APPENDIX
OF DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN GENERAL ASSEMBLIES.
The period of time referred to in this First Part of the Booke of the Kirk, extending from the year 1560 to the end of 1567, embraces the earliest era of its existence as a National Church, recognized in the first instance, and ultimately established by the law of the State; and it has been deemed expedient, in this special portion of the present publication, to annex the various acts of Privy Council and Parliament, applicable to that period, as an Appendix to the actings of the first fifteen General Assemblies of the Church, many of which bear reference to these enactments of the civil authorities. These civil and ecclesiastical proceedings throw mutual light on each other, and, conjoined, they afford the most satisfactory view of its progress from the time that it was first sanctioned, until it was finally settled and endowed as the Established Church of Scotland. During the period referred to, it can only be viewed as a tolerated Christian society, but partially countenanced by the State, and struggling to obtain a permanent place among the settled institutions of the land. Thenceforward it is to be regarded as one of the integral elements of the constitution, blended and united with the monarchy and the supreme authority of the State in the Legislature. And hence arises the propriety of thus conjoining the civil and ecclesiastical proceedings during this, the first epoch of its history as the Kirk of Scotland.
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.
I.
1560, Aug. 17.—The Confessioun of Faith professed, ratifiet, and approveit in Parliament.[7]