Sess. ultima. 14 Martii, Post Meridiem.
The brethren having read and considerit the paines and travells taken be Mr Patrick Scharp, Principall of the Colledge of Glasgow, and his Lessones upon the Catechisme and grounds of religione, allowes of the same, and thinks them very necessar and profitable; and therefore ordaynes them to be printed.
Anent the protestation given in be Mr John Davidsone, for himself and in name of certaine uther brethren as he alleadgit, protesting that this Assemblie was not ane frie Assemblie, qwhilk his protestatione he desyrit to be insert in the Books of the Assemblie:
It being inquyrit if any man wald adhere to the said protestatione, there was nane found that wald adhere to the samen, nor was of the said Mr John’s opinion thereanent; and therefore the brethren dischargit the Clerk to insert the same in the Books of the Assemblie.
Because the questione anent summar excommunicatione, for lake of tyme, cannot be commodiously intreatit at this present, therefore the brethren continows the same to nixt Assemblie: in the meintyme suspends all summar executione.
Because there hes no order [been] sett downe hitherto anent the number of Commissioners to be direct from every Presbytrie to the Generall Assemblie, Therefore it is statute and ordaynit that in all tyme coming, three of the wysest and gravest of the brethren shall be direct from every Presbytrie at the maist, as Commissioners to every Assemblie, and that nane presume to come butt commission, except they have ane speciall complaint, and that the Clark of the Assemblie take heed to receave no mair in commission but three alanarlie, as said is; and lykewayes that ane be direct from every Presbytrie in name of Barrones, and ane out of every Burgh except Edinburgh, qwhilk shall have power to direct two Commissioners to the Generall Assemblie.
Anent the supplicatione given in be the Towne of Dundie, craving ane uther minister to be appoyntit unto them in place of William Chrystisone, who through age is not able to discharge his calling: The brethren thought their desyre reasonable; and having appoyntit on the leets Mr John Hall, minister at Leith, and Mr Robert Howie, Principall of the New Colledge of Aberdeen, be pluralitie of votes, Mr Robert Howie was chosen to be minister of Dundie, and ordainit to be transportit with all possible diligence.
Because it was reportit that the ministrey of Orknay had dilapidat their benefices be selling of tacks of the rent of the same, to the great hurt and prejudice of the kirks, Therefore it is statute and ordaynit, that nane of the ministrie of Orknay or Zetland sett any tacks of any pairt of the fruits of their benefices, nor yet give their consent to the tacks that shall be sett be wthers, in ony tyme coming, under the paine of deprivatione.