That an uniforme Catechisme may be appointed to be used throughout this whole Kingdome, in the examinations before the Communion.
The Assembly alloweth this article.
That all Ministers or Intrants presented to Kirks, be tryed before their admission, if they be qualified for the places to which they are presented, besides the ordinary tryalls of Expectants before their entrie to the Ministerie.
The Assembly alloweth this Article.
Sess. XXIII. 30 Aug. 1639.
The Supplication of the Generall Assembly to the Kings Majesties Commissioner, concerning the Book, called “The Large Declaration.”
WEE, the Members of this present Assembly, for our selves, and in name of the severall Presbyteries, Burghs, and Universities for which we are Commissioners, resenting the great dishonour done to God, our King, this Kirk, and whole Kingdome, by the Book called “A Large Declaration,” have here represented the same to your Grace, and have collected some, amongst many, of false, grosse, and absurd passages; That, from the consideration thereof, your Grace, perceiving the intolerable evils foresaids contained therein, may be pleased to represent the same to our gracious Soveraigne, and in our behalfs humbly to beseech his Majestie, so much wronged by the many foul and false relations, suggested and perswaded to him as trueths, and by stealing the protection of His Royall Name and Authoritie to the patrocine of such a Book: To be pleased first to call in the said Book, and thereby to shew his dislike thereof: Next, to give Commission and warrant to cite all such parties as are either knowne or suspect to have had hand in it, and to appoint such as His Majestie knowes to be either authors, informers, or any wayes accessarie, being Natives of this Kingdome, To be sent hither to abide their tryall and censure before the Judge Ordinary, and in speciall Master Walter Balcanquell, now Deane of Durhame, who is known and hath professed to be the author, at least avower and maintainer of a great part thereof; that by their exemplar punishment, others may be deterred from such dangerous courses, as in such a way to raise sedition betwixt the King and His Subjects, Gods honour may be vindicate from so high contempt, His Majesties justice may appear, not only in cutting away such Malefactors, but in discouraging all such under-miners of His throne, His loyall and loving Subjects shall be infinitely contented to be cleared before the world of so false and unjust imputations, and will live hereafter in the greater securitie, when so dangerous a course of sedition is prevented, and so will have the greater and greater cause to pray for his Majesties long and prosperous Reigne.
His Majesties Commissioner in Councell having received the said Supplication, promised to impart the same to His Majesty, and to report his diligence therein.