My Lord Balmerino said—We have beine searching over the Acts of the Assemblies, and we find that which may be discussed in Presbitries or Assemblies provinciall, shall not trouble the Generall Assembly, and this Act I desire the Clerk to read.
After the reading of it,
The Moderatour asked some of the brethren whether his proces should be closed heir or referred to the Commission at Sᵗ Androwes?
Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Androw Cant, Mr Robert Baillie answered—There are alse grosse and vyle thinges proven against him as might merite deposition heir, yet let him goe to the Commission at Sᵗ Androwes.
Then the Commissioners of Edinburgh presented a supplication from the toune of Edinburgh, for provision of their kirkes with able ministers, alleadging that they not only had the priviledge to choyce their ministers, but lykewayes that their Bill should be first heard.
The Moderatour answered—The Bill of Sᵗ Androwes hes bein first heard alreadie, and therefore it is reason that some answer be given to it, and becaus my name was heard in it, I desyreit my thrie reverend brethren, Mr David Dick, Mr Androw Cant, Mr James Bruce, to thinke on it. I hope they will heare my reasons, and by my reasons they will give satisfaction to the Assembly, to whose judgment I confesse I must submitt myselfe; but I am verie confident of their wisdome and prudence, that they will heare me to the full in such a matter that concernes me so nearlie.
Then the Supplication of the toune of Edinʳ was put in the Clerks hand and red, containing many pregnant reasons for providing their kirks—as that Edʳ was most exposed to the tryell of the corruptions that are imposed upon this Church—that they were the centure of this kingdome—that they were the learnedest auditorie in the kingdome—that much dependit upon their example of yielding or not yielding to the corruptions of the tyme—and that her example prevailed with many uthers, as appeared at this tyme bypast—that her Presbytries was ever esteemed the most pryme in this Church; and for that cause, the indiction of the dyet of Assemblies hes bein committed to it:—That she is first subject to all temptations, as hes appeared by urging the Service Booke first upon her—the resorting of Noblemen, Ministers, &c., and their continowall meetings is there. By all thir, and many moe reasones, neidlesse to be relaited heir, did they urge the transportation of Mr Alexʳ Hendersone from Lewchars to Edinʳ.
Moderatour said—I will never goe to answer any of these arguments used heir with such multiplication, and a great deall of rhetorick, for provydeing the toun of Edinʳ—for it is verie reasonable it be weill provydit; but for my oune parte, all these reasons doe deswade me from granting their desyre; and since there is such great thinges requyred of a minister that is there, surelie my insufficiencie makes me thinke everie argument militat againes my going there, howsoever they be strong for provyding the toune of Edinʳ.
Then there was some brethren appoynted for hearing of Mr Alexʳ Hendersone his reasons, that they might present them to the Assembly the next day.