II. That the Clerk at least subscribe every Book before it come to the Assembly, and that every Act be noted on the Margent, for a directory of expedition.
III. That the Assembly would seriously studie by all meanes and wayes how to procure the Magistrates concurrence to curb and punish these notorious vices which abound in the Land, especially in the Northern parts.
The Assembly approves the Overtures foresaids, and ordains them to be observed: and for the last, the Assembly being confident of the readinesse of the Judge Ordinar to restrain and punish these faults, Do therefore ordain all Presbyteries to give up to the Justice, the names of the Adulterers, incestuous persons, Witches and Sorcerers, and others guilty of such grosse and fearfull sins within their bounds, that they may be Processed, and punished according to the Laws of this Kingdom; and that the Presbyteries and Synods be carefull herein, as they will answer to the Generall Assemblies. And because that Witch-craft, Charming, and such like, proceeds many times from ignorance; Therefore the Assembly ordains all Ministers, especially in these parts where these sins are frequent, to be diligently Preaching, Catechising, and conferring, to inform their people thereintill.
Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
Act against Petitions, Declarations, and suchlike, in name of Ministers, without their knowledge or consents.
THE Generall Assembly being informed, that after the Petition presented to the Lords of His Majesties Privie Councell by the Noblemen, Burgesses, and Ministers, occasionally met at Edinburgh the 31 day of May last by-past, had received a very gracious Answer, There was another Petition given in to their Lordships upon the _________ day of June last, entituled, The Petition of the Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burrows, Ministers, and Commons: which as it was not accompanied with any one Minister to the Lords of Privie Councell, so all the Ministers of this Assembly, disclaims and disavoweth any knowledge thereof, or accession thereto. And the Assembly conceiving that the Kings Majestie himself, and all the Courts and Judicatories of this Kingdoms may be deluded and abused, and the Kirk in Generall, and Ministers in particular, injured and prejudged by the like practices hereafter, Do therefore prohibite and discharge all and every one to pretend or use the name of Ministers to any Petition, Declaration, or suchlike at any time hereafter, without their knowledge, consent, and assistance: And if any shall doe the contrary, ordaines Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies to proceed against them with the highest censures of the Kirk.
Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
Act anent the Assemblies desires to the Lords of Counsell and Conservators of Peace.
THE Assembly being most desirous to use all, and to omit no lawfull meane or occasion to testifie their zeale by dealing with God and man, for furtherance of their desires of Unity in Religion and uniformity of Kirk-government, And considering the great necessity, that the Kirk and State contribute jointly their best endeavours to this happy end: Therefore enjoynes the Moderator, and the Commissioners from the Assembly, to supplicate with all earnestnesse and respect, the Lords of his Majesties Honourable Privie Councell, and likewise the Commissioners appointed by his Majestie, and the Parliament, for conservation of the Peace, that they may be pleased to concur with the Kirk in the like desires to His Majesty and the Parliament of England, and in the like directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdome, at London for the time, that by all possible means, Civill and Ecelesiastick, this blessed Worke may be advanced, and a happy settling betwixt His Majestie and his Parliament, may be endeavoured, and the common Peace betwixt the Kingdomes continued and strengthened.