Records of the Kirk of Scotland / containing the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly.

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Traquair said—I take it to be a clame and accusation against the formalitie of the election; and what is in the proces, I remitt it to the judgement of the Assembly, and if any thing be called in question which the proces cannot cleare, I shall justifie ane uther way.

Sess. 7. 29 Novʳ 1638.

After in calling upon the name of God,

The Moderatour said—We left at the testimonie which was given by skilled men who wer appoynted for trying of the Kirk Registers, and their testimonie was read in your hearing; and we requested all to bring in this day, their objections and scruples concerning these registers: now we crave that ane who pleases would object; for if no man object, an act or record will be insert in the bookes of the Assembly, declairing that these bookes are authentick.

The Commissioner said—No man here shall have greater joy nor I, to heare the registers of the Kirk perfyte, and no man shall contrubut more to it then I, being a matter of so great importance or weight; for upon the acts set doune in these bookes very much depends. But becaus ye have heard [objections] be the Lords of Clergie made, and their adherents, against the legallitie of the proceedings of this Assembly, I am tyed yet to say somewhat; and I am sorrie that I must protest against that in word which my heart desires not. Sore greeved I have reason to be to protest against so good a work as is the restoreing to the Kirk of her records; yet considering many causes which now I will not expresse, I am forced to protest against it: ffor albeit these bookes may be found authentick be the consent of this Assembly, yet may I doe nothing which may import either his Majesties assent to it or myne; and therefore heir I make protestation against.

The Moderatour said—We only crave the Assemblys approbation; and if the pretendit Bishops or any uther will take upon them to improve these bookes, or any parte of them, they shall be heard. It is pittiful there should be such a rent in our Church, so fearful, and that any point of the cause of it shall be imputed to authoritie, if we consider what a sweete unitie was ance in this Kirk. To clear this unitie, I will read a testimonie out of the preface of the booke called “The Harmony of the Confession of the Reformed Kirkes.” After the reading of it in Latine, he exponed it, shawing the rare priviledges of the Kirk of Scotland beyond other Kirkes; that for the space of 54 yeares it remained in puritie of doctrine and discipline, without any errour or schisme, and gave a reason of it; becaus the Kirk of Scotland was reformed in doctrine and discipline according to the word of God: so it is clear, the Kirk ance had unitie, and it is clear also by what meanes and Instruments schisme hes come in.

The Commissioner said—I pray God the Kirk may enjoy this puritie 40,000 yeares more, if the world should endure so long; yet I must protest, in more pathetic words, against the authoritie of these bookes (for I did it in modestie before); albeit, I would give my estate and venture my life in furthering the Church to be restoired to her registers; but becaus of the manyfold exceptions I have against the way of the meeting of this Assembly, and against sundrie persons which are Members of it, I protest heir, that neither the Kings Majestie nor the bishops be wronged be any act in these bookes, and that they are not obleist be the acts of any booke, which is not subscryved be the Clerk of Aberdein.

My Lord Rothes said—Your Grace promised to propone some scruples against these bookes, wherin your Grace was not yet satisfied, which we desyre to heare; for they are found, of all who have tryed them, comparatively authentick, and utherwayes also.

Moderatour said—We are sure if his Grace had perused these bookes, he would approve them also.

The Roll being called be the Clerk, the Moderatour asked if the brethren did approve the registers? Who answered that they did; and desyres that reasons of the approbation might also be insert in the bookes of the Assembly, and that there was not any protestation made be his Majesties Commissioner. They desyred also that the Bishop of Sᵗ Andrews might be summonded for the production of these bookes which are wanting.