The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

The Assemblies humble desires to his Majestie anent the Lists for Presentations: With a Recommendation to Presbyteries.

The Assembly considering the difficultie of obtaining six able and well qualified Persons to be put into a List to his Majestie, for every vaiking Kirk at his Majesties Presentation: Therefore do most earnestly recommend to his Majesties Commissioner, to represent their humble desires to his Majestie, that he would be pleased to accept of a List of three: As also conform to the desire of the last Assembly at S. Andrews, that his Majestie would be pleased to accept of any one qualified man, who shall be able to speak the Irish Language for Kirks vaiking in the Highlands: Which the Commissioners Grace promised to do with the first conveniencie.

And with all his Grace representing to the Assembly, that [pg 188] he conceived his Majestie had already done more, and yet would do more for satisfaction to the desires of this Kirk, anent Patronages, nor any other Patron: And therefore that it were convenient that all other Patrons were earnestly desired to follow his Majesties example; And the Assembly thinking it very necessary that some General course were set down for providing and planning of vaiking Kirks, whereby all occasions of contests and differences amongst Patrons, Presbyteries, and Paroches may be removed, Therefore the Assembly recommend to every Presbyterie, to consult and advise upon the best wayes and means for effectuating hereof, And to report the results of their consultations herein till to the next Assembly.

Overtures anent Witch-craft, and Charming, &c.

The abundance and increase of the sin of Witch-craft, in all the sorts and degrees of it in this time of Reformation, is to be taken to heart by this reverend Assembly, who would to that end consider.

I. Of the occasions thereof, which are found to be these especially, extremity of grief, malice, passion, and desire of revenge, pinching povertie, solicitation of other Witches and Charmers; for in such eases the devill assails them, offers aide, and much prevails.

II. Of the reasons and causes of Satans prevailing; which are grosse ignorance, infidelitie, want of the love of the truth (which GOD hath made so long and clearly to shine in our Land) and profanesse of life.

III. Of the means and wayes to bring them to a confession and censure, which we conceive to be, that a standing Commission for a certain time be had from the Lords of Secret Councel, or Justice Generall, to some understanding Gentlemen and Magistrates within the bounds of Presbyteries that shall crave it, giving them power to apprehend, try, and execute justice against such personares [pg 189] are guilty of Witch-craft within these Presbyteries; For many Paroches want the concurrence of civill Magistrates.