The Generall Assembly, begun and halden at Edinburgh, the 7th of Marche 1574(5): In the qwhilk war present Earles, Lords, Bischops, Superintendants, Commissioners to plant Kirks, Commissioners of Provinces, Townes, Kirks, Universities, and Ministers. James Bishop, of Glasgow, Moderator.
Sessio.
Forsuameikle as the greatest part of the doctors, and interpretars of the Scriptures that hes travellit in the interpretation and exposition of the same, hes written and comentit in the Latine tongue, and therthrow it is thocht necessar for sic as enters in the function of the ministrie, to have understanding and knawledge of the same; Therefore, the Generall Assembly of the Kirk hes votit and concludit, that, frae this tyme furth, nane shall be admittit in the functione of ane minister within the Kirk be the Bishops, Superintendants, and Commissioners of cuntries, but sic as have understanding of the Latine tongue, and are able to interpret the Commentars written in the same language, and speak congruous Latine, except sic as, be exemption of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk, for their singular graces and gifts of God, sall be fund also be them to use their functione without knawledge of the Latine tongue.
It is thocht meet, and concludit, that no clark-playes, comedies, or tragedies, be made of the Canonicall Scriptures, alse weell new as old, on Sabbath day nor wark day, in tyme comeing; the contraveiner heirof, (if they be ministers, to be secludit frae their functione, and, if they be uthers,) to be punischit be the discipline of the Kirk; and ordains ane article to be gine in to sic as sitts upon the policie. That, for uther playes, comedies, or tragedies, or uthers profane playes as are not made upon authentick pairts of the Scripture, may be considerit before they be proponit publickly, and that they be not playit upon the Sabbath dayes.
Sessio 8.
Anent ministers proceeding to the marriage of parties, lawfull impediment being proponit unto them, whilk, after hand, is tryit and fund to be of veritie: The haill Assembly referrs the discipline to be usit against sic persones, to the Bischops, Superintendants, and commissioners of the countries where they serve.
Sessio 9.
Anent difficultie proponit upon the presentatioune of Mr Andrew Grahame, presenting him to the bishoprick of Dumblane, under the name of ane preacher, although he had been nane; The Kirk finds that finall conclusion is not yet had, that all Bischops should be first preachers, and alwayes, if he be qualified, the presentation to be obeyit; and yet, for farther tryall, appoints to him Wednesday to exercise in the Magdalen Chappell before the Bischops, Superintendants, and ministers, that may be present, and speciallie the ministers of Edinburgh, and so many of the Chaptir as may be there at ten hours before noune, upon the beginning of the fifth to the Romans.
The Assembly hes willit their lovit brother Mr Robert Maitland, Deane of Aberdeene, Robert Pont, proveist of the Trinitie Colledge, John Brand, James Carmichael, to take travell in visiting and peruising of the saids acts, and sic as are generall with the Generall Assemblies, to mark and nott the samen, that thereafter they may be drawne and extractit out of the books, that all pretext of ignorance may be tane away.
Sessio 12.