1637.—October 17.
16, 17, 18. Acts of Council.[41]
Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.
Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Kings Majestie, upon divers good respects and considerations, to give warrant and direction to the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell, for dissolving the meeting of this Councell day, in so farre as concerneth matters of the Church: And that everie one that hath come to attend this businesse, repaire to their owne dwellings, except such persons as shall make knowne to the said Lords of Councell just cause of stay for their particular affaires; Therefore the said Lords, according to his Majesties speciall warrant and direction sent unto them, have dissolved, and by the tenour hereof doe dissolve the meeting of this Councell day, in so farre as concernes the businesse above written; And ordaines a Maissar of Councell to passe to the Mercate Crosse of Edinburgh, and to make publication hereof; And to command everie one that hath come hither to attend this businesse, to repaire home to their owne dwellings within 24. houres after the publication hereof, except such persons as shall make knowne to the said Lords just cause of their further particular affaires in manner aforesaid, under the paine of Rebellion, and putting of them to the Horne; with certification to them, that if they faile they shall be denounced Rebels, and be put to the Horn, and all their moveable goods escheat to his Majesties use.
Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.
Forasmuch as it hath pleased the Kings Majestie, upon divers great and good considerations knowne to his Majestie, to remove his Councell and Session from the Citie of Edinburgh to the Burgh of Dundie: And whereas it is inconvenient at this time to remove it so farre, his Majestie is graciously pleased that this next Session shall be holden at the Burgh of Linlithgow, and the next after the ordinarie vacants at the Burgh of Dundie: And there to remaine during his Majesties pleasure: And therefore the said Lords, according to his Majesties speciall direction, ordaines Maissars or Officers of Armes to passe and make publication hereof to all his Majesties good subjects by open Proclamation at all places needfull, whereby they can pretend no ignorance thereof, but may prepare themselves to attend at Linlithgow and Dundie accordingly.
Apud Edinburgh, Octob. 17. 1637.
Forasmuch as the Kings Majestie is credibly informed, that there is a certaine booke intituled, A Dispute against the English Popish Ceremonies, obtruded upon the Kirke of Scotland, and hath beene sent abroad and dispersed in this Kingdome, purposely to stirre the hearts and affections of the subjects from their due obedience and allegence: And therefore it hath pleased his Majestie to give order and direction to his Councell, that diligent inquirie and search be made for the said booke; And for this effect the said Lords ordaines letters to be directed to make intimation and publication to all his Majesties subjects, that such of them as have anie of the said bookes, bring in the same to the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell betwixt the date of this Proclamation and the __________ day of ______________ And the said bookes being brought in, that the same be publikely burnt, certifying all his Majesties subjects if any of those bookes shall be found or knowne to have beene with any of them after the time aforesaid, that they shall incurre the like censure and punishment as the Authour may be found to deserve for any thing contained in that booke.
1637.—October 18.
19. Act of Council.[42]
At Haly-rud-house the 18 of Octob. 1637.
Forasmuch as a number of the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell, as likewise the Towne Councell of Edinburgh, being this day conveened in their severall Judicatories for his Majesties speciall affaires and service, they were most rudely interrupted in the course of their proceedings, by a tumultuous gathering of the promiscuous and vulgar multitude, by whom his Majesties Councell and servants in an open way was shamefully environed: Which being a matter verie disgracefull to his Majesties Authoritie and lawfull Government, and which in the consequence thereof may produce dangerous effects, if the like bee not prevented in the time to come; Therefore the Lords of Secret Councell, according to the dutie of their place and charge incumbent unto them, Ordaines a Maissar of Councell to passe to the Mercate Crosse of Edinburgh, and there by open Proclamation to discharge all publike gatherings and convocations of his Majesties subjects within the Citie of Edinburgh, and upon the streets thereof; As likewise all private meetings tending to faction and tumult: And in his Majesties name and authoritie, to command and charge all his Majesties lieges and inhabitants within the said Citie, to containe themselves in peace and quietnesse; And for that effect to keepe their houses, except when their lawfull businesse doth otherwise call them, Under all highest paine and charge that by rigour of law can be inflicted upon the contraveeners of the premises in manner above expressed.