The Booke of the Universall Kirk of Scotland / Wherein the Headis and Conclusionis Devysit Be the Ministers and Commissionaris of the Particular Kirks Thereof, Are Specially Expressed and Contained.

by Unknown

Ordaynes ane article to be given in to the King’s Majestie for establishing ane act, annulling all tacks sett be the ministrie without consent of the Assemblie.

Sessio. Eodem die.

Anent controversies and decisione thereof amongst the ministers: The Kirk and Commissioners present ratifies the act made at Dundee heiranent, and ordaynit the samen to be extendit, alsweill to Readers as to Ministers, and the paine of contumacie mentionat therein to be deprivatione.

Because of the bounds of Nithsdale, Annandale, and Galloway, are destitute of Pastores, The King’s Majestie’s Commissioners proponit to the Assemblie, that the Kirk wald take care to appoynt some qualified men for the ministrie there, for qwhois provisione and entertainment his Majestie wald take order.

Concerning the defectiones of the ministrie: The samen at length being read out, reasonit, and considerit, the brethren considerit the samen agreeing therewith; and in respect that be God’s Grace they intend reformation, and to sie the Kirk and Ministrie purgit; to the effect the wark may have the better success, they think it necessar that this Assembly be humblit for wanting such care as become them in such poynts as is sett downe, and some godly and zealous brother lay them out for their better humiliatione, and that they make solemne promise before the Majestie of God, and make new Covenant with him for a maire carefull and reverent discharge of their ministrie: to the qwhilk effect was chosen Mr John Davidsone, and Tuesday nixt, at nyne houres in the morning, is appoyntit in the New Kirk for that effect; qwhairunto nane is to resort but the ministrie—the forme to be advysit the morne in privie conferrence.

The tennor of the Advyce of the Brethren deput for penning the corruptiones and enormities in the Ministrie, and remeid thereof, allowit be the Generall Assemblie conveint.

Corruptiones in the office.

Forsuameikle as be the too sudden admission and light tryall of persones to the ministrie, it cometh to passe, that many sclanders fall out in the persones of ministers, It wald be ordaynit in tyme comeing that mair diligent inquisition and tryall be used of all such persones as shall enter in the ministrie, as speciallie in thir poynts: that the intrant shall be posed upon his conscience before the great God, (and that in most grave manner,) qwhat moves him to accept the office and charge of the ministrie upon him; that it be inquyrit if any by solicitatione or moyen, directlie or indirectlie, prease to entir in the said office, and it being found, that the solister be repellit, and that the Presbytrie repell all such of their number from voting in the election or admissione as shall be found moyeners for the solistare, and posed upon their conscience to declare the truth to that effect.

Thirdlie, Because be presentationes, many forciblie are thrust in the ministrie and upon congregationes, that utters thereafter that they were not callit be God, It wald be provydit that nane sould seek presentationes to benefices, without advyse of the Presbytrie within the bounds qwhairof the benefice lyes; and if any doe in the contrair, they to be repellit as rei ambitus.

That the tryall of persones to be admittit to the ministrie hereafter, consist, not only in learning and abilitie to preach, but also in conscience and feiling and spirituall wisdome, and namely in knowledge of the bounds of their calling, in doctrine, wisdome, and discipline, to behave him accordinglie with the diverse ranks of persones within his flock,—as namely with Atheists, rebellious, weak consciences, and sick uthers, qwherin the pastorall charge is most kythit, and that he be meit to stop the mouthes of the adversaries; and such as are not found qualified in thir poynts to be delayed to further tryall, and whill they be found qualifyed. And because men may be found meit for some places qwhilk are not meit for uthers, it wald be considerit that the principall places of the realme be provydit with men of most worthie gifts, wisdom, and experience, and that nane take charge of greater number of people nor they are able to discharge, and the Assemblie to take order heirwith, and the act of the Provinciall Assembly of Lowthiane made at Linlithgow to be uregit.