Aug. 11. 1648 Antemeridiem, Sess. 39.
Act for prosecuting the Treaty for the Uniformity in Religion in the Kingdom of England.
The Generall Assembly, Taking to their consideration that the Treaty of Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions is not yet perfected; Therefore, Renews the power and Commission granted by preceeding Assemblies for prosecuting that Treaty unto these Persons after-named viz. Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr Robert Baillie, Mr George Gillespie, Ministers. And John Earle of Cassils, John Lord Balmerinoch, and Sir. Arch. Johnston of Wariston Elders; Authorizing them with full power to prosecute the said Treaty of Uniformity with the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or any Committees Appointed by them: And to do all and every thing which may advance, perfect, and bring that Treaty to an happie conclusion, conform to the Commissions given thereanent.
Act Renewing the Commission for the publick Affairs of this Kirk.
The Generall Assembly Taking to their consideration, that in respect the great work of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet perfected (though by the Lords blessing there is a good progress made in the same) There is a necessity of renewing the Commissions granted formerly for prosecuting and perfecting that great Work; Do therefore Renew the Power and Commission granted for the Publick Affairs of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held at Saint Andrews, 1642. and [pg 433] at Edinburgh 1643. 1644. 1645. 1646. and 1647. unto the persons following viz Masters, John Lawder, Andrew Wood, David Calderwood, Robert Ker, John Mackghie, John Knox, John Sinclar, John Adamson, Robert Dowglas, George Gillespie, James Hamiltoun, Mungo Law, John Smith, Robert Lawrie, George Lesly, John Weir, Robert Eliot, Alexander Dickson, Patrick Fleeming, Thomas Vassie, Ephraim Melvil, Hew Kennedie, Kenneth Logie, Alexander Levistoun, George Bennet, David Weems, William Row, Robert Young, William Menzies, John Friebaine, John Givan, Harie Guthrie, Andrew Rind, David Auchterlony, Samuel Ousteen, Thomas Henderson, Charles Archibald, Andrew Lawder, John Leviston, John Macklellan, Alexander Turnbull, William Fullerton, George Hutcheson, John Genell, Patrick Colvill, James Ferguson, Hew Peebles, John Hamiltoun, Alexander Dunlope, David Elphiston, David Dickson, Robert Baillie, Robert Ramsay, Patrick Gillespie, Patrick Sharpe, James Nasunth, John Home, Evan Camron, Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherfurd, David Forret, Robert Traill, Andrew Bennett, Walter Greg, John Macgill younger, John Moncreiff, Fredrick Carmichael, John Chalmers, John Duncan, Andrew Donaldson, Will Oliphant, George Simmer, Andrew Affleck, Arthur Granger, David Strachen, Andrew Cant, John Rex, John Paterson, Alexander Cant, John Young, John Seaton, David Lindsay at Bethelvie, Nothaniel Martine, John Annand, William Falconer, Joseph Brodie, Alexander Summer, William Chalmer, Gilbert Anderson, David Rosse, George Gray, Robert Knox, William Penman, James Guthrie, Thomas Donaldson, William Jameson, Thomas Wilkie, James Ker, John Knox, Andrew Dunkanson Ministers: Archibald Marques of Argyle, Alexander Earle of Eglintoun, John Earle of Cassils. William Earle of Lothian, Archibald Lord Angus, William Lord Borthwick, John Lord Torphichen, John Lord Balmerino, Robert Lord Burly, James Lord Couper, Lord Kilcudbright, Alexander Lord Elcho, Sir Archibald Johnstoun of Wariston. Sir John Hope of Craighall, Arthur Erskin of Scotskraig, Sir John Moncreiff of that Ilk, Boaton of Creigh, Sir John Wauchhope of Midrie, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Frieland, Sir George Maxwell of Netherpollock, Sir James Fraser of Brae, Sir James Hackact of Pitfirn, Sir [pg 434] William Carmichaell younger of that ilk, Walter Dundas younger of that ilk, Thomas Craig of Ricarton, Mr George Winrain of Liberton, Sir Alexander Ingils of Ingilston, Alexander Brodie of that ilk, Forbes of Eight, Will. More of Glanderston, John Ker of Lochtour, Alex Pringill of Whitbanck, Walter Scot of Whitstyid, John Crafurd of Crafurdland, Sir John Chisly of Carswell, Robert Monroe of Obsteall, Cornwall of Bonhard, George Dundas of Dudingston, Sir James Stewart of Kirkfield, Alexander Colvil of the Blair, Mr Alex. Petrson, Mr Robert Burnet younger, Mr Thomas Murray, George Potterfield, Mr James Campbell, James Hamilton, Lawrence Henderson, Mr Robert Barcclay, Mr William More, William Glendoning Doctor, Douglas, James Sword, Gideon Lack, Mr Dongall Campbell, John Besrall, John Brown, William Brown, Robert Brown, and William Russel, Elders: Giving unto them full Power and Commission, to do all and every thing for preservation of the Established Doctrine, Discipline, Worship and Government of this Kirk, against all who shall endeavour to introduce any thing contrary thereunto, and for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting & bringing the said Work of Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions to a happy conclusion, conform to the former Commissions granted by proceeding Assemblies thereanent, And to that effect Appoints them, or any seventeen of them, whereof thirteen shall be Ministers to meet here in this City to morrow the 12. of this Moneth, And thereafter upon the last Wednesday of November, February, and May next, and upon any other day, and in any other place they shall think fit. Renewing also to the persons before named the power contained in the Act of the Assembly 1643. Intituled, A Reference to the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the Kingdom of England. And further, incase Delinquents have no constant residence in any one Presbyterie, or if Presbyteries be negligent or overawed, in these cases, The Assembly gives to the persons before named, such power of censuring complyers and persons disaffected to the Covenant according to the Acts of the Assembly, declaring alwayes and providing, that Ministers shall not be deposed, but in one of the quarterly [pg 435] meetings of this Commission, And further Authorises them as formerly with full power to make Supplications, Remonstrances, Declarations & Warnings to Indict Fasts & Thanksgivings as there shall be cause to Protest against all encroachments upon the Liberties of the Kirk, and to censure all such as interupt this Commission or any other Church Judicatory, or the execution of their Censures or of any other Sentences or Acts, issuing from them, And with full power to them to treat and determine in the matters referred unto them by this Assembly, as fully and freely as if the same were here fully expressed, and with as ample power as any Commission of any former Generall Assemblies hath had or been in use of before: Declaring also that all opposers of the authority of this Commission in matters intrusted to them shall be holden as opposers of the authority of the Generall Assembly, And this Commission in their whole proceedings are comptable to, and censurable by the next General Assembly.