The Proceedings of the late Solemne Assembly, holden at Edinburgh 12 of August 1639.

Mr Alexʳ Hendersones Speache.

Surely so many of us as consider any thing of the wayes of God toward us, and the conscience of our owne guiltinesse, may verily say, its of the mercies of God that we are not consumed: ffor we deserve no lesse than that. The Lord had mercie on us, and brought us ance togither before, after many defections and grosse backslydings, and vouchsafed the testimony of his divine presence very sensiblie upon us, which should never be forgotten of us whilst we live. This is another mercie that the Lord hath been pleased, after so many troubles and tempests, hazarding all church and kingdome, familie, persone, and estates, that he should grant us this calme and comfortable day to meete in, and that we have his libertie, under the protection of our sacred Soveraigne, the Kings Majestie. And now when we are assembled together, and hath all thinges externall in libertie and freedome, without any apparent danger for ought that we know, is there no more adoe? Yea truelie: though all the worthiest of this kingdome were here assembled, (as I thinke a great pairt of them be,) yet if the Lord do not vouchsafe his presence upon us, our meeting shall be in vaine, and better it had beene for us not to have mett. Therefore let us request the Lord to remove these illes farre from us, that hath deserved he should desert us; and that he may looke comfortablie upon us, and that our soules may rejoyce in his presence, we may have matter of praise to render to him, and matter of comfort to our soules and the establishment of peace to this kirk and kingdome.

After in calling upon the name of God, the Moderatour desyred these that were authorized with commissions from Presbyteries, Universities, and other incorporations, to produce the same.

John, Earle of Traquair, Commissioner for the Kings Majestie.

The name of the Commissioners from Presbitries, Burghes, and Universities, as followes, &c. [Not inserted in M.S.]

After the production of the several commissions, the Kings Commissioner desyred that the tyme of their meeting might be condiscendit upon; and whether it were convenient to have two sessions a day or not?

It was thought expedient to meete tomorrow at ten o’clocke, and that tomorrow there should be but one sessione, and thereafter to be taken to the Assemblies consideration, if convenientlie two sessions could be keipt.

Mr John Robertsone, and Mr Robert Murray appoynted to nominat some ministers to preache all the weake, and to give their names tomorrow.

Sess. 2.—Hora Decima. August 13, 1639.

After in calling upon the name of God, the Kings Majesties Commissioner produced the Commission, which being red in face of the Assembly, the Commissioner his Grace desyred it might be insert in the Bookes of the Assembly, the tenor whereof followeth—“Carolus, Dei Gratia,” &c.

The Commissioners Grace declaired, that howsoever there was in him great weaknes and insufficiencie for so weightie a charge, yet he hoped that he should make knowen unto the Assembly his Majesties grace and goodnes in that ingenuous way as should give satisfactione to all, and that not in a superficiall and complimentary way; but since his Master had honoured him so farre, he desyred that (though his weaknes, for want of experience, might make him sometymes silent when it was fitting to speake, and other tymes to speake out of purpos,) the goodnes and wisdome of the reverend members might supplie his inlakes.

The Moderatour answered—There is none of us can bragg of our experience, becaus of the want of Assemblies this long tyme agoe; but we hope within twenty yeares our experience shall be greater.

Moderatour said—Please your Grace, the antient and laudable custome of Assemblies hath beene, that he that was Moderatour of the last Assemblie should propose a list of names, of the which number a new Moderatour may be chosen.

The Commissioner answered—I perceive no prejudice in that forme, since ye allow that if my Master have anything to say against these or to add to them.

The Moderatour craved libertie before the list was red to preface thus much—that since it was not possible to put all the worthies that were present on a list, therefore no man would take any offence.

The List of the Names for a Moderatour.

Mr Wᵐ Livingstoun, Mr Andro Cant,

Mr David Dick,232 Mr Alexander Somervell.

Mr James Bonar,

The Moderatour asked the Commissioner, if his Grace had any thing to except against these, or if his Grace had any other whom he would adde to them?

The Commissioner answered—I have so charitable, yea, so Christian an opinion, that I believe none can come heir but with the intention and resolution that yow have so often expressed, looking to nothing but to Gods glorie and next to the Kings honour. Not that I have prejudice against any that are here—surely none—but considering my Masters directions are so faire and so plaine, that I believe, as he intends nothing but settleing of trueth and freeing us of feares that we might be possessed with, either for novation in religion or lawes: so I believe, yea I expect and am confident, that everie man that comes heir resolves to carry himselfe with that integritie as in the eyes of God, to whom they must make answer; and as standing to doe that duetie which in the second parte belongs to our graceous Soveraigne: for myselfe, I may know some men by acquaintance, and thereupon may have opinion; but I attest God I have no prejudice against these on the list, nor any that are here; yet I desire that yow yourselfe Moderatour may be both added to the list and may be Moderatour still; and this I desire for no other end but because I believe it may contribute much to the worke in hand. Howsoever, I submitt myselfe to the judgement of the rest.

The Moderatour answered—If your Grace had continowed in the last Assemblie, your Grace might have seene as much of my weaknes made manifest at that tyme as should have beene a sufficient prevention of listing me at this tyme. I trust I shall not neid to speake much. I have enough if I be prest with it, whereby I shall make it manifest to this whole meeting, that I cannot be continowed in this place.

The Commissioner said—I doe insist in this for no other end truelie but that I have alreadie said. Since I am requyred to delyver my opinion, I may doe it upon my knowledge; and I doubt nothing but if the gifts and worthe of many reverend men who are here were knowen unto me, but it might be I should voice with them; but truely, by my insisting for this, I feir I wrang the end I goe about, and I know not weill how to expresse myselfe in it, and safe myselfe from seeming to give ground of feires of that I seeke to eschue, to witt, that I am free of prejudice. Alwayes I name the Moderatour for no other end (as God shall save me) but becaus I thinke him both ane honest man and ane able man, and I thinke this doeth nather establische a constancie of Moderatours nor open a doore to it; for though our Judgments doe now find yow to be the man whom we inclyne to, yet since it is not the freedome of voiceing, I thinke yow have no more interest in it then any upon the list; and if I now urging this as a priviledge due to my Master, or if I were urging that my nominating of ane should make the Moderatour, it were much; but let everie Member of the Assemblie consider of it, and of everie readie way to facilitat this matter in hand; for if I knew any man so able to supplie that roume as the Moderatour, certainlie I should name him.

The Moderatour answered—By your Graces Speache, some may take great advantage to thinke that your Grace doeth contradict his Majesties late Declaration;233 becaus its said there, yow may verie well judge what could be wiselie done in that Assembly when they had such an ignorant Moderatour: and now your Grace giving me such a large testimonie, doeth directlie contradict his Majesties printed Declaration. But I correct myselfe. I trust it shall be found not to be his Majesties Declaration.

The Commissioner answered this with silence.

The Moderatour after added—We have great reason to blesse our God and to give humble and heartie thankes to the Kings Majestie for this peaceable and free Assemblie; but we have so many jealousies upon the Usurpation of the Prelats in tyme past, that in trueth at the very first we scarre and are so affrayed, that we darre not meddle with any thing of that kynd. It savours of a constant Moderatour—the first step of Episcopacie; and, in trueth, I have not a mynd to be a Bishop.

Ye might have bein ane.

It was questioned if the former Moderatour could be ane in the new list?

Mr John Row said he had seene Assemblies this 5O yeares, and, to his judgement, he never saw it that the Moderatour of the former Assemblie was put on the list with these that were to be Moderatour the next Assemblie; nevertheless, it was instanced out of the Assemblie Bookes, that the same Moderatour have been sometymes continued Moderatour of the next Assemblie.

It was condescendit upon that Mr Alexʳ Hendersone should be added to the list. The list was read and the rolles called, and Mr David Dick was chosen Moderatour by the farr greatest part of the voices, who after the acknowledgement of his owne weaknes imbraced the office; and having a calling from God and the honourable Assembly. Mr Alexʳ Henrysone, randering most heartie thankes to the Assemblie for their charitable construction of his weaknes, and wishing that no man should faygne any abilitie unto himselfe, dimitted his place.

Mr David Dick, Moderatour, his Speach.

The Moderatour, at his first entrie to the place, had this preface. This is more than we durst have craved of God, if we had looked to our oune deserving; but since it hath beene His Majesties pleasure who rules heaven and earth, to looke upon our Gracious King; and move his heart to grant this freedome, we have reasone all of us to acknowledge Gods mercie to his Majestie and to us, and to acknowledge his Majesties goodnes, and to make verie welcome your Grace who is to represent his Majestie; and I trust this Assembly will allow me verie weill to give thankes to the Moderatour who served in this roume last, who, whatsoever you thought or said, God magnified himselfe in yow, and made your honestie and the caus in your hand cleare to many; and to those to whom ye were most calumniat, so that both the Kings Commissioner and Councell have seene that yow have beene seeking God onlie, and no other thing—and the Lord bless yow! Now, as the Commissioner spacke verie fitlie that jealousies and suspitions would be farr away, becaus they are contrare to the designes professed by His Majestie, and whereof we have this evidence; and contrare to the designes of ws ministers, who ought to be ministers of peace, ayming at nothing but Gods glorie and the weill of his Church: Therefore let us labour by all meanes to get owr hearts single; becaus in so doing owr God will helpe us. And first, to thinke of overtures, how we may extirpat all grounds of suspition and jealousie which might be in brethrens hearts, becaus of the differences of judgments about the discipline of the Church, and that ceremonies that she has beene troubled with, may be turned in perpetuall oblivion. And seeing there is in us ane mynd and heart toward God and peace, let us think upon some overtures, how we may open the bosome of this Kirk to all these who are penitent, or in any measure sensible of their misdeservings, (no these who deserves most expected, if the Lord gives them repentance), seeing we are these who professed ourselves to be men seeking God, trueth, and peace. Yea thirdlie, let us give evidence that we are single hearted toward these that are of a contrare religion, and that we have no mynd to insnare them, or handle them so as their owne consciences, upon their owne grounds could say, considering our rules, but rather how we shall get them informed of their scruples, heard, attendit, and waited upon, and by all meanes their mynds brought to this poynt of conviction that they know nothing but God and their owne salvation, and all in a very moderat maner.

The Tryell of the Commissions.

After this the Assembly proceidit to the tryell and examination of the Commissions; and the Moderatour desyred that if the Commissioner his Grace, or any Member of the Assembly had anything to object against the validitie or formalitie of the Commissions, that they would make declaration of the same.

[Commissioner] answered—I believe I shall be glad that there shall be few contrare opinions—yea, few contests anent the election of Commissioners at this tyme, and such is my gracious Masters desyre to have everie thing caried in a fair, calm, and peaceable way at this Assembly; for all his commands runnes thus, that in anything that should concerne him, I should give good example and begin, so that though I might object severall informalities, yet so desyrous is our Master of peace, that I only remonstrat it to yow to take it to your consideration. And for me, surely it shall be a very great informalitie which shall make me interrupt so good a worke.

The Moderatour said—We are glad to heare from your Grace expressions of peaceable intentions; yet becaus something of that kinde may reflex upon our proceeding, therefore we should be glad to heare your Grace name these exceptions; for we desyre not to be pardoned in a thing wherein we may be mended; if there be reason to approve them, let them be approven; and if there be reason to cast them, let them be casten.

The Commissioner said—I conceave there are grounds to cast elections—as, for example, I conceave that, in the choosing of Commissioners from Presbitries or Presbitrie, if it appeare that there have been moe Lay Elders then Ministers, I should not think it formall. Secondlie, if there be a Commissioner chosen where he never had his residence, and, consequentlie, where he is not ane Elder, I thinke it not formall. Thirdly, if any man be chosen Lay Elder, and yet not chosen Commissioner from that place where he is Elder, I think it not formall. Fourthlie, if a man be chosen laick Elder in ane place, and after reside in another place and be chosen there, I thinke that not formall. Fifthlie, if a man be a rebell and at the Kings horne, I cannot thinke his electione formall. These and many other of this kynde doe I represent unto your consideratione.

The Moderatour answered—Please your Grace: It wer a spending of lang tyme to dispute the question in generall. But if it please your Grace, either by yourselfe or by any other, to nominat these Commissioners against whom the exception is, and in their persone to dispute the question, and so either admit them upon reason or reject them upon reason; ffor we professe we will tollerat no man against whom there is a just exception wherefore he should not heare be a Commissioner: therefore, when it comes to the particular, let the exception be nominat, and it shall be purged some way or els the man removed: therefore, if there be any within this house who hes any thing to object against the formalitie of the election of Commissioners, let them declair the same; utherwayes we will hold our silence for ane approbation of all.

After the Commissioners wer approven by the whole Assembly,

The Moderatour said—The Assemblie is now constitut and the Members found perfyte: The Lord give a blessing unto it! Therefore, if your Grace have any thing to say, it is now a fullie constitut Assembly, and the Judicatorie sett.

The Commissioner answered—I did not expect so great expedition; but I am glad that yow take to your wise consideration all meanes that may facilitat so good a worke; and since, as I was saying, in generall I am to communicat his Majesties mynd to this Assembly, which I hope shall give satisfactione to all, I must first communicat to some in privat, that so it may be the better digested for publict audience; therefore I desire that any thing materiall may be forborne this day, and that if there be any matter of lesse importance, they may now be dispatched. To the which the Assembly acquiesced.

The Moderatour craved, that, in respect he was put upon the toppe of the bussinesse, and made the mouthe of the Assembly, that whatsoever might contribute to the good of the worke, they would not only all be willing in generall but in speciall, to communicat to his assistance as a servant of the house, and, for that end, that libertie might be granted to him to joyne some assessours to himselfe, as, namely, the Earles Argyle, Rothes, Eglintoun, Montrois, my Lord Lowdoun: Ministers—Mr Alexʳ Henrysone, Androw Ramsay, Harry Rollock, John Ker, David Lindsay, Robert Douglas, William Livingstone: Commissioners or laick Elders—the Lairds of Haughtone, Moncreiff, Auldbarre, Wedderburne.

This was refeused to be past in Act; but the Assembly granted to the Moderatour to crave their assistance in privat, with the Commissioner his Graces consent.

The Assembly, for the greater facilitating of bussines, did appoynt a Commission for receaving of Billes that were to be given in to the Assembly, namely: Ministers—Masters David Lindsay, Robert Douglas, Andro Fleck, William Jamesone, Frederick Carmichell, David Monro, George Leslie: Elders—the Earle of Cassilles, my Lord Burlie, my Lord Johnstoun, Lairds of Fentrie, Keir, Dundas, Provest of Dumbartoun.

Item, another Commission for reportes of references from the last Assembly: Ministers—Mr John Robertsone, Robert Murrey, James Edmestoune, Alexʳ Petrie, Thomas Mitchell, &c.

The Assembly, with consent of the Commissioners Grace, did condescend, becaus of the shortnes of tyme betwixt and the ensuing Parliament, that there should be two Sessions a day—the first at 9 a clock—the second at 3 a clock in the afternoone, and the sermon to goe in at 7 a clock in the morning.

Sessio 3.—August 14, 1639.

After in calling upon the name of God, the Moderatour asked the Commissioner if his Grace had any thing to say to this Assembly?

The Commissioner answered—I am sory to say any thing that may breed jealousie—farre lesse miscontent in any mans mynd: yet I must say that agane which I said yesterday in generall; and I desire that everie bodie that heares me, and in particular the honourable and reverend Members of this Assembly, may believe that what I doe in this kinde, is not out of a intention to delay or protract tyme; but surelie the great and weightie charge I am entrusted with,—secondlie, the short tyme I have had to consider of the instructiones given to me of my Master,—thirdly, the sense of my oune weaknes; and I may adde a fourth—some distemper of my bodie—that I must begg the allowance of this day—not for any delay or protracting of tyme, but that, after mature consideration on all hands, we may all sing ane sang before this Assemblie end; and, having obtained this short tyme for consideration of my instructions, I must then begg a second favour, that the Moderatour, and some other with him, may spend some tyme with me this afternoone, that so thinges may be the better digested, and I more able to give satisfaction in everie thing that can be expected.

The Moderatour said—My Lord Commissioners Grace gives us to understand that the Kings mynd is peace toward this Church, and least we should speake and not understand one another, and stumble in the entrie of this bussines, his Grace requyres that this day may be given for consideration of the instructions receaved from His Majestie, and that some of this number that ye thinke good, with me may attend his Grace, that one of us mistake not anothers language; and it shall be our pairt to deall with God to show we a right way, that fra there is ane ayme at peace we may follow the best way for attaining of it, and for preservation of it heirafter: for if our way be good as weell as our matter, it can bring no miscontent: but if we marr in either, we may breid much. Therefore, let us suspend our judgments in every thing our mynd might have thoughts about; for this is a tender bussinesse; and it shall be our wisdome to suspend our judgments till every particular speake for itself; and since on all hands we professe peace, so let every mans particular cariage declair the same: so shall trueth and peace and every mans particular cariage get the oune true approbation.

The Commissioner said—I believe it is scairse expected from me that I should adde to or confirme that which ye have said, seeing its propper for yow to speake. Your place carries yow to it, and your gifts gives yow abilitie for it. The place I am in is to heare and doe that duetie which is to be expected from a gracious Prince. Yet I may say thus much without wronging any trust my Master hath put upon me, to second that yow have said—to witt—if men come without prejudicat mynds—if men come impartiall, with a mynd to acquiesce to reason when reason shall be offered, and to imbrace trueth when the way of trueth is layd open with the soundnes of mynd, and with that reverence and respect which may be expected from good Christians and good subjects, and which their oune place will beare to soveraignitie and lesse then which can never be expected from good subjects: I say if men come so, I hope the conclusion may be beyond the expectation of us all, and beyond the desyre of some that all shall tend to peace, and such a peace as hes trueth for the companion of it, against to-morrow.

The Moderatour asked the opinion of some of the Members of the Assemblie, whether the Commissioner his Grace his desire was most reasonable?

My Lord Argyle said—I know that it is the profession and desire of us all to have all this bussines settled in a fair way; and since the Commissioner his Grace hath given ws good hopes of it, I thinke it were ane ill interruption of it to refeuse to his Grace any thing of this kynd.

The Moderatour desired that, if any of the Assembly thought otherwayes, they would tell their mynd—for we think verilie (said he) that one dayes good advysement may save us many dayes paines, and the spending of this day in thinking upon the best meanes how we may wind to our good ends, may be like money lent out for double annuell. To the which the Assembly willinglie assented.

Added to the Commission for the Billes—Mr Wᵐ Douglas, Mathow Brisbane, &c., to meet at the Parliament House at 6 in the morning and 6 at night: and so the Assemblie dismissed for this dyet.

Sess. 4.

After prayer, the Moderatour asked if the Commissioner, his Grace, had anything to say to the Assembly.

The Commissioner answered—I was desirous yesterday of a short delay, that I might the better consider of my Masters instructions; and, withall, I was desirous that the Moderatour, and some of this reverent company, might come doune to me, that to yow I might communicat some of my thoughts, that they may the more plausiblie be convayed to the rest of this number. This ye were pleased to doe. Some short tyme we spent together yesterday, and this morning too; and I doubt not, Moderatour, but since your comming up yow have communicat to some of the rest, and so I hope this shall facilitat the matter greatlie; and I shall begg libertie to repeat somewhat in generall of what hes past in privat. The deploire to the divisions and differences that hath beene in this Church and Commonwealth are both so weill knowen to ws all that I need spend no tyme in it. The bad and dangerous consequents that hes beene likelie to insue—yea I may say, the ruine that hes bein so imminent, is yet so fresche in your memories that I spair it. It hath pleased God so to dispose our effaires, and so to prepaire our Masters heart to hearken to our just desyres, that he hes bein pleased to grant and to indict this free Assemblie, as the readie meanes to obviat all such evills in tyme comeing, and to prepaire thinges that there may not be the like mistake among us heirafter. If I be not mistaken, this was the occasion of our petitions: the sense we had of bygone illes, and the fear we had of the consequentes of these illes, and the desire we had that these feares should be removed, and that, by removing of the evills and causes thereof. In privat, to these few of this number that came to me, I was desirous that they would condescend to me what they conceaved to be the causes of all the divisions of this Church, that accordingly we might take to our consideration the readiest wayes to expunge the same, if any such appeared, and to remove them by wholesome constitutions. Ye were pleased to condiscend upon some, and it may be others doe thinke upon some that ye have not thought upon. I doe not take upon me to determine what are the causes; but as my memorie serves me, and so farr as I can gather out of the Petitions to the Counsell, the Commissioner, or to His Majestie himselfe, I shall collect my oune thoughts, and, if possible I passe by some circumstances, if I touche what is most materiall, I desire yow to helpe it.

The first occasion that made a sense of the subjects, at least a expression of the sense to appear to the King or Counsell, was a Service Booke, latelie introduced and pressed, furst upon the Clergie, and, I thinke, by them to be prest upon the whole subjects. Upon this there comes petitions from diverse corners of the countrie, and the numbers of them grew daylie. This was so taken to heart by the Counsell, that they did acquant their Master with it; but it may be not in that powerfull way as to make our Master conceave of the bussinesse as God hath given him grace to consider since, for which cause, the satisfactorie answer was not given at first which was expected; and so your desires grew; and, if I be not mistane, the Booke of Cannons was joyned with it. Yet it ceased not here. We went a litle further, and, I believe, in generall, there was innovations complained upon—innovations alledged to be introduced contraire to the constitutions of this Kirk. The Five Articles and High Commission were complained upon; and, I believe that it was complained that, even in the governement of the Kirk, something was introduced that was not according to the laudable constitution of this Kirk; yea, I believe, first we came to complaine personallie of the faults of Bishops—as of the hard usage of Ministers—the unlawfull oathes extracted of intrants, and, I believe, in end it came to that, that it was presented as a grievance to the King, and as an occasion of the destraction of the Kirk, that Episcopacie itselfe was so farre contrare to the constitutions of this Kirk and Reformation thereof, and, therefore, that not only their office behooved to be reformed and rectified, but totallie abolished, and the Kirk restoired to that governement she had at the Reformation, by free and lawfull Generall Assemblies, or the subjects could not be satisfied.

It may be my expression hes not bein methodicall and cleare; yet, bluntlie and orderlie, I think I expresse the most materiall thinges that the Kings Majestie hath conceaved to be the grievances and desires of his subjects, by their petitions, papers, and by the Commissioners Grace; or, utherwayes, I cannot, nor darr not say, if I answer that trust that my Master hath put upon me, or, if I discharge that duetie, that in reason he shall expect from me. But his goodnes is such, and so farr he hath condescendit to satisfie the desires of his good subjects, as he hath indicted this Generall Assembly, to take to their consideration the true cause of these illis which he expects they will doe, and doe it without partiall respects or by ends; so, on the other pairt, not only to heare of it be evident trueth, and grounded upon good reason, as the petitions of the subjects seemes to say, he hath commanded me, not only to heare, but to consent and to concurre with yow, in everie thing ye shall agrie upon; yea I may say more; for the more I look upon my instructions they give me warrant to say the more. That my Master doeth expect, although I came not here to say that there is another way in ecclesiastic bussinesse then that way which ye have propounded to him, and of which he hath given satisfaction to others by mouthe, that he conceives no other way—that we of this Assembly will, notwithstanding, consider of the distractions of the Kirk, so far as our auctoritie can doe. For the Service Booke and Cannons, they are discharged. For the Five Articles and High Commission, in this his grace and goodness appears very great—for they were established in his fathers tyme, and continued in his owne tyme—yet, without so much as disputing his owne right, he hes bein pleased to discharge all these; and, likewayes, for what seemed grievous to ministers at their entrie, and complained of, not only be ministers but by laicks, the Kings majestie hes beine pleased to declair, that no oaths shall be exacted of intrants; not that I am commanded to say that ye should desist here, or take it for a command not to meddle with any more; but to this end that ye may see his Majesties grace and goodnes, and how willing he is when reason ruleth, to doe all that can be expected from a graceous and good King, and requires that this Assembly shall take to their consideration what is further fitting for freeing us of our feares and preventing the lyke in tyme to come. And, farther, we have complained of the personall faults of men, and I am persuadit my Master will protect no man further nor the Word of God, and order of law doth allow. Yea, he hath ane eare open to all complaints, and hath commanded me to receive all billes, and heare them according to the order of justice, which I hope shall give satisfactione to all men, that is, for the persons of men. The very calling of itselfe Episcopacie hath beene represented to his Majestie as a grievance—as ane occasion of thir evills—as a thing so farr contrare to the institutions of this Kirk, so many tymes abjured, as that the subjects would not find themselves quyet in conscience, except the King should be graceouslie pleased to see it utterlie abolished: and I am commanded to tell you so much, that his Majestie expects that ye will take this as he meanes it, and as I now expresse it.

It hath ever beine thought that no mans judgement can be satisfied without reason. The Kings breeding hath been in a Church where, ye know, Episcopacie is allowed as a warrantable governement; but without more discourse, least possible I involve myselfe in greater difficulties than I can easilie be redd of, I am commanded to tell you that I have represented the grievances and occasions of those great evills.

The Kings Majestie is graceouslie pleased to give directions, that this Generall Assemblie shall consider whether so be or not; and what yee shall determine in it, I hope ye sall give me no cause but with that same heartinesse, to expreese my Masters willingness to joyne his assent and approbation thereto, I shall desire, and truelie I desire in a verie serious way, that no man carp at my words, (for God knowes I must come here without premeditation,) further than this, that if in my expressions of what I conceave to be my Masters meaning, any man find not himselfe to be satisfied either in the generall way of it, or in any particular, they would, in that modestie that becomes good subjects, testifying their tender respect to the honour of our graceous Master, represent their doubts; and I hope I shall be able to give them satisfaction.

Next, becaus we are not all of one disposition nor temper of mynd, give me leave to represent unto yow, that if any of thir particulars, either last or first—I name none of them—if there be anything more to be expected or wished then I have said, I should humblie, I say, represent to your consideration, that before ye fall upon any poynt that should be unsavourie to so good a King, they may be first communicat to some of yourselves, and well digested before they come to all our eares in publict, least ye force me to make answer in that way which will be unsavourie unto yow, and no less unto myselfe. But this course being keiped, though I have bluntlie and rudelie exprest my Masters meaning; yet going in this way, I may expect retribution of respect to auctoritie, which ye all professe to vindicat his honour before the eyes of all the worlde; and to vindicat his owne thoughts and privat judgment, your owne goodnes and duetifulnes I am confident will give me satisfaction. I may say, whatever my Master hath done in this, it is done to a good and thankfull people, in doing whereof he will establishe a place in Kirk and Commonwealth, the fruites thereof will redound to himselfe in receaving all duetifull obedience; and seeing nothing amongst us but consent and harmony, and no contest at all, except it be who should be formest—first, in their duetie to God, and next to the King.

A particular deduction of the Grievances of the Church.

The Moderatour answered—We have very great reason to blesse our Lord, that hath brought foorth this fruite of his favour by such graceous and honorable meanes to our comfort; and we acknowledge heir, heartilie, that there is no small expression of our Kings Majesties gentlenes and goodnes and love to his subjects, that he hath done of his owne accord so much, and is readie to doe yet further, and to cast into our hands what God, reason, and law doth allow of, which his Majestie cannot be particularlie informed of, except from us. We have to thanke God and his Majestie for that pointe. As for your Grace his Commissioner, yow have followed the order indeed that is very pertinent, and hath asked of us in privat, and hath place to ask us in publict, the causes of disturbance that hath beene amongst us; and as we are bound to give ane accompt of our proceedings to all men, so especiallie to his Majestie, or any in his name, and to your Grace in particular. And as in privat we have dilated some, not takeing upon us to comprize them all, so are we heir in publict, readie to give satisfaction to his Majestie, and that by satisfieing of your Grace in this place, concerning all these illes, takeing them in their owne order as they come in mynd, so farr as memorie can serve; and for our pairt we have been about to remead them according to the order of the Kirk, so farr as we could, and will doe what we can farther, as becomes the Assembly of the Kirk, to goe in that same course; and we have to crave not only that his Majestie may be satisfied concerning our proceedings, but that he would confirme by the civile sanction, that His Majestie and your Grace shall find to be according to the rule of religion and the word of God, and nothing else purpose we to crave, nor have we intendit, but are perswaded in our consciences such, and for which we are readie to give reasons when we are requyred. In particular, the causes of the grievances that we have had, and which we have beene about to repair, according to the constitution and ordinances of the Kirk, are—

First, the want of Generall Assemblies yearlie and oftener, pro re nata, as the necessitie of the Kirk did requyre, which, when we had, was a verie fair benefite both from God and from the State; for therein all disorders were freilie spocken of, and when they were withholden, its knowne by whose procurement, even these that wrought ws much more griefe, that they might worke the rest contrare to the constitutions of this Kirk and order of the Booke of Policie and Act of Parliament 1592. That is one of our grievances.

Secondlie, Another is, that there has beene keiped and authorized some other Assemblies, that [were] both of wrong constitutions, and did bring innovations contrare to the order established in this Church and Kingdome—namelie, Assemblies at Linlithgow, Glasgow, Aberdeine, St Androwes, Perthe; and

The third cause, as I remember, is, that the Kirk hes bein prest with the Five Articles of Perthe, and no small griefe brought these to the subjects which their consciences was thralled to doe. These thinges they knew, and we have found to be contrare to the Confession of our Faith; and

The fourth is, that we have beine prest (which also your Grace will remember) with a Service Booke, Booke of Cannons, and High Commission—the Service Booke, not only for the frame of it being Popishe, drawing us away from the spiritual maner of serving our Lord, wherein everie man should speake to God according to his present neid and sense, and not to be tyed and speake he wotes not what, but, besides, the containing many seids of idolatrie and grosse superstition: the Booke of Cannons, appoynting offices that God never ordained to be thrust into the house of God, contrare to this State, and raising up a tirranie in Prelats that is unsupportable either by reason or any other way: and the High Commission, confounding judicatories, and putting the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven in their hands, who had no power, nor any ecclesiastick office, and againe putting the civile sword in the hands of Ministers that had no interest thereunto; God having so distinguisht judicatories, giving everie man his oune imployment and gifts for it, that his Kingdome should be no prejudice to the Commonwealth, and hes furnisht the Nobles, and everie member of the State, so weill, as they need not begg a Kirkman from his booke to helpe them. Beside this ill, there is the breach of our Nationall Covenant with God, and not walking holilie and tenderlie aocording to the same, and did not see the consequence of what, for the present, seemed little: the not taking head unto it tymouslie hes put us in this bussinesse, which is now weill enough knowne.

Sixthlie, In particular, there is this Episcopall Governement crupten in slilie, and erected without order of law, besides the Word of God, contrare the Confession of Faith and Constitutions of this Kirk, from the beginning, and the intention and meaning of the Kirk from the Reformation, who went about alwayes stryving that Kirkmen should be keeped at their booke and their Masters service, and not stryving who should be first and highest up in Court, but who should be most godlie, most honest, and gaine moniest soules unto God, and so keip their reward till they and their Master meit.

A seventh is, The civile places of the Kirkmen—their usurpation in Assemblies as they were Lords, whereas all kynd of Lordshipps is cutt off from Ministers of his house; for he hes appointed in his house to be only a ministrie, for that is the difference betweene his Spirituall Kingdome in the subordination of the Temporall. In the ane, all the officers are Ministers; in the other, the officers are Kings, Lords, &c.

These are the Spirituall evills which, being contrare to the Word of God, the Constitutions of this Kirk, and the Confession of Faith, what wonder they greive all honest men who hes no consolation in this world, but the hope of another? And, therefore, are they readie to exposse themselves to any trouble under heaven before they quyte a poynt of their Masters honour. These are the maine causes and reasons of our setting ourselves against them; and, for our proceeding against them, we are here readie to give satisfaction to your Grace, as it shall be your Graces pleasour to choppe at particulars. And, as concerning the last poynt, touching His Majesties honour, recommended to ws by your Grace, we may speake tenderlie of as becomes us. It is our duetie, and we professe it, and take God to witnesse, that we make conscience in our secrete thoughts, to honour His Majestie; for we know our religion cannot endure civile Magistrats to get any wrong; for in wronging of him we wrong Him that sent him, and cledd him with power, and sett him on his throne; and so we are so farre from not following of that, that in privat and secrete we professe that we darre not but make conscience of it. No, no; religion gives them their owne but ours, for Popperie toppes them over: but doe one thing to ws. Let us give Christ the highest roume, and nothing that may honour or pleasure Kings, but we shall altogither doune at their feete with it.

The Commissioner answered—I told yow, Sir, that I did so speake as that it might suffer corrections, and did remember very shortly the causes of our distractions, and I should wishe them never to be remembered without great thankfulnes to God and the King for freeing us of them; yea, I wishe everie thing that hes brought thinges to that height of divisions amongst ourselves might be forgotten. Neither yet, in my last speach, did I give my opinion and advice, out of doubting of the performance of what I wished; for I am confident, when we rightlie consider the cariage of this bussines, and his Majesties goodnes beyond our expectation, it shall be ane argument to move us to repay the same with thanksgiving. I told yow, as I remember, that the Kings Majestie, upon the frequent Petitions of his Subjects, conceaved such and such thinges to be the occasion of the illes, and of all that had followed on them; and, therefore upon our desires, concluded that this Assembly should be keept at this tyme, to the end it might be rightlie considered whether or not these illes were the occasions of these thinges that have fallen furth, as was pretended by the Supplications of the Subjects.

The Moderatour answered—Please your Grace: We have considered, and maturelie considered, and done our younemost for clearing [that] thir our grieveances were justlie against all these, and nothing els; and here we are readie to give satisfaction to all who doubts it.

The Commissioner answered—Truelie, I should be desyrous to be satisfied in some particulars, if it might not possiblie breid ane opinion in some that I should take upon me to dispute or argue with such learned men as I know would appeare if I should take upon me so to doe, as if I desire Episcopacie, so oft alleadged to be against the constitutions of this Kirk, to be cleired to be so. I believe ye shall not thinke me so presumptuous as to take upon me to dispute the matter; but to the end I may represent to my Master the reasons of it, and receave satisfaction my selfe.

The Moderatour answered—Your Graces abilitie to dispute in all such subjects is knowne sufficientlie; but it shall be verie acceptable unto us that your Grace, and especiallie as his Majesties Commissioner, shall propone all your doubts to us, that we may solve them: for we have said or done nothing but what may well byde the light, and we are able to convince, in reason, a reasonable man, such as your Grace is; and here, in a manner, are verie confident that the more we be put to give our reasons, the clearer our cause shall be, and we shall be able to give the more satisfaction.

The Commissioner answered—Yow have heard, and I believe your conceptions may be more particular then myne; but I believe myne differs not much from yours—first, in that it is supponed by the subjects to be the occasion of thir divisions and distractions; secondlie neither doe we differ much about the cause of indiction of this Assemblie, which is to remove these evilles; and since yow and I agrie in thir two, I would represent to your consideration, in the third place, what shall be the readiest way to give my Master satisfaction, whose desire is that these thinges being represented unto him, ye shall either find that these are the true causes, and so ought to be removed, or uther wayes a mistake, and so ought to remaine. If the true causes, and so ought to be removed, he expects a reason of all—as, for example, if ye find Episcopacie to be a true greevance and cause of offence, and therefore to be removed—if ye conclude this, ye will give a reason of all, and make it appeare to my Master to be the constitutions of this Kirk.

The Moderatour said—For removing of all thir evills, whereof ye have spocken, there is a necessitie of the concurrence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Kirk, and of his Vicegerent in the State; and when thir two concurres, our evills shall be perfectlie cured; and if not, there will remaine a jarre now—the ane pairt being done so farre as we weak churchmen could do ministeriallie. That your Grace, as his Majesties Commissioner, may concurre with us, will be unto us verie comfortable; and for that end we are willing to give satisfaction to your Grace, and to shew that, from the first constitution of this Church, her ayme hes alwayes bein to hold out that wicked weed of Episcopacie, knowing that it was the ground of all Popprie; and in it did sitt, as in a nest, all the evils that hes overspread the face of this Kirk; and as ill weeds waxes verie weel, so from this root hes growen up many poysonable branches that hes troubled the Church of God, becaus Christ Jesus, being King of this Kirke, and having the statelie appointment of the government thereof, if anything be out of frame in that, it troubles the whole estate. For this cause, the Church, from the beginning hes laboured still to cutt it downe; and becaus I have rudelie exprest my rude conception, it will please some reverend brother to speake somewhat further.

Mr Alexʳ Hendersone said—I conceave it not neidfull to adde to your Grace’s speache, which the Moderatour hes seconded verie pertinentlie; for it seemes to be incumbent, that the supreme magistrat, when, in the churches of his dominions, any questions shall arise in matters of religion, whither it hath bein determinat before, that those that have power in Assemblies, are bound not onlie to take the same to their consideration, but also to receave in reverence his Majesties doubts, and give him satisfaction, that they and auctoritie may joyne together, the one directing and the other confirming. I thinke it out of question in the judgement of all that are acquainted with the governement of the Church, that there be two sortes of church governement. One is Christian and Apostolic by the Assemblies of the Church; the other is Episcopal governement. And I verilie thinke so farre as ever I learned, that our Church, from the beginning, had a intention to establishe the governement by Assemblies, and did prosecute it with great zeale; yet it is also evident by the ecclesiasticall historie, that the Church hath been still vexed with Episcopacie; for some Popish Bishops, renouncing Poperie, would have bein Bishops still; and I think it was more out of a desire to brooke the livings than to advance that office. First, they wer Superintendents, who got commission for visitation; and its knowne that Superintendents were no Bishops, and what reall difference was betweene them. And it is also knowne that they did neglect their function, and not good with it. Another sort of Prelats that were, or rather supposed Bishops, who brooked the benefic, but not the office, and these were called Tulchan Bishops. A third sort came in afterwards by being Commissioners to Parliament, and voters, and then ascended to that height that ye yourselves are witnesses unto. They entered as foxes, raigne as lions, and I wish they may die as Christians. Now for the warrands of this Church against this Episcopall function. I hope these that are acquainted with the registers of the Church will find them cleare; and if your Grace doubt of the auctoritie of them, we thanke God that we have this occasion to give your Grace satisfaction.

The Moderatour craved libertie to expone what was meant by Tulchan Bishops. It was a Scotts word, used in their commoun language. When a kow will not let doune her milk, they stappe the calfes skin full of strae, and setts downe before the kow, and that was called a Tulchan. So these Bishops brookeing the title and the benefice without the office, they wist not what name to give them, and so they called them Tulchan Bishops—(at which the Assembly laughing heartilie)—The Moderatour said—Their follies were worthie to be laughen at in this Generall Assembly.

Mr Andro Ramsay being desired to speake, said—That which hath the begining of it from man and is of humane institution—that which hath beene destructive of the discipline of the Kirk—that which hath beene introductorie of Poperie, superstition, and idolatrie, and antichristianisme, and the barr of all good reformation,—justlie for thir reasones ought to be cast out of this Church; but I am able to qualifie that Episcopacie is such: therefore, for these reasons, it ought to be cast out of the Church, and can never come in againe.

The Commissioner declaired that he was not desirous that they should fall upon any scholastic dispute. It was only to represent to their consideration how farre these that have gone before us in the reformation, hath found it contrare to the constitution of this Church, that hath ever beine the ground of all your Petitions.

In reading of the Acts, it was questioned whither the Clerk should begin at the year 1560 or at the year 1580.

The Commissioner said—It seemes that this worke have had its beginning from the 1560 year of God, and hath had a continuall progresse ane way or other ever since; and I believe Mr Archbald [Johnston the Clerk] is not so ill versed, but without much looking on his booke he could deduce all the Acts either the one way or the other.

The Earle of Argyle urged that, becaus the Confession of Faith was at first subscribed 1580, they would begin at that tyme.

My Lord Lowdoun said—It is true that Act in 1580 is the maine Act against Episcopacie, yet becaus there is a word in it, “as it was then used,” &c.: therefore the case of it as it was then used, would be made cleare in the preceiding years 1560, 1575, 1576, 1577, 1578, &c.; for in all these yeares, Episcopacie came still under consideration: first, before they came to the office itselfe, they came to the corruptions of it, ane whereof was—they assumed to themselves titles and dignities: secondlie, they meddled with civile places: thirdlie, they usurped power and præ-eminencie over their brethren: fourthlie, they confounded offices civill and ecclesiasticall: fifthlie, that they had more rents then was competent to churchmen, and was only imployed for their owne pompe and grandour. All thir at that tyme were corruptions; whatever was above a pastor over a particular flock—so that being condemned in the 1580, the compairing of it with the anterior Acts makes it cleare, and so it is follie for men to object that that Act against Episcopacie was but only against that dependencie that it had from the Pope: for its cleare that they call ane Protestant Bishope, above a pastor of a particular flocke was chapped at: and take this from them and let them sie what remaines of that office? Then when it was condemned out of the Church of Scotland as having nothing adoe there—as wanting warrand from the Word of God, in place of it, with consent of auctoritie, Presbyteriall governement was sett downe; and [in one] of the last Acts of ane and the same Assembly 1581—“whither there was a totall abolition of Bishops in the Assembly at Dundee, 1580”—the Assembly answered, that both the name and office was totallie abolished, and then the Presbyteriall governement put in the place of it, and the discipline sworne unto, wherein is clearlie sett downe what offices was esteemed lawfull; whereof Episcopacie is none, but immediatelie before condemned: so that the connexion between 1574, 1581, is so cleare, when the ane is put out as wanting warrand from the Word, and the other put in as having warrand, and that discipline sworne unto—that I thinke there is many here would be glad of ane occasion to cleare the matter by dispute to your Graces satisfaction. And becaus his Majestie was not pleased, at our last happie meeting with him, to approve some of our proceedings, it is very good reason these grounds be cleared againe, that we may be that happie as to have the civile sanction added unto it; and, on the other hand, that it be all our cares, with that loyaltie and duetie that becomes us, and all tender respect to our Kings Majesties honour, but to mantaine the same as farr as the cheefest of these parasites that speakes his Majestie so fair.

Mr Alexʳ Henrysone read a testimony out of ane Epistle of Bezaes, written to Mr Lennox, dated July 12, 1572, testifying that not only was Episcopacie put out of this Kirk, but knowene to all the world to be soe.

The Commissioner said—I intend not to presse any thing but in that way that shall be satisfactorie to all; yet there are some rockes and difficulties wherein possiblie our Masters name is ingaged, and I wishe we may take notice of these, and stryve to come by them.

The Moderatour answered—Your Graces expression is verie good; but becaus they that know not these rockes well, cannot saill by them; if your Grace should be pleased to specifie these rockes, we should endeavour to hold off them.

The Commissioner answered—I desire, so much charitie of them that heares me, as to believe that I may heare, and possibly have heard, some thinges of that consequence that they toutch my instructions verie farre—not for what may concerne the bussines; therefore, I should wishe we should rather seeme to misken some thinges, rather then toutching them, to make unnecessary disputes. I conceave we desire nothing but peace and trueth: therefore let us take a course to establishe these two, and whatever may hinder these, I take to be the rockes. I have so good and charitable opinion of some men, that I would yet wishe thinges were prepaired by them in privat, for [fear of] mistakes; for some thinges may very possiblie escape some men here that I cannot sit heir but make answer in a way that I have not as yet. I desired yesterday to speake with the Moderatour, and I believe he understands me and I him better then we did; and, therefore, I say over againe, for feare of mistakes, I should wishe that everie thing [be] now prepaired and consulted betwixt me and the Moderatour, with some other wise and honourable Members of the Assembly, and not proponed in publict till it were thus prepaired.

The Moderatour answered—If it might please your Grace, so farr as I conceave, there needed no preparation, but only the expression of it by a mouth that well can, such as your Grace is.

The Commissioner answered—I shall but represent to your consideration, if God may blesse this meeting with so happie a conclusion—and I thinke there is no Christian but they will think it happie to see King and People goe all one way—that the Kings Commissioner, by the warrand he hath from his Master, sitt here to the end of this meeting, and consent to everie thing shall be done in it; and in the Parliament, to adde the civile sanction unto it. I take it to be granted as all our desires; if, then, we can light upon the way how to make it evident by reason, that these particulars which I have bluntlie and rudelie expressed, our Master hath conceaved, the Moderatour farre better expressed to be the true causes of all our greevances; if, I say, we can light upon such Acts and Constitutions as may serve us in this, I thinke there is no more to be done. I desire and hopes it shall offend none, that I conjure yow, everie one in your stations, Nobles, Peires, and worthies of the land, and yow of the Ministrie—if it be lawful to conjure such a reverend company—to take to heart, that the king will doe all that may secure us of our feares. Only let us be tender of his Majesties honour, and not make unnecessarie breakes, nor marre that thankes that is due to him. Lett us not put him to it in shaddowes, for we shall have the substance.

Argyle said—For the affection and desire of this honourable Assembly, to give his Majestie all satisfaction, your Grace needs not to call in question; and for eschewing any rocke in clearing the Constitutions of the Kirk, lett the clerk be charged upon his fidelitie to his Master, that he read nothing but what is contained in the Acts, and in the Confession of Faith.

The Commissioner urged that all further medling with it might onlie be delayed till 4 a clocke in the afternoone.

Lowdoun said—Delayes are verie unpleasant; and, in suspitious mynds, breeds many jealousies; yet becaus it is ane cause of the meeting of this full and free Assemblie, to give full satisfaction to our Kings Majestie, it seems very reasonable that we take some tyme to agrie upon the best way it may be done, that both his Majestie may be best contented, and in such a way as it derogat nothing from the liberties of the Kirk.

The Commissioner said—The gravitie of this bussines we are about, should not, I thinke, stand upon dayes, farre lesse houres.

It was condescended by the members of the Assembly, that till 4 a clocke in the afternoone should be spent in consultation in the great Kirk among the Commissioners, of the best meanes how the Kings Majestie should get best satisfaction of all their proceedings, and with all the liberties of the Kirk preserved.

The Clerk produced ane of the bookes of the Assembly, which he had gotten from Mr John Rigg, and desired that it might be cognosced upon, whether it wer authentick. The Kings Advocat declaired that he had perused the booke, and knew it to be Grayes hand writt, becaus that same subscription is at divers of his extracts.

To meet at 4 a clocke.

Sess. 5.—At 4 a clocke in the afternoone. Episcopacie proved unlawfull, with the Service Booke, Booke of Cannons, &c.

After prayer the Moderatour said—Please your Grace, I was useing diligence in searching out wayes how to behave ourselves, and finds all peaceablie and modestlie disposed; and when we had thought upon all mids, we could sie nane, but that way onlie of his Majesties justice and goodnes, which pleaseth his Majestie to walk in. It is knowne that his Majestie refused to authorize our controverted Assembly at Glasgow, neither can we urge the same, seeing his Majestie hes not gotten cleernes, and is not here personallie present to receave satisfaction, we can urge no farther. Againe his Majestie, out of that justice, did not urge his subjects to passe from that Assembly, becaus he knew they were tyed by so many bands; and soe we resolve to walke through betweene thir two rockes as circumspectlie as we can, and not toutching any of them, but keepe our distance betwixt both; and, therefore, I expect that this whole Assembly to walke verie tenderlie in so great a bussines that concernes the great honour of our great and graceous King JESUS, and the tender honour of our good and graceous King Charles.

The Commissioner said—These rockes that I have feared, yow have discovered, and yow are best able to go by them.

The Moderatour answered—I hope we are neare by the straites of them.

The Clerk proceeded to the reading of the Constitutions of the Kirk, beginning at the year 1575 and so furth.

The Clerk said—Please your Grace, thir two goes on still togither; some Acts against Episcopacie, and other Acts, establishing the Booke of Policie, wherein not only Episcopacie is abjured, but the governement of the Kirk by four office-bearers, Pastors, Doctors, Elders, and Deacons, sworne unto; and so furth continouallie, from the 1575 to the 1579. And the Booke of Policie is established. There are about 9 or 10 Assemblies conveened, onlie for the treating of the policie of the Kirk; and when they conveened they appoynted that the articles that were to be dispute at the next Assembly, should be dispute in every Presbyterie and Kirk-Session, that when they came to the next Assembly they might come with the better advysement. And, as he was proceeding in reading,

The Commissioners Grace said he was satisfied to the full, and, therefore, he needit not proceed any further.

The Moderatour said—Your Grace sees how undeservedlie we are calumniat, and what good grounds we had for all our proceedings at Glasgow.

The Commissioner said—I wishe we may proceid weill now, and that all our actions be such as may anwer for themselves.

The Clerk proceided on in the reading.

The Commissioner desired that all these evills that were the grievances might be voiced together, and included under one Act, which the Assembly acquiesced unto.

The names of these that were to preach on the Sabbath, &c.

Sess. 6.—August 16. Hora nona.

After prayer, the Moderatour asked if the Commissioners Grace had anything to say concerning these seven evilles, that hath so greatlie troubled this Kirk, which have bein represented unto your Grace.

The Commissioner answered—I was desirous that yow, with some of your brethren, should take the paines to come to me yesternight, that so we might conceave a way how to order our carriage, that, both in voicing and conceaving of the Acts, it might be so done as I might be satisfied, and my Master also, wherein I fand a great deale of satisfactione. The first thing which yow offered to your consideration, to be the occasion of these illes, was Episcopacie. My Master was pleased at the Campe to say so far, that if it could be made appeare to him, (notwithstanding of his owne inclination and opinion, which his breeding and the Kirk of Scotland [England] doth possiblie give him of Episcopacie,) by the Assembly of the Kirk, that it was contrare to the Constitutions of this Church, he commanded me, not only to concurre with yow, but to doe all that could be expected from so good and graceous a King, both by my consenting to it, and ratifieing it in Parliament. I was desirous that course might be taken, how all our proceedings might be grounded upon reason; and upon this ye were pleased to cause read the Constitutions of the Kirk, and I, by the Clerks paines, and uther helpes that I have gotten, and by that that passed amongst ws yesterday in privat, am satisfied, and I believe ye know all, what conclusion I would make—that I desire to be taken pro confesso: onlie I did represent to their consideration, whether they should be conceaved all in one Act, or to voice them severallie.

The Moderatour said—There can be no questiones amongst us who would eschue the rockes we spock of yesterday; but it will be satisfactorie unto us if there be one Act past heir and ratified in Parliament, and this, as we conceave, will be the best way to keepe us off rockes.

The Moderatour desired the Clerk to proceed in reading the rest of the Acts and Constitutions of the Church.

The Commissioner answered—It is not necessary for yow to proceed any further, except it be for the satisfactione of some of yourselves, for I tell yow I am satisfied; and, in his Majesties name, will consent to the Act against these things.

The Moderatour said—We acknowledge his Majesties bountie and goodnes in so doing. We desyre to give declaration of our reasonable desires and proceedings, that it may be seene all is granted to us for these reasons. Therefore it is expedient that all our reasons and grounds to proceed against these evills be read and make manifest.

The Commissioner said—When we shall consider of thir thinges that were established by law—when we shall consider that some of them were practised in his Majesties fathers tyme, a wise and religious Prince, and never questioned till now—I hope it shall move us to thinke more of his Majesties goodnes, who hes a greater care of our contentment then we could have expected.

The Clerk proceedit in reading the Reasons and Acts against the Fyve Articles.

The Moderatour said—Your Grace hes heard the reasons; and as we desire to rander to his Majestie, humble and heartie thankes for dischargeing these illes, so we desire that these reasons and grounds of our lawfull proceedings may be showen to his Majestie, that it may be made evident to his Majestie and to all the world, that we have beene very reasonable in all our proceedings, and especiallie at Glasgow, which they have so much traduced to his Majestie.

Sessio. 7.—[August 17.]

After prayer, the Clerk proceidit in reading the reasons of the nullities of the six late pretendit Assemblies, which was confirmed by the testimony of many old and reverend men in the ministerie, who had beene at these Assemblies, standing up and testifieing the same; likewise the reasons for condemning the Service Booke, Booke of Cannons, Booke of Ordination, and High Commission, were publictlie red.

The Commissioner still urged that it was not neidful to read more, except it were for the satisfaction of some of their owne number. It was answered, the Assemblie did esteeme themselves bound of duetie to make knowne the reasons of all their proceedings for the satisfaction of his Majestie. After all were read,

The Moderatour said—We have now cleared sufficientlie the reasons of all our proceedings, trusting that your Grace will signifie the same to his Majestie; and desires likewise that the civile sanction may be added to it; and, therefore, that we may conclude somewhat, it seemes necessar that so much as is bygone may be drawne up in ane Act. The Assembly, with consent of the Commissioners Grace, appoynted a Committie to goe about the frameing of the Act, that when it came before the Assembly it might be put to voiceing with all diligence; namely, Ministers—Masters Andro Ramsay, Harry Rollock, James Bonar, Andro Cant, Robert Blair, David Lindsay, Robert Douglas; Nobles—Cassiles, Lowthiane, Balmerino, Lowdoun; Barrons—Cavers, Auldbar, Keir; Burgesses—John Smith in Edinburgh, Provost of Dundie—to meit at the Clerks Chamber, after the dissolving of the Assembly, about the frameing of the Act.

The Commissioner desired their way of conceaving it might be showen to him, that he might come the better prepaired against the morrow; further, craved libertie of the Assemblie, to depairt for that night for some important affaires, in respect there was nothing materiall to be handlit that night, and the Assembly might spend an houre or two in hearing of some particular billes without him, and promised to returne tomorrow at 9 a clocke.

Imprimis, presented to the Assembly a Suplication from the toune of Leith for the transportation of Mr James Scharpe, minister at Govan in the Presbitrie of Glasgow, to the Kirk of Leith, vacant through the deposition of Mr William Wischart. The Assemblie referred the bille to the Presbitrie of Glasgow, to consider till the morne.

A Supplication from Air for transportation of Mr Joⁿ Fergushill to Air; for the transportation of Mr Robert Blair to St Androwes. Becaus of Mr Johnes unwillingnes, he was ordained to prepair his reasons against another Session.

A Supplication from the Universitie, Presbitrie, and Toune of Glasgow for the transportation of Mr David Dicksone, present Moderatour, from Irwing to Glasgow; and because there was ane hote contestation like to arise thereabout, between the Commissioners of Irwing with my Lord Eglintoune, and the Commissioners of Glasgow, the Assembly appoynted a committie for hearing of both parties, my Lord Argyle, Mr James Bonar, James Hamiltoun, Robert Blair, John Home, Samuell Rutherfuird.

The Assemblie appoynted a committee for considering of overtures to be given in to the Assembly; viz., Ministers—Mr Robert Murrey, &c.; Nobles—Yester; Barrones—Auldbar, &c.; Burrowes—Clerk of Dundie, &c., to meit at Kinghornes house, to morrow, at two afternoone, for the overtures: And so, after thanksgiving, the Assembly dissolved.

Sessio 8.—Hora nona. August 17—die Saturniæ.

After incalling upon the name of God, there was a letter presented to the Assembly from the some tyme pretendit Bishop of Orkney, testifieing his repentance and dimission of that pretendit office. The tenour followes, [vide Acts, p. 204]:—

After the reading of the said recantation, the Moderatour thanked God who had extorted a testimony out of the mouth of a man who once was ane overseer, &c. I wishe all the rest might take the lyke course.

The Moderatour said—Your Grace remembers that there were appoynted a number of Ministers, with some other worthie members of this Assemblie, upon a Committie for frameing of ane Act upon these thinges that went before in this Assembly, wherein such paines have bein taken as we trust now all the scruples of all the members of the Assembly shall be removed, that so they may behave themselves in every thing incumbent to them as good Christians and good subjects, and we hope to have the consent of the Commissioners Grace to what we doe heir; becaus his Grace hath heard, being a man of understanding, the equitie of our cause, and hath warrand from His Majestie that what he shall find right and reasonable in this Assemblie to give his assent unto it here, and to ratifie it in His Majesties name in the insuing Parliament.

Mr Andro Cant, having a strong voice, was desired to read the Act, the tenor whereof followes—[vide Act, p. 204]:—

After the reading of the said Act, the Moderatour desired Mr Alexʳ Hendersone to speake his judgment of it.

Mr Alexʳ answered—I will not make any discourse, but only tell my owne particular judgment, and I would wishe that anie here who hes any scruples concerning the Act, that they would propone them; for I love rather to satisfie any mans doubts of it, than to fall in any other discourse at this tyme. And for my selfe, it is alse joyfull a day as ever I was witnesse unto, and I hope we shall feede upon the sweit fruites heirafter.

Mr Andro Ramsay being desired to speake, said—I am fullie satisfied, and hes no doubts but ane, that we come short of thanksgiving to our God.

Mr Alexʳ Somervell, desired to give his judgment, said—I cannot testifie the joy that the hearing of that Act breids in my soule. My heart so abounds with it when I consider the former griefes and troubles of this poore Kirk, and what a gracious change is now come in, and albeit some heir have some unnecessar scruples, I thinke they have reason to tredd upon them; and in respect they heare the matter so well concluded, and such a comfortable successe likelie to follow, it may make us all ashamed to entirtaine scruples, but rather studie to randar thankes to our gracious Lord, and wishe all happinesse to King Charles.

Mr Hary Rollock, being next called upon, said—There is nothing left for me to say; only I thinke surely we may reckon ourselves to be like these that dreame; for who would have thought within these few yeares to have heard in any convention of the Kirk of Scotland, such ane Act as this so publictlie read, and hopefull to be made a law in the Church: and these that knowes the difficulties that this poore Church hes laboured under, may justlie in this respect, thinke this day a beginning of joyfull dayes, and I am confident that all that hes ane tender eye to the good of this Church, are wakened with a sweet sunschyne day, above the darke cludy dayes that past before: and I hope all of us shall studie to testifie our thankfulnes to God, and to acknowledge the goodnes of our gracious King, who is pleased to witnes himselfe so loving to his subjects.

Old Mr John Row next called upon, with teares, said—I blesse, I glorifie, I magnifie the God of heaven and earth, that hes pittied this poore Church, and given us such matter of joy and consolation; and the Lord make us thankfull, first to our graceous and loving God, and next obedient subjects to his Majestie, and to thank his Majesties Commissioner for his owne part.

Old Mr John Ker said—I thanke the Lord who hes removed our evilles and feares, and with my heart acknowledges his Majesties goodnes, and gives thankes to his Majesties Commissioner.

Mr James Martine, called on, said—I doe acknowledge that wonderfull hes beine the love and care of God towards this poore kirk and land, and that all of us had enlarged hearts for praise, and open mouthes to expresse the joy of our heart.

The Moderatour said—Our joy is not yet full; but I hope, ere this Assembly close, our joy shall be more perfect.

Mr John Weymes, called on, could scarce get a word spocken for teares trickling doune along his gray haires, like droppes of rain or dew upon the toppe of the tender grasse, and yet withall smylling for joy, said—I doe remember when the Kirk of Scotland had a beautifull face. I remember since there was a great power and life accompanying the ordinances of God, and a wonderfull worke of operation upon the hearts of people. This my eyes did see—a fearfull defection after, procured by our sinnes; and no more did I wishe, before my eyes were closed, but to have seene such a beautifull day, and that under the conduct and favour of our Kings Majestie. Blessed for ever more be our Lord and King Jesus; and the blessing of God be upon his Majestie, and the Lord make us thankfull!

The Moderatour said—I believe the Kings Majestie made never the heart of any so blythe in giving them a bishoprick, as he hes made the heart of that reverend man joyfull in putting them away; and I am persuaded if his Majestie saw you shedding teares for blythnes, he should have more pleasure in yow, nor in some of these that he hes given great thinges unto.

Old Mr John Bell in Glasgow said—My voice nor my tongue cannot expresse the joy of my heart to see this torne downe Kirk restoired to her beautie. The Lord make us thankfull! Lord blesse his Majestie and Commissioner! Alace! nothing is inlaiking but thankefullnes.

Old Mr Wᵐ Livingston being called on said—I thinke of the many corrupt Assemblies that hath biene in this Church since the Reformation, I have [not] beene absent for fear of them, except when I was confyned. I saw them and the corruptions of them; and when I consider of them within this thrie year, I would have beene content to have crupten on my knies to Aberdene, to have seene such an Assembly as this. And now I have seene it, and blesses the Lord for it, and begges the blessings from heaven upon our graceous Soveraigne.

The Moderatour said—Would God the Kings Majestie had a pairt of our joy that we have this day!

The Moderatour desired if any of the Assembly had any scruple to propone, they would now doe it before the matter come to voiceing. Further, he asked the Commissioners Grace if he had anything to say, or any scruple to propone before voiceing.

The Commissioner answered—I sall only, before I give my voice, desire this Assembly to remember the courses of all this bussinesse, as I have somewhat confusedly exprest before; and I believe my way of expression gives some ground of jealousies. I told you that notwithstanding my Masters oune inclination and breeding in a church where Episcopall government is allowed, yet such is his care to satisfie the desire of all his good subjects, that he hes indicted this free Assemblie where this is to be considered of; and if it be found by this Assemblie to be such as hath beene expressed in your petitions, papers, and utherwayes, I am commanded to give my consent to the Act of this Assembly against it: and, therefore, my voice must be speired last, though I may read in all your faces, and by the speaches of these reverend men, what shall be the voice of the Assemblie.

Mr Alexʳ Henrysone said—Becaus Generall Assemblies are expresst in the Act, but not Provinciall or Presbyteriall, therefore the Commissioners Grace would declair his consent unto these; to which the Commissioner acquiesced.

The rolles were called, and it was desyred that the word should be “agries,” or “disagries” to the Act.

Mr Alexʳ Kerse, being first called on, said—How unreasonable this unluckie bird of Episcopacie is to be brought doune, and here to be slaughtered, is not necessar to give epithets unto, if we will but consider that the four Bishops (if we may call them lawfullie) established in this kingdome, which are full of abilitie and power, and nothing can escape them! We have our Church Sessions, Presbitries, Synodall Assemblies, and such a famous Generall Assembly as this, that may be sufficient to prove and show the experience of this Government that now happilie is to be fullie established in this kingdome; for there [is] not so much as a little cockle or darnell of perverse or hereticall doctrine that shall spring up but presentlie it shall be cutt doune, and trodd at under, according to the saying, vitium convocationis in tribus, digentur in quarto, which is true heir; and, if it escape two or thrie, it shall not misse the fourth. If it shall happen to escape Sessions, Presbytries, and Synodall Assemblies, it will happilie be digested and concocted in such a famous Assemblie as this; and now happilie these poisonable weeds that have oppressed the stomach of this Kirk are now to be spued out: and here, for this poynt, I give this Episcopacie an eternum vale! As for the Articles of Perth, and these pretended Assemblies, they are dead it is true, and appearandlie this is the day of their buriall. I am sorie they should have gotten such a fair day lent. For me, I mynd to give them no funerall sermon. But there is ane thing Solomon tells us, “I have seene the wicked dead, and rise again.” We have need, verilie, to hold them doune, that they revive no againe. As for the Service Booke, it condemns itselfe. It carries the Anti-Christian markes, and a reall practising of that which the Jesuits doth preach; and, (being interrupted, he said,) therefore I abjure it, and agries to the Act.

All the rest of the Assembly, in ane voice, (not ane contrare,) did approve and agrie unto the Act.

The Commissioner being desired to give his voice, said—I believe, for formes sake, I may give it, but materiallie I have given it alreadie. I have often told you that my Masters pleasure was, that Episcopacie should be found by this Assembly to be such as they had alledged in their petitions and papers, (which is now unanimouslie found by this Assemblie to be such,) that I should both consent unto and ratifie the same. And I shall neid to say no more in this. But if there hes bein any jealousies or feares, I hope now they shall be removed; and it becomes yow best, who are of the Ministerie, to remove them; and not only to make your people sensible of his Majesties goodnes, to render to him his due thankes—I meane the humane part of it; for the praise is due to God, who hes so disposed of his heart, and it is his oune act and goodnes: yet, when we consider our Masters inclination and breeding, I hope we shall thinke the lesse tho’ we find greater difficulties then we could have wished againe these that have beene his Majesties good informers and instruments in working of this worke, we must not forget them, but think that we owe them a great deall of thankes. If any thinke that I conceave any of this due to me, I protest nothing at all, for I act nothing but the part of an echo, and this imployment came upon me by my Lord Hamiltons worke; and if ye knew what I know him to have beene—a faithfull, carefull, and painfull agent in this busines. I speake it not to derogat from my Masters thankes, but that every instrument should have their aune acknowledgement: and for my voice, I approve the Act.

The Moderatour said—We blesse the Lord, and thanke King Charles, and doe pray for the prosperitie of his throne, and constancie of it, so long as the Sun and Moone indures; and thankes be to all good instruments! And since your Grace is pleased to name the Marquis of Hamilton as a speciall instrument, we are glad—looking upon him as a man standing on a steeple head on his on foote betweene his misinformed Master and his native Countrie—to give him a favourable construction. I am confident that this dayes worke hath made the impression of his Majesties goodnes, who hath come over his oune birth and breeding, to give his subjects contentment, so deeplie to be rooted and stamped, that it shall not easillie be taken out of our hearts againe. And I expect yow all, according to the place ye have put upon me, especiallie yow of the Ministrie, to doe your best in giving evidence of your good service to God in furthering of the Kings subjects to thinke, speake, and cary furth affection towards him, and as he deserves at our hand. And let these that are to preache the morne expresse themselves so duetifullie, that neither the Lord of Heaven want his glorie, nor King Charles his oune due praise, and instruments may have their place, and all may be partakers of our joy; for albeit our joy be not yet full, yet we have conceaved good hopes that ere we sunder it shall be; for the which cause, we will make requeast for your Grace that there be nothing inlaiking which may fulfill our joy.

The names of the Ministers that were to preach [not mentioned.]

To meet on Mononday, at 9 a clocke—hora nona.

[Sess. 9—August 19.]

After in calling upon the name of God, there was a Letter produced from the sometyme pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, showing his unfained griefe and sorrow of heart for undertaking that unlawfull office of Episcopacie; and withall most humblie craving pardon of God and the Kirk of Scotland, togither with a formall dimission of that pretendit office; acknowledging the late Generall Assembly at Glasgow, and all the constitutions thereof; swearing never to meddle directlie nor indirectlie with that pretendit office any more; whereof the tenor followes:—

Be it knowen to all men, I, Alexʳ Leslie, Minister at Sᵗ Androwes: Forasmuch as I, by my missive letteris sent by me to the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, holden at Glasgow, the 21 of Novʳ 1638, last bypast, doe frielie submitt myselfe, dimitt, and lay doune at the feete of the said Assemblie, my pretendit office of Episcopacie as pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, and by my Letters promised to subscryve what ample forme of dimission thereanent these Assemblies should prescryve: and now the said reverend Assembly hath found and declaired the said office of Episcopacie, as it hath beene termed and used within the said Church of Scotland, to be abjured by the Confession of Faith of the said Kirk, subscrived in the yeares of God 1580, 1581, and 1590; and, therefore, decerne the said office to be removed out of the said Kirk of Scotland. As also, seeing the said reverend Assembly hath decerned me, according to my said Letter, to subscryve a more ample form of dimission of my said pretendit office, in the presence of Sir John Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Baronet—Mr Robert Murray, Minister of Meffen—Mr John Robertsone, Minister at Perth—Mr Alexʳ Petrie, Minister at Rynd—and Thomas Durhame, Burgess at Perth—Commissioners appoynted by them for that effect: therefore, for performance of my said Letter, and in obedience to the ordinance of the said reverend Assemblie, Witt ye me to have demitted, quytclaimed, and simpliciter overgiven, lykeas I now, in the presence of the said Commissioners, frielie demitt, quytclaime, and simpliciter overgive the foresaid pretendit office of Episcopacie as pretendit Bishop of Dunkell, with the whole title, style, name, and dignitie thereof, power of ordination and jurisdiction, voiceing in Parliament, and all usurpation of the same in tyme coming, and faithfullie promitts, and by these presents binds and oblisse me, never to exerce nor use the said pretendit office in the said Church of Scotland, nor no power of ordination, jurisdiction, voiceing in Parliament, neither any other power ecclesiasticall belonged, usurped, and acclaimed to belong to the said pretendit office; lykeas, according to the Act of the said reverend Assemblie, I acknowledge the said office of Episcopacie to be abjured in the Confession of Faith foresaid: And, therefore, most justlie ought to be removed out of the said Church of Scotland, and the whole premises I heartilie acknowledge, as I shall answer to God at the great day. In testimony whereof, I have subscribed these presents with my hand; likeas, for further securitie, I am content that these presents be insert and registrat in the Generall Bookes of the Assemblie, therein to remaine ad futuram rei memoriam. And to that effect Constituts __________________ my lawfull procurators, conjunctlie and severallie, promitten de rato, &c. In witnesse whereof, (written be Robert Reidheugh, servant to Patrick Rosse, nottar in Perthe,) I have subscrivit the same with my hand, as said is, at Sᵗ Androwes the 24 of Januar, 1639 yeares, before these witnesses Mr Joⁿ Patersone, and Mr Alexʳ Dundie, Student in Perthe, and George Boiswell, Servitour to the said Sir John Moncreiffe.

A Supplication of the Toune of Edinburgh for transportation of Mr Samuel Rutherfurd, Minister at Anwith, and Mr Robert Douglas, Minister at Kirkcaldie, to Edinburgh, presented in face of the Assemblie; and to eschue all contestations and altercations likelie to arise, (by reason of the violent opposition of the forsaid Ministers, and no lesse violent persute of the foresaid supplicants,) if the same should presentlie have bein taken to the Assemblies consideration, therefore did appoynt a Committie for hearing of the reasons of them both, and prepairing the same for the Assemblie, viz., Ministers: Mr James Bonar, &c.

The Supplication of the Toune of Air for Mr John Fergushill being againe given in to the Assemblie, the Committie was desired to reporte their diligence thereanent. Their answer was, they had heard the parochiners of Uchiltrie, and though they had a great love to their pastor, yet if the Assembly fand that it might conduce much to the good of the publict that he should be transported to Air, they would submitt.

The Commissioner urged that their transportation of Ministers that way might not be prejudiciall to the Patrons right.

Mr James Bonar answered—The stipend of Air was not a benefice but a modified stipend.

My Lord Argyle said—The Assembly may give way to his transportation, and decerne him to be capable thereof.

The Commissioners Grace desired that if the voices of the Assembly were for him to goe to Air, it might be conceaved that they fand the said Mr John capable of transportation, and gife the Patron give his consent, decernes him to be Minister of Air.

Mr Robert Eliots supplication for libertie of transportation, referred back to his Presbitrie.

To meit to morrow at 9 a clocke.

Sess. 10.—August 20. Twysday—Hora nona.

After prayer, the Supplication of the Toune of Glasgow being againe presented to the Assemblie for the transportation of Mr David Dicksone, present Moderatour, from Irwing to Glasgow, he desired Mr Alexʳ Hendersone to moderat till that parte was discussed, requeasting the Assembly hold their eyes single upon the glorie of God and good of the publict, in respect he had casten the conclusions of his mynd upon the determination of the Assembly.

The Committie appoynted for hearing all reasons and preparing of them for the Assembly, being desired to reporte their diligence, gave in with the reasons of the Toune of Irwing why the said Mr David should not be transported, with the answers of the Towne of Glasgow to these reasons, together with the replyes of the Toune of Irwing to these answers, and the duplyes of the Toune of Glasgow to these replyes—all which, with many other powerfull and persuasive reasons, delyvered by mouth of Mr Robert Barclay and my Lord Eglintoun on the one hand, and the Commissioners of Glasgow and Ministerie on the other hand, being all publictlie read and heard to the full, the matter was putt to voiceing.

Mr Alexʳ Carse, being first in the roll, said—Ye have to consider—erit judicium, res erit in effectum. Yet when the affection hath any reasonable centure of judgement, it is dispensable with. What heartie affection we affect that noble Earle who hes interest in our Moderatour—not for any personall or partiall respect, yet in such sort that next unto God who upon the Mount was seene—next unto the Kings Majestie, who made us heare the voice of joy, we owe ourselves to these worthie Nobles; and such by mediation have beene instruments to procure our happinesse. Therefore, for my oune judgement, it were a hard case to remove a tree thus well grounded and faithfull, but keeping it still that it may bring foorth more fruite. Therefore I voice for Irwing.

The roll being called, the voices for Irwing exceeded the voices for Glasgow about the number of 24.

The Committie for Reportes were desired to give in their diligence to the Clerk, that particular notice might be taken of their proceedings.

The Commissioner said—You remember at our first entrie to this Assemblie, we layd all doune a conclusion for eschueing of rockes—to witt—aither the mentioning or prejudging the Assemblie of Glasgow; and I conceave some processes that have been deduced against some Ministers for whom numbers of Supplications are presented to me, that their case may be represented to this Assemblie; for as I desire that these whose cases are so considerable may be taken to heart, so, on the other pairt, whosoever shall be found by this Assembly to deserve such sentences as have beene past against them, I shall consent unto it willinglie: for as I desire to eschue the one rocke, so would I have yow holden off the other. Therefore, I shall represent to your consideration if it shall not be fitt that there be some of this number from all corners of this Kingdome, where thir men live, who hath beene processed, and doth now supplicat; that may meit in privat with me; and it may be, when particulars are considered by us, we fall upon some mids which both may satisfie this Assemblie as eschue such rockes as hitherto we have shuned.

The Assemblie said, this desire of the Commissioners Grace is most reasonable; and therefore did appoynt that the Moderatour or Clerk of everie Commission, or, in their absence some other worthie minister, with a ruleing elder from everie ane of the several Commissions, should meit with the Committie for Reportes, and my Lord Commissioners Grace at Kinghornes lodging.

A committie appoynted for taking up of the names of expectants, vacant churches, and deposed ministers for non conformitie, or holden out for that cause. (Hic deest.) To meit in the Assembly house at 3 a clocke in the afternoone.

To meit tomorrow at 9 a clocke.

Sess. 11.—Hora nona, Wedinsday [Aug. 21.]

The question about the alleadged adulterie of William Guarsone pursued by a minister in the Presbiterie of Penpont, remitted to the Committie for the Billes.

The Supplication of Mr George Hannay, sometyme minister at Torphichen, but suspended for the present by a Commission, for restauration of his place; remitted to the consideration of Mʳ Alexʳ Hendersone, Andro Ramsay, David Lindsey, John Adamsone, Andro Abercrombie, Andro Mill, Andro Wood, Laird of Dundas.

The Toune of Edinburgh, and the Toune and Colledge of Sᵗ Andrewes having presented supplications for the transportation of Mr Samuel Rutherford from Anwith to each of them, after many contestations and altercations, and the reading of the reasons of Aberdeene and Edinburgh, and answers to each of them from other, and the reading of Mr Samuells owne reasons for not transportation at all from Anwith, the said Mr Samuell, by the farr greatest of the voices of the Assembly was ordained to goe to Sᵗ Andrewes to serve in the ministerie, and make such helpes in the Colledge as God shall affoord him abilitie for.

Sessio 12.—To meit at 9 a clock [Aug. 22.]

After prayer, the Moderatour said—We trust that the Assemblie hath a right construction of the lazarlie proceedings of the Assemblie. The Lord was graceous unto ws this last weeke in bringing our privat businesses unto a publict and unanimous conclusion. This weeke, also, hath been spent in prepairing matters for your greater satisfaction. That our proceedings may offend none, but give contentment to all in reasone, we have to doe now with the Reportes; and, becaus the particular cases of them who were processed before the severall Commissions are many, we must put difference betweene the faults and repentance of men, that none may in justice complaine, but that he is dealt justlie and moderatlie withall.