The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Edinburgh 31 October 1690, Ante Meridiem Sess. 15.

IX. Act against Ministers Removing out of this Church.

The General Assembly does hereby appoint, that no Ministers, who have actual standing and absolute Relations, to any Charge in the Church of Scotland, shall remove out of the Kingdom, without the Consent of the Respective Judicatories of this Church.

X. Act anent the Administration of the Sacraments.

The General Assembly considering, that the two Sacraments, that Christ hath appointed under the New Testament, viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper, are his Solemn Ordinances, and Seals of the Covenant of Grace (which is held forth in the Preaching of the Gospel). And that in the use of them, the Parties receiving them, are solemnly devoted and engaged to God, before Angels and men; and are solemnly received, as Members of the Church, and do entertain Communion with her: And that by the Authority of this Church in her former Assemblies. The private use of them hath been condemned: As also, that by allowing the private use of the same, in pretended Cases of Necessity; The Superstitious opinion is nourished, that they are necessary to Salvation, not only as commanded Duties, but as means, without which Salvation cannot be attained. Therefore, The Assembly hereby discharges, the Administration of the Lords Supper, to Sick Persons in their Houses, and all other use of the same, except in the publick Assemblies of the Church. And also doth discharge the Administration of Baptism in private, That is, in any place, or at any time, when the Congregation is not orderly called together, to wait [pg 517] on the Dispensing of the Word. And appoints that this be carefully observed, when and where ever the Lord giveth his people Peace, Liberty and Opportunity for their publick Assemblies. And ordains this present Act to be publickly Intimate in all the Churches.