Anent Visitation; The Kirk, after reasonyng, hes fund that it is lawfull and necessare at this tyme, and the forme thereof continewand, and the rest of the circumstances thereof heirafter to be reasoned.
Sessio 7.
Anent the heids of Visitatione, and circumstances left to farther consideratione: At the desyre of my Lord Privie Seall, the Assembly directit Mrs Robert Pont, Andrew Melvill, Thomas Blackburne, Nicoll Dalgleische, Andrew Polwant, and Thomas Buchanane, to conferr with the King’s Majestie’s Commissioners thereanent, and such others matters as shall be communicat unto them.
In presence of the haill Assembly, compeirit my Lord Maxwell, and declareit, that be the King’s Majestie’s command, he compeirit before the said Assemblie, as he had found cautione to that effect before the Counsell to compeare before them this day; and, in respect of his obedience, protestit his cautioner sould be fred, and took instruments upon his compearance and protestatione.
The Assembly, in respect they knew not the cause of his compearance, nor the King’s Majestie’s command thairanent, desyreit him to be present the morne before noone; and, in the mean tyme, craving his Heines’ Commissioners knawledge heiranent. The saids Commissioners protestit that his cautioner sould no wayes be free, qwhill his Majestie’s minde be returned be them to the Assemblie.
Anent the propositione of the King’s Majestie’s Commissioners, made to the haill Assemblie, to resolve, be good and commone deliberatione, if they will accept the Bischops sett downe in the conferrence had betwixt certaine of his Majestie’s Councill and certaine of the brethren of the ministrie, or if they will refuse? The Kirk continowit their answer qwhill the morne, after the reading publickly of the haill conferrence. Albeit, the articles agreit in the conferrence halden at Halyrudehouse, betwixt certaine appoyntit be the King’s Majestie of his Counsell, and certaine of the ministrie callit be his Grace to that effect; the particulars being openly read, The brethrene agreit to the first article, it being conceivit in thir termes:—
It is condescendit that the name of a Bischop hes a speciall charge and functione annexit to it be the word of God, the same that the ordinarie pastor hes.
Compeirit the Earle of Mortoune. Lord Maxwell being accusit for the heiring of Mass, and the Act of the King’s Majestie’s Privie Counsell being read for the satisfactione of the Kirk thereanent; he answerit, that he had satisfyed the King’s law, and desyrit the conferrence of learnit men concernyng the Religione and participatione of the Lord’s table.
Sessio 9.