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 Assembly continues until the morn at ten hours that Examination of the Proceedings of the Commission of the late Assembly, and do appoint that time for Hearing any New Exceptions the Committee of Estates hath to give in against the Proceedings of the said Commission.

Paper sent into the Assembly.

Whereas it hath been the constant Care and Endeavor of the Parliament and Committee of Estates, To use all means for removing and setling the Differences betwixt the Church and the State; and in pursuance of that good way, The Committee did yesterday give in some new Desires and Offers to the Gen. Assembly, That some might be appointed to meet and confer with such as should be appointed by the Committee therupon: But since instead of imbracing and laying hold of this opportunity of composing Differences, The Gen. Assembly doth proceed toward an approbation of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the Assembly, wherby we conceive all hopes of making up the Breaches will be removed, and the prejudices will be great that will thereby ensue to this cause and Kingdom; For preventing whereof, we hold our selves obliged again, to desire you, as you tender the furtherance of the work of Reformation, the Good, Peace, and union of the Kingdoms, and the composing of all Differences and Jealousies, that you would apply your selves to these our Desires, and appoint some of your Number to confer with us therupon for the Exceptions we have against the proceedings of the Commissioners of the Gen. Assembly: We have confidence a Conference may preveen the same, and are more willing not to give them in at all, or at least only to give them in to those you shall appoint to confer with us, that if it be possible Differences may yet be removed, then that we be necessitate to appear in publick amongst them: And that this and our former Paper may remain as a testimony of our Desires for Unitie and Peace, we desire that they may be Recorded in the Books of the General Assembly.

The Assembly do give this humble return to the Papers sent this day from the Hon. Committee of Estates, That they are most willing to appoint a conference with any of their Lordsh. number, but that according to the Order and Acts of former Gen. Assemblies, they conceive themselves obliged, first to examine the proceedings of the Commission of the late Gen. Assembly, and thereafter shall be willing to confer, being also now ready as of before to hear Exceptions, if there be any, against the proceedings of the said Commission.

Subscrib.A. Ker.

The Committee of Estates understanding that the Gen. Assembly is to proceed to the examination of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the late Gen. Assembly in order to an approbation before they agree to a Conference; and the Committee being to give in their just exceptions against the proceedings of the said Commissioners, do desire the Gen. Assembly to allow some few dayes delay to the Committee to prepare their Exceptions before the Assembly proceed in the Business.

The Assembly continues the examination of the Proceedings of the late Gen. Assembly until four afternoon, and appoints that time for Hearing any new Exceptions the Honorable Committee of Estates have to give in against the Proceedings of the said Commission,

Subscrib.A. Ker.

The Committee of Estates finding it impossible in so short a time to prepare their Objections against such of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, as relates to their Engagement: and yet being most willing to essay all fair means for procuring an happy Understanding betwixt Kirk and State, are content to appoint some of their Number to meet with such as shall be appointed by the General Assembly for Composing of Differences betwixt the Church and State, without prejudice to them to use all their just Objections against the proceedings of the Commissioners of the late General Assembly, if the Conference shall not produce these happy Effects they earnestly wish.

The General Assembly unto the Motion sent this afternoon from the Honorable Committee of Estates, Do return humbly this Answer, That they yeeld to their Lordships Desires of a Conference, and for this end appoints Mʳˢ David Calderwood, David Dickson, Robert Douglass, Andrew Cant, John Moncreif, John Smith, and John Mac Clelland, Ministers; and the Earl of Cassilles, the Earl of Louthian, Lord Balmerino, the Lairds of Moncreif and Freeland, with the Moderator to confer with any appointed by the Honorable Committee of Estates, at such time and place as shall be appointed by their Lordships, upon the present Dangers to Religion and the Cause of God, the great prejudices done to the Liberties of the Kirk, and the best remedies thereof: And to Report the Result of their Conference from time to time: And they have also Power to receive any Offers or Papers from the Honorable Committee of Estates, and to present the same to the Assembly: Declaring that the proceedings of the Commission of the late Assembly being now exactly tryed, and unanimously approven, there is no place left for any Objections against the same.