II. The indiction of it was so unformall, that as the scroll declareth, a great part of the Commissioners from Synods, Burrows, and gentle-men, would not be present.
III. The Kings Majestie in his letter to Perths Assembly, acknowledged it was but a meeting, wherein disgrace was offered to his Majestie.
IV. The former corruptions of the foure preceding Assemblies had their confluence in this and the subsequent Assembly.
Reasons for annulling the pretended Assembly, holden at Perth, 1618.
I. The Assembly was indicted but twentie dayes before the holding of it: and all parties requisit received not advertisement, as appeareth by their absence. The untimous indicting of it, is cleared by Presbyterie books.
II. There was no election of the Moderatour, as was accustomed to be in lawfull Assemblies; The register cleareth this.
III. No formall election of their new Clerk.
IIII. There were five whole Dioces absent, viz. Orknay, Cathnes, Rosse, Argyll, and Isles: and many Presbyteries had no Commissioners there, as the register of that pretended Assembly beareth.
V. There were nineteen noblemen and Barrons, eleven Bishops that had no Commission from the Kirk. Whereas the act for constitution of Assemblies, ordaineth every Burgh to have but one Commissioner, except Edinburgh, which may have two (Act at Dundie 1597) yet in that pretended Assembly, Perth had three Commissioners, Dundie, had two, Glasgow had two, and St. Andrews had two: Of the Burghes, there were there six absent: And for ruling Elders, there were none at all with commission from their Presbyteries. All these things are cleared by the records of that pretended Assemblie.