[FORTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly, conveint at Glasgow, the 24 of Aprille 1581, where there was present the Commissioner for the King, the Laird of Capringtowne.

Sessio.

Exhortation beand made be Mr Andrew Hay; Mrs Robert Pont, David Lyndesay, and William Chrystisone, were put in leits, and the said Mr Robert, be pluralitie of votis, was chosen Moderator. Assessors, Mrs Andrew Hay, James Lawsone, David Lyndsay, Thomas Smetowne, William Chrystisone, the Lairds of Braid, Downrod, and Pilrig.

Forsuameikle as, for purgatione of the ministrie from unworthie persones that had enterit in the functione thereof, to the greit sclander of God and his Kirk, Ordour was taken in the last Assemblie, that all men, alseweell Barrones, Gentlemen, as uthers of the functione of the said ministrie, sould giue up the names of the saids persones unto the Kirk, as they will answer to God upon their consciences, not the less be schortness and inlaike of tyme, no greit effect followit, so that yet the sclander lyes upon the heid of the Kirk; Therefore, yet as of before, the Assemblie requires all men, as they tender the glory of God and the weill of his Kirk, that they delate and giue up the names of sic persones in wreit,the morne afternoone, that order may be taken for removeing of the greit sclander aryses to the Kirk be sic unworthie persones.[21]

Sessio 5.

Anent the act made in the Assemblie at Dundie against the Bischops beand, some difficultie appearit to some breither to aryse be the word of office conteinit in the said act, what sould be meint thereby: The Assemblie present for the maist pairt of them that votit and was present at the Assemblie in Dundie, to tak away the said difficultie and resolve men of the trew meining and understanding of the said act, declareit they meanit haillilie to condemne the estate of Bischopes as they are now in Scotland, and that the same was the determinatione and conclusione of the Kirk at that tyme.

The Laird of Capringtoun presentit the King’s Majestie’s Letter unto the Assemblie concernyng also ane Commission from his heines to concurr with the Assemblie, together with certain rowes containing the planting of the kirks, and the number of the presbytries, with the kirks of every presbytrie, qwhilk the Kirk ordaynit to be considerit be Mrs John Ross for Rosse, John Ines for Morray, the Commissioners of Aberdeene for Aberden, William Chrystisone for Merns and Angus, Duncan M‘Call for Dunkeld, Thomas Buchanan and David Fargusone for Fyfe, John Johnstoune and Mr Adam Johnstoune for Edinburgh, James Carmichel for Haddingtoune, George Johnstoune for Jedburgh, the Laird of Luce for Lanerk, Androw Hay for Glasgow, John Young for Dier, John Clappertoune for the Merss, William Duncansone for Gallaway, and to conveine the morne at sax houres to sicht the samen, and to report their judgement thereof to the Kirk.[22]

Mr Patrick Gallaway transportit to Perth, Mr Alexander Arbuthnott transportit to the ministrie of Aberdeene, and ordaynit to demitt the principalitie of the Colledge in the favours of Mr Nicoll Dalgleish.

Anent the King’s Majestie’s Petitioune presentit in wreite and exhibite to the Assembly this day be his Grace’s Commissioners,with the answer unto the Articles gine in be the Kirk unto his Heines, and the copie of ane Letter to be direct to the Barrones, Gentlemen, and Ministers, for unione and discipline of the Kirks, with the names of the persones to be chargit to take travells therein. The Kirk, understanding thereby the godly zealous meaning of his Majestie, praisit God greatly, that had movit his heart to have ane care of his Kirk; and first entering to the consideratione of the Answers made to the Articles of the Kirk, thocht good that thir Articles be insistit in at his Heines hand and Councill; his Honor and Councill to be earnestly desyrit to appoynt a Judge in Edinburgh to cognosce and judge upon injuries and wrangs done to ministers in executione of their office, and to punische according to the qualitie of the crymes, according to the forme of punischment to be gine in be the Kirk; and that his Heines wald appoynt Mr John Skeene procurator for the ministers that are so injured: 2o, That an act of Parliament may be made concernyng the deposition of ministers, and the causes at lenth to be specified in this article: 3, That the benefices vaikand be disponit to the ministers where the benefice vaiks, if they be able, according to the meaning of them that conferred at Striveling.

Anent the King’s Petitions.

As to the first petitione concerning the forming of the Articles agreit upone in the conferrence, The Kirk appoynts Mrs Robert Pont, David Lindsay, John Skene, Thomas Craige, and John Craige, to that effect. As to the second, delayit quhill afternoone; as to the 3d, reasonable, and agreit upon: the haill rest referrit to the reasonyng at afternoone.

The Tennor of the King’s Majestie’s Petitions gine in be his heines Commissioners.

Instructions to our trustie and well-belovit William Cunninghame of Capringtoune, direct be us with advyce of the Lords of our Secret Councill.

To the Generall Assemblie of the Ministers of the Kirk convenit at Glasgow, the 20th of Aprile 1581.

Ye shall delyver our letter unto them, and let them understand that sic of their number as travellit with us, having desyrit of usanswer to their articles sent from the Assembly halden in Dundie, 3d July last, We causit sum of our counsell conferr with them severall tymes in October last, as also now of late, qwhilks all finds the matter towards the thirds of benefices mentionat in the first of the saids articles, as the same is there requyrit, not to be the readiest meine, either to make the ministers assured of their stipends and livings, or yet to make us to have any reasonable support thereby, for reliefe of the commone chairges of our estate, there being so great alteratione and diminutione of the rents, and so great confusione utherwayes enterit in that matter, dureing thir 20 yeares and mair now bypast; and that thereby their behoves ane forme and order be prescryvit unto, mair licklie to have continuance to the posteritie to come: To the removeing of all occasions of complaint for the furtherance thereof, there is be commandment and advyce of sic of our councill and the ministrie as conferrit in this purpose, some forme drawne, how Elderschips may be constitute of a certaine number of parochines, lyand together; small parochines to be united, and the greit dividit, for the better sustentation of the ministrie, and the more commodious resort of the common people to their kirks. There is also the forme of letter of ours to be written to some of the principall noble and gentle men, and certaine of the ministers within the bounds of every Elderschip, to conveine, advyse, and reporte unto us their advyce in all things requyred be us in our said Letter, betwixt and the 24 of Junii nixt. This we thocht convenient to communicat with yow to the Assemblie now to be convenit at Glasgow, requyring them in our name to consider thereof, and to send to us their judgement and opinione anent this intendit wark, and of any thing they wald wische aither to be added or dimminished in the forme of our Letter utherwayes, before the same shall be directed: qwhairanent, if care and diligence shall be taken be them, as our intention, God willing, is to doe, to the forderance thereof, as becomes ws, We have no doubt, but God shall send fruitfull success of our travells, to the removeing of the greit disorders and confusions now standing for want of reformatione.

These grounds advysit weill and agreit upon appearandlie, it shall not only really, with reasonable tyme, make the ministers to be surelie provydit of their livings, but it shall bring the ecclesiasticall discipline to be farre better exercisit and execute over all this realme nor it is presentlie; it beand declarit first, what every Presbyteriemay cognosce upone; nixt, what shall be in every Synodall Assemblie; and last, what causes shall be devolvit to the Generall Assemblie, and what persones shall orderlie neid to repair thereto, and to have vote therein. The reporte of thir our Letters returning againe the sooner, it may be provydit with diligent travells, in the good order now intendit, may take beginning at the first day of November nixt without delay, and if our Parliament upon any necessar occasione shall be conveinit. In the meane tyme, the said ordour, or sa meikle thereof as shall be in readiness, may be past and approvit in forme of law.

The second article was answerit in sic sort as we trust they were satisfied therewith.

To answer the third article, the desire thereof must be more speciall before it receave ane speciall answer: they have to consider in qwhais default and negligence the persons complaint upon in their forsaid article, remaynes unpunisched. Our answer to the first article is sufficient, qwhill upon farder advyse it may be made more speciall.

We doubt not also but our answer to the saxt article shall be found reasonable upon speciall conferrence had thereanent, and that their desyre, if it were grantit in the forme requyrit, could not but induce inconvenients.

There is order taken anent the desyre of the sevent article.

There is same order alreadie begune for the farther help of the Earle of Arrane, qwhilk shall be followit as occasione shall serve.

We have causit and yet will cause, the conferrence to be keepit, for furthsetting of all things requisite, that may set fordwart the Policie qwhill the same may be establischit be law.

Our former answers are reasonable, and no insisting has been in the contrare in the matter sensyne.

Mairover, ye shall lat the Assemblie understand, that in the particular conferrence bygane, syndrie matters hes beine agriet upon in generall termes as they were talkit and put in memorie, but yet are not put in sic forme and termes as war meit to put them in Articles in Parliament, to be past and approvit as particular Lawis; and therefore let the Assemblie appoynt some of their number to extend and put thir articles in sic forme and order as they wald wische them to be past in Parliament, specially in thir heads, viz. That the Assemblie will cause inquyre and cause informe us of the speciall names of the persons culpable in the faults nottit in their last Assembliehalden at Dundie, viz. That the Bischopes and Commissioners may be admonisched to refuse Readers the titles of benefices vaikand since the first day of November last bypast, although presentatione have happinit or happine to be; that the Assemblie declare how many sufficient and weill qualifiet ministers there is presently in Scotland, and in what place they wische them ratherest to serve.

And that they give their advyce how the remanent kirks, whereunto ministers cannot be had presently, may be servit, qwhill mair ministers may be had, and that the present auld possessors of the benefices be departit this life.

That they give us thair opinione and advyce of that portione of the rents pertayning to the kirks before the alteratione of Religion, qwhilk they think shall fall to us in case all benefices were now vaikand; and in the meine tyme qwhill they be, qwhat We shall have yearlie for the supporte of our estate and publick affaires of our realme.

That they consider the forme and proceeding, how the taxt for the speciall meins pairt shall be payit in tyme cuming.

As also to make us some licklie and good overture for the personages that shall occupy the place of the speciall estate in our Parliament in tymes cuming, after the decease of the present possessors of the place, in respect of the greit decay of the rents thereof.

That they send us their good advyce how ane forme of Judgement may be established, qwhill a Parliament, for calling of persones provydit to benefices sen our coronatione, to be depryvit therefrae upon the clauses irritant conteinit in their provisiones, for not doing their dewties in their vocationes, but leaving their charges and medleing with their secular benefices.

That the Assemblie giue their advyce upon the forme of presentation that We shall giue to these to be provydit to benefices, if this order take effect; qwhom to our presentatione shall be direct; qwhat shall be the forme and order of the tryall; and how shall the persone presentit be tryit, and what forme of admissione or collatione?

For ane grund thir heads are to be considerit.

That besyde the Diocie of Argyll and the Isles, of qwhilks boundes never rentalls war yet gine up, there is in Scotland about nyne hundred and twenty-four kirks, countand fyve score to the hundreth. Of thir, syndrie are pendicles and small parochines,and many kirks demolischit. Some parochines also are of greater bounds nor the parochiners may conveniently conveine to their paroche kirks. It lies bein thocht meit, therefore, to reduce thir nyne hundreth and twenty-four kirks to vjc. and at every kirk to have ane minister, their stipend and living to be in four degrees.

Ane hundreth at500 merks the piece.Ane hundreth at300 merks the piece.Ane hundreth at100 punds the piece.Ane hundreth at100 merks the piece.

Or somewhat mair or less, as it may be neir thir soumes, beneath or above; all stipends and livings to be modified according to the possibilitie of the rent in that place. Thir considerationes are to be taken in, although all the benefices were presently vaikand.

Qwhair the parsonage and viccarage pension at any kirk are now severall benefices, to be all unitit and annexit in ane, for the better sustaining of the minister there.

Thir six hundred kirks to be devydit in fyftie Presbytries, twenty to every presbytrie, or thereabout.

Thrie of thir Presbytries, or moe or fewer, as the countrie lyes, to make ane diocie, according to ane forme after following, to be considerit of.

Of thir number, certaine of the Presbytries shall be the Synodall Assemblie, and ilk Synodall Assemblie shall appoynt the place within that province for thair nixt Synodall.

Of persones direct from the Synodall Assemblies, shall the Generall Assemblie consist.

Kirks devydit in quarters shall be provydit to ane man:—And if these quarters be annexit to any uther benefices, the quarters to be disseverit out of the provisiones of the persones to be provydit to these benefices when they vaike.

The Kirks devydit unto Prebendaries, to be gine to the ministers as they vaik. All benefices provydit to ministers, to be devydit the yeir of their deceis, equallie betwixt their wyfes, children, or executors, and the intrant minister.

Young men new come from schooles, shall only be promotit to the benefices and stipends in the low degree; and the eldest, of the greatest learning and judgement, to be promotit to the highest rank; and so to ascendgradatim, as they shall be judgit and tryed worthiest, from three year to three year, for the better eschewingof ambition and avarice; and that the chairges of the greater congregationes shall not be committit to young ministers at the first, nor shall they be preferrit to the eldest, of greater gravitie and judgement, at the first.

The estate of all prebendaries to be agnoscit and considerit, qwhilks are foundit upon the teynds of the paroche kirks, and qwhilks are temporall lands, To the effect that sic Prebendaries as are foundit upone teynds, may accress to the living of the ministers serving at the kirks, and the uthers to be provydit for the helpe of the schooles in the best forme that may be devysit.

And alwayes the Laik Patronages to remaine haill and unjoynit or provydit, except it be with consent of the patrones.

ANE FORME OF THE PRESBYTRIES AND DIOCIES.

Orkney,{Tingwell.Kirkwall.Kathnes,{Wick.Dornach.{Striveling.Edinburgh,Lynlithgow.Dalkeith.Hadingtowne,{Hadingtowne.Dumbar.{Channonrie.Rosse,Tayne.Dingwell.{Forress.Murray,Elgen.Innerness.{Aberdeene.Bawmfe,Innerowrie.Kyncardinonell.{Dundie.Angus,Keremure.Kethenis.Mernis,{Fordonne.Bernoy.

{Perth.Dunkled,Dunkeld.Creiff.{St. Androis.St. Androis,Falkland.Dumfermling.{Chirnsyde.Jedburgh,Dunse.Kelsoe.Jedburgh.{Melros.Peblis,Peblis.Bigger.{Lanarick.Glasgow,Glasgow.Dumbartane.{Aire.Aire,Irving.Mayboll.Cammonell.Gollaway,{Qwhitterne.Kirkcudbright.{Drumfries.Drumfries,Penpont.Lochmaben.Annand.

Sessio 8.

Anent the report of the breither appoyntit to consider the platting of the kirks gine in to them in rows, and to report their judgement what they think meit to be reformit therein; a greit part of the saids rows beand reproducit with their judgement qwhilk they could presently resolve upon in sic schortness of tyme qwhill they be farther resolvit with advyce of their countries; The haill Assemblie thocht meet that ane beginning be had of the Presbytries instantly in the places after following, to be exemplator to the rest that may be established heirafter.

The Presbytrie of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh.Halyrudehouse.Castle of Edinburgh.The Wast towne ofDudinstowne.Leith.Restalrig.Mussilburgh.Natoune.St Cuthbert.

Corstorphing.Cramond.Gogar.Ratho.Kirknewtowne.Currie.St Bothomes.Hayles.Libbertowne.

The Presbytrie of Dundie.

Dundie.Balumbie.Maines.Strethmartane.Monoswith.Murrois.Logiedundie.Liff.Innergowrie.Tealing.

Lundie.Benun.Auchterhouss.Inchesturie.Rossie.Langforgund.Foulis.Inneraritie.Kirkbriddoll.

The Presbytrie of St Androis.

St Androis.St Leonards.Seress.

Carraill.Anstruther.Carnbie.

Newbirne.Dymminow.Kylconquhar.Abercrombie.Largo.Cowper.Auchtermoonsie.Lewchars.

Forgownd.Balmerinoch.Logiemurth.Kylmaine.Darsie.Kenbege.Kylrinne.

The Presbytrie of Perth.

Perth.Kynnowll.Kynfauns.Methven.Pittwarror.Kynclevine.Logybryd.Auchtergowine.Scoone.Cambsmitchell.Tibbermure.Dumbarnie.Rynde.

Duppline.Abernethie.Dron.Arngask.Mucarsie.Forgundine.Aberdagie.Fortiviet.Monzie.Regortowne.Loncardie.Trinitiegask.

Presbytrie of Striveling.

Cambuskenneth.Logy.Dumblaine.Lycrope.Kylbride.Aberfull.Port.Clackmanan.Tulliebodie.Tullieallane.Kylmadock.Kyncarden.

St Ninian’s Kirkto be devydid.Larbarr.Dunnipace.Kirk of Mure.Kyppey.Alvethie.Tillicultrie.Kylmahugo.Leney.Callendrech.Airthe.Brothkenner.

The Presbytrie of Glasgow.

Glasgow.

Campsie.

Fintrie.Strabrane.Caldar.Monkland.Lenzie.Ranfrew.Inchynnane.Cambuslaing.Rutherglen.Carmanock.Bothwell.

Schottis.Paislay.Merines.Neilsone.Kilbryde.Torreiss.Gowane.Blantyre.Eistwoode.Cathcart.Monyabrock.

The Presbytrie of Aire.

Aire.Alloway.Tarboltowne.Barnwell.Cumnock.Monktoune.St Kenockis.Prestick.Wchiltrie.

Auchinleck.Mauchlen.Gastowne.Qwiltoune.Cragy.Riccartowne.Dundonald.Symontoune.

The Presbytrie of Irwing.

Irwing.Large.Kylbryd.Ardrossan.Kylwynning.Kilmarnock.Lowdon.Dalry.

Dunnalop.Kilbirney.Beith.Kilmauers.Prestowne.Dreghorne.Stevinsone.

The Presbytrie of Hadingtowne.

Hadingtowne.Elstarfred.St Martine’s Kirk.Bowden.Sowtrey.Bothaines.

Morhame.Ormstowne.Aberladie.Gulane.NorthbervickPaintland.

Saltowne.Tranent.Seatone.Barraw.

Garwont.Fala.Rothinschell.Keithhumbie.

The Presbytrie of Dumbar.

Dumbar.Spott.Lyntone orPrestonekirk.Innerweik.Auldhamsteiks.Coldbrandispeth.

Awld Cammous.Qwhittinghame.Stentowne.Qwhytkirk.Bass.Auldham.Tinnynghame.

The Presbytrie of Chirnsyde.

Chirnsyde.Foulden.Mordingtowne.Coldinghame.Ayttowne.Lammertowne.Wintowne.Fischweik.Horneden.Wpsettlingtowne.Lainell.Hirsell.Simprem.

Hiltoune.Qwhitsone.Eldrem.Bonkle.Prestoune.Ellana.St Bothanes.Dunss.Langformagus.Cranschaws.Langtowne.Foggow.Swintowne.

The Presbytrie of Linlithgow.

Linlithgow.Bynnie.Caldercott.Caldercleir.Strabrock.Inchmachame.Kirklistoune.Auld Cathie.Drummaine.

Torphichen.Bathcat.Levingstowne.Kynnell.Carridden.Slamannane.Abriecorne.Falkirk.

The Presbytrie of Dumfermling.

Dumfermling.Carnock.Innerkething.Ressythe.Auchterdirie.Ballingarie.Aberdour.Dalgatie.Auchtertool.Kirkaldie.Ginghorne Eister.Ginghorne Waster.

Dysert.Weymes.Methell.Ginglassie.Culrosse.Crumbie.Torrie.Saline.Cleisch.Muckart.Dolor.Glendovan.

And to the effect this ordour of Elderschips may be establisched in the saids townes with the better expedient and mair convenient forme, they have namit the breither underwritten, to take care and travells, and to sie the same constitute betwixt and the last day of May nixt to come, viz. For Lawthiane, Mrs Robert Pont, Adam Johnstowne, James Carmichael: ffor Fyfe, David Fargysone, Thomas Buchanan: ffor Angus, the Laird of Dun, Mr Chrystiesone, James Andersone, James Melvill: ffor Striviling and Linlithgow, Robert Montgomrie, John Duncansone, the Bischope of Dumblane: ffor Glasgow, Andrew Hay, Thomas Smetoune, Andrew Polwart, and the Bischop of Glasgow: for Aire and Irving, John Porterfield, John Young, John M‘Corie: ffor the Merss, John Clappertoune, Patrick Gaitts: ffor Perth, the Minister there, William Rynd, and William Edmestoune; Ordayning every Elderschip in the first Assemblie to be halden, to chuse out of their numbers ane Moderator to continew till the nixt Synodall Assemblie.

Sessio 9.

Forsuameikle as travells hes been taken in the forming of the Policie of the Kirk, and diverse sutes made to the Magistrate for approbatione thereof, qwhilk, albeit as yet, hes not taken the happie effect qwhilk good men would crave; yet that the posteritie sould judge well of the present age, and of the meining of the Kirk, the Assemblie hes concludit that the Book of Policie agriet upon in diverseAssemblies before, sould be registrate in the acts of the Kirk, and to remaine therein,ad perpetuam rei memoriam, and the copies thereof to be taken be every Presbytrie: of the qwhilk Book the tenor follows:

HEADS AND CONCLUSIONES OF THE POLICIE OF THE KIRK.

[The Book of Policie, or Second Book of Discipline, has been already so often printed, in Dunlop’s Confessions, the Compendium of the Laws of the Church, and separately, along with the First Book of Discipline, that it is deemed unnecessary to encumber the present work with a reprint of it from the Assembly’s Register.]

Anent theConfession of Faithlately set furth be the King’s Majestie’s proclamatione, and subscribed be his Heines, The Kirk, in ane voyce, acknowledges the said Confessione, to be ane trew and Christiane Confession to be agriet unto be such as trewly professe Christ and his trew religion, and the tenor thereof to be followit out as the samin is laid out in the said proclamatione.

Ane method of Preaching to be printed and putt in Scotts be Mr Thomas Smeton.

Forsuameikle as Abbots, Commendators, Priores, and Bischops, provydit of auld, under the name of Ecclesiasticall, bruiks the rents and revenews of the Kirks, without exercising any spirituall functione thereof, or recognoscing the true Kirk, devowring the patrimonie of them, and daily diminisching the rents of their benefices; The Kirk and Assembly present, hes determined and resolved, that all such persones before named, shall be cited before the Presbyteries, to compeir before the next Generall Assemblie of the Kirk, to submitt themselves thereto, as they will answer unto the Kirk.

Anent Readers; Forsuameikle as in Assemblies preceiding, the office thereof was concludit to be no ordinar office in the Kirk of God, and the admissione of them suspendit to the present Assemblie: The Kirk, in ane voyce, hes votit and concludit farther, that in no tymes comeing any Reader be admittit to the office of Reader, be any haveing power within the Kirk.

Ordaines the Commissioners of Countries to give in the names at afternoone with the persons they think meit, to the union and divisione of the Kirks.

Certaine appoyntit to forme the Articles agreit on in conferrence.

The advyse of the Kirk concerning the direction of Presentations, that they be directit to the Presbytries.

To crave of his Grace for performance of the wark intendit, that prelats be dissolvit.

Sessio 10.

Anent the place of repentance to be appoyntit to Captaine Anstruther for his fearfull defectione from the trew religione in the parts of France; the haynousness and gravitie of his defectione being weill weyit and considerit, qwhilk requyrit solemne and notorious repentance,—The Kirk hes thocht meit, and be voteing concludit, that his repentance be made in the city of St Androis, after the forme of discipline sett out against the apostates.

Back to Index Next