Chapter III: Part 3

Persons revolting from the profession of the gospel, be offering their children to be baptized after the papistical manner, or receiving themselves the sacraments of the altar, after admonitione, to be excommunicat if repentance interveen not.

Sessio 3^{tia}, December 27, 1565.

Anent the complaint given in be the Superintendant of Lowthiane, against Mr Patrick Craicke, minister of Ratho, for marrying of Robert Patersone and Jonat Little, in Dummaine kirk, neither the bands being proclaimed, nor yet satisfactione made to the Kirk of Edinburgh, according to the tenor of the decreet of the last Assemblie:

The said Mr Patrick granted publickly that he had offended, and submitted himself to the correction of the kirk. Therefore, be the haill Assembly, he was ordained to satisfie the will of the Kirk of Edinburgh, upon two severall Sundayes, be his own open confession, when the said Kirk of Edinburgh shall require him, and the third Sunday to satisfie the kirk of Dummainie, where the offence was committed; suspending for this present all farther correction, in hope of his better bearing in tyme to come.

The haill Assembly, with one voyce, statutes and ordaines, That no ministers hereafter receave the parochiners of ane uther parochine to be married, without ane sufficient testimoniall of the minister of the parochine wherefrae they came, that the bands are lawfullie proclaimed, and no impediment found, so that the order that has been taken be the kirk, in sic affaires, be dewlie observed under the paine of deprivation frae his ministrie, tinsell of his stipend, and uther paines, as the Generall Kirk shall hereafter think to be imponed.

Anent the complaint given in be the Superintendant of Fyfe, against John Melvill, minister of Carraill, alleadgeand the said John to proceed to the solemnizatione of marriage betwixt Robert Arnot and Euphame Corstorphine, notwithstanding ane uther woman claimes the said Robert: The haill Kirk Assemblie ordained ane inhibitione to pass against the said John, that he on nowayes solemnize the said marriage until sic tyme as Mr John Douglass, Rector of the Universitie, and Mr James Wilkie, Regent, hear the complaints to be given in be the said Superintendant, and alse be any uther partie havand enteres, and the same be discussed be them; givand power to them to give forth sentence according to God’s word, and use the censures of the kirk against the disobeyers.

Sessio 4^{ta}, December 28, 1565.

Mr John Furde, Minister of Dummanie, is ordained to satisfy, as is before sett downe in the 3d Session, anent Mr Patrick Craicke, for his offence, specifiet in the Act of the first Session, suspendand the said John from all function of the ministrie, in the meantime, whill the compleating of the said satisfaction, and thereafter to returne to his vocation of ministrie.

It was asked if it be lawfull that ane minister, what title or honor ever he bear, receiving sufficient benefite and provisione off his flock, may leave them, and make his common residence in uther places, sae that his flock is destitute alswell of his doctrine and ministrie, as of uther comforts that the flock should receave of ane faithfull pastor--notwithstanding that worldly reasons may seem to excuse the absence of some? The answer; No minister of the Evangell of Jesus Christ, nor no persone receiving sufficient living for preaching of the Evangell, may, with safe conscience, leave his vocatione, together with his flock, and the place appointed for his ordinarie residence, what patrimonie and oversight that ever he hes, be corruption of tymes, or negligence of rulers, so to doe.

If sic as hes entred in the ministrie, been appointed be the Superintendants, and received of the people, may leave their vocation and follow the world, because they have not sufficient stipend? Answer: Seeing that our Master Christ Jesus pronounces that he is but ane mercenarie, who, seeing the wolf coming, fleeth for his own safeguard, and that the very danger of lyfe cannot be ane excuse for sic as shall fall back from Christ, we nowayes think it lawfull that sic as ance put their hands to the plough shall leave the heavenly vocation and return to the prophane world, for indigence or povertie; lawfully they may leave ane unthankfull people, and seek where Jesus Christ his Evangell may bring forth better fruit; but lawfully they may never change their vocation.

If known murtherers, or convict adulterers, together with sic as committ horrible crymes, may not, upon the notorietie of their fault, be once denounced excommunicat, for declaration that the Kirk abhors sic impietie? Answer: The Kirk may and ought to purge herself of all sic notorious malefactors, provyding the offender be lawfully called and convict, either be their owne confessione or be witnesses. The order to call them for the sclander (for civil things we remitt to the magistrates) we judge to be this: Whensoever sic fearfull crymes are committed, if it be in the countrie, the minister, reader, or exhorter of that place, or if there be none, the minister of the place next adjacent, ought to give notice of the fact to the Superintendant of that diocie, who, without delay, ought to direct his summonds, charging the persons sclandered to compear before him at a certain day and place; or if it be done in towns where order is established, the Session thereof ought to call the accused offenders, who, if they compeir, and either alleadge just defense, or show themselves unfainedly penitent, then must the Superintendant, or Minister and Kirk without the Superintendant, dispense somewhat with the rigour of the punishment, secluding only the offender fra participation of the sacraments till farder tryall of his repentance, and that both their diligence and sentence to be publickly pronounced in the kirks where the offence is known. But if the offender be stubborne, as if he compeir not, or shew himself little touched with his offence, then ought the Superintendant, with advyce of the next reformed Kirk, to decerne him or them to be secluded from participatione of communione with the faithfull members of Jesus Christ, and to be given to Satan for the destruction of the fleshe, whoes slaves (be impietie committed and impenitence showen) they declare themselves to be; and their sentence to be published in all places where the offence is knowne. If the person or persons secluded from the sacrament be negligent in seeking reconciliation with the Kirk, behave themselves insolently or utherwayes then it becomes penitent persones, the Kirk, after admonitione, may proceed to the uttermost; for wanton behaviour, after iniquitie committed, is ane plaine argument of impenitence, and negligence to seek reconciliation declares that contempt lurks in the heart.

If baptisme administrat be ane papist priest, or in the papisticall manner, shall be reiterat? When sic children comes to years of understanding, they should be instructed in the doctrine of salvatione, the corruption of the papistrie might be declared unto them, whilk they most publickly damne, before they be admitted to the Lord’s table; whilks if they doe, there needs not the externall signe to be reiterat; for no papist ministers baptisme without water and some forme of words, whilks are the principalls of the externall signe; we ourselves were baptized be papists, whose corruptions and abuses now we damne, cleaveing only to the simple ordinance of Jesus Christ, and to the veritie of the Holy Spirit, whilk makes baptisme to work in us be proper effects thereof, without any declaration of the externall signe. If sic children come never to the knowledge of trew doctrine, they are to be left to the judgement of God.

What order ought to be used against sic as oppress children? As concerning punishment, the civill magistrate ought therein to decerne. As touching the sclander, the offenders ought to be secluded from participation of the sacraments whill they have satisfied the Kirk, as they shall be commanded.

What punishment shall be used against them that ly in fornication under promise of marriage, whilk they deferr to solemnizat, and to satisfie be publick repentance for the sclander given? Answer: Alsewell the man as the woman should be publickly [admonished] in the place of repentance; Likewise satisfie on ane Sunday before that they be married.

[ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk, holden in Edinburgh, within
the Councill-house thereof, the 25th day of Junii 1566: In
the whilk were present Earles, Lords, Barrons of the Privie
Councill, viz. Earle Huntly, Chancellour, and Earle of Argyle,
Alexander of Galloway, Adam of Orkney, ane of the Session, John
Commendator of Lindores, James Balfour of Pittendeth, Knight,
with the Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners for
towns, particular kirks: The Invocatione of the name of God be
Mr John Craig, minister of Edinburgh.

Sessio 1^{ma.}

First, for eschewing of confusione in reasoning, and to the effect that every brother speak with such modestie and measure as becometh the ministers of God’s word to doe, with consent of the haill Assembly, John Erskine of Dunn, Knight, Superintendant of Angus and Merns, was continued Moderator, who was content for the present to use the samen office.

Ordaines that some of the brethren, in name of the haill Kirk, make supplication to the Lords of Secret Councill and Session of Justice, that no excommunicat person have proces before their honors, unto the tyme they be reconciled to the Kirk, chiefly when excommunication is notour and objected againes.

Anent the supplication presented to this Assembly be Robert Commendator of Haly-rude-house, showing in effect, how it was not unknowne to their wisdomes, That he had diverse godly learned men of his owne place of Halyrudehouse, sic as Alexander Forrester and Peter Blackwood, who are men of good conversation and literature, were admitted and receaved be the Kirk to the ministrie, and how he had diverse kirks pertaining to the Abbacie, as the kirks of Tranent and St Cuthbert’s, and alleadged that most decent and convenient it were, that his said kirks should be served be the servants of the said Abbay: Herefore, requested most earnestly that the Kirk presently assembled should transport Mr Thomas Cranstoune and William Harlaw, now ministers of his said kirks, and place them at some uther kirks, as should be thought good be the haill Assembly to appoint them, and to place his saids servants at his saids kirks as ministers, there to be served be them in tyme comeing; as in the said request at length was contained.

The Kirk haveing ryply considered the said supplication and advysed thereupon, caused call before them some of the elders of the said parochines, and diligently inquired if they had any fault to lay against their ministers, or if they would be content they should be transported from them? Answer was given, that they had no cryme nor fault to lay against their ministers, but was better content with them then they would be with any uther that would be presented to them; and attour, on no wayes would be content that any of them should be transported from them: Therefore, the Kirk presently assembled on no wayes condescended to the transportation of them, for the reasons foresaid; But brotherly requested the said Lord Commendator to provide for some godly ministers for uthers of his kirks whilks are destitute of preaching of the true word of God, the speciall food of their souls, which they doubt not but his Lordship will doe, for discharge of his own conscience.

Sess. 2^{a.} Junii 26, 1566.

The haill Assembly, in respect of the perills and dangers wherewith the Kirk of God is assaulted, and that be mighty enemies, considered a generall fast to be published throughout this realme in all kirks reformed.

Anent the supplication given in be Paull Methven, makand a long rehearsall of his miserable estate, the supplication presented in his name to the Generall Assembly holden in Edinburgh in December 1564, of the estate of the answers thereto frome the said Assembly, of his long and tedious journey out of England to Scotland, and impediments that chanced him in the way; finally requests for ane of thir two, That is, either to suspend excommunication of the Kirk for ane tyme, and receave him in the fellowship of the same as ane poor sheep, upon ane condition, wherever he chances to be, upon half ane year’s warning, he shall be bound to returne againe at command of the Kirk, and obey sic injunctions as they would command him to doe; or if the Kirk pleased not this petition, then to committ his answer to such as the Kirk should appoint, who’s judgement and determination (as his body might bear) he promised be God’s grace to obey; Finally, all counsell that have followed heretofore, and himself most humbly, he submitted to the judgement of the present Assembly; as in the said supplication at length was contained: Last of all, it was ordained that he present himself personally before the Assembly; and being entered, prostrate himself before the haill brethren with weeping and howling, and commanded to ryse, might not expresse farther his request, being, as appeared, so farr troubled with anguish of heart, was desyred to be of good comfort, and to depart to his lodgeing whill order were taken anent his request. And forsuameikle as in the said Assembly holden in Edinburgh in December 1564, it was concluded to receave him to repentance, now rested to conclude upon the manner thereof that he should doe when and where; and for that purpose was appointed the Superintendant of Fyfe, Mr John Dowglass, rector of St Andrews, David Forrest, Mr Hugh Hay, minister of Ruthven, Mr John Craig, minister of Edinburgh, John Row of St Johnstone, William Christisone of Dundie, and Adam Herriot of Aberdeene, ministers, that they, seven or sex of them, should conveene the morrow, at seven houres before noone, and take order in the premises; and whatsomever they doe hereanent, to signifie the same to the Superintendant of Lowthiane and Session of the Kirk of Edinburgh, deliver the said ordinance to the Scribe of the Generall Assembly, that he may insert the same among uther acts of Generall Assembly for ane remembrance to the posteritie.

QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS.

First, It is asked, If any may contract marriage with ane woman once married, and her husband departing from her to other countries, and being absent nine or ten years together, the woman, having no testimoniall of his death or not?

Answer: That the woman desyreing to marrie ought to seek, or cause seek, whether her first husband be dead or not, and to report ane sufficient testimoniall of his death or ever she may joyne herself to ane uther husband.

Whether that any persone seek ane donation or confirmation of benefices at the Paip’s Kirks, may be appointed to minister in the Kirk of God?

Answer: That sic a persone ought not to be admitted to the ministrie as the question is conceaved.

The Commissioners appointed be the Generall Assembly for ordering of Paull Methwen his repentance, In consideration of the said Paul’s lamentable supplication to the kirk, humble submission of himselfe to the same, and his absence out of this realme the space of two yeares or more, Ordaines the minister of Edinburgh, that he, upon ane Sonday after sermone, notifie unto the people the said Paull his supplicatione, and how the Generall Assembly hes ordained to receive him to repentance, with the conditions underwritten; and therefore to admonishe all faithfull brethren that they, within the nixt eight dayes, notifie the said minister of Edinburgh, if any of them hes any knowledge, or are fully informed of the said Paull his conversation and behaviour since his departure furth of this realme, whilk might imped his receaving to repentance, whilk shall be on this manner, viz. The said Paull, upon the said two preaching dayes, betwixt the Sondayes, shall come to the kirk doore of Edinburgh, when the second bell ringeth, clad in sackcloth, bareheaded and barefooted, and there remaine whill he be brought into the sermone, and planted in the publick spectacle above the people, in tyme of every sermone during the said two dayes; and on the next Sonday thereafter, shall compear in like manner, and in the end of the sermone, shall declare signes of his inward repentance to the people, humbly requireing that kirk’s forgiveness: quhilk done, he shall be clad in his own apparell, and received in the societie of the kirk, as ane lyvely member thereof, and this same order to be observed in Dundie and Jedburgh, allwayes secluding him from any function of the ministrie in the kirk, and also from participation of the table of the Lord, unto the 25th of December next to come, when the Generall Assemblie of the Kirk conveens, into the whilk they ordain the said Paull to resort, bringand with him sufficient testimoniall from authentick persons, of these places where he in the meanetyme shall chance to remaine, reportand his conversatione and behaviour; at the whilk tyme the kirk shall take further order what shall be done anent him.

[TWELFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk, holden in Edinburgh, in the
Nether Councill-House thereof, upon the 25th day of December
1566: In the whilk were conveened the Superintendants,
Ministers, and Commissioners of Shyres, Towns, and Kirks: The
invocatione of God’s name made be Mr John Craig, Minister of
Edinburgh.

In the first, for order to be observed in reasoning, and that every brother speak to his purpose, with sic measure as it becomes the ministers of God’s word to doe, John Eskine of Dunn, Superintendant of Angus and Mernes, was continued Moderator, whereof he was content.

Sess. 2^{a.} December 26, 1566.

Anent the Assignation of the pensione of money and victualls offered be the Queen’s Majestie, and her most honourable Councill, for the sustentation of ministers within this realme, the haill brethren present, required the ministers being in the Sessione, to pass furth of the Assembly, and with mature deliberation to consult and advyse, whether they think good to accept the same for reliefe of the present necessitie or not.

After long reasoning and mutual conference anent the said Assignation, returning againe in, the Assembly thought it good, for support of the ministers’ necessitie, to accept the said offer of money and victuall, if they might be gotten hastilie; nottheless, in consideratione of the law of God, Ordaines the persones who heares the doctrine of salvatione at the mouthes of his ministers, and thereby receaves speciall food to the nowrishment of their soules, to communicat temporall sustentation on their preachers: Their answer is, That having just title to crave the bodilie food at the hands of the saids persons, and finding no uthers bound unto them, they only require at their own flock, that they will sustain them according to their bounden dutie, and what it shall please them to give for their sustentation, if it were but bread and water, neither will they refuse it, nor desist from the vocatione. But to take from others contrare their will, whom they serve not, they judge it not their dewtie, nor yet reasonable; alwayes they most heartily thank the Lords that bestowed their labours and paines in purchasing the foresaid assignatione, most heartily requesting their honours to persevere, whill they bring it to some perfectione. Nevertheless, the haill Assemblie solemnly protested that the acceptance of the foresaid assignatione for the relief as said is, prejudges not the libertie of the kirk to sute for that thing that justly pertaineth to the patrimonie of the same, in tyme and place convenient, in any tyme hereafter.

The same day were proponed thir questions underwritten, and answers thereto as follows:--Whether if the teyndes properly pertaines to the kirk, and should only be applyed to the ministers, sustentatione of the poor, maintainyng of schools, repairing of kirks, and uthers godly uses, at the discretion of the kirk?

Answered affirmative, without contradiction.

Secondly, If the teynds pertains to the Kirk, and ought and should be imployed to sic godly uses as said is, Whether, if the ministers, who are the mouth of the Kirk, may, with safe conscience, keep silence, seeing the patrimonie of the Kirk maist injustly taken up and wasted in vain things, be sic persons as bears no office in the Kirk of God; and, in the meantyme, the ministers ceisand for necessitie, the poor perishing for hunger, the schools decayand, and kirks falland to the ground?

Answered: They ought not to keep silence, but earnestly to admonische every man of his deutie, and desyre all men to suit for that whilk justly pertaines to the sustaining of the things forsaid.

Thirdly, Whether, if the Kirk may justly require of all possessors the teynds to be paid to the Kirk only, and inhibite all uthers to intromitt therewith; and, in case of disobedience, what order shall be used be the Kirk against them?

Answered: After dew admonitione used, and no obedience found, rouse the censures of the Kirk.

Sess. 3^a. December 27, 1566.

Anent Mr Knox’s request to passe to the realme of England to visit his children, and do his other lawfull business; The haill Assembly granted gladly licence, with letters testimonialls of his honest conversation and godly doctrine within this Kingdome, with provision, as is contained in saids letters, the tennor whereof follows:--

The Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners of Kirks
within this realme of Scotland, presently assembled, to whais
knawledge thir presents shall come, wisheth grace, mercy, and
peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Witt your universities, That our loving brother, John Knox, bearer of thir presents, hes been and is, ane trew and faithfull minister of the Evangell of Christ Jesus, within this realme of Scotland, continually thir eight yeares bygone, or thereabout; in doctrine pure, and sincere in life and conversation, to our sights inculpable; and hes so fruitfully used that talent granted to him be the Eternall, to the advancement of the glory of his godly name, to the propagation of the kingdome of Jesus Christ, and edifying of them that heard his teaching, that, of dewtie, we most heartilie praise his godly Majestie for that so great ane benefite granted unto him for our utilitie and profit; and because he, for the naturall love and affection whilk he bears to his children, now being within the realme of England, and favour to uthers his brethren and allya there, gentlie requested us to grant him licence for ane season to repaire toward the said realme of England for the causes abovementioned; We, after mutual conference in full Assembly, thought this petition just and reasonable; and, therefore, all in ane voyce, grants licence to our said brether, according to the Q. Majestie’s conduct, to pass to the said realme, what tyme he shall think most commodious for his journey; provideing alwayes, that he returne to this realme of Scotland before the 25th of the moneth of June next ensuing, to continue in his former vocatione, and no utherwayes; and this we make it knowne to all and sundrie whom it effeirs be thir our letters testimonialls, given at Edinburgh in our Generall Assembly, and third Session thereof. Subscribed be the Clerk of the same the 27th of December.

Attour, ordained ane Letter to be direct to the Bishops of England, that they would be content gently to handle the brethren preachers, touching the habits, supercloathes, and uthers abulziements, whilks appearantly tends more to superstitione nor edificatione; and requests Mr Knox to put the heads in write whilks he thinks necessare to be written to the saids Bishops; the tenor whereof follows:--

The Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners of Kirks within
this Realme of Scotland, To their Brethren, the Bishops and
Pastors of Ingland, who hes renounced the Romane Antichrist,
and does professe with them the Lord Jesus in sincerity,
desyres the perpetual increase of the Holy Spirit.

By word and write, it hes come to our knowledge, Reverend Pastors, that diverse of our dearest brethren, amongst whom are some of the best learned within that realme, are depryved from ecclesiasticall sunshine and forbidden to preach, and so by you are stayed to promove the Kingdome of Christ, because their conscience will not suffer them to take upon them, at commandment of the authoritie, sick garments as idolaters in tyme of blindnesse have used in their idolatrie, whilk bruit cannot be bot most dolorous to our hearts, mindfull of that sentence of the Apostle, saying, If ye byte and devowre one another, take heid lest ye be consumed one of another. We purpose not at this present, to enter into the ground whilk we hear of aither partie, to be agitate with greater vehemencie then well lyketh us, To witt, whether sic apparell is to be counted amongst things simple and indifferent or not. But, in the bowells of Christ Jesus, we crave that Christian charity may so prevaill in you; in you, we say, the Pasters and leaders of the flock in that realme, that ye doe not to uthers that quhilk ye would not have uthers doe to you. Ye cannot be ignorant how tender a thing the conscience of man is. All that have knowledge are not alyke persuaded, yet conscience reclaims not at the wearing of sic garments, but many thousands, both godly and learned, are utherwayes persuaded, whose consciences are continually stricken with thir sentences--What has Christ to do with Belial? What fellowshid is betwixt light and darkness? If surcloaths, cornet, cape, and tippet, hes been badges of idolators in the very act of their idolatrie, what hes the preacher of Christian libertie and the open rebuke of all superstitione to doe with the dreggs of that Romish beast? Yea, what is he that ought not to feare either to take in his hand or forehead the print and mark of that odious beast? Our brethren that of conscience refuses that unprofitable apparell does rather now molest you that use sick vain trifles: if ye shall doe the like to them, we doubt not but therein ye shall please God, and comfort the hearts of many whilks are wounded with the extreamitie that is used against these godly and our well-beloved brethren. Collour of Rhetoric or manly persuasion will we use none, but charitablie we desyre you to call that sentence of Peter to minde; Feed the flock of God whilk is commited to your charge, caring for it, not be restraint but willingly, not as though ye were lords over God’s heritage, but that ye may be ensamples to the flock. And, farder, alse we desire you to meditate on that sentence of the Apostle, saying, Give nane offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Grecians, nor to the Kirk of God. In what condition of tyme ye and we both travell in the promoving of Christ’s Kingdome, we suppose you not to be ignorant; and therefore we are more bold to exhort you to walk more circumspectly then that for sick vanities the godly should be troubled; ffor all things that may seeme lawful edifie not. Give the commandment of the authoritie urge the conscience of you and our brethren farther than they can bear, we unfainedly crave of you that ye remember ye are called the light of the world, and the salt of the earth. All civil authoritie hes not the light of God alwayes shyning before their eyes in their statutes and commandments; but their affections savour over meikle of the earth and of worldly wisdome, and, therefore, wee think you should boldly oppone yourselves to all that power that will or dare extoll itselfe not only against God, but also against all sic as dare burden the conscience of the faithfull farder then God hes burdened them be his own word. But herein we may confesse our offence in that we have entered farther in reasoning than we proposed and promised at the beginning; and, therefore, we shortly returne to our former humble supplication, whilk is, that our brethren, who amongst you refuse the Romish raggs, may finde of you the Prelats sic favour as our Head and Master commands every one of his members to show to one another, whilk we look to receave of your gentleness, not only for that ye feare to offend God’s majestie in troubling your brethren for sic vain trifles, but also because ye will not refuse the humble request of us, your brethren and fellow-preachers, in whom, albeit there appear not great worldly pomp; yet we suppose that ye will not so farr despyse us, but that ye will esteem us to be of the number of them that fight against that Roman Antichrist, and travell that the Kingdome of Christ may be universally advanced. The dayes are evill, iniquitie abounds, Christian charitie is waxin cold, and, therefore, we ought more diligently to watch, for the hour is uncertaine when the Lord Jesus shall appear, before whom ye, your brethren, and we, must give ane account of our administratione. And this, in conclusione, again we once crave favor to our brethren, whilk granted, ye in the Lord shall command us in things of double more importance. The Lord Jesus rule your hearts in true feare unto the end, and give unto you and us victorie over that conjured enemie of all true religione, to witt, over that Roman Antichrist, whose wounded head Satin preases by all means to cure again. But to destruction shall he and his maintainers goe, by the power of our Lord Jesus; to whose mighty protectione we heartily committ you. From Edinburgh, out of our Generall Assembly, and third Sessione thereof, the 27th of December 1566.

Your Loving Brethren and fellow-preachers
in Christ Jesus.

Ordains ane humble supplication to be made to the Lords of Secret Councill anent the Commissione of Jurisdictione supponed granted to the Bishop of St Andrews, to the effect that their honors stay the same, in respect that these causes for the most part judged be his usurped authority, pertaines to the trew Kirk; and howbeit, for hope of other things, the Kirk oversaw the Queen’s Majestie’s Commissione given therintill to sic men who for the most part were our brethren, yet can the Kirk no wayes be content that the Bishop of St Andrews, ane common enemy to Christ, to use that Jurisdictione, and alse in respect of that colloured Commissione, he might againe usurp his old usurped authority, and the samen might be the meane to oppresse the whole Kirk be his usurped judgement.

The tenor of the supplication follows:--

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveened at
Edinburgh the 25th of December 1566, To the Nobilitie of this
Realme that professe the Lord Jesus with them, and hes renunced
that Roman Antichrist, desyre constancie in faith, and the
spirit of righteous judgement.

Seeing that Satan, be all our negligences, (Right Honourable,) hes so far prevailed within this realme of late dayes, that we stand in extream danger not only to losse our temporall possessions, bot also be depryved of the glorious Evangell of Christ Jesus, and so we and our posteritie to be left in damnable darkness, we could no longer contain ourselves nor keep silence, lest in so doing we might be accused as guiltie of the blood of sic as shall perishe for lack of admonishment, as the Prophet threatens. We, therefore, in the fear of our God, and with grief and anguish of heart, complains unto your honors, yea, we must complaine unto God and to all his obedient creatures, That that conjurit enemie of Jesus Christ, and cruell murtherer of our dear brethren, most falsly styled Archbishop of St Andrews, is reponed and restored be signator to his former tyrannie: ffor not only are his ancient jurisdictions (as they are termed) of the haill bishopric of St Andrews granted unto him, but also the execution of judgement, confirmatione of testaments, and donatione of benefices, as more ample in his signator is exprest. If this be not to cure the head of that venemous beast whilk ance within this realme, be the potent hand of God, was so banished and broken downe that be tyranny it could not hurt the faithfull, judge ye. His antient jurisdictione was, that he with certaine his colleagues collateralls, might have damnit of heresie, upon probatione as pleased him, and then to take all that were suspect of heresie heretofore. Ye cannot be ignorant judges whether they remaine in their former malice or not: their states and travells openly declares. The danger may be feared, say ye; but what remedie? It is easie and at hand, Right Honourable, if ye will not betray the cause of God and leave your brethren, whilk never will be more subject to that usurped tyrannie then they will unto the Diuell himselfe. Our Queen belyke is not well informed. She ought not, nor justly may not, breake the lawes of this realme; and so consequently she may not raise up against us, without our consent, that Roman Antichrist againe: ffor in ane lawfull and free Parliament as ever was in the realme before, was that odious beast depryved of all jurisdictione, office, and authority within this realme. Her Majestie, at her first arryvall, and be diverse her proclamations sinsyne, hes expressly forbidden all uther forme and fact of religione then that whilk she fand publickly established at her arryvall: Therefore she may not bring us the greatest part of the subjects of this realme back againe to bondage, till that alse lawfull and alse free ane Parliament as justly damned that Antichrist and his usurped authority have given decision betwixt us and him heirof, and of uther things that no less concerns yourselfes then us, ye plainly and boldly admonishe our Soveraigne, and without tumult only crave justice. The tyrants dare no more be seen in lawful judgement, nor dare the howlats in the day light. Weigh this matter as it is, and ye shall finde it more weighty then to many it appears. Farther, at this present we complain not, but humbly craves of your honors ane reasonable answer, what ye will doe in case that sic tyrants, devowering wolves be given to invade the flock of Jesus Christ within this realme, under what title that ever it be; ffor this we boldly confess, that we will never acknowledge uther pastors to our saules, nor yet judges to our cause; and if that for denyall thereof, we either suffer in body or goods, we doubt not but we have not only ane Judge to punishe them that unjustly trouble us, but also ane Advocat and strong Champion in heaven, to recompense them who for his name sake suffer persecutione, whose Holy Spirit so rule your hearts in his trew fear unto the end. Your Lordships’ answer yet again we crave. Given in the Generall Assembly, and third Session thereof, at Edinburgh, December 27, 1566.

QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS.

Ane certain married man past to the warrs of Denmark about four years since. His wife has joyned her self to ane uther man within this two years in whoredome; now they desire to be married, because they have the attestation of two unsuspect witnesses who spake with Captain Clerk, that her husband was slaine in the Castle of Baronebar in December, upon Pasche day bygane ane year: _Quæritur_, Whether the parties may be joyned in lawfull marriage or not?

Ordaines the names of the persons to be given up to the Session of the kirk where they dwell, to be accused criminalie for their offences given in tyme of her husband’s lyfe, or before the knawledge of his death, she ioyned her bodie to the uther man, that they both may be punished accordingly.

Ane man forewarned that he might not marry his father’s sister, past in contempt of the kirk, and was married in the Chappel Royal, December 1566. _Quæritur_, What order shall be taken therewith?

Ordaines to dilate the parties to the Justice Clerk and the Kirk, and to declare their names, that they may be punished.

And further, because diverse persons, alswell women as men, who are separate for adulterie, the partie offendand joynes himself in marriage againe, contrare the law of God, wherethrough great sclander and inconveniences follows; Ordains the Superintendant to admonishe all ministers within their jurisdictiones, that nane joyne any partie separate for adulterie in marriage, under the paine of removeing from the ministrie.

Sessio 4^{ta}, December 28, 1566.

Anent Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and uthers persons beneficed being of the kirk, who receaves teynds, and waites not upon the flock committed to their cure, neither presents themselves to the Generall Assemblie: Ordains all Superintendants to warn all Bishops, Abbots, &c. that receaves teynds within their iurisdictiones, and where no Superintendants are, that the Superintendant nearest send his letter to the minister next adjacent, to summond the forsaids persons to compear at the next Generall Assembly, to give their assistance and counsell to the said Assembly, in sic things as appertaine to the Christian religion and preaching of the true word; and ffarther, to know the ordinance of the kirk to be made thereanent.

[THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk, conveened at Edinburgh, in the
Nether Tolbooth thereof, the 25th of Junii 1567: In the whilk
were present, the Earles, Lords, Barrons, Superintendants,
Ministers, and Commissioners of Towns. The invocation of God’s
name was made be Mr John Craig, Minister of Edinburgh.

Sessio 1^{ma}, Junii 25, 1567.

For eschewing of confusion in reasoning, the whole Assembly present named Mr George Buchanan, Principal of St Leonard’s Colledge, in St Andrew’s Colledge, Moderator dureing this Convention, who accepted the charge _hac vice_. The Kirk appointed the Lairds of Dun and Bargany to pass to the Lords of Secret Council, and to require their Lordships to conveen and concurr with the kirk presently assembled for hearing of sic articles as shall be thought good for establishing of God’s word, the trew religion, and supporting of the ministers within the realm.

Sessio 2^{da}, Junii 26, 1567.

Forswameikle as it is thought good be all the brethren presently conveened, That ane Assembly Generall be appointed againe to conveene the 26th day of July nixt to come, in this towne of Edinburgh, for setting forward of sic things as shall at that tyme be proponed; and for that purpose, Ordaines to write Missives to all and sundrie earles, lords, barrons, and uthers brethren, requeisting them to conveen the said day; and to that effect, appointed all commissioners to present the said missives, and require, according to their commissions.

Tenor of the Letters Missive sent to the said Earles, Lords,
Barrons, and Commendators of Abbays, follows:--

My Lord, (or Worshipfull Sir,) after our most hearty commendationes of service in the Lord Jesus: Having now of lang tyme travelled both in publick and private with all the estates, craving of your honors in speciall, that the course of the evangell of salvation, now ance of the liberall mercy of God restored to this realme, might continue to all your comfort and your posterities; and that for the maintainance and furtherance thereof, and perfyte policie and full liberty, might be granted to this reformed kirk within Scotland; the ministrie, the poor and failzied provided for sufficiently, as God, good policy, and civill lawes, ordaines and requires, and that all superstition, idolatrie, and the monuments thereof, might be utterly removed and banished out of the realme, whilk God of his infinite mercy hes so lovingly called from darkness to light. This matter, indeed, was lyked of all men, but sic impediments gave the enemie of the kirk, in his members, to stay the good work of God, that moyen could there nane be had; but be contrare, at every light occasione the ministrie frustrate of all life and sustenatione, the lamed and impotent members of Christ lying in the strait of dying, perishing for hunger and cold--yea, and the haill flock of Christ Jesus within this realme continuallie threatened with the execution of that most cruell decreet of the late Councill of Trent, wherin was determined and decreeted to make ane sacrifice of the haill professors within all Europe, be the tyrannie of that Romane Antichrist. We are not ignorant how far the samen was attempted be way of deed within the realme of France, how farr now in Flanders and the parts near adjacent thereto, and also what practising to that effect hes been continually thir three years bypast, and even now, of late dayes within our own bowells, be our common conspired enemies, alsweill within as without this realme; how they went to their enterprize, if God had not of his meere mercy prevented, beyond all our knowledge and expectation, their cruell and crafty practises: Upon the whilk consideration, the Assembly, at this present Conventione of the Kirk, accustomed at the course of tyme occurrand, hes found it needfull and expedient to repare the decay and ruine of the kirk so vertuouslie begune amongst us, be ane universall concurrence and consent of the haill professors of Christ Jesus within this realme, and be the same meanes to evite the foresaid danger hingand over our heads, proceeding from the craft of our implacable enemies, alswell within as without the same; and to that effect hes ordained ane Generall Assembly of the haill professors of all estates and degrees, within the Kirk of Scotland, to be holden within the town of Edinburgh, upon the 20th day of the next moneth of July, whereby ane perpetuall order may be taken for the liberty of the Kirk of God, sustentation of the ministers, and failzied members thereof, and that ane sure union and conjunctione may be had for the liberty of God’s Kirk, whereby we may be able to withstand the rage of violence of our foresaid enemies: And because it has pleased the goodness of God so to move your lordship’s heart, that ye are become ane notable instrument and minister of his kirk, as our hope is, so shall our prayer be, that ye may continue increasing from vertue to vertue, unto life everlasting. We thought it our duty, in name of our haill brethren here conveened, to notify to your lordship the foresaid appointment of the said Assembly, and in the name of the Eternall, our God, to recommend to your care and solicitude the building of this ruinous house of God within this realme; requireing also, in His name, that ye will give your personall presence, labours, and concurrences to that effect, as in the foresaid Assembly to be holden the said day; that the haill body may be comforted be the presence and good advyce of so notor ane member thereof: And because we doubt nothing but your lordship shall be present, showing so long experience of your good part in all tymes past, we cease to trouble you with longer letter, referring the rest to be declared be our brethren the commissioners of the kirk, who, to this effect, are direct to your lordship and uthers our brethren in these parts; and we, for our part, with earnest prayer before God, shall pray to augment in you his love and fear, and bless your lordship, to the comfort of his kirk. Amen. From Edinburgh, the 26th of Junii 1567.

Be your lordship to command, with service in Christ Jesus, in
name and at command of the rest of our brethren here assembled.
Sic subscribitur, John Erskine of Dun, Mr John Spotswood, John
Dowglass, John Knox, John Row, and John Craig.

The names of the persons to whom this Letter was directed are, the Earles Huntlie, Argyll, Cassills, Rothes, Crawford, Menteith, and Glencairne; Lords Boyd, Drummond, Hereis, Cathcart, Zester; Master of Grahame, Fleming, Livingstone, Forbes, Saltone, Glames, Ogilbie; Master of Sinclare, Grey, Oliphant, Methven, Innermaith; Master of Flowrievaill; Barrons Lochinvar, Garles, Shreff of Aire, Glenurchart, Sir James Hamiltone, Bonytoune; Commendators, Arbroth, Kilwinning, Dumfermling, St Colmes, Newbottle, Halyrudehouse. The Superintendants and quarters of countries were ordained to direct this letter to the forsaids persones severallie.

Tenor of the Commissiones given to every ane of the forsaids
Commissioners within every one of their bounds respective,
followes:--

Forsuameikle as Satane, this lang tyme, in his members, has so raged and perturbed the good success and proceedings of Christ’s religione within this realme be craftie meanes, and subtill conspiracies, that the same from tyme to tyme doeth decay, in hazard altogether to be subverted, unless God of his mercy finds hastie remeid; and that chiefly through the extreme povertie of the ministers who should preach the word of life to the people, who therethrough are compelled some to leave the vocatione alluterly, and some uther so abstracted be careful povertie that they may not insist so diligently in the exercise of the word as they would doe: And therefore the Kirk, presently conveened at Edinburgh in this Generall Assembly, hes thought it most necessare be thir presents to request and admonishe most brotherly, all sic persons as truely professe the Lord Jesus within this realme, of what estate or degree that ever they be, alswell the nobility, barons, and gentlemen, as all uthers trew professors, to conveen in Edinburgh the 20th day of July next in their personal presens, there to assist with the Councill and power for order to be taken, alswell towards the establishing of Christ’s religione universallie throughout this realme, and abolishing of the contrarie, whilk is Papistrie, as the sustentatione of ministers, not only for the present tyme and instant necessitie, but also for ane perfect order to be taken in all tyme comeing, toward the haill libertie of the patrimonie of the Kirk, and the dew restoring of the same to the just possessors thereof according to the word of God: With certification to all and sundrie, of what estate or degree whatsoever they be, that compears not, due advertisement being made to them, that they shall be repute hereafter as hinderers of this most godly purposs, and as dissimulate brethren, unworthie to be esteemed hereafter of Christ’s flocke; seeing God of his mercy at this present hes offered some better occasion nor in tyme bygone, and hes begune to tread downe Satan under foot, and for the due requisitione and admonitione, in name of the Eternall God, to the effect forsaid, of all and sundrie the brethren, alswell in burgh as to land, The Kirk presently conveened in this Generall Assembly be thir presents gives their full power and commission to their lovites (N. and N.) for the bounds of (N.) In verification hereof, thir presents are subscribed be the common clerk of the Kirk in the Generall Assembly, and second Session thereof, holden at Edinburgh the 26th of Junii 1567.

Sess. 3^{a.} Junii 27, 1567.

QUESTIONES AND THEIR ANSWERS.

Ane man being accused of notorious fornication, promised faithfully to the minister for the tyme to abstaine in all tyme comeing from all society with that woman, and in case he chance to have any dealings with her hereafter he should marry her--thereafter he meddled with the same woman: _Quæritur_, whether this man may be compelled to keep the forsaid promise or not?

The Kirk ordaines all sic promises to be of none effect, and that none be compelled to marry upon sic promises; and ordaines this offender to be punished for his offence.

Whether if it be lawfull to marry her whom he before in his wife’s tyme had polluted with adulterie, his wife now being dead?

The Kirk will not grant this thing to be lawfull that God’s law damns; neither yet admitt any sic marriage for causes contained in the law.

Ane man being divorced for adulterie--_Quæritur_, whether he may marry again or not?

The Kirk will not resolve herein shortly, but presently inhibits all ministers to meddle with sic marriages, whill full decision of the question.

Sessio 4^{ta}, Junii 28, 1567.

Anent ane complaint given in be the brethren of the kirk of Machlin, That where they had, be the just law of God, pronounced the sentence of excommunication against John Spottswood of Foulde, sometyme ane Elder of the said kirk, for the horrible cryme of adultrie committed be him; Nottheless, Sir William Hamiltone of Sanquhair, Knight, now ane Elder of the said kirk, plainly maintaineth the said John in his house, notwithstanding the said John is excommunicat, to the greate sclander and offence of God his law: And albeit the said Sir William hes been diverse tymes admonished to withdraw his familiar company frae the said Johne, yet not abstract the same, to the offence of many; requireing the Kirk presently assembled to take order herein, according to the wisdome of the brethren present, that farder sclander ryse not therethrough.

The Kirk ordaines ane letter to be sent to the said Sir William, requireing him to remove the said John Spottswood out of his company, and the same to be subscribed be the Clerk of the Assembly; the tenor whereof follows:--

Right Worshipfull, &c.--Forsuameikle as we are informed be the minister and ane part of the elders of the kirk of Machlein, that ane called John Spottswood, sometyme an elder of the said kirk, for the adulterie committed be him in the tyme he was an elder, and the same beand sufficiently proven, hes been, and is publickly excommunicat; Nottheless ye now, being ane elder of the said kirk, contrare to your charge and vocation, maintaines and keeps in your company the said John, notwithstanding diverse admonitions made to you to put him therefrae, to the great contempt of God’s ordinance, and sclander of the Kirk of Jesus Christ, whilk we looked not for at your hands, being placed in so honourable ane rowme within this kirk: Therefore, this is most heartily to require you, in the name of the Eternall God, and as ye look to reigne with [his] Son Jesus Christ for ever, to remove from you all manner of sclander, and be not partaker of uther men’s sins, but remove from your societie that wicked persone, who being abhored be the faithfull, may be God’s grace repent his impietie, and returne to that company of the ffaithful, from the whilk be his hainous offence he hes so horribly fallen; in the whilk doing ye shall not only please God, but also have praise of us your brethren; utherwise we may not with safe conscience suffer sic maintaining of wickedness, but must oppose ourselves thereunto, and use the censures of the kirk, alsweell against the maintainer as the committer of manifest crymes: And this, wishing unto you the spirit of righteous judgement, committ you to the protection of the Omnipotent.--From Edinburgh, out of our Generall Assembly, and fourth Session thereof, the 28th of Junii 1567.

The haill kirk thought good that ane publick ffast should be proclaimed in the toune of Edinburgh only, to begin on Sunday the 13th of July nixt, and on Sunday the 20th of the same; and so was the Assembly dissolved, and appointed the 20th day of July nixt to come to Edinburgh.

[FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveened at
Edinburgh, the 21st day of July 1567; In the whilk were
assembled Earles, Lords, Barrons, whose names are written after
the Articles be them subscribed, with the Superintendents,
Ministers, and Commissioners of Townes. Thanks was given to God
be Mr John Craig, Minister of Edinburgh.

Sess. 2^a, Julii 22, 1567.

Tenor of the Letter of Excusatione of the Earle of Argyle, of his
absence from this Assembly, followeth:--