Then Mr George Wischart, Minister of Sᵗ Androwes, was called on, and his proces red, wherein he was accused for rayling against the Covenant, and saying that he should never come in his pulpit if the Covenant were red in it; lykewayes that he had maliciouslie deserted his flocke for the space of 8 monthes, whereas the Act of Dundie beares deprivation upon 40 dayes absence.
Lowdoun said—His non residence will be sufficient to depose him; and the question is only that he was not cited; but, according to the Act, his non residence will depose him absolutelie becaus he went away without advertising the Generall Assemblie.
The Moderatour said—It seemes to me that it will be hard for the Assembly to declair his place vacant; but, if Sᵗ Androwes will take the hazard to find out ane uther who will be willing to supplie his place, they may doe it; for there must be either dimission or deprivation before it be now filled there. There can be no sentence of deprivation against him, till he be either cited, or his proces closed before the Presbitrie; and, in the meanetyme of the proces going on against him in the Presbitrie, and citation used, if he compeare, it is thought he can give no sufficient reason, and so will be worthie of deprivation.
The Assemblie condiscendit to the Moderatours motion, and appoynted that Sanct Androwes shall provide for themselves a Minister, and that Mr George Wischart, upon such considerations, shall be cited, and the Presbitrie to proceed against him.
Then there was a supplication presented from Sᵗ Androwes for provyding of their Ministery, and many pregnant reasons used by them, wherefore they should have ane able Minister, and that their necessitie was considerable, in respect of their corrupt Universities, and the dangerous fruites that a corrupt Ministery had brought foorth amongst them. Then it was asked whom they had sett their eyes on, and the Commissioner from Sᵗ Androwes nammat Mr Andro Flock and Mr Alexʳ Hendersone.
The Commissioner of Edinʳ answered—That he had commission from the town of Edinʳ to supplicat for the transportation of Mr Alexʳ Hendersone to Edʳ, alleadging lykewayse that the toune of Edʳ had the priviledge of being first provydit in their Ministerie.
Moderatour said—Let there be no contest for me, for I have bein thir 24 yeares Minister at Lewchars; and now I am growing ane old, withered, and dry tree, and it is pittie to transport such a ane, least it bring foorth no fruite. And I doe declair ex animo to this Assembly, that, although I have ane earnest desyre, if I had any thing in me to imploy it for the good of the Kirk of Scotland, yet I think I am able to doe more good heir where I am nor any where els; therefore I intreat the Assembly that some may be appoynted to hear my just reasones that I have to give in, why I should not be transported.
Lowdoun said—Becaus the desyre of the parties will be eager on both sydes, therefore, let some indifferent men be chosen by the Assemblie to heare the reasons of the Commissioners of Edinʳ and Sᵗ Androwes both, and your owne reasones lykewayes.
The Commissioners of Edinʳ objected, that there could be no committie chosen for that effect, becaus they had alreadie chosen him to be their Minister, and, lykewayes, they had the priviledge to transport any Minister of the kingdome.
Mr David Dick, Mr Andro Cant, Mr James Bruce was ordained to name a committie.