August 1st. Being advertised by my Lord Wariston to be in town some time before the synod, for advisements, Mr David Dick and I came in on Tuesday August 1st; where some few of us meeting in Wariston’s chamber, advised whom to have on committees for bills, reports, and other things. Our greatest consultation was for the moderator. We foresaw great business was in hand: strangers were to be present: minds of my brethren were exasperated. Mr Henderson was the only man meet for the time: yet it was small credit to us, who so oft were necessitated to employ one man: besides, the moderation would divert him from penning such writs as seemed he behoved to pen before the assembly rose. We were inclined, therefore, that Mr R. Blair should moderate; but by God’s good providence, both to him and to us, he being visited with a flux and gravel, was not able for some days to come from St Andrew’s: therefore necessity drove us to resolve on Mr Alexander; so much the more, as we found that very day his Majesty’s commission was unexpectedly thrust on the Advocate. It seems the commission from Oxford hath come to the Secretary, Lanerk, blank, to be filled with whose name he and some others thought expedient. Sometimes Lindsay, sometimes Glencairn, were spoken of; but both finding the impossibility to execute the instructions to the King and country’s good liking, refused the charge; and put in, beside his knowledge, and contrary to his mind, the Advocate’s name: of whom they had small care, whether he lost himself or not. The instructions were thought to be very hard; yet the Advocate did not execute, nor name any of them to count of; for he was so wise, and so well dealt with by his two sons, that he resolved to say nothing to the church or country’s prejudice.
On Wednesday, August 2d, was a solemn fast for the members of the assembly. Mr Douglas preached before noon, and Mr Henderson after, both very satisfactorily. That same day we had our first session, in a little room off the east church, which is very handsomely dressed for our assemblies in all time coming when we shall have them there, The commissions were given in: some small burghes had none: far-off presbyteries had but one. His Majesty’s commission was read in the the ordinary tenor. Our clerk made the ordinary exception against the clause of the assembly’s translation with the Commissioner’s advice. His Grace offered to get that clause so qualified as hereafter the commission might pass without exception. This at divers times he offered; but want of leisure, or something else, hindered the performance. As the custom is, the moderator gave the leet of one whom he intended, and other three, Mr William Jamison, Mr Robert Murray, and me, whom he knew would not come in balance with Mr Henderson. When we were removed, much din was made for addition to the leet; for divers who knew not the secret, and considered not the necessity of the times, intended to have had Mr James Bonner, or Mr David Lindsay, moderator; neither whereof had been meet. To prevent their design, the leet was framed as you hear; and when they pressed addition, it was voiced, and carried, that notwithstanding of the assembly’s liberty to add, yet at that time it was not expedient to make any addition, so unanimously Mr Henderson was declared moderator. The King’s letter to the assembly was read. The matter was very fair; remembering us of our obligations to him, in conscience, and for the great benefits we had received; and exhorting us to the study of peace; but the inscription was most strange and base, “To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall, and the rest conveened with him in the general assembly,” or such words. Notwithstanding, his Grace shewed us, that he had warrant to declare, in his Majesty’s name, that beside all the benefits already granted, he was willing to do all further what the assembly conceived necessary for the benefit of religion. Argyle desired that this might be put in writ: but presently his Grace began to eat it in: yet promised to give in to-morrow, under his hand: but when it came, it was clogged with prejudicial limitations, that we requested it might be taken back, and no more memory to be of any such offer. There were a great number of noblemen members of the assembly, the Chancellor for Irvine; yet being debated in council, that the Chancellor behoved to carry the purse with the commission, where-ever he appeared with the Great Commissioner, he thought it not expedient to accept the commission; wherefore Eglinton was put in the commission of Irvine, by the commissioners of the presbytery there present. None of the noblemen attended the Commissioner: at once the great commission will become vile. They sat at our table constantly before noon; for afternoon they behoved to keep with the states, Argyle, Sutherland, Marischal, Eglinton, Cassils, Lauderdale, Dumfermling, Dalhousie, Buccleugh, Queensberry, Didup, Angus, Balmerino, Maitland, Coupar, Lindsay, Balcarras, Sinclair, Elcho, and others.
Thursday, August 3d, a commission was received from the presbytery of the Irish army. A committee was appointed to cognosce and report, anent the manifold and most weighty proceedings of the commissioners from the last assembly; another for bills; a third for reports and appeals; a fourth for examination of the provincial synod books: all which were produced and esteemed one of the chiefest and most proper tasks of the general assembly. All the active spirits, and most considerable men, were distribute among these committees. I had still the favour to be in the privy committee of the moderator’s assessors, with Mr Robert Douglas, Mr D. Dickson, Mr S. Rutherford, Mr Gillespie, who albeit not a commissioner, yet I found always much respected by Mr Henderson; but Mr A. Ramsay, and the rest, Mr J. Adamson, Mr W. Colvil, Mr J. Sharp, miskent: for myself, I did keep in this assembly, and the former, silence, so far as I might, both in private and publick; for the longer I live, bold and pert loquacity I like it the worse. The visitation of the university of St Andrew’s was reported; but the work not being perfected it was continued. Much time spent in disputation, if the parliament’s commission should not be enervated by any addition to their commissioners. Always Argyle undertook, the convention of estates and parliament would well allow of any the assembly should add, to get a ready quorum: of purpose time was spent; for we did greatly long for the English commissioners, of whose coming we were well near out of hope, many thinking their stay to be from the Lords denying them a commission, and some from their policy, to make us do, of our own selves, without their desire, what they would be at. All bills were ordained to be given in against Wednesday next. A regret from the north, that there was no execution of laws against excommunicate Papists, was referred to the convention of estates. There were four appointed to nominate preachers during the assembly. It was their good luck to employ few of the best, the most able not being the most ready.
Friday the 4th, much was spoken for the apprehension of excommunicate Papists. The act of parliament provides it to be on the King’s charges. A committee was appointed to try the disobedience of Auchterarder presbytery: upon Mr John Hume’s refusal to be one, as being party, because one of the commission who was wronged, it was debated and resolved, that since the commission might have themselves censured all the disobedients, none of them might be counted parties. Wo had an idle and needless question that day resolved. In the time of my absence, Mr D. Dickson and I were chosen commissioners from the presbytery of Glasgow to the general assembly; so it was like to fall on the principal for the university. Divers bygone years he had avowed, and half protested, that the presbytery should not have power to chuse any member of the university. By this means he was assured never to go commissioner but from the university, and so never on his own charges. This we envied not; but we saw the consequent was, that Mr D. Dickson and I, while we lived, should never more be members of the general assembly but by his good pleasure; which we took for an intolerable incroaching on our ministerial liberties. Of this design we were so much the more confirmed, as, in the next college meeting, he caused elect me commissioner for the university, miskenning the prior election of the presbytery as null. While I peremptorily refused the university’s commission, and did in private deal he might be pleased either to take it himself, or permit it to fall on our vice-chancellor Mr Zachary, both he refused, and resolved upon a course which was the greatest despite he was able to do us in a matter of that kind. Mr David being long grieved, that, by the backwardness of the principal, and others, he could not get his office of dean of faculty execute as he desired, did peremptorily, once or twice, lay down that charge: yet all requested him to keep it, and would chuse no other. Mr R. Ramsay and I, foreseeing the appearance of Mr Edward’s putting in that place, if he continued in his wilfulness, had moved him to be content to continue for one year. This much in effect we made him signify in the university meeting. For all this, such was the principal’s pleasure, that he will have a new dean of faculty chosen; and, passing by Mr R. R. gets Mr Edward Wright elected, first dean of faculty, then commissioner. This I took for a dispiteful affront; and so avowed, that by a new visitation we would essay to have our university otherwise ruled; for we thought strange, that the principal, at thir times, should essay to have places filled with men who notoriously were not only at his own devotion, such as vice-chancellor and dean of faculty, but also otherwise minded in the publick affairs than we did wish; such as the Marquis of Hamilton, Chancellor; the Commissar, Rector; and his three assessors, Mr John Hay, Mr W. Wilkie, Mr G. Forsyth, three regents; Mr D. Monro, Mr D. Forsyth, Mr W. Semple, master of the grammar; all of his own creation, to be employed for any thing he pleased. We did storm at this, and I most. Easily we might help all these: but I dare not essay it; for it would be sundry of their undoing, from which my mind in cold blood does abhor on any, but especially on these men, my dear friends, and otherwise some of them well deserving of their places. So, as before I did truly, by myself and others, at the assembly at Glasgow, see to Dr Strang’s safety, when his place was in great hazard by his great provocations, the subscribing the petition against ruling elders, ending in a real protestation; the subscribing of the covenant with very dangerous limitations; the deserting of the assembly itself, after some days sitting as commissioner; All these three being imputed to him as the only author, did create much wrath in our nobles against him, which yet is not forgot. My fears that the least complaint against him would bring on him a censure which I would not be able to moderate, forced me to be quiet; only I made the moderator propone in general, whether university-men might be chosen commissioners by presbyteries? This being affirmed by all, put his needless quarrel out of question. Also I got the commission for visitation renewed with such men as I thought fittest. This I intend for a wand to threat, but to strike no man, if they will be pleased to live in any peaceable quietness, as it fears me, their disaffection to the country’s cause will not permit some of them to do.
Saturday, the 5th, your business came in. I confess we needed not, neither Mr G. Gillespie nor I, solicit any in it: the moderator was of himself so careful of it, both for his regard to you, and the matter itself; as also to take that occasion by the top to banish altogether church-burial from among us, as well of noble as ignoble persons. This day your letter and informations were read, but delayed to be considered for divers days thereafter; always at last unanimously you had all you desired clearly determined.
Upon the regret of the extraordinary multiplying of witches, above thirty being burnt in Fife in a few months, a committee was appointed to think on that sin, the way to search and cure it. The Scots of Ireland did petition for supply of ministers, and were well heard. Sir John Scot’s bill, for pressing presbyteries to describe their own bounds, was not so much regarded,
Sunday, the 6th, Mr David Dick preached well, as always, in the New Church before noon, but little of the present affairs; for as yet men knew not what to say, the English commissioners not being yet come.
But on Monday, the 7th, after we were ashamed with waiting, at last they landed at Leith. The Lords went, and conveyed them up in coach. We were exhorted to be more grave than ordinary; and so indeed all was carried to the end with much more awe and gravity than usual. Mr Henderson did moderate with some little austere severity, as it was necessary, and became his person well. That day, one Abercrombie being delate of clear murder, was ordained to be excommunicate summarily. He had been in process for adultery. The Presbytery of Garioch, for fear of the roan, had been too slack in it; so the man killed, in a drunken plea, his wife’s son, who had married his own daughter. The synod of Aberdeen was directed to censure the presbytery of Garioch for their unhappy slackness, and the moderator of the presbytery was ordained, immediately on his departure from the assembly, to go to the murderer’s parish-church, and without any citation, or any delay, the fact being notour, and the person fugitate, to excommunicate him, and to cause intimate the censure the Sabbath following in all the churches of the presbytery, not to be relaxed till he gave satisfaction also for the slander of adultery.
Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9th, and Thursday 10th, the moderator shewed, that two of the English ministers had been at him, requiring to know the most convenient way of their commissioners address to the synod. It was thought meet to send some of our number, ministers and elders, to salute and welcome them. Mr R. Douglas, Mr G. Gillespie, my Lord Maitland, and I, were named; therefore we resolved, their own order of address whereby they admitted our commissioners to their parliament, should be fittest; that their access to the assembly, as private spectators, should be when they would; for which end a place, commodious, above in a gallery, was appointed for them; but as commissioners, their access should not be immediately to the assembly, but to some deputed to wait on them, who should report from them to the assembly, and from it to them, what was needful. So to us four were joined other four, with the moderator, Mr D. Dickson, Mr S. Rutherford, my Lord Angus, and Wariston, a committee of nine. The convention of estates used the same way of communication with them, naming for a committee, Lindsay, Balmerino, Wariston, Humbie, Sir John Smith, Mr Robert Barclay. When we met, four gentlemen appeared, Sir William Armin, Sir Henry Vane younger, one of the gravest and ablest of that nation, Mr Halcher, and Mr Darley, with two ministers, Mr Marshall and Mr Nye. They presented to us a paper introduction, drawn by Mr Marshall, a notable man, and Sir Harry, the drawers of all their writs; also their commission from both Houses of Parliament, giving very ample power to the Earl of Rutland, Lord Gray, and these four, to treat with us, and to the two ministers, to assist in all ecclesiastick affairs, according to their instructions given or to be given, or to any four of them; also they presented a declaration of both houses to our general assembly, shewing their care of reforming religion, their desire of some from our assembly to join with their divines for that end, and withal our assembly’s dealing, according to their place, for help from our state to them; likewise a letter from their assembly to them, subscribed by their prolocutor Dr Twisse, and his two assessors, Mr Whyte and Dr Burgess, shewing their permission from the parliament to write to us, and their invitation of some of us to come for their assistance; further, a letter, subscribed by above seventy of their divines, supplicating, in a most deplorable style, help from us in their present most desperate condition. All these pieces, I think, you shall have in print. Few words did pass among us. All these were presented by us to the assembly, and read openly. The letter of the private divines was so lamentable, that it drew tears from many. It was appointed, that the forenamed committee should make ready the answers for all, to be presented to the assembly with all convenient speed. Above all, diligence was urged; for the report was going already of the loss of Bristol, from which they feared his Majesty might march for London, and carry it. For all this, we were not willing to precipitate a business of such consequence. Our state had sent up Mr Meldrum; we expected him daily, with certain information, as indeed he came within a few days; and then we made all the haste we might. There was in the moderator’s chamber a meeting sundry times of the prime nobles, and some others, where I oftentimes was present. I found, however, all thought it necessar to assist the English; yet of the way there was much difference of opinions. One night all were bent to go as ridders, and friends to both, without siding altogether with the parliament. This was made so plausible, that my mind was with the rest for it; but Wariston has alone shewed the vanity of that motion, and the impossibility of it. In our committees also we had hard enough debates. The English were for a civil league, we for a religious covenant. When they were brought to us in this, and Mr Henderson had given them a draught of a covenant, we were not like to agree on the frame; they were, more than we could assent to, for keeping of a door open in England to Independency. Against this we were peremptor. At last some two or three in private accorded to that draught, which all our three committees, from our states, from our assembly, and the parliament of England, did unanimously assent to. From that meeting it came immediately to our assembly; in the which, at the first reading, being well prefaced with Mr Henderson’s most grave oration, it was received with the greatest applause that ever I saw any thing, with so hearty affections, expressed in the tears of pity and joy by very many grave, wise, and old men. It was read distinctly the second time by the moderator. The minds of the most part was speired, both of ministers and elders; where, in a long hour’s space, every man, as he was by the Moderator named, did express his sense as he was able. After all considerable men were heard, the catalogue was read, and all unanimously did assent. In the afternoon, with the same cordial unanimity, it did pass the convention of estates. This seems to be a new period and crisis of the most great affair which these hundred years has exercised thir dominions. What shall follow from this new principle, you shall hear as time shall discover.
The committee for revising the acts of the commissioners of the last assembly, took up the most of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with their report. All was approven; Maitland for his happy diligence thanked; so likewise Argyle, and Birkenbog, for their apprehending of two priests. Every presbytery, university, and parish, were ordained to get a covenant, to be subscribed by all their members. We were fashed with two questions. My Lord Balvaird bad deserted his ministry, and came in the convention of estates to voice as a Lord. A minister in the south had purchased a lairdship, and, as a laird, had come to the meeting of the shire, and voiced for chusing a commissioner to the convention. Both of them were furtherers of the Balvaird way. After much reasoning, we determined, that both did wrong; that Lord Balvaird should keep his ministry, and give over voicing in parliament, under pain of deposition, and further censure; that the other should no more sit nor voice in any court. A thorny business came in, which the moderator, by great wisdom, got cannily convoyed. The brethren of Stirling and Perth had made great outcries, that the commission had authorised the clerk, in printing the assembly-acts, to omit two acts of Aberdeen, one anent the Sabbath, another about novations. In both these satisfaction was given: That our bounding the Sabbath from midnight to midnight might offend some neighbouring kirks: As for the other act, about novations, it was expressed also clearly in the printed acts of the posterior assembly, to be made use of by all who had occasion. These things were so well delivered, that all were quieted. Mr Harry Guthrie made no din. His letter was a wand above his head to discipline him, if he should mute. The presbytery of Auchterarder was under the rod, to be made an example to all who would be turbulent. After long examination of their business, at last they were laureat. Some two or three of that presbytery, when many of the gentry who were not elders, were permitted to sit among them, and reason against the warning and declaration; and when Ardoch presented reasons in writ against these pieces; yet they who were proven to have been forward for the present reading of these pieces, were commended. Others who, notwithstanding of the presbytery’s conclusion, of not reading, yet did read, were, for voicing the continuation, gently rebuked. Others who at last caused read parts of them, and Mr James Row, who caused read them before himself came in, were sharply rebuked, and their names delate from among the members of this assembly. Mr John Graham, who now the second time had spoken scandalous speeches of the commission, was made to confess his fault in face of the assembly on his knees, and suspended till the next provincial. Ardoch, an old reverend gentlemen, for his former zeal, was spared; only was urged upon oath to reveal the persons from whom he had the reasons contrare to the warning. Mr Harry Guthrie of Angus, a suspected person, for not by name expressing of the malignants in a sermon at the provincial, was made on his knees to crave pardon, and promise amendment. Mr Andrew Logie, who lately had been reposed to his ministry, being cited to answer many slanderous speeches in pulpit, not compearing, but by an idle letter to the moderator, was deposed, without return to that church for ever. Dr Forbes, whose sentence of deposition at Aberdeen I had got to be suspended till the presbytery of Edinburgh had essayed to gain him to our covenant; they, when they found no hope, pronounced the sentence. This he thought unjust, and moved in the provincial of Aberdeen, that they would try in this assembly if he might be permitted to bruik his place, though he could not subscribe our covenant. It was determined his deposition was valid from the beginning, and that he, and all other, should either subscribe, or be farther processed. It was complained, that Huntly received sundry excommunicated Papists in his service; that he had no worship in his family; that these seventeen years he had not communicate, but once with the excommunicate Bishop of Aberdeen. Of these he was ordained to be admonished by his presbytery. Hereof he was quickly advertised; so that, ere we arose, he sent to us, under the hand of some neighbour-ministers, a testification of his good carriage. But the former information being verified, the attesting ministers were ordained to be rebuked. Sir John Seaton of Barns, after a fair excuse of his Irish oath, was ordained to be conferred with for subscribing our covenant within a certain time; and upon his disobedience, to be processed, and have his daughter removed. Mr Robert Dogliesh was elected church-treasurer, for the debursing of the £500 Sterling as the commissioners of the church should appoint. The commissioners who went to Ireland were thanked; Mr Jo. Maclelland, for not going, called to answer: his health excused him. The same reason excused the visitors of Orkney for their omission. Others were appointed to go this year to both places.