The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

HU. KENNEDIE. Moderator.

XV. Instructions to the Commissions for Visitations on the South and North sides of Tay.

The following Instructions to the Commission for Visitations on this side of Tay, were Read in presence of the Assembly.

“1. That there be appointed by the Assembly, a Delegate number of the most experienced Ministers [pg 532] and Elders. This number to be Forty Ministers, and Twenty Ruling Elders, fifteen of them to a Quorum, ten of these being alwayes Ministers; And that they at their first Session, Choose their Moderator and Clerk; And for the Sub-committe betwixt the Quarterly Meetings, nine to be the Quorum, six of these being alwayes Ministers.”

“2. That the Work of this Commission for Visitations be, to take to their Cognizance all References, and Appeals, and other things, which being stated before this Assembly, shall by them be specially Referred to the said Commission, to determine the same.”

“3. That the Commission give their Opinion to all Presbyteries and Synods, who shall apply to them for the same, in difficult Cases: and though Presbyteries shall not apply, yet if the Commission shall be informed of any Precipitant, or unwarrantable procedure of Presbyteries, in Processes, which may prove of ill Consequence to the Church, The Commission shall interpose their Advice, to such Presbyteries, to sift such procedure, till either the Synod, or next General Assembly take Cognizance of it; if the said Commission shall not find a present fit Expedient, to direct them, for bringing the matter sooner to a Right Conclusion.”

“4. That in discussing References, Appeals and Bills, They take care to purge out all, who upon due Tryal shall be found to be Insufficient, supinely Negligent, Scandalous or Erroneous.”

“5. That this Commission shall have Power of [pg 533] Visiting any Ministers within the Bounds of any Presbyteries, on this side of the Water of Tay, as they shall find need: And that this Power Reach Presbyterians as well as others.”

“6. That they shall be Careful, that none shall be admitted by them to Ministerial Communion, or to a share of the Government; but such as upon due Tryal (for which the Commission is to take a competent time) shall be found to be Orthodox in their Doctrine, of Competent Abilities, having a Pious, Godly, Loyal and Peaceable Conversation, as becometh a Minister of the Gospel, of an Edifying Gift, and whom the Commission shall have ground to believe, will be True and Faithful to God and the Government, and diligent in their Ministerial Duties. And that all who shall be admitted to the Ministry, or shall be received to a share in the Government, shall be obliged to Own and Subscribe the Confession of Faith, and profess their Submission to, and willingness to Joyn and Concur with the Presbyterian Church-Government.”