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

“ The power of Presbytries is to give diligent labours in the bounds committit to their chairge, that the Kirk be keepit in good order; to inquire diligently of naughty and ungodly persones, and travell to bring them in the way againe, be admonitione and threating of God’s judgements, or be correctione. 2. It appertaynes to them to take heed that the word of God be purely preachit within their bounds, the sacraments rightly ministrate, the discipline intertained, and the ecclesiasticall goods uncorruptly distribute. ”

“ Which in time of the primitive kirk was most carefully attended, as being most profitable to cause young children, in their tender yeares, drink in the knowledge of God and his religion, but is now altogether neglected in respect of great abuse and errours which crept into the Popish Kirk, by making thereof a sacrament of confirmation: Therefore, that all superstitions built thereupon may be rescinded, and that the matter it selfe being most necessary for the education of the youth, may be reduced to the primitive integrity. ”

“ Causes of deprivatione we take it to be—heresie, papistrie, common blasphemie, perjurie, adulterie, fornicatione, incest, slauchter, theft, common oppression, common drunkenness, wsurie against the lawes of the realm, nonresidence and absence from his flock and [240] office be the space of fourtie dayes together in ane year, without lawfull impediment allowit be the Generall Assemblie; pluralitie of benefices provydit sen the King’s coronatione, to be cause of deprivatione from them all except ane, that the possessors will astrict themselves to make residence at the same ”

“ If baptisme administrat be ane papist priest, or in the papisticall manner, shall be reiterat? When sic children comes to years of understanding, they should be instructed in the doctrine of salvatione, the corruption of the papistrie might be declared unto them, whilk they most publickly damne, before they be admitted to the Lord’s table ”

“ No minister of the Evangell of Jesus Christ, nor no persone receiving sufficient living for preaching of the Evangell, may, with safe conscience, leave his vocatione, together with his flock, and the place appointed for his ordinarie residence, what patrimonie and oversight that ever he hes, be corruption of tymes, or negligence of rulers, so to doe.
If sic as hes entred in the ministrie, been appointed be the Superintendants, and received of the people, may leave their vocation and follow the world, because they have not sufficient stipend? ”

“ In the meane seasone, we beseik your Majestie, giue no credite to the sinister report and wrangous informatione of men, that, be such dealing, goes about to draw your Majestie’s heart from your trew and faithfull subjects, and be this unhappie schisme, to overthraw the Kirk of God within your Grace’s countrey, and, for their awne particular gaines, banische Christ and his word, (whilk God of his infinite mercy forbid,) and preserve your Grace, body and saul, for ever.—From St Androis, the 28th of Apryle, 1582. ”

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

“ It is ordained, be reasone of the great troubles fallen out lately in this realme be defectione of some from the King’s Majestie’s lawfull authoritie, that certaine brethren be sent from the Kirk to all sortes, Earles, Lords, Barrones, and gentlemen whatsumever, that hes made the foresaid defectione, and travell with them be all meanes possible, to reconcile them to the lawfull obedience of his Majestie, and to certifie them that disobeys, that the haill Kirk will use their sword against them, quhilk God’s word hes committit to them. ”

“ Unfaithfull and tryitors to the flock shall ye be before the Lord Jesus, if that with your consent, directly or indirectly, ye suffer unworthie men to be thrust into the ministrie of the Kirk, under what pretence that ever it be. ”

“ But, in the bowells of Christ Jesus, we crave that Christian charity may so prevaill in you; in you, we say, the Pasters and leaders of the flock in that realme, that ye doe not to uthers that quhilk ye would not have uthers doe to you. Ye cannot be ignorant how tender a thing the conscience of man is. All that have knowledge are not alyke persuaded, yet conscience reclaims not at the wearing of sic garments, but many thousands, both godly and learned, are utherwayes persuaded, whose consciences are continually stricken with thir sentences—What has Christ to do with Belial? ”

“ It is thought ane thing very unreasonable that the Papists, enemies of God’s Kirk and the commonewealth, and utheris that labours not in the ministrie, shall possess freely, without impositione, the third of the benefice, and the Kirk, whilk labours, shall not possess the third. ”

“ And where her Majestie esteems that the change of religion should dissolve the confederacy of allyance that she hes with the King of France and uther princes; assuredlie Christ’s trew religion is the undoubted meane to knitt us surely, perfyte confederacie and friendship with him that is King of kings, and who hes the hearts of all princes in his hands, whilk ought to be more precious to her Majestie nor the confederacie of all princes of the earth, without the whilk neither confederacie, love, nor kindness, can indure. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ First, It is asked, If any may contract marriage with ane woman once married, and her husband departing from her to other countries, and being absent nine or ten years together, the woman, having no testimoniall of his death or not?
Answer: That the woman desyreing to marrie ought to seek, or cause seek, whether her first husband be dead or not, and to report ane sufficient testimoniall of his death or ever she may joyne herself to ane uther husband.
Whether that any persone seek ane donation or confirmation of benefices at the Paip’s Kirks, may be appointed to minister in the Kirk of God? ”

“ And though we desyre thir conventions and forces of men of war to be turnit upon the thiefes and oppressors of the realme; whereunto we shall be most ready with our bodies and gear to doe the devoure of noble and trew men; yet, giue he will persevere to persew us, we doubt not in God and the justice of our cause, to finde all the noble and trew men so favourable to us, that it shall not be in his power to doe us wrong upon particular malice, altogether without deserving. ”

“ Mr Johne Rutherfuird, Principall of Salvator’s Colledge, complained, That Mr John Balfour usurpit the Ministrie at Cultis, being unqualifiet to discharge the same; and seeing the Kirk pertainit to him as Principall, he offerit himself to minister, according to the talent given him be God. The Kirk, hearing his complaint and offer, ordainit the said Mr Johne to accept the office, who, in presens of the Assemblie, accepted the same. ”

“ In the west part of Angus, Patrick Lord Gray under proces of excommunication, Mr Thomas Gray excommunicat, Sir John Fyfe, Priest in Langforgund, David Grahame of Fyntrie excommunicat, James Grahame his brother a Papist, Thomas Abercrombie of Middel Gowrdie, haveing subscryvit, communicats not, but continues ane commone reasoner against the religione—a defender of Papistrie—a receiver of Jesuites. Patrick Lyndsay, brother to the Laird of Wame, ane reasoner against the truth in every place. ”

“ All civil authoritie hes not the light of God alwayes shyning before their eyes in their statutes and commandments; but their affections savour over meikle of the earth and of worldly wisdome, and, therefore, wee think you should boldly oppone yourselves to all that power that will or dare extoll itselfe not only against God, but also against all sic as dare burden the conscience of the faithfull farder then God hes burdened them be his own word. ”

“ They prove, beyond all controversy, that our Reformers, instead of having been at first actuated by an unrestrained spirit of innovation, were rather, in some respects, disposed to retain too much than to reject too much of the practices of the church from which they had separated, and that this very circumstance prevented them from ever attaining that independence at which they aimed. ”

“ Ordaines to dilate the parties to the Justice Clerk and the Kirk, and to declare their names, that they may be punished.
And further, because diverse persons, alswell women as men, who are separate for adulterie, the partie offendand joynes himself in marriage againe, contrare the law of God, wherethrough great sclander and inconveniences follows; Ordains the Superintendant to admonishe all ministers within their jurisdictiones, that nane joyne any partie separate for adulterie in marriage, under the paine of removeing from the ministrie. ”

“ Item, That the Prince whom God hes given us, alsewell for his surety as good educatione, shall be committed to wyse, ancient, godly, and learned men of the realme, to be brought up within the same, in the feare of God, and vertew, whereby he may so profite in his youth, that when he shall come to his yeares of maturitie he may be able to discharge himself sufficiently of that honor and place where he shall be called, and prove that good king whilks, with all their hearts, they wish him to be. ”

“ Universall neglect of justice both in civill and criminall causes;—as, namely, in granting of remissions and respites for blood,—adulteries and incests,—no execution of good lawes made against vyces, or in favour of the Kirk, and in civill matters,—the judges, for the maist pairt, unmeit, either in respect of the want of knawledge or conscience, or both; and when any office vaikes, the warst men advancit thereto, both in high and inferiour rowmes. ”

“ It is ane great griefe to the hearts of all these that fears God, that apostates, sworne enemies to Christ, your Grace, and all your faithfull subjects, forfault for their treasone—some also suspect and bruitit with the murther of the most noble persone of your umquhill father—impugners of the truth be word and wreite—continuing still in their wickedness, unreconcilit to the Kirk, to receave of your Majestie the benefite of pacificatione to the prejudice of the faithfull ministers, qwham violently be their meanes they labour to dispossesse. ”

“ It is leisum for a minister, for a seasone, to superceid the ministrie and use the office of a Doctor: Therefore the Assemblie hes concludit and ordaynit Mr Thomas Buchanane to enter in the new Colledge, and use and exercise the office of a Doctor thair for the support of the samen,—his Kirk being alwayes provydit of a sufficient pastor, and the said Mr Thomas sufficientlie satisfyeit anent the promise made for expeditione of his pleis. ”

“ Touching sic as are relapse the third tyme in any kinde of cryme, sic as fornication and drunkenness, it is statute and ordained, that no particular minister admitt sic persones to repentance, but to send them to the Superintendant of the diocie where the crymes are committed, with information, who shall give them sic injunctions as they think may make the offence to be holden in horror. ”

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

“ It is evident that either there is ane inclinatione and purpose to cover, extenuat and beir furth the evill cause, qwherthrow they will not sie, or else the Lord in judgement hes blinded and hardened the heartes of all Estates, to graape in the mid-day that qwhilk they cannot sie, qwhilk is the greatest danger of all, and ane most certaine argument of the wrath of God, and his heavie judgement hingand over the land, and so meikle the maire to be fearit because there is no cause of fear to be apprehendit. ”

“ It was asked if it be lawfull that ane minister, what title or honor ever he bear, receiving sufficient benefite and provisione off his flock, may leave them, and make his common residence in uther places, sae that his flock is destitute alswell of his doctrine and ministrie, as of uther comforts that the flock should receave of ane faithfull pastor—notwithstanding that worldly reasons may seem to excuse the absence of some? ”

“ If the person or persons secluded from the sacrament be negligent in seeking reconciliation with the Kirk, behave themselves insolently or utherwayes then it becomes penitent persones, the Kirk, after admonitione, may proceed to the uttermost; for wanton behaviour, after iniquitie committed, is ane plaine argument of impenitence, and negligence to seek reconciliation declares that contempt lurks in the heart. ”

“ In the mean tyme, we will earnestly request you that no novations nor alterations be made or attempted whill our meeting, whilk we trust in God shall be shortly, so that none of our brethren nor we in absence have occasion to mislyke any of your proceedings; because sic grave matters requires ane common consent alswell in their approveing as that they may the better be born with: for your awn wisdomes we doubt not will consider the factiones of our adversaries, that they will never allow our doings, and therefore it is more than necessar there be no diversitie of mindes amongst ourselves ”

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

“ We praise God that your Majestie hes ane good opinione and estimatione of such a persone as we judge the said Mr Robert to be, qwham we acknawledge indeed alreadie to be a Bischope according to the doctrine of St Paull, and qualified to use the functione of ane pastor and minister at the kirk of Dornoche, or any uther Kirk within your realme, qwhan he is lawfully callit, and worthy to have ane competent living appoyntit to him therefore ”

“ Our brethren that of conscience refuses that unprofitable apparell does rather now molest you that use sick vain trifles: if ye shall doe the like to them, we doubt not but therein ye shall please God, and comfort the hearts of many whilks are wounded with the extreamitie that is used against these godly and our well-beloved brethren. ”

“ Seeing his Majestie is now of perfect age, and ane Parliament is appoynted in the next moneth; It is thocht expedient that the acts of Parliament made be oure Soveraigne Lord, his Heines’ predecessor and Regent for the tyme, for the libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Christ’s religione presently professit within this realme, and for repressing of Papistrie and Idolatrie, collectit together and craved to be confirmed ”

“ For benefices are gine be absolute power to unworthie persones intrustit in the office of the ministrie, without the Kirk’s admissione, directly against the laws of God and acts of Parliament; [257] quhairthrowgh the Kirk’s livings comes in profane men’s hands and uthers, that sells their sauls, and makes schipwrack of conscience, for pleasure of men, and obtayning some worldly commoditie. ”

“ After the Ministers, the Elders of every Kirk must be tryed, if any hes to lay to the charge of any of them, the accused, whether he be Minister or Elder, aught to remove out of the Assemblie whill his cause be tryed: if he be convict, he can have no voit whill the Kirk receive satisfactione. ”

“ Forsuameikle as the Bischops are to be chairgit to remove their corruptiones in that estate, the Kirk nominat the speciall corruptions whilk they desire sic as will submitt them to the said Assembly to correct, with promise, that giue the Generall Kirk hereafter shall find farther corruptiones in the said estate, nor heirto is exprest, that they be content to be reformit be the said Assemblie according to the word of God when they shall be requyrit thereto: 1. That they be content to be pastors and ministers of ane flock: 2. That they usurp no criminall jurisdictione: 3. ”