Sess. 6.—August 16. Hora nona.
After prayer, the Moderatour asked if the Commissioners Grace had anything to say concerning these seven evilles, that hath so greatlie troubled this Kirk, which have bein represented unto your Grace.
The Commissioner answered—I was desirous that yow, with some of your brethren, should take the paines to come to me yesternight, that so we might conceave a way how to order our carriage, that, both in voicing and conceaving of the Acts, it might be so done as I might be satisfied, and my Master also, wherein I fand a great deale of satisfactione. The first thing which yow offered to your consideration, to be the occasion of these illes, was Episcopacie. My Master was pleased at the Campe to say so far, that if it could be made appeare to him, (notwithstanding of his owne inclination and opinion, which his breeding and the Kirk of Scotland [England] doth possiblie give him of Episcopacie,) by the Assembly of the Kirk, that it was contrare to the Constitutions of this Church, he commanded me, not only to concurre with yow, but to doe all that could be expected from so good and graceous a King, both by my consenting to it, and ratifieing it in Parliament. I was desirous that course might be taken, how all our proceedings might be grounded upon reason; and upon this ye were pleased to cause read the Constitutions of the Kirk, and I, by the Clerks paines, and uther helpes that I have gotten, and by that that passed amongst ws yesterday in privat, am satisfied, and I believe ye know all, what conclusion I would make—that I desire to be taken pro confesso: onlie I did represent to their consideration, whether they should be conceaved all in one Act, or to voice them severallie.
The Moderatour said—There can be no questiones amongst us who would eschue the rockes we spock of yesterday; but it will be satisfactorie unto us if there be one Act past heir and ratified in Parliament, and this, as we conceave, will be the best way to keepe us off rockes.
The Moderatour desired the Clerk to proceed in reading the rest of the Acts and Constitutions of the Church.
The Commissioner answered—It is not necessary for yow to proceed any further, except it be for the satisfactione of some of yourselves, for I tell yow I am satisfied; and, in his Majesties name, will consent to the Act against these things.
The Moderatour said—We acknowledge his Majesties bountie and goodnes in so doing. We desyre to give declaration of our reasonable desires and proceedings, that it may be seene all is granted to us for these reasons. Therefore it is expedient that all our reasons and grounds to proceed against these evills be read and make manifest.
The Commissioner said—When we shall consider of thir thinges that were established by law—when we shall consider that some of them were practised in his Majesties fathers tyme, a wise and religious Prince, and never questioned till now—I hope it shall move us to thinke more of his Majesties goodnes, who hes a greater care of our contentment then we could have expected.
The Clerk proceedit in reading the Reasons and Acts against the Fyve Articles.
The Moderatour said—Your Grace hes heard the reasons; and as we desire to rander to his Majestie, humble and heartie thankes for dischargeing these illes, so we desire that these reasons and grounds of our lawfull proceedings may be showen to his Majestie, that it may be made evident to his Majestie and to all the world, that we have beene very reasonable in all our proceedings, and especiallie at Glasgow, which they have so much traduced to his Majestie.