After prayer, the Supplication of the Toune of Glasgow being againe presented to the Assemblie for the transportation of Mr David Dicksone, present Moderatour, from Irwing to Glasgow, he desired Mr Alexʳ Hendersone to moderat till that parte was discussed, requeasting the Assembly hold their eyes single upon the glorie of God and good of the publict, in respect he had casten the conclusions of his mynd upon the determination of the Assembly.
The Committie appoynted for hearing all reasons and preparing of them for the Assembly, being desired to reporte their diligence, gave in with the reasons of the Toune of Irwing why the said Mr David should not be transported, with the answers of the Towne of Glasgow to these reasons, together with the replyes of the Toune of Irwing to these answers, and the duplyes of the Toune of Glasgow to these replyes—all which, with many other powerfull and persuasive reasons, delyvered by mouth of Mr Robert Barclay and my Lord Eglintoun on the one hand, and the Commissioners of Glasgow and Ministerie on the other hand, being all publictlie read and heard to the full, the matter was putt to voiceing.
Mr Alexʳ Carse, being first in the roll, said—Ye have to consider—erit judicium, res erit in effectum. Yet when the affection hath any reasonable centure of judgement, it is dispensable with. What heartie affection we affect that noble Earle who hes interest in our Moderatour—not for any personall or partiall respect, yet in such sort that next unto God who upon the Mount was seene—next unto the Kings Majestie, who made us heare the voice of joy, we owe ourselves to these worthie Nobles; and such by mediation have beene instruments to procure our happinesse. Therefore, for my oune judgement, it were a hard case to remove a tree thus well grounded and faithfull, but keeping it still that it may bring foorth more fruite. Therefore I voice for Irwing.
The roll being called, the voices for Irwing exceeded the voices for Glasgow about the number of 24.
The Committie for Reportes were desired to give in their diligence to the Clerk, that particular notice might be taken of their proceedings.
The Commissioner said—You remember at our first entrie to this Assemblie, we layd all doune a conclusion for eschueing of rockes—to witt—aither the mentioning or prejudging the Assemblie of Glasgow; and I conceave some processes that have been deduced against some Ministers for whom numbers of Supplications are presented to me, that their case may be represented to this Assemblie; for as I desire that these whose cases are so considerable may be taken to heart, so, on the other pairt, whosoever shall be found by this Assembly to deserve such sentences as have beene past against them, I shall consent unto it willinglie: for as I desire to eschue the one rocke, so would I have yow holden off the other. Therefore, I shall represent to your consideration if it shall not be fitt that there be some of this number from all corners of this Kingdome, where thir men live, who hath beene processed, and doth now supplicat; that may meit in privat with me; and it may be, when particulars are considered by us, we fall upon some mids which both may satisfie this Assemblie as eschue such rockes as hitherto we have shuned.
The Assemblie said, this desire of the Commissioners Grace is most reasonable; and therefore did appoynt that the Moderatour or Clerk of everie Commission, or, in their absence some other worthie minister, with a ruleing elder from everie ane of the several Commissions, should meit with the Committie for Reportes, and my Lord Commissioners Grace at Kinghornes lodging.
A committie appoynted for taking up of the names of expectants, vacant churches, and deposed ministers for non conformitie, or holden out for that cause. (Hic deest.) To meit in the Assembly house at 3 a clocke in the afternoone.
To meit tomorrow at 9 a clocke.