Anent the Acts of the Assemblie: The brethren hes ordayned that the samen be sichtit, and speciall acts for the practise of the Kirk be extractit and joynit with the Book of Discipline, to be publishit aither in wreit or print, that nane pretend ignorance thairof; and to this effect to concurr with the Clark, Mrs Robert Pont, Thomas Buchanan, James Melvill, John Johnstone, and James Carmichael.
Anent Colledges: In respect it is thocht necessar that ane visitation be made of the samen, the present Assemblie hes given commission to their brethren, Mrs James Melvill, Thomas Buchanan, James Balfour, Robert Rollock, Walter Balcanquall, Nicoll Dalgleische, James Nicolsone, and Alexander Forbes, to conveine together the first day of Januarii nixt to come, to the visitation of the saids colledges, to try, examine, and consider their doctrine, lyfe, and diligence of the maisters—the discipline and order wsit be them—the estate of their rents and livings, and where they finde abuse, so far as they may, to reforme: Remittand to the Assemblie such things as they cannot take order with, and qwhat they effectuat herein, to report to the next Assemblie.
[SIXTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland, halden at Edinburgh, in the New Kirk thereof, the 24th of March 1597[44] (1596.)
Exhortation being made be Mr James Nicolsone, last Moderator, the Assemblie proceedit to the election of the new Moderator, and appoynting on the leets Mrs David Fargysone, David Lyndsay, James Balfour, and Robert Pont, the said Mr Robert, be pluralitie of votes, was chosen Moderator hac vice.
Sessio 4. May [March interlined] 25.
The King’s Majestie being present, the Moderator exponit to his Grace, the two heads qwherein the Kirk hitherto hes been occupied, and how farr else it hes proceedit, viz. First, The substantiall head, for moyene how to resist the enemies qwhilk was verbo recited be my Lord of Kinloss, for the rest of the number deput to advyse therewith, and next, concernyng the purgatione of the Kirk; and because the first is not throuchlie concludit, the Assemblie thoucht it expedient that the barrones and ministrie qwhilk met thereupon, take farther resolutione, and present their advyce to the Assemblie in wreit.
His Majestie thereafter proponit the lamentable disorder of the yearlie alteration of the platt, and therefore desyred that ane constant platt should be made, qwhairunto his Majestie was most earnestlie bent. The Assemblie hes thought meit before any thing be concludit therin, to sie the act of Parliament made in the year of God 1592.