The Names of the Moderators of Presbyteries.
Zetland.Mr James Pitcairne.Orknay.The B. of Orknay, in his absenceThomas Swintone, upon his expenses.Caithnes.The Bishop of Caithnes, and in hisabsence Samuel Bruce, upon theBishop’s expenses.Taine.Mr Johne Ros.Ardmannath.Mr George Monro, to be payed by theB. of Ros qwhile he be residentthere himselfe.Innernes.Mr James Bischop.Forres.Mr James Dundas.Elgin.The B. of Murray.Dumblane.Mr Robt. Howie, and failzeing of himMr George Chalmers.Cullen.Mr George Douglas.Bamff.Mr George Hay.Deir.Mr Archbald Sibbald.Ellone.Mr John Reid.
Zetland.
Mr James Pitcairne.
Orknay.
The B. of Orknay, in his absenceThomas Swintone, upon his expenses.
Caithnes.
The Bishop of Caithnes, and in hisabsence Samuel Bruce, upon theBishop’s expenses.
Taine.
Mr Johne Ros.
Ardmannath.
Mr George Monro, to be payed by theB. of Ros qwhile he be residentthere himselfe.
Innernes.
Mr James Bischop.
Forres.
Mr James Dundas.
Elgin.
The B. of Murray.
Dumblane.
Mr Robt. Howie, and failzeing of himMr George Chalmers.
Cullen.
Mr George Douglas.
Bamff.
Mr George Hay.
Deir.
Mr Archbald Sibbald.
Ellone.
Mr John Reid.
Garioch.Mr Robert Burnett.Aufurd.Mr Alexr. Guthrie.Kinkardin Oneill.Mr John Strauchane.Aberdein.The B. of Aberdein.Mernes.Mr Andro Ramsay.Brechin.Mr Dugall Campbell.Aberbrothok.Mr Arthur Futhie.Dundie.Mr Jon. Ramsay.Megle.Mr George Nicolsone.Perth.Mr Alex. Lindesay.Dunkeld.Mr Wm. Glass.Couper.Mr Wm. Scot, and till his returnMr Johne Caldcleuch.St Androis.The B. of St Andrews: in his absenceMr W. Wilkie, to be payit be the B.Kirkadie.Mr Jon. Michelsone.
Garioch.
Mr Robert Burnett.
Aufurd.
Mr Alexr. Guthrie.
Kinkardin Oneill.
Mr John Strauchane.
Aberdein.
The B. of Aberdein.
Mernes.
Mr Andro Ramsay.
Brechin.
Mr Dugall Campbell.
Aberbrothok.
Mr Arthur Futhie.
Dundie.
Mr Jon. Ramsay.
Megle.
Mr George Nicolsone.
Perth.
Mr Alex. Lindesay.
Dunkeld.
Mr Wm. Glass.
Couper.
Mr Wm. Scot, and till his returnMr Johne Caldcleuch.
St Androis.
The B. of St Andrews: in his absenceMr W. Wilkie, to be payit be the B.
Kirkadie.
Mr Jon. Michelsone.
Dunfermling.Mr Jon. Fairfull.Auchterardour.Mr John Davidsone.Striviling.Mr Patrick Simsone.Lynlithgow.Mr Rot. Cornwall.Edinburgh.Mr Jon. Hall.Dalkeith.Mr George Ramsay.Haddingtoun.Mr James Carmichaell.Dunbar.Mr Edward Hepburne.Chirnesyde.Mr Jon. Clappertoun.Dunce.Mr David Hoome.Melros.Mr Jon. Knox.Kelso.Mr James Knox.Jedburt.Mr Jon. Abernethie.Twidaill.Mr James Logane.Lanerick.Mr WmBirnie.
Dunfermling.
Mr Jon. Fairfull.
Auchterardour.
Mr John Davidsone.
Striviling.
Mr Patrick Simsone.
Lynlithgow.
Mr Rot. Cornwall.
Edinburgh.
Mr Jon. Hall.
Dalkeith.
Mr George Ramsay.
Haddingtoun.
Mr James Carmichaell.
Dunbar.
Mr Edward Hepburne.
Chirnesyde.
Mr Jon. Clappertoun.
Dunce.
Mr David Hoome.
Melros.
Mr Jon. Knox.
Kelso.
Mr James Knox.
Jedburt.
Mr Jon. Abernethie.
Twidaill.
Mr James Logane.
Lanerick.
Mr WmBirnie.
Hamiltoun.Mr Rot. Dalkeith.Glasgow.The B. of Glasgow, and in hisabsence Mr Patrick Sharp.Paislay.Mr Jon. Hay.Dumbarton.Mr Jon. Blackburne, and quhill hemake residence, Mr Wm. Stewart.Air.Mr Jon. Inglis.Irwing.Mr Alexr. Scrimgeor.Dumfries.Mr Thomas Ramsay.Kirkudbright.The B. of Galloway, and in hisabsence Mr Rot. Glandynning.Wigtoun.Mr James Adamsone.Argyle.The B. of Argyle.Isles.The Bishop, and in his absenceMr Rot. Steuart, and on hisexpenses.Extract.Sic subr.Ja. Nicolsone,Moderator.Master Hendrie Philp,Scrybe.
Hamiltoun.
Mr Rot. Dalkeith.
Glasgow.
The B. of Glasgow, and in hisabsence Mr Patrick Sharp.
Paislay.
Mr Jon. Hay.
Dumbarton.
Mr Jon. Blackburne, and quhill hemake residence, Mr Wm. Stewart.
Air.
Mr Jon. Inglis.
Irwing.
Mr Alexr. Scrimgeor.
Dumfries.
Mr Thomas Ramsay.
Kirkudbright.
The B. of Galloway, and in hisabsence Mr Rot. Glandynning.
Wigtoun.
Mr James Adamsone.
Argyle.
The B. of Argyle.
Isles.
The Bishop, and in his absenceMr Rot. Steuart, and on hisexpenses.
Extract.
Sic subr.
Ja. Nicolsone,Moderator.
Master Hendrie Philp,Scrybe.
The Generall Assemblie of the Commissioners from the Presbytries of the Kirk of Scotland, halden at Lynlithgow, the 26th of July 1608—in the qwhilk were present the King’s Commissioner, viz. the Earle of Dumbarr.
The Generall Assemblie of the Commissioners from the Presbytries of the Kirk of Scotland, halden at Lynlithgow, the 26th of July 1608—in the qwhilk were present the King’s Commissioner, viz. the Earle of Dumbarr.
Sessio 1ma, Julij 26, 1608.
Exhortatione beand made be Mr Pat. Galloway, Moderator of the last Assemblie, the brethren, after the accustomed manner, proceedit to the election of the Moderator of this present Assemblie; the leets being nominat, Mrs Patrick Scharp, James Law, Bishop of Orknay, John Mitchelsone, Pat. Lyndsay, John Hall, and Patrick Simpsone;—be plurality of votes, Mr James Law was chosen Moderatorhac vice.
The Assessors appoyntit to conveene with the Moderator in the privie conferrence for treating of such things as are to be concludit in the Assemblie are these: The Earles of Dumbarr, Wigtone, and Lawthiane, with the Collector-Generall, his Majestie’s Commissioners, the Earles of Glencairne and Kinghorne, the Lords Grahame, Lindsay, Lowdane, Blantyre, Halyrudehouse, the Lairds of Balmanie, Kynnaird, Kilsyth, Carnell, the Bischopes of Caithnes, Mr William Dowglass, the Bischop of Aberdeene, Mr George Hay, the Bischop of Brechine, Mr Andrew Leitche, Mr Patrick Lyndsay, Bischop of St Androis, Mr John Mitchelsone, Mr Patrick Simsone, Bischop of Dunkeld, Bischop of Dumblaine, Mrs Will. Cowper, Patrick Galloway, John Hall, David Home, John Knox, Bischop of Glasgow, Mr Pat. Scharp, Bischop of Galloway, Mr Alex. Scrymgeour, Mr William Hamiltone, Mr Thomas Ramsay, Bishop of Argyll.
The hours of meeting appoyntit to be, for the privie conferrence, aucht hours in the morning and two afternoone, and for the Assemblie nyne houres in the morning and three afternoon. The brethren appoyntit for reading and answering the bills are Mrs Arthure Futhie, Henry Philp, John Clappertoune, John Reid, Peter Hewat, Edward Hepburne, and John Hay.
Sess. 2a, Julii 27.
Forsuameikle as ane of the maist speciall causes of the convention of this present Assemblie is for suppressing of papistrie and idolatrie, qwhilk dayly mair and mair increases within this realme, and repressing of Papists, Jesuits, and Seminarie Priests, qwhois number still mair and mair increases within the same, to the great dishonour of God and overthrow of trew religione profest within this realme, if the same be not with some solide remead obviat in tyme: Therefore it is thocht expedient be the Assemblie, that before all uther things, this article concerning Papists and Papistrie be first advysit upon and concludit: And to the effect the Assemblie may the more solidlie and with the greater light proceed in the said matter, therefore they have ordaynit that the Commissioners of every Synod at the rysing of this Sessione conveine themselves severallie, and make ane roll conteining the number of Papists and the names of them within the boundsof their Synod: 2. The causes why Papistrie, Superstitione, and Idolatrie is come to so great ane height within this realme: 3. The remedies for suppressing all sorts of Papists and Idolaters within the same, viz. Papists already excommunicat, Papists qwho hes sworne and subscrivit to the treuth, and yet refuises to imbrace the same, and Papists that in word profess the truth, but in doctrine and deid contrairs the same: 4. What forme of proceeding every Synod hes usit against the Papists within their bounds: Quhilks articles the saids Synods shall put in wreit, and delyver the same to the Privie Conferrence at three afternoone.
It is lykewayes ordaynit that every Synod shall make ane particular roll of the names of such as are receipters of Jesuits, traffiqueing Papists, and Seminarie Priests within their bounds, and delyver the same privilie to the Earle of Dumbar, his Majestie’s Commissioner, to the effect order may be taken thereanent.
Item, Because the Marques of Huntlie hes been lang under proces and censure of excommunicatione before the Synods of Aberdeen and Morray, and in respect of his continuance and indurat superstitione of Papistrie and Idolatrie, they have orderly led and deducit the proces unto the finall sentence, the pronuncing quherof hes been continowit be them from tyme to tyme, upon hope of his Lordship’s amendment and turning from Idolatrie and Papisticall superstitione to the trew religion presently professit within this realme, and because they finde no hope of the same, but be the contrair greater obstinacie: Therefore the haill Assemblie in ane voyce decerns and ordaynes the sentence of excommunicatione to be pronuncit against his Lordship, with all possible diligence, and continows the declaratione of the place quhen the same shall be done and be quhom, to the nixt Sessione.
Sess. 3a, 27 Julij.
Quhilk day, in presence of the haill Assemblie, compeirit Sir Thomas Kar of Hircha, Knight, in name of George Marques of Huntlie, and presentit ane supplicatione in name of the said noble Lord beirand as followis: Because that conscience is the only argument that movit me this wayes to protract tyme till I had perfect resolutione, and being far from an opinator, or ane that is given over to self-will, as appearit be my yielding to hear conferrence, and, lastly, be my going to the Kirk. I first wald have cravit, if possibly it might have been done, that I might have been heard with myne own mouth, that I might most heartilie intreatit that ane tyme might be condescendit on by your worships, within the quhilk, as it shall please you to conclude, I offer either to satisfy the Kirk, or presently to find surety under great soumes to avoyd the countrey before this day to be prescryvit be your worships.Sic subscribitur,Huntlie: And conforme thereto desyrit the same to be considerit, and requests in respect of the offers therein conteinit the pronouncing of the sentence of excommunicatione against his Lordship to be continowit. Quherwith the haill Assemblie being ryplie advysit, fand the offers conteinit in the supplicatione to be very frivolous, and no wayes inclyning to obedience and satisfactione; in respect quhereof, and for many other causes, and in speciall, because his Lordship, be his band, subscrivit with his hand upon the last of Junii 1608, presently produced in face of the Assemblie be the Commissioners of Aberdene, bandand obleist himself to satisfie the Kirk, be communicating betwixt the date thereof and the 17th of July last bypast, otherwayes the ministrie to proceed with the sentence of excommunicatione against him, as in the said band at mair lenth is conteint: Therefore, the Assemblie, all in ane voyce, ordaynes the sentence of excommunicatione presently to be pronuncit against him be the Moderator of the Assemblie, in face of the haill Assemblie, but ony delay; conforme to the qwhilk ordinance, Mr James Law, Bischop of Orknay, Moderator of this present Assemblie, in face thereof, in maist solemne forme, pronuncit the sentence of excommunion against George Marques of Huntlie; qwhilk sentence is ordaynit to be intimat in all the kirks of this realme be the ministry the next Sonday immediately after their returning from this Assemblie; and in speciall, they command and ordayne the brethren of the Synod of Aberdeen and Morray to intimat the said sentence in their kirks immediatelie after their returning, and inhibites and maist straitly charges them, and every ane of them, that they receave nae offers of satisfaction frae the said Marques, but be speciall advyce of his Majestie and the kirk had therto.
The Commissioners appoyntit in the former Sessione for giving in the names of Papists, the causes of their increase, and remedie to obveat the same, producit their particular rolls, containing the saids heads, qwhilk the Assemblie thocht good sould be revisit, abridgit, and put in order be the Bischop of Glasgow, Mr Pat. Simpsone, Mr Wm. Cowper, John Clappertoune, John Hall, and George Hay, to the effect the samen might be presentit be them to the privie conferrence the next morning, that after, they may be intreatit in face of the Assemblie.
Sess. 4a, Julii 28.
Forsuameikle as the brethren of the Presbyterie of Glasgow and Synod of Clyddisdale quho were appointit to deall and conferre with William Earle of Angus, Lord Dowglass, for bringing of him from blindness and superstitione of Papistrie and Idolatrie to the acknowledging of the trewth profest within this realme, did testifie in presence of the Assemblie, that they saw no appearance in his Lordship of conversione from his errors, but that rather by all evident tokens he was the more obstinat and obdurat in heresie of Papistrie, quhilk he some tyme abjurit before be subscryving of the trew religione presently profest within this realme: Therefore the Generall Assemblie ordaynes the Presbyterie of Glasgow to proceed against the said Earle with the sentence of excommunicatione conforme to the censures of the Kirk, with all possible diligence, and that they pronunce the said sentence against him betwixt and the 18 of September nixt to come, to quhom the Assemblie committs their haill power to that effect; discharging and inhibiting any of them to receave any offers of him for absolving of him from the said sentence, without the advyce of his Majestie and Commissioners of the Assemblie had and obtaynit therto.
Forsuameikle as the brethren of the Presbyterie of Perth quho were appoyntit to deall and conferre with Frances Earle of Erroll, for bringing him from blindness and superstitione of Papistrie and Idolatrie to the acknowledging of the treuth presently profest within this realme, did testifie in presence of the Assemblie that they could see no appearance in his Lordship of conversione from hiserrors, but rather be all evident tokens he was the mair obstinat and obdurat in his erracie of Papistrie, quhilk he sometyme abjurat before be subscryving of the trew Religion presently profest within this realme: Therefore the Generall Assemblie decerns and ordaynes the Presbytrie of Perth to proceed against the said Frances Earle of Erroll with the censures of the Kirk, until the finall pronuncing of the sentence of excommunicatione against him inclusive, with all possible diligence, and that they pronounce the said sentence betwixt and the 18 day of September nixt to come; to quham the Assemblie committs their full power to that effect, discharging and inhibiting any of them to receave any offers from the said noble Lord for absolveing him from the said sentence, without the advyce of his Majestie and Commissioners of the Assemblie had and obtained thereto.
Forsuameikle as be the declaratione of the brethren of the Presbytrie of Irvine, it was made known to the Assemblie, that after long dealing and conferrence had be them with the Lord Semple for bringing him to the acknowledging of the truth and imbracing of the sincere religione, they could not reap any good fruit of their labours and travills taken with him, but be the contrair he still continowit obstinat and indurat in his detestable error of Papistrie and Idolatrie, to the great hurt and evil example of the rest of the country: Therefore the Generall Assembly presently convenit, charges straitly and commands Mr Alex. Scrymgeour, Moderator of the Presbytrie of Irvine, under the pain of infamie and deprivatione from his functione, to pronunce the sentence of excommunicatione against the said Lord Semple, in the Kirk of Irvine, upon Sonday the 14th of August nixt to come, after the sermone, but any delay or impediment quhatsoever, and that the haill brethren of the Ministrie within the bounds of the Synod of Kyle, Carrick, and Cuninghame, intimat the sentence of excommunicatione so pronuncit against the said Lord Semple, every one of them at their awne Paroche Kirkes, upon Sonday nixt and immediatly following thereafter; discharging also and inhibiting the said Moderator and remanent brethren of the said Synod, to receave any offers or satisfactione from the said Lord Semple, but advyce of his Majestie and Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie had and obtained therto.
Sess. 5. 28 Julii.
The brethren appoyntit of before for reviseing and putting in order of the causes of the increase of Papistrie within this realme, and of the overtures for remeiding and suppressing of the same, gave in the saids causes and remedies thereof, of the quhilk the tenorfollows:—
The causes of the increase of Papistrie within this realme are thought either to aryse of the pairt of the Ministrie, or else of wthers causes arysing from the Ministrie: First, their negligence to see the youth in every paroche brought up in the knowledge of the trewth by catechiseing, and careless to urge provision for Schooles within their bounds.
Secondly, The rasche and sudden admissione of men to the ministrie that are not able to withstand and convince the adversary in the dayes of apostacie.
Thirdly, The laike of care in ministers to mark the offences, viz. to consider thecourse of the enemie, and to discover and dilate Jesuites and traffiquers against religione, and uthers pervertit be them.
Fourthlie, The distraction aryseing amang the ministrie, quhill as diversitie of judgment hes drawne them unadvysedly to contrarietie of affectiones, breeding carnall contentions among themselves.
Overtures for remeiding of the Causses forsaids.
First, That it be of new inactit, that all ministers examine young children of the age of sax yeares, and try that they have the Lord’s Prayer, Beliefe, and Commandments, in the quhilk their parents shall be halden to instruct them before the saids years, together with some schort forme of grace before and after meat, as also some schort morning and evening prayer, and againe, that their growth in greater knowledge of religione be tryit, that afterwards it may please God to grant increase of knowledge at the age of fyftein or saxtein years, they may be admitted to the holy communione.
Secondlie, That the Apostles precept be remembrit;—Lay hands suddenly on no man—And according to it, that for closeing of the doore upon the affectiones of men, some longer tyme be ascryvit for admission of men to the ministrie; the exception of rare gifts being reservit to the judgment of the Generall Assemblie.
Thirdly, That ministers quho shall be found after tryall to have delayit the executione of discipline against Papists upon negligence—that is, either not beginning proces, or, if it be begune, not ending the same within halfe ane year, shall losse ane year’s stipend; and these that shall be fund to have done it upon some corrupt favour, shall be simplie deposit.
Fourthly, That there be recommendit to the ministry ane holy caire mutually to eschew offences, and follow peace and love, quherunto we are callit: the meanes for removing of such offences is referrit to the Generall Assemblie.
Causes of the Growth of Papistrie as they are conceavit, aryseth of utheris.
First, The overseeing of Seminarie Priests and Jesuites to traffique within the land, for perverting of such as hes not occasione to go out of the countrey, and impunitie of such as hes receaved them,—as also, that liberty that evill disposed persones, voyde of knowledge, hes taken of the injurie of tyme, to bring hame the books of apostats and professit Papists.
2dly, The preferment of men suspect of religione to publick offices within this realme.
3dly, The favour schawne be these that are in authoritie to traffiquers and excommunicat Papists after they had been apprehendit and wardit, sic as the Abbot of New Abbay and uther Mess Priests, dimittit as is thought out of ward, not without reward and without all warrand of his Majestie, and presently tollerat in the countrie without persute, quhilk hes not only wrought ane coldness of religione in the hearts of many people, but also nourishit ane false opinione of his Majestie, quhilk opinly bursts out in the mouths and speeches of many.
4thly, That qwheras Presbytries are proceeding in the triall of mess sayers and messe hearers, impediment is made be the Lords of his Majestie’s Councill, eitherby advocatione before the Lords, or dispensatione to such as are excommunicat, or by contramanding the Presbyteries to desist under the paine of hornying; and that the executione being producit against any persone before the judges, the same is not regardit, but proces grantit unto him as if he were ane member of the kirk not excommunicat.
5thly, The great libertie grantit to the subjects of this kingdome to repaire unto such pairts qwhare nothing is taucht but defection from religion and treason against lawfull princes, and no securitie taken for their constancie, and in speciall, the sending of noblemen’s sonnes by such as are in authoritie, furth of the land, by such convoy as may delyver them into the hands of Papists to be pervertit in religione, qwhereupon many of them are become apostates.
Lastly, The want of preachers in many congregations in this land, so that in ane province thirty-ane kirks are found to be vaickeand, and, in others, some seventeen, as in Nyddesdale, and uthers throw many pairts of the land.
Overtures for remedieing the Causes forsaids.
First, That ane commissione be grantit be his Majestie to the Bischop of every Synod with such well affected noblemen and gentlemen as the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie shall nominat, to apprehend traffiqueing Papists, Jesuites, and Seminarie Priests that does haunt within their bounds, with power to charge the receipters to make open dores and delyver them, under the paine of treasone.
Secondly, That his Majestie be humbly intreatit, that no Papists nor suspect of Papistrie, beare charge in Councill, Sessione, Government of Townes, nor uther Publick Offices; and if there be any in the estate presently quhom his Heines knawes in his awne wisdome, to be men evil affectit towards religione, that his Majestie wold take order therwith.
Thirdly, That his Majestie will give order for executione of his Heines lawes against Papists and traffiquers with all rigour, and that no favour be grantit be any officer of estate without his Majestie’s privitie, under the paines of incurring his Majestie’s hiche displeasure; as also, that the Councill make no impediment to the letters of hornying to discharge the proceeding of Presbytries against the persones forsaids.
Fourthly, That Papists quho ance have been knawne professors of Papistrie, and for eschewing of civill paines or hope of preferment, will abjure their religion, that his Majestie will please to cause inact, that it shall not be lawfull to such to injoy any office or honor in the Commonewealth, notwithstanding of their oath and communicating, untill fyve yeares probatione had been taken of their constancie and sinceritie in professing of the truth.
Fifthly, That the Act made at Bruntiland concerning the sonnes of noblemen and uthers passing to uther countries be considerit and confirmit, quhereof the tenor follows: Item, for eschewing farther evill quhilk might come to the estate of Religione be the evill educatione of the youth furth of the country, it wold be cravit of his Majestie and Secret Counsell, that sic noblemen and uthers as directs ane pedagogue be knawne godly and of good religione, learnit and instructit in the same, and approvit in his religione be the testimoniall of his Presbytrie;—that their remaining furth of the countrey be in places qwher the Religione ispresently profest, or at the leist qwhere there is no restraint of the same be the cruelty of inquisitione;—that dureing the tyme of their absence they shall not haunt any idolatrous exercise of religione, and such as hes not the moyen to sustaine ane pedagogue with their sonnes forth of the countrey, that they send them to such pairts quhere there is no restraint of religione; and in caice their sonnes, after their departure out of the countrie, haunt these pairts where the profession of the trew religione is restraint, that they find caution not to intertaine them: And in caice any that passes furth of the countrie imbrace any uther religione then that qwhilk is presently professit within this realme, and this to be ane exceptione against their service of their brives, and at the tyme of admission of any of them to any office or honors; and in caice any of their parents contraveen any of the premisses, that they incurre such paine as his Majestie and Secret Councell shall modifie, and that such as are already out of the countrey either be callit back againe before ane day to be appoyntit be his Majestie and Secret Councell, or else that their parents be subject to the lyke conditiones as is before sett downe, with such other additions to be eikit be his Majestie as his Heines shall think expedient; and in speciall, for better explanatione heirof, that at every service of any man as air to his father or any his predicessors, he be not servit be the Sheriff or any wther ordinar Judge to burgh or land, as air to his father or any of his predicessors, butt the testimony of the Bishop or Moderator of the Presbytrie quhare he dwells, beirand the confession of his faith and integritie of religione presently profest within this realme.
Saxtly, That the sonnes of such noblemen as profess Papistrie be delyverit to the custodie of uther their noble friends that are of religione, to be brought up in the knawledge of the truth.
Seventhly, That the searchers of merchandise brocht hame from beyond sea, be commandit to sease upon all books brocht hame, and put them to be tryit be the ministrie of the Presbytrie unto the quhilk they arryve, and that all book-sellers lykewise doe the same before they make open sale thereof, under the paine of confiscatione.
Auchtlie, That excommunicat Papists, especially such as be of ranke, be apprehendit and put in close ward, and none have accesse unto them except such as are of religione presently profest.
Ninthly, That his Majestie give order for the down casting of Gicht’s chappell, the house of John Cheine in Esselmonth, quho receipts all Jesuits and Seminarie Priests.
Tenthly, That order be taken with the Pilgrimages, viz., the Chappell callit Ordiquhill and the Chappell of Grace, and to ane well in the bounds of Enzie.
Eleventhlie, That such persons as are or shall be excommunicat and beares publick office within this realme, and thereafter put to the horne, that they nor their deputs shall bruik no office nor auctoritie under his Majestie efter their denunciatione, but that his Majestie shall appoynt wthers in their rowmes to doe and minister justice to his Majestie’s leidges.
Lastly, That his Majestie wald take order anent the planting of the Kirks that are presently destitute of pastors, and in speciall the Kirks of the Chappell Royall.
Quhilks haill causes of increase of Papistrie within this realme, withovertures for remeiding thereof, the Assemblie hes thought expedient that the same be direct to his Majestie, with ane humble supplicatione, requesting his Grace to take such order thereanent, as his Majestie shall think maist expedient for repressing of Papistrie, and increase of the truth and light of the gospell within this realme; quhereunto the Earle of Dumbar, his Majestie’s Commissioner, with the remanent of the nobility presently conveint in this Assemblie, hes promised to concurr: And therefore the Assemblie hes nominat, and be thir presents nominats,
{blank space}Earle of Wigtoune, ArchBishop of Glasgow,{blank space}Livingstoune of Kylsith, Mr William Cowper, minister at Perth, James Nisbet, merchand in Edinburgh, and Mr William Hart, of Presstoune, their very lawful Commissioners, giving them thair full power to present the humble supplicatione of this present Assemblie to his Majestie, together with the causes of increase of Papistrie, and overtures for remeid thereof above rehearsit, desyrand them that they wald maist humbly intreat his Majestie to consider of the same, and if his Heines thocht expedient, to cause the same to be put to executione, and that the rather because, that after the last conventione halden at Lynlithgow, quher there was many good acts and constitutions sett downe and concludit, the Papists, nevertheless, did most prowdly and contemptuously upbraid diverse of the ministrie, menassing them that they or the nobilitie conveint with them at that tyme, durst be bold to conclude any thing that might portend to the prejudice of Papists or Papistrie, as was clearly understood be the brethren conveint in this Assembly.
Sess. 6, 29 Julii, Ante Meridiem.
The qwhilk day the Assemblie thocht expedient that the Commissioners above specifeit, elect and chosen to present this supplicatione to his Majestie as is above rehearsit, shall with all possible diligence repare toward his Majestie, and with all humility present the said supplicatione to his Heines, and what ane answer it shall please his Majestie to give, that they reporte the same betwixt and the 15 of November nixt to come; and to that effect, the Assemblie hes chosen out of their number the Noblemen, Barrons, and brethren underwritten, viz. Earles of Crawford, Mortoune, Glencairn, Lithgow, Kinghorne, the Lords Grahame, Lyndsay, Saltone, Lowatt, Torphichen, Lowdon, Scoone, Balcleuch, Blantyre, Halyrudehouse, the Constable of Dundie, the Lairds of Kynnaird, Balvaird, Carnall, Houstoune, Edmistoune, Broxmouth, Polwart, Sir John Hoome of Northberwick,—the Commissioners of Edinr., Perth, St Androis, and Glasgow, with the brethren after following, viz. Mrs William Dowglass, Alexr. Lawsone, Abraham Sibbald, John Reid, Arthur Futhie, Androw Ramsay, John Kynneir, David Lyndsay, Adam Bannatyne, Patrick Weymes, Edward Hepburne, George Ramsay, Wm. Methven, Patrick Schaw, Walter Stewart, Hew Fullertoune, James M‘Quhorne, Thomas Ramsay, Robert Glendynning, together with the Commissioners of this Generall Assemblie, to convene at Edinr. the said 15 of Novr. nixt to come, and there to receave from the saids Commissioners the report of his Majestie’s most gracious answer to the supplicatione forsaid, in name of the haill Assemblie; and in the meantyme, the Assemblie commands and ordaynes thehaill Presbytries within this realme to proceed against Papists of all sorts within their bounds with the censures of excommunicatione, &c.
The said day, the Commissioners of the last Generall Assemblie being callit to give compt of their haill proceeding since the last Assemblie, compeirit and offerit themselves to be tryit on their proceedings be this present Assemblie, and to abyde at the censure of the same; and being demandit for productione of their acts and proceedings in wreit, declairit be the mouth of Mr John Hall, their Moderator, in absence of Mr Patrick Galloway, that the same could not be found, be reasone that sometyme umquhill Mr James Nicolsone, minister at Meigle, and in his absence umquhill Richard Thomsone, minister at Cassiltoune, were ordinar scribes and keepers of the rolls of all their proceedings, quha are both departit this lyfe; and albeit they have made travell at their executors hands for obtaining of the said scrolls, yet they could on no wayes attain unto the same—and therefore they and every ane of them did offer themselves to be particularlie censurit be this present Assemblie, and therefore being ordaynit all to remove; qwhilk being done, Mr Wm. Cowper, Moderator, appoyntit to this effect, demandit publickly if any of the Assemblie had aught to object against the saids Commissioners proceedings why the samen sould not be ratified and allowit? In respect of the taciturnitie of the haill brethren, and that nothing worthy of censure was objectit to any of them for their proceedings,—the saids Commissioners being receivit in the Assemblie, took instruments of the ratificatione and allowance of their saids proceedings.
The said day, the brethren of the Generall Assemblie presently convenit, having advisedly considerit the necessitie of electing and chuseing Commissioners from this present Assemblie for giving advice to his Majestie anent the suppression of papisticall superstition qwhilk increases mair and mair dayly within this realme; therefore they have made, and constitute, and ordaynit, likeas they, be the tenor heirof, maks, constitutes, and ordaynes Mr George Gladstones, Bischop of St Andrews; John Spotswood, Bischop of Glasgow; David Lyndsay, Bischop of Ross; Alexander Lyndsay, Bischop of Dunkeld; Peter Blackburne, Bischop of Aberdeene; James Law, Bischop of Orknay; Alexander Douglass, Bischop of Morray; Gavin Hamiltone, Bischop of Galloway; Alexander Forbes, Bischop of Caithnes; Andrew Lamb, Bischop of Brechine; Andrew Knox, Bischop of the Isles; Patrick Galloway, Patrick Simsone, David Hoome, John Clappertoune, John Knox, Robert Howie, John Hall, John Caldcleuch, John Strachane, Andrew Boyde, Andrew Leitch, Robert Wilkie, Patrick Scharpe, George Hay, Patrick Lyndsay, William Scott, Adame Ballantyne, John Hay, William Cowper, or any elevin of them, their very lawfull and undoubtit Commissioners from this present Assemblie; givand, grantand, and committand unto them, or any elevin as said is, their full power to plant such kirks in burrowtownes as presently are or shall be found destitute of pastors, before the next Assemblie. Attour, if it shall happen the King’s Majestie to be grievit at ony of the ministry for qwhatsoever enormitie committit be them against his Heines, with power to them, or any elevin of them, as said is, to try and cognosce thereupon, and to take such order thereanent as they shall think expedient to the glory of God and weill of the Kirk; and, finally, with power to them to present the grieves and petitiones ofthe Kirk to his Majestie, his Heines Secret Counsell, Generall Conventiones and Parliaments that shall happen to occurr before the next Assemblie, and to crave redresse of the samen; ordayning them to give accompt of their proceedinge to the next Generall Assemblie quhen it shall happen to conveine, &c. It is alwayes speciallie provydit, that this present nominatione of the same Commissioners quhilk were for the most part Commissioners in the last Assemblie, shall no wayes be prejudiciall to the Assemblie’s liberty in choising and electing Commissioners quhom they shall think most meit and expedient, neither shall this election indure or import any perpetuity of the office in the persone of the persones electit.—Item, It is statute that the haill Commissioners be desyrit and warnit to keep all their conventiones is opportunitie the same day may be done.
Forsuameikle as the distractiones and eyelists quhilks are suspectit to be in the hearts of the brethren among themselves, is one of the maist speciall and urgent causes of the increase of Papists and Papistrie within this realme: Therefore, for avoyding thereof, that certain of the brethren, viz., The Bischops of St Androis, Ross, Glasgow, Orknay, Mrs John Hall, Patrick Simsone, Wm. Cowper, and John Knox, conveine with his Majestie’s Commissioners to advyse upon the most solide and substantious overture for removeing of the saids eylists and distractiones, and to reporte the same to the Assemblie the next Sessione.
Sess. 7. Julii 29.
The said day the brethren appoyntit for advysing upon the best overtures anent the distractiones and eylists that were enterit in the hearts of the ministry declarit, that after mature deliberatione they fand the saids eylists and controversies to aryse either upon distractions of affectiones, or else diversitie of opiniones, the first whereof being carnall, and therefore more dangerous, because it sufferit not the brethren quhais affections were separate to unite themselves with efald and uniforme counsell and advyce, to resist the subtill practises of the common enemie, and so give him place with his subtill crafts to enter in the Kirk of God, and thereby to supplant and undermyne the same; Therefore their advyce was, that as the danger increases be the nourisching of the distracted affections of the brethren, even so the cure was the more necessary, and the more hastily to be applyit, to wit, That the haill brethren of the ministrie sould presently, in the fear of God, lay down all rancour and distractione of hearts and affectiones, quhilk either of them hes borne against uthers in all tymes bypast, and be reconcilit in the heartie affectione in Christ, as becomes them quho are ministers of the word of God, and preachers of peace, Christian love and charitie to his people, to the effect that this heartie reconciliatione, their hearts and advyce may be conciliat for disappoynting of the crafty devyse of the enemy. Quhilk advyce the haill brethrene of the Assemblie maist willinglie and heartilie imbraced, and ordained every ane of them, alsweill Commissioners present as of the ministry that were absent, to obey the same, by laying downe and casting away all grudge or rancour that any of the brethrene bear at uthers; in token qwhereof, and of an efauld union of hearts and affections, they all held up their hands to God, testifying to his Majestie the truth of their hearts in the said matter; and lykewayes they ordaynit the same to be intimat to the rest ofthe brethren at their returning to their Presbytries, to the effect the same may be done in every Presbytrie immediately after their returning, as said is—inhibiting also and dischargeing any such distractions or rancours to be among them, either in affectione, word, deed, or countenance, but that they concurre in ane mutuall friendship and amitie in God, as becomes the pastors of the Kirk of Christ; and qwhosoever does in the contrair, that he be censurit in his awne Presbytrie or Synod,—and in caice of negligence, the Commissioners of the Assemblie.
As for the second cause of eylists, qwhilk is said to aryse upon diversitie of opiniones, because these diversities of opinions results upon different judgements amongst the brethren, concerning the externall government and discipline of the Kirk, qwhilk cannot so schortly be discussit and advysit upon as the brevitie of this Assemblie permitts: therefore it was the opinion of the brethren forsaid that the same sould be delayit to ane tyme mair convenient: and in the meantyme, certaine appoyntit to reasone, intreat, and advyse upon the same, quhilk lykeways the Assemblie hes thocht expedient—and, therefore, they have electit and chosen the brethren after following, viz. The Bischops of St Androis, Glasgow, Dunkeld, Orknay, Cathnes, MrPatrick Scharpe, Robert Howie, John Mitchellsone, Henry Philip, George Hay, Patrick Galloway, John Hall, Patrick Simsone, Wm. Scott, Archbald Oswall, John Knox, John Carmichaell, Adam Ballantyne, John Weems, and Wm. Cowper, their Commissioners in that part, to convein with his Majestie’s Councill as his Hienes shall appoynt, at such tyme and place as they shall be requyrit be his Majestie, and to treat, reasone, and consult upon all matters standing presently among the brethren anent the discipline of the Kirk, and quhatsoever they agree upon to report to the nixt Generall Assemblie. And, in the meantyme, quhill the nixt Assemblie, for aninterim, the advyce of the brethren convenit at Falkland the 16 of Junii last, be observit anent the constant Moderator.
Item, It is statute and ordaynit, that as upon every fifth day of August, publick thanksgiving is given to God for preservatione of his Majestie from the treasone of sometyme John Earle of Gowrie throughout all the pairts of Great Brittaine, and that the same be intimate at every paroche Kirk with all possible diligence; ordayning that such as refuses to doe the same, be observit and delait to the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie.
Item, Because the brethren appoyntit for tryell of the diligence of the Commissioners appoyntit be the last Generall Assemblie for visitatione of the Presbytries and report, that it was ane generall grief and complaint given in be the few commissioners that had producit their diligence of the great desolatione of the want of pastors, and in speciall of the farthest of the North and South partes; therefore the brethren ordaint the commissioners of this present Assemblie to direct ane supplicatione to his Majestie for taking order for planting of the kirks within this realme; and in respect of the great necessitie of the kirks of Annandale, Ewisdale, and Eskdale, and the rest of the kirks of the daills quhilks are altogether unplantit, as likewayes, the kirks of Cathnes and Ross, in the quhilks it is regraited that in many of them the holy communione was never celebrate: Therefore the Assemblie hes given and grantit, likeas they be the tennor heirof gives and grants their full power and commission to their brethren underwritten,viz., to the Bischop of Glasgow and Mr John Knox, for visitatione of the kirks of Annandaill, Evisdaill, and Eskdaill, and remanent daills unplantit as said is, and to the Bischop of Caithnes, George Dowglass, and Mr Wm. Dowglass, for visitatione of the kirks of Caithnes and Rosse, with power to them to plant ministers at the kirks within the saids bounds respective, and to try the literature, qualificatione, and conversatione of such as are already plantit, and in caise of insufficiency to depryve them from their functione; with power also to cause kirks be re-edified quher as they are demolisched, and if need beis to unite kirks qwher necessitie requires, and to report their diligence to the nixt Assemblie—promitten de rato.
Sessio Ultima. Penultimo die Julii, Ante Meridiem.
Item, Because ane great part of the desolatione of kirks proceeds from the absence of certaine of the ministry from their flocks, be reasone they are so confynit, therefore the Assemblie hes thocht it expedient that the Commissioners direct ane humble supplicatione to his Majestie, most humbly desyrand his Hienes to sett at libertie such of the ministrie as are confynit, to the effect be their presence and awayting on their cure their flocks may be comforted, qwhilks are now left desolate.
Item, Because it is humbly lamentit that the inhabitants of the towne of Aberdeene ceases not yearly to elect and chuse such persones to be magistrats and upon their counsell as are wilfull and profest Papists, and enemies to the truth profest within this realme, to the dishonour of God, and dishearting of such as feares his name, and contempt of discipline within that burgh; Therefore it is ordaynit be the Assemblie that the Presbytrie of Aberdeene inhibit the Councill and inhabitants of the said burgh, that they elect nor chuse no Papists to beare office of ane magistrate or upon councill in no tyme coming, and if they doe in the contrare, that they proceed against them with the censures of the Kirk; Ordayning lykewayes the Commissioners appoyntit for his Majestie to adjoyne this petitione to the rest of their supplicationes, that by his royal authority, ane civill paine may be imponit upon the contraveeners of the said act.
Item, It is ordaynit that no minister in ony tyme coming, take upon hand to solist in favour of Papists or suspect of Papistrie, either before the civill or spirituall Judge or utherwayes, either be word or wreit, under the pain of deprivatione.
Item, Because there is sundrie supplicationes given in to the Generall Assemblie quhilk, for the schortness of tyme, cannot be decydit and answerit; therefore the Generall Assemblie remitts the same to their Commissioners above constitute, ordayning them to conveen upon the 15 of Nov. nixt to come, and there to decyde and answer all such bills and supplicationes as shall be direct unto them upon the back from this present Assemblie.
Item, Because it hath pleasit God of his mercy to grant ane good and happy successe to this present Conventione, to the comfort of his awne Kirk and discontentment of his enemies; therefore the Assemblie ordaynes the same to be intimate be every Presbytrie at their severall paroche Kirks immediately after the dissolving of this Conventione, and that they give publick thanks for the same,and pray God for a prosperous and a lang reigne to his Majestie and the health of his Royall posteritie.
The next Generall Assemblie is ordaynit to hald at Edinburgh the last Twesday of May 1609 years, if his Majestie shall think expedient.
Thanks being given to God for the prosperous event of this Assemblie be prayer and singing of psalmes, the same was dismissit.