Part 2
“They exhibit the real character of the internal government of this national church. They display the operation of the principles by which the first Reformers and their immediate successors were actuated. They demonstrate that these men were not more distinguished by zeal for truth, than by loyalty to the head of the government, attachment to true principles, (I do not say of toleration--for that was a term which they certainly did not employ or approve)--of religious liberty and civil subordination. They bear testimony to the strictness and impartiality of ancient discipline. They vindicate the character of those illustrious men whose names have been unjustly aspersed, but who, both by their doctrines and their lives,--by their unwearied exertions and their patient sufferings,--left an example, not indeed of faultless excellence, but assuredly of the most noble, magnanimous, and fearless adherence to the standards of our constitution.
“These Registers also contain much that is capable of correcting erroneous representations of historical facts with regard to the internal state of the kingdom--the institutions, habits, and customs, as well as the morals of the people, and the spirit which was most prevalent at particular periods in various districts of the land. They prove, beyond all controversy, that our Reformers, instead of having been at first actuated by an unrestrained spirit of innovation, were rather, in some respects, disposed to retain too much than to reject too much of the practices of the church from which they had separated, and that this very circumstance prevented them from ever attaining that independence at which they aimed. At the same time, they prove, that from the very first moment, it was the determined object of the leaders of the Reformation, to establish such a Presbyterian Government, as was at last, with the utmost difficulty, completed;--and that even when the name of bishop was introduced, the persons holding that title sat in the General and Provincial Assemblies in no higher rank than the humblest presbyter, and in the Kirk-Sessions were named after the parochial minister, under the designation of elder.
“In addition to all this it may be stated, that, though these documents were less productive of instruction than they are, they well deserve to be preserved with care, as the most venerable remnants of a distant age--as the earliest annals of our infant church, as the (almost sacred) relics--not of canonized saints indeed--but of confessors and martyrs, who counted not their lives dear to them; and who, when they thought it necessary, never shrunk from sealing their testimony with their blood. And if I am again asked--What is the use of attending to these perishing monuments of a period of little refinement?--I have only to answer, that with all my antiquarian propensities, and all my admiration of what is great and magnificent in the works of art, and all my reprobation of the violence which impelled some of our Reformers to demolish the solemn temples which they considered as the shrines of idolatry, and the receptacles of antichristian intruders,--I would much rather share in the disgrace of these acts of violation, than destroy or deface one shred or fragment of these frail memorials of despised and almost forgotten worth, which bear the impress of zeal for piety and learning, loyalty and patriotism, liberty and truth,--and which more conspicuously than even the uplifted banner of the Covenant, present the seal and superscription of glory to God, and good will to man--peace to the church, and happiness to the state.”
THE BOOKE
OF THE
UNIVERSALL KIRK OF SCOTLAND:
WHERIN
THE HEADS AND CONCLUSIONS
DEVYSIT BE THE MINISTERS AND COMMISSIONARIS OF THE PARTICULAR KIRKS THEREOF ARE SPECIALLY EXPRESSED AND CONTAINED.
[FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Names of the Ministers and Commissioners of the particular Kirkes of Scotland, conveened to consult upon these things, q^{lks} are to set forward God’s Glory and the well of his Kirk in this Realme, in Edinburgh, the twenty day of December one thousand ffyve hundred and sixty years.
John Knox, minister, James Barone, and Edward Houp, Commissioners for Edinburgh;
Christopher Guidman, minister, David Spens, and Mr Robert Kynpont, for Saint Andrews;
Master Johne Rowe, minister, for the Towne of Perth and Kirke thereof;
William Darroch and William Norwell for the Towne of Striviling and Kirk thereof;
Charles Drummond, Provest, James Wotherspoone, and Andrew Milne, for Linlithgow;
Hew Wallace of Carnall, Johne Fullartone of Dreghorne, and
Charles Campbell of Sheldome, for the Kirks of Kyle;
George Hoome of Spott for the Kirks of East Lowthiane;
David Lindsay, minister, Andrew Lambe, and Patrik Boyman, for Leith;
Williame Harlaw, minister, and Robert Fernelay of Braid, for St Cuthbert’s Kirk;
Williame Christiesone, minister, George Lovell, and Williame Carmichael, for Dundie;
Alexander Guthrie of Halkartoune, and Williame Durhame of Grainge, for Forfar;
John Eskine of Dunne and Andrew Milne for Montrose;
The Laird of Tullyvaird and Fethercairne for the Kirks of Merns;
The Laird of Gairlies, Younger, for the Kirks of Nithsdaile;
Mr David Weyms for the Kirk of Carnbie;
Mr Walter Balfoure for the Kirk of Lintone;
Johne Browne, Thomas Boyd, and James Polwart, for Torphichen;
William Lambe, Williame Benole, for Dunbar;
Jame Douglas, James More, for Calder Comites;
Mr Robert Wynrhame for Ratho;
Johne Kincaid for Kirklistoune.
The Names of them quhilks the Ministers and Commissioners thinks most qualified for the ministring of the Word of God and Sacraments, and reading of the Commoun Prayers publicklie in all Kirks and Congregations, and given up be theme every one within their own bounds.
In Kyle, for Reading,
Rankene Davidsone, Richard Bannatyne, Robert Campbell, Hew Wallace, Andraw Lokhart, Andraw Chalmer, James Dalrymple, Adame Landals, all Readers; and Johne Chalmer, appointed to teache.
In Saint Andrews, for Ministring and Teaching,
Master Johne Rutherford, Williame Ramsay, James Wilkie, Robert Hammiltoune, Patrik Coustaine, William Rynde, Williame Skeene, Archibald Hammiltoune, Alexander Arbuthnet, James Kirkaldie, David Collase, Williame Scott, David Weymes, Thomas Buchanan, David Spense, Robert Pont, Johne Wynrhame of Kirkness, Alexander Spense, Johne Woode, David Guild, and Robert Patersone.
Uthers q^{lk} are thoght apt and able, be the Ministers and Commissioners foresaid, to Minister:--
Johne Erskine of Dunne, Johne Fullartoune of Kynnabie, David Forres, Patrik Kinmonth, Mr James Melvill, Richard Melvill, Mr Johne Kellow, Robert Montgomrie, Johne Hepburne, Thomas Hepburne, George Hepburne, and William Lambe, Mr Johne Ramsay, presentit be Sir Johne Borthwik, as Ministers for the Kirks of Aberdour and Torrie.
21st December 1560.
The Ministers and Commissioners forsaids being assembled,--Finds that the Ministrie of the Word and Sacraments of God, and assemblie of the people of the haill parochine of Restalrig, be within the Kirk of Leith; and that the Kirk of Restalrig, as monument of Idolatry, be razed and utterly casten downe and destroyed.
The questione being proponed anent marriage in second and uther degrees of consanguinitie, forbidden be the Pope to be solemnizat betwixt parties,--It is found, that, of the Law of God, mariage may be solemnizat betwixt parties, being of second, third, and fourth Degrees of Affinitie or Consanguinitie, and uthere sick as are not prohibited expresslie be the Word; and, therefore, to desyre the Lords and Estates to interpone their authoritie, approve the same, and make Laws thereupon.
27th December 1560.
The Kirk appointed the Election of the Minister, Elders, and Deacons, to be in the publick Kirk, and the Præmonition to be upon the Sonday preceeding the day of electione.
The Kirk appointed that, to the punishment of fornication, the Law of God be observed, publick repentance to be made be them that shall use carnall copulatione betwixt the Promise and Solemnization of the mariage.
That all such as hes been in the ministrie of the Paip’s Kirk, good and well conditioned persons, that they shall live upon the almes of the Kirk with the number of the Poore.
Consented be the Kirk, that none be put in judiciall offices to be Magistrates, as Provist, Baillies, and Officers of Towns, exceptand them who are knowne to be plain and true Professors of the Evangell. It is also thought expedient, that earnest supplication be made to the Estates of this Realme in Parliament, and to the Lords of Secret Councill, that all judges ordinary, and officers judiciall, sick as the Lords of Secret Councill, Sheriffis, Stewarts, Baillies, and uthers Judges, be Professours of the Treuth, of the trew Word of God; and all Ministers thereof to be removet from sick offices, according to the Civill Law.
To ask at the Estates of Parliament and Lords of Secret Councill, for eschewing of the Wrath and Indignatione of the Eternall God, and removeing of the Plagues threatned in his Law, that sharp punishment be made upon the Persones underwrittin, and uthers Idolaters and Maintainers thereof, in contempt of God, his true Religioun, and also of Parliament, whilk sayes and causes Masse to be said, and are present thereat, within the places following:--
In NITHESDALE and GALLOWAY,
The Pryor of Whittorne and his Servants in Cruightoune;
The Laird of Carswell in Carswell;
The Laird of Carleil;
The Laird of Kirnichael, who causes Masse dayly to be said and Images to be holdin up, and Idolatrie to be maintained within his Bounds.
In FYFE,
The Laird of Balwerie and Lathrisk; Mr Johne Scrymgeour’s wife.
In KYLE, CARRICK, and CUNNINGHAME,
The Erles of Eglintoune and Cassills; William Hamilton of Cambus Keith; the Abbot of Corsraguell; the Parochiners of Mayboll, Gariane, Oswald, and Divley, within the whilk kirks Masse is openly said and maintained.
In EAST LOUTHIANE,
Johne Carbettle in Margill causses Masse daylie to be said; the old Ladie Hoome in Thornetoune; the Curat of Currie for abuseing the Sacraments.
In the FORREST of ETRICK,
The Goodman of Gallowschields, who not only causes Masse to be said, but also maintains the sayers thereof, who are Enemies to God and his Truth, and therefore were exylit out of Edinburgh.
The Kirks conveened continows this their Assembly till the 15th day of Januarie nixt to come, and hes thought expedient that the said day ane commissioner at the leist be sent for every kirk, for requireing of such things of the Parliament as shall be thoght for the well of the holy Kirk; and every Commissioner present permitts to come themselves, or cause some others frae the Kirk the said day to the Burgh of Edinburgh, to the effect foresaid; and ordains every Commissioner, alswell of towns as of paroch kirks to landward, to bring ane roll with them of the haill teynds, lands, anwalls, profeits and emoluments of the paroch kirks nixt adjacent to them, and what persons hes tacks thereof, to whom the samen pertains, and their names to be speciallie named, and what dewtie they pay for the samen.
[SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
Att Edinburgh, the 27th of May 1561.
The whole Kirk, conveened in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, hes decerned and thought good, that ane humble Complaint be made and givin in, in their names, touching the suppressing of Idolatrie, and uther points after following, to the Lords of Secret Councill.
In the First, For suppressing of Idolatrie throughout the whole Realme, and punishing of the Users thereof, Maintainers of the samen, Haunters and Frequenters therto.
_Item_, For maintaining ane speciall provisione to be made for superintendents, and disobeyers of them.
_Item_, For ordour to be taken anent the Abusers of the Sacraments, and Contemners of the samen.
_Item_, That no Letters of the Sessioune be givin to answer or pay to any persone their Teynds, without speciall provisione that the Parochiners retain sae meikle in their hands as is appointed to the Minister; and that all sick as are else givin, be callit in and discharged, and likewayes that no Shreffs give precepts to that effect.
_Item_, That the Sessioune nor no uther Judges proceed upon sick precepts or warnings past at the instance of them that hes obtained Fewes of lait, of Vicarages, Persons’ Manses, and Kirk-yards.
_Item_, That no Letters take place whill the Stipends, contained in the Book of Discipline for the sustentation of the Ministers, be first consigned in the hands at least of the principall of the Parochiners.
_Item_, For ordour to be taken upon the punishment of such as purchases, brings hame, and executes within this Realme, the Pope’s Bulls.
28th May 1561.
The Kirk conveened; after they heard the Supplication and Articles foresaid, being put in forme, read in the presens, at lenth advysed therwith,--ordained the samine to be presented to the Secret Councill; and for presenting thereof and obtaining of Answers therto, nominat and ordained thir Brethren after mentioned to wait theron, viz. The Maister of Lindsay, the Laird of Ferniehirst elder, Thomas Menzies, Proveist of Aberdeen, the Laird of Lochinvar, the Laird of Whittinghame, and George Lovell, Burgess of Dundie.
Upon the whilk Supplication, Articles, and sute thereoff, was granted and followit be the Lords of Secreit Counsell, ane Act and Ordinance therupon, with Letters thereupon, answering to every Head of the said Articles and Supplication at length specified in the Act of Secreit Counsell made therupon, whilk is to be had in the hands of Johne Johnstoun, Scrybe therof, and Supplication past therupon.
May 29, 1561.
The whilk day, touching the sclander taken be the horrible fault and impietie committed within this burgh under silence of night be Marquies Dalbuife and his Colleagues, in breaking up of Cuthbert Ramsay his ʒetts and doors, and searching and seeking of his daughter in Law to oppress her, as appeared: It is thought good be the whole Kirk that ane Supplicatione be made and given in to the Queen’s Majestie, in name of the Professors of the Evangell, and the persons before nominat present the samen, to seek the answer thereof: the forme of the Supplication followeth:--
To the Q. Majestie, her Secret and Great Councill, her G. faithful and obedient subjects, Professors of Christ Jesus his holy Evangell, wishes the Spirit of Righteousness and Judgement.
The fear of God conceaved of his holy word, the naturall and unfained Love we bear unto your G. the dewtie quhilk we owe unto our Countrey, and terrible threatenings quhilk our God pronunces against every realme and citie in the quhilks horrible crimes are openly committed, and then be the Committers obstinatly defended, compel us, an great part of your subjects, humbly to crave of your G. upright and trew Judgement against sick persones as hes done what in them lyes to kindle God’s wrath against this realme. The impietie be them committed is so hainous and so horrible, that as it was a fact most vyle and rare to be heard of within this realme, principallie within the bounds of citie, so should we think ourselves guiltie of the samen if negligently, or yet for worldly fear, we pass it over with silence, and therefore your Grace may not think that we require any thing. All that we crave, open malefactors condignly to be punished, But that whilk God hes commanded us to crave, and has also commanded your G. to give to every one of your subjects; ffor be this Link hes God knitt together the Prince and the people, That as he commands honor, fear, and obedience to be given to the Powers established be him, so does he in express words command and declare what thing the Prince aught unto the subjects, To witt, that as he is the Minister of God his word, bearing the Sword for vengeance to be taken on evil doers, and for the defence of peaceable and quiet men, swa ought he to draw the samen without all partialitie swa oft as in God his name he is required thereto. Seeing so it is, Madame, that this crime so recently committed, and that in the eyes of your haill realme now presently assembled, is so hainous, ffor who heretofore hath heard within the bounds of Edinburgh, ʒetts and houses under silence of night bruised up, houses ryped, and that with hostilitie seeking ane woman, as appeared, to oppress her:--Seeing, we say, this crime is so hainous, That all godlie men fear not only God’s sair displeasure to fall upon you and your whole realme, But also that sick libertie breed contempt, and in the end seditione, if remeed in tyme be not goodlie provyded, quhilk in our Judgement is possible, if severe punishment be not execute for the cryme committed. Therefore, we most humbly beseech your Grace that, all affection laid aside, ye declare yourselfe so upright in this case that ye may give evident demonstratione to all your subjects, that the fear of God, joyned with the love of common tranquillitie, have principall seat and dominion in your Grace’s heart. This further, Madam, of conscience we speak, that as your G. in God his name does crave of us obedience, quhilk to render in all things lawful we are most willing, swa in the samen name doe we, the whole Professors of Christ’s Evangell within this realme, crave of you and of your Councill sharp punishment of this cryme, and for performance thereof, that, without all delay, the principall actor of this most hainous cryme, and the persewars of this pretended villanie may be called before the Chief Justice of this realme to suffer ane assyse, and to be punished according to the Lawes of the samen, and your G. answer we most humbly beseek.
[THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]
The Convention of the Kirk of Scotland, gathered in Edinburgh the penult day of Junij 1562, in the quhilk were present the Superintendants, Ministers, and Commissioners underwritten:--
_Superintendents_,
Mrs Johne Spottiswood of Louthiane, Johne Wynrhame of Fyfe, Johne Willock of Glasgow, Johne Erskine of Dun of Angus, Johne Carswell of Argyle.
_Ministers and Commissioners_,
Johne Knox, Minister of Edinburgh, James Barrone and Edward Hope, Commissionars;
James Yong, Mr David Lindsay, Minister at Leith, Patrick Cockburne, and Johne Browne, Commissioners;
Mr Johne Craig, Minister at Halierudehouse, Johne Hart and Williame Oswald, Commissioners;
Williame Harlaw, Minister of St Cuthbert’s Kirk;
Johne Burne, Minister of Mussilburgh;
Mr Thomas Cranstoune, Minister at Tranent;
Alexander Forrester, Minister at Libbertoune;
Mr George Furde, Minister at Dunnune;
Mr David Weymis, Minister of Ratho;
David Cunninghame, Minister of Lanarick;
James Walker, Minister of Steinstoun;
Christopher Goodman, Minister at St Andrews;
Mr George Leslie, Minister at Strathmiglow;
Richard Melvill, Minister at Inchbraok and Maritoun;
Johne Douglas of Pumfrestoun, and Johne Douglas in Howden, Commissioners of the Kirk of Calder;
The Laird of Spott, Commissioner for Dunbar and diverse in the Mers;
James Fleyming, Elder and Commissioner of Glasgow;
The Laird of Lye, Commissioner of Lanerick;
The Laird of Barre, Commissioner of Kyle;
Johne Cathcart of Cariltoun, Commissioner of Carrick;
Mr Robert Pont, Elder and Commissioner of St Andrews;
Thomas Scott of Hayning, Commissioner of Selkraig and Melros.
The quhilk day the fornameit convenit in Mr Hendrie Lawe’s House, and after prayer the Heids and Articles following were treated:--
That Unitie of Doctrine may be retained among the Ministers.
That errors may be avoided, that manners may be reformed, vyce punished without exception of persons, and so that vertew and knowledge may be universallie planted through this realme.
Because the Lives of Ministers aught to be sick as thereby uthers may be provocked to Godliness, It becomes them first to be tryed, and therefore after the tryell of the Superintendants, if any man have to accuse them in life, doctrine, or execution of their office, The Elders of every Kirk most be charged in God’s behalfe to declare their conscience of their Minister, touching their doctrine, life, manners, and conversatione: if any be accused and convict of any notable cryme, he must be subject to the censure of the Kirk, and suffer punishment and admonition, as they shall pronounce.
After the Ministers, the Elders of every Kirk must be tryed, if any hes to lay to the charge of any of them, the accused, whether he be Minister or Elder, aught to remove out of the Assemblie whill his cause be tryed: if he be convict, he can have no voit whill the Kirk receive satisfactione.
After tryall be taken of the haill, then must every Superintendant, with the Ministers and Elders within his Diocie, expone to the Kirk the estate of the Kirk amang them, note the offences and crymes that they know, to the end that the haill may advise some wholsome remead, or at least make supplication to the superiour powers for the samen; and lest that confusione should happen through rashness and hastiness, lotts would be casten what Diocie should first be heard, what secondlie, and swa furth of the rest.
That no Minister leave his flock for coming to the Assemblie except he have complaints to make, or else be complained on, or at the least be warned thereto be the Superintendant.
The Second Assembly, holden the last day of Junii 1562.
It is concluded be the whole Ministers assembled, that all Ministers shall be subject to their Superintendants in all lawful admonitions, as is prescryved as weele in the Booke of Discipline as in the election of Superintendants.
That Superintendants take compt what Books every Minister hes in store in the tyme of their visitation, and how the saids Ministers and every one of them does profite from tyme to tyme in reading and studying the same.
The Third Sessioune, holden the first of Julii 1562.
It is concluded that the Minister shall inquire his elders and every one of them to assist him in all his Lawfull Assemblies; In the whilk if they be found negligent, yet shall he proceed to all admonitiones according to the rule of Christ, whilk they or any of them obey not; then shall the Minister, with so many of the Kirk as will subscryve with him, notifie the matter to the Superintendent, and if he be his can profite nothing, then be his advyse that the inobedient be pronounced excommunicat, and the magistrat, subject to the rule of Christ, be not exeemed from the same punishment, being found guiltie or inobedient.
To make supplication to the hier powers for the Manss and aikers to Ministers to dwell in, according to the Book of Discipline, and the Kirks to be repaired that are decayed, conforme to the act of the Lords of the Secret Councill, pronounced before the Q. G. homecuming.
The Fifth Session, holden at Edinburgh, Julii 3, 1562.
The haill Kirk appoints and decerns Mr John Sharpe and Robert Wilsone to minister in sick Kirks as shall be thought good be the Kirk.
The Sixth Session, 4th July 1562.
Touching the removeing of Idolatrie, the Kirk now, as of before, concludes humble supplication to be given in to her hienes, but the manner how, they have referred to farther consultation of her Majesties Secret Councill.