Anent the referres and petitiones of the Synod of Fyffe given in to this present Assemblie, to be advysit upon be the samen: the brethren nominats Mrs James Melvill, Robert Durie, John Carmichaell, William Scott, John Cawden, John Fairfull, James Nicolsone, Andrew Lambe, Robert Howie, Patrick Scharp, George Gladstanes, and John Spottiswood, to convene the morne at aught houres, and advyse upon answers for satisfaction of the said petitiones, and to report the samen to the Assemblie; qwhereof the tenor follows:
The Articles of the Synod of Fyffe.
1. It wald be meinit be the Generall Assemblie that they are not ordinarly keepit, notwithstanding of the acts of Parliament and Generall Assemblie, and necessitie of the tyme, but the dyats thereof alterit without the knowledge of the presbytries and synods.
2. That ministers are callit before his Hienes’ Secret Council, in prima instantia, for doctrine and discipline, qwhilk is ane great incouragement to the enemies.
3. That all applicationes in exercise of presbytries is found fault with, under the pretence of the act of the Generall Assemblie, the qwhilk act therefore wald be sichtit and cleirly interpreted.
4. That the government of the chief matters of the Kirk continows in the hands of a few number, under the name of a Commission, to the prejudice of the liberties of the Synods and Presbytries.
5. That the Doctors beiring ordinar calling in the Kirk, be the discipline and custome thereof, are debarrit from the Assemblies.
6. That the Assemblie hes taken no tryall, hithertill, anent the cautiones sett downe for avoyding of corruption in the Commissioners’ votes in Parliament.
7. That the absence of the pastors of Edinburgh, alteratione of the ministry thereof, qwhilk was the chief watch-tower of our kirks, hurts greatly the cause of religion and encourages the enemies.