Records of the Kirk of Scotland / containing the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards, as authenticated by the clerks of assembly.

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

The Assemblie found it expedient, for the preventing of all Innovations which might impede this recovered reformation, that no dangerous motion, tending to the hurt of the Church, be proponed or concluded suddenlie in any Assemblie, Presbiteriall or Provinciall; but when any question shall arise in any inferiour judicatorie, it may be communicat to all others, agitat and disputed in Sessions, Presbitries and Synods, and so might be rypened for the Generall Assemblie: lykewayes, that nothing should come before the Generall Assemblie, but that which came by reference or by appellation, and which could not be discussed by another Inferiour Judicatorie: As also that no reference should be made but orderlie—viz., from Session to Presbitrie, from thence to Synods, and then to the Generall Assemblie.

The Commissioner being come in to the Assemblie, the Moderatour desired his Grace to show the Assemblie the Declaration wherewith his Grace was to subscryve the Covenant.

The Commissioner answered—For my Declaration [it] is verie short. It is nothing els but what I have declaired many a tyme since we mett here; for, as I told yow, when that Act, abolishing Episcopacie and the rest of these evilles, past heir, the 17 of this instant, I was to consent unto that Act in my Masters name, not as a thing that my Masters judgement and opinion willed him unto, but that his tender affection to our satisfaction moved him to assent unto it. Even so now, I am to make a short Declaration, least if my Master should subscryve simplie, he should condemne thinges that are allowed in the Kirk he lives in, and which his judgement assents unto. A king may be a king of divers kingdomes that are of divers religions: and we hope we will not say but he may doe that that may satisfie one of his dominions which will not satisfie another. And for my Declaration quherewith I subscryve the Covenant as the Kings Commissioner, and in his name, it shall not be obligatorie to any Scottis man to subscryve with declaration; neither shall any Scottis subject whatsoever shelter himselfe under it; but if he subscryve not with the Assemblies Declaration, shall be lyable to the censures of the Kirk, and so shall I myselfe be; for as Lord of Traquair I shall subscryve totum compositum, with all the rest of the subjects, even as Mr Archbald Johnstoune subscryves, which I believe is strict enough. And so the Commissioners Grace arose and sought libertie to goe to the Counsell, and the Assemblie to sitt still till he returned.

Thereafter the Supplication was sent in to the Commissioners Grace and Counsell, by the Earle of Argyle, Rothes, Lowdoun, Mr Alexʳ Hendersone, Keir, Provost of Irwing. In the interim the Moderatour exhorted the Assemblie, and speciallie the Ministrie, to call to mynd the old Acts of the Assembly, that were revised, anent the conversation and carriage of Ministers, that by their painfulnes upon their people, the fruites of the Gospell might appeare in the land, that all that lookes on may see that we intendit nothing but reformation; and in particular regrated heavilie the great slighting of the worke of examination, that it was become perfunctorie when it was left to a few dayes before the Communion, and there wished that there should be weeklie examinations, and desired that some of the brethren should speake their judgments.

Mr Robert Blair said—I remember at the last Assemblie that King James was at, holden at Holyrudhous, 1602 yeares, that there were instructions given for the visiting of severall congregations, and a number of questions that the Ministers are to be tryed in; and it is expresslie said there, that they shall be asked whether they have weeklie catechiseing through the year; and whill this be amended there is small hopes that people will be brought to the knowledge of religion.

Mr John Weymes said—It is to be regraited that most parte of Ministers scrufes the mater of catechizing, in making some stand up and repeat verballie words of the catechise upon the Sabboth afternoone, or some select tymes; quhereas some time should be spent everie weeke in teaching the catechetick doctrine.

Mr _____________ said—A great helpe to this were, that familie dueties were instantlie urged and pressed upon all masters of families, that they might take such paines on their children and servands, that when they presented them to us, they might tell us of what nature they were; and so long as familie duties, catechiseing of servands and children, and uther religious exercises, are neglected, our examination will have but a small life.

The Moderatour added—It is very pertinently spocken; for so long as devotion is slighted in privat houses, and masters of families makes not conscience of these that are under their charge, the examination of Ministers is but like threshing on the water, except it be supported by privat diligence.

Mr Thomas Ramsay said—In my judgment, a great helpe to this were to provyde understanding and well affected schoolmasters, who would use diligence and paines upon the people, and that competent meanes were allotted for their mantenance.

Mr John Row said—I thinke a great helpe of all this, were the carefull visitation of particular Kirks by Presbitries, which is greatlie neglected.