Edinburgh 29 October 1690. Ante Meridiem, Sess. 12.
VII. Act approving several Overtures.
This day the Overtures following were Read in Presence of the Assembly.
Anent subscribing the Confession of Faith.
1. “For retaining soundness, and unity of Doctrine, It is judged necessary, that all Probationers Licensed to Preach, all Intrants into the Ministry, and all other Ministers and Elders Received into Communion with us, in Church Government, be obliged, to Subscribe their Approbation of the Confession of Faith, approven by former General Assemblies of this Church, and Ratified in the second Session of [pg 514] the Current Parliament: And that this be Recommended to the Diligence of the several Presbyteries, and they appointed to Record their Diligence thereanent in their respective Registers.”
Anent Papists.
2. “That it be Recommended to Presbyteries, to take special Notice, what Papists are in their Bounds, and that they take pains to Re-claim them, and to Advert how their Children are Educat: and if need be, to make Application to the Civil Authority concerning them.”
Anent Celebration of Marriage.
3. “That the Celebration of Marriage, without due Proclamation of Bans, according to Order, three several Sabbaths in the respective Parishes, be discharged: And that it be recommended to Presbyteries, to Censure the Contraveeners.”
Against profanation of the Sabbath.
4. “That it be recommended to Kirk-Sessions and Presbyteries, carefully to put in Execution, the Acts of former General Assemblies against Profanation of the Lords-day, and particularly by unnecessary Sailing and Travelling.”
Anent Mercats on Saturdays and Mondays.
5. “That Application be made to the Parliament: for alerting all Mercats in Royal Burghs and other places, on Saturdays and Mondays.”
The General Assembly after mature Deliberation, approves of these Overtures, and Recommends and Appoints accordingly: And ordains the same to be observed, and to have the Force and Strength of an Act and Ordinance of Assembly.
VIII. Act approving the Associations of Presbyteries.
The General Assembly, allows and approves of the Ministers of different Presbyteries, their Associating in Presbyteries; ay and while the Vacancies of the saids Presbyteries be filled: And declares them to have the Authority and Power of Presbyteries Respectively: And that notwithstanding, that according to the old Platform, the saids Ministers do reside in the Bounds of different Presbyteries.