30. July 1649. Antemeridiem Sess. 30.
Act concerning Catechising.
The Generall Assembly taking to their serious Consideration the great darknesse and Ignorance, wherein a great part of this Kingdom lyeth, together with the late Solemn Engagement, to use all means for remedy thereof, doe ordaine every Minister with assistance of the Elders of their severall Kirk sessions to take course, that in every house where there is any who can read, there be at least one Copie of the Shorter and Larger Catechisme, Confession of Faith and Directorie for Familie worship. And doe renew the Act of the Assemblie August 30. 1639. for a day of weeklie Catechising, to be constantly observed in every Kirk, And that every Minister so Order their Catethetick Questions, as thereby the People, (who doe not conveen all at one time but by turns unto that exercise) may at every dyet have the chief heads of saving knowledge in a short view presented unto them, And the Assembly considering that notwithstanding of their former Act, these dyets of weekly Catechising are much slighted and neglected by many Ministers throughout this Kingdome, Doe therefore Appoint and Ordaine every Presbytery, to take triall of all the ministers within their bounds once at least in the halfe year, whither they be carefull to keep weekly dyets of Catechising; And if they shall finde any of their number negligent herein they shall admonish for the first fault, and if after such admonition they shall not amend, The Presbyterie for the second fault shall rebuke them sharply, and if after such rebuke they doe not yet amend, they shall be suspended.
4 Aug. 1649. Antemeridiem Sess. 40.
Commission for publick Affaires.
The Generall Assemblie Considering how necessary it is for preservation of Religion in this Kingdom, and prosecution of the work of uniformity in all his Majesties dominions, That the Commissions formerly granted to that effect be renewed: Therefore they doe renew the power and Commission granted for the Publick affairs of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held at Saint Andros 1642. and at Edinburgh, 1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647. and 1648, unto the Persons following, viz. Masters Alex. Rollock, John Murray, Thomas Lundie, John Freebairne, Geo. Murray, Harie Livingston, William Macjore, Hew Henderson, Samuel Austine, Gavin Young, David Laing, William Maxwell, John Macleland, James Irving, Robert Ferguson, John Scot, Thomas Wylie, Hew. Eccles, John Bell, John Nevoy, William Gutherie, John Hammiltoun, Hew Peebles, Alex. Dunlope, Harie Semple, David Dickson, Patrick Gillespie, James Durham, Robert Baillie, William Hammiltoun, Francis Aird, James Nasmith, Richard Inglis, William Summervail, Evan Cameron, Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherfoord, James Wood, John Macgill Elder, Alex. Balfoure, William Row, John Moncriefe, Fredrick Carmichaell, Herie Wilke, William Oliphant, George Pitillo, John Robison, James Thomsone, William Rate, Da. Campbell, Andro Cant, Io. Menzes, Andro Abercromby, Robert Sheyn, William Forbes, John Paterson, Duncan Forbes, Will. Chalmers, John Annand, Will. Falconer, Murdoch Mackenzie, Robert Jameson, Gilbert Marshell, Jo. Dallase, Wil. Smyth, Robert Hume, Tho. Suintoun, James Strateum, Jo. Douglass, James Guthrie, Tho. Donaldson, Will Jameson, John Livingstoun, John Scot, Andro. Dunkeson, John Dalzell, Arthur Forbes, James Fleming, James Robison, Hew Campbel, Robert Douglasse, Mungo Law, George Leslie, John Adamson, James Hammiltoun, John Smyth, Hew Mackell, Geo: Hutchison, Patrick Fleming, John Hay, Ephraim Melvill, Iohn Low, Gilbert Hall, George Bennet, Kenneth Logie, John Crafurd Ministers, Archbald Marquesse of Argyle, [pg 468] E. of Sutherland, Alex. E. of Eglintoun, John E. of Cassills, Wil. E. of Lothian, the Viscount of Arbuthnet, Da. L. Elcho Lo. Briehen, Rob. Lo. Burly, James Lo. Couper, Sir Archald Johnstoun of Waristoun Clerk Register, Sir Daniel Carmichael Thesaurer Depute, Sir John Hope of Craighall, Mr George Winraham of Libbertoun, Mr Alex. Person of Southhal, Alex. Brodie of that ilk, four of the ordinary Lords of the Session, Arthur Ersken of Scotscrage, Laird of Wauchtoun, Sir David Hume of Wedderburne, Laird of Edzell, Laird of Nidrie, Sir William Scot of Harden, Laird of Greenheid, Laird of Freeland, Laird of Cesnock, Sr. James Stewart of Kirk field, the Laird of Suintoun younger, Laird of Eight, Sir James Fraser, Sir Thomas Ker, Laird of Fernie, Sir Rob. Adair, Sheriff of Tiviotdail younger, Tutor of Pitsligo, Sir John Chiesly, Laird of Englistoun, Laird of Leslie younger, Laird of Dunbeth, La. of Wetertoun, Sir Jo. Smyth, Mr Alex. Colvill of Blair, Whitbank younger, La. of Grenock, Galloshiels younger, Buchchantie, Grachlaw, Cloberhil, Dalserf, Mr Robert Burnet younger, Mr Tho. Murray, James Eleis, David Kennedie, Alex Jaffray, James Sword, George Porterfield, Mr Rob. Barclay, Hew Kennedey, Will. Glendoning, Thomas Machirnie, Rob. Lockhart, Er James Campbel, John Carsane, John Boswel. D. Alex. Donglasse, Mr Alex. Skeen, William Broun Elders, Giving unto them full Power and Commission to do all and every thing for preservation of the Established Doctrine, Discipline, Worship and Government in this Kirk, against all who shall endeavour to introduce any thing contrarie thereunto; And for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting and bringing the works of uniformitie in Religion in all his Majesties dominions to a happy conclusion conform to the former Commissions granted by preceding Assemblies thereanent.