Commission for a conference of Ministers, Lawyers and Physitians, Concerning the tryal and punishment of Witchcraft, Charming and Consulting.
THE Generall Assembly Taking to their serious consideration the growth of the sins of Witchcraft, Charming and Consulting, notwithstanding the frequent Recommendations for restraining thereof; And remembring that the Generall Assembly 1647, did propose A good way for the tryall and punishment of these sinnes, by appointing conferences with some Ministers, Lawyers and Physitians in that matter which hath never yet taken effect; Therefore the Assembly doth Appoint Masters Robert Dowglas, Robert Blair, Mungo Law, James Hammilton, John Smith, Robert Traill, George Leslie, John Hamilton, John Duncan, Samuel Rutherfoord, James Wood, John Leviston, James Guthrie, Andro Cant, David Calderwood, John Moncreiff, Frederick Carmichael, James Durhame, Patrick Gillespie, Robert Ker, Ephraim Melvill, Ministers To consider seriously of that matter, And to consult and advise therein amongst themselves, As also with Sir Archbald Johnston of Wariston Clerk Register, Mr Thomas Nicolson his Majesties Advocate, Mr Alex. Peirson, one of the ordinary Lords of Session, Sir Lewes Stewart, Mr Alex. Colvill, and Mr James Robertson, Justice Deputes, Mrs Rodger Mowet, John Gilmoir, and John Nisbet, Lawers; and with Doctors Sibbald, Cunninghame, and Purves, Physitians, severally or together as occasion shall offer; And the Assembly earnestly requests and confidently expects from these learned and judicious Lawyers and Physitians beforenamed, their best endeavours and concurrence with their brethren of the Ministrie for advise and counsell herein, and for conference in the said matter; And Ordaine the said brethren to make report of the result of their consultations and conferences from time to time as they make any considerable progresse to the Commission for publick affairs, And the said Commission shall make report to the next Generall Assembly.
Recommendation for maintenance of Schoolmasters and Precenters.
THE Generall Assembly doe humbly Recommend to the Parliament or Committee for plantation of Churches, that whatever either in Paroches of Burghs or Landwart, was formerly given to the maintenance of these who were readers precentors in Congregations, and teachers of Schooles before the establishing of the Directory for publick Worship, may not be in whole or in part alienat or taken away, but be reserved for the maintenance of sufficient schoolmasters and precentors who are to be approven by the Presbyterie; And Presbyteries are hereby required to see that none of that maintenance given to the foresaid uses or in use to be payed thereunto before the establishing of the Directory of Worship, be drawn away from the Church.
Act concerning persons to be admitted Bursars.
THE Assembly doe hereby Ordaine That none be sent to Universities from Presbyteries, nor be admitted as Bursars of divinitie, but pious youths, and such as are known to be of Good expectation and approven abilities.