In the Haddington MS. volume, (a small quarto,) from which the foregoing copy of the Book of Policy has been transcribed, there are various other documents ingrossed, for the guidance of that Presbytery in its proceedings. These are—
1. Extracts from the Act of Assembly, 8th August 1590, Sess. 10, and 5th July 1591, Sess. 4, with reference to subscription of the Book of Policy by Presbytries, and the clerk supplying them with copies for that purpose.
2. “Ane Forme of sundrie Materis to be vsit in the Elderschip.”
3. The Book of Policy above inserted.
4. “A Schort Soume of the wholl Actis of the Kirk, takin out of the Buik of Discipline and Registers of our Assemblies, for the instruction of Ministers and Readaris in thair office”— under the heads of “Doctrine”— “Examinatione”— “Ministrie”— “Discipline”— “Policie.”
Among these we find in the Collection of Forms (2) thus recorded, several documents which illustrate the mode of settling ministers about the year 1590, viz. a Presbyterial Warrant for “Collation”—the “Institution”—the notarial “Instrument tharupon”—“ane Commission of a Benefice”—a “Presentation of a Laick Patron of ane new erection.” There are also “Observations of the Conferences betwix the Kingis Majestie and Counsells Commissionars and the Kirks, with the Judgement of the Generall Assembly,” which appears to be attested by Richie, the Clerk of Assembly. All these are valuable, as evidents of the practice and history of those times; and they will form a part of the Notes and Illustrations which we purpose to subjoin—without which, indeed, the Booke of the Kirk alone would be insufficient to afford a satisfactory view of the laws and usages of the Church of Scotland during the first sixty years of its existence. It is gratifying, however, to have been enabled to lay before the Church and the Country at present, a Copy of the Book of Policy of undoubted authenticity, as well as to complete the publication of all the earlier authoritative Acts of Assembly.
May 15, 1839.