Causes of the Defection from the Puritie, Zeall, and Practise of trew Religion in all Estates of the Countrie, and how the same may be most effectuallie remeadit, &c.
The principall causes of this fearfull change, no doubt, is the just wrath of God kindled against the haill land for the unreverent estimatione of the Gospell, and for the sinnes of all estates, and dishonouring of thair professione, and makeing the name of God to be blasphemit be the profane world without remorse—laicke of care and diligence upon the part of the ministry in the discovery of them that maks apostacie to papistrie, and negligence in executione of the lawes and discipline against such as happens to be discoverit.
Want of pastors and unplantit kirks, and displanting of kirks, qwhilk hes been provydit be the diminutione of the thirds.
Neglecting of places that are of chiefest importance to the interest of Religion in not planting sufficient pastores thereat, such as are hir Majestie’s hous, the Prince’s hous, the Earles of Huntlie, Erroll, and Angus’ houses and places of their chiefest residence, the Lord Hoome’s house, the Lord Heress’ house, and chief places of their residence, the Town of Dumfreis, and uthers of the nobilitie and greatest power within the countrey.
The overhastie admissione of men to the ministrie before they be knawne to be of sufficient gifts and experience to discharge fruitfully that hich calling in thir difficult tymes.
The negligence of the ministry in the advanceing of their knawledge be ever continuall and constant reading of the Scriptures and contraversies of the tyme, qwherthrow they might be able to bring the consciences of their auditors in subjectione to the obedience of the Gospell, and convince of the adversarie.
Negligence in the lyves of the ministry—not framing their conversatione in gravitie as paterns of lyfe to the people, but framing them excessively to the humours of men, especially in communications at tables, and giving sumtyme examples of intemperance in the light and prodigall abulziements of their families.
The distraction of minds qwhilk is supposed to be in the ministry—the distraction qwhilk is supposed to be of his Majestie’s mynde from some of the ministry.
The advancing of men suspect in religione, and knawne to be evill affectit to the good cause, unto offices, honour, and credite in court, counsell, and sessione, and wther rowmes of great importance within the countrey.
The desolatione of the Kirk of Edinburgh, through the want of pastors.