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

That such as shall be found not given to their book and studie of Scriptures—not carefull to have bookes—not given to sanctification and prayer—that study not to be powerfull and spirituall—not applying the doctrine to his corruptiones, qwhilk is the pastorall gift—obscure and too scholastick before the people—cauld and wanting zeall—negligent in visiting the sick, caring for the poor, or indiscriet in chooseing of the word not mietist for the flock—flatterers and dissembling at publick sinnes, and speciallie of great personages in their congregationes, for flatterie or for fear; that all such persones be censured according to the degrees of their faults, and continuing thereinto, be depryvit; That such as be slothfull in the ministratione of the sacraments and irreverent—as profaners, receaving clean and unclean, ignorants and sencless—profane and making no conscience of their professione in their calling and families—omitting dew tryall or wsing nane or light tryall—having respect in their tryall to persones, qwhairin there is manifest corruptione; that all such be scharplie rebuked, and if they continow therein, to be deposit. And if any be found ane seller of the sacraments, that he be deposit simpliciter; and such as colludes with sclanderous persones, and dispensing and oversieing them for money, incurr the lyke punischment.

That every minister be chargit that he have ane session established of the mietest men in his congregatione, and that discipline strike not only upon gross sinners, as whoredome, bloodshed, &c. but upon all sinnes repugnant to the word of God;—as blasphemie against God—banning—profaining of the Sabbath day—disobedient to parents—idle and unrully—ones without calling—drunkards and sicklyke deboschit men that make no conscience of their lyfe and rewling of their families, and especiallie of educatione of their children, being sclandering, backbyting, flattering, and breaking of promises; and this to be ane universall order throughout the realme: And such as are negligent, continowing therein, after admonition, to be deposit.

That nane falling in publick sclander be receavit again in the fellowship of the Kirk, except his minister haue some appearand warrand in conscience, that he hes both ane feelling of sinne and apprehension of mercy; and for this effect that the minister travell with him be doctrine and private instruction, and bring him heirto, and speciallie in the doctrine of repentance, qwhilk being neglectit, the publick place of repentance is turnit in ane mocking.

Dilapidatione of benefices—demitting them for favours or money, that they become laick patronages, without the advyce of the Kirk—precisely to be punisched according to the acts; and that the dimission in favours for money or utherwayes to the effect above written, be punisched as the dilapidators.

Corruptiones in their persones and lives.

That such as are light and wantone in behaviour—as in gorgious and light apparrell—in speech using—light and profane company—unlawfull gameing, as dancing, carting, dyceing, and such like, not beseeming the gravitie of ane pastor—be scharply and gravely reprovit by the Presbytrie, according to the degree thereof; and continowing therein after dew admonitione, that he be depryvit as sclanderous to the gospell.

That ministers being found swearers or banners—profainers of the Sabboth day—drunkards—fighters—guilty of all thir or any of them—to be deposit simpliciter; and such lyke, liars, detractors, flatterers, breakers of promises, brawlers and quarrellers, after dew admonition continowing therin, incurre the same punischment.

That ministers given to unlawfull and incompetent trades and occupations for filthy gaine—as halding hostlaries—taking of ockar besyde conscience and good lawes, and bearing worldly offices in noble and gentlemen’s houses, merchandize, and such lyke—buying victualls and keeping to dearth, and all uther worldly occupations as may distract them from their charge, and maybe sclander to the pastor or calling;—be admonisched and brought to the knawledge of their faults, and if they continow therein, to be deposed.

That ministers not resident at their flocks be deposed, according to the acts of the Generall Assemblie and laws of the realme, utherwayes the burden to be layde upon the Presbytries, and they to be censured therefore.

That the Assemblie command all their members, that nane of them await on the Court and affaires thereof, without the advyce and allowance of the Presbytrie.