Part 31

Fitteresso. Dunnotter. Garvock. Catterling. Fordoune. Conveth. Kineth. Bernire. Rescoby. Arbuthnot. Benholme. Eglesgreig. Aberluchoch. Glenbervie. Fettercarne. Newdesk. Breichine. Buttergill. Killiemure. Serminvel. Cruikestone. Stracatrow. Lethnoche. Lochlea. Navar. Fynaven. Kincardrin. Netherellie. Kerremure. Aberlemno. Aldbar. Edzell. Drumlappie. Glames. Clova. Luntrathane. Forfar. Restennet. Nethie. Kinnettles. Tannodyne. Essie. Ederaritie. Kirkbuddo. Corchie. Montrose. Dune. Eglishem. Guthrie. Ewie. Dunnityne. Lady Montrose. Inchbracock. Memmure. Marie-Ettone. Lownan. Ennerkeillour. Eithie. Aberbroth. St Vigians. Kinnell. Barrie. Abirlot. Dundie. Maines. Logie Dundie. Liphe. Ennergowrie. Murrous. Balumby. Monyfurth. Monikei. Panbryde. Fowls. Langforgan. Inchture. Kinnaird. Rossie. Abernytt. Bennvy. Lundie. Auchterhouse. Teilling. Logie. Alloway. Strathmartine. Newtyll. Navar. Migle.

_Perth._

Malar. Kinowll. Kinfawns. Scone. Cambusmichell. St Martine’s Kirk. Auld Melgidge. Kilspindie. Reatt. Erroll. Inchmartine. St Marroys. Aberneithie. Dron. Dumbarnie. Pottie. Montcreiff. Forgundine. Fortiviot. Eglismagredell. Mowcarsie. Dunnyn. Rynd. Tibbermure. Aberdagie. Pitcairne. Kintaill. Maidartie. Methven. Logiearde. Roggartowne. Collas. Trinitie-Gask. Findo-Gask.

_Dunkeld._

Dawallie. Inchaddan. Cluny. Forthragill. Weyme. Kilmarwock. Strowall. Lud. Ramach. Dow. Garntullie. Fosse. Logiereat. Kirkmichell. Mulyne. Ardunan. Strath-Phinane. Kilen. Lundyffe. Rattray. Cargill. Blair. Kapeith. Cluny. Brunithy. Allicht. Ruthven. Glenaylla. Kinclevine. Monyday.

_Dumblane._

Kilbryde. Kilmadock. Kincardin. Port. Gilmahug. Callendreich. Lenie. Aberfule. Baqwhidder. Comrie. Strowen. Tillieheithlie. Muthill. Strogeith. Achterardour. Aber Ruthven. Monyvaird. Monychie. Fowls. Creiche.

_Striveling._

Striveling. Logie. Lecrope. Cambuskenneth. Kippand. St Ninians. Kirk-in-Mure. Lairbaire. Dunnypace. Airthe. Bothkinner. Clackmannan. Tulliebodie. Tulliallane. Fossochie. Tulliboyle. Glendowan. Muckart. Dolour. Alnethe. Tulliecowtrie. Fawkirk. Slamanane.

_Fyffe._

St Androis. St Leonards. Dinmow. Craill. Kilrainnie. Anstruther. Pittenweyme. Abercrombie. Kilconquhar. Newburne. Largo. Seres. Kembock. Dairsie. Balmirrinoch. Logie-Murdo. Lewchars. Forgan. Cowper. Kilmeny. Auchtermoonsay. Creich. Dunbogi. Flisk. Monymaill. Collessie. Auchtermuchtie. Ebdie. Stramiglo. Arngask. Falkland. Lathrisk. Kirkforther. Kirkaldie. Scoonie. Kennoquhy. Markinch. Methel. Weymes. Dysart. Kinghorne. Auchertoole. Bruntiland. Auchterdyrie. Balingrie. Leslie. Dumfermling. Kinglassie. Portmuck. Urvell. Kinrosche. Cleische. Saling. Carnock. Culros. Crumbie. Enderkeithing. Rossey. Aberdour. Dalgatie. Baith. Torrie.

_Lynlythgow._

Carden. Bynnie. Kinnell. Caldercults. Strabrock. Eglischemachen. Kirklistoune. Dummany. Torphichen. Bathcat. Livingstowne. Abercorne. Athcathie. Kirknewtowne. Calder-Cleir.

_Edinburgh._

St Cuthbert’s Kirk. Corstorphine. Halyrudehouse. Castle of Edinburgh. Leith. Dudingstoune. Halis. Restalrig. Cramont. Ratho. Gogar. Curry. St Catherine-in-Hopes. Mussillbrugh. Natowne. Libbertoune. Dalkeith. Laswad. Glencorce. Mewill. Newbottle. Cockpen. Pentland. Pennycuik. Month-Lawthian. Temple Borthwick. Caringtowne. Clarkingtowne. Creightoune. Ormistoune. Fawla. Fintra. Cranstoune.

_Haddingtowne._

St Martine’s Kirk. Elstineford. Boultone. Bothaines. Morchame. Barrow. Garvet. Northbervick. Gulane. Aberladie. Settone. Tranent. Pinkieclend. Saltowne. Keithniby. Keithmitchell. Dunass. Spote. Enderwick. Auld Hamstiks. Coldbrandspeth. Aldcammis. Qwhittinghame. Dunninghame. Stentowne. Qwhytkirk. Aldhome. Basse. Coldinghame. Aittowne. Lambertowne. Haltowne. Swyntowne. Homdene. Fischweick. Piltoun. Chirnside. Bunkle. Prestoune. Caunell. Simprem. Langtowne. Fergo. Polwart. Dinne. Qwhitsone. Mordingtowne. Lanfurmagus. Ellanane. St Cuthberts. Fowldoune. Edrum. Cranschaws. Kelso. Meychell. St James’ Kirk. Spreustoune. Limpitlaw. Ednem. Zittame. Lyntowne. Marbottle. Mow. Hoome. Auld Roxburgh. Mackerstowne. Montharnay. Grimland. Duillis. Gordoune. Stitchell. Melros. Lessindine. Maxtoune. Smatthane. Mortoune. Ligerwood. Bassinden. Hessitoune. Lawder. Chingclek. Stow. Bundane. Langnewtoune. Lillieschleiffe. Selcraig. Leindene. Nook of Ettrick. Rankilburne. Askirk. Geddart. Crailling. Nisbet. Oxnem. Ankrum. Mynto. Bedrewll. Abbots Rowle. Hopes Kirk. Hassinden. Cawers. Hawick. Viltoune. Kirknewtoune. Suddune. Ekfurde. Cassiltoune. Ettiltowne. Peibles. Maner. Ennerlethane. Hopculcheuor. Traquare. Etleistoune. Newlands. Kirkurd. Stobo. Drumalcheour. Dalvick. Brodtowne. Glenqwhairne. Stralling. Kilbuthie. Lin. Lantowne. Lanereik. Carloouch. Pittinaine. Cothqwhan. Libbertoune. Crowartoune. Thankertoune. Carnwath. Robertstowne. Carstaires. Simontoune. Vischtoune. Crawfurd John. Crawfurd Douglass. Hartsyde. Lamintoune. Culter. Velstoune. Dunschyre. Dolphingtowne. Bigger. Dowglass. Carmichell. Leschmahago. Stenhouse.

_Glasgow._

Calder. Monkland. Bothwell. Schotts. Cambuschnethane. Dalzell. Strathaven. Hamiltoune. Dalserff. Glasford. Cambuslang. Carmunnock. Torrence. Blantyre. Kilbryde. Rutherglaine. Cathcart. Givane. Campsie. Lunchie. Monyabroche. Peslay. Neiles. Kiberchane. Eistwoode. Nerriness. Ranfrow. Inchschinane. Erskine. Egleschame. Lochquinchoche. Howstone. Kilmacome. Killellane. Enderkirks. Dumbartane. Caldrosse. Bulill. Lowss. Kilmahow. Rosnethie. Kilterne. Fintrie. Strablane. Kilmaronock. Drimmen. Balthrone. Kirkpatrick. Bothernock. Inchcalcheaur. Irving. Perstoune. Largiss. Cumrie. Kilbryde. Ardrossan. Kilwinning. Dunlop. Baith. Stainsone. Dalie. Kilburnie. Kilmarnock. Lundene. Kilmaves. Stewartone. Dreghorne. Aire. Alloway. Tarboltoune. Barnwell. Craige. Ricartowne. Monktowne. St Cavocks. Prestick. Dundonald. Corsbie. Simontowne. Vchiltrie. Auchinleck. Machlen. Kirk of Mure. Gastoune. Darympill. Querltoune. Dalmelingtoune. Mayboll. Kirkoswald. Kirk Michell. Clamonell. Stratowne. Kirkcudbright. Daylie. Girvane. Schaschank. Glenluice. Inchie. Salsit. Kirkholme. Lesswall. Stanie Kirk. Tostartowne. Kirkmadin in Ryndis. Wigtowne. Qwhitterne. Conglingtoun. Kirkcowan. Kirkmadane. Sorbie. Kirkinner. Mochrum. Pennynghame. Glassertowne. Kirkmadan in Fairnes. Kirkcudbright. Galney. Dunrod. Balmache. Kylchryst. Twinen. Tungland. Borge. Kirkaiders. Sandweck. Girtowne. Anvethe. Kirkmabreck. Kirkdaill. Monygaff. Drundennane. Bowthill. Geltoune. Gilkstoune. Kirkormoch. Corsmichall. Partoune. Dalry. Kellis. Balmaclellane. Drumfreiss. Troqueir. Terngliss. Newabbay. Hallywood. Guddick. Lochrawne. Kirkunchean. Kirkpatrick. Irwing. Kirkpatrick in the Muire. Kirkblaine. Cowane. Callaroch. Torquhorrell. Kirkmahe. Penpont. Tyrewyne. Dowrisdaire. Kilbryde. Mortun. Kirkonell. Sanquhar. Closeburne. Dalgairne. Dunskyre. Glencairne. Lochmabane. Muffet. Kirkpatrick-juxta. Johnstoune. Wanfray. Kirkmichel. Trailflate. Dongraine. Kirkwall. Meikledaltoune. Litledaltoune. Muswald. Ruthwall. Huttoune. Aplegarthe. Drysdaill. Sibelly. Annand. Dronock. Castlemilk. Cummertries. Lwiff. Pennerfacks. Trailnow. Eglischame. Mordenlie. Torrie. Kirkonell. Caruthers. Tonargirthe. Gratnay. Reid Kirk, alias Kirk Pato. Vachope. Cannobie. Mortun. Vastraker. Stapplegratoun. Nether Kirk of Elis. Over Kirk of Elis.

[FIFTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY.]

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk, conveint at Edinburgh, the 20th day of Junii 1587, qwhair there was assemblit the King’s Commissioners, my Lords Chancellour and Blantyre, with the Commissioners with the Brethrene.

Exhortatione made be Mr David Lyndsay. Leets, Mr Nicoll Dalgleische, Patrick Galloway, Thomas Buchanane, and Andrew Melvill: The said Mr Andrew, be pluralitie of votis, was chosen Moderator, _hac vice_. At the said Mr Andrew his desyre, Mrs David Lyndsay, Nicoll Dalgleische, Patrick Galloway, Paull Fraser, Thomas Buchanan, Robert Pont, Robert Bruce, Robert Craigie, Walter Balcanquall, Patrick Simsone, James Brysone, Peter Blackburne, and Androw Hay, were nominat Assessors.

Sessio 2.

Mrs David Lyndsay and John Durie, qwho were direct to my Lord Secretar anent his Majestie’s Commissioners, reportit, That his Heines had nominat my Lords Secretar and Justice-Clark, qwha wald be present and concurre as their opportunitie might serve--alwayes willing the Assembly according to his Heines mynde, before any uther thing, be intreatit the cause of Mr John Cowper: Nottheless, after some reasoning, was content they sould be delayed till the morne, and that the brether qwho are on the conferrence sould meit and reasone something concerning that matter.

Anent the Books of the Assembly: Seing the King’s Majestie’s Commissioners hes offerit their concurrence to the recovering thereof, if it may be knowne in qwhais hands they are, The Moderator desyrit the brether that could give any light in this matter, and namelie Mr Patrick Gallaway, quho was direct in the last Assembly to the King’s Majestie to sute the delyverance of the said Register, and his Heines answer thereanent; qwho declareit his Majestie had promised to cause them be delyverit. Thairafter it was testified be John Braid, that at the last Assemblie, in his awne house, Mr Patrick Adamsone, Bischop of St Androis, in presence of David Fargysone, confessit where the same were, and at command obtained be the King’s Grace, he sould cause delyver the same: Lykeas it was testified by John Durie that he heard him lykewayes grant the having thereof: Qwhilks testificatione being considerit be the Assembly, they concludit that charge sould be gine against him; and for the better advyce in that matter, direct Mr David Lyndsay to my Lord Secretar; qwho returning with his answer, thocht meit ane supplicatione sould be gine to the Lords of Counsell to obtaine charges against the said Mr Patrick, and lykewayes that the Kirk sould of their awne charges and authoritie, according qwherunto the Kirk ordaynit ane supplicatione to be pennit, and gine to the Lords, the morne; and sicklyke ane charge to pass from this Assembly, chargeing the said Mr Patrick to exhibite the said booke before them, to be delyverit to the Kirk within thrie dayes after the charge, or to schaw ane reasonable cause why; and sicklyke to compear within the said space personallie, to answer for his absence from this Assemblie, and to such other accusationes as sould be layit to his charge, under the paine of the censures of the Kirk.

Sessio 3.

All quarters sall resorte to the Assemblie every day, at the dew houre appoynted therto, and remaine to the end every day, under the paine of the payment of ane groat, _toties quoties_.

Sessio 4.

It was thocht expedient, notwithstanding of the ordinance made yesternight against Mr Patrick Adamsone, for delyvering of the Register, That before the same be put to executione, ane humble supplication be made to the King’s Majestie for that effect, qwhilk the breither desyrit Mr David Lyndsay and John Duncansone to forme.

Forsuameikle as there hath been ane matter of grief conceived be the King’s Majestie againes Mrs John Cowper and James Gibsone, movit privilie to the Moderator; It is thocht expedient be the haill Assembly that the said cause be first privilie treattit and considerit be the Laird of Dune, Mrs Peter Blackburne, Johne Porterfield, Thomas Buchanane, David Lindsay, Nicoll Dalgleische, and David Fargysone, qwham the Assembly nominat to travell, reasone, and conferre with the saids pairties, and to sie if they can take up the matter be their own advyce, utherwayes to propone the same to the full Assemblie, that the matter may be heard and reasonit there; and to that effect, ordaynit the saids brethrene to pass out of the Assemblie, and the saids Mrs John and James to passe with them.

Seeing his Majestie is now of perfect age, and ane Parliament is appoynted in the next moneth; It is thocht expedient that the acts of Parliament made be oure Soveraigne Lord, his Heines’ predecessor and Regent for the tyme, for the libertie of the trew Kirk of God and Christ’s religione presently professit within this realme, and for repressing of Papistrie and Idolatrie, collectit together and craved to be confirmed; and lykewyse the executione of the saids acts may be considerit, and what order aither excommunicatione or law shall be desyrit against the saids Papists and Idolaters, as also such lawes and constitutiones as are made to the derogatione of the said libertie, or to the prejudice or stay of the course of the Evangell, may be likewise collectit, to that effect their abrogatione may be sought: Qwhairunto they nominat the Laird of Dun, Mrs Robert Pont, Nicoll Dalgleische, David Lyndsay, and Paull Fraser.

Sessio 5.

The Commissione gine in the last Assemblie to the Presbytries of Glasgow and Strivilling, anent Mr David Cunnynghame, concernyng the sclander of adulterie with Elspeth Sudderland, or any uther persone, is continued.

Anent the diverse and grievous complaynts of syndrie breither against Mr Patrick Adamsone, Bischop of St Androis, at qwhais instance he is registrat at the horne for non-payment of their stipends assignit to them, and specially of Mrs William Strang, David Spense, Adam Johnstoune, and uthers, of the sclander that he lyes at the horne for not furnisching two gallons of wyne for the communione: This matter being heavilie regraitit to the King’s Commissioners, promise was made be the Pryor of Blantyre to communicat the matter to the rest of the King’s Majestie’s Commissioners, qwhais advyce for redress heirof he should report to the Assembly. As to the regraite of some breither, that pairtly be his rebellione and lying at the horne, pairtly be his suspensione, some divisione ryses, that certaine resorts not to his sermones nor to the administratione of the sacraments made be him or uther sarvice, as humiliatione--uthers repairs thairto--so appeares some divisione qwhilk wad be redresst: The breither thinks meet, that, before they enter herein, some answer be reportit to the former complaint.

The matter of Mrs John Cowper and James Gibsone, be the votts of the Kirk, was committit fully to the Moderator and Assessors to conferr, consult, advyse, and, if they may, conclude and put finall end thereto.

Sessio 6.

His Majestie’s Commissioners being present, thocht meit, because Mr Patrick Adamson’s matter is civil, qwherin the King’s Majestie hes interes, that his Grace sould be forwarnit, qwhilk the Kirk promised to doe.

Anent the doubt proponit, if it be sclander to a Christiane to absent himselfe from the sermones, ministratione of the sacraments, or uther godlie exercises used be such as lyis at the King’s Majestie’s horne, and are suspendit from all functione of the ministrie? The Kirk answers, that there is no sclander in this cause, but be the contrare, it is sclanderous to a Christiane to resort to the exercises forsaid of such ane one as they know to be at the horne, and suspendit from all functione of the ministrie.

Sessio 7.

Anent the supplicatione gine in for Gilbert Lambe and certaine in company with him presently keepit in prisone in Citde in Spaine for the testimonie of the truth: The Assembly ordaynes the brethren of the ministrie universallie to recommend in their prayers the said Gilbert in particular and his companie in generall to God, and to crave their delyverance, if it be his pleasure, or ane finall perseverance and constancie to the end in the trew profession of the Evangell.

Sessio 8.

The breither of the West having admittit the Bischop of Glasgow to the temporalitie, the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdictione being devolved be him in the Kirk’s hand, and having receivit his obligatione thair, in caice the Generall Assembly sould not allow of such admissione, the same sould be undone; The haill matter being weyghit be the full number of the breither, they universallie concludit the said forme of admissione to be unlawfull, and ordaynit the brethren admitters, to urge him performe the heids of the said obligatione, anent the undoing and annulling of the said admissione.

Sessio 9.

No ministers of colledges or schooles shall receave in their colledges or schooles, any student or schollar, being of maturitie of age, quho refuses to subscryve the trew Religione presently establisched and professt, be the mercy of God, within this realme, or refuseing to participat the sacraments, under the paine of the censures of the Kirk; and farther, before any student be promovit to any degree in the universitie, that they shall, _toties quoties_, as they shall be promovit, subscryve _de novo_, utherwayes their promotiones to be stayit, under the paine forsaid; and that the presbytries be diligent to sie the executione of this act, as they will answer to God.

The Kirk within this realme hes advysit and found good, that the Presbitries, together with the Commissioners in all the pairts of the countrie, and every ane of them for their awne pairts, prescryve to every young man that is minister within such ane Presbytrie, ane pairt of Scripture, together with ane pairt of the commone places and contravertit heads of Religione, to be diligently read, considerit, and learnit be him, within such ane space of tyme as the Presbytrie thinks good to appoynt him; and that his diligence may the better appear unto the fruit thereof, at certaine tymes of the year, euery Presbytrie being convenit, take ane count of the young man of his trauells, be requyring of him in the pairt of scripture prescryvit to him--first, the soume and deductione thereof in maner: 2. The solid sence and meaning of these places qwhilk are most difficult to be understood: 3. A collatione of the sentences qwhilk by reading he may be able to gather out of that part of scripture; the qwhilk arguments may either serve to confirme the truth, or else to refute hereticall opiniones. As for the pairt of commone places and heads of religion prescryvit unto him, let him be ready to answer to questionyng and reasoning to the head thereupone, and so to be exercit in this kynde, not for a tyme only, but from tyme to tyme, qwhill he come to certaine maturitie and solidness in the scripture of God.

Sessio 11.

Anent the supplicatione made in name of the towne of Haddingtone, lamenting the away-taking of their presbytrie againes the order of the last platt made be the Generall Kirk: The Assemblie examining the causes of the removeing thereof be the contrare, and finding the occasione thereof to haue beene for lacke of obedience and want of discipline, hes, at the earnest sute and craveing of Mrs Nicoll Hay and John Ker, Commissioners for the said towne, restorit the said Presbytrie, with condition and promise, that if there be not better order and discipline keepit be them in time comeing nor hes been heretofore, that the samen shall be removit, &c. The Kirk resolves that particular sessions of kirks and congregationes are, and should be subject to their presbytries, as hes been accordit of before be the act of the Assemblie.

Sessio 12.

William Chillane, reider at Auchtertoole, depryvit from his office and functione in the Kirk, in tyme comeing, for marrying William Kirkaldie, alias Ker, Laird of Grange, with Mistres Elizabeth Lyone, _intra privatos parietes_, without proclamation of bands; and, notwithstanding that Elspeth Leirmonth, daughter lawfull to Sir Patrick Leirmonth of Darcie, Knight, made lawful impediment in the Kirk of Glames.

Sessio 13.

Mr Robert Pont was recommended by the King’s Majestie to the bischopric of Caithness: The said Mr Robert, for cleiring himself of sclander, declareit, that for some loss and hurt done to him, in his trauell after diverse suits, gine in be him to the checker, this presentatione, without procurement of him, was put in his hand; and if the living might be brookit with safe conscience, and without sclander, desyreit their judgement, being desyreit to be minister at Dornoch, and to take visitatione; bot be command of the Kirk and for his office and charge, brook the living only? The Kirk referrs the answer to be gine to the King heiranent, to be advysit upon be Nicoll Dalgleische, Peter Blackburne, and David Fargysone, with the said Mr Robert.

Sessio 15.

Ane letter being direct be John Duncansone, bearing the King’s command to the Bischope, for delyverance of the books, at leist four of them, and that Mr George Young was stayit qwhill the saids books should be delyverit: The Kirk immediatly directit Mrs James Nicolsone and Alexander Rawsone to my Lord Secretar, to the effect the samen might be presentit; and, after their directione, and reiterat direction of their breither, Mr Andrew Melvill and David Lyndsay, Maister George Young presentit to the sicht of the Kirk ffyve volumnes of their Acts, whereof a great pairt being mankit; and, after the sicht thereof, being redelyverit to the said Mr George: The haill brethren ordaynit ane heavie regrate to be made to his Majestie, in article, lamenting the away-taking and mutilating of the saids books, and to crave that the samen may be restorit; and also, that the saids books may be delyverit in the Kirk’s hands, to remain with them as their awne Register; namely, in respect of the answer returnit from my Lord Secretar, that his Majestie’s will was, that the Kirk sould have inspectione thereof as they have had adoe presentlie, and giue them up again.

Ane letter approvit be the Assemblie, and direct to his Majestie, anent Mr Robert Pont’s matter: tennor thereof:--