Anent the offence conceavit be his Majestie againes a brother callit John Ross: The Assemblie of the Kirk thought it expedient that certaine of the Godlie, best learnit and discreetest of the Assemblie, should be chosen out, before qwhom that matter sould be first broken up and preceisly handlit, and thereafter brought in publick before the haill number; and to that effect were chosen Mrs Andrew Melvill, James Nicolsone, Robert Rollock, Robert Bruce, John Davidsone, John Craige, David Lyndsay, Patrick Galloway, James Melvill, Walter Balcanquall, Alexander Forbes, James Robertsone, David Fargysone: Qwhilk number are ordaynit to conveine immediately after their rysing in this house, and so many of the brethren of the Synodall of Striveling as are present, warnit to be readie as they shall be callit for.
Sessio 14a. 15 of May.
The qwhilk day compeirit Alexander Lord Home in Assembly, and with all humilitie cravit that he might be absoluit from the sentence of excommunicatione led against him, protesting before God he wald in tyme comeing giue proof of obedience and service to God, and maintain the truth of his religione presently profest be the Kirk here present to his lyfe’s end; and although he was sometyme in ane different religione from them, now avowes, he being better instructed in the heid qwherin he sometymes differed from them, the present Confession of Fayth and religion professit presently be the Assembly; and if he shall hereafter declyne therefrae, submitts him in that case to the Assemblie of the Kirk, hopeing be God’s grace, never to make defectione therefrae.
The Assemblie, in respect this matter hes been past be word, hes thought meet that certaine conditions shall be sett downe in write, to be subscrivit be his Lordship; thereafter his sute of absolutione to be considerit.
Sessio 15a. Eodem die.
The Assembly ordaynes ane fast to be keepit within the Presbytrie of Edinburgh, and such other parts where the samen may be convenientlie had, upon Sunday the 26 of this instant, immediatly preceeding the Parliament, and his Majestie to be remembrit that an exhortatione may be had according to the custome qwhilk was keepit of before, the first day of the Parliament, and ane thanksgiving at the conclusion thereof be ane of the ministrie; and alse that his Majestie be put in minde of the said fast appoyntit the forsaid day, to the effect his Majestie and his house may keep the samen.
In lyke manner it is ordaynit, that a generall fast be universally observit throughout the haill realme, the two last Sondayes of Junii nixt to come, with exhortationes and prayers to be keepit betwixt the two Sondayes on the week dayes; the causes of the qwhilk fast shall be intimat and presentit the morne in wryte be Mrs Patrick Galloway, James Melvill, and James Nicolsone.
The samen day, the conditions underwritten being proponit to Alexander Lord Hoome be the Generall Assembly, to testifie his unfained repentance, after reading of the saids Articles severally: First, he ratifiet and approvit the subscriptione the 22 of December last, and that with ane solemne oath, holding up his hand, and agreit to the same articles, and every ane of them, in token of acceptatione thereof, protesting he does the same sincerely, subscrivit the same with his hand, humbly requyring, in respect of his obedience and repentance, that the Kirk wald relax him from the sentence of excommunicatione pronuncit against him.
The Assemblie, in respect of his repentance schawne, his aith and declaration giuen yesterday, and obedience in subscryving the saids conditions, being satisfied therewith, and hopeing that he shall fully keep promise in tyme coming, Ordaynes him to be absolvit from the said excommunication, and the sentence of absolution to be pronuncit be the Moderator the morne at meeting.
Follows the Conditions.