Then there was a proces given in against Mr John MᶜNaught, Minister at Chirnsyde; and, after the calling of the rolles, the Assemblie voited that, for deserting of his Paroche, declining his Presbitrie, and preaching of Arminian doctrine, he absolutelie should be deposed, and his kirk declaired to be vacant.
The proces against Mr Francis Harvie was referred to the Commission at Edinburgh. Then Mr Thomas Fosters proces was given in, containeing many grosse and blasphemous poynts; and, after the calling of the rolles, the Assemblie voited that such a minister as he should be put off in a singular manner, and deposed from the ministerie.
Sess. 19.—12 Decʳ 1638.
Bishop of Dunkell.
After prayer to God, there was a letter red, from Mr Alexʳ Lindsay, Bishop of Dunkell, wherein he had declaired, that he had subscryved their Covenant—that the Assemblie was lawfull—and that he submitted himselfe to it, and supplicat the Assemblie that he might die a Minister at Lyneydors. After that his proces was red,
The Moderatour said—Ye heare what is said against him—the common Episcopall transgressions, and many grosse thinges besyde; and it would seeme verie hard that he should be continowed in the Ministerie, except he make his publict repentance, and make some discourse of the Corruptions of the Kirk; and, if he be not able to come to the kirk, let some brethren of the Ministerie, of the gravest number, be sent to him to be witnesses of his recantation and repentance.
Then it was questioned whether the foresaid Bishop should be deposed from the Bishoprick, and all functions in the Ministerie, or whether he should be deposed from his Prelacy only, and, according to his desyre, continowed Minister at Lyneydors?
Mr Androw Cant said—I lyke the Bishops notion weill, that desyres to die a Minister; but it is to be feared that he have respect to his owne credit and meanes, as in former tymes, and so many poore saules disappoynted.
Mr David Dick said—If we believe that Episcopacie is such a wrang to the Crowne of Christ Jesus, and to this Kirk of Scotland, and we believe that the making of so many saules to starve yon way, it is a bloodie sin before God. We must have a speciall cair of restoiring God to his honour; and, therefore, how sicke soever he be, he can write a letter of his full dimission and repentance, utherwayes let him be deposed and excommunicat.
Lowdown said—Howbeit he had sent a formall dimission to the Assembly, it is necessar to use deposition, and, I thinke, what is done heir should be drawen up and sent to him, that he may make his dimission formall, and may restoir what he hes wrongouslie detained pertaining to the Kirk.
After much reasoning to and fro,