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.