Chapter XV: Part 15

Anent the request of the Commissioner of Edinburgh, desyreing the Assembly to ratifie the calling of Mr William Watsone to the ministrie of Edinburgh: the Generall Kirk ratifies and approves the same in presence of the said Mr William, desyrand to be transportit from the said Kirk, qwhilk the Assemblie refused.

All ministers and pastors are exhortit, in their sermones to delait openly the prejudice done to the haill Kirk be the spulzie of the patrimonie thereof, and publicly to disallow and oppone against the publick abusers thereof.

The Generall Assemblie understanding the appearing ruine and decay of the evangell, within this realme, for fault of provisione of ministers, and intertainment of schooles and colledges, hes thought good and convenient to give their Commissione, and be the tenor heirof to grant full power to Mrs Robert Pont, Robert Bruce, David Lyndsay, John Craige, Andrew Myllne, Thomas Buchanane, Androw Hay, John Porterfield, Peter Blackburne, John Duncansone, David Fargusone, William Strivilling, Gilbert Garden, ministers of the Evangell, or any seven of them, to compeir before his Majestie and Counsell, upon Monday next, or such other day as his Majestie shall appoynt, to call, conferre, and advyse upon the said head, and to craue humbly of his Majestie that the Ministers’ and Readers’ assignationes may be given out at Hallowmess, and that such as are already provydit of their stipends _ad vitam_, and uthers that are content with the assignationes alreadie made to them, be unalterit therein, qwhill they obtayne better provisione, and to that effect to travell earnestly with his Majestie and Counsell, and to report again answer to the next Generall Assembly of the Kirk, firme and stable.

Anent the request of the Presbytrie of Dumblane, in respect of the few number and povertie of their presbytrie, to joyne to their Synodall Assembly the Presbytrie of Linlithgow: the Assemblie present has found it more meit that the Presbytries of Perth and Dunkeld shall be joynit with the Presbytrie of Dumblaine, and in ane Synodall Assembly, to be first holden in Perth, and thereafter in ony place qwhere the Synodall shall think it meitest.

The Generall Assembly hes given their commissione and authoritie to the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, to call before them Papists and apostats who shall happen to resort to court, or to the said towne, and in speciall to summond my Lords Huntlie and Settowne, William Schaw, John Chisholme, and Colonell Stewart.

Sessio 14.

According to the allowable custome observit amongst the antients of humiliatione and fasting of the pastors, The breither and Kirk conveint hes thocht meit, and be ordinance statute, that in tyme comeing, qwhen it shall please God to convene the Generall Kirk of this realme, That the first day of the Assemblie, at the place and towne where they conveine, ane publick fast and humiliatione be of the haill inhabitants thereof, alswell as of the pastors conveint, and the chair of veritie alseweell occupyit before noone in the morning as at afternoone, be the ordinare pastors thereof; the tyme and houres of exhortatione made before the Assemblie, being keipit as of before, to the effect it may please God to give his blessing to the conventione and good ishew of their travells; and because the next Assemblie is concludit to be in Edinburgh, the pastors thereof is ordaynit to give intimatione heirof to the congregatione, the Sunday before the said Assemblie.

Anent the questione movit, If a man, convict of adulterie three-score years sensyne, satisfying the order of the Kirk be repentance, and presentit new to serve in the ministrie of the Evangell, sould be admitted thereto or not? The Assembly answers negative, and thinks he ought not to be admittit.

The next Assemblie was appoyntit to be in Edinburgh the 17th day of Junii next to come, 1589.[25]

[FIFTY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveint att
Edinburgh, upon the fourth day of August 1590, where there was
assemblit the Commissioners and Brethrene underwritten--

_The King’s Commissioners_:--

My Lord Chancellour--My Lord Blantyre.

_Ergyll._

Mr Neill Campbell.

_Zetland, absent._
_Orknay, absent._
_Caithnes, absent._
_Sutherland, absent._

_Ross._

Mr James Robertsone.

_Morray._

Mr Johne Innes.
Mr Alexander Rawsone.
Mr James Keith.

_Bawmff, absent._

_Aberdeene._

Mr Peter Blackburne.
Mr Gilbert Gairden.

_Angus and Meirnes._

Mr George Gladstaines.
Mr James Douglas.
Mr Patrick Lindsay.
Mr James Melvill.
Mr Andrew Leitche.
Mr Robert Ramsay.
John Dwrie.
Mr John Rigge.
John Fullartoune.
William Chrystisone.
James Andersone.
Mr James Nicolsone.
Mr George Hay.
Mr John Hepburne.
Mr Thomas Kay.

_Dunkeld._

Mr William Edmestoune.
Mr William Glasse.
George Grahame.

_Striveling._

Johne Earle of Mar.
The Laird of Airth.
The Laird of Kerss.
The Laird of Touch.
Gargunnock.

_Ministers._

Mrs Henrie Livingstoune.
William Coupar.
Richard Wicht.
James Smyth.

_Dumblane._

My Lord Drummond.
The Laird of Keir.
The Laird of Glenneglische.

_Ministers._

Mrs William Stirling.
Mrs Andrew Young.
John Davidsone.
Alexander Chisholm.

_Perth._

Mrs Archibald Moncrieff.
William Rynde.
Henrie Gwthrie.

_Fyffe._

Mrs Andrew Melvill.
James Martine.
Patrick Melvill.
William Cranstoune.
William Marche.
Andrew Duncane.
Thomas Buchanane.
James Melvill.
Nicoll Dalgleische.
David Fargusone.
John Fairfowll.
James Steuart.
Edward Mylls.
The Earle of Mortoune.
Lord Lyndsay.

_Lairds._

Ballverie.
Colluchie.
Pitmillie.
Cambo.
Balfour.
Lundie, Elder.
Raith, Elder and Younger.
Kynneir.
Abbotshall.
Hallhill.
Weymes, Younger.
Cleisch.
The Abbot of Culross.
The Maister of Sinclare.
The Goodman of Stravichly.
Kynnaldie.
James Elphinstoune.
John Logane.

_Lowthiane._

_Lairds._

Merchestoune.
Collingtowne.
Corstorphine.
Braid.
Dalmahoy.
Carberry.
James Richesoune of Smettoune.
Thomas Hamiltone of Priestfield.
James Hamiltone of Rochbank.

_Ministers._

Mrs Robert Bruce.
James Balfour.
Robert Pont.
John Davidsone.
John Craige.
John Brand.
John Hall.
Patrick Simpsone.

_Haddingtowne._

Mrs James Carmichaell.
Thomas M‘Gie.
Mr Thomas Greige.

The Lairds of

Clarkingtowne.
Elphinstowne.
Eastchester, Junior.

_Lynlithgow._

Mr Robert Cornwall.
Mr John Spottiswood.
George Dundass of that Ilk.
Nicoll Cornwall of Ballinhard.

_Dumbarre._

William Sandersone.
Mrs James Young.
James Douglass, appearand of Spott.
Archibald Douglass.

_Dalkeith._

My Lord Newbottle.
The Laird of Ormistoune.
Robert Porteous.
Mrs Adam Johnstoune.
Mrs John Bennett.
James Bennett.
John Herries.

_Merss._

_Teviotdale._

_Tweddale._

Mr Thomas Storie.
Mr John Hoome.
Robert Hyslope.
Mr Patrick Gaits.
Duncane Walcar.
John Smyth.
Alexander Lawder.
Mr Adam Dowglass.
Mr William Auchmoutie.

_Clydsdaill._

_Ranfrow._

_Lennox._

Andrew Hay.
Thomas Jack.
Mrs David Weymes.
John Hamyltoune.
Robert Darrochie.
Mrs Robert Lyndsay.
John Lawrance.
Walter Stewart.
Andrew Spittall.

_Kyle._

_Carricke._

_Chunninghame_.

Mrs John Porterfield.
John M‘Korne.
Peter Prymrose.
Mrs John Inglis.
John Cunninghame.
Alexander Weittowne.

_Galloway._

Alexander Stewart of Garlies.
James Lydderdale of the Yle.
Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar.
John Neilsoune of Craculhie.
Mrs James Hamyltone.
David Blyth.
Niniane Macklennochane.
James Adamsone.

_Neithsdaill._

Mrs James Brysone.
Hew Fullartoune.
Robert Lord Sanchar.
The Laird of Drumlanrie.
The Laird of Closetoune.
James Crichtoune of Carbethe.

_Townes_:--

_Strivelling._

Arthur Bruce.
David Foster.

_Leith._

William Monteith.
John Kylle.

_Wigtowne._

Sir Alexander Stewart.
John Ahaney.
Mr James Adamsone.

_Edinburghe._

William Little.
Edward Galbreith.[26]

_Acta Edinburgi_, 4 _Augusti_ 1590--Sessio 1^{ma}.

Exhortatione made be Mr James Melvill, Moderator of the last Assemblie, the Kirk proceedit to the electione of a new Moderator; and appoynting on the leitts, Mrs Peter Blackburne, Patrick Gallaway, John Davidsone, David Fargusone, Mr Nicoll Dalgleische, the said Mr Patrick, be pluralitie of vots, was chosen Moderator _hac vice_: Qwha desyrit certaine of the learnit and grave brethren to be given Assessors to him, be whose advyce he may propone such things as were meitest to be treitit at this tyme, viz. Mrs Robert Bruce, Andrew Melvill, David Lindsay, Robert Pont, David Fargwsone, Peter Blackburne, Neill Campbell, William Rynde, John Duncansone, James Melvill, elder and younger, James Carmichell, John Davidsone, Nicoll Dalgleische, James Hamiltone, Andrew Hay, Robert Rollock, Peter Primross, James Nicolsone, William Glass, qwho were appoyntit to conveine with him at ten houres the morne, and two afternoone in the Gallarie, and on wther dayes, qwhen there is no sermone, at awcht houres, and twa afternoone.

Acta Sessio 2^a. Eodem die.

Commissioners of all countries were inquyrit qwhat they had done concerning the executione of the last act made against Papists, Jesuites, Seminarie Priests, excommunicats and their entertayners, marcats and others profanationes of the Sabbath day, non-residents, and the rest of the heids committit to the Presbytries and Commissioners.

Sessio 3^a. 5 Augusti.

Mr John Innes was accusit for admitting Robert Dumbar to the ministry without the advyce of the Presbytrie of Forres; qwha answerit, there was no presbytrie thair the tyme of his tryall, but it was erectit before his admissione, and he did it be the advyce of the Presbytrie of Elgine, qwherein he confest he did raschlie. The Kirk ordayns the said Robert to be tryit _de novo_, and to be heard be the brether of Edinburgh, and presbytrie thereof, so many as shall be present, with so many as are here of the Presbytrie of Forress, and thereafter as the brether beis satisfyit, the Assembly informit farther to be proceeded againes the said Mr Johne.

Sessio 4^a. Eodem die.

It being bruitit, that the Earl of Montrose intertained Fintrie, excommunicat, The Assembly ordaynit the Presbytrie qwhair it sauld happen him to remaine, to charge him before them, to try the bruit, and to admonische, conforme to the act of the Kirk; and in caise of disobedience, to proceid according to the mynde thereof.

Sessio 5^a. 6 Augusti.

My Lord Angus his excommunicatione reducit be reasone of informalitie; and because there is sufficient cause of such censure against my Lord in the said sentence, if the proces had been formally led, Therefore the Kirk hes instantly desyrit his Lordship to remove the cause; and to that effect maist diligently caire that the Sabbath be not violat be ffaires or mercats within his owne bounds--that no labouring nor carriage be wsit within the same, and that his vassalls compell not their tennents to wse carriage on the Sabbath, and likewise to travell with them, that they give some day of the week to their tennents, as to schear and lead their cornes, that they be not abstractit from the kirk on the Sabbath; Qwhaise answer was, that with all diligence he could, he sould travell to that effect, and at the rysing of the Lords, sould ryde home himself to Douglass, and hold a court, and make lawes and penaltie for restraining ane violation of the Sabbath.

My Lord Somerwell being present, alleadgit the priviledge of his infeftment for holding the mercatt of Carnwath on the Sabbath; notwithstanding he condescendit that no marcat nor ffair sould be keepit their on the Sabbath; and in caise of his failzie, the presbytrie there was commandit to proceed against him according to the act of the Kirk.

Anent the lament made be the brethrene of the manifold kynds of violatione and profanatione of the Lord’s day, be ganging of milnes, saltpannes, schearing and leading of cornes, carying of victuall to and from burrowstounes; The Assemblie, as of before, declares the same to be unlawfull, against the law of God and acts of Parliament, and ordaynes the violators thereof to be punisched conforme to the ordinance made of before--discharging the burrowstownes from the receaving of loads and carriages brought to them on the Sabbath day. Ordaynes the presbytries to travell with the gentlemen within their bounds, to grant some week day unto their tenants to that effect.

And farder, for better observatione of the Sabbath, ordaynes the haill pastores here present to give in a Roll of the names of the persons quhilks may best stopp the mercats within their bounds; to the effect his Majestie may be requestit to interpone his authority, to command the samen to them, or utherwayes to call them in caise of refuisall.

Mr Thomas Dowglass was accusit for marriage of my Lord Errole and his spouse without his owne paroche, being ane of his parochiners.

Sir James Williamsone, James Logane, sometyme monk of New Abbay, excommunicat for profaining of the sacraments. ---- Symsone transportit from Cramond to Strivilling.

Sessio 8^a. 7 Augusti.

Ane supplicatione was presentit be the parochiners of Endercharitie, cravand ane Pastor, qwho will not in their prejudice, transact with the patrone of their kirk my Lord Crawfurd, and sell their teinds over their heads, and that no persone be admittit to the said benefice bot such as shall interdyte himself either to the provinciall Assemblie of Angus and Meirnes, or then to the Presbytrie, qwhilk shall happen to try him: And they desyre ane commission to be given to the Presbytrie of Dundie to that effect, in respect _non patet tutis accessus_ to the Presbytrie of Brechine, and the paroche is neirer to Dundie.

The Assemblie, after advysement heirof, ordaynes the brethren of the Presbytry of Brechine, or such as they shall direct of their number instructit with their commissione, together with the Presbytrie of Dundie, to concurr together with the Towne of Dundie to the tryall of the persone qwhilk shall happen to be presentit be the said Lord, and before they give him any admissione, that he be sworne and interdytit that he shall on no wayes sett tacks or make light of the saids complainers’ teynds to no manner of persone, without the speciall consent of the Generall Assembly had thereto, according to the acts of the same, and lykewise give his speciall consent that the said interdictione shall be published, utherwayes not to admitt him in any wayes.

In presence of the King’s Majestie, the Moderator exponit to his Grace three speciall articles, qwhilk the Kirk hes to crave presently at his Heines hand, viz. The ratificatione of the liberties of the Kirk;--the purging the land of Jesuites, Papists, Seminarie Priests, abusers of the Sacraments;--and last, provisione of every kirk of ane sufficient pastor ane sufficient living: To the qwhilk his Majestie answerit, That in all Parliaments, first the liberties of the Kirk are ratified. His will they knaw concernyng Papists and Jesuites, and how earnest he is to purge the land of all such. As to the provisione, he hes but his awne part: many moe hes interes therein; desyreing that they wald cause Mrs Robert Bruce, David Lyndsay, Robert Pont, and the Moderator’s selfe, to await upon the Councill for answering thereof, and conferring with the Counsell thereanent, qwham the Assembly nominat to that effect.

Humble Petitions of the Generall Assemblie cravit at his Majestie
and Honourable Counsell.

First, That in respect that many things hes been promised before, and no executione following thereupon, that now performance may be thereof, and the speciall declaratione of the meine and performance thereof. _Item_, A ratificatione is cravit of all Lawes that hes been made for the weill of the trew Kirk, together with ane new act of Parliament especially establisching the Kirk’s jurisdictione, their Generall and Synodall Assemblies, Presbytries, and Discipline; and all acts made contrare to the libertie and jurisdictione of the said Kirk preceeding the date heirof to be abolisched: and qwhill ane Parliament may be had, the said act to be constitut in Counsell and Conventione of Estates, if any shall happen in the meantyme to be halden.

The purging of the Kirk and country of all Jesuites, Papists, Seminarie Priests, and excommunicats--ane law for repressing and punishing of the abusers of the holy Sacraments--ane law and meine whereby ministers may be possessed in their gleibs and manses, and peaceably enjoy them, and the contraveeners may be repressit and punished.

Ane order for them that were at the Bridge of Die: ane law and ordinance for keeping of the Sabbath: ane law and ordinance against them that troubles or hurts ministers gangand to ther kirks and executing their offices: ane strait law for repressing of the bloodsched and murder in the countrie and all the quarters thereof, and that the same may be purgit of the samen.

That all kirks within this countrie be sufficiently plantit with ministers, teachers, and uthers necessare office-bearers, and sufficient stipends appoyntit to them for serving of their cures, of the best and readiest of the teynds and uther rents mortified to the use of the Kirk, and the haill rest to be employit upon Colledges, bringing up of the youth, and sustentatione of the poore, the fabrick of the Kirk, and uther common affaires thereof.

Sessio 9^a. 8 Augusti.

My Lord Angus gave in ane supplicatione desyreing command to be given to the Presbytrie of Lanerick upon his presentation to the personage of Carmichael, qwhairof he is patrone, to giue admissione. The Kirk ordaynes the Presbytries of Lanerick and Glasgow to concurr together for decyding and taking order finallie therein.

Sessio 10^a. Eodem die.

Forsuameikle as it is certaine that the word of God cannot be keepit in the awne sinceritie without the holy discipline be had in observance: It is therefore, be common consent of the haill brethren and commissioners present, concludit, That qwhosoever hes borne office in the ministrie of the Kirk within this realme, or that presently beirs or shall hereafter beir office therein, shall be chairgit be every particular Presbytrie qwhere their residence is, to subscryve the heads of Discipline of the Kirk of this realme, at lenth sett downe and allowit be acts of the haill Assemblie in the Book of Policie, qwhilk is registrat in the Register of the Kirk--and, namely, the contraventit heads be the enemies of the Discipline of the reformit Kirk of this realme, betwixt and the nixt Synodall Assemblie of the provinces, under the paine of excommunicatione, to be execute against the non-subscryvers; and the Presbytries qwhilk sall be found remiss or negligent herein to receive publick rebuke of the haill Assemblie: And to the effect the said discipline may be knawne as it oucht to be by the haill breither, it is ordaynit that the Moderator of ilk Presbytrie shall receave from the Clark of the Assemblie ane copie of the said Booke, under his subscriptione, upon the expenses of the Presbytries, betwixt and the first day of September nixt to come, under the paine to be openly accusit in face of the haill Assemblie.

It is thocht meet and concludit be the Assemblie, qwhair the Presbytries are weell constitute, that the order of Commissioners of countries shall cease, and ane act to be advysit heirupon against the nixt meeting on Monnonday, qwhereas every Presbytrie shall have ready the name of such as they shall think meet, for their Presbytries to expede the platt for their kirks, admitt persones presentit to benefices, and designe manses.

Anent the prejudice done to the Kirk be beneficit men, qwhilk stands in twa sorts, viz. those within the ministrie, and of uthers beirand no functione therein: The Kirk ordaynes the acts of the Assemblie to be considerit and sichtit againe Mononday next, that it may be seen if there be any act concludit against these persones, qwhilk are not of the functione of the ministrie.

Sessio 11^a. 10 Augusti.

John Liverance, for his rasche excommunication of the Earle of Angus, was ordayned to confesse his offence to God and to the said nobleman, in presence of the congregatione on ane Sabbath day, at the kirk where the said sentence was pronuncit; and the sentence reduceing the said proces to be publicklie intimat be ane brother in audience of the congregatione.

Sessio 12^a. Eodem die.

Robert Dumbar his admissione to the ministrie without the advyce of the Presbytrie of Forres, was found null, and rescindit be the haill Assemblie.

Anent the examinatione before the communion: It is thought meet for the commone profite of the whole people, that ane uniforme order be keepit in examinatione, and that ane schort forme of examinatione be sett downe by their breither, Mrs John Craige, Robert Pont, Thomas Buchanan, and Andrew Melvill, to be presentit to the nixt Assemblie.

Sessio 13^a. Augusti 11.

Forsuameikle as it beand the commone consent of the haill breither of the Assembly, resolvit, That qwhere the presbytries are weell and orderly constitute, the yearly electione and nominatione of Commissioners over countries hitherto customablie observit in the Assemblie is not necessare nor expedient, the samen presbytries having establischit in their awne selfes ane sufficient power of their awne number to send out instructit with their commissione _pro re nata_ to take order with such things as falls out in their bounds: Therefore it is thocht meit and universallie concludit, that the said yearly electione of Commissioners over countries qwhere presbytries are weell and sufficiently constitute, shall ceise in tyme coming, and qwhairof before, the said Commissioners bure the charge, to inroll the ministers and their stipends at the platt, receive presentationes, and give collatione thereupon, designe manses and gleibs; that the saids weill constitute presbytries, ilk ane of them, shall yearly, ay and qwhill the necessity thereof craves, elect and chuse out of their awne number, ane brother in name of the haill presbytrie, for inrolling and expeditione of their stipend at the platt; authorisit and instructit be them, with commissione subscryved be the Moderator and Clarks of the presbytrie to be schawne and producit to the modifier, and the samen Commissioners to designe manses and gleibs within the bounds of the said presbytrie, and in all things concernyng the executione of his commissione, to be comptable and subject to the censure of the judgement of the presbytrie, qwhom frae he receavit the same; and that all presentationes be direct in tymes comeing to the presbytries qwhere the benefice lyis; alwayes in admissione or deprivatione of Ministers in Buchane, Aberdeene, Garrioche, and Marre, that Aberdeen and Buchane proceed with mutuall advyce in admissione and deprivatione of ministers, and lykewayes Marr and Garrioche, with mutuall advyce of wthers; and in caice of variance the matter to be committit to the Assemblie.

Anent the supplicatione given in be James Hering, desyring the Kirk to call in William Blair, and to trauell with him to giue his consent to the marriage of Agnes Blair his daughter, and if he had not cause of refuseall, to giue command to the minister of the paroche to proclaime their bands and compleit their marriage, notwithstanding qwhatsomever ordinance made be them of before: The Assemblie haveing heard both the saids parties, Finds that the said James hes not yet satisfyit their ordinance, and therefore ordaynes him to delyuer peaceablie in the hands of the magistrates of Perth, the said Agnes to be delyverit to her father, upon conditione and securitie to be tane be the magistrates forsaids for her securitie, or failzieing of the said security, to be delyvered be the saids magistrates to her good father betwixt and the first day of September nixt to come, under the paine of excommunicatione, to be execute against him be the Presbytrie of Dundie, upon the advertisement made to them be the Presbytrie of Perth, before qwhom, after her delyverance, the saids father shall prepare his reasons of refuseall to be judgit be them; and in the meanetyme, discharges all ministers of proclamatione of the saids bands, or compleiting of the said marriage qwhill the said cause be tryit, and delyverance made, as said is.

Sessio 14^a. Eodem die.

Forsuameikle as it is considerit that the patrimonie of the Kirk hes bein waistit be such as are clad with benefices, qwhilk is the occasione of laike of provisione to the ministrie; Therefore, all presbytries are commandit to try the beneficit men within their bounds, and to examine in qwhat estate and conditione they receavit their benefice, and in qwhat condition they are in presently;--as also qwhat they now were that sett tacks and titles of their benefice, or any pairt thereof, without consent of the Generall Assemblie; and to report to their Synodall Assemblies, what they have found, and alse the said Synodall to try where any thing is neglectit be them, and report to the Generall Assembly.

Because great sclander lyes upon the Kirk throw manifold murthers, notorious adulteries and incests, and the parties being under proces, oft tymes evites the Kirk, and chyftes from place to place, qwhairthrough the proces cannot weill be brought to a finall sentence; dureing all the qwhilk tyme the sclanders continows and increasses: _Queritur_, quhither pairties falling into such horrible and odious crymes may summarly, upon the notorietie of the cryme, be excommunicate or not? Answerit to the said questione affirmative.

Sessio 15^a. Augusti 12.

According to the directione of the Kirk for the restraining mercats, and profanatione of the Sabbath day, within Edinburgh, be ganging of their millnes, receaving of loads within their ports, selling of flowre and fructuages, and suche other violatione of the said day: The Baillies of the said burgh having direction from the Counsell, declareit that the mynde of the Counsell is, notwithstanding of qwhatsumever difficulties, to doe qwhat may be in their power for removeing thereof, that all the rest of the burghes shall take no sclander be them.

Sessio 16. Eodem die.

Ordaynes the brether of the Presbytrie of Edinburgh to peruse the answer sett out be Mr Craige, against ane pernicious wryting put out against the Confessione of Fayth, together with the preface made be Mr John Davidsone, and if they find meit the samen be publisched, that they may be committit to print.

Sessio 17^a. Augusti 13.

Forsuameikle as the dangerous insurrection made at the Bridge of Die being considerit to have notoriously importit speciall prejudice to the trew religion, publickly profest and establisched be the mercy of God, within this realme, Nottheless the speciall authors and interprysers of the same remaining under the said sclander, hes never meinit to purge themselves thereof, be confessione of their offence, and satisfying the Kirk of God therefore; The Generall Assembly for this cause, presently conveint, hes given their full power and commissione to the breither of the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, with the concurrence of ane of the King’s Majestie’s ministers, viz. Mrs Robert Hepburne, William Sandersone, Mrs James Carmichaell, Thomas M‘Gie, George Ramsay, Adam Johnstoune, James Law, John Spottiswood,--to summond before them in Edinburgh, the Earles, Lairds, Barrones, frieholders, qwhilks were at the said insurrectione, and speciall traffiquers and counsellors to the said noblemen, and to charge them to acknowledge and confesse their offence against the trew Kirk of God and his religione, and make satisfactione for the sclander committit be them therethrough, under the paine of excommunicatione; and that betwixt and the first day of February nixt to come: referring to their discretion the particular dyetts and order of proces to be keepit therein; provyding alwayes that this commissione be execute betuixt and the said day--requyring their brother, Mr John Craige, to remember this matter to the saids Commissioners, as he would eschew the blame of the breither in caise of his negligence.

Anent the provisione of the Generall Visitors direct to the north and south pairts, as also Commissioners to be nominat to their presbitries: The breither nominat to the said platt be the King’s Majestie, are ordaynit to trauell with the modifiers, that the Commissioners of the Kirk may be provydit, and assignationes given for that effect.

[FIFTY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveint at
Edinburgh, in the New Kirk thereof, the 2d day of July in the
year of God 1591.

Sessio 1^a. July 2.

Exhortatione being made be Mr Patrick Gallaway, last Moderator, the Kirk proceidit to the election of ane Moderator for this tyme; and putting on leitts Mrs Nicoll Dalgleische, Patrick Scharpe, James Balfour, and John Davidsone, the said Mr Nicoll, be plurality of votes, was chosen Moderator.

Sessio 2^a. Eodem die.

Forsuameikle as the alteration of the place of the Assemblie may move some breither to cast ane doubt of the authoritie of this Assemblie: The Kirk hes votit that there was ane reasonable and weighty cause of the alteration thereof, and that nothing is done in prejudice of their act--the speciall cause being the desyre of his Majestie, qwho, for sundrie reasones, willit the Assemblie to be keepit here at this tyme, qwhereof if any breither wald be satisfyit further, the breither on the conferrence shall resolve them; and that this is ane lawfull Assembly, notwithstanding the alteration forsaid.

Sessio 3^a. July 3.

Ordaynes ane article to be given to the King and Counsell to take order with the cullorit and vagabond Egyptians, qwhilk defyles the countrie with all manner of abominatione.

Anent the act made in the Assembly concernyng beggars: It is demit expedient that the samen be publischit in every paroche be the minister thereof, and put to executione be the pastors alse far as concerns them, as they will be answerable to the Kirk.

Sessio 4^a. July 5.

Anent the subscriptione of the Book of Policie, injoynit in the last Assembly: In respect the greatest pairt of the presbytries as yet hes not satisfyit the ordinance of the Kirk, the Assemblie hes ordaynit the former act to be observit and execute betuixt and the next Assemblie, and the Moderator of everie presbytrie to sie to the executione thereof, under the paine of forty shillings, to be imployit to the use of the poore, besyde the open rebuke in the open Assembly.

Anent sacriledge universallie reigning throw the whole realme: Seeing it is commonly esteemit no sinne, and is unknawne to many for the maist part: It is thocht meit that some trauell be taken be some godly breither, to sett downe and draw that monster unto the awne collours, and therefore desyres their brother, Mr Robert Pont, to take paines in that subject.

The Kirk present hes willit their breither, Mrs Robert Bruce, David Lyndsay, Peter Blackburne, Andrew Melvill, Robert Rollock, Thomas Buchanan, James Carmichaell, John Davidsone, and John Johnstoune, or any three of them, to peruse and visite the said Mr Robert his Treatise, and to give to him their judgement therein, to the effect the samin being perfytit, may be put _in mundo_, and presentit againe to the full Assembly, that they may giue their opinion therein.

Sessio 5^a. Julii 6.

Forsuameikle as the order observit of before, in giving power to certaine of the breither nominat thereto, to read and answer to the Bills given in to the Generall Assemblie, it appeares to some brethren to be inconvenient and derogatorie to the provinciall Assemblies, speciallie in that far as the matters qwhilk are thocht doubtsome to them and referrit to the full Assemblie, are committit to the decisione of ffour or fyve brethren: It is thocht, therefore, expedient in tyme coming that certain brether be chosen and namit be the Assembly, who shall have power only to take in the supplicationes and complaints qwhilks are to come before the full number, read them, and consider if they come in pertinently before the Generall Assembly; and if they be impertinent, to giue them answer on the back of the Bills; and qwheneas they are pertinent, to bring them back to the haill Assembly to be answerit therewith, their opinion in word, qwhat they have considerit thereof, and where they think meit to be answerit.

Sess. 10^a. July 8.

Anent the questione proponit--Whether they who usurpes the names of Bischopes, and have been sometyme in the ministrie, and now will neither serve the kirk themselves qwhereof they take up the fruits, neither pay the stipends of them that serves as they are appoyntit be the platt, there being sufficient rent to doe the same, but spend the same in profane uses, aught to be censurit be the Kirk; and if they will not amend, be excommunicat? It is answerit--Such persones aught to be censurit be the Kirk--and if they amend not, to excommunicate them.

Sessio 11^a. Eodem die.

Compeird my Lord Provand, President, with my Lord Culross and Barnbarroche, and in name of the haill Sessione declareit, that they understood that my Lord of Halʒairds, ane of their number, was yesterday callit at the instance of Mr Patrick Simpsone, for calling him before them, ane suborner; qwhilk matter indifferently depends before them, being ane civill cause and proper to their cognitione, and qwhereunto the Kirk is not judge; desyreing, therefore, that the Kirk sould not proceed in their judgement thereupon until the said cause before them took end, qwhereon, so diligently as was possible, they were proceeding, and that they sould doe nothing to the derogatione of the priviledge of the College of Justice.

After they were removit and the Kirk advysit with their petitione, being callit in againe, The Assembly answerit, they wald doe nothing to hurt or derogate to their priviledges, nor yet proceid or judge in any civill matter; but in this cause, being chiefly occupied in purgeing the members of their awne bodie, qwhilk is ecclesiasticall, they micht judge without any prejudice to the civill judgement, desyrand the Lords as they wald not hinder nor wish the hinderance of their judicature, so they wald not think evill that the Kirk proceeded in purging of their awne bodie and meddling ecclesiasticallie.

Sessio 13. July 9.

Anent the foresaid matter, the Assemblie, after grave reasonyng had, if it was expedient to proceed in this cause before the Lords of Session had giuen their decisione, thought meit that my Lord Justice Clark sould be demandit if he acknowledged the judgement and jurisdictione of the Kirk or not? Qwha being callit and inquyrit as said is, answered, that he acknowledgit with reverence the judgement of the Assemblie in all causes appertayning to them: But in this cause, qwhilk is civill, qwhereunto the Lords are _primario Judices_, before qwhom also it presently depends, they cannot be Judges _primario_.

After the qwhilk answers, being removit, and the Kirk farther advysit, calling his Lordship in againe, they pronuncit that they fand themselves Judges _primario_ in this cause, and instantly to proceed therein--requyring him what farther he wald alleadge or propone for his defence in the said cause: wha took instruments of their interloquitor, protesting for remead of law; qwhilk protestatione, because it was made _verbo_, and contaynit many heads, he was desyrit to give into the Clerk in write.

Sessio 12. July 15.

Anent the act of the Lords of the Chekker, proceeding upon ane supplicatione made be the breither of the ministrie to them, daited at Halyrudehouse the tenth day of February 1591, declareing their meaning to be, that all ministers that hes vitiat any benefices of cure, in haill or in pairt, be purchasing unto themselves, thair airs, and assignays, lang tacks of the samen within the worth of the saids benefices, be compellit be the censures of the Kirk to restore them againe to thair awne integritie to thair ministers presently serving the cure; and to that effect requyres the Generall and Synodall Assemblies, Commissioners, and Presbytries of the bounds quhar the saidis benefices lyis, to take tryall of such persones, and to proceed against them as said is, in most strait forme, according as such a great anormitie in ministers craves, ay and qwhill they have redintigrat the benefices qwhilks hes been corrupt and vitiat be them as said is, but any farther process of law to follow thairupone; as the said act, subscrivit be my Lord Chancellor, Newbottle, Sir Robert Melvill, Parbroth, Blantyre, Carmichaell, Linclouden, Colluthie, and Mr Patrick Young, beirs: The Generall Assembly of the Kirk being advyseit therwith, allows and approves the said act and advyce of the said Chekker, and ordaynes the same to be put in execution in every Presbytrie, according to the tenor thereof.

Sessio 16. Eodem die.

The Assembly ordaynes universallie, that the acts of discipline conteint in the acts of Generall Assembly, be keepit, alsweill in Angus and Mearns as in other places.

Sessio 17. July 13.

Forsuameikle as it being deeply considerit be the Kirk, that many things have been done by them, and be uthers pretendand the name and title of the Kirk, greatly prejudiciall to themselves, their discipline, and also the patrimonie and living of the Kirk, and that be priviledge of good lawes, it is grantit and leisum to them to remead themselves be revocation thereof; Therefore the haill Assemblie, after grave and mature deliberatione, hes revockit, and be thir presents revocks, all and quhatsumevir thing done be them, or others cloathing them with the name and title of the Kirk, prejudiciall to themselves, their discipline, patrimonie, and living, as being enormlie hurt thereby, and protests according to the disposition of the said law, solemnit as they may be heard in tyme and place to seek remedie heirof; and for mair speciale expressing and mair particular declaratione thairof, hes willit their brethren, Mrs Robert Pont, David Lyndsay, Robert Bruce, and Andrew Melvill, to conceive in write the forme thairof; the copie qwhairof ilk Presbytrie is ordaint to receave, and to give command to the pastors within their bounds, to intimat the said revocatione made in this Assemblie from their pulpits.

Anent the forme of examinatione before the communione, pennit be their brother Mr Craige: the Assembly thought it meet to be imprintit, being be the author thairof contractit in some schorter bounds.

Humble Petitions of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk, cravit of
his Majestie and Councill.

It is cravit that the acts of Parliament made for suppressing of the inormities following may be put to execution: ffirst against Jesuites, such as Mr James Gordowne, and the receipters of them; and excommunicants, such as the Laird of Fintrie and the Master of Angus, profainers of the sacraments, priuate men and women givers thereof, idolaters, pilgrimagers, papisticall magistrates, sayers and hearers of masse, givers of the sacraments according to the papisticall forme, and receavers of the samen, committers of apostasies, publick mercats upon the Sabbath day, violent invaders of ministers be strickeing of them or be schedding of thair blood, profaining of the Sabbath day be Robin Hood’s playes, murtherers and bloodshedders, qwhilks overflow the whole land. _Item_, That the ministrie plantit be sufficiently provydit, and also that ministers may be provydit of sufficient living to the kirks implantit. _Item_, The act of annexatione to be dissoluit; The new erectiones and patronages dischargit; The act of dissolution of prelacies and benefices, consisting of mae kirks than ane, be ratified and establisched: The act of February without exceptione; The aucht of July eikit to it may have place; that small benefices disponit to ministers may be free of all taxations; That Manses and Gleibs be designit of Kirklands, Abbays, Freir lands, and qwhatsumever Kirk Lands; That Manses and Gleibs have their liberty of ffoggage, fewall, and pasture; That commone kirks be disponit to ministers serving the cure: That every kirk be provydit of ane sufficient pastor, and ane competent living assignit to him for his service.

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk giues full commissione and power to their lovit breither Mrs Robert Bruce, Robert Pont, David Lyndsay, with his Majestie’s Ministers, to present unto his Grace and Councill, humble Petitions and Articles of the Kirk, and with all reverence and humilitie to crave answer thereof, conferre and reasone if need be thereupon, and to report answer to the nixt Assemblie.

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk is appoyntit at Aberdeene, the 17 day of August 1592, in caice ane Parliament interveen not; in the qwhilk caice, the brethren being advertised thereof be the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, shall hald their Assembly qwhaire the Assembly shall be for the tyme, and convein two dayes before the same.

[FIFTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

Att Edinburgh, the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland,
conveint upon the 22 of May 1592.

Exhortatione being made be Mr Nicoll Dalgleische, Moderator of the last Assembly: The Kirk proceedit to the election of ane Moderator, and appoyntit in the leets, Mrs Robert Bruce, David Lyndsay, James Balfour, and James Nicolsone. The said Robert was, be pluralitie of vots, electit Moderator, _hac vice_.

Sessio 2^a. May 23.

Forsuameikle as the necessitie of tyme requyres that the greatest and weightiest heads be first considerit; It was proponit to the haill brethren to consider and decerne if they thocht meit or not, the Kirk sould make sute for the Articles following:

1. That the acts of Parliament made in the year of God 1584 against the discipline of the Kirk, libertie and authoritie thereof, be annullit, and the samen discipline qwherin the Kirk hes been in practise, ratified.

2. The abolutione of the act of annexatione and restitutione of the patrimonie of the Kirk.

3. That abbots, pryors, and wthers prelates, pretending the title of the Kirk, and voting for the same, without their power and commissione, be not sufferit in tyme comeing, to vote for the same, either in Parliament or wther conventione.

_Last_, That the countrie, qwhilk is polluted with fearfull idolatrie and blood, be purgit: Qwhilks haill articles, the Assemblie thocht most necessare to be cravit: and for putting of the same in good forme, imployit their breither, Mrs Robert Pont, David Lyndsay, Thomas Buchanane, and James Melvill; willing them to present the same, at ten houres, to the full Assembly to be considerit be them.

As concernyng the voting in Parliament, in the name of the Kirk, if it shall be thought leisum, the ministrie sould succeed in that part in the prelats’ place; it is referrit to consultatione qwhill the morne. And every brother is ordaynit to wey and debait that argument with himselfe, and be readie the morne to reasone their opinion into the same.

Sessio 5^a. May 24.

It is ordaynit in tyme comeing, that the breither receiving commissiones from the Kirk, and slewthfullie observing the execution thereof, shall be rebukit in the face of the Assemblie for their negligence.

Sessio 6^a. May 25.

Forsuameikle as the Kirk, considering their dewtie first to God, and the necessitie of the charge qwhilk is imposit upon them, seeing the daily decay of religione, and laicke of justice, qwhereof the effect is to the regrait of all trew Christians, mair and mair falls out in miserable experience, and that the dewtie of their office burdeneth them to discharge their conscience in this behalf to their Soveraigne, to qwhome chiefly it appertayneth to procure remedie thereof; Therefore directs their breither qwhilks war nominat before, to present the Articles to his Majestie, together with Mrs Nicoll Dalgleische, Patrick Symsone, Patrick Scharpe, John Malcolme, and David Fargysone, to passe immediately to his Majestie to lament the daily decay of Religione, disorder and laike of justice within this realme, to crave his dewtie, as he wald answer to God, qwhat to be done for remeid thereof, and grauely to admonische his Majestie, in the name of the Eternall, to have respect in tyme to the estate of the trew Religione perishing, and to the manifold murthers, oppressionis and enormities dayly multiplied through impunitie and laike of justice; and to discharge his kingly office in both, as he wald eschew the fearfull challenge of God, and turne his wrath aff his Majestie and the haill land: And to the effect his Majestie may be the better informit of the particular, to lay downe the same particularlie to him, and craue his answer, that they may report the same to the haill Assemblie.

Sessio 10^a. Penult Maii.

Forsuameikle as, at the speciall desyre of the Kirk, ane Forme of Examinatione before the Communione was pennit and formit be their brother Mr John Craige, qwhilk is now imprintit and allowit be the voyce of the Assembly: Therefore, it is thought needfull that euery pastor travell with his flock, that they may buy the samen book, and read it in their families, qwhereby they may be better instructit, and that the samen be read and learnit in doctors’ schools in place of the Litle Catechisme.

Sessio 15^a. Junii 2^d.

Mr Alexander Dicksone compeirand, and being inquyrit if he had subscryvit the Articles of Religione, presently professit and establischit within the Reformit Kirk of this realme, and communicat at the Lord’s Table? Answerit he did, both in the Colledge of St Androws and after. Being inquyrit, in what heads he differs to subscryve? Answerit, he had sundrie heads qwherewith he agreid not with the Confession of Faith and Articles of Religione forsaid; wherewith being pressit with the Assembly, and that either now be word, or the morne be wreit, he sould be speciall, at lenth plainly avowit and protestit he differed from them in all the substantiall heids and poynts of religione qwherein the Papists contraverts with them: With qwhilk confessione and declaration forsaid, the breither of the Assemblie being advysit, ffand that he had committit apostacie, and therefore to have incurrit the paines thairof.

Sessio 17^a. Tertio Junii.

Anent the supplicatione of Mr Alexander Dicksone, in conclusione offerand either to subseryve the Confessione of Faith, or within fourty dayes to passe off the realme, and to that effect desyrand to be freed from captivitie; The Assembly being advysit therewith, desyred the Baillie of Edinburgh to take order with him according to the tenor of the act of Parliament, and to sett him frie upon cautione.

Sessio 22^a. Junii 6.

Anent the forme and order of excommunicatione to be used againes notorious murtherers: The Assembly hes concludit that the order containit in the excommunication be keepit and followit out according to the tenor thereof.

Anent the haynous and cruell murther of the Earle of Morray, committit be the Earle of Huntly and his complices, the brethren and Assembly present hes given and gives ordinance and strait command to the brethrene of the Presbytrie of Brechine, who hes already interit in proces with him, to proceed with concurrence of two breither of every ane of the Presbytries of Angus and Mearnes, against him for the said cruell fact, according to the acts of the Assembly.

Sessio 23. Junii 7.

Anent the act made concernyng deposed ministers or persones in this last Parliament; It was thought meet at the next Parliament, or Conventione having the force or commissione of Parliament, to craue, that where it else has been inactit, that notwithstanding the pastor be deposit, the tacks and tithes sett be him shall nevertheless stand, it be now provydit and addit to the said act, that in caice the said tack or tithe be sett after the committing of the fact for the qwhilk the persone is deposed, that such tacks, factories, or tithes whatsomever, shall be null and of none availl, force, nor effect.

APPENDIX II.

Having now completed the Register of another epoch in the history
of the Reformed Church of Scotland, which embraces the first
thirty-two years of its existence,--exhibiting in its internal
movements the equivocal and conflicting elements of a new
establishment, and blending in its structure the incongruous
peculiarities both of Episcopacy and Presbytery; we have now
reached that period in its progress when it assumed a more
precise and clearly defined position, as a purely Presbyterian
Church. On the 5th of June 1592, immediately after the close of
the General Assembly, of which the proceedings have just been
given, the MAGNA CHARTA of the Church of Scotland was
obtained in an act of Parliament “for abolisching of the actis
contrair the trew Religion.” It is therefore deemed suitable
to pause in the transcript of the Ecclesiastical proceedings,
and to subjoin, in an Appendix, the several statutes of the
Civil Legislature applicable to the period intervening betwixt
1567, when the Church was first fully established, and 1592,
when the distinct character of Presbyterianism was stamped
upon it by the Law of the Land. These statutes, accordingly,
are now subjoined in chronological order--reserving for a
future occasion any less important and authoritative documents
connected with our subject.

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.

I.

Ratification of the Freedome and Libertie of the trew Kirk of God.[27]--August 28, 1571.

_Item_, Our Souerane Lord, with auiss and consent of his said Regent, thre Estaittis, and haill body of this present Parliament, hes ratifiit, and be this present act ratifiis and appreves all and quhatsumeuir actes and statutis maid of befoir be our Soueraine Lord or his predecessouris, anent the fredome and libertie of the trew Kirk of God, now publictlie professit within this realme.

II.

Anent the Constitution of the Policie of the Kirk.[28]--5th March 1574.

Forsamekill as the present estate of the Kirk within this realme being considerit be my Lord Regentis Grace, and Estaittis now convenit, and how sen the alteratioun of religioun, albeit the libertie of the evangell hes bene inioyit in vnitie of doctrine, ʒit is thair not to this day ony perfyte policie be lawis and constitutionis set out, how the Kirk in all degreis salbe governit in decent and cumly ordour, qwhairthrow sindry inconvenientis hes followit, and ma are lyke to occur heirafter, gif tymous remeid be not prouidit: The Estaittis finding it impossibill that thay can byde togidder qwhill this mater can be exactlie avysit on, and put in forme, Hes thairfoir thocht meit and concludit, that Johnne Lord Glamyss, chancellair, James Archebischop of Glasgow, &c. Maister James Lowsoun, minister of Edinburgh, and Maister Dauid Lindesay, minister of Leyth, sall tak the panis to convene, confer, ressoun, and put in forme, the ecclesiasticall policie and ordour of the governing of the Kirk, as thay sall find maist agreabill to the trewth of Goddis word, and maist convenient for the estate and people of this realme: Qwhilks personis being for the maist part present, for the gude will thay beir to the avancement of Goddis glory, the Kingis obedience, and commoun weill of the realme, wer content to bestow thair panis for this effect, and to begin thair werk on Mononday the xiiij day of Marche instant, in sic part of the Palice of Haliruidhous as my Lord Regentis Grace will appoint thame to convene in, And swa to continow and abyde togidder frome day to day, qwhill thay haue anys drawin a forme of the said ecclesiasticall policie; qwhilk being endit, It salbe reportit, and schawin to the estaittis at the nixt conventioun, To the effect that than be thair aduise, a Parliament may be appointit, and in the same, the forme qwhilk salbe drawin, or samekill thereof as salbe found meit, to be ratifiit and establissit as a law.

III.

The Ratification of the Libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Religion.[29]--July 25, 1578.

Our Souerane Lord, with aduise of his thrie Estatis of this present Parliament, hes ratifiit and apprevit, and be the tennour heirof, ratifeis and apprevis all and quhatsumeuir actis of Parliament, statutis, and constitutionis, past and maid of befoir, agreable to Goddis word, for mantenance of the libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Religioun, now presentlie professit within this Realme, and puritie thairof. And decernis and declaris the samin to haue effect in all pointis, efter the forme and tennour thairof.

IV.

Act anent the trew and Haly Kirk, and thame declarit not to be of the same.[30]--October 26, 1579.

Our Souerane Lord, with auise and consent of the thrie Estaitis and haill body of this ... liament, ratifeis and appreuis all and quhatsumeuir actis and statutis maid of befoir be his Hienes, with auiss ... Regentis, in his awin regnne or his predicessouris, anent the freidome and libertie of the trew Kirk of God and religioun, now presentlie professit within this realme; And specialie ratifeis and apprevis the sext act of his Hienes Parliament, haldin in the first zeir of his Hienes regnne, intitulat, Anent the trew and haly Kirk, and of thame that ar declarit not to be of the samyne. Ordaning the same to be heir insert of new, (becaus of sum defectioun and informalitie of wordis in default of the Prentair,) in this forme. Oure Souerane Lord, with auise of his thrie Estaites and haill body of this present Perliament, hes declarit and declaris the ministeris of the blissede Euangel of Jesus Chryst, quhome God of his mercie hes now raisit vp amanges ws, or heirefter sall raiss, aggreing with thame that now levis in doctrine and administratioun of the sacramentis. And the people of this realme that professis Jesus Christ as he is now offerit in his Evangell, and do communicat with the haly sacramentis, as in the reformit kirkis of this realme ar publictlie administrat, according to the Confessioun of the Faythe, to be the only trew and haly kirk of Jesus Christ within this realme. And decernis and declaris that all and sindrie quha vther gaynesayis the word of the Evangell ressauit and apprevit. As the heidis of the Confessioune of the Faythe professit in Perliament of befoir in the yeir 1560: as alsua specifiit and registrat in the actis of Perliament maid in the first zeir of his Hienes regnne, mair perticularlie dois expres, ratifeit alsua and appreuit in this present Parliament: or that refusses the participatioune of the haly sacramentis as they ar now ministrat to be na membris of the saide kirk, within this realme, and trew religioune, sa lang as they keep thame selffes sa deuydit from the societie of Christis body.

V.

Anent the Jurisdictioun of the Kirk, 26 Oct. 1579.[31]

Our Souerane Lord, with aduise of the thrie Estaitis of this present Parliament, hes declarit and grantit Jurisdictioun to the Kirk; quhilk consistis and standis in the preacheing of the trew word of Jesus Chryst, correctioun of maneris, and administratioun of the haly Sacramentis; and declaris that thair is na vther face of Kirk nor vther face of religion then is presentlie be the favour of God, establishit within this realme; and that thair be na vther jurisdiction ecclesiasticale acknawlegit within this realme, vther than that quhilk is and salbe within the samyn Kirk, or that quhilk flowis thairfra, concerning the premisses.

And further, Commission was granted to the Earl of Morton and others “To convene in Edinburgh, the xj. day of Aprile nixttocum, to searche furth mair speciallie, and to consider quhat wther speciall poyntis or clauses sould appertene to the Jurisdictioun, priuilege and auctoritie of the said Kirk; and to report thair declaratioun thairanent, to our Souerane Lord and thrie Estatis of this Parliament, sua that they may tak ordour thairintill, and authorise the samyn be act of Parliament,” &c.

VI.