After incalling upon the name of God, there was a letter presented to the Assembly from the some tyme pretendit Bishop of Orkney, testifieing his repentance and dimission of that pretendit office. The tenour followes, [vide Acts, p. 204]:—
After the reading of the said recantation, the Moderatour thanked God who had extorted a testimony out of the mouth of a man who once was ane overseer, &c. I wishe all the rest might take the lyke course.
The Moderatour said—Your Grace remembers that there were appoynted a number of Ministers, with some other worthie members of this Assemblie, upon a Committie for frameing of ane Act upon these thinges that went before in this Assembly, wherein such paines have bein taken as we trust now all the scruples of all the members of the Assembly shall be removed, that so they may behave themselves in every thing incumbent to them as good Christians and good subjects, and we hope to have the consent of the Commissioners Grace to what we doe heir; becaus his Grace hath heard, being a man of understanding, the equitie of our cause, and hath warrand from His Majestie that what he shall find right and reasonable in this Assemblie to give his assent unto it here, and to ratifie it in His Majesties name in the insuing Parliament.
Mr Andro Cant, having a strong voice, was desired to read the Act, the tenor whereof followes—[vide Act, p. 204]:—
After the reading of the said Act, the Moderatour desired Mr Alexʳ Hendersone to speake his judgment of it.
Mr Alexʳ answered—I will not make any discourse, but only tell my owne particular judgment, and I would wishe that anie here who hes any scruples concerning the Act, that they would propone them; for I love rather to satisfie any mans doubts of it, than to fall in any other discourse at this tyme. And for my selfe, it is alse joyfull a day as ever I was witnesse unto, and I hope we shall feede upon the sweit fruites heirafter.
Mr Andro Ramsay being desired to speake, said—I am fullie satisfied, and hes no doubts but ane, that we come short of thanksgiving to our God.
Mr Alexʳ Somervell, desired to give his judgment, said—I cannot testifie the joy that the hearing of that Act breids in my soule. My heart so abounds with it when I consider the former griefes and troubles of this poore Kirk, and what a gracious change is now come in, and albeit some heir have some unnecessar scruples, I thinke they have reason to tredd upon them; and in respect they heare the matter so well concluded, and such a comfortable successe likelie to follow, it may make us all ashamed to entirtaine scruples, but rather studie to randar thankes to our gracious Lord, and wishe all happinesse to King Charles.
Mr Hary Rollock, being next called upon, said—There is nothing left for me to say; only I thinke surely we may reckon ourselves to be like these that dreame; for who would have thought within these few yeares to have heard in any convention of the Kirk of Scotland, such ane Act as this so publictlie read, and hopefull to be made a law in the Church: and these that knowes the difficulties that this poore Church hes laboured under, may justlie in this respect, thinke this day a beginning of joyfull dayes, and I am confident that all that hes ane tender eye to the good of this Church, are wakened with a sweet sunschyne day, above the darke cludy dayes that past before: and I hope all of us shall studie to testifie our thankfulnes to God, and to acknowledge the goodnes of our gracious King, who is pleased to witnes himselfe so loving to his subjects.
Old Mr John Row next called upon, with teares, said—I blesse, I glorifie, I magnifie the God of heaven and earth, that hes pittied this poore Church, and given us such matter of joy and consolation; and the Lord make us thankfull, first to our graceous and loving God, and next obedient subjects to his Majestie, and to thank his Majesties Commissioner for his owne part.