Anent the Constitutiones and Acts made in the Generall Assembly, It is determined and resolved, that ane Act being concludit in the Generall Assembly, no just cause in the changeing thereof intervening therafter, it shall not be leisum to any particular brother, in ane uther Generall Assembly, to call the same in questione againe.
Anent the Commissione gine in the last Assemblie to visite the Universitie of St Androis, and to consider how the rents and livings thereof are bestowit—how the doctrine is used be the maisters and regents, and if the same be correspondent to the act of Parliament—and how the order is keepit amang the students: The Kirk hes committit of new the executione of the said Commissione to Mr Andrew Polwart, Thomas Buchanan, Nicoll Dalgleische, and William Chrystesone: and, to that effect, ordaynes to conveine themselves in St Androis, the 6th day of Marche nixt to come, and qwhat they doe herein, to report to the nixt Generall Assemblie. Mr Robert Wilkie, in name of the Universitie, protestit that the said Commissione prejudge not the libertie and priviledge of the Universitie.
Ordaynes the Moderator of the Assembly to receave from the Clark thereof the extract of the Commissiones gine to breither the tyme he bears charge, in case they be absent from the Assemblie the tyme of the direction thereof, and to direct them tymouslie to the said breither, that the said Commissiones be not left unexecute, upon pretence of their absence and ignorance of the same.
Sessio 5.
Ordaynes every presbytrie within their awne bounds to call before them the beneficed persones within their awne jurisdictione, and to take accompt and tryall how they have keepit the act of the Assembly, touching the disposition of their ecclesiasticall living—in what manner, and qwherein the same hes been transgrest—and to make ane just report thereof to the nixt Assemblie be the Moderator of their Elderschipe as Commissioners, as they will answer to God and his Kirk.
Articles to be direct to the King’s Majestie, being presentit in forme, the haill Assemblie votit to the presenting thereof, with the Instructiones, qwhairof the tenor follows.
Sir,
The strait Commissione we haue receavit of the Eternall, our God, qwhen, as in this your Majestie’s realme, we were made watchmen of his people, and fearfull threatening pronuncit against such as neglect faithfully to execute every pairt of their weighty charge, compells us presently to haue recourse unto your Majestie, percewing many things to fall furth, greatly to the prejudice of God’s Glory, and no small appearance of utter wrack of this his Kirk and Commonwealth, unless some heastie remead be put thereto; most humblie, therefore, beseikand your Majestie diligently to weighe and consider thir few heids, qwhilks, with all reverence and observance we present, looking for graceous answer and speedy redress thereof.
1. It is ane great griefe to the hearts of all these that fears God, that apostates, sworne enemies to Christ, your Grace, and all your faithfull subjects, forfault for their treasone—some also suspect and bruitit with the murther of the most noble persone of your umquhill father—impugners of the truth be word and wreite—continuing still in their wickedness, unreconcilit to the Kirk, to receave of your Majestie the benefite of pacificatione to the prejudice of the faithfull ministers, qwham violently be their meanes they labour to dispossesse.
2. That wthers from their youth, nurischit in the Kirk of God, with us, and sensyne fearfullie fallen back therefrae, and become greit runnagats, and blasphemers of the truth, and maintainers of idolatrie, and that Man of Sinne, Liutennant of Satane, and oppressors of God’s people; and yet, notwithstanding, are receivit in court, authorised, and so far countenanced, that they are becum familiars with your Majestie, qwhairthrough, besyde the grief of your Majestie’s subjects, many are brought to doubt qwhat shall ensew upon such beginnyngs.