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

31. And generallie, thir assembleis haue the haill power of the particular elderschippis qwhairof thay ar collected.*[49]

32. The nationall assemblie,(quhilk is generall to us,) is ane lawchfull conventioun of the kirkis of the haill realme or nation, wher it is usit and gadderit, for the commoun effairis of the Kirk; and may be callit the Generall Elderschip of the haill kirkis within the realme.

33. Nane ar subiect to repair to this assemblie to voit, bot ecclesiasticall personis, to sic ane number as sallbe thocht guid be the same assemblie; not excluding uther personis that will repair to the said Assemblie, to propone, heir, and resone.

34. This assemblie is institute, that all thingis ayther omittit, or done amis in the provinciall assembleis, may be redressit and handlit: And things generally, seruing for the weill of the haill body of the kirk in that realme, may be foirsene, intreattit, and set furth to Goddis glorie.

35. It sould tak cair, that kirkis be planted in places quhair thay ar not planted.

36. It sould prescryue the reull how the uther twa kynd of assembleis sould proceid in all thingis.

37. This assemblie sould tak heid, that the spirituall jurisdictioun and civile be not confoundit, to the hurt of the kirk.

38. That the patrimony of the kirk be not diminished nor abused.

39. And generallie concerning all wychtie effairis that concerne the weill and guid ordour of the haill kirk of the realme, it aucht to interpone auctoritie thairto.

40. Thair is besydis this, an uther mair generall kynd of assemblie, quhilk is of all nationis or of all estaits of personis within the kirk, representing the universall kirk of Chryst, quhilk may be callit properlie the Generall Assemblie or Generall Counsall of the haill kirk of God.