle for distribution of the money
formerly collected. _Ib._
240.—Exemption of Dunkeld of the collection for Argyle. _Ib._
241.—Act for continuation of the allowance for dispatches to the next
Assembly, with a Recom. for confering with my Lord Regester and the
Clerk about the person to be employed in that charge. _Ib._
242.—Recom. to the Commission for publick affaires concerning the
setling of Mr Iohn Menzies, in the profession of Divinity at Aberdene.
_Ib._
243.—Ref. for appointing a second Minister in Perth to the Commission
for publick affaires. _Ib._
244.—Ref. and Recom. Mr William Chalmres to the Synod of Aberdene
concerning the supplie of his necessities. _Ib._
245.—Declaration concerning the Act granted in favours of Mr Richard
Maitlands wife. _Ib._
246.—Ref. of the petition of the Earle of Sutherland, in name of the
Presbyterie of Sutherland. _Ib._
247.—Recom. Mr Iohn Keyth to the Parliament. _Ib._
248.—Recom. for dividing the paroch of Ferne to the Commission for
planting of Kirks. _Ib._
249.—Recom. the disjoyning of the lands of over and nether Dyserts from
Brichen to the Commission for planting of Kirks. _Ib._
250.—Causes of a public fast. _Ib._
251.—Commission for considering the obstructions of pietie and the
remedies for removing thereof, and to report to the next Assembly. _Ib._
252.—Recom. to the Parliament for punishing counterfeit Testimonialls.
_Ib._
FINIS.
=Miscellaneous Historical Documents=,
RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1649.
1. _Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Letters._
_To Mr Spang. Edinburgh, February 7, 1649._
One act of our lamentable tragedy being ended, we are entering again
upon the scene. O! if it might be the Lord’s pleasure to perform more
happy and comfortable actions than have appeared these years bygone.
To the great joy of all, in the midst of a very great and universal
sorrow, we proclaimed, on Monday last, the Prince, King of Britain,
France, and Ireland. We have sent the bearer, a worthy gentleman,
to signify so much to his Majesty at the Hague. We purpose speedily
to send an honourable commission from all estates. The dangers and
difficulties wherewith both his Majesty and all his kingdoms at this
time are involved, are exceeding great and many. The first necessary
and prime one (as all here, without exception, conceive) doth put
his Majesty and his people both in a hopeful proceeding; and his
Majesty’s joining with us in the national covenant, subscribed by his
grandfather K. James, and the solemn league and covenant, wherein all
the well-affected of the three kingdoms are entered, and must live and
die in, upon all hazards. If his Majesty may be moved to join with
us in this one point, he will have all Scotland ready to sacrifice
their lives for his service. If he refuse, or shift this duty, his
best and most useful friends both here and elsewhere, will be cast
into inextricable labyrinths, we fear, for the ruin of us all. We know
Satan will not be wanting to stir up ill instruments to keep him off
from a timeous yielding to this our most earnest and necessary desire;
but as it is, and will be, one of all Scotland’s strong petitions to
God, to dispose his heart to do his duty without delay; so we will
acknowledge ourselves much obliged to any, whom the Lord may honour to
be the happy instruments of his persuasion. Many here remember, and
are sensible of your great and happy labours, for the clearing of our
proceedings, from the very first commotions among us. We trust you will
not refuse to be at any needful pains, at this so hard a time, for the
service of God, your King, and country, and all the churches here, in
their great distress. I wish you made a voyage to the Hague, and dealt
with our good friends, Dr Rivet and Dr Spanheim, to insinuate to the
King their wholesome advices. Some, as Vossius, Apollonius, and others
there, understand so much of our proceedings, that a small desire from
any interests would move them to contribute their best helps for his
Majesty’s information.
I recommend it therefore most earnestly to you, to bestir yourself in
a private clanculary way to further this work. If your, or any other
men’s labours be blessed of God to work the present, you will find
all here (I shall answer for it) ready to acknowledge, as becomes
your pains, by such testimonies, in due time, as shall give you
satisfaction. What you do must be done quickly; for every hour’s delay
prejudgeth (we know not how much) his Majesty and all his dominions.
* * * * *
_Mr Spang to Mr Baillie._
Ye desire me to hasten to the Hague, and deal with such who are like
to have credit with the King’s Majesty, for persuading him to do what
you require of him, viz. to join with Scotland in both the covenants.
The persons whom you designed were either absent out of Holland, as
Dr Rivet, Apollonius, or such who are not of credit with courtiers,
or such who are known to make use only of the court-favour for their
private ends; and therefore I did bethink myself of another mean to
effectuate that end, which was, by addressing myself to the Prince of
Orange his Highness. For this purpose, I took pains to inform myself,
the best I could, of the present posture of counsels suggested to the
King’s Majesty, and the reasons for them; and I found, that all these
designed by our late Sovereign to be his four counsellors while he
was Prince of Wales, viz. Cottington, Andover, Culpepper, and Hyde,
advised he should go directly for Ireland. This did James Graham urge
also with great vehemency; and if that would not prevail, others were
of advice, that the King was to come to Scotland _armata manu_, because
no trust could be given to such who were leading men in our parliament;
partly, because they thought there was reason to suspect the sincerity
and reality of some who used such a fair invitation only to get the
King in their power, whose advancement they thought never more to
procure than they did his father’s; partly, because they thought, that
though these who invite him do really intend, yet they are not able
to maintain him against the English usurpers, if they do not recal
their late acts against such who have had a hand in the engagement,
and join all their powers together. But this, say they, they will
never do, and so they shall not be able to protect the King; but being
straitened by the English, will be content to buy their peace with
quitting the King. And here, to make this probable, pregnant instances
are brought in of my Lord Chancellor’s papers against the delivery of
the King to the parliament, pressed by unanswerable reasons, which yet
were neglected altogether, by delivery of the King within few months
after. The other instance was, of the treating of our commissioners
with the late King at the Isle of Wight, and our not performing our
promise accordingly. But there is a third party, who, though they be
not of the King’s council, yet, out of love to him and their country,
rejected the two former projects as bloody, to the utter ruining the
King and all Protestants; and did by all means labour to persuade his
Majesty to go to Scotland, upon the very same terms they did require;
that if he did not go, and that hastily, with a resolution to seal the
covenants, he would alienate the hearts of all the Protestants in all
his kingdoms from him: and this was pressed by the Earls of Lauderdale,
Callendar, and Lanerk, with such evident self-denial of their own
interests, as being grievously censured by this present parliament,
that had the King been left to himself, it was thought he could not but
follow their advice. This honourable carriage of these three noblemen
I can bear witness unto, as having heard them protest it in private,
and understand it from others also, who are our enemies, and do curse
the hour they have been cast here to spoil the game they thought sure.
Believe me, I do acknowledge the good providence of God in casting
them here at this time. They have done more good than if they had been
sitting in parliament.
My next was, to find out whereto the Prince of Orange was inclined. For
this purpose, I went to two of the States Generals, of whose intimacy
with the Prince’s councils all men did speak. I found them not only
clear in their own judgement for the King’s going to Scotland, and
embracing the covenant, but that this also was the Prince’s mind. From
them I went to sundry others; but from none did I get surer information
than from the Lord Beverweert, Governor of Bergen-op-zoom, natural son
to Prince Maurice, a nobleman truly pious, and of a public spirit,
resolute to employ his credit for religion, and of high account with
the Prince, in whose councils he has chief influence.
Now having found whereto the Prince inclined, my next thoughts were
to understand so much out of his own mouth, and to confirm in him
what good resolution I should find in him; especially to remove some
scruples and objections, wherewith many told me he was daily assaulted.
For this end, a countryman of ours promised to bring me to the Prince;
but performed it not, or at least would have me to wait so long upon
it, that I should be made to think it some great favour; for this
court-policy, I learned, which made me resolved to go in my old way,
and by the mediation of one of his Highness’s counsellors, I was
brought into him, and had the freedom of a long hour’s speech, where
I found God’s assistance and blessing; his assistance, in enabling me
both with words and matter, for it was in Dutch: and his blessing, in
making the Prince so attentive to what I said, so desirous to know the
true grounds of things, so apprehensive, and so fully resolved with us
for his Majesty’s going to Scotland upon the conditions proponed. I
shall give you a short and compendious account of what passed then.
After I had thanked his Highness for his favour in granting me so
ready audience, and desired to know if I might, with his good liking,
propone what I intended in Latin or English, rather than Dutch, he
desired me to do it in Dutch. Then I first condoled the parricide of
our late King his father; “showed how it was abhorred by the estates
of our kingdom; how, contrary to our covenant, the end of which, among
other things, was the safety of the King’s person; how not only the
state had proclaimed his son to be their King, but the ministry in the
kingdom also, according to their places had done their duty, and had
given assurance of their loyal affection to our present King, by their
letters to him, and by their care that he may be persuaded to shun
the wicked counsels which drove his late father to such counsellors;
that they had given me orders to deal with all who could contribute
any thing to the advancement of this good work; and that I could look
upon none from whom I had reason to expect more good than his Highness,
who, by being instrumental therein, would gain greater honour than by
gaining of towns,” &c.