Berwick, July 17, 1639.
1639.—July 27.
62. Instructions by the King to Traquair as Commissioner.[225]
Charles R.
At the first Meeting of the Assembly, before it be brought in dispute who shall preside, you shall appoint him who was Moderator in the last Assembly, to preside in this till a new Moderator be chosen.
We allow that Lay-elders shall be admitted Members of this Assembly; but in case of the Election of Commissioners for Presbyteries the Lay-elders have had Voice, you shall declare against the informality thereof, as also against Lay-elders having voice in Fundamental Points of Religion.
At the first opening of the Assembly, you shall strive to make the Assembly sensible of Our Goodness, that, notwithstanding all that is past, whereby We might justly have been moved not to hearken to their Petitions, yet We have been Graciously pleased to grant a Free General Assembly, and for great and weightie Considerations have commanded the Archbishops and Bishops not to appear at this Assembly.
You shall not make use of the Assessors in publick, except you find you shall be able to carry their having Vote in Assembly.
You shall labour to your uttermost that there be no question made about the last Assembly; and, in case it come to the worst, whatever shall be done in Ratification, or with relation to the former Assembly, Our Will is, that you declare the same to be done as an Act of this Assembly, and that you consent thereunto onely upon these terms, and no ways as having any relation to the former Assembly.
You shall by all means shun the Dispute about Our Power in Assemblies; and if it shall be urged or offered to be disputed whether We have the Negative Voice or the sole power of Indicting, and consequently of Dissolving, except you see clearly that you can carry the same in Our Favours, stop the Dispute; and rather than it be decided against Us, stop the course of the Assembly until We be advertised.