The Moderatour called upon these who wer appoynted for the examination of the Registers, to report their testimonie.
Durie said—Please your Grace and this reverend Assembly, We shall either give in our reasons be word or writt.
The Commissioner said—I desire to heare them give them in any way ye please.
Then the reasons of the authentickness of the Registers were given in be writt, and read by the Clerk.
The Moderatour said—Please your Grace, here is the testimonie of these that have skill in trying the Registers better nor any here present can relate. Hes your Grace gottine satisfaction?
The Commissioner answered—Verillie it is a matter of verie great importance, and there shall be no man more glad nor I, to see the Registers of the Kirke found reall, and proven to be authentick. I am far from contradicting anything these worthie gentlemen hath done; for it were impertinent so to doe. I can say nothing at the first hearing of a paper read; but it may be, that many scruples come in my mynd concerning them; yea, I have alreadie, whereof I am not resolved. This is the first tyme that ever I heard it read, and, therefore, I cannot give my judgment of it. I must confess my ignorance in thir things; and, therefore, I must be verie loath to give my assent or approbation to anything wherein I am not both clear and persuaded.
The Moderatour said—Hes your Grace any scruples to propone for the present?
The Commissioner said—I must think upon all before I propone them.
The Moderatour said—I would desire this reverend Assembly, that if there be any here, noblemen, gentlemen, ministers, that if they have any thing to say agˢᵗ this information concerning the authoritie of the Registers, that they would propone them, either now by word, or in a short tyme by writt, that this Assembly may make a declaration that they are authentick; and, if no objection be made against them, we will take your silence for an approbation of their authoritie. If ye have any thing to say, bring it foorth presentlie; if not, produce it in writt against the morne.
The Commissioner said—I am verie confident that there is not the Regents hand writt.