Sess. 13. August 6. 1642.
Act against slandering of Ministers.
The General Assembly considering the malice of divers Persons in raising calumnies and scandals against Ministers, which is not onely injurious to their persons, and discreditable to the holy calling of the Ministerie, but doth also prove often a great prejudice and hinderance to the promoving of the Gospel: Doe therefore ordain Presbyteries and Synods to proceed diligently in processe against all persons, that shall reproach or scandal Ministers, with the censures of the Kirk, even to the highest, according as they shall finde the degree or quality of the scandal deserve.
Act anent ordering of the Assembly House.
The Assembly for better order in time coming ordains the Act of the Assembly at Aberdene for ordering the [pg 154] House of the Assembly to be kept hereafter punctually. And for that effect, that the samine be reade the first Session of every Assembly.
Act for remembring in publike Prayers the desires of the Assembly to the King and Parliament, and indiction of a publike Fast.
The General Assembly being desirous to promove the great work of Unity in Religion, and Uniformity in Church government, in all thir three Dominions, for which the Assembly hath humbly supplicate the Kings Majestie, and remonstrate their desires to the Parliament of England, lest they should be wanting in any meane that may further so glorious and so good a work: Doe ordain, that not only the said Declaration to the Parliament, and supplication to the Kings Majestie, shall be accompanied with the earnest Petition, and prayers of the whole brethren in private and publike, for the Lords blessing hereunto, according to the laudable custome of our predecessors, who in the year of God 1589. ordaines that the Brethren in their private and publike prayers, recommend unto God the estate of the afflicted Church of England: But having just cause of fear, that the iniquities of the Land, which so much abount may marre this so great a Work, doe also ordain a solemne Fast to be kept on the second Lords Day of September and the Wednesday following throughout the whole Kingdome for the causes after specified.
I. Grosse ignorance and all sort of wickedness among the greater part, security, meer formality and unfruitfulnesse among the best, and unthankfulnesse in all.
II. The sword raging throughout all Christendome, but most barbarously in Ireland, and dayly more and more threatned in England, through the lamentable division betwixt the King and the Parliament there, tending to the subversion of Religion and Peace in all the three Kingdomes.
III. That God may graciously blesse the Supplication of the Assembly to the Kings Majesty, and their motion to the Parliament of England, for Unitie in Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, and all other meanes which may serve for the promoving of so great a Worke, and advancement of the Kingdome of Christ every where.
IV. That God may powerfully overturne all wicked plots and designes of Antichrist and his followers, and all divisive motions against the course of Reformation, and the so much longed for Union of the King and Parliament.
V. That God may blesse the harvest.
Reference from the Presbyterie of Kirkcaldie.
Anent the Acts of Assemblies, for observation of the Lords Day, profaned by going of salt-pannes, That this Assembly would declare the limits of the Sabbath, during which the pannes should stand.
The Assembly referres the Answer of this Question, to the Acts of former Assemblies.
Reference frrom the Synode of Fyffe.
That the Provinciall of Angus keep their meeting on the same day with the Synod of Fyffe, which breakes the correspondence between them, appointed by the General Assembly of Glasgow.
ANSWER.
The Assembly ordaines the Provinciall Assembly of Angus to keep their first meeting upon the third Tuesday of April, comforme to the Act of the said Assembly of Glasgow.
Overtures to be advised by Presbyteries against the next Assembly.
How Appeals shall be brought into the Generall Assemblies, and by what sort of citation.
What shall be the prescription of scandalls, within what space of time shall they be challenged, whether after three years, the Minister having been allowed and approved in life and doctrine by Synods, Presbyteries, and Visitations.
What order shall be taken for keeping general Assemblies, when Presbyteries send not the full number of Commissioners: Or when the Commissioners abide not until the conclusion and dissolving of the Assembly.
Order to be advised for Testimonials.
The Assembly appoints the next Generall Assembly to hold at Edinburgh, the first Wednesday of August, 1643.