Montrois said—That he had Commission from my Lord Napier, to declair to the Assembly, that he had the same meaning in subscryving the Schort Confession, as it was first sett doune. Montrois said, further, my Lord Amont would declair the same before the Assembly.
The Moderatour said—Though we had not a Nobleman to assist us, our cause were not the worse nor the weiker; but there is occasion given us to blesse God that they are comeing in daylie in throngs.
Then the Moderatour called on the Committie for Peibles.
My Lord Burlie answered—Since this charge was layd upon us, to collation the Commission and protestation with the Proces, we find no great reason why the election shall not stand good; and for Mr Robert Ellot, we find, in the last article of the proces, that he did clearlie protest, and that upon good reasons. Ane was, that this honourable judicatorie should no wayes be prejudged in the friedome thereof, in case there were any illegalitie or informalitie in the election, and that no place of carping were left to our adversaries; the next was, he had some scruples in his mynd anent the illegalitie thereof, of which, after conference, he gat satisfaction, and is content now to take up his proces; and quhereas my Lord Thesaurer was pleased to take some offence at this protestation, and he did it now de animo, he is sorie for it, and, if his Lordship were heir present, he would crave his Lordships pardon.
Mr Mathew Brisbane said—I think it should be tane notice of, that my Lord Thesaurer was present at the election, and did approve the Ruling Elders, and came there as ane himselfe, and, in the face of the Assemblie, pleaded for the Commission.
Then the Moderatour called on the Committie for Brechin, who promised to make report to the Assembly to-morrow.
Moderatour said—There were, in your hearing, some Committies appoynted for some materiall poyntes; for considering the Confession of Faith; the Complaint agᵗ the Prelats; the Service booke; the booke of Cannons; High Commission, and Booke of Ordination; but it is impossible to examine thir in so short a tyme, and therefore we passe them.
Lowdoun said—Please yow Moderatour, we began to looke upon that purpose, being a matter of great importance, and deserved an accurat investigation of thinges that did passe, especeallie, not about the Confession of Faith, which was first made and subscryved at that tyme. We went back, in looking to these registers and Bookes of Assemblies quherein we find the discipline of the Kirk accuratelie expressed, so that I thinke, if, in Gods Providence, these Bookes had not bein found, it had bein hard for the Church of Scotland; because it is about matters as they wer then presentlie established and concludit. The seeking out of this and the looking over of many Acts, tooke a long tyme; but, on all, we find a great harmonie and cohesione, clearlie set downe, to put out Popperie and Episcopacie. The name is examined; the Corruptions is examined; the office is examined; and their severall considerations tane to many Assemblies. The Discipline, of long deliberation, is sett downe. The Confession of Faith following, is a confirmation both upon the ane and the uther; and the ground of thir hes bein the root of many of our proceedings through this Kingdome, especeallie the renewing of the Confession of the same oath first [framed], which I hope will give satisfaction to all men who could not weill understand it before, when they shall take knowledge of thir bookes. We dar not now give out our judgement fullie; but we will goe on in consideration, to satiefie yow all, and we crave your patience to acquyet yourselfes in it. It must have long tyme; for matters of so great importance cannot be done but accuratelie, for every mans satisfaction.
The Moderatour said—It were better not to toutch it at all then not to handle it accuratelie and solidlie; yet we allow not the Committies for determination of any thing, but only to prepair matters for the Assembly their judgement, and if need be, tyme may be prorogat further to them.