",' i iBS TO% ''' ;% '" v '" ^'' MslLW '*"" J "' Jj *'^"'« 
 
 ■ QVID MELIVS BONITATE • EX- SP 
 • ° EN E F [ C ENITI A ■ 
 
 THE 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS 
 fHISTORIGAL SOGIETVf 
 
 FOUNDED AD. 1791 
 — — h=h- — 
 
 FROM THE FUND 
 
 BEQUEATHED 
 
 By the Reverend 
 
 Robert Cass/eWatcrston X 
 
 S~ RECEIVE D 
 
PUBLICATIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SCOTTISH HISTORY SOCIETY 
 
 VOLUME XI 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSION RECORDS 
 
 May 1892 
 
THE RECORDS OF 
 THE COMMISSIONS OF THE 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLIES 
 
 OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 
 HOLDEN IN EDINBURGH IN THE YEARS 
 1646 and 1647 
 
 Edited from the Original Manuscript by 
 ALEXANDER F. MITCHELL, D.D., LL.D. 
 AND JAMES CHRISTIE, D.D. 
 with an Introduction by the former 
 
 EDINBURGH 
 
 Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable 
 for the Scottish History Society 
 1892 
 
DA 
 750 
 
 v. H 
 
 OCT 20 1971 
 465004 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The six volumes of Church Records, of which this is the 
 earliest, appear to have been borrowed, along with the original 
 ms. of Baillie's Letter's and Journals and some other mss. be- 
 longing to the General Assembly, 1 by the late Mr. David 
 
 1 The following are, in brief, the titles of these manuscripts : — 
 
 I. The Actes and Proceedings of the Commission of the Generall Assemblie 
 holden in Edinburghe in the yeir 1646. Do. in the yeir 1647. 
 II. Minutes of Commissions 1648-49, 1649-50, and 1651-52. 
 
 III. Minutes of Commissions 1650-51, wanting the printed papers. 
 
 IV. Duplicate of No. III., but containing the printed papers. 
 
 V. Results of the consultations of the Ministers of Edinburgh, and some 
 other brethren of the ministry from divers parts of the land, meet- 
 ing together from time to time since the interruption of the Assembly 
 1653, for mutual advice and counsel in the public affairs of this 
 distressed and distracted Kirk, with other Papers of public concern- 
 ment, which the brethren recommend to Mr. Andrew Ker, Clerk of 
 the Assembly, to cause put together and keep in some Record for 
 the use and benefit of this Kirk, and testimony of their care and 
 faithfulness, 1652-1658. 
 VI. Register of the Consultations and Proceedings of the Ministers of Edin- 
 burgh, and some other brethren of the ministry, correspondents from 
 presbyteries, who had their meetings together at several times and 
 diets for communication of counsels, for the upholding presbyterial 
 government and all the interests of the Church of Christ in this land 
 now, during the time of the interruption of Assemblies ; which the 
 brethren recommend to Mr. Andrew Ker, Clerk of the Assembly 
 present with them at all their meetings, to cause put together in some 
 Book and Register, for public use and their exoneration ; which meet- 
 ings of Correspondents began in May 1654, and have continued since, 
 and this Register, which is the second, begins in January 1659. This 
 volume contains the correspondence between James Sharp, afterwards 
 Archbishop of St. Andrews, and Mr. Robert Douglas. 
 VII. Collections (partly ms., partly printed) on Ecclesiastical affairs, from 
 1645 to I 7°8. 
 
 VIII., IX., X., XL, XII., XIII. Volumes of Letters on Ecclesiastical affairs, 
 
 numbered 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31. 
 XIV., XV., XVI. Original MS. of Baillie's Letters and Journals. 
 XVII. ms. Lectures on various Books of the Old Testament, lettered on boards 
 
 A. G. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Laing, when preparing for the press his new and valuable 
 edition of these Letters and Journals, and to have remained 
 in his possession up to the time of his death. In the end of 
 the year 1878, when occupied in drafting for the General 
 Presbyterian Council, a report on the Creeds and Formulas of 
 subscription which had been in use in the Reformed Church of 
 Scotland at various periods of her history, I was naturally 
 anxious to obtain access to the Records of the Commission at 
 the time the Westminster Confession was adopted by the 
 Church, to ascertain if any Formula had at that era been 
 prescribed, and I was greatly disappointed to find that these 
 Records were not then in possession of the Assembly. I felt 
 sure that I had met with various extracts from them in some 
 works with which I was not unfamiliar, and on further rumina- 
 tion and search I found that the chief of these extracts were 
 contained in the Notices 1 regarding the metrical versions of the 
 Psalms appended to Mr. Laing^s edition of Baillie's Letters and 
 Journals. When, soon after I submitted my draft report to 
 Mr. Laing, who was associated with me in that matter in the 
 Committee of the General Presbyterian Council, I told him 
 of my anxiety to see these volumes, and my disappointment to 
 find that they were not now in the possession of the Church, 
 and inquired if he could tell me what had become of them 
 after he was done with them. He said he supposed they were 
 some volumes which had been left with him to be rebound, 
 and that he would bring them up from Portobello, and have 
 them ready for my inspection the first time I returned to 
 town. My next visit to town was to attend the funeral of my 
 aged friend, but I learned thereafter that he had not forgotten 
 his promise to me, and that the volumes in question had before 
 that time been lodged in the safe at the Signet Library, and 
 were soon afterwards restored by his executors to the Church. 
 This was not the first time the volumes in question had gone 
 
 1 Vol. iii. pp. 525-556. They are also quoted in Reid's History of the Presby- 
 terian Church in Ireland, vol. ii. p. 58, etc. 
 
INTRODUCTION vii 
 
 amissing. They appear to have got into private hands during 
 the troubles which came on the Presbyterian Church after the 
 Restoration of Charles n. ; and there are various references in 
 Wodrow's Correspondence and Analecta^ which seem to show 
 that they still remained so in his time. Some years after his 
 death a Committee was appointed by the General Assembly to 
 inquire after missing Records and other documents of value 
 for the history of the Church, and to endeavour by legal pro- 
 cess or by purchase to gain possession of them. It was not 
 till 1739 that this Committee had the privilege of reporting 
 that they * had produced before them diverse authentick 
 Registers of the Commission of the General Assembly, in four 
 volumes in folio, for the years one thousand six hundered and 
 fourty six, fourty seven, fourty eight, fourty nine, fifty, fifty 
 one, fifty two, and till May one thousand six hundered and 
 fifty three [which have been] purchased from a gentleman, by 
 a Committee of the late General Assembly, and the price has 
 been paid out of the Churches publick money, and the foresaid 
 Records may be seen by any member in the clerk's hands ' . . . 
 The Committee was 6 re-appointed and empowered to con- 
 tinue to search for the foresaid Registers of the General 
 Assembly and Commissions thereof, and other manuscripts and 
 writes which may be of use to clear up the history of this 
 Church since the Reformation, and the purchase of the same 
 to be paid out of the Churches publick money, and when they 
 shall find out so much as make up authentick connected 
 Records, to cause employ a fitt person or persons to putt the 
 same in order, referring to the warrands thereof, with an exact 
 index, and which Committee are to report their dilligence and 
 opinion to the Commission of the General Assembly and 
 receive their directions, whereof five to be a quorum."' 2 
 
 1 Correspondence^ vol. ii. p. 314; vol. iii. pp. 239, 285; Analecta, vol. iii. 
 pp. 206, 428. 
 
 2 Excerpt from MS. minutes of Assembly 1739, in University Library, St. 
 Andrews. 
 
viii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 I have never come on any evidence that the Records of the 
 Commissions appointed by the Assemblies of 1642, 1643, 1644, 
 and J 645 are still extant, and the loss of these records is greatly 
 to be regretted, as no doubt the Commissioners of the Church, 
 in London, corresponded as regularly with the Commissioners 
 in Edinburgh during these years as we find they did during 
 1646-47. The minutes of these earlier Commissions, along 
 with the ms. minutes of most 1 of the Assemblies from 1640 
 to 1653, also lost, probably formed part of that collection 
 of Church mss. which the Earl of Cromarty, in restoring a 
 record 2 of still earlier date to the Church in 1708, said were 
 brought together and burned by order of the Restoration 
 Parliament. 
 
 The appointment of such a Commission by the Assembly of 
 1642 was deemed by many a new departure, not quite in con- 
 sonance with the sentiments and the practice of the earlier 
 Presbyterian times. When, in 1597, such a wide or 'general' 
 Commission was suggested by King James vi., Melville and the 
 more thorough-going leaders of the Church rather looked on 
 the suggestion with disfavour, as 6 the needle intended to draw 
 in the Episcopal thread,' and the few of them who were allowed 
 a place on that early Commission had little satisfaction in its 
 work. 3 The main object assigned for its appointment was to 
 keep up a good understanding between the King and the 
 
 1 Two volumes, purchased from a tobacconist, were handed over to Wodrow, 
 who pronounced the first, which gave a complete account of Assembly 1638, 
 to be no original, but a copy ; and the second, containing, with many sad mutila- 
 tions, the minutes of the Assemblies from 1642 to 1646, to be probably an 
 original. — Correspondence, vol. i. pp. 115-118. A volume of minutes of Assem- 
 blies 1638-39, 40, and some Commission records, perished in the great fire in 
 Edinburgh in 170 1. 
 
 2 This valuable ms., like that still in the Advocates' Library, was an abbreviate 
 of the Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1560 to 1596, and, 
 unfortunately, it has again passed out of the possession of the Church. It appears 
 to have been retained by the heirs of Lord Prestongrange, in whose custody it 
 was, when Clerk of Assembly, and to have passed with his library of law books 
 into the possession of Mr. Stillie, bookseller, Edinburgh, from whom it was 
 purchased some years ago by Lord Rosebery. 
 
 3 Melville's Diary, pp. 311, 312; Calderwood's History, vol. v. pp. 243-261. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 IX 
 
 ministers, and to advise with him in 6 all affairs concerning the 
 weill of the Kirk 1 1 in the interval between one Assembly and 
 another. The main object for which the Commission of 1642 
 was appointed was 6 for the public affairs of the Kirk, and for 
 prosecuting the desires of the Assembly to His Majesty and 
 the Parliament of England. 1 2 It could not but be strongly felt 
 that in such a crisis as that at which they had arrived, it was 
 not expedient to leave the entire control of matters in the 
 hands of the few men who represented the Scottish Par- 
 liament and the Scottish Church in London, but that a 
 more numerous directing Committee should be appointed 
 in Scotland with whom they were to communicate, and 
 by whose instructions they were to be guided. And so the 
 Commission became a regular institution in the Covenanting 
 Church, and, in addition to other functions, got or gradually 
 drew to itself considerable judicial power, though it was 
 still doubted whether it could be said to have full statu- 
 tory recognition as a Court of the Church. 3 After the Revo- 
 lution, and the re-establishment of Presbyterian government 
 in the Church, the Commission was once more revived, 
 at first chiefly for the purpose of receiving or refusing to 
 receive into the Church those of the 4 late conform ministers ' 
 who should apply to them, and for disposing of such matters 
 as should be specially referred to them. 4 At first it consisted 
 of fifty ministers and twenty-five elders ; but gradually its 
 membership was increased, till it equalled in number that of the 
 Assembly itself, 5 and finally till it consisted only of those who 
 had actually been members of the Assembly, with the addition 
 of those whose commissions to the Assembly had been rejected 
 
 1 Peterkin's Booke of Universal/ Kirk, p. 461. 
 
 2 Peterkin's Records of the Kirk, p. 330. 
 
 3 Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. 55, iii. 65, 81, etc. 
 
 4 Acts x., xviii., and xix., Assembly 1694. 
 
 5 * Being just the same members and representation, save the supernumerary 
 members . . . that is, the nobility, lords of Session, Advocate, and Justice- 
 Clerk.' — Wodrow's Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 136. 
 
X 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 because of some technical informality, and also of one person 
 in room of the moderator of the Assembly. Wodrow evidently 
 knew of these doubts as to its statutory position which were 
 keenly revived in his own time, and thinks it enough to say in 
 reply to them, that memorials and addresses from the Com- 
 mission had on several occasions been received by the Sovereign, 
 answers sent, and civil sanction given to its Acts. 1 But its 
 severe proceedings against the chief 4 rebels,' and the ministers 
 who sympathised with them, in 1646-47, against the Seceders 
 in 1733-34, against the Strathbogie ministers in 1839-41, and 
 against Dr. Wallace in 1873, appear to many to show that 
 its very facility for meeting has made it more liable to be in- 
 fluenced by sudden panic or temporarily excited feeling, than 
 the less frequently recurring General Assembly, where usually 
 a fuller and more representative attendance, as well as greater 
 time for calm deliberation, can be counted on. 2 
 
 The volume of these Records now printed casts light on 
 many important transactions, civil as well as ecclesiastical, 
 during two of the most memorable years in the history of the 
 ' Great Civil War" between Charles i. and his Parliaments. 
 This is not the place to enter at length into the causes which 
 led to that prolonged and calamitous war. Briefly and mainly 
 they must be traced up to the arbitrary and oppressive govern- 
 ment of King Charles, his persistent refusal to have recourse 
 to his Parliaments, and to be guided by their counsels — his 
 determination to follow his own sweet will, or that of his able 
 but unscrupulous favourites, and willing instruments in the 
 
 1 Cunningham's Church History \ vol. ii. p. 261 ; Wodrow's Correspondence, 
 vol. iii. pp. 134-139, 250-254. He speaks also of the 'privileges and judica- 
 tories ' of the Church as ratified at the Union ; this last word does not occur in 
 the Act of Security. Others refer to the ratification in 1690 of the power of the 
 ' General meeting of the ministers and elders ' to appoint visitors to purge out 
 all insufficient, negligent, scandalous, and erroneous ministers by due course of 
 ecclesiastical process, and for redressing all other Church disorders.' 
 
 2 See the debate on the Wallace case, and especially the speech of the late 
 Dr. Cook of Haddington, on 29th May 1873, as reported in the Scotsman of the 
 following day ; also Story's Church History, vol. iii. 626-7, iv. 32-36. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xi 
 
 work of repression — Wentworth and Laud. That policy of 
 Thorough, to which they had pledged themselves, could be 
 satisfied with nothing less on the part of the patriots and Puri- 
 tans than the surrender of both liberty and conscience to their 
 direction. They had so completely cowed those in England, 
 that many of them already meditated to leave their native 
 land, when even that privilege was denied them, they had at 
 last muzzled those in Ireland who had been longer borne with, 
 and now, with Laud's insane raid on Scotland, it might well 
 be thought ventum est ad triarios. But 4 there are moments 
 when the stern Scottish nature breaks out into enthusiasm 
 less passionate but more enduring than the frenzv of a southern 
 race," and this and the similar crisis of 1643, when they 
 believed their religion and liberty were both at stake, were 
 such supreme moments. It proved equal to the emergency, 
 and though at times misdirected, at times relentlessly crushed, 
 was not to lose its power till it issued in the triumph of the 
 Claim of Right in 1688. The perfervidum ingenium Scotorum, 
 once fairly roused, had a contagious influence on the friends of 
 Protestant truth and national liberties everywhere throughout 
 the British dominions. The events which so rapidly followed 
 each other in Scotland, and the marvellous revolution they 
 ushered in, are familiar to all who are in any measure ac- 
 quainted with the story and fortunes of the Kirk — the meet- 
 ings in Edinburgh of peers, gentry, commoners, and divines, 
 the appointment of the Tables or committees of each of these 
 parties, their remonstrances against the proposed service-book 
 and book of canons as illegally introduced ; the rejection of 
 their petitions and remonstrances ; the ill-judged attempt to 
 force the introduction of the service-book, the tumult which 
 the introduction of it occasioned in St. Giles" Cathedral ; the 
 renewal of the Confession or Covenant originally signed and 
 enjoined by the King^s father in 1581, with the addition of 
 certain clauses demanded by the new crisis ; the petition for a 
 free and lawful General Assembly to determine the matter in 
 
xii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 dispute, and to redress other and older grievances ; the tardy 
 compliance with the prayer of the petition, as well as the 
 suspension of the orders respecting the ill-omened book ; the 
 actual meeting of the Assembly on 21st November 1638, in 
 Glasgow Cathedral ; its attempted dissolution by the Lord 
 High Commissioner, and its refusal to dissolve till the work 
 for which it had been summoned was completed ; its trial and 
 deposition of the bishops and their chief supporters ; its con- 
 demnation of the service-book and book of canons ; its declara- 
 tion of the nullity of the Assemblies which had given a certain 
 sanction to the hierarchy and its restoration of the Presby- 
 terian government of the church, as it had formerly subsisted 
 and had been ratified by King James and the Parliament of 
 1592 ; the attempt of the King to gain by force of arms what 
 he had failed to gain by policy and proclamations, his quailing 
 when brought face to face witli the Covenanting host on Dunse 
 Law, condescending to treat with them, and promising them 
 an Assembly and Parliament in which their grievances should 
 be redressed ; the renewal of hostilities when neither Assembly 
 nor Parliament proved compliant with his wishes ; the march- 
 ing of the Covenanted army into England, the successes it 
 gained in Northumberland, and the permission accorded to it 
 to winter there ; the despatch of Scottish Commissioners to 
 London to conclude a new treaty, and the friendly relations 
 established between them and the English Parliament ; the 
 success of their mission, and the subsequent visit of the King 
 to Scotland to ratify in its Parliament the concessions made to 
 them, and, if it might be, thereby to detach them from their 
 friends in England, who were now gaining courage to speak 
 resolutely to him — all these important events following each 
 other almost with the suddenness of a dream, and soon to 
 be followed by others as important, are familiar to all 
 who are acquainted in any measure with the story of the 
 Kirk. 
 
 On the 13th September 1645 the meteor-like career of 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xiii 
 
 Montrose, first Lieutenant-General and afterwards Viceroy of 
 the King, virtually came to a very unexpected and disastrous 
 close on the field of Philiphaugh. His brilliant and romantic, 
 but singularly ill-advised, 'diversion 1 to restore the waning 
 fortunes of Charles w r as not only fruitless for the purposes it 
 had been intended to serve, but fruitful in spreading red ruin, 
 wanton misery, and reckless spoliation among the dependants 
 of his opponents, and in increasing the exasperation of those 
 who for the moment had been terrorised. Ever since 1642, 
 this member of the Assembly of 1638, who then exceeded in 
 zeal not only Hamilton but Argyll, took an active part in all 
 its measures, and consented soon after to be the chief instru- 
 ment in coercing Aberdeen into submission, had been getting 
 more and more out of humour with his associates, 1 who, as he 
 affirmed, were more and more departing from their first prin- 
 ciples, and who were as unable to satisfy his inordinate ambition 
 as he was soon to find himself to satisfy that of Huntly and the 
 Gordons. He deemed he had got sufficient reason for finally 
 breaking with them, when, in 1643, the Scottish Convention of 
 Estates and the General Assembly of the Church, after anxious 
 deliberation, came to the resolution to make common cause 
 with their brethren in England, as these had done with them 
 in their extremity, and to add to their National Covenant a 
 Solemn League and Covenant for the maintenance of the true 
 
 1 'We know that James Graham, then Earl of Montrose . . . did, with tears 
 in his eyes, and both his hands lifted up to heaven, swear unto the Lord in the 
 public Assembly of his people to build those things which he now destroys, and 
 to destroy those things which he now builds ; though the King's Majesty, of 
 whose authority he now pretends to be so zealous, had not then given his royal 
 consent and approbation unto our affairs : But we do as well know that he 
 proved unstable and light as water. His ambition, as it made him impatient of 
 his own condition, and of the estimation of those of better deserving than him- 
 self, so to hearken to the promises of the Court, and to study a faction within, 
 and to entertain secret correspondence and intelligence with the adverse party 
 without the kingdom. And though those his base and treacherous ways were 
 divers times discovered, yet did he still drive his own crooked designs.' — Declar- 
 ation from the Commission of the General Assembly approved by Parliament in 
 December 1645, and published in January 1646. 
 
xiv 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Reformed Religion, the nearer union of the Churches in the 
 three kingdoms, and the defence of the liberties of Parliament 
 and people, as well as of the just rights of the Crown. Bidding 
 away the suggestions of worldly prudence they resolved, for 
 the sake of that faith which was dearer to them than life, to 
 put in jeopardy all they had then gained, and to make common 
 cause with their Southern brethren in the time of their sorest 
 need. And if ever nation swore to its own hurt and changed 
 not, made great sacrifices ungrudgingly, bore obloquy and 
 misrepresentation uncomplainingly, and had wrongs heaped on 
 it most cruelly by those for whom its self-sacrifice alone opened 
 a career, it was the Scottish nation at this eventful epoch in 
 its history. It felt that the faith it held dear, the faith which 
 the English nation had helped it eighty years before to secure, 
 the faith which, thirty years later, both nations, with consent 
 of their Sovereigns, had engaged to preserve and defend when 
 assailed by Spain, the faitli which had exercised so benign an 
 influence on their progress, was being imperilled by the oppo- 
 nents of the patriots and Puritans of the South, and it was 
 determined to dare all to secure its safety and triumph, and to 
 assist in bringing the Church in the South into nearer agree- 
 ment with all the other Reformed Churches, that all in Britain, 
 as well as those on the Continent, then also in arms for their 
 faith, might be more closely and cordially united. 
 
 No one, who remembers that Henderson himself hesitated at 
 first as to the exact course that should be adopted in this 
 crisis, need question the sincerity of Montrose, but while the 
 views of the former were at least statesmanlike, those of Mon- 
 trose were idealistic and impracticable, 1 and so far as they 
 depended for their realisation on the revival of the proposal 
 
 1 1 He dashed at his high aim like a Paladin of romance, conscious of the purity 
 of his intentions, and trusting to his own genius to mould to useful purposes the 
 intractable forces which chance might throw in his way. . . . His dream was 
 more of a 1 devout imagination ' than any that had ever entered into the mind of 
 the most fanatical Calvinist.' — Gardiner's Great Civil War, vol. ii. p. 79. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xv 
 
 of Strafford — discarded in 1640 — to bring in the Irish Papists 
 to turn the wavering balance in Britain, they were utterly 
 injudicious as well as unpatriotic. These were odious, of course, 
 as Papists, and still more as Irish Papists, who but a few years 
 before had barbarously massacred so many Protestants, of 
 Scottish as well as of English nationality, dwelling peacefully 
 among them, and prominent among them had been Alastair 
 Macdonald the Elder and his sons. 'The wild Irish' in 
 Ireland, as Turner, not unfriendly to Montrose and the royalist 
 cause, though not yet arrayed on their side, confesses 6 did not 
 only massacre all whom they could overmaster, but burnt 
 towns, villages, castles, churches, and all habitable houses, 
 endeavouring to reduce, as far as their power could reach, 
 all to a confused chaos. 1 1 ' This also,' an Aberdeen Scot con- 
 fesses of the Irish in Scotland, 4 could not but offend the 
 Holy of Holies that, when God had given their enemies into 
 their hands, the Irishes in particular were too cruel ; for 
 it was everywhere observed they did ordinarily kill all they 
 could be master of, without any motion of pity, or any con- 
 sideration of humanity, nay, it seemed to them there was no 
 distinction between a man and a beast ; for they killed men 
 ordinarily with no more feeling of compassion and with the 
 same careless neglect that they kill a hen or a capon for their 
 supper ; and they were also without all shame, most brutishly 
 given to uncleanness and filthy lust. As for excessive drink- 
 ing, when they came where it might be had, there were no 
 limits to their beastly appetites ; as [also] for godless avarice 
 and merciless oppression, and plundering the poor labourer. 
 Of these two crying sins the Scots [i.e. Scottish Highlanders] 
 were as guilty as they." 2 This was especially true of the 
 broken men of Badenoch, who, as these records show, 3 had been 
 
 1 Sir James Turner's Memoirs, p. 20. For cruelties perpetrated by Macdonald 
 in Ulster, not only on men, but also on women with children on their backs or 
 in their arms, see Reid's History of the Presbyterian Church, vol. i. p. 313. 
 
 2 Gordon's Britain 's Distemper, p. 161. '•' P. 252. 
 
XVI 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 left uncared for almost ever since the Reformation. And, 
 indeed, Mr. Hill Burton does not scruple to say that 4 employ- 
 ing the Celtic races in civilised warfare was employing a force 
 not expected to concede the courtesies of war to the enemy 
 against whom they were let loose. Their hostility was not 
 that of pugnacious enemies met in battle — it was the hatred 
 of one race to another ; and the object was not victory, but 
 extermination. To them the infant and the aged mother 
 were objects of hate and hostility as much as the armed 
 soldier. Hence it was a reproach to any civilised ruler to 
 have used such a force — a reproach like that of employing 
 Indians in the American war." 1 
 
 It was no wonder, therefore, that Charles hesitated when 
 the enthusiastic royalist laid before him his complaints against 
 the Convention, and especially against Hamilton, 2 of whom, 
 since the ' incident 1 of 1641, he had been no less jealous than 
 of Argyll, and to unfold his own proposals to retrieve the for- 
 tunes of the royal cause in Scotland. The complaint against 
 Hamilton was not long in being listened to, and this old 
 favourite of the Sovereign, on the accusation of his rival, was 
 commited to prison for what, perhaps, was more his misfortune 
 than his fault. 3 But the acceptance of the proposals was again 
 
 1 Hill Burton's History, viL 157. 
 
 3 Among all the rancorous pamphlets of these unfortunate times, perhaps none 
 are more painfully rancorous than The manifold practices of the Hamiltons, and 
 partiadarly of the present Ditke of Hamilton . . . to get the Crown of Scotland ; 
 and Digitus Dei or God's Justice upon Treachery and Treason exemplified in the 
 life and death of the late James, Duke oj Hamilton. How any cause could be 
 expected to succeed whose leaders were so hopelessly at variance as Montrose 
 and Hamilton were, passes the wit of man to comprehend. 
 
 3 He had hoped by his influence with the nobility and gentry to prevent the 
 Scottish Convention of Estates from siding with the English Parliament in the 
 war. But by the capture of the Earl of Antrim, and the compromising papers 
 found on him, it became known ' that plans existed for a rising of the royalists in 
 Scotland, to be backed by the Irish Catholics.' Under the influence of these 
 disclosures, the elections to the Convention were held. 'The gentry of the 
 counties, as well as the townsmen of the burghs, sent up representatives all 
 but unanimously in favour of a military alliance with the English Parliament. ' 
 And the report of this plot discovered had probably as much influence in per- 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xvii 
 
 and again deferred, for Charles knew only too well what indig- 
 nation he would arouse against himself among English and 
 Scottish Protestants if, after the recent massacres, he should 
 give any sanction to the introduction of Irish Papists to take 
 part in the war in England or in Scotland, and the fate 
 of Strafford might well have made even such a devotee as 
 Montrose hesitate ere he dared 4 to put it to the touch and win 
 or lose it all/ At last, however, Charles, yielding to the 
 counsels of the Queen, who had but slight scruple in such a 
 case, constituted Prince Rupert Viceroy and Montrose under 
 him Lieutenant-General of Scotland, and arranged that the 
 Earl of Antrim should send over a contingent of the dreaded 
 4 cut-throats,' to aid the enthusiastic Lieutenant-General in his 
 coveted enterprise. This the earl did in the course of the 
 summer, though they were not under his own command, but 
 under that of his Scoto-Irish kinsman the younger Alastair 
 Macdonald. The fact of their arrival was duly announced to 
 the Scottish Parliament on the 12th of July, and must have 
 been known to Montrose, as Professor Masson has pointed out, 
 before the middle of August, 1 when, after failing to get an 
 English force sufficient to give him a chance of fighting his 
 way through to the Highlands, he made up his mind to enter 
 in disguise, and so passed safely and quietly through the 
 hostile South, and reached his friends in Perthshire. He did 
 so just in time, for the Atholl men were not disposed to take 
 so kindly to the wild Irish as the King's lieutenant was ; but by 
 his tact and persuasion discord was prevented, and the Celts of 
 Atholl rallied to the standard of the King, and the Lieutenant- 
 General set himself at once, and for a time with marvellous 
 success, to carry out his gallant but forlorn 4 attempt to reverse 
 the stream of history. 1 4 It was the track of Mars turned into 
 
 suading the English Parliament to accept the Solemn League and Covenant, as 
 in emboldening the Scots to press it. — See Gardiner's Great Civil War, vol. i. 
 pp. 206-7, 277, 395, 396. 
 
 1 Masson's Life of Milt 'on , iii. 351. 
 COM. b 
 
xviii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 a meteor. Marches and battles, battles and marches : this 
 phrase is the summary of the story. Flash the phrase through 
 the Highlands, flash it through the Lowlands, for a whole 
 year, and you have this epic of Montrose and his triumphs' 1 
 at Tibbermuir, Aberdeen, Inverlochy, Auldearn, Alford, and 
 Kilsyth. There is no reason to suppose Montrose was naturally 
 cruel, but he could be vengeful, as the treatment of the captured 
 cities of Aberdeen 2 and Dundee, 3 and the merciless ravaging of 
 Breadalbane and Argyll 4 showed — ravaging brought on the 
 poor and helpless tenants for the supposed sins of their chief. 
 But the materials which Montrose employed were such as even 
 he, with all his tact and versatility, could not keep in restraint. 
 No cause could justify the employment of such instruments, or 
 the barbarities and spoliation of which they were guilty ; and 
 
 1 Masson's Life of Milton, iii. 351. 
 
 2 'The Lieutenant follows the chase into Aberdeen, his men hewing and cutting 
 down all manner of men they could overtake within the town, upon the streets 
 or in their houses, and round about the town. . . . And nothing [was] heard but 
 pitiful howling, weeping, mourning through all the streets. Thus these Irish 
 continued Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Some women they 'preissitt to 
 defioir,' and other some they took perforce to serve them in the camp. The men 
 that they killed they would not suffer to be buried, but * tirrit them of their 
 clothes,' then left their naked bodies above the ground. The wife durst not 
 cry nor weep at her husband's slaughter before her eyes, nor the mother for 
 the son, nor daughter for the father, which, if they were heard, then they were 
 presently slain also.'' — Memorials of the Troubles, p. 407 ; Hill Burton's History, 
 vii. 198. 
 
 3 Wishart acknowledges that the Irish and Highlanders set the town on fire 
 in several places, and that it was only owing to their unseasonable intemperance 
 and pillage that it was not all set on fire. The petition of the town to the 
 Parliament speaks of the slaughter of many of the inhabitants, the burning of 
 much corn and moveables, and great part of the buildings of the town. The 
 Parliament estimate their losses at ^162,221 Scots. On his way North, Montrose 
 burned the house of Findowrie and the old church of Lochlee. 
 
 4 ' He goes to Argile, burns and slays through his whole country, and left no 
 house nor hold, except impregnable strengths, unburnt, their corns, goods, and 
 " geir," and " left not one fourfooted beist in his haill landis, and sic as wold not 
 call {i.e. drive), they hochit and slew." ' — Spalding's Memorials, p. 442. ' One 
 sees Inverary in flames, the smoke of burning huts and villages for miles and 
 miles, butcheries of the native men, . . . scattered pilgrimages of wailing women 
 and children, . . . fugitive and starving inside glens and corries, where even 
 now the tourist shudders at the wildness. ' — Masson's Milton, vol. iii. p. 354. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xix 
 
 had the havoc he caused, or suffered to be caused, been com- 
 mitted against any party south of the Tweed, or in any of the 
 fair counties of England, instead of against the much maligned 
 Covenanters of Scotland, his name would have been handed 
 down to posterity with execration, whatever the brilliancy of 
 his achievements, or the temporary success of his tactics, not 
 4 with a hero-worship and literary commemoration out of all 
 proportion to the length and fruitfulness 1 of his services. It 
 would have been easy for a far less accomplished and resourceful 
 general, with sucli Highland forces, to have defeated such raw 
 levies as were first sent against him, or even the more seasoned 
 troops led by Hurry or Baillie, overridden by such Com- 
 mittees as assumed to dictate arrangements to them. But 
 4 on the only occasion on which he met face to face with 
 another commander of repute" he was hopelessly defeated, 1 
 
 1 Much has been said and written of the savage cruelty of the covenanting 
 leaders towards the Irish prisoners, and especially towards the women, after the 
 victory at Philiphaugh. Even the latest and most impartial of English historians 
 has not hesitated to indorse this much further than evidence really trustworthy 
 seems to me to warrant. ' The wild clansmen of the North,' he says, 'had con- 
 tented themselves with taking vengeance upon men. The trained and disciplined 
 soldiers of the Covenant slaughtered with hideous barbarity not only the male 
 camp followers, but 300 Irish women, the wives of their slain or captured 
 enemies, together with their infant children.' But the wild clansmen of the 
 North who engaged in this expedition can hardly be separated from the 6 wild 
 Irish ' who were associated with them, and who, as the royalist Spalding admits, 
 in the sack of Aberdeen not only slew women weeping over their dead, but 
 forcibly took away others to a fate more horrible than death. And even if the 
 clansmen of the North could be separated from the wild Irish, the conduct of the 
 Macdonalds towards the Mackenzies forty years before, in setting fire to the 
 church full of the latter, and butchering or tossing back into the flames the 
 children whom their mothers had thrown out, is surely far more atrocious than 
 anything that occurred at Philiphaugh. That ' 300 of the women were the married 
 wives of the Irish ' is affirmed by Gordon alone, who, though ' no friend of the 
 Irish,' was far less a friend of the Covenanters, and 'abhorred their actions and 
 designs,' and it is not in keeping with what he elsewhere says of the ' brutish 
 uncleanness and filthy lust of the Irish.' The women of the camp at Philiphaugh 
 were treated exactly as those at Naseby had been, of whom Mr. Gardiner says, 
 1 about a hundred being of Irish birth, " with cruel countenances," were knocked 
 on the head without mercy. The faces of the English harlots were gashed in 
 order to render them for ever hideous, and it is not improbable that some officers 
 and soldiers' wives shared the fate of their frailer sisters.' That may possibly 
 
xx INTRODUCTION 
 
 and yet it has been his fortune or his fate, as the 
 
 have been the case also at Philiphaugh ; but it was not married wives the wild 
 Irish were in the habit of carrying about with in their marches, and if there 
 were any such among the camp followers at Philiphaugh — ' the leaguer lasses,' 
 as Mr. Morris and Mr. Andrew Lang characterise them — there is no proof that 
 these wives being included in the fate of their frailer sisters was more intentional 
 than the similar possible inclusion of them by the English Parliamentary 
 Generals at Naseby. Wishart speaks not of wives but of ' women and boys.' 
 
 It has been further affirmed that quarter had been promised to fifty of the Irish 
 who laid down their arms, and that faith was not kept with them. There is no 
 doubt, as Hallam tells us, that faith as to conditions of surrender was not well 
 observed on either side throughout these civil wars, and that, besides, differences 
 often arose between conquerors and conquered as to the exact terms of surrender, 
 as in the case of certain notable prisoners concerned in the defence of Colchester, 
 and in the case of the Duke of Hamilton himself after his defeat at Preston, 
 when it was disputed whether the prisoners had surrendered under promise of 
 quarter, or surrendered at discretion, or to mercy, as it was termed. Dr. M'Crie 
 holds that the surrender of these fifty Irish was of this latter sort, as was that of 
 their companions at Dunavertie in 1647, of whom Sir James Turner says, 'the 
 Lieutenant-General might legally enough, without the least transgression of 
 either the custom, practice, or law of war or his own commission, have used 
 them as he did ; for he was bound by no article to them, they having submitted 
 themselves absolutely to his discretion ' {Memoirs, p. 47) ; or, rather, as he 
 admits (p. 46), Leslie had been careful to put it 1 to the kingdom's mercy and 
 not to his,' just as Fairfax was careful to do to those who surrendered at Col- 
 chester (Gardiner's Great Civil War, vol. iii. p. 458). Altogether contrary to 
 the evidence is the statement also made on the authority of Gordon, that ' it soon 
 repented the conquerors that they had spared the lives of fifty soldiers. The 
 churchmen and the noblemen of the Covenant remonstrated warmly against the 
 act of clemency. As the triumphant army passed through Linlithgow, Leslie 
 weakly gave way, and stained his honour by abandoning his prisoners.' The 
 sub-committee of the Scottish Estates (some of whom were not over-zealous 
 Covenanters), by twelve o'clock of the very day of the victory, sent off from the 
 field of battle Sir James Halkett as their accredited messenger to the deputies of 
 the English Parliament, then at Berwick, who reported to them that their forces 
 had killed or taken prisoners twelve hundred of the foot, and had put all the Irish 
 to the sword. Leslie could not bid his soldiers fall on them at Linlithgow, for the 
 very plain reason that they had done so at Philiphaugh. We may grieve at the 
 cruel excesses displayed on both sides, but as Mr. Andrew Lang, in reviewing 
 Mr. Morris's book has said, if the Irish and the Highlanders could march and 
 ' fight like Zulus,' they also 'plundered and massacred like savages. Montrose, 
 in anger at an act of treachery, gave up Aberdeen to a three days' sack. Women 
 and children were violated and butchered. We may remember Badajos a shame 
 as crying, but we cannot marvel or greatly exclaim against the massacre of the 
 prisoners by the Covenanters after Philiphaugh. The Irish, especially, were 
 savages fighting in a comparatively civilised country. They could not expect 
 quarter any more than the Sepoy mutineers, and they did not get it, nor did 
 their leaguer lasses.' 
 
 As these letters from the Scottish nobles at Philiphaugh to the English Com- 
 
INTRODUCTION xxi 
 hero of a party, ' to be maintained as high up in the 
 
 missioners at Berwick, and from the latter to the Speaker of the English House 
 of Lords, are not generally known, I subjoin them as inserted in the Journals of 
 the House of Lords, vol. vii., the latter at p. 584, the former at p. 593: — 
 
 ' Right Honourable,— Sir James Hackett this day came from the Scottish 
 army and made a report unto us of a fight that happened betwixt Lieutenant- 
 General Lesley's forces and Montrosse, at a place called Silcreeke, about twenty- 
 six miles from this town, where God of His great mercy appeared mightily for us. 
 They killed and took prisoners twelve hundred of their foot, put all the Irish 
 to the sword ; they charged the enemy with four regiments of horse and some 
 commanded horse of Commissary Middleton's, the rest of their body being near 
 them, but not engaged : One thing was very remarkable, that the Earl of 
 Lanerick (his regiment being one of those that charged) took Sir Robert Spott- 
 wood {sic), his successor, prisoner, and in his pocket the seal the King took from 
 him, so as he is possessed of it again. Montrosse is fled towards the hills with 
 his horse, and ours in pursuit of them. As more particulars come to our hands 
 I shall advertise you ; and so rest, — Your Lordship's most humble servant, 
 
 ' P. Wharton.' 
 
 The other Commissioners who were with Wharton were Barwis, Armine, and 
 Hatcher. The object of their mission was probably to try to arrange with the 
 representatives of the Scottish Estates for the surrender of Newcastle and some 
 of the other fortified places then held by their troops in England, and this, pro- 
 bably, is the 1 business ' vaguely referred to in the following letter : — 
 
 1 Right Konnorable, — The Condition of Affaires have bin such, and wee 
 have bin soe much taken upp in Pursuite of the Rebells theire Dayes past, that 
 wee could not without the Losse of much Tyme and happy Occasion, take the 
 Leasore to attend our Busines-with you. The Lord hes now made our Endeavor 
 soe prosperous, that we are confident the Issue of this Day will make upp all 
 the Delay and your Patience. If that this Gentleman had not seene and bin an 
 Eye-wittnesse of all the Good which God hes done for us, wee wald have made 
 you a particuler Accompt of the severall Passages of this Dayes Victory. Wee 
 are soe earnestly and necessarily imployed aboute the Pursuite of the Victory, 
 and in makeinge Dispatches, that wee cannott make a perfect Appointment. 
 Bot, God willinge, after good Course and Order shal bee taken with the 
 Dispatches wee have in Hand, it shal bee our Care to attend upon your Honnor, 
 and make some Progresses in the commission wherewith you are intrusted. Wee 
 remitt to you, to make what Use of the Intelligence from the Berer seemes 
 fittest to you. Wee shall studdy nothinge more then to shew our selffis 
 
 Your Honnors very assured 
 Phillophauche, this Freinds and Servaunts, 
 
 13M Sept. hora M. Argyll. Craforde Lyndesay. 
 
 duodecima, 1645. Buccleuche. Lauderdaile. 
 
 Lanerick. Yester. Bargany. 
 Forrester. 
 
 William Scott. Rutherfurd.' 
 
 For the Right Honourable the Commissioners 
 from the Honourable Houses of the Parliament 
 of England at Barwick. 
 
xxii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 temple of fame as the greatest warriors in the world's 
 history. 1 — Hill Burton's History, vii. 198. 
 
 Montrose by his victories might terrorise or cow into meek 
 submission the Lowland commons. He did not draw, perhaps 
 did not seriously attempt to draw, them to his standard, or 
 win them to his cause. He was, at his best, so far as they 
 were concerned, an aristocrat of the aristocrats, — so far as his 
 equals and the gentry were concerned, a chevalier sans rc- 
 proche — possibly prepared, like his master, to be condescend- 
 ing and kind to the humbler classes if he could only reduce 
 them to that meek submission to their betters, which in former 
 times had been exacted of them, but not prepared to recog- 
 nise them as then a power in the state, and to do what was 
 necessary to conciliate their chosen leaders. It was the Presby- 
 terian clergy who in great measure had made them what they 
 then were, raised them by long and careful training from their 
 former intellectual and moral degradation and from the 
 tutelage of the nobles, made them a power to be reckoned 
 with in Church and State, and bound them together by 
 solemn covenants, which as vows made not to men only, but 
 also to God, it was held to be sacrilege to violate or to 
 explain away. 1 The 4 iron discipline ' which had become irk- 
 some to the nobles, was not as yet felt to be so by them, and 
 in the times of persecution which came, when after 1660 the 
 nobles and the gentry got full swing for a time, it was to show 
 no less conspicuously than that of Calvin at Geneva, what 
 heroes and martyrs it could mould from materials others would 
 hardly condescend to touch. They were deficient, it may be, 
 in much that belonged to the gentle and tolerant side of Chris- 
 tianity, as confessors and martyrs have not unfrequently been, 
 but it was their self-denial and self-sacrifice which kept alive 
 the struggle against arbitrary and tyrannical government, and 
 secured to Scotland its Claim of Right and the restoration of 
 
 1 It was they who strove to relieve the misery of the peasants of Argyll, etc. — 
 Pp. 173, 219, 354, 358, the heritors being promised help from England. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxiii 
 
 the Church Government and liberties in Church and State, for 
 which they had contended and suffered. They and their 
 leaders were self-assertive, as all classes emerging from political 
 serfdom to freedom and privilege naturally are, and this, no 
 doubt, led to temporary alienation between them and the 
 nobles — even several of those of them who at first had ranged 
 themselves on their side ; but after twenty-eight years of a 
 restored Stuart monarchy, not a few of their successors 
 were fain to come to terms with them, and be again their 
 leaders. 
 
 The discipline which the Commission exercised on those who 
 had been led away, or had made defection during what they 
 term 4 that unnatural and bloody rebellion,' was not, according 
 to the then received notions, by any means extreme towards 
 the rank and file of those who had been misled, as appears 
 from many of the detailed processes recorded in this volume. 
 There was an occasional call that an obstinate offender should 
 be 4 put in fermance ' for a time, never for boot or thumbikin, 
 nor for ear-cropping, nose slitting, or cheek burning. The 
 appointment of a day of public fasting and humiliation and 
 solemn admonition in some of the more guilty parishes, was 
 surely a comparatively mild amende. To many even of the 
 delinquent clergy, who had not personally associated with the 
 excommunicated chiefs of the 4 rebellion,' as well as to laymen, 
 who had not actually embrued their hands in blood, it was not 
 very severe — generally involving little more than a written 
 confession of their weakness 4 in time of tentation,' and expres- 
 sion of penitence for their 6 escape,' and public satisfaction for 
 the scandal they had occasioned. But for those who had shed 
 blood, and boasted of what they had done, they appointed 
 longer and severer courses of penitence. There have been 
 few 4 rebellions ' so completely crushed out, which have been 
 avenged by fewer 4 executions.' Had they been those of the 
 rank and file, but little would have been said of them ; but 
 being those of men of superior station and culture, they have 
 
xxiv 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 been more blamed than almost any of the atrocities of the 
 later Stuart period. It has been usual to lay the greater share 
 of the blame on the leaders of the clergy, rather than on those 
 of the laity. I doubt whether this can be justified, though I 
 make no question they approved of what was done. The men 
 who were at Philiphaugh with Sir David Leslie were not the 
 ministers of the Kirk, nor Argyll only, but the leading Hamil- 
 tonian nobles too — Lanark, Lauderdale, Lyndsay, Buccleuch, 
 etc., and what was there and thereafter done, it cannot be 
 doubted, was done by their direction or approval. There 
 was strong temptation to Argyll, if not utterly devoid of 
 all feeling for his plundered dependants, to allow signal 
 vengeance to be taken on the 4 wild Irish,"' as well as for 
 Lanark to be in anything but a benevolent humour towards 
 Sir Robert Spotswood, who was taken with a Commission in 
 his pocket conferring on him the office Lanark had hitherto 
 filled. 
 
 When the volume opens, the Commissioners of the Parlia- 
 ment and Church of Scotland were still at Worcester House in 
 London, and several interesting letters from them to the Com- 
 missioners in Edinburgh are inserted at length, which only make 
 us regret the more the loss which the disappearance of the 
 earlier volumes has entailed on us, of what would have been a 
 most valuable supplement to the letters and journals of Robert 
 Baillie. But though the Commissioners still continued to 
 prosecute the treaty for the civil and ecclesiastical union of the 
 two kingdoms, in terms of the Solemn League and Covenant, 
 far-reaching differences between the Scottish Covenanters and 
 a considerable part of their English allies had by this date 
 made their appearance. Not a few who at first could find no 
 terms too high to express their deep sense of obligation to 
 their 'brethren of Scotland, 1 who had so generously cast in 
 their lot with them, at the time of their extremest need, nor 
 too severe to express their indignation against those who acted 
 as if 6 the great affairs of two dying kingdoms could wait on 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 XXV 
 
 their captiousness,' 1 had now become jealous and obstructive 
 towards the proposals of their own Presbyterian countrymen, 
 and bitterly opposed to those of their Scottish brethren, mini- 
 mising the value of their assistance, depreciating the services 
 of their army, and paralysing its activity by gross failure to 
 provide for it the most necessary supplies. 2 This could not 
 continue long without cooling the ardour of the Scots in their 
 service, and it is sad to read the mournful complaints of their 
 Commissioners as to the treatment their forces received, and 
 the hardships they had to bear from want of sufficient food 
 and clothing, in contrast with the more generous measure 
 meted out to the English forces of the new model in their 
 vicinity. 3 No sooner, therefore, had the King come into their 
 camp at Newark, 4 and been persuaded by their chiefs to order 
 
 1 Lightfoot's Journal of Proceedings of Westminster Assembly, p. II. 
 
 2 Whilst the Government at Westminster had thrown upon Leven ' the burden 
 of the conflict with the King's army, it had kept its own forces out of harm's 
 way, "tied by the leg," round Oxford. Though the hard work thus devolved 
 upon the Scots, nothing had been done to pay or to supply them. An assessment 
 indeed had been laid upon certain English counties for the support of their army, 
 but not a penny had been raised, while Fairfax's troops received their pay fort- 
 nightly with the titmost regularity.' — Gardiner's Great Civil War, vol. ii. p. 188. 
 
 3 While the violent party 1 had need of it, or hopes that the kingdom of Scot- 
 land might co-operate to the working of their designs, they could do their utmost 
 to satisfy and to provide for it. . . . But now they can let many months pass with- 
 out sending them any money, or taking any care of their supply, or so much as 
 affording them good words.' — Hollis, in Mazeres Select Tracts, p. 217. They 
 had to leave Hereford because, after the departure of David Leslie and his con- 
 tingent, they had not sufficient cavalry to forage for provisions, and in their 
 extremity the soldiers could not be restrained from eating the unripe fruit of the 
 orchards, and so being made unfit for duty. The Scotch Commissioners pro- 
 fessed their earnest desire for their advance to Newark, but explained that they 
 were 'very naked,' and begged that for their encouragement the Houses would 
 provide the clothes for them, ' without which they are able to do no service in 
 winter.'— Lords' Journals, vol. vii. p. 665. For the neglect of them, when 
 they encamped before Newark, in comparison with the English forces, see 
 letters of the Scotch Commissioners, Appendix, pp. 580, 581. 
 
 4 As the latest English historian of the ' Great Civil War ' has done tardy justice 
 to the important services rendered by Sir David Leslie and the Scotch horse in the 
 battle at Marston moor, so the Editor of the recently-issued volume, Calendar 
 of State Papers, 1645-1647, has vindicated the action of the Scottish leaders 
 on this occasion from long prevalent misrepresentations. He says (Preface, 
 p. xlvii), ' There appeared to be only one chance of retrieving the King's lost 
 
xxvi 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 the surrender of that town to the English Parliament, than 
 they hurried off to the North, where they would not be so 
 
 cause, and that was the one formerly recommended by the Earl of Holland and 
 Mons. Montreuil, to throw himself into the arms of the Scots. This, Ranke 
 tells us, was not Charles's own idea, but he accepted it as seeming to offer him 
 an endurable solution.' ' And so it might, if he could only have made up his 
 mind to accept without reserve the Presbyterian form of Church Government, 
 which the French Agent thought he might well have done, without risk to his 
 kingly power. Charles's conscience, however, revolted against taking such a 
 step without further consideration, and the Scots proving equally obstinate on 
 this head, no positive agreement could be come to for Charles's reception in their 
 camp before Newark. The utmost that could be obtained by Montreuil was 
 that his person should be held inviolate, and every mark of respect should be 
 shown to him.' . . . 1 Immediately after the King's arrival was announced in 
 the Scots' camp, the Earl of Lothian visited him at the lodgings of the French 
 Agent, Montreuil, and presented for his confirmation a series of demands, in- 
 cluding the immediate surrender of Newark into the hands of the English Com- 
 missioners, the signing of the Covenant, and declaration for the establishment 
 of Presbyterianism both in England and Ireland, as well as the surrender of 
 Montrose in Scotland, whom he spoke of as James Graham, implying that the 
 title of Marquis conferred on him by the King was not to be acknowledged. 
 This last demand Charles took for a personal insult, as denying to him the exer- 
 cise of the Royal Prerogative. He indignantly replied, 1 He who made you an 
 Earl, created James Graham a Marquis." This was no intentional slight impro- 
 vised by Lothian to annoy Charles, as he apparently supposed.' It was not 
 merely, however, as Mr. Hamilton supposes, an assertion that the Parliaments 
 did not recognise any titles conferred by the King since the war began, but also 
 a plain intimation that the Scottish Commissioners meant to uphold the action 
 of the Convention of Estates in declaring Montrose a traitor, and forfeited for 
 the part he had taken in the ' late unnatural rebellion.' The King's reply settled 
 matters, and though treated with every mark of respect, ' he was no longer 
 regarded as a guest of M. Montreuil, but as their prisoner.' The correctness of 
 the view here given has been called in question, but it seems to me to be borne 
 out by the statements of one who examined very carefully Montreuil's despatches. 
 1 The error which imputes to the Scots disingenuous, if not treacherous, conduct 
 to their unfortunate Sovereign, is refuted by the fact that Montreuil's engage- 
 ment was signed before he went to Newark, and that before the King's departure 
 from Oxford he had apprised his Majesty of the refusal of the Scots to ratify the 
 promises he had made. It was in the full knowledge of this fact that the King 
 sought refuge in the Scottish camp. ... It is possible that some persons in 
 London may have promised more than they were able afterwards to perform. 
 But they were few, and, according to Sir Robert Murray, were misled by their 
 zeal in the King's service. . . . That Montreuil had no authority from them to 
 promise what he engaged to the King is apparent by his own letters, both from 
 London and Newark, and is confirmed, instead of being invalidated, by the 
 vague manner in which he afterwards complains of their breach of faith, stating 
 no particulars, wherein his own letters are not evidence against him.' — Edin- 
 burgh Review, vol. lx. pp. 36, 38 ; also Bruce's Charles I. in 1646, p. xvi. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxvii 
 
 straitened in their quarters, and where, being in possession 
 by treaty of some fortified places, they would be more able, if 
 need arose, to hold their own. They remained for several 
 months at Newcastle, the largest of these places, chiefly to 
 allow time for those negotiations between the Parliaments of 
 both kingdoms and the King, with a view to the prosecution 
 of which he said he had come into their camp ; but in part 
 also because they were determined not to surrender the fortified 
 places they held till some satisfactory arrangement was made 
 in regard to the large arrears then due to that army which 
 they had equipped and sent out in the depth of winter to aid 
 their English brethren when their cause was at its lowest ebb. 
 Unexpected complications to the negotiations arose from the 
 King remaining obdurate to all their appeals, and refusing his 
 assent to the only terms on which they felt that they could, as 
 consistent Covenanters, honourably interpose between him and 
 the more recalcitrant of their English allies, or consent to 
 take him with them and restore him to the full exercise of his 
 royal authority in Scotland. The Estates had been warned 1 
 against attempting to do so by the Commission of the As- 
 sembly, and in return to the query addressed by them to the 
 Commission, had received the reply that it would be a matter 
 of most dangerous consequence to religion, this Kirk and 
 Kingdom, and to the King himself and his posterity, to bring 
 him into Scotland as matters then stood, and that if he should 
 be excluded from government in England for not granting the 
 propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant, it would 
 not be lawful for the kingdom of Scotland to assist him for 
 the recovery of the government there. 2 They had no alterna- 
 
 1 This 'solemn and seasonable warning ' of 17th December, as given pp. 148- 
 152, is one of the most succinct and forcibly reasoned of their papers. It led 
 at once to a conference between a committee of their number and a committee 
 of the Parliament, and the results of the conference appear decisively in the 
 Instructions of the Parliament to their Commissioners at Newcastle, which put 
 an end for the time to any hopes the King may have entertained of dividing 
 them from their ' brethren of England.' 
 
 2 The query and their answer will be found on pp. 153, 154. 
 
xxviii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 tive, therefore, if they were not to quarrel with their own 
 Covenanting Church, or their covenanted allies of the English 
 Parliament, who claimed the sole right to dispose of the King's 
 person while in England, and in the keeping of an army in the 
 pay of England, but to leave him with the Commissioners of 
 that Parliament, expressly stipulating that his person should be 
 in honour, safety, and freedom, in one of his own houses in the 
 neighbourhood of London, and that their Commissioners should 
 at all times have free access to him. And, in acting thus, they 
 were surely more regardful of their Covenant and of Parliamen- 
 tary authority than that belauded army which, after abusing 
 them in so many ways, and doing its utmost to stir up the 
 English Parliament against them, did not hesitate, when it had 
 got them fully out of the way, to carry him off from the resi- 
 dence and the guards their own Parliament had appointed for 
 him, and for their own sectarian ends to retain possession of his 
 person, or control of those who had the possession, till they had 
 brought him to his doom. 
 
 Hollis, in his Memoirs, says the violent party were very 
 desirous that the Scots should carry the King with them, and 
 that nothing could have been more injurious to his interests ; 
 while we are told by Berkley, who is much confirmed by Baillie, 
 that the Presbyterians had secretly engaged to the Scots that 
 the new model army should be disbanded and the King brought 
 up to London with honour and safety. This was probably 
 conditional on his declaring in favour of Presbyterianism. 
 This understanding may be urged in justification of the Scots 
 for delivering the King up to the English Commissioners. It 
 is a popular error to suppose that the payment of the i?400,000 
 arrears to the Scots had anything to do with the negotiations 
 for surrender of the King's person. The votes for the former 
 were passed on August 21, 27, and September 1, 'the acknow- 
 ledged incentive being to be rid of their brethren of Scotland ' 
 (Burnet), while the negotiation for the surrender of the King's 
 person was not begun till about the 24th of December. The 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxix 
 
 King would appear to have entertained no strong feelings on 
 the question whether he should be transferred to the English 
 Commissioners or proceed with the army to Scotland. In his 
 letter to the Parliament from Newcastle on the 20th December, 
 he apparently ignores his position as a prisoner in the Scottish 
 army, and expresses a wish to come to London, ' where, by his 
 personal presence, he may not only raise a mutual confidence 
 betwixt himself and his people, but also have those doubts 
 cleared, and those difficulties explained to him, without which 
 he declares he cannot give a particular answer to the Proposi- 
 tions ' submitted for his acceptance by the Parliament. This 
 letter was but a repetition of one he had sent to the Houses 
 from Newcastle on 10th June 1646, for which see Rushworth, 
 Part iv. pp. 275, 276. Within three weeks after this letter of 
 20th December was written, it was resolved in the Commons 
 House, ' that a Committee be appointed by both Houses to 
 go to Newcastle to receive the person of the King from the 
 Scots Army.'' 1 
 
 The close intercourse maintained during so many months 
 between the King, on the one hand, and the representatives of 
 Parliament, and several leading Scottish nobles on the other, 
 failed in the end to issue in the conclusion of a treaty satisfac- 
 tory to the Parliaments of both kingdoms and the Covenanters 
 generally. But it did not fail to issue in consequences which 
 were speedily to prove disastrous not only to these nobles, but 
 also to their country and their King, as the Commission had 
 faithfully warned them would be the case. The King, while 
 carefully guarded from intercourse with 4 malignants," seems to 
 have been allowed a free hand to play his favourite double 
 game with the Scottish nobles. 2 The Duke of Hamilton in 
 
 1 Hallam's History, ii. 165 ; also Calendar of State Papers ; 1645-7, p. lvii. 
 
 2 He amuses the Queen in his letters with an analysis he had made of the 
 Scots . . . into the four factions of the ' Montroses,' or thorough Royalists, the 
 'Neutrals,' the ' Hamiltons,' and the 'Campbells,' or thorough Presbyterians. 
 . . . He has no doubt that the real management of Scotland lies between the 
 
XXX 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 particular, though only recently freed, by the success which had 
 attended the English Parliamentary army, from the captivity 
 to which, in consequence of the charges brought against him 
 by Montrose, the King had consigned him, was no sooner ad- 
 mitted to familiar intercourse with the companion of his youth, 
 than he came once more under the spell of that fascination 
 which Charles knew so well how to exercise when it served his 
 purpose, 1 and moved with pity for his misfortunes, appears 
 very early to have resolved to do his utmost to secure the 
 restoration of the King on easier terms than the Covenanters 
 had demanded. By the plausible diplomacy in which he was 
 such a master, he strove to bring round his countrymen to 
 that more generous and trustful course of action from which 
 Montrose's rougher methods of fire and sword had only tended 
 to alienate them the more. On his return to Scotland in 
 August, he appeared before the Commissioners of the Church, 
 and expressed to them his regret that, through his unfortunate 
 imprisonment, it had been his fate to be one of the last to give 
 proof of his sympathy with the national aspirations, and his 
 determination to show by his future conduct that it was not 
 will but opportunity which had been lacking to him hitherto. 
 He had signed, he told them, the Solemn League and Covenant 
 when he recentlv took his seat as a member of the English 
 House of Peers, and he had since renewed his subscription in 
 
 Hamiltons, leading most of the nobility, and the Campbells, commanding the 
 votes of the gentry, the ministry, and the burghs ; he refers individual Scots 
 about him to the classes to which he thinks . . . they belong respectively ; he 
 tells how they are all courting him, and he is behaving as evenly to all as he can ; 
 and his opinion upon the whole business is that ' they will all have to join him 
 in the end, or, which would be quite as satisfactory to himself and the queen, go 
 to perdition together. What could be done with such a man? Quite unaware 
 of what he was writing about them, the Scots were toiling their best in his 
 service. — Masson's Ah'lton, vol. iii. p. 417. 
 
 1 It may be said of him as it has been of Montrose, ' what passed is not 
 known ; but one has very little doubt that Charles did what all the Stuarts 
 could do — he bewitched his opponent. This one mysterious gift they all 
 possessed ; indeed, it is not dead with them, and they bewitch us still, against 
 our reason, from the tomb that h'es under Canova's monument in Rome.' — Lang. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxxi 
 
 the Committee of the Estates, and he promised to manifest by 
 his actions his zeal for the maintenance of the Covenant, even 
 to the hazard of his life and estate. 1 The Commissioners ex- 
 pressed their satisfaction with the statement he had made to 
 them ; but it is evident that the more far-sighted among them 
 did not mean to take him, any more than they had taken 
 Montrose, at his own valuation, much less to desert, for one 
 who had been so shifty in the past, their already well-tried 
 and trusted leaders. 
 
 Though he failed to draw them into his toils, he very soon 
 gained over quite a number of the nobles who had never been 
 so hearty in the Covenanting cause, and the alliance with the 
 English Parliament, as the mass of the nation had been, and 
 who were ready to follow any leader who would promise them 
 speedy deliverance from the complications that alliance had 
 occasioned, and relief from the heavy burdens it had brought 
 on them, and an opportunity of doing what several of them 
 had wished to do at Newcastle — come to an agreement with 
 the King on terms less exacting than the older friends of the 
 Covenant were disposed to accept. Along with these nobles, 
 who, like himself, had now made their peace with the Church, 
 he set himself zealously to manipulate the approaching Parlia- 
 mentary elections, so as to secure the return of members for 
 the shires and burghs more or less under their influence, or 
 likely to concur in their proposals, as these were at length 
 with much plausibility, but with questionable sincerity, pro- 
 pounded. In this they were far more successful than they had 
 been in the elections of 1643. The representatives of the 
 counties and burghs were about equally divided between the 
 party of Hamilton and that of Argyll, but a large majority of 
 the nobility were on the side of Hamilton, who, however, 
 frankly confessed that though he had greater following in Par- 
 liament, his opponents had 'the greater power in the kingdom."' 2 
 
 1 Pp. 23, 24. 
 
 2 Gardiner's Great Civil War, iii. pp. 331, 332. 
 
xxxii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 He and his party still professed adherence to the Solemn 
 League and Covenant, and their determination to seek a 
 settlement with the King on the basis of it, and they averred 
 that their representatives had substantially secured this by 
 the Treaty or Engagement which they had concluded with 
 the King at Carisbrooke on 27th December 164-7, and which 
 had been duly reported by the Chancellor and Lauderdale to 
 the Committee of Estates on the 10th and 15th of February, 
 and to the Commission of the Assembly on the 16th of the 
 same month. A full account of the Chancellor's addresses to 
 the Committee of the Estates will be found in Stevenson's 
 History of the Church and State of Scotland, pp. 583-586. 
 The King's letter to the Commissioners of the Assembly will 
 be found at p. 356 of this volume ; the written summary 
 handed in to the Commission on the 22d February, of the 
 verbal statement the Chancellor and Lauderdale had made 
 on the 16th, does not find a place in the minutes of either 
 day, but its several articles are given in the Commission's 
 Declaration of 1st March, at pp. 376, 377, and 379, of this 
 volume. 
 
 The terms they had secured did not appear to be satisfactory 
 either to Argyll's party in the Parliament or to the Commis- 
 sioners of the Assembly, and when it began to be whispered 
 that if they succeeded in their proposed enterprise, they did not 
 mean to hold the King strictly even to these terms, and when 
 they were found to be maintaining correspondence not with 
 the Presbyterian and Covenanting party in England, but with 
 those who hitherto had opposed them, and against whom the 
 League and Covenant had been specially framed, this could 
 not fail to lead to bitter dissension and more complete aliena- 
 tion between the majority of the Parliament and the Commis- 
 sioners of the Church. To the latter, their profession of 
 loyalty to the Covenant of 1643 seemed as hollow as that of 
 Montrose when he claimed to be still loyal to the Covenant of 
 1638. The movement, as Mr. Kawson Gardiner truly says, 
 
INTRODUCTION xxxHi 
 
 it 
 
 1 was a dishonest one from the beginning — cloaking its Royalisnl 
 in the disguise of Presbyterian zeal.'' 1 The breach became irre- 
 
 A 1 They wished to humble the Presbyterian clergy in Scotland, though they 
 deceptively posed as the advocates of Presbyterianism in England.' — Great Civil 
 War, hi. 329. This deceptive pose was not then adopted by them for the first 
 time. According to Burnet, when Hamilton and his friends failed, in 1643, to 
 prevent the conclusion of the league with the English Parliament, they still hoped 
 it might be easier for them, when the Scottish forces were in England removed 
 from local influences, to work upon them and a number of their officers, and so 
 ' gain them to the King's service, than it was at that time to work upon the whole 
 nation. ' And from various references in Sir James Turner's Memoirs it appears 
 that it would not have been difficult to have brought over him, and Middleton, 
 and other soldiers of fortune. Even Callendar was regarded by Baillie as but 
 half-hearted in the cause, from his refusal to fight against Montrose, and from his 
 very ambiguous conduct at the siege of Hereford, after Sir David Leslie had left 
 for Scotland (Letters, iii. 40). The same deceptive pose was taken up when it 
 was attempted to procure the disbanding of the old army on its return from Eng- 
 land in 1647, and it was only through the influence of Argyll, and other old and 
 tried friends of the Covenanting cause, that this was in part prevented. Mr. 
 Gardiner, founding on certain despatches of Montreuil to Cardinal Mazarin 
 (vol. iii. pp. 329-332), seems to regard the first communication of the Commis- 
 sioners of the Church to the Committee of the Estates, in February 1648, as an 
 ultroneous new departure, and not as the natural and almost necessary sequence 
 of Loudon's and Lauderdale's approach to them and report of the arrangements 
 in regard to religion made in the 'Engagement' (p. 355 of this volume). Their 
 petition to the Committee of Estates — not on 16th, as Montreuil has it, but on 
 17th February — related to this report (p. 357), and simply thanked the Com- 
 mittee for the report made to them, expressed the hope that the same course 
 would be followed in future, at least in so far as the Covenant and Religion were 
 concerned, and requested that, before further procedure in matters so important, a 
 day should be set apart for humiliation and prayer for divine guidance. The 
 Committee at once expressed themselves ' heartily content ' to comply with the 
 request of the Commission, and on the following day they intimated that they 
 had appointed a sub-committee ' to consider of the present dangers,' and 'desired 
 the Commission to send some of their number to confer with them ' (p. 360). 
 This they agreed to do, and on the 22d February they received in writing, 
 according to promise, the report which Loudon and Lauderdale had . made to 
 them verbally on the 16th (p. 362). Mr. Gardiner, relying on Montreuil, repre- 
 sents the proceedings which follow as taking place in a General Assembly, in 
 which ' the lay elders ranged themselves with Hamilton, as the noblemen ranged 
 themselves with James at the Assembly of Perth. With the exception of four, 
 every lay elder in the Assembly voted against the publication of a manifesto 
 which had been drawn up by the ministers. The ministers, however, com- 
 manded a majority, and the manifesto was sent to the press, though, on March 
 nth, in consequence of a strong protest from Parliament, the ministers agreed to 
 refrain from issuing it, at least for a time.' But there was no meeting of the 
 General Assembly at this time, nor for three months after, when Hamilton and 
 his chief supporters were already in England, and some who remained behind 
 COM. c 
 
xxxiv 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 parable, when all the remonstrances of the Commission and 
 the protestations of a large minority of their own number 
 failed to induce the majority of the Parliament, before embark- 
 ing in a new war, and exposing themselves to the charge of 
 breaking their League and Covenant with the English Parlia- 
 ment, first to make an earnest effort to come to an under- 
 standing with their Covenanting brethren in the South, who 
 
 were under censure for the part they had taken about certain duels. The Com- 
 mission, in which the proceedings, incorrectly reported by Montreuil, really took 
 place, was at this time a much smaller body than the General Assembly, and the 
 proportion of elders in it also relatively smaller. On the first occasion, 25th 
 February, when the Committee of Estates — not the Parliament — requested that 
 the Commission, before proceeding to any Remonstrance or Declaration, would 
 communicate with them, and when the Commission replied the same day that 
 they were preparing a Declaration which, as soon as it was ready, should be 
 communicated to their Lordships, 'as they have used in the like cases before,' 
 there were only four elders present at the first sederunt, and two at the second, 
 and two if not three of these belonged to Argyll's party. Conferences were held 
 by a sub-committee on 28th and 29th February with Loudon and Lauderdale on 
 the 'draught of the Declaration,' and various words and phrases were modified 
 at their desire. When, on the latter day, and on 1st March, the Declaration 
 was brought formally before the Commission, the dispute turned, not on the 
 question of the publication of it, but on the contents of certain paragraphs which 
 were objected to by Lanark and his friends as altering the genuine sense of the 
 Covenant, and doing wrong to the king. This 'was resolved negative" on 29th 
 February, but was again brought up on the following day, and ' it was resolved 
 by plurality of voices ' that the paragraph should stand as it was, and ' after 
 hearing the Declaration read again and again, and after much debate thereupon,' 
 the Commission approved of the same. It was on these matters and on these 
 two days that any serious debate occurred in the Commission — there being nine- 
 teen elders present on the former and twenty-eight on the latter (p. 371, 372). 
 If Montreuil's assertion were limited to the elders who were Peers, it would pro- 
 bably not be much at variance with the fact that only four, including Argyll, voted 
 with the majority of the ministers ; but if it is extended to those of the gentry 
 who belonged to his party, and continued to attend the Commission when Lanark 
 and his following left again, to such men as Warristoun, Stewart, Libertoun, 
 Garthland, Kennedy, Glendoning, and Porterfield (who was soon afterwards, 
 as the Provost of Glasgow, to appear among the Western Remonstrants), it would 
 require stronger evidence than the testimony of a partisan and an outsider to gain 
 it credence. Burnet says expressly that the elders of the humbler ranks continued 
 to side with the ministers when those from among the nobility had ceased to do 
 so. The resolution of the Commission to print the manifesto as soon as it was 
 presented to Parliament was adopted on 8th March, and at that sederunt there 
 were no elders present (p. 385). On the following day a paper from the Parlia- 
 ment was laid before them, but was returned in order that it might be authen- 
 ticated by the signature of the Clerk, and, having been so authenticated, it is 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 XXXV 
 
 were hardly less anxious than themselves for the continuance 
 of monarchical government, and for an honourable settlement 
 with the King, and then, if, with their concurrence, recourse 
 must once more be had to the arbitrament of the sword, to 
 employ none in high command save the old Generals who had 
 given the fullest proof of their fidelity to the cause, as well as 
 of their military capacity and prowess. There were no doubt 
 faults on both sides, as Baillie mournfully confesses — on the 
 part of Hamilton and his friends, too contemptuous a rejection 
 of the overtures of the English Parliament and their deputies, 
 
 inserted in their minutes on the ioth. It is simply a respectful request that the 
 Commission would refrain from divulging their Declaration till the answer of the 
 Parliament thereto should be sent to them (p. 387). Their reply, which was 
 sent on the same day, is somewhat of the nature of a protest — though a very 
 respectful one — and ends with the assurance that, while ' exonering ' their con- 
 sciences, ' they humbly desire their Honours to rest confident that ' . . . they 
 should be ' most unwilling to give their Honours any cause of offence ' (p. 388, 
 389). In consequence, deputies from the Parliament appeared before the Com- 
 mission on nth March, expressing the willingness of the Parliament 'to keep a 
 good correspondence with them,' and desiring to know ' if there was any intention 
 to divulge their Declaration the morne, being the day appointed for public 
 humiliation in the'kirks of this town ' (p. 389). This harmless paper, I suppose, 
 is what Montreuil terms 'a strong protest,' and twenty-one elders were present 
 on that day, but there was no out-voting of the elders of the Hamilton party, 
 and the Commission, apparently without division, returned answer ' that they 
 had no intention to divulge the Declaration the morne, that it is their earnest 
 desire to keep a good correspondence with their Lordships, and that the Clerk is 
 not to give out any copies [of the Declaration] without public order from the 
 Commission.' But on Monday morning (13th March), when they met again, with 
 nine elders present, but none of them of the nobility, they at once ' appointed 
 the Clerk to divulge the printed copies of the Declaration presently (p. 390), and 
 ordained it to be read in all Churches. ' What occasioned this sudden change of 
 procedure? Baillie says {Letters, iii. 35) it was the fact which then came to 
 their knowledge that on the preceding day, set apart with concurrence of Parlia- 
 ment for solemn humiliation and prayer for divine guidance, a challenge had 
 been given to Argyll by Crawford Lindsay, and arrangements made by Lanark 
 and Major Innes for a duel between them. And though the duel was prevented 
 (p. 393, note),\h\s, no doubt weighed much with them, and ultimately emboldened 
 them to suspend Crawford Lindsay and Lanark from sitting on the Commission. 
 But one is inclined to conclude that the fact that on the ioth, when the Parlia- 
 ment were professing such friendly sentiments towards them, they had actually 
 sent for the printer of the Declaration to examine him as to what had become of 
 the printed copies (see note p. 589) — a fact they had not known on Saturday, 
 but had come to know by Monday, increased their suspicions that the Parliament 
 were not dealing fairly with them in this matter. 
 
XXXVI 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 when they were in a repentant mood, too much hectoring of 
 those who differed from them at home — on the part of the 
 Commissioners of the Church, too much jealousy of Hamilton 
 and his associates, too little forbearance and gentleness towards 
 the weaker sort, and too much place given to the carping criti- 
 cisms and rash severities of extreme men among themselves. 
 
 But, on the whole, the papers of the Commissioners of the 
 Assembly recorded in this volume of their Minutes, and 
 separately printed at the time, seem to me the more straight- 
 forward, the more forcible, and certainly the more logical, if 
 regard is to be had at all to that Solemn League and Covenant 
 by which both parties professed to hold themselves bound, 
 and thoroughly justify their determination to give no sanction 
 to another attempt to attain its ends by war save as a last 
 resort, and then in concert with their Covenanting brethren in 
 England (p. 529), and under commanders in whose principles 
 and military experience they could have entire confidence 
 (p. 530). It has been often affirmed that, in this controversy 
 with the majority of the Parliament, the Commissioners of the 
 Assembly went out of their proper sphere, and intruded into 
 that which of right belonged to the State, but they did nothing 
 more at this crisis than the Assembly had been invited by the 
 Parliament to do in 1643, when the Solemn League and Cove- 
 nant was first adopted and subscribed — nothing more than its 
 Commissioners had been allowed without challenge to do on vari- 
 ous occasions since — nothing more than they had been actually 
 invited to do by the King's letter, by the action of the deputies 
 who had negotiated the treaty at Carisbrooke (p. 355) and by 
 the Committee of Estates (pp. 367-8). No doubt these last had 
 hoped to cajole or concuss them, and through them the mass 
 of the common people, into acquiescence in the Treaty and in 
 the war. But if there was to be a reference to them such as 
 had been made, and a desire expressed, as often before, to have 
 their advice so far as the interests of Religion and the Covenant 
 were concerned, the reference must be a real reference — con- 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxxvii 
 
 ceding to them freedom of judgment — the advice must be that 
 which approved itself to their own consciences. In all this at 
 least there was nothing Hildebrandine — nothing that the 
 Church under Knox and Melville had not often claimed — 
 nothing, as they point out (p. 552), which the recently-adopted 
 Confession of Faith did not amply warrant. If the ark of 
 God was to be brought into the battle, and the religious 
 sanction of the Covenant they had sworn to God was to be 
 invoked as requiring the action now proposed to be taken, 
 the Church, which was as distinctly a party to that Covenant 
 as the State, might have fairly claimed, even though not 
 invited, to give its view as to the true interpretation of the 
 Covenant. It was little wonder if, when their liberty of pub- 
 lishing their views was questioned, and they were threatened 
 with the penalties of the Black Acts of 1584, and publicly 
 represented as 4 favourers of Sectaries, 1 ' haters of the King and 
 of monarchical government 1 (p. 535), their indignation should 
 be aroused, and they should be tempted to threaten church 
 censures, and try once more 4 whose sword was sharpest. 1 Both 
 parties had lost temper, as the Declaration of the Parliament 
 {note, pp. 535-6) and the Vindication in reply seem to show ; 
 but the latter appears to me the more able and forcible of the 
 two productions (pp. 547-556), while the concluding paper 
 of the series called forth from the Commission 4 by the public 
 request of the Parliament, 1 is at once a dignified and tender 
 remonstrance (pp. 562-566) with misguided members of their 
 flocks. 
 
 It has generally been represented that it was the ministers 
 of Scotland who were most eager to break with the English, 
 because of their shortcomings in fulfilling their Covenant 
 obligations, and setting up only 4 a lame Erastian presbytery, 1 
 but from the advice tendered by the Commission on various 
 occasions to their representatives in London, it is seen that 
 none in Scotland were more ready than they to recognise the 
 value of what had been already accomplished, and to deal 
 
XXXV111 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 forbearingly with their friends in the South for their short- 
 comings, while earnestly doing all they could to urge them 
 on to further attainments (pp. 59, 162, 1 310, 326). 
 
 It was the lay representatives who fancied they were unduly 
 slighted by the English, or who had been ' bewitched 1 by the 
 King at Newcastle, who were most inclined to be impatient 
 and quarrelsome, and to favour harsher methods of expressing 
 disappointment ; and here, on the very eve of the new war, it 
 is the Commissioners of the Assembly who plead for forbear- 
 ance towards the English, and question whether their short- 
 comings were such as ought to be construed into such a 
 serious breach of their Covenant as could only be avenged by 
 war. Unless I am greatly mistaken, they come down in their 
 last paper to what was Baillie's standpoint at a somewhat 
 earlier date, 2 and appear not to press any more the King's 
 personally signing the Covenant, provided only he will, by Act 
 of Parliament, impose it on his subjects. As matters then 
 stood in England, they ought, no doubt, to have gone further, 
 and allowed some measure of freedom to the subjects also, 
 and a greater measure of toleration than they were then pre- 
 pared to grant to those who differed from them. It is a mis- 
 representation to say they were opposed to it in toto ; for 
 while they never weary of blaming the ' unlimited toleration ' 
 advocated by the Sectaries, and wished rather a certain amount 
 of forbearance and latitude within the National Church than 
 separation from it, few of them would have hesitated to go as 
 far as Gillespie, when he said, ' It is far from my meaning to 
 advise any rigorous or violent course against such as being 
 sound in faith, holy in life, and not of a turbulent or factious 
 
 1 The statement on this page is especially noteworthy, as occurring in a letter 
 signed by Loudon and Lauderdale, as well as by the clerical commissioners in 
 London : — * It is but too manifest that the designs of the malignants in both king- 
 doms, under colour of defending or vindicating the King's just power and great- 
 ness, tend to no less than to draw away both nations into a defection from the 
 cause of God, and into a breach between themselves. Ten thousand deaths and 
 all the calamities in this world were rather to be chosen,' etc. 
 
 2 Baillie's Letters, iii. 4. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xxxix 
 
 carriage, do differ in smaller matters from the common rule,' 
 or when he added on another occasion, ' I wish that, instead of 
 toleration, there may be a mutual endeavour for a happy 
 accommodation. . . . There is a certain measure of forbear- 
 ance, but it is not so seasonable now to be talking of for- 
 bearance but of mutual endeavours for accommodation." 1 Still 
 they ought to have gone further than this, as the Presbyterian 
 party in the English Parliament were then disposed to do, and 
 it cannot be doubted that their reluctance to do so greatly 
 interfered with the chances of a happy settlement of the con- 
 troversies which were then raging in the South. But the 
 situation, it humbly appears to me, was by that time almost 
 hopelessly complicated, on the one hand by the persistent 
 insincerity of the King, and his determination to accept of 
 no settlement which took away from him the chance of ulti- 
 mately regaining almost absolute power, 2 and, on the other, 
 by the growth of republican sentiments in the English 
 army, and of the consciousness of their strength to enforce 
 their will on the divided nation, and on the King as 4 chief 
 delinquent." 
 
 Before the Assembly met in 1 648 and approved of the pro- 
 ceedings of the Commissioners of the Assembly of 1647, the 
 Duke of Hamilton had set out with an army, variously estimated 
 at from 10,000 to 15,000, on the vain attempt to reconquer 
 England for Charles. The sad story of the misfortunes and 
 fate of this army and its leaders belongs rather to the next 
 volume of the records of the Commission than to this, but I 
 cannot close this Introduction without a sentence or two on 
 the utter hopelessness and folly of the enterprise. It had been 
 hoped that it would unite the English and Scottish Presby- 
 terians and the old Cavaliers in a combined effort for the 
 
 1 See also the reference to the same subject in the Marquis of Argyll's speech 
 to the deputies of the English Parliament in the Painted Chamber at West- 
 minster on 25th June 1646, Lords' Journals, vol. viii. p. 392, which is said for a 
 time to have made a favourable impression on moderate Independents. 
 2 See the proofs of this even at Newport. Masson's Milton, iii. 608. 
 
xl 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 restoration of the King on easier terms than had previously 
 been demanded. But before the expedition could be got 
 ready it was clear that it was not to have the general support 
 of the English Presbyterians, nor the approval of the Com- 
 missioners of the Kirk, nor the hearty sympathy of the mass 
 of the Scottish people. The old General, Leven, and his 
 nephew, Sir David Leslie, declined to take part in it, and 
 even the Chancellor Loudon drew back when it was only not 
 too late. The army was put under the Duke of Hamilton as 
 Commander-in-Chief, with the Earl of Callendar as Lieutenant- 
 General, and if ever commanders proved their incompetence for 
 their high position, they did so beyond dispute. With all the 
 pressure which Sir James Turner admits had been used, the 
 levies came in but slowly, and many of them were but half- 
 hearted in the cause. Several of the regiments had little more 
 than half their full number, and hardly 6 the fifth man could 
 handle pike or musket. 1 Though the horse were the best 
 Scotland had ever sent out, 6 the troopers were raw and undis- 
 ciplined." They had no artillery and very little ammunition, 
 and still less money, so that they had to depend for subsistence 
 on the plunder of the country through which they marched, 
 and necessarily alienated the people from them and their 
 cause. 4 The Engagers,' as Mr. Hill Burton says, ' had under- 
 taken a mighty project, destined, according to their own 
 expectations, to revolutionise the whole tenor of the events 
 passing before their eyes ; the end, however, was so futile that 
 it is necessary to hurry past it as among the abortive efforts 
 for which history can only afford a casual notice.' 1 They 
 floundered rather than marched through rain and mud as far as 
 Preston, in Lancashire, and there, after two days' fighting and 
 retreating southward before the English forces, the main body, 
 worn out by the privations they had endured, and disheartened 
 by the incompetence of their commanders, surrendered to 
 Cromwell and his subordinates. But though the enterprise 
 was futile for the purpose it was meant to serve, it was fruitful 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 xli 
 
 in consequences disastrous to their Sovereign, their General, 
 and their country. It finally steeled the leaders of the English 
 army to urge on that course they had long been accused of 
 meditating, for the trial and punishment of the King as the 
 ' chief delinquent, 1 and soon after to bring the Duke of 
 Hamilton to a similar end, as a traitor to the kingdom of 
 England, of which he was a peer, while the soldiers who had 
 followed him without being pressed into the service were given 
 over as food for powder to the Venetian republic, or were 
 shipped to the plantations beyond sea, bound to servile labour, 
 as it has been rather mildly put, or ' were sold at a small price 
 as slaves to the West Indies,' as the biographer of Montrose 
 boldly blurts it out. 1 Further, this luckless enterprise not 
 only greatly impaired the strength and drained the resources 
 of the kingdom, and weakened its influence with the Presby- 
 terians of the South, but it gave Cromwell a fair excuse for 
 entering Scotland with his army of victorious Sectaries, and 
 requiring those who now assumed the government of the 
 kingdom to show their detestation of the proceedings of the 
 1 Engagers, 1 by passing the 4 Act of Classes, 1 as it was termed, 
 which inflicted various disabilities on all who had more or 
 less actively favoured the Engagement, and became the main 
 source of the divisions and troubles in which 4 the Church was 
 torn asunder by various factions till its constitution was 
 utterly overthrown. 1 2 
 
 In conclusion, it is hardly necessary to state that the opinions 
 expressed in this Introduction on many matters still keenly con- 
 
 1 It is to this act of the English Parliament, when under the heel of the Sec- 
 tarian army, and not to any procedure of the much maligned Covenanters, the 
 apologists for the Restoration Government of Scotland must turn when they 
 plead that the cruelties it exercised were but a retaliation provoked by the 
 excesses of Covenanters. These excesses, whatever they may have been, and 
 however to be regretted, did not include the torture of the boot and thumbikin, 
 nor the selling of poor misguided peasants into slavery, nor the drowning of 
 women in the rising tide. 
 
 2 Lee's Lectures, vol. ii. p. 295. 
 
xlii 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 troverted are simply those I have myself been led to form by a 
 careful study of this volume, and of the histories of the period, 
 and compromise no one but myself. I have only further to 
 return my best thanks to my colleague, Dr. Christie, Librarian 
 to the General Assembly, for the ungrudging assistance he has 
 rendered in revising the proof-sheets while passing through the 
 press, as well as to Mr. Paton for all his care in transcribing 
 the manuscript for the press, and to Mr. Law, of the Signet 
 Library, and his assistant, Mr. Mill, for the great trouble 
 they have taken in preparing the elaborate Index, which adds 
 so greatly to the value of the volume, and also to express my 
 regret that, owing to the state of my health during last winter, 
 the issuing of it to the members of the Society has been 
 delayed so long. 
 
 ALEX. F. MITCHELL. 
 
CORRIGENDA 
 
 Page 200, margin, for letter to read letter from 
 ,, 242, line 34, for defection, read defection, 1 
 ,, 247, line 27, for Kinlbethok read Kinbethok 
 ,, 311, line 36, for Assembly, read Assembly. 1 
 ,, 323, line 34, for headed read heeded 
 ,, 340, note, line i,for five read four 
 ,, 387, note 1, for 1848 read 1648. 
 
 ,, 401, note 1, for Clough outer Castle read Cloughouter Castle. 
 
 [In other authorities it is called Lough Outer Castle, 
 Cavan.] 
 
THE ACTES AND PROCEEDINGS 
 OF THE COMMISSION OF THE 
 GENERA LL ASSEMBLIE HOLDEN 
 IN EDINBURGHE IN THE YEIR 
 1646 
 
 A 
 
THE 
 
 TENOR OF 
 
 THE 
 
 COMMISSION 
 
 OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE, 
 
 Edinburghe* 18 Junij 1646, ante meridiem, 
 Sessio 15". 
 
 RENOVATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR 
 THE PUBLIK AFFAIRS OF THE KIRK. 
 
 The General Assemblie, taking to ther consideratione that 
 in respect the great work of vniformitie in religione in all his 
 Maiesties dominiones is not yit perfected (though by the 
 Lords blessing ther is a good progresse made in the same), 
 ther is a necessitie of renueing the Commissiones granted for- 
 merlie for prosecuteing that great work, doe therfor renew the 
 power and commissione granted for the publict affaires of the 
 Kirk by the Generall Assemblie held in St. Androes in the 
 year 1642, and in Edinburghe in the years 1643, 1644, and 
 1645, wnto the persons following, viz. — Messrs. Alexander 
 Hendersone, Robert Douglas, William Coluill, William 
 Rennet, George Gillespie, John Oswall, John Adamsone, 
 William Dalgleish, Dauid Calderwood, James Fleming, Robert 
 Ker, Johne Dalzell, James Wright, John Knox, Adam Pen- 
 man, Robert Lightoun, Alexander Dicksone, Patrick Fleming, 
 Johne Hay, Richard Dicksone, Thomas Vassie, Dauid Drumond, 
 Alexander Somervell, Robert Elliott, Robert Blair, James 
 Bruce, Robert Traill, Samuell Rutherfurde, Alexander Colvill, 
 Walter Greg, Alexander Balfour, George Thomsone, John 
 Moncreiff, John Smyth, Patrick Gillespie, John Duncan, 
 James Sibbald, Alexander Casse, John Hume, Alexander 
 
4 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i8jux. 
 
 Kinneir, Walter Suintone, Robert Knox, William Penman, 
 James Guthrie, Thomas Donaldsone, William Jameson, Thomas 
 Wilkie, John Knox, Robert Murray, John Freebarn, Robert 
 Wright, David Auchterlonie, William Major, Samuell Austein, 
 John Learmont, Andro Lauder, James Irving, Alexander 
 Turnbull, James Bonar, William Adair, John Neve, Patrik 
 Colvill, Mathew Brisbane, Johne Hamiltoun, Allan Ferguson, 
 Robert Ramsay, George Young, David Dickson, Robert Bailie, 
 James Nasmith, John Lindsay, John Weir, Evan Cameron, 
 James Affleck, John Robison, Andro Eliot, Silvester Lambie, 
 Laurence Skinner, William Rate, Dauid Campbell, Andro 
 Cant, William Douglas, Dauid Lindsay, Gilbert Andersone, 
 Alexander Garrioch, William Jaffray, Thomas Law, William 
 Campbell, Walter Stuart, ministers : and Archibald Marquise 
 of Argyle, John Erie Crawfurd-Lindsay, William Erie Mar- 
 shell, William Erie of Glencairne, John Erie of Casles, Charles 
 Erie of Dumfermling, James Erie of Tullibarne, Francis Erie 
 of Bacleugh, John Erie of Lauderdale, William Erie of Lothian, 
 William Erie of Lanerk, Archibald Lord Angus, John Lord 
 Halmerino, Robert Lord Burleigh, Johne Master of Yester, 
 Sir Patrik Hepburne of Wauchtone, Sir John Hope of Craig- 
 hall, Sir Archibald Johnstone of Waristone, Sir David Hume 
 of Wedderburne, Sir Robert Innes of that Ilk, James M'Dougal 
 of Garthland, Patrick Cockburn of Clerkinton, Sir Hugh 
 Campbell of Cesnock, Sir William Cuninghame of Cuningham- 
 head, Johne Hume of Blackader, Sir James Dundas of Arniston, 
 Alexander Forbes tutor of Pitsligo, Mr. George Winrham of 
 Libbertoun, Dauid Weemes of Fingask, Mr. Francis Hay of 
 Balhousie, Alexander Brodie of that Ilk, Mr. Alexander 
 Colvill of Blair, George Dundas of Dudiston, William Moore 
 of Glanderstone, Sir James Nicolsone of Colbrandspaith, John 
 Edger of Wedderlie, William Hume of Lenthill, James Roch- 
 head, Laurence Hendersone, and James Stuart bailies of 
 Edinburgh, George Porterfield provest of Glasgow, William 
 Hume ther, Robert Arnot provest of Perth, John Semple 
 provest of Dumbarton, John Kennadie provest of Air, Mr. 
 Dauid Weemes, Georg Garden, John Johnstone, Thomas 
 Patersone, Thomas Whyte, John Sleigh, elders : Giveing wnto 
 them full power and commissione to doe all and eurything for 
 
18 jun.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 5 
 
 prosecuteing, advanceing, perfecting, and bringing the said 
 w ork of vniformitie in religion in all his Majesties dominiones 
 to a happie conclusione, conform to the former Commissione 
 granted by preceeding Assemblies thairanent. And to that 
 effect appoints them or any sevintein of them, quhairof 
 thrittein shalbe ministers, to meet at Edinburghe the 19 of 
 this moneth, and thairafter vpon the second Wedinsdays of 
 August, November, Februar, and May nixt to cum, and vpon 
 any other day, and in any other place they shall think meet ; 
 and further, renues to the persones befor named the power 
 contained in the Act of the said Assemblie 1643, intituled — 
 A reference to the Commissione anent the persones designed 
 to repair to the kingdom of England ; as also the power 
 contained in the seuerall acts of the said Assemblie 1644, 
 Sessione 6, made against secret disaft'ecters of the Covenant, 
 and for sending ministers to the armie, with full power to 
 them to treat and determine in the maters aforsaid, and in all 
 other maters referred unto them by this Assemblie, as fullie 
 and freelie as if the same were here particulate expressed, 
 and with as ample power as any Commissione of former 
 General Assemblies hath had or bein in use of befor : they being 
 alwayes for ther whole proceedings comptable to and censurable 
 by the next Generall Assemblie. 1 
 
 1 We subjoin the commission given by the same Assembly to certain members 
 of their Commission to repair to England and prosecute the Treaty of 
 Uniformity with the Houses of Parliament and the Assembly of Divines there : — 
 
 'The Generall Assembly, taking to their consideration that the Treatie of 
 Uniformity in religion in all His Majesties dominions is not yet perfected, There- 
 fore renews the power and commission granted by preceding Assemblies for 
 prosecuting that Treatie, unto these persons afternamed, viz. M. Alexander 
 Henderson, M. Robert Douglas, M. Samuel Rutherfurd, M. Robert Baillie, M. 
 Geo. Gillespie, Ministers; and John, Earl of Lauderdale, John, Lord Balmerino, 
 and Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, Elders: Authorizing them with full 
 power to prosecute the said Treatie of Uniformity with the Honourable Houses 
 of the Parliament of England, and the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or 
 any Committees appointed by them : And to do all and everything which may 
 advance, perfect, and bring that Treatie to an happy conclusion, conform to the 
 former commissions given thereanent. ' — Peterkin's Records of the Kirk, p. 450. 
 
HE ACTS AND PROCEEDINGS of the 
 
 Commission of the late Generall Assem- 
 blie holdin at Edinburgh in the month 
 of June 1646. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 Junij 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator : Mr. Robert 
 Douglas: Mr. John Oswald: Mr. James Fleming 1 : Mr. John Dalzell: 
 Mr. John Knox, Selkirk: Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. 
 Richard Dicksone : Mr. Dauid Drummond : Mr. Robert Eliot : Doctour 
 Colvill : Mr. Walter Greg - : Mr. John Smyth : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. 
 Alexander Kinneir: Mr. W illiam Penman: Mr. Thomas Donaldson: Mr. 
 John Freebairn : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. John Nevay : Mr. Mathew 
 Brisban : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. John Lindsay : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Dauid Lindsay : Mr. Thomas 
 Law : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Dauid Calder- 
 wood : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James Wright : Mr. William Jamesone : 
 Mr. John Knox, Carinton : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Thomas 
 Vassie : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. James Bruce: Mr. Robert Traill : 
 Mr. John Moncreitfe ; Mr. Patrik Gillespy : Mr. John Hume: Mr. 
 Walter Swinton : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Robert 
 AY^right : Mr. AV'illiam Adair : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Hamilton : 
 Mr. George Young : Mr. James Xasmith : Mr. John Weer : Mr. William 
 Rate : Mr. William Douglas : Mr. William Jaffray : Mr. William Camp- 
 bell : Mr. Walter Stuart. Elders. — Erie Marshall : Master of Yester : 
 Lord Craighall : Laird limes : Laird Lammingtoun : Laird Moncreiffe : 
 Laird Clerkington : Laird Cuninghamhead : Laird Arnistoun : Tutour 
 of Pitsligo : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Fingask : Laird Brodie : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Colvill of Blair : Laird Dudistoun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird 
 Colbrandspeth : Laird Wedderlie : William Hume of Linthill : James 
 Stuart : George Porterfeild : William Hume : Mr. Dauid Weemes : 
 Thomas White : Thomas Patersone : John Johnstone. 
 
 Mr. Robert After incalling vpon the name of God by Mr. Robert Blair, 
 
 tour.' moderatour of the late Generall Assemblie, the names of the 
 
 Commissioners being called, and the commissione red, a list was 
 
 made for chooseing a moderatour, viz. Mr. Robert Blair, Mr. 
 
 James Bonar, and Mr. William Bennet, and the said Mr. 
 
19JUN.] ACTS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 7 
 
 Robert Blair was chosen moderatour of the Commission in all 
 the sessiones and meetings therof. 
 
 The Commissione of Assemblie haveing found it very con- Ragatzie. 
 venient that correspondence be keeped with Ragatzie, Prince of 
 Transilvania, will therfor take to ther consideratione the best 
 ways for doeing it. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblie, haveing considered Mr. Eleazer 
 the good testimonies produced wnto them by Mr. Eleazar Gllbett 
 Gilbert, doe therfor recommend him to be employed in the 
 ministrie by any regiment in the Scotts armie who shall give 
 wnto him a calling. 
 
 The Commissione of Assemblie appoints sumonds to be Mr. David 
 direct against Mr. Dauid Leith, for giveing protectiones in Leith - 
 name of the late Marquise of Huntlie, and for any other 
 malignant behauiour that informatione shalbe given of. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie haveing heard Mr. Hew Mr. Hew Arch- 
 Archbald doe, notwithstanding the reasones proponed by him R^ert Mont^ 
 for his stay at home, ordain him to repair to Colonel Robert ^°™.^^ t 
 Montgomries regiment with dilligence, for performing mini- 
 steriall dueties to them, and thinks it fitting that he stay with 
 them only tuo moneths — certifieing him that, if he do not go 
 to the regiment without more bussines, they will proceed 
 against him according to the Act of the Assemblie. 
 
 The Commissione appoints Messrs. John Adamsone, and Lord Gray and 
 William Bennet, and James Stuart, to represent to the Com- Colonel Hay " 
 mittee of Estates or the President, the great offence which is 
 taken at the Lord Gray and Colonell James Hays staying in 
 this toun, notwithstanding the tyme is expyred of ther abod 
 within this countrie. 
 
 This day the petitione of the Erie of Dumfreis referred to Erie Dumfrek 
 them by the Assemblie being considered and himself at length 
 heard, the Commissione thoght fitt to receave him to the 
 Covenant, and the said Erie did solemnlie suear and subscryve 
 the said League and Covenant in the presence of the Com- 
 missione. 
 
 The Commissione of the Generall Assemblie entring vpon Haiiburtones 
 the consideratione of the bussines concerning the planting of the business - 
 kirk of Gordon referred wnto them by the late Assemblie. 
 thinks it necessare for cleering of persones interessed to try the 
 
8 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 jun. 
 
 Concerning the 
 kirk of Gordon. 
 
 Commission 
 concerning 
 Haliburtone> 
 bussiness. 
 
 Another Com 
 mission con- 
 cerning Hali- 
 burtones 
 bussines. 
 
 particulares in the paper given in by Haliburton, and to reseaue 
 any other things he hes to give in, and therafter they will 
 consider of the mater of transportation, and for this effect 
 appoints Haliburtone to cite all the witnesses he mynds to vse 
 for proveing the particulars in the paper produced to the nixt 
 meiting of the Commissione vpon the 2d Wedinsday of August, 
 and also that he give in any other thing he hes to say in the 
 mater against the same day. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie give heirby 
 power and commissione to Messrs. William Jamesone, John 
 Knox, and William Penman, and the Laird of Blaikader to trv 
 and examine vpon oath the Lady Swintone elder, and the Lady 
 Swintone younger, Cathrin Swinton daughter to the Ladv 
 Swintoun elder, the Lady Ednam and Margaret Uurie her 
 servant, the Lady Haliburtoun, the Lady Plendergest and 
 Hume her daughter, spouse to Ma jour Alexander 
 Hume, the Lady Comlich and Jean Fleck her daughter, and 
 siclyk to examine vpon oath Mr. Robert Hume of Carrlesyd, 
 and Mr. Andro Kinneir, in the particulars contained in a paper 
 given in by the Laird of Haliburton in the proces depending 
 betuixt him and the presbitrie of Ersltoun, and for this effect 
 that they meit at Ersltoun vpon the 13 day of Julij nixt, and 
 therafter in any place and at any time they shall think meitest 
 for examining the said persons : with power also to them to 
 direct citationes for ther appearance befor them if it be 
 necessar: and appoints the Commissioneris afornamed, to report 
 ther dilligence herein with the depositiones of the persones 
 examined in writt subscryved by the moderator of the meiting, 
 and the deponers themselves, if they can write, to the first 
 meiting of the Commissione in August. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie give hereby 
 power and commission to ther reverend brethren, Messrs. 
 Alexander Hendersone, Robert Douglas, Andro Cant, Robert 
 Blair, and Johne Smyth, to try and examine vpon oath 
 Mr. James Dares, minister at Erslton, Captain Robert Douglas, 
 Mr. Patrick Home, minister at \ Livtenant Colonel Home 
 of Plendergast, and , tuo of 
 
 his servants, vpon the particulars contained in a paper given in 
 
 1 Ellem ; a small parish now united to that of Longformacus. 
 Fasti, vol. i. p. 422. 
 
 See Scott's 
 
30JUN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 9 
 
 by the Laird of Haliburton, in the proces depending betuixt 
 him and the presbitrie of Ersltoun, and for this effect that 
 the bretheren meet together at such times and in such places 
 as they shall think fitt, who shall report their dilligence herein 
 with the depositiones of the said persones in writt, subscryved 
 by the moderatour of ther meeting and the deponers themselves, 
 if they can writ, against the first meiting of the Commissione 
 of Assemblie in August. 
 
 Edinburgh, ultimo Junij, 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. John Knox, Carinton : Mr. Alexander Dick- 
 sone : Mr. Dauid Drumond : Mr. William Campbell : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Robert Fleeming : Mr. Evan Cameron : Doctour 
 Colvill. Elders. — Mr. Alexander Colvill : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie considering Commission to 
 that the Lord Balmerino, who is appointed by the late Argy£ rqU1S ° f 
 Assemblie to be on of the Commissioners for this Kirk, for 
 endeavouring the intendit uniformitie in religion and Kirk 
 Government betuixt the kingdomes, is not now to repair to 
 London, and haveing certain knowledge of the faithfullnes 
 and abilities of the Right Honourable Archbald Lord Marquise 
 of Argyll, who is now ther, doe therfor, according to the power 
 granted to them, nominat his Lordship in the place of the said 
 Lord Balmerino, giveing hereby to him full power to joyne 
 with the remanent Commissioneris in prosecuting the treatie 
 for vniformitie with the Honourable Houses of the Parliament 
 of England and the reverend Assembly of Divynes ther, or 
 with Committees from them, and to doe all things necessar 
 with the said Commissioners for promoveing the work aforsaid 
 alse freely and fully as any other of the Commissioners, or as 
 if his Lordship had bein particulate nominat to that effect by 
 the Generall Assembly. 
 
 The Commissione referrs the other particulars in the letters Reference, 
 from the Commissioners at London to a more frequent LetTe n rs. SS1 ° nerS 
 mei tins-. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 July 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet, Moderator : Mr. William Dalgleish : 
 Mr. John Knox : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. Dauid Drumond : Mr. 
 Robert Wright : Mr. Patrick Fleeming : Mr. Richard Dickson: Mr. 
 Rohert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. James 
 
10 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JUL. 
 
 Guthrie : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. William Campbell : Mr. William 
 Colvill. Elders. — Tutour of Pitsligo : Laird of Brodie : Sir James 
 Nicolsone : Mr. Alexander Colvill : Johne Sempill. 
 
 Mr. William After incalling on the name of God by Mr. William Bennet, 
 Moderator. the Commissione put in list for chooseing a moderator, Messrs. 
 
 William Bennet, Richard Dicksone, and James Guthrie, and 
 the said Mr. William Bennet was chosen moderator for this 
 meeting of the Commissione allanerlie. 
 
 This day were produced and read letters from the Commis- 
 sioners at London of the 16 th and 23 of Junii, and 7 th of this 
 instant, with a printed paper concerning the considerationes 
 and cautiones of the ministers of London touching the putting 
 of Presbiteriall Government in executione : with the letters 
 from Mr. Andro Leirmonth and Mr. Andro Collace, mentioned 
 in the letters from the Commissioners — tenor of all which 
 letters followes : — 
 
 Letter concern- ' RlGHT HoNOURABILL, RIGHT REVEREND AND LOVING BRETHREN, 
 
 Learmonth — Wee are waiting for your answer to our former letters, wnto 
 which wee can adde no new thing but that this day the House 
 of Comons hath agreed to the substance of the new expedient 
 concerning the propositione of the militia intendit to be sent 
 to the King. This propositione, as now altered, many look vpon 
 as a considerable step towards a peace, and a ground of hope 
 that it is not in vaine to indeavour a healing of the present 
 differences. The new expedient concerning Church Govern- 
 ment, and the late ordinance concerning it, we sent yow by 
 our last, which ordinance hath so farr (thogh not fullie) 
 satisfied the ministrie in and about London, that this day, in 
 a meeting of thers at Zion Colledge, they haue resolued to act 
 and put in executione the Presbiteriall Government without 
 further delay, but have referred to ther nixt meeting to con- 
 sider of such a maner of proceeding as may best salve ther 
 consciences in those things wherin the ordinance doth not 
 satisfie them. Yow will receave heerwith a letter from Mr. 
 Andro Learmonth, who hath taken the Covenant heer, with a 
 professione of repentance for the offence which he gave to the 
 Church of Scotland. Wee desire to know whether vpon this 
 his takeing of the Covenant, and his letter to yourselues, yow 
 will give ws warrand to certifie that he hath satisfied the 
 
14 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 11 
 
 Church of Scotland, in which particular wee desire your answer 
 with the first occasione, and so remaine, Your Loving Brethren, 
 Worcester House, Lauderdaill. SaMUELL Rutherfurde. 
 the l&h of June 1646. A. Jhonstone. Geo. Gillespie. 
 
 Robert Baillie.' 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Generall Assemblie of 
 the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 'Right Reverexd, — Being all this time in the countrie of m. Andro 
 England, remot from the citie by reason of our manie troubles Letter 0111115 
 and distractiones, could not intertaine the least correspondence 
 with your Commissioneris here, which I most earnestlie desired, 
 till of late it hath pleased God to open a way, which no sooner 
 proferr'd but I embraced, and, coming to London, I heard that 
 which I thoght never to have heard, that a sentence of depri- 
 vatione is passed against me in the Church of Scotland, for the 
 which I am verie sorie. Sorie I am not onlie for the sentence 
 itselfe, but most sorie that I should have done anything or left 
 anything undone which should have deserved that sentence, for 
 the which I humblie begg pardon and submitts myselfe in all 
 humilitie and submissione wnto your good pleasour and to your 
 government, which now I am suorne wnto and promises by 
 Gods assistance earnestlie to prosecute and follow the same. 
 
 Therfor I humblie begg of yow that yow will be pleased 
 to show your will concerning me to vour Commissioners. I 
 know your correctiones ar not for destructione but amendment, 
 which by God's grace I promise and really intends. 
 
 Your answer he expects who sail euer remaine your most 
 humble servant and oratour, and for the present your humble 
 petitioner, Sic sub r ., Axmio Learmonth. 1 
 
 London, 16 of June 1646. 
 
 Direct : To the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Geiwrall Assembly of Scotland at Edinburgh. 
 
 i Right Reverend, — Wee haue receaued in answer to ours the Letter from the 
 letter of the Generall Assemblie of the 15th of this instant, at°Lond?n° nerS 
 which came verie seasonably in regard of the propositiones of 
 peace which are now agreed vpon by the Houses of Parliament, 
 and our consent presentlie expected for sending them to the 
 King. Wee shall with Gods assistance walk according to the 
 directiones which are sent ws. That which wee gave yow 
 notice of by our last of the 16th wee shall now give yow a 
 
12 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JUL. 
 
 more particulare accompt of by this inclosed paper 1 agreed vpon 
 vnanimouslie by the ministers of London and since published. 
 According to these principles and rules they intend without 
 anie further delay to put in executione the Presbiteriall 
 Government. God give a blessing to it. 
 
 Wpon occasione of the Marques of Argyle his being here 
 (which is verie seasonable, and we trust sail serve for good ends), 
 wee desire that yow will joyne his Lordshipe in commissione 
 with ws, that he may go to the Assemblie and assist ws ther as 
 ther shalbe occasione, and that your commission and warrand 
 to this effect may be sent with the first occasione after the reseat 
 hereof. So, commending your counsells and endeavours con- 
 cerning the difficulties at home to Gods gratious directione 
 and blessing, wee rest, Your Loving Brethren, sic subcr., 
 
 Worcester House, A. Jhoxstox. Samuell RuTHERFURD. 
 
 the 23 of June, 1646. Geo. Gillespie. Robert Baillie/ 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 Letter from the 8 Right Reverend, — We haue receaued by this last post the 
 atTo^don 0neriS letters of t he Generall Assemblie to the Parliament, Assembly, 
 and citie of London, which ar to be delyuered tomorrow. 
 Wee wrote to you before concerning Mr. Andro Learmonth, 
 bnt haue receaued no answer. Wee haue now such another 
 case to communicate wnto yow concerning Mr. Andro Colesse. 
 He hath taken the Covenant and hath written a penitentiall 
 letter, which wee send herein inclosed, whervpon we desire to 
 know whither ye will allowe ws to say to the Assemblie here 
 that you are satisfied concerning them, that ther names may 
 be taken out of the List which yow sent to ws to be given in 
 to the Assemblie. Haveing no further bussines at this time to 
 write of, wee recommend your meitings and endeavours to the 
 blessing of God, and rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 A. M. Argyll. Robert Baillie. 
 
 Lauderdaill. Geo. Gillespie/ 
 
 A. Jhoxstoxe. 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 1 Considerations and Cautions from Sion College, 19 June 1646, in which the 
 London ministers, while agreeing to organise for Church Government under the 
 Ordinances of Parliament, intimate their resolution to practise according to the 
 Ordinances, so far as they conceive them to correspond to the rule of the Word. 
 
 concerning 
 Mr. P. [sic] 
 Collasse. 
 
14 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 IS 
 
 4 Right Reverend, — I haveing (to my great greife) foolishlie Mr. Patrik[«V] 
 and ignorantlie protested against the lawfullnes of that vener- Letter, 
 able Assemblie h olden be the Church of Scotland, wherof at 
 that time I was an wnworthie member, at Glasgow, and being 
 scrupolous also then to joyne with yow in the Nationall 
 League and Covenant, and some other delinquincies alledgit 
 against me, was be a committee holden at Dundie, wher I for 
 the time was minister, deposed from my ministrie, the equitie 
 of which sentence I doe heartilie acknouledge as lawfullie pro- 
 ceedit against me, and what miserie or distress I haue suffered 
 abroad since that time as a just and most deserved punishment 
 inflicted be God vpon me, for contemning and not hearkening 
 to the voice of that Church, my mother, quhairin I was educat 
 and had served (thoghe in weaknes) for the space of 24 years 
 as a minister. 
 
 And now, being come to a serious consideratione of my 
 former errours, doe humblie begg at your hands whom the 
 Assemblie lies entrusted to be Commissioners for the Church 
 at Edinburgh, that yow wold be pleased to open the bowells 
 of mercie towards me, to pardone my former escapes, and to 
 receaue me againe into your former grace and fauour; and, 
 seing now I haue taken the Covenant, which your reverend 
 brethren here will testifie, yow will not obstruct that fauour 
 from me yow are pleased to communicate to others vpon ther 
 submissione ; promising, by the assistance of Gods Spirit, to 
 amend by a double dilligence my slownes in not joyning with 
 yow befor now. I am glad I haue to doe with graue religious 
 divynes, not Nouationes, 1 ministers of the gospell of peace, not 
 given to revenge, my owne countriemen, not strangers, who seeks 
 the conversione not the confusione of anie, which makes me 
 confident of your gratious ansuer by the first returne direct to 
 your brethren here, with whom I will comply in evrything. 
 So, praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and a particular bless- 
 ing vpon you, commends you heartilie to Gods grace, and 
 shall continue, Yours in the Lord Jesus, 
 
 Westminster, 2 Julij 1646. Mr. A. Collace."' 
 
 Direct : To the Wight Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland. 
 
 1 i.e. Novatians. 
 
14 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JUL. 
 
 Ratification of The Commissione of Assemblie ratifies and approves the 
 Maquis 5 ' 0 " t0 t'omniissione granted to my Lord Marquesse of Argyll vpon 
 Argyie. the last of June in the haill tenor therof, lykas be the tenor 
 
 heirof they give and committ to the said Lord Marquisse the 
 whole power particulate or generallie expressed in the said 
 commissione, as fullie and amplie as if the same were here 
 expressed, renued, and repeated. 
 
 The Commissione referrs the consideration of the particulars 
 Mess" Andro concerning Mess™ Andro Learmonth and Andro Collace, men- 
 Learmonth and tioned in the letters from the Commissioners at London, unto 
 
 Collace. . . ... 
 
 the quarterhe melting or the Commission in August. 
 Tracquer. This day the petitione of John, Erie Tracquer, referred to 
 
 them be the Assemblie, admitting of him to the Covenant, 
 continued \\ hill afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet, Moderator : Mr. W illiam Colvill : 
 Mr. Richard Dieksone : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. Robert Li^hton : Mr. 
 .Fames Guthrie : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. William Campbell : 
 Mr. John Smyth : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Dauid 
 Drumond : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. Patrick Fleeming- : Mr. Patrick 
 Gillespie : Mr. William Dalg-leish. Elders. — Erie Crawfurde : Erie 
 Marshall : Erie of Cassles : Laird Wauchtone : Lord Craighall : Tutour 
 of Pitsligo : Laird Brodie : Sir James Nicolsone : Laird of Libbertoun. 
 
 ErieofTrac- This dav, the Erie Tracquers petitione being again con- 
 sidered, and the said Erie himselfe at length heard, the Com- 
 missione thochtfitt, that, according to his earnest and frequent 
 desires, he sould tak the Covenant, and accordinglie the said 
 Erie instantlie suore and subscryued the League and Covenant 
 of the 3 kingdoms in presence of the Commissione. 
 Concerning the The Commissione appoints ther nixt meeting the morne at 
 rebeiis! 0 the 9 hours, and in the meane time desirs the Moderator and 
 Maisters William Colvill, Johne Smyth, James Guthrie. 
 Patrik Gillespie, and Robert Lightone, with the Erie of 
 Cassles, Libberton, and Brodie, to consider of the interest of 
 the Kirk in the articles given by the Committee of Estates for 
 bringing of rebells, and to report ther opinione to the Commis- 
 sion, and to this effect, that they meet the morne at 7 hours in 
 the morneing. 
 
 Edinburgh 15 Julij 1646. 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet, Moderator : Mr. John Oswald : 
 
22 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 15 
 
 Mr. Robert Lightone : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Johne Smyth : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Patrik Fleeming : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. 
 Dauid Drumond. Elders. - Erie of Crawfurde : Erie Marshell : Erie of 
 Cassles : Laird Brodie : Laird Libbertone : Mr. Alexander Colvill of 
 Blair : Tutour of Pitsligo : John Semple. 
 
 The brethren present, becaus they are not now frequent, Concerning the 
 
 think fitt that ther be advertisment for conveening the Com- Retells 0 anew 
 
 missione this day 8 dayes frequentlie that the bussines con- meeting ap- 
 
 f* 1 1 i li ii ~r~r~ ' i , . pointed, and 
 
 cernmg the bringing or the rebells and the Kirks interest therm Recommenda- 
 may be than considered, and desirs Mr. William Bennet, Mr. committee of 
 John Smyth and Libbertoun to represent to the Committee of Estates « 
 Estates ther consideratione, that, seing ther is to be heir a 
 frequent meiting the said day, whither it may please ther 
 Lordships to continue any further proceiding in the mater con- 
 cerning the articles of peace offered to the rebells, wntill the 
 said meeting in respect of the correspondence ther Lordships 
 use to keep in lyk cases. 
 
 The brethren also desirs that the Committee of Estates Magistrats of 
 may be remembered to take to ther consideratione the mater Aberdein - 
 concerning the election e of the magistrats of Aberdein recom- 
 mendit to ther lordships by the late Assemblie. 
 
 Edinburgh 22 Julii 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet, Moderator : Mr. John f^damsone : 
 Mr. John Dalzell : Mr. James Fleemin : Mr. Johne Knox: Mr. 
 William Dalgleish : Mr. Patrik Fleming : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. 
 John Nave : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John 
 Weer : Mr. William Campbell : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Oswald : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. 
 Robert Lighton : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Alexander Kinneir : 
 Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Allan Ferguson , Mr. 
 James Nasmyth : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Doctour 
 Colvill. Elders. — Laird of Libbertoun : Laird of Arnistoun : Laird of 
 Balhousie : Laird of Dudistone : Mr. Alexander Coluill : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 A list being this day made for chooseing a Moderatour for Mr. William 
 this meeting in respect of the absence of Mr. Robert Blair the Moderator. 
 Moderator viz. Mr. William Bennet, James Fleeming, John 
 Oswald and James Guthrie, the said Mr. William Bennet was 
 chosen Moderator of this meeting. 
 
 The Commissione, considering that the meeting was appointed Committee, 
 for a serious consideratione of the offers sent to the rebells and the rebells. 
 of the Kirks interest therin, and of what is incumbent to them to 
 
16 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 jul. 
 
 doe in the mater, Therfor, for prepairing the bussines, appoints 
 Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, Dauid Dicksone, William ColviU, 
 Doctor Colvill, John Adamsone, James Guthrie, John Nevy, 
 Robert Ramsay, Alexander Kinneir, Robert Lichtoun, Arnis- 
 toun, Libbertoun, Balhousie to conferr vpon it, and to report 
 ther oppiniones of the mater itselfe and some overture con- 
 cemeing the Kirks dutie in relation thereto. 
 Erie Abercom. The Commission recommends to the presbitries of Edinburgh 
 and Pasley to take notice of the Erie of Abercom, when he 
 comes within ther bounds, and, if they receave not sattisfactione 
 from him concerning his religion, that they proceed against 
 him without delay. 
 
 The Commissione appoints Mr. Robert Ker and Mr. Robert 
 Trail to conferr with Mr. Patrik Dumbar vpon the particulares 
 in the letters from Innerness and which he himselfe hes men- 
 tioned, and to propose sum overtures to the Commissione' 
 theranent. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at nyne houres. 
 
 Innerness. 
 
 Haliburton. 
 
 Meeting of a 
 Commission in 
 Aberdein. 
 
 Edinburgh L 2 l o Jidii 164-6, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet, Moderator : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. James Dalzell : Mr. James Fleming : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. 
 Patrik Fleming : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. John Neave : Mr. John 
 Hamilton : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. William Campbell : Mr. Mathew 
 Brisban : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone , Mr. Dauid Calder- 
 wood : Mr. John Knox : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Alexander Kin- 
 neir : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Patrik Colvill , Mr. Allan Ferguson : 
 Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John W eer : Mr. John Moncreiffe : Doctour 
 Colvill : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. John Knox., at Selkirk. Elders. 
 — Laird of Libbertoun : Laird of Dudingstoun : William Hume of Lint- 
 hill : Thomas Patersone : Mr. Alexander Colvill. 
 
 This day, Mr. James Guthries petitione being considered, 
 the Commissione appoints Halyburtoun personallie present to 
 cite all the witnesses he mynds to vse for proveing the par- 
 ticulars in his paper, produced to the Assemblie, against the 
 2d Wednisday of August nixt, and also to give in anything he 
 intends to add to that paper at the same day, declaring that 
 they will receaue no new exceptiones but such as sail be given 
 in at that meeting. 
 
 The Commissione thinks that it were verie necessar that 
 they satt in Aberdein, to tak order ther, vpon the place, with 
 
23 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 17 
 
 the malignants in these parts, but continues the determinatione 
 of the dyet untill the nixt meeting in August, and that the 
 conditione of the countrie be learned from the Generall Major 
 and Mr. Andro Cant. 
 
 The Commissione appoints the agent of the Kirk to get the Rebeiis. 
 rolls of the pryme actours in the rebellion from the Clerks of 
 Parliament and Committees therof. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Minsters. — Omnes in sessione proanma cunt Mr. John Oswald : Mr. 
 William Jamesone : Mr. William Dalgleish : excepting Mr. Alexander 
 Kinneir, absent this sessione. Elders. — Omncs qui sessione preccdenti cum 
 Lord Burleigh : Laird of Innes : Laird of Brodie : Laird Balhousie : John 
 Sempill. 
 
 The Commissione appoints the Clerk to give out sumonds Magistrats in 
 against the magistrats and others in Aberdein vpon the par- Aberdein - 
 ticulars informed against them. 
 
 The result of the conferrence of the Committee for the offers 
 with the rebells being heard and considered, after much debate 
 the form of a petitione to the Committee of Estates drawne vp by 
 them was agreed vpon, and the Commissione appoints the same 
 to be presented to the Committee the first occasione that can 
 be had. Tenor of which petitione followes : — 
 
 6 The searcher of hearts knowes that as we are the messingers Petition to the 
 
 e n /~\ i i . , , i Committee of 
 
 oi peace irom (jrod soe we doe earnestlie wish to procure and Estates 
 preserve peace amongst men : Wee wer worse then brutishe if off"^" 1 "! e the 
 after so much wasting of a destroying suord we did not desire Rebells. 
 a breathing time wnto this afflicted land. Wee know it to be 
 our dutie to pray for it, and to endeavour it, and it sould be our 
 hearts exceeding joy to hear the Lord speak peace wnto his 
 people. Yit the deep sense of the great trust committed wnto 
 ws leads ws seriouslie to think vpon a mater of such consequence, 
 wherein Religion and the Church ar so much interessed, and 
 h umblie to offer wnto your honours our desirs thereanent. Your 
 Lordships doe well know with whom we have to doe, ane hand- 
 full of base, cruell, treacherous men, who have eaten the flesh 
 and drank the blood of ther countrie, blasphemed the name of 
 our God, troden vpon his cause, and studied by all means to 
 cause the whole land to blaspheme by denying and forsaking of 
 
 B 
 
18 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 JUL. 
 
 the Covenant, manie of which are cut of from the Church, and 
 declared to be of these whom Christ commandeth to be holden 
 by all and evrie on of the faithfull as ^Ethnicks and pub- 
 licanes that they might learn to blaspheme no more. And yit 
 to this day they have not seen ther iniquitie nor acknowledged 
 ther sinne but continue with instruments of crueltie in their 
 hands, rather prescryveing conditiones than receaveing com- 
 mandments, and submitting themselves wnto lawes. Wee need 
 not put your Lordships in mynd of the resolutiones of his 
 Majesties third Parliament, Sess. 2, Act ii, of prosecuteing the 
 warr against these men in ane hostill maner to their wtter ouer- 
 throw and destructione ; Nor of the obligatione that the same 
 Parliament, Sess. 2, Act 14, found themselves and all good 
 patriots and true Christianes wnder in pursuance of ther Cove- 
 nant, to which they ar so straitlie tyed befor God and man, 
 against these enemies, who are going on with full resolutione to 
 wndoe the whole natione and ouerthrow the liberties of the 
 Kirk and kingdome so happilie established by Gods mercifull 
 prouidence ; Nor of the purpose of the Parliament at St. And- 
 roes, Sess. 5, Act 9, of the prosecutione of the warr against those 
 horrid rebells wntill the same by the blessing of the God of hostes 
 be brought to ane happie end ; Nether need wee lay befor yow 
 what we owe wnto the memorie of our dear brethren who dyed in 
 our defence, nor what we owe wnto the honour of our natione, 
 wnto the cryes of manie widowes and fatherles, wnto the desirs 
 and expectationes of the godlie throughout the land, nor what we 
 may fear heirafter in regard of the insolencie and treacherie of 
 these men who ar now puft up and confirmed in a conceat of 
 ther owne wickednes and strength ; Nor what inconveniencies 
 may arise vpon the on hand from those who seing themselves 
 disappointed of the publick justice of the kingdome will thirst 
 after revenge in a private way ; and vpon the other hand from 
 discontented mynds who have bein censured happilie for delin- 
 quencie in degrees inferiour wnto the guiltines of these men. Nor 
 shall wee insist in remembering your Lordships how prejudiciall 
 this course may prove wnto Acts of Parliament against excom- 
 municat persones. The great mater of our fear is that the course 
 which your Lordships have fallen vpon being well examined 
 shall not answer that measure of endeavours which the word of 
 
24 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 19 
 
 God and our Covenant oblishes ws wnto for punishing sucli 
 cruell murtherers, and soe expose ws wnto the wrath of God. 
 Therfor, as the servants of Jesus Christ and your servants for 
 his sake, wee doe in all humilitie from no other respect then the 
 tender conscience of our duty earnestlie beseech your Lordships 
 againe to weigh what yow have done in relatione to pardon 
 and peace with these rebells, as that which much concernes the 
 glorie of God, the honour of the natione, the blood of our 
 brethren, the preserveing of truth, and the preventing of manie 
 inconveniencies amongst ourselves and indignatione from the 
 Most High ; and in your wisdome and pietie to think how the 
 same may be tymouslie helped." 
 
 This day a letter from the Presbiterie of Sutherland concern- Letter 
 ing the Lord Raes read, and referred to the consideratione of Lor?Raef 
 the meeting of this Commission at Aberdein. 
 
 The Commissione doe earnestlie recommend the desire of the Recommenda- 
 town of Cullen for charitable supplie to the presbitries within cullen^^^ 
 the bounds mentioned in the recommendatione of Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh 24 Juln 1646. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. William 
 Jamesone : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. Mathew 
 Brisban : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. John Dalyell : Mr. Johne Knox : 
 Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. Patrik Fleeming : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. 
 James Hamilton : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. 
 John Adamsone : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. 
 Thomas Donaldson: Mr. John Oswald: Mr. John Weer : Mr. John 
 Neave : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. Robert Traill : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Doctur Colvill : Elders. — 
 Laird of Bousie : Laird of Libbertoun : Laird of Brodie : Mr. Alexander 
 Colvill : Thomas Paterson : John Sempill. 
 
 This day the clerk produced a register of Parliament bearing Ordinance for 
 
 the sentences of forfaulter against the rebells with ane extract J^aS^ 0 * 4 " 
 
 he had made of ther names and crymes, which was compared M ' Donald, the 
 
 ... J 1 sometvme Erie 
 
 With the Register. of Airlie, Laird 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, taking to ther yo^g inch- 
 sadd and serious consideratione the horrid and bloodv rebellion brakie, Tutor 
 
 f. nil . .... ofStrovvan, 
 
 ot sum wnaturall and treacherous countne men, joyning with Sheirgiasse, 
 a bloody crew of Irrishes, who these years bygone haue cruellie wuiiam 
 murthered manie thousands of our dear brethren, and by Stewart, 
 robbing, spoyling, burning of houses, cornes, and other goods, 
 
20 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 JUL. 
 
 and other acts of barbaritie and horrid insolencie, have wasted 
 and destroyed this kingdome, and eaten the flesh and drunk 
 the blood of many harmles and innocent people for the cause 
 of God and our Covenant : As also considering the obstinat 
 continuance of these bloodie rebells all this time in that wicked- 
 ness, retaining still the wasting and destroying suord in ther 
 hands ; and finding by sufficient evidences produced, as it is 
 also notorlie knowne and sensiblie felt by this whole Kirk and 
 kingdome, That Allaster M* Donald, a principall actour in the 
 whole course of this rebellion, hes exerced the place of General- 
 Majour over these rebells, was the leader of the bloodie Irrishes, 
 and others wnder his command in dyverse fields and places wher 
 they cutt doun and destroyed many faithfull subjects, spilling 
 much Christian blood on the ground lyk water, and commiting 
 manie other horrid insolencies : as also haueino- found that James 
 Ogiluie, sometime Erie of Airly, Dauid Grahme, sometime of 
 Gorthie, Patrick Grahme, sone to the Laird of Inchbraikie, 
 Donald Iiobertsone, sometyme called Tutour of Strowan, John 
 Steuart sometime of Scheirglasse, and Colonel! A Yilliam Stewart 
 did joyne themselves wnto these bloodie rebells, hes had charge 
 and command in ther rebellious armie, and being vpon the 
 fields and in the places quhair the insolencies befor mentioned 
 were committed, haue bein themselves exceedinglie and notor- 
 iouslie active in' these wicked courses: And the Commissioners 
 of Assemblie being verie sensible of the highe provocatione of 
 God for such haynous offences against him, and of so great 
 contempt of all ecclesiasticall and civile authoritie ; Therfor 
 being moved with the zeale of God, Do decerne and ordaine the 
 persones befor designed, all and eurie on of them, to be sum- 
 marlie excommunicat and declared to be those whom Christ 
 commandeth to be holden by all and eurie on of the faithfull 
 as Ethnicks and publicanes ; and appoints the said sentence of 
 excommunicatione to be pronunced by there brother, Mr. John 
 Adamsone, in the east kirk of this citie upon the nixt Lords 
 day, the 26th of this moneth, and that therafter publict in- 
 timatione be made of the same through all the kirks of this 
 kingdome so soone as advertisment shall come unto them. 
 
 The Commissione appoints the agent to get ane extract of 
 the rebells processed befor the Committee and of ther parti- 
 
24 JUL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 21 
 
 cular offences, and ther probatione therof, and to give it to the Act fur an 
 clerk, that he may give therby informatione to the Commission rebeils ° f 
 of the principall actonrs in the rebellion not yit processed or p™ commktee" 
 censured ecclesiasticallie. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messers Dauid Calderwood, Robert Ministers 
 Murray, John Moncreiffe, John Oswald, John Adamsone, appofmedfor 
 William Colvill, James Fleeming, John Hamiltone, John presenting the 
 
 . & . Petition to 
 
 Daljell, Bousie, Brodie, Libbertoun, Mr. Alexander Colvill, John the Committee 
 Sempill, to present the petitione to the Committee of Estates concerning 
 concerning the offers of conditiones to the rebeils, and for that rebells - 
 effect that they come to this toun the nixt week against Tuysday 
 to attend the first dyet of the meeting of the Committee. 
 
 The Commissione of the Generall Assemblie appoints the Particular 
 moderatour and clerk to prepare all the particular referrences t he f iate C6S ° f 
 made by the late General Assemblie wnto them against the Assemblie to be 
 
 J °. prepard for the 
 
 2nd. Wedmsday oi August, and to cause cite all parties inter- Commission, 
 essed and wittnesses against that day, and for the referrence ^sir^n^n*' 01 " 1 
 concerning Sir John Smyth that intimatione be given wnto Smith, 
 him for his appearing that day in respect of his residence heir 
 in Edinburgh. 
 
 The Commissione, considering the reference of the Assemblie Dr. Baican- 
 concerning Dr. Balcanqualls letters, doe therfor for tryell qualIs Letters 
 therof appoint the Moderator to wryt to the Commissioners at 
 London, to send doun any of Dr. Strang or Mr. William 
 Wilkies letters to Dr. Balcanquall they haue found ther, that 
 they may take the same to ther consideratione. 
 
 The Commissione haveing receaued a letter from Lievtenant Lieutenant 
 Generall Dauid Leslie, bearing a list for ministers to his Lesiiesiettei U foi 
 regiment, viz. Mr. John Duncan in Dumfermling, Mr. Alexander a Minister. 
 Moncreiffe in \ and Mr. Patrick Scougall in St. Androes 
 
 presbitrie, doe appoint the said Mr. Alexander Moncreiffe to 
 repair to the said regiment, and that letters be written for that 
 effect to him and to his presbitrie, and for supplieing his place 
 dureing his absence. 
 
 The Commissione, finding that they cannot choose any of the A new List for 
 
 i, ,/> tapt e • ■ i i u • . ' Ministers to the 
 
 last sent irom Dumrermling tor a minister to his regiment, Armie for Dum- 
 because of thee inabilitie of Mr. James Sibbald and Mr. Thomas fermhnes 
 
 Melvill, and in respect ther are so manie alreadie out of the 
 1 Kirkcaldy ; see Scott's Fasti, vol. ii. p. 558. 
 
 regiment. 
 
22 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 AUG. 
 
 presbitrie quhair Mr. Johne Meldrum is, therefor appoints 
 
 aduertisment to be sent for a new list. 
 Overturs con- The Commission approues the ouerturs presented by Messrs. 
 naTtTapprouln Robert Ker and Robert Traill concerning malignants in the 
 to be used in north, and appoints them to be made vse of by the Commission 
 
 the meeting at . . ... 
 
 Aberdeen. when they meet in Aberdein, and that the ministers in the 
 
 list and the Lord Rae be ther processed. 
 Quarterly meet- The Commissione desirs the quarterlie meeting in August to 
 mg m August. ^ k ee p e( j f re q Uen tlie, and that the brethren giue advertisment 
 
 to these that are absent in ther presbitries adjacent nixt wnto 
 
 them. 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 August 164-6, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. John Oswald : Mr. John 
 Adamsone : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James 
 Wright : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. Alexander Kinneir : Mr. William 
 Penman : Mr. \Y illiam Jameson : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Dauid 
 Drumond : Mr. Robert Ellott : Mr. John Freebarne : Mr. Alexander 
 Tumble : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Allan Ferguson : 
 Mr. George Young : Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. John 
 Moncreifte : Mr. John Duncan : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr, William Colvill : 
 Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Fleeming : 
 Mr. John Daljell : Mr. John Knox: Mr. John Hume: Mr. Walter 
 Suinton : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Thomas Wilkie: Mr. Thomas Vassie: 
 Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Robert Wright : 
 Mr. James Bonar : Mr. John Nave: Mr. John Hamilton: Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay : Mr. Dauid Dickson : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. George Tomson : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespy : Mr. John Robesone : Doctour Colvill. Elders. — 
 Erie Craufurde Lindsay : Erie Marshall : Lord Balmerino : Lord Craig- 
 hall : Laird Clerkintoun : Laird Lamintoun : Laird Garthland : Laird 
 Libbertoun : Laird Dudistoun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird Linthill : 
 James Rochhead : Laurence Henderson : George Porterfeild : George 
 Gardne : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 This day Messrs. Robert Douglas, William Bennet, Andro 
 Cant, Dauid Dicksone, being put in list, the said Mr. Robert 
 Douglas was chosen Moderatour for this meeting of the 
 Commissione in absence of Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator of the 
 Commission. 
 
 The Commission continues the sumonds of the paroshiners of 
 Leith against Mr. John Smyth wntill ther first meeting in 
 M7john"smyth November, in respect of the said Mr. John his absence in 
 publick employments, declareing that the interest of all parties 
 is reserved wntill that day, and that the Lord Balmerinochs 
 dilligence shall be then considered. 
 
 Mr. Robert 
 Douglas, 
 Moderator. 
 
 Sumonds 
 paroshiners 
 Leith against 
 
13 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 23 
 
 This day the Lord Duke of Hamiltoun appeared befor the Lord Duke 
 Commissione desireing to represent wnto them that, as he had ^p™ring befor 
 signed the Covenant in England, and now befor the Committee the Commis- 
 
 . sion. 
 
 in this kingdome, so he come befor them to expresse wnto 
 them the reasones why he had soe long been in taking the 
 Covenant, that the scandale thereof might be removed. The 
 Commission having at length heard the Lord Duke verballie 
 desired his Lordship to put his declaration in write wnder his 
 hand against to-morrow. 
 
 This day the Laird of Halliburtoun and others, compearing Haiiburton and 
 in name of the paroshiners of Gordoun against Mr. James M^anSs" 5 ' 
 Sympsone transportatioun to Gordoun, produced ther dilligence Simpsons trans 
 
 n n i-i • portation to 
 
 for sumondmg or witnesses, together with a 2d. paper contain- Gordon and 
 ing exceptiones against the said Mr. James transportatioun, and others for lU 
 Messrs. James Guthrie, Thomas Donaldsone, the Lairds of 
 Stitchell and Wedderlie, compeering for the said Mr. James 
 his transportatioun, and presenting a petitione to the Com- 
 missione, and the said Mr. James Sympsone compeering 
 personallie, the Commission, after reading the papers produced, 
 ordaines the said parties each of them to answer others papers 
 produced against the morn befor noon, and continues the 
 receaveing of the witnesses. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 13 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. James 
 Fleeming: Mr. John Knox: Mr. John Daljel : Mr. Thomas Vassie : 
 Mr. Robert Ellott : Mr. John Hume : Mr. Walter Suinton : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. William Jameson : Mr. John Knox : Mr. Alexander 
 Tumble : Mr. John Nave : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. 
 James Wright : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. 
 Alexander Kinneir : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : 
 Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. 
 Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. George 
 Young : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John Weer : Mr. Robert Traill : 
 Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. John Duncan : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Robert 
 Lightoun : Mr. John Oswald : Mr. Richard Dickson : Mr. John Weer : 
 Mr. Patrick Fleeming : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. David Dicksone : Mr. 
 John Lindsay: Mr. James Bruce : Doctour Colvill: Mr. Patrik Gillespie: 
 Mr. John Robsone : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. 
 William Dalgleish : Mr. William Acldair : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : 
 Mr. Dauid Drumond. Elders. — Erie Craufurd : Lord Craighall : 
 Laird Lamington : Laird Garthland : Laird Clarkingtoun : Laird 
 
24 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 AUG. 
 
 Petition — 
 Robert Max- 
 well to be 
 receaved to the 
 Covenant. 
 
 Declinatours in 
 the mater of 
 Gordon Kirk. 
 
 Arnistoun : Laird Dudistoun : Laird Linthill : Laird Wedderlie : Laird 
 Glanderstoun : Laurence Hendersone : George Porterfeild : William 
 Home : Thomas Patersone : Sir James Morisone : James Rochhead. 
 
 This day the Commissione, haveing receaved a petitione 
 from Robert Maxuell, sone to the late Erie of Nithisdale, 
 earnestlie desiring that he might be receaved to the Covenant, 
 doe therfor desir Messrs. Dauid Dicksone, Robert Ramsay, 
 George Young, Mathew Brisbane, and Jhone Hamiltone, with 
 Georg Porterfeild, to conferr with the gentleman, and to report 
 ther judgment of him concerning his education and religion. 
 
 The Commission repells the declinatour against the Com- 
 missioners in the presbitries of Dunce and Chirnside expressed 
 in the supplicatione given in by the paroshiners for Mr. James 
 Sympsones transportation in so far as concernes Messrs. 
 Alexander Kinneir, Alexander Casse, and Walter Suintoun, in 
 respect of ther purging themselves of partial counsell ; but 
 admitts the same in so farr as concerns Mr. John Hume and 
 Linthill, and therfor declyns them in this mater of Gordone 
 and Mr. James Sympsone. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon e. 
 
 Toun of Edin- 
 burgh and Mr. 
 Robert Ker, 
 
 Duke 
 
 Hamiltoun. 
 
 Duke 
 
 Hamiltons 
 
 Declaratione. 
 
 Eodcm die, post meridian. 
 Sederunt ut supra in sessione precedent}. 
 
 The Commission continues the sumonds of transportatione 
 at the instance of the toun of Edinburgh against Mr. Robert 
 Ker untill the morne afternoone, and appoints all the defenders 
 to answer at that dyet peremptorlie. 
 
 This day the Lord Duke Hamiltones declaration being red 
 and seriouslie considered, the Commission accepted of the same 
 and rested satisfied therewith, and dischargeing any further 
 proceeding against the Duke for not receaveing the Covenant : 
 and appoints his declaratione to be put vpon record, the tenor 
 whereof followes : — 
 
 6 1 am sorie that I haue bein so long from giving sattis- 
 factione to the Kirk of Scotland for my not subscryveing of 
 the Covenant, which was occasioned by my departure out of 
 the kingdom and by imprisonment almost ever since, from 
 which I was no sooner delivered and come to London (haveing 
 the honour to be a peere of England, and wnderstanding that 
 
13 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 25 
 
 by the jointe declaratione of both kingdomes the Covenant was 
 ordained by all to be taken) but that I applied my selfe to the 
 House of Peers to shew my willingnes and expresse my desire 
 for taking therof, which accordinglie was administered wnto 
 me by their Lordships in a verie honourabill maner. Therafter, 
 being sent for to come home by the Honourabill Committee of 
 Estates here, I addressed my selfe to them and declared my 
 readiness to take thee Covenant, ether then or at the meeting 
 of the Commissioners for the Kirk. It pleased them to give 
 me order at that time to take the same, which I did ; and I 
 hope that therbv I haue given sattisfactione to the Kirk, which 
 (by Gods grace) I sail ever be a true member of, and readie to 
 serve to the wttermost of my power. And thoghe I am on of 
 the latest that is entred into the Covenant, and one that 
 heartlie wishes and prayes for the future happines and peace 
 of these kingdomes, and that ther may not be further occasione 
 to make proofe of mens constant adhering therewnto, yit I 
 shall be as readie as any to contribute my endeavoures reallie 
 and zealouslie for the mantainance of the same to the hazard 
 of my lyfe and estate, which (with Gods help) shall be mani- 
 fested by my actiones. Sic subscribitur, 
 
 Edinburgh, 13th of August 1646- Hamiltone.' 
 
 Haliburtone haveing this day proponed declinatour against Haiiburtons 
 Mr. William Jamesone, alledging his cariage in the Commis- fjains^M?. 
 sion appointed for examinatione of witnesses was partiall, he Williara J ame 
 
 i . j e , ~ .. i 1 " . . sone repelled. 
 
 being moderator oi that Commissione, and not examining the 
 witnesses vpon all interrogatours necessar, and in other things 
 which he referred to the report given in by that Commission, 
 and the Commissione of Assemblie having considered the said 
 report finds not the said declinatour proven, and haveing heard 
 the said Mr. William purging himselfe of partiall counsell, doe 
 therfor admitt the said Mr. William to be judge in the mater 
 of Gordon. 
 
 The Commissione haveing considered the declinatour pro- Declinatour 
 poned against Mr. James Nasmith, viz. — that he was con- against ^Mr. 
 
 r j . . • James Nasmith 
 
 cerned in on of the articles of the paper given in by Hali- repelled, 
 burtoun, doe repell the same, and receaued Mr. James oath 
 purging himselfe of partiall counsell. 
 
26 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 AUG. 
 
 Committee for 
 examining 
 Laird Ednam. 
 
 Erie Eglinton. 
 
 Mr. John 
 Meinzies. 
 
 Laird Swinton. 
 
 R. Maxwell. 
 
 The Commissioun appoints Messrs. William Bennet and 
 James Bonar, Libbertoun and Clarkintoun, to examine the 
 Laird of Ednam in the particulars of Haliburtouns paper, and 
 siclyk appoints them to examine witnesses in Mr. Eduard 
 Wrights bussines. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Mathew Brisbane, James 
 Hamiltoun, James Nasmith, and John Lievingstoun, Craighall, 
 Libbertoun, and Brody, to conferr with the Erie of Eglintoun 
 and the Presbitrie of Glasgow concerning a presentatioun to 
 the kirk of Eglishame. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that the particulare concerning 
 the prefering of a regent befor Mr. John Meinzies in the 
 Colledge of Sant Androes, represented in a bill from Mr. 
 William Campbell, on of the regents ther, sould be taken 
 notice of by the Vniversitie, and therfor recommends it to thai- 
 care to be taken order with ; and if that be not done the 
 Commission doth earnestlie recommend it to the Commission 
 appointed for visitatioun of the said Vniversitie, and to this 
 effect appoints the agent to speak to so many of the com- 
 missioners in toun for a meeting of that Commission. 
 
 This day young Suintone compearing and desireing that 
 witnesses sould not be examined in the particulars of Hali- 
 burtones paper, quhairin he was concerned, wntill he were 
 first heard in the mater, the Commission found the same rea- 
 sonable, and recommendit it to the Committee appointed for 
 examining the witnesses. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne. 
 
 The brethren appoynted to confer with R. Maxwell report- 
 ing that they were well satisfied, and yit for further satisfac- 
 tione the Commission think fitt that some others also conferr 
 with him. 
 
 Shyrefdom of 
 Argyll. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt nt in sessionibus precedentibus. 
 
 The Commission having considered the letter sent from the 
 sherefdome of Argyll representing ther hard and lamentable 
 conditione, and desyring ther assistance to the Committee of 
 Estates for supplie of forces against the rebells ther raging, 
 
14 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 and support of mantainance, doe appoint Messrs. Dauid Dick- 
 sone, Robert Ramsay, and the Laird of Clarkingtoun, and 
 Lawrence Hendersone, to assist the gentlmen sent heir from 
 that shire befor the Committee, and desirs the Moderator to 
 speak to the President in that particulare that some present 
 effectuall course may be taken for that supplie and help. 
 
 The Commission appoints the charities appointed for Mr. Mr. R. Lind- 
 Robert Lindsays wyfe to be againe remembered in the letter sayes 
 sent to presbyteries. 
 
 The Commission appoints Suinton, Mr. John Somervell, and Swinton, Mr. 
 any others concerned in the particulars given in by Halibur- Jaie\nd^hers. 
 toun against Mr. James Sympsone, to give in answers for 
 themselves to these particulars in so farr as they ar concerned. 
 
 The Commission desirs Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, William Committee for 
 Colvill, and William Bennet, to conferr with Robert Maxuell Robert Max- 
 concerning his education, and his present profession of the wel1, 
 religion, and to report. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, Committee to 
 William Colvill, Dauid Dicksone, Andro Cant, James Bonnar, reievande of 
 William Bennet, Robert Ramsay, John Adamsone, Doctour ^p e r Urtons 
 Colvill, Alexander Somervell, Patrik Gillespie, The Erie of 
 Craufurde, Lord Craighall, Lines, Gartland, Arnistoun, Brodie, 
 Libbertoun, to consider the relevancie of the paper given in by 
 Haliburtoun against Mr. James Sympsone, and to report ther 
 oppiniones therof, recommending also to them that ther 
 reverend brother, Mr. Alexander Hendersone, be consulted 
 therin if his health may permitt. 
 
 The Commission desirs Messrs. Calderwood and John Mr. Alexander 
 Adamsone to revise Mr. Alexander Casse his book concerning Casse - 
 the practises of the Jesuits, and vpon ther approbatione, 
 authorizes the clerk to give warrand for printing therof. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator : Mr. Richard Dicksone : 
 Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Oswald : Mr. John Duncan : Mr: 
 Patrik Fleeming : Doctour Colvill : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. John 
 Freebarne : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Robert Elliot : Mr. James Wright : 
 Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. John 
 Weer : Mr. Robert Lightone : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. John 
 Knox : Mr. William Adair : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Robert Wright : 
 
28 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 AUG. 
 
 Garison of In- 
 nernes. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Douglas. 
 
 Mr. James Bruce : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 Dauid Drumond : Mr. Alexander Someruell : Mr. Alexander Casse : 
 Mr. William Jamesone : Mr. John Lindsay : Mr. William Rennet : Mr. 
 James Bonar : Mr. John Knox : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. Robert 
 Ker : Mr. John Neive. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : 
 Laird Didistoun : Laird Lamingioun : Laird Arnistoun : Laird Clark- 
 ingtoun : Laird Linthill : Thomas Patersone : Lawrence Hendersone : 
 James Rochhead. 
 
 This day a letter from the garisone of Innernes being red, 
 the Commission appoints for supplie of ther necessities that 
 the Moderator and others speak to ther acquaintance of the 
 Committee privatlie that some effect uall course may be taken 
 speedilie concerning it ; and for ministers appoints them to 
 send lists according to the order, and they sail be furnished 
 that way. 
 
 The Commission, understanding that Mr. James Douglas, 
 sumtyme minister at Carnwath, now latelie deposed from the 
 ministrie, is permitted alreadie by the Presbyterie of Lanerick 
 to be vpon the exercise, doe therfor discharge the said Mr. James 
 from preaching, and recommends the presbitrie that they doe 
 not suddenlie admitt him vpon the exercise but that they 
 keep the order prescryued by the Assemblie. 
 Mr. David Dik- This day the Moderator and remanent ministers of Edin- 
 son, Moderator. Dur oh being remoued in the mater concerning Mr. Robert 
 Kers transportatione to Edinburgh, Mr. Dauid Diksone was 
 appointed to moderate in that bussines. 
 
 Concerning the petitione of the toun of Edinburgh for Mr. 
 Robert Kers transportatione to the kirk of Edinburgh and 
 the sumonds raised thervpon against the said Mr. Robert and 
 his parosh[in]ers of Saltprestoun, as also against the paroshiners 
 of Haddington for ther entress, the said sumonds being often 
 called, and this day James Roughead and Lawrence Hender- 
 sone, bailzies, and some of the counsell, with the ministers 
 of Edinburgh compearing for the said toune, the said 
 Mr. Robert compearing personallie, and the Lairds of 
 Prestoun and Prestoungraing and Thomas Hume with sum 
 others compearing for the paroshiners of Saltprestoun, the 
 Lairds of Clarkingstoun and Elvingstoune and Patrik Young 
 compearing for the parosh of Haddingtoun, and Gilbert 
 Johnstone compearing for the Erie of Haddingtoun, patrone 
 of the kirk of Haddingtoun, the Commissioners of the 
 
 Absolvitor, 
 Mr. Robert 
 Ker, from the 
 kirk of Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
15 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 29 
 
 Generall Assemblie haveing seriouslie considered the said peti- 
 tione and the sumonds raised thervpon, with the reasones 
 therin contained for the said Mr. Robert Kers trans- 
 portatioun to Edinburgh, as also the reasones vpon the 
 other part against the said transportation given in be the 
 said Mr. Robert and his paroshiners of Saltprestoun and be 
 the said patron and paroshiners of Hadingtoun for ther in- 
 terest in the said Mr. Robert, and haveing with mature delibe- 
 ratione examined the haill reasones moved hinc hide in the said 
 mater, Find and Decerne that the desire of the petitione of 
 Edinburgh concerning the said Mr. Robert his transportatione 
 sould not be granted, and therfor Absolue him from the same 
 and from the sumonds raised thervpon : Declairing alwayes 
 that the question concerning his transportatioun to Hading- 
 toun is left entire to the presbitrie of Hadingtoun, and the 
 persones adjoyned to them, to be considered and determined 
 according to the commission given be the late Assemblie to 
 them theranent, and that this sentence, nor nothing done now 
 in this matter is or shall be prejudiciall therwnto. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 9 hours. 
 
 Edinburgh, 15 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt at in sessione praecedenfi. 
 
 This day Mr Robert Row cited to be witnes in Mr. Edward Mr. Row, wit- 
 Wrights bussines, being suorne, deponed judiciallie. 
 
 This day Mr. Dauid Calderwood and the remanent brethren Robert Max- 
 appointed to confer with Mr. Robert Maxwell reported that ^ eSS Sf the 
 they got exceeding great sattisfactione from him concerning Nithsdale, re- 
 
 -i •• ii/> ceived to the 
 
 his religion and therfor the Commissione thought ntt to re- Covenant, 
 ceave him to the Covenant ; and accordinglie he did first suear 
 and subscryue the Nationall Covenant and therafter the League 
 and Covenant of the thrie kingdomes befor the Commission. 
 
 The Commission, after consideratioun of the particulare Approbation of 
 articles in Haliburtones paper produced to the Commission Jhe Committee, 
 and of the report of the Committee appointed to consider the Jjj^* to 
 relevancie therof, doe approve ther oppinione, and appoints mining wit- 
 Messrs. Alexander Somervell, Robert Ramsay, William Ben- 
 net, William Colvill, James Bonar, Mathew Brisbane, Lord 
 
30 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 AUG. 
 
 Craighall, Clarkingtone, Garthland, to examine the witnesses 
 vpon the articles found relevant for try ell, and to meet after- 
 noone for that effect. 
 
 The nixt meeting vpon Monday in the afternoon. 
 
 Committee in 
 the mater of 
 Gordon. 
 
 Committee for 
 drawing a 
 declaratione to 
 the Committee 
 of Estatis. 
 
 Seafort and 
 J. Ogilvie. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 August 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. Richard Dickson : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Casse : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Alexander Kinneir : Mr. 
 John Freebairn : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. John 
 Nave : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. Dauid Dick- 
 sone : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. John Robertsone: 
 Mr. John Moncreiffe : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : 
 Mr. John King : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Dauid Drumond : Mr. 
 Walter Suinton : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Robert 
 Wright : Mr. Alexander Tumble : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Patrik 
 Colvill : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Doctour Colvill : Mr. John Duncan : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 William Jamesone. Elders. — Erie Crawfurde : Lord Craighall : Laird 
 Clarkingtoun : Laird Arnistoun : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudistoun : 
 Laird Garthland : Laird Glanderstoun : George Porterfeild. 
 
 The Commission appoints the Committee appointed formerlie 
 to consider the relevancie of Haliburtones paper to meet again 
 in the afternoon, and to consider the particulars proven and 
 not proven, and to prepare the mater to this Commission. 
 
 The Commission considering that the petition to the Com- 
 mittee of Estates concerning the offers of peace to the rebells, 
 could not be presented to ther Lordships, seing the rebells had 
 come of and accepted the offers, befor a quorum of the Com- 
 mittee mett, therfor they think it verie fitt that some remon- 
 strance or declaratione wer drawen up, and to that effect 
 appoints the Moderator to assume any to himself for making- 
 sum draught thereof. 
 
 The Commission continues the petitiones of Seafort and 
 James Ogiluie for ther relaxatioun wntill they hear them- 
 selues. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne befor noone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. R. Douglas, Moderator: Mr. David Dicksone : Mr. 
 William Jamesone : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. John Nave*: Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Weer : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Alexander 
 Tumble : Mr. Walter Gregg : Mr. Patrick Gillespy : Mr. Richard 
 Dickson : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. John Daljell : 
 
19 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 31 
 
 Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James 
 Bonar : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Walter Suintone : 
 Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. William Penman : Mr. 
 John Lindsay : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Dauid Drumond : Mr. Georg Young : Mr. Robert Wright : 
 Doctour Colvill : Mr. William Adair. Elders. — Laird Clarkington : 
 Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudistoun : William Hume. 
 
 The draught of the Remonstrance being this day read, the 
 Commission appoints the Committee for the mater of Gordoun 
 to revise the same and to report ther oppiniones, and to meet 
 afternoon for that purpose, and appoints the Commission to 
 meet the morne befor noone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. James Wright : Mr. Thomas 
 Wilkie : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. Walter Suintone : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Patrick Fleemin : Mr. Dauid Drumond : Mr. Robert 
 Murray : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. John Knox : 
 Mr. John Daljell : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. William Jamesone : 
 Mr. Alexander Kinneir : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : 
 Mr. Richard Dicksone : Mr. Robert Elliot : Mr. John Freebairne : Mr. 
 Robert Wright : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. Dauid 
 Dicksone: Mr. John Lindsay: Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Walter Gregg : 
 Mr. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. Andro Elliott : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 John Neve : Mr. J. Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. George Young : 
 Mr. John Weer : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. John 
 Robeson : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. James Bonar. Elders. — Erie of 
 Crawfurde : Erie Marshall : Erie of Cassles : Erie of Tullibardin : Lord 
 Burleigh : Lord Craighall : Laird Lamingtoun : Laird Clarkington : 
 Laird Arnistoun : Laird Garthland : Laird : Laird Libbertoun : 
 
 Wedderlie : George Porterfeild : William Home : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 The Remonstrance concerning the offers of peace to the 
 rebells being this day read, the Commission appoints Messrs. 
 Dauid Dicksone, Andro Cant, Robert Murray, William Colvill, 
 William Bennet, John Moncreiff, with the Moderator, Lam- 
 ingtoun, Libbertoun, Fingask, William Home and Thomas 
 Patersone, to present the same to the Committee of Estates. 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 4 Amongst manie things which doe afflict our spirits in these Remonstrance 
 sadd and callamitous times, ther is none that wounds ws and all mittee of m 
 the lovers of Zion throwghout the land more deeplie then the Estates - 
 issue of that horrid rebellion so treacherouslie wndertaken and 
 wnnaturallie prosecuted by that excommunicat traitour, James 
 Grahme, and his adherents ; who although ther crueltie sail be 
 
32 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 AUG. 
 
 accursed wnto all generationes, yit ar now in a better conditione 
 then they who haue bein straight in the cause of God, and haue 
 suffered to the effusione of ther blood and losse of ther freinds 
 and meanes in the defence of the samine. Wee shall not dis- 
 pute of the necessitie of such a way of peace ; your induce- 
 ments and ends ar knowne wnto the searcher of hearts, before 
 whose judgment seat all of ws must on day stand to render 
 ane account of our actiones and to receave according to our 
 works. It is without contraversie that it is a testimonie of the 
 indignatione of the Lord against owr backslydings and provo- 
 cationes, which concernes ws all to search after and to lament 
 for both in our selves and others. AVe should wrong our 
 trust if we did not lay befor your Lordships the exceeding great 
 prejudice that accresces hereby wnto the hiest and gravest 
 censurs of the Church. Your Lordships are not ignorant that 
 excommunicatione by the lawes of the kingdome inferr civill 
 censures, which by this course are interrupted, albeit that 
 dreadfull sentence hes not been pronounced against any for 
 more haynous crymes at any time. Your ingadgment in the 
 Covenant is wnto us a ground of confidence that yow will be 
 so farr from weakening the discipline of the Kirk that yow will 
 endeavour to preserue the same in its full strength and integritie 
 against all persones whatsoeuer. What hes been, and still is 
 the mortall enmitie and implacable malice of those men against 
 all the godlie and zealous in the land, whither professours or 
 ministers, is better knowne then that we need to insist upon it. 
 And thoghe we be not affrayed nether for our selues nor for 
 others of the Lords people, knowing that we are in the hand 
 of our God, yit since the violence and furie of these men tends 
 not only to the endangering of the saftie and restraining of the 
 libertie, but also wnto the interruptione of manie in the free 
 exercise of ther callings in ther places and stationes ; Therefor 
 we earnestlie desire that your honours will think vpon effectual 
 remeadies for preventing of these euills ; chieflie to consider 
 how men may duell in quietnes and peace beside these who 
 haue murthered ther neerest and deerest freinds. Our solemn 
 ingadgment with England was the mater of manie supplica- 
 tiones and endeavours, and hes been a mean of manie blessings 
 wnto ws and them both. And as we blesse the Lord that it 
 
19 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 33 
 
 lies been hitherto keept inteere, notwithstanding of all the 
 purposes and designes of open enemies and secret undermyners 
 to the contrarie, so we cannot but commend your faithfullnes 
 and care since the Kings comming into our armie in applying 
 your selfe wnto the exercise of the best meanes whereby 
 jealousies might be keept of, and a right understanding pre- 
 serued betuixt the nationes. That sacred and solemne tye is 
 the great eyesore of the enemies of our happines and peace, for 
 dissolveing of which they will leave no meanes unessayed, 
 knowing this to be the surest and readiest way to ther owne 
 rising and our ruine. Therefor doe we promise wnto our selues, 
 from the confidence which we haue in your wisdome and pietie, 
 that your Lordships will, in the strength of the Lord, endeavour 
 to mantaine and hold it fast, as that which much concerns the 
 good and peace of both kingdomes. God forbid that after so 
 manie sad and sore stroaks from the Popish and Prelaticall 
 party, wee sould dash one against another ; that wer not onlie 
 to destroy ourselues but to become a reproach to all the world. 
 Finallie, ther is nothing which we more wish then that a good 
 correspondence bee keept betuixt your honours and ws in all 
 things which concerns this great work of reformatione, espetiallie 
 in this period of time wherin religion and the comone saftie 
 are in so much hazard ; which we doe not desire from any 
 purpose of stretching ourselues beyond our lyne, but that we 
 may know what to entreat the Lord for on your behalfe, how 
 to give faithfull warning to his people, and acquyt our selues 
 with discretione and zeall in our statione wnto the discharging 
 of our trust to the advantage of the cause of God. 1 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, considering commission for 
 the petitiones from Irland for certaine brethren to repair ther Messrs. John 
 
 .. ... .. ii Pi Liviston, Hane 
 
 for exercising ministeriall duties in a settled charge of the Colwart, and 
 ministrie in some congregationes of that kingdome, and finding Sfto^air to" 
 that in regaird of the present conditione of this Kirk, they Irland - 
 cannot at this time advyse any to embrace a settled constant 
 charge ther, Therfor in respect of the present necessities of 
 ther brethren in that kingdome, doe ordain Messrs. John 
 Levingstone Harie Colwart, George Hutchisone to repair to 
 the kingdome of Irland for a visite for thrie moneths tyme, and 
 
 c 
 
34 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 AUG. 
 
 Mr. Jhon Mein- 
 zies. 
 
 ther for that space to performe all ministeriall duties, for the 
 good of Gods Kirk there, and to doe all and euerie thing com- 
 mitted and recommended to the brethren sent formerlie to 
 that kingdome, heirby authorizing them with the same power 
 in all things dureing the time aforsaid. 
 
 The Commission desirs Mr. Dauid Dicksone, with Doctour 
 Colvill, to desire the members of the Commission for visitatioun 
 of St. Androes to meet in the beginning of October, and to 
 recommend to them to tak that mater concerning Mr. John 
 Meinzies to ther consideratione, if the same be not taken notice 
 of by the Vniversity befor that tyme. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Symsones oath. 
 
 Mr. Edward 
 Wright. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Row. 
 
 Report of D. 
 
 Stranges 
 
 Declaration. 
 
 Eodem die. post meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes qui in sessione ante meridiand. 
 
 The Commission considering the opinione of the Committee 
 appointed for the mater of Gordoun touching the 4th article 
 in Haliburtouns paper, think fitt that Mr. James Symsone 
 purge himselfe by his oath, and the said Mr. James being 
 suorne judiciallie, did purg himselfe that he never knew 
 Elspeth Hume, now his spouse, befor he was maried to her. 
 
 The Commission appoints Mr. Andro Rind to be sumond as 
 a witnes in Mr. Edward Wrights processe against Setterday, 
 and in the meane time desirs Messrs. William Colvill, William 
 Ben net, and Libbertoun to think vpon some fair way for con- 
 cluding that mater conforme to the recommendatioun of the 
 Assemblie. 
 
 The oppinione of the Commission of Assemblie concerning 
 the questione proponed from the presbitrie of Auchterairdour 
 is that they may receave Mr. James Row to publick repentance 
 and sattisfactione according to the Acts of Assemblie and the 
 order of this Kirk, and the Commission ordaines in the mean 
 time the said presbitrie to plant the kirk of Muthell with 
 dilligence. 
 
 This day the Report concerning D. Stranges declaratioun 
 being produced and read, the Commission appoints the same to 
 be registrat, the tenor wherof follows : — 
 
 4 The whilk day the brethren and ruleing elders wnder- 
 subscryving appointed by the Generall Assemblie to hear and 
 
20 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 35 
 
 report anent the declaratione to be made by Doctour Strang 
 of his infirmities mentioned in the ordinance of the Commis- 
 sion of the Generall Assemblie, being conveined immediatlie 
 after they had bein witnesses of thee samine, agreed to make 
 ther report as folio wes : — That the said Doctour Strang did 
 obey the Act as it stands in terminis. 
 
 Sic subsc r George Porterfeild. M. Da. Dicksoxk, 
 Wm. Mure. M. Ro. Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Young. 
 M. Jo. Nevay. 
 M. Pa. Colvill; 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Robert Murray, William 
 Bennet, James Guthrie, John Nevay, and James Bonar to con- 
 der the referrence from Zetland, Murray, and the Channerie, 
 and to report ther oppiniones. 
 The nixt meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. Walter Swintoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Dauid Dick- 
 sone : Mr. James Freebarne : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Patrik Colvill : 
 Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. George Young : Mr. 
 James Nasmith : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. Andro Eliott : Doctour Colvill : 
 Mr. Alexander Kinneir : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Dauid Calder- 
 wood : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. Robert Eliott: 
 Mr. Alexander Tumble : Mr. John Neve : Mr. Mathew Brisban : Mr. 
 Allan Ferguson : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. John 
 Weer : Mr. John Moncreiffe : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Duncan : 
 Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Patrik Fleeming. Elders. — Maister of Yester : 
 Laird Lamingtoun : Laird Clerkingtoun : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudis- 
 toun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird Fingask : Laird Wedderlie : Mr. 
 Dauid Weemes : George Porterfield : William Home. 
 
 The Commission appoints that in letters to presbitries James 
 Murays bussines be recommended carfullie. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Dauid Dicksone, Robert 
 Ramsay, James Guthrie, and Libberton to speak with the 
 Committee that is appointed for conferrence vpon the Remon- 
 strance presented to the Estates. 
 
 The Commission haveing receaved lists for Balcarras Ministers of 
 regiment, Mr. Robert Traill in St. Androes, Messrs. William ^St 
 Lievistoun and Georg Tomsone in Couper presbitrie ; for sirjame^ 11 ' 6 ' 
 Lievtenant Generall Bailzies regiment, Messrs. Dauid Lindsay Lumsdan, and 
 and Alexander Kinninmont in Forfare presbitrie, and Mr. Harie Jegimentsf lls 
 
36 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 AUG. 
 
 Futhie in Dundie ; for Sir James Lumsdanes regiment, Mr. 
 John M'Ghie in the presbitrie of Hadingtoun, and Mr. William 
 Rate in the presbitrie of Brechine, and Mr. William Row in 
 the presbitrie of Couper ; and for the Generalls regiment of 
 horse, Mr. William Jamesone, Jedburgh, Mr. William Tumble 
 in Kelso, and Mr. William Thomsone in Peebles presbitrie, doe 
 nominate and appoint out of the said lists Mr. William 
 Livingstoun, Mr. Alexander Kinninmont, Mr. William Row, 
 and Mr. William Tumble to repair to the regiments afornamed 
 respective for performing ministeriall duties to them, and that 
 letters be written for that purpose and for supplieing ther 
 place dureing ther absence. 
 Lady Barnes. Concerning the questione proponed from the Presbitrie of 
 Hadingtoun touching the Lady Barnes, it is the oppinione of 
 the Commissione that she subscryue and sueare the Confession 
 of Faith in testimonie of her renunciatioun of her errours of 
 Poprie. 
 
 Mr. Hew Ker. The Commission of the General Assemblie remits the mater 
 concerning Mr. Hew Ker to the presbitrie of Peebles, desireing 
 them, with the concurrence and advise of the brethren for- 
 merlie named at St. Androes, or any tuo of them, to conclude 
 the said mater by a finall determinatione as they shall judge rea- 
 sonable : giving power also to the said Presbitrie to determine 
 therin by them selues in case after advertisment the brethren 
 desired shall not come, and to doe eurie thing for concluding 
 that mater incumbent to them, or which the Commission 
 could do thereanent, and appoints them to report ther pro- 
 ceedings herein to the nixt meeting of the Commission. 
 Ludowick This day the Erie of Sutherland and Mr. Robert Farquhaird, 
 
 Sir^GordoV 0 P roves ^ °f Aberdein, having represented the wnfained sorrow 
 of Lodovick Gordon, son of Sir Robert Gordoun, for sub- 
 scryveing Seaforts Remonstrance, and his willingnes to re- 
 nunce the same signified by his letter to the said Erie, and 
 wnderstanding the good behaviour of the said gentleman in 
 former tymes, doe therefor appoint the said Lodowick to 
 subscryue a renunciatioun of the said divisiue band and 
 remonstrance, and send it to the clerk to be put vpon record, 
 which being done, they accept of the gentlemans acknowledg- 
 ment and confessione. 
 
20 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 37 
 
 Eodern die, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Air. William Bennet : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Andro 
 Cant : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Mathew Brisban : Mr. Alexander 
 Dicksone : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Hamiltone : Doctour Colvill : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Walter Swintone : Mr. 
 John Adamsone : Mr. Dauid Calderwood : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 Robert Murray : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. George Young : Mr. Patrik 
 Fleeming: Mr. John Nave : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Robert Ramsay : 
 Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. Alexander Kinneir : Mr. Allan Fergusone : 
 Mr. William Adair. Elders. — Maister of Yester : Laird Lamingtoun : 
 Laird Clarkintoun : Laird Arnistoun : Laird Fingask : Laird Libberton : 
 William Home : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 The Commission wnderstandino; that Generall Mai our Midi- Generall 
 
 ° . ,. Majour 
 
 toun hes been misinformed by some persones intending to Midieton. 
 foment jealousies and divisiones concerning the cariage and 
 respect of the Commissione and of the ministrie toward him, 
 Therfor appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant, Robert Murray, John 
 Adamsone, Mathew Brisbane, George Young, Maister of 
 Yester, and Arnistoun, to sattisfie him concerning these false 
 reports, and to certifie of ther respect and honourabill estima- 
 tione of him. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Andro Cant, Robert Mr - Andro 
 Murray, and James Fleeming to speak with Mr. Andro Ramsay Ramsay * 
 concerning his preaching about the King wherat so much 
 offence was taken, and to report. 
 
 The Committee of Estates desiring som consultatioun and 
 conference, the Commission inhibites any to go out of toun 
 without libertie from the Commission. 
 
 The Commission, having considered the questiones sent to 
 them from the Synod of Murray, and the report of the Com- 
 mittee for answer therwnto, doe appoint the answers following 
 to be sent wnto them. Followes the tenour of the questions 
 and answers therwnto. 
 
 ' In primis. In a parosh quhair all the elders and most of Questions from 
 the fensible men ar disaffected and ar contrarie minded to ther Murray. 6 ° f 
 honest minister, queritur in tali casu : — 
 
 '1. How he shall exercise discipline with such disaffected 
 elders and anion st such disaffected people ? 
 
 4 2. What shall be answered to a whole parosh that have for 
 most part joyned with the enemie in ther bloodie courses, and 
 
38 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 AUG. 
 
 never haveing repented desire to be admitted to the Sacra- 
 ment ? 
 
 4 3. What sail be done with declarations that ar from the 
 South, quhair the whole parish is disaffected ? 
 
 6 4. What sail be done with Papists maried by preests, whither 
 ther mariage sail be esteemed lawfull or not ? 
 
 4 5. What sail be done with ministers coming from Irland, 
 who having the testimoniall of tuo ministers coming from 
 thence at the same time, that they were actuall ministers ther 
 and forced to flie, in regaird of the persecutione, that they 
 could bring no further testimoniall with them. Queritur ; 
 Whither we sail goe on with them as expectants or as actuall 
 ministers ? 
 
 4 6. What course sail be taken with the ministers that haue 
 subscryved the Marquise of Huntlys band ? ' 
 
 The first Quaere it is answered : — That in such a case the 
 minister can exercise no discipline. But the discipline and 
 censure must be referred to the Presbitrie. 
 
 To the 2d. — Such persones cannot be admitted to the Sacra- 
 ment wntill they sattisfie according to the order of the 
 Assemblie. 
 
 To the 3d. — So long as a minister can reside at his charge 
 and performe the duties of his calling, he is oblished to per- 
 forme that dutie, also in reading the declarationes emitted by 
 publict order, as weill as other duties of his calling. 
 
 To the 4th. — Persones so maried sould be censured and 
 sattisfie, because ther mariage hes not been solemnized accord- 
 ing to the order of this Kirk. 
 
 To the 5th. — The Presbitrie may admitt such to preach as 
 expectants, and therafter according to the order of the Kirk 
 vpon lawfull calling and due try ell they may be admitted 
 actually to the ministrie. 
 
 To the 6th. — The Presbitrie after tryell finding them guiltie, 
 sould suspend them and referr them to this Commission for 
 further censure. And such as alreadie are found guiltie, that 
 they be presentlie suspendit and referred to this Commission 
 for further censure. 
 
 The Commission appoints ther nixt meeting to be the morn 
 afternoon, and because that ther reverend brother, Mr. Alex- 
 
2i AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 39 
 
 ander Hendersone, is to be buried the morne before noone, desirs 
 all the brethren to meet heir thee morne after sermon that 
 they may go togither from this place to performe wnto him 
 ther last dutie. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 August 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator: Mr. William Colvill: 
 Mr. AVillam Bennet : Mr. Dauid Calderwood: Mr. Robert Elliott : Mr. 
 Thomas Yassie : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Robert Wright: Mr. James 
 Bonar : Mr. John Xeve : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. Allan Ferguson : 
 Mr. George Young : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. Robert 
 Ker : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. James Wright : Mr. Alexander Carsse : 
 Mr. Alexander Tumble : Mr. AVilliam Adair : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 John Hamiltone : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. John 
 AYeir : Doctour Colvill : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. Robert Lighton. 
 Elders. — Erie of Crawfurde : Erie of Cassells : Maister of Yester : Lord 
 Craighall : Laird Clerkingtoun : Laird Lamingtoun : Laird Libbertouu : 
 Laird Dudistoun : Laird Fingask : William Home : George Porterfeild. 
 
 This day the Erie of Crawfurd, Lord Treasurer, desired that Gordon Kirk, 
 nothing sould be done in the mater of the kirk of Gordon to Erle Crafurd - 
 prejudge the Kings Majestie in his right of patronage. 
 
 The Commission finds that the first instance of the 2d i. instance of 
 reason in Haliburtones large Paper being considered with Mr. p a a p e b r " rton s 
 James Sympsones answer therto is not relevant for censure. 
 
 In which vote Messrs. David Calderwood, William Colvill, 
 Robert Ker, Robert Wright, Doctour Colvill, Maister Yester, 
 Clarkington and Laminton desired it to be marked that in 
 ther votes they dissented. 
 
 The Commission finds that the 3d instance of the 2d reason 3 d instance, 
 in Haliburtones paper deserves admonitione only. 
 
 In which mater Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, William Colvill, 
 Robert Ker, Robert Wright, Alexander Casse, Doctor Colvill, 
 Mathew Brisbane, James Wright, Allan Ferguisone, Maister 
 Yester, Lamino;ton and Clarkingtone desired it to be marked 
 that ther voyces wer dissenting. 
 
 In the particular concerning Mr. James Sympsones cariage 4tn instance, 
 at Restoun in the 4th instance of Haliburtones Paper the 
 Commission finds so much proven as makes a scandall, notwith- 
 standing his purgatione of himselfe of carnall dealling vpon 
 oath, and therfor thinks he sould be sharplie rebuked. 
 
40 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 AUG. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Symson. 
 
 Rebuk of Mr. 
 James Symson 
 
 The Commission, considering the articles in Haliburtons 
 paper quhair Mr. James Sympsone is concerned which ar 
 proven, as also the articles quhairin he is concerned which are 
 not proven, finds that they ar not exceptiones relevant to 
 debarr the said Mr. James Sympson from the kirk of Gordon. 
 
 In which vote Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, William Colvill, 
 Doctor Colvill, Robert Ker, Robert Wright, Alexander Casse, 
 Mathew Brisbane, James Wright, Allan Fergusone, Maister of 
 Yester, Lamington, Clarkington, desired ther dissenting voices 
 to be marked. 
 
 This day Mr. James Symsone was called and rebuked for his 
 cariage at Restoun mentioned in the 4 instance of Halibur- 
 tones paper that he sould haue been alone in a chamber with 
 Elspeth Home in the night tyme befor ther mariage, and 
 admonished that he sould not give such scandall and offence in 
 time coming. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 8 houris. 
 
 M. James 
 
 Symsons 
 
 transportation. 
 
 Edinburgh, 22 August 1646. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : Mr. 
 Alexander Turnbull : Mr. John Neve : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. John Weir: Mr. Andro (ant: Mr. Dauid Calderwood: 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert 
 Wright : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Allan Ferguson : 
 Mr. George Young : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. James Wright : Mr. Dauid 
 Dicksone: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone. Elders. — Maister 
 of Yester : Lord Craighall : Laird Garthland : Laird Lamington : Laird 
 Clarkington : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudistoun : William Home : 
 Thomas Patersone : Georg Porterfeild : Laurance Henderson : Jo. Ken- 
 nadie. 
 
 Concerning the transportatione of Mr. James Symsone from 
 Sproustoun to the Kirk of Gordon, referred to the Commission 
 for Publict Affaires by the late Assemblie, the said Mr. James 
 Symsone compeiring personallie, the Presbitrie of Ersltoun 
 compearing by Mr. James Guthrie and Mr. Thomas Donald- 
 sone, the paroshe of Gordon vpon the on part compeiring by 
 Alexander Home of Haliburtoun opposeing the said Mr. James 
 his transportatione, and the paroshiners of Gordon on the 
 other part desiring his transportatione compearing by young 
 Stitchell and Wedderlie, and the Presbitrie of Kelso and 
 paroshers of Sprouston lawfullie sumonded and not compearing, 
 
24 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 41 
 
 the Commissioners of Assemblie, haveing considered the reasones 
 given for and against the said Mr. James his transportation 
 bv the said parties compearing, and haveing at length heard 
 them theranent, after mature deliberatione finds that the 
 said Mr. James sould be transported to Gordon, notwith- 
 standing the reasones proponed against the same, And therfor 
 heirby transports the said Mr. James from his present charge 
 at Sproustoun to the said kirk of Gordon, and ordaines him to 
 remove and setle himselfe ther for performing all ministeriall 
 duties to that congregation with all dilligence. 
 
 To which sentence Messrs. Dauid Calderwood, William 
 Colvill, Robert Ker, Allan Ferguisone, Robert Wright, James 
 Wright, Lamington, and Clarkington, desired ther voices to be 
 marked dissenting. 
 
 This day, Mr. James Guthrie haveing complained of sum 
 speaches wttered by Haliburton, the said Mr. James and Hali- Haiyburton. 
 burton wer examined thervpon, and ther declarationes ther- 
 anent were subscriuit by ther owne hands. 
 
 The nixt meeting vpon Monday afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 August 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Dauid Calderwood: Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. John Nave : Mr. James Bruce : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : 
 Mr. John Weir : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. James Wright : Mr. Allan 
 Ferguson : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. William Adair : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Evan Camron : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. George 
 Young : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Alexander 
 Turnbull. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dud- 
 istoun : Laird Wedderlie : William Home : George Porterfeild : Thomas 
 Patersone : Laurence Hendersone. 
 
 This day, the Counsell and Committee of Estates answer to 
 the Remonstrance presented to ther Lordships concerning the 
 offers sent to the rebells being this day red, the Commission 
 appoints Messrs. Andro Cant, Dauid Dicksone, James Guthrie, 
 Robert Ramsay, William Colvill, and Libberton, to reasone 
 with such as shalbe appointed by the Committee vpon the said 
 answer. Tenor of which answer followes : — 
 
 4 The Lords of Privie Counsell and Committees of Estates and Answer from 
 Processes haveing read and considered the Remonstrance within e ommm< 
 written, given in to them be the Commissioners of the Generall 
 
42 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 AUG. 
 
 Minister for 
 
 Marshells 
 
 regiment. 
 
 Act for citing 
 Halyburton. 
 
 Assemblie, doe returne this answer : — That the distractiones 
 within this kingdome, and the present conditione of affaires, 
 haue moved the Committee of Estates for the peace and quyet 
 of the country to make vse of the power granted to them be 
 the Parliament, which, notwithstanding, they have managed far 
 within what vpon good consideration was condiscendit wnto be 
 the Estates of Parliament, and without any prejudice to the 
 Kirk censures. 
 
 4 And as it lies pleased God to make them instruments in 
 restoreing thee Kirk to its just power and libertie, so they will 
 still be carefull, according to ther place, to preserue and 
 strengthen the authoritie therof, and so to order the publict 
 affaires that peace may be setled within the kingdome, and all 
 his Majesties good subjects may enjoy the fruits of the same. 
 
 4 The Counsell and Committees have hithertills and will still 
 be carefull to entertaine and preserve the vnion betuixt the 
 kingdomes, and are verie desirous of such a correspondence 
 with the Commissioners of the Assemblie as Kirk and State 
 may go on togither for promoveing the comone cause and 
 setleing of truth and peace/ 
 
 The Commission, haveing receaued a list of Ministers for 
 the Erie Marshells Regiment, viz. Mr. Patrick Leslie at 
 Fitteresso, Mr. John Forbes at kirk, and Mr. Dauid Strachin 
 at Fittercairne, doe nominat and appoint the said Mr. Dauid 
 Strachin for the said regiment ; ordaines him to repair wnto 
 it for performing ministeriall duties with all dilligence, and 
 
 that letters be written to the Presbitrie of 1 to sie him 
 
 dispatch himselfe thither, and for supplieing his place dureing 
 his absence. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie ordaines the Laird of Hali- 
 burton to be summond to appear befor them at Edinburgh 
 vpon the eleventh day of November nixt, to answer for the 
 particular speeches he spoke to Mr. James Guthrie vpon the 
 22 of this moneth, and siclyk for the words he spoke the same 
 day in presence of the said Commission ; as also ordaines the 
 said Laird of Haliburtone and Mr. John Home of Bellita to 
 lead probatioun vpon the particulars in his papers not yit 
 proven, against the said day, withe certificatioun if they faill in 
 1 Probably Kincardine O'Neil. See Scott's Fasti, vol. iii. p. 518. 
 
25 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 43 
 
 the premisses that they sail receaue such censure as therby 
 they sail be found to deserue. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that a letter be written to the 
 brethren at Newcastle for informing the Kings Majesty con- 
 cerning Mr. James Symsone ; and the extract of the vote 
 concerning his clearing be sent for that effect, that a draught 
 of the letter be prepared against the morne. 
 
 This day Mr. James Laing compearing personallie, and pro- Mr. James 
 duceing a paper containing his defences, which being red, and Lain S- 
 the witnesses sumond being called, and not compearing, the 
 Commission of Assemblie refers the said mater to the Presbitrie 
 of Edinburgh, desiring them to proceed to the tryell and cen- 
 sure therof with all dilligence, and that they report ther pro- 
 ceedings therin to the Commission. 
 
 The Commission continues the sumonds against the inha- Compiyers in 
 bitants in Aberdein wntill the nixt meeting in November, and Aberden - 
 appoints them and witnesses to be cited to that dyet, and if 
 ther be a meeting of the Commission at Aberdein befor that 
 day, that they be cited to that meeting. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie continues the sumonds against Mr. Harvieand 
 Mr. James Harvie, minister at New Machar, and Mr. John Che y n - 
 Cheyn, minister at Kintour, wntill the ii day of November 
 nixt, and ordaines them to be cited to that day, with certifica- 
 tione, if they compeir not, ther absence will be holden for con- 
 tempt, and lykwayes ordaines witnesses to be cited to that 
 same day. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 August, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers.— Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator: Mr. William Bennet : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Knox : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Mathew 
 JBrisban : Mr. Allan Ferguson: Mr. Dauid Dickson: Mr. John Weir: 
 Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Robert Lichton : 
 Mr. James Wright : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. John 
 Neve : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Ewan Cameron : 
 Mr. Robert Traill: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. Andro Cant. Elders. — 
 Lord Craighall : Laird Libberton : Laird Dudiston : William Horn : 
 George Porterfeild : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt a letter be sent to the Presbitrie 
 
 at Newcastle for informing the King concerning Mr. James 
 
 Sympsone, tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
44 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OE COMMISSION [25 AUG. 
 
 Letter to the 
 Presbitrie at 
 Newcastle 
 concerning Mr. 
 James Simsone. 
 
 Concerning 
 answer of the 
 Lords of 
 Counsell and 
 Estates of 
 Parliament to 
 the remon- 
 strance of the 
 Commission. 
 
 The 
 
 Commissions 
 oppinion 
 concerning the 
 Estates answer 
 to the 
 
 Remonstrance. 
 
 * Right Reverend, — We hear that the King hes been 
 informed that ther be men aryseing amongst ws who speak 
 perverse tilings, particularie that Mr. James Sympsone minister 
 at Sproustone is tainted with malignant tenets and corrupt 
 practises. Manie things indeed wer alledged and given in 
 against him by some who opposed his entrie to the kirk of 
 Gordoun, but after a full tryell and examinatione of the parti- 
 culars we found nothing relevant to hinder his transportations 1 
 to that place, as you will perceaue by the enclosed extract which 
 we haue sent wnto vow. Therfor our desire is, that in the best 
 way that yow can, yow informe his Majestic therof, that so our 
 Church and Mr. James may be vindicated and the Kings care 
 heirafter stopt wnto these who wold thus abuse him, and these 
 obstructions taken away which wer put in the way of Mr. 
 James his presentatione. Wee commend the Lords work in 
 your hands wnto the grace of God and continues, Your loving 
 brethren. 1 
 
 The Commission, haueing considered the answer of the Lords 
 of Secreit Counsell and Committees of Parliament to ther 
 Remonstrance, togither with the reports of the conference with 
 sum of ther number, thinks it verie fitt that they returne ther 
 
 oppiniones concerning 
 t 
 
 the said answer in the words following : — 
 
 We doe with all thankfullnes acknowledge the paines your 
 Lordships lies taken to give distinct answers to the particulars 
 contained in our Remonstrance and beggs leave to returne a 
 thought or tuo wnto your Lordships theranent. 
 
 ' 1. That we are not to debate what power was granted to 
 yow by the Parliament, nor wpon quhat consideratiounes, 
 nether how yow haue managed the same, but humblie to lay 
 befor your Lordships that the issue of that horrid rebellion was 
 a testimonie of the Lords indignatione against our backslydings 
 and provocationes. 
 
 6 2nd. That we doe humblie conceaue that your Lordships 
 meaning in that phrase (without prejudice to the Kirk 
 censures) is this, that what is done by your Lordships sail not 
 be prejudiciall to the Acts and orders of Parliament nor to 
 the executione therof against any person wnder Kirk censures. 
 
 ' 3rd. That seing some parts of the countrie are yit wnder the 
 feet of the enemie, that yow will be pleased to apply yourselfe 
 
25 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 45 
 
 unto the exercise of the best meanes for bringing reliefe wnto 
 them.' 
 
 The Commission recommends the petitione of Mr. Ewan p et itione 
 Cameron concerning the province of Argyll to the honorabill concerning 
 
 o r Argyll 
 
 Committee of Estates. Recommenda- 
 
 The Commission continues the particular concerning M r - A Ramsay 
 Andro Ramsays preaching wntill afternoone that they be continued, 
 better informed. 
 
 The Commission, finding that the list sent from the Gener- a new list for 
 all for reliefFe of Mr. John Smyth is such as they cannot make Mr. J° hn cr 
 
 n • ill • Smyth s relieffe. 
 
 electione wpon it, doe therfor appoint the clerk to write for 
 another list. 
 
 The Commission desirs the clerk to write to any of the The Commis- 
 Commissioners at London that they cannot giue oppinion oppinfon 0t g ' VG 
 concerning Messrs. Andro Learmonth and Andro Collesse, concerning 
 
 Messrs Pa ■ 
 
 except they saw and heard them expresse themselues in ther Coiiess, and A. 
 owne presence, and giue evident signes of repentance. th^presem. at 
 
 Eoclem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt ut ante meridiem. 
 
 The Commission haveing considered the list sent from the m. Francis 
 Generall Artilleries Regiment for a minister, viz.: Messrs q^J°[ the 
 Kenneth Logie, Mathew Maccaill and Francis Aird, doe Artilleries 
 
 . . Regiment 
 
 nominate the said Mr. Francis to repair to the said Regiment, 
 and that letters be written to the presbitrie of Hamiltone to 
 see him dispatch himselfe to that employment and to supplie 
 his place dureing his absence. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie are not pleased with the papers The papers fra 
 sent from the Erie of Seafort and James Ogiluie. But quhen Seafort and 
 
 & " _ James Ogiluie 
 
 they sail appear befor them personallie and present ther desirs, not 
 the Commission will then consider quhat evidence they find of re- 
 pentance for ther bygon offences, and what is further to be done. 
 
 This day Mr. Andro Rind appeared personallie, being cited Mr. Andro 
 to bear witnes in the mater concerning Mr. Edward Wright, and M^Edward" 
 was suorne and examined judiciallie. Wrights mater. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, haveing M. Edward 
 taken some inspectione of the processe deduced against Mr.2 n ghtsRelax " 
 Edward Wright, do find so much in it as his ministrie cannot 
 
46 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 AUG. 
 
 Anent Mr. A. 
 Cant, and his 
 sones stay. 
 
 Concerning 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsays 
 Sermon. 
 
 be so profitable in Glasgow as ekewher, Therfor ordaines that 
 he sail remove and transport himselfe therfra against the last day 
 of November nixtocum in this present year 1646, and for facili- 
 tating the way of his transportatione, doe be thir presents relaxe 
 him from the censure of suspensione, declareing always that, if 
 he sail not remoue from Glasgow befor the said day. they will 
 enter into a more particular and exact examinatione of all the 
 articles of the said Mr. Dauid his processe, and that this relaxa- 
 tione shalbe no prejudice therunto, and appoynts Mr. George 
 Young to intimat this relaxation the nixt Lords day in Glasgow. 
 
 The Commission continues that mater concerning the 
 reasones of Mr. Andro Cant and his sones stay here wntill the 
 morne, and desirs Messers Dauid Dicksone, Robert Murray, 
 John Moncreiffe and Libbertone to think vpon some lettre to 
 be written to ther presbitries theranent. 
 
 The Commission desirs Messrs. Andro Cant and Robert 
 Murray to requyr Mr. Andro Ramsay to be heir the morne to 
 cleir himselfe concerning his sermon quhairin he medled with 
 sum questiones concerning the King not fitt for the time. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne. 
 
 Mr. Joseph 
 Brodie for the 
 Kirk of Keith. 
 
 Anent ane order 
 of relaxing 
 excommunicat 
 persones and 
 receavingthem. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — M. Robert Douglas, Moderator: M. "William Dalgleish : 
 Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. John Nave : Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. Dauid 
 Dicksone : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. James Bruce : Mr. John Moncreiff : 
 Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James Wright : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : 
 Mr. John Wear : Mr. AVilliam Adair : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Patrick 
 Gillespie : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Patrick Colvill. Elders. — Laird of 
 Lamington : Laird Garth land : Laird Libbertoun : John Kennadie : Thomas 
 Patersone : William Home of Glasgow : Laird of Fingask. 
 
 The Commission desirs Mr. Andro Cant and Mr. William 
 Bennet and Mr. Joseph Brodie to recommend to the Laird of 
 Cragivare the kirk of Keith that it may be speedilie planted. 
 
 The Commission desirs Messrs. Dauid Dickson, Andro Cant, 
 William Bennet, William Colvill, Robert Ramsay, Robert 
 Murray, James Guthrie, Patrik Gillespie, Libbertoun, Fingask, 
 Thomas Patersone, William Home, with the Moderatour, to 
 think vpon the way and order of relaxing and receaving of 
 excommunicat persones and to report ther oppiniones, and also 
 to think vpon the causes of a fast. 
 
26 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 47 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblie referrs to the Tryeii and 
 Presbitrie of Edinburgh the tryell and censure of Thomas Thomas Wood. 
 Wood, and ordaines the clerk to that effect to give wnto them 
 his letters to wmqhill Mr. Francis Colasse. 
 
 The nixt meiting afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt omnes preter Garthland gut in sessione antemeridiana 
 cum Messrs Alexander Balfour and Robert Wright. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that in the letters to Presbitries 
 the intimatione of the excommunicatione of Seafort be re- 
 membered if it be not alreadie done. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. Andro Cant made 
 report of the discharge of ther commission which was put vpon 
 them and Mr. Robert Blair by the late Assemblie and of ther 
 freedome with his Majestie, and produced a paper which they 
 presented to his Majestie ; Tenor wherof folio wes : — 
 
 6 Wheras we are intrusted by the Generall Assemblie of the Paper 
 Church in your Majesties natiue kingdome of Scotland to She K^ng d in° 
 improue the opportunitie of your Majesties presence in this Newcastle, 
 armie for perfyting the begunn and much desired wniformitie 
 in religion and for preserving and strengthning the happie vnione 
 betueen the kingdomes, wee intreat your Majestie to interpret 
 all our proceedings whither by word or writing to be no other 
 but the expressiones of our faithfullnes to Jesus Christ, of our 
 loue and loyaltie to your Majestie, and the neccessarie dis- 
 charge of that trust put vpon ws. And first we desire to as- 
 sure your Majestie in the name of the Generall Assemblie by 
 whom we are sent that it wold be the great joy of all our hearts to 
 sie yow established on your throne, exercing your just power in 
 ruleing righteouslie, and advancing Christ in all his ordinances 
 throwout all your three kingdomes. It is also the desire of our 
 hearts that your Majesties just power and greatness by all law- 
 full meanes may be preserued for the comfort of all your loyall 
 subjects and the good of your person and posteritie. But be- 
 cause soveraignitie is the Lords, who quhen he will, bringeth 
 princes low and powreth contempt vpon them, and quhen he 
 will, exalts again and clothes them with glory and majestie, who 
 also hath preserued your lyffe in the midst of many perills and 
 
48 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 AUG. 
 
 dangers, and keepeth yit a door of hope open for vow, which 
 we wisli your Majestie shutt not by rejecting the wholesume 
 counsells of your good subjects tendered to your Majestie in 
 this nick of tyme, quhen after so many sufferings and prayers 
 the hearts of your people are waiting and longing for a sure and 
 weell grounded peace, wee most earnestlie in treat your Majestie, 
 after your owne personall reconcilment with God by Jesus Christ, 
 the Prince of Peace, in true zeale to God, in compassione to your 
 perishing people, and in a prudent forsight and regaird to your 
 selfe and posteritie, to embrace all the offers of peace proceeding 
 from the Great Counsells of your kingdomes. And, because 
 heervpon, as we conceaue, doth depend the future happines or 
 miserie of those kingdomes, wee doe againe most humblie sup- 
 plicate your Majestie by the mercies of God, that nether the 
 reiving vpon your owne wisdome, nor the prejudice of anie 
 former principles, which have occasioned so great calamities and 
 brought your Majestie wnder so low a conditione, hinder or 
 retard so desirable a conclusione. When it shall please the 
 God of heaven to move your royal! heart to incline to this our 
 just and reasonable desire, it shall be no grieffe nor offence of 
 heart to your Majestie, being setled on your throne, to sie the 
 streames of blood stopped and your selfe and your people 
 floorishing in religion, righteousnes, and peace. 
 Vera copia (Sic Subsc.) A. Cant, 
 
 R. Blair, 
 Mr. Ro. Douglas." 
 The Commission of Assemblie appoints a solemne fast and 
 humiliatione to be keeped in all the congregationes of this 
 Kirk vpon the 3d Sabbath of September nixt for the reasones 
 and causes following : — 
 Reasons and 6 1. Notwithstanding of our profession in the last article of 
 Causes of a Solemne League and Covenant, yit to this day the Sonne of 
 
 God is not honoured amongst ws in the excellence of his 
 person, nor imployed in the vertue of his offices ; but the 
 wnsearchable riches of Christ and the inestimable treasure of 
 the gospell ar neglected and despised as things of no value. 
 
 4 2. We doe not tremble wnder the threatnings of the Law 
 verified vpon ws in many sadd and sore judgments, nor doe we 
 follow the directione therof as a rule of our obedience ; but the 
 
26 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 49 
 
 whole land almost, and many in our armies, still lye in deep 
 securitie, and line under grosse prophantie and hardnes of 
 heart. 
 
 4 3. We haue reasone to mourne for the issue of that horrid 
 rebellion as a testimonie of the continued indignation of the 
 Most High against our backslydings and provocationes. 
 
 4 4. The lamentable condition of our brethren in Ireland 
 almost brought wnto fainting and neere to be swallowed up bv 
 the power and crueltie of the rebells ther, togither with the 
 danger that we are threatned with from them, and the afflicted 
 estate of those parts of the kingdome which yit lie wnder the 
 feet of the enemies. 
 
 4 5. Seeing the Lord hath been pleased to staine the pryd of 
 all our glorie by blasting all our carnall confidence and making 
 the emptinesse of meanes to appear, wee wold seriously intreat 
 Him, that He would make Himselfe glorious in the midst of 
 ws by the manifestatione of his free grace and wonted favour, 
 in pardoning our sines, reclaiming ws from our backslydings and 
 healling our land for his owne name sake. 
 
 4 6. That the Lord wold soften the Kings heart and give 
 him the spirit of humiliatione that he may mourne for his 
 iniquitie, and that the spirit of wisdome and wnderstanding 
 may be given to him and all those that are imployed in the 
 publike affairs in both kingdomes, that all ther councells and 
 actiones may be means for the advancement of the kingdome 
 of the Son of God, promoving the work of vniformitie, holding 
 fast the League betuixt the nationes, and for procuring a firm 
 and well grounded peace in all the three kingdomes. 
 
 4 7. That the spirit of faithfullness, vnitie, and zeale may be 
 poured vpon all the ministers of the land, that in integritie and 
 loue they may bear burden, one with another, for seeking the 
 honour of Jesus Christ and the edifying of his body, the 
 Church. 
 
 4 8. That the Lord would crown e the year with his goodnes 
 in granting a fair and fruitfull haruest.' 
 
 The Commission desirs the charities for Argyll ministers and charities for 
 Mr. Robert Lindsays relict be remembered in the letters to ^nfsters 
 Presbitries, and James Murrays payment also. 
 
 This day the Lord Burleigh, the SherrefFe of Teviotdale, and 
 
 D 
 
50 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 AUG. 
 
 Articles from 
 the Committee 
 of Estates. 
 
 Committe for 
 Conference. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Robert Lockheart produced from the Committee of Estates 
 the articles following, desiring an answer thervnto : 
 
 4 The Committee of Estates and Processes and Lords of Privy 
 Counsell appoints the Lord Burleigh, the Shereffe of Tiviot- 
 dale, and Robert Lockheart to represent these particulars to the 
 Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, viz. : — 
 
 4 1. That they haue recommendit to ther commissioners at 
 London to presse their former instructiones concerning the 
 setleing of religion and vniformitie of Kirk Government. 
 
 * 2. That they haue sent some of ther number to his Majestic 
 to desire him to signe the propositiones of peace as the best 
 meanes conduceing to the good of both kingdomes. 
 
 * 3. To desire the Commissioners of the Kirk to craue ane 
 accompt from ther Commissioners at London of the progresse 
 of vniformitie in religion. 
 
 4 4. To recommend to the said Commissioners to give warrand 
 to some of the ministrie to conferr with the Erie Seafort and 
 James Ogluie, and vpon sattisfactione and repentance, that 
 they may be relaxed from the sentence of excommunicatione 
 by the Presbitries quheir they duell, in regaird the Commis- 
 sioners ar presentlie rysing, and are not to sitt for a long time 
 hei rafter. 
 
 4 5. To represent that both Committees and Counsell are of 
 opinione that the Atholl men and others taken of from the 
 rebellion be the Generall Majour who ar not excommunicate 
 may be made vse of for publict service as the Generall Majour 
 thinks expedient.' 
 
 Vpon the grounds aboue written, they ar to inlarge the 
 meaning of the Committee to the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie. 
 
 The Commission appoints the Moderator Mr. Robert 
 Douglas, Messrs. Dauid Dicksone, William Bennet, Andro 
 Cant, Robert Ramsay, James Guthrie, Libbertoun, Fingask, to 
 conferr vpon the articles this day produced from the Committee 
 with such as their Lordships shall appoint for that purpose. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie, after hearing Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay expresse himselfe concerning the particulars in his 
 sermon which gave offence, finds that quhat Mr. Andro spoke 
 was wnseasonable, and that he spoke in a problematick way, 
 
2; AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 51 
 
 therfor do gravlie admonish him that he doe not the lyk in 
 tyme coming. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne befor noone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 27 August 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator: Mr. William Bennet : 
 Mr. John Nave: Mr. Allan Fergusone : Mr. Dauid Dicksone : Mr. 
 James Bonnar : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. James Bruce : Mr. Alexander 
 Balfour : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Evan Camron : 
 Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. John Hamiltone : 
 Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. John Weer : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. 
 Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. John Moncreiffe : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Doctour Colvill : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. James Guthrie. 
 Elders. — Laird of Lamington : Laird of Libbertoun : Laird of Fingask ; 
 Thomas Patersone : William Home : George Porterfeild. 
 
 The result of the conferrence with the Lords and others 
 appointed to that effect by the Committee being reported by 
 those to whom it wes committed, the Commission thinks good 
 to advyse vpon the answer to the articles sent to the Committee 
 in the afternoon, and now to dissolue that they may meet the 
 sooner. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes qui in sessione antemeridiana. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblie, after hearing the 
 report of the conference with some of the Committee of 
 Estates and Processes and Lords of Privie Counsell vpon the 
 articles presented from their Lordships by the Lord Burleigh, 
 sherreff of Teviotdale, and Robert Lockheart, doe humblie 
 returne the answer following : — 
 
 ' They are sattisfied with the sense and end expressed by your Answer to the 
 Lordships of the first tuo articles concerning the present press- Commlttee - 
 ing the setleing of vniformitie in religion and government and 
 the Kings signing the propositiones of peace, which is no other 
 then that which is contained in the Declaratione made by the 
 Commissioners at Londoun quhen they assented to the sending 
 of the propositiones to the King. So that, although the Par- 
 liament of England sail not be broght further on in the work 
 of vniformitie at this time, yit that sould not prejudge the 
 vnione betuix the kingdomes nor hinder the peace betuixt the 
 King and his subjects, and the peace being concluded that the 
 
52 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [27 AUG. 
 
 Appointment 
 for presenting 
 the said answer 
 and concerning 
 Aberden and 
 Glasgow. 
 
 Commissioners 
 sent to New- 
 castle. 
 
 Appointment of 
 Mr. Andro Aber- 
 crumbie for 
 Montgomeries 
 Regiment. 
 
 perfecting of the work of vniformitie may be still vrged accord- 
 ing to the Covenant. 
 
 6 2. They haue receaved from the Commissioners at London 
 informatione of quhat is alreadie done, and according to ther 
 progresse expects ane further account, for which purpose they 
 are to write to the Commissioners, and shalbe readie to com- 
 municat ther answer to your Lordships. 
 
 '3. The Commission lies recommendit to the moderatour 
 that he and such as he sail call for may conferr with the Erie 
 of Seafort and James Oglvie quhen they come heer to Edin- 
 burgh and desire it, and for ther relaxatione the Commission 
 can only doe it, which may be conveened by the Moderatour as 
 lie sail find occasione. 
 
 ' 4. The opinione of the Commissioners is that such of the 
 Atholl men taken of that are not excommunicate sould not be 
 employed befor they give sufficient evidence of repentance of 
 ther bygone rebellion. But in caice of pressing necessitie the 
 Generall Majour may make vse of them in that exigence 
 against the comone enemie/ 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Dauid Dicksone, William 
 Bennet, Robert Ramsay, James Guthrie, Lamingtoun, Libber- 
 toun, and Thomas Paterson to present the answers to the 
 articles sent to them by the Committee, and also to remember 
 ther Lordships to take notice of the election of the Magistrats 
 of Aberdein conforme to the recommendatione of the Assemblie 
 and the frequent desirs of this Commission to that purpose. 
 
 The Commissione, finding a necessitie that some be sent to 
 Newcastle at this time to labour with his Majestie conforme to 
 the desire of the late Assemblie, Therfore doe appoint Messrs. 
 Dauid Dicksone, Andro Cant, Robert Blair, to repair to New- 
 castle to prosecute the desirs presented wnto him from the late 
 Assemblie. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblie haveing con- 
 sidered ane letter sent wnto them by the Lord Montgomrie 
 desiring that Mr. Andro Abercrombie may be sent to attend 
 his regiment for the reasons mentioned in the letter, and the 
 said Mr. Andro personallie present submitting himselfe therin 
 to the determinatione of the Commission, they therfor appoint 
 the said Mr. Andro to attend the said regiment for performing 
 
27 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 53 
 
 ministerial! duties to them for the space of thrie moneths only : 
 in the meane time condescending that he go first north to 
 visit his charge ther for some short time, that therafter he 
 may returne and attend the said regiment. 
 
 The Commission, considering the necessitie of Mr. Robert Mr. Robert 
 Douglas going to Newcastle, doe therfore joyne him to the N°wca?tie° r 
 brethren formerlie appointed to goe thither, giving wnto them 
 full power to addresse themselues to the King, and to present 
 the commission and desirs of the late Generall Assemblie. 
 
 The Commission appoints Mr. William Bennet, with any m p . Dowgai 
 other brother, to assist Mr. Dowgall Darroch befor the Com- Darroch - 
 mittee of process and money for procureing him a speedie 
 dispatch. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. William Colvill, William Aberden. 
 Bennet, and Mungo Law to present the desirs of this Commis- 
 sion and of the late Assemblie to the Committee of Estates 
 concerning the electione of the magistrats of Aberdein, as they 
 sail be requyred. 
 
 The Commission, hearing the reasons moved by Mr. Dauid Concerning Mr. 
 Dicksone for exeeming him from going to Newcastle, referrs to excuse for 
 the remanent brethren appointed to goe thither, viz., Mr. f°stief t0 NeW " 
 Andro Cant, Mr. Robert Douglas, and Mr. Robert Blair to 
 consider his reasons, and to exeem if they think fitt. 
 
 The Commission, haveing this day heard Mr. Andro Cant Mr. Andro 
 expresse the reasones of his sones stay in this countrie, think ant ' 
 fitt to send his excuse to the Presbitrie, as also to represent 
 Mr. Andro his employments heir, and that the letters follow- 
 ing be sent to that purpose : — 
 
 ' Right Reverend, — Thogh the condition of affairs with Letter to Pres- 
 yow hes been such as our brother, Mr. Andro Cant, could not co"ce™ng M?.' 
 bot apprehend some hazard in the exercise of his ministrie Andro Cant, 
 ther at such a time, yit this was not the only nor the cheefe 
 cause of his stay heir, but his publict employments, which wer 
 mor frequent then conduceable to the cause. From the Generall 
 Assemblie he was sent to Newcastle, in commission with others, 
 to his Majesty, and now we have thogh t good to returne him 
 thither again, with the rest, to prosecute ther former endea- 
 vours. How soone he can discharge himself of these employ 
 
54 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [27 AUG. 
 
 ments we know not. Bot seing he is thus delayed, yow will be 
 carefull to help his college with some supplie indureing his 
 absence, which is all we haue to say. So recommends vow in 
 all your labours to the Lords blissing, and wee remaine 
 Edinburgh, Your loving brethren, 
 
 27 August 1646. The Commissioners of Assemblies 
 
 Direct : To the)- Reverend brethren of the Presbitrie of Aber- 
 deen. 
 
 Letter concern- < Right Reverend, — The iniquitie of the time hath scattered 
 
 ing Mr. Alex- _ ,. . 1 ... 
 
 anderCant. and dispersed sundne brethren of the ministrie this time 
 bygone, and made them wnvsefull for ther particular charges, 
 among quhom we know that Alexander Cant, on of your 
 number, hath been heer this long time attending his father 
 and waiting for better and more peaceable residence at his 
 charge, when the Lord shall be pleased to grant it. Both his 
 fathers conditione and his owne were taken to consideratione 
 by ws, and it was advised that the said Mr. Alexander sould 
 wait on till a fitter opportunitie sould be granted of return- 
 ing ; and therfor we trust ye sail construct his absence the 
 more brotherlie and charitablie. And so, commending yow to 
 God, wee rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 27 August 1646. of the Gexerall Assemblies 
 
 Direct : For the brethren of the Presbitrie of 1 
 
 This day the Lord Burleigh, sherrefte of Teviotdale, and 
 Robert Lockart presented a paper fra the Committee craveing 
 ther sense of the answer sent to ther propositiones and articles : 
 tenor of which paper followes : — 
 Return from the 6 The Committee and Counsell, haueing receaued the four 
 Committee. ar ticles given in to them this day by the Commission of the 
 Kirk, do returne this answer : That they haue still been carefull 
 to preserve the vnione between the kingdomes and peace 
 betwixt his Majesty and his subjects, and will still be so. Yit 
 they conceaved it no wayes fitting at this time to publish the 
 wtmost of ther condiscendence in the mater of religion and 
 vniformitie least it sould prejudge the further progresse of the 
 treatie by the Commissioners at London. 1 
 
 Kincardine O'Neil. See Scott's Fasti, vol. iii. p. 521. 
 
27 AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 55 
 
 The Commission appoints the letter following to be sent to 
 Presbitries : — 
 
 ' Right Reverend, — We haue found it necessar at this time Letter to Pres- 
 to enjoyne a publict fast for the reasones which we haue sent bltries - 
 to yow in print. Ye will be carefull that the same be reli- 
 giouslie observed, and if this come not to your hand in time so 
 that ye cannot keep it vpon the day appointed, that ye keep 
 it the nixt convenient Sabbath therafter. We belieue that ye 
 were advertised long ago, by your brethren the Commissioners 
 in the late Assemblie, of the excommunicatione of the Erie of 
 Seafort, the intimatione wherof was recommendit by the 
 Assemblie wnto them, so that we hope it is already done. Bot 
 if it be otherwayes, we desire that yow give orders for the inti- 
 matioun of it with the first convenience. Ther are others also, 
 pryme actours of this bloodie and wnnaturall rebellion, quho 
 ar excommunicat heir in Edinburgh be our appointment, 
 viz., Alaster M'Donald, a principall actour in the whole course 
 of the rebellion, and James Ogiluie, sometime Erie of Airlie, 
 Dauid Grahm, sometime of Gorthie, Patrik Grahme, sone to 
 the Laird of Inchbraikie, Donald Robertsone, sumtyme called 
 Tutour of Strowen, John Stewart, sumtime of Sheirglasse, and 
 Colonell William Stuart, exceidinglie active in that bloodie 
 rebellion. Yow wilbe therfor pleased to cause make intima- 
 tioun therof in vour severall congre^ationes. We haue often 
 desired and recommendit wnto you that you wold proceed 
 against these that have joyned in the rebellion. Now yow 
 have a rule in the Acts of Assembly, which are herewith sent 
 wnto yow in print, and we expect ane account of your dilli- 
 gence therin. Bot for such of them as have bein pryme 
 actours and men of qualitie, against quhom ye will find diffi- 
 cultie to proces, it wer fitt they wer broght befor our selues ; 
 therfor yow will cite such of them to compeir befor ws at our 
 nixt quarterlie meiting, the second Wedinsday of November. 
 Ther are presented to ws verie pitifull regraits that the chari- 
 ties desired for our distressed brethren in Argyle, and for Mr. 
 Robert Lindsays relict, are not so cheerfullie and readilie 
 delyuered as was expected ; particular notice is not yit given 
 wnto us of the deficients heirin. Therfor we only remember 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 SEP. 
 
 that if any of yow haue not done that dutie, it may be gone 
 about with dilligence and chearfullnes. You are not ignorant 
 of the ordinance of the Assemblie concerning James Murrays 
 payment of his bygone fies, books and other printed papers, 
 and thogh at this time we sie no report of your dilligence, and 
 so mycht have gone on and put the Act of Assemblie to 
 executioun, we yit again require that at our nixt quarterlie 
 meeting in November you send heir that which is due wnto 
 him, other waves we must doe that which the Assemblie lies 
 requyred to be done in the Act made theranent. So being 
 confident of your care in all the premises, and the report of 
 vour dilligence to our nixt quarterlie meeeting, we commend 
 yow to the Lords grace, and rest, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 27th August 1G40. oe the Geneeall Assemblie/ 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 September 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. Johne Oswald : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. Patrick Flemyng : Mr. David Drum- 
 mond : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Johne Lyndsay : Mr. James Bruce : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. 
 William Bennet : Mr. William Dalgleishe : Mr. William Jamison : Mr. 
 Johne Dalyell : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Johne Knox: Mr. Robert Ligh- 
 toun : Mr. Richard Dickson : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. Johne 
 Nevey : Mr. Johne Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Weir : 
 Mr. Andrew Cant : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie. Elders. — Laird Lammington : 
 Laird Cunynghamhead : Laird Arneistoun : Thomas Paterson : George 
 Porterfeild. 
 
 Mr. R. Douglas, After calling on the name of God by Mr. Robert Douglas, 
 Moderator. Moderator of the preceding meeting, the said Mr. Robert being 
 put in list with Messrs. Andro Cant, David Dickson, and 
 William Bennet, was chosen Moderator for this meeting of 
 the Commission in all the sessions therof, in absence of Mr. 
 Robert Blair, Moderator of this Commission. 
 
 This day, Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. Andro Cant made 
 
 Report of J 
 
 Messrs. Robert report of ther frequent addresses to the King, with their earnest 
 Cant glaS ' Andro desires for giving satisfaction to his good subjects of both 
 kingdomes in signing the propositions of peace, and that the 
 Commissioners sent from the Estates laboured to the same 
 purpose exceeding earnestly, but that his Majesty remained 
 still obstinat in refusing their desires. 
 
17 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 57 
 
 The Commission having received a list for ministers to the Minister for th 
 Generalls excellence, viz. Mr. David Forret in St. Andrews, p^all and 
 
 7 JLotnian regi- 
 
 Mr. Walter Greg in Cowper, and Mr. Johne Duncan in Dun- ment - 
 fermling presbyterie, and for the Erie Lothians regiment Messrs. 
 James Ker and Johne Scott in Jedburgh, and William Penman 
 in Kelso presbyterie, do appoynt the said Mr. David Forret 
 for the Generalls, and Mr. Johne Scott for Lothians regiment, 
 and that letters be writtin to that purpose, and for supplieing 
 their places during their absence. 
 
 This day, a letter received from the Commissioners at 
 London, the tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 * RlGHT HONOURABLE, RIGHT REVEREND, AND LOVING BRETHREN, Letter from the 
 
 a v j* . . . • i n Commissioners 
 
 As we nave irom tyme to tyme given an accompt oi our pro- at London. 
 
 ceedings heir, both to the Generall Assembly and to yourselues, 
 so there hath not bene of late any considerable occasion of our 
 wry ting to yow. We having formerlie desired a resolution in 
 our greatest difficultie, touching agreeing or not agreeing to 
 that part of the propositions of peace which concerneth religion, 
 there being in the ordinances of Parliament (which we sent 
 unto yow formerly, and unto which these propositions con- 
 cerning religion do relate), diverse particulars prejudiciall to 
 the intended uniformity betueen the kingdoms, which we could 
 not approve of but had given our publict testimonie against 
 them, in our Remonstrance of March 26th, which knot was 
 loosed to us by the answer of the Generall Assembly of the 
 dait June 15th 1 bearing that, lest the blame of retarding the 
 desired peace should be cast upon them, it is their judgment 
 that, things considered as they stand, we might not only con- 
 sent to the sending of that which wes alreadie agreed upon 
 concerning religion, but also for these things wherin we differ, 
 giue way, and not make any lett to the sending of them to the 
 King in order to peace, with an expresse declaration (which wes 
 accordinglie done) that this giving way doeth neither import 
 our approbation of all the particulars conteined in the foresaid 
 ordinances, nor any prejudice to the established and received 
 Government of the Kirk of Scotland, nor shall impede our con- 
 
 1 This letter has not been inserted among the printed proceedings of the 
 Assembly. 
 
58 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 SEP. 
 
 stant endevouring a further and neerer vniformity according 
 to the Covenant ; whence we cannot but gather the judgment 
 of the Generall Assembly (which is to us in this negotiation 
 the chief rule to walk by, nixt to the Word of God), that they 
 do not lay so much weight upon the want of a full uniformity 
 in religion betueen the kingdomes, or upon the present differ- 
 ences concerning it, as that the so much desired peace should be 
 therby hindered, or a quarrel betueen the kingdomes founded 
 therupon, especiallie considering that not only Episcopacie 
 and the Book of Common Prayer (the tuo mountaines which 
 seemed immoveable) ar removed, and a common Directory of 
 Worship agreed upon by the Assemblies and Parliaments of 
 both kingdomes, and here ordered to be obserued under cer- 
 taine penalties ; 1 but that likewise for the positive part of 
 Church Goverment there is a foundation laid and a good pro- 
 gresse already made, as may appear by the ordinances con- 
 cerning Congregationall, Classicall, Provinciall, and Nationall 
 Assemblies, and their subordination, concerning ruling elders 
 and their election, concerning the suspension of ignorant and 
 scandalous persons from the Lords Supper, and concerning 
 the ordination of ministers. 2 This last ordinance concerning 
 ordination, as it wes concluded in Parliament upon the 28th 
 of August last, we do heirwith send unto yow. 3 The House 
 of Commons hath also in present consideration an ordinance 
 against hereticks and sectaries, which we shall be carefull to 
 send unto yow how soon it shall be finished by the Houses : 
 But we believe it shall not be finished till they have seen and 
 considered the Confession of Faith, which will be within few 
 days (we trust) perfected by the Assembly and transmitted to 
 the Houses. And although, to our unspeakable grief, this 
 reformation and vniformity is much retarded and obstructed, 
 yet we shall detain from God the glory due unto his name, if 
 we should not say, it is a wonder Reformation is already so 
 
 1 Ordinance of the Lords and Commons . . . for the more effectual putting in 
 execution of the Directory for Public Worship. London, 23 Aug. 1646. 
 
 2 All the severall Orditiances, Directions, and Votes of the Lords and Commons 
 . . . for the speedy establishing of the Presbyteriall Government. London, 1646. 
 
 3 Ordinance of the Lords and Commons . . . for the Ordination of Ministers 
 by the Classical Presbyters. London, 31 Aug. 1646. 
 
17 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 59 
 
 farre advanced in this kingdome. Howbeit our former zeale 
 in pressing the neerest vniformity is not in any measure cooled 
 or remitted, for we do and shall by Gods assistance still presse 
 it at all opportunities, as long as yow think fitt to continue us 
 in this employment, and if in any other materiall point we can 
 not obtain our desires, or if any new thing (as God forbid) 
 shall be concluded prejudiciall to a further vniformity, we shall 
 discharge ourselves by giving our testimony against it, and by 
 representing it to yow for our further direction. It is another 
 question whither, in poynt of conscience and Covenant, the per- 
 fecting of the vniformity in religion is to be stood upon as a 
 condition without which our army shall not remove out of this 
 kingdome (and consequently without which there shall be no 
 peace), although satisfaction be given them for their paines, 
 charges, hazards, and sufferings. This question, although in 
 our privat judgments we conceive it to be resolued already by 
 the aforementioned letter of the Generall Assembly (the dis- 
 banding of armies being a chief upshot of the propositiones of 
 peace sent to the King), yet for our further exoneration we 
 desire your judgment (unto which we submitt our own), con- 
 cerning a mater of so much consequence, quhairin we know not 
 how soon we must give our opinion and advice to the Com- 
 missioners from the Parliament (who use to consult and advise 
 with us in any business which concerneth religion), and therfor 
 do desire to know your resolution the sooner. The Lord direct 
 the counsels both of Church and State towards that which is 
 most conduceable to the ends of the Covenant, and the God of 
 peace confirme yourselues and us in a constant and faithfull 
 discharge of dueties, and in preventing, by all good and possible 
 means, new and worse troubles in that land, and a breach 
 betueen the tuo kingdomes, which many, both malignants and 
 sectaries, (though for different ends and interests) drive at. 
 This free and faithfull accompt of the condition of affairs yow 
 have from Your loving brethren, 
 
 Sub tur Loudoun, Argyll, Samuell Rutherfurd, 
 
 Lauderdaill, A. Jhoxstox, Robert Baillie, 
 Worcester House, the Geo. Gillaspie. 1 
 
 10th of September 1646. 
 
 Postscript. — ' We send yow herewith that which may be new 
 
(50 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 sep. 
 
 matter of comfort and encouragement to yourselves and all the 
 well affected, the Remonstrance of the County of Lancaster, 
 with the ansuere of the House of Peeres therupon/ 1 
 
 Direct : For the Bight Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, IS September 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt ut in sessione precede nti cum 
 
 Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. 
 John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Robert fright : Mr. George Thomson : Mr. 
 Robert Traill : Mr. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. Thomas 
 Donaldson : Mr. William Adair. 
 
 eiec n tion n s in of the The Commission of the Generall Assembly humblie desires 
 magistrats in^ that the honourabill Committee of Estates may be pleased to 
 Glasgow. appoynt some of their number to conferre with such as shall be 
 appoynted by the Commission upon the particular recomended 
 by the Generall Assembly touching the magistrats and counscll 
 of Aberdene, and upon the interesse which they humblie 
 conceive the Kirk lies in the persons that will have place in the 
 election of the mamstrats and counscll of Glasgow for the 
 year ensueing, and appoynts Messrs. William Bennet, Alexander 
 Somervell, and William Jamesone to represent the same to 
 their Lordships. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post me rid ion. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. Johne Dalyell : Mr. Robert 
 Ker : Mr. Patrick Fleming : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Alexander 
 Somervell : Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. Johne Hamilton : Mr. Robert Ramsay : 
 Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. James Bruce: Mr. Walter Greg: Mr. Johne 
 Moncreiff : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. William 
 Jameson : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. James 
 
 1 This was the petition ' of many thousands of the well-affected ' of the County 
 of Lancaster for settling Presbyterian Church Government, suppressing of heresy 
 and schism, and continuing the union between the two kingdoms. The Lords 
 on 25th August expressed their agreement with the petitioners, and promised 
 to take the particulars 'into due consideration' ( 'Journals of House of Lords, 
 vol. viii. pp. 470, 471). The petition was also presented to the House of 
 Commons, who on 15th September had before them in consequence an Ordi- 
 nance for the division of the County of Lancaster into nine presbyteries 
 (Journals of House of Commons, vol. iv. pp. 668-70). This was ultimately 
 passed by the Houses and the Presbyteries united in a Provincial Synod. 
 
1 8 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 61 
 
 Fleming: Mr. Johne Knox: Mr. Ritchard Dickson: Mr. David Drum- 
 mond : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Johne Lyndsay : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. George 
 Thomson : Air. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. Thomas Donaldson, Elders. — 
 Lord Craighall : Laird Lammington : Laird Cunynghamhead : Laird 
 Arneistoun : Johne Kennedy : Thomas Paterson : Lawrence Henryson. 
 
 The Commission having considered the petitions of James Committee for 
 Ogilvy for his relaxation, togither with his declaration and con- j°meTogiivy lth 
 fession of his bygone miscariages (tenor of which declaration fol- 
 lowes), and having found that they have sufficient power from the 
 Assemblie to relax the said James Ogilvy, do therefor appoynt 
 Messrs. Andro Cant, David Dickson, William Jameson, John 
 Moncreiff, and Patrick Gillespie, with the Lord Craighall, and 
 Cunynghamhead, and the Moderator, yet again to conferre with 
 him in this place the morne at 8 hours. Follovves the tenor 
 of James Ogilvies declaration above-mentioned : — 
 
 ' I declare be these my unspeakable and heartie grief for my James Ogihyis 
 accession to these rebellious wayes and courses, which lies Confession - 
 justlie moved the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie in 
 respect of the notoriety and atrocity of my haynous offence 
 thereby to ordain me to be excommunicat ; and as I sincerely 
 acknowledge the justice and equity of their ordinance and of 
 that heavie sentence of excommunication which followed 
 against me therupon, and that I deservedlie ly under the 
 samen, both for the offences committed be me before the said 
 sentence and therin mentioned, and my persisting in the said 
 courses after the said sentence, and my coming out of the 
 Tolbnith of Edinburgh : So on the other part I humblie desire 
 that I may be received within the bosome of the Church, which 
 is never shutt to these who repents, and to be eased of the 
 heavy burden of that fearefull sentence under which I have 
 groaned this long tyme, and lies beene longing to have the 
 happie occasion to expresse my grieff and repentance for the 
 said offences, and my earnest desire to be reconciled again to 
 my mother Church, as is known to some of this Judicatorie, 
 who can witnesse how much I pressed and sollicited both the 
 Generall Assembly when I wes in prison in this town, and the 
 Commissioners of the General Assembly at St. Andrews with 
 reiterat desires and petitions to the effect forsaid, since which 
 time I have ever entertained the same desire, albeit human frailty 
 
62 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 SEP. 
 
 Mr. Jhon 
 Cunnisork-. 
 
 Erie of Seafort. 
 
 Erie of Sea- 
 forth. 
 
 Jhon 
 
 Anstruther. 
 
 and the naturall desire, that all men lies to preserve themselves, 
 caryed me to endevoure and mak an escape out of prison, and to 
 adhere to the foresaid courses, in so farre as I conceived ther 
 wes a necessitie for my safety ; for which escape out of prison 
 and any thing done be me since, I will not plead excuse as 
 being acts of necessity, but professeth my guiltynes and un- 
 fained sorrow for the samen, and shall endevour, be Gods 
 assistance, to witnesse my sinceir acknouledgment and remorse 
 for my offences before mentioned be a dutyfull and circumspect 
 cariage in tyme coming, as becometh a good Christian and 
 true patriot. All which I do declare and promise as in the 
 sight of God/ {Subter) Ogilvy. 
 
 Mr. Johne Cunnysone having given in some queries anent his 
 going back to his charge, the Commission declares that it is 
 their opinion, that he go about to doe the dueties of his calling 
 as carefully as he may with safetie, and desires Mr. David 
 Dickson to speak to the Provest of Glasgow, that he delyver 
 to Mr. Johne, heer in this town, his part of the contribution 
 for the ministers of Argyle, unto whom he wes joyned. 
 
 Earle of Seafort, personallie present, being desired to produce 
 the principall subscribed divisive band, declared that it wes 
 burnt, but remembred neither of the tyme nor place quhen 
 and quhair he did it, affirmed, that to his memorie there wer no 
 witnesses present when he did it, and that the reasons moving 
 him therto, wer only because the same wes condemned by the 
 Kirk and State, and that he did not think he should have been 
 desired to produce it, and conceived not any necessity of the 
 keeping of it. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly finds they have 
 no power to give any determination in the petition of the 
 Earle of Seafort, touching his relaxation from the sentence of 
 excommunication presented to them, with a paper containing 
 his confession of his offences subscribed by his hand, and 
 therfor referrs the matter to the next Generall Assembly. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly referrs the 
 mater concerning Johne Anstruther, togither with his petition 
 presented to them this day, wnto the Provinciall Assemblie of 
 Fyffe, and appoynts the said Johne to be cited to ansuere to 
 the said Assembly in the said mater. 
 
19 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 63 
 
 The Commission desires Messrs. James Bruce and Johne Aberden and 
 Moncreiff to go to the Earl Craufurd, the president of the Glasg0 *- 
 Committee, and humbly desire a meeting of the Committee for 
 the mater concerning Aberdene and Glasgow. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 September 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator: Mr. David Dickson: 
 Mr. William Jameson: Mr. William Penman: Mr. John Dalvell : Mr. 
 Ritchard Dickson : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Johne 
 Weir : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. George Thomson : Mr. Patrick Gillespie : 
 Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John 
 Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Patrick Flemyng : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. 
 Johne Xevey : Mr. Johne Hamilton: Mr. William Adair: Mr. Walter 
 Greg: Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. Allane Fergussone : Mr. Thomas 
 Donaldsone. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Lammingtoun : Laird 
 Arneistoun : Laird Cunynghamhead : Thomas Paterson: Johne Kennedy. 
 
 The Commission having considered the petition following 
 for the mater of Aberden and Glasgow, think fitt the same 
 be presented, and to that effect appoynts Messrs. Alexander 
 Somervell, Ritchard Dickson, AVilliam Jameson, and James 
 Guthrie, with Lammingtoun and Cunynghamhead. Tenor of 
 the petition followes : — 
 
 ' To the right hojwurabill the Committee of Estates the humble Petition to the 
 petition of the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie : Estates^on^ 
 
 ' When we consider the great excellencie and advantage of ceming the 
 the work of Reformation, we cannot but conceive your Lord- Magistrats of 
 ships and ourselves and evrie one in ther stations under a verie Glasgow and 
 great hight of obligation, with all faithfulnes and care to keep 
 that which is committed unto us. The attaining and establish- 
 ing of it wes not mater of greater reputation and joy then the 
 lossing or weakening of it by our negligence would be sorrow 
 and shame unto us all. And therfor ar we bold to represent 
 unto yow our grievance upon the progresse of the said par- 
 ticulars, which concerne the election of the magistrats of Aber- 
 dene and Glasgow. We shall not streitche ourselves beyond 
 our line, but desires your Lordships humblie in the bowels of 
 Jesus Christ to consider, whether the putting men evill affected 
 to the work of God and under publik censures of the Kirk in a 
 capacity of publik trust in these tuo eminent places of the 
 kingdome, may not onlie weaken the hands of those who ar 
 
64 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 SEP. 
 
 faithfull and honest, but prove verie obstructive and dangerous 
 to the work of reformation itself. It is truely mater of 
 astonishment unto us, to sie the desires of the Generall 
 Assemblie and our own desires, so frequently renewed upon 
 so good grounds in that which concerns Aberdene, so farre 
 disappoynted after so faire hopes : Ami what concerns Glasgow 
 is as a dream, and we may say beyond anything which we did 
 imagine or feare. Therfor, having no respect but the glorie of 
 God and the good of the present cause, we do again and 
 againe humblie desire, that your Lordships may from the same 
 respects take these particulars to your serious consideration, 
 and find out such a way as an election dishonourable to Kirk 
 and State, made and forced by the power of the excommunicat 
 and forfault enemies therof, may not have either your Lordships 
 direct or tacit allowance or oversight in the least measure. 
 And, on the other part, where persons disaffected to the publik 
 cause have beene held off publik employments, and the well 
 affected have been chosen by authority of preceeding Com- 
 mittees, that nothing issueing from your Lordships may produce 
 contrarie effects, nor tend to the weakening of the hands, 
 discouraging of the hearts, or to any prejudice of the well 
 affected so elected, nor to the strengthening, animating, or the 
 advantage of the disaffected so excluded.' 
 
 James Ogilvie. This day report being made concerning the conferrence with 
 James Ogilvy, that they found good beginnings in him, acknow- 
 ledging his offences verie ingenuouslie, as they wer aggreadged 
 unto him, and regrating his own wants, especially of expression, 
 that he could not expresse his sense of his miscariages so as he 
 wished : The Commission thinks fitt that he be yet dealt with 
 by conference, and to this purpose that he stay in toun, that 
 the ministers heir may conferre with him, desyring in the mean- 
 tyme that he repair to the kirk for hearing the word, but so 
 as he do not communicat in the publik prayers, but that he 
 come in after the first prayer before sermon and remove before 
 the last, and that he abstain from visiting his freends and 
 evrie other thing that may give offence, behaving himself in 
 all things as it becometh one in his condition. All which wer 
 intimat to the said James personallie present. 
 
 Erie of Seafort. The Commission of Assemblie upon the consideration of the 
 
2i SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 65 
 
 Earle of Seatbrts petition, this day presented unto them, finds 
 the desire therof touching his repairing to the kirk for hearing 
 sermon verie reasonable, provyding that therby he take not 
 occasion to communicat in the publik prayers, singing of 
 psalms, nor in the blessing, but that he abstain from these and 
 all other publik ordinances, the hearing of the word only 
 excepted. And concerning his desire of conference with minis- 
 ters the Commission hereby recomends to the Presbyterie 
 quhair he resids, that upon his desire they appoynt some well 
 affected of their number to conferre with him ; they always 
 abstaining from eating, drinking, or keeping fellowship with 
 him, and from communicating with him in any act of worship, 
 and so carrying themselves evrie way as becometh them to do 
 towards one in his condition. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 September 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator: Mr. William Bennet : 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. William Jameson : Mr. William Penman : Mr. 
 Ritchard Dickson : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. George 
 Thomson : Mr. Johne Xevey : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ramsav : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Johne 
 Knox at Selkirk: Mr. Robert Eliot: Mr. William Adair : Mr. Walter 
 Greg: Mr. Allan Ferguson: Mr. Patrick Flemyng : Mr. Johne Daly ell. 
 Elders. — Lord Burghlie : Lord Craighall : George Porterfeild : Laird 
 Cunynghamhead. 
 
 This day report being made of the ansuere of the Committee Report from 
 of Estates to the petition presented unto" them concerning concerning" 66 
 Aberdene and Glasgow, that they not only had taken course for ^ r ^JJ a ^f d 
 bringing these relations contained in the petition to the Parlia- concerning the 
 ment to be considered by them, but upon occasion therof made Magistrates and 
 a generall Act recomending that no person under processe for ^p^^enT 5 
 complyance, who have not satisfied the Kirk, should be chosen 
 magistrats or upon the counsell for the year ensueing; and 
 made the like recomendation to shires and burghs, for the 
 election of Commissioners to the Parliament : The Commission 
 upon consideration therof appoynts Messrs. Alexander Somer- 
 vell, Andro Cant, David Dickson, James Guthrie, with the 
 Moderator, the Lord Burghlie and Craighall, to meet presentlie 
 and consider what is further to be done by the Commission 
 upon the said recomendations. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the said Committee also to COn- 
 IS 
 
66 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 SEP. 
 
 Erie of 
 Abercorn. 
 
 Erie Lithgow 
 
 Committee to 
 prepar a Re- 
 monstrance 
 concerning 
 Argyle. 
 
 Letter from the 
 Provinciall of 
 Argyle. 
 
 sider of an ansuere to the letter from the Commissioners at 
 London and to report. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie appoynts the 
 presbvterie of Paisley to desire the Earle of Abercorne to give 
 his children to some Protestant freends, that they may be well 
 educat in the religion professed in this Kirk, and that they 
 presentlie enter in processe against the Erie himself in respect 
 of his obstinat continuance in Poperie. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodcm die post meridian. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator : Mr. Johne Oiswald: Mr. 
 David EKckson : Mr. William Jamison : .Mr. William Penman : Mr. 
 Ritchard Dickson: Mr. Robert Eliot: Mr. Johne Nevay : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. George Thomson: Mr. James Sibbald : Mr. Patrik Flemyng : 
 Mr. Johne Dalyell : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Knox 
 at Selkirk : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. William 
 Adair : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. Johne Duncan : Mr. Allane Fergussone : 
 Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. William Colvill. Elders. — 
 Erie Cassills : Lord Craighall : Laird Lammingtoun : Thomas Paterson : 
 George Porterfeild : Laird Dudingstoun. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Presbytery of Linlithgow to 
 cite the Earle of Linlithgow to the next meeting, if he do not 
 satisfie themselves according to the ordinance of the Assembly 
 and the degree of his delinquencie. 
 
 This day a letter being produced from the Provinciall 
 Assembly of Argyle and read, the Commission thinks fitt it be 
 represented to the Committee of Estates, and that some 
 brethrene meet after dissolving to prepare a remonstrance to 
 present with it, viz. — Messrs David Dickson, William Colvill, 
 Andro Cant, James Guthrie, and the Moderator, with the Erie 
 of Cassillis, Lammingtoun, and Cunynghamhead. Followes the 
 tenor of the said letter : — 
 
 'Right Reverend, — We have bene bold at diverse occasions 
 both bv letters and petitions to make your wisdomes ac- 
 quainted with these many distresses and pressing calamities, 
 quhairunto we have bene redacted by the long continued 
 cruelty of a most insolent enemy. But never did we represent 
 our condition with more grieved and pressed doun hearts and 
 soules then at this occasion, quhen not only our dangers and 
 fears begin to encrease and multiplie, by reason of appeirance 
 to be excluded from the fruits of that peace intended for the 
 
2i SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 67 
 
 rest of the good subjects of the land, the warre therby liklie 
 to be continued with us, but also by reason that the cause of 
 God is like to suffer, the ark in danger to be taken, the glorie 
 like to depart from Israel, and Dagon like to be set up beside 
 the ark, all our labours in the gospell lyklie to become fruit- 
 lesse. For with the enemy there ar a number of freiris and 
 seminarie priests, who are going about Kintyre and some of the 
 lies, using all diligence and endevour to seduce the people to 
 Poprie; and many, not only in Kintyre but also of the 
 adjacent lies, even of the better sort, already following their 
 wayes, and not only countenancing, but embraceing their 
 superstition. The suord of the rebells quhilk hes bereft us of 
 our freends, spoiled us of our goods, and burnt our duellings, 
 the apprehension of a following famine, — there being no sowing 
 in our countrey, — except we be helped by your gratious bounty, 
 (as we have bene already in a good measure refreshed by yow,) 
 cannot parallell the bitternes that the feare of the sorest of all 
 plagues, the removall of the light of the gospell, hes possessed 
 our soules with. In this extremity we know not what to do ; 
 but as our eyes ar towards the Lord, so our recourse is towards 
 your wisdoms to entreat yow in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and 
 from the tender pitie yow ow unto us, as being embarked in the 
 same bottome with yow, and conjoyned in the same Covenant, 
 that yow would bestir yourselves according to your places, in 
 the use of all means competent for yow, for the not only 
 hindering of the farder spreading, but the vtter suppression of 
 the contagion ; and especially to interceed for us, to represent 
 our condition and feares to the Committee of Estates, and to 
 intreat them by all the intresses of religion and nature, accord- 
 ing to their trust and place, that they would speedily and 
 effectually think upon some course for the preventing of 
 such danger, as the not tymous suppression of that gangren 
 may threatten the whole land with. We ar confident that ye 
 will take a mater of such concernment and consequence carefully 
 to heart, which expecting, we recomend yow to the goverment 
 of Gods Spirit, and rests, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Suh tur M. J. Cameroun, Moderator, 
 and M. Dug. Darroch, Clerk, 
 Tnnerarey, the 10th of at the comand of the provin- 
 
 Septemhcr 1G46. ciall meeting."' 
 
68 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 SEP. 
 
 Postscript, — 'We ar certanly informed from the rebellis 
 quarters, by diverse reports and letters, that there is one Mr. 
 Murdoch M'Keinvie hes latlie come towards Antrum from 
 the North, and, as is reported, is negotiating with him and 
 Alester M'Donald in name of the Earle of Seafort. And, even 
 at the wryting of these presents, there came a letter to our hands 
 shewing that the rebellis were to remove, if not already 
 removed, towards Ila, quhair ther is a great feast prepared for 
 them, and thence intends for Ardnimurchan ; quhairas they 
 make the people that ar joyned with them persuaded that 
 Seafort, M'Laine, Captane of Clan Ronald, and Sir James 
 M'Donald ar to meit them, and Mr. Murdoch M'Keinyies 
 being with them does confirme the people the more to believe 
 the same, so that many that wer of purpose to come off ar 
 resolved to adhere to them. 1 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 Recommend- The Commissioners of Assembly considering how necessar it 
 the gh°in Cerning * s ^° t nem > by all means and wayes incumbent, to promove and 
 the names of preserve the work of reformation, and that to this purpose 
 sihire^and t0 the Honourabill Committee of Estates have carefully provydet 
 Burghs for ^ y t ner serious recomendation to Shvres and Burrowes that 
 
 information in J * 
 
 the election of no persons be elected commissioners to Parliament, or magistrats 
 and Magktrats. ar| d counsellors in burghs, who have complied with the rebellis, 
 ar under processe for the same, and have not given satisfaction 
 to the Kirk, Therfor, according to the power committed to 
 them, they appoynt evrie presbyterie or minister of burgh, or 
 either of them, to give a roll of the complyers under processe 
 in their bounds to the meeting of the shire or towne counsell 
 respective, that they may the better know how to give 
 obedience to the said recomendation of the Committie ; and 
 withal to intimat that the Commission will proceed with the 
 censures of the Kirk against such persons, elected and accepting 
 the employment, with the greater severity and diligence ; 
 requiring the presbyteries and ministers aforesaid, or either of 
 them, to do their exact diligence herein, and to report 
 accompt hereof to the next meeting of the Commission. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that letters be sent to ministers 
 in burghs and presbyteries togidder with the above written 
 
2i SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 69 
 
 Act and the Act of the Committee with diligence. Tenor of 
 the letters followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brother, — From the sense we have Letter to 
 of the necessity at this tyme of a good election of commis- Burghs[ S 
 sioners to Parliament and magistrats in burghs, we have 
 obtained a serious recommendation from the Committee of 
 Estates, that such as have complyed with the rebells, and have 
 not satisfeid, may not be elected either on the one or the other 
 employments, and for this cause have thought fitt for our parts 
 to appoynt diligence to be done, for giving information of the 
 complyers, that no ignorance be pretended therof : Therfor 
 yow will not faill to do that carefully and exactlie concerning 
 the election of magistrats and counsell of your burgh, which is 
 required from yow in this Act, and to report us account therof 
 at our next meeting. And that the like diligenee be done at 
 the meeting of shyres toward election of commissioners to 
 Parliament, yow will not faill (because we know not who is 
 moderator of your presbyterie) to conveen the presbyterie so 
 soon as these shall come to your hands, and delyver to them this 
 letter, that they may take the lyk course concerning that pur- 
 pose. So commending the successe of this and all your employ- 
 ments to the Lords speciall blessing, we remaine, Your loving 
 brethren, The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly. 
 Edinburgh, (Sub r ) Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator.'' 
 21 September 1646. 
 
 'Reverend and loving brethren, — From the sense we have Letter to 
 of the necessity at this tyme of a good election of commis- Presb y ten€ 
 sioners to Parliament and magistrats in burghs, we have 
 obtained a serious recomendation from the Committee of 
 Estates, that such as have complied with the rebells, and have 
 not satisfied, may not be elected either on the one or the 
 other employment, and for this cause have thought fitt for our 
 parts to appoynt diligence to be done forgiving information of the 
 complyers, that no ignorance be pretended therof : Therfor yow 
 will not faill to do that carefullie and exactly as is required from 
 yow in this Act, for information to the meeting of your shires, 
 and to report us account therof at our next meeting. We have 
 recomended the like to the ministers of burghs for informing 
 their burghs concerning the recommendation of the Committee. 
 
70 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 SEP. 
 
 So commending the successe of this and all your employments 
 to the Lords speciall blessing, we remain, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 21 September 1640. OF THE Gem :u all AsSEMBLIE. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at eight hours. 
 
 Edinburgh 9% September 1646, ante meridiem 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. 
 William Jamesone : Mr John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Alexander Somer- 
 vell : Mr. Jolme Nevay : Mr. George Thomson : Mr. Allan Fergusson : 
 Mr. Johne Dalzell : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Duncan: Mr William 
 Bennet : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Ritchard Dickson : 
 Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. James Sibbald : Mr. Patrick 
 Flemyng ; Mr. .Johne Knox : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr William Dalgleish. 
 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Lammingtoun : Laird Dudingstoun : 
 Thomas Paterson : George Porterfeild : Laird Cunynghamhead. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Remonstrance following con- 
 cerning the oppressed people of Argyle to be presented to the 
 Committee of Estates by the Moderator and Messrs David 
 Dickson and Andro Cant. Tenor of the Remonstrance fol- 
 io wes : — 
 
 4 To the right honorabill the Committee of Estates the humble 
 Remonstrance of the Commission of the Generall Assembly. 
 Remonstrance 6 It hath bene our happienesse and glorie now for many yeiris, 
 P^ovince^of 6 in the midst of the nations that ar round about, that religion 
 fogyte' hath bene preserved pure and spotlesse in our land, and ther is 
 
 nothing under heaven could make us so miserable as to be robd 
 of the riche and inestimable treasur of the precious gospell of 
 Jesus Christ our Lord, which is the crown of His glorie and the 
 life of our soules : Therfor we can not but from the deep sense 
 of the danger that threatneth His honour and our happynes 
 represent unto your Lordships what with much sorrow of heart 
 was communicat unto us yesternight from the Synod of Argyle, 
 to wit, that the enemy in these parts ar attended with a number 
 of friers and seminarie preists, who go about Kintyre and the 
 lies seduceing the people unto Poperie, and have so farre pre- 
 valed with many of the better sort as not only to make them 
 countenance but to embrace their superstition. Nay, that these 
 men ar come to that hight of insolencie as to professe, that in a 
 short tyme the masse shall be set up there to the open view 
 and beholding of all men, and that this was the end of their 
 
22 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 71 
 
 comeing into this kingdome. Your Lordships know Brittan 
 hath alwayes bene looket upon as the strongest bulwark of the 
 Protestant religion, and therfor the Romish party hath never 
 ceased by all means to endevour the reduceing of this iland, as 
 the shortest and fairest way unto the ruin of all our sister 
 Churches in Europ ; and we do easily believe that quhen they 
 have seen their hopes cutt off' amongst the more understanding 
 that they have thought best to dryve their designe in these 
 places quhair there is les knowledge and zeale, and from thence 
 by their means to propagat it southward, untill they have made 
 a prey of us quhom they have long hunted for. Neither ar 
 they destitut of means to foster their hopes and strengthen 
 their attempts. Besyd the Popish party, in both kingdomes, 
 and the rebellis under the command of Alester McDonald, we 
 ar enformed that there is an army in Irland upon the Popes re- 
 tinue carrying his liverey, under the command of Oven M'Kart, 
 who hath refused to embrace the peace there, having (no doubt) 
 designs for further advancing the Popish cause. Our spirits have 
 bene much afflicted now for many dayes to heare that our brethren 
 there, whose interests we ar bound, by the oath of God in our 
 Covenant, to tender as our own, should have their country made 
 desolat, their houses bnrnt with fire, be spoiled of their goods, 
 many of themselves slain e by the sword, many exposed to naked- 
 nes and famine ; but to sie the remanent that is left have their 
 soules made a prey to Antichrist is bitter as death. And 
 therefor not only as members of the same body do we intreat 
 your honours, but as the servands of the living God and embass- 
 adours of Jesus Christ do we lay these things before yow, exhort- 
 ing yow in his name to think upon it seriouslie. We ar persuaded 
 that we shall not seem unto your Lordships in a thing of this 
 natur too apprehensive. Now, for well nigh three-score yeirs 
 have we not heard of so bold attempts against religion ; neither 
 hath the Lord at any time put us to it in so direct a way to give 
 a testimony of our zeale to the trueth, and of the estimation we 
 have of the gospell. All Israel assembled themselves at the hear- 
 ing of the altar built beyond Jordan, and shall not we raise a cry, 
 and all the land bestirr themselves, to go out against those who, 
 after they have for a long tyme fed their cruelty upon the flesh 
 of our brethren, at the last intend to set up the abomination 
 
72 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 SEP. 
 
 of desolation in our land ? Sad experience hath taught us not 
 to despise the beginings of evill. From thence come foorth a 
 suord that did overflow and devour and passe throw from one 
 end of the land unto the other. But we ar confident that your 
 wisdom will consider of these things as maters of so high conse- 
 quence do require, and from your zeale to the honour of Jesus 
 Christ, your respect to your Covenant, your regard to your 
 religion, love to your country and affection to your posterity, 
 after serious deliberation, apply yourselves unto speedy and 
 effectuall remedies, quhairby religion may be secured and help 
 and comfort brought to our afflicted and distressed brethren." 
 
 Eodem die, jiost meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione antemeridiana cum 
 
 Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. 
 David Auchterlony : Libbertoun : 
 
 Erie Seafon. This day the Earle of Seafort desyring to be heard and 
 called, did purge himself of the particular mentioned in the 
 letter from the Provincial! of Argyll concerning him, absolutlie 
 denying the same with great asseverations. 
 Erie Home The Commission, understanding that the Earle of Home is 
 k?rk°oTGordon now * n toun, appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Andro Cant, 
 and William Jameson to speak with my Lord concerning the 
 kirk of Gordon, and to labour for his consent to Mr. James 
 Simsons admission therunto. 
 Mr. William The Commission appoynts Mr. William Turnbull in the 
 GeneraUs 10 thG P l ' eso y^ e " e °f K e l so ? a s of before, to repaire with diligence to 
 regiment. the Generalls regiment. 
 
 Sir John Concerning Sir John Smith, the Commission finds in 
 
 saTisfaction bhk res P ec t of the reference of the late Assembly touching him, 
 and the appoyntment in July last of intimation to be given to 
 him for his appearing in August therefter, that he is under 
 processe for complyance with the rebells, and therfor of new 
 appoynts him to be required by Messrs. James Flemyng and 
 William Dalgleish to appeir the morne, to ansuer in the 
 mater of the said reference, and in such particulars as shall be 
 informed against him ; and that this advertisment shall be 
 sufficient and aequivalent to a citation. 
 The next meeting the morne before noon. 
 
23 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 73 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 September 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator: Mr. John 
 Oiswald : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. Johne Dalyell : Mr. llitchart Dickson : 
 Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. George Thomson : Mr. David Ochterlony : Mr. Robert Lich- 
 toun : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : 
 Mr. AVilliam Bennet: Mr. William Dalgleisch: Mr. Alexander Somerrell: 
 Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Johne Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Alexander Balfour : Mr. Patrik Flemyng : Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. 
 Johne Weir : Mr. Allan Fergusson : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. William 
 Colvill. Elders. — Lord Balmerinoch : Lord Craighall : Lammingtoun : 
 Arnistoun : Cunynghamhead : Libbertoun : Dudingstoun : James Rouch 
 head : Lawrence Henryson : James Stuart : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly ordaines any farther informa- sir John 
 tions concerning Sir Johne Smyths miscariage and complyance Smith * 
 with the rebells be prepared, with the evidences therof, against 
 the afternoon, and that search be made for the letter sent to 
 Lodovick Lyndsay, wherof the paper producet is alleadget to be 
 the just coppie, against the same tyme : appoynting in the 
 mean tyme the clerk to direct summonds for citing witnesses in 
 toun to the same dyet, and that the agent have a care for 
 execution therof. 
 
 This day Mr. David Forret, personallie present, wes excused, Mr. John 
 and Mr. John Duncan, ane of the list, appoynted to go to the GeneraV 0 the 
 Generalls Excellence, and that letters be written to him and to 
 the Presbyterie for that effect and for supplying his place 
 during his absence. 
 
 The brethren appoynted to speak the Earle Home reporting Erie Home, 
 that they received no satisfaction from his Lordship, neither Gordon g kirk. 
 wes he satisfied with the mater of Gordon kirk ; Therfor the 
 Commissioners appoynt the brethren to speak my Lord again 
 in the said mater. 
 
 The Commission appoynt James Ogilvie if he go North to James Ogilvie. 
 conferre with Mr. John Robertson, minister at Dundy, Mr. 
 Sylvester Lambie, minister at Glames, and Mr. William Rate, 
 minister at Brechin, and that he carie himself everie way as it 
 becomes one in his condition. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt .-—Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator : Mr. William 
 Colvill: Mr. William Bennet: Mr. John Oiswald : Mr. William Dalgleish: 
 
74 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMxMISSION [23 SEP. 
 
 Act concerning 
 Sir John 
 Smyths satis- 
 faction. 
 
 Remonstrance 
 
 concerning 
 
 Argyll. 
 
 Ansuer to the 
 Commissioners 
 at London. 
 
 Mr. Patrick Colvill: Mr. Patrick Flemyng: Mr, Andro Cant: Mr. John 
 Moncreiff : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. Johne Dalyell : Mr. Ritchard 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Allan Fergusson : 
 Mr. David Dickson: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. 
 John Hamilton : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Alexander Somervell : Mr. 
 James Nasmith : Mr. John Knox : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. David Auchterlony : Mr. Robert 
 Lightoun : Mr. W illiam Adair : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Thomas 
 Wilkie. Elders. — Buckcleugh : Balmerinoch : Maister of Yester : Lord 
 Craighall ; Laird Cesnock ; Laird Dudingstoun ; Laird Libbertoun : Laird 
 Arnistoun : James Roughhead : Lawrence Henryson: George Porterfeild : 
 Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie having con- 
 sidered the mater concerning Sir Johne Smyth, Lord Pro vest 
 of Edinburgh, referred unto them by the late Assembly, and 
 having this day heard himself, personallie present, acknowledge 
 his sorrow and greiff of heart for his accession to the publishing 
 of James Grahames proclamations, to that letter sent to 
 Lodovick Lyndsay and James Ogilvy, and to the receiving a 
 protection for the town, and for his other failings in that kind 
 in the houre of tentation from a prevailing suord and a rageing 
 pestilence : As also perceiving his sense of the provocation of 
 God by these his offences, with his humble submission of him- 
 selfe to what censure should be enjoyned for the same ; Therfor 
 that the publik scandall therof may be removed, the Commis- 
 sion appoynts him to acknowledge humblie upon his knees his 
 said offences tomorrow, the 24 of this instant, in the East Kirk 
 of Edinburgh, in his own seat after sermon. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Clerk to cause print the 
 Remonstrance concerning Argyll as soon as the ansuer therof 
 shall be obtained from the Committee, together with their 
 Lordships ansuer given therunto. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the ansuer following to be sent to 
 the Commissioners at London with diligence : — 
 
 ' Right hoxourablll and dearlie beloved brethren : — As 
 we blesse the Lord who lies put yow in his service, and of quhom 
 yow have obtained mercie to be accompted faithfull, so we can 
 not but acknowledge your watchfulness and diligence to giue 
 both unto the General Assembly and us an exact accompt of 
 your proceedings at all occasions. And we do not question 
 but according to your former zeale yow will continue to 
 acquite yourselves with all integrity and care in the place 
 quhair yow ar for promoving the work of Reformation and 
 
23 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 75 
 
 Vniformity in all seasonable and fair wayes. Albeit as yet we 
 have not attained the hight of our hopes and desires in that 
 work, yet we wer more then ingrate if we should not acknow- 
 ledge the great things which the Lord lies done in making so 
 many mountaines plaines, and crooked things straight, and 
 laying so fair a foundation for a more perfect building. For 
 the particulars quhairin yow craue our judgment, we do not 
 think that so much weight is to be laid upon the want of a 
 full vniformity in religion betuixt the kingdomes, or upon the 
 present differences concerning it, as that the so much desired 
 peace should be therby hindered, or a quarrell betuixt the 
 kingdomes founded thereupon. Neither in the poynt of 
 conscience and Covenant is the perfyting of the vniformity in 
 religion to be stood upon, as a condition, without which our 
 army shall not remove out of that kingdome, and consequently 
 without which there shall be no peace. We do conceive it 
 encumbent unto yow and us both in this nick of tyme seriouslie 
 to studie and endevour the preservation of the vnion betuixt 
 the kingdomes, that the bond of our Covenant may be keept 
 inviolable, as that which is most necessarie for the safety of 
 both kingdomes and of religion therin. Our eyes wer so much 
 upon this at our last meeting that quhen the Committee of 
 Estates wes pleased to communicat unto us some articles for 
 pressing the work of vniformity, that for our satisfaction we did 
 desire a conference with some of their number ; after the hear- 
 ing of quhom we did humblie offer unto the Committee itself a 
 paper, quhairin we professe ourselves to rest satisfied upon the 
 meaning of these articles, as they wer laid open to ws in that 
 meeting. A coppie of this paper we have herewith sent unto 
 yow, by which yow will perceive how circumspect and tender 
 we stryve to be in all things, that may be grounds of jealousie 
 or feare in this poynt of so high concernment. We shall 
 trouble yow no farther at this tyme, but desire the Lord, 
 quhom yow serue, so to blesse yow and your paines that his 
 pleasour may prosper in your hands, and that we and yow both 
 may sie and enjoy the fruit of the travell of your soules, unto 
 your own encouragment and the comfort of 
 
 Your affectioned and deir brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS OF 
 
 23 September 1640. the Generall Assembly. 
 
76 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [9 NOV. 
 
 ' Postscript, — We received a letter from the Synod of Argyle 
 bearing the danger that threatens religion and the work of 
 Reformation in this Hand from the purposes and practises of 
 the rebellis there, which we took so farre into consideration as 
 to present a Remonstrance concerning it to the Committee of 
 Estates ; a copie of both we have sent unto vow ; and thinks 
 iitt that in relation therto vow should desire the Commis- 
 sioners of this kingdom with vow, to deale seriously with the 
 Parliament, to do what may be most conduceable for prevent- 
 ing both their own danger and ours. For the Committees 
 answer — their Lordships ar to give it with diligence, and so 
 soone as it shall be obtained the clerk is to send a coppy of it 
 unto yow. 1 
 
 Direct: To their reverend brethren the Commissioners for the 
 Kirk of Scotland at London, These. 
 Earie Seafort. Concerning the petition of the Earle of Seafort this day pre- 
 sented, the Commission of Assembly finds, that they cannot 
 change their former judgment concerning the petitioner, given 
 upon the 18th of this instant, and therfor remits his stay heir 
 and his sroin£ hence to himself ; and for ministers to conferre 
 with him they have already resolved therupon on the 19 of 
 this instant, which resolution they appoynt to be given unto 
 him. 
 
 Edinburgh. 9 November lb'4-fj. 
 Lodovick Gor- This day Mr. Robert Ferquhard gave in to the Clerk, Lodo- 
 dons Renuncia- v i c k Gordon, sone of Sir Robert Gordon, his renunciation of 
 
 tion of Seaforts . ' 7 
 
 Band. Seaforts band to be put upon record according to the ordi- 
 
 nance of the 20 day of August last, tenor of which followes : — 
 4 Whereas I amongst diverse others of greater age and abili- 
 ties and more experienced in affairs then myself have sub- 
 scribed the Earle of Seafort his unhappie Remonstrance, think- 
 ing therby that I did nothing either against our Nationall 
 Covenant and League, or to offend either the Church or 
 Estates of this kingdome, such wes my miserable ignorance ; 
 yet finding now that it hath proven contrary to my intention, 
 I do heirby declare that I am heartily sorie for what I have 
 done, and do really disclaime the said unhappie Remonstrance ; 
 and shall stryve and endevour by God his grace to walk more 
 warely and circumspectly in all tyme coming ; Submitting 
 
1 1 xov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 77 
 
 myself heirin to the favour of the Generall Assembly of the 
 Church of this kingdome, or their Commissioners, earnestly 
 intreating them to pardon my offence in this escape. In 
 witness of this my unfained repentance for and detestation of 
 my deplorable escape and earnest entreaty for pardon therof, 
 first at the hands of God, and then at his Church, whom I 
 have offended, I have subscribed these presents with my hand 
 the ffyft of November 1646, before thir witnesses, Mr. Robert 
 Farquhar, late provest of Aberden, and Patrick Dun, his ser- 
 vitor. Sub tur , Lodouick Gordon, 
 
 Patrick Di ne, witnes, Mr. Robert Farquhar, witness 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William 
 Dalgleische : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Robert Eliot : 
 Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David Calderwood : 
 Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith: Mr. John Hay: Mr. Walter Greg: Mr. 
 George Thomson : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Oustean : Mr. 
 Johne Xevay : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Johne Lyndsay : Mr. Johne 
 Robieson : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Johne Oiswald : Mr. John Mon- 
 creiff: Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. John Leirmont : Mr. Patrick 
 Colvill : Mr. Alexander Turnbull : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Andro Cant: 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Thomas Donaldson. Elders. — Lord Marques 
 Argyll : Earle Craufurd Lyndsay : Earle Glencairne : Earle Cassillis : 
 Earie Tullibardin : Earle Lanerk : Lord Angus : Lord Burghlie : Lord 
 Balmerinoch : Maister of Yester : Lord Waristoun : Lord Craighall : 
 Laird Lammingtoun : Laird Garthland : Laird Clerkingtoun : Laird 
 Cesnok : Laird Blacader : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudingstoun : Laird 
 Glanderstoun : Laird Colbrandspeth : Laird Wodderlie : Laird Brodie : 
 George Porterfeild : George Gairdin : Lawrence Henderson : Johne 
 Sempill : Johne Kennedy. 
 
 This day, in respect of the absence of Mr. Robert Blair, Election, 
 Moderator of the Commission, a list was made for choosing a Douglas, 
 moderator, viz., Messrs. Robert Douglas, Andro Cant, Johne Moderator. 
 Adamson, Johne Moncreiff ; and the said Mr. Robert Douglas 
 was chosen Moderator for the meeting in all the sessions therof 
 in caice of the said Mr. Robert Blair his absence. 
 
 This day, my Lord Wariestoun having produced a letter Waristouns 
 from the Commissioners at London of the date of 27 October, Re P° rt « 
 with the papers therin mentioned, and after reading therof, 
 having made a relation of the proceedings of the said Commis- 
 sioners, to which relation the Lord Marques of Argyll and the 
 Lord Balmerinoch did agree respectivly according to their 
 
78 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u no v. 
 
 employments there ; and the Commission also having caused 
 read the speaches delyvered by Wariestoun to the Parliament 
 and Assemblie of Divines : Therfor thinks that the saidis Com- 
 missioners entrusted by the Assemblie deserve many thanks 
 (which the Moderator is to deliver to the Lord Marques, Bal- 
 merinoch, and Waristoun for themselves and remanent Com- 
 missioners) for their great paines, travels, and diligence, remit- 
 ing the dew examination of the particulars to the Generall 
 Assembly : Ordaining also that the said speeches be put upon 
 record, and that the Lord Waristoun deliver coppies thereof 
 to the Clerk for that effect. 
 
 Followes the said letter and the papers therein mentioned: — 
 Letter from the ' Reverexd and kf.loved brethrex, — Vnderstanding of a 
 at 0 L<^don nerS more solemne meeting of yours in the begining of the next 
 moneth (although the Lord Waristoun, lately gone from us, 
 can and will informe yow sufficiently of the condition of affaires 
 heir, yet) we held it our duety to give yow some additionall 
 accompt, beside what we wrote before ; still remitting to him a 
 more particular information. 
 
 We have prepared a paper (the copie quhairof we herewith 
 send unto yow), containing our desires of what is yet wanting 
 in the poynt of reformation, which is to be given in at the first 
 convenient occasion to the Grand Committee (appoynted to 
 treat with us), and from them to be transmitted to both 
 Houses of Parliament and to the Assembly. 
 
 The Confession of Faith is not yet perfected by the Assem- 
 blie, neither is there any more of it yet sent up to the Parlia- 
 ment but 19 chapters, concerning which an order wes sent to 
 the Assemblie, which occasioned a petition of theirs, wherupon 
 another order wes sent unto them. The copies of all three 
 yee will herewith receive, together with the late ordinance con- 
 cerning the Prelats and their lands. 1 
 
 We supposed we had sent before the Remonstrance of the 
 
 dissenting brethren concerning their declyning to deliver in 
 
 their modell of Church Government, and the Assemblies ansuer 
 
 1 These two Orders of the House of Commons are given in the printed 
 Minutes of the Westminster Assembly, pp. 294-5 > a ^ so m tne Journals of the 
 House of Commons, vol. iv. pp. 688, 692. The petition here referred to has not 
 been inserted either in the Minutes of the Assembly or the Journals of the Com- 
 mons, and we are indebted for our knowledge of its contents to these Records of 
 the Commission. The Ordinance is given in the Lords' Jotirnals, vol. viii. p. 515. 
 
1 1 Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 79 
 
 tberunto 1 but upon a review we find they wer not sent, 
 wherfor we send both these unto yow at this tyme. A part of 
 the Catechisme is agreed upon in the Assemblie ; the rest of 
 it lyeth aside till the Confession of Faith be finished. The 
 House of Commons hath made some progresse in the ordinance 
 for suppressing and punishing of those that maintain and pub- 
 lish haeresies and other errouris destructive to the peace of the 
 Church ; but it is not yet finished. In the citie of London all 
 the classes ar not yet erected, but some are, which have also 
 mett and ordained diverse ministers. This is all we have to 
 communicat for the present, and so, desiring your prayers and 
 directions what yow shall further think fitt, we rest, 
 
 Sub* ur , Your loving brethern, 
 
 Loudoun, Samtjell Ruthereurd, 
 Worcester House, Lauderdaill, Robert Baillie, 
 
 27th of October 1646. G FO< GrlLLASPIE. 1 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 6 As the other Reformed Churches have beine much comforted Paper given by 
 with the hopefull beginnings and some happie progresse of a sionS™™ 1S ~ 
 glorious Reformation of religion in this kingdome, so especially Q°"nd co° the 
 the Church of Scotland (which is more neerly concerned, and raittee. 
 must needs expect to partake more then other Churches of the 
 good or evill which shall here take root), hath greatly rejoyced 
 and given thanks to God for so great a mercie. Neverthelesse 
 they ar also myndfull of the vowes of God, which ar upon all 
 the thrie kingdomes, to endeavour such a reformation of 
 religion in the kingdome of England and Ireland, in doctrine, 
 worship, discipline, and government, as is according to the 
 Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches, 
 and to endevour the neerest vniformity in all these between 
 the Churches of God in the thrie kingdomes, together with the 
 extirpation of haeresy and schisme ; lest partaking in other 
 mens sins they be in danger to receive of their plagues : which 
 things they did not oblige themselves to endeavour for a tyme, 
 but constantly, till they be obtained. Wherfor, in pursuance 
 of the ends of the Covenant, and in discharge of that trust 
 
 1 Both were published in 1645-6, and are reprinted in Hanbury's Historical 
 Memorials relating to the Independents, vol. iii. pp. 2-33. 
 
80 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [n NOV. 
 
 which is committed to us, as likwise that some further account 
 may be given by us to the Parliament of Scotland, and to a 
 solemne meeting of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly 
 at Edinburgh (both being to meet shortly), we have taken this 
 occasion (without the least presumeing to prescribe any wayes, 
 or to impose any conditions), to renew our most earnest desires 
 to the honourabill Houses of Parliament, and to the reverend 
 Assembly of Divines for their part, that all possible care may 
 be taken, and greater diligence used, to expedite the begun 
 Reformation and Vniformity, to supplie and make up those 
 parts that ar yet wanting, and to put on and make eff'ectuall 
 what is already agreed upon. More particularly we doe desire 
 that the Confession of Faith and Catechisme may be perfected 
 and established, that course may be taken for the better 
 observing of the Directory of Worship, which is in many places 
 either wholly or in diverse materiall poynts neglected ; that 
 the censure of excommunication, and some other things 
 belonging to Church Government, contained in the advice of 
 the Assemblie of Divines to both Houses, but not yet settled 
 by Ordinances of Parliament, may be taken into consideration, 
 and the resolution of the honourabill Houses may be knowne 
 therupon ; and that in the meanwhile (as well before as after 
 the setling of Church Government), the civill power may (ac- 
 cording to the Word of God and the example of the best 
 Magistrats both of old and of late), proceed to the suppressing of 
 those scandalous books, doctrines, or practices which ar destruc- 
 tive to the Christian faith, the power of godlynes, or the peace 
 of the Church ; there being nothing more pernicious both to 
 Church and State then the leaving of all men to an autonomy 
 in religion. For, although it be farre from our thoughts to be 
 so rigid as by intention, counsell, or suggestion to be accessory 
 to the persecuting or troubling of pious and peaceable men, 
 who, through scruple of conscience, cannot in all things come 
 up to the common rule in poynt of Church Government ; and, 
 as it never wes, so it is not our purpose to make any impedi- 
 ment to the favouring or forbearing of such, so farre as mav 
 agree with the Word of God, stand with the publik peace, 
 and not be destructive to the order and government of the 
 Church; yet we cannot choose but againe represent the extreame 
 necessity that some speedy and effectuall remedy may be 
 
ii NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 81 
 
 provided for cureing the present and preventing the future 
 infection of pernicious errouris and hseresies, which multiplie, 
 grow, and spread daylie more and more, to the great dishonour 
 of God, to the shaking of the verie foundations of the Christian 
 faith, to the seduceing and destroying of many poore soules, to 
 the hardening and strengthening of the common enemy, to the 
 renting and divyding of Church and State, to the scandalizing 
 of the Reformed Churches, and to the disappoynting of the 
 ends of the Covenant. So that it is now high tyme to purge 
 out (we can not say a little leaven, but) that which hath 
 alreadie leavened a great part of the lump. We do therfor 
 pray and trust that God will so direct the counsels and prosper 
 the endevours of the honourabill Houses of Parliament for 
 the reformation of religion and the peace of the Church, that 
 their care and zeale may appear to be greater for the things of 
 Christ than for their own things, to the glorie of God and of 
 his Sonne Jesus Christ, the only Head and King of his Church, 
 to the strenthening of the hearts and hands of their freends, 
 and to the stopping of the mouths of their adversaries. 
 
 The particulars above expressed we offer to this honourabill 
 and reverend Committee, to be presented to the honourabill 
 Houses of Parliament, whose resolution and ansuere therin we 
 earnestlie desire, not only for our owne exoneration, but that 
 we may seasonably give an account of our proceedings to those 
 who have intrusted us, and do expect a further account from 
 us, but also for the comfort and encouragment of the Church 
 and kingdome of Scotland, and of the Scottish army, whose 
 departur out of this kingdome within a short tyme, as it is 
 really intended by themselves, so it will be the more comfort- 
 able and cheerefull if now, after all their paines, hazards, and 
 sufferings, they shall know of a farther progresse in that which 
 chiefly engaged them in this cause.' 
 
 6 To THE HONOURABILL HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT Coppie of the 
 
 assembled. — The Assemblie of Divines having received an Assembiyof 16 
 order from this honourabill House, bearing date the 9th of 2™"| s J® tUe 
 October, that five hundreth copies of the Advice of the Commons in 
 Assembly of Divines concerning part of a Confession of Faith, 0^9° ^ 
 brought into this House, and no more, be forthwith printed for October 1646. 
 
 F 
 
82 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 the use of the members of both Houses only, and that the 
 Divines be desired to put in the margent the proofs out of 
 Seriptur to continue what they have offered to the House, in 
 such places as they shall think most necessarie ; Do humblie 
 represent that they ar willing and readie to obey that order. 
 Nevertheles they humblie desire this honourabill House to con- 
 sider that the reason why the Assembly have not annexed any 
 texts of Seriptur to the severall branches of the Confession 
 which ar sent up, wer, not only because the former Articles of 
 the Church of England have not any, but principally because 
 the Confession, being large, and as we conceive, requisit so to 
 be, to setle the orthodox doctrine according to the Word of 
 God and the Confession of the best Reformed Churches, so as to 
 meet with common errouris, if the Scripturs should have bene 
 alleadged with any cleirnesse to shew where the strength of the 
 proofe lyes, it would have required a volume. As also because 
 the most of the particulars, being received trueths among all 
 Churches, there was seldome any debate about the treuth or 
 falshood of any article or clause, but rather about the maner 
 of expression or the fitnesse to have it put into the Confession. 
 Wherupon, quhen there wer any texts debated in the Assembly, 
 they wer never put to the vote, and therfor evrie text now 
 to be annexed must be not only debated, but also voted in the 
 Assembly ; and it is frie for evrie one to offer what texts he 
 thinks fitt to be debated, and to vrge the annexing of scriptures 
 to such or such a branch as he thinks necessary, which is lyk to 
 be a work of great lenth. So that we humblie conceive if it be 
 the pleasure of this honourabill House that we should annexe 
 scriptures, it is not possible that we should foorthwith proceed 
 to the printing of the Confession.'' 1 
 
 Followis the tenor of the said speeches : — 
 
 4 Mr. Proloquutor, my sicknes hath retarded the delivery of 
 this letter. I shall be loath to interrupt long your serious 
 debates about other affairs ; but since it is in obedience to their 
 comands, who wrote the letter, I shall for a litle space crave 
 your patience. 
 
 1 A second order for printing these 19 chapters of the Confession was given 
 on 23d October, and they were printed forthwith. 
 
1 1 nov ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 83 
 
 Your letter of the 15th of Januar directed unto the Com- Lor 4 
 mission of the Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland, speach to the 
 wes so full of resolution and confidence to carrie through the Div?nes ly ° f 
 work of God against all difficulties on all hands, and so full of 
 expressions of hearty love and respect unto them, and came so 
 seasonablie unto them to be communicated to the Estates of 
 Parliament in the very tyme quhen they wer exceedingly 
 grieved to heare of the increase of sects and of great endevours 
 for tolleration therof within this kingdome, as also of many 
 base calumnies invented and vented by unknoun authors against 
 that kingdome, their armies, and Commissioners, to raise 
 jealousies and disaffections betueen the kingdomes ; so that 
 nothing could have bene more seasonable and comfortable unto 
 them to revive and refresh them in so sadd a tyme then your 
 letter of the 15th of Januar. 
 
 Sir, I can assure yow this their returne is not in ane com- 
 plimentall or customary way of ansuering affectionat expressions 
 with the like, but did proceed from their reall sence and lyvely 
 apprehension of the great assistance wherwith the Lord hes 
 furnished and countenanced this Assembly in their debates and 
 results, quhairby they have obtained in the hearts of the Church 
 of Scotland ane high place and great esteem, which the Com- 
 missioners of the Generall Assembly, in their own meeting, in 
 their conferences with the Estates of Parliament, in their 
 preachings, and in their prayers, and at all occasions testefied, 
 and with all expressed their great confidence that the Author 
 of this work, who hath called and assisted yow hitherto, will 
 perfect and prosper this his work even in your hands. 
 
 They ar not ignorant of your difficulties, and as they pray 
 earnestly unto God, who hes most interesse in the erection of 
 the thron of his Sonne, to remove all mountaines and obstruc- 
 tions out of your way, so they desire at all occasions to testefie 
 their consent, and contribute their testimony to encourage 
 your hearts and strengthen your hands, that ye may go on with 
 cheerfulnesse and without wearying to the end of the work. 
 
 They shew yow in their letter the summ of their desires 
 and designes, and both Church and State in that land have 
 often even of late, since their great troubles, declared before 
 God and man that the setling of religion, the establishing of 
 
84 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [n Nov. 
 
 vniformity between the Churches, and the continuing the 
 brotherly correspondence and vnity betueen these kingdomes 
 to be their chieffe and choisest demands, upon the grant 
 quhairof they ar verie hopefull of the Lords inclyning all 
 mens minds to an happie agreement of all other differences, and 
 without the establishing of these they cannot prognosticat nor 
 expect any solid peace or prosperitie to these kingdomes. The 
 reason is cleare, for they conceive those to be Gods designes 
 and interests in these kingdomes, and they can never be per- 
 suaded that these commotions were raised or continued by 
 Gods providence for civill ends and interest of parties, man, or 
 men, or that these commotions will be calmed and finallie 
 setled, until Gods designes for his Sone, his Church and cause, 
 be first accomplished. 
 
 They presse the lesse upon yow the poynt of vniformity 
 because they know ye have past the most important and 
 difficult parts therof, and so will continue with all diligence 
 to perfyte what remains. But becaus the stoppe lyes at the 
 honourable Houses, they have pressed it by three severall letters, 
 directed unto them, since the dounsitting of our Parliament. 
 They wryt more concerning the vnion and brotherly correspon- 
 dence betueen the nations, because they perceive of late more 
 endevours against it nor ever of before. 
 
 Truely, Sir, the scandalous papers and slandering letters of 
 unknown authors wes verie grievous to all honest men in 
 Scotland, who might and did, with Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, 
 attest the Lord God of Gods, the Covenanted God of this 
 Island, that he knew, and Israel might know, that never such 
 an imagination did enter in their thoughts. And therfor 
 the Committee of the Estates of Scotland have written a full 
 and free letter to the Honourable Houses that if any of that 
 kingdome, or in their armie, or any of the Commissioners, had 
 kept any correspondencie with the enemy at all, or any dealing 
 with any other State, to the prejudice of this cause and vnity 
 between the kingdomes, they do therin promise a reall demon- 
 stration of their justice by the exemplarie punishment of so 
 haynous delinquents ; but withall expecting from the honour- 
 able Houses, in this case where the informations ar so mani- 
 festly false, ane exact searching out and condigne punishing of 
 
ii Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 85 
 
 these incendiaries who, by the inventing of so basse calumnies, 
 endevour to sow division betueen brethren. 
 
 I have beine these four moneths in Scotland, and had the 
 honour to be present in the judicatories of that Church and 
 State, and so may with the greater confidence and truth averr 
 that there is no designe, contryvance, nor project in them to 
 breed or foment the smallest difference betueen the kingdomes, 
 much lesse to countenance or harbour any such divisive or 
 dangerous motions as ar mentioned in these papers. I have 
 tryed and found the like in the officers of our army, who have 
 writtin a full and free letter to the Parliament, which I am 
 confident will give satisfaction to any that shall read it. Let 
 us give and receive mutuall and brotherly satisfaction in all 
 mistakes. Let vis all pray, speake, and doe our utmost for the 
 continuance of the happie conjunction of the counsels and 
 courses of both kingdomes in the prosecution of this work, for 
 therin, under God, lyeth their strength, their wisdome, and 
 their solid peace and prosperity. 
 
 Sir, wee have all acknouledged often in our declarationes to 
 the world, in our actions, and in our prayers unto God, that the 
 Lord had joyned these tuo nations, as the tuo sticks of Judah 
 and Israel, in his own hand. Wee have all passed betueen the 
 parts of the calfe, and know what he hath foretold should be 
 said by the subsequent generations concerning the nation that 
 should be forgetfull of their Covenant and guilty of the breach 
 therof. If we had beine joyned in a common providence be 
 civill bonds and relations for humane interest and ends, incen- 
 diaries might have had hope to effectuat their designes. But 
 seing in so special a way, by so sacred bonds, for so religious 
 ends, God with his own hand hath cast the knott, and fastned 
 these nations together, we ar confident that all the machina- 
 tions of men and devills shall not be able to separate whom God 
 hes joyned, and hath so joyned in himselfe, for himselfe, be 
 himselfe, and to himselfe, that certainly this is Vnionum vxio 
 ix deo. We ar in this confidence the more confermed that 
 we haue God himself as one of the partyes-contracters and 
 Covenanter with us, that his name shall be one through this 
 Island, and that we shall love and live as brethren, serving this 
 his great name, and transmitt the same affections and desires 
 to the generations that shall come after us. 1 
 
86 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u Nov. 
 
 Lord Waristons 6 My Lords axd Gentlemen, — We ar now come to debate 
 Sh^ment^of upon the proposition of religion which containeth quod maodme 
 deeming the ^ c ^sarmm^ if not vnum, and wherin Christ, these tuo king- 
 propositions for doms joyntly, and evrie one of them apart, is most concerned. 
 
 Christ lies most interes in the pursuance of that article of 
 our Covenant which is not only in his name, as all the rest ar, 
 but also for his name, his croun, throne and scepter ; and as it 
 is the first article of our Covenant amongst the sevin, like the 
 first day of the week amongst the seavin, dedicat to himself in 
 a peculiar maner, so, as Christs article, it clames from us most 
 exact performance. 
 
 The tuo kingdoms ar most concerned, as both of them have 
 often acknowledged their happynes and their vnion to depend 
 therupon. I need not cite our Declarations, but only tuo 
 passages of the Declaration of the honourable Houses sent to 
 the Church of Scotland, 1 pag. 601, — That they have ever made 
 it their chiefest aime, the reformation of Church discipline; and 
 that as the samyne is the greatest honour and service that God 
 receiveth from his people, so they with their brethren acknou- 
 ledge it to be the most powerfull meane to preserve the truth 
 and purity of the reformed religion from Popry, sects and 
 haeresies, and to unite the more firmly and closely the tuo 
 Churches and nations, and to be the surest foundation of glory, 
 strenth and happynes which God bestowes upon any nation. 
 And pag. 604, 605, they desire us to send some divines to the 
 Assemblie here, wherby an vniformity of Church Government 
 may be obtained, and therby an easie passage to setle one 
 Confession, one Directory, and one Catechisme in all the thrie 
 kingdoms, which, through Gods blessings, would most advance 
 the honour and service of God, enlarge the greatnesse, power, 
 and glory of the King, confirme the peace, prosperity, and 
 security of his kingdomes, and tend to the relieff of the 
 afflicted churches abroad, and to the rwin of Antichrist. We 
 ar in a particular maner concerned by covenant, by treaty, by 
 lossing our peace and hasarding our life for it, by your Lord- 
 ships requiring our consent to this proposition, and lastly, by 
 our mutuall brotherly interest, wherby we sink or swime, stand 
 
 1 Collection of Remonstrances, Declarations, &c. Husband, London, 1643. 
 The Scots Declaration is given on pp. 595-600. 
 
1 1 Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 87 
 
 or fall together, and therfor let none think we ar curious in 
 Eeclesia aid Republica aliena when we debate upon this pro- 
 position. For we ar bound by Covenant, — 
 
 1. To endevour the reformation of religion in England 
 and Irland in doctrin, worship, discipline, and government, 
 according to the Word of God and the example of the best 
 Reformed Churches, even as your Lordships ar bound to 
 endevour the preservation of the reformed religion in the 
 Church of Scotland in doctrin, worship, discipline, and govern- 
 ment against our common enemyis. 
 
 2. We ar bound to endevour the preservation of our own, 
 and so whatsoever is necessary therunto. But not only the 
 kingdome of Scotland in their papers and Remonstrances in the 
 yeir 1641, and the Generall Assembly, Commissioners of the 
 Kirk, Lords of Secreit Counsell, and Conservers of the Peace, 
 in their severall papers unto this kingdom, have declared the 
 impossibility to preserve theirs in peace without the reforma- 
 tion of this Church and the Government therof ; but also the 
 honourable Houses of Parliament in their declarations acknou- 
 ledge the samyn, and that one and the same fate attended both 
 kingdoms in maters of Religion and Church Government, and 
 that quhatsoever corruptions should remain in England will 
 quickly spread their venome and infection to the neighbour 
 Church of Scotland. And upon this verie ground, and upon the 
 assurance of the tuo Houses fullie concurring with us in 
 these pious intentions, as their commissioners in their papers 
 expressed to us ; and that the Houses had fully declared that 
 the true state and cause of this quarrell wes for religion, in 
 reformation quhairof they wer so forward and zealous, as that 
 nothing wes expressed in our former or later Declarations which 
 they had not seriously taken to heart and sinceirly endevoured 
 to effect, that so the tuo kingdoms may be brought to a neere 
 conjunction in one forme of Church Government, one Directory 
 and Confession, and one Catechisme ; and as the most effectuall 
 and ready means therunto, they craved a stricter league with 
 us, and our assistance of them, which upon this verie ground 
 we did grant. And therfor, albeit all the world knoweth the 
 great ground of our engagement wes for religion, yet we have 
 no article or proposition to seek of the King for our religion, 
 
ScS 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 hut onlv this proposition in debate, for the setling of your 
 reformation in a way of vniformity as the security of ours ; 
 which bringeth in the third part of the first article of the 
 Covenant, laving a new obligation on us, and giving us a new 
 interest by our promise and duety to endevour the neirest 
 conjunction and vniformity. that we and our posterity after us 
 may live as brethren in faith and love. 
 
 The treatie is in pursuance of these ends, and our assistance 
 and the hazarding of our lives is conforme therto, and our 
 assent which is craved to this proposition in general! termes 
 must be ruled by our conscience, and our conscience by our 
 Covenant, wherby we ar bound sinceirly, reallie, and constantly 
 in our vocation (and so as Commissioners of that Church and 
 State for debateing and agreeing the propositions) to endevour 
 it and give our judgment theranent, as that which falleth 
 under the articles of the Covenant, ends of the Treaty, proposi- 
 tions of peace: That which yow desired us to engage for, and 
 judge of as necessarie for us, and so necessary as to ware our 
 lives for it, we have farre more reason to plead for it and 
 interest to judge anent it. But laying these aside, is not our 
 mutuall brotherly interest sufficient for brethren borne in one 
 Hand, sworne by one Covenant, to forwarne one another of their 
 sinne and danger ? Shall we see a flee in your cuppe, poyson 
 in your pott, a worme in the gourd of your happie successe 
 and prosperity, and be silent ; will we not smart with yow for 
 it ? Why shall there be wrath on the Hand ? Let all in the 
 House of God be done according to the will of God, and take 
 what we speake with freedome as from conscience and common 
 interest, and not from presunption, incroatching or intermedd- 
 ling in Republlca alicna. 
 
 Yow assured the kingdome of Scotland in your Declarations 
 sent unto them of tuo things especially : — 1. That the enemies 
 designes wes to subvert religion and the government of the 
 State ; c 2. That your designes and desires wer to reform religion 
 as most agreeable to the Word of God and neerest to the 
 Reformed Churches, and to setle a more firme and close vnion 
 between the nations, and to preserve and nowayes to diminish 
 the Kings just power and authority. Wpon tuo solide grounds 
 these wer declared and vrged in verie many declarations sent 
 
1 1 Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 89 
 
 unto us (wherof I shall specify the particulars whensoever yow 
 require) both to keep that nation from joyning with the King 
 who charged vow with the contrary intentions, and to engage 
 them with and for yow. By our beleeving these declarations 
 ve obteined both your desires. We have heartily concurred in 
 the warre, and we hope in the close therof ye will do nothing 
 to make us repent it. Wheras it wes insinuated by one in 
 the last dayes debate upon another subject that these declara- 
 tions were occasionall and alterable at the arbitrament of the 
 Houses, we desire your Lordships to remember that yow told us 
 yow would live and dye in that quarrell ; that upon these 
 grounds yow invited and engaged us in the quarrell, that yow 
 declared the same to other nations, that yow conjured all who 
 had Christianity or charity to believe yow, that many tymes 
 yow attested the name of God to the truth of your expressions 
 and sincerity of these your intentions, that yow declared this 
 wes the greatest obligation that a Christian, and most solemne 
 and publik faith that a State or Parliament could give, that 
 no Christian or brother could misbeleeve a Parliament, so 
 declaring, so protesting, and so swearing, that yow made these 
 declarations to deceive none but to undeceive all men, least 
 they should be ensnared by the contrary aspersions ; and that 
 if these who wer formerly emitted by the honourable Houses 
 shall not be trusted nor rested on, how shall the present or 
 subsequent declarations which can be of no greater authority, 
 nor made with greater asseveration, be hereafter credited or 
 relyed upon ? So that I cannot beleeve that ever the wisdome, 
 piety, loyalty, integrity, faithfulnes, and policie of the honour- 
 able Houses will ever suffer them to heare from any of their 
 members, or admitt of such heterodox doctrin of an arbitrary 
 alterability of so reall duetyis, founded on such deep founda- 
 tions in relation to God, this Church and State, and vnion of 
 the kingdomes, and so solemne declarations backed by attesta- 
 tions and oaths, upon any motives whatsoever of new successes 
 or interests or ends, which ar the worst interpreters in the 
 world of former covenants, treaties and duetyes not to be 
 admitted amongst Christians, let be covenanting brethren, 
 amongst quhom honesty and sincerity will hold out to the 
 long runne, where subtilty, nimblnes, and Machievellian policie 
 
90 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u Nov. 
 
 will fail in the midle, and will be blasted insteed of a blessing 
 from the Author of this Cause. 
 
 In honest simplicity we beleeved those things, and still we 
 expect from the faith fumes of the Parliament the performance 
 thereof, and persuade ourselves they will never let this Cove- 
 nant, Treaty, and warre engaged for these ends ; reformation 
 and vniformity of religion, the honour, happynes, authority of 
 his Majestie and his posterity, the neerer vnion of these king- 
 doms, and the publik safety, liberty, and peace of these king- 
 domes (which cannot have the beeing, let be the well beeing of 
 kingdomes, let be of vnite kingdoms, without preservation of 
 the Crowne, nor the Croun continue a Crowne without the 
 suord and scepter) thus end in a disconformity and in a con- 
 fusion of all religions, in a disjoyning of former bonds of 
 vnion betueen the nations, setled in the large Treaty, in so 
 great a diminution of the Kings authority, and dissolution of 
 the antient government of the kingdome and confusion of the 
 State. I can not believe that they will give way to it, and 
 least of all, that God will permitt this most glorious work to 
 have so strange a close. But leaving all these declarations, let 
 us returne to our Covenant, wherof wee beginne the preamble, 
 by and attoure the title, with an attestation of having before 
 our eyes the advancement of the kingdome of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ, and we end the Covenant with the clause 
 of the enlargement of the kingdome of Jesus Christ, as the 
 principall effect of our Covenant, and we article the setling of 
 religion in Doctrin, Disciplin, Worship, and Government, and 
 taking away haeresies and schismes in the first and secund 
 article, as ansuering to that ground and ayme before our eyes, 
 and produceing that effect, and so as founded on and tending 
 to the advancement of the Crowne of Christ, according to our 
 daylie prayer, Let thy kingdome come. Even as to the other 
 aimes, and for the other effects relative to the King or king- 
 doms, other articles are conceived, wherin I am the more con- 
 firmed by the rule agreed upon, According to the Word of 
 God, which is not to be understood there negative, as not con- 
 trary to the Word and the example of the Reformed Churches, 
 but ciffirmative, as agreeable, yea, most agreeable to the Word 
 of God, and example of the Reformed Churches, which is the 
 
ii NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 m 
 
 most frequent expression in all the Parliaments declarations to 
 Scotland, especially these sent by their Commissioners, with 
 this addition in the letter of the Assembly of Divines sent by 
 order of the Houses, That so to the utmost of our power we 
 may exalt him that is the only Lord over his Church, his 
 own house, in all his offices, and present this Church as a chast 
 virgine (I hope not to be violented by any civill Commissioners 
 or appareld with civill intermixtures) unto Christ ; all which 
 imports the government of his Church to depend upon his 
 royall office, whereunto we desire to vaill the cape, least we be 
 amongst the number of those who will not have Christ to 
 raigne over them, for that is Theomachy, and the worst kynd 
 of Monochomachy. 
 
 In the title, in the preamble, in the methode of the articles 
 and in the conclusion of the Covenant, wee subjoyne the 
 happynes of King and kingdoms to that enlargement of the 
 kingdome of Christ, as following therupon and caused therby. 
 And the Declarations from the Church of Scotland long since 
 told vow, that unlesse Christ his interest wer setled, whatso- 
 ever successe yow might have, yet a durable and solide peace 
 wes not to be expected. Yow have sein King Charles dashe 
 his idolized prerogative against that stone, that corner-stone 
 of Christs crowne, and God hes brought it low, according to 
 the prediction of many of his servants. As yow love Christ, as 
 yow love yourselves, as yow love us who have hazarded all for 
 yow, dashe not your prosperity, your successes, your previledges 
 against the same, for it will dashe them all in peeces. He hes 
 enlarged our rights ; let us not straiten his tabernacles. Hee 
 can be a moth who hes been a lyon. We may take latitude to 
 cutt or carve upon our own things, but not upon his interests. 
 And your Lordships, going upon grounds of conveniency and 
 humane constitutions, hes a greater liberty in this debate to 
 come to us, then wee, who beleeve the Church Government to 
 be jure divino, established by Christ, the Head and King of his 
 Church, and who goe upon grounds of conscience. Let jus 
 humanum cede to divinum, and conveniency to conscience, and 
 we will soon draw to an end, remembring ay the last clause of 
 our joynt Declaration: — That we have after long and grave con- 
 sultation resolved and decreed never to lay doun armes till truth 
 
92 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [n NOV. 
 
 and peace by the blessing of God be setled in this Island upon 
 a firrae foundation for the present and future generations ; which 
 shall be esteemed of us an abundant reward of all that we can 
 do or suffer in this cause. Let Christ have justice according 
 to his right, in this proposition, and we will the sooner agree in 
 the rest, and expect his blessing the more sensibly therupon." 
 
 Lord Waris- ' Mr. Prolocutor, — I am a stranger, I will not medle with 
 tothe Assembly Parliament priviledges of another nation, nor the breach therof. 
 of Divines in B u t as a Christian under one common Lord, a ruling elder in 
 
 England, in ' ° 
 
 ansuertoSir another Church, and a Parliament man in another kingdome, 
 and^thaniei having a commission both from that Church and State, and at 
 Fynes concern- t ne desire of this kingdome assisting to your debats, I intreat 
 
 ing the breach » t> j ' 
 
 of priviledge. for your favour and patience now (seing at all tymes I can not 
 attend this reverend meeting according to my desire), to 
 expresse my thoughts of what is before yow. In my judgment 
 that is before yow which concerns Christ and these kingdoms 
 most and above all, and which will be the chiefest mean to 
 end or continew these troubles, and that not only speaking 
 humanitus, and looking to the disposition of these kingdomes, 
 but especially in reguard of divine dispensation, which hes 
 bene so speciall and sensible to the rise and continuance of 
 these commotions, as I can never be persuaded they wer raised, 
 or will be calmed, upon the setling of civile ryghts and privi- 
 ledges, either of King or Parliament, whatsoever may seeme to 
 be our present successe. But I am convinced they have a 
 higher rise, from above, for the highest end, the setling the 
 Crown of Christ in this Island, to be propagat from Island to 
 Continent. Untill King Jesus be set doun on his throne, with 
 his scepter in his hand, I do not expect Gods peace, and so no 
 solide peace from men in those kingdomes ; but that soveraigne 
 truth being established, a durable peace will be found to follow 
 therupon. 
 
 Sir, let us lay to heart what is before us, a work which con- 
 cerns God and man most of anything in agitation now under 
 the sunne, and for the which we will one day be called to a 
 more strick account nor for any passage of our life. Let us 
 
 1 Sic in MS. for Evelyn. For notes of his speech and that of Fiennes or Fynes, 
 see Minnies of Westminster Assembly, pp. 448-457. 
 
1 1 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 93 
 
 both tremble and rejoyce when our thoughts reflects upon it, 
 as under our debats and now in our hands. 
 
 I wes glade to heare the Parliament professe their willing- 
 nesse to receive and observe whatsoever shall be shewne from 
 the Word of God to be Christ or his Church their right and 
 due : albeit I wes sorie to see any in the delyverie therof to 
 intermixe any of their own personall asperity, any aspersion 
 upon this Assembly, or reflexion upon another nation. So I 
 believe in this day of law for Christ wherin justice is offered, 
 if he get not right, it will be counted your fault in not shewing 
 his pattent from his Father, and his Church pattent from Him. 
 
 Sir, all Christians ar bund to give a testimony to evrie truth 
 when they ar called to it, but yee ar the immediat servants of 
 the Most High, Christs prcecones and heralds, whose propper 
 function is to proclame his name, preserve his offices, and 
 assert his rights. Christ lies had many testimonies given to 
 his propheticall and preistly office by the pleading and suffer- 
 ing of his saincts, and in thir letter dayes he seems to require 
 the samyne unto his kingly office. A king loves a testimony 
 to his crowne best of any thing, as that which is tenderest to 
 him ; and confessors or martyres for Christs croune ar the most 
 royall and most stately of any State martyres. For although 
 Christs kingdome be not of this world, and his servants did 
 not fight therefor, when he wes to suffer, yet it is in this world, 
 and for this end wes he borne ; and to this end that we may 
 give a testimony to this truth, amongst others, were wee borne. 
 Nor should we be ashamed of it or deny it, but confesse and 
 avouche it, by pleading, doing, and suffering for it, even in 
 this generation, which seems most to oppose it, and therby 
 require a seasonable testimony. But in a peculiar way it 
 lyeth upon yow, Sir, who hes both your calling from Christ 
 for it, and at this time a particular calling from man. It is 
 that which the honourable Houses requires and expects from 
 yow, especially at such a tyme, when the setlement of religion 
 depends therupon, and when it is the verie contraversie of the 
 tyme, the to Kpivofxevov. And the civill magistrats not onlv 
 calls yow before them to averre the truth therin, but also, to 
 give yow good examples, comes before yow, out of the tendernes 
 of their civile trust and dutie to maintaine the priviledge of 
 
94 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 Parliament by the Covenant, and for respect to vow, to give a 
 testimony assertory of their civile rights and priviledge, and 
 to forewarne yow, least ye break the samen and incurre civile 
 premoniries. Sir, this should teach us to be as tender, zealous, 
 and carefull to assert Christ and his Church their priviledge 
 and right, and to forewarne all, least they endanger their soules 
 by incroatching therupon, and least our omission and remissnes 
 bring eternall premoniries upon us. Let all know that the spirit 
 of your Master is upon yow, and that Christ hes servands who 
 will not only make the pulpits ring with the sound of his pre- 
 rogative, but also, if they shall be called to it, make the flame 
 of their bodies, burning at the staiks for a testimony to it, 
 carrie it aloft through the earth (like that voyce in Sicily), 
 that Christ lives and reigns alone over and in his Church, and 
 will have all done therin according to his Word and will, and 
 that he hes given no supreme headship over his Church to any 
 Pope, King, or Parliament whatsoever. 
 
 Sir, ye ar often desired to remember the bounds of your 
 commission from man, and not to exceed the samen. I am 
 confident yow will make as much conscience not to be deficient 
 in the discharge of your commission from Christ. But now, 
 Sir, ye have a commission from God and man (for the which 
 ye have reason to thank God and the Parliament), to discusse 
 this truth, that Christ is a King, and hes a kingdome in the 
 externall government of his Church, and that he hes set doun 
 the lawes, and offices, and other substantialls therof. If this 
 be pars evangelii, and part of that kingdome for which to 
 come we daylie pray, as Parker sheweth well, it is evident to 
 me that it is made pars coiifessionis to yow, and that in so 
 speciall a maner as no historie can shew a Christian Church so 
 put to it by the civile Magistrat. Wee must not now before 
 men minch, hold up, conceall, prudentially wave any thing 
 necessary for this testimony. All these would seem to me to 
 be reteerings and fleeings, not to flow from the high spirit of 
 the servants of the Most High, who will not flinch for an 
 houre, nor quyt a hoofe, or edge away an hemme of Christs 
 rob royall. These would seeme effects of desertions, tokens of 
 being ashamed, affrayed, or politikly diverted, yea gradus 
 denegatioms Christi ; and all these, and evrie degree of them, 
 
1 1 Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 95 
 
 Sir, I am confident will be verie farre from the thoughts of 
 evrie one heir, who already by their vots and petitions, accord- 
 ing to their protestation at their entrie have shewn themselves 
 so zealous and forward to give their testimony, albeit they did 
 easily foresee it would not be verie acceptable to powers on 
 the earth. Who would hamper and stampe and half but his 
 ansuer to one that questions if this wer a Parliament, a true, 
 a full, a free one ? Would he not, and should he not, be 
 esteemed a great breaker of priviledge or contemptor curie ? 
 Albeit we be not so wise, yet let us be as tender and zealous 
 in our generation. 
 
 Truely, Sir, I am confident ye will never be so in love with 
 a peaceable and externall possession of any thing that may be 
 granted to the Church, as to conceale, disclame, or intervert 
 your Masters right. That wer to lose the substance for the 
 circumstance, to disserve and dethrone Christ, to serve your- 
 selves and inthrone others in his place. A tennent doing so 
 to his overlord forfaults all. Who speaks for civill liberties 
 would never so undoe them. Yee ar comandit to be faithfull 
 in litle, but now ye ar called to be faithfull in much. For 
 albeit the salvation of soules be called cura curarum, the well- 
 fare and happynes of the Church made up of these is farre 
 more. But the kingdome of Christ est quid optimum maximum ; 
 and to have it now under your debate, as it is the greatest 
 honour God can bestow upon an Assembly, so it is the greatest 
 danger ; for according now as God shall assist yow or desert 
 yow, yee may and will be the instruments of the greatest good 
 or evill on earth. Let us do all as in, and for, and by Christ, 
 and remember the compt we have to make to him who subjects 
 the standing or falling of his crown in this Island to our 
 debats. I speak humanitus ; for divinitus I know it is im- 
 possible. And albeit we should all prove false or faint hearted, 
 he can and will soone raise up other instruments to assert, 
 publish, and propagat his right through the earth. For seing 
 he has brought his right to a forum contentiosum, he will have 
 it throughly pleaded and judged betuixt his kingdome and 
 the kingdomes of the earth. And as he lies crushed the 
 Churches incroatchings upon the civile magistrat, so he will 
 stope Cesars usurping quae sunt Dei. And seing he lies begun 
 
96 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 to conquere, be will prevaile over all that stand in his way, 
 whether Pops, Kings, or Parliaments, that will clame any thing 
 or part of his headship, supremacie, prerogative, monarchic, 
 over his Church. 
 
 Sir, some may think ye have had a designe in abstaining so 
 long to assert the divine right of Church Government, and now 
 to come in with it. Truely, Sir, I look on this check as from 
 ane good Providence for your great spairingnes and abstemousno 
 in that poynt, and must beare witnes to many passages of 
 Gods good hand in not suffering us to make a stand of our 
 desires concerning religion, either in Scotland or heire, albeit we 
 have oft set doune mensura voti to ourselves. But he hes as 
 often moved us step for step to trace back our desertions, and 
 made the last innovation a besome to sueepe out the former, 
 and the Kings refusall to be a mean to engage us in Covenant 
 with Himself and others, and so hes drawen us against our wills 
 and beyond our designes to performe our duety and to give a 
 testimony to his truth ; that much of God and his divine 
 wisdom and designes, and litle of man and his politick projects, 
 might be seene in the verie progresse and contrivance of the 
 whole work. By this good hand of God, and for this end, I 
 hope these quaeries 1 are brought to yow at this tyme. 
 
 Sir, your serving the Parliament a while I am confident hes 
 bene and will be still, not that they may serve yow who hes 
 mmisterium a quo absit dominates, sed cut adsit authoritas, as 
 over us in the Lord, but to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 that Parliaments will glorie more in their subordination and sub- 
 servance to Him nor in their empire or command over the world. 
 
 Sir, we may heare much of breache of priveledge and 
 Covenant in relation to civile rights. Let us remember in the 
 Covenant the three ends in the title and preface, three maine 
 duties in the body, and the thrie effects in the close. The 
 Covenant begins with the advancement and ends with the 
 enlargement of the kingdome of Christ, as the substantiall and 
 overword of the whole. The first article of the sevin is Christs 
 article, lyke dies Dominica in the week; all the rest are in 
 Domino and subordinat therunto, et subordinata non pugnant. 
 
 1 The famous nine queries left by the deputies of the House of Commons for 
 the Assembly to answer. See A/mutes of Westminster Assembly, pp. 225, 226. 
 
ii NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 97 
 
 And certainlie so judicious and happie, so protesting, covenant- 
 ing, declaring, so doing and suffering a Parliament for reforma- 
 tion, wiH never clame any thing as a civile previledge or right 
 which ye will demonstrat to be propper to Christs kingdom as 
 distinct from the kingdoms of the earth, or do any thing 
 prejudiciall or dirogatory therunto. All lawes contrare to 
 the will of Christ ar acknouledged to be voyd, and with 
 farre greater reason then the Constables orders against the 
 ordinance of Parliament ar voyd in law. But, Sir, Christs 
 throne is highest, and his priviledge supreme, as only Head 
 and King of his Church, albeit kings and magistrats may 
 be members in it. There is no authority to be ballanced 
 with this, nor post to be set up against his post, nor the altar 
 of Damascus against his altar, nor strange fire against his fire, 
 nor Corahs to be allowed against his Aarons, nor Vzziahs 
 against his Azariahs. Is it so small a thing to have the suorde 
 that they must have the keyes also ? Quae Deus sejunocit homo 
 ne jungat. And truely, Sir, I am confident Parliament, citty, 
 country, both nations, will acknouledge themselves ingaged 
 under and to this authority. And as they would not be 
 drawne from it, for wee must deny our peace, take up our 
 crosse, lay aside our love to father and mother, naturall or 
 civile, yea, lay doun our lyves for to averre and confesse this 
 truth against all allurements and terrours ; so ye will never 
 endevour to draw us to any other authority. And whatsoever 
 reflection to the contrary wes insinuat by the delyverer of the 
 message, I can not but imput it to personall passion, which 
 long ago is knowne to the world, but will never beleeve the 
 honourable House would allow therof as farre beneath their 
 wisdome and contrare to your merite. 
 
 And now, Sir, seing the quaeries are before yow, I am con- 
 fident that whatsoever diversity of opinions may be amongst 
 yow in any particular, yee will all look and hold out the maine, 
 Christs kingdome distinct from the kingdomes of the earth, 
 and that he hes and might appoynt the government of his own 
 house, and should rule the samen ; and that none of this 
 Assembly, even for the gaining their desires in all the poynts 
 of difference, would, by their silence, concealment, and conniv- 
 ence, weaken, communicat, or sell any part of this fundamentall 
 
 G 
 
98 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 truth, this soveraigne interest of Christ, and that ye will all 
 concurre to demonstrat the samen by cleir passages of 
 Scriptur, necessare consequences therfra, which can no more be 
 denyed nor esteemed cold nor the letter itself, and by the 
 vniversall constant practise of the Apostles, which ar as cleare 
 rules unto us as any humane lawes, inferences, and practises ar 
 or can be brought for any civile previledges. They certainly 
 expect no more of yow, and needs not require so much, especi- 
 ally seing in divinis more nor m humanis we should not bourd 
 nor border with the cutting of the lappe of Christs garment 
 or the hemme of his rob royall, for in his dubiis tutius semper 
 sequendum pro salute anhnoe. 
 
 Sir, I will only close this with remembring yow of tuo 
 passages of your letter sent by order of the House of Commons 
 to the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, That ye 
 will sett out such a discipline as to the vtmost of your power 
 ye may exalt Christ, the only Lord over the Church, his own 
 house, in all his offices, and present this Church as a chast 
 virgine to Christ, and for this end that ye wer not restrained 
 by the Houses in your votts and resolutions, nor bound up to 
 the sense of others, nor to carry on privat designes in ane 
 servile way, but by your oath wer secured against all fettering 
 of your judgments, and engaged therby, according to the 
 Houses desire, to vse all freedome becoming the integrity of 
 your conscience, weight of the cause, and the gravity and 
 honour of such an Assemblv. I will no more trouble yow but 
 with one word upon the whole matter, to desire yow seriously 
 to consider if this business (quhairon the eyes of God and man 
 ar fixed) deserves not a speciall day of humiliation and prayer 
 for the Lords extraordinary assistance and direction of the 
 Assemblies 
 
 This day another letter was read from the Commissioners of 
 the Ministery concerning their desire to return e home, which 
 the Commission is to take to their consideration afternoon. 
 Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and beloved brethren, — We have thought good 
 (beside the particulars in the publik letter) to represent unto 
 
1 1 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 99 
 
 vow for our part, who have been so long absent from our Letter from the 
 flocks, that although, in our endevours for reformation and a^Lo^donoT 5 
 vniformity, we have studied all the expeditious and accelerating ^ J^j 516 " 6 
 means which we could, and not without successe, through Gods retume. 
 blessing, yet it is verie grievous to us to be so long tyme 
 detained heir ; and we do hartily desire a faire doore to be 
 opened for our returne. It is true much of the work yet 
 remaines to be done : the perfecting of the Confession of Faith 
 and adding Scriptures unto it ; the debateing the rest of the 
 Catechisme ; the ansuering of the House of Commons their 
 quaerees concerning Church government ; the pursuance of the 
 Treaty with the Houses for their agreeing for the Confession 
 and Catechisme when the Assemblie shall transmitt them, and 
 to the rest of the Government which the Assembly heir sent up 
 long ago, which the Houses have not yet taken into considera- 
 tion. But we verilie judge that these things will take a long 
 tyme ; and we ar so weary with our exceeding long absence 
 from our particular charges, that wee humblie intreat from 
 yow a permission to returne, so soon as yow may think fitt. 
 Expecting your ansuere and directions herein, we commend your 
 meetings to the blessing of God, and rest, Your loving brethren. 
 
 Sub tv - r ) Samuel Rutherftjrd, 
 Worcester House, the 27th Robert Baillie, 
 
 of October 1646. Geo. Gillespie. 1 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 The nixt Fry r dav being set apart bv the Parliament for a Day of Fast by 
 
 . the Parliament. 
 
 day of fasting and humiliation by the members of Parliament, 
 the Commission appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. Andro 
 Cant to preach that day. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. David Dickson and Mr. ^ p^|^° nt 
 William Colvill to preach before the Parliament the next 
 Sabboth, and Mr. Samuel Oustene to preach for Mr. William 
 Colvill in his kirk. 
 
 For praying in the Parliament, the Commission appoynts Mr. Praying in the 
 Johne MoncreifF the morne, Mr. Johne Nevey on Saturday, Parhament - 
 Mr. Johne Hamilton on Moonday or Tuysday, as the Parliament 
 shall happen to meet, and Mr. Patrick Colvill the nixt day. 
 
100 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u NOV. 
 
 The Commission continues all summonds and references 
 untill Tewsday nixt, the 17th of this moneth. 
 Mr. johne The Commission of Assembly continues the summonds 
 
 town of Leith raised at the instance of the toun of Leyth against Mr. Johne 
 and Edinburgh. Smith for his transportation to the first day of December nixt : 
 And in respect of the condition of the congregation of Leyth, 
 represented by the Lord Balmerino, declares they will not 
 continue the mater any longer, but will proceed that day, Mr. 
 Johns absence notwithstanding. And lykwise continues the 
 toun of Edinburghs summonds of transportation against him to 
 that same day, and appoynts a letter to be writtin to Mr. 
 Johne Smyth to give him advertisment hereof ; Hallhill for the 
 paroshiners of Burntiland, personallie present, warned hereof 
 apud acta. 
 
 Mr. Robert Concerning the list from Lovetennent-Generall David Leslie, 
 Trayiito v j z . Mr. William Dalgleisch, Mr. Robert Ker, and Mr. 
 
 Generall-Love- . . . . 
 
 tennent David Robert Traill, the Commission appoynts the said Mr. Robert 
 Traill, personallie present, to repare to the said Generall 
 Lovetennent with diligence for performing ministeriall dueties 
 to him, and that letters be writtin to the Presbyterie of St. 
 Andrews to supply his place during his absence. 
 Concerning Dr. This day the Lord Waristoun, having shewn that he had 
 Papers qUallS warrant from their brethren at London, in ansuere to the letters 
 sent to them for these letters and papers found amongst 
 Doctor Balcanquells wryttis, to represent that it is their 
 humble opinion these papers and letters should not be made 
 any publik use of, for diverse reasons he had to expresse, if it 
 should be thought convenient to do it publikly, which he 
 had imparted already in privat to the Moderator and some 
 others as he wes desired. The Commission thinks fitt that 
 any who desires to be satisfied in the reasons wherfor these 
 letters should not be made use of publikly may conferre 
 with the Moderator, the Lord Marques of Argyll, Balmerino, 
 Waristoun, and Mr. David Dickson in that mater. 
 Act for Mr. The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, having received 
 
 Wrights satis- this day a petition from Mr. Edward Wright desyring, in 
 ad C m?ssion d to respect there is now a fair call offered unto him to the kirk of 
 the ministerie, Falkirk, and the matter so farre advanced, as the Synod of 
 ^oun^Se^ 3 Lothian have appoynted the 25 of this instant for his admis- 
 
17 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 101 
 
 sion, that in their wisdome they would take such course as all former ordi- 
 impediments may be removed which may hinder the fruit and ^gSm 0 " 06 ' 
 comfort of his ministerie ; and in particular any rub or ambi- 
 guity that may arise from the last Act of the Commission for his 
 transportation, seing he is most willing to give all satisfaction 
 for any scandale found to aryse through his frailty and weak- 
 nes in the houre of tentation : And after consideration of their 
 former ordinance and the intent therof, having heard the said 
 Mr. Edward, personally present, expresse and acknouledge his 
 sense and sorrow of his bygone escapes and infirmities in the 
 houre of trvell ; and seing now his transportation is so farre 
 advanced, Do therfor discharge the certification of their former 
 ordinance, declaring that that ordinance for his transportation 
 is now as simple and absolute as if the said certification had 
 never been therto adjoyned : Ordaining also for further satis- 
 faction of any offence or scandale arysing upon his bygone 
 escapes, that he preach at Glasgow upon the next Lords day, 
 and after sermon make a declaration of his unfained sorrow for 
 his frailty and weaknes in the houre of tentation, and upon 
 Thursday therefter that he preach at Lythgow before the 
 Presbyterie of Lithgow ; and the brethren appoynted by the 
 Synod of Lothian to joyne with them for the tryalls of Mr. 
 Gilbert Hall, ar desired to be his hearers ; and there in his 
 sermon shall so apply himself as the sense of his bygone escapes 
 and his affection to the present cause may appeir ; for which 
 purpose the said Mr. Edward shall addresse himself to the said 
 Presbytery of Lythgow this day eight dayes and present unto 
 them this ordinance for their further satisfaction. 
 The nixt meeting upon Tewsday afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. John Oiswald : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Johne Knox at Carington : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. 
 William Jamieson : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. Samuell Oustene : Mr. 
 James Bonar : Mr. Johne Lyndsay : Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. David 
 Drummond : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Walter Greg : 
 Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. >V;illiam Makjor: Mr. John Leir- 
 mont: Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Johne Robeson: Mr. Johne Nevey : 
 Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Robert Murray. Elders. — Earle Glencairne : 
 Tullibardin : Lanerk : Lord Angus : Lord Balmerino : Laird Cunymg- 
 hamhead : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird AV r edderlie : 
 Laird Arnistoun : William Home, Glasgow. 
 
102 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 NOV. 
 
 Committee for This day wer presented petitions from some Provinciall 
 the petitions Assemblies and Presbyteries to the Parliament, which the Com- 
 a™™Synods C to 1S m ission recomends to be considered by Messrs. David Calder- 
 the Parliament. woc j ? John Adamson, Andro Cant, David Dickson, Robert 
 Murray, Johne Moncreiff, James Guthrie, Robert Ker, Johne 
 Nevey, Patrick Gillaspie, with the Moderator, Libbertoun and 
 Craighall, and after their report they will consider what is 
 farther to be done. Their meeting is to be in this house after 
 the dissolving of this meeting. 
 Mr. William The Commission of the Generall Assembly having considered 
 tion. the humble petition of Mr. William Wilkie and the reference 
 
 of the Assembly concerning him, and having heard by the 
 testimony of the Presbyterie of Glasgow and of many brethren 
 amongst quhom he conversed, that his behaviour since his 
 suspension hes bene irreprovable, verie humble and sensible of 
 his bygone offences ; and the said Mr. William, personally 
 present, having also himself represented his sense and sorrow 
 for his bygone miscariages ; Therfor, according to the power 
 given to them by the Assembly, do heirby relax him from the 
 sentence of suspension, he alwayes, for further evidencing of 
 his repentance and removing the scandale, acknouledging 
 publikly his bygone miscariages in the houre of tentation, 
 in the kirk of Givan upon the Sabboth come eight dayes, the 
 29 of this moneth ; and appoynts Mr. David Dickson, or in his 
 absence Mr. Robert Ramsay, to receive his said acknowledge- 
 ment, and therefter to intimat this sentence of relaxation : 
 Ordaining lykwayes that the said Mr. William in his first 
 sermon, which shall be at Glasgow upon the Weddensday next 
 therefter following, being the secund of December, shall declare 
 his sense of his bygone misbehaviour in the houre of tryell. 
 Mr. James It is the opinion and advice of the Commission of the 
 
 Douglas. Generall Assemblie, having considered the condition of Mr. 
 
 James Douglas, and the acts of the Presbyterie of Lanerk and 
 Synod of Glasgow testefying the evidence of his repentance, 
 that the said Presbyterie may open Mr. James his mouth, for 
 exercise of his gift, that he may be in a capacitie of readmission 
 to the ministerie when God shall give him a calling, according 
 to the Acts of Assemblie. 
 
 This day a letter produced and read from the province of 
 
1 8 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 103 
 
 Merce and Teviotdaill to the Commission concerning the kirk Committee to 
 of Gordon, the Moderator, Messrs. Andro Cant, David Dick- theietter^rom 
 son, William Bennet, and William Jamieson ar appoynted to ^evSdSn 
 conferre upon it and to report their opinions. concerning 
 
 The Commission delay es to give any ansuer to Mr. Patrik ^T^ati-ici!*" 
 Hamiltons petition for opening his mouth, untill the kirk of Hamilton. 
 Cambuslang be planted, and recomends to the Presbyterie of 
 Hamiltoun to take some course for helping him and supplying 
 his present necessity. 
 
 This day Mr. Patrick Colvill upon Weddensday, Mr. James Ministers to 
 Guthrie on Thursday, and Mr. William Jamieson on Fry day, {^ t m Parlia_ 
 appoynted to pray in Parliament 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 November 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — 'Sir. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Flemyng: Mr. Johne Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Robert Eliot: Mr. Walter 
 Greg: Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. William Jamesone: Mr. Robert Murray: 
 Mr. William MMor: Mr. John Leirmont: Mr. Johne Nevey: Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. John Lyndsay : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. David Calder- 
 wod: Mr. Robert Ker: .Air] Johne Hay: Mr. Robert Traill: Mr. John 
 Moncreiff: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. 
 Robert Wright: Mr. Samuell Ousten : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Johne 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Johne Robe 
 son : Mr. Alexander Turnbull. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libber- 
 toun : Laird Glanderstoun : Thomas Patersone : William Home : Laird 
 Wedderburne. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie remitts the summonds against Summonds 
 the complyers in Glasgow (Mr. Archebald Flemyng being ex- pf^ 1 ^ 0 cias- 
 cepted), with the particular articles added therunto, to the gow remitted to 
 Presbyterie of Glasgow for exact tryell and condign censur, ofG^asgow^ 16 
 wherto they ar hereby advised to take the concurrance and 
 assistance of Messrs. Patrik Sharp, William Hamilton, Johne 
 Hamilton, Mathew Birsbane, Henrie Colwert, James Nasmith, 
 Hew Archebald, Alexander Dunlop, Patrik Colvill, James 
 Fergusson, David Elphingstoun, Harie Sempill, Johne Weir, 
 Robert Birnie, Johne Nevey, Gabriell Maxwell, Alexander 
 Nisbet, ministers ; Houstoun, Cunynghamhead, Rowallane 
 younger, Greenock, Glanderstoun, Dowhill, elders ; Requyring 
 and ordaining, if the said persons shall not give the Presbyterie 
 full satisfaction, the mater in that case be returned to this 
 
104 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 NOV. 
 
 Commission : And the Presbyterie, howsoever, ar to report 
 accompt of their diligence to the next meeting in Februarii. 
 Remonstrance. The Commission finds at this time that it is necessar a Re- 
 monstrance be presented to the Parliament of such things as 
 ar contained in many of the petitions sent to the Parliament 
 from Presbyteries and Synods, with some addition of other 
 particulars concerning Irland, and the province of Argyle, the 
 vnion of the kingdomes, concerning the late peace with the 
 rebells and persons under Kirk censures. Therfor desires the 
 Moderator and Clerk, with such others as the Moderator please 
 to call for, to draw a draught against the morrow. 
 Robert Pringiii This day, Robert Pringill of Blindlie remitted to the Pres- 
 miuedlo^the" byterie of Selkirk to be exactly tryed and condignly censured 
 Sefkirk^" 6 ° f ^ 0l compliance with the rebells, and they ar particularly 
 desired to proceed against him with excommunication, if they 
 find no evidence of repentance and willingnes to give full satis- 
 faction according to the order prescribed ; and that they report 
 their diligence herein. . 
 
 The next meeting afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers.— Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Oiswald: Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Johne Knox: Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. 
 Robert Traill : Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Knox 
 at Selkirk: Mr. William M'Jore: Mr. John Leirmont: Mr. James Bonar: 
 Mr. Patrick Colvill: Mr. David Dicksone: Mr. John Lyndsay: Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. Thomas Donaldsone: Mr. William Bennet: Mr. David Calder- 
 wod : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. 
 Walter Greg : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. William Jamiesone : Mr. 
 Robert Wright : Mr. Samuel Oustene : Mr. Alexander Turnbull : Mr. 
 Johne Nevay : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John 
 Robertsone : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Adame Penman. Elders. — 
 Lord Marques of Argyle : Earle Craufurd Lyndsay : Earle Mershell : 
 Earle Cassillis : Earle Glencairne : Earle Tullibardin : Earle Lothian : 
 Earl Lanerk : Lord Angus : Lord Balmerino : Lord Craighall : Lord 
 Waristoun : Laird of Lammingtoun : Laird of Brodie : Laird of Arneis- 
 toun : Laird of Glanderstoun : Thomas Patersone : George Porterfeild : 
 Laird Wedderlie : Laird Clerkingtoun : Lawrence Henrysone : Johne 
 Sempill : Laird of Cesnok. 
 
 This day, a letter presented by the clerk from the Commis- 
 sioners at London, with a part of the Confession of Faith; 1 
 tenor of the Letter followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and beloved brethren, — We send yow herewith 
 
 i The Humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines . . . concerning pari of a 
 Confession of Faith. London : printed for the Company of Stationers. 
 
1 8 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 105 
 
 so much of the Confession of Faith as wes latly transmitted Letter from the 
 from the Assembly of Divines to the Houses of Parliament. at°London. nerS 
 We can not advise yow to take it as yet into your considera- 
 tion as a part of vniformity here agreed upon, much lesse that 
 it be published or see the light there, it not being yet approved 
 by Parliament heir. Only fyve hundred copies wer printed for 
 the use of the members of both Houses, that with the lesse 
 trouble and debate they may be ready to give their consent in 
 Parliament. So that this copie which we now send will only 
 serve for your own information concerning part of the Advice 
 offered from the Assembly of Divines, who ar also daylie em- 
 ployed in perfecting the remainder of the Confession. Wee 
 have nothing els to adde to our former letters. But as the 
 difficulties and dangers ar great on all hands, wee pray God to 
 give such wisdome to the Parliaments of both kingdomes, and 
 to yow for your part and interest, that the hands neither of 
 Sectaries nor of Malignants may be strengthened, and that all 
 good means may be improved, both for the setlment of 
 religion and for preservation of the vnion betueen the king- 
 domes. So pray, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Sub* ur 9 Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 Worcester House, the Loudoun, Robert Baillie, 
 
 10th ofNovr. 1646. Lauderdaill, Geo. Gillespie. 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 This day, the Earle of Hartfell appeiring personally, and Earie Hartfeii. 
 declaring his sense of his bygone offence in joyning with the 
 rebells, and his willingnes to submitt himself to the censures 
 of the Church for the same : Therfor the Commission of As- 
 semblie remits him to the Presbyterie of Lochmaben that they 
 may enjoyne and receive his satisfaction, according to the Act 
 of Assemblie, and appoynts the Presbyterie to returne accompt 
 of ther diligence therintill. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt to assist the complaint of the Complaint ot 
 Provinciall of Glasgow to the Parliament, for the ryet com- £ 1 e as S ™ od ° f 
 mitted against the Presbyterie, aud to concurre therin. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie seriouslie recomends to the Recommenda- 
 honourable Estates of Parliament that their Lordships will be ment tor i-epara. 
 
106 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 Nov. 
 
 tion of som pleased to take to their consideration the pitiefull losses and 
 thunder 7 damnage of some parishes within the Presbyterie of Dundie, by 
 an extraordinary and unheard of thunder, which the Lord hes 
 bene pleased in his providence to make break in these parts in 
 a verie fearfull maner, as is attested by the said Presbyterie, 
 and will be more particularly represented to their Lordships, 
 and to provide some way for their redresse, and reparation of 
 so heavie a visitation. 
 
 Messrs. Robert Murray, Johne Moncreiff, William M'Jore, 
 Robert Ker, ar appoynted to consider Mr. James Kirks bill. 
 Earie Aber- Concerning the desire of the Presbyterie of Paislay touching 
 corne. their proceeding against the Earle of Abercorne, it is the 
 
 opinion and advice of the Commission of Assemblie, that the 
 said presbyterie continue and suspend any farther proceeding 
 against the said Earle untill the terme of Whitsonday next, 
 and that in respect of the earnest desire of the Lord Paislay, 
 the said Erles sone, who is of the religion, and of hopefull 
 expectation, and of the Lord Angus, and the other noble 
 freends of that family, that the Erie may in that tyme order and 
 settle his affairs for the good of his said sone and that family 
 which otherwise would perish by the Erls present removall off 
 the countrey before his bussines be setled ; the said Lord 
 Angus, or some other noble freends of that familie, giving 
 satisfactory assurance to the Presbyterie touching the educa- 
 tion of the Erls children, his removing Popish servants, and 
 abstaining from masse and the company of Jesuits and preists, 
 conforme to the 2d Overtur of the Act 1 of the Assembly at St. 
 Andrews 1642, made against Papists, and for his attending 
 conference in Edinburgh or Glasgow when his occasiones shall 
 bring him there. 
 
 Mr. Archebald Fleming and Colonell Hay continued whill 
 the morne. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 November 1646, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Calderwod : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrick Gil- 
 lespie : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. John Leirmont : 
 Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. 
 
 1 See Peterkin's Records of the Kirk, p. 322. 
 
19 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 107 
 
 Johne Hay: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John 
 Knox at Selkirk: Mr. William MMore: Mr. Alexander Turnbull : Mr. 
 James Bonar : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Johne Weir: Mr. Samuel 
 Oustene. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird of Libbertoun : Laird of 
 Arneistoun : Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Glanderstoun : William 
 Home : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Continues Mr. Archebald Fleming whill the morne. 
 Continues the lairds of Amisfeild, Gribtoun, and Cowhill 
 whill afternoon. 
 
 This day, the summonds against Collonell Hay being againe Coiloneil Hay. 
 called, and he appeiring personally, the Commission referres 
 the tryell and censure of the said mater to the Presbyterie of 
 Hadingtoun, quhairin they ar to report accompt of their 
 proceedings. 
 
 The Commission having received a list for the Master of Order for a new 
 
 Yesters regiment, viz. Mr. Alexander M'Gown, Robert Eliot, Master of 
 
 and Robert Carson, within the Presbyteries of Lochmaben, ^^ TS Regl " 
 
 Biggar, and Dalkeyth, and finding ther unfitnes at this tyme 
 
 for that employment, appoynts another list to be writtin for. 
 
 This dav, Johne Herres of Mabie appeirino* personally, and Johne Herreis 
 j 1 r: n i- , <r • • • -xi 4.1 of Mabie. 
 
 declaring his sense ot his bygone offence in joynmg with the 
 
 rebells, and his willingnes to submitt himself to the censures of 
 
 the Church for the same: Therfor the Commission of Assemblie 
 
 remits him to the Presbyterie of Drumfries, that they may 
 
 enjoyne and receive his satisfaction, according to the Act of 
 
 Assemblie, and appoynts the Presbyterie to returne accompt 
 
 of their diligence therintill. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly ordaines Haly- Haiyburtoun 
 
 burtoun and Mr. Johne Home to lead probation upon the Horned "^° hne 
 
 particulars, complained of and condiscendit upon in the paper 
 
 given in by Swintoun, Stitchell, Mr. Thomas Donaldson, Mr. 
 
 John Somervell, and others, upon the 22 of August 1646, 
 
 and that against Tewsday come eight dayes paremptorly : 
 
 Ordaining also Haiyburtoun to appeir the same day to ansuer 
 
 to the particular words spoken be him upon the said 22 of 
 
 August last, and that without more delay, in respect of his 
 
 former citation to that effect. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Flemyng : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. Robert Eliot : Doctor Colvill : Mr. 
 
108 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 NOV. 
 
 George Pringill 
 in Buckholme. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Vrquhart. 
 
 Gribtoun and 
 Cowhill. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Affleck for 
 Generall Major 
 Midltons 
 regiment. 
 
 Aberden and 
 Glasgfow. 
 
 Warrant for 
 one of the Com 
 
 Patrick Gillespie : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. John 
 Leirmont : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : 
 Mr. John Hay : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. William M'Jore : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Turnbull : Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. John Hamilton: Mr. James 
 Xasmith : Mr. Andro (ant: Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Samuel Oustene : 
 Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. Robert Lichtoun. Elders. — Earle Craufurd 
 Lyndsay : Earle Glencairne : Earle Lanerk : Lord Balmerino : Lord 
 Craighall : Laird of Clerkingtoun : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Duding- 
 stoun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird Wedderlie : George Porterfeild : 
 Laurence Henryson : Thomas Patersone : Johne Sempill. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie continues George Pringill in 
 Buckholme to the next quarterly meeting in Februar, and in 
 the meantyme the presbytery of Selkirk is to deale with him, 
 to bring him to repentance for his joyning with the rebells, 
 and to report their opinions concerning him the forsaid day, 
 quhairof the said George, personally present, is warned apud 
 acta. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. James Vrquhart, the Com- 
 mission continues that mater till Tewsday come eight dayes. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly appoynts Gribtoun and Cow- 
 hill to be cited, for their complyance with the rebells, to the 
 next meeting of the Commission in Februar, and that their 
 Presbyterie be carefull hereof. 
 
 This day, the Laird of Amesfeild, personally present, is 
 continwed till the morne. 
 
 This day a list being sent for a minister to General Major 
 Midletons regiment, viz. Mr. Andro Affleck, in the Presbyterie 
 of Dundie, Mr. George Halyburtoun, in the Presbyterie of 
 Perth, and Mr. Johne Scott, in the Presbyterie of Hamiltoun, 
 the Commission of Assembly appoynts the said Mr. Andro 
 Affleck for that employment, and that letters be written to 
 him and to the Presbyterie for that effect. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Andro Cant, Mr. David 
 Dickson, Mr. William Bennet, Mr. Robert Murray, Mr. James 
 Nasmyth, Lord Craighall and Libbertoun, to speak the Bur- 
 rowes concerning the mater of Aberden and Glasgow. 
 
 Mr. Gabriell Maxwell appoynted to pray in the Parliament 
 to-morrow. 
 
 The Commission taking to their consideration the particular 
 in the letter from the Commissioners at London, dated the 
 
19 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 109 
 
 27th of October, concerning their returne home, thinks fitt missioned 
 that it be remitted to themselves to dimitt any one of their London^ 0 ™ 
 number as they shall find the conveniencie, and that a letter 
 be writtin to that purpose ; tenor of which letter followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — As we perceive your Letter to the 
 desire of returning home to your charges heir by your letter ^Londonta^ 
 of the 27 of October delivered to us be the Lord Waristoun, the effect 
 so we see that a good part of the work of vniformity is yet 
 unperfected, which makes us unwilling to call any of yow from 
 your employments there, untill a further progresse be made in 
 these particulars you mention. Yet for your satisfaction we 
 do remitt to yourselves who ar on the place to dimitt any one 
 of your number, when yow shall find it convenient. Being to 
 writ at greater lenth by another occasion we comend yow in 
 all your labours to the Lords grace and remaine, Your loving 
 brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 November 1646. OF THE Generall Assemblie. 1 
 
 Direct : For their Reverend and loving brethren The Com- 
 missioners for the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 The Commission, having considered the petition of Mr. James 
 Kirk, do appoynt the letter following to be sent unto presbyteries 
 in recomendation of his neccessitous condition : — 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — The necessitous and Recomendation 
 lamentable condition of our brethren of the ministerie in the Mr ^ ames Kirk ' 
 Presbyterie of Dumblane, by the crueltie of the rebells, lies been 
 manifestly expressed unto us, and particularly that Mr. James 
 Kirk, minister there, hath his houses, cornes, books and whole 
 goods burnt and destroyed, and himself and familie utterly 
 spoiled of all means of lyvelyhood. Therefor these ar ear- 
 nestly to recomend his deplorable condition to your charities, 
 that he and his familie may have some means of subsi stance. 
 What you ar pleased to contribute for his necessity, let it be 
 sent with diligence heir to Edinburgh to James Murray, whom 
 we have appoynted to receive it, and convey it to him. Expect- 
 ing your care herein, we remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 19 November 1646. OF THE GENERALL AssEMBLlE." 
 
110 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 Nov. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Douglas 
 minister at 
 Aboyn. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie understanding that Mr William 
 Dowglas, minister at Aboyn, doeth suffer James Gordon, some- 
 tymes Lord Aboyn e, an excommunicat person, to partake of 
 publik prayer and other religious exercises : Therfor they will 
 take that mater to their consideration at their meeting in the 
 North, or at any other occasion they shall judge fitt. And in 
 the meantyme they appoynt a letter to be writtin to him to 
 give him notice of their resentment thereof. 
 
 The next meeting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Letter in ansuer 
 to the Report 
 from the Synod 
 of Murray 
 concerning 
 Messrs William 
 Fullertoun, 
 Walter Smyth, 
 and George 
 Cumying for 
 their relaxation. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 November 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator . Mr. William 
 Bennet : Mr. James FlemyBg: Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. William Colvill: 
 Mr. John Adamson : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. John Knox at Dal- 
 keith : Mr. Johne Hay : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. William MMore : Mr. John 
 Nevey : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James Nasmyth : Mr. Evan Camron : 
 Mr. James Bonar : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. 
 Thomas Donaldson: Mr. John Leirmont: Mr. Patrik Colvill: Mr. 
 David Dickson: .Mr. Andro ( ant : Mr. Alexander Turnbull : Mr. Robert 
 Eliot: Mr. Robert Lightoun. Elders. — Laird of Brodie : Laird of 
 Libbertoun : Laird Dudingstoun : Laird Glanderstoun : William Home. 
 
 Concerning the report from the Synod of Murray the Com- 
 mission appoynts the letter following to be sent to the Presby- 
 teries of Forresse and Elgin in ansuere to the particulars of 
 the said report — 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — Having considered your 
 proceeding against Mr. William Fullertoun, Mr. Walter Smith 
 and Mr. George Cummying for their miscariages, and your 
 censure of them for the same, we can not but approve and 
 comend your diligence and faithfulnes therin. And because 
 we ar informed be the Laird of Brodie of their condition and 
 tentations they had, it is not our opinion that their escapes of 
 innrmitie be censured with extremity : And therfor do remitt 
 to you after their publik acknowledgment of their escapes to 
 deale with them in all vnity and meeknes, and to take such 
 course as in your wisdome yee think fitting for receiving them 
 againe to the ministerie. 
 
 'And because Mr. William Fullertoun hes bene at the paines 
 with the charges of coming to thir parts, we recomend to yow 
 to sie the other tuo beare their proportion of his expenses. 
 
20 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 111 
 
 Comending yow to the Lords grace, we remaine, Your loving 
 brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 20 November 1646. of the Generall Assembly.' 
 
 Direct : To their Reverend brethren of the Presbyteries of 
 Elgine and Forresse. 
 
 This day the Laird of Amisfeild appeiring personally and Remit Laird 
 declaring his sense of his bygone offence in joyning with the Prestfy/erie 0 ^ 6 
 rebells, and his willingnes to submitt himself to the censures Dumfreis - 
 of the Church for the same ; Therefore the Commission of 
 Assembly remitts him to the Presbyterie of Dumfreis, that they 
 may enjoyne and receive his satisfaction according to the Act 
 of Assemblie, and appoynts the Presbyterie to returne acconpt 
 of their diligence therintill. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly remitts Mr. Reference of 
 Archebald Flemying to the Presbyterie of Glasgow for exact mer^g tofhe 
 try all and condigne censur : Advysing them to take the con- Glasgow" 6 ° f 
 currance therin of the brethren mentioned in the former re- 
 ference concerning the remanent complyers in the town of 
 Glasgow, upon the 18 of this instant moneth, and to proceed 
 with him in the same maner as they ar required to do with the 
 said remanent complyers, and as if he had not been excepted 
 in the said reference. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly having considered the misde- Petition 
 meanours of the pretended magistrats of Glasgow, think fitt to magSratfo? 6 
 remonstrat the same to the Parliament, and to that effect that Glasgow, and 
 this following petition be presented to their Lordships by committed 
 Messrs. Andro Cant, William Bennet, James Guthrie and p^S^ede of 
 Johne Leirmont and Libbertoun. Glasgow, to the 
 
 Parliament. 
 
 6 Wnto the right honour abill and hie court of Parliament the 
 humble Supplication of the Commission of the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 'Right Honourabill, — Amongst all the mercies wherwith 
 God hes visited us of this land we conceive the work of reform- 
 ation, and the establishing the beautie and order of his house 
 to be farre the greatest. Therfor as we can not but be sensible 
 of all things that threattens danger unto the samin, so we hold 
 ourselves bund, in all the wayes suteable unto our trust, to en- 
 devour the preservation therof in their integrity and strenth. 
 From the sense of this obligation it wes that we did formerly 
 
112 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 NOV. 
 
 represent unto the Committee of Estates, that none under the 
 censures of Kirk or State for compliance with the rebells might 
 be chosen magistrats or counsellers in burghs, which they from 
 their zeale of the publik good wer pleased to condiscend unto. 
 And yet hath it been the insolencie of some disaffected persons 
 in Glasgow under censurs, both civile and ecclesiastik, after 
 much subtill and seditious practising with the simple multitud, 
 at last not only to protest against the act of the Committee, 
 but vtterlie to refuse obedience therunto ; and with an open and 
 hie hand did intrude themselves into charge there. Neither is 
 it lesse grievous unto us that those men have publikly and in a 
 most tumultuous and disorderly way disturbed, affronted, and 
 threatned the Presbyterie of Glasgow, as the Supplication of 
 that Synod will more fullie lay before your Lordships. And 
 therfor considering how destructive these things ar unto the 
 work of reformation, and to severall laudable Acts of Parliament 
 made in favours of Kirk judicatories, and of all authority, both 
 civile and ecclesiastik, we ar bold to desire from your lordships, 
 who have bene at the expense of so much blood and paines for 
 the things which we now plead for, that yow will be pleased to 
 take into your serious consideration such misdemeanours, and in 
 your wisdome and justice censure those who have sett themselves 
 up against your authoritie, and, after due tryall of their outrage 
 against the Presbyterie, exemplarly punish them in such a way 
 as the judicatories of the Kirk, which have bene had in reverence 
 in the worst tymes, may retaine their strength and authority 
 throughout the land." 
 
 This day, a new list presented for a minister to the Master 
 of Yesters regiment, viz. Mr. Alexander M'Gowane, in the 
 Presbyterie of Lochmaben, Mr. David Drummond, in the 
 Presbyterie of Lithgow, and Mr. Patrik Sibbald, in the Pres- 
 byterie of Dalkeyth, the Commission nominats and appoynts 
 the said Mr. Patrik Sibbald for the said employment, desyring 
 letters to be writtin to the said Presbyterie and him to that 
 Warrand to effect. 
 
 the Cierk^for^ This day, the Clerk represented that the Clerk Register wes 
 Lord Register seeking from him the Nationall Covenant subscribed by the 
 CoTCnaatsub- 11 members of the Parliament, in respect that it properly belong- 
 
20 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 113 
 
 ing to the Parliament as their evident, he should have the scribed by the 
 custodie therof, and that he could not have the samin to seek pa™ament f 
 from the Clerks of Assemblie when the Parliament should have 
 occasion to require it; beside the prejudice, the Parliament, 
 and he, their servant, did suffer in the trust of his place by the 
 wanting the custodie therof. The Commission having con- 
 sidered the mater, and that the said Nationall Covenant is 
 registrat in the books of Assemblie, with the subscriptions of 
 the persons who have subscribed the same, and that the Par- 
 liament might conceive that the Covenant, as their proper 
 evident, should be keeped amongst their records, and trusted 
 to the Clerk Register, their own clerk ; Therfor they do hereby 
 warrant the Clerk to deliver the Nationall Covenant to the 
 Clerk Register, who hes the trust of the Records of Parliament 
 and of the kingdome. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Adam son : Mr. William MMore : Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Robert Murray: 
 Mr. Thomas Donaldson: Mr. William Bennet : Mr. John Moncreiff: 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 Samuel Oustene : Mr. Alexander Turnbull : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 John Weir : Mr. James Fleming. Elders. — Earle Craufurd Lyndsay : 
 Earle Glencairne : Earle Buccleugh : Earle Cassillis : Earle Lanerk : 
 Lord Angus : Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Glanderstoun : 
 Laird Dudingstoun : William Home, in Glasgow. 
 
 This day, Mr. Robert Ramsay and Mr. Samuel Oustene 
 appoynted to preach in the Parliament House the next Lords 
 Day ; and that Mr. David Dickson pray the morne there. 
 
 The Commission, having heard James Ogilvy, and considered James Ogiivie. 
 the report of the brethren appoynted to conferre with him, do 
 find that he should be relaxed, but will take to their further 
 consideration the maner, tyme, and place of his publik satis- 
 faction, and therfor appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Robert 
 Murray, William Colvill, William Bennet, Johne Nevay, 
 James Nasmyth, Johne Moncreiff, James Bonar, Lord Craig- 
 hall, Libbertoun, Dudingstoun, and Glanderstoun, to conferre 
 therupon, and to report the result of their conference. 
 
 This day, the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, Recomendaticn 
 considering how that the kirks of Atholl, and places adjoyning, byterie^f Dun- 
 
 H 
 
114 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 NOV. 
 
 keid concerning and particularly the kirks of Meikle and Litle Dunkelds, Blair 
 Kril^Atho^ of Atholl > Logirait, Mowling, and Forthirgill, now vacand, 
 partly by death, partly be transportation, and partly be 
 deposition of the last incumbents, be provydit with able and 
 well affected ministers, quhairby religion, the Covenant and 
 publik cause of this kingdome may be the better advancet and 
 set forward ; Therfor that the samyn may be the better effec- 
 tuat, do be thir presents seriously recomend unto the Pres- 
 byterie of Dunkeld that they be carefull with all convenient 
 diligence, be advice of the brethren underwrittin, within the 
 severall Presbyteries of Perth and Ochterairdor, they ar to say, 
 Mr. Robert Murray, Mr. Alexander Rollock, Mr. William 
 Row, Mr. William Bell, Mr. John Cruikshank, Mr. John 
 Friebairne, Mr. David Drummond, and Mr. George Murray, 
 the Erie of Tullibarden and Robert Murray of Buchantie, or 
 plurall number of them, to plant the saids kirks with able and 
 well qualified ministers, free of all malignancie, and well affected 
 to the Covenant and publik cause of this kingdome, according 
 to the order of this Kirk ; and desires that they may report 
 their dilligence herein to this Commission. 
 The next meeting on Mononday afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. William MMore : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Johne Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. 
 William Bennet : Mr. Thomas Donaldson: Mr. Johne Leirmont : Mr. 
 Johne Nevey : Mr. Allan Fergusson : Mr. Samuel Oustene : Mr. Evan 
 Camron : Mr. George Young : Doctor Colvill. Elders. — Lord Angus : 
 Laird Libbertoun : Laird Brodie : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Aberden. The Commission approves the petition from the Provinciall 
 
 Assembly of Aberden unto the Parliament, and appoynts the 
 same to be presented with the first opportunitie. 
 Advyse to the The Commission of Assembly, having considered the petition 
 Och S terardor° f of Mr. James Row, and the testimony of his repentance from 
 concerning Mr. ^] le p re sbyterie of Auchterardour, and understanding that the 
 
 James Row. J P 
 
 Provinciall Assemblie of Perth have not keeped their ordinary 
 dyet of meeting ; Therefor do advise the said Presbyterie to 
 open his mouth, that he may exercise his gift as an expectant 
 untill the next Generall Assembly, which shall nowayes put 
 
24 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 115 
 
 him in a capacity of admission to the ministrie before the said 
 Assemblie ; But recomends to the said Provincial! of Perth to 
 take exact tryall of his repentance, and to report the same to 
 the next Assembly, that after their examination thereof the 
 Assemblie may take such course concerning him as they shall 
 find reasonable. 
 
 Concerning the question in the mater betuixt Johne Wilkie 
 of Foulden and Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister there, whether 
 elders, being removable tennents to the said Johne Wilkie, 
 should be received witnesses against the said Mr. Thomas ; It 
 is the opinion of the Commission that they may be received 
 cum not a. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the relict of Mr. Robert Broomlie, 
 who wes killed in the persute of the re bells, for some man- 
 tainance, the Commission of Assemblie stronglie recomends 
 the desire therof to the honorabill Estates of Parliament. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh ', 24 November 1646. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cunt : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Evan Camrone : Mr. Alexander Turn- 
 bull : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Johne Nevey : 
 Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Johne Adamsone : 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Johne Leirmont : Mr. Allan Fergusson : Mr. 
 Johne Weir: Mr. Johne Hamiltoun: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Samuel 
 Oustene : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. William Bennet. 
 Elders. — Lairds Glanderstoun, Libbertoun, Dudingstoun : George Por- 
 terfeild : Thomas Patersone : William Home. 
 
 This day, Maxwells of Gribton and Cowhill compeiring per- R em itt, 
 sonallie, and submitting themselves to censure for their com- ^"whrn to the 
 plyance with the rebells, the Commission of Assemblie remitts Presbyterie. 
 to the Presbyterie of Dumfreis to try exactly their offences, 
 and censure them condignly, according to the power com- 
 mitted to them by the Assemblie : Recommending also that 
 they see evident signes of repentance, and report the same to 
 this Commission before they receive their satisfaction. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the towne of Dundie for exeem- p et ition of 
 ing Mr. Andro Affleck from going to Generall Major Midltons Afflecks ^tay 1 at 
 regiment, the Commission refuses the desire therof, but ar con- home refused, 
 tent to exeem Mr. Johne Robertson from attendance upon the 
 meeting of this Commission during Mr. Andro Afflecks absence. 
 
116 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 NOV. 
 
 This day, Mr. George Oliphant compeiring personally and 
 submitting himself to censure for his compliance with the 
 rebells, the Commission of Assemblie remits to the Presbyterie 
 of Perth to try exactly his offences, and censure him condignly 
 according to the power committed to them by the Assembly ; 
 recomending also that they see evident signes of repentance, 
 and report the same to this Commission before they receive his 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie, understanding that the Pres- 
 byterie of Edinburgh can not proceed to the tryell of the 
 mater concerning Mr. James Lang, in respect the witnesses ar 
 not within their bounds ; Therfor they resume the mater to 
 their own consideration, and ordaines the said Mr. James to 
 be summond to compeir before them at Edinburgh, the first 
 day of December next, to ansuere in that mater, and that 
 witnesses be cited to the same day to beare testimony therein. 
 
 The Commission appoynts this following Remonstrance to 
 be presented to the honorabill Estates of Parliament, and after 
 the dissolving of this meeting, that the Moderator and other 
 brethren in toun attend their Lordships ansuere. After the 
 receiving quhairof the said Remonstrance witli the Parliaments 
 ansuer is to be furthwith printed. 
 
 ' The humble Remonstrance of the Commission of the 
 General Assemblie wnto the honourable and higli 
 Court of Parliament. 
 
 Remonstrance ' Right hoxourable, — It is unto us, the servands of Jesus 
 merit? " Christ, and your servands for his sake, no small consolation 
 that whilst this land lyes afflicted and almost fainting under a 
 burden of many evills, yow ar assembled for her help ; promis- 
 ing unto our selves, that as in your own hearts ye do bewayle 
 its miserie before God, so yow will gladly entertaine the repre- 
 sentation therof from all its lovers, and from the sense of your 
 interest and trust, with spirits as large as your places, endevour 
 to repare our ruins and build up our breaches. Therfor, as 
 many Synods and Presbyteries do now make their humble 
 addresse unto your Lordships in their severall supplications 
 concerning the interests of religion and of the kingdome, so ar 
 we bold to poure furth our present thoughts and desires into 
 
 Remitt, 
 Mr. George 
 Oliphant to 
 Presbyterie, 
 Perth. 
 
 M. James 
 Laing. 
 
24 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 117 
 
 vour bosome ; hoping that, as they flow from no other foun- 
 taine then the discharge of our consciences and a purpose to 
 do good, so your Lordships will allow them that acceptation 
 that beseems the justice and wisdome of so high and honour- 
 able a court, and improve the same, as farre as yow see reason, 
 for the honour of God and safety both of Church and State. 
 If we had forgotten the sadde effects of the Lords former 
 indignation, or wer not sensible of the present tokens of his 
 wrath, we wer more then stupide. There wes a tyme quhairin 
 the Lord made us flie before the enemy, and made us drunk 
 with the wyne of astonishment, not finding either hearts to 
 resolve or hands to execute and put in practise. Neither wes 
 the pestilence lesse violent in our cities then the suord in the 
 feilds. Many thousands have falne in our land, by the arrowes 
 of the Almighty and furie of the Most High ; and yet his 
 wrath is not turned away, but his hand streatched out still. 
 The flames of his indignation doe againe burne hotlie in some 
 of our cities, and a considerable part of our countrey groans 
 and languishes without help under all the crwelty of a bar- 
 barous enemy, who makes no other use of your offer of pardon 
 then to despise your power and to waxe more insolent in act- 
 ing of their mischievous designes, which reach not onlie unto 
 our lives and liberties, but unto our religion and soules them- 
 selves. How sore is the Lord displeased when he suffers Anti- 
 christ to enter in our borders, and his emissaries to lead our 
 brethren captive into Babylon, and set up the Masse amongst 
 them ? And what can we take this for but a sad prognostica- 
 tion of ensuing darknes to these who have not walked worthie 
 of the light, and that the Lord threattens to depart from his 
 temple ? And is it not an eminent token of his anger, that 
 many who have made themselves drunk with the blood, and 
 riche with the spoyles of thousands of our deir brethren, after 
 that they wer destinat unto death by yourselves, have yet 
 escaped the hand of justice, and ar restored unto their lives 
 and fortunes, unto the strenthning of the malignant partie, 
 and discouraging the hearts and weakning the hands of all the 
 well affected in the land ? It is bitter as death to live with 
 these that hes slaine the Lords people, and to heare them 
 boast of their cruelty and rejoyce in their iniquity, evrie day 
 
118 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 NOV. 
 
 insulting over the cause of God, and despysing and studying 
 to trode under foot all the lovers of the same. Neither can 
 we look upon the insolencies and oppression of many in our 
 armies, under which not a few in our land groans, but as upon 
 the rod of the Lords furie, turning the means of our health 
 and preservation unto a cuppe of vinegar and gall that setts 
 the teeth on edge. Those calamities and whatsomever miseries 
 besides do afflict us, can issue from no other fountaine then 
 from that deluge of profanitie that hath covered the face of 
 the land, which accresses unto a great hight of guiltines, 
 because wee have sinned in the day of the gospell and despysed 
 the oath of God, neither reguarding our covenant nor the 
 operation of his hands, in which he lies made himself glori- 
 ous in the midst of us, in many most eminent works 
 both of mercie and of justice. We acknowledge that 
 the work of reformation lies not been without plentie of 
 most gratious and comfortable fruits in many soules through- 
 out the land, who ar for a testimony unto the truth, and for a 
 name of joy and praise unto the Most High. Yet we can not 
 but bemone the power of ungodlynesse, that prevales and breaks 
 furth in many grosse sins, unto the violation of our Covenant, 
 the reproacli of our cause, and the great dishonour of the Holy 
 One of Israel, our Saviour, whose mercies towards us calls upon 
 us to be holy in all maner of conversation, and to be fruitfull 
 in evrie good work, that wee may adorne the gospell of Jesus 
 Christ our Lord, and not make His enemies to blaspheme. 
 Therfor, knowing all other cures to be vaine without the studie 
 of reformation, we do, from the unfained zeale of your pros- 
 peritie and peace, in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ, by 
 whose blood we have bene redeemed, in much tender and 
 humble affection, with tears exhort yow, by all your oaths and 
 obligations unto God, by all his mercies and delyverances 
 towards yow, by all your zeale of his honour and love to 
 religion and countrey, that yow will in all your conversation, 
 studie sobrietie, righteousnesse, and holynesse, and so to walk 
 in the gospell that it may be known that the Sonne of God 
 reigns in your hearts, when yow not only hold forth His vertues 
 in yourselves but discountenance evrie profane person, and 
 chearish and embrace all these that beare the image of God. 
 
24 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 119 
 
 The example of your good conversation can not but be of great 
 force to all the land, and nothing will contribute more for 
 repressing of sin or establishing of holynesse then the preced- 
 encie of great ones, ordering all things that concerns themselves 
 and their followers and domestiks according to the Covenant. 
 As is the frame of mens spirits and tenour of their conversation 
 in privat, such is their deportment and cariage in publik 
 actions. We do well know that nothing will be so eff'ectuall 
 for enabling your honours in the integrity of your spirits, with 
 much affection and love one towards another, without emula- 
 tion or self-seeking, faithfully and zealously to act publike 
 counsells and resolutions, then for each of yow to walk with 
 God, who is the father of light, and the author of evrie good 
 gift and perfect donation. But it is chiefly as yow ar cloathed 
 with authoritie and assembled in Parliament that we do now 
 make addresse unto your honours, beseeching yow by him who 
 stands in the assembly of gods, that as your progenitors and 
 yow have made many pious and laudable Acts for punishing of 
 vice and advancing of vertue, so yee will see carefully to the 
 execution of the same. And because vice is become common 
 and strong, that yow will lay it seriously to heart and bestirre 
 yourselves, in more then an ordinary way, in thinking upon and 
 executing all the best expedients for stopping the sluces of 
 iniquity and impiety and advancing righteousnes and religion. 
 Wee know no service better beseeming your place and more 
 worthie of your paines, that will be more acceptable unto God 
 or more profitable for the commonwealth. Next unto Refor- 
 mation and the studie of piety and godlynesse amongst our- 
 selves we conceive it most necessary for our good to hold fast 
 the vnion with our brethren of England. As the attaining 
 and establishing of it wes long studied by the lovers of truth 
 and peace, as that subsidie that wes like to contribute most for 
 the lasting happynesse of both kingdomes, in reguard of all 
 their interests, so lies the dissolving of this been, and is the 
 great designe of all the malignant witts both heir and abroad : 
 conceiving it the surest way to raise their hopes and rwine our 
 happynesse by dividing us asunder, and dashing us one against 
 another, which we ar sure that yow abhorre, and will studie to 
 avoyd, no lesse in your actions than we do in our desires. And 
 
120 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 NOV. 
 
 that as hithertills yow have with much wisdome and faithful- 
 nesse carefully shun'd evrie thing, that might produce suspi- 
 tions or foster jealousies, and beene deficient in nothing that 
 might strengthen the confidence of the English nation in the 
 persuasion of your affection and integrity to themwards, so yow 
 will still, from the same wisdome and faithfulnesse, hold fast the 
 League and Covenant betueen the kingdomes, as that which is 
 most conduceable for the safety and security of both ; and that 
 vow will by all faire and peaceable means travell with the 
 Parliament of England for promoving of the work of vniformity, 
 by establishing of the government of the Kirk, and all the 
 ordinances of the Sone of God, in England, in their purity and 
 integrity, that all the clouds of errour which are there may be 
 scattered, and the beauty of the truth shyne brightly in both 
 lands. And conceiving it to conduce much for that worke and 
 for the accomplishing owr happynesse, that his Majestie should 
 joyne therin, therefor, as we poure furth our prayers unto God 
 for him on that behalfe, so we hope that your honours will not 
 be deficient in continuing to deale with him to subscribe the 
 League and Covenant, that he and his subjects being of one 
 mynd, he may be happy in his government, and they in their 
 obedience. And though the peace with the rebells, in the 
 fruits and effects therof, lies neither ansuered your expectations, 
 nor put an end to the kingdoms miseries, yet we shall only 
 desire that all such as have been involved in the rebellion may 
 be keept from places of publik trust whether civile or militarie ; 
 and that yow will take such course with them, in moderating 
 their power and regulating their cariage, as that it may be 
 known that yow put a difference betueen those that have 
 served God and their countrey, and those that have opposed 
 him in the publik cause, and that your peace may be peace 
 indeed and not the foundation of a more lasting warre. If it 
 wer not tedious we could lay it before your honours what a 
 hight of arrogancie and disdaine of authority, both civile and 
 ecclesiastik, appears in the cariage and expressions of most of 
 these men, and that not in corners abroad, but publikly in the 
 chief cities of the kingdome, and under your own eyes. And it 
 is yet more grievous that such should be familiarly conversed 
 with and countenanced by these, who professe themselves to be 
 
24 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 121 
 
 for the Lord and his cause, which evill is so encreased that 
 excommunicat persons themselves ar not avoided. 
 
 It wounds us deeply to behold the sufferings and heare the 
 cryes and complaints of our brethren in the province of Argyle 
 and the places thereabouts, who have their blood shedde as water 
 spilt upon the ground, their estates ruined, their houses burnt 
 with fire, and the remnant that is left exposed unto the snares 
 of Antichrist and all the miseries of nakednesse and famine. 
 We need not put your lordships in mynd what lies beene their 
 cariage and constancie in the publik work, nor what is your 
 obligation unto them by vertue of your Covenant, nor how 
 dangerous the seating of such an enemie there may be, both 
 unto our religion and our countrey. But we beseech yow by 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that yee 
 will apply yourself seriously, and bestirre yourselves diligently, 
 for the help and releiff of that poore people, whose conditions 
 pleads for it at your hands, both as an act of justice and an 
 act of mercie. We do also lay before yow the eminent dangers 
 and low condition of our brethren in Irland, who ar neir to be 
 swallowed up of their adversaries : persuading owrselves that 
 yow will extend your utmost endevours, with the Parliament 
 of England, for their tymous assistance and releiff. And 
 although we do acknowledge not only the courage, but also 
 the moderation and piety of many worthies in our armies, who 
 not only walk as good souldiers, but as souldiers of Jesus 
 Christ, unto their own comendation and our hearts joy, whose 
 deservings, wee make no question, will be both valued and 
 rewarded by yow according to their worth ; yet wee can not 
 but regrate that many in our armies walk lowsly and disorderly, 
 ryotously spending what they violentlie spoile, and making the 
 lives of the commons bitter wnto them by their insolencies and 
 oppressions, which ar caried with so high an hand that, without 
 the interposition of your authority, help can not be found. 
 And therfor we ar confident that your care shall reach unto 
 this also, that the poore be no more oppressed, nor the gospell 
 and our profession reproached by the debordings of such. And 
 wee also trust that your Lordships will so dispose of common 
 burthens, that freends have no cause to complaine of unequall 
 measure amongst themselves ; much lesse that enemies ar in a 
 
122 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 Nov. 
 
 better condition then they, and that they ar overcharged, when 
 the other not only retaine their spoiles, but leave in superfluities. 
 And because the preservation of the judicatories of the Kirk in 
 their integrity and strenth is of a great consequence unto the 
 suppressing of iniquitie and ungodlynesse, and advancing 
 righteousnesse and piety, wee desire that your Lordships will 
 carefullie see unto the keeping of their authority inviolable 
 against all the insolencies of unreasonable men. Our religion 
 and libertie ar blessings of excellent and incomparable worth, 
 in establishing of which unto ws the Lord lies marched in as 
 glorious and statly way of providence over all the mountains of 
 opposition, as any ey hath seene for many hundred of yeirs 
 past. And it does not escape your knowledge what hes bene 
 the designer and endevours of adversaries from the begining 
 against the samyne ; and though many of them be cutt short of 
 their power that they can no more openly oppose, yet have 
 they not desisted from their policy secretly to undermine ; and 
 there is no lesse danger in the misteries of iniquity then acts of 
 hostility. When we consider how many of those who wer once 
 open enemies ar brought unto our bosome as seeming freends, 
 we can not but professe our fears, and, as the watchman of the 
 house of Israel, forewarne yow of the samin, earnestly beseech- 
 ing yow that yow will mynd the same thing, and as one man, 
 from the unfained zeale of the honour of God, and with much 
 love and affection one towards another, study the preservation 
 of those precious blessings, that not only this, but the succeed- 
 ing generations, may be happy in the enjoying of the same. 1 
 
 This day the Overturs to be presented to the Parliament 
 being read and approven, the Commission appoynts them to be 
 given in with the Remonstrance. Tenor of the Overtures 
 followes : — 
 
 Overturs to the"! 'The overtures and desires of the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie humblie tendered to the high and 
 honnourable Court of Parliament. 
 
 4 Besides these things represented in generall in our Remon- 
 strance, we could not but lay out unto your honours more par- 
 ticularly some of those grosse and horride impieties and abomin- 
 
24 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 123 
 
 ations, and of these great insolencies and disorders which, through 
 impunity, ar become exceedinglie frequent in our congregations. 
 
 1. And first, because the high provocation of God by the 
 frequencies of adulteries, bigamies, incests, have bene often 
 and in evrie session of Parliament regrated, Therfor we must 
 againe renew our desires to your Lordships that you would be 
 pleased now at last to renew and enlarge the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment made against these odious sins ; and especially that the 
 act against incest be cleirly extended to all the degrees therof ; 
 and that the ordinary and competent judges may be authorised 
 and enabled for executing these lawes in all the parts of the 
 kingdome. 
 
 2. Such is the power of the spirit of delusion and wickednes 
 in the hearts of many, that to conceale these great sins before 
 expressed, committ another fearfull abomination by destroying 
 their conceptions. Your honours therfor will be pleased in 
 your wisdome to enact such exemplar punishment against all 
 concealers and destroyers of conceptions as yow shall find these 
 horride crymes do deserve. 
 
 3. Because in our addresses to the ordinal* judge for punish- 
 ing of charming, it is informed to us that the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment ar not expresse against that sinne, which the rude and 
 ignorant ar much addicted unto ; may it therefor please your 
 Lordships that the Act of the 9 Parliament of Queen Marie 
 made against witches and consulters be enlarged and extended 
 to charmers, or that such other course be taken as that offence 
 may be restrained and punished. 
 
 4. Seeing the pryde and insolencie of many excommunicat 
 persons is verie great, your Lordships will be pleased to cause 
 publish and put in execution your order made at St. Andrews 
 upon the secund of Februar last for securing their persons ; to 
 which effect that order may be enlarged and extended, that all 
 the ministers of justice in burgh or land may execute the same. 
 
 5. The lewdnes and impieties of idle and sturdie beggers and 
 gipsies, often also represented, move us still to desire your Lord- 
 ships to take some solide and effectuall course for restraining 
 therof, by putting in execution the acts already made for that 
 purpose, or enacting such further order as your wisdome shall 
 find necessarie. 
 
124 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 NOV. 
 
 6. The insolencies of papists, malignant mosetrowpers, and 
 other robbers and theeves, we humblie desire to be restrained, 
 and according to your order at St. Andrews of the secund of 
 Februar, that the noblemen and gentlemen in the shyres where 
 these insolencies ar committed may meet and consult upon the 
 best overturs for that effect. 
 
 7. Wee do most humblie recomend to your honours that 
 rapts and forcing of women be repressed and punished, and 
 that the Acts of Parliament made theranent be enlarged, as 
 also, from the consideration of the sin and dangerous conse- 
 quence of marieing persons not forisfamiliat, without consent of 
 their parents or tutors, and of manages solemnized by preists 
 and such like — that your Lordships will provyd some way for 
 restraining and punishing such manages, as your wisdomes 
 shall judge necessare. 
 
 Beside the restraint and punishment of these sins and insol- 
 encies, wee humblie desire your Lordships to enlarge your order 
 of the said 2d of Februar, made at St. Andrews, for education 
 of the children of noblemen under the power of Popish or 
 malignant parents and tutors, that not only the children of 
 noblemen, but of gentlmen, and generallie any others under 
 the power and oversight of Popish or malignant parents, 
 tutors, and curators, may be educat by the care of some 
 religious and well-affected freends, by the appoyntment of the 
 Committee of Estates or Lords of Secrete Counsell. 
 
 Because of the desolat condition of many kirks, that your 
 honours will be pleased to renew the Commission for planting 
 of kirks to such persons as yow think fitting, and that order 
 be given for their constant sitting in tyme coming/ 
 
 Kirk of The Commission of Assembly recomends to the honourabill 
 
 Estates of Parliament the desire of the petition concerning the 
 transporting the Kirk of Dunscore. 
 
 The next meeting the morne before noone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 November 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. 
 William Bennet : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Alexander 
 
25 \ov ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 125 
 
 Turnbull : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Allan Fergus- 
 son : Mr. Thomas Donaldson: Doctor Colvill. Elders. — Lord Craig- 
 hall : Laird Dudingstoun : Laird Libbertoun : William Home for Glasgow. 
 
 This day a petition being presented from the Province of Province of 
 Argyll, the Commission finds that in their Remonstrance to the Ar ^ 1L 
 Parliament they have already represented their sense of the 
 lamentable condition of that province. Yet they think fitt the 
 particular petition from the said province to the Parliament be 
 assisted by Messrs. David Dickson, Andro Cant, Robert 
 Murray, Johne Moncreiff, William Bennet, Lord Craighall, 
 and Libbertoun, who shall accompany the gentlemen of that 
 province to the Parliament for that effect. 
 
 This day the copie of a paper which wes given in by the Pretended 
 pretended magistrats of Glasgow to the severall Estates being Giasgo^ ° f 
 sent to the Commission, they, finding themselves verie much 
 concerned therin, think fitt that they vindicat themselves from 
 the reflexiones and aspersions that it puts upon them, and to 
 complaine therof to the Parliament. For which effect 
 appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant, David Dickson, James Guthrie, 
 Robert Ramsay, with the Moderator, Lord Craighall, and 
 Libbertoun to meet and draw some paper to that purpose, and 
 that they make their report in the afternoon. 
 
 Tenor of the said paper given in to the severall bodies 
 follows : 1 — 
 
 4 Vnto the right honour abill the Estate tf Burr owes, the petition 
 of the present magistrats and towne of Glasgow, for them- 
 selves and in name of the whole incorporation : 
 
 6 Humblie Sheweth, — Wheras it hath pleased the Commission 
 
 The scandalous 
 
 of the Kirk and Synodall Assembly of Glasgow to suffer j^retLnded 
 themselves to be possessed with so much prejudice against us Magistrats. 
 as to own the civile debeats of our cittie as a mater of so great 
 consequence quhairin they conceive themselves concerned to 
 appeare against us, and thus to supplicat the Parliament in our 
 contrary, wee ar exceedingly greived, and therfor we most 
 humblie appeall the justice of the Parliament and of this 
 honourabill Estate ; and entreats that no interest quhat- 
 
 1 The substance of this paper and of the Vindication of the Commission is 
 given in Acts of the Parliaments of Scot/and, vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 625, 626, and the 
 two magistrates who presented the paper were put in prison, j 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 nov. 
 
 somever nor information from whatsomever hand weight us, 
 before the justice and truth of our cause be fullie understood, 
 wherin we hope to appeare nothing like to that our unfreends 
 would beare upon us. And becaus our particular concerns the 
 interest and right of royall burrowes, as likewise of evrie free 
 estate and member in it, that it would please your Lordships 
 to appoynt us a free and inprej udged 1 hearing before any 
 further be proceeded concerning our citie. 1 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt omnes (except Mr. Evan Camron) qui in sessione 
 precedent}, cum Mr. Johne Weir, Lammingtoun, Cunyngham- 
 head and Gland erstoun. 
 
 This day a vindication of the Commission from the 
 scandalous paper of the people of Glasgow being read and 
 approven, the Commission appoynts the same to be delivered 
 first to the severall bodies, viz., by Mr. Robert Douglas, 
 Moderator, Johne Moncreiff and Cunynghamhead to the 
 noblmen, Messrs Andro Cant, Robert Murray and Dudingstoun 
 to the barones, and Messrs William Bennet and James Guthrie 
 and Libbertoun to the burrowes : And that all these present 
 the same also to the Parliament. Tenor of the said Vindication 
 followes : — 
 
 Vindication of 4 A Vindication of the proceedings of the Commissioners 
 
 fron^the^aid 0 " of the Gcnerall Assembly in the mater of Glasgoiv from the 
 pap^ al ° US aspersions of a scandalous paper, together with their desires 
 
 concerning the same to the honourable and high Court of 
 
 Parliament. 
 
 6 Right Honourable, — If we had not seen it we could hardly 
 have beleeved that some dissaffected people in the town of 
 Glasgow would have been so malicious and inconsiderat, as 
 after all their malignant and tumultarie cariages at home, in the 
 the verie tyme of their offer of repentance to ws, to loaden us 
 with heavy imputations and unjust aspersions by a scandalous 
 paper given in to your Lordships ; wherin they challenge us as 
 men possest with prejudices and owners of civile debates, and 
 such as have studied to weight them with our informations 
 before the truth be tryed ; nay, as unfreends to them, and such 
 In the Acts of Parliament the word is unprejudiced. 
 
25 Nov.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646. 
 
 127 
 
 as would prejudicat a free hearing unto them in those things 
 that concerne the interests of royall burrowes and free 
 Estates. 
 
 4 Wee ar persuaded that your honours and all such as know 
 anything of our dutie, and all such as tender the work of 
 reformation, will beare us testimony, that as hithertills we 
 have not stfeatched ourselves beyond our line, but humblie 
 walked within our trust, ayming at nothing for our selves, but 
 studying the preservation of religion and the advancement of 
 the work of reformation evriewhere throughout the land, so 
 that in this particular, we have confined ourselves to the same 
 rule and mynded the same thing. Our calling and Covenant 
 obliges us before God to discover and make known all the 
 adversaries of the trueth, and to seek the redresse of those evills 
 and preventing of these dangers that their malignant practises 
 threattens unto the cause of God. And who will question 
 that it is incumbent unto us to supplicat, that oppen and 
 declared malignants, under censure both of Kirk and State, 
 may be keeped out of places of publik trust, as that which 
 much concerns the work of reformation and the preservation 
 of the ordinances of God in their purity and power. These 
 things ar no more then the servants of God hes done in all 
 ages, and hes been our custome and care ever since the Lord 
 restored us unto our liberties ; in which we have been alwayis 
 allowed and commended of yourselves. And we could not 
 have imagined that those men who ar incontrovertably guilty, 
 and already under censure for their comply ance with the enemy, 
 could so farre misinterpreted our proceedings with yow, or be- 
 wrayed their own obstinacie in an evill way, as to find no better 
 excuse for themselves then to accuse us. We never arrogated 
 nor assumed to ourselves any judgment either upon the civile 
 debates or in the mater of their ryet against the Presbyterie, but 
 have only from our zeale of the work of reformation and desire 
 to preserve the judicatories of the Kirk in their integrity and 
 strenth, humblie represented the dangers that these mens 
 practises threattens unto both, and supplicat for ane redresse of 
 the samin, — a duety so innocent that it is mater of wonder unto 
 ws that any should have been so bold as to traduce the samen ; 
 and certainly such ane calumny could not have flowed from 
 
128 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OE COMMISSION [26 NOV. 
 
 any but from spirits long socked 1 in malignancie. And therfor, 
 as we do renew the desires of our former supplication uuto your 
 honours concerning these mens cariage, so wee trust that their 
 paper shall leave no hard impression of us in your hearts, but 
 that vow will take notice therof as that which tends much to 
 the weakning of our hands in the work of God, and exposing 
 us unto the misconstructions of the people, and opens a doore 
 to the slanders of the Kirk judicatories, and is intended to raise 
 jealousies, which is one of the mayne designes of all the 
 adversaries of truth and peace, and wee ar confident shall be 
 no lesse carefully shunned by your honours and us both, then it 
 is studied by them. And that therfor vow will so censure this 
 practise, which hithertills hath been without paralell since the 
 begining of the work of God amongst us, that it be not a 
 precedent to embolden others to hazarde upon such dangerous 
 and presumptous attempts against the judicatories of the Kirk. 1 
 For preaching This day Mr. Johne Moncreiff'appovnted to pray in the Parlia- 
 Pa?iia r ment g ment to morrow, and Mr. William Bennet and Mr. Johne Nevey 
 to preach the next Lords day, and that Mr. Patrik Colvill and 
 Mr. James Simsone preach for Mr. William Bennet in his kirk. 
 The next meeting the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 November 1646. 
 This day, that the brethren might attend the Parliament 
 who wer therunto appoynted, the Commission adjourned untill 
 the morne in the afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 27 November 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet: Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. James Bonar: Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. 
 Patrik Colvill : Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : Mr. George Young : Mr. Andro 
 Eliot. Elders. — Laird Dudingstoun : Libbertoun : Glanderstoun : James 
 Stuart : Thomas Patersone : Lawrence Henrysone. 
 
 The Commission continues to give ansuer to the petition 
 of Johne Stuart of Scheirglasse untill they heare himself 
 personally present. 
 
 This day the petition of Mr. Robert Innes recomended to 
 the Commission of Parliament for planting of kirks. 
 
 1 In the Acts of Parliament the word is sopped. 
 
27 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 129 
 
 The Com mission, taking to their consideration a letter from Act anent 
 the Presbvterie of Dunkeld shewing the inability of the most James Ml f ra y s 
 
 & •> payment furth 
 
 part of them to mak payment to James Murray of his fees and o f the pres- 
 books, do understand by his relation that from the begining Dunkeld!" 
 he lies never gotten payment of any thing from them, and yet 
 notwithstanding, sent them yeirly the whole Acts of all the 
 Assemblies and other printed papers that wer direct to the 
 rest of the Presbyteries. And considering therby his great 
 losse bv the foresaid want ; and als considering that when they 
 wer able to pay him they did it not, Finds that the said Pres- 
 bytery ought to satisfy him of all that is due, and recomends 
 the way how it shall be efFectuat to the Presbyterie and those 
 who ar joyned with them out of the tuo neigbouring Pres- 
 byteries of Perth and Ochterardour for planting of the vacand 
 kirks of the said Presbyterie of Dunkeld, and they to report 
 their diligence fcherin to the third quarterlie meeting of the 
 Commission on the secund Weddensday of Februar next. 
 
 This day the petition given in by the pretendit Magistrats Pretended 
 of Glasgow, concerning the paper given in by them to the Giafgow. t6S ° 
 severall bodies, being considered, and themselves heard, the 
 Commission wes not satisfied therwith. 1 
 
 The Commission, considering the necessitous condition of Recomendation 
 Mr. Alexander Reid, in the Presbyterie of Dumblane, do ^ r ei £ lexander 
 seriouslie recomend the same to presbyteries, and that the 
 letter following be writtin to that purpose : 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — The necessitous and Letter to Pres- 
 lamentable condition of our brethren of the ministrie in the recomendation 
 Presbyterie of Dumblane by the crueltv of the rebells lies bene^^ n s ^^^ 
 manifestly expressed unto us, and particularly that Mr. Alex- 
 ander Reid, minister ther, hath his houses, cornes, books, and 
 whole goods burnt and destroyed, and himself and family 
 utterly spoyled of all means of lyvliehood : Therfor these ar 
 
 1 The supplication bore that what they had done was ' out of mere ignorance, 
 and that it was never their intention ' to charge the Kirk as intermeddlers with 
 civil debates, knowing that what they do is out of their zeal for the good cause,' 
 and they expressed themselves ' heartilie sorie' for their offence. The Parlia- 
 ment, however, as well as the Commission, was not yet satisfied, and, on ist 
 December, it ordered James Bell and Colin Campbell, who had given in the 
 supplication, to ' enter their persons in ward within the tolbuith of Edinburgh.' — 
 Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 625-627. 
 
 I 
 
130 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [27 nov. 
 
 Lady Fren- 
 draught. 
 
 Praying in 
 Parliament. 
 
 Approbation of 
 Mr. Robert 
 Douglas de- 
 portment in 
 Parliament con- 
 cerning the 
 peace. 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 27 November 1640. 
 
 earnestly to recomend his deplorable condition to your charities, 
 that he and his family may have some means of subsistance. 
 What yow ar pleased to contribut for his necessity, let it be 
 sent with diligence heir to Edinburgh, to James Murray, whom 
 we have appoynted to receive it and convey it to him. Ex- 
 pecting your care herein, we remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 of the Genera ll Assembly.' 
 Concerning the petition of the Lady Frendraught, this day 
 presented, the Commission thinks fitt to send it to the Pres- 
 bytery of Strabogy, with a letter containing their opinion ; 
 tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have sent yow this 
 petition of the Lady Frendrauchts, which she hath caused 
 present unto us, being unwilling to medle in the particular as 
 more propper for yourselves. Only in our opinion, if she be 
 content to be a hearer of the Word at Forg, and give obedi- 
 ence there, it wer hard to proceed against her, as dissobedient, 
 with excommunication. But we remitt it to your own wis- 
 domes and discretion, remaining, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 27 November 1646. of the Generall Assemblie." 
 
 Direct : To their reverend brethren of the Presbyter le of 
 Strabogie. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Robert Ramsay to pray the 
 morne in the Parliament, and Mr. David Dickson the next 
 dyet of their Lordships meeting, and that these tuo brethren, 
 with Messrs. Evan Camron, Allan Fergusson, and Andro Eliot, 
 attend the Parliaments ansuer to the Vindication lately 
 presented. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator, having made the 
 Report following, that he, with the remanent brethren therunto 
 appoynted, presented this forenoon to the Parliament (not find- 
 ing opportunity to do it sooner in respect of their Lordships 
 other great affairs) the Remonstrance, with the Overturs, 
 and the other papers that wer to be delyvered ; after reading 
 quherof they promised to tak the same to their consideration, 
 and returne their ansuer so soon as conveniently could be. 
 
,27 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 131 
 
 That after this wes done, the said Mr. Robert, hearing of a 
 paper given to the Parliament from the Committee of Estates 
 concerning their concluding the peace with the rebells, quhairin 
 there wer some reflections upon him and some other brethren, 
 did delyver some things for clearing himself, and for vindicat- 
 ing also the Kirk from any interest in that peace, which that 
 paper seemed to import and intend. And Mr. Robert having 
 so expressed himself, the ministers and elders present being 
 removed, and after long attendance called in againe, the 
 President shew that after much debate the Parliament found 
 that the mater is of so hie concernment that it can not be 
 presently ansuered. Notwithstanding, in the meantyme they 
 had voiced that the conclusions of the Committee concerning 
 that peace should be that day taken to consideration without 
 more delay. 1 The Commission of Assembly, considering the 
 said Report, and having heard Mr. Robert repeat what he 
 spoke in face of Parliament, do, with all thankfull acknowledg- 
 ment of his care and faithfulnes, vnanimously approve what he 
 then delivered, desyring that he may still vrge the recording of 
 it in the books of Parliament, and the obtaining their Lord- 
 ships ansuer therunto. And in the meantyme ordains it to 
 be insert in the records of this Commission, and that the said 
 Mr. Robert put it in wryting to that effect. 
 
 6 Report by Mr. Robert Douglas of his deportment m Par- Mr. Robert 
 liament about the Report of the Committee of Estats R°por\%ub- 
 concerninp the peace with the Rebells. scrived by him- 
 
 ° 1 self, appoynted 
 
 ' After the Remonstrance, Overtures, and other papers pre- to be recorded, 
 sented from the Commision of Assembly to the Parliament 
 wer read, and the President had delivered the Parliaments 
 ansuer, which wes, — That their Lordships wer to take the same 
 to consideration • — Mr. Robert Dowglas, being informed that 
 in the Report given to the Parliament from the Committee of 
 Estates tuiching their proceedings in the peace with the rebells 
 some of the ministrie wer concerned, humblie desired, seing 
 
 1 An Act was passed by the Parliament that very day approving of what the 
 Committee of Estates had done 'anent the bringing aff of the rebells,' but 
 neither the Report of that Committee, nor the Report of Mr. Douglas, is 
 inserted in the Records of Parliament. See Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, 
 vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 623, 624. 
 
132 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [27 NOV. 
 
 that Report wes not yet appro ven, that these passages therof 
 concerning ministers might be read, and they heard upon the 
 same, before their Lordships entered upon the debate of. the 
 matter. Which accordingly being then instantly granted, the 
 said Mr. Robert expressed himself to this sense : — 
 
 4 That forasmuch as the Committee of Estates in their Report 
 affirmed that in the mater of the peace with the rebells they 
 did not conclude anything till they consulted with the ministers 
 in towne, and for that end sent for the ministers of Edinburgh, 
 to quhom the instructions wer red, but they declyning to give 
 a present opinion, wer allowed to think on it till the next day, 
 and in the interim wer desired to consult with others of their 
 brethren : And accordingly the next day Mr. Robert Dowglas, 
 Mr. Robert Blair, and some others, appeared and declyned to 
 give an advyce, being only in the capacity of privat persons ; 
 yet did they not object against the thing, nor expresse any 
 maner of dislyk of it : Therfor he humblie offered these his 
 present thoughts for his own clearing, craving likwise that 
 others concerned in the mater might be also heard for them- 
 selves in due tyme. First, That he wes none of those ministers 
 to whom the instructions wer read, neither did he consult with 
 any upon the bussines, nor did he ever heare of it untill he wes 
 called off the street (whilst he wes going to Newcastle), to 
 come to the Committee about that mater. 2dly, That he did 
 only declyne at that time and in that place his opinion as a 
 privat man, being so unexpectedly brought there, and that 
 not only becaus it wes a mater of higher consequence then 
 become any privat man to medle with without more tyme and 
 counsell, but because it wes then told that there wes an Act of 
 Parliament for it, and that it wes a thing already concluded 
 and done. In which case, as he then expressed, he conceived 
 it not seasonable to give a positive opinion, and doubted to 
 what purpose they then craved it, seing they professed the 
 mater to be warranted by the Parliament, and themselves 
 already engadged in it. 
 
 4 These things premitted, it wes his humble and earnest 
 desire, becaus he wes particularly named in the Report as 
 declyning to give opinion in the mater, that whilst it wes yet 
 time, before they should tak the Report to further considera- 
 
i dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 tion, or enter upon the debate of the approbation therof, their 
 honours would be pleased to receive his opinion, which he 
 should be ready to give in wryting ; conceiving himself bound 
 in conscience to tender the same with all submission to their 
 Lordships, to be keeped upon record with the aforesaid Report, 
 for his further cleiring : Declaring and protesting, howsoever, 
 that notwithstanding any thing already done, or which may be 
 done heirafter by the Parliament or Committee, yet the Kirk, 
 from the hiest judicatorie to the lowest, hath no accession at 
 all to that peace ; and if the Parliament shall approve the 
 Committees conclusions concerning the peace, that it be with- 
 out prejudice of the libertie of the Kirk and of the servants of 
 God, to exoner their consciences according to his Worde and 
 the constitutions of this Kirk. 
 
 Subscribitu?', Mr. Rot. Dowglas.' 
 
 The next meeting on Teusday at tuo afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, prima Decembris 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Oiswald : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. James Bonar : Mr. 
 William Dalgleish : Doctor Colvill: Mr. William Bennet : Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. John 
 MoncreirT: Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. Andrew Eliot : 
 Mr. John Weir: Mr. Robert Murray. Elders. — Lord Marques of 
 Argyll : Earle of Craufurd Lyndsay : Earle Mershell : Earle Glencarne : 
 Ear]e Cassillis : Lord Balmerino : Master of Yester : Laird Cunnyng- 
 hamhead : Laird Brodie : Laird Lammingtoun : Laird Clerkingtoun : 
 Laird of Arneistoun : Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Libbertoun : Laird 
 of Glanderstoun : Laird of Wedderlie : George Gairdin : Johne Sempill: 
 Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day the summons of the parishioners of Leyth against Mr. johne 
 Mr. Johne Smith continued untill Thursday next. Smith ' 
 
 This day, by occasion of a petition from James Ogilvy, the James Ogilvie. 
 Commission, entering upon the consideration of the maner of 
 his relaxation, and particularly concerning the habit, after 
 much debate, Finds that they can not dispense with saccloath, 
 and appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Robert Murray, Andro 
 Cant, William Colvill, William Bennet, Johne Moncreiff, 
 James Bonar, James Guthrie, Johne Nevey, Lord Craighall, 
 Lairds Libbertoun, Dudingstoun, and Glanderstoun to con- 
 
134 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 DEC. 
 
 feme upon the place and dyets of his satisfaction, and to report 
 their opinions. 
 
 This day all summonds and references continued untill the 
 morne. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. William Colvill to pray the 
 morne in the Parliament. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at 8 hours. 
 
 Edinburgh, 2 December 1646. ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. John Nevey: Mr. Robert Murray: 
 Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. John Weir : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Evan 
 Camron : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Patrik Colvill: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. 
 Thomas Donaldson: Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith: Mr. David Drummond. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Clerkingtoun : Libbertoun : Duding-stoun : 
 Glanderstoun : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Kirk of Mony- The Commission appoynts a letter to be writtin to the Pres- 
 
 byterie of Ochterardour, recomending to them the speedie 
 
 planting of the kirk of Monyvaird. 
 
 Petition to the Concerning the Election of the Magistracie and Counsell in 
 
 ceming the elec- Aberden, the Commission appoynts the petition following to 
 
 tion of Magis- k e preS ented to the Parliament : 
 trats in Aber- r 
 
 4 The Supplication of the Commissioners of the Generall 
 Assemblie vnto the high Court of Parliament anent 
 Aberden. 
 
 4 Since it pleased our Lord to sett us upon the work of Re- 
 formation, nothing hath bene more endevoured and studied by 
 us then the reforming of those prime and cheeff cities, where 
 greatest corruption under Prelacie did prevaill. It hath bene 
 therfor our care, not without good lyking, approbation and 
 concurrance of so many of your honours as God hath given 
 now and then a call unto to sitt with us in our assemblies, to 
 plant these places with honest men whom wee thought fittest 
 to that purpose. But when we do heare and see that men, 
 evillwillers and adversaries rather then freends, ar put in 
 places to rule and beare sway as cheeff' office-bearers in magis- 
 tracie and counsell within these cities, and diverse of the best 
 affected violently thrust off and borne by, it can not but be a 
 mater of greeff* and of just complaint to us ; because therby 
 
2 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 135 
 
 the laudable intentions both of your honours and of us your 
 servands ar frustrated, and the hearts of our beloved brethren 
 sent by ws thither, whose studie it is to be fund faithfull, 
 much grieved and their hands sore weakned. As therfor we 
 have laid before your honours the mater of Glasgow, which 
 wee hope yow will take into tymous and serious consideration, 
 so we could not forbeare, but yet again, as wee have often 
 done before, in name and at the command of the Generall 
 Assemblie, from whom we have our trust, represent unto your 
 honours our great greevance and offence at that election of 
 magistrats and counsellers made in Aberden in September 
 1645 by rebells excommunicat, according to an Act which wee 
 have in readynes to present, the particulars quhairof, being 
 well examined, shall evidence what just mater we have to com- 
 plaine. When your honours did sitt at St. Andrews and 
 caused cite before yow those persons so elected, and did cast 
 their commission wherwith they had cloathed some of their 
 number to sitt and vote in Parliament, wee apprehended that 
 there should bene no need of any supplication from us, let be 
 of so many, for redresse. Neither had these persons at that 
 time any such hopes and presumptions as since they have had 
 and now have. Wherfor, conceiving that election to be farre 
 contrary to the ends of our Covenant and obstructive to the 
 work of Reformation there, wee do earnestly intreat and 
 humblie desire that your honours will consider of that pro- 
 cesse, and put such an end to it as may contribute for the 
 promoving of the work of God, and strenthning the hands of 
 the well affected in that place. Wee need not lay before yow 
 what influence that cittie hath upon all the northern parts of 
 the kingdome. Many sad experiences hes sufficiently taught 
 the same unto us, and wee can have small confidence to expect 
 any better fruits for the tyme to come, wnless all places of 
 publik trust within it be carefully seen to, and not continued in 
 the hands of men who have complied with that proude and 
 insolent enemy, and ar under proces for the samen, but be 
 committed unto such as ar of unquestionable and appro ven 
 integrity ; which wee ar persuaded will be no less zealously 
 studied by yow then it is earnestly desired by us Your humble 
 supplicants.' 
 
136 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 dec. 
 
 Followes the copie of the Act mentioned in the petition 
 made by those excommunicat rebells, James Gordon, 
 sumtyme Viscount of Aboyn, and Irwin, 1 som- 
 
 tym of Drum. 
 
 ActofAberden ' At Aberden, 15 September 1645. — Sederunt: — Johne Hay, 
 somtime Lord* 6 Thomas Mortimer, Patrik Leslie, younger, baillies ; Doctor 
 Aboyn for the Patrick Dun, James Collison, thesaurer, Mr. Alexander 
 
 election of , 7 7 / 
 
 Magistrats Meinyies, James Robertson, Patrik Dobie, Thomas Gray, 
 Alexander Ramsay, Thomas Mowat, and Johne Scott, taylour. 
 The quhilk day the persons of counsell of the said burgh above 
 mentioned being conveened at comand and direction of James, 
 Viscount of Aboyn, having forces with him in the town, and 
 compeiring personally himself in counsell, signified to them the 
 propositions following : — viz., First, That the persons under- 
 named, given in be him in a roll, viz., Mr. Robert Farquhar, 
 provest, Patrik Leslie, late provest, Robert Cruikshank, Alex- 
 ander Forbes, Patrik Leslie, younger, bailly, Walter Cochran, 
 Mr. William Moore, James Collison, Thomas Mowat, Alex- 
 ander Lummisden, Mr. Thomas Lummisden, Alexander Jaffray, 
 Johne Jaffray, and William Blackburne should be excepted, 
 and have no voice in counsell in the yeir to come, nor at the 
 ensuing election ; Secundly, That the inhabitants of this 
 burgh should be presently put in a postur of defence, and 
 captains chosen for that effect, otherwise he would leave a 
 garrison in the town ; Thirdly, That the customs should be 
 collected by Thomas Nicolson ; Fourthlie, That diverse letters 
 sent be our ministers and others to the magistrats and counsell 
 of this burgh should be delivered to him be the Clerk on his 
 great oath sworne ; quhilk four propositions he would have 
 instantly effectuat and granted be the said counsell ; and for 
 that effect left and appoynted William Gordoun of Arradoull 
 and Mr. William Gordoun, advocat, to stay and remaine in 
 counsell till the saids propositions wer voted and concluded. 
 And the forenamed baillies and counsell having considered the 
 foresaid, and finding no possibility for the present to resist the 
 same, concluded to give way therto for the tyme." — Eoctractum 
 etc. . Subscr'ibitur, M. Pat. Chaiaieh. 
 
 1 Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum. 
 
2 DEC] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 137 
 
 The summonds against the Laird of Halyburton continued Haiiburton. 
 until the afternoon. 
 
 This day four witnesses judicially examined in the mater con- Air. James 
 cerning Mr. James Layng, the remanent delayed till afternoon. Layng - 
 
 This day the Commission recomended to the brethren in Sir William 
 towne who should be appoynted to attend the Parliament, to Dlck ' 
 assist Sir William Dicks desires to the Parliament, conforme 
 to the recommendation of the late Assembly. 
 
 This day the brethren appoynted to conferre upon James James Ogiivie. 
 Ogilvyes satisfaction made their report, which the Commission 
 continued untill the afternoon, appointing the said James 
 Ogilvy to be then personally present. 
 
 Eodcm die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes except Doctor Colvill qui in Sessione 
 precedenti, cum 
 
 Mr. AVilliam Bennet : Mr. Andro Cant : Laird Lammingtoim : and 
 Laird of AVedderlie. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. James Vrquhart this day Mr. James 
 presented, it is the opinion of the Commission that he be Urquhait - 
 continued under suspension till the next quarterly meeting of 
 the Commission in Februar, and in the meantyme that the 
 Presbyterie provyd an expectant to preach at his kirk. 
 
 This day Halyburton appeiring personally, desired that the Halyburton. 
 paper bearing the words spoken by him upon the 22 August 
 might be read, wherin these words ar expressed both as they 
 wer alleadged by Mr. James Guthrie, and as they wer con- 
 fessed by himself, which accordingly wes done. Tenor of the 
 said paper folio wes : — 
 
 22 Augusti 1646. 
 
 Mr. James Guthrie alleadges that Halyburtoun said diverse The words 
 tymes to him— Sir, I shall prove it before King Charles that hSKSS^ 
 yee have made my house a bawdiehouse. befor theCom- 
 
 mission on 22 
 
 oubscribitiir, M. J. Guthrie. August, com- 
 
 , . plained of by 
 
 Halyburtoun sayes that he spoke thir words : 1 have just Mr. James 
 occasion to think yow have made my house a bawdiehouse. Guttene - 
 and I will tell it before King Charles. 
 
 Subscribitur, Alexander Home. 
 
138 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 dec. 
 
 Halyburtoun also further said before the Commission that 
 he had made it appeir already if it had bene taken notice of. 
 
 Subscribitur, M. W. Bennett. 
 Haiiburton and This day Halyburtoun denying the words as they wer sub- 
 Guuede! eS scribed by Mr. James Guthrie, the said Mr. James declared 
 that though he could make it appeir that Halyburtoun spoke 
 the words in the terms he alleadged, yet he wes content to 
 adhere to the terms Halyburtoun confessed, desyring that the 
 Commission might take them to consideration in these terms. 
 As also that they should tak notice of the words spoken be 
 him which ar subscribed by Mr. William Bennet. moderator 
 for the tyme. 
 
 Act finding The Commission, considering the words spoken by Haly- 
 
 Halyburtoun a ' & r . 
 
 siaunderer. burtoun upon the 22 of August, subscribed by himself, and the 
 words subscribed be the Moderator, Mr. William Bennet, 
 Finds that therby he lies slandered both the Commission and 
 their brethren, Mr. James Guthrie, Mr. James Simsone, and 
 other ministers and gentlmen. And becaus that after some 
 peremptory dyets given to Halyburtoun to insist in the proba- 
 tion of the particulars in the paper given in be him, that he 
 lies brought no witnesses ; and seing he is now found guiltie 
 of slander, the Commission thinks it not necessare that he be 
 urged to insist further in the mater, and that the brethren 
 interessed be desired not to urge his further insisting therin, 
 and appoynts Halyburtoun to appeare againe the morne. 
 
 Haiiburton. The Commission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, William 
 Bennet, Johne Moncreiff, William Dalgleish, Lammingtoun. 
 and Libbertoun to consider what should be further done in 
 Halyburtounes bussines, and to report their opinions. 
 
 Ordinance for The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, having con- 
 
 Rekl S at?on. 16S sidered the frequently reiterat petitions of James Ogilvy, both 
 to themselves and to the General! Assembly, for his relaxa- 
 tion from the sentence of excommunication, wherin he repre- 
 sented his unfained greeff of heart for the offences for 
 which he wes excommunicat, with his sense of the weight 
 of that dreadfull sentence under which he hes lien above 
 these tuo years and an half; and especially taking to their 
 consideration an humble declaration and confession under his 
 own hand, of his sorrow for his accession to these rebellious 
 wayes and courses for which he wes excommunicat, sinceirly 
 
2 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 139 
 
 acknowledging the justice and equity of that sentence, and 
 that he justlie lyes all this tyme under the same, both for the 
 offences therin mentioned and for his persisting in these 
 courses after the said sentence and his coming out of the 
 tolbuith of Edinburgh ; earnestly desireing that he may be 
 reconciled to the Kirk and relaxed from that heavy sentence 
 under which he hes long groaned, and promising by the Lords 
 assistance to witnesse the sincerity of that his acknouledgment 
 by a duetyfull and circumspect cariage in tym coming : all 
 which he declares and promises as in the sight of God, as that 
 declaration subscribed be him at more lenth proports : And 
 the said James having often appeared before them personallie 
 and expressed himself verbally to the same purpose ; and this 
 day againe having with humble acknouledgment of his said 
 offences renewed his desires with great earnestnesse to be 
 absolved from that sentence : The Commissioners of Assembly 
 after serious examination of the premisses, that the publik 
 scandale of these offences may be removed, and the frequent 
 desires of the said penitent may be granted, Do therfor. 
 according to the power committed to them, appoynt him to 
 appeare tuo severall Sabboth dayes before the congregation in 
 the Eist Kirk of Edinburgh before noon, after the prayer which 
 is immediatly before sermon ; the first day, which shall be the 
 next Sabboth, presenting himself gravely in his own habite 
 before the pulpet, where, after the sermon is ended, the minister 
 shall admonish him of his said offences and prepare and incite 
 him to a further sense therof, and to sincerity in the publik 
 declaration of his repentance, which he is to make before the 
 congregation the next day : The Sabboth nixt therefter, being 
 the 13th of this moneth of December, he shall againe present 
 himself in the same place in sackcloath, and after sermon, 
 humblie upon his knees, make ane full and distinct acknow- 
 ledgment of all his offences abovementioned before God and 
 the congregation. All which being done, the Commission of 
 Assemblie ordaines and authorizes their brother, Mr. Andro 
 Cant, who shall preach that day for that purpose, after receiv- 
 ing the penitents humble confession in maner aforesaid, ix the 
 name and authority of Jesus Christ, to relaxe and absolve him 
 from the sentence of excommunication pronounced against 
 him, receive him againe to the communion and fellowship of 
 
140 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [3 dec. 
 
 the faithfull, and restore him again to the priviledge of partici- 
 pating of the Lords Supper and remanent ordinances, and to 
 the fruition of all the benefits of the Kirk, according to the 
 order prescribed in the like cases. 1 
 Order for The Commission appoynts the Moderator, Messrs. David 
 
 ddelftoreceive Dickson, Robert Murray, Robert Lawrie, Lord Craighall, Laird 
 James Ogiivy. Libbertoun, with an elder out of eyrie Session of this citie, to 
 be present at the relaxation of James Ogilvie, that after the 
 sentence is pronounced, in testimony of his reception within 
 the Kirk, they may receive him by the hand according to the 
 accustomed order. 
 
 Thanks to the The Commission being informed that the Parliament had so 
 punishing 1 f °' farre taken notice of their complaint that their Lordships had 
 C^inCampben comm ^ted James Bell and Coline Campbell to vvarde, who had 
 given in the scandalous paper complained of, and appoynted 
 them to satisfie the Commission, therfor they desire the 
 Moderator to returne their Lordships most humble and heartie 
 thanks. 
 
 The next meeting the morne afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh,?* December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bemiet : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 William Dalgleisch : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. Johne Adamson : Mr. 
 David Dickson : Mr. Johne Moucreiff : Mr. Johne AVeir : Mr. Thomas 
 Donaldson : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 Robert Murray. Elders. — Lord Angus : Lord Balmerino : Lord Craig- 
 hall : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Glanderstoun : Laird Dudingstoun : 
 Thomas Patersone : George Gairdin. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Concerning the desire of the Commissioners, from the Presbv- 
 
 Bfgga?. St ° Un f ° r terie of Lanerk, and the patron and paroshiners of Biggar, for 
 
 advice tuiching the transporting of Mr. Alexander Levingstoun 
 
 to Biggar, it is the opinion of the Commission of Assembly that 
 
 the said Mr. Alexander may be transported to the said kirk of 
 
 Biggar. 
 
 Continues the summonds of transportation against Mr. Johne 
 Smith untill the morne in the afternoone. 
 Preaching and This day Messrs. David Dickson and Robert Blair appoynted 
 Pa^Uament. 1116 to preach in the Parliament the next Lords Day, and that Mr. 
 
 1 See Henderson's Government and Order of the Church of Scotland, p. 44, 
 for the order prescribed. 
 
4 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 141 
 
 John Moncreiff pray there the morne and Mr. Patrik Gillespie 
 on Saturday. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, having con- Suspension of 
 sidered the summonds raiset against Mr. James Layng, and Layng. m6S 
 after hearing himself, diverse tymes personally present, having 
 found by his own acknouledgment and by the deposition of 
 diverse witnesses, that he went to the place of Calder where 
 that excommunicat rebell James Grahame wes, to procure pro- 
 tection from him, and that he went into his chalmer with the 
 umquhyll young laird of Innerleith to that purpose, Do therfor 
 suspend the said Mr. James from all exercise of his ministrie 
 untill the quarterly meeting of this Commission in Februar next, 
 and appoynts Mr. Johne Charters, minister at Currie, to intimat 
 this sentence in the Kirk of Kirknewtoun the next Sabboth, the 
 sext day of this instant moneth of December. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Messrs William Bennet, Robert Concerning the 
 Murray, Andro Cant, Johne Moncreiff, James Guthrie, with the f™$§ 1 of th€ 
 Moderator, Cunynghamhead, Libbertoun and Dudingstoun to Glasgow, 
 assist the complaint of the Synod of Glasgow for the affront 
 done to the Presbyterie, and that thev represent to the Parlia- 
 ment that Coline Campbell and James Bell have never yet 
 addressed themselves to this Commission ; and that they also 
 crave ansuere to the Remonstrance, Overturs, and the paper 
 concerning the election of the Magistracie in Aberdene. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 4 December 1 646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet: Mr. Johne Smith: Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Johne Weer: 
 Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. 
 Robert Douglas: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Johne 
 Nevey : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Johne Mon- 
 creiff: Doctor Colvill: Mr. William Colvill. Elders. — Lord Marques 
 of Argyle : Lord Balmerino : Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Laird 
 Brodie : George Gairdin. 
 
 Touching the petition of James Bell and Coline Campbell Desire of James 
 this day presented, the Commission grants the first of their Campbeiis 0lme 
 desires and appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Andro Cant and enlargement. 
 Libbertoun to present to the honourable Estates of Parliament 
 their thankfull acknowledgement of their Lordships resentment 
 of their complaint; and that now being satisfied by the 
 
142 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [4 dec. 
 
 offenders submissive confession of their offences, they ar become 
 suters to their Lordships for their enlargement. 1 And for the 
 other desires of the petition, the Commission is to take the 
 same to further consideration. 
 Continuation Concerning Halyburtouns satisfaction in the mater of the 
 difFebruar 11 slander lie wes found guilty of yesterday, the Commission 
 with an order continues the consideration therof untill the next quarterly 
 
 for Mr. Andro .. . , . . i-ii 
 
 Cant to go to meeting 111 rebruar. And in the mean tyme, that their brethren 
 may be cleared, appoynts Mr. Andro Cant to preach at the 
 Kirk of Gordon upon the 24th of this moneth, and that the 
 Presbyterie of Ersiltoun and some brethren of the Presbyteries 
 of Kelso, Dunce, and Chirnside meet there the said day to heare 
 the said Mr. Andro, and to receive full information from him 
 of the whole progresse of that mater ; and that letters be 
 writtin to that purpose : And Halyburton, personally present, 
 warned hereof apud acta. 
 Desire of Leith This day certaine of the toun of Leith having presented a 
 Alexander petition in favour of Mr. Alexander Gibson, their present 
 Gibson refused. m i n j s ter, the Commission, before they entered upon the con- 
 sideration of the transportation of Mr. Johne Smith to the 
 said kirk of Leyth in Mr. James Sharps place, having taken the 
 desire of the said petition to their consideration, thinks that 
 the petitioners have wronged the Lord Balmerino, patron, in 
 that they doe not comply with his choyse, of whose knowledge, 
 pietie, and conscience they may have verie great confidence ; and 
 therfor desired them to desist from this or the lyk petition, 
 that he might have that freedome to vse his right allowed to 
 him be the law, which is nowayes to prejudge them of their 
 laufull objections, against any man offered to them, in an 
 orderly and convenient way. 
 Absoivitur, Mr. Concerning the summonds raiset at the instance of the 
 froni^ra^port- parishioners of Leith for Mr. Johne Smiths transportation, the 
 mg to Leith. Lord Balmerino and certaine other of the paroshiners of Leith 
 compeiring and presenting a petition for the said Mr. Johnes 
 transportation, and the said Mr. Johne compeiring personally, 
 with the young Laird of Hallhill, George Gairdin, and certaine 
 others of the paroshiners of Burntiland, producing reasons 
 
 1 Warrant was given by the Parliament for their liberation the same day, after 
 hearing the 1 verbal relation of Mr. Ro fc . Douglas. ' 
 
9 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 143 
 
 against his transportation, the Commission, according to the 
 power given to them by the Assemblie, having heard the said 
 parties, and seriouslie considered the whole reasons for and 
 against the said transportation, Finds that the desire of the 
 paroshiners of Leith for Mr. Johnes transportation can not be 
 granted, and therfor decerne and ordaine the said Mr. John 
 Smith to continue in his charge at Burntiland notwithstanding 
 therof, absolving him from the same and from the summonds 
 raiset theranent. 
 
 Because of the unfrequencie of the meeting, the Commission Letters to 
 thinkis fitt that earnest and peremptory letters be writtin to Presb y teri( 
 their brethren of this number, for their coming to this toun, 
 and to Presbyteries to supplie their places in their absence. 
 
 Mr. Johne Weir appointed to pray the morne in the Par- 
 liament, Mr. Mungo Law on Twesday, Mr. John Oswald on 
 Weddensday. The next meeting on Teusday. 
 
 Edinburgh) 9 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. 
 Johne ^Veir : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. Johne Oswald : Mr. Robert 
 Murray: Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Doctor Colvill. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Brodie. 
 
 The Commission having considered the petitions of Mr. Recomendation 
 Frances Omey, and heard himself, personally present, thinks fitt o^ey. Frances 
 that the Presbyterie of Dunkeld continue and suspend the 
 pronouncing of the sentence of excommunication against him 
 untill the next Generall Assembly, except he fall in some other 
 offence, and the said Presbytery in the mean tyme is to take 
 notice of his behaviour, and to report the same with the 
 evidence of his repentance to the Assembly. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that it be recommended to the Lord Gray, 
 Parliament that their Lordships may be pleased to take course (J^and jarnes 
 for the Lord Gray, Collonell Hay, and James Hamiltoun, Hamiltoun. 
 their going out of the kingdome, according to the censure put 
 upon them for their malignancie. 
 
 Messrs. Johne Annan and Alexander Gairdin appoynted to Preaching and 
 preach in the Parliament House the next Lords day, and Mr. parliament 
 John Weir to pray the morne. 
 
 Concerning the desire of the petition of the paroshiners of Kiiiiieach. 
 
144 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [9 dec. 
 
 Recomen ela- 
 tion to the 
 Thesaurer for 
 the 500 lib. 
 sterling. 
 
 Mr. Alexander 
 Gairdin and 
 Mr. Andro 
 
 Massie. 
 
 Tnnernes. 
 
 Ministers for 
 Lothian and 
 Levingstons 
 regiments. 
 
 Killileach in Irland, in respect of the late General Assemblies 
 intimation of preferring the desire of the paroshiners of New- 
 toun for Mr. John Levingstoun, but especially the Com- 
 mission finding it not fitt to loose any of their brethren from a 
 setled charge in this kingdomc, in regard of the condition 
 therof and the present estate also of the kingdome of Irland, 
 therfor can not now grant the desire of the said petition for 
 loosing the said Mr. John Levingstoun from his present charge 
 in this Kirk. 
 
 This day, the Moderator and Mr. Robert Douglas, with the 
 Lord Balmerino, ar desired to speak the Thesaurer for paying 
 the annuity of 500 lib. sterling granted by his Majestie in 
 respect of the many publik affairs to be done therupon. 
 
 Messrs. Andro Cant, David Dickson, and Thomas Mitchell 
 ar desired to conferre with Mr. Alexander Garden, and to think 
 upon some convenient overtur for some present help and supply 
 to him and Mr. Andro Massie, in respect of their great losses 
 and present necessities. 
 
 This day it is recomended to the Moderator, and any other 
 he pleases to call for, to think upon some way to be repre- 
 sented to the Parliament, for helping the necessities of Innernes. 
 
 This day lists being produced for a minister to the Earle 
 Lothians regiment, viz., Mr. Andro Pringill in the Presbytery 
 of Jedburght, and Mr. William Tuedy and Mr. William Pen- 
 man in Kelso ; and for a minister to the Lord Levingstounes 
 regiment, Mr. Johne Craigengelt in the Presbyterie of Stirling, 
 and Mr. James Edmestoun and Mr. Harie Levingstoun : The 
 Commission appoynts the said Mr. Andro Pringill and Mr. 
 Johne Craigengelt for the said regiments respective, and that 
 letters be writtin for their dispatch to these employments 
 with diligence. 
 
 The next meeting the morne afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Robert Ligh- 
 toun : Mr. John Weir : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. 
 William Bennet : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Johne 
 Nevey : Doctor Colvill. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : 
 .Tames Stuart : Thomas Paterson. 
 
io dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 145 
 
 Killileach. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly recomends to the Presbyteries Recomenda- 
 of Perth, Auchterardor, Dunkeld, and Dumblane, to take |^°pSh* y " 
 special] care that in their receiving publik satisfaction of the Auchterarder, 
 
 . m. • j «.i .i i n i Dunkeld, and 
 
 mahgnants, or any person that joyned with the rebells, that Dumbiain, con- 
 tlieir acknowledgment and confession of their offences be par- nTnTs^atTsfa? 
 ticular, and not verball only, but in wryting under their hands. tion in %vritt - 
 
 The Commission of Assembly recomends to the Presbyterie Kirk of Monzie. 
 of Auchterardor to try and visite the commodiousnes of situa- 
 tion of the kirk of Monyie for the benefit of the congregation, 
 and therefter to do evrie thing incumbent to them before the 
 judge competent for obtaining the kirk commodiously situat, 
 and the congregation well accomodat. 
 
 This day. Messrs. Robert Douglas, William Colvill, and The Mater of 
 William Bonnet appoynted to desire the Parliament to con- Glasgow? a " d 
 sider the complaint of the Synod of Glasgow, and the petitions 
 concerning the magistrats there and in Aberdene. 
 
 Concerning the petition presented this day be Willam Weir, Act concerning 
 commissioner for Killileach. the Commission appoynts the 
 Clerk to give out summons against Mr. Hew Hendersone and 
 his paroshiners to ansuer to the desire of the said petition : As 
 also appoynts Messrs. Johne Levingstoun, Harie Colwart, and 
 George Hutcheson, to repare to Irland for visiting their dis- 
 tressed brethren there, conforme to former order theranent : 
 And likewise Messrs. Samuell Row, Alexander Levingstoun, 
 and Harie Sempill, to repare thither for the same effect, 
 according to the appoyntment of the late Assembly. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten hours. 
 
 There being few brethren present, they desired the Moderator 
 to wryt for the brethren in the next Presbyteries earnestly 
 and peremptorlv. 
 
 Edinburgh, 15 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Andro Cant : 
 Mr. William Bennet: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John 
 Knox : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone : 
 Mr. Robert Dowglas : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. James Fleemyng : Mr. 
 William Dalgleische ; Mr. John Smith: Mr. Johne Weir: Mr. John 
 Nevey : Doctor Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Andro Lawder. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Mr. James Flemyng desired to pray in Parliament the morne, 
 
 K 
 
146 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [is dec. 
 
 Praying and 
 preaching in 
 Parliament. 
 
 David 
 Grahame, 
 sometyme of 
 Gorthie. 
 
 Committee to 
 consult upon 
 the present 
 condition of 
 affairs. 
 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespie on Thursday, Mr. Jolme Smith on Fry day, 
 Mr. John Annand on Saturday, and Mr. Johne Moncreiff and 
 Mr. James Guthrie to preach upon the Sabboth. 
 
 Concerning the petition of David Grahame, sometyme of 
 Gorthie, for relaxation from excommunication, Messrs. David 
 Dickson, Andro Cant, and Robert Murray, ar desired to con- 
 ferre with him in this place after dissolving. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly, considering the difficulties of 
 the present affairs, and that the Parliament is now upon maters 
 concerning religion and the Covenant, Therfor they doe desire 
 that Mr. Robert Dowglas, Mr. Andro Cant, Mr. Johne Adam- 
 son, Mr. Robert Murray, Mr. David Dickson, Mr. William 
 Bennet, Mr. Johne Smith, Mr. James Guthrie, with the 
 Moderator, Craighall, and Libbertoun, stay in the house after 
 dissolving to consider the mater, and what is necessare now to 
 be done by the Commission, and to report the result of their 
 conference the next day : And in the mean ty me that other 
 brethren consider also the premisses, and give in their opinion 
 therupon. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Clerk to send advertisment to 
 Presbyteries for intimating James Ogilvies relaxation. 
 
 Edinburgh^ 16* December 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Andro ( ant : 
 Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. Patrik 
 Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Doug-las : Mr. John Adam- 
 sone : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. Johne Weir : 
 Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. James Flemyng". Elders. — Lord Craighall : 
 Laird of Brodie : Laird of Libbertoun : Thomas Patersone, 
 
 Orders to send Commission appoynts the Clerk to send a printed Cove- 
 
 a Covenant to nan t to the Presbyterie at Newcastle, conforme to the desire of 
 
 Newcastle. 
 
 their letter, and that they be desired to take notice of all 
 malignants and non-covenanters, and give information of them 
 to the Generail, that his Excellence doe not admitt such to the 
 armie. 
 
 The Commission continues to ansuer Mr. Patrik Sibbalds 
 desire untill the Master of Yester give a new list, which they 
 desire he may do in respect of Mr. Patricks infirmitie. 
 
 It is this day appoynted that a letter be writtin to Mr. 
 Robert Traill to hasten him to Lovetennent Generail Lesly. 
 
1 6 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 147 
 
 Edinburgh, 16 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers, — Mr, Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr, Robert 
 Murray: Mr. William Colvill: Mr. David Dickson: Mr. James Flemyng: 
 Mr. Patrik C olvill : Mr. Robert Ker : Doctor Colvill : Mr, John Knox in 
 Dalkeith: Mr. John Adamsone: Mr, James Guthrie: Mr, Robert Doug-las: 
 Mr. Andro Cant: Mr, William Bennet : Mr, Johne Moncreiff : Mr, Patrik 
 Gillespie : Mr, John Nevey : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr, William 
 Dalgleisch : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr, John Smyth: Mr, Andro Lawder. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Brodie : Laird 
 Dudingstoun : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day the petition of Elizabeth and Marjorie Campbells, Elizabeth and 
 for themselves and other poor wedowes and orphans in Broad- Campbells, 
 albane, recomended to the honourable Estates of Parliament, 
 and Mr. Robert Murray, Mr. Andro Cant, Mr. James Fleming, 
 and Libbertoun, appoynted to assist the said petition at the 
 Parliament. 
 
 The Commission having heard the result of the conference 
 appoynted for the present condition of affairs, do approve of 
 the draught of a generall Warning presented by them ; only 
 desires the Moderator, and any other he thinks fitt to call for, 
 to mend some expressions in it, and to add the particulars now 
 mentioned. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten hours. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 December 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt omncs except Mr. Robert Ker et Mr. Johne Knox qui 
 in sessione precedenti. 
 
 This day the Parliament having thought fitt, for craving Preachers to 
 the Lords assistance in the great and difficult affairs they by^hePariS^ 
 ar now to enter upon, to keep a fast and humiliation to- ment - 
 morrow in the Parliament House, the Commission appoynts 
 Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. Robert Blair to preach there 
 the morne. 
 
 The Warning, as it is now conceived, being again read and Approbation of 
 considered, and being unanimously approven, the Commission 6 armn& * 
 desires the Moderator, and Messrs. Robert Douglas, David 
 Dickson, Andro Cant, John Adamson, William Colvill, with 
 Craighall, Libbertoun, and Dudingstoun, to offer the same, 
 with the petition following, to the Parliament : 
 
148 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 DEC 
 
 * To the honourable and high Court of Parliament the humble 
 Petition of the Commissioners of the Generatt Assembly. 
 
 Petition to the i Forasmuch as your honours ar upon debates and resolutions 
 arliament. about these tilings that concerne Religion and Covenant, in 
 which the Kirk hath a cleir and unquestionable interest, 
 Therfor we do humblie desire that in all things which concerne 
 the meaning of the Covenant and the work of Reformation, 
 we may be allowed a tymous and full hearing ; and that in the 
 meanwhile your Lordships will be pleased to heare a Seasonable 
 Warning, which (from the conscience of our dutie and trust, in 
 regard of the present dangers), we ar to publish in all the 
 congregations of the land, and do now, for keeping of corre- 
 spondence, offer unto your Lordships.' 1 
 
 • ./ Solemne and Seasonable Warning to all estates and degrees of 
 persons throughout I he land, for holding j'ast the League and 
 Covenant with England, and avoiding ererie thing that may 
 prove a snare and tentation to the breach thereof : By the Com- 
 missioners o f the Generall Assembly? 
 
 The Warning. 1 The conscience of our duty and of the great trust reposed in 
 us suffereth us not to be silent, or to connive at the present dangers 
 which may justly be apprehended and expected from the enemies 
 of this cause and Covenant ; who, although they cannot in this 
 conjuncture of tyme appeare in the same maner as formerly they 
 have done, yet having retained the same principles (while they 
 seeme to lay aside their former practices), do in a more covert 
 and dangerous way still drive at their own ends, and act in opposi- 
 tion to the ends of the League and Covenant : And as Sathan is 
 neither sleeping nor idle, though he appear not alwayes as a roaring 
 lyon, so these who ar inspired and acted by him have their wheels 
 
 1 This Petition and the subjoined Warning were presented to Parliament, 
 which at once instructed its ' great Committee to nominate some of their num- 
 ber to conferre with the Commissioners of the Kirk upon the Petition and Wairn- 
 ing.' The results of the conference appear unmistakably in the ' Instructions 
 from the Parliament of Scotland,' given on 24th December to their Commis- 
 sioners sent to the King at Newcastle, particularly in Nos. 6, 7, 8. See Acts of 
 the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 635, 636. 
 
 2 Published under the above title at Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, 1646, 4 0 ; 
 also given in Rushworth's Historical Collections, vol. vii. p. 390. 
 
1 7 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 149 
 
 still moving, though sometimes they make no great noise. Wherfor, 
 that we may tymlie and faithfully contribute what is incumbent to 
 us for preventing or removing any occasions of new troubles or 
 differences betueen the King and his people in both or either of 
 those united kingdoms, or betueen the kingdoms themselves ; and 
 least the Church of Christ and the true Reformed Religion be asfaine 
 tossed with such another and perhaps a greater tempest in the 
 deepth after we seemed to be neer the harbour, we have found 
 it not only competent to our place and calling, but necessarie for 
 us (according to former laudable presidents both old and late), to 
 emitt this new Seasonable Warning to the people of God in this 
 land, and to all estates and degrees of men therin ; whom we 
 exhort that first and above all things they apply their thoughts to 
 make peace with God, to take notice of the remaining and renewed 
 tokens of divine displeasur against the land, to tremble at the 
 remembrance of former, and appearances of futur judgments, to 
 lament after the Lord, to lye low before the Throne of Grace, to 
 cry mightily to heaven for dispelling that cloud of sin which 
 separateth betueen our God and us, and for turning away that 
 cloud of wrath which hangeth over our heads. There is cause to 
 be humbled and to repent, as for all our iniquities, so for the too 
 litle assistance which hath bein given to such as have borne the 
 heaviest burthen, and suffered most in this cause, and for the too 
 much compliance with and indulgence to many who have bene 
 active in the late execrable rebellion. Wee know that none can 
 reach the perfection of their duety, neither will the Lord reckon 
 with his people according to his justice, but spare them who walk 
 in the integrity of their spirits, as a man spareth his own sonne, 
 so that they may rejoice in his mercy, notwithstanding of their 
 shortcomings, wherin they doe not allow themselves. But wilfull 
 neglects ar just grounds of a great controversie on the Lords part, 
 and of deep humiliation on ours : And wee conceive that the 
 failings of many ar such, because the Word of the Lord is a burthen 
 unto them. And though they walk in the wayes of their own 
 heart yet they say they shall have peace. Wee would have none 
 that ar thus guilty to account light of it, and say, " Is it not a litle 
 one ? " Evrie duty wherto wee ar obliged in the Covenant is of 
 great consequence, and breaches even in smaller things prove 
 inletts unto more grievous revoltings. 
 
 ' When wee consider how many who wer once oppen opposers or 
 secrete underminers, being received to the Covenant, yet remaine 
 
150 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 dec. 
 
 disaffected to the ends of the same, we can not but think that we 
 walk in the midst of snares, and that mysteries of iniquity work 
 amongst us, which may produce most sad and lamentable effects, 
 unto the prejudice of our religion and liberties. Therfor because 
 God hath no greater quarrell against a nation then that of a 
 broken Covenant, let all who feare an oath remember the vows of 
 God which ar upon them, " watch and pray," and take good heed 
 that they be not cheated nor charmed into a violation of all or any 
 of the articles of that sacred and solemne League and Covenant. 
 And let these especially be observed and avoided who do or shall 
 endevour a division and breach betueen the kingdoms, or the 
 making of any factions or parties contrary to the Covenant, under 
 pretence of preserving the King and his authority, whilst they do 
 not constantly and sincerely prosecute and presse our frequent 
 desires of his subscribing the League and Covenant and giving 
 satisfaction in all things to the just desires of both kingdomes ; 
 which underhand dealing can prove nothing els but an abusing of 
 his Majestie for mens own designes. We wish that none suffer 
 themselves to be deceived by any false glosses of the Covenant, 
 under which some may possiblie urge the keeping of it, so as to 
 draw us into a certain breach therof, and presse the defence of 
 the Kings authority and of religion to engage us in those waves 
 that would tend to the mine of both. Wee ar not now to presse 
 the want of full satisfaction in the much desired work of Vniformity 
 as the ground of a breach betueen the nations ; though we still 
 conceive this nation will never be wanting to prosecute that work 
 to the uttermost of their power in all lawfull waves according to 
 the League and Covenant. 
 
 ' These kingdoms, after many fervent supplications and faithfull 
 endevours of all the lovers of truth and peace, have been happily 
 united into a League and Covenant, which to this day hath been 
 keept inviolably, notwithstanding of all the opposition of open 
 enemies and plotting of secret vnderminers ; and wee are confident 
 that none but such as have hearts full of atheisme and treachery 
 will attempt the violation therof in whole or in part ; and that if 
 any shall doe the same they shall expose themselves to the curse 
 of Almightie God, who will be avenged upon all that sueare falsly 
 by his name. We know that men of perverse mindes, wanting 
 the feare of God, and measuring all things by their own ends, may 
 conceive of it as alterable, or at least that all the clauses and 
 heads therof ar not so to be stuck upon, but that some one or 
 
17 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 151 
 
 moe may be dispensed with upon civill advantages. But wee have 
 not so learned Christ or his Word. Both nations have covenanted 
 with God; and each of them with another, in things most lawfull 
 and necessary for the preservation and good of both without any 
 limitation of time : And therfor we and our posterity ar oblieged 
 before God unto the observation therof " as long as the sun and 
 moon shall endure." The sense of these things ought to be so 
 deeply engraven upon the hearts of all that ar in trust, that as 
 they should from their soules abhorre evrie thought of a breach 
 with England, so should they carefully and wisely studie to avoid 
 evrie thing that may prove a snare and tentation unto the same. 
 Amongst other things, if his Majestie shall have thoughts of 
 coming to this kingdome at this tyme, he not having as yet 
 subscribed the League and Covenant nor satisfied the lawfull 
 desires of his loyall subjects in both nations, wee have just cause to 
 feare that the consequences of it may be verie dangerous both to 
 his Majestie and these kingdoms, which therfor wee desire maybe 
 timely prevented. 
 
 ' For so long as his Majestie doth not approve in his heart and 
 seale with his hand the League and Covenant, we can not but 
 apprehend that according to his former principles he will walk in 
 opposition to the same, and study to draw us unto the violation 
 therof, and the dissolution of the vnion so happily begun betueen 
 us and our brethren, to w T eaken the confidence and trust, and to 
 entertain jealousies and make divisions amongst ourselves. 
 Neither is it possible but that our receiving him in this present 
 posture of affairs will confirm the suspicions of the English nation 
 of our underhand dealing with him before his coming to our army, 
 and make them, not without cause, to think that we purpose to 
 dispose of him without their consent and to their prejudice, which 
 is contrary to the profession of these that wer in trust at his 
 Majesties first coming to the Scotts quarters, and overthroweth all 
 the arguments that have been used by the Commissioners of our 
 Parliament in their papers concerning the disposing of his Majesties 
 person by the joynt advice and common consent of both kingdoms given 
 into both houses of Parliament in England. Nor doe we see how we 
 can vindicat such a practise from a direct breach of our engage- 
 ments to them by Covenant and Treaty, which were not only to 
 expose us unto the hazard of a bloody warre, but to involve us in 
 the guilt of perjury. And what greater disservice could be done 
 to his Majestie and his posterity then to give way to a course that 
 
152 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 dec. 
 
 might prove prejudiciall to their interest in the croun and king- 
 dome of England ? 
 
 ' Our cariage now, for many yeirs past, in the midst of many 
 tentations, hath put us beyond all suspicion in the poynt of our 
 loyalty. Nor have we the least thoughts of deserting the Kings 
 Majestie in a just and good cause, being bound by our Covenant, in 
 our severall vocations, to endevour with our estates and lives to 
 preserve and defend his person and authority in the defence and 
 preservation of the true Religion and liberties of the kingdoms. 
 And so farre as his Majestie shall be for these, we really ar, and 
 we trust the rest of his kingdoms will be for him. Yet we can 
 not deny, but openly avouch it, that if his Majestie (which the 
 Lord forbid) shall not satisfy the just desires of his people, both 
 nations stands mutually obliged by that inviolable Covenant to 
 pursue the ends therin expressed (which can not be divided) 
 against all letts and impediments whatsoever. It is therfor our 
 most earnest and longing desire that as these who ar in trust with 
 the publike affairs of this kingdome have heretofore with all 
 earnestnesse and care, in all their addresses, dealt with his 
 Majestie with much strength of reason and vehemencie of affection, 
 so they would still deale with him, to grant his royall consent to the 
 desires of both kingdoms, for setling Religion according to the 
 Covenant, and for securing a perfit and durable peace (which we 
 look upon as the only hopefull means of preserving himself, his 
 croun, and posterity), that his Majestie may returne to his Houses 
 of Parliament in England as a reconciled prince to satisfied 
 subjects, and that acclamations of joy may be heard in all his 
 Majesties dominions, and no sound of warre heard therin any more, 
 except against the bloody Irish rebells, under whose barbarous and 
 cruell persecution our distressed brethren both in this kingdome 
 and in Irland ar still groaning, and crying out to us and to our 
 brethren in England, Be at peace among yourselves and come to 
 help vs.' 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt: — Mi?>:stehs. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William Col- 
 vill: Mr. Johne Adamsone : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. William Dalgleisch : 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. 
 Johne Nevey : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Doctor Colvill : 
 Mr. Robert Dowglas : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. 
 Robert Murray : Mr. James Fleemyng : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Walter 
 Greg: Mr. George Thomsone : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Johne Weir: 
 Mr. Andro Lawder : Mr. Johne Hay. Elders. — Lord Angus : Lord 
 Craighall : Laird Libbertoun : Thomas Patersone. 
 
1 8 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 153 
 
 The Lord Balmerino, Waristoun and Johne Sempill, this day 
 presenting from the Grand Committee a quaerie to be ansuered, 
 shewing also that they wer desired to certify that the Com- 
 mittie would do nothing in any mater concerning the Covenant 
 or Religion, untill they first acquainted the Commission 
 t her with. 
 
 The Commission promised to returne their ansuer to the Quseree from 
 quaerie the next day. Tenor of the quaerie followes : — Commtttee. 
 
 6 If the King shall come into this kingdome, and that the 
 kingdome of England shall exclude him from the government 
 ther, for his leaving them without granting the propositions, 
 whither or not it will be lawfull to this kingdome to assist him 
 for the recovery of the government, he not granting the 
 propositions concerning religion and the Covenant, and not 
 giving a satisfactory ansuer in the remnant propositions." 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Moderator, Messrs. Robert 
 Douglas, William Colvill, William Bennet, Johne Adamson, 
 Andro Cant, David Dickson, James Guthrie, Johne Smith, 
 Robert Murray, with the Lord Angus, Craighall and Libbertoun, 
 to consider of the quaerie and to give their opinion of an 
 ansuer against the morne. 
 
 This day James Ogilvy, according to his earnest desire to be James Ogiivies 
 received to the Covenant, did solemnly swear and signe both fhe^Covenant. 
 the Nationall Covenant, and the League and Covenant of the 
 three kingdomes. 
 
 This day James Ogilvy shew his desire to conferre with the jam es Ogiivies 
 Erie of Seafort, and that Mr. David Dickson might be present seafort" 00 
 there, which wes accordingly allowed. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 December' 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers, — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet: Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James Fleemyng : Mr. Walter Greg : 
 Mr. George Thomsone : Mr. Johne Nevey : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Robert 
 Douglas: Mr. John Adamson: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Guthrie: 
 Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. Robert 
 Murray: Mr. Patrik Gillespie. Elders. — Libbertoun: James Stuart: 
 Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day the Commission having considered the quaerie of 
 the Grand Committie, and heard also the opinion of the 
 
154 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 DEC. 
 
 brethren appoynted to consider therof, think fitt to returne 
 this following ansuer, and that the Moderator with Mr. Robert 
 Douglas, Mr. David Dickson, and Libbertoun, go presently 
 with the same to the Committee : 
 The ansuer to 'The qua?rie presupposeth the Kings coming to this kingdome, 
 mfttees'QuSrie" which case > f° r the reasons expressed in our late Warning, we 
 humbly conceive should not be put in the question, and 
 therfor desires your Lordships to go about all means for the 
 present prevention of it as a matter of most dangerous con- 
 sequence to Religion, this Kirk ami kingdome, and to the King 
 himself and his posterity. 
 
 4 But if the question be stated simplie without supposing such 
 a case, in these terms : — If the King be excluded from govern- 
 ment in England for not granting the propositions concerning 
 Religion and the Covenant, and for not giving satisfactory 
 ansuer to the remanent propositions, whether in that case it be 
 lawfull to this kingdom to assist him for recovery of the 
 government, or if it be not lawfull ? — Being put to it we can- 
 not but ansuer — in regard of the engagements of this kingdome 
 by Covenant and treaty — NegativL'' 
 Order for print- The Commission of the Generall Assembly ordaines the 
 Warning to be forthwith printed, and that therefter it be sent 
 to presbyteries ; requiring them immediately efter the receipt 
 therof, to cause evrie minister of their number read the same 
 distinctly, and explaine it to their people upon a Sabboth 
 day, in their severall kirks, and that they report accompt of 
 their diligence with the first conveniencie : Appoynting in the 
 meantyme that tomorrow the same be read in all the kirks of 
 this citie. 
 
 In ansuer to the letters from the Generall and the brethren 
 at Newcastle,the Commission returnes these following letters : — 
 ' May it please your Excellence, — We received your letter 
 bearing the Kings motion, for sending Mr. Andro Fairfoull and 
 Mr. Johne Hay to attend his Majestic The first quhairof 
 being called before us wes then excused as not well in health. 
 The other gave in his reasones for not going, which wer 
 accepted. We have also received a letter from the Presbyterie 
 there, desiring some to be sent to attend his Majesties family, 
 
 ing the 
 Warning. 
 
 Letter to the 
 Generall. 
 
19 dec. J OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 155 
 
 which wee ar to take into consideration. We know your 
 Excellence is acquaint with the affairs heir, wherof the 
 bearer can give yow a full accompt. We assure your Excellence 
 that the expectation of all the lovers of the Cause and 
 Covenant is in this nick of tyme, as they have had long and 
 large proof and experience of your fidelity and constancie 
 formerly, that by all lawfull means and wayes yow will not be 
 wanting in all vigilance and diligence to promote the ends of 
 the League and Covenant, wherin yow shall have the constant 
 concurrence of the pravers of, Your most humble servants in 
 the Lord, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 December 1646. of the Gexeiiall Assembly." 
 
 For his Excellence the Erie of Lcven, Generall of the Scotts 
 A rmy. 
 
 'Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee ar to tak your Letter to the 
 desire concerning a minister to attend the Kings family to our Newcastle! 
 consideration, and according to your other desire have ap- 
 poynted the Clerk to send yow a printed Covenant, though 
 many printed copies have been sent thither before. For the 
 condition of affairs heir, which wes never fuller of difficulties, 
 yow will sufficiently understand by the Remonstrance we have 
 given to the Parliament, and the Warning we have found 
 necessare to emitt at this tyme, both which the Clerk is to send 
 unto you ; and we desire earnestly that yow may make such 
 use of them there, as in your wisdome yow shall find necessare 
 or conduceable in that place. Mr. Robert Traill who wes de- 
 signed for the Lovetennent Generall is now coming toward 
 yow. The minister that wes appoynted for the Master of 
 Yesters regiment being excused for his infirmity, we attend 
 upon another list from the Master. Comending all your 
 labours to the Lords gracious direction, we remaine, Your 
 loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 December 1640. of the Generall Assembly. 1 
 
 Direct : For their Reverend and Loving- Brethren of the 
 Presbyterie with the Scotts army in England. 
 
 The next meeting upon Moonday. 
 
156 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 dec. 
 
 Letters for 
 calling brethren 
 to the Commis- 
 
 Praying and 
 preaching 
 befor the 
 Parliament. 
 
 Minister for 
 Marques 
 Argylls 
 Regiment. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 December 1646, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Adamsone : Mr. Andro C ant : Air. Walter Greg : Mr. Alexander Bal- 
 four : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Patrik Coh ill : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. 
 George Thomsone : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr, David Dickson : Mr. 
 William Bennet: Mr. Johne Moncreiff: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Johne 
 Nevey : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Robert Murray. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Thomas Patersoo : .James Stuart. 
 
 The Commission in respect of the infrequencie of the meeting 
 appoynts letters to be writtin verie peremptory to Mr. James 
 Nasmith, Mr. William Adair, Mr. Johne Hamiltoun, and 
 others in the West, to come in to the Commission, certefeing 
 if they come not the Commission will take speciall notice of 
 their absence. 
 
 Air. Walter Greg the morne, Mr. George Thomson on 
 Weddensday, Mr. William Bennet on Thursday, Mr. Alexander 
 Balfour on Fryday ar to pray in the Parliament, and Mr. John 
 Adamsone and Mr. Patrick Gillespie to preach upon the 
 Sabboth. 
 
 This day a list being presented for a minister to the Marques 
 of Argyles regiment, viz., Mr. Dougall Darroch in Kintyre, 
 Mr. Archebald M'Callome in Innerrarey, and Mr. Donald 
 M'Loy in the Presbyterie of Dunnoon,the Commission appoynts 
 the said Mr. Archebald M'Callome for the said employment, 
 and that letters be writtin to him, and to the Presbyterie to 
 dispatch him with diligence. 
 
 The next meeting afternoon. 
 
 Earle Seafort. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 December 1646, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt :— Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. John Adamsone: Mr. David Dicksone : Mr. Johne Mon- 
 creiff : Mr. Walter Greg: Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. 
 James Flemyng : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. William 
 Bennet : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : 
 Mr. George Thomsone : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 Alexander Balfour : Mr. David Calderwod. Elders. —Lord Marques of 
 Argyle : Earle Lanerk : Lord Angus : Lord Craighall : Laird Brodie : 
 Laird Libbertoun : James Stuart : John Kennedy : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the Earle of Seafort this day 
 presented for a conference, the Commission appoynts Messrs. 
 Robert Do wglas, William Bennet, David Dicksone, Andro Cant, 
 and James Guthrie, with the Moderator to conferre with him. 
 
22 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 157 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. William Colvill to read and m f . William 
 explane the Warning the next Sabboth according to the Act, Colvi11 - 
 to evidence his approbation therof to the congregation, becaus 
 it wes read in his kirk by the praecentor the last Sabboth. 
 
 The Commission appoynts George Drummond SOne to George Drum- 
 
 Balloch. Grahame of Litle-cairnie, being presently J}^; ^° t [ d 
 
 in town, to be summoned to compeir before the Commission, others tobe 
 
 , r . cited, 
 
 and also that care be had for citing the Lord Naper and Sir 
 
 Robert Douglas. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh. 22 December 1646. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. David 
 C'alderwod : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. William C olvill : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. Patrick Colvill : Mr. Alexander Balfour : Mr. Andro Lawder : 
 Mr. Johne Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. 
 AVilliam Bennet : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Johne 
 Nevey : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. George 
 Thomsone : Doctor Colvill. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Cesnock : 
 Laird Libbertoun : Laird Brodie : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Concerning the petition given in by Donald M'Claud of MacCiaud of 
 Assint, the Commission desires Mr. William Bennet to conferre Assint * 
 with Seafort, upon the desire of that petition, and to report 
 his ansuer. 
 
 This day Mr. Patrik Gillespie excused that he could not Preacher before 
 preach the' next Sabboth in the Parliament, but appoynts him the Parliament - 
 to preach there on the Sabboth come eight dayes, and that 
 Air. Robert Ker preach that same day. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie humblie recomends the petition Recomendation 
 of Jean Al'Cleirie, relict of vmquhill Edward Beatie, quarter- SS| ng Jean 
 master to the Lord Montgomries regiment, for charitie to 
 herself and her childe, in respect her husband wes killed in the 
 cause, to the honourable Estates of Parliament, and appoynts 
 Mr. Robert Murray to assist her at the Parliament. 
 
 This day Mr. George Monro, personally present, having Mr. Georg. 
 acknowledged his frailty in subscribing Seaforts Remonstrance, Munro - 
 and the great offence he lies given therby ; and having also 
 heartily renunced the said divisive Band and Remonstrance, 
 adheiring to the Declaration of the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly, the Commission, having considered the 
 
158 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 dec. 
 
 Mr. George 
 Munroes his 
 Renunciation 
 of Seaforts 
 Remonstrance. 
 
 tentation the said Mr George wes into, and his present sorrow 
 for his said offence, do accept of his said acknowledgment, and 
 appoynts him to give his renunciation in writt that the same 
 may be registrat, and also that in a sermon in his own kirk he 
 declare his detestation of the said divisive Band and his sense 
 of his offence of the subscribing therof, and that Mr. Gilbert 
 Anderson be present that he may witnesse the same. 
 
 4 1 Mr. George Monro, minister at Rosmarkine, does heirby 
 acknowledge my frailty in putting to my hand to a divisive Band 
 emitted by the Earle of Seafort under faire pretences, and being 
 brought to a full sight and sense of the deceipt and evill of 
 that Band, does renunce and abjure the said Remonstrance and 
 all adhereing to it ; and does adhere to the Declaration of the 
 Generall Assembly emitted against that Band, promising never 
 to do anything that may countenance or advance that Re- 
 monstrance, but on the contrare to promote, according to my 
 power and calling, the Dec laration of the Generall Assemblie 
 emitted against it, and to all other Acts and ordinances of the 
 Church, promising with Gods grace to adhere and to obey the 
 voice and ordinance of the Church, and this I do testefie to be 
 my full resolution by this my subscription. 
 
 Siibscribitur, Mr. G. Monro, Minister at Rosmarkine." 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Strachan. 
 
 This day Mr. Andro Ramsay excusing himself that he had 
 caused his praecentor read the Warning the last Sabboth, in 
 respect of his age and infirmity, not being able to read it him- 
 self, the Commission dispenses in his person with the not read- 
 ing of it, but desires him to explane it the next Sabboth. 
 
 Concerning the letter from the Presbyterie of the Meirns 
 touching Mr. James Strauchan, the Commission appoynts the 
 excommunication of the said Mr. James to be suspended untill 
 the next meeting of the Commission at Aberden, and in the 
 meantime that the Presbyterie be labouring with him to make 
 him sensible of his fault, and that some of the brethren of 
 Aberdene concurre with them therin. 
 Messrs George It is this day recomended that particular informations with 
 Wood^Andr™" ^ ne evidences therof be given to the Clerk concerning the malig- 
 Sandiiands and n ant cariage of Mr. George Wischart, Mr, James Wood and 
 
 Alexander 
 
 innes. Mr. Andro Sandilands, that the Commission may take course 
 
25 DEC.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 159 
 
 for their excommunication, and that accompt be craved of the 
 Presbyterie of Aberdein concerning their proceeding against 
 Mr. Alexander Innes. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, L 2S December 1646. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Robert 
 Douglas: Mr. William Bonnet: Mr. Alexander Balfour: Mr. John 
 Nevey : Mr, James Flemyng : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. John 
 Adamsone : Mr. Jobne Weir : Air. Robert KerrMr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 Johne Hay. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird Ldbbertoun. 
 
 Concerning the desire of the petition of Generall King to be Generaii King, 
 admitted to the. Covenant, the Commission of the Generall 
 Assembly can give no answer to the said petition, in respect of 
 the condition he is presently into with the Estates. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 December 1646. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Robert 
 Dowglas : Mr. William Bennet: Mr. James Flemyng: Mr. William 
 Dalgleish : Mr. David Calderwod: Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ker. Elders. — James 
 Stuart : Lawrence Henderson : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission appoynts new letters to be writtin to the Commissioners 
 Commissioners absent to come to the Commission, certifeing absent - 
 them that the neglect of important affairs at such a tyme shall 
 be layed upon their absence at the next Generall Assembly. 
 
 Concerning the desire of the Lord Kamsayes regiment Mr. lohn 
 presented this day by Captane Sir William Bruce for a minister R ar ^say S t0 L °' d 
 to keep Session only, the Commission appoynts Mr. Johne Regiment 
 Makghie to that employment, and that the letter following be 
 sent to him for that effect : 
 
 'Reverend and loving brother, — The Lord Kamsayes regi- Letter to Mr. 
 ment being now quartered through diverse parts of Lothian they J ohne Mak S*»« 
 ar necessitat to addresse themselves for hearing the Word on 
 the Sabboth in these places where they quarter. Only it is their 
 desire that some minister be appoynted to keep session with 
 them for disciplin, that diverse scandalls may be censured : 
 And this day one of the officers of that regiment having given 
 a list for a minister to that employment, wee have nominat yow 
 out of that list, and lies appoynted Thursday next and weeklie 
 
160 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 DEC. 
 
 tberefter, or once in the 14 dayes, as vow and the Session of that 
 regiment shall think fitt for the dyet, Tranent to be the place 
 of the meeting of that Session for disciplin. It is their desire 
 also, and we do approve it, that, seing at the meeting of the 
 Session diverse others of that regiment may be easily drawen 
 together, that you make some short exhortation on some passage 
 of the Word before the meeting of the Session. Contending t his 
 to your care and all your labours to the Lords blessing, we 
 remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, Th]: Commissioners 
 
 25 December 1646. ok the Gexerall Assembly.' 1 
 
 Direct: To their loving brother Mr. John M'Ghie, minister 
 it Dirlton. 
 
 Additional The Commission thinks fitt that some overturs be drawen 
 
 ParHament. 0 ^ f° r restraining the abuse of pennev bry thells, and for changing 
 the terms of the entrie and flitting of coallhewers and salters 
 at Zuill, and to be added to the overturs presented to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 David Graham This day David Grahame, somtyme of Gorthie, appeiring 
 Gortme 1 ° personally and desyring that he may have the benefit of confer- 
 excommumeat. er|Ce ^th some of the ministrie in the parts where he resides, 
 the Commission appovnts Messrs Robert Murray, Johne 
 Freebairne, David Drummond, George Murray, or any of them 
 toconferre with him, when he should require it, that they may 
 make him sensible of the offences for which he wes excom- 
 municat ; they alwayes abstaining from communion with him in 
 worship, eating or drinking, and in evrie way keeping such a 
 distance as becometh to one in his condition. 
 The next meeting on Teusday. 
 
 Edinburgh. 29 December 1646. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Adamsou : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. Johne Smith: Mr. David Calder- 
 wod : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. 
 Robert Lightoun : Doctor Colvill : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Andro Lawder : Mr. Robert Douglas : 
 Mr. James Guthrie. Elders. — Lord Angus: Lord Waristoun : Lord 
 Craighall : Laird Brodie : Laird Libbertoun : Laird Dudingstoun : 
 George Porterfeild : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day a letter presented from the Commissioners at 
 
29 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 161 
 
 London and read. The Commission think fitt it be com- 
 municat to the Parliament. Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 ' Reverend and beloved brethren, — Wee sent yovv ane Letter from the 
 account of severall particulars in our letter dated the 10th of at London. 
 November, wherof we have heard nothing as yet, whether ye 
 received it or not. Wee have now thought good to make 
 known unto yow that the whole body of the Confession of 
 Faith, divided into 33 chapters, is perfected and transmitted 
 from the Assembly to both Houses of Parliament. 1 We under- 
 stand that the House of Lords have already made a great pro- 
 gresse in it, and have approved it so farre as they have pro- 
 ceeded. The House of Commons hath not yet taken it into 
 debate. But they have made some progresse in the Ordinance 
 for suppressing and punishing ha?resies, 2 and have committed 
 the Ordinance for imposing the taking of the Covenant by all 
 persons in the kingdome under a considerable penalty. 3 The 
 citie of London hath given in a new petition and representation 
 to both Houses of Parliament, 4 which we have thought fitt to 
 send unto yow herewith, it being so fair a testimony to the 
 Covenant and against sectaries, and so hopefull a way for 
 maintaining and strenthning the Vnion betueen the king- 
 domes, which is also the earnest prayer and endevour of the 
 well-affected ministers and others, and that so much the more, 
 because the common enemies ar already lifting up the home in 
 expectation of a breach betueen the kingdomes. For our part, 
 
 1 It was presented by the Assembly to the House of Commons on 4th, and to 
 the House of Lords on 7th December. On 6th November the Lords had passed 
 the nineteen chapters previously brought up, and on 16th February 1646-7 they 
 read and passed the entire Confession ; but the Commons did not act so 
 promptly, nor accept the Confession in the exact form in which it was presented 
 by the Assembly, and it was not till 20th June 1648 that they authorised 
 its publication, with certain omissions, and with the title ' Articles of Faith 
 agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament,' that this kingdom and all the 
 Reformed Churches in Christendom may see the Parlia?nent of England differ 
 not in doctrine. For a full account of their proceedings see Minutes of Wesi- 
 ?ninster Assembly, pp. 412-420. 
 
 2 Journals of House of Commons, vol. v. p. 3. 3 Vol. iv. p. 729. 
 
 4 Vol. v. p. 21. It purported to be from all well-affected and covenant- 
 engaging citizens, and was ordered by the Lords to be printed. See their 
 Journals, vol. viii. p. 618. 
 
 L 
 
162 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 dec. 
 
 as we know no cause at this tyme which could justify that 
 breach on either side, so we suppose it is but too manifest that 
 the designes of the malignants in both kingdomes (under cullor 
 of defending or vindicating the Kings just power and greatnes, 
 which they do but abuse as a handsome covering of their other 
 intentions) tend to no lesse then to draw away both nations 
 into a defection from the cause of God and into a breach 
 betueen themselves. Ten thousand deaths and destructions 
 and all the calamities in this world wer rather to be chosen 
 then so great a dishonour to God by that unparaleld apostacy, 
 which we trust as well as pray that God will prevent by his 
 wonted assistance and blessing upon the counsells and en- 
 devours of the upright and well-affected (and yours for your 
 part), and by his wonted defeating and bringing to foolishness 
 the counsells of all such as hatch cokatrice eggs, whoever they 
 be in either kingdome. The Lord himself comfort and 
 encourage your hearts and strenthen your hands in evrie dutie 
 which is incumbent to yow ; and let yow find that whatever 
 discouragements yow may have, yet your labour is not in vaine 
 in the Lord. Yow may expect to understand more of the 
 condition of affairs here by the report of some of our number, 
 who, God willing, will be shortly with yow. So we rest, 
 Your loving brethren to serve yow, 
 
 Loudoux, Lauderdaill, 
 Worcester House, 0 
 
 00 - n , Samuell Ruthereurde, 
 
 the 22 of December 
 
 Iq±q, Robert Baillie, 
 
 George Gillespie. 
 
 4 Postscript. — The treaty here concerning the money, garri- 
 sons, and removing of our army out of this kingdome is now 
 (blessed be God), brought verie neere to a full conclusion. ' 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 Commissioners This day the Lord Balcarras and Garthland come from the 
 ParUament. Parliament to shew that they had appoynted Commissioners to 
 go to Newcastle ; desyring the Commission that they might 
 also send some of their number to concurre with them for 
 petitioning his Majestie to comply with the desires of his good 
 subjects. 
 
 The Commission desires Mr. Johne Smith to pray the morne 
 
30 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 163 
 
 in Parliament, Mr. Robert Lightoun on Thursday, Mr. Andro Ministers to 
 Cant on Fry day, Mr. Robert Lawrie on Satterday, Mr. George ^riiiiment 
 Leslie on Teusday, Mr. Johne Hog on Weddensday. 
 
 This day the petition of Issobel Hamilton, relict of vmquhill Recomendation 
 Mr. Robert Campbell, minister of Manerhamilton in Irland, Hamilton, 
 killed by the rebells in Blakwater, for supply to herself and her 
 children, recomended to the Parliament. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, penultimo Decembris 1646. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Robert 
 Douglas : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. James Guthrie: Doctor Colvill: Mr. David 
 Calderwod: Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. David Dickson: Mr. William 
 Bennet: Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith: Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Andro Lawder. Elders. — Lord Craigh all : Laird 
 of Libbertoun : Laird of Dudingstoun : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Johne Rosse, minister at Mr. Johne 
 Birs, to be cited against the meeting in Februar, and that the at°Birs mmiSter 
 Presbyterie of Kincarden be written to for particular informa- 
 tion concerning his cariage. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly being desired by Commission to 
 the Parliament to send some of their number to Newcastle to Hairand^ames 
 concurre with the Commissioners sent from their Lordships in Guthrie to go to 
 
 Newcastle. 
 
 their desires to his Majestie, and finding it a duety encumbent 
 to them still to deale with his Majestie in pursuance of the 
 ends of the Covenant, Do therfor appoynt their brethren, Mr. 
 Robert Blair and Mr. James Guthrie, to go to Newcastle, and 
 there to labour with his Majestie by themselves, in presenting 
 the humble desires of the late Assembly, and to concurre 
 with the Commissioners of Parliament in their desires to his 
 Majestie concerning Religion and the Covenant ; authorizing 
 them fullie to do evrie thing for advancing the ends therof 
 which shall be found expedient upon the place. 
 
 The Commission authorizes any other tuo in the list, that Addition to the 
 shall be called for by the brethren that now ar appoynted to mission™" 
 go to Newcastle, to repare also thither and to joyn with them 
 in evrie thing entrusted to them, as freelie and fullie as if they 
 had been named in the Commission. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly having sent Act for supply- 
 Mr. James Guthrie in commission with Mr. Robert Blair to Guthries^piace. 
 
164 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 dec. 
 
 Mr. Robert Ker 
 excused, and 
 Mr. Patrik 
 Gillespie 
 appoynted to 
 preach in 
 Parliament. 
 
 Act for 
 Ministers to 
 preach to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 Newcastle, there to prosecute the desires of the late Generall 
 Assembly to his Majestie, and to concurre with the Com- 
 missioners from the Parliament in their desires for Religion 
 and the Covenant ; and taking to their consideration that by 
 Mr. James his absence in this so necessarie and important 
 imployment his charge will vake, and that the Presbyterie of 
 Ersiltoun, in respect of their present condition, will not be 
 able to supply the same : Therfor appoynts and ordaines Mr. 
 Johne Logan in the Presbyterie of Dalkeith, Mr. Johne 
 Somervell and Mr. James Simsone in the Presbyterie of 
 Kelso, Mr. David Fletcher in the Presbyterie of Selkirk, and 
 Mr. James Flemyng in the Presbyterie of Hadingtoun, to 
 supply the said Mr. James Guthrie his place in preaching 
 upon the Sabboth dayes during his absence, each of them by 
 course, according to the order they ar heirin nominat, the 
 said Mr. Johne Logan begining the 10th of Januar next, and 
 the rest following successively in order as said is. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Ker was excused that he could not 
 preach this Sabboth in the Parliament, and Mr. John Annand 
 appoynted to preach for him ; and Mr. Patrik Gillespies 
 excuse not being admitted, the Commission appoynts him to 
 preach the said next Sabboth in the Parliament with the said 
 Mr. Johne Annand. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie now all this session of Parlia- 
 ment untill this tyme having been carefull to furnish their 
 Lordships with ministers for preaching on the Sabboth by 
 their own members present ; and finding now a necessity that 
 that dutie be supplied by some out of the neighbouring 
 Presbyteries for some space ; Do therfor appoynt the brethren 
 afternamed, to preach to the Parliament the dayes following, 
 viz. : Mr. George Leslie and Mr. William Dalgleish upon 
 Sabboth day come eight dayes, the tenth of Januar, Mr. 
 M lingo Law and Mr. Robert Lawrie upon the 17th of the 
 said moneth, Mr. James Robeson and Mr. Robert Lightoun 
 upon the 24th, Mr. Oliver Colt and Mr. Patrik Sibbald upon 
 the last of the said moneth of Januar, Mr. James Fleming 
 and Mr. Robert Ker upon the 7th of Februar, Mr. Ephraim 
 Melvill and Mr. Patrik Scheill upon the 14th, and Mr. Thomas 
 Vassie and Mr. Robert Row upon the 21st day of the said 
 moneth of Februar next. 
 
30 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 165 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator, Recommenda- 
 and Messrs. Robert Douglas, Andro Cant, and Johne Smith, gh?rp! Messrs" 
 to require from the Parliament an ansuer to the Remonstrance Johne Annan 
 and Overturs, and to the bussines of Aberdene, and to recom- Garden, 
 mend Mr. John Annand and Alexander Gairdins condition 
 to their Lordships ; but in a speciall maner to recomend their 
 brother, Doctor Sharpe, who lies lent his whole stock and estate 
 to the publik, and received no payment at all either of 
 principall or interesse. 1 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that Seafort be spoken with Earle Seafort. 
 concerning the losses of ministers, weedowes, and other persons, 
 which they have sustained by him or his freends in the late 
 troubles in the North, and for their reparation ; as also 
 touching his reconciliation with such persons in these parts as 
 have taken offence at his bygone cariage against the cause; 
 and that he be sent for presently to the Commission. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly recomends to Recomenda- 
 the Presbyterie of Dingwell Mr. Hector Monro, minister at p^sbyte^ of 
 Lothe in Sutherland, for the kirk of Kilterne now vaking, p 3 / 11 ^' 611 ^ 01 " 
 having certain information of his abilities and integrity in the KirkofKii- 
 cause, and of the parisheners of Kilterne their good lyking terne ' 
 and desire of him. And the Earle of Sutherland having some 
 interesse in the said Mr. Hector, being personally present, lies 
 consented and promised his assistance to the said Mr. Hector 
 his transportation : Desyring also the said Presbyterie to 
 proceed to the planting of the said kirk with the said Mr. 
 Hector with all diligence according to the order of this Kirk. 
 And in case Mr. Hector shall not be admitted to the said kirk, 
 the said Presbyterie in that case ar heirby required, in respect 
 of the scandale of complyance with the rebells they ly under, 
 that they do not plant the said kirk without the advyce of 
 this Commission. 
 
 This day the Earle of Seafort, appeiring personally, did Earle Seafort. 
 promise to reconcile heartily with his neighbours that had 
 taken any offence at his bygone miscariage, and to take course 
 for reparation of all the losses that ministers, widowes, or 
 other persones whatsoever had sustained by him or his freends 
 in the late troubles in the North : And likewise did still vrge 
 his relaxation with verie great earnestnesse. 
 
 1 See note on p. 176. 
 
166 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 dec. 
 
 Earie Seafort. The Commission considering the Earle Seaforts profession 
 of greef of mynd for the sentence of excommunication, but 
 especially understanding by the brethren appoynted to conferre 
 with him, that he seemed to be under some weight and burden 
 of feare and greeff, in respect of his bygone miscariage, and 
 of that sentence of excommunication : Theirfor conceiving his 
 condition to be much altered from that it wes formerly, and 
 that there seemed to be some necessity to ease him of the 
 burden of the sentence of excommunication, they found in 
 this case they had power to relax him from that sentence. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Robert Doug-las : 
 Doctor Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. 
 John Adamsone : Mr. David Caldenvod : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. 
 William Bennet : Mr. Johne Knox: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Andro 
 Lawder : Mr. William Colvill. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird of 
 Libbertoun : Laird of Dudingstoun : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Earle of Seaforts The Commission of the Generall Assembly having considered 
 Relaxation. ^ e f re q lien tiy re iterat petitions of George, Earle of Seafort, 
 presented to them for his relaxation from the dreadfull 
 sentence of excommunication pronounced against him by the 
 late Generall Assembly, with his solemne professions of great 
 greef of heart for these offences for which he wes excommunicat ; 
 and especially taking to their consideration the humble 
 petition and confession under his own hand of the date the 
 4th of September last, wherin he acknowledges the justice 
 and equity of the said sentence, and his heartie sorrow for his 
 offences therin mentioned, and particularly, as in the sight of 
 God, that his subscribing that divisive Band mentioned in the 
 Ordinance of the Assembly for his excommunication, his sub- 
 scribing that wicked Band of vnion with that excommunicat 
 and forfaulted rebell, James Graham e, his adjoyning himself to 
 him and others of the rebells, with the remanent acts and 
 transgressions mentioned in the said Ordinance, to be incon- 
 sistent with the lawes of Church and State, to be repugnant 
 to the Nationall Covenant, and League and Covenant of the 
 thrie kingdomes, and to be haynous offences against God ; with 
 solemne protestations before God of sincerity, and vowes and 
 promises of adheiring to the Covenants, and of a good behaviour 
 
30 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 
 
 167 
 
 in tymcoming : And considering also the report of some 
 brethren appovnted to conferre with him, together with a 
 petition this day presented, wherin he renewes these his 
 confessions, protestations, resolutions, promises and vowes ; 
 professing also himself to be so overburthend with greef throw 
 the weight of that heavy sentence lying upon him, that death 
 can not be so grievous to him ; as these his declarations and 
 petitions subscribed with his own hand at more lenth proports: 
 And having heard also the said Earle, this day appeiring 
 personally before them, with humble acknowledgment of his 
 said offences, expresse and renew verbally the same desires, 
 protestations and promises : Therfor the Commissioners of 
 Assembly, in consideration of all the premisses, that the publik 
 scandall of these offences may be removed, and the frequent 
 desires of the penitent may be satisfied, do appoynt him to 
 appeir tuo severall Sabboth dayes before the congregation in 
 the Eist Kirk of Edinburgh before noone, after the prayer 
 which is immediatly before sermon ; the first day, which shall 
 be the next Sabboth, presenting himself gravlie in his own 
 habit before the pulpit, where, after the sermon is ended, the 
 minister shall admonish him of his said offences, and prepare 
 and incit him to a farther sense therof, and to sincerity in 
 the publik declaration of his repentance, which he is to make 
 before the congregation the next day ; the Sabboth next 
 therafter, being the 10th day of the moneth of Januar next, 
 he shall againe present himself in the same place in saccloath, 
 and after sermon, humblie upon his knees, make ane full and 
 distinct acknowledgment of all his offences abovementioned, 
 before God and the congregation. All which being done, the 
 Commission of Assembly ordaines and authorizes their brother, 
 Mr. Andro Cant (who shall preach that day for that purpose), 
 after receiving the penitents humble confession in maner 
 aforesaid, In the name and authority of Jesus Christ to 
 relaxe and absolve him from the sentence of excommunication 
 pronunced against him, receive him again to the communion 
 and fellowship of the faithfull, and restore him to the 
 priviledge of participating of the Lords Supper and remanent 
 ordinances, and to the fruition of all the benefites of the Kirk, 
 according to the order prescribed in the lyk cases. 
 
168 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 DEC. 
 
 Earle Seafort. 
 
 Glencorse. 
 
 Warrand for 
 citing the Lord 
 Rae and his 
 freends. 
 
 Earle Seafort. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas or Mr. Johne 
 Oswald, Messrs. William Bennet, William Colvill, Johne 
 Adamsone, Doctor Sharpe, Robert Lawrie, Johne Annand, 
 Thomas Mitchell, Earle of Sutherland, Duffus, Sir James 
 Fraser, Lord Craighall, Libbertoun, Brodie, Monro of Obstoun, 
 Dudingstoun, and an elder out of evrie Session of this citie, to 
 be witnesses to the Erie of Seaforts relaxation, and to receive 
 him by the hand according to the order of this Kirk. 
 
 This day the petition of Mr. Robert Aleson for disuniting 
 of Glencorse from Lessuade recomended to the Parliament. 
 
 This day summonds appoynted to be given against the Lord 
 Rae, the Master of Rae, Hugh M'Ky of Dalrate, William 
 M'Ky of Boggesse, Hugh M'Ky of Skoury, and Hector Monro 
 of Errybell. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant, William 
 Colvill, and William Bennet, to speak to Sutherland, and the 
 other gentlmen in the North desired to attend Seaforts relaxa- 
 tion, and to prepare them for that effect, that they may cordi- 
 ally receive him upon his satisfaction. 
 
 This day the Moderator and Mr. Robert Douglas having 
 reported that they had presented a paper to the Parliament 
 in ansuer to these particulars in the Report of the Grand 
 Committee, the Commission, having heard the said paper read, 
 appoynted the same to be recorded as a testimony of their 
 faithfulness : Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 Declaration 
 Mr. Robert 
 Douglas and 
 Mr. Robert 
 Blair, in ansuer 
 to some par- 
 ticulars in the 
 Report of the 
 Committee of 
 Estates given in 
 to the Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 4 The humble Declaration of Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. 
 Robert Blair to the honourable Estates of' Parliament 
 concerning some particulars relating to and reflecting 
 upon them in the Report of the Committee of Estates 
 touching the Peace made with the Rebells. 
 
 4 Right Honourable, — Forasmuch as the Committee of 
 Estates, in their accompt to your honours of their proceed- 
 ings in the mater of peace with the rebells, do report that 
 they wer so tender of their proceedings in that mater that 
 their Lordships would not conclude anything untill they con- 
 sulted such of the ministrie as wer in towne, and for that end 
 sent for some of the ministers of Edinburgh, to whom the 
 Commission granted be the Parliament, and the draught of 
 
30 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 169 
 
 the commission and instructions intended to be given to the 
 Generall-Major wer read ; but they declyning to give a present 
 opinion wer allowed to think upon it till the next day, and in 
 the interim wer desired to consult with others of their brethren 
 in towne ; And accordingly the next day Mr. Robert Douglas 
 and Mr. Robert Blair and some others appeared, who denyed 
 to give any advice, being but there in the capacity of privat 
 persons, yet did they not object against the tiling, nor expresse 
 any maner of dislike of it : And againe, toward the end of the 
 Report, their Lordships affirme that it wes not done without 
 acquainting such of the ministrie as could then be had. Which 
 Report, so much reflecting upon us, as making us accessory 
 some way, if not positivly yet negativiie, to the Committees 
 conclusion in that mater, we must crave your honours leave to 
 vindicat ourselves, and to declare what we humblie conceive 
 we suffer in that particular. 
 
 4 First, we wer none of those ministers to whom the instruc- 
 tions wer read, or who wer allowed to think on the mater till 
 the next day, or wer desired to consult therin with others ; 
 neither had we any consultation with any therabout ; nor did 
 we appear as returning our brethrens ansuer (as the Report 
 seems to insinuat), being unexpectedly, as we wer going to 
 Newcastle, whither the late Assembly had sent us, brought oft* 
 the street ; neither had we any foreknowledge of the question 
 untill we then heard the same propounded to ws. 2. It wes 
 then told us that the mater wes concluded, and that by war- 
 rant and power from the Parliament ; in which case, if thus 
 surprysed, and only in the capacity of privat persons, we did 
 declyne to give our opinions in so publik a way in a mater 
 predetermined by the Parliament, and of so high concernment 
 and consequence ; we think it strange that their Lordships 
 should make such use of our tendernesse and warines to give a 
 present privat opinion in so tiklish and weighty a bussines, 
 especially seeing we offered after deliberation to give our 
 opinions in a privat way, and that our opinion is well known 
 to some of their number. 3. In such modest terms as become 
 ws, we spoke as much as we conceived might expresse our dis- 
 lyk of their proceeding in that mater, regrating that satisfac- 
 tion in the poynt of conscience, which their lordships professed 
 
170 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 DEC. 
 
 they wer seeking from us, wes neither sought in tyme before 
 the mater had passed in rem judicatam, and in a determina- 
 tion of Parliament, neither yet from such as had power and 
 authority to determine the question, viz., the Generall Assembly 
 or their Commissioners, of both which respectivly the Parlia- 
 ment and their Lordships had the opportunity in St. Andrews 
 and in this toun, whilst they wer consulting about that mater. 
 4. We desire your Lordships to consider whether, according to 
 that tendernes and care tuyce professed in that report, all the 
 ministers then in toun wer consulted before their Lordships 
 conclusion of that mater, which wes upon the 17th of June, 
 seing the Generall Assembly itself satt in toun from the 3 of 
 that moneth of June, untill the 18th therof, during the tyme of 
 their consultations in that bussines, and a day after the con- 
 cluding of it, the Commission of Assembly also meeting a day 
 or tuo after the dissolving of the Assembly, and diverse of the 
 members of the Assembly staying in town for some few dayes 
 after the dissolving of the Commission. 5. We humblie offer 
 to make it appeir that our opinion wes not craved before the 
 
 23 or 24 of June, some fyve or six days after their lordships 
 concluded the peace. And therfor it seems verie strange to ws 
 how their Lordships affirme that nothing wes concluded before 
 our opinion wes craved, and how our cariage upon the 23 or 
 
 24 of June should be made a ground of their conclusions upon 
 the 17th of that moneth we cannot conceive. 
 
 ' These things being represented to your honours for our 
 cleiring, and the offer of our judgment to your Lordships con- 
 cerning that mater in due tyme before the approbation of it in 
 Parliament, and whatsoever els delivered verbally about that 
 bussines being heir remembred and repeated, we humblie Pro- 
 test, first, that neither the Kirk in generall, nor we in par- 
 ticular, be interpret or esteemed to have any accession, by 
 opinion or otherwayes, to the said conclusion concerning the 
 late peace with the rebells, that report concerning us notwith- 
 standing. And 2dly, Seing mens consciences ar not satisfied, 
 nor have paines been taken for their satisfaction in such things 
 quhairin they conceived just grounds of scruple concerning that 
 mater, we also Protest that the libertie of the Kirk and of 
 the ministers of the Gospell, for exonering their consciences 
 
30 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1646 171 
 
 therin, according to the Word of God, the Covenant, and the 
 Acts and Constitutions of the Kirk, be not by the proceedings 
 of the Committee, nor anything following therupon, in any way 
 prejudged : In all humility desyring that thir presents be 
 recorded in the books of Parliament, and extracts therof 
 delivered to us under the Lord Registers hand. 
 
 Edinburgh, SubsCT tur Mr. RoT. DOUGLAS, 
 
 the 30 of December 1646. Mr. Rot. Blair.' 
 
 Concerning the Quaeries produced by Mr. Johne Annand 
 from the Province of Murray, the Commission returns the 
 following ansuers : — 
 
 6 Quceries from Mr. Johne Annand, minister of Invernesse, 
 anent some occurents concerning the Province of Moray 
 and Preshyterie of Invernes. 
 
 * 1. The whole Presbyteries having confessed compliance with Quseries from 
 the enemies, as necessitat therto be reason of their charge of Murray 6 °* 
 ministrie among them, — Whether shall the said ministers be 
 referred to the Committee for the North, or to the Assembly 
 
 of Murray, for farther particular tryell of their severall guilt, 
 and be censured be them conforme ? 
 
 * 2. Tuo ministers, one of the Preshyterie of Invernes, Mr. 
 Alexander Fraser, minister at Pettie, another of Strathspey, 
 Mr. William Watson, minister at Duthell, being under tryell 
 in these Presbyteries for diverse alleadged complyances, shall, 
 after tryell, be referred to the Commission of the Kirk for 
 their censure, or censured at home be the said Presbyteries ? 
 
 6 3. If the Commission shall think fitt that an ordinance be 
 made that the severall Presbyteries in Murray give in their 
 diligence anent the punishment of complyers betuixt and the 
 first of Appryll to the Commission, under paine of censure ; 
 and what is to be done where whole parochins ar guilty ? 
 
 ' 4. Wher men ar maried by preests, what course shall be 
 taken with these, and what to be thought of their mariage ? 
 
 <5. The said Mr. Johne Annand humblie comendit to the 
 Commission the pityfull condition of the children of Andro 
 Fraser, cruelly murthered be the Irishes." 
 
172 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 dec. 
 
 ' Ansuers of the Commission of' the Generall Assembly to and 
 concerning the Qucerees of the last Provinciate Assembly 
 of Murray. 
 
 Answers to the ' 1. To the first, concerning the tua complying Presbyteries 
 Mun-ay S fr ° m °^ Strathbogy and Strathspay, the Commission ordaines the 
 next Assembly of that Province to take particular notice and 
 tryell of each minister, anent what further may be learned of 
 their cariage since the beginning of the rebellion, and to make 
 full report to them at their meeting at Aberdene. 
 
 * 2. To the 2d, concerning Mr. Alexander Fraser, minister at 
 Pettie, and Mr. William Watson, minister at Duthell, they 
 ordaine the Presbyteries of Invernes and Strathspay respective 
 to proceed to the further tryell of the said tuo ministers, and 
 to make full report of their processe and guilt out of the books 
 of the Assembly of Murray, and Presbyterie books respective 
 forsaid, to the said Commission of the Kirk at Aberden. 
 
 * 3. To the 3d, anent these who pretend to have been maried 
 be preists, both parties maried should make publik satisfaction 
 for that unorderly mariage, and be proceeded against in case of 
 their disobedience with the censurs of the Kirk. 
 
 '4. Ordaines the pryme and cheef complyers in the Pres- 
 byteries of Invernes, Strathspey, Forres, and Elgin to be 
 censured with diligence, and report therof to be made to the 
 next Provinciall Assembly and from thence to the said Com- 
 mission at Aberden, as they will be ansuerable to the Commis- 
 sion t her upon. 
 
 4 5. To the 5th, The Commission, taking to heart the pityfull 
 murther of Andro Fraser, late minister at Abertarf and Boles- 
 kin, be the cruell Irishes, and being certainly informed of the 
 distressed estate of the children of the said Andro, have 
 appoynted a letter to be drawn up for comending the said 
 children, in speciall the eldest, Mr. Donald Fraser, to the 
 charitable supply of the Provinces of Murray, Ross, Suther- 
 land and Caithness 
 
 Edinburgh, 5 January 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las : Mr. Johne Adamson : Mr. 
 Thomas Vassie : Mr. John Knox: Mr. John Smyth: Mr. Robert Ker : 
 
5 JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 173 
 
 Mr. AndroCant: Mr. James Fleming: Mr. David Drummond : Mr. Adame 
 Penman: Mr. Robert Wright: Mr. William Colvill: Mr. Johne Oswald. 
 Elders — Lord Marques of Argyle : Lord Craighall : Laird of Libbertoun : 
 Laird of Dudingstoun : James Stuart : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 In respect of the absence of Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator, a Election of a 
 list wes made for choosing a moderator during his absence in Moderator - 
 this Session, viz. Messrs. Johne Adamson, Robert Douglas, and 
 William Colvill, and the said Mr. Robert Douglas wes chosen 
 Moderator. 
 
 This day Mr. Johne Lindsayes excuse of his absence admitted. Mr. John 
 This day Mr. Johne Craigingelts excuse admitted, and Mr. Reused. 
 Allan Fergusson, another in the list, appoynted to go to the Mr. John 
 Lord Levingstons regiment, and that letters be writtin for excused^anc'. 
 that purpose. Mr - A1] * n 
 
 r r ... Ferguson sent 
 
 The Moderator, Messrs. Andro Cant, William Colvill, John to Levingstons 
 
 Smith, Craighall, Libbertoun, and Dudingstone appoynted to 0 ' 
 
 • i • i o . in** • Earle Seafort. 
 
 stay in this place after dissolving, to speak Seafort for reconcil- 
 ing him and the noblemen and gentlmen in the North whom 
 he offended by his late miscariage there. 
 
 Mr. John Rosse, who wes appoynted to be cited, being now Mr.johnRosse, 
 taken with caption in this towne, the Commission thinks fitt minister at Birs - 
 that one of the Magistrats bring him heir before them the 
 morne at ten houres. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly having seriously Act for Contri- 
 considered the lamentable condition of the distressed people in J^gy^ to 
 Argyll, do therfor recomend to Presbyteries that there be a 
 charitable contribution for their present subsistance : For the 
 speedy and efFectuall collecting quhairof the letter following 
 shall be sent in print to severall Presbyteries with all diligence, 
 that they may apply themselves with all care to contribute a 
 present supplie to the extreme necessities of their afflicted 
 brethren according to the desire of the said letter. 
 
 6 Re verend and loving bhethren, — Our hearts being deeply Letter concern- 
 wounded to behold the sufferings and heare the complaints and ^bition'for 
 cryes of so many of our deir brethren in the Province of Ar gy!eto 
 Argyle, who have their blood shed as water spilt upon the Presbyteries 
 ground by the bloody rebells, their estates wholie ruined and 
 destroyed, their houses burnt with fire, and the remnant that 
 is left exposed to all the miseries of famine and nakedness ; 
 
174 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 JAN. 
 
 and taking to our saddest consideration the deplorable con- 
 dition of so many Christian soules daylie dying and sterving 
 for want of bread, destitut of all means of lyvlihood or comfort, 
 we could not but heartily concurre with the honourable Estates 
 of Parliament in a most serious recomendation of their lament- 
 able condition to your charities and the charities of your severall 
 congregations. We need not put yow in mynd of their bygone 
 forwardnes in all expeditions for the publik cause, nor of our 
 obligations by the dutie of Christianity to them that suffer 
 adversity, as being ourselves also in the body, nor of our par- 
 ticular and solemne obligation in our Covenant for their releef, 
 whose bygone and present extreme sufferings ar mainly for ther 
 faithfulnes in the publik cause. But we beseech yow by the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, by the love of the Spirit, to apply your- 
 selves seriously, and bestirre yourselves diligently for their 
 help and supply, endevouring, by your own example, by privat 
 and publik exhortations, that reall testimonies of love and 
 compassion may be given and expressed to these our distressed 
 and languishing brethren. We leave to your own wisdomes the 
 particular wayes of applying yourselves to your severall flocks 
 for making this supply the more comfortable, hoping that, as 
 the case is singular, and the necessity extremely urgent, so yow 
 will be so much the more carefull in your way, to use more nor 
 ordinar diligence in your congregations, that evrie persons 
 charity, even the mite of the meaner sort, may be received care- 
 fully : Only we conceive that it were verie conduceable if, after 
 the intimation hereof on the Lords day in your pulpits, evrie 
 brother went through severall families for collecting their 
 charities. But especially our desire is, in respect of the 
 present necessitie of that poor people, that yow use all dili- 
 gence for the speedy collecting and conveyance therof to Edin- 
 burgh, to James Stuart baillie, or to Glasgow, to George 
 Porterfeild provest, who will be carefull to send the samen to 
 Argyle to be employed and destribute there according to evrie 
 ones necessity, which we shall also be carefull of, that the same 
 mav be performed. Contending this earnestly to your care and 
 vourselves in all your labour to the Lords blessing, We remaine, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 5 Januarii 1647. 0 f the Generall Assembly." 
 
5 JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 175 
 
 The Commission appoynts the letter following to be sent in 
 ansuer to the letter from the Commissioners at London : — 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — We read that part of Letter to the 
 the Confession of Faith sent to us by yours of the 10th of ^ t 0 L n ™ i d s ^ oners 
 November, and only read it according to your desire without 
 further entering into any serious consideration of it, seing it 
 is not there agreed upon. But now, perceiving by your last of 
 the 22 of the last moneth that the whole bodie of the Confes- 
 sion is perfected and transmitted to the Houses, we desire that 
 the whole may be sent to ws as soon as yow shall find it con- 
 venient, 1 together with the Ordinances for suppressing and 
 punishing haeresies, and imposing the taking the Covenant 
 under penalties which yow mention. We have communicat 
 that letter to the Parliament, being much refreshed therwith, 
 and with the petition and representation of that famous cittie 
 of Londone, and the endevours of the well affected brethren 
 there. What hes been our work heir yow know before this, by 
 the printed Warnings for this kingdome which wer directed to 
 yow, and by other informations yow have received from hence. 
 It seems the Lord is now upon the way of promoving his own 
 work, and of disappoynting the projects of the enemies therof 
 in both kingdomes. Our brethren, Mr. Robert Blair and Mr. 
 James Guthrie, ar sent from this to Newcastle to prosecute 
 with his Majestie the desires of the Assembly, and to concurre 
 with the Commissioners of the Parliament in their desires to 
 the same purpose, with whom yow may correspond as you find 
 the necessity of the work shall require. If they find it needfull 
 in the place to have the assistance of some other brethren, upon 
 their advertisement, other tuo will be ready to repare also 
 thither. The difficulties and dangers of these tymes we 
 conceive shall still keep a competent number of us together 
 during this session of Parliament, as we have done this tyme 
 bygone, wherin the Lord hes made us find that our labour hes 
 not been in vaine in him, which encourageth us to continue 
 our endevours. Now, that the Parliaments of both kingdomes, 
 and both yow and we according to our severall callings and 
 
 1 It was brought down by Baillie in January 1647, along with a copy of Rouse's 
 new version of the Psalms. — Baillie's Letters and Journals, vol. iii. p. 12. 
 
176 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 JAN. 
 
 interests, may improve all means for suppressing malignants 
 and sectaries, for promoving the work of vniformitv and for 
 preserving the vnion betueen the kingdomes, is the earnest 
 prayer of, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, THE COMMISSIONERS 
 
 5 Januarij 1(547. of the Gexerall Assembly.' 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brethren, the Com- 
 missioners for the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 Doctor Sharpe. The Commission, taking to their serious consideration the 
 hard condition of their brother, Doctor Sharpe, 1 think fitt to 
 recomend his case seriously to the Commissioners at London. 
 Tenor of the letter to this purpose followes : — 
 
 Letter to the 1 REVEREND AM) LOVING BRETHREN, Our brother, Doctor 
 
 ^hSSSST Sharpe, having lent all his whole estate, extending to 20,000 
 favours of merks, to the publik, quhen our army w ent first to England, in 
 a tyme of verie great necessity, and that with great chearfulnes, 
 and these many veirs, with much patience and discretion 
 without grudging, having endured the want even of all interesse 
 and profit therof, we conceived ourselves interessed to recomend 
 
 1 John Sharp, or Scharpius, ' Scotobritannus, Andreapolitanus, Theologian 
 Doctor et Professor,' was an alum?itis of the University of St. Andrews, and for 
 some years minister of Kilmany, in Fife. Banished in 1606, with five other 
 ministers, for the stand they made for the liberties of the Church in connection 
 with the Assembly held at Aberdeen in 1605, he sought refuge, like most of the 
 others, among the Protestants of France. For more than twenty years he acted 
 as pastor and professor in the French Protestant ' Academia,' or University, at 
 Die, in Dauphine, and for a time he held also the high office of rector. In 
 1610 he published a treatise Be Justificatione, and in 1618 a Cursus Theologicus, 
 in two volumes, and some years after a Sytnphonia Prophetarum et Apostolorum. 
 The Cursus contains a very laudatory dedication to King James as ' a/terum 
 Salamonem in scientia renuyi divinarum et humanarumf which rather lends 
 countenance to the assertion of Spottiswood, that he had in that year petitioned 
 for leave to return, and promised to be more compliant. In 1630, in defiance 
 of the privileges of old accorded to Scotsmen, he was required by Cardinal 
 Richelieu to leave France. Soon after his return to Scotland he was appointed 
 Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh, and he continued to hold 
 that office till his death in 1647. In 1638 he conformed to the changes then 
 made, and embarked his whole fortune in 'the public cause.' The Parliament, 
 in part at least, made provision for his re-imbursement out of the moneys pro- 
 mised by the English Houses for payment of the Scottish army. — Acts of the 
 Parlia.7nents of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 643. 
 
6 JAN.] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 177 
 
 him to the Parliament, and their Lordships lies taken his case to 
 speciall consideration, preferring his payment to others out of 
 that money which the Parliament of England is to pay to this 
 kingdome. Our earnest desire therfor to yow is, that you will 
 activly do all what is in your power there for obtaining him 
 speedy and sure payment. His own merit, known to yourselves, 
 his former sufferings, not to be forgotten, and his condition, 
 which is singular and without example (for we have not heard 
 of another that hes given their whole stock and lyvlihood to 
 the cause, and only for the cause), ar so forcible arguments for 
 it, as we shall neither doubt of your care nor of the Parliaments 
 favour. Remaining ever, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 5 Januarij 1G47. of the General Assembly/ 
 
 Direct : For (heir reverend and loving brethren, the Com- 
 missioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 Edinburgh, 6 Januarij 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Adam son : Mr. John Knox : Mr. David Drummond : Mr. Alexander 
 Dickson: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Flemyng: Mr. 
 Thomas Vassie : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrik Flemyng- : Mr. Adame 
 Penman: Mr. James Nasmith. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird of 
 Libbertoun : Laird of Dudingstoun. 
 
 Concerning the question propounded be Mr. Johne M'Ghie, Adulterers and 
 touching the satisfaction of scandalous persons in Dalhoussies Daihoussles 1 " 
 regiment, now lying about Tranent, the Commissions judgment Regiment- 
 is, that the adulterers in the said regiment should be sent to 
 the Presbyteries wher that offence wes committed to satisfie 
 there, and fornicators to the Sessions in the parishens quhair 
 they faulted. 
 
 This day Mr. Johne Rosse appeiring personally, the Com- Mr. johne 
 mission refuses his petition in dealing for his enlargement, and ^t°Birs. mimSter 
 appoynts him to appeir before the Commission if it be sitting, 
 or to acquaint the Moderator or Clerk before he go off the 
 towne, if he be put to libertie, and requyres Mr. Robert 
 Dalgleish in the mean ty me to get information of his mis- 
 cariage from Adame Watt. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Moderator and these Com- 
 
 M 
 
178 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 JAN. 
 
 Act appoynting 
 the next 
 quarterly meet- 
 ing to be at 
 Aberden. 
 
 Prayers in 
 Parliament. 
 
 missioners in toun, with Craighall, Libbertoun, and Duding- 
 stoun, to attend the Parliaments ansuer to the overture. 
 
 The Commission finds a necessity of keeping at Aberden to 
 take order with the enormities there : And therfor appoynts 
 the next quarterly meeting in May to be at Aberden, and 
 that letters be writtin to the brethren absent for this purpose ; 
 desyring also Mr. Andro Cant to conveen the gentlmen in the 
 North now in toun and attending the Parliament that they 
 may prepare maters to this meeting in Aberden. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. Thomas Vassie to prav the 
 morne in Parliament, Mr. Andro Cant on Frydav, Mr. James 
 Nasmith on Satterday, Mr. George Leslie on Tewsday, Mr. 
 William Dalgleish on Weddensday. 
 
 This day the brethren present wer desired to keep the quarterly 
 meeting on the secund Wednesday of Februar, and to give 
 advertisment therof to such of their brethren in their own or 
 the next adjacent Presbyteries as ar members of the Commission. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 January lb'47, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas: 'Sir. John Adamsone : 
 Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Flemyng: Mr. Patrik Flemyng : Mr. 
 William Adair : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillespie: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. William Dalgleish: Doctor Colvill. 
 Elders. — Lord Craighall : Laird of Dudingstoun : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day Messrs. Andro Cant, Johne Adamsone, Robert 
 Douglas, William Bennet, being listed, the said Mr. Robert 
 Douglas is chosen Moderator this session in all the meetings 
 therof. 
 
 Reasonesofthis Mr. Robert Douglas shew the brethren that the reason why 
 meeting. ^^tin for them wes thought necessarie for the tyme in 
 
 respect of bussines of great importance to Religion and the 
 Kirk, which wes in agitation in the Parliament ; but that it 
 hath pleased the Lord to bring the bussines to a very good 
 conclusion upon Satterday, and that Libbertoun is sent away 
 with their resolutions to England, the copie quhairof wer 
 read this day in Commission for their information. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, considering 
 that the Lord Balmerino and the Lord Waristoun, tuo of the 
 Commissioners appoynted by the late Assembly for the Treaty 
 
2o JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 179 
 
 of Vniformity in Religion and Kirk Government betueen the Act for adjoyn- 
 kingdomes, ar at this tyme employed in this kingdome as ^ co^mi° n l ° 
 members of the Parliament now assembled; and having sioners at 
 certaine knowledge and experience of the faith fulnes and 
 abilities of Mr. George Winrahame of Libbertoun, who is now 
 sent in some publik employments from this kingdome to the 
 Parliament of England : Therfor, according to the power com- 
 mitted to them, they do hereby give fall power to the said Mr. 
 George Winrahame, in the absence of the said Lord Balmerino, 
 and of any other formerly designed and appointed in his Lord- 
 ships place, or in the absence of the said Lord Waristoun, to 
 joyne with the remanent Commissioners at London in prosecut- 
 ing the Treaty of Vniformity with the honourable Houses of the 
 Parliament of England and the reverend Assembly of Divines 
 there, or with Committees from them, and to do all and evrie 
 thing for promoving the said work, as freely and fully as 
 any other of the Commissioners, or as if the Assembly had 
 nominat and appoynted him to that effect. 1 
 
 Concerning the petition of Glenurquhie, the Commission Glenurquhy. 
 appoynts this letter following to be writtin to the Presbyterie 
 of Dunkeld, touching Mr. William Meinyies : — 
 
 'Right reverend, — Having received a petition from the Letter to the 
 lairds of Glenurquhy representing to us the lamentable con- ^unkdd 17 ° f 
 dition of themselves and their tennents, disabling them to give 
 that mantainance and provision which is due to Mr. William 
 Meinzies, their minister : Therfor our desire to yow is that the 
 vaking fruits and stipends of any kirks within your boundis, 
 which, by an act of Parliament printed (the copy quhairof we 
 have sent unto yow under our Clerks hand, least ye have not 
 the printed Acts of Parliament there), ar appoynted to be 
 employed upon pious uses, may be given to him, or some com- 
 petent proportion therof, for his present subsistance, and that 
 the patron, titulars, heretors, and others adebtit in payment 
 therof, be dealt with for that purpose, and that notwithstand- 
 ing of the destination of the Act in favours of youths that have 
 
 1 This Commission is inserted at length in the Journals of the House of Lords, 
 vol. viii. pp. 718, 719, and by authority of the two Houses Winraham was 
 received as a member of the Westminster Assembly on 17th February 1646-7. 
 
180 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 JAN. 
 
 the Irish toung for their breeding at schooles and vniversities ; 
 wheranent these presents shall sufficiently warrand yow, which 
 we do seriously recomend to your care : And in the mean tyme 
 that yow delay his transportation (which we heare is intended) 
 for some time, being resolved also at our next meeting to 
 think upon some farther mean for our brothers mantainance 
 there : And that discipline in the mean tyme may be better 
 exerced and execute in the said Mr. William his parish of 
 Kendmoir, and the people may be the more awed when they 
 see the same countenanced and authorized by yourselves, we 
 think it wer verie convenient that yow send tuo or thrie of 
 your number to joyne with the minister for nominating and 
 appoynting a session in that congregation and fitting elders 
 and deacons to regulat and order the same, and to crave 
 accompt of their diligence in censuring of vyce and the dis- 
 charging of other duties. Yow will also be pleased to have a 
 care that the Kirk of Killie be provyded and all ministeriall 
 duties done there in the absence of the minister, who is now at 
 the army in England. Contending these things to your care, 
 we remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 20 January 1047. of the Gexerall Assembly.' 
 
 For their reverend brethren of the Presbytery of Dunkeld. 
 
 The Commission recomends the particular in Mr. Johne 
 Neveyes letter concerning a manes boasting to make great 
 oathes to the Lord Advocat to be taken order with by civill 
 punishment. 
 
 Glenluce. The Commissioners of the Assembly do humblie recomend 
 
 the mater mentioned in the petition from the Presbyterie of 
 Stanrawer concerning the division of the parish of Glenluce 
 and the erection of a new kirk there to the honourable Estates 
 of Parliament, and desires the Moderator and the ministers of 
 Edinburgh with the Lord Craighall to assist the petition to be 
 presented to the Parliament to that purpose. 1 
 
 Generaii King. The Commission recomends to Mr. Robert Douglas, Moder- 
 ator, and Mr. Andro Cant to conferre with Generall King, and 
 upon his acknowledgement of his bygone miscariage to receive 
 him to the Covenant. 
 
 1 On 1 2th March 1647 the prayer of the petition was granted, and Glenluce 
 divided into the parishes of Old Luce and New Luce. 
 
2i JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 181 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 Januarij 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. William Bennet: Mr. James Bonar : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. 
 A Villiam Colvill : Mr. William Adair : Doctor Colvill. Elders. —Lord 
 Craighall : Laird of Dudingstoun : Lawrence Henderson : Thomas Pater- 
 son. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Baillie having reported the condition Mr. Robert 
 of the mater of Vniformity in England and the travells of the Bailhes Re P ort - 
 brethren there, the Commissioners present having considered 
 his report, as also the letters from the Commissioners at 
 London, with the paper given by them to the Grand Committee 
 there, do heartily and vnanimously approve and commend 
 there brethrens diligence and travells. Followes the Commis- 
 sioners letter and the said paper sent therwith : — 
 
 ' Reverend and beloved brethren, — If yow had bene pleased Letter from the 
 to have given us all (als well as one) leave to come home, we at°London nerS 
 should have waited upon yow altogether with a joynt and full 
 accompt of our diligence in what hath been entrusted to us. 
 In the mean whyle the true condition of Church affairs here 
 and of our endevours therin, will be represented unto yow by 
 my Lord Chancellor (whose counsell and assistance, although 
 in the midst of other weighty bussines, have not beine wanting 
 unto us, and we ar confident will not be wanting to yow) and 
 by our reverend brother, Mr. Robert Baillie, whose diligence 
 heir hath been so great, and his paines so usefull, that if we 
 could have had our option we should not have been parted, but 
 either stayed together or returned together. 1 Wee remitt unto 
 their relation any particulars wherin yow shall desire further 
 information concerning the state of publict bussines here. They 
 will also communicat unto yow the Confession of Faith, and 
 our full paper concerning religion lately delyvered in to both 
 Houses of Parliament 2 and to the Assembly of Divines, which 
 
 1 The Lord Chancellor, Lord Wariston, and Mr. R. Baillie, took their leave 
 of the Westminster Assembly on 25th December 1646, the Earl of Lauderdale 
 on 12th January 1647. Brief notes of their speeches and of the replies of the 
 Prolocutor are given in Minutes of the Westminster Assembly , pp. 471-473. 
 The treatise brought down by them was the first complete edition of the Con- 
 fession of Faith, but without the Scripture proofs, which were only added in the 
 edition of May 1647, brought down to Scotland by Gillespie in July. 
 
 2 This paper is inserted at length in the Journals of House of Lords, vol. viii. 
 pp. 630-631. 
 
182 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 JAN. 
 
 paper hath severall additions in it, beside that which wes in 
 the paper formerly sent unto yow. Wee who ar still here do 
 humbly renew our former desire for your permission to come 
 home, there being no great or necessary cause that we know of 
 to keep us any long tyme heir in this employment. For the 
 present, in case yow think fitt to keep us any whyle longer in 
 this place, as we desire it may be for a short tyme, so for that 
 short tyme of our stay we move (upon occasion of the Earle of 
 Lauderdaill his resolution to go home) that ye may be pleased 
 to nominat one, at least, of the Commissioners of the Parlia- 
 ment resideing here, to assist us in the capacity of a ruling 
 elder. So comending your meetings and consultations to the 
 blessing of God, wee rest, Your loving brethren to serve yow, 
 
 Worcester House, Lauderdaill, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 the 20th of December 1646. Geo. Gillespie." 
 
 Direct: For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 General! A sse mbly. 
 
 Paper presented 6 As the other Reformed Churches have been much comforted 
 sioners^t" 1 " 115 w ith the hopfull beginnings and some happy progresse of a 
 Grand Com he §^ or ^ ous Reformation of Religion in this kingdome, so especially 
 mittee there. the Church of Scotland (which is so neirly concernd and must 
 needs expect to partake more then other Churches of the good 
 or evill which shall here take root) hath greatly rejoyced and 
 given thanks to God for so great a mercy. Neverthelesse they 
 ar also myndfull of the vowes of God, which ar upon all the 
 three kingdoms and upon all sorts and degrees of persons 
 therin, according to their severall placeings and callings, to 
 endevour such a Reformation of Religion in the kingdoms of 
 England and Irland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and 
 government, as is according to the Word of God and the best 
 Reformed Churches, and to endevour the neerest vniformity in 
 all these betueen the Churches of God in the three kingdomes, 
 together with the extirpation of haeresy and schisme, least par- 
 taking in other mens sins they be in danger to receive of their 
 plagues : which things they did not oblige themselves to 
 endevour for a tyme, but constantly till they be obtained. 
 Wherfor in pursuance of the ends of the Covenant, and in dis- 
 charge of that trust which is committed to us, as lykwise that 
 some of our number who ar now to returne into Scotland may 
 
2i JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 183 
 
 be able to give a farther accompt to the Parliament of that 
 kingdome, and to the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly 
 at Edinburgh (both being now assembled), we have taken this 
 occasion (without the least presuming to prescribe any wayes 
 or to impose any conditions) to renew our most earnest desires 
 to the honourable Houses of Parliament, and to the reverend 
 Assembly of Divines for their part, that all possible care may 
 be taken, and greater diligence used, to expedite the begun 
 Reformation and Vniformity, to supply and make up those parts 
 that ar yet wanting, and to put on and make effectuall what is 
 already agreed upon. More particularly we do desire that some 
 effectuall course may be provyded by Ordinance of Parliament 
 for the taking of the Solemn League and Covenant by all per- 
 sons, as well as in all places of this kingdome, and some con- 
 siderable penalty or punishment (such as the honourable 
 Houses in their wisdome shall think fitt) may be appoynted 
 for such as refuse to take it (much more for such as reproach it 
 or speak against it), and that by authority of both Houses of 
 the Parliament of England, the Covenant, Confession of Eaith, 
 Directory of Worship, Forme of Church Government and 
 Catechisms may be setled in Irland as well as in England, 
 according to the first article of the Solemn League and Cove- 
 nant. Wee also desire that the Catechisme (now before the 
 Assembly of Divines) may be perfected so soon as is possible : 
 that the Confession of Faith may be established by authoritie 
 of Parliament and immediately therafter sent into Scotland 
 (as the Directory of Worship wes), to be agreed unto by that 
 Church and kingdome, it being the cheefest part of that 
 Vniformity in Religion, which both kingdoms stand bound by 
 Covenant to endevour : that course may be taken for the better 
 observing the Directory of Worship, which is, in many places of 
 this kingdome, either wholly or in diverse materiall poynts 
 neglected. And becaus the singing of psalmes in churches is a 
 part of the publike worship of God, we desire that the Para- 
 phrase of the Psalmes in metre, as it is now examined, corrected 
 and approved by the Assembly of Divines here, and by the 
 Commissioners of the Generall Assembly in Scotland, may be 
 lykwise authorized and established by Ordinance of Parliament. 
 Wee further desire that speciall care and speedy course may be 
 
184 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 JAN. 
 
 taken for the choosing of ruling elders and the erecting of 
 classical presbyteries and congregationall elderships throughout 
 the whole kingdome (these things not being yet done except 
 in some places), and that the censure of excommunication and 
 some other things belonging to the meeting, constitution and 
 power of Synods nationall and provinciall, and of the sub- 
 ordinat ecclesiasticall assemblies, contained in the advice of the 
 reverend and learned Assembly of Divines to both Houses 
 of Parliament, and in our Remonstrance dated Marche 26, 
 1646, delivered also to both Houses (which things ar not yet 
 setled by Ordinance of Parliament), may be taken into con- 
 sideration by the honourable Houses and their resolution known 
 therupon ; and that in the mean whyle (as well before as 
 after the full setleing of Church Government) the civile power 
 may (according to the Word of God and the example of godly 
 magistrats both of old and of late) proceed to the suppressing 
 of those scandalous doctrines or practises which ar destructive 
 to the Christian faith, the power of godlynes, or the peace of 
 the Church ; there being nothing more pernicious both to 
 Church and State than the leaving of all men to an autonomy 
 in religion. For although it be farre from our thoughts to be 
 so rigide as to desire, or by intention, counsell or suggestion, 
 to be accessory to the troubling of pious and peaceable men, 
 who through scruple of conscience cannot in all things come up 
 to the rule of Church Government, and as it never wes, so it is 
 not our purpose to make any impediment to the forbearing of 
 such, so farre as may agree with the Word of God, stand with 
 the publike peace, and not be destructive to the order and 
 government of the Church, yet we cannot choose but discharge 
 our consciences in representing the extreme necessity that some 
 speedy and effectuall remedie may be provyded against the 
 separating and withdrawing from, or gathering churches out of 
 the true Reforming Churches of this nation, as if membership 
 therin wer unlawfull ; as likwise against the preaching of such 
 as have neither received ordination nor have bene offered to 
 any orderly try ell and approved as candidats or probationaries 
 for the ministrie : and above all against the infection of per- 
 nicious hseresies, which multiply, grow and spread daylie more 
 and more, to the great dishonour of God, to the shakeing of 
 
2i JAN.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 185 
 
 the verie foundations of the Christian faith, to the seduceing 
 and destroying of many poore soules, to the hardening and 
 strenthning of the common enemy, to the renting and divyd- 
 ing of Church and State, to the scandalizing of the Reformed 
 Churches, and to the disappoynting of the ends of the Covenant. 
 So that it is now high tyme to purge out (we cannot say a litle 
 leaven, but) that which hath already leavened a great part of 
 the lump, and may (if connived at) quickly leaven the whole. 
 For which cause (the danger being so great and imminent) we 
 can not forget to mention the pressing and vrgent necessity of 
 restraining effectually the unparaleld, scandalous, licentious 
 printing and publishing of books, both against Magistracy and 
 Ministry, and particularly against the authority of Parliament, 
 against the reverend Assembly of Divines, against the Covenant, 
 and the publik nationall Reformation, against the vnion of the 
 kingdomes, against the Church and kingdome of Scotland and 
 all the Reformed Churches, yea against Jesus Christ himself and 
 the sacred Word of God. 
 
 ' Although these things ly sad and heavy upon our spirits, 
 yet we do not only pray, but trust that God will so direct the 
 counsells and prosper the endeavours of the honourable Houses 
 of Parliament for the Reformation of Religion and peace of the 
 Church, that their care and zeale may appeir to be greater for 
 the things of Christ then for their own things, to the glory of 
 God and of his Sone Jesus Christ, the only Head and King of 
 his Church, to the strenthning of the hearts and hands of their 
 freends, and to the stopping of the mouths of their adversaries. 
 
 4 The particulars above expressed we offer to this honourable 
 and reverend Committee, to be represented to the tuo Houses 
 of Parliament, whose resolution and ansuer therin we earnestly 
 desire, not only for our own exoneration, that we may season- 
 ably give an account of our proceedings to those who have 
 entrusted us, and do expect a further account from us, 
 but also for the comfort and encouragement of the Church 
 and kingdome of Scotland, who wait for, and will look 
 upon the progresse of the so much desired Reformation and 
 Vniformity in Religion, as the cheefest and most comfortable 
 recompence of all their paines, hazards and sufferings, and as 
 the strongest and surest bond for keeping fast and firme the 
 
186 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [10 FEB. 
 
 happy vnion and conjunction of the kingdoms against the 
 common enemies, which hath bein and shall be our earnest 
 prayer and faithfull endevour, being confident of our brethrens 
 reciprocall affections for continuing and strenthning this vnion, 
 and for transmitting it to the generations following. 1 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Februar 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas: Mr. James Fleming: Mr. 
 Johne Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. 
 Johne Hay: Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 >Villiam Dalgleish : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. .Johne Knox at Selkirk : 
 Mr. Robert Eliot: Mr. Johne Weir: Mr. .Johne Duncan: Mr. Samuell 
 Oustean: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. William Bennet: 
 Mr. Alexander Dicksone. Elders. — Lord Marques of Argyle : Earle 
 Lawderdaill : Lord Craighall : Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Brodie : 
 Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Moderator. In absence of the Moderator, Mr. Robert Blair, Messrs. 
 
 Andro Cant, Robert Douglas, Johne Duncan, Johne Knox, 
 being listed, the said Mr. Robert Douglas wes chosen 
 Moderator for this meeting. 
 Report of the This day the Moderator reported that the Parliament had 
 ansuer concern- taken a satisfactory course for setling the mater concerning 
 ing the mater of |- ne j a j- e e } ec ti 0 n of the Magistracie and Counsell in Aberdene 1 
 
 Aberden and 0 
 
 Glasgow. and Glasgow, according to the desires of the petitions presented 
 
 from the Commission to their Lordships. 
 Thanks to Earle The Earle of Lawderdaill this day presented a letter from 
 Lawderdaie. ^ e Commissioners at London, which being read, the Com- 
 mission gave his Lordship thanks for his paines and travells 
 in the maters he wes entrusted with by the Assembly ; desyring 
 the continuance of his Lordships travels when his affairs might 
 permitt his returne to London. Tenor of the letter followes: — 
 
 Letter from the ' REVEREND AND BELOVED BRETHREN, — Wee have received tuo 
 
 at 0 L?ondon, nerS or> yours dated the 5th of this moneth, concerning which we 
 presented by uo ^ neec i |- 0 ma k e anv other ansuer but to referre vow to 
 
 Lawderdaie. ( J J 
 
 the relation of the noble bearer, the Earle of Lawderdaill, 
 whose presence and great paines here hath bene diverse wayes 
 verie usefull in the prosecution of this great bussines, wher- 
 with yow did entrust his Lordship and ws. He will give yow 
 a full accompt both of that which is done in the bussines of 
 
 1 Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 688 
 
io FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 187 
 
 Doctor Sharpe recomended by yow, and of so much as is past 
 in the publik affairs since my Lord Chanceller and Mr. Baillie 
 went from us. So, praising God for his blessings upon your 
 meetings and consultations, and praying for the continuance of 
 his assistance with yow, we rest, Your loving brethren to serve 
 yow, 
 
 Worcester House, Subscribitur, Samuel Ruthereurd, 
 
 the 13th of Januar 16±7. Geo. Gillespie.' 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Genercill Assembly at Edinburgh. 
 
 Other tuo letters produced from the Commissioners at 
 London, which with the papers therwith sent wer read. 
 Tenor of the letters followes : — 
 
 'Reverend and reloved brethren, — Having received a sadde Another letter 
 information from Alexander Riddoch of Leith, concerning the commissioner 
 Scots captives in Argeirs, in number about sixty (whose petition at London, 
 and other papers sent from them by him ar now transmitted 
 to the Parliament 1 by their Commissioners here), wee could do 
 no lesse, bein moved in the bussines, then to recomend it unto 
 your charitable and speciall care, either for a voluntary con- 
 tribution there toward the releef of these poor captives, or any 
 other way which ye shall think fitt to represent to the Parlia- 
 ment ; and to give your best assistance in the prosecution 
 therof, wherin that yow may be the better informed, yow may 
 be pleased to take notice of this inclosed paper, and to do 
 quickly whatsoever yow think good in it. 
 
 The Assembly of Divines, after they had made some pro- 
 gresse in the Catechisme which wes brought in to them from 
 their Committee, and having found it verie difficult to satisfy 
 themselves or the world with one forme of a Catechisme, or to 
 dress up milk and meat both in one dish, have after second 
 thoughts recomitted the work, that tuo formes of Catechisme 
 may be prepared, one more exact and comprehensive, another 
 more easie and short for new beginners. 2 In the mean whyle, 
 
 1 The Parliament resolved to take conjoint action with the English Parlia- 
 ment for the redemption of these captives, as will be afterwards explained. 
 
 2 Mimites of Westminster Assembly, p. 321. They had proceeded as far as 
 the exposition of the Fourth Commandment before resolving to have two. 
 
188 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [10 FEB. 
 
 the Assembly is about the adding of scripturs in the margent 
 of the Confession of Faith (according to the order of the 
 House of Commons), and they have already gone through 
 some chapters of the Confession with the texts added. We 
 have herewith sent yow the resolution 1 of the Ministers of 
 Lancaster, whose zeale and forwardnes for the erecting of 
 Presbyteriall Government in that county hath been eminent 
 and examplary, and we conceive will be unto yow no smal 
 comfort and encouragement. So comending your counsells and 
 endevours to the blessing of God, wee rest, Your loving 
 brethren to serve you, 
 
 Worcester House Sub.scnbitur, Samuel RuTHERFURD, 
 
 the 19th o/Januar 1647. Geo. GlLLESPIE.' 
 
 Direct: For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 Another letter ' RlGHT HONOURABLE, RIGHT REVEREND AND BELOVED BRETHREN, 
 
 Commissioners — Having heard of a more full and frequent meeting to be 
 at London. keept by yow upon the secund Weddensday of this moneth, 
 we can not conceale from yow such further progresse as is 
 made here towards the carying on of the Reformation, besides 
 what yow had account of formerly, first from our reverend 
 brother, Mr. Robert Baillie, and afterwards from the Earle of 
 Lawderdaill, besides also our letters of the date the 19th of 
 Januar. There is a generall humiliation appoynted to be 
 keept throughout this kingdome upon the 10th of March next, 
 because of the growth and spreading of errors, haeresies and 
 blasphemies. Wee have sent yow here inclosed the Order of 
 the House of Commons for that humiliation, together with an 
 Ordinance or Declaration to be read in all churches of this 
 kingdome upon the day appoynted, which Ordinance being 
 past in the House of Commons is sent to the House of Lords, 
 whose concurrence in it we do not doubt of. 2 The Grand 
 Committee of the House of Commons is proceeding upon the 
 Ordinance which wes sent to them from the Lords for sup- 
 presing the preaching of such as ar neither ordained nor ar 
 
 1 Probably for the union of the several Presbyteries in one Provincial Synod, 
 which was authorised by the two Houses on 2ist December 1646. 
 
 2 It is entered in the Journals of the House of Lords, vol. viii. pp. 706-707. 
 
io FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 189 
 
 licensed as probationaries for the ministry. They have voted 
 that such shall for the first fault be imprisoned a whole moneth 
 without baile or mainprize. 1 What shall be the higher degrees 
 of punishment for the reiterated offence they ar yet to 
 determine. These particulars ar lookt upon as of the greatest 
 present necessity, which occasioneth the delay of the Ordinance 
 concerning the Covenant and other things yet waited for. 
 The new Psalme book, reprinted with the last amendments 
 sent us from your Committee there, is not yet come from the 
 presse, but it is promised to ws the next week, and we shall 
 then, God willing, send it to yow. 2 As for that paper con- 
 cerning Religion delivered in from us to both Houses (the copie 
 quhairof yow had from Mr. Robert Baillie), there is a fair 
 ansuer to it past in the House of Lords, which is sent from them 
 to the House of Commons. We heare that the three com- 
 missioners from the honourable Houses sent to Newcastle ar 
 appoynted to repare to Scotland, and Mr. John Ward, a 
 member of the Assembly of Divines, being in their company, 
 we have thought it our duety to recomend him to your speciall 
 favour and kyndest respects, as a brother of known integrity, 
 who deserveth an ample testimony and great encouragement 
 for being so well affected and active towards the ends of the 
 Covenant and the publick good of both kingdoms, which is 
 also well known to others there, who wer heir with us not 
 long ago. So comending your meetings and all your labours 
 to the rich blessing of God, we rest, 
 
 Your most affectioned brethren to serve yow, 
 Subscribitur, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 G. Wyneame, George Gillespie.' 
 
 Worcester House, 
 the 2d ofFebruar 1647. 
 
 Postscript. — 'The Assembly proceeds in adding texts of 
 Scriptur for proof of the particular articles in the Confession 
 of Faith, untill the Committee appoynted to prepare the tuo 
 formes of Catechisme be ready to make their report.' 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons •, vol. v. p. 109. 
 
 2 This, 'the ultima atra,' was sent down on 16th February. 
 
190 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [10 FEB. 
 
 Declaration in 
 favour of the 
 widowes and 
 orphanes in 
 Broadalban. 
 
 Lord Aythin. 
 
 Viscount of 
 Airds. 
 
 Petition to the 
 Parliament in 
 favour of the 
 Viscount of 
 Airdes. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Glenurquhy, the Commission 
 declares that the Act and letters touching a charitable contri- 
 bution to the distressed people in Argyle is comprehensive of 
 the weedowes and orphans in Broadalbane, and to be extended 
 as largely as the Act of Parliament 1 of the first of Januar 
 recomending a contribution ; and that therfor some proportion 
 of the contribution collected should be given to the said 
 widowes and orphans in Broadalbane. To which purpose they 
 desire Messrs. Andro Cant, William Bennet, and the Lord 
 Craighall to speak the Lord Marquis of Argyle, that the pro- 
 portion may be agreed upon and determined. 
 
 This day Messrs. Andro Cant, William Colvill, William 
 Bennet, James Guthrie, and Johne Nevey desired to speak 
 with the Lord Aythan concerning his subscribing the Covenant. 
 
 Concerning the letter from the brethren at Carrikfergus in 
 Irland touching the liberation of the Viscount of Airds, the 
 Commission appoynts this petition to be presented to the 
 Parliament in his behalf by Messrs. Andro Cant, Johne Nevey, 
 James Nasmith, and the Lord Craighall and Dudingstoun. 
 
 ' To the honourable Estates of Parliament the humble petition' 
 of the Commissioners of the General! Assembly : 
 
 'Humblee Sheweth, — That it is not unknown to your honours 
 how the Lord Viscount Montgomerie of Airds, within the 
 kingdome of Irland, hath now of a long tyme been captive and 
 in bitter bondage with the barbarous and bloody Irishes. Wee 
 shall not need to put your honours in remembrance that he is 
 vour flesh and your blood, nor yet how he is of the same body 
 and in the same bond of the Covenant ; only your honours may 
 call to mynd when Commissioners wer sent from hence to 
 tender the Solemne League and Covenant to your army, how 
 chearfully he did offer himself, and joyne in the same, despys- 
 ing all terrors and hazards, and how faithfully and zealouslie 
 he hath laboured to promove the same, not loving even his life 
 unto death, as wes most amply and solemnly testified unto us 
 in the late Generall Assembly, and now againe by a letter 
 
 1 Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 643. Contribution to 
 be for relief and supply of the starving people in Argyle, and for supply of 
 the widows and orphans in Braidalbane. 
 
io FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 191 
 
 from the Presbyterie of our army within that kingdome : As 
 also how, in the day of our distress, he offered himself willingly 
 unto our help, and still hath been verie helpfull and refreshfull 
 to our forces there, to the great damnage of his estate. May 
 it then please your honours, in this day of his distresse, to be 
 comfortable to him, and to applie and bestirre yourselves in 
 the use of the best means for his releeff and subsistence. So 
 shall ye encourage others to be forward for God and zealous of 
 their countreys good, when the coall that is left shall not be 
 quenched, according to your power and interest, and contribute 
 much to the promoving of the work of Reformation there, 
 which is like to be crushed in the birth through want of 
 encouragements. 1 1 
 
 The Commission of Assembly, considering that Doctor Dr. Strang. 
 Strang, now come to this toun, is much distracted from his 
 attendance upon the Colledge, and seing it is uncertain when 
 the copies of his Dictats shall be transcribed ; do therfore con- 
 ceive that he needs not come to this toun about that mater con- 
 cerning the examination of his Dictats whill he be advertised. 2 
 In the mean tyme they will take to their consideration the 
 morne how the copies of his Dictats may be quickly transcribed, 
 and speak with Mr. Johne Adamsone to that purpose, to 
 whom the transcribing of some copies wes recomended by the 
 Assembly. 
 
 Concerning the desire of the town of Edinburgh for Mr. Mr. James 
 James Gordoun 3 to be employed in this toun some space for 
 description of the mappe of this toun, the Commission appoynts 
 a letter to be writtin to the Presbyterie of Strathbogy to that 
 
 1 On the following day measures were taken by the Parliament for his relief. 
 
 2 Strang appears to have favoured the opinions of Cameron and the Saumur 
 theologians, and so to have fallen under the suspicion of the more extreme 
 Calvinists. Baillie, who was his friend and ultimately became his son-in-law, 
 in transmitting a paper of his on ' God's permission of the existence of sin ' to 
 his correspondent in Holland, says of him, ' I do not like his withdrawing from 
 the divine decree the act and entity of any sin, much less of free and indifferent 
 actions : in this I think he sways too much to the one hand. But I fear those 
 he refutes will be found in as dangerous errors. ... I do pryse the man's 
 ingyne and learning much more than before, and think him now among the best 
 scholars of the Reformed Chnrch.' — Letters t vol. iii. pp. 5-13. 
 
 3 For an interesting notice of Gordon and his maps or plans of Edinburgh and 
 ■other Scottish cities see Bannatyne Miscellany, vol. iii. p. 323. 
 
192 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [n FEB. 
 
 purpose, and for supply of his place during that his employ- 
 ment. 
 
 This day Mr. George Balfour, one of the distressed ministers 
 in the Presbyterie of Forres, recomended seriously to the Par- 
 liament, and the brethren appoynted to present the petition in 
 behalf of the Viscount of Airds ar desired to assist also his 
 petition. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. Johne Rosse, minister at 
 at°A S ssim. iniSter Assint, the Commission desires Messrs. William Bennet and 
 William Colvill to speak to the Earle of Seafort for taking 
 course with reparation of his losses, which he lies sustained by 
 him or his freends, according to the Earls promise to the 
 Commission. 
 
 The next meeting the morne before noon. 
 
 Recomendation 
 Mr. George 
 Balfour to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 Mr. Johne 
 
 Mr. Zachary 
 Boyd. 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 February 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. W illiam 
 Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Thomas 
 Vassie : Mr. Johne Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. Patrik 
 Colvill: Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Robert Murray: Mr. Johne Knox at 
 Dalkeith: Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. Johne Hay: 
 Mr. Johne Duncan : Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Samuell 
 Oustean : Mr. Johne Adamsone : Mr. Robert Wright. Elders. — Lord 
 Craighall : Dudingstoun : Thomas Paterson : Mr. David W eyms. 
 
 The Commission appoynts a letter of encouragement to be 
 writtin to Mr. Zechariah Boyd for his paines in his Paraphrase 
 of the Psalmes, shewing that they have sent them to their Com- 
 missioners at London, to be considered and made use of there 
 by these that ar upon the same work. 
 Doctor Strang. This day the Commission, taking to their consideration the 
 best way for geting copies of Doctor Strangs Dictats, do 
 appoynt Mr. David Dickson to provyd a copie of these Dictats 
 for the brethren in the West appoynted by the Assembly for 
 revising therof ; that Doctor Colvill provyd another copie for 
 the brethren in St. Andrews and in the North ; that the copie 
 sent lately to this toun be sent to the brethren in the South ; 
 and that the copie transcribed by Mr. Johne Adamson serve 
 the brethren of this province appoynted for revising of the said 
 book ; and think it also fitt that all the revisers meet together 
 
ii FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 193 
 
 to conferre their observations together in May, at the next 
 quarterly meeting of the Commission, and being mett they 
 may send for the Doctor if they find a necessity. 
 
 The Commission doeth now againe appoynt the next q uar- Meeting in 
 terly meeting in May to hold in Aberdein, to take course with Aberdem - 
 the great disorders in these parts, and the brethren present 
 promised to keep that dyet : As also letters ar appoynted to 
 be writtin to require all to keep that meeting. 
 
 Messrs. Robert Knox, Johne Knox, James Guthrie, Thomas Mr. James 
 Wilkie, Andro Cant, Johne Smith, and Patrik Gillespie, with Urc i uhart - 
 the Moderator, ar desired to consider what course shall be 
 taken with Mr. James Vrquhart. 
 
 The next meeting afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Dalgleish : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith: Mr. John Hay: Mr. Robert 
 Eliot: Mr. John Smith: Mr. John Duncan: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Weir : Mr. 
 Robert Wright : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. James Fleming : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Diksone : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillespie: Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. Thomas Wilkie: Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 William Bennet. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Dudingstoun : James 
 Stuart : Lawrence Henderson : Thomas Paterson : Mr. David Weyms. 
 
 In ansuer to the letter from the Presbyterie of Dumfreis con- Concerning 
 cerning Amisfeild and others therin mentioned, the Commis- ^hers— the^ 
 sion returnes this following letter : — answer to 
 
 ° Presbyterie of 
 
 4 Right Reverend, — We did indeed desire your brethren, and and Cowhiii, 
 others also, to receive the confessions of these that joyned with ^"wbie" 
 the rebells, not only verbally, but under their hands, wherin 
 we conceive expressions ar not to be stood upon with them so 
 they do the thing materiallie and fullie. Your brother, Mr. 
 Samuel Oustean, can shew yow our own practise with others in 
 their condition, and more particularly informe yow of our 
 judgment herein. As for Cowhill, Gribtoun, and Mawbie, if 
 they do not appeir before yow, what is incumbent to yow to 
 do for such obstinacie and contempt yourselves know ; and 
 when they shall returne and offer their humble obedience and 
 satisfaction, we ar still of the opinion delyvered upon the 24 
 of November last to your brethren that come from yours. We 
 
 N 
 
194 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 FEB. 
 
 have no more to say, but comends yow to the Lords speciall 
 blessing, remaining, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, 1*1 IE Commissioners of 
 
 11 February W±~. THE GeNERALL ASSEMBLIES 
 
 Direct : For their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Dwmfreis. 
 
 Mr. James Concerning Mr. James Vrquhart, it is the opinion of the 
 
 Urquhart. Commission of Assembly that Mr. James be continued under 
 suspension in respect of his present infirmity both in bodie and 
 mynd ; and they recomend to the Presbyterie in the meantyme 
 to take some course for provyding the kirk with an actuall 
 minister, in such a way as Mr. James shall have still a com- 
 petent part of the stipend. 
 George Pringie. This day George Pringill, sone to James Pringill of Buck- 
 holme, compeiring personally, and giving in the declaration 
 and confession of his offences subscribed by his hand, the Com- 
 mission remitts him to the Presbyterie, to satisfie according to 
 the Act of Assembly, etc. ; recomending to them to be carefull 
 to bring him to some sense of his offences before his satisfaction 
 be received. 
 
 The next meeting the morne before noon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 February 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Adamsoiie : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 William Colvill: Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Dalyell : Mr. 
 Robert Eliot : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Johne Duncan : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Johne 
 Weir: Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Alexander Diksone : Mr. Johne 
 Smith : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Johne Nevey : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillespie: Mr. Samuel Oustein. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Duddings- 
 toun : Thomas Patersone : Mr David Weyms. 
 
 LordAythin. This day, Generall King, now Lord Aythin, appeiring 
 personally, did show that, as he had satisfied the Estates, he 
 desired also to satisfy the Kirk, acknowledging his miscariages 
 in the cause ; and that now, having satisfied himself in his 
 doubts and scruples, he earnestly desired to be received to the 
 Covenant in testimony of their satisfaction with him. The 
 Commission resolved to receive him to the Covenant, but con- 
 tinued his receiving till Moonday. 
 
12 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 195 
 
 The Commission appoynts Messrs. Robert Murray, James Mr. Fergus 
 Guthrie, James Nasmith, William Bennet, William Colvill,. 
 Johne Nevey, and Dudingstoun to consider on the best way for 
 pro vy ding Mr. Fergusse Alexander and Robert and Coline 
 Campbells. 
 
 Mr. James Layng appeiring this day with his petition, and Mr. James 
 the Presbyteries testimony of their satisfaction, the Commis- Layng " 
 sion continues the bussines till afternoon. 
 
 This day Mr. Samuell Oustein desired to go to the Parliament Kirk of 
 and assist the petition for transplanting the Kirk of Dunscore. Dunscore - 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. James Nasmith: Mr. John Weir: 
 Mr. Robert Eliot: Mr. John Knox at Selkirk: Mr. Robert Murray: 
 Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 John Nevey: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. John Duncan 
 Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Samuell Oustein : 
 Mr. Patrik Colvill. Elders. — Laird of Dudingstoun: James Stuart: 
 Thomas Patersone : Lawrence Henrysone. 
 
 This day Mr. James Layng being called and appeiring, the Mr. James 
 Commission, finding some things in processe requyring further Layng ' 
 tryell, do appoynt summonds to be direct to summond wit- 
 nesses for proving therof to Tewsday next. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie ordains 
 the Remonstrance presented to the honourable Estates of 
 Parliament, together with the Parliaments ansuer therunto, to 
 be foorthwith printed. 
 
 Tenor of the Parliaments ansuer 1 followes : — 
 
 ( Edinburgh, 11 February 1647. 
 ' The Estates of Parliament now conveened in this sixth session The Parlia- 
 of the first triennial parliament, having seriously considered the (J^l Remon- 
 Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly pre- strance. 
 sented to them, Do, with all thankfull acknowledgment, receive 
 the pious and seasonable admonitions and exhortations therin- 
 contained, and returne to their particular desires this following 
 ansuer : — 
 
 ' 1. That they do hereby ordaine all Acts already passed for 
 punishing of vice and advancing of vertue to stand in force and be 
 
 1 The spelling of this document, as given in Acts of Parliaments of Scotland, 
 vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 691, 692, is much more antique than it is in this record. 
 
196 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 FEB. 
 
 put to dew execution, recomending the same to all the Ministers 
 of Justice whom it concerns : And that they ar yet readie to 
 enact any further new lawes and Ordinances necessary for that 
 purpose, having appoynted a Committee for Acts and Overtures 
 to meet with Mr. James Robertoun, the Justice deput, at all con- 
 venient occasions, for receiving and considering the desires and 
 overtures of the said Commissioners and to prepare a report of 
 their opinions therin to the Parliament with all diligence. 
 
 ' 2. That they have been ever carefull to preserve that Bond of 
 Vnion betueen the kingdomes, and to prosecute the worke of 
 Vniformity according to the Covenant, still resolving zealouslie to 
 studie the same ; That they have yet againe made their humble 
 addresses to his Majestie for signing the Covenant and satisfying 
 the desires of his Parliaments of both kingdomes ; all which their 
 instructions to their Commissioners at London and Newcastle and 
 their letters to the Parliament of England do sufficiently expresse ; 
 and what further is to be done in relation to these particulars 
 shall be communicat to the Commission from tyme to tyme that 
 they may joyntly concurre according to their place and vocation 
 for prosecuting therof. 
 
 ' 3. Touching the particulars concerning these persons brought 
 off the Rebellion by the Generall Major 1 thereunto warranted, that 
 the publik faith so given unto them is not to be violated. But 
 for the better securing the peace and quyet of the kingdomes, 
 these persons brought off the Rebellion are hereby appoynted to 
 give such further assurance of their good and regular behaviour in 
 time coming and for keeping the peace, as is conforme to the 
 former lawes and practises. And in the meantyme, that such of 
 them, and others accessorie to the Rebellion and under censur 
 of Church and State, whom the Committee therunto appoynted 
 shall think fitt, be comanded off toun, and that an Act and Pro- 
 clamation be drawne by that Committee and speedily expedited 
 and prepared for the Parliament to that effect ; Ordaining further 
 that the saids persons brought off the Rebellion, and any others 
 guilty of the crimes mentioned in the first classe of the Act at St. 
 Andrews, shall not be admitted to sitt in any publik Judicatories, 
 nor enjoy and exerce any offices or places of trust, civill or 
 military, during the tyme of these troubles, and longer during the 
 pleasure of the Parliament, without prejudice to persons who have 
 heritable offices to nominat and appoynt by the advice of Parlia- 
 
 1 Middletoun, who was then in high favour with the Estates. 
 
12 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 197 
 
 ment, Committee of Estates, or Secret Counsell, fitt persons, 
 against whom there is no just exception, to be their deputs in 
 these offices. And it is also hereby declared that these persons 
 brought off the Rebellion ar not to be in a better condition then 
 other subjects, but that they ar and shall be lyable and subject in 
 payment of all loans, taxes, monethly maintenance, and of their 
 proportions for leavies of foot and horse at the rate and pryces set 
 doun by Acts of Parliament, or Committee of Estates, or Com- 
 mittees of Warre, in shires where they have interest respective, 
 and of all other publik burdens, impositions, and duties whatsom- 
 ever for all yeirs bygone and in tyme coming, as fully and in the 
 the same maner as any other person is or hath been subject ther- 
 unto. 
 
 ' 4. That all the former lawes and ordinances against excomunicat 
 persons ar hereby appoynted to stand in full force and vigour, 
 recomending to evrie one whom it concerns to put the same to 
 due execution : And what shall be found further necessary from 
 the Parliament to make that dreadfull ordinance of God sensible 
 to such obstinat offenders, and to have due regard and reverence 
 from all, is to be considered by the said Committee to quhom 
 the Overturs of the Commission to that purpose ar referred ; and 
 after returne of their report, the Parliament will take the same to 
 speciall consideration. 
 
 ' 5. That they ar verie sensible of the distresses of the Province 
 of Argyle, and have already provyded some means for their present 
 subsistance and relief: Resolving still to take further course for 
 their help and succour, and to prosecute the warre against the 
 rebells, not only there, but in all the parts of the kingdome. 
 
 ' 6. That the bussines of Ireland is carefully recomended to the 
 Grand Committee, wherin, after the result of their consultations 
 shall be returned, they ar to take some speedy and effectuall 
 course accordingly. 
 
 e 7. That they judge it most just and reasonable that the 
 Judicatories of the Kirk be preserved in their integrity and 
 authority, that insolencies against them be exemplarly punished, 
 and that particular Ordinances be drawne for that purpose, which 
 is hereby recomended to the said Committee of Overturs. 
 
 ' 8. That they have recomended to the generall officers to punish 
 the insolencies and disorders of souldiers committed before this 
 tyme ; and for preventing the lyk heirafter, they ar to consider 
 the report of the great Committee, and to take course how the 
 
198 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [15 FEB. 
 
 officers that ar to have com and may give assurance for restraining 
 and redressing such insolencies and disorders for time to come. 
 
 'And the Estates of Parliament hereby Statut and Ordaine 
 that the particular ordinances, declarations, and ansuers above 
 expressed, shall have the strength and authority of Acts, Declara- 
 tions, Ansuers, and Ordinances of Parliament, conforme to the 
 tenors and natures therof respective. 
 
 Subscr. Alex. Gibson, C/s., Reg"-' 
 
 This day the mater concerning Halyburtoun delayed, and 
 he appoynted to be cited untill the next meeting. 
 The next meeting upon Moonday. 
 
 Edinburgh, 15 February 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Robert Knox: 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Robert 
 Murray : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. John 
 Knox at Selkirk: Mr. John A\"eir : Mr. Samuell Oustein. Elders. — 
 Laird Dudingstoun : James Stuart : Thomas Paterson : William Home. 
 
 Letter to The Commission appoynts the letter following to be sent to 
 
 Munro. 1 ^ Ia ^° r Generall Major Monro in ansuer to the Presbyterie of Carrik- 
 
 fergus letter : — 
 
 4 Right Honourable, — Whilst the Commissioners of the 
 
 Generall Assemblie do sitt heir at Edinburgh attending the 
 
 affairs of the Kirk according to the trust put on them, we 
 
 receive letters from the brethren of the ministrie who do wait 
 
 on the regiments under your honours command, by which we 
 
 ar informed of some bad and unreasonable men, small freends 
 
 to the cause, who do bestirre themselves to hinder the rise and 
 
 growth of the work of God, and to crosse, so farre as in them 
 
 lyeth, the setling of honest and able ministers in these 
 
 quarters, by going about to cutt them short, if possiblie they 
 
 can, off the means of their lyvlihood and maintenance, when 
 
 they find themselves frustrat of the successe of their other 
 
 bywayes and designes. Therfor, being fullie persuaded of your 
 
 faithfulnes, constancie, and straightness in the cause of the 
 
 Lord, for which we do blesse God in your behalf, and beseech 
 
 His Majestie to lett furth more of his Spirit abundantly upon 
 
 yow, for helping the Lord against the mightie and promoving 
 
 his work ; being confident also of your readines to countenance 
 
15 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 199 
 
 and beare out men in the ministrie of good report, and of your 
 care to see that land planted by able and well qualified men, 
 and the Gospell established there, we have thought good to 
 recomend unto your honour the furtherance and assistance of 
 the complainers and to intreat for them, that wicked men, 
 enemies to the power of godlynesse, may be disappoynted, and 
 faithfull, able ministers, whether enterd or to enter, may be 
 encouraged and their hands strengthened ; by which you shall 
 oblige us more and more to be, 
 
 Your honours remembrancers and servants in the Lord, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 15 February 1G47. of the General Assembly/ 
 
 Direct : To the much honoured Generall Major Monro. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly, vnderstanding Mr. Fergus 
 the good cariage of Mr. Fergus Alexander, minister at Kil- Alexander - 
 mood, in Irland, whilst he wes with our army in England, do 
 therfor recomend him to the Presbyterie of Air, to be taken to 
 speciall consideration, and provyded to any vaking kirks in 
 their bounds as they shall find fitting. 
 
 The Commission of the General Assembly, understanding Mr. Colin 
 the good cariage of Mr. Coline Campbell in the calling of the Cam P be11 - 
 ministrie at Killin, as also with the army, do therfore recomend 
 him to the Presbyterie of Dunkeld and the brethren adjoyned 
 to them, for planting the kirks of Atholl, that he may be 
 taken to special consideration, and provyded to any of these 
 vacant kirks as they shall think fitting. 1 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly do recomend Mr. Mr. Robert 
 Robert Campbell to the Presbyterie of Dunkeld and the CampbelL 
 brethren adjoyned to them, for planting the vaking kirks of 
 Atholl, to be taken to speciall consideration, that after tryell 
 he may be admitted to any of the vaking kirks as they find 
 fitting*. 2 
 
 The Moderator, Messrs. Andro Cant, William Bennet, 
 
 1 He was admitted to the church of Blair Atholl before 1650, in 165 1 he joined 
 the Protestors, and in 1661 conformed to Episcopacy. — Scott's Fasti, vol. iv. 
 pp. 792, 824. 
 
 2 He was admitted before April to the church of Moulin. He, too, joined the 
 Protestors, but did not, like the minister of Blair Atholl, conform to Episcopacy 
 in 1661. Scott's Fasti, vol. iv. p. 811. 
 
200 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [16 FEB. 
 
 Robert Murray, Mungo Law, Robert Ker, and Dudingstoun, 
 and James Stewart ar desired to go to the Lovetennent 
 Generall, Sir James Lumisden, and the Generall of Artillerie, 
 and give them hearty thanks in name of the Commission for 
 their faithfull and gallant cariage in their employments with 
 the army in England. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 16 Fchruarij 1647, antr meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Adamsone : Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. Robert Wright: Mr. Jolin Knox: 
 Mr. John Knox in Dalkeith: Mr. Robert Ker: Mr. John Xevey : 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. William 
 Dalgleish : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. John Weir : Mr. Samuel Oustein : 
 Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. 
 James Nasmith. Bidders. — Lord Angus : Lord Craighall : Laird 
 Dudingstoun : Thomas Paterson : William Home. 
 
 This day the letter following from the Commissioners at 
 London wes read : — 
 
 Letter to the 6 ReVEBEND AND BELOVED BRETHREN, 111 OLir last of the 2d of 
 
 Commissioners . „ , . j 
 
 at London. this moneth, we gave yow an accompt ot what wes then done, 
 since which time there is some further progresse made. The 
 Ordinance to be read in all churches of this kingdome, as it 
 is now past both Houses of Parliament, ye will receive here- 
 inclosed. And as for that other Ordinance against the preach- 
 ing of such as ar not ordained, nor yet licenced as expectants, 
 we informed yow before what wes voted by the Grand Com- 
 mittee of the House of Comons for the first offence. They 
 have since voted that the secund offence shall be punished 
 with thrie moneths imprisonment without baile or mainprize, 
 and the like for relapses toties quoties, unlesse it be for preach- 
 ing or spreading some haeresy or error, in which case they ar 
 referred to another Ordinance not yet perfected. The new 
 Psalme book can not be ready till the next week. So, comend- 
 ing your labours to the blessing of God, We rest, 
 Your affectionat brethren to serve yow, 
 
 Worcester House, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 the 9th ofFebruar 1647. Geo. Gillespie/ 
 
 Direct : For the Right Reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 Thanks to the 
 Leivtenant 
 Generall, 
 Generall of 
 Artillery, and 
 Sir James 
 Lumsden. 
 
16 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 201 
 
 The Moderator and Mr. Andro Cant ar desired to speak 
 Craigivar for planting the kirk of Keyth. 
 
 The Commissioners of Assembly, that the Parliament be not Act for 
 disappoynted of preaching during their sitting, do appoynt ^reachbefore 
 Mr. Mungo Law and Andro Fairfoull, in the Presbyterie of the Parliament. 
 Edinburgh, to preach before the Parliament upon Sabboth 
 come eight dayes, being the last of this moneth of Februar, 
 and Mr. Thomas Garven, in the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, and 
 Mr. Johne Hay, in the Presbyterie of Peebls, upon the Sabboth 
 next therefter following, being the 7th of March, Mr. Adame 
 Penman and Mr. Johne Sinclair, in the Presbyterie of Dalkeith, 
 upon the 14th, Mr. Robert Ker and Mr. Andro McGhie, in 
 the Presbyterie of Hadingtoun, upon the 21st, and Mr. David 
 Drommond and Mr. Gilbert Hall, in Linlithgow, upon the 
 28th of the said moneth of March, if the Parliament be then 
 sitting, wherof advertisment shall be sent unto them in due 
 tyme. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Seder unt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Dalgleish : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. John 
 Weir : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : 
 Mr. William Bennet : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 Andro Cant : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. 
 Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Adame Pen- 
 man : Mr. Samuell Ousten : Mr. JohnNevay : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 John Adamsone. Elders. — Earle of Glencairne : Earle of Lavderdaill : 
 Lord Angus : Lord Craighall : Laird Dudingstoun : Laird Lammingtoun : 
 Thomas Patersone : William Home at Glasgow : Lawrence Henrysone. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the toun of Paislay for exeeming 
 Mr. Harie Colwart from going to Irland in respect of his Mr. Henrie 
 infirmity, the Commission of Assembly accepts and admitts of Cohvart - 
 the reasons of the petition for the said Mr. Harie his stay, and 
 hereby exeems and frees him from going to Irland. 
 
 This day the Lord Ay then appeiring again e and renewing Generaii King, 
 his former desires to signe the Covenants, the Commission of adrnls^on^the 
 Assembly being satisfied with his former declaration, admitted Covenant - 
 him to the Covenants, and he accordingly did sweare and sub- 
 scribe the Nationall Covenant and the League and Covenant 
 of the three kingdoms. 
 
 This day the Lord Advocat, Archebald Sydserf, and Mr. Particulars 
 Robert Ferquhar desired from the Grand Committee that the rn?ttee. e ° m 
 
202 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [16 FEB. 
 
 Commission would be pleased to take course for sending furth 
 ministers with the forces of the new modell, and that they 
 would consider the mater of making peace with Argeirs, and 
 give their opinion concerning the same. Wherunto the Com- 
 mission promised to returne ansuer with diligence. 
 Remitt, Mr. The Commission remitts Mr. James Rosse 1 to the Presbyterie 
 
 lames Rosse to , J 
 
 the Presbytery of Dunkeld, that he may bring from them sufficient testimony 
 of Dunkeld. o ^ y g car j a g e before and after his deposition, with the extract 
 of the sentence of deposition and the proces, that accordingly 
 as they shall be therby informed they may give ansuer to his 
 desires. 
 
 Remitt, Mr. ^he Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, having this 
 
 James Layng to jf o 
 
 the Presbytery day found, by Mr. James Layng his own confession and the 
 of Edinburgh. ( j e p 0s ^i ons G f some witnesses, that he offered the money to the 
 rebells collected by his parish for a protection, 2 and laboured 
 to persuad them to receive and accept the same, Therfor do 
 continue his suspension until the third Weddensday of March 
 next to come : Recomending to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh 
 to have a visitation of the said Mr. James his kirk upon the 
 said third Weddensday of March for taking speciall notice and 
 tryell of his cariage in his calling and conversation : And if 
 nothing shall be found against him, that the Presbyterie, upon 
 his repentance, relax him from suspension. 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 February 1647, post mei-'idkm. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Bennet : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. John 
 Knox at Selkirk: Mr. John Weir: Mr. John Moncreiff: Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. Samuel Oustein : Mr. William Col- 
 vill : Mr. William Dalgleish: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Adamsone : 
 Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. John Smith : Mr. George 
 Thomson : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Thomas Donaldsone : Mr. James 
 Nasmith. Elders. — Lord Angus : Laird of Innes : Laird of Brodie : 
 Laird of Dudingstoun : Thomas Patersone : William Home. 
 
 1 Probably the same who was admitted to the parish of Fortingal in 1639, and 
 was continued 10th October 1649. — Scott's Fasti, vol. iv. p. 820. 
 
 2 He obtained a protection from the Marquis of Montrose, 20th August 1645. 
 The year before he had been charged with having said in his sermon on the 
 thanksgiving for the taking of Newcastle, ' That is a devilish joy to rejoice in the 
 calamity of our brethren,' which words 4 he did publicly deny.' — Scott's Fasti, 
 vol. i. p. 142. 
 
17 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 203 
 
 The Commission of the Assembly, considering the petition Minister to the 
 of the Lord Marques of Argyle, do appoynt Mr. Dougal of°Argyies qUeS 
 Campbell to attend his regiment in Irland for the space of ^^ ent in 
 thrie moneths, to performe ministeriall duty unto them, and 
 that his Presbyterie be carefull of supplying his place during 
 his absence. 
 
 The Commission continues Mr. George Hannay untill the Mr. George 
 meeting in Aberdene, that he produce his processe and Hanna * 
 sentence unto them, and if he can sooner produce the same, 
 thev will then tak the mater into consideration. 
 
 The Commission refers Mr. Patrik Hamilton, minister at Mr. Patrik 
 Cambuslang, his petition for opening his mouth to the Hamilton - 
 Presbyterie of Hamilton, that they may do therin as they find 
 reasonable and according to the Acts of Assembly and order 
 of this Kirk. 1 
 
 Concerning the question from the Committee touching the p ea ce with 
 joyning with the English in the peace with Argeirs, the Com- Ar S iers - 
 mision can give no ansuer till they know the particular con- 
 ditions of the peace. 
 
 Concerning the petition of David Grahame, somtyme of David Graham 
 Gorthie, the Commission, after grave exhortation given to him excommunicate, 
 by the Moderator, appoynts him to draw up a particular con- 
 fession of his offences for which he wes excommunicat, and to 
 give it in wryting under his hand, and therafter they will con- 
 sider what is further to be done. 
 
 The next meeting the morne before noon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 February 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Robert Knox : 
 Mr. Samuell Oustein : Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. George Thomsone : Mr. 
 Robert Traill: Mr. Patrik Colvill: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. Robert 
 Murray : Mr. Johne Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. 
 John Weir: Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Adam Penman. Elders. — 
 Lord Craighall : Tutour of Pitsligo : Laird of Dudingstoun : James Stuart: 
 Thomas Patersone : William Home : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 1 He had a protection from the Marquis of Montrose, and was soon after 
 deposed. The Assembly of 1648 refused to repone him, in consequence of a 
 satire he wrote against the Assembly and the ministers, and he was reduced to 
 great poverty. — Scott's Fash', vol. iii. p. 271. 
 
204 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 FEB. 
 
 Mr. johne This day a letter from Mr. Johne Paterson being read, con- 
 
 cerning the violence offered to him by the Laird of Auch- 
 medden and his complices whilst he was executing the orders 
 of the Synod, the Commission appoynts the Clerk to represent 
 the particular to the Lord Advocat, and to desire him to 
 proceed against the persons, injurers of their brother, civillie ; 
 and they will take it to their further consideration what is to 
 be done ecclesiastically. 
 
 Ministers to the This day Mr. Robert Traill shew that the Generall 
 Leivetennent did lay w holy upon the Commission the choyse of 
 ministers for the forces of the new modell, desyring one to be 
 appoynted to attend himself, two to attend the trowps of 
 horse, and one for evrie regiment of foot. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. Thomas Wilkie : 
 Mr. John Weir: Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. 
 Samuell Ousteine : Mr. Adam Penman: Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Knox at Dalkeith : 
 Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Robert Traill: Mr. 
 JohnNevey: Mr. George Thomsone: Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. Thomas 
 Donaldsone. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Tutor of Pitsligo : Mr. Alexander 
 Colvill : Laird of Dudingstoun. 
 
 The nomination The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, taking to 
 ment of their consideration the desire of the Grand Committee of 
 
 pirncui r ar t0 Parliament presented this day to them by the Lord Advocat, 
 regiments and Archibald Sydserf, and Mr. Robert Ferquhar, for provyding 
 
 their courses. . 
 
 ministers to attend the forces of the new modell sent against 
 the rebells : As also considering that the Generall Lievtennent, 
 David Leslie, lies put over upon them to make choyse of such 
 ministers as they shall judge most fitting for that employment, 
 Therfor they do appoynt (for performing ministeriall duties to 
 these forces) the ministers following, viz. Mr. Mungo Law for 
 the first turne, and Mr. James Guthrie for the 2d, to attend 
 the Generall Lievtennent himself ; Mr. Andro Cant for the 
 first turne, and for the 2d Mr. James Nasmith, to attend 
 Generall Major Middleton, and the troups of horse under his 
 command ; Mr. John Robertsone in Dundie, for the first 
 turne, and Mr. Patrik Gillespie for the 2d, to attend the 
 remanent trowps of horse ; Mr. Henrie Ryinour for the first 
 
1 8 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 205 
 
 turne, and for the 2d Mr. Johne Nevey, for Generall Major 
 Holburnes regiment of foot ; Mr. Hugh Kennedy for the first 
 turne, and for the 2d Mr. William Rate, to the Generall 
 Artilleries ; Mr. George Thomson for the first turne, and for 
 the 2d Mr. Alexander Blair, to Lodovik Leslies ; Mr. Gabriell 
 Maxwell for the first turne, and for the 2d Mr. James 
 Gairdner, for Collonell Pitscotties ; Mr. Patrik Flemyng for 
 the first turne, and for the 2d Mr. James Symson, in 
 Sproustoun, for Collonell Scotts regiment ; Mr. Donald 
 M'Allam for the first turne, and for the 2d Mr. 
 M'Calman, for the Lord Marques of Argyles Regiment; and 
 Mr. Neill Camron for the first turne, and for the 2d Mr. 
 Dougall Darroch, for Archinlayes regiment : Ordaining those 
 that ar to serve in the first turne to addresse themselves to 
 be at their charges respective aforesaid against the first of 
 March preceislie, and to continue therin till the first of Junij : 
 and those that ar to serve in the 2d turne to be at their 
 said charges against the 15th of May next, that they may 
 be there 15 dayes before the other brethren serving shall 
 returne ; and from that tyme serve untill the Generall 
 Assembly. It is also hereby specially recomended and 
 ordained that the Presbyteries interessed have a speciall care 
 of the provyding of the places of the brethren afore named 
 during their absence from their congregations in the forsaid 
 employment. And the said Messrs. Andro Cant, Mungo 
 Law, Patrik Gillespie, James Guthrie, Johne Nevey, George 
 Thomson, personally present, wer advertised heirof apud acta. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. Robert Boyd, sometyme Mr. Robert 
 minister at Bothwell, for opening his mouth, the Commission at°Bothud. e1 
 referr it to the Presbyterie of Hamiltoun, to do in it as they 
 find reasonable, and according to the Acts of Assemblie and 
 order of this Kirk. 1 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 February 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Robert 
 Murray : Mr. John Knox at Selkirk : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Thomas 
 Donaldson : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John Knox at Dal- 
 keith : Mr. John Weir : Mr. Thomas Wilkie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. 
 
 He does not seem ever to have been reponed. 
 
206 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 FEB. 
 
 Mr. Adam 
 Broun. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Cants dispensa- 
 tion from 
 attending 
 Middleton. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion, Mr. 
 William 
 Kinninmont. 
 
 David Graham 
 excommunicate. 
 
 Concerning 
 taking off the 
 rebells. 
 
 Recomendation 
 in favor of 
 Hector Banna- 
 tyn and the 
 inhabitants of 
 Bute for the 
 vacant stipend 
 of Kingarth to 
 the Presbyterie 
 of Dunnoon. 
 
 George Thomson : Mr. William Adair. Elders. — Lord Craig-hall : Tutor 
 of Pitsligo : Laird of Dudingstoun : James Stuart : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 $ The Commission appoynts Mr. William Colvill, and any 
 other of the ministers of Edinburgh, to assist Mr. Adam 
 Broun, minister at Kilpatrik, before the Parliament or Com- 
 mittee, for getting payment of his stipend, and desires Mr. 
 John Smith to speak the Generall in his behalf. 
 
 The Commission, considering the age and infirmitie of their 
 brother, Mr. Andro Cant, do therfor dispense with his not 
 attendance upon Generall Major Midltoun, when he shall find 
 himself unable for that employment, he alwayes provyding 
 some other sufficientlie qualified brother, for quhom he will be 
 ansuerable, to supplie his place and charge with the Generall 
 Major. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie, considering the desire of the 
 Lievtennant-Generall in the behalf of Mr. William Kynnin- 
 mont, minister to his regiment, and the ample testimonie he 
 gives to him of his good behaviour in that his calling ; and 
 understanding from diverse brethren of his abilities in the 
 discharge of his ministeriall calling, seing now that regiment 
 is disbanded, therfor they do accordinglie recomend him to 
 Presbyteries to be speciallie regarded when God shall give him 
 a calling. 
 
 This day the Commission, unsatisfied with the paper given 
 in by David Graham, appoynts the same to be given back to 
 him to be helped. 
 
 This day Messrs. Andro Cant, Robert Murray, James 
 Guthrie, William Adair, Johne Nevey, Johne Smith, with the 
 Moderator, Craighall, Tutor of Pitsligo, and Dudingstoun, ar 
 desyred to meet with those that ar appoynted by the Parlia- 
 ment to conferre upon the taking off the rebells, and to report 
 the result of their conference. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly, having considered the petition 
 of Hector Bannatyne of Karnes, 1 for himself, and in name and 
 
 1 The Parliament had made over to him 1 the debts and uthers guids, gear and 
 means ' of James Boyd, son of the late Bishop of Argyll, who 1 hes bene, and still 
 is, in the rebellion,' to enable him to meet the expense of maintaining a loyal 
 garrison in his castle of Karnes, and authorised their Commissioner of the Isles, 
 and his deputies within the isle of Bute, to see payment made to him. — Acts of 
 the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 676. 
 
23 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 207 
 
 behalf of the poor inhabitants within the He of Bute, do judge 
 the desire therof verie reasonable, and therfor recomend to the 
 Presbyterie of Dunnoon to allow to him and his tennents the 
 vaking fruits of the kirk of Kin^arth toward the education of 
 their children at schoolls, in regard of ther necessitous con- 
 dition, and conforme to the destination of the Act of Parlia- 
 ment ; recomending also to the patron, titulars, heretors, and 
 others adebtit in payment of the stipend, to mak due payment 
 therof to them for the pious use aforesaid. 
 The next meeting upon Tuesday at 3 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 February lG-^l^post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. William Dalg-leish : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Adamsone : Mr. John Knox at 
 Dalkeith: Mr. Adam Penman: Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Weir.\ 
 Mr. William Adair : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 John Hamilton : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Lord Marques of 
 Argyll : Earle Marshell : Earle Casills : Earle Glencairne : Earle 
 Lawderdaill : Earle Lanerk : Lord Waristoun : Lord Craighall : Laird 
 of Lamingtoun : Tutor of Pitsligo : Laird of Dudingstoun : Lawrence 
 Henderson : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day the Lord Duke Hamilton, and his brother, the Mr. James 
 Earle of Lanerk, appeiring for themselves and the remanent elcuTe for not 
 paroshiners of Hamilton ; and having represented the con- s° in s f H rth to , 
 
 > ... . the armie, and 
 
 dition of that parish, and especially that Mr. James Nasmith, Mr. Alexander 
 their minister, cannot be sent foorth to the army in respect of ^"ouTted in 
 the sickness of the Lady Marquesse of Hamilton, and because his P lace - 
 of the present purpose of setling another minister in that con- 
 gregation, which without Mr. James his presence could not 
 be concluded, The Commission, considering the importance of 
 the said reasons, do excuse and exeeme Mr. James Nasmith 
 from going foorth the 2d turne, and appoynts Mr. Alexander 
 Dunlop, minister at Paisley, to go foorth in his place to attend 
 Generall-Major Midlton and the trowps under his comand, for 
 performing ministerial, duties to them, and for that effect that 
 he addresse himselfe to be at the said Generall-Major against 
 the 15th day of May next but longer delay, and stay with him 
 in the said employment from that tyme untill the Generall 
 Assembly. 
 
 The Commission of Assemblie having been necessitat to send 
 
208 PROCEEDINGS OE COMMISSION [23 FEB. 
 
 Mr. Mungo 
 Laws charge 
 supplied. 
 
 James Weir. 
 
 Concerning 
 releif of the 
 captives in 
 Argiers. 
 
 their brother, Mr. Mungo Law, furth with the new modelled 
 forces against the rebells to attend the Generall Lievtennent, 
 and considering the great charge of the Presbyterie of Edin- 
 burgh, and of the ministers of that toun, do therfor appoynt 
 the whole Presbyteries of the Province to help to supply the 
 said Mr. Mungoes charge during his absence — viz., the Pres- 
 byterie of Edinburgh the week-dayes preaching, and they and 
 the remanent Presbyteries the preaching on the Lords Day by 
 courses ; sending two of their number for that effect in this 
 order — first Dalkeith, next Hadingtoun, third Peibles, fourth 
 Lithgow, fyft Dunbar, sixt Biggar, last Edinburgh, and so by 
 courses in this order each Sabboth during his absence. And 
 because the particular dyets cannot now be determined, Mr. 
 Mungo being to stay quhill the Generall Lievtennant go hence, 
 the Presbyterie or ministers of Edinburgh ar to send notice 
 when this supply is to begin. 
 
 The Commission being verie sensible of the condition of 
 James Weir, 1 who lyes under great burdens in a forraigne 
 countrey for the publik, do therfor seriouslie recomend to the 
 Earle of Lawderdaill to represent their humble and earnest 
 desires to the honourable Estates of Parliament for his speedy 
 relief, which the said Earle promised to doe as seriously and 
 effectually as he could. 
 
 The Commission represents humblie to the honourable 
 Estates of Parliament to take some effectual course for reliev- 
 ing the distressed captives in Argeirs, and appoynts Mr. Andro 
 Cant, William Colvill, Johne Smith, James Guthrie, William 
 Adair, with the Moderator, Craighall and Dudingstoun, to 
 conferre with the burro wes, or such as they shall appoynt, 
 upon the making peace with Argeirs, and the joyning in the 
 pacification made betuixt England and them.' 2 
 
 1 Weir and Cunningham, the Scotch factors at Campvere, had furnished arms 
 and ammunition to the kingdom 'in its greatest straits/ to the amount of 
 89,355 pounds, nine shillings and four pennies Scots, and by Acts of the Estates 
 of 1st Jan. and 12th March, 1647, the sum of ^"8641, 17s. sterling, in lieu of 
 principal and interest, was allowed them out of the second ,£200,000 the Parlia- 
 ment of England had agreed to pay this kingdom. — Acts of the Pa?-liaments of 
 Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. i. pp. 731, 732. 
 
 2 On 3d March the Estates of Parliament ordained a letter to be written to 
 their Commissioners at London to 1 deale earnestlie ' with the Parliament there 
 
23 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 209 
 
 This day a letter produced from the Commissioners at 
 London : Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and beloved brethren, — Wee have this further Letter from the 
 account to give yow beside what we wrote before. There wes at°London. nerS 
 some further progresse made the last week in the House of 
 Lords upon the Ordinance for enjoy ning the taking of the 
 Covenant by all persons in the kingdome. The Assemblv 
 hath proceeded in adding testimonies of Scriptur to the 17th 
 chapter of the Confession of Faith, and make greater progresse 
 then in former tymes. The House of Peers have approved 
 the Confession of Faith, and sent it doun to the House of 
 Commons. 1 There wes a petition this day presented to the 
 House of Peers from the county of Suffolk, for enjoy ning the 
 Covenant to be taken throughout the kingdome under a 
 penalty, and that none shall be capable of any office or trust 
 that do not take it ; for suppressing hseresies and schisms ; for 
 setling Church Government, and that the Directory may be 
 generally practised ; for disbanding the army, preventing all 
 differences betuixt the kingdomes, and for punishing the 
 authors and licensers of base and wicked pamphlets. The 
 Lords have returned them thanks, promised to take the par- 
 ticulars into serious consideration, and ordered the petition, 
 with their ansuer, to be foorthwith printed. 2 Wee now send 
 yow the new edition of the paraphrase of the Psalmes, as it 
 wes approved by the Assembly heir, and by yourselves, the 
 animadversions which yow sent us being taken in their propper 
 places, as the worthy gentlman who hath taken most paines in 
 the worke assureth ws. If yow be now satisfied with it as it is, 
 wee shall desire to know so much. One Psalme-book in the 
 three kingdomes will be a considerable part of Uniformity, if 
 it can be fullie agreed upon both there and here ; and we 
 believe it is generally acknowledged there is a necessity of some 
 
 1 for advancing ^"4000 sterling out of the first and readiest of the brotherlie 
 assistance yet dew ... to this kingdome for reliefe of the Scotis captives in 
 Argiers,' and also for permitting the agent who was to treat for the freedom of 
 the English captives, also to negotiate for forbearance towards the Scots, on con- 
 dition that the kingdom after sight and advisement of the articles of the English 
 agreement should be content to accept the same. — Acts of Pari. vi. Pt. I. p. 716. 
 1 Journals of House of Lords, vol. ix. p. 18. 2 Ibid. pp. 18, 19. 
 
 o 
 
210 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 FEB. 
 
 change, there being so many j ust exceptions against the old 
 and vsuall paraphrase ; and we humblie conceive there will be 
 as litle controversy that this, which we now send yow, as it 
 hath come through the hands of more examiners, so it will be 
 found as neir the originall as any paraphrase in meeter can 
 readily be, and much neerer then other works of that kynd, 
 which is a good compensation to mak up the want of that 
 poeticall liberty and sweet pleasant running which some desire. 
 However, wee expect to know your pleasure in this and in 
 any other thing contained in our former letters which your- 
 selves shall judge to need an ansuere, and so wee rest, 
 Your most affectionat brethren to serve yow, 
 
 G. Wyxrame, 
 Worcester House, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 the lQth ofFehruar 164G/7. Geo. Gillespie; 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly thinks it verie necessar that 
 a number of the new paraphrase of the Psalmes be written for, 
 and appoynts the Clerk to send them to Presbyteries, and 
 returne to the letter from the Commissioners at London this 
 following ansuer : — 
 Ansuer tothe 4 Reverend axd lovixg brethrex, — Yours of the 16th of 
 
 Commissioners ' . 
 
 at London. this instant moneth we have received this day, together with 
 the new edition of the paraphrase of the Psalmes, wherof 
 we cannot give opinion by this occasion, especially seing so 
 few copies have been sent. We do acknouledge that one 
 Psalme-book in the three kingdomes wer a considerable part of 
 Vniformity, but it can hardly be fullie agreed upon if Pres- 
 byteries have not a previous consideration of it before the 
 meeting of the Assembly, which may give them great satis- 
 faction, and facilitat the approbation of it in the Assembly. 
 Therfor yow will be pleased to send doun a number of copies 
 of this late edition to our Clerk, whom we have appoynted to 
 cause dispatch them to Presbyteries with diligence, to be con- 
 sidered by them, which we think the best and surest way to 
 obtaine a full approbation of the work heir, wherof we make 
 litle question, if yow send a competent number of copies in 
 
23 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 211 
 
 tyme. For your desire in your other letters concerning the 
 captives in Argeirs, the Parliament is to tak it into considera- 
 tion, and we have appoynted some to conferre with the bur- 
 rowes who ar most interessed upon the mater. But for joyning 
 in the peace made by the English with that place, except we 
 knew the conditions we know not what to say in it. The 
 English Commissioners come heir on Satterday. Some of our 
 number hes saluted them, and particularly certified our respects 
 to Mr. Ward, according to your recomendation to us, who 
 remain, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 23 February 1647. of the Generall Assembly; 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brethren the Com- 
 missioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 This day the petition of Mr. Hew Kennedy for exeeming Mr. Heugh 
 him from going foorth to attend the army refused, and he, excuse refused, 
 personally present, appoynted to addresse himself to that 
 employment with diligence. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Eupham and Issobell Halkheads, Ewpham and 
 for the payment of their distressed brothers 1 stipend, the Com- Hackets. 
 mission recomends the same to the Presbyterie, and appoynts 
 Messrs. William Dalgleish and William Adair to speak the 
 Earle of Dumfreis in their behalf. 
 
 The Commission do, in all humility, recomend to the hon- Recomendation 
 
 ourable Estates of Parliament that their Lordships may be ^s^essed^ 
 
 pleased to take speciall notice of poor distressed ministers in ministers 
 
 . assignments, 
 the North, and that the assignment granted to them for 
 
 reparation of their losses be not prejudged by any right given 
 
 to Mr. Robert Ferquhard, but the same may be made effect uall 
 
 to them for their subsistance. 
 
 The Commissioners, understanding that the Presbyterie of 
 Dunkeld had proceeded to the admission of a young man to a 
 kirk in their bounds without the concurrence of some brethren, 
 notwithstanding of their recomendation to that effect, therfor 
 they appoynt the letter following to be sent unto them : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee understand that Letter to the 
 notwithstanding our recomendation unto yow of some brethren Dmikeid" 6 ° f 
 
 1 Probably John Halkheid, minister of Old Cumnock, 1644-46. 
 
212 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 FEB. 
 
 for advyce and concurrence in the planting of the vaking 
 kirks in your bounds, yow have proceeded by yourselves to 
 the planting of some of your kirks, wherin we cannot but 
 represent our sense that our brotherly advice (for no particular 
 end, but for the generall good of this Kirk) should be so 
 slighted ; which we also mynd to represent to the Generall 
 Assembly, and in the mean tyme thought fitt to send yow 
 this advertisment, and do againe require, as yow will be ansuer- 
 able, that yow proceed not in the planting of any of the said 
 kirks without the advice and concurrence of your brethren 
 adjoyned to yow in that mater, who, we know, upon due 
 advertisment from yow after this, will not faill to meet with 
 yow to that effect. — We remain, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 23 February 1647. of the Generall Assembly/ 
 
 Direct: For their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Dunkeld. 
 
 Reference. The Commission of the Generall Assembly referrs Johne 
 
 of Schdrgiass Stuart of Scheirglasse, who wes excommunicat by their ordi- 
 nance, to the Presbyterie of Dunkeld and the brethren ad- 
 joyned to them for planting the vaking kirks there ; giving 
 unto them full power to prescribe and receive his satisfaction 
 within their jurisdiction, and upon evidence of repentance to 
 relaxe him from the sentence of excommunication according to 
 the order and practise of this Kirk, wherin the said Presbyterie 
 and the brethren adjoyned to them shall returne accompt of 
 their proceedings. 
 
 Recomendation Anent the petition given in be Mr. Gawen Forsyth, requyr- 
 For's^h V to the m © that the recomendation of the Generall Assembly, granted 
 Glasgow" 6 ° f * n f avours > f° r some competent mantainance to him and 
 his family, may be granted before any be admitted to his 
 place, the Commission of Assembly, understanding that Mr. 
 Gawen hes not been any impediment to the planting of the 
 kirk, do therfor recomend most seriouslie to the Presbyterie of 
 Glasgow to take some course for satisfying the recomendation 
 of the late Assembly, and to provyd presently some com- 
 petencie for mantaining him and his family furth of the 
 stipend of the kirk where he served, and that before the 
 
 excommuni 
 cate. 
 
24 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 213 
 
 admission of the intrant therunto, untill the Lord provyd for 
 him otherwayes, in respect of his present necessitous condition. 
 
 This day the complaint of Johne Sinclair upon Mr. James Reference. 
 Aitkin, minister at Birsey, referred to the Provinciall Assembly ^Jf" 165 
 of Orknay and Caithnes. 
 
 This day the petition of Mr. Johne Drysdaill, a deposed Reference 
 minister, referred to the Presbyterie of Lithgow, where he DrysdSe 6 
 served. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 2-4 February 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator, Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Robert Murray : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Weir : 
 Mr. William Adair : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 John Smith: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John 
 Knox at Dalkeith : .Air. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Nasmith. 
 Elders. — Laird of Dudingstoun : James Rughhead : Tutor of Pitsligo : 
 Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Concerning the petition for transporting Mr. Johne Weir to Mr. johne 
 Leyth, the Commission appoynts summonds to be direct Weir * 
 against him and his paroshiners to ansuer upon the third 
 Thursday of March next. 
 
 Concerning the particular represented from the Presbyterie 
 of Chirnsyd, touching the planting of the kirk of Ey mouth, 
 the Commission appoynts the letter following to be writtin to 
 the Presbyterie : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Whilst we wes consider- Letter to the 
 ing the question propounded by yow unto us, we wer desirous chirnsyd" 6 ° f 
 to know the particular estate of the bussines wherupon that tuiching the 
 
 . . 1,11 t* i * .i, ix r planting the 
 
 question wes occasioned ; and tnerby finding that one, Mr. Kirk of 
 William Home, a young man under such scandalls as wer E y mouth - 
 taken notice of by your Provinciall assembly, and appoynted 
 by them to be tryed exactly, wes named by yow to be one of 
 the list for Eymouth kirk, Therfor we could not be ansuerable 
 to the trust put upon us if we did not give yow speciall warn- 
 ing of your cariage heirin, desyring earnestly that the tryell of 
 these scandalls lying upon that young man be not eluded, but 
 carefully and exactly gone about, as yow may ansuer for it ; 
 and in the mean tyme that he be not put upon any list, 
 either for that kirk, be the desires of any interessed or pre- 
 
214 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 FEB. 
 
 tending interesse to that congregation, or for any other kirk 
 whatsoever. Yea, we think it verie strange that he should 
 have any benefit and priviledge of an expectant so long as he 
 is under such scandalls. As to your question, we find that for 
 the present we cannot so well give our advice untill yow agree 
 upon a list of well qualified persons free of scandall, and therfor 
 we desire yow to go about the making of the list, according to 
 the order, and send it unto us at our next meeting in the end 
 of March, at which tyme, being so cleired and certified of the 
 sufficiency of the persons upon the list, we shall give yow our 
 advice, either to go on, according to the order, by sending the 
 list to the King, or by nameing one of that list to be presented 
 by the Thesaurer, according to the Act of Parliament, hopeing 
 against that tyme to be more ripe in our judgment upon the 
 question to give yow advice to follow either of these wayes 
 that we shall find most agreeable to the right and interest of 
 the Kirk, and conduceable to the good of that congregation. 
 All which being seriously recomended to your care, We 
 remain, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 24 February 1G47. of the Gexerall Assembly/ 
 
 Direct : To the}?- reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Chirnsyd. 
 
 Prebendaries The Commission desires Messrs. Johne Weir and James 
 of Air. Nasmith to speak to the Earle of Lanerk, Secretary, for 
 
 obtaining a gift from the King of the prebendaries within the 
 Presbyterie of Air to the behoof of the ministers there ; and 
 that the bussines be followed by the advice of the Kings Advocat. 
 
 Concerning the ryet committed against Mr. Johne Pater- 
 son, the Commission appoynts the letters following to be 
 writtin to the Presbyterie of Deir and Synod of Aberdene : — 
 Letter con- ' R EVEREXr> and wel-beloved brethrex, — Wee ar informed 
 
 cerning^the ryot that some within the bounds of your Presbyterie have impedit 
 against Mr. the execution of an overtur and order flowing from your Provin- 
 sone t<f Pres- cl8i ^ assem bly concerning a contraverted loft in the parish kirk 
 byterie of Deir. of Aberdoure. 1 When we did heare of the overtur we could not 
 
 1 In 1646 Pitsligo had, by Act of Parliament, been disjoined from Aberdour 
 and erected into a separate parish, in implement of the Act of 1633, which 
 
24 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 215 
 
 but approve of it as most reasonable and tending to peace, 
 and also could not but be offended at the violent interruption 
 therof. Wherfor it is our advice and desire that immediatlv 
 after the sight heirof yee tak the most ready and calme course, 
 by sending some of your number to see the orders of your 
 Synod in taking down that loft put in execution, for which 
 effect we have writtin to your Synod to crave account of your 
 diligence : As also that immediatly after the sight heirof ye 
 cause charge that gentlman, Auchmedden, and his complices 
 before the Synod in Aprile, to ansuer there for what is to be 
 objected against him : In both which wee trust ye will 
 approve yourself, and so go about the bussines that yee may 
 prevent any inconvenient that possibly may follow, both to 
 your and our greater greeff, wherin we expect your diligence, 
 as ye will be ansuerable to the Generall Assembly. Thus we 
 remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 24 February 1047. of the General Assembly.' 
 
 Direct : For their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Deir. 
 
 'Reverend and wel-beloved brethren, — When we did Letter to the 
 heare of your overture and order concerning the controverted to™rovtaceof 
 loft in the kirk of Aberdour we could not but approve it for Aberdene. 
 sundrie good reasons, and speciallie because it tendeth to 
 peace. But being informed by a letter from our brother, Mr. 
 Johne Paterson, 1 of a violent interruption by that gentlman 
 Achmedden, whilst our brother is going about in a verie calme 
 and quyet way to see your orders put in execution, we could 
 not be but offended that he should be so vsed for his faithfulnes 
 in your service. If we should pass and oversee such inordinat 
 and irregular courses we wer justly censurable, and to be 
 blamed as men weakening our own hands and strenthning the 
 hands of others, who will needs walk by their own rules and 
 
 approves ' all divisions, ane or mae, maid or to be maid,' with consent of the 
 heritors. The ' contraverted loft ' had possibly been that previously occupied 
 by the parishioners from the Pitsligo district. 
 
 i Probably John Paterson, minister of Foveran, who may have been com- 
 missioned on this service by the Synod. 
 
216 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 fee. 
 
 make a law to themselves. We trust the mater shall be taken 
 to heart by these whom it concerned, and it is our desire and 
 advice that ye do your own part by giving to that gentlman 
 his own due censure, and by seing your act and order put 
 in execution. Wee have writtin to that Presbyterie to pre- 
 veen your assembly by sending some of their number to see 
 that loft disposed upon as yee ordained, as also to cause sum- 
 mon d the gentlman and his complices before yow. Wee hope 
 yee will call them to account of their diligence ; and if any- 
 thing be left undone by them, that ye will see it with all 
 diligence gone about, for preventing further hearing and 
 trouble, and that ye will not permitt our brother to suffer 
 such a wrong unredressed and taken order with accordingly as 
 the thing deserveth. Expecting your diligence and care 
 heirin, as ye will be ansuerable to the Generall Assembly, 
 we remain, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, ThE COMMISSIONERS 
 
 24 February 1G47. of the Gkxerall Assembly." 
 
 Direct : For their Reverend brethren of the Province of 
 Aberdein. 
 
 Mr. James Concerning the articles this day produced against Mr. 
 
 m^TteTa^' James Drummond, minister at Kinnalloch, 1 the Commission 
 Kinnaiioch. G f Assembly recomends and referrs the tryell and censur 
 therof to the Presbyterie of Dunkeld and the brethren 
 adjoyned to them for planting the kirks vaking there, quhairin 
 they are heirby desired to report account of their proceed- 
 ings. 
 
 David Graham. This day David Grahames petition wes rejected unread, 
 
 because it wes not subscribed, 
 indictionofa The Commission appoynts a solemne Fast and humiliation 
 Fast ' to be keeped upon the first Lords Day in Appryle, and that 
 
 letters be written to that purpose ; as also to giue advertis- 
 
 ment for keeping the meeting at Aberdein. 
 Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 Letter to ' Right reverend, — Hearing that our forces ar to marche 
 
 Presbyteries. nor thward against these bloody rebells that have infested this 
 
 1 Or Kinloch, now united to Lethendy. 
 
24 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 217 
 
 poor kingdome, we conceive it our dutie to put up our prayers 
 for the Lords speciall assistance unto them in their undertak- 
 ings ; and for that effect have appoynted that the first 
 Sabboth of Apryle be keeped for a day of publik fasting and 
 humiliation before the Lord, that he may be intreated for his 
 blessing and assistance to them in their persute of these rebells ; 
 wherin ye will remember also the common sins of the land, 
 and the causes and reasones of our former humiliations yet 
 remaining ; And if these presents shall not come in due tyme 
 to your hands, that yow set apart the first Sabboth which con- 
 veniently yow can observe after the receipt heirof for a day of 
 fasting for the reasones and causes aforesaid. 
 
 4 We find it expedient and necessare that the next quarterlie 
 meeting of the Commission upon the 2d Weddensday of May 
 hold at Aberdein. Therfor these of your number that ar 
 members of the Commission, ministers and elders, ar heirby 
 seriously desired to addresse themselves to Aberdein to keep 
 that meeting upon the said 2d Weddensday of May ; All 
 which recommending to your speciall care, we remain, 
 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 24 February 1647. OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY. 1 
 
 The Commission having heard the report of the brethren Act for direct- 
 that mett with the northland gentlmen, appoynts the Clerk to *ng summonds 
 
 o 7 rr j ^ against com- 
 
 direct out summonds for citing the complyers in the North, pliers in the 
 and that letters be sent theranent to Presbyteries and to the 
 Moderator of the Synod, as also to some noblmen and 
 gentlmen to be present at the meeting ; And for the better 
 proofe of their comply ance, ordaines the agent to get the 
 double of the roll of these persons that received Generall 
 Major Midltons passe, and to delyver it to the Clerk. 
 Tenor of the letters above mentioned folio wes : — 
 
 4 Reverend brethren, — Vnderstanding that there ar many Letter to the 
 in the North that have miscaried themselves in joyning and theNorth? 5 m 
 complying with the rebells, and otherwise shewn themselves 
 verie malignant against the Covenant and present cause, Ther- 
 for to take course with such offenders wee have appoynted our 
 next quarterly meeting upon the 2d Weddensday of Maij to hold 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 FEB. 
 
 Letter to the 
 Moderator of 
 the Synods in 
 the North. 
 
 Letter to the 
 Gentlemen in 
 the North. 
 
 in Aberdein, where against that tyme we desire to have from 
 yow information of all ministers and professors in your bounds 
 guilty of such offences, with the way and means of probation. 
 We have ourselves learned of some whose names ar contained 
 in this roll, wherof such as ar in your bounds ye will cause cite 
 to the said meeting, and any others ye know of by the sum- 
 monds heirwith sent. We desire also that one or tuo of your 
 number may be sent unto us to that meeting to give us further 
 information. So expecting your faithfull care heirin, wee 
 remain, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 24 Februarij 1647. 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 OF THE GrENERALL ASSEMBLY.' 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brotheli, — Having appoynted our 
 next meeting to be at Aberdein upon the 2d Weddensday of 
 May next to take order with the complyers and malignants in 
 these bounds, we have sent unto yow heirwith a summonds for 
 citing all the ministers within the bounds of your Provinciall 
 who have joyned or anywise complyed with the rebells, especi- 
 ally that have subscribed or have had any accession to Sea- 
 forts Remonstrance, which yow will cause execute against all 
 such. There ar some of whom wee have gotten information 
 heir who ar insert in the summonds ; yow will cause also cite 
 them, and we further desire that for our better information 
 yourself may keepe that meeting at Aberdein. Expecting your 
 care heirin, we remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 24 Februarij 1G47. of the Generall Assembly.' 
 
 ' Much honoured, — Wee have appoynted a meeting upon 
 the 2d Weddensday of Maij to hold at Aberdein, to take 
 course with malignants and complyers there. And because 
 we ar informed of your good affection and zeale to the cause 
 of God, and forwardnes and courage in the houre of tryell (for 
 which we blesse the Lord), wee must desire yow to take the 
 paines to be with us at that meeting in Aberdein to assist us 
 by your information. Wherin as ye will doe good service to 
 God, so yee shall oblige us to remaine, Yours in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 24 Februarij 1647. of the Generall Assembly. 1 
 
1 8 MARCH] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 219 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 Martij 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Minsters. — Mr. Robert Douglas: Mr. John Adamsone : 
 Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 John Weir : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Robert Lightoun : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John 
 Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. David Ochterlony : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. William Penman. Elders. — Lord Marques of Argyll : 
 Lord Craighall : Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Arneistoun : Lawrence 
 Henrysone : James Stuart : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Douglas chosen Moderator in absence Moderator, 
 of Mr. Robert Blair. 
 
 This day the Lord Marques of Argyle shew that the contri- Act concerning 
 
 i , j n \ i • i v ,i contribution for 
 
 bution appoynted tor Argyle came in vene slovvlie, the reason t h e people of 
 wherof he conceived wes from the apprehensions some had of Ar gyjpand 
 
 rr , Broadalban. 
 
 the intervening of their charities : Therfor for preventing such 
 
 mistakes, as also to satisfy the Commission, who desired to 
 know of the right employment of the contribution, the said 
 Lord Marques produced some articles setting doun an order 
 for the destribution therof, which being read, the Commission 
 did approve therof, and appoynted in their letters to Presby- 
 teries or Synods that new advertisements should be given for 
 hastning of the contribution, and that doubles be sent to them 
 of the said articles for their further satisfaction. Tenor of the 
 said articles followes : — 
 
 ' Order for the faithfidl destribution of the voluntar 
 contribution granted be war rand from the Parliament and 
 Commission of the Kirk to the distressed people of Argyle 
 and widowes of Broadalbane. 
 6 1. That the whole money be received from the collectors The Articles 
 appoynted by the Commission of the Kirk, and caried to distribSicmfor 
 Argyle by him whom the shyre lies entrusted to that effect, ^^aVban 
 except the pryce of one thousand bolls of meill, coft in the 
 west countrey, which is presently to be sent to Argyle by 
 Johne Reid, baillie of Irving, in respect of the great necessity 
 of the countrey. 
 
 6 2. That for the equall and faithfull destribution of all, sex 
 ministers and tuelff ruleing elders be chosen, who shall make 
 faith to deall uprightly theranent ; there being tuo ministers 
 and four ruleing elders out of each Presbyterie of the three 
 
220 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [iS march 
 
 Presbyteries that ar waisted and destroyed by the rebells, and 
 the names of these that ar appoynted to that effect followes : 
 
 Viz., for the Presbyterie qf'Diauioioi, — 
 Mr. James Campbell and Mr. Coline M'Lauchlane, ministers : 
 the Laird of Illangreig, the Laird of Otter, the Captane of 
 Carrik, and Donald Campbell of Glenmassen, ruleing elders. 
 
 For the Presbyterie of huicrrarey* — 
 Mr. Dougall Campbell and Mr. Neill Cameron, ministers : the 
 Laird of Glenvrquhie, elder or younger, the Laird of Duntroun, 
 the Captaine of Craigneis, and Duncan Campbell, baillie-deput 
 of Knapdaill, ruleing ciders. 
 
 For the Presbyterie of Kihnoir, — 
 Mr. Xicoll M'Calman and Mr. John M'Lauchlane, ministers : 
 Sir Donald Campbell of Ardnamurchane, the Laird of Loch- 
 nnell, John Campbell of Ardchattane, and the Captain of 
 Dounstafneis, ruleing elders. 
 
 ' And the quorum to be thrie ministers and sex ruling elders, 
 there being one minister and tuo elders out of each Presby- 
 terie, who shall proceed in the destribution according to these 
 instructions following : — 
 
 4 1. That the relicts and bairnes of these men of all qualities 
 who have lossed their lives in the publik service, or whose lives 
 have been taken by the rebells, who have no means of subsist- 
 ance left them, be considered in the first place, and a reasonable 
 proportion given them for their subsistance, at the discretion 
 of the destributers. 
 
 1 2. That in the next place all the poor widowes and children, 
 whose means have been destroyed by the rebells and who now 
 have no means of subsistance, be considerit, and some propor- 
 tion given them which may be some help to them to live. 
 
 4 3. That in the 3d rowme, the present necessitie be looked to 
 of all other persons who had their means destroyed by the 
 rebells, and now have no means of subsistance nor way to live 
 on, either by their own means, industrie, or otherwayes, and 
 that some supply be given them. 
 
 1 4. That all poore people, especially the old, aged and young 
 ones, who ar neither able to travell, worke, or serve; and 
 
1 8 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 221 
 
 others who had litle or no means at all, but lived by service, 
 or on the charity of the country while it wes in ane good con- 
 dition ; and now having nothing, and can get litle in the 
 countrey be reason of the present hard condition therof, have 
 something appoynted them from tyme to tyme to keep them 
 from sterving. 
 
 6 5. That poore people who ar labouring the ground by plew- 
 ing or delving, as sundry ar doing in hope to get seed, who 
 have no means of their own, get some proportion of money to 
 buy seed, quhairby the country may be the more able in some 
 measure to subsist for the tyme to come, they finding surety to 
 employ the same on seed and to sow it. 
 
 6 6. That for the better clearing of all this destribution the 
 tuo part of the whole contribution be employed for present 
 subsistance of the persons respective foresaids, and the third 
 part on seed corne. and that the names of all maner of persones 
 getters of any part of the said contribution, with their quality 
 and the condition they wer in when they first suffered by the 
 rebells, and the case they ar now in, with the quantity delyvered 
 to them, whether for subsistance or seed, shall be enrolled by 
 the destributers, and that nothing shall be delyvered by him 
 who is entrusted with the receiving and giving out of the said 
 contribution without a precept in writ subscribed be a quorum 
 of the destributers, and tickets of ressait therupon from the 
 receivers for what beis given out to particular persons ; and 
 tickets of receipt from the minister and tuo elders of the parish, 
 wher anything shall be given out in cumulo for ane parish or 
 particular part of the countrey, who shall be oblist faithfullie 
 to distribut the same, and report their distribution, under 
 their hands and oath in writt, to the persons foresaids 
 appoynted for distribution of the whole, that so ane perfyt and 
 cleir accompt may be keeped of all, and in the end a report 
 may be made to the General Assembly or their Commissioners 
 of the faithfull distribution of the said whole contribution. 
 
 6 And finally, the Laird of M'Nachtan and George Campbell, 
 sherifF-deput of Argyle, or any of them, ar heirby appoynted to 
 be conveeneng of the said distributers, and the said George 
 Campbell to take all their oaths de Jideli administratione, and 
 the said Laird of M'Nachtan and George Campbell, being tuo 
 
222 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 march 
 
 ruleing elders within the Presbyteries abovewritten, ar heirby 
 appovnted to be supernumerary in the forsaid distribution, and 
 to be of the quorum of the samen." 
 
 This day tuo letters from the Commissioners at London wer 
 read with the papers ther inclosed. Tenor of the letters 
 followes : — 
 
 Letter from the 6 Reverend and beloved brethren, — Wee received yester- 
 at London. 
 
 day yours of Februar 23d, and shall take care to provyde 
 (according to your desire) as many copies as can be had of the new- 
 paraphrase of the Psalms in metre. Wee have already spoken 
 for 70 copies, which we shall, God willing, send with the first 
 occasion. Wee have thought good now to send yow the copies 
 of his Majesties last letter 1 to the Parliament of England and 
 of the Assemblies last petition to the Parliament, 2 together 
 with the Suffolk petition, and ansuer therof, 3 of which we wrot 
 in our last. The citie of London hath another new petition 
 in hands. There ar diverse good ordinances depending before 
 the Parliament, though not yet perfected. This we can say in 
 generall that the Reformation of Religion is lately, through the 
 good hand of God, put in a better and more hopefull way, and 
 in a quicker progresse, than of a long tyme before, and the 
 late passages of divine providence, both there and heir, ar 
 unto all the wel affected great mater of thanksgiving, although 
 not without an intermixture of such difficulties and dangers as 
 
 1 His Majesty 's last most gracious message to the Lords and Commons of the 
 Parliament of England, . . . and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of 
 Scotland . . . for a Personal Treaty. 4 The two Houses sat this day, though 
 Christmas day, and the Commons further debated the King's coming to Holmby, 
 agreeing with the Lords that his coming thither should be with respect to the 
 safety and preservation of his Majesty's person, and in preservation and defence 
 of the true religion. And the question being put whether the words according 
 to the Covenant should be added, it passed with the affirmative. ' Rushworth's 
 Historical Collections, Pt. iv. vol. i. pp. 393, 394. 
 
 2 The humble Petition of the Assembly of Divines ' that no institution or 
 admission to any public employment in the ministry be granted to any person 
 who hath not taken the National Covenant, or is not in orders, and that shall 
 not first be examined and approved by a competent number of grave and 
 orthodox ministers. '—Journals of the House of Lords, vol. ix. p. 31. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Lords, vol. ix. p. 18. Their Lo/dships 'will be 
 careful to make good their Solemn League and Covenant and to give you all 
 encouragements to go on in your care for the true worship of God, and for the 
 preservation of the public liberties.' 
 
1 8 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 223 
 
 may stirre up to fervent prayer, and to caution and vigilancie 
 in the use of means. So beseeching the Lord to direct both 
 yow and us, we rest, Your most loving brethren, 
 
 G. Wynrame, 
 
 Worcester House, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 the 2d o/Marche 1646. Geo. Gillespie. 1 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have according to Another letter 
 your desire provided a number of copies of the new paraphrase sioners°aT miS 
 of the Psalms in metre, as it is approved by the Assembly of London> 
 Divines, and since corrected in severall places according to the 
 animadversions which ye sent us. We have now fourscore 
 copies in readiness to be sent by the first ship to your Clerk, 
 that by him they may be directed to the severall Presbyteries. 
 We have thought good also to make known unto yow that 
 some votes ar passed in the House of Commons concerning the 
 new modelling of their forces, not without a favourable reflexion 
 upon the Covenant and the Church Government. Yow will 
 heirwith receive for your clearer information a copy of the 
 votes themselves. Another thing which we have at this tyme 
 to communicat unto yow concerneth the petition of the Lord 
 Forbesse 1 now sent home to the Parliament, for leave to beatt 
 drums and leavy a regiment of voluntiers for the service of the 
 Duke of Guelder, whose restitution to his towns and territories 
 possessed by the Spaynard is undertaken by the French, and 
 tuo of his towns (Arris and Armenteers) already recovered. 
 That ye may be cleare in the mater of his petition, so farre as 
 may concern the poynt of Religion, his Lordship hath desired us 
 to give yow notice, that, together with his commission from 
 the Duke of Guelder, hee hath also full liberty granted to him- 
 self and his whole regiment for the publik exercise of the 
 Protestant Religion, for which end his Lordship intends to desire 
 the Presbyterie of Afoord, with your advice and consent, to 
 provyd three preachers for that regiment. The noblmans 
 
 1 Lord Forbes had been employed by the English Parliament in Ireland, but 
 had great difficulty in getting even a part of the sum due to his regiment. 
 When released from the service, he appears to have desired to recruit his regi- 
 ment and take service abroad. 
 
224 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 march 
 
 good affection to this cause and Covenant, we hope, is abound- 
 antly known unto yow, which maks us confident that he will 
 receive all possible assistance from yow so farre as his bussines 
 falls in your way. So beseeching the Lord to direct and blesse 
 yow in all your affairs, we rest, 
 
 Your loving brethren to serve yow, 
 
 G. Wynrame, 
 
 Worcester House, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 the 9th ofMarche 164' : ;. Geo. Gillespie." 1 
 
 Direct: For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 Major Moncreif. The Commission considering the petition of Major Johne 
 Moncreiff, and having certain knowledge of his sufferings, do 
 seriously recomend to the Commissioners at London to be 
 assisting to him for the payment of his pension, and that 
 a letter be writtin to that purpose. Tenor of the letter 
 followes : — 
 
 Letter to the 6 Reverend axd welbeloved brethrex, — This ffentlman, 
 
 Commissioners _ . _ . . , 
 
 at London in Major Johne Moncreii, by reason or his iaithiull and constant 
 Moncrdf Maj ° r adhereing to and following of the publik cause of God in these 
 kingdomes, having borne charge and behaved himselfe honestly 
 in all the three expeditions, hath ever since the begining of 
 these troubles layen out of the payment of an hundreth pounds 
 sterling pension payable out of the Exchequer of England to 
 him as one of his Majesties falkoners : It is therfor our desire, 
 and we do earnestly recomend unto your care that yow would 
 unto your utmost power assist him with your counsell and 
 concurrence toward these with whom you have credit for obtain- 
 ing the arriers of his pension, and the continuance therof 
 during his lyftyme. Being confident of your willingnes to 
 contribute your best for promoving of the gentlmans bussines, 
 who hath bene both a doer and sufferer in the good cause, 
 we recomend yow and your labours to the Lords direction and 
 blessing, and rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 18 Martij 1647. of the General Assembly/ 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brethren the Commis- 
 sioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
1 8 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 225 
 
 The Commission considering the lamentable condition of Mr. jhon Geilie, 
 Mr. Johne Geilie, minister at Monymusk, having suffered not Monfmusk. 
 only the vtter spoyle of all his goods and means but great 
 wounds also in his own person, Therfor they do most seriously 
 recomend his condition to the honourable Estates of Parlia- 
 ment for some redresse and present supply ; comending him 
 also in the meantime to the charities of the brethren of the 
 Commission, ministers and elders present, for some litle help 
 from each of them for his present mantainance in toun ; and 
 desires Mr. James Guthrie and Dudingstoun to collect the 
 same, and that Mr. John Moncreiff and Mr. James Guthrie 
 and the Lord Craighall assist him before the Parliament. 
 
 This day the petition of Mr. Johne Robertson, minister at Mr. johne 
 Dundie, his exemption from going to the army refused, and exemption 5 
 the said Mr. Johne appoynted to repair to his employment [^e'armie^ t0 
 there with all diligence. refused. 
 
 This day, by letters from the Lievtennent Generall and Gene- Act for ministers 
 rail Major Holburne to the Moderator, the Commission, under- frmie S with he 
 standing that the minsters ar not yet come to the army, and diligence, and 
 4. 4.1 ij* • l • / 4.U sending foorth 
 
 that the common souldiers are vene slow in coming ioortn, of sojoures. 
 
 Therfor they ordaine that in the letters to Synods or Presby- 
 teries new advertisments be given for sending ministers foorth 
 to their charges in the army with diligence, and that care be 
 had for taking notice of the souldiers that go not foorth in 
 their severall bounds. 
 
 This day Johne Jowssie and Lawrence Henryson appeiring Act for 
 for the Counsell of Edinburgh, shew their desire to have Mr. Mn^ohne^ 
 Johne Smith to be minister to the Colledge kirk of Edinburgh p^o^^to 
 in the place of Mr. William Ben net ; as also Mr. Andrew ansuer to the 
 Fairfoull produced from the Presbyterie of Edinburgh a pre- burgh, 
 sentation from the town of Edinburgh to the said Mr. Johne 
 to the Colledge kirk, which wes sent to them, desyring 
 earnestly that according to the power given by the Assembly 
 the Commission might be pleased to transport Mr. Johne to 
 Edinburgh. Wherupon the Commission appoynts a summonds 
 to be direct for citing the said Mr. Johne and his paroshiners 
 to the 2d Tuesday of Appryle. 
 
 This day the petition for the Lord Herreis for his relaxation Lord Herreis. 
 from the sentence of excommunication being read, the Com- 
 
 p 
 
226 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 march 
 
 Act concerning 
 Mr. Mungo 
 Lavves releif. 
 
 Haliburton. 
 
 Mr. Gabriell 
 Maxwell. 
 
 References 
 from the late 
 Assemblie. 
 
 Mr. Johne 
 Weir. 
 
 Lord Herreis. 
 
 Sir Robert 
 Douglas. 
 
 mission thinks he should be more particular in his acknow- 
 ledgment. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 Martij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Adamsone : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Patrick Gillispie : Mr. Thomas 
 Vassie : Mr. John Weir : Mr. Robert Ker : Doctor Colvill : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr William Dalgleish : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John Knox at 
 Dalkeith : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Thomas Donaldson : Mr. Robert 
 Lightoun : Mr. William Penman. Elders. — Earle Lawderdaill : Lord 
 Craighall : Laird of Dudingstoun : Mr. Alexander Colvill : Laird of 
 Arneistoun : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 The Commission, considering the petition of the Session of 
 the South West kirk of Edinburgh for Mr. Mungo Law their 
 ministers returne to his charge, the Commission appoynts Mr. 
 James Guthrie to repare to the army for his releif in the 
 beginning of May, that Mr. Mungo may then returne to his 
 congregation heir, which standeth in such need of him. 
 
 The Commission continues Halyburtouns mater untill he be 
 of new cited, and appoynts the Clerk to direct new summonds 
 against him in the said mater as he shall be required be the 
 parties interessed. 
 
 The Commission refuses Mr. Gabriell Maxwells excuse repre- 
 sented to them by the Laird of Cowden, and appoynts him to 
 addresse himself to his charge in the army with diligence. 
 
 The Commission appoynts advertisments to be sent to 
 Presbyteries and Synods to consider the references from the late 
 Assembly that they may report their opinions therin, as also 
 to recomend James Murrayes payment and to give advertis- 
 ment of the next meeting of the Commission in Aberdein. 
 
 The Commission continues the mater concerning the trans- 
 porting Mr. Johne Weir to Leyth untill the 2d Twesday in 
 Apryle, and Mr. Johne Weir and the Commissioner from 
 Carlouk, present, wer warned heirof cipud acta. 
 
 This day, another petition being given by the Lord Herreis, 
 the Commission appoynts Doctor Colvill and Mr. James 
 Guthrie to conferre with him, and report their opinions con- 
 cerning the excuse of his offences and touching his religion. 
 
 The petition presented this day by Sir Robert Douglas for 
 remitting his satisfaction to the Presbyterie of Dunce wes 
 
19 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 227 
 
 refused, and he appoynted to satisfy in Glasgow where the 
 scandall of his offences wes given. 
 
 This day the Commission appoynts the letters following to 
 be sent to the Generall Lievtennant, Generall Major Hol- 
 burne, and to Mr. Mungo Law : — 
 
 'Right Honourable, — Wnderstanding that the ministers Letter to the 
 appoynted to attend the forces under your command ar not General 011 
 yet come to wait upon that charge, Therfor we have directed 
 new advertisments to be sent unto them for their addresses to 
 yow with all diligence. It is a mater of rejoicing to us and of 
 praises to our God in your behalf that your honour, who in his 
 providence is pitched out for that employment, wes and is so 
 studious and sollicitous to have faithfull ministers with yow in 
 that expedition, and it shall be the mater of our prayers that 
 your travells, by the Lords blessing, may be fruitfull for restrain- 
 ing sin and loosnes in the army and conduceable for your 
 encouragement and strenthning in the cause yow mantain. It 
 is very much to be regretted that there is not greater alacritie 
 and chearfulnes in the souldiers of this new modell ; for which 
 cause we have also recomended to Presbyteries and Synods that 
 ministers do their part for furthering and promoving the send- 
 ing furth of souldiers and that deficients be taken notice of, 
 wherin they may be a great deale more usefull if the names of 
 the deficients in their congregations wer made known unto 
 them, which, whether it be necessare, and how it may be done, 
 your honour lies to consider. There hath been so great defec- 
 tion from the cause in the North amongst ministers and others 
 that we find a necessity to keep a meeting in Aberdein to take 
 order therin. The dyet we have appoynted is the 2d 
 Weddensday of Mai], the 12th day of that moneth. If yow 
 think that we can with safety keep a meeting in that place at 
 that tyme, when our greatest and only work will be with 
 malignants, we shall desire to be certified by yow against our 
 next meeting in this toun upon the 2d Weddensday of 
 Appryle. 
 
 'Your minister Mr. Mungo Laws returne to his charge is 
 earnestly and importunately desired by his congregation heir, 
 and the truth is, the death of our reverend brethren Messrs. 
 
228 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 march 
 
 Alexander Henderson and William Ben net, the absence of 
 Mr. George Gillespie, the sicklynes of others of our brethren 
 in this toun, and the condition of his own congregation, do 
 require his presence heir. Wpon which respects Mr. James 
 Guthrie is appoynted to anticipat his dyet, and to be at vow 
 in the begining of May to wait upon yow, that then Mr. 
 Mungo may returne to his charge in this place. We have no 
 more to say, but that the Lord may still continue his presence 
 and assistance with yow against these wicked and bloody enemies, 
 whom He made once to flee before yow, and that He may be 
 pleased to blesse your religious and heroicall undertakings unto 
 their to tall and utter foyle, that truth with peace may be 
 setled in this desolate kingdome, which shall be the constant 
 and earnest prayer of, Your honours servants in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 Martij 1647. of the General Assembly." 
 
 Direct : To the right honorable Leivtennant Generall David 
 Leslie. 
 
 Letter to ' Much honoured, — Wee blesse the Lord in your behalf for 
 
 Generall Major your care and sollicitude to have good and faithfull ministers 
 to attend the army, to which purpose we have directed letters 
 again to Presbyteries and Synods to hasten their coming to 
 yow : Recomending also to them to see that evrie minister, 
 according to the duety of his calling, endevour in his congre- 
 tion that the souldiers of this new modell be sent foorth and 
 not permitted to stay at home. Wee need not enlarge our- 
 selves in giving yow encouragements for promoving the work 
 of your employment, having so many testimonies of your zeale, 
 faithfulnes, and forwardnes, so that all we have to say is to 
 assure yow of our earnest prayers for the Lords blessing and 
 assistance upon all your honourable and pious undertakings 
 in this cause. Remaining, Yours in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 Martij 1647. of the Generall Assemblies 
 
 Direct : To the much honoured Generall Major Holburn. 
 
 'Reverend and loving brother, — Wnderstanding of the 
 Letter to Mr. scarcity of ministers with the army, we have writtin verie 
 Mungo Law. se riously that these appoynted by us for that employment 
 
19 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 229 
 
 repare to yow with all speed, and have also recomended to 
 Presbyteries and Synods to tak speciall care that the common 
 souldiers of this new modell be sent foorth and not permitted 
 to stay at home, wherin they could be more vsefull, if they 
 knew the names of the deficients. These letters to the 
 Generall Lievtennent and Generall Major Holburne, which we 
 have thought fitt to wryt to them in ausuer to theirs writtin to 
 the Moderator, yow will be pleased to dely ver. Wee have pro- 
 vyded for your supply against Maij, which is all we could get 
 done except we had altogether disappoynted the army of 
 ministers, there being so many seeking the lyk favour. Against 
 that tyme yow may provyde for your returne. So, comending 
 yow in all your labours to the Lord blessing, we remaine, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, THE COMMISSIONERS 
 
 19 Martij 1647. of the Generall Assembly." 1 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brother, Mr. Mungo 
 Law, minister of Edinburgh. 
 
 This day the Earle of Lawderdaill, shewing that he wes 
 comanded by the Parliament to returne to London to prose- 
 cute there, with the remanent Commissioners, the treaty with 
 the Parliament of England, therfor desired to be instructed 
 with any directions they had to their Commissioners there 1 ; 
 the Commission, after deliberation, resolved upon the articles 
 and letter following : — 
 
 Particidars recomended to Earle Lawderdale. 
 
 4 First, that his Lordship may be pleased to remember that Mr. instructions 
 Denhame and Mr. Durane,not having received ordination, do still Lawderda^ 
 preach at Newcastle, contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament. 
 
 4 2. Because of the growth of Independents in Northumber- 
 land, that for repressing of them his Lordship and the remanent 
 Commissioners endevour that a Presbyterie be erected there 
 with all possible speed. 
 
 6 3. That the particulars, formerly recomended to the Com- 
 missioners there, be remembred, that is, to labour for a change 
 of the mercat in Newcastle from Saturday to Weddensday or 
 
 1 Detailed instructions were also given by the Estates of Parliament, which ai e 
 inserted in Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. pp. 764, 765. 
 
230 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 march 
 
 Letter to the 
 Commissioners 
 at London sent 
 with Earle 
 Lawderdale. 
 
 Letter to 
 Synods. 
 
 Thursday, to preveen occasion of the profanation of the 
 Sabboth day there and upon our borders ; as also that some 
 course be taken that excommunicat and deposed ministers or 
 praelats be not suffered to bruik any charge in the Kirk, especi- 
 allie such as have been sent formerlie in a roll unto them. 
 
 * 4. That the Confession of Faith and the Catechisme be 
 expede, and a competent number of copies therof be sent 
 downe for Presbyteries, that, they being so prepared, the same 
 may be approven in the next Assembly. 
 
 ' 5. The lyk is desired for the Directory for Ordination, 
 Excommunication, and whole Propositions of Government. 1 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee received yours of 
 the 2d and 9th of this moneth, and do blesse the Lord for 
 your paines, travels, and faithfulnes in that work of Vniformity, 
 which we doubt not he will bring to a happy close in his own 
 tyme. This honourable lord, the Earle of Lawderdaill, who 
 would honour us with the carying of our returnes unto yow, 
 can informe yow what we have further to remember yow of, 
 and give a full accompt of all bussines heir, so that we shall 
 not need to say more but to referre yow to his relation. His 
 Lordships presence and paines, yow wrot in your former letters, 
 wes so usefull to yow whilst he wes there, that now we ar verv 
 glade that the Lord in his providence lies returned to yow so 
 faithfull and honourable an instrument, to joyn with yow in 
 the prosecution of that great work, and shall ever pray for the 
 continuance of the Lords blessing upon all your travells therin 
 as, Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 of the generall assembly."* 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 19 Martij 1647. 
 
 Direct: For their reverend and loving brethren the Com- 
 missioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 6 Reverend and lovtng brethren, — Having received letters 
 from the Lievtennent-generall shewing that many of the 
 ministers appoynted by us ar not yet gone to the army, and 
 that verie many souldiers of the new modell byd at home and 
 go not foorth to that service, which is exceeding prejudiciall to 
 the cause, and a great encouragement to the enemy, Therfor 
 these ar to require yow that such ministers within any Pres- 
 byterie of your bounds as ar ordained for that employment be 
 
19 march] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 231 
 
 appointed by yow to resort therto with all diligence, other- 
 wayes that they be proceeded against according to the Ordin- 
 ance of the Assembly ; and also that yow be carefull to use all 
 means that the souldiers dispatch themselves to their service 
 with all expedition, and to recomend to the civile magistrat to 
 take course with those that refuses to go. 
 
 4 We are daylie hearing of the great necessity of these people 
 in Argyle and Broadalbane, and find not so great diligence 
 used in collecting of the contribution for them as we expected 
 and their condition cryes for. Therfor these ar most seriously 
 to desire yow that ye will appoynt the severall Presbyteries to 
 hasten their collection, and to send it to him who is appoynted 
 to receive it for your bounds. And that ye may know that it 
 shall be faithfully distribute, and only for that use for which 
 it is given, we have sent yow this inclosed, which is the report 
 of the Lord Marques given to us for our satisfaction, con- 
 cerning the right employment of your charities, and that 
 nothing therof be interverted to any other use. 
 
 6 Ye know that the last Generall Assembly did recomend to 
 your consideration some particulars wherin ye might report 
 your judgment to the next Assembly, which be in print for 
 that effect. We thought fitt to put yow in remembrance to 
 consider of them, that the result of your thoughts therof may 
 be given to the Assembly. We do againe remember the 
 members of the Commission, ministers, and elders, to keep the 
 next quarterly meeting in Maij at Aberdene, according to our 
 former letters. So commending yow and all your labours to 
 the Lords grace, we remain, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 19 Martij 1647. of the Gexerall Assembly. 1 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Notwithstanding of the Letter to 
 Act of the Generall Assembly, and of our frequent wry ting to touching James 
 Presbyteries anent the payment to James Murray of that small ^JjJ^t G f 
 thing appoynted to him for his great paines and charges he is bygones, 
 put to, and of the pryce of the books and papers 1 sent unto 
 them, yet sundry Presbyteries ar very slow and defective in 
 
 1 Murray appears to have paid for the printing of such books as the Directory 
 for the Public Worship of God (1645), and the 300 copies of the Westminster Confes- 
 sion of Faith, printed for the use of the Members of Assembly in 1647, as well as 
 for the papers of the Commission, ordered to be printed during several yenrs. 
 
232 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 march 
 
 giving him satisfaction. Therfor these ar to require yow to 
 try the Moderators of the severall Presbyteries in your bounds 
 what they have done therintill, and to presse the executing of 
 the Act of Assembly against such as ar deficient in payment, 
 both of all bygone yeirs and this last yeir, 1646 ; certifying 
 them also that the Assembly will take notice of these that ar 
 deficient, at their first doimsitting, when the commissions ar 
 produced. So hoping ye will be carefull of this, we recomend 
 yow and your labours to the Lords blessing, and remain, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 19 Martij 1G47. of the General! Assembly.' 
 
 The brethren ar all desired to keep the next meeting upon 
 the 2d Tuesday in Appryle frequently, and to give advertis- 
 ment to their brethren absent. 
 
 Edinburgh, 13 April-is 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas: Mr. James Guthrie: 
 Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. 
 David Calderwod : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James 
 Fleming : Mr. Thomas Yassie : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Johne AVeir : 
 Mr. Adame Penman : Mr. John Oiswald : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 John Adamson. Elders. — Lord Angus : Laird of Cunynghamhead : 
 Laird of Cokburnspeth : Lawrence Henryson : Thomas Patersone : 
 George Gairdin. 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Douglas wes chosen Moderator, in 
 absence of Mr. Robert Blair, during this meeting. 
 
 This day tuo letters from the Commissioners at London, 
 with some papers produced by the Clerk, were read. Tenor of 
 which letters followes : — 
 
 Letter from 'Reverend axd lovixg rrethrex, — Wee do by this com- 
 
 at London. municat unto yow the new petition of the citie of London, 1 
 with the ansuer of botli Houses therunto. The Assemblie 
 hath not yet finished the addition of Scripturs for proof of 
 the Articles of the Confession of Faith. Much of their tyme 
 
 1 The humble petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City 
 of London, presented to both Houses on 17th March, expressing their earnest 
 desire for the conclusion of a satisfactory peace with the King, complaining of 
 the near approach of the army to the City, and of the circulation of a ' danger- 
 ous and seditious petition ' addressed to the House of Commons as ' the supreme 
 authority in the nation.' 
 
13 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 233 
 
 hath been taken up with the examination of Ministers, the 
 ordering wherof, in such a way as may least hinder the maine 
 work, is the mater of their present deliberation. For the 
 present, we can give yow no further account of Kirk bussines 
 beside what we wrote to yow before. So, expecting to know 
 your further pleasure in anything which may concerne our 
 employment heir or returne home, wee rest, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Subscribitur, Geo. Wyxrame, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 Worcester House, Geo. Gillespie."* 
 
 the 23d o/Marche 1647. 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 6 Reverend and lovixg brethrex', — Wee have sent yow Letter from 
 heirwith a copie of the late petition of diverse in Sir Thomas ^Z^AoT™ 
 Fairfax his army, 1 together with a copy of the Declaration of 
 the Parliament concerning the same, that yow may the better 
 judge of the present condition of publik bussines here, and 
 make such use therof as yow shall se occasion for. Wee 
 expect that this week shall put an end to the present work of 
 the Assembly ; we meane the adding of Scripturall proofes to 
 the Confession of Faith, after which the report of the Cate- 
 chisme is to come in. Haveing no more to communicat unto 
 yow at this tyme. we rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Subscribitur, Geo. Wyxrame, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 Worcester House, Geo. Gillespie.' 
 
 the 30th of March 1647. 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 This day a letter read from the Provinciall of Glasgow con- EarleAber- 
 cerning the education of the Earle of Abercornes children, and corns chlldren - 
 the Lord Angus being heard in that mater, the Commission, 
 after mature deliberation, resolved that the letters following 
 should be sent to the Presbyterie of Paislay and St. Andrews 
 concerning that bussines : — 
 
 1 The famous petition of the Army, requiring certain conditions previous to 
 their being disbanded. See it and the answer then returned but afterwards 
 departed from by the two Houses, as given in Journals of the House of Lords, 
 vol. ix. pp. 114, 115. 
 
234 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 april 
 
 Letter to the ' Reverend axd loving brethrex, — Having this day received 
 Pasley concern- a letter from the Provinciall Assembly of Glasgow concerning 
 mg their educa- j- ne education of the Lord Paisley and the other children of the 
 
 tion in St. J 
 
 Andrewes. Earle of Abercorne, 1 wherin we perceive the great care they 
 have had, and still have for the breeding of these noble 
 children in religion and learning, for which we can not but 
 acknowledge they deserve their own comendation ; and having 
 heard also this day the Lord Angus expresse the care of the 
 noble freends of that family for the religious education of the 
 children, and that the Earle of Lawderdaill, the Lord Bal- 
 merino, and his Lordships self (who have the particular charge 
 and oversight of them), had resolved in regard e of the sicknes 
 in Glasgow, and upon some other considerations, to send them 
 to St. Andrews to be bred there ; and his Lordship also assuring 
 that no paedagogue nor servant wes to be with them, but such 
 as should be appro ven be the Presbyterie there, Wee therfor 
 thought in our judgment that the desire of the Synod wes 
 therby satisfied, it not being to be conceived that it is their 
 intention to limit these noblemen of unsuspected integrity to 
 particular places or persons, these children being put in places 
 where they may be bred in religion and learning, and the 
 paedagogues and servants with them being approven by the 
 Presbyterie where they ar to reside, which is all that the rules 
 and overtures of the Assembly do prescribe, or could in reason 
 be vrged, especially seeing the care of the Presbyterie and 
 University of St. Andrews therin is not to be doubted. Thus 
 much we thought to give yow advertisment of, who have 
 interesse in that noble familie, for your satisfaction, being 
 confident that these noble Lords will make good their promises 
 made unto ws, who remaine, Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 of Aprile 1647. of the Generall Assembly." 
 
 Direct: For their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Paislay. 
 
 Letter to Pres- 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wnderstanding that the 
 Andrewes* con- children of the Earle of Abercorne ar to be sent to your 
 
 cerning Aber- ~ 
 
 corns children. 1 The Earl of Abercorn, as a Roman Catholic, was not allowed to have 
 charge of the education of his children. 
 
13 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 235 
 
 Vniversity to be educat there, wee ar only to recomend them 
 to your speciall care and oversight, especially that according to 
 the orders of the Generall Assembly, yow take notice of the 
 psedagogues and servants with them, which is all we have to 
 say. Remaining, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 13th Aprile 1647. of the Generall Assembly.' 
 
 Direct: For their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 St. Andrews. 
 
 This day Messrs. George Leslie and James Reid declared Mr. Johne 
 J . Weir, 
 
 that they wer appoynted from the Presbyterie of Edinburgh to 
 
 shew their earnest desire that Mr. Johne Weir might be trans- 
 ported to Leyth, and their concurrance with the paroshiners 
 to that effect. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, according to Transportation 
 the power committed to them, having this day considered the Wef/to Leifh. 
 summonds of the paroshiners of Leyth, and their petition for 
 transporting Mr. Johne Weir, minister at Carlouk, to Leyth, 
 in the place of umquhill Mr. James Sharpe ; and David Wilkie, 
 baillie of Leyth, Air. Alexander Gibsone, minister there, with 
 diverse others of the session and parish, compeiring in name 
 of that congregation, and the said Mr. Johne Weir being per- 
 sonallie present, and his paroshiners not compeiring, after 
 hearing all parties present, and serious consideration of the 
 mater, Do therfor transport the said Mr. Johne Weir from 
 Carlouk to the kirk of Leyth, and ordaines him to remove 
 himself for that effect and to enter to the said charge betuixt 
 this and the 2d Tuesday of Junij next. 
 
 Continues the mater concerning Mr. Johne Smiths trans- Mr. ohre 
 
 Smith 
 
 portation to Edinburgh untill the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Concerning the petition this day presented by Bernard Bernard Banks, 
 Banks, Englishman, to be admitted to the ministrie, the Com- En § lishman - 
 mission finds that he cannot be admitted minister but to a 
 particular charge, neither can they give him admission to any 
 charge in England ; But hereby perceiving that there is a 
 necessity^ of erecting a Presbyterie in the North of England, 
 appoints that in their letters to the Commissioners, they be 
 againe remembred to use all diligence for hastening the erec- 
 
236 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [13 APRIL 
 
 Libberton. 
 
 Letter to Lib- 
 berton. 
 
 tion of a Presbyterie there. And in respect of the necessitous 
 condition of the young man, they recomend to the brethren 
 present to contribute something for his charges heir, and 
 desires Mr. William Dalgleish to collect the same, and ther- 
 after delyver it to him. 
 
 This day a letter being read from Mr. George Wynrahame 
 of Libbertoun shewing that, by the Parliaments letter, they 
 had recalled the allowance granted to him as Commissioner in 
 the capacitie of an elder, Therfor the Commission thinks fitt to 
 wryt ane letter of encouragement and thanks to him, and to 
 desire that he may be pleased to be disposed of there, in stay- 
 ing or returning, as the brethren on the place shall find the 
 occasions require. 
 
 Followes the letters written to him and to the Commis- 
 sioners : — 
 
 6 Much honoured Sir, — As wee had sufficient testimony of 
 your deserving of that trust we have given yow, so now we 
 cannot but with all thankfulnes acknowledge your great and 
 tender respect to that work yow ar about, profering so liberally 
 the expense of your own estate in the promoving of it. What- 
 soever be withheld from your encouragement, yow may be 
 assured yow will not want your rewarde from Him that 
 rewardeth aboundantly. But because Ave know not what may 
 be the condition of affairs there, wee have therfor written to 
 our brethren upon the place to advyse yow in your abode or 
 returne, as they find the occasion shall require, doubting 
 nothing of your readines to do what shall be found most con- 
 duceable for the work. In the mean tyme wee blesse the Lord 
 in your behalf, and prayes for his direction to yow. Remaining 
 ever, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 \3th ofAprile 1647. of the Gexerall Assembly. 
 
 Direct : To the much honoured The Laird of Libbertoun. 
 
 Letter to Com- 
 missioners at 
 London con- 
 cerning Libber- 
 ton, 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — The Estates of Parlia- 
 ment (upon what reasons we know not) have been pleased to 
 withdraw allowance from the Laird of Libbertoun, whom we 
 adjoyned to yow in the Commission for Vniformity. But know- 
 ing the gentlemans good deservings and his faithfulnes in that 
 
13 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 237 
 
 employment and willingnes to waire himself and estate for 
 promoving of it, we desire he may be encouraged, and that 
 yow may advise him so to dispose of his stay or abode there, 
 as yow, who ar on the place, shall find most fitting. 
 
 * Wpon the petition of one Bernard Banks, an Englishman, and for dealing 
 to be admitted to the calling of the ministrie in the North of presbyten- 
 England (which wes not in our power to grant), and by some E n th iand° rth ° f 
 testimonials in his behalfe, we find there is a great necessitie of 
 erecting a Presbyterie there ; and therfor as we have recomended 
 to the Earle of Lawderdaill, we must now againe desire that 
 vow may urge all possible diligence for the erection of a Pres- 
 byterie in these northern parts of England, which is all we 
 have to say at this tyme. Remaining ever, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 13^ ofAprile 1647. of the Gexerall Assembly. 
 
 Postscript. — The copies of the paraphrase of the Psalmes 
 yow wrot of in your former letters ar not yet come. 1 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brethren, the Com- 
 missioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London. 
 
 The Commission recomends to the Lord Advocat the mater Recomendation 
 concerning bestialitie committed in the North, and mentioned to Adv0 . cat 
 
 o 7 concerning 
 
 in the letter from the Presbyterie of Aberlour, that his Lordship Bestialitie. 
 may be pleased to take some course for bringing the mater to 
 tryell before the Justice, and appoynts the Advocat to be 
 spoken for that purpose. 
 
 The mater concerning Haliburton continued untill the morne. Haiyburton. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Johne, Lord Herreis, this day Lord Herreis. 
 presented, the Commission having considered the same, and 
 having also heard himself personallie present, appoynts Mr. 
 James Guthrie and Mr. Patrik Gillespie to conferre with him, 
 and to report their opinion concerning him the morne. 
 
 The Commission considering the letters from the Presbyterie Lord Ray and 
 of Caithnes, and their diligence in executeing the summonds Nation. 0 "" 
 sent against the Lord Ray, his sone and other complyers there, 
 as also having read the letter from the Lord Rae to Mr. 
 Robert Blair, Moderator, Do think it necessare the mater be 
 
238 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 april 
 
 continued untill the meiting at Aberdein in May, and that 
 another summonds be sent to the Presbyterie for citing them 
 and witnesses against some day in May to that meeting in 
 Aberdein, and that a letter be writtin to the Presbyterie to 
 that purpose, and to commend their diligence and faithfulnes 
 in what they have alreadie done. 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 Aprilis 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Oswald : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. William 
 Dalgleish : Mr. James Fleming: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Mon- 
 creiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Johne Weir. 
 Elders. — Lord Angus : Laird of Cunynghamhead : Laird of Cockburns- 
 peth : Thomas Patersone : George Gairdin. 
 
 Lord Herreis. This day, the Commission having considered the report of 
 
 Mr. James Guthrie and Mr. Patrik Gillespie concerning their 
 
 conference with the Lord Herreis and finding that he is not 
 
 resolved in some heads of doctrine of the Religion professed in 
 
 this Kirk, Do therfor judge that he can not be relaxed from the 
 
 sentence of excommunication, though the same wes pronounced 
 
 for his accession to the rebellion, untill he be resolved in the 
 
 Religion professed heir : And that he may receive information 
 
 both in Religion, as also may be brought to a further sense of 
 
 his offences for which he wes excommunicat, they appoynt him 
 
 to conferre with the ministers of this toun whilst he is heir, 
 
 and, when he is in the countrie in his own duelling, with such 
 
 as the Presbyterie of Dumfreis shall appoynt for that purpose, 
 
 and to that effect that lie acquaint the ministers heir, when he 
 
 goes to the countrie and when he returnes ; as also to acquaint 
 
 the Presbyterie of Drumfreis when he comes to these parts ; 
 
 Recomending lykwise to him that he carie himself in the mean 
 
 tyme as a person excommunicat, and that the said Presbyterie 
 
 of Drumfreis whilst he is there see that he so carie himself, 
 
 who neverthelesse are not to deny warrand and libertie to any 
 
 who have civile bussines with him to resort to him for their 
 
 civile affairs. 
 
 Presbyterie of The Commission, considering the ansuer from the Presbyterie 
 Chimsyd. G f Chirnside to their letter concerning the planting of Eymouth, 
 do think fitt to send them this returne : — 
 
14 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 239 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have this day seen Letter to Pres- 
 your letter but not the list for Eymouth, which we desired, coicem ( fng rnSyd 
 neither yet any ansuer touching Mr. William Home, so that E y mouth Kirk - 
 we conceive yow intend not to have our advyce in the bussines, 
 which we wer verie willing to give unto yow. Therfore, seing 
 we have exonered ourselves, we leave yow to do in it as yow 
 will be ansuerable to the Provinciall and Generall Assembly. 
 Remaining, your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 \4th ofAprile 1647. of the Generall Assembly." 
 
 Direct : To their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Chirnside. 
 
 Continues the mater concerning Mr. Johne Smiths trans- 
 portation untill afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 Aprilh 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Adamsone : Air. James Fleming: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Johne Weir: 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 David Calderwod : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. John 
 Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Johne 
 Oswald. Elders. — Laird of Cunynghamhead : Laird of Cockburnspeth : 
 Laird of Dudingstoun : James Stuart: Thomas Patersone : George 
 Gairdin : John Sempill : Lawrence Henrysone. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie having con- Reposition of 
 
 sidered the report of the Synod concerning Mr. Gaven Forsyths Forsyth! 1 " 
 
 satisfaction before them and his Presbyterie and the congre- 
 
 tion where he served, and having also heard himself, personally 
 
 present, humblie acknowledge his heartie greeff and sorrow for 
 
 his bygone miscariages, Therfor they do repon him to the 
 
 capacity of the ministrie, to be readmitted where God shall 
 
 give him a calling, giving him power in the meantyme to 
 
 exercise his gift, as ane expectant, according to the Order of this 
 
 Kirk. 
 
 Concerning the summonds against Sir Alexander Home of Halyburton. 
 Halyburtoun, the Commission having heard the said Sir Alex- 
 ander personallie present, and having considered his declaration 
 and acknowledgment subscribed with his own hand this day 
 before them, ar therwith fullie satisfied, and declares that he is 
 not to be further questioned for that mater, and appoynts the 
 said acknowledgment to be put upon record : 
 
240 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 april 
 
 Haliburtons 
 Acknowledg- 
 ment. 
 
 Recomer elation 
 Leivtennent 
 Collonell 
 Brysons relict. 
 
 Continues Mr. 
 Johne Smith. 
 
 The nixt dyet. 
 
 Letters for the 
 next meetin in 
 Aberdene. 
 
 ' 1, Sir Alexander Home of Halyburtoun, considering the 
 speaches spoken by me at the doore of the Commission House 
 concerning Mr. James Guthrie and others upon the 22d day of 
 August last, do acknowledge that these things wer spoken by 
 me rashlie, inconsideratlie, and without ground, being then in 
 passion, for the which I am sorie : Declaring also that the 
 errors in doctrine, contained in the papers given in to the 
 Assembly and their Commissioners, which may reflect upon Mr. 
 James Guthrie or Mr. James Simsone, or any other person, 
 wer dilated by me upon information, and not upon certaine 
 ground, but that for anything I know they ar sound in their 
 doctrin, which I testifie by these presents, subscribed with my 
 hand in presence of the Commission of the Generall Assembly 
 at Edinburch, the 14th of Apryle 1647. Subscribitur 
 
 Alexander Home/ 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly do humblie 
 recomend the hard and desolat condition of the relict and 
 bairns of Lievtennent Collonell Bryson, lately deceased in the 
 publik service, to the Right Honourable the Committee of 
 Estates, that their Lordships may be pleased to give order for 
 payment of his arriers for their mantainance. 
 
 The Commission continues the summonds for Mr. Johne 
 Smiths transportation untill this day fyftein dayes, the 28th 
 of this moneth, and appoynts new intimation to be given 
 heirof pro secundo to him and his parisheners. 
 
 The Commission, finding that the bussines concerning Mr. 
 Johne Smith his transportation cannot be decided for want of a 
 quorum, therfor appoynts letters to be written peremptourlie 
 for the brethers keeping the next meeting upon the 28th of 
 this instant, and that the omission of publik bussines shall be 
 imputed to the absents. 
 
 The Commission ordaines letters to be written to Presby- 
 teries for appoynting all the members of the Commission, at the 
 least one of their number, to keep the meeting at Aberdene, 
 and to supplie their place during their absence. 
 
 Edinburgh, 28 Aprilis 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Adamsone : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. James Fleming: Mr. David 
 
29 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 241 
 
 Drummond : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Pen- 
 man : Mr. Robert Wright. Elders. — Laird Clerkingtoun : James Stuart : 
 Lawrence Henryson : James Rughead. 
 
 Continues untill the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 29 Aprilis 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt at supra. 
 
 This day a letter being read from the Generall Leivtennent 
 concerning Mr. Mungo Lawes stay with him, the brethren 
 present resolved that it wes fitt to returne the ansuer fol- 
 lowing : — 
 
 ' Right Honourable, — The successe wherwith the Lord is Letter to 
 pleased to blesse your undertakings, as it is mater of praise QeneraU L^sii. 
 unto his name, so it encourageth us to pray, and with con- 
 fidence to hope for his full delyverance of this Kirk and king- 
 dome from the thraldome of these bloody enemies in his own 
 appoynted tyme. We know that wee need not use any argu- 
 ments for your incitation and encouragment, having so many 
 reall and singular proofs of your zeale and forwardnes in the 
 cause. All we have to say at this tyme is to shew that we 
 cotild not returne Mr. Mungo Law unto yow, the churches of 
 Edinburgh being in so hard a condition by the death of tuo 
 of their ministers, the sicknes and absence of others, and our 
 brother, Mr. Robert Douglas, another of that number, being 
 necessarilie drawn to the North to our meeting at Aberdein. 
 But Mr. James Guthrie, formerlie appoynted to attend yow, 
 is to addresse himself towards yow with diligence. So praying 
 the Lord to continue his favourable assistance with yow and 
 these forces under your comand, we remain, 
 
 Your honours servants in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 29 Aprilis 1647. of the Generall Assembly/ 
 
 Direct : To the Right Honourable Generall Leivtennent 
 David Leslie. 
 
 This day the brethren present continues the mater concern- Mr. johne 
 ing the transporting Mr. Johne Smith untill the first Wed- Smith ' 
 densday of July, and appoynts intimation to be made heirof 
 at the parish Kirk of Burntiland, to the effect the said Mr. 
 Johne and his paroshiners may keepe that dyet precislie. 
 
242 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 may 
 
 The brethren present appoynts letters to be writtin to the 
 members of the Commission, desyring earnestly a meeting upon 
 the first Weddensday of July, that maters in dependance may 
 be some way concluded before the Generall Assembly conveen. 
 
 Aberdene, 12 May 164T, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. William Douglas: Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Robert Douglas : Mr. 
 ^Y r illiam Dalgleish : Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Wil- 
 liam Jaffray : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Alexander Garioch. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes qui in sessione praecedenti cum 
 Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Gilbert Anderson : Laird Fingask : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Colvill of Blair. 
 
 This day the Commission continowes Mr. William Leith and 
 Mr. William Forbes, minister at Morthlik, personallie present, 
 vntill the morne ; as also continues the rest of the ministers 
 contained in the reference from the Province of Aberdene. 
 
 This day James Grahame of Clavpotts being called, and not 
 compeiring, is continued untill the report from Dundie come in. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly being unsatisfied with the 
 proceedings of the Presbyterie of Forfar, Do therfor appoynt 
 the persons mentioned in their letter to be cited to the next 
 meeting at Edinburgh, and others known to have bene in the 
 rebellion ; and that a letter be writtin to this purpose, and to 
 desire that they may send their Moderator and Clerk to give 
 accompt of the Presbyteries proceeding in the said mater. 
 
 This day the diligence of Mr. Robert Watson, minister at 
 Grange in Strath bogie, being considered, he wes approven and 
 commended, and the persones summoned being a number of the 
 ruder sort, caried with the common multitude, except the first 
 foure, Therfor the Commission passes from all except the first 
 foure, ordaining a day of fasting and humiliation to be keeped 
 in that congregation for their generall defection, and the four 
 first named in the summonds, viz., George Adamson of Brako, 
 Mr. William Adamsone of Flure, Walter Innes of Pethnik, 
 and William Innes of Bogye, his brother, being called, and not 
 compeiring, the Commission continues them to the next calling. 
 1 For account of conduct of his parishioners see Scott's Fasti, vi. 202. 
 
13 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 243 
 
 Mr. James Gordon, minister at Kinnor, continued till the 
 morne. 
 
 The next meetting the morne. 
 
 Aberden, 13 Maij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes qui in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Alexander Innes of Coxtoun, the 
 Commission thinks it not necessare he come heir, but referrs 
 him to his Presbyterie, and will take to their consideration 
 what satisfaction to prescribe. 
 
 After hearing Mr. William Forbes at great lenth, the Com- 
 mission continues the mater vntill afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die post meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione antemeridiana 
 
 Concerning the reference of Mr. William Forbes, minister at Deposition, 
 Morthlik, 1 from the Provinciall of Aberden, for his malignant Forb^sfs^i- 
 cariage, the said Mr. William this day appearing personally, tyme m ^.^ ter 
 and being diverse tymes heard in the said mater, The Commis- 
 sion of the Generall Assembly having found by his own con- 
 fession, and the deposition of diverse witnesses, that he resorted 
 to George, somtyme Marques of Huntlie, one of the pryme 
 publik enemies of this Kirk and Kingdome, both excommunicat 
 and forfault ; that he did eat and drink in his house within 
 Loch Kenmore, staying there a whole night ; that he hes con- 
 versed with Lues Gordon, another of the prime bloody enemies 
 of this Kirk and Kingdome ; that he accepted and discharged a 
 commission from the said Lues Gordon to go to his father, the 
 said somtyme Marques of Huntlie, for reconciling the differ- 
 ences betuixt them ; and that he joyned with the said somtyme 
 Marques of Huntlie, an excommunicat person, in ane act of 
 worship, by hearing the grace which wes said at his meat ; and 
 finding also evident testimonies of familiar fellowship betuixt 
 him and the said somtyme Marques and his sone Lues, by their 
 resorting also to his house, by the said Lues his making choise 
 of him to mediat with his father, and by a letter carried by 
 the said Mr. William himself from Lues to Mr. James Gordon, 
 
 1 Mortlach, in the Presbytery of Strathbogie. 
 
244 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 may 
 
 to accompany him in the said commission to his father, which 
 letter beareth that the said Mr, William wes to assure the said 
 somtyme Marques, who wes then and is yet in actuall rebel- 
 lion, of his said sone Lues his service in all that lyes in his 
 power, which can be interpret no otherwise then to give an 
 assurance of his service in that cruell and wicked rebellion : 
 And the Commission having seriously considered the premisses, 
 and finding that these offences and miscariages of themselves 
 do deserve the censur of deprivation; Therfor vnderstanding 
 also that he wes under scandall of disaffection to the publik 
 cause in former tymes, some brethren testifying that to their 
 memories he wes fyned for that cause by Generall Major 
 Monro, and hearing also of his intemperance, they do heirby 
 depose the said Mr. William Forbes from the function of the 
 ministrie and all exercise therof, and declare the kirk of 
 Morthlik to be now vacking, ordaining Mr. Walter Darg, 
 minister at Desfurd, to intimat this sentence betuixt this and 
 the first Sabboth of Junij next, wherin he shall report diligence 
 to this Commission. 
 Deposition, Mr. Concerning the reference of Mr. James Gordon, minister at 
 James Gordon, Kinnor, 1 from the Provinciall of Aberden, for his malignant 
 
 somtyme 7 » 
 
 minister at cariage, the said Mr. James appearing personally, and being 
 diverse tymes heard in the said mater, The Commission of the 
 Generall Assembly having found by his own confession and the 
 deposition of diverse witnesses, that after he wes publikly 
 rebuked for conversing with George, somtyme Marques of 
 Huntlie, an excommunicat and forfault rebell, and one of the 
 prime publik enemies of this Kirk and Kingdome, yet he did 
 resort to the said somtyme Marques with Mr. William Forbes, 
 did eat and drink in his house within Loch Kenmore, staying 
 there a whole night ; that he lies conversed with Lues Gordon, 
 another of the prime bloody enemies of this Kirk and Kingdome; 
 that he accepted and discharged a commission from the said 
 Lues Gordon to go to his father, the said sometyme Marques of 
 Huatlie, for reconciling the differences betuixt them ; and that 
 he joyned with the said somtyme Marques, an excommunicat 
 
 1 United in 1640 to Dumbennan, and now known as Huntly. Gordon's 
 ' mouth was opened ' in 1657. 
 
13 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 245 
 
 person, in acts of worship, not only by saying grace in his 
 house, but by joyning in the publik prayer with him in the 
 kirk; and finding also evident testimonies of familiar fellowship 
 betuixt him and the said somtyme Marques of Huntlie and his 
 sone Lues Gordon, as particulate by a letter from the said Lues 
 unto him, now produced be himself, but especially in respect 
 the said Lues made choyse of him to go alongs with Mr. 
 William Forbes to mediat betuixt him and his father, and 
 perceiving also by the letter produced that they wer to assure 
 the said somtyme Marques of his sones service in all that lyes 
 in his power, which can be interpret no otherwise then to give 
 an assurance of his service in that cruell and bloody rebellion : 
 And the Commission having, after mature deliberation, seriously 
 considered the whole premisses, Do judge the said Mr. James 
 worthie of deprivation, and therfor do heirby depose him from 
 the function of the ministrie and all exercise therof, and declare 
 the kirk of Kinnor to be now vacking : Ordaining Mr. Patrik 
 Glasse, minister to the garrison in Strathbogie, to intimat this 
 sentence upon Sabboth day come eight dayes, quhairin he shall 
 report diligence to this Commission. 
 
 Concerning the summonds against Mr. Johne Cheyn, con- Mr. johne 
 tinues the same untill the morne. Cheyn. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr. James Martine, Mr. William Committee for 
 Falconer, Mr. Johne Row, Mr. Andro Strawchane, Mr. Johne j^SSf. 
 Gellie, Mr. William Robeson, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, to draw 
 vp a roll of the parties cited, with a note of their particular 
 degrees of their offences, and to try what witnesses ar to be 
 examined, or what other maner of probation is to be vsed, and 
 after bussines is so prepared, to report to the Commission, and 
 that all parties interessed attend these brethren for that effect, 
 who shall meet presently in the new kirk, and therafter appoynt 
 their own dyets of meeting. 
 
 Concerning the reference of Mr. Johne Logic, minister at Deposition of 
 Raffo, 1 from the late Provinciall of Aberden, the said Mr. sum/yme Logle ' 
 Johne, personally present, acknowledging that he did frequently ™^-* ter of 
 eat and drink with the somtyme Marques of Huntley, an 
 excommunicat rebell, and with the excommunicat persones in 
 his parish; and that he baptized a chyld to the Laird of Drum, 
 
 1 Query Rafford, in Presbytery of Forres. 
 
246 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 may 
 
 of Coxton. 
 
 younger, another of the excommunicat rebells, receiving the 
 chyld from himself, he not being minister of the parish quhair 
 he did it; and that he also preached at that tyme, many 
 excommunicat persons being present, and therafter went to 
 dinner with them, and dyned at the same table and said grace 
 to them : The Commission of Assembly, after serious consider- 
 ation of this particular, as also of a letter writtin by him to 
 Robert Gordon of Mayn, baillie to the late Marques of 
 Huntley, and one of those that held out the house of Bogie, 
 Find him worthie of deposition, and therfor do heirby depose 
 the said Mr. Johne Logie from the function of the ministrie 
 and all exercise therof, and declare the kirk of Raffb to be now 
 vacking, ordering Mr. Johne Watsone, minister at Ordowhill, 1 
 to intimat this sentence at the said kirk of Raffo upon the first 
 Sabboth after advertisment. 
 Alexander Innes Concerning the petition of Alexander limes of Coxtoun, 2 the 
 Commission thinks it not necessare he come heir, but referres 
 him to his Presbyterie, ordaining him to satisfie in Elgin and 
 in his own parish, and to subscribe his confession. 
 The next meeting tomorrow morning. 
 
 Aberdene, 14 May 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione prcecedenti cum 
 Tutor of Pitsligo and Laird of Dudingstoun. 
 This day Mr. Johne Cheyne personally present being heard, 
 and some witnesses examined in his processe, the matter is 
 continued untill Moonday next. 
 
 The Commissioners of the General Assembly having con- 
 sidered the reference from the Synod of Murray concerning 
 Mr. George Chalmer, hearing his confession that he wrote to 
 Harthill for recovering plundered goods, that he keeped a 
 chalmber in Lesmoire when Lues Gordon wes there, which he 
 had possessed before Lues his coming to that house, and that 
 he said grace to Lues Gordon at his meat and preached in the 
 said house of Lesmoire : Therfor they suspend the said Mr. 
 George from all exercise of his ministrie vntill the 2d 
 Weddensday of July next, and appoynts Mr. Robert Jamieson 
 and Mr. Robert Watson to conferre with him and to labour 
 
 Mr. J. Cheyn. 
 
 Suspension, 
 Mr. George 
 Chalmers, 
 minister at 
 Reyn. 
 
 1 Ordiquhill in Presbytery of Fordyce. 
 
 2 Or, * Cokestoune.' 
 
H MAY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY:, 1647 247 
 
 to make him sensible of his offences, whereof if they find him 
 sensible, then they have heirby power to relax him from 
 suspension after the said day, he alwayes first making publik 
 acknowledgment before the congregation, and one of the said 
 tuo brethren shall after sermon, which he shall have for that 
 purpose upon a Sabboth day, receive his acknowledgment and 
 relaxe him : And if the said brethren shall not find him 
 sensible of his miscariages, then he is not to be relaxed, but 
 they shall make report to the Generall Assembly. 
 
 Concerning the references of the Provinciall of Murray Rebuk, Mr. 
 touching Mr. Ritchard Maitland, minister at Marnoch kirk, lane and Mr. 
 Mr. Alexander Fraser at Bortruphine, 1 and Mr. George Mel- p^s^lmd 
 drum, minister at Glasse, the said Mr. Ritchard Maitland admonition to 
 personally present wes rebuked for his miscariage, and Meid?um. ge 
 appoynted to give some publik testimony in preaching of his 
 mislike of his bygone cariage upon the first occasion. The 
 said Mr. Alexander Fraser personally present wes also rebuked 
 and appoynted to acknowledge his miscariages in lyke maner in 
 1 lis first sermon in his own congregation : and the said Mr. 
 George Meldrum in respect of the disaffection of his paroshiners 
 wes admonished to be faithfull and warrie and circumspect in 
 I lis cariage amongst them ; and the rest in the reference con- 
 tinued vntill the next calling. 
 
 The Commission of the General Assembly do seriously Recomendation 
 recomend to the consideration of the honourable Committee of Redfoold 00 
 Estates the great sufferings and losses of their brother, Mr. 
 Johne Reidfoord, minister at the kirk of Kinlbethok, which he 
 sustained with the hazard also of his life by the publik enemies 
 of the kingdome ; humblie desyring their Lordships to take 
 some speedy and effectuall course for reparation therof for 
 the mantainance of his numberous family and his own present 
 subsistance. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione prcecedenti. 
 The Commission of Assembly, in respect of the multitude of 
 the complyers with the rebells now cited and attending to 
 offer satisfaction, think it convenient that there be a generall 
 forme of a confession drawn up, quhairin their guiltynes should 
 
 1 Botriphnie, in Presbytery of Strathbogie. 
 
248 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 may 
 
 be acknowledged and a promise made for better behaviour, that 
 all may put their hands to it who doe ingenuously confesse their 
 miscariages, to remain vpon record as a testimony for the tyme 
 to come. The tenor of which confession followeth : — 
 The Confession ' Wee undersubscribers, considering our engagement in and 
 ?edgment OW " accession to the late horrid rebellion by which we have been 
 subscribed by enemies to the Covenants and cause of God, and drawn upon 
 
 these thcit wtM" 
 
 accessorie to the ourselves the guilt of the blood of the Lords people that have 
 rebellion. been slaine in the land, do professe our vnfained sorrow and 
 deep humiliation for these our haynous offences, begging of the 
 Lord mercie and forgivenesse for the same, and promising in 
 the strenth and power of his grace to loath and abhorre our- 
 selves as long as we live because therof, and not only to shun 
 and avoid such wicked courses and all the authors and favourers 
 therof for the tyme to come, but also to adhere to the Nationall 
 Covenant and to the Solemne League and Covenant, and to be 
 steadfast and zealous in promoving all the ends therof against 
 all enemies and adversaries whatsoever to the vtmost of our 
 power. And this we do in the sinceritie of our hearts as in the 
 sight of God."' 
 
 Compiyers in Concerning the diligence from the Presbyterie of Fordyce, 
 of Fordyce. ter e the persones cited being called, and Alexander Gordon of 
 Oxhill, George Gordon of Lechistoun, Robert Stuart in 
 Fornauchtie, Andro Stuart of Tannachie, James Gordon in 
 Corforach, Johne Harper there, Walter Stuart, sone to Thomas 
 Stuart of Ryland, Walter Ogilvy of Carstoun, appearing per- 
 sonally and acknowledging humbly their offences, and promis- 
 ing better behaviour in tymcoming, and in testimony thereof 
 subscribing the paper drawne to that purpose, the Commission 
 remitts them to the Presbyterie of Fordyce to satisfie in their 
 congregations respectivly according to the degree of their 
 offences and the Act of Assembly. And Thomas Stuart of 
 Ryland, William Gordon, sone to Carnfeild, and Alexander 
 Gordon of Mimark, appearing also personally and acknowledg- 
 ing their offences, and all the rest present, remitted also to the 
 Presbyterie to be tryed and censured according to the Ordinance 
 of the Assembly, wherin the Presbyterie is to give accompt to 
 this Commission in the next Generall Assembly ; and the 
 persones absent continued untill the next calling. 
 
15 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 249 
 
 Concerning Johne Gordon in Bamff in the reference from Jhon Gordon 
 the Presbyterie of Fordyce, the Commission, finding nothing m Bamfe * 
 against him, and hearing some give testimony of his cariage, 
 do therfor dimitt him, absolving him from the summonds and 
 declaring him free of compliance with the rebells for anything 
 they can find. 
 
 Concerning the diligence from the Presbyterie of Strathbogie, Jhon Gordon of 
 Johne Gordon of Avachie, and Johne Gordon of Doach, Gordon ot h ° n 
 personallie present and acknowledging their miscariage, the George Gordon 
 Commission of Assemblie remitts them to their Presbyterie to of Killythie. 
 satisfie according to their offences ; and George Gordon of 
 Killythie, personally present acknowledging his offences and 
 subscribing the same, also remitted to the Presbyterie to 
 satisfie according to the Act of Assemblie and the degree of 
 his fault ; and continue the rest vntill the next calling. 
 
 Aberden 15 May 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 This day Alexander Gordon in Welheads, George Anderson Alexander 
 in Miltonn, William Murray in Auchniall, and Mr. Alexander welheads and 
 Reid in Gatly, 1 all personally present, humbly acknowledging p}^ 00 ™" 
 their compliance and subscribing the same, wer remitted to 
 their Presbyteries to satisfy according to the Ordinance of 
 Assembly and degrees of their delinquencie. 
 
 The said day Alexander Duff, Alexander Gordon, in respect Alexander Duff 
 of his age and his petition and testificat, and Patrik Gordon, and others< 
 remitted to the Presbyterie of Strathbogie, to satisfie accord- 
 ing to the degree of their fault and the Act of Assembly. 
 
 The said day Patrik Grant of Tolochgoram, Swyne Grant of Patrik Grant 
 Gortinbeg, in the Presbyterie of Aberlour, remitted to their g 0 mm°and 
 Presbyterie to satisfie according to the qualitie of their offence others - 
 and the Ordinance of Assembly, and they to report accompt of 
 their diligence heirin to the Assembly. 
 
 This day compeired Mr. George Forbes in the Presbyterie of Mr. George 
 Fordyce, and Johne Innes there, humblie acknowledging their johne innes. 
 accession to the rebellion on their knees, and subscribing their 
 confession, wer ordained to go to their Presbyterie to satisfie 
 there and in the congregation, according to the Act of 
 
 1 Probably for Gartly. Reid was in trouble again in 1648, and demitted in 
 1649. 
 
250 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [15 may 
 
 Assembly, and that the said Mr. George satisfie also in 
 Awford, and that the Presbyterie of Fordyce send him thither 
 for that effect. 
 
 Recomenclation The Commission of Assembly recomends to Presbyteries to 
 to Presbyteries. cause a n sucn as nave been in the guiltines of compliance, and 
 never received the League and Covenant, to subscribe the 
 League and Covenant after their satisfaction. 
 George innes of This day George Innes of Coalcoates, personallie present, 
 humblie acknowledged his joyning in actuall rebellion, upon his 
 knees, subscribed his confession, and wes remitted for publik 
 satisfaction, according to the Act of Assembly, to the Pres- 
 byterie. 
 
 Alexander This day the Commission of Assembly remitts Alexander 
 
 Stevin, merchant in Elgin, to satisfie according to the Act of 
 Assembly. 
 
 James Gordon, James Gordon, called Treeleg, personally present, acknow- 
 caiied Treeleg. j ec |g m g upon his knees his actuall rebellion, and subscribing, 
 wes remitted to the Presbyterie of Elgin to satisfie according to 
 the Act of Assemblie and the degree of his great delinquencie. 
 Robert Gordon Robert Gordon, baillie of Enyie, remitted to the Presbyterie, 
 fhe^Parocifo? ano - the res ^ °^ the P ar i sn OI * Bellie present, humblie acknow- 
 Beiiie. ledging their accession to the rebellion upon their knees, wer 
 
 referred to their Presbyterie to satisfie according to their faults 
 and the Act of Assembly. 
 Mr. William Concerning the matter touching Mr. William Hay, some wit- 
 nesses wer examined, the said Mr. William, being personallie 
 present, objecting nothing against them. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 Mr. William Concerning the particulars in the summonds against Mr. 
 
 William Hay relating to the Presbyterie book, the Commission 
 desires Mr. James Martine to peruse the registers of the Pres- 
 byterie of Deir, and to report what he finds in the mater, and 
 appoynts the whole brethren of that Presbyterie to be warned 
 to be present. 
 
 The next meeting Moonday at 8 hours. 
 
17 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 251 
 
 Aberden, 17 Maij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione prcccedenti, 
 Only Mr. Walter Greg being absent. 
 
 This day the persones within the Presbyterie of Alford cited Compiyers in 
 for compliance with the rebells being called and, so many as of Awfurd? 
 wer this day present, humblie upon their knees acknowledging 
 their offences and subscribing the same, wer remitted to the 
 Presbyterie to satisfie according to the degree of their offence 
 and the Ordinance of Assemblie. 
 
 Johne Gordon in Litlmilne compeiring this day and confess- Johne Gordon 
 ing his actuall rebellion, and that he lies been in perpetuall 
 service with the rebells since Innerlochie, and at Kilsyth, 
 Aberden, and Alford, first a captane, then a major, and last a 
 lievtennent collonell, the Commission continues him till the 
 morne at afternoon. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblie considering that Act for censur- 
 many of those, who have made publik profession of their sorrow repentance. 5 ° 
 and repentance for their compliance with the enemy and 
 engagement in the rebellion, do notwithstanding of that their 
 profession continue to glorie in their iniquitie, and to boast in 
 their wickednesse, wherby they declare themselves to have 
 mocked God, and to retaine their former spirit of malignancie 
 and cruelty, Therfor they do appoynt and ordaine that the 
 cariage of all these, who have had any accession unto the 
 rebellion and have made profession of their repentance for 
 the same, shall be diligently lookt unto by the ministers 
 and Presbyteries of their respective bounds, and if any of them 
 shall be found to speak of these their cruell and treacherous 
 courses otherwise then with detestation and sorrow, or to mock 
 the censures of the Kirk theranent, that they shall be proceeded 
 against with the hiest censurs of the Kirk, not only as guilty 
 of the rebellion, but as mockers of God and his ordinances. 
 
 The Commission recomends to the Kings Advocat to take Recomendation 
 
 information concerning William M'Kintosh, brother to the Advocat con- 
 
 goodman of Borland, for taking Mr. William Watson, minister, ™ jj 1 * 8 " 1 
 
 keeping him prisoner tuentie dayes, 1 and forcing him to marie 
 
 him upon the lady. 
 
 1 He was imprisoned in a vault at Rothiemurcus, but incurred the censure of 
 the Synod for performing the marriage. 
 
252 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 may 
 
 Particulars This day the particulars from the brethren of the Presbyterie 
 
 from the Pro- o -%r 1 • • i 1 
 
 vince of Murray 01 Murray being considered, viz., — 
 
 recommended Commissioners out of the severall Presbyteries of the 
 
 to the Assem- > m . . 
 
 biy. Province of Murray did humblie represent the desolat condition 
 
 of Badyenoch, be reason of the vaccancie of all the kirks, which 
 cannot be supplied but be ministers who have the Irish toung, 
 and therfor besought the Commission to take their case to their 
 consideration, and further them as occasion shall offer, with 
 honest able men having the Irish toung. 
 
 As likewise did humblie represent the fearfull estate of 
 Lochaber, which borders upon the Hyland parts of the Pro- 
 vince of Murray, in the tyme of Poprie had thrie parish 
 churches well provyded, and now since the Reformation never 
 hath there been any care had to fill these churches with any 
 minister at all, the bounds being in lenth 60 myles and in 
 breadth 30 myles, and so the people to this houre wer never 
 taught if Christ come in the world, or that there is a Sab- 
 both, or a life to come, which cannot be but a nationall sin. 
 
 Wherfor did humble and earnestlie intreat the Moderator 
 and whole Commission to represent the case to the next 
 Generall Assembly that such a fearfull scandall upon the 
 Gospell may be removed, and so many thousand soules may be 
 cared for, and so much the rather because the Marques of 
 Argyle, in the Generall Assembly holden at Edinburgh anno 
 1642, did promise in face of the Assembly to provyde the 
 bounds of Lochaber with thrie ministers, the least to have 
 for their provision fyve hundreth merks. 
 
 The Commission referrs these particulars to the consideration 
 of the next Generall Assembly. 
 Act for relaxing Touching the reference concerning Mr. William Watson at 
 Wats^nat 111 Duchell, 1 suspended by the Provinciall of Murray, the Commis- 
 Ducheii. s j on 0 f Assemblie remitts him to the Presbyterie of Aberlour 
 to satisfie publikly in his congregation, and to subscribe his 
 confession, and that they therafter relax him, and the said Mr. 
 William, personallie present, humblie confessed his guiltinesse 
 before the Commission, and promised to satisfie in maner afore- 
 said. 
 
 1 Probably Duthill, in the Presbytery of Abernethy. 
 
17 may] OF GENEKAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 253 
 
 Touching the reference of the Provinciall of Murray concern- Deposition of 
 ing Mr. Alexander Clerk, minister at Skiralvie, 1 the said Mr. cleric, somtym 
 Alexander, being personally present and confessing that he j^Sraive at 
 
 preached before George, somtyme Marques of Huntly, an ex- 
 communicat person, in the kirk of Kingussie, where he also 
 prayed and had all the exercise of publik worship before the 
 said excommunicat person and his associats and followers in 
 the rebellion, and that he did also the same in his own kirk of 
 Skiralvie, the said somtyme Marques having come in after he 
 began sermon ; acknowledging also that he never intimat the 
 excommunication of the said somtyme Marques, notwithstand- 
 ing directions given to him for that purpose : The Commission, 
 having seriouslie considered the said mater, find him worthie of 
 deprivation, and therfor do depose him from the function of 
 the ministrie and all exercise therof, and declare the kirk 
 of Skiralvie to be now vacking, appoynting the Presbyterie 
 of to send one of their number with diligence 
 
 to intimat this sentence in the said kirk of Skiralvie upon a 
 Sabboth day, according to the accustomed order. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt vt hi sessione antemeridiana et Mr. Walter Greg. 
 
 Concerning the reference from the Provinciall of Murray Deposition of 
 touching Mr. George Han nay, the said Mr. George being per- Hanna^fum- 
 sonally present and at lenth heard in the mater; and the parti- ™<is ister 
 culars in the said reference, wherupon the said Mr. George wes 
 suspended, being seriouslie considered, The Commission of 
 Assembly, finding the said Mr. George by his own confession 
 guiltie of subscribing that perfidious and wicked Band by the 
 Marques of Huntlie, ane excommunicat wicked rebell, and that 
 somtyme he drank the said somtyme Marques of Huntlies health, 
 and of other particular miscariages contained in the reference of 
 the said Provinciall, do judge him worthie of deprivation ; And 
 therfor do depose him from the function of the ministrie and 
 all exercise therof : Declaring the kirk of Alves to be now 
 vacking, and appoynts Mr. Alexander Symmer, minister at 
 Duftus, to intimat this sentence upon Sabboth come fyfteen 
 dayes, according to the accustomed order. 
 
 1 Probably Alvie, in the Presbytery of Abernethy. 
 
254 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 may 
 
 Recomendation The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, commiserating 
 Mr fa Geor?e the hard condition of the wife and children of Mr. George 
 Hannas wyfe Hannay, now deposed from his ministrie, do therfor recommend 
 to the Presbyterie and patron, and all others interessed, that 
 for their mantainance and entertainment, the stipend of the 
 kirk of Alves, so long as the same shall vacke, be given to them. 
 Recomendation The Commission of Assembly recomends to the Presbyterie 
 MnC^eorge °$ Elgin to see Mr. George Hannay compleitly satisfied of 
 Hannay. ^] ie charges he hes bestowed upon reparation of the manse in 
 
 respect of his necessitous condition. 
 Compiyers in This day the persones present in the Presbyterie of TurrefF 
 T^ref , tme ° f acknowledged their accession to the rebellion humbly upon 
 their knees,and wer remitted to the Presbyterie to satisfy accord- 
 ing to the quality of their offences and the Act of Assembly. 
 Act for ail The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, considering 
 
 scrTwrfg^heir 3 now necessar it is that the haynous offences of the pryme 
 confessions, and actors guilty of the blood of Gods people be acknowledged in 
 
 fortheprym i_i.i jj.j-. jf jj. j. 
 
 actors satisfying a publik and extraordmane way, for removing that great 
 in saccioth. scandall and their greater humiliation, therfor they do ordaine 
 that evrie one guilty of any degree of complyance who can 
 wryt, not only acknowledge their offences before the congrega- 
 tion and Presbyterie, as is enjoyned by the Act of Assembly, 
 but that they put their confession in writt vnder their hands 
 to be recorded in the books of the Presbyterie : As also they 
 ordaine that evrie pryme actor in that wicked rebellion who 
 hath been at bloody battells satisfie in saccloath. 
 Patrik Gordon This day Patrik Gordon of Glenbuket and David Tyrie in 
 Da^d^yri?' P resD yterie of Alfoord, personallie present, and acknow- 
 
 AiexanderSour. ledging their accession to the rebellion humbly upon their 
 knees, and subscribing the same, wer remitted to the Presby- 
 terie to satisfie according to the degree of their offence and the 
 Act of Assembly : And Alexander Soure, also present, confess- 
 ing his compliance in some degree, wes also remitted to the 
 Presbyterie to satisfie. 
 Lady Fren- The Commission of Assembly think fitt that the Lady 
 draught. Frendraught keep the kirk of Forge 1 and give obedience there, 
 otherwise that she be processed. 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Now Forgue, in the Presbytery of Turriff. 
 
18 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 255 
 
 Abei-dene, 18 Maij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Blair, Moderator. Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. William Douglas: Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Smith : Mr. 
 David Lyndsay : Mr. Robert Dowglas : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. 
 Walter Greg: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. William Jaffray : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Alexander Garioch : Mr. Gilbert Anderson : Mr. Andro 
 Eliot. Elders. — Laird of Fingask : Tutor of Pitsligo : Mr. Alexander 
 Colvill : Laird of Dudingstoun. 
 
 This day Alexander Dumbar excused and remitted to his Alexander 
 Presbyterie for try ell and censure. Dumbar. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly having this day Deposition of 
 heard Mr. John Cheyne, minister at Kintore, and having also che/n^m- 
 considered the deposition of diverse witnesses, find, by his own tyme minister 
 confession and the testimony of witnesses, that the said Mr. 
 Johne did entertain diverse tymes James Grahame, 1 and 
 George Gordon, somtyme Marques of Huntlie, these excom- 
 municat rebells, that he said grace to their meatt, and so 
 joyned in acts of worship with them, that he never left his 
 house when the rebells wer in these parts, which bewrayes his 
 correspondence with them : Wnderstanding also of his intem- 
 perancie, do therfor judge that he deserves the censure of 
 deposition ; And therfor did depose the said Mr. Johne Cheyne 
 from the function of the ministrie and all exercise therof, 
 declares the kirk of Kintore to be now vaiking, and appoints 
 Mr. William Douglas, Professor of Divinitie in Aberden, to 
 intimat this sentence upon Sabboth come fyfteen dayes in the 
 kirk of Kintore according to the accustomed order. 
 
 Eodem die post meridiem,. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 This day James Troup, personally present, examined, con- James Troup, 
 fessed he wes at rendevouzes with the rebells, but never in any 
 feild with them. Therfor the Commission remitts him to the 
 Presbyterie to be further tryed and to satisfy accordingly. 
 
 This day Mr. James Leith, examined ; the Com- Mr. James 
 
 mission absolves him from the charge of compliance, nothing Leith " 
 being found therin against him. 
 
 1 That is, the then forfeited Marquis of Montrose. 
 
256 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 may 
 
 Absolvitor, Mr. 
 James Gordon 
 of Rothemav. 
 
 Alexander 
 Mackenzie and 
 William Innes. 
 
 Renunciation o 
 Seaforts Remon 
 st ranee sub- 
 scrived by 
 gentlemen. 
 
 R. Inres of 
 Rosken. 
 
 Aberden, 19 May 1647. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione prcecedenti, cum Mr. Patrik Fleming, 
 Earle Marshell. 
 This day Mr. James Gordon, minister at Rothemay, being ex- 
 amined upon some particulars of his cariage toward the rebells, 
 the Commission absolves him from the charge of compliance, 
 declaring that they have found nothing therin against him. 
 
 This day Alexander M'Kenyie of Suddie, 1 and William Innes of 
 Rosken, 2 were remitted to theirPresbyterie for tryell and censure. 
 
 This day Alexander M'Kenyie of Kilcowy, Simeon M'Kenyie, 
 brother to the Earle of Seafort, Thomas Rosse of Preisthill, 
 Duncan Bayn, appeirand of Tulloch, and Rorie Mackenzie, 
 appeirand of Fairburne, personallie present, acknowledging 
 humblie upon their knees their offences in subscribing Seaforts 
 Remonstrance, and subscribing a renunciation therof, the Com- 
 mission remitts them to their Presbyteries to make publik 
 satisfaction. Tenor of the said renunciation followes : — 
 f * Wee undersubscribers do heirby acknowledge our frailty in 
 " putting to our hands to a divisive Band emitted to the Earle 
 of Seafort under fair pretences ; and being brought to a full 
 sight and sense of the deceipt and evill of that Band, do 
 renunce and abjure the said Remonstrance and all adhering to 
 it, and does adhere to the Declaration of the Commission of 
 the Generall Assembly emitted against that Band, 3 promising 
 never to doe anything that may countenance or advance that 
 Remonstrance, but, on the contrare, to promott according to 
 our power and place, the Declaration of the Commission of the 
 Generall Assembly emitted against it, and all other Acts and 
 Ordinances of the Church, promising with Gods grace to adhere 
 to, and to obey the voice and ordinance of the Church. And 
 this we do testify to be our full resolution by thir our sub- 
 scriptiones.'* 
 
 Robert Innes of Rosken, absent, wes excused in respect of 
 
 1 In Presbytery of Chanonry, now united to Kilmuir Easter. 
 
 2 That is, Rosskeen, in Presbytery of Tain. 
 
 3 ' A declaration against a late dangerous and seditious Band, under the name 
 of An Humble Remonstrance \ etc., wherein the plots and projects of the con- 
 trivers . . . are discovered by the Commission of the Generall Assembly,' 4to, 
 pp. 19. Edinburgh : printed by Evan Tyler. 1646. 
 
Commissioners 
 on. 
 
 19 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 257 
 
 the testimony given him by the Generall Major, and remitted 
 to the Presbyterie of Chanrie. 
 
 A letter this day produced from the Commissioners at 
 London of the 4th of May ; tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee received tuo Letter from the 
 letters from yow by the Earle of Lawderdaill, together with at°Lond 
 another paper containing some particulars which yow thought 
 good to recomend to his Lordships care and ours, quhairin wee 
 shall take the first opportunity to do as yow desire. Wee 
 received also another letter from yow concerning the Laird of 
 Libbertoun, whom we have advised to stay with us for a short 
 tyme, and by whom yow shall have, God willing, ere long a 
 more full account of the condition of Church bussines here. 
 In the meanwhile we send yow heirwith some late votes of the 
 House of Commons, wherin they have thought good to order 
 some particulars otherwise then we wished and desired. But 
 we thank God for so much as is ordered aright, and wait upon 
 his good providence for helping what is amisse afterwards. 
 The Provinciall Synod of London did meet yesterday, who, 
 having chosen Doctor Gouge their Prolocutor, have adjourned 
 themselves for a fourth night, during which tyme there is a 
 committee preparing some work for them. The Assembly hath 
 made some good progresse in the Larger Catechisme. The 
 House of Commons hath ordered to go upon the Confession of 
 Faith, and for that end hath ordered that so many copies of it 
 be foorthwith printed with the Scripturall proofs in the margin, 
 as may serve all the members of Parliament. We shall, God 
 willing, send yow a copie of it with these proofs by the next 
 occasion. And so, commending yow to the good hand of God 
 to be vpon yow in all your meetings, wee rest, 
 
 Subscribitur, Your loving brethren, 
 Worcester House, Geo. Wyxrame, Samuel Rutherfoord, 
 the 4th of May 1647. Geo. Gillespie. 
 
 Postscript. — The Earle of Lawderdaill is not heir to 
 subscribe." 
 
 Direct : For the light reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 R 
 
258 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 may 
 
 Deposition of 
 Mr. Richard 
 Matlane, som- 
 tyme minister 
 at Marnoch. 
 
 Laird Grant. 
 
 Johne Grant of 
 Caron. 
 
 Suspension of 
 Mr. Jhon 
 Rosse, minister 
 at Lumfanan. 
 
 Eodem die post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt vt in sessione antemeridiana. 
 
 This day the Moderator having received tuo letters, sent by 
 Mr. Ritchard Maitland, minister at Marnoch, to the somtyme 
 Marques of Huntlie, with papers of intelligence of all maters 
 of the Kirk, State, and the Army, inclosed therin, the said Mr. 
 Ritchard personallie present acknowledging the letters and 
 papers to be all his own handwryting : The Commission, find- 
 ing not only that Mr. Richard lies, by these letters and papers, 
 given intelligence to the said excommunicat rebell, but hes 
 keept a constant course of correspondence with him by letters 
 and intelligence, and finding also diverse expressiones in the 
 letters against the cause and servants of God, and other par- 
 ticulars verie censurable, therfor do judge for such dissimulat, 
 wicked, and malignant cariage, that he deserves the sentence 
 of deposition, And therfor do depose him from the function of 
 the ministrie and all exercise therof, declaring the kirk of 
 Marnoch to be now vaiking, and appoynts Mr. Robert Irvin, 
 minister at Innerkethine, 1 to intimat this sentence the first 
 Sabboth after advertisment. 
 
 This day the Laird of Grant, appearing personally, wes 
 remitted to the Presbyterie of Aberlour for tryell and censure, 
 and they desired to deale with him therin with all possible 
 lenitie and meeknes. 
 
 Johne Grant of Carron, personally present, also remitted to 
 the Presbyterie for tryell and censur, and Mr. Johne Chalmers 
 in the meantyme appoynted to conferre with him and inform 
 him concerning the Covenant. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly having con- 
 sidered the particular articles informed against Mr. Johne Rosse, 
 minister at Lunphannan, and finding him guilty of going to 
 the rebells for recovering a horse, do therfor suspend him from 
 all exercise of his ministrie untill the remanent particulars be 
 further tryed : And to this effect appoynts Messrs. David 
 Lindsay, Johne Row, Andro Abercrombie, Andro Strawchan, 
 William Davidson, Johne Reidfurd, ministers, the lairds of 
 Gight, Leslie, younger, and Ballengask, elders, to try further 
 
 1 Now Inverkeithny, in the Presbytery of Turriff. 
 
19 MAY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 259 
 
 the said Mr. Johne his compliance with' the rebells, and his 
 other malignant cariage, and that their meeting be at Ban- 
 chrie upon the 2d day of Junij next, and upon any other day 
 therafter they shall find convenient : Giving unto them full 
 power to cite and examine witnesses, and do all other things 
 necessary for his tryell, and that they report their diligence 
 heirin to the next meeting of this Commission at Edinburgh 
 upon the first Weddensday of July next. And the said Mr. 
 Johne Rosse, personally present, is warned heirof apud acta. 
 And ordaines Mr. George Burnet, minister at Strauchan, to 
 intimat his suspension upon the next Sabboth. 
 
 The Commission desires Messrs. William Falconer and Murdo Act for aboiish- 
 M'Kenyie to assist Major Tours by their advise and counten- monuments hi 
 ance in demolishing the idolatrous monuments in the house of Bog6, 
 Boge, 1 and to delyver unto him this letter to that purpose : — 
 
 ' Worthie and honoured Sir, — Wnderstanding that there Letter to Major 
 ar some idolatrous monuments in the house of the Boig, which anetlt . er 
 ar appoynted by Acts of the Generall Assemblie to be 
 demolished, therfor we do earnestly desire that yow will be 
 pleased to take some course for demolishing them ; and to 
 this purpose, for your better information heirin, we have 
 desired our brethren, the bearers heirof, to be witnesses to it. 
 Your diligence against a number of complyers, for this citation 
 before us, wes much commended and thankfully accepted. 
 This is all we have to say, but that we expect your diligence 
 in the particular before mentioned. We remaine, 
 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Aberden, The. Commissioners 
 
 19 May 1647. of the Generall Assemblie. 1 
 
 Direct : To their worthie and honoured freend Major Johne 
 Toius, Governor of the Boge. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly, having this day heard the Laird Diuni, 
 Laird of Drum, elder, personally present, and finding him not elder ' 
 sensible of his accession to the rebellion, do therfor referre him 
 to the Presbyterie of Aberden, appoynting them to take some 
 
 1 Bog of Gicht, now Gordon Castle. These monuments were duly brought to 
 Edinburgh, and, after examination by a Committee, were referred by the Assembly 
 of 1647 to the ministers of Edinburgh to take course with them. See Titles of 
 the unprinted Acts of that Assembly, Nos. 109 and 133. 
 
260 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 may 
 
 Mr. Murdo 
 Mackenzie, 
 a deposed 
 minister. 
 
 lnnercale. 
 
 Deposition of 
 Mr. William 
 Douglas, som- 
 tym minister at 
 Abovn. 
 
 Mortlich. 
 Mr. Robert 
 and William 
 Gordons. 
 
 paines to bring him to some sense of his guiltynes, and accord- 
 ingly therfor to prescribe and receive his satisfaction, and if 
 he be not brought under any sense of his fault, that they 
 send him to the next meeting of this Commission at Edinburgh. 
 The next meeting the morne in the morning. 
 
 Aberden, 20 Maij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt omnes vt in sessione prcecedenti 
 except Mr. Patrik Flemyng. 
 This day Mr. Murdo M'Kenyie in Kildun, 1 somtime minister 
 at Dingwall, being called and not compeiring, the Commission 
 ordaines him to be cited to the next meeting of the Com- 
 mission at Edinburgh, with certefication his absence shall be 
 holden for confession of his guiltynes and contempt of the 
 judicatory. 
 
 This day Innercal being called and some witnesses sworne, 
 the Commission appoynts Mr. James Guthrie, Mr. Johne 
 Row, Mr. James Simson, and Mr. Alexander Colvill, and 
 Dudingstoun, to examine the witnesses and report. 
 
 Concerning the reference from the Presbyterie of Kincarden 2 
 touching Mr. William Douglas, minister at Aboyne, the said 
 Mr. William, personallie present, acknowledging that he 
 preached and prayed and had the other publik exercises of 
 worship both before the somtyme Marques of Huntlie and the 
 somtyme Lord of Aboyn, his sone, both excommunicat, that 
 he drank with them deuch in dorish, 3 using that same designa- 
 tion when he drank : The Commission of Assemblie, having 
 seriously considered the premisses, judge him worthy of de- 
 position, and therfor do depose him from the function of the 
 ministry and all exercise therof, declaring the kirk of Aboyn 
 to be now vaiking, and appoynts Mr. Alexander Gordon to 
 intimat this sentence upon Sabboth come eight dayes in the 
 said kirk of Aboyn. 
 
 Eodem die post meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut ante meridiem. 
 
 This day Johne Gordon of Mortlich, Mr. Robert Gordon, 
 and William Gordon in Drumquhat, absolved, because nothing 
 found against them concerning compliance with the rebells. 
 
 1 Probably Kildonan. 2 i.e. Kincardine O'Neil. 
 
 3 ' Deoch an doruis,' Gaelic for 1 the parting cup, or drink.' 
 
20 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 261 
 
 This day Johne Gordon of Litlmilne, Thomas Gordon in John Gordon of 
 Brakelesse, Johne Gordon in Overhall, Adame Duff, James oth^Tin 1 Itraf- 
 Duff, Jerome Spence, in the Presbyterie of Strathbogie, ac- £°fgr ie Pres ' 
 knowledging upon their knees their compliance, and subscrib- 
 ing, ar remitted to the Presbyterie. And the Commission 
 appoynts the said Johne Gordon of Litlmilne to satisfie, both 
 in his own parish and in Aberden kirk, according to the 
 Ordinance of Assembly and the Act of this Commission. 
 
 Johne Gordon of Ardlogie and Robert Keith, in the Pres- John Gordon of 
 byterie of Turreff, acknowledging their compliance upon their RotJmKekh. 
 knees, and subscrybing, remitted to their Presbyterie, to satisfie 
 according to the Act of Assembly. 
 
 This day the persones cited in the Presbyteries of Alfurd, Presenting in 
 Garioch, and Kincardin, who wer present, acknowledging and Ur K^ncardln h, 
 humbly their compliance upon their knees, and subscribing, 
 remitted to their respective Presbyteries to satisfie according 
 to the degrees of their delinquencie and the prescribed order. 
 But Mr. Thomas Gordon of Pettindreich and Robert Ferquhar- Pittindreich 
 
 i • j j.1 • i • i» j • i and Robert 
 
 son assolyied, nothing being round concerning complyance Ferquharson. 
 againes them. And the Commission ordaines Leggetsden and Leggetsden and 
 Scalletor, now also present, and acknowledging and subscribing Skellator - 
 their guiltynes, to satisfie according to the Ordinance of the 
 Assembly, the degree of their delinquencie, and the late Act 
 of this Commission prescribing the maner of satisfaction. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly do seriously Recomenda- 
 recomend to the consideration of the honourable Committee of Jameson a° bert 
 Estates the great sufferings and losses of their brother, Mr. Botarie. 
 Robert Jamesone, minister at the kirk of Botarie, 1 which he 
 sustained with the hazard also of his life by the publik enemies 
 of this kingdome, humblie desyring their Lordships to take 
 some speedie and effectuall course for reparation therof for 
 the mantenance of his numerous family and his own present 
 subsistance. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly do seriously Recomenda- 
 recomend to the consideration of the honourable Committee of \vniiamScot 
 Estates the great suffering and losses of their brother, Mr. 
 William Scott, minister at the kirk of Strauchen, which he 
 sustained with the hazard also of his life by the publik 
 enemies of this kingdome, humbly desyring their Lordships to 
 
 1 Or Pettarie, now Cairnie, in Presbytery of Strathbogie. 
 
262 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 may 
 
 Recomenda- 
 tion, Issobell 
 and Agnes 
 Forbesses. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Watson reco- 
 mended. 
 
 take some speedy and effectuall course for reparation therof, 
 for the maintenance of his numerous family and his own 
 present subsistance. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly do seriously 
 recomend to the honourable Committee of Estates the pityfull 
 condition of Issobell and Agnes Forbesses, who, beside the 
 spoile of all their goods, had their husbands killed by the 
 bloody rebells ; and of Elspeth Forbes, a poor aged gentl- 
 woman, who wes harried and spoiled of her whole lyvliehood 
 by these rebells ; humblie desyring their Lordships to cause 
 pay the charitable supply which wes appoynted to them by 
 the Committee at Aberden, that they may have wherupon to 
 subsist and live. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assemblv do seriously 
 recomend to the consideration of the honourable Committee of 
 Estates the great sufferings and losses of their brother, Mr. 
 William Watson, minister at the kirk of Grange, which he 
 sustained with the hazard also of his life by the publik enemies 
 of this kingdome, humbly desiring their Lordships to take 
 some speedy and effectual course for reparation therof, for 
 mantenance of his numerous family and his own present 
 subsistance. 
 
 The next meeting the morne in the morning. 
 
 Mr. Robert 
 
 Douglas, 
 
 Moderator. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Hay. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Cuper, school- 
 master, and 
 Mr. Johne 
 Duncan, attend- 
 ing Seafort. 
 
 Aberden, 21 May 1647. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione proecedenti except Mr. Robert Blair. 
 
 Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Andro Cant, Mr. Johne Mon- 
 creiff, Air. David Lyndsay, listed in respect of the absence of 
 Mr. Robert Blair : Air. Robert Douglas wes chosen Moderator. 
 
 This day the mater concerning Air. William Hay called. 
 Mr. James Guthrie, Mr. James Simson, Air. Johne Row, 
 appoynted to examine witnesses and report. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly do referre and 
 recomend the tryell and censure of Mr. William Cowper, 
 schoolmaster of Chanrie, and Mr. Johne Duncan, attender 
 upon the Earle of Seafort, to the Presbyterie of Chanrie, 
 quhairin they recomend unto them to tak the assistance of 
 Mr. Johne Annand and Air. William Falkoner. 
 
2i may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 263 
 
 The Commission having heard Mr. Robert Farquharson of I nnercall. 
 Innercall, and considered the depositiones of diverse witnesses, 
 found so much in the bussines as deserves an admonition to be 
 given to him, to take heed to his cariage and to walk circum- 
 spectly in tyme coming, which accordingly wes done by the 
 Moderator. 
 
 This day Mr. Alexander Rosse, minister at Kinarne, 1 in the Mr. Alexander 
 Presbyterie of Kincardin, being heard upon the particulars n^r n e e at Km 
 quhairwith he is charged, the Commission, finding nothing 
 against him, admonishes him to take heed to his cariage, and 
 to keep a brotherly correspondence with his brethren of the 
 Presbyterie, and recomends to the Presbyterie to take further 
 tryell of his cariage. 
 
 Concerning Mr. David Leith, minister at Ellon, the Com- Suspension, 
 mission, having considered the particulars of the compliance Leith^ % d 
 with the rebells quhairwith he is charged, together with his 
 ansuers therunto, Finds that he deserves to be suspended ; 
 and therfor do suspend him from the exercise of his ministrie 
 vntill the next Generall Assembly, referring to the Assembly 
 to consider if he deserveth any further censure ; Mr. David, 
 personally present, being warned apud acta ; and appoynts 
 Mr. Johne Paterson to intimat his suspension at the first con- 
 veniencie. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Mr William Falkoner, Mr. Committee for 
 William Dalgleish, and the rest of the brethren who ar not Rosse mSteiS ° f 
 upon the visitation of the Vniversitie, 2 to meet afternoon with 
 the Clerk to revise the processe of the ministers in Rosse, and 
 to order it and report. 
 
 The Commission appoynts letters to be written to the Pres- Concerning ihe 
 byteries of Sutherland and Caithnes to take speciall care of the his freinds. 
 malignants and complyers in their bounds, to proceed against 
 them according to the order prescribed, and to summond the 
 pry me actors to the next meeting of the Commission at Edin- 
 burgh, or to the Generall Assemblie, especially that the Pres- 
 byterie of Cathnes summond the Lord Rae, his sone and 
 freends, and Mr. Alexander Monro, and Mr. Johne Monro, for 
 their compliance with them. 
 
 The next meeting the morne. 
 
 Or Kinnairny, now united to Midmar. 2 Appointed by Assembly, 1647. 
 
264 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 MAY 
 
 Suspension of 
 Mr. William 
 Hay, minister 
 at Creemont. 
 
 Aberden, 22 May 1647. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly, having considered 
 the particulars informed against Mr. William Hay, minister at 
 Creemont, 1 and having heard himself, personally present, do 
 find him guilty in the particulars in the 2d and 5th articles, 
 viz. — That he received Aboyns letter direct to ministers, and 
 that he sent it to Mr. William Scott, and that he wes in the 
 company of the rebells, and procured some horse bak from 
 them to some of the ministrie : And therfor suspends the said 
 Mr. William from all exercise of his ministrie vntill the next 
 Generall Assembly, and appoynts Mr. Robert Keith, minister 
 at Old Deir, to intimat this sentence in the parish kirk of 
 Creemont upon the Sabboth come eight dayes. And for the 
 articles concerning the records of the Presbyterie, remitts the 
 tryell and censur therof to the Provinciall Assembly of Aber- 
 dene, to whom it belongeth, and for all the remanent articles 
 contained in the tuo papers of information, committs the tryell 
 therof to Mr. David Lyndsay, Mr. William Douglas, Mr. 
 Johne Paterson, Mr. Johne Row, Mr. Andro Abercrombie, 
 Mr. Alexander Garioch, Mr. Andro Strachan, Mr. Johne 
 Young, Mr. George Sharpe, Mr. Alexander Scrogie, the Earle 
 Marshell, Johne Forbes of Aslowan, Watertoun, Bittenboig, 
 younger, and Johne Jaffray, late Dean of Gild in Aberden, or 
 any seven of them, wherof fyve shall be ministers, giving them 
 fall power to call and examin witnesses, and to do evrie thing 
 necessar for exact tryell of the articles befor-mentioned, and 
 that for this effect they meet at Creemont upon the 3d Wed- 
 densday of June next, and upon any other day therefter they 
 think convenient, and that they report their diligence to the 
 next Generall Assembly, and the said Mr. William, personally 
 present, warned heirof apud acta. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly referrs Mr. 
 at°lncn mmiSter Alexander Rosse, minister at Inch, to the Presbyterie of 
 Garioch, to be further tryed in his cariage and compliance 
 with the rebells, and if nothing shall be fund in him worthie 
 of censure, that he acknowledge his offence before the Pres- 
 
 1 Now Crimond, in Presbytery of Deer. 
 
 Mr. Alexander 
 
22 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 265 
 
 byterie in injuring the Lord Marques of Argyle by some 
 expressiones he hes used in speaking of his Lordship. 
 
 This day George Adamson, of Floors, appeiring and confess- George 
 ing that he wes in the feild of Alfurd, 1 and subscribing, wes Adamson - 
 referred to his Presbyterie, to satisfie according to the order 
 prescribed. 
 
 Eodem die post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt ut in sessione antemeridiana, except Earle Marshell. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly, considering the Deposition of 
 particulars wherwith Mr. Murdo M'Kenyie, minister at Suddie, 2 M'k^e? 
 and Mr. Colin M'Kenyie, minister at Contoun, 3 ar charged, g^jjjf"^ 
 after hearing them both, personally present, finding them guilty Mr. Coiine 
 of preaching and praying befor the Earle of Seafort, after minister at 
 they knew him to be excommunicat, and of eating and drinking Contoun. 
 with him, and the said Mr. Murdo himself said grace to him, 
 and Mr. Colin heard it said by the said excommunicats chap- 
 lane, and so communicat in worship with an excommunicat 
 person : And finding also that they subscribed that wicked 
 divisive Band and Remonstrance emitted by the said Earle, and 
 never renunced it, notwithstanding the letter of the Commis- 
 sion of Assembly written to the said Earle declaring their 
 judgment against that Remonstrance known to them, and that 
 they never read the declaration of the Commission of Assembly 
 emitted against that Remonstrance ; as also that they never 
 intimat Seaforts excommunication, nor his relaxation : And 
 finding the said Mr. Coiine lykwise guilty of bringing a letter 
 or a message to Obstane, disswading him and his freends to 
 joyn with any against Seafort, assuring that upon that con- 
 dition Seafort should not medle with them, Therfor, after 
 mature deliberation, they judge them worthie of deprivation, 
 and do heirby depose the said Mr. Murdo M'Kenyie and Mr. 
 Colin M'Kenyie from the function of the ministrie and all 
 exercise therof, declaring the kirks of Suddie and Contoun to 
 be now vaiking, and appoynts Mr. Robert Wnson, 4 in Kirk- 
 
 1 Battle of 2d July 1645, beween Montrose and General Baillie. 
 
 2 Murdoch Mackenzie in his youth had been chaplain to Lord Reay's regiment 
 when in the service of Gustavus Adolphus, and seems to have followed Lord 
 Reay and the Earl of Seaforth in the unfortunate troubles of 1645-6. 
 
 1 Now Contin, in Presbytery of Dingwall. 4 Contracted for Williamson. 
 
266 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 may 
 
 Suspension of 
 Mr. Johne 
 M'Kenyie, 
 minister at 
 Tarbet. 
 
 Suspension of 
 Messrs. Johne 
 and Donald 
 M'Craes and 
 Ferquhard 
 M'Clennan. 
 
 michaell, and Mr. Robert Munro, respectivelie, to intimat the 
 sentences of deposition above written at the kirks of Suddie 
 and Contoun with the first conveniencie. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, having con- 
 sidered the particular informationes against Mr. Johne 
 M'Kenyie, minister at Tarbet, 1 and having heard the said Mr. 
 Johne, personally present, finds by his own confession, that he 
 never read the declaration of the Commissioners of the pre- 
 ceeding Assembly made against Seaforts Remonstrance, giving 
 it to his reader to be read by him, acknowledging that for 
 some worldly respect he declyned the reading of it himself, and 
 that he neglected preaching upon some Sabboth dayes, and 
 omitted also the keeping of a publik fast upon the day 
 appoynted, and that he said to the Presbyterie that he would 
 subscribe the Remonstrance if they would assur him to be free 
 of censur : And therfor, understanding that he wes formerlie 
 deposed for his malignancie and reponed upon promise of 
 better cariage in the cause of religion, do suspend him from all 
 exercise of his ministrie untill the next Generall Assemblie, 
 and appoynts Mr. William Rosse to intimat this suspension 
 in the parosh kirk of Tarbett upon the first Sabboth after 
 advertisment. And the said Mr. Johne, personallie present, 
 warned to the Generall Assembly apud acta. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, having con- 
 sidered the informationes against Mr. Johne M'Cra, Mr. Donald 
 M'Cra, and Mr. Ferquhard M'Clennan, and finding by their 
 own confessiones that they have never yet renunced that 
 divisive Band and Remonstrance made be the Earle of Seafort, 
 notwithstanding they heard read in the Synod the letter of the 
 Commission of Assembly, written to Seafort, expressing the 
 judgment of the Commission against the said Remonstrance, 
 Therfor they suspend them from all exercise of their ministrie 
 untill the first day of August next, appoynting after that day 
 their Presbyteries to receive their publik acknowledgment 
 themselves, and to prescribe it to be done also in their severall 
 congregationes, and therafter to relax them from their suspen- 
 sion ; And in the meantyme they ar to appeir heir upon 
 Moonday again, to subscribe judicially their renunciation of the 
 
 Tarbat, in Presbytery of Tain. 
 
22 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 267 
 
 said Remonstrance ; and Mr. Donald Fraser is heirby appoynted 
 to intimat Mr. Donald M'Kenyies 1 suspension, Mr. Hector 
 Munro in Eddertoim to intimat Mr. Johne M'Craes suspension, 
 and Mr. Robert Munro to intimat Mr. Ferquhard M'Clennanes 
 suspension in their several parish kirks upon the first Sabboth 
 after advertisment. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly, having considered Suspension of 
 the particulars informed against Mr. Patrik Durhame, minister Durhame. 
 at Arderseir, and finding by his own confession that he sub- 
 scribed Seaforts Remonstrance, and did not so tymlie renunce 
 the same as others, neglecting also the opportunity which 
 others took that come with him to Edinburgh for that purpose, 
 Do therfor suspend him from the exercise of his ministrie 
 vntill the first of July next, appoynting after that day the 
 Presbyterie of Chanrie to receive his publik acknowledgement 
 before themselves, and to prescribe it to be done in their 
 severall congregationes, and therafter to relax him from sus- 
 pension ; and in the mean tyme he is to appeir heir upon 
 Moonday againe, to subscribe judicially his renunciation of the 
 said Remonstrance ; and Mr. George Munro is heirby ordained 
 to intimat the suspension upon the first Lords day after 
 advertisment. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, considering Suspension of 
 the particulars informed against Mr. William Lawder, minister Lawd^!^™ 
 at Ach, 2 and having found by his own confession that he lies 
 both privatlie and publiklie subscribed Seaforts Remonstrance, 
 and that he did exhibit the declaration of the Commissioners 
 of Assembly against that Remonstrance to the Synod, having 
 the same upon him when that mater concerning the Remon- 
 strance wes in debate, Therfor suspends him till the first of 
 July next, appoynting after that day the Presbyterie of Chanrie 
 to receive his publik acknowledgment before themselves, and to 
 prescribe it to be done in their severall congregationes, anc { 
 therafter to relax him from suspension ; and in the mean 
 tyme he is to appeir heir againe upon Moonday, to subscribe 
 judicially his renunciation of the said Remonstrance ; and Mr. 
 William Fraser, minister at Killerne, is heirby ordained to in- 
 timat the suspension upon the first Sabboth after advertisment. 
 
 1 Sic in MS., for lU'Cra's. 2 Avoch, in Presbytery of Chanonry. 
 
268 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 MAY 
 
 Ministers 
 worthy of 
 rebuke, 
 viz. — 
 Messrs. David 
 Munro, William 
 Fraser, George 
 Munro at 
 Urquhard, 
 Charles Pape. 
 
 Messrs. Patrik 
 Durham, Wil- 
 liam Lawder, 
 Charles Pap, 
 George Munro 
 at Urquhart. 
 
 Messrs. Thomas 
 and David 
 Rosse and 
 Robert Munro. 
 
 Messrs. Farqu- 
 hard Maccra, 
 James Troup, 
 etc., referred. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert 
 Anderson, 
 Obston, and 
 others com- 
 mended. 
 
 Act for a Fast 
 in Rosse. 
 
 Mr. David Munro, personallie present, his cariage being 
 considered, the Commission finds him worthie of rebuke for 
 giving countenance and advice to the subscribing Seaforts 
 Remonstrance ; and likwise Mr. William Fraser, Mr. George 
 Munro at Vrquhart, and Mr. Charles Pape, their cariage being 
 considered, wer also fund to deserve publik rebuke for subscrib- 
 ing Seaforts Remonstrance; and accordinglie the Moderator 
 did publiklie rebuke them, and the Commission appoints them 
 all to acknowledge their offences in their sessiones and to take 
 the testimony of tuo elders therupon, and that notwithstanding 
 the renunciation they have made therof. 
 
 Messrs. Patrik Durhame, William Lawder, Donald M'Cra, 
 Joline M'Cra, William Fraser, Charles Pape, George Munro at 
 Vrquhart, and Ferquhard M'Clennan, humblie acknowledging 
 their offences before God in subscribing that wicked Remon- 
 strance of the Earle of Seaforts, the Commission appoynts them 
 to appeir heir again upon Moonday to subscribe a Renunceation 
 therof judiciallie, and appoynts a draught of a Renunceation to 
 be drawn for that purpose. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Rosse, Mr. David Rosse, Mr. Robert Munro, 
 their cariage being considered, wer rebuked publikly for shew- 
 ing willingnes to subscribe the Remonstrance, and appoynted 
 to give publik testimony against that Remonstrance in their 
 own kirks. 
 
 Mr. Ferquhard M'Cra, Mr. James Troup, Mr. Donald Clerk, 
 Mr. Alexander M'Kenyie, being absent, the Commission refFers 
 them to the Provinciall of Rosse for exact tryell and censure 
 for their complyance. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert Anderson, Obstone, Lievtennent Collonell 
 Monro, Andro M'Call, Provest of Tayne, their cariage being 
 considered, the Commission found their cariage good and 
 faithfull, and therfor gave them their deserved comendation. 
 
 The Commission, considering the generall provocations by 
 adhering to that wicked Remonstrance in Rosse, do therfor 
 appoynt that the Presbyteries of Chanrie, Dingwell, and Tayne 
 enjoyne a publik humiliation and fast throughout their severall 
 bounds in evrie congregation upon such dayes they think con- 
 venient, that all may mourn before the Lord for the generall 
 defection in that divisive banding themselves in that Remon- 
 strance. 
 
22 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 269 
 
 The Commission desires the Presbyterie of Tayne to give 
 account to the next Assembly of the vaiking kirks there, and 
 to crave the Assemblies assistance for the planting therof. 
 
 The Commission referrs to the Presbyteries in the Province 
 of Rosse that schools be planted in evrie congregation accord- 
 ing to the Act of Parliament. 
 
 The Commission recomends seriously Mr. Alexander Garioch, Recomendation 
 minister at Cushine, 1 Mr. Alexander Fraser, minister at Pitton- ^^GariochT 
 fine , 2 Mr. Andro Strachane, minister at Tullinesse, 3 to the Alexander 
 
 F reiser cinci 
 
 honourable Committee of Estates, humbly desyring their Lord- Andro'strachan 
 ships to consider of their great losses and sufferings by the mitteeof m 
 rebells, and to provyd some way for relieff therof for the Estates, 
 sustenance of them and their numerous families. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie being sen- Ordinance for 
 sible of the high provocationes of these wicked men, who have t j on 0 f 
 been fighting against God, his cause, and their own native ^e^Mr 1 "* 61 " 
 countrie, having, according to their dutie and the trust put William Mat- 
 
 .i .i i n « ., . lane, Lodowick 
 
 upon them, entered upon a search oi some oi the prime actors Gordon, Arthur 
 and instruments of that wicked course, and finding that the paJri^Gordon 
 persones afternamed lawfully cited to this meeting and not called Steiil- 
 
 ~yk r- » i 1T i i hand, Alexander 
 
 appearing, viz. — Mr. Alexander Innes, a deposed minister, who Gordon of 
 once made profession of repentance, hath againe made defec- nTrthiii 116 ' 
 tion, and now become a preacher to excommunicat rebells and younger, New- 
 a vehement enemy to Kirk and State, having enveighed against anTjohn 1 ^ 
 the same in the pulpits of this citie ; and that Mr. William ^ c r ^ n of 
 Maitland is a constant follower of and a preacher to these 
 excommunicat rebells, full of bitter railing against the cause 
 and people of God ; as also that Ludovick Gordone, sone to 
 the somtyme Marques of Huntly, Arthur Forbes, a follower of 
 the said Ludovick, Patrik Gordon, called Steillhand, Alexander 
 Gordon of Arrandoull, Patrik Leith, younger of Harthill, 
 William Gordon, younger of Newtoun, and Johne Gordon of 
 Fechill, sone to Straloch, have been prymly active and instru- 
 mentall in killing, burning, destroying, robbing, spoyling, and 
 guilty of many other insolencies, and that all the persones 
 before named have been notable enemies to the cause of 
 
 1 Leochel-Cushnie, in Presbytery of Alford. 
 
 2 Perhaps Petty, in Presbytery of Inverness. 
 
 3 Tullynessle, also in Presbytery of Alford. 
 
270 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 MAY 
 
 Religion and the Covenants, and pryme actors and instruments 
 in that wicked and vnnaturall rebellion, and accessory to these 
 horrid insolencies and haynous offences accompanying the 
 same, Therfor, having sufficient evidence heirof, the same also 
 being notour and publikly known, the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly, moved with the zeale of God, Do decerne 
 and ordaine the persones before named, all and evrie one of 
 them, to be summarly execommunicat, and declared to be these 
 whom Christ commandeth to be holden by all and evrie one of 
 the faithfull as ethniks and publicans : Ordaining the same 
 sentence of excommunication to be pronounced by their 
 brother, Mr. Johne Moncreiff, minister at Kinghorne, in the 
 great kirk of this citie, upon the next Lords day, the 23 of 
 this instant, and that therafter evrie minister make public in- 
 timation therof in their severall congregationes so soon as 
 advertisment shall come unto them. 
 
 The next meeting upon Moonday before noon. 
 
 Aberden, 24 May 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt id in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 Renunciation The draught of the Renunciation of Seaforts Remonstrance 
 
 RemonstSnce read, wes approven ; Tenor wherof followeth : — 
 
 subscribed by < Wee undersubscribers, having seriously considered and 
 
 the ministers. . J? \ 
 
 rightly examined that pernicious Band contained and promoted 
 by the Earle of Seafort under the name of a humble Remon- 
 strance ; and having laid to heart our subscription of the 
 samine, wherby we did not only desert the cause of God in the 
 day that we should have given testimony therto, but involve 
 ourselves into a wicked combination against the Covenants and 
 work of Reformation, unto the weakening of the Lords people 
 and strenthning of enemies and adversaries, Do professe our 
 unfained sorrow and deep humiliation for that our hainous 
 offence, and renunce and abjure the said Band, not only as 
 divisive in regarde of the purposes and endevours of the con- 
 trivers and promoters, but as damnable in itself, and destructive 
 to the Nationall Covenant and to the Solemne League and 
 Covenant, in respect of the heads and articles therof and mater 
 therin contained, promising, in the power of the Lords 
 strength, for ever heirafter to loath and abhorre the samine, 
 
24 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 271 
 
 and all that adhere therunto, and so to behave ourselves both 
 in doctrin and conversation as that the breach made by our 
 former miscariage may be made up againe and the scandall 
 therof removed and taken away. And all this we do in the 
 sinceritie of our hearts as in the sight of God.'* 
 
 This day compeired Mr. Patrik Durhame, and the rest Subscrivers of 
 appoynted on Satterday to subscribe the Renunciation of^on™"" 
 Seaforts Remonstrance, and subscribed the same judicially. 
 
 This day the Commission, considering the absents cited to Classes of 
 this meeting, and having put them in severall classes and ranks, Absents - 
 according to the information of the degree of the delinquincie, 
 they do appoynt that they be proceeded against ; that is, the 
 persones referred to the Commission, that they be cited to 
 appeir to the next meeting in Edinburgh ; persones referred to 
 Presbyteries that they be proceeded against with diligence, and 
 that each Presbyterie have a copie of the classes and names of 
 the persones in their respective bounds for that effect. 
 
 The Commission referrs to the Presbyterie of Ellon Robert Robert Seaton. 
 Seatoun, ordaining them to deduce probation, and so to pro- 
 ceed against him with the hiest censurs of the Kirk in case he 
 appeir not and give satisfaction ; and if he appeir and offer 
 satisfaction, that he satisfy according to the order prescribed 
 and degree of his delinquencie. 
 
 Mr. Johne Annand, minister at Invernes, for himself and Report of Mr. 
 in name of the Presbyterie of Invernes, shews to the Commis- J ohne Annan 
 sion that all the prime complyers within that Presbyterie had 
 satisfied according to the Act of the Generall Assembly, except 
 Angus M'Queen of Torribourgh, summonded before the Com- 
 mission, cited, compeired not, and appoynted to be summoned 
 before the Commission at Edinburgh. 
 
 Subscribitur, M. J. Annand. 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly ordaines the 
 Presbyterie of Mearns to proceed against Mr. James Strawchan ^charT 
 for giving the sacrament of the Lords Supper unto that 
 excommunicat rebell James Grahame, 1 with the hiest censur of 
 the Kirk, and that with all diligence ; and if he offer to satisfie, 
 that they take his confession for that hainous offence, and his 
 other miscariages, in writt under his own hand ; and that he 
 also satisfie in saccloath publikly befor the congregation. 
 
 1 That is, the Marquis of Montrose, forfeited by the Estates. 
 
272 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 may 
 
 Mr. johne The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly do ratify and 
 
 Smith. approve the Act of the 29 April last concerning the continua- 
 
 tion of the mater touching Mr. Johne Smiths transportation 
 untill the meeting at Edinburgh upon the first Weddensday of 
 July next, and conforme to that Act, appoynts intimation to be 
 made therof at the parish kirk of Burntiland ; and Mr. Johne 
 himself, being personally present, is warned hereof apad acta. 
 Recomendation The Commission do humbly recomend to the next Generall 
 co5edges! g and Assembly to provide some way that the places of coiiedges and 
 vaS 11S kirks scnoo ^ s rje furnished with well-affected and able men ; as also 
 to Assembly.' to have a care that the kirks now vaiking in the North be 
 well planted. 
 
 Recomendation The Commission recomencls to the Presbyteries in Rosse to 
 In Rosse yteneS try ^ there wer any other Band, or Declaration, or Writ, sub- 
 scribed privatly by Seafort and his freends, nor the Remon- 
 strance, and to make report therof to the Commission of 
 Assemblie. 
 
 johne Gordon This day Johne Gordon of Stranrawers offence being con- 
 of Stranrawer. gjdered, the Commission appoynts him to satisfie not only in 
 
 his own congregation, but also in the kirk of Aberden. 
 Mr. James The Commission excuses Mr. James Guthrie in respect of 
 
 Guthryexeemed n j s attendance here upon the Commission, and appoynts Mr. 
 
 from the armie. r • i • i 
 
 William Cokburne to repare to the army in his place, to attend 
 
 on the Lievtennant Generall, and that letters be written for 
 
 his dispatch thither with diligence. 
 Mr. Jo. Pittil- The Commission appoynts Mr. George Pittilloch to relieve 
 a°mie° the Mr. William Rate, and that he go presently to the army, and 
 
 stay while the Assembly. 
 Mr. Patrik The Commission, in respect Major Generall Middltounes 
 
 Gilaspie trowps ar dispersed, and Mr. Alexander Dunlop is with the 
 
 cxccmcd 
 
 Generall Major, do therfor find no necessity that Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie attend, and for that cause exeem him from attend- 
 ance with the armie. 
 Mr. James The Commission appoynts Master James Nasmith, minister 
 
 Nasmith to + Hammiltoun, to relieve Master Johne Nevey, and for that 
 
 releeve Mr. 7 . i » t 
 
 jhon Nevey. effect to addresse himself to the armie against the end of July, 
 
 and that advertisment be sent unto them for that purpose. 
 Mr. James The Commission appoynts Mr. James Gairdner to repare 
 
 Gardner. to the army, according to his former appoyntment, and that 
 
29 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 273 
 
 Mr. Gabriell Maxwell relieve him ; as also that Mr. Andro Mr. Gabriel 
 Pringill relieve Mr. James Simson, and Mr. Hew Eccls relieve ^Andrc^ 
 Mr. Alexander Blair, and that they repare to the army against Pringie. 
 the end of Julij for that effect, and that advertisment be sent Eccies. 
 unto them for this purpose. 
 
 The next meeting to be at Edinburgh the first Weddensday 
 of Julij, and all the brethren desired to keep that meeting, and 
 to give advertisment to others. 
 
 Edinburgh, 29 Junij 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Weir: Mr. Johne Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Johne Knox: 
 Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. James Fleming: Mr. Adam Penman: Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. 
 Walter Swyntoun : Mr. William Adair : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. William 
 Dalgleish. Elders. — Master of Yester : Lord Advocat : Laird of Lam- 
 mington : Mr. Alexander Colvill : James Stuart. 
 
 Mr. Robert Douglas, the last Moderator, this day represented 
 that the cause of his conveening the brethren at this tyme wes 
 the present change of affairs in England, wherin they wer to 
 consider what wes to be done. 
 
 Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Johne Moncreiff, and Mr. James 
 Fleming, being listed, the said Mr. Robert Douglas for this 
 meeting is chosen Moderator. 
 
 The Commission appoynts an ansuer to be sent to the Pres- Cowhiii and 
 byterie of Dumfries, desyring them to receive Johne Maxwell Gnbton - 
 of Cowhill, and Johne Maxwell of Gribtoun, according to the 
 Act of Assembly, and the latitude therin left to them to 
 respect the degrees of their delinquencie. 
 
 The Commission referrs Mr. James Rows petition for reposi- Mr. James Row. 
 tion to the next Generall Assembly. 
 
 The Commission appoynts the Clerk to seek out the presen- Mr. Alexander 
 tation granted to Mr. Alexander Trotter, which wes deposed 1 Trotter - 
 in his hand untill the kirk of Tuedmure should be erected, 
 and to deliver the same to Mr. Alexander Trotter. 
 
 This day letters produced from the Commissioners at 
 London, wherof the tenor followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have thought good Letter from 
 to give yow notice that we ar in a good expectation that the JonerTat 13 
 Larger Catechisme will be perfected by the Assembly of London. 
 
 1 i.e. deposited. 
 
274 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 JUNE 
 
 Divines against the next meeting of the Generall Assembly at 
 Edinburgh, of which also we have given notice to the Assembly 
 here to quicken their proceedings in the Catechisme. The 
 Shorter Catechisme, which is intended for the more rude and 
 ignorant, will hardly be begun at the begining of August 
 next, yet it is expected, and (as we conceive) expedient that 
 the Confession of Faith (which the House of Commons hath 
 lately entered upon, it having been before approved by the 
 House of Lords) and the new paraphrase of the Psalmes in 
 metre, as likwise the Larger Catechisme, shall be considered 
 and approved by the next Generall Assembly. Our reverend 
 brother, Mr. Robert Bailly, can give the Assembly account of 
 the former tuo. Yet, beside the Scripturs added to the Con- 
 fession, this Larger Catechisme is done since he went home. 
 In which consideration we desire and intend, God willing, 
 either both of us (if we can, and if the providence of God cast 
 in no restreint or impediment), or at least one of us, to attend 
 that next meeting of the Generall Assembly, to give them ane 
 particular accounpt of these things ; as likwise out of a desire 
 to be with our flocks after so long absence. These our thoughts 
 we humbly represent unto yow, that if yow lay upon us no 
 directiones to the contrary (which if yow do we must submitt, 
 but we hope ye will not), we may be the clearer concerning a 
 loosing us from hence. And so comending yow to the Lords 
 assistance in all your maters, wee rest, 
 
 Your loving brethren to serve yow, 
 Worcester House, Subscriber Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 the first of Junij 1647. Geo. Gillespie.' 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners ()/' the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 Letter from the ' Reverend and lovixg brethren, — Wee shall not need 
 at°London? erS at this tyme to give yow any particular account of publik 
 affairs heere, seeing yow may be sufficiently informed therof by 
 this noble lord the Earle of Lothian, who is also one of your 
 own number, and will (no doubt) be as willing and ready to 
 acquaint yow with the present postur of publik bussines in this 
 place, as wee have been earnest suters to his Lordship to do so. 
 Only we humbly move and offer it to be considered by yow 
 
29 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 275 
 
 whether it wer not verie litt to have a generall fast and humi- 
 liation in Scotland as soon as can be upon occasion of these 
 new clouds, commotiones, and disturbances in this kingdome. 
 We ar verie confident of your affection and zeale to all duties 
 of this kynd, and so we rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Subscribitur Lauderdaill, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 Worcester House, Geo. Wynrame, Geo. Gillespie. 1 
 4 Jwnij 1647. 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — We see day lie more and Letter from 
 more such growing confusiones and such beginings of new ^LandonT 81 * 
 broyles, as give us cause to feare that we must take up that 
 lamentation, We looked for peace, but no good come ; for a 
 tyme of health, but behold trouble. For your clearer infor- 
 mation we send yow these inclosed papers, which will speak 
 for themselves. What the Commissioners of that kingdome 
 have done upon this occasione ye will perceive by the late paper 
 delivered in to both Houses of Parliament, the copie wherof we 
 heirwith send yow. The danger is both great and imminent, 
 and highly concerning Religion and all government both in 
 Church and State. Wee can not say that wee see as yet any 
 hopefull means or wayes for preventing or removing this 
 danger, only we trust that in the mount of the Lord it shall 
 be seen, and that our God, who wes wont to do greatest things 
 for his cause and people in the greatest extremities, will not 
 now forsake it nor them, but be neer to help in tyme of need, 
 and make the adversaries of Reformation to fall by their own 
 counsels. To-morrow both Houses of Parliament and diverse 
 Churches in London ar to have a fast and humiliation, which, 
 God willing, we ar also to have in our own society on Saturnday 
 next. So leaving to be considered by yourselves what is fitt 
 for yow to doe, we rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Subscribitur Lauderdaill, Samuel Rutherfurd, 
 
 Worcester House, Geo. Wynrame, Geo. Gillespie. 
 the 8 ofJunij 1647. 
 
 ''Postscript. — Receive also heirwith a copie of the London 
 Petition presented this night to the Parliament. 1 
 
276 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JULY 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of' the Kirk of Scotland mett at Edinburgh. 
 
 The Commission thinks at this tyme, maters in England 
 being so dark, it will be fitt to expect some further information 
 from the Commissioners at London, and the Moderator will give 
 advertisment for a new meeting, if there be necessitie, before 
 the first Weddensday of Julij. 
 
 Edinburgh, 1 Julij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas: Mr. James Bruce: 
 Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 James Sibbald : Mr. David Drummond : Mr. William Adair: Mr. Johne 
 Hamilton : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Alexander Bal- 
 four : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Johne Moncreitf : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : 
 Mr. William Jamieson: Mr. Johne Duncan: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 James Flemying : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. Robert Eliot : Mr. 
 Walter Swynton : Mr. Robert W right : Mr. Alexander Rosse : Mr. Evan 
 Camron. Elders. — Laird of Lammington : Laird of Moncreiff : Laird 
 of Fingask. 
 
 Moderator. The brethren being this day conveened at the desire of some 
 
 of the Committee of Estates, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Johne 
 Moncreiff, and Mr. James Fleming, being listed, Mr. Robert 
 Douglas is chosen Moderator of this meeting. 
 
 This day the Commission, in respect some expresses wer 
 expected from England, therfor desire the brethren to stay 
 without wearieing untill the meeting the next week, against 
 which tyme it is liklie maters in England will be more rype 
 for advice. 
 
 Concerning Mr. Johne Ridfurd, the Commission appoynts 
 the letter following to be sent to the Presbyterie of Stra- 
 bogie : — 
 
 Letter to the ' Right reverend, — Having a petition from the paroshiners 
 sSbogle con- or * Aberchirdour for our brother Mr. Johne Reidford to be their 
 jotaeRidfoord m i ms t er > although we could not but approve of their choise in 
 our own judgment, yet conceiving the mater to belong pro- 
 perlie to yow, we have remitted it to yourselves. Only, as we 
 did at Aberdene, so now againe we recomend seriouslie the 
 speedy planting of that kirk, with the consent of the parosh- 
 
I JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647. 
 
 277 
 
 iners, according to the order of the Kirk. And so we comend 
 yow in all your labours to the Lords blessing, and remaine, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 1 Julij 1647. of the Generall Assembly. 1 
 
 Direct : To the reverend brethren of the Presbyter ie of Strath- 
 bogie. 
 
 The Commission having heard Mr. James Nasmith, per- Mr. James 
 sonally present, do againe ordaine him to repare to the army Nasmith - 
 for releeff of Mr. Johne Nevey, according to the appoyntment 
 in Aberden, and that he be there against the end of this 
 moneth of Julij. 
 
 The next meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt in sessione antemeridiana. 
 
 The Commission, considering that in respect of the present 
 posture of affairs it wer fitting that they made some addresse 
 to the Committee of Estates, therfor appoynts the petition 
 following to be represented to the Committee of Estates by 
 Messrs. William Jamieson, Johne Moncreiff, James Bruce, and 
 James Nasmith, with Moncreeff, Lammington, and Duding- 
 stoun. Tenor of the petition followes : — 
 
 6 The humble supplication of the Commission of the Generall 
 Assembly unto the right honourable the Committee of 
 Estates. 
 
 4 Right honourable, — Albeit the present postur and cariage Petition to the 
 of affairs in the kingdome of England be full of darknes, gtates." 66 ° f 
 yet we conceive that things have so farre discovered themselves 
 as give just cause of amazement and feare to all those who 
 tender the interest of Religion and the Covenant. Wee can 
 not but professe the sense which we have of the dangers that 
 threaten the work of Reformation and the government both of 
 Church and State, and do earnestly and from our soules 
 beseech your Lordships that yee will stirre up yourselves unto 
 the due and tymous apprehension and searching out of these 
 counsels that walk in the dark, and doing evrie thing that may 
 contribute for securing ourselves and encouraging of our 
 
278 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JULY 
 
 brethren, that the Covenant may be keept inviolable, Religion 
 and Government, both civill and ecclesiastik, preserved, and 
 the work of God transmitted without spot unto the following 
 generations. As we have hithertills, according to our places 
 and trust, at all tymes represented unto your Lordships our 
 judgment and desires, so we shall endevour and continue in the 
 discharge of that faithfulnes and care in this day of tryell and 
 distresse, and ar here mett for that effect, being confident that 
 your Lordships will not only accept well of our endevours, but 
 also study to approve yourselves unto God by your integrity 
 and zeale in all these things that concerne the publik good in 
 this present condition of affairs."' 
 Mr. James The Commission, having heard againe Mr. James Nasmith, 
 
 do, notwithstanding anything he hes vet said, appoynt him to 
 repare to the army for releef of Mr. Johne Nevey, and that a 
 letter be writtin to the Presbyterie of Hamilton to choose 
 another Commissioner to the Assembly for him in respect of 
 his appoyntment to this employment. 
 
 The Commission appoynts letters to be writtin to Messrs. 
 David Dickson, Robert Baillie, and Robert Ramsay, and other 
 brethren also, to be heir the next week, or so soon as advertis- 
 ment shall come unto them, that the next meeting may be 
 frequent. 
 
 The next meeting on Teusday at tuo hours. 
 
 Edinburgh^ 6 Julij 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Smith : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. Mathew Brisbane : Mr. David Drummond : Mr. Patrik 
 Colvill : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. John Oiswald : Mr. John Mon- 
 creeff: Mr. James Bruce : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. AValter Swyntoun : 
 Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 William Adair: Mr. Thomas Yassie : Mr. Walter Greg. Elders. — Earle 
 Crawfurd : Earle Tullibardin : Earl Lanerk : Lord Balmerino : Laird of 
 Moncreiff : Laird of Lammington : Thomas Paterson : William Home of 
 Linthill : James Stuart. 
 
 Lues Gordon. The Commission having read this day a letter from the 
 
 Presbyterie of Elgin concerning Lues Gordon, a vile rebell and 
 
 an excommunicat person, shewing the favour and libertie he 
 
 hes gotten, do seriously recomend to the Committee to consider 
 
 of it, and the lords present promised to shew the mater to the 
 
 Committee. 
 
6 JULY] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 279 
 
 The Commission, in respect of the present condition of conference for 
 affairs in England, find it necessare that a Declaration wer ^Satk)? * 
 emitted, and therfor they appoynt the brethren of severall 
 Provinces to meet to consider the best grounds and overtures 
 for a Declaration to manifest the present dangers of Religion 
 and the Covenant, and that the brethren in Teviotdaill meet 
 with Lothian in the Mid Kirk, Fyfe in this place, the brethren 
 of the West in the West Kirk, the morne at 7 hours. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. Robert Strachan, the Com- Mr. Robert 
 mission appoynts Messrs. William Colvill, Johne Oiswald, Strachan - 
 Johne MoncreifF, and Mathew Birsbane, to conferre with the 
 said Mr. Robert Strachane concerning his religion, and to meet 
 heir with him after dissolving, and therafter to appoynt their 
 own dyets. 
 
 The Commission recomends Mr. Henry Cokburne to the Mr. Henry 
 Lord Advocat to assist him before the Commissioners for Cokbu ' n * 
 planting of kirks. 
 
 This day Mr. Henry Forbesse having presented letters from Mr. Henry 
 Sir John Bouchier and the paroshiners of Newtoun upon Forbess - 
 Ouze, desyring that he might have ordination, the Commission 
 think fltt to returne this ansuer : — 
 
 To the much honoured Sir Johne Bouchier, knicht, and the 
 paroshiners of Newtou n upon Ouz. 
 
 4 The bearer heirof, Mr. Henrie Forbesse, having produced Answer to Sir 
 unto us some papers shewing your desires for his ordination, and^a^ochhT'ers 
 wee wer exceeding willing to give yow all satisfaction therin of Newtoun 
 
 i >t • i fn • n t • concerning him. 
 
 knowing his good abilities and qualification for discharging 
 the duties of the holy calling of the ministrie. But it not 
 being in our power, nor in the power of any Presbyterie or 
 other judicatory of this Kirk to give ordination or admission 
 to a pastorall charge in another Kirk, we can do no more but 
 remitt him bak to yourselves, that yow may present your 
 desires to the Presbyteries now erected in the Kirk of Eng- 
 land : Heartily recomending him to yow, as one whose labours, 
 by the Lords blessing, may be verie profitable amongst yow. 
 Subscribed in name and by comand of 
 The Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie 
 
 Edinburgh, of the Kirk of Scotland."* 
 
 6 Julij 1647. 
 
280 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [7 JULY 
 
 Edinburgh, 7 July 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. John 
 Oiswald : Mr. James Fleming - : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. James Bruce: 
 Mr. Walter Greg: Mr. Patrik Gillespie: Mr. Walter Swyntou : Mr. 
 William Adair : Mr. Mathew Birsbane : Mr. James Affleck : Mr. John 
 Knox at Dalkeith : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. David Drummond; Mr. Robert Traill: Mr. Johne 
 Smith : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : 
 Mr. John Hamilton: Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. James Nasmith. 
 Elders. — Earle of Crawfurd : Earle of Lanerk : Laird of Lammington : 
 Laird of Moncreeff : Laird of Dudingstouu : Lawrence Henryson : 
 Thomas Paterson. 
 
 Concerning the The Commission having considered the severall overturs of 
 Declaration. the brethren for a Declaration, think fitt that a draught of the 
 Declaration be first dravvne upon these papers, and therafter 
 they will consider therof,and therfor recomends to the Moderator 
 to draw some draught and to exhibit it to the Commission, and 
 that he assume to himself any he pleases to assist him therin. 
 Mr. Robert This day Messrs. William Colvill and Johne Oiswald ar 
 Strachan. appoynted to conferre againe with Mr. Robert Strauchan. 
 The next meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. James Fleming : Mr. John Knox : Mr. David Drummond : 
 Mr. John Weir: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Patrik Fleming: Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. James Affleck : 
 Mr. Robert Wright: Mr. John Oiswald: Mr. David Calderwod: Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. James Bruce : Mr. Walter Greg : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Walter Swynton : Mr. William Dalgleish : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Johne Hay : Mr. Robert 
 Traill : Mr. Mathew Birsbane. Elders. — Laird of Lammington : Laird of 
 Moncreeff : Laird of Dudingstoun : William Home of Linthill : Lawrence 
 Henrysone : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Laird of Aboyn. The petition of the Laird of Aboyn for reparation of his 
 losses being considered, the Commission appoints Messrs. Johne 
 Moncreeff, James Guthrie, Mungo Law, and Patrik Fleming, 
 Lammington, Moncreeff, and Dudingstoun, to assist him at the 
 Committee of Estates. 
 Robert Graham This day the petition of Robert Grahame of Litlecarnie 
 considered, the Commission appoynts Messrs. James Nasmith 
 and James Guthrie to conferre with him and to report. 
 Reference. This day Johne Robertson of Inwar called and not appear- 
 
 sono'f fnwaf to ing, the Commission refers him to the next Assembly, and the 
 Assembly. Presbyterie appoynted to cite him, with certification, if he 
 
8 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 281 
 
 appeare not, the Assembly will hold his not appearance for 
 confession of guiltynesse. 
 
 The Commission having considered the papers produced by Reference. 
 Mr. Johne Smith, and having heard himself personally present, smitl 0 ?" 
 and finding notwithstanding therof that they might have pro- Assembl y- 
 ceeded to a determination concerning his transportation, yet, 
 in respect the Generall Assembly is now approaching, they 
 referre the said mater to the Generall Assemblie, and the said 
 Mr. Johne, and Sir James Melvill, and George Gairdin, for the 
 paroshiners of Burntiland and the Magistrats of Edinburgh, 
 ar warned heirof apud acta. 
 
 The Commission appoynts Messrs. John Moncreeff and Johne Marques 
 Smith to assist thedesires of the Presbyterie of Lanerk concerning children, 
 the education of the Marques of Douglasses children in France. 
 
 This day James Grahame of Claypots, Gilbert Ogilvie of ciaypottes, 
 Craig, Patrik Ogilvie of Bridgend in Lentrathen, and Maj or ojivie, and 
 Johne Ogilvie of Badevie \ called and not compeiring, the ^Assembiy^ 
 Commission appoynts them to be cited to the next Generall 
 Assembly pro secundo, and that the Presbyterie summond them 
 for that effect. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 July 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Fleming : Mr. John Knox : Mr. David Drummond : Mr. Johne Smith : 
 Mr. Walter Swyntoun : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. James Sibbald : Mr. 
 Johne Hamilton : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Robert 
 Wright : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Thomas Vassie : 
 Mr. Walter Greg : Mr. Patrik Fleming . Mr. John Moncreiff : Mr. 
 John Duncan : Mr. Patrik Colvill : Mr. Mathew Birsbane : Mr. 
 Alexander Casse : Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. William Adair: Mr. James 
 Guthrie. Elders. — Lord Angus : Lord Balmerino : Lord Yester : Laird 
 of Moncreiff : Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Lammingtoun : Laird of 
 Linthill : Lawrence Henrysone. 
 
 The Commission having called the persones cited to this Reference of 
 meeting within the Presbyteries of Chanrie and Tayne, do P5 rsonnsm 
 
 ° J J ' Cnannene and 
 
 recomend to these Presbyteries to cite the absents to the Ta yn to 
 Generall Assembly. Assembly. 
 
 The Commission thinks fitt that the Earl of Abercorne Earie Abercorn, 
 have conference vntill the Generall Assembly, and therfor 
 recomends to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh to conferre with 
 the said Earle whilst he remaines in this toun, and if he go to 
 
 1 Query, Baldovie. 
 
282 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [8 JULY 
 
 Remitt. 
 Complyers 
 Forfar. 
 
 Robert Graham 
 of Litlecarnie. 
 
 Rouse para 
 phrase. 
 
 his house in the countrie, recomends to the Presbyterie of 
 Paislay to conferre with him. 
 
 Concerning the persones cited by the Presbyterie of Forfar, 
 the Commission remitts them to the Presbyterie for exact 
 tryell and condigne censure, according to the degree of their 
 delinquencie and the Act of Assemblie, quhairin they shall 
 report their diligence to the Assembly. 
 
 Concerning the report of the brethren appoynted to conferre 
 with Robert Grahame that he had given them no satisfaction 
 the Commission referrs him to the Presbyterie of Auchterardor, 
 recomending to them to proceed against him as they will be 
 ansuerable, quhairin they desire that they may take the assist- 
 ance and concurrance of Messrs. Robert Murray and Alexander 
 Rollock. 
 
 The Commission ordaines the Clerk to give out summonds 
 to Mr. Thomas Mitchell for citing the persones he complaines 
 of to the Generall Assembly. 
 
 Recomends to Mr. Johne Adamsone to revise Rowes para- 
 phrase of the Psalmes, 1 and Mr. Johne Rowes observations 
 therupon, and to have his opinion therof ready for the next 
 Assembly. 
 
 The next meeting afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Johne 
 Weir : Mr. William Adair : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : 
 Mr. Mathew Birsbane : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. 
 Johne Duncan : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 John Knox : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Walter Swyntoun : Mr. William 
 Colvill: Mr. James Fleming : Mr. Johne Smith : Mr. Patrik Fleming : 
 Mr. David Drummond : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. Johne Moncreiff : 
 Mr. James Sibbald : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. John 
 Dalyell : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. David Calderwod : Mr. Johne Hay. 
 Elders. — Laird of Lammingtoun : Laird of Moncreiff : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Remitt of com- This day Kenneth M'Kenyie in Garloch, Rorie M'Kenyie 
 plyers in Rosse. rf Dachmaluak ^ Co line M'Kenyie of Tar vie, Kenneth M'Kenyie 
 of Assint, Coline M'Kenyie appearing of Kincraig, Johne 
 
 1 That is, Rouse's Paraphrase of the Psalms as it had been revised by the 
 Westminster Assembly. It was subjected to further revision in Scotland, in 
 which Mr. John Adamson, Principal of Edinburgh University, who was himself 
 a poet, and Mr. John Row of Aberdeen, who was a distinguished Hebrew- 
 scholar, took a prominent part, the latter no doubt to render it 'more agreeable 
 to the Original than any heretofore. ' 
 
9 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 283 
 
 M'Kenyie of Ord, Johne M'Kenyie of Tachcairne, James 
 M'Kenyie, Alexander M'Kenyie, Hector M'Kenyie, Thomas 
 Grahame, Rorie Bayn, Alexander Bayn, and Captane Alex- 
 ander Bayn compeiring personally, the said Rorie M'Kenyie of 
 Dachmalwak, Coline M'Kenyie of Tarvie, Johne M'Kenyie of 
 Ord, Thomas Grahame, and Alexander Bayn, acknowledged 
 their subscribing Seaforts Remonstrance, and subscribed judici- 
 ally their renunceation therof ; the rest, except the said Ken- 
 neth M'Kenyie of Garloch and James M'Kenyie, acknowledged 
 their attendance upon the said Earle of Seafort when he went 
 to James Grahame and the said Kenneth and James M'Kenyies 
 denyed they wer guilty either of the one fault or the other ; 
 Therfor the Commission of the Generall Assembly, not having 
 heir sufficient information concerning them, nor means of 
 further tryell, do referre all the said persones to their severall 
 Presbyteries for further tryell, recomending that the subscribers 
 of the Remonstrance and the followers of Seafort when he wes 
 with James Grahame, satisfie publikly as they shall prescribe, 
 according to the degree of their offences and the Act of the 
 Generall Assembly, and that they give account of their dili- 
 gence heirin to the Generall Assembly. 
 
 This day the Moderator, with Mr. William Colvill, Mr. 
 Johne Smith, Mr. James Guthrie, and Mr. Robert Ker, 
 appoynted to revise the draught of the Declaration and to 
 report. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9 Julij 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. James Affleck : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Patrik Colvill : 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. John Duncan : Mr. 
 Thomas Vassie : Mr. James Sibbald : Mr. David Drummond : Mr. Adam 
 Penman : Mr. J ohn Ois wald : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Mathew Birsbane : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. James Fleming-: Mr. John Hay: Mr. William Dalg-leish : Mr. 
 James Nasmith : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. Johne Knox : Mr. William 
 Adair: Mr. Robert Traill: Mr. Alexander Casse. Elders. — Earle 
 Crawfurd : Lord Yester : Laird of Lamming-ton : Laird of MoncreifF : 
 Laird of Dudingstoun : Laird of Linthill : Lawrence Henrysone : George 
 Porterfeild. 
 
 This day, Angus M'Queen of Torriburgh being called and Remitt. 
 not compeiring, the Commission appoints the Presbyterie of M-Queii 
 Innernes to sentence the said Angus M'Queen with excom- 
 
 1 That is, joined the Marquis of Montrose. 
 
284 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [9 JULY 
 
 munication, they having sufficient proofF that he hes been and 
 is presently in the rebellion, and to report their diligence 
 heirin to the next Generall Assembly. 
 
 The draught of the Declaration being read, the Commission 
 appoynts Messrs. David Calderwod, David Dickson, Robert 
 Baillie, John Oiswald, Johne Duncan, William Dalgleish, 
 Mathew Birsbane, William Colvill, James Guthrie, with the 
 Moderator, Earle Crawfurd, Earle Lanerk, Laird of Lam- 
 mingtoun, MoncreifF, Dudingstoun, George Porterfeild, to con- 
 sider it againe, to mend some expressiones and to report. 
 Sir David and This day Sir David Ogilvy and David Ogilvy referred to 
 David Ogiivies. t ne j r Presbyterie for tryell and censure for their compliances, 
 and they ar to report their diligence to the Assembly. 
 The next meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Robert 
 Baillie : Mr. Mathew Birsbane : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Knox : 
 Mr. Johne Hay : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John MoncreifF: Mr. James 
 Affleck : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Patrik 
 Flemyng ; Mr. James Fleming : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. David Drum- 
 mond: Mr. John Oiswald : Mr. Patrik Colvill: Mr. Johne Weir : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. William Adair. Elders. — Laird of MoncreifF : 
 Laird Cuninghamhead : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission continues to determine anything concern- 
 ing the Declaration of the present condition of affairs untill 
 Teusday next. 
 
 The Commission referrs Mr. Robert Strachan his desire 
 concerning the admitting of his confession and abjuration of 
 Poprie vnto the next Assembly. In the mean tyme, if he 
 stay in toun, he may give in writ a declaration of his bygone 
 errors and his present judgment therof against Teusday next. 
 Edinburgh, 13 Jidij 164>l,post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. James Affleck : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Knox : 
 Mr. John Hay: Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. William Adair: Mr. John 
 Oiswald : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John MoncreifF : Mr. Robert 
 Baillie : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Andro Eliot : Mr. Patrik Fleming. Elders.— 
 Laird MoncreefF : Laird Cunynghamhead : Thomas Patersone. 
 
 Messrs. Thomas This day Mr. Thomas M'Kenyie, Mr. Nicoll Rosse, and 
 
 Mackenzie, J i n n 
 
 Nicol Ross, Johne M'Kenyie, commissare deput, personally present, refuse 
 kenzfe. MaC " that they subscribed Seaforts Remonstrance and that they 
 
 Reference. 
 Mr. Robert 
 Strachan to 
 Assembly. 
 
13 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 285 
 
 wer with Seafort when he wes with James Grahame ; the Com- 
 mission, not having sufficient information concerning their 
 cariage, do therfor remitt them to their Presbyteries to be 
 further tryed, that according to their merite they may be 
 cleired or censured, and appoynt the Presbyterie to send report 
 of their diligence to the next Assembly. 
 
 This day, the persones in the Presbyterie of Fordyce cited to Remitt. 
 this Commission being called and not compeiring, the Com- Fordyce? rS 
 mission remitts them to the Presbyterie to be tryed and cen- 
 sured condignly, according to the order prescribed, and to 
 report to the Assembly. 
 
 The Commission appoynts that in the Fast appoynted by Committee for 
 the Generall Assembly there be some reasones added, in respect Fast? nS ° f a 
 of the present condition of affairs, and letters therwith' sent to 
 Presbyteries, and appoynt Messrs. David Dickson, William 
 Colvill, James Guthrie, William Dalgleish, and the Moderator, 
 Moncreiff, and Cunnynghamhead, to consider these causes of 
 a Fast and to report. 
 
 This day, the Declaration againe read, continued untill the 
 morne to consider further of it. 
 
 The next meeting the morne at ten hours. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 Julij, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Affleck: Mr. John Knox: Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. Alexander Casse : 
 Mr. Andro Eliot : Mr. Patrik Colvil : Mr. Patrik Gillespie : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. Adam Penman : Mr. Patrik 
 Fleming : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Johne Mon- 
 creiff: Mr. Johne Weir. Elders. — Laird Moncreiff : James Rughead : 
 Lawrence Henryson : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 The Commission recomends to Mr. Mungo Law to assist 
 Collonell Brysones relict before the Committee of Estates for 
 some supply. 
 
 This day the Commission approves the causes of a solemne 
 fast, and appoynts the same to be sent to Presbyteries in print, 
 that they may be made use of for further humiliation upon the 
 25 of this moneth, which is Sabboth come eight dayes, a day 
 appoynted to be keept by the late Assembly for praying for a 
 blessing to the next Assembly. 
 
286 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 ' Causes of a jmblikjust and solemne humiliation to be kept 
 throughout the Church of' Scotland upon the last Sabboth 
 of this instant moneth of Jidy, being the 25 day therof 
 1647. 
 
 Causes of the 6 1. That notwithstanding of our solemne ingagement in the 
 Covenant, our obligationes from great and singular mercies, 
 and our many warnings from judgments of all sorts, yet not 
 only do we come farre short of that sobriety, righteousnes, 
 and holynes that becometh the gospell of Jesus Christ, but 
 ungodlynes and worldly lusts abound evrie where throughout 
 the land, unto the grieving of the Lords Spirit, and provoking 
 the eyes of his glory, because we continue to walk contrary 
 unto him. 
 
 '2. That the Lords hand is still streatched out against us 
 in the judgment of the pestilence, which spreads not only in 
 severall places of the countrey, but continueth and increaseth 
 in many of the most eminent cities in the kingdomes. 
 
 4 3. The great danger that threatens Religion and the work 
 of Reformation in these kingdomes, from the number, policie, 
 and power of the sectaries in England, which ar like not only 
 to interrupt the progresse of Vniformity, and the establishing 
 of the ordinances of God in their beauty and perfection, but 
 to overturne the foundation already laid, and all that hath 
 been built therupon, with the expence of so much blood and 
 paines. 
 
 ' 1. And therfor we ar earnestly to pray the Lord that the 
 Solemne League and Covenant may be keept fast and inviolable 
 notwithstanding of all the purposes and endevours of open 
 enemies and secret underminers to the contrary. 
 
 4 2. We ar to intreat the Lord in the behalf of the Kings 
 Majestie that he may be reconciled to God, and that he may 
 be now furnished with wisdome and counsell from above, that 
 he be not involved in new snares to the endangering of him- 
 self and these kingdomes, but that his heart may inclyne to 
 such resolutiones as will contribute for setling of religion and 
 righteousnes. 
 
 ' 3. Wee ar also to intreat the Lord in the behalf of the 
 Parliament of England, of the Synod of Divines, and of all 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 287 
 
 such in that land as do vnfainedly minde the work of God, 
 that they may not be discouraged nor swerve in the day of 
 temptation, but that each of them in their stations, and 
 according to their places and callings, may be furnished with 
 light and strenth from heaven for doing of their dutie with 
 faithfulnes and zeale. 
 
 4 4. Wee ar to supplicat for direction to our Committee of 
 Estates, that they may discerne the tymes and know what is 
 fitting to be done for securing ourselves and encouraging our 
 brethren. 
 
 4 5. Wee ar to pray for a spirit of light and of love unto our 
 Assemblie, that they may be instrumentall in preserving truth 
 and advancing holynesse amongst ourselves, and for carying on 
 the worke of God amongst our neighbours. 
 
 * Finallie, That the Lord would poure out upon all sorts of 
 persones in these kingdomes a spirit of grace and supplication, 
 that it may repent us of all our iniquities, and that we may be 
 reconciled to the Lord, that so all the tokens of his wrath may 
 be removed from amongst us, and he may blesse us with the 
 sweet fruits of truth and peace. 1 
 
 Tenor of the letter to Presbyteries followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend brethren, — Wee believe that there is none Letter to 
 amongst yow so great strangers unto the condition of affairs in Presbyterl( 
 our neighbour land, but that yow have heard of the exceeding 
 increase and growth of sectaries, these whose power and policie 
 is come to be such that it threatens Religion and the work of 
 God in these kingdomes with most eminent danger, and ther- 
 for we do, from the sense of the trust committed unto us, in the 
 bowels and by the authority of Jesus Christ seriously exhort 
 yow to take heed unto yourselves and to the flock over which 
 the Holy Ghost hes made yow overseers, and that none be 
 drawn aside or arise amongst us to speak perverse things, but 
 that the ordinances of God may be preserved pure and intire. 
 And, because it is just with God to send strong delusion upon 
 those to believe a lie who do not receive the love of the trueth, 
 therfor, as it is needfull to teach and instruct in sound doctrine, 
 so to studie to be blameles in our conversation and to convince 
 the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds and to encourage these 
 
288 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 that walke as it becomes the gospell of Jesus Christ. If any 
 further opportunitie shall offer betuixt this and the Generall 
 Assembly we shall acquaint yow with the progresse of affairs. 
 In the mean while we have sent yow the Causes of a publik fast 
 which we conceive necessary to be keept the 25 of this moneth, 
 not only in reference to the approaching Assembly according 
 to the Act of the preceeding Assembly, but also in reference to 
 the present condition of affairs. In the first cause wee have 
 keept upon a generall, leaving it to your own knowledge and 
 discretion to discend unto the particular sins that abound in 
 the land and in your bounds. Wee desire that your Commis- 
 sioners may come furnished unto the Generall Assembly with a 
 report of your diligence against all malignants and Complyers 
 with the enemy in your bounds ; as also with a report of your 
 opiniones in the particulars referred to yow by the proceeding 
 Assembly, and that they may bring with them what is resting 
 to James Murray so often recomended unto yow. Thus, 
 comending yow and all your labours unto God, we continue, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 14 Julij 1647. of the Generall Assembly.'' 
 
 The Commission think it incumbent to them to writ to the 
 Lovetennent Generall for his encouragement the letter fol- 
 lowing : — 
 
 Letter to the ' Right Honourable, — Wee account it no small testimonie 
 
 Leivtennent Q f j.] ie Lords goodnes that he heth delivered us from the 
 Generall. ° 
 
 tyranny and oppression of that basse and bloody enemie that 
 
 did vexe and afflict our land for many dayes ; a mercie so much 
 the more precious because it is dispensed at such an opportunity, 
 when new dangers threaten Religion and the work of Reforma- 
 tion. And we can not but be sensible of your integrity and 
 activity whom the Lord hes honoured to be instrumentall in 
 that work. Wee know that yow have mett with difficulties 
 and hardships, but by these the Lord hes made way for the 
 manifestation of the excellencie of his power and for tryell of 
 your patience and constancie, that he might be glorified and 
 yow approved. And we ar confident that his good hand with 
 yow in your greatest straits shall not only engage your heart 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 289 
 
 to walk humblie and thankfullie with God, but be ground of 
 encouragement to go on with resolution and hope in prosecut- 
 ing that which remaines. Wee ar sorie that, notwithstanding 
 all our endevours for ministers, yet hithertills it hath come to 
 passe that the army hes not been so well supplied. Wee have 
 of late nominat some for that attendance, and shall studie to 
 make them keep their dyets. So, praysing the Lord for all 
 his mercie towards yow, and intreating the continuance of his 
 blessing upon your endevours, we rest, 
 
 Your loving freends and servants in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 14 Julij 1647. of the Gexerall Assemblies 
 
 Direct : For the right honourable Lievtennent General! David 
 Leslie. 
 
 The Commission, considering how necessar it is to them to 
 represent to the Synod of Divines the sense of their condition 
 in respect of the present condition of affairs in England, and 
 that it is incumbent to them in dutie to writ a letter unto 
 them, therfor appoynts the Moderator, Mr. William Colvill, 
 Mr. James Guthrie, and Mr. Robert Traill to consider of some 
 grounds and a draught of a letter, and to report afternoon. 
 
 The Commission think it necessar in respect of the present 
 postur of affaires to present a petition to the Committee of 
 Estates, a draught whereof they desire the Moderator and 
 Clerk to draw against afternoon. 
 
 The Commission, having againe cause read the Declaration, 
 do approve it, as it is now corrected, but judge it not convenient 
 to put it to publik view presently, in respect of the neernes of 
 the Assemblie ; but in case there be a necessity, will give 
 power to emitt it and make publik vse therof. 
 
 Tenor of the said Declaration followes : — 
 
 6 It hes been the dispensation of the only wise God in the The Deciara- 
 carying on of his work in these kingdomes to exercise his people tlon and Re " , 
 
 J ° _ & < r r monstrance of 
 
 with a continued succession of many and diverse tryels that the present 
 
 their faith might be proved and his glory might appeare by dangers * 
 
 giving unto them support and delyverance. For many yeirs 
 
 together we fought with the Popish and Praelaticall partie who 
 
 choosed rather to make these lands run with streams of blood 
 
290 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 then to quyt the plea of lordly dominion, the ceremonies, the 
 service book, and the designe of promoting and establishing 
 the Antichristian yoke upon the neck of this Hand : But in the 
 power of the Lords strength they ar brought low, a mercie in 
 itself great and marvelous, and that deserves to be keept in 
 constant remembrance, not only to be an incitment of our 
 praises, but a ground of our hopes of the Lords salvation for 
 the time to come. 
 
 ' After so many sad and sore conflicts unto sueat and blood 
 with that party, it wes our desire and expectation to have come 
 out of trouble and to have sitten doun in quietnes and assur- 
 ance to reap the sueet fruits of precious truth and pure 
 ordinances in the Church and of justice and righteousness in 
 the Commonwealth. But a new storme arises that threatens 
 the losse of all our former labours, the overturning of the work 
 of Reformation in these kingdomes, and a sad stroke of Religion 
 in all the Reformed Churches. There is a generation in our 
 neighbour land who at first seemed sensible of the corruptiones 
 of worship and government and to breath after a delivery from 
 the tyrany of the praelats, and therfor did many of them joyn 
 in a Covenant with us for extirpation of Poprie and Praelacie, 
 haeresie and schisme, and whatever is contrarie to sound 
 doctrine and the power of godlynes, and for promoving the 
 work of Vniformity. And for a whyle they appeared to act 
 for these ends. But how soon the yoke of praelats wes broken 
 from off their neck they thought it tyme to stirre for them- 
 selves, that things should not carie contrary to their designes, 
 and therfor by their subtile and crooked wayes have for a long 
 tyme retarded the work of God, so that as yet it not only 
 comes farre short of that beauty and perfection which er now 
 it might have attained (if these men had in the integrity of 
 their spirits ansuered their engagements and our expectation), 
 but also because the hedging of the Lords vineyarde hath bene 
 strongly impeded by their means. It is much darkned and 
 infested with a swarme of sectaries come up over the face of 
 that Kirk whose opiniones and practises portend rwin to 
 England and exceeding danger to us, if that wisdome which is 
 unsearchable and that mercie which endures for ever do not 
 prevent it. Wee desire to construct the actions of all men 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 291 
 
 to the best, and it peirceth our hearts with many sorrowes to 
 consider that those who seemed once to be for advancing of 
 Reformation should by their miscariages open the mouths of 
 adversaries to blaspheme and speak evill of the truth and of 
 the wayes of God. But we should denie our own sense, betray 
 the trust committed unto us of God, expose his people to 
 snares, and by our silence approve of these sad beginnings and 
 all the doolfull consequents that ar like to issue from thence, 
 if Ave should not declare and make known the dangers that 
 threaten Religion and Government from the principles and 
 actiones of that partie. 
 
 8 It is too well known how much not only toleration is 
 pleaded for, but an absolute and vniversall libertie to believe, 
 to professe, and propagat without disturbance in mater of 
 Religion whatsoever is apprehended as truth, though in itself 
 never so monstrous and erroneous. And will this extirpat 
 haeresie and schisme, profannes and whatsoever is contrarie to 
 sound doctrin, and bring the Churches of God in the three 
 kingdomes to the neerest conjunction and Vniformity in maters 
 of Religion, as they have sworne ? Nay, will it not rend them 
 in peeces and expose them to the reproach of adversaries and 
 make them a stage on which evrie lieing and vnclean spirit 
 may come furth without contradiction to professe and act unto 
 the overthrow of all religion and honestie, until truth and 
 righteousnes be banished out of the earth ? Neither doeth this 
 vniversall libertie reach only unto the rwin of Religion and 
 razing the foundations of the Church, but unto the subversion 
 of policy and overturning the pillars of the State ; which, as it 
 would prove the fountaine of infinit losses and confusiones, so 
 it could not but be mater of great sorrow unto us, who ar 
 under so solemne obligation for mantaining the priviledges of 
 Parliament, and preserving the King in his just greatnes and 
 authority, in the defence and preservation of Religion. 
 
 8 The worke of Vniformity wes for a long tyme much desired, 
 and of late much endevoured and promoted with hope and joy 
 by all the godly, as that which, without controversie, wes like to 
 contribute most for making those nationes honourable and 
 happie in the purity of the ordinances and in a stable and 
 firme peace. And therfor a Solemne League and Covenant wes 
 
292 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 sworne and subscribed for attaining and preserving so great a 
 blessing. Wpon this surety (as knowing none better and more 
 sacred) Scotland did engage with their brethren. And as it is 
 our purpose to hold it fast, so we expect that the same shall 
 be keept inviolable by England, albeit some make too palpable 
 profession of such things as tend to the rwin and dissolution 
 therof, which, after so firme a foundation of a neer conjunction 
 and fair hopes of many rich blessings to issue from thence, 
 would not only frustrat us of all those, but also rend us 
 asunder, and so expose u£ as a prey to common adversaries, 
 and make us to be consumed one of another. 
 
 4 From this generation and partie of sectaries, sprung up in 
 the bosome of our neighbour land, it is that we have reason to 
 feare, not only great evills to befall unto our brethren there, 
 but also sad consequences to saise upon ourselves. Befor our 
 vnion with that nation vnder one King, the influence from 
 thence in the revolutiones and alterationes of Religion wes 
 ahvayes powerfull upon us, and since that tyme wofull experi- 
 ence lies taught it to be such as first overturned the govern- 
 ment of the Church and corrupted the worship of God, and 
 did afterwards well nigh cary us bak unto Rome itself. There 
 is in the hearts of all the children of men an inclination to 
 errour, especially to those errours that ar most plausible to the 
 flesh, and savour of carnall libertie. And we having such 
 vicinity, and so frequent commerce and correspondence with 
 that nation, can not but be in danger to have infection derived 
 unto us from thence, and to have the beginings and seeds of 
 haeresie and schisme brought in amongst us, which may spread 
 as a leprosie and fret as a gangren, unto the poysoning and 
 corrupting of many, — a danger so much the more deeply to be 
 apprehended, because of the policie and power of the spirit of 
 errour that lies possessed so many in England, the wheels of 
 whose chariots, though at the first they did drive smoothly, 
 yet so subtilly, that they found means almost evrie where in 
 that land to crosse the purposes and bring the persones of such 
 as opposed their evill and sinistrous courses into contempt, and 
 to promot their own designes, and advance these of their own 
 way, wherby they have at last so farre prevailed as to be many 
 in number and great in power. And they being thus numerous 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 293 
 
 and diligent, if from those principles of toleration and libertie, 
 and their practises for promoting the same, we did not appre- 
 hend hazard, all wise men could not but account us desperatly 
 secure. It is true that many of those from whom evill is now 
 feared be in a Covenant with us ; yet who knowes not how litle 
 the Covenant is regarded by those, nay, that its looked upon 
 and aimed at as that which is most obstructive unto the 
 advancing of their intentiones and attaining their ends ; 
 neither would any be allured with plausible pretences under 
 whatsoever specious names. The most desperat designes under 
 heaven, not daring at first to appear in their own cullors, have 
 borrowed gracious names, and have been driven on under the 
 shadow of things desyrable and praiseworthy. But we ar not 
 to judge of mens purposes by their pretences, but by their 
 principles and actiones. Therfor having dulie weighed and 
 considered all these things, we do seriously exhort and beseech 
 all men throughout the land, in the bowels and by the autho- 
 rity of Jesus Christ, to be vigilant and instant in prayer and 
 supplication with God, and to stirre up themselves and others 
 unto the right discerning of their danger, and diligent dis- 
 charge of their dutie in their stationes, and according to their 
 places and callings. Wee trust that it shall be the prudence 
 and zeale of these that ar now in place and power to be faith - 
 full in acquiting themselves in evrie dutie, and in tymous per- 
 formance of all those things that may contribute for securing 
 ourselves and encouraging of our brethren in England, accord- 
 ing to the Solemne League and Covenant. And these to 
 whom the Lord hes committed the charge of soules, wee 
 exhort them as brethren to take heed to themselves and to the 
 flock over which the Holy Ghost hes made them overseers, 
 that none arise amongst us to speak perverse things and draw 
 disciples after them, contrary to the doctrin which wee have 
 received, but that the Doctrin, Worship, Disciplin, and Govern- 
 ment of the Church be preserved pure and intire. And because 
 it is just with God to send strong delusiones upon those to be- 
 lieve a lie who do not receive the love of the truth, therfor it can 
 not be but most necessary for preservation of the Gospell and 
 of the ordinances of God in their purity and power amongst 
 us, as to teach and instruct in sound doctrine, so to incite unto 
 
294 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 piety and godlynes, labouring with much earnestnes and care to 
 be blameles in our conversation, to convince the ungodly of all 
 their vngodly deeds, and to reclame them therfra, and to 
 encourage and strengthen these who studie to walk orderly 
 as it becometh the Gospell of Christ, in sobriety, righteousnes, 
 and holynes. And so the Lord shall delight to duell in our 
 land when truth and holynesse shall at once shyne and abound 
 amongst us, and we shall be established in the day of tentation, 
 and enabled to contend for the faith which wes once delivered 
 unto the saints, that it may be transmited sound and intire 
 unto the generationes to come. 1 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. James 
 Affleck : Mr. Andro Eliot : Mr. Patrik Flemyng : Mr. Adame Penman : 
 Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Johne Weir: Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. William Dalgleish : Mr. John Knox : Mr. Patrik Col- 
 vill: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Johne Hay. Elders. — Laird of Duding- 
 stoun : Lawrence Henryson : James Rughead : Thomas Paterson. 
 
 This day the draught of the letter to the Synod of Divines 
 being read, wes approven and appoynted to be sent with the 
 expresse to the Commissioners at London, with a letter to 
 themselves, if the expresse go away this afternoon. 
 
 Folio wes the tenor of the letters to the Synod and Commis- 
 sioners : — 
 
 Letter to the 4 Reverend and deer brethrex, — The engagement of these 
 Dmnes° f kingdomes in one Solemne League and Covenant wes unto us 
 mater of exceeding joy and refreshing, as promising great 
 honour and happynesse unto this Hand in the present and 
 succeeding generationes, from the precious and pure ordinances 
 of God established in their beauty and perfection after one rule 
 in both lands : And when the Lord wes pleased to lay a faire 
 foundation for a more full Vniformity, by the Directory and the 
 Ordinances of the Parliament for setting up of Presbyteries, 
 our hopes wer strenthned to apprehend a speedy enjoyment 
 of that which we had long waited and much prayed for. It 
 can not therfor but afflict our hearts with many sorrowes to 
 heare of the grouth and increase of sectaries in your land, whose 
 policy and power threaten not only the interruption of the 
 work of God (so that the headstone therof shall not be brought 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 295 
 
 forth), but also the overturning of the foundation already laid, 
 and the casting doun of all that lies been built thereupon, with 
 the expense of so much paines unto yow, and sweat and blood 
 unto both nationes. 
 
 6 When the noise of these things come into our ears they wer 
 unto us so unexpected and full of wonder, that for many dayes 
 we wer like unto them that dreamed ; and therfor have hitherto 
 delayed to wryt unto yow ; but now, having more seriously 
 considered the condition of affaires with yow, we can not but 
 expresse the sympathie we have of your sorrowes and sufferings, 
 and the compassion of our hearts towards the Church of God 
 amongst yow. Wee shall not insist upon the rise and originall 
 of your evills. We pray the Lord may pardon those who have 
 keept his vineyarde amongst yow so long from being hedged, 
 untill the foxes have come in to destroy the vines, and many 
 woolves have entered to devour the soules of his people. But 
 it grieves us sore to think that that League and Covenant, 
 which wes entered into with so much solemnity and joy in 
 both kingdomes, should be now so litle regarded by many, nay, 
 by some studied to be dissolved as that which is most destruc- 
 tive to their designes, which, as it would expose us as a prey to 
 our common adversaries, so to the vengeance of God, and 
 make us to be consumed one of another. 
 
 ' And it wounds us deeply on your behalf that, after ye have 
 now been employed for some years in searching the mynd of God 
 from his Word, concerning the way of his worship and order 
 of his house, and have holden foorth the samyn with much 
 evidence of divine light, that all our hopes and your paines 
 should be lost in one day; and that, instead of the tyranny and 
 bloody dominion of praelats, and the guyse of ceremonies and 
 the service-book, you should have a wofull anarchie and 
 toleration thrust upon yow. It is to small purpose to fall in 
 comparison of evills, all being to be rejected and hated as dis- 
 allowed of God, and opposit to that which is good. But we 
 know no evill more contrary to the Word of God, and would 
 prove more destructive to Religion and to the Churches of 
 God then that of toleration and libertie as it is now pleaded 
 for in your land. And, therfor, since the day we heard of these 
 things, as we have been much weighted with the sense of your 
 
296 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 JULY 
 
 condition, so we have poured furth our supplicationes to God 
 for yow, that vow may not be discuraged, nor faint, nor swerve 
 in the houre of tentation, but that yow may comfort yourselves 
 in the Lord, and be enabled to contend for the faith delyvered 
 to the Saints. 
 
 6 Wee know that your tentationes be many, and your difficul- 
 ties great, but the Lord on high is more mighty then the noyse 
 of many waters, then the mightie waves of the sea ; and we 
 ar perswaded that he who lies accounted yow faithfull to put 
 yow into his service will cloth yow with strenth and salvation. 
 
 ' Wee need not put yow in mynd that ye ar engaged for the 
 truth of God. Yourselves know how it hath conquered and 
 prevailed in our dayes against the learning and wisdome of 
 men ; and yow have not wanted large experiments of light and 
 assistance communicat unto yow from above in all the tract of 
 your former labours, which men of your understanding have 
 (no question) laid up as grounds of encouragement in all future 
 difficulties and straits. It is not we alone, but, as we conceive 
 the Protestant Churches abroad (as hes been long since made 
 known unto yow by publik testimonies from some of them- 
 selves) that ar sensible of your danger, and do beare burthen 
 with yow. And there is reason why a mater of so common 
 interest and concernment to Religion should be owned and 
 resented by all the lovers and professors therof. And therfor 
 it shall be our hearts desire and prayer to God that yow may 
 so carrie yourselves as these upon whom not only the eyes of 
 adversaries, but the eyes of the Churches of God throughout 
 Europ ar fixed, that your constancie and zeale for the truth 
 may be made manifest unto all men to the shame of your 
 enemies and the comfort of your freends."* 
 
 Subscribed in name of' the 
 Edinburgh, Commission of the Generall Assembly of the 
 
 14 Julij 1647. Kirk of Scotland by the Moderator. 
 
 Direct : To the right reverend the Assembly of Divines in the 
 Church of England. 
 
 Letter to the ' Reverend and lovixg brethren, — In this day of try ell and 
 a^Londor? 116 " distresse we hav mett frequently heir for acquiting ourselves in 
 our dutie in relation to the present condition of affairs ; but, 
 
14 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 297 
 
 for want of intelligence, have been much retarded in our resolu- 
 tiones. Wee have made our addresse by supplication unto the 
 Committee of Estates, and have written unto the Synod of 
 Divines at some length, which letter ye will be pleased to 
 delyver. We conceive the danger that threatens Religion and 
 the work of Reformation to be verie great ; and if the Synod 
 of Divines can be brought to give any public testimony and 
 declaration of their judgment against sectaries, it would be 
 verie seasonable at such a tyme, if yow who ar upon the place 
 find it expedient to be moved. We shall acquant yow with 
 the progresse of affairs heir as occasion offers, and expect that 
 ye will not omitt any opportunity of giving us an account of 
 the condition of things with yow. So, comending yow to God, 
 we rest, Your affectionat brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 14 July 1G47. 0F THE Gexerall Assembly. 1 
 
 Direct : To their reverend and loving brethren the Commis- 
 sioners for the Kirk of' Scotland now at London. 
 
 The Commission approves the petition to be presented to 
 the Committee of Estates, and appoynts Mr. William Colvill, 
 Mr. John Oiswald, and Mr. Mungo Law, with the Moderator 
 to present it ; giving them also power to emitt the Declara- 
 tion to publik use, if they find a pressing necessitie. Tenor of 
 the petition followes : — 
 
 To the right honourable the Committee of Estates the humble 
 petition of the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 c Right hoxourable, — Having now many dayes expected full Petition to the 
 
 di • p , • ,1 p m - Committee of 
 
 cleere information concerning the progresse oi altairs in Estates. 
 
 England, and yet finding maters there still caried in so dark 
 and close a way, as that something may be brought foorth, er we 
 be acquainted with it, that may prove verie dangerous to Reli- 
 gion, and hearing that the work of God in that land is not only 
 retarded, but like to be overturned, Therfor it is our earnest 
 and humble desire that your Lordships will be pleased to inquire 
 after the progresse of the work of Vniformity and deale with 
 the Parliament of England for advancing therof, and to be 
 carefull that the Kings Majestie be not involved in new snares 
 
298 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 AUG. 
 
 unto the hazard of Reformation, and the endangering of him- 
 self and his kingdomes. And because these things ar of great 
 consequence and deep concernment unto Religion, therfor we 
 perswade ourselves that yow will think them worthie of your 
 frequent and serious deliberation ; And we shall not be want- 
 ing with our prayers and supplicationes unto God for your 
 Lordships, that he may furnish yow with such counsell and 
 resolution from himself as may contribut for promoving the 
 ends of the Covenant, unto the honour of his name, and the 
 comfort and safety of his people. 1 
 
 The Commission think it fitt now to dissolve, seeing the 
 Assembly is so neir approaching, and not to meet againe except 
 the Moderator find an vrgent necessity. 
 
 A. Ker. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 August 1647, sessio 22 a . 
 
 4 The Generall Assemblie, considering that the particulars 
 which speciallie occasioned the dissenting of some brethren from 
 the votes of the Commission of the late Assemblie, vpon the 
 21 of August 1646, ar for the tyme to come provyded for by 
 the Directiones for secret and privat worshipe and mutuall 
 edification : And considering also that the sentence of the said 
 Commission for transporting a minister to the kirk of Gordoun, 
 vpon the 22 day of the said moneth of August, is not now to 
 tak effect, the planting of that kirk with a minister now goeing 
 on in another way : Therfor the Assembly, in their tryall and 
 examination of the proceedings of the said Commission, is 
 not to examine the said votes and sentence, nor to give any 
 judgment in relation therto. 
 
 (Signed) Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator/ 
 
 4 The Generall Assemblie, after matur deliberation, do ratifie 
 and approve the wholl Acts and conclusions of the Commis- 
 sioners of the preceeding Assembly for publik affaires now 
 tryed and examined, Declaring that they haue proceeded therin 
 with much zeale, wisdome, diligence, vigilancie, and according 
 to their Commision. 
 
 (Signed) Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator."' 
 
THE ACTS AND PROCEIDINGES 
 OF THE COMMISSION OF THE 
 GENERALL ASSEMBLIE HOLDEN 
 AT EDINBURGHE IN THE YEIR 
 1647 
 
THE COMMISSION GRANTED BY THE 
 LATE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE. 
 
 Edinburgh, ultimo August 1 1647, post meridiem, 
 Sessio 28*. 
 
 RENOVATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR 
 THE PUBLIK AFFAIRES OF THE KIRK. 
 
 The Generall Assembly, taking to their consideration that 
 in respect the great work of Vniformity in religion in all his 
 Majesties dominions is not yet perfected (though by the Lords 
 blessing there is a good progresse made in the same), there is 
 a necessity of renewing the Commissions granted formerly for 
 prosecuting and perfecting that great work : Doe therfore 
 renew the power and comision granted for the publike affaires 
 of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held in St. Andrews 
 1642, and at Edinburgh 1643, 1644, 1645, and 1646, unto the 
 persons following, viz. : — Masters Alexander Casse, Samuel 
 Douglas, Robert Knox, William Penman, James Guthrie, 
 Robert Cuningham, David Fletcher, Robert Lawder, Andrew 
 Stevenson, Robert Davidson, David Calderwood, James Flem- 
 ing, Robert Ker, James Fairlie, Oliver Colt, Patrick Sibbald, 
 Andrew Ramsay, John Adamson, Robert Douglas, William 
 Colvill, George Gillespie, Mungo Law, Andrew Fairfoul, George 
 Lesly, Robert Lawrie, Alexander Spittell, Alexander Dicksone, 
 John Hay, Thomas Vassie, Ephraim Melvill, Patrick Scheill, 
 Alexander Summervaill, George Bennet, Alexander Leving- 
 stoun, Robert Murray, Alexander Rollock, William Menzies, 
 Alexander Ireland, John Friebairn, George Murray, Henrie 
 Guthrie, William Justice, Robert Wright, Henrie Livingstoun, 
 James Hamiltoun, George Gladstanes, Bernard Sanderson, 
 Andrew Lawder, George Rutherfurd, John Levingston, George 
 Hutcheson, John Bell, Heugh Mackaile, John Nevey, Matthew 
 Brisbane, John Hamiltoun, Allan Ferguson, David Dickson, 
 Zachary Boyd, Robert Ramsay, Robert Baillie, James Nasmith, 
 
302 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [AUG. 
 
 Francis Aird, Robert Birnie, Thomas Kirkaldie, Evan Cameron, 
 Robert Blair, Coline Adam, George Hamiltoun, Samuel Ruther- 
 furd, Alexander Colvill, John Ramsay, James Martein, William 
 Levingstoun, Thomas Melvill, John Smith, Frederick Car- 
 michaell, Patrick Gillespie, Alexander Moncrief, John Duncan, 
 James Sibbald, Walter Bruce, George Pittillo, Andrew Affleck, 
 John Barclay, Thomas Peirson, William Rait, David Strachan, 
 Andrew Cant, William Douglas, John Forbes, George Sharp, 
 William Chalmer, Joseph Brodie, Alexander Simmer, Gilbert 
 Anderson, William Smith, ministers : and Archibald, Marques 
 of Argile, John, Earle of Crawfurd, Alexander, Earle of Eglin- 
 toun, William, Earle of Glencairne, John, Earle of Cassils, 
 James, Earle of Home, James, Earle of Tullibairdine, Francis, 
 Earle of Buccleuch, John, Earle of Lauderdaill, William, Earle 
 of Lothian, James, Earle of Finlatour, William, Earle of Lanerk, 
 James, Earle of Callendar, Archibald, Lord Angus, George, 
 Lord Brichen, John, Lord Yester, John, Lord Balmerino, James, 
 Lord Couper, John, Lord Barganie, Sir Archibald Johnstoun 
 of Waristoun, Sir John Hope of Craighall, Arthur Areskine 
 of Scotiscraig, Alexander Fraser of Phillorth, Fredrick Lyon 
 of Brigtoun, James Mackdougall of Garthland, Sir William 
 Cockburne of Langton, Sir Andrew Ker of Greinheid, Sir 
 Heugh Campbell of Cesnock, Sir James Levingstoun of Kil- 
 syth, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Freeland, Sir Gilbert Ramsay of 
 Balmayne, John Henderson of Fordell, Walter Dundas younger 
 of that Ilk, Sir William Scott younger of Harden, Sir Lodo- 
 vick Gordoun, Master George Winrhame of Libertoun, Alex- 
 ander Levingstoun of Saltcoats, John Birsbane of Bishoptoun, 
 Sir Robert Douglas of Tilliquhillie, James Pringle of Tor- 
 woodlie, Sir James Nicolson of Colbrandspath, William Ker of 
 Newtoun, William Forbes younger of Lesly, John Kennedy of 
 Carmucks, Robert Arburthnot of Findowrie, Alexander Brodie 
 of Letham, Master Robert Narne, younger of Strathurd, Master 
 James Schoneir of Caskeberrie, James Ruchheid, Laurence 
 Henderson, James Stewart, David Douglas, John Jaffray, 
 George Porterfeild, John Semple, John Kennedy, William 
 Glendinning, Master John Cowan, John Mill, elders : Giving 
 vnto them full power and commission to doe all and every- 
 thing for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting, and bringing 
 
AUG.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 303 
 
 the said work of Vniformity in religion in all his Majesties 
 dominions to a happy conclusion, conforme to the former 
 commissions granted by preceding Assemblies thereanent. 
 And to that effect appoints them, or any seventeene of them, 
 whereof thirteene shall be ministers, to meet heer in this city 
 in the afternoone at four hours, and thereafter upon the last 
 Wednesdayes of November, February, and May next, and 
 upon any other day and in any other place they shall think 
 fit : Renewing also to the persons before named the power 
 contained in the Act of the Assembly 1643, intituled, 6 A 
 reference to the Commission anent the persons designed to 
 repaire to the kingdome of England as likewyse the power 
 contained in the Act of Assembly 1644, Session 6, for sending 
 ministers to the Armie. And further, in case delinquents have 
 no constant residence in any on Presbytery, or if Presbyteries 
 be negligent or overawed, in these cases, The Assembly gives to 
 the persons before named full power of censuring complyers 
 and persons disaffected to the Covenant, according to the Acts 
 of Assembly : Declaring alwayes and provyding that ministers 
 shall not be deposed but in on of the quarterly meetings of 
 this Comission ; With full power to them to treat and deter- 
 mine in the matters aforesaid, and in all other matters referred 
 unto them by this Assembly, as fully and freely as if the 
 same were here particularly expressed, and with as ample power 
 as any Comission of any former Generall Assemblies hath had 
 or been in use of before : They being alwayes for their whole 
 proceedings countable to and censurable by the next Generall 
 Assembly. 1 
 
 1 We append to this, as to the Act of the previous Assembly, the Act renew- 
 ing the Commissioft for prosecuting the Treaty for Uniformity in England ; 
 1 The Generall Assembly, taking to their consideration that the Treaty of Uni- 
 formity in Religion in all His Majesties dominions is not yet perfected, Therefore 
 renews the power and commission, granted by preceding Assemblies for prose- 
 cuting that Treaty, unto these persons after named, viz., Master Robert Douglas, 
 Master Samuel Rutherfurd, Master Robert Baillie, Master George Gillespie, 
 Ministers ; and John, Earle of Lauderdaill, John, Lord Balmerino, and Sir 
 Archibald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Elders ; authorising them with full power to 
 prosecute the said Treaty of Uniformity with the honourable Houses of the 
 Parliament of England, and the reverend Assembly of Divines there or any 
 Committee appointed by them ; and to doe all and every thing which may 
 advance, perfect, and bring that Treaty to an happy conclusion, conforme to the 
 Commissions given thereanent.' 
 
HE ACTES AND PKOCEEDINGES of the 
 
 Commission of the late Gexerai.l Assem- 
 blie, hoi den at Edinburgh in the moneths 
 of August and September last 1647. 
 
 Edinburgh, 1 Septembris 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Samuel Douglas: 
 Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James Fairlie : Mr. 
 Alexander Spittle : Mr. Johne Hay : Mr. Patrick Scheill : Mr. Alexander 
 Livingstoune : Mr. Harie Livingstoune: Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. George 
 Huehesone : Mr. Hew Mackale : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Robert Birnie : 
 Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Colin Adam : Doctor Colvil : Mr. John Smith : 
 Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. John Barclay : Mr. David Strachan : Mr. John 
 Forbes : Mr. William Chamber : Mr. Alexander Sumer : Mr. John 
 Nevay : Mr. James Marten : Mr, Robert Douglas : Mr. Robert Knox : 
 Mr. Andro Stevinsone : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. 
 Alexander Dickson : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Rollok : Mr. 
 William Menzies : Mr. James Hamiltoune : Mr. John Livingstoune : 
 Mr. John Bell : Mr. David Dicksone : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Thomas 
 Kirkaldie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. William 
 Livingstone : Mr. Alexander Moncrieff : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. 
 Thomas Peirson : Mr. William Douglasse : Mr. George Scharpe : Mr. 
 Joseph Brodie : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. Alexander Irland : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. Mungo Law. Elders. — Scottiscraig : Tillquhillie : 
 Strathurd : Caskeberrv : James Ruchhead : David Douglas: John 
 Jaffray : John Mill. 
 
 Moderatour. After incalling vpon the name of God by Mr. Robert 
 Douglas, Moderatour of the late Generall Assembly, the 
 names of the Commissioners being called and the Commission 
 read, a list was made for choysing a Moderatour, viz. — Mr. 
 Robert Douglas, Mr. Robert Blair, and Mr. David Dickson, 
 and the said Mr. Robert Douglasse was chosen Moderatour 
 of the Commission in all the sessiones and meitings therof. 
 Order for print- The Commission of Assembly appoints the Propositiones of 
 tiones r and S1 Government and Directory of Government 1 to be printed with 
 
 Directory of 
 Government. 
 
 1 Propositions concerning Church Government and Ordination of Ministers ; 
 A Directory for Church Government and Ordination of Ministers ; both printed 
 4to, pp. 26 and 32, by Evan Tyler, Edinburgh, 1647, and reprinted the same 
 year by Robert Bostock, London. 
 
29 SEP.] GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 305 
 
 the titles agreed on, and likwayes that the debeats in the 
 Assembly of Divines in England concerning Toleration, and 
 the papers given in by the Commisioners to the Grand Com- 
 mittee be also printed. 
 
 The Commission ordaines the brethren of Sutherland and Continuation— 
 Caithnes, commissioners to the late Assembly, to send the vtheres. 
 proofs and evidences of the particular offences wherin they 
 chairge the Lord Rae, his sone and friends, and vther persones 
 contained in the summonds, against the last Weddnesday of 
 November, and appoints the Clerk also to look out that peece 
 wreitten by Mr. Gilbert Gordon, which is a panegyrick for Mr. Gilbert 
 James Graham, which ance come to his hands ; and continues Gordon - 
 the summonds raised against the said persones vntill the said 
 day. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly vnderstanding that notwith- Lues Gordon 
 . i . P T i * , • i excommunicat. 
 
 standing oi Lues Gordons L excommunication, dyvers persons 
 
 do converse with him, Therfor they doe seriously recommend to 
 
 the Provincial!, of Murray to take notice of such as converse 
 
 with him, and to censure them accordingly ; And doe also 
 
 humbly recommend to the Committee of Estates to take some 
 
 course for puting him in firmance. 
 
 The Commission appoints their nixt meiting to be in the 
 
 last Weddnesday of September. 
 
 Edinburgh, penultimo Septembr'is 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Andrew Ramsay : Mr. George Lesly : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Evan Cambron : Mr. 
 John Smith: Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James Fairlie : Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Patrick Scheill : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. 
 Thomas Melvill : Mr. Patrick Gillespie : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. George 
 Gillespie. Elders. — Lord Marques of Argyle : Lord Advocat : Sir James 
 Livingston of Kilsyth : Walter Dundas, younger of that Ilk : Mr. George 
 Winram of Libertoun : James Ruchhead : James Stewart: George 
 Porterfeild. 
 
 This day, the summonds of the toune of Glasgow for trans- Towne of Glas- 
 porting of Mr. Patrick Gillespie minister at Kirkcaldie, with |ck GiUespT^ 1 " 
 
 1 He was son of the forfeited and excommunicated Marquis of Huntly, and 
 though himself excommunicated, was not, like his father and the Marquis of 
 Montrose, and some others, excepted by Act of the Estates ' from getting 
 pardon or conditions.' 
 
306 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 SEP. 
 
 Preston and 
 Mr. Thomas 
 Kirkcaldie. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion concerning 
 a Short Cate- 
 chisme. 
 
 Appointment 
 to speak the 
 Thesaurer for 
 the 500 lib. 
 
 Comision for 
 examining wit- 
 nesses in the 
 maters betuixt 
 John Wilkie 
 and Mr. 
 Thomas Ram- 
 Say. 
 
 their reasones, being read, The Commission appoints the tovvne 
 of Kirkcaldie to see these reasones, and to prepair answer 
 therto against the morne after sermon. 
 
 The Commission continues the mater of the petition of 
 Preston for transporting of Mr. Thomas Kirkcaldie, minister 
 at Karnwath, vntill the 12 of October, at two afternoon, with 
 certification, if the defenders compeare not, the Commission 
 will proceid, and Mr. William Sime, appearing for the 
 defenders, warned heirof apud acta. 
 
 The Commission, apprehending that the Assembly of Divines 
 in England will not fall vpon the Short Catechisme at this 
 tyme, 1 Doe therfor recommend to the ministers of Edinburgh 
 and Messrs. David Calderwood and Robert Ker, Messrs. David 
 Dicksone, Robert Ramsay, and Robert Baillie, and Messrs. 
 Robert Blair and Samuel Rutherfurd, so soon as the Large 
 Catechisme shall be perfected and sent doune, to draw out of 
 it a short plaine Catechisme for the capacity of the weaker, in 
 caice the Assembly of Divines shall doe nothing in it, and 
 desires Mr. George Gillespie to writ to their brother, Mr. 
 Samuel Rutherfurd, to learne if the Assembly of Divines will 
 take any paines in the Short Catechisme. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Andro Ramsay and George 
 Gillespie, with the Moderatour, to deale earnestly with the Lord 
 Thesaurer for payment of the precept of 500 lib. sterling, 
 which his Lordship hes granted in pairt of payment of the 
 arriers of the annuitie granted by his Maiestie. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly in the mater 
 
 referred vnto them concerning John Wilkie of Fouldon and 
 
 Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister ther, gives heirby power and 
 
 commission to Messrs Alexander Casse, John Home of Eccles, 
 
 Thomas Swinton, Walter Swinton, Samuel Douglas, and James 
 
 Home, ministers, and the lairds of Swinton, elder, Blacader, 
 
 and Nynholls, or any four of them, three being ministers, to 
 
 examine witnesses vpon oath in the said mater, which either 
 
 of the pairties shall lead and adduce, vpon any of the parti- 
 
 1 The Westminster Assembly did prepare a Shorter Catechism as soon as 
 possible after they finished the Larger one, and that, as well as the Larger, was 
 sanctioned by the Assembly of 1648. Rutherfurd's Catechism seems to me to 
 have been prepared before he went up to London in 1643, or soon after, and 
 not in consequence of this recommendation in 1647. 
 
30 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 307 
 
 culars which either of them layes to others chairge, and that 
 the depositiones be distinctly written and subscribed by the 
 Moderatour for the tyme, and the witnesses themselves if they 
 can writ ; And to this effect their meiting shalbe at Chirnside, 
 vpon the 7 day of October nixt, and therafter they are to 
 appoint their own dyets and place of meiting, with power to 
 them to give out citationes, if need be, for bringing witnesses 
 befor them : And that they make report to the Comission 
 vpon the last Wednesday of November nixt, and either of the 
 pairties shall send advertisment heirof to the other pairtie, 
 that neither of them pretend ignorance. 
 
 Edinburgh, vltimo Septembris 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione prcecedenti. 
 
 The Comission continues vntill 2 afternoon the bussines con- Mr. Patrik 
 cerning Mr. Patrick Gillespies transportation, and appoints GllIas P ie - 
 the parochiners of Kirkcaldie to come prepared with answer to 
 that reason given by the towne of Glasgow vpon the Kings 
 gift and mortification, which will fall, in caice it take no be- 
 gining in Mr. Patricks person, with certification, if they doe 
 not, the Commission will proceid. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Andro Ramsay, David Lord Herreis 
 Dickson, Doctor Colvill, and George Gillaspie, to conferre with 
 the Lord Herreis, at afternoon, in Mr. Andrew Ramsays house. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Dowglasse, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Patrick 
 Sybbald : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. William Colvill: 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. James Fairly : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. Patrick Sheill : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Mungo 
 Law: Mr. James Fleming: Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie. 
 Elders. — Argyle : Brechen : Dundas : Kilsyth: Libertoun : Provest of 
 Glasgow : James Stewart. 
 
 This day the Lord Herries, personallie present, having given Lord Hemes. 
 
 in a petition desiring to be relaxed from excommunication, The 
 
 Commission of Assemblie appoints him to give in a particular 
 
 confession of his offences for which he wes excommunicat, 
 
 against the 12 of October, And in the meane tyme that he 
 
 addresse him self to the Presbyterie of Drumfries to conferre 
 
308 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 SEP. 
 
 Transporta- 
 tion of 
 Mr. Patrick 
 Gillaspie to 
 Glasgow. 
 
 Provest of Glas- 
 gow's Declara- 
 tion in name of 
 the towne. 
 
 Mr. Thomas 
 Ramsay, 
 younger, his 
 capacity to the 
 ministerie. 
 
 Declaration 
 concerning the 
 said Mr. 
 Thomas. 
 
 with any they appoint, and bring a report from them of their 
 travells with him against the said 12 of October, which being 
 done, they will then take his desire to consideration. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the towne of Glasgow for the 
 transportation of Mr. Patrick Gillaspie to the ministrie of the 
 Great Kirk of Glasgow, the said Mr. Patrik compearing per- 
 sonally, and the Earle of Dalhousie and the Laird of Bogie, 
 with diverse vthers of the towne and paroch of Kirkaldie, 
 compearing in name of that paroch, and George Porterfeild, 
 Provest of Glasgow, and Mr. George Young and Mr. Hew 
 Blair, ministers there, with divers vthers, compearing in name 
 of the towne of Glasgow, the Comissioners of the Generall 
 Assemblie, having at greath lenth heard both the saids pairties 
 hinc hide, and seriously considered the reasons given in by 
 them for and against the said transportation, after mature 
 deliberation doe find that the said Mr. Patrik should be trans- 
 ported to Glasgow, And therefor hearby transports him to the 
 ministerie in the said Great Kirk of Glasgow, Ordaining him 
 to be admitted actually to that charge, and to remove from 
 Kirkcaldie betuixt this and Candlemes nixt. 
 
 Becaus the speciall reason moveing the Commissioners of the 
 Assembly to transport Mr. Patrik Gillespie to Glasgow wes to 
 the effect that the Kings mortification of ten chalders victuall 
 for a constant minister to the Great Kirk might be effectuall, 
 which vtherwayes they wer informed would not be valid in law, 
 Therfor George Porterfeild, provest of Glasgow, personallie 
 this day declared and promised, in name of the said burgh 
 of Glasgow, in case the said mortification should not prove 
 valid in law, that the said Mr. Patrik should be secured 
 sufficiently in a stipend equivalent thervnto. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly haveing con- 
 sidered the petition of Mr. Thomas Ramsay, younger, referred 
 vnto them by the late Assemblie, Doe find and declare that the 
 said Mr. Thomas is in a capacity for the ministrie in this Kirk, 
 when the Lord shall offer to him a lawfull calling. 
 
 The Commission of the Generall Assembly doe declare that 
 their preceiding vote, declaring Mr. Thomas Ramsay, younger, 
 to be in a capacitie for the ministrie in this Kirk, is not to be 
 extended to the kirk of Whitsome, in respect of the Act of 
 
30 SEP.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1617 309 
 
 the late Generall Assemblie of the 25 of August, Session 20, 1 
 concerning the said Mr. Thomas, and appoints this to be 
 intimat to the Presbytery of Chirnside. 
 
 Concerning Mr. Thomas Ramsay, younger, his cariage in his Admonition— 
 entrie to and removall from Mordingtoun, The Comission RamIay° maS 
 having; heard Mr. William Colvill (who wes on of the Com- younger, 
 mittee appointed by the late Assembly to consider that mater) 
 make a verball report therof in so farre as his memorie served 
 him, doe admonish the said Mr. Thomas that he do not carry 
 himselfe in that maner in any tyme heirafter. 
 
 This day the Clerk produced letters from the Commissioners 
 at London ; Tenor wherof folio wes : — 
 
 4 Rtght honourable and right reverend, — Wee delivered Letter from the 
 the Declaration 2 of the Generall Assembly to the Grand Com- at London. r 
 mittee, wher it wes read, and by a vote of that Committee 
 ordered to be transmitted to both Houses of Parliament and 
 the Assembly of Divines. Wee also, by ane order of the same 
 Committee, transmitted to both Houses a paper, a copie wherof 
 is heir inclosed, craving ane answer of another former paper, 
 dated December 25, expressing more fullie our earnest desires 
 for carying the so much expected work of Vniformity to some 
 happy issue and conclusion. The Assembly heard the Declara- 
 tion read with much attention and tendering of thanks to the 
 Kirk of Scotland. But neither the Declaration nor our other 
 paper hath yet been read in either Houses, though they have 
 been in their hands since the 14th of this instant. 
 
 ' As wee could not find a fitt opportunitie, so considering the 
 pregnant reasons tendered to ws by our friends (which wee 
 cannot conveniently now expresse), wee much doubt of the ex- 
 pediency of delivering the Declaration to the Common Counsell 
 of London in this exigencie of affaires, but shall remitt to your 
 wisdome what further yow shall command us therin. 
 
 6 The Assembly goes on in a review of the Catechisme. Wee 
 
 1 The title of one of the unprinted Acts of this session of the Assembly is, 
 ' Query proposed by the Commissioners of the Presbytery of Chirnside, with the 
 Assembly's advice thereanent.' 
 
 2 A Declaration and Brotherly Exhortation of the Generall Assembly of the 
 Church of Scotland met at Edinburgh, August 20, 1 647, to their Brethren of 
 England, included among the printed Acts of Assembly, and printed separately 
 4to, pp. 22, by Evan Tyler, Edinburgh, 1647. 
 
310 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 SEP. 
 
 ar confident no thing can more prevaile for the crowning of this 
 work and frustrating of the counsells of the adversarie, then 
 the vigorous, reall, and constant adhering of that Kirk and 
 Kingdome to the cause and Covenant of God, which wee know 
 is the ayme of all the godly there, the rejoycing of the well- 
 affected here, and the earnest desire and prayer of 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Worcester House, & c Subscribitur 
 the 21st of September 1647. Lauderdaill, Samuell Rutherfurd." 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, 
 
 Paper given by 6 Forasmuch as the honourable Houses have by the good hand 
 sioners?othe °^ ma( ^ e some desirable progresse in setling of Religion, 
 Houses. and have oft declared that their reall intentions are, and care 
 shall be, to endevour the Reformation of Religion and the nearest 
 Vniformity in Confession of Faith, forme of Church Govern- 
 ment, Directory of Worship and Catechising, togither with 
 the extirpation of haeresie and schisme, according to the Cove- 
 nant; and the hopefull foundation of so glorious a building 
 layd did much refresh the Reformed Kirks of Christ abroad, 
 and more particularly the Kirk of Scotland ; and the setling of 
 Religion wes judged by both kingdomes to be an aboundant 
 reward of all that we can doe or suffer in this cause of God, 
 W ee could not but represent (as wee have often done) our strong 
 and hartie desires, that all possible care may be taken to expe- 
 dite the begunne Reformation, to supply what is wanting, and 
 to perfect the whole work. So now, at the speciall command of 
 the Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland, wee earnestly 
 desire ane answer to a fuller paper, more largely representing 
 our sense of Religion, delivered vpon the 25th of December last 
 to the Lords, Commons, and Divines appointed to receave 
 papers of that kynd, which wes by them transmitted to both 
 Houses of Parliament ; The returne wherof we expected by a 
 second paper given in to the same effect, the 17th of July last, 
 by the Commissioners of the Kingdome of Scotland at the com- 
 mandement of that Parliament ; so are wee now still waiting for 
 it these eight moneths and above, but received no answer, and 
 can returne no satisfactory account therof to the Kirk of Scot- 
 
12 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 311 
 
 land. Therfor wee, from our apprehensions and too apparent 
 feares of a more dangerous alteration of Religion, then wes 
 befor wee entred in Covenant for Reformation, by reason of a 
 pretended liberty of conscience, and the more then ordinary 
 abounding of haeresies, blasphemies, and schismes throughout 
 the whole kingdome ; from the religious sense of that oath of 
 God which the three kingdomes did swear with hands lifted vp 
 to the Most High ; for the satisfieing of our consciences and 
 our owne exoneration are necessitat to renew our earnest desires 
 the thrid tyme for ane answere from the honourable Houses 
 to that paper.'' 
 14 September 1647. 
 
 The Comission thinke fitt that their nixt meeting be heir Nixt Meeting, 
 vpon the 12 October nixt, and that the brethren present adver- 
 tyse their brethren absent of this diet. 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 Octobris 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers, — Mr. Robert Dowglasse, Moderatour. Mr. Mungo 
 Law: Mr, Johne Nevay : Mr, Colin Adam: Mr. Robert Ker : Mr, 
 Robert Lawrie : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr, Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Walter 
 Bruce : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr, Oliver Colt : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. James 
 Flemyng: Mr. James Fairlie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Francis Aird : 
 Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Hew Mackaill : Mr. John Bell : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. Andrew Fairfull : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Andrew Ramsay. Elders. — Scotscraige: Dundas : 
 Libertoun: Caskeberrie : John Mill, 
 
 This day Messrs. David Dickson, William Colvill, James 
 Guthrie, and Dundas appointed to consider of the present 
 dangers to this Kirk, especially if the Army shall disband, and 
 to draw vp the particulars, with their opinions, and bring the 
 same to the Moderatour. 
 
 This day a letter from the Commissioners at London read ; 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 'Right honourable and right reverend, — The Assembly of Letter from 
 Divines having ended the Catechisme, doe now reveiw the whole a^Lo^doru^ 
 in a full Assembly. Wee hope it shall shortly be closed. 
 Neither of the Houses of Parliament have the Declaration of 
 the Generall Assemblie, nor is it probable (as wee are informed) 
 they shall take any further notice of papers coming from ws 
 
 1 Minutes of Westminster Assembly, p. 483, session 932. 
 
312 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 OCT 
 
 touching Kirk bussines, as affaires now stand. For our part 
 wee so much value the authoritie of that Kirk, as the truly godly 
 doe heare, (who wer indeed much refreshed when they read so 
 faithfull a testimony to the truth of Jesus Christ against the 
 many haeresies and errors of the tyme) that, after advice had 
 with our most reall friends, wee humblie conceaved the delyverie 
 of that Declaration to the Common Counsell of London, at this 
 juncture of tyme, but a prostituting the authoritie of that 
 Venerall 1 Assembly (which is dear to ws) to the contempt of 
 men, especially considering these of that judicature that are reall 
 and zealous for the work of Reformation, and most constant in 
 adhering to the Covenant maid with God, wer vnder censures, 
 and diverse of them since that tyme committed, 2 and many 
 indifferent, fearfull, or averse to Reformatioun ; And being told 
 the issue of our appearing therin wold be no other but some 
 publick indignity offered to our Kirk, and rendering of that 
 Court vncapable of receiving letters or papers from the Kirk ane 3 
 Ordinance of Parliament, without giving ane accompt therof to 
 the Houses, and the making of our best friends more obnoxious 
 to the jealousies and hatred of such as cary maters according 
 to their owne lust. Wee therfor humblie crave to know your 
 mynde, and what ye will command ws further to doe therin. 
 Trusting that the endevours and labours of the Kirk of Scot- 
 land shalbe a hopefull foundation of a glorious Reformation, 
 when the Lord shall in his good providence make a revolution 
 of affaires here ; a testimony in the eyes of all the Reformed 
 Kirks ; and your labours in the Lord shall not be in vaine, but 
 vsefull to the generations not yet borne, which is the desire, 
 and shalbe the prayer of, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Worcester House, Sic subscribitur, Lauderdaill, 
 the 28th of September 1647. Samuell Rutherfurd. 1 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 ^aL'pStatfo? 6 ' Concerning the petition and sumonds of the parochiners of 
 ?/ Mr : Thomas Preston for transporting Mr. Thomas Kircaldie, The Commis- 
 
 Kircaldie to 
 
 Preston. 
 
 1 That is, Venerable. 
 
 2 The Lord Mayor and four Aldermen had been so. 
 
 3 Probably ' by ' should be inserted before ' ane.' 
 
13 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 313 
 
 sion of Assembly, having heard and considered the reasons 
 given in be Sir Alexander Moreson of Prestongrainge, Mr. 
 Andro Marjoribanks, and Thomas Home, in name of the said 
 parochiners of Preston, for his transportation, together with 
 the answers therto, and the reasons given in by the said Mr. 
 Thomas personallie present, and the Earle of Carnwath and 
 others, in name of the parochiners of Carnwath, against his 
 transportation ; and finding that, in respect of the said Mr. 
 Thomas his bodilie infirmitie and sicknes, he cannot be trans- 
 ported from Carnwath to Prestoun ; Therfor, according to the 
 power comitted to them by the late Assembly, doeth refuse 
 the said desire of the parochiners of Preston. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at eight hours. 
 
 Edinburgh, 13 Octobris 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. James Flemyng : Mr. Robert Baillie : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. John Nevy : Mr. 
 Andro w Ramsav : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay": Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. John Bell : 
 Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 George HamUtoun : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. 
 Mungo Law : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Andrew Fairfoull : Mr. Robert Traill. Elders. — 
 Argyle : Crawfurd : Cassills : Balmerinoch : Cowper : Barganie : Arthur 
 Areskein : Gartlan : Dundas : Sir Lues Gordoun : Libertoun : Caske- 
 berrie : George Porterfeild : John Mill. 
 
 Concerning the petition of Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister at John Wilkie 
 Fouldon, this day presented, The Commissioners of the Generall Thomas 
 Assemblie think it fitt that the witnesses to be led betuixt J^^' t 
 John Wilkie of Fouldoun and the said Mr. Thomas salbe Fouiden.' 
 examined by them selfes here in this towne, and therfore the 
 Commission granted in September last is not to have effect 
 after advertisment shalbe given heirof to that Comission, and 
 appoints this to be intimat to the said John Wilkie. 
 
 This day the Moderator produced a draught of a Remon- 
 strance to the Comittee of Estates which, in the opinion of the 
 brethren appointed yesterday for the purpose, wes necessary to 
 be made, that the dangers to Religion and this Kirk from within 
 and from without, if the Army shall be disbanded, may be 
 humbly presented to their Lordships. 
 
 Tenor of the Remonstrance followes : — 
 
314 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 OCT. 
 
 ' To the right honourable the Committee of Estates the Humble 
 Remonstrance of the Coinissioners of the Generall Assembly. 
 
 Remonstrance ( As there hath been very lately a publike and solemne thanks- 
 of Estates" 66 gi vm & f° r * ne great mercies and deliverances which God hath 
 wrought for this nation after he had brought it very low, so the 
 dangers which are interwoven with our deliverances are very great, 
 and still growing greater and greater. This also cometh forth 
 from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderfull in counsell and excel- 
 lent in working, that we may not be secure or thinke that all our 
 stormes are overpast, but may serve the Lord in feare and reioyce 
 in trembling, and be the more stirred vp to watchfulnesse, circum- 
 spection, and zeal, in all the duties which the condition of this 
 tyme calls for. 
 
 ' Wee, therfore, in the discharge of that great trust which is 
 comitted to ws, and according to the duty of watchmen set vpon 
 this watch-towar, cannot be silent in a time of so great danger, 
 but hold it incumbent to ws humbly and faithfully to report and 
 remonstrat to your Lordships that the dangers of the true Reformed 
 Religion and cause of God in this whole Illand were by the late 
 Generall Assembly their Declaration, communicated to your Lord- 
 ships, discovered to be in many respects so great and so imminent 
 as might justly minister occasion to your Lordships in your wisdome 
 to thinke of some more effectuall meanes and remedies for pre- 
 venting or removing such dangers, although they could not now 
 be aggravated by any new emergents ; Nevertheles, we have too 
 great cause to conceive that the dangers of Religion ar now growen 
 greater then they were at the tyme of the Generall Assembly. 
 
 f And even since the tyme of publishing your Lordships Act con 
 cerning the disbanding of the Armie in this kingdome, the wise 
 and mervellous providence of God is making answer and pro- 
 claiming aloud in both our eares that the danger is become 
 greater and more imminent, for the waters of the present deluge 
 are growen many cubits higher since that time : For evidence 
 wherof the Kings Majesties late answer to the Propositions of 
 both kingdomes may be instead of many demonstrations. It is 
 our great griefe that wee have cause to say so ; but we must 
 speake to the matter as it is, and vnlesse we would shut our eyes 
 we cannot but behold in that answer a threefold growing danger 
 to Religion. For, first, his Majestie professeth that, as when the 
 Propositions were offered to him at Newcastle, he could not agree 
 
13 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 315 
 
 to some of them without violation of his conscience and honour, 
 so neither can he agree to others of them now, conceiving them 
 more disproportionable to the present condition of affaires, then 
 when they wer formerly presented to him, as being destructive to 
 the principall interests of the Army. So that his Majesties dis- 
 agreeing being now more inlarged and of a greater latitude then 
 befor, if his Majesties former answer to the Propositions was 
 justly conceived to be vnsatisfactory in point of Religion, this last 
 doth much lesse satisfie ; for although his Majestie did not in his 
 former answere agree to the Covenant and other materiall Pro- 
 positions concerning Religion, yet ther was in that answer some 
 part of satisfaction even to the Propositions concerning Religion ; 
 wheras in the late answer even that part of satisfaction is by the 
 foresaid expression unsettled instead of being adhered vnto. We 
 shall passe that clause in the answer which owneth the interests 
 of the Army so far as to preiudice the more publike interest of 
 both kingdomes in those Propositiones agreed vpon after mature 
 deliberatione by both Parliaments. 
 
 e Secondly. His Majestie, waving the Propositions of both king- 
 domes, and pressing the proposalls of the Army to be the subiect 
 of a treaty, doth yet further encrease the danger of Religion, 
 seeing those proposalls, as they omit and abandon the former 
 desires of both kingdomes in point of Religion, so they cannot 
 avoid (as the words stand) the continuing of prailacy, the tolera- 
 tion of haeresies and sects, and the taking away of the Ordinance 
 injoyning the taking of the Covenant, as is more fully expressed 
 in the Declaration of the late Generall Assembly. 
 
 * Thirdly. His Majesties answere doth also divide that joynt and 
 common interest of both kingdomes in the Propositions which 
 was formerly the ground of a joynt treaty of both with his 
 Majestie. Hereby (whatever may be the prejudice otherwise), 
 surly Religion will suffer not a little, forasmuch as the Propositions 
 concerning the Covenant of the three kingdomes and the Vni- 
 formity between them in Religion are by this meanes in effect 
 excluded from the Treaty, the joynt desires and common con- 
 cernments of the kingdomes in point of Vniformity in Religion 
 being no part of the subject of a treaty with either kingdome 
 severallie, but of a treaty with both joyntly. 
 
 * Yet his Maiesties answer to the Propositions is not the only 
 danger to be now looked upon in this businesse, for, even since 
 that answer was given, this common cause and Covenant hath 
 
316 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 OCT. 
 
 been yet further weakened and dangerously wounded by the late 
 strong endevours in England to move the Parliament to establish 
 by their authority a toleration of sectaries, and to slight and lay 
 aside such of the Propositions of peace as concerne the Covenant 
 and the joynt interest of the kingdomes in Religion. It addeth 
 grief to our sorrow that we have cause to mention the new per- 
 secutions raised there, by meanes of the sectaries, against diverse 
 who have been zealous and active for the good of Religion, King, 
 and Kingdomes. Yea, they, who plead so much for libertie of 
 conscience to them selves, allow so little of it to others, who differ 
 from them, that they can now make vp a charge either of con- 
 structive treason or of high crimes and misdemeanors against 
 them, for such particulars as doe vpon the matter amount to no 
 more but zealous endeavours in opposing the way of the sectaries. 
 Neither common sense nor Christian sympathie can suffer us to 
 conceive that the cause of Religion is in no greater danger then 
 before, when persecution is growing daily more and more hote 
 against such as have most appeared against or endeavoured to 
 hinder the late unsufferable exorbitancies of the sectaries. 
 
 e While the danger of Religion is thus increased abroad, we can 
 not say that 'tis growen any whit lesse at home, but rather greater. 
 For beside the dangerous influence which the growing power of 
 the enemies of the Covenant in England is like to have vpon this 
 kingdome, the malignant faction at home hath not so much 
 decreased in profession as increased in design and practise against 
 this cause and Covenant. Surely they who are disaffected in this 
 nation, being many, are as malicious as before, when very shortly 
 after the expedition into England perceiving no force within the 
 kingdome to resist them, they took armes and disturbed the 
 publike peace. And if they were so ready to stir when that Army 
 wes but out of the kingdome, how much more if it shall be dis- 
 banded ? Some enemies are still in the fields and in actual 
 rebellion within this kingdome, and there is too great cause to 
 fear that many others, who retaine their former principles and 
 continue in their former designes against this cause, shall not be 
 slow to take vp armes if your Lordships lay them down. 
 
 ' And so much the more may this be expected, because, as their 
 pride and insolency is of late growen more intollerable vpon the 
 hopes of disbanding the Army, so their are many of them enraged 
 as beeres robed of their whelps, or as wolves of the evening, 
 being also desperate of mending their broken estates, except it 
 
13 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 317 
 
 be in publike combustions ; Vthers of them are animated and 
 emboldened by the greate favour and indulgence which hath 
 been shewed towards them in their delinquencies, in so much 
 that they are therby hardened from repenting of their rebellion 
 or complyance with rebells, and even blesse them selves for a 
 better lot, easier yoke, and lighter burden, then those who have 
 been most reall and active for the Covenant. 
 
 ' These dangers of Religion we have insisted vpon as being most 
 proper for ws to speak to ; and not as we wer insensible of the 
 great danger of the Kings person and monarchicall government, 
 for preserving of which, according to our Covenant, our prayers 
 and best endeavours shall not be wanting. And now the danger 
 of Religion in all these being so great, and the grounds of our fears 
 and apprehensions being so pregnant, we earnestly beseech and 
 humbly obtest your Lordships in the bowells of Jesus Christ, and 
 by the vowes of God which are vpon yow, that, as your Lordships 
 desire God, and your owne consciences, and the posterity may 
 not afterward charge vpon yow the ruine of Religion, King, and 
 Kingdomes, so your Lordships may be very tender and conscionable 
 that no such designe be entertained or get place among yow as 
 tendeth to the disabling of this Church and kingdome from an 
 effectuall prosecuting and promoting of the ends of the Covenant, 
 or to the strengthning and inabling the enemies thereof, by 
 affording them the opportunity which they wait for, to disturbe 
 againe the peace and to destroy the present Reformation. These 
 and no better effects can be looked for if the Army in this king- 
 dome, which hath been so blessed of God and so faithfull to yow, 
 shall be disbanded before this cause, which so much concerneth 
 the glory of God, the reformation and defence of Religion, the 
 peace and safety of the kingdomes, the honour and happines of 
 the King, be settled vpon a firme foundation. 
 
 c In this our humble desire we are not byassed with any respect 
 to any particular party or interest. Our witnesse is in heaven and 
 within our owne brests that we speake for the interest of Religion 
 and of the cause of God ; Neither doth that which we desire tend 
 to a new war, but to the preventing of a new war ; nor to the 
 encreasing of burthens on the kingdome, but to the preventing of 
 greater burthens : Nor is it our desire alone, but many others are 
 equally sensible with ws of the great danger which may accrue to 
 this cause from the disbanding of that Army. It is not vnobserved 
 that most of those, who are active for the laying downe of armes, 
 
318 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 OCT. 
 
 are such as were against the taking vp of armes in this Cause. 
 However, since ther can be no assurance in humane reason that 
 the kingdome shall need no army, we humbly offer it to your 
 Lordships most serious thoughts, how far a new state of the 
 question, setting aside the Covenant, (which some late debates 
 both here and in England give us cause to feare,) and the raising 
 or imploying of another army (which we also apprehend and 
 expect, if this Army were once disbanded), may be prejudiciall and 
 destructive to this Cause and Covenant, for which this nation hath 
 done and suffered so much. 
 
 ' Having thus discharged our consciences, we humbly leave all 
 this to be well weighed by your Lordships, and we pray the Lord 
 himself to guide your Lordships counsels, that yow may be like the 
 wise men of Issachar, having vnderstanding of the times what 
 Israel ought to do, and what they ought not to do.' 
 
 The Commission having seriously considered, the said Re- 
 monstrance, Doe vnanimously approve the same, and appoints 
 the Moderatour and Messrs. David Calderwood, David Dick- 
 son, John Adamson, Robert Blair, and Andrew Fairfoull, 
 Greanhead, Dundas, Sir Lues Gordon, and Liberton, to pre- 
 sent the same to the Committee of Estates, and therafter 
 ordaines the Clerk to cause print the same. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 Octobris 1647. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers, — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Andrew 
 Fairfoull: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie: Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. George Hamilton: Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Fleemyng : Mr. Hew Mackaill : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. John Neve : Mr. Andrew Ramsay : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Robert Wright : 
 Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr, 
 Francis Aird : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Patrik 
 Sibbald: Mr. John Bell: Mr. Patrik Sheill. Elders. — Sir Lues Gordon: 
 Dundas : Libertoun : Caskeberrie. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. Mungo Law and Andrew 
 Fairfoull to speake to the Leivtennent Generall concerning the 
 house of Dalgety, that he may cause apprehend and secure the 
 persons of the vile rebells their. 
 
 The Commission appoints the letter following, in the behalfe 
 of James Murrayes children, to be sent to Presbyteries : — 
 
14 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 319 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — Since it hath pleased Letter to Pres- 
 the Lord to call James Murray to his rest, it is our earnest cern[ng James 
 
 desire that vow be cairfull to satisfie his children in the bygone Murrayes 
 
 . dewes 
 rests of that allowance which wes granted to him by the 
 
 Assembly, as also for this present yeare, sieing he hes left 
 order with a young man, Patrik Dickson, writer, known to ws, 
 to cause doe that service, and receive in the money to the 
 behoofe of his children. He hes also given band to the 
 printer for the Directions for worship 1 and other papers, which 
 now are or heir after shall be sent vnto yow. Therefor yow 
 must not faill to prepair the pryces of them, and send the 
 same to the said Patrik Dickson, wha wrytts in Mr. John 
 Skeens chalmer, against the day of nixt, and 
 
 for the Directions we doubt not but yow will be cairfull that 
 every family take one of them. What more yow shall need of 
 them nor are sent, yow may have vpon advertisment. This 
 we doe seriously recommend to your cair, remaining, 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The COMMISSIONERS 
 
 14 October 1647. of the Generall Assemblies 
 
 The Commissioners doe againe appoint the brethren before- Appointment of 
 named, viz., the Moderator, with Messrs. Androw Ramsay and gpeak^the 0 
 George Gillaspie, to deall earnestly with the Lord Thesaurer Thesaurer for 
 for present payment of 500 lib. sterling, in part of the arrears 5 °° 1 
 dew of the annuitie granted by his Majestie to the Kirk, 
 wherof his Lordship hes granted a precept vpon the receivers, 
 and to shew his Lordship the necessity for some publick affaires 
 of a present advance therof. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. David Calderwood, George Committee for 
 Gillaspie, David Dickson, Robert Baillie, Robert Blair, Johne ^^^^ 
 Smith, Androw Fairfoull, Mungo Law, Andrew Ramsay, Wil- materials for 
 liam Colvill, and Archibald Newton, with the Moderatour, to a lstone ' 
 consider what course is to be taken for making a history of 
 thir late tymes, of the persons fitt to that purpose, of the 
 maner of collecting materialls, the method of the work, and 
 everything conduceable ther vnto, and to report. 
 
 1 Directions of the Generall Assembly concerning secret and private worships 
 etc., 4to, pp. 15, printed by Evan Tyler, Edinburgh, 1647, and very widely 
 circulated. 
 
320 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 OCT. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion to Presby- 
 terie of Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion to Presby- 
 terie of Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 Concerning the scandalls of some malicious speaches spoken 
 against one of the ministers of this towne for preaching against 
 spareing of malignants and other corruptions, The Commission 
 of Assemblie refers and recommends to the Presbyterie of 
 Edinburgh the tryell of the mater and the censure therof 
 accordingly : Referring and recommending also to the said 
 Presbyterie the tryell and censur of the author of these railling 
 and reproachfull verses against the Cause, and against a 
 ministers preaching for the same, which are now dispersed 
 through the towne, and that they report diligence heirin to 
 this Comission. 
 
 The Comission of Assemblie refers and recommends to the 
 Presbytery of Edinburgh to try whether any of the ministers 
 of Edinburgh have been silent in the publick cause, or if any 
 of them have spoken anything against the cause and the pub- 
 lick proceidings therin, and to make report of their diligence 
 heirin to the Commission. 
 The meiting afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. John Neve : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. 
 James Guthrie : Mr. Hew Mackaill : Mr, Ephram Melvill : Mr. James 
 Fleemyng : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Androw Fairfoull : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Robert Traill : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. James Nasmith: Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. Francis Aird: Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie. Elders. — Arthur Erskin : Balmain : Libertoun : Dundasse. 
 
 The Commission appoints the petition sent from Drumfreis 
 and Stranrawer against the disbanding of the Army to be given 
 to the agent, to be made vse of at the Committee, as occasion 
 shall offer. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly recommends to the ministers 
 terrEdintmrgh °f Edinburgh t to have conference amongst themselves, and to 
 agree vpon a comon way for advancing the Cause, and for apply- 
 ing them selves, in their sermons and in other dewties of their 
 calling, vniformly against the corruptions in the tyme, accord- 
 ing to the Act of Assembly. 
 
 The Commission appoints Messrs. David Dickson, George 
 Gillaspie, and James Guthrie, with the Moderatour, to thinke 
 vpon a way of keeping correspondence with Presbyteries for 
 intelligence. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 
15 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 321 
 
 The Comission appoints letters to be sent to Presbyteries 
 (with the Remonstrance presented to the Committee), for 
 making the people sensible of the danger of Religion, as also 
 for diligent proceiding against malignants in their bounds ; and, 
 if their be any malignants overawing them, to give knowledge 
 to the Comission thereof that they may proceid against them. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 15 Octobris 1647, ante meridiem. 
 Sederunt ut in sessione proccedenti. 
 The Comission appoints the Moderatour and Messrs. Robert 
 Blair, David Dickson, George Gillaspie, and Mungo Law, with 
 Dundas, Libertoun, and Caskeberrie, to goe to Generall Major 
 Middeltoun and give to him hartie thanks, according to the 
 appointment of the late Assembly, for his good service in the 
 publick cause. 
 
 The nixt meiting at 4 after noone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. 
 David Dickson : Mr. John Bell: Mr. HewMackaill: Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. 
 James Nasmith : Mr. Frances Aird. Elders. — Balmain : Greanhead : 
 Dundas : Libertoun : Caskeberrrie. 
 
 The Comission approves the letter for Presbyteries ; tenor 
 whereof followes : — 
 
 ' Reverend and beloved brethren, — As wee have by our Letter to Pres- 
 Remonstrance to the honourable Committee of Estates repre- b y tenes - 
 sented the great and imminent dangers of Religion, desiring 
 that, as things stand, the Army might not be disbanded ; so we 
 have thought fitt to communicat this our Remonstrance to yow 
 that yow may be the more able to satisfie others, (if any doubt) 
 what wer the grounds of our desire ; and to make all vnder 
 your charge sensible of the dangers of Religion from abroad or 
 at home ; remembering also in your prayers those that suffer 
 in England for the Cause and Covenant. And now, it being 
 concluded by the honourable Committee that the question 
 concerning the disbanding of the Army shalbe referred to the 
 Parliament, wee recommend vnto yow, that, as all possible wayes 
 
 x 
 
322 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [15 OCT. 
 
 are studied for lessening and easing the burthen of the Armies 
 maintenance, so yow may publickly and privatly exhort people 
 to be content with such necessary burthens, without which the 
 Army cannot be maintained : And that with all, according to 
 your place and calling, yow take speciall caire, and vse your 
 best endevours that such officers and souldiers, as are or shall 
 be quartered in your bounds may cary them selfes inoffensively, 
 and so as to give no just cause of complaint to any. 
 
 And because the Generall Assembly hath left the tryall and 
 censure of malignants to the severall Presbyteries, as a work 
 propper to them in ordinary cases, withall comitting to ws the 
 censure of such persons, in case the Presbyteries neglect to doe 
 their dewtie or be overawed, or in case the delinquents have no 
 certaine residence, therfor we desire yow to make known to ws 
 your diligence in the tryall and censure of such persons, that 
 we may know yow have not been negligent heirin ; and if their 
 be in your bounds any malignants or complyers with the enemie, 
 who either have no certaine residence, or by their power labour 
 to overawe yow, we expect yow will give ws notice of such caices, 
 that we may take order therin. So, looking for your answer, 
 we commend yow to God, and rest, Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 13 October 1647. of the Gexerall Assembly.' 
 
 The Comission appoints the persons befor named, for goeing 
 to Generall Maior Middeltoun, to goe also to the Generall and 
 the rest of the generall officers in towne, to thanke them for their 
 painfull and faithfull service in the Cause, and to desire them 
 to be cairfull that the common souldier cary them selfis piously, 
 soberly, and orderly now, seing they are yet keeped on foot, that 
 the countrey have no cause to complaine of them, and that 
 they make them answerable to discipline in the congregations 
 where they quarter for the tyme. 
 
 The Commission appoints a letter of thanks to be sent to 
 Stranrauer, and the brethren appointed by the Synod of Drum- 
 fries to receive answer of the Synods letter, for the cair of the 
 said Presbyterie and Synod in foreseing the present danger, in 
 caise the Army should have disbanded, and to send them the 
 Remonstrance presented to the Committee. 
 
 Brethren 
 appointed to 
 speak the 
 Generall. 
 
 Stranrawer 
 Drumfreise. 
 
15 OCT.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 323 
 
 The Comission thinkes it fitt that some course for intelligence intelligence, 
 with Presbyteries be thought vpon againe the nixt meiting, and 
 that solid order be then set doune for that purpose. 
 
 The Comission thinkes it very necessar that the brethren in 
 Irland receive information of the condition of affairs heir, and 
 that the Remonstrance presented to the Committee be sent 
 vnto them, and therfore appoints the letter following for their 
 incouragment and for their further information and warning, to 
 prevent dangers there, to be sent vnto them. 
 
 6 Reverend and beloved brethren en the Lord, — As our Letter to 
 soules desire is that the Gospell in these parts, by Gods bless- i^and?* 1 " 
 ing vpon your faithfull laboures, may flourish and bring furth 
 fruit aboundantly ; so we thinke it incumbent to ws, being met 
 for the publick affaires of the Kirk within this land, to acquaint 
 yow with the present posture of affaires heir ; as also to stir 
 yow vp to watchfulnesse in this dangerous tyme, wherin Satan 
 and his instruments are not asleep. Ye are not ignorant, deare 
 brethren, how boldly the seduceing spirit walks abroad in 
 England, and how little, or rather no controlment, the licen- 
 siouse liberty of contradicting all the pretious truths both of 
 law and gospell hath hithertill had in that kingdome. In this 
 land, by the grace of Christ, we shall be cairfull that no such 
 taires be so wen or take roote. But, considering how great 
 influence the kingdome of England hath vpon Irland, we 
 cannot but be affrayed for our litle sister there, least the Anti- 
 nomian or Annabaptisticall leaven spread among yow. There- 
 fore wee exhort yow, in the name of our Lord Jesus, to watch 
 against these and the rest of the wicked errors which assault 
 the gospell at this tyme. Let the people of God there be weill 
 grounded in the trueth, and let the vylnes of these absurd errors 
 be plainly and pithily manifested. Whoever comes from these 
 parts where that infection abounds, let them be cairfully headed 
 and by conference diligently tryed, that so, if neid be, their 
 company may be avoided. We also exhort yow, dear brethren, 
 to keip good correspondence with the army there, sieing they 
 are scarse of ministers to attend them. Wherever they have 
 any randevouse, or wher officers meitt for publick consultations, 
 it wer fitt some of your number be present to blesse their 
 meitings, consultations, and proceidings. We will expect still 
 
324 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 NOV. 
 
 good things of them, sieing there are there not a few officers 
 that feare the Lord ; and we hope the General Maior will still 
 abound more and more in that constant zeale and fldelitie 
 wherof we have had so great evidence and experience. The 
 faithfull and well-governed Army, through whose successfull 
 vndertakiogs, by the blessing of God, our wicked enemies in this 
 land are neare crushed, wes almost disbanded. But the danger 
 wherin Religion is, both from malignants within and sectaries 
 without the land, being discovered in this our Remonstrance 
 (which here we send to vow), the Comittee of Estates saw 
 reason enough to keip up the Army without any diminution of 
 their number. Let ws heare from vow from tvme to tvme, as 
 we shall be readie to entertaine vow with the like. Remaining 
 alwayes, Your loving brethren 
 
 in the comon service of our Great Master. 
 The Commissioners 
 
 OF THE GeXERALL ASSEMBLY.'* 
 
 Edinburgh, 2 Xovcmbris 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas. Moderatour. Mr. Andrew 
 Ramsay : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. James 
 Fairly: Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. James Fleeming- : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Patrik Sibbald : 
 Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander Spittle : 
 Mr. John Hay : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrick 
 Sheill : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. 
 Andrew Fairfull : Mr. Robert Davidsone. Elders. — Yester : Libertoun : 
 James Steward : Lawrence Henderson : John Mill. 
 
 This day the brethren in towne at the Synod of Lothiane 
 
 being; mett. the letters following from the Commissioners at 
 
 London wer read : — 
 
 Letter from 4 RlGHT HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND, As before we 
 
 atTondon. 16 ' 5 wrot that the Houses had not so much as read the Declaration 
 of the Generall Assemblie, nor any of our last three papers, 
 transmitted to them by the Grand Committee, concerning the 
 perfecting of the Government, especially touching Kirk Censures 
 and Excommunication ; so now we cannot but give vow notice 
 of their laving aside the Confession of Faith (in the ratifying 
 wherof they had made once some litle progresse), 1 and of com- 
 
 1 This applies only to the House of Commons, for as already stated, the House 
 of Lords had passed the whole Confession. In its ultimate shape, at any rate, it 
 was not the Thirty-nine Articles as a whole and in their old form, but the first 
 
2 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 325 
 
 mitting their Thretty-nyne Articles as a rule and standard, 
 according to which they now take to their consideration the 
 ease of tender consciences : As also that both Houses have 
 given harty thanks to some sectaries of London who petitioned 
 that so many gifted men as please, being approven by such 
 moderat and peaceable men as the wisdome of the Houses shall 
 appoint, may, without ordination, preach the gospell through- 
 out the whole kingdome of England and dominion of Wales, 
 which wes also comitted as ane effectuall meanes for propa- 
 gating of the gospell, 1 notwithstanding of former ordinances 
 that none (except approved probationaryes) should preach the 
 gospell, save such as shall take the Covenant and be ordained 
 by the Presbyterie. We heare the results of the Committees 
 are to give ease to tender consciences, to enlarge the power of 
 preaching to all, to enervat the Nationall League and Cove- 
 nant, and leave it out in the Propositions to be sent to his 
 Majestie, to sett vp the Presbyteriall government for three 
 yeares, 2 with liberty to all that please to be vnder it and submitt 
 them selfes to the bondage of appeales from Presbyteries and 
 Synods to the Parliament ; off which slavery all wayes and sects 
 in England are free, except only Presbyterians. New sects pre- 
 tending to receive the Holy Ghost by imposition of hands, and 
 other blasphemous seducers denying the Deity of the Son of 
 God, and of the Holy Ghost, dayly spring vp, and are not 
 suppressed ; so as all the truely godly groane vnder sadder 
 bondage and pressures of conscience now then before, in regard 
 that these principles and fundamentall articles of faith, which 
 Prelates and Papists would not dare to shake, are now called in 
 question ; the reall friends of the Covenant, Reformation and 
 
 fifteen (apparently omitting the eighth) as revised by the Westminster Assembly, 
 which were proposed to be made a sort of negative confession for all claiming 
 toleration outside the Church proposed to be established. See Journals of House 
 of Commons, vol. v. pp. 332, 333. 
 
 1 The petition is given at length in the Journals of House of Lords, vol. ix. 
 pp. 469, 470, and affirms that many hundreds of towns and villages were either 
 altogether destitute of a preaching ministry or were not well supplied, and that 
 there was a great cry of people from several counties for men to preach to them 
 the words of eternal life. 
 
 2 The House of Commons, though willing it should be for a limited time, 
 rejected the three years' limit suggested by the King and advocated by Cromwell. 
 Journals, vol. v. p. 332. 
 
326 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 Nov. 
 
 Presbyteriall Government, both in State and Kirk, born downe. 
 The Assembly, which hath been these tuo moneths very thinne 
 and below the number of a just quorum, of late more fre- 
 quently conveined, are now vpon the closeing and sending vp 
 the Larger Catechisme to both Houses of Parliament, the 
 issue wherof shalbe imparted to yow by, 
 
 Your loving brethren to serve yow, 
 
 Sic subscribitur, Lawderdaill, 
 Worcester House, Samuell Rutherfurd. 1 
 
 the 12th of October 1647. 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 Letter from ' RlGHT HONOURABLE AND REVEREND, Wee Cannot but with 
 
 at^London 11 ^ 3 mucn greif and heavines of spirit give yow an account by these 
 inclosed of the establishing of licentious and pretended liberty 
 of conscience, and a toleration of all haeresies, sects, abomin- 
 able wayes, and false religions, Popery only (how long wee 
 know not) being excepted, contrare to our Nationall Covenant ; 
 which is a matter of sorrow to all the truely godly here, and 
 particularly to the Assemblie of Divines, who (yet goeing one 
 toward a close of the Catechisme), conceive Christ calleth on 
 them to give some publick testimony for the trueth against 
 these detestable wayes ; and of their resolution to adhere to 
 the Covenant, if not as ane Assembly (in which capacity they 
 apprehend they can act no thing of that nature), yet as the 
 ambassadours of Jesus Christ, and ministers of the gospell ; 
 which also, we heare, is the resolution of all the godly ministers 
 both in the city and kingdome. Only the weaknesse of some, 
 the base fearfulnesse of many, the time-serving inclination and 
 temper of the most, now when an army of sectaries are in the 
 fields, makes ws conceive that a seasonable word of encourage- 
 ment from their brethren in the same Covenant wold reveive 
 many. But we trust the Lord Jesus, the Head of the body, the 
 Church, the only Councellor, shall direct yow what to doe in 
 such ane houre of darknesse on this Church and Kingdome here, 
 which shall be the desires and prayers of, 
 
 Your loving brethren, 
 Sic subscribitur, Lauderdaill, 
 Worcester House, Samuell Rutherfurd.' 
 
 the 19th October 1647. 
 
5 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 327 
 
 Direct : For the right reverend the Commissioners of the 
 Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland. 
 
 The Comission appoints letters to be sent to the Commis- Appoyntment 
 sioners at London to desire them to give all possible encourage- the Commis- 
 ment to the Assembly of Divines there, and to shew their sense London^ 
 and fellow feeling of the present hard condition of affaires in 
 that Kirk, and that, at the quarterly meiting, the Commission 
 will consider further what is to be done by them for the further 
 encouragement of the Assembly at such a tyme. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Confession of Faith to be Order for 
 reprinted, with the approbation of the late Assembly. 1 Confession! ° 
 
 The Comission appoints letters to be written that their 
 quarterly meiting may be frequent. 
 
 Edinburgh, 5 Novembris 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Patrik 
 Sheill : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Robert Lawder : 
 Mr. Andrew Ramsay : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Andrew Fairfoull : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Fairly : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Hay : 
 Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Alexander Livistoun. Elder. — Lord Yester. 
 
 This day John, Lord Herries, produceing a report from the johne Lord 
 Presbyterie of Drumfreis concerning their dealling with him, Reference to 
 and yet still earnestly renewing his desires to be relaxed from Drumfreise. 
 the sentence of excommunication, The Commission of Assemblie 
 doe referr him to the said Presbyterie of Drumfries, giveing 
 vnto them full power, if they find him penitent, to relax him 
 from the said sentence, he acknowledging particularly the 
 offences for which he wes excommunicat, and giving also a 
 cleare and particular confession therof vnder his hand. Lyke- 
 wayes he is to satisfie in sackcloath publickly before the con- 
 gregation vpon a Sabboth day, and after his relaxation, the 
 saccloath being taken from him, he shall publicly renunce and 
 abjure Poperie, and in testimony therof he shall solemnlie 
 sweare to the Religion presently professed in the Kirk of Scot- 
 land, and therafter subscribe the Nationall Covenant, wherin 
 is contained the Negative Confession, as also the League and 
 Covenant of the three kingdomes. And the Presbyterie shall 
 returne report of their diligence heirin to the Comission. 
 
 1 This was accordingly done before the close of the year, and there is a copy 
 of this edition in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh. 
 
328 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 NOV. 
 
 Letter to 
 
 Presbyterie 
 
 Drumfreise. 
 
 Followes the letter sent to the said Presbyterie with the 
 preceiding Act : — 
 
 1 Reverend and loving brethren, — Having heard the Lord 
 Herries, frequently before ws, very desirous to be relaxed from 
 excommunication, and finding by your report your good hopes 
 concerning him, Wee have thought good to remitt him to vow, 
 that vpon evidence of his repentance, and his acknowledgment 
 and satisfaction mentioned in the Act herewith sent, yow may 
 relax him, and receive him also to the Covenant after his 
 abjuration and renunciation of Poperie : All which we refer to 
 your speciall cair and diligence. So, committing yow and all 
 your labours to the Lords grace, wee remaine, 
 
 Your loving brethren, 
 The Commissioners 
 
 OF THE GENERALL AsSEMBLIE." 
 
 Newtoun 
 Gordon. 
 
 Committee for 
 drawing a letter 
 to the Synod of 
 Divines. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion to the 
 Committee 
 concerning the 
 rebells in the 
 North and the 
 house of 
 Dalgetie. 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 Xovembr'is 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Thomas Vassie : 
 Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James 
 Fleemyng : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Sharpe : Mr. Alexander 
 Moncreiff: Mr. Patrik Sheill: Mr. Andrew Fairfull : Mr. James Hamilton: 
 Mr. William Colvill. Elders. — Lord Angus: Lord Yester : Dundas : 
 Libertoun : James Ruchhead : Lawrence Henderson : James Stewart : 
 David Douglasse. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. James Hamiltoun, Andrew 
 Fairfull, George Lesly, and James Guthrie, to conferre with 
 Newtoun Gordon, and deall with him to bring him to repent- 
 ance, and to a sense of his wicked, bloody, and rebellious 
 courses, for which he wes excommunicat, and to report. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. George Gillaspie, John 
 Smith, Andrew Fairfull, James Guthrie, and William Colvill, 
 Lord Angus, Yester, Libertoun, and Dundas, with the Modera- 
 tour, to prepair a draught of a letter to the Synod of Divines 
 against the morne, according to the resolution of the last 
 meeting. 
 
 The Commission of Assembly appoints the insolencies and 
 lewdnes of the rebells in the North, wherof they have now 
 gotten information, to be represented to the Honourable Com- 
 mittee of Estates, and doe humbly desire that for bringing 
 such persons vnder ecclesiastical discipline, their Lordships may 
 
25 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 329 
 
 be pleased to writt to the Commanders-in-cheife, that the 
 rebells that doe not satisfie the Kirk may foirfault the benefitt 
 of their passes, according to the conditions whervpon they are 
 granted : And that the Act of the 24 of August last, concern- 
 ing the house of Dalgety., may be renewed, and the extract 
 therof be given out to be sent thither : As also that their 
 Lordships wold provid what further order they find necessary 
 for restraining and punishing examplarly and condignly these 
 insolent and wicked rebells. 
 
 Edinburgh , 25 Novembris 1647. 
 
 Sederunt vt supra, cum Messrs. David Calderwood, Ephram 
 Melvill, Samuell Douglasse, James Fairly, Alexander 
 Livistoun, Robert Lawder, George Bennet, Oliver Colt, 
 Mungo Law, Crawfurd, Cassills, Balmain. 
 
 The Commission having received a letter from Generall 
 Major Middeltoun, doth appoint in answer thervnto the letter 
 following to be sent to the Presbyterie of Fordyce, as also an 
 letter to the Generall Maior himself : — 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee are informed that a Letter to the 
 good qualified young man being presented to the kirk ofp^^f 1 " 160 
 Rainis by the patron, having also a call from the congregation, 
 and a good testemony and recomendation of Generall Maior 
 Middeltoun, with whom he lies conversed for a good space ; 
 yet notwithstanding, yow have nether accepted the presenta- 
 tion, nor regarded the call of the congregation, nor the reco- 
 mendation of so well deserving a gentleman, but without tryell 
 rejected the young man. We know not what reasones yow 
 may have for yow, nor desire we to interest our selfes in any 
 thing belonging to yow : Only this much we thinke incumbent 
 to ws in a brotherly way to shew yow, that, for anything we 
 know, no young man having the peoples call and the patrons 
 presentation can by the order and practise of this Kirk be 
 reiected without tryell. We shall not doubt but yow will pro- 
 ceid in the mater according to the established and ordinarie 
 course, without wronging either patron, people, or the young 
 man, and with alse much respect and favour to the Generall 
 
330 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 Nov. 
 
 Majors recomendation as yow can in reason give vnto him, 
 which is all we desire. Remaining, Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 of the general!, assembly. 1 
 
 Direct : To their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of 
 Fordyce. 
 
 Letter to ' Right Hoxouhable, — Wee have recomended very earnestly 
 
 Mlddietoun^ 0r y our desire concerning the planting of the Kirk of Rainis to 
 the Presbyterie of Fordyce. If our power in bussinesse of 
 particular concernment had been of a greater latitude, we 
 should have extended it further. Yet we shall not doubt but 
 it shall prevaill so farre with the Presbyterie as to give yow 
 full satisfaction. We have no more to say ; but recomending 
 yow in all your vndertakings to the Lords gratious assistance, 
 we remain, Yours in all duty, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 oe the generall assemblies 
 Direct : For the much honoured Generall Major Middeltoun. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. James Hamiltoun, James 
 Fleeming, Ephram Melvill, Thomas Vassie, and William Adair, 
 to goe to Newtoun Gordoun, and yet conferr with him, and to 
 attend him to the scaffold, and, if they find him penitent, give 
 them also power to relaxe him in that caise vpon the scaffold. 1 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 Novembris 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. 
 Alexander Irland : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. 
 James Fleeming : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander 
 Mouncreiff. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Strathurd : Bal- 
 main : James Stewart. 
 
 1 When the Marquis of Huntly was betrayed to Middleton by the clan 
 Cameron, young Gordon of Newtoun was one of a party of forty, commanded 
 by Hearthill, which stayed in the rear of the Marquis, in order that he might 
 have time to escape. The party, however, was surrounded, and ' Hearthill 
 himself was taken, and Invermarkie Gordon, with young Newtone, who, 
 altho he wan frie at that tyme, yit by means of the Forbeses, his grandam's 
 kine, he was surprysed soon efterwards ; and both Hearthill and he, being 
 about one age, and dear commerads, ware soon efter had to Edinburghe, where 
 they ware both execute.' — Britane 's Distemper, by Patrick Gordon, pp. 204, 205. 
 
 Newtoun 
 Gordon. 
 
25 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 331 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that Mr. John Clappertoun, Mr. John 
 repairing diverse tymes to this countrey, doeth very ill offices cla PP ertoun - 
 in some pairts within the Presbytery of Erseltoun, wher he 
 resorts, Therfor appoints the said Presbytery of Erseltoun to 
 proceid against him for his miscariages in this kingdome. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. George Gillaspie, John Committee for 
 Smith, James Guthrie, with the Moderator and Libertoun, to References - 
 consider the references of the last meiting of the Comission, 
 and prepair them against the morne. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Douglas, George Appointment 
 Gillaspie, and John Smith, to speak the Thesaurer for the 500 Thefaurer. l ° 
 lib. sterling, according to a former appointment. 
 
 In answer to the letter from the Presbyterie of Ellon, the 
 Comission appoints the letter following to be returned vnto 
 them : — 
 
 4 Reverend axd loving brethren, — Wee have sent yow the Letter to 
 extract of Schethines sentence, 1 that yow may better know how Eifra concern- 
 to deall with him. If he be penitent, we desire that he may in s Schethin. 
 put a cleare and ingenuous confession of his offences, for which 
 he wes excommunicat, vnder his hand, which, or the double of 
 it vnder your Clerks hand, yow wold send heir, that their by 
 we may the better advise yow how yow shall proceid with him. 
 We comend yow and all your labours to the Lords grace, 
 and remain, Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 OE THE GENERALL AsSEMBLIE."' 
 
 Direct : For their reverend and loving brethren of the Pres- 
 bytery of Ellon. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 Novembris 1647, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Irland : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. 
 David Calderwood : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. William Justice : Mr. 
 
 1 William Seytoun, laird of Schethin, "was forfeited for taking part with the 
 Marquis of Huntly. He, along with the Marquis and some other friends, had 
 1 been by the sentence of the Commission of Assembly excommunicated in the 
 Eist Kirk ' of Edinburgh on 14th April 1644, and intimation of the sentence 
 had been ordered to be made ' in all the kirks of the kingdome.' The sentence 
 is given at length in Spalding's Memorials, vol. ii. pp. 361, 362. 
 
332 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 NOV. 
 
 George Lesly : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. John Adam- 
 son : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. George Sharpe. Elders. — Crawfurd : 
 Yester : Scotiscraig : Dundas : Libertoun : Balmain : James Ruchhead : 
 Lawrence Henderson : David Douglasse. 
 
 The Comission finds that they cannot give any advice to 
 the Presbyterie of Strabogie concerning the planting of the kirk 
 of Aberchirdor with Mr. John Reidfurd, vntill they receive 
 more full information of the whole bussines from them ; To the 
 which purpose some of their number wold be at the paines to 
 come to this towne, if they desire the opinion of this Comission 
 in the bussines. 
 
 This day Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd having made report of the 
 proceidings of bussines in England since the returne of the 
 remanent Commissioners, the Comission gave him hartie thanks 
 for his paines and travells ther. 
 
 This day Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd produced a copie of a 
 letter from the Synod of Divines, they being restrained from 
 sending the principall with him 1 : * Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 The copie of a 4 RlGHT HONOURABLE, RIGHT REVEREND, AND DEARLY BELOVED 
 letter from the T ^ A •. . . 1 1 • 
 
 Synod of brethren in Jesus Christ, — As wee have great cause to blisse 
 Divines. God for the brotherly vnion of these tuo nations in comon 
 
 cause of Religion, so we cannot but returne humble praises to 
 him, and our hartiest thanks to yow, for the great assistance 
 which in this worke we hade from these honourable, reverend, 
 learned, and godly Comissioners, which yow wer pleased to send 
 us for our help : By whom, through the good hand of God 
 vpon us, we have finished and presented to the honourable 
 Houses of Parliament the Confession of Faith, Directory for 
 Worship, Forme of Church Government and Catechisme, 
 wherin, though when we had done all, we cannot but acknow- 
 ledge our selfes unprofitable servants, yet through his mercy we 
 have obtained grace to be thankfull 2 in holding forth the 
 
 1 They were 'restrained from sending the principall with him,' because they 
 could not do so 'without the leave of either House of Parliament,' and even the 
 House of Lords did not approve of the letter as drawn, but recommended that 
 another should be framed ' expressing nothing but courtesies, civilities, and 
 respects to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to Mr. Ruther- 
 ford,' Lo7'ds Journals, vol. ix. p. 516. They appear to have preferred to give 
 Rutherford, who was a member of their Assembly, a certified copy of the 
 obnoxious letter. He took leave of the Assembly on 9th November. 
 
 2 Sic ; ' faithful ' is the word usually found in this connection. 
 
 Kirk of Aber- 
 chirdor. 
 
 Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd. 
 
26 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 333 
 
 trueth of God, and in bearing witnesse against the common 
 errors and corruptions of the tymes. 
 
 ' And now this reverend and learned professor of Divinity, 
 Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd, signifying to ws that he is presently 
 to returne to his particular station and employment among 
 yow, we cannot but restore him with ample testimony of his 
 learning, godlines, faithfulnes, and diligence ; and we humbly 
 pray the Father of Spirits to encrease the number of such 
 burning and shining lights among yow, and to returne all the 
 labour of love, which yow have showen to this afflicted Church 
 and kingdome, a thowsand fold into your bosomes. 
 
 ' Our affaires are yet in a darke condition. We acknowledge 
 that for our vnworthy walking in the midst of so many deliver- 
 ances, and not improving the beginings of Reformation which 
 the Lord hath wouchsafed ws, we are still encompassed with 
 many streights and difficulties, yet we cannot but trust to the 
 goodnesse of our God who hath already caused many moun- 
 taines to become plaines before ws ; And we shall by his assist- 
 ance endeavour that every thing may be removed which might 
 provocke the eyes of his jealousie against ws, and that these tuo 
 nationes, so nearly vnited, may serve God with one heart and in 
 one way, according as we with yow have covenanted and sworne, 
 wherin we desire the Lord to make and continew ws faithfull, 
 and doubt not of the best assistance of your prayers. Now 
 God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, perfitt what he 
 hath begun amongst ws and yow. To his grace we commend 
 yow and all your holy labours. 
 
 Concordat cum originali 
 
 Adoniram Byfield, Scribal 
 
 The Comission approves the draught of the letter to the Approbation of 
 Synod of Divines in England, and appoints the same also to be Assembly of the 
 sent to the ministers of London, and to be directed thus : — Divines and 
 
 Ministers in 
 
 6 To their reverend and well-belouit brethren the Assembly of^^ ^ 
 Divines at Westminster, the Ministers of London, and 
 all the other well-affected brethren of the Ministrie in 
 England.'' 
 
 And that the delyverie of this letter to the Assemblie and 
 Ministers of London be recommended to Mr. Cheisly, secretary 
 
334 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 NOV. 
 
 to the Commissioners ther, and that a letter be written to him 
 for that effect, and the Clerk shall cause print the said letter 
 after he shall know of the delyverie of it. 1 
 
 Tenor of which letter folio wes : — 
 
 Letter to the ' RlGHT REVEREND AND DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, As the 
 
 Divynes at° f Generall Assembly of this Church and their Comissioners have 
 Westminster, vpon many former occasions expressed their great respects and 
 speciall affection to their brethren of England, and how much 
 they valued and minded the Lords worke there, of which also 
 their actions have been reall testimonies ; so wee have thought 
 good in this present juncture, or rather disjunctive of affaires, to 
 adde this new testimony and symbole of brotherly love ; and so 
 much the more lest either the Commissioners of this Church 
 their returne from London to their particular flocks, after four 
 years absence, or any information spread by disaffected persons, 
 might peradventure make some of our brethren in that kingdome 
 grow somewhat lesse confident of the constancy of our affection to 
 them, and to that common cause which both they and we did 
 undertake, and are obliged to prosecute with our best endeavours 
 all the dayes of our lives. Wherefore we doe at once both desire 
 and trust that our brethren will be confident as ever brethren wer of 
 brethren, that by the grace and assistance of Jesus Christ, come 
 what may come, no alteration of affaires whatsoever shall ever 
 remove ws from those principles and intentions which have been 
 professed before God and all the world in our solemne Covenant, 
 and in our publick Declarations from time to time. We should 
 thinke it a greater sinne in ws than in others, and should certainly 
 expect a dreadfull curse and exemplary judgement from the 
 righteous God, if ever there shall be cause to say that the Church of 
 Scotland remembred not the brotherly Covenant. Wee owe indeed 
 allloyall subiection and lawfull obedience to the King: neither shall 
 our prayers and best endeavours be wanting for the preservation 
 and defence of his Royall Person and authority in the preservation 
 
 1 It is no doubt to this remarkable letter that the following entries in the 
 Minutes of the Westminster Assembly refer (pp. 494, 495) Dec. 7, 1647, 'A 
 letter was brought from the Church of Scotland ; it was read, and ordered to be 
 read in a full Assembly.' Dec. 13, 1647, 'Sir William Masson brought an 
 Order from the House of Commons to send the letter from the General Assembly. 
 Ordered, That the letter be delivered, which was accordingly done.' There 
 appears to be no subsequent reference to it either in the Minutes of Assembly 
 or in the Journals of the House of Commons. 
 
26 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 335 
 
 and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the kingdomes. 
 But God forbid that we should ever separate, or connive at any 
 who would separate what the Covenant linketh together, the glory 
 of God and good of Religion being alwayes the principally and Gods 
 interest more then Cesars, although not exclusive of Cesars. 
 
 ' And now, dear brethren, although we are confident of yow 
 through the Lord, that yow neither are nor will be otherwise 
 minded then to stand fast in the truth of Christ, and to be faith- 
 full to the death in the Covenant yow have taken, yet give ws 
 leave to stirre yow vp by puting yow in remembrance, that wherto 
 yow and wee have already attained, there may be a walking by 
 the same rule, and a minding of the same thing. The Directory 
 of Worship being about tuo yeares agoe agreed vpon by the 
 Assemblies and Parliaments of both kingdomes, The Doctrinal Part 
 of Church Government, agreed vpon by the reverend and learned 
 Assemblie of Divines, was at the same time with the Directory of 
 Worship approved by the General Assembly and ratified by the 
 Parliament of this Kingdome ; The Confession of Faith is also 
 approved by the last Generall Assemblie as sound and orthodox 
 for the matter, and agreed vnto on their part that it be a part of 
 the Vniformity, and a Confession of Faith for the Churches of 
 Christ in the three kingdomes. The other things communicated 
 from thence vnto this Church, namely, a Directory of Church 
 Government, Catechisme, and new Paraphrase of the Psalmes in 
 metre are printed and published here to be considered and 
 examined against the next Generall Assemblie to be held in July 
 1648. Wee wish and hope that yow may all stand fast and firme 
 together in the same principles and rules, and that those results 
 of so long and learned Synodicall debates may generally find 
 acceptance throughout that kingdome. It cannot be expected 
 that such a Reformation as is according to the mind of Christ, and 
 tendeth to the casting out of Sathans kingdome, to the censuring 
 of prophannesse and suppressing of errour and heresie, can be car- 
 ried on without a mighty and strong opposition. But how strong 
 soever the opposition be, 'tis but the strength of Satan and wicked 
 men. The weapons of your warfarre (if well handled) are more 
 strong and mighty through God to the casting downe of every- 
 thing that exalteth itself against the kingdom of Christ. The eyes 
 of God, angels, and men are now in a more especiall maner vpon 
 yow, observing how yow acquit yourselves in this time of triall. 
 Blessed shall they be, whosoever shall not be offended at the 
 Cause and Covenant of Christ, but shall be ready to speak, do, or 
 
336 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 now 
 
 suffer for it whatsoever God calleth them vnto ; and shall neither 
 be ashamed of it when 'tis set aside and abandoned by many, nor 
 afraid to owne it, and to give a good and honest testimony for it, 
 even when it is opposed and persecuted. Wee know your tenta- 
 tions are many and great, yet such as God hath in his word fore- 
 warned yow of, promising withall, that with the tentation he will 
 make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Faithfull is 
 he who calleth yow, who also will doe it. When yow are pressed 
 out of measure and above strength, 'tis that yow should not trust to 
 your selves but to God, so that when yow are weak then are yow 
 strong, and when the adversaries of trueth are strong then are they 
 weak. Be it therefore far from yow to be overcome with the ten- 
 tations, either on the right hand, by compliance and doing evill that 
 good may come of it, or on the left, by a despondency of spirit 
 and casting away of your confidence ; which as we trust you will 
 not, so if any among yow should, there will be cause to say to him 
 as once it was said to Job : ' Behold, thow hast instructed many and 
 strengthened the weak hands ; thy words have vpholden him that 
 was falling, and now thow hast strengthened the feeble knees ; But 
 now it is come vpon thee, and thow faintest, it toucheth thee and 
 thow are troubled.' It is indeed the amazement of the Christian 
 world that after such a solemne Covenant for extirpation of heresie 
 and schisme, these pernitious plants have been suffered to spread 
 more than ever before. 'Tis also a stupendious judgement of God 
 that a litle home should grow forth and wax great, and have an 
 hoste given it against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, 
 yea, to cast doune the truth to the ground, practising and prosper- 
 ing, and even by peace destroying many. Such things God hath 
 permitted long ago, yet but for a tyme, having prelimited a certain 
 period thervnto. Truth was at last victorious, and so shall be. 
 Meanwhile, the greater and more horrid the present evills be, 'tis 
 the more necessary for yow, and yow have the clearer call from 
 God to give a testimony against them, and the greater wer the sinne 
 and danger if yow should not. But wee are the more confident 
 that yow shall not fall under this sin and danger, because yow 
 have already, by your sermons and writings, so much witnessed for 
 the truth, and against the errours of these times. This wee must 
 further say from our owne experience, that faithfull endeavours of 
 these, who wer both few and weak, in the greatest extremities and 
 when the difficulties appeared most insuperable, have not wanted a 
 blessing and comfortable successe. God can as easily drive all the 
 monstruous errours and heresies out of England, as once he took 
 
26 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 337 
 
 away all the locusts out of Egypt by a mighty strong west winde, 
 so that there remained not on locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 
 God can make the earth to open her mouth and swallow up the 
 floud which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 'Tis not in vaine in 
 the worst of times to be witnesses for Christ and for his truth, to 
 do duty and trust God w r ith events. As many as walk according 
 to this rule, and will yet sincerely, constantly, and really endeavour 
 what by their Covenant they ar bound to do, shall find that their 
 labour is not in vaine in the Lord. The very glory of Jesus 
 Christ is highly concerned, and his name interessed and ingaged 
 to repudiate, disclame, and overthrow those wayes of errour, 
 schisme, heresie, self-interest, and carnall policy, falsely fathered 
 by many vpon Christ, vnder the names of tender consciences, 
 saints, and the like. 
 
 ' And, for our part, yow are in our hearts to die and live with 
 yow, and we cease not to make mention of yow in our prayers 
 daily ; Believing also that God hath thoughts of peace towards 
 yow and not of evil, to give yow an expected end ; and that when 
 he hath humbled his people vnder his mighty hand, and brought 
 them to an acknowledgment of those offences which are the true 
 causes of his controversie, he will awake for their help and appear 
 for their joy ; and then they who are, by a temporary successe, 
 hardened in wayes of errour or malignancy, shall see it and be 
 ashamed, and shall wonder and perish, but peace shall be upon 
 Israel. 
 
 ( Subscribed in name of the Commission of the 
 Edinburgh, Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland 
 
 26 November 1647. by Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator.' 
 
 Direct : To their reverend and welbeloved brethren the Assembly of 
 Divines at Westminster, the Ministers of London, and all other well- 
 affected brethren of the Ministiie of England. 
 
 The Comission appoints, for correspondence with the 
 Comittee of Estates, that Messrs. David Calderwood, George 
 Gillaspie, Mungo Law, Scotscraige, Libertoun, with the 
 Moderator, present the said letter to the Comittee, that 
 their Lordships may be acquainted therwith. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt .-—Ministers.— Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. George Gillaspie: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. James 
 
 Y 
 
338 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 NOV- 
 
 Mr. Jhon 
 Lawrie. 
 
 Reference to 
 Assembly of 
 the Report 
 concerning 
 intelligence. 
 
 Comittee con- 
 cerning the 
 collecting pub- 
 lick papers, and 
 for ordering the 
 historic 
 
 Guthrie : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Alexander Mon- 
 creiff : Mr. Alexander Irland : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Andrew Fairfull : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. Robert Lawrie: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Livistone: 
 Mr. William Justice, Elders. — Lord Angus : Scotiscraig : Libbertoun : 
 Balmayn, 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assembly desires the Lord 
 Angus, Messrs. William Colvill and James Hamiltoun, to 
 speake the Earle of Hartfell on the behalfe of Mr. John 
 Lawrie, 1 and to deall with his Lordship earnestly that he 
 may cause pay to Mr. John his stipend, which he wanted these 
 many yeares. 
 
 This day the report of the brethren appointed to consider 
 the reference concerning intelligence with Presbyteries being 
 considered, the Comission refers the same to the nixt Generall 
 Assembly. Tenor of the Report followes : — 
 
 'It is the opinion of this Comittee that one who hes his 
 ordinarie residence in Edinburgh and hes occasion to vnder- 
 stand publick affaires be nominated and appointed for com- 
 municating vnto and receiving from such persons as shall be 
 thought fitt in every Presbyterie or shire, by advise of certaine 
 persones to be also nominated to that purpose, matters of speciall 
 concernment and importance, as ther shall be cause, and that 
 ther be an allowance out of the publick annuitie of the Kirk to 
 him that shall have this charge."' 
 
 The Comission, finding it necessary that all the public 
 papers concerning the proceidings in these late tymes, printed 
 or not printed, be collected together and printed in an booke, 
 Doe for this purpose desire the Lord Advocat and Lord 
 Humbie, Messrs. David Calderwood, George Gillaspie, and 
 John Smith, with the Moderator and the Clerk, to collect any 
 papers they have by them ; as also appoints the said ministers 
 and elders to be a comittee to order the busines and to do 
 every thing necessary therin : And that the Clerk have the 
 care and charge of printing therof. And it is also thought 
 fitting and necessary that, beside these collections, there be a 
 perfitt storie made out of these papers and any other intelli- 
 
 1 Probably the minister of Hutton, Dumfriesshire, who may have had charge 
 of the parish during the years his predecessor was 'under process.' He was 
 previously at Old Monkland. — Scott's Fasti, vol. i. pt. ii. p. 649. 
 
26 NOV.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 339 
 
 gences, and that the persones before named thinke vpon a man 
 fitt for that purpose and of all helpes conduceing thervnto : 
 And to report. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Petition following to be pre- 
 sented to the Counsell for restraining of trafficking sectaries, by 
 Messrs. William Colvill, George Gillaspie, Scotscraige, Liber- 
 toun, and the Moderator : — 
 
 6 To the Honourable Lords of Privie Counsell The humble 
 Petition of the Comissioners of the Generall Assembly. 
 6 Being certainely informed of the frequent resort to this Petition to the 
 
 i.j * l • jf Privie Counsell 
 
 kingdome ot some sectaries who goe abroad m the countne tor concerning 
 perverting and seduceing of the people to their errours, wee sectanes - 
 thought it our dewtie to represent so dangerous an evill to 
 your Lordships, earnestly desiring that your Lordships may be 
 pleaesd to provid what yow shall find necessary for restraining 
 and perventing the dangerous and pernicious practises of such 
 cunning impostures."' 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assemblie gives full power Comission to 
 and comission to the Presbyterie of Chirnside to examine 0 f\Srnes!de C 
 witnesses hinc inde in the particulars betuixt John Wilkie of fo . r examining 
 
 r . . , witnesses be- 
 
 Fouldon and Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister there, and to tuixt Fouiden 
 re-examine also any witnesses already ledd as either of the said R^ mS ay. ° ma 
 pairties shall require : To which effect the said Presbyterie 
 shall cause cite any persones before them required to be 
 witnesses, to such dayes as they please : And if any exceptiones 
 shall be proponed against any witnesses, they shall notwith- 
 standing be received cum hac nota, but these exceptiones shalbe 
 written and remitted to the judgement of the Comission : 
 Requiring also hereby the depositiones to be written formallie 
 and fullie, and subscribed by the wittnesses them selfes if they 
 can writt, but howeuer by the Moderator of the Presbyterie, 
 and to be reported to the Comission vpon the last Wednesday 
 of Februarij nixt. 
 
 Concerning the planting of Air with a collegue to Mr. 
 William Adair referred from the late Assembly, The Comis- 
 sion for effectuating therof appoints the letter following to be 
 sent to the towne of Air : — 
 
 4 Right worthy and very much respected, — Having it com- 
 
340 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 NOV. 
 
 Letter to the mitted to our cair from the late Generall Assembly to provide 
 tounofAir. a collegue to your minister in respect of the great charge he 
 hath, wherin both we and yow must give accompt of our 
 diligence to the nixt Assembly, Therfore we thought it our 
 dewtie to put yow in mynd of the busines and withall to offer 
 to yow some effectuall meanes for the doing of it : And to our 
 opinion there is no possibility to gett a second minister vntill 
 yow provide some competent honest maintenance for one ; it 
 not being to be expected that whilst that is wanting on will 
 either willingly come, or can be reasonably vrged by ws to 
 come to a chairge amongst yow: The rules of transportation not 
 suffering that any minister be deteriorat that way in his con- 
 dition. Wee will not doubt of your willingnes to contribute 
 liberallie and cordially for so necessary and pious a worke. 
 The plentifull and powerfull ministrie of the Gospell for many 
 yeares amongst yow doeth promise and assure ws of no lesse 
 zeale and affection from yow. But this much wee have said to 
 expresse our cair for exoneration of our selfes of the trust 
 comitted to ws in that particular, wherin we desire to know 
 your owne mynd and intentiones, being for our part most will- 
 ing to contribute our best endeavours for yow in it and to 
 approve ourselfes to be, 
 
 ' Your very reall friends in our Lord, 
 The Comissioners 
 
 OF THE GEXERALL AsSEMBLFE.' 
 
 Direct : To the right worthie and much respected The Provest, 
 Baillies, and Counsell of the burgh of A ir. 
 
 Recomenda- The Comission appoints the great expenses of their brother 
 SamueifRuther- Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd and Mr. George Gillaspie, by their 
 George d Mr s ^ a y a ^ L 011 ^ 011 v P on their owne chairges, the ordinarie allow- 
 Giiiaspie. ance for them not being payed since Apryll last, to be repre- 
 sented to the Honourable Comittee of Estates. 1 
 
 The Comissioners of the Generall Assembly appoint the 
 
 1 By the Ordinance calling the Westminster Assembly, the sum of five 
 shillings per diem was allowed to each member in attendance ; but the sum 
 stipulated was very irregularly paid, and possibly may have been discontinued to 
 the Scottish delegates after the differences between the two kingdoms be- 
 came so pronounced, if not after the ^400,000 were accepted by the Committee 
 of the Scottish Estates in full of all the expenses incurred by them on behalf of 
 the kingdom of England, 
 
23 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 341 
 
 Moderatour, with the remanent ministers of Edinburgh, to Recomenda- 
 present humbly the desires of the Generall Assembly to the Comission for 
 Honourable Comissioners of Parliament for valuation of P Iantm s kirks - 
 teynds and planting of kirks, to receive their Lordships answer, 
 and to report it to the nixt meiting. 
 
 The Comission continues the Lord Rae and the rest in the 
 sumonds vntil the last Wednesday of February. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 December 1647, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Minsters. — Mr. Robert Douglas : Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. John Livingstoun : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. John Ramsay: 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert 
 Lawrie : Mr. Andrew Ramsay : Doctor Colvill : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Andrew Fairfoull : Mr. Robert Lawder. Elders. — Liber- 
 toun : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day, the Catechisme, 1 that came from the Assembly in 
 England, being produced by Mr. George Gillaspie, the Comis- 
 sion appointed the Shorter Catechisme to be presently read. 
 
 6 It is Appointed by the Comission of the Generall Assem- ^ ct ^ or t Pjj. ntin g 
 blie that 800 copies, and no more, of the Advyse of the 
 Assemblie of Divines at Westminster concerning a Catechisme 
 be presently printed to be sent to Presbyteries, That, according 
 to the Ordinance of the late Assemblie, they may examine the 
 same, and report their opinions to the nixt Generall Assembly.'' 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assemblie, vnderstanding by Recomenda- 
 letters from the Provinciall Assembly of Rosse that Mr. ing\inwmiam 
 William Maitlan, a notorious rebell, a constant preacher to ^comunicat 
 the sumtyme Marques of Huntly, and a follower of him in his rebell. 
 rebellious courses, lately excomunicat for these his miscariages, 
 is now apprehended in these bounds, Therfor they doe humbly 
 move to the honourable Comittee of Estates that their Lord- 
 ships may be pleased to take some speady course for his 
 examplar and condigne punishment. 
 
 This day answer returned from Mr. John Cheisly 2 concerning 
 
 1 The Catechisms without proofs were completed by the Westminster 
 Assembly and presented to the English Parliament — the Larger one in October 
 1647, and the Shorter in November 1647. Both Catechisms, with the Scripture 
 proofs inserted in the margin, were completed and presented in April 1648. It 
 was, therefore, only the Catechisms without proofs which were in the possession 
 of the Commission of Assembly in December 1647. 
 
 2 Mr. John Cheislie, after 1647 Sir John Cheislie of Kerswell, was Secretary 
 to the Scottish members of the Committee of both kingdoms. 
 
342 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 dec. 
 
 his diligence in delivering the letters to the Assembly of 
 Divines and Ministers of London. Tenor of his answer 
 followes : — 
 
 Letter from Mr. 4 Sir, — The letter of the Comission of the Generall Assemblie 
 John Cheishe. weg rea( j ^ e second tyme in the Assembly of Divines, and 
 vpon Fryday, the House of Comans being informed that such 
 a letter was come to the Assembly from Scotland, did appoint 
 a Committee to goe and fetch it to the House, and accordingly 
 it was yesterday delivered to that Comittee. I heare it was said 
 by some in the House that the Assembly was called to give advise 
 to the Parliament in such maters as they should desire it ; but 
 now they did sitt to receive letters from Assemblies in another 
 nation, to entertaine pairties and factions against the Parlia- 
 ment. Yesterday (which was the first opportunity I had of a 
 meiting) I delivered the other letter to the Ministers of London 
 at Sion Colledge, which they received with a great deall of 
 respect and civility. The sume of what was said to me I send 
 yow here inclosed vnder the Presidents hand, together with a 
 printed copy of the letter which came abroad this day. This 
 is all the accompt I can give for the present. So I rest, 
 Worcester House, ' Your humble servant, 
 
 14 December 1647. 4 John Cheislie."' 
 
 Direct : To the right reverend Mr. Robert Douglasse, 
 Moderatour qftlie Comission of the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 Answer from Followes the answer given verballie by the Ministrie of 
 London 516 ' 5 °! London mentioned in the preceiding letter :— 
 
 4 This Assembly hath caused the letter of the Comissioners 
 of the Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland to be read, 
 and are very deeply affected with the great piety and large affec- 
 tions of their reverend brethren of that Church towards them, 
 being resolved on all occasions to doe their dueties to God and 
 his trueth, and do returne their hearty thanks to these their 
 brethren for their great love expressed towards them. 
 
 4 This Assembly also gives thankes to your selfe not only for 
 bringing this letter, but for your patience in attending heir 
 both for the delivery of it and staying till it hath been read. 
 
 4 This is the summe of what was delivered yesterday, by the 
 
23 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 843 
 
 appointment of the ministers of London assembled at Sion 
 College, to Mr. Cheislie, by 
 
 ' Sic siibscribitur, A. Burges, President.'' 
 
 December 14, 1647. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that there is ane history Act concerning 
 written by on Mr. Robert Johnston, containing very vile and j^h n f t °ris rt 
 reproachfull speaches against the Reformation of Religion in storie. 
 this Kirk, and against the principall instruments of that Refor- 
 mation, which is now in the hands of some printers in the Low 
 Countries ; Therfor doe appoint letters to be written to their 
 brethren, Mr. Alexander Petrie 1 and Mr. William Spang, 2 that 
 they may labour earnestly with the printers there for hindering 
 the printing of it : 3 For which purpose it is recomencled to Mr. 
 John Adamsone to put the letter in Latine, that it may be 
 showen to the printers. And it is further desired that the 
 Moderator, with Messrs. Andro Ramsay, John Adamson, Wil- 
 liam Colvill, advise together vpon the best way for getting the 
 autographon of the said history, or any papers concerning the 
 same, from the printers, if it be possible ; and the said persones, 
 or any two of them, are authorized heirby to doe anything 
 conduceing to that purpose. Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 1 Mr. Alexander Petrie, a native of Montrose, was minister at Rhynd in Perth- 
 shire from 1632 to 1643, an d from 1643 tiU his death on 6th September 1662 of 
 the Scots congregation at Rotterdam. He was the author of a pamphlet bearing 
 the title ' Chiliasto-mastix, or the Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments . . . 
 vindicated from the ?/iisinterpretations\of the Millenaries'* \ Roterdame, 1644, 
 4to ; and in 1662 he published a general Church History under the title 'A 
 Compendious History of the Catholick Church from the year 600 untill the year 
 1600, shewing her Deformation and Refownation . . . gathered out of divers 
 writers of the several times and other Histories ' : Hague, 1662. In his account of 
 ecclesiastical events in Scotland he incidentally vindicates her Reformers, and 
 supplies original information of value regarding Erskine of Dun and George 
 Wishart — the Reformers of the district of which he was a native. 
 
 2 Mr. William Spang, the well-known correspondent of Baillie, was minister 
 to the Scots congregation at Campvere from 1630 to 1652, and to that of 
 Middelburg from 1652 to 1664. 
 
 3 The first two books of Johnston's history had been published at Amsterdam 
 in 1642 under the title ' Historiariun libri duo continentes rerwn Britannicarum 
 vicinaru?nque regionum historias maxime memorabiles,' and in 1646 an English 
 translation of these had been published at London. It was probably owing to 
 the action of the Commission that it was not till 1655 that the Dutch printer 
 Ravensteyn ventured to issue from the press at Amsterdam the complete work, 
 under the title, Historia Reru??i Britannicarum ut et multarum Gallicarum, 
 Belgicarum et Germanicarum tarn Politicarum> quam Ecclesiasticarum ab anno 
 1572 ad annum 1628, Atutore Roberto Jonhstono, Scoto-Britanno. 
 
344 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 DEC. 
 
 Letter to 6 Charissime in Christo frater, — Multorum sermonibus et 
 
 anderPtetx?" literis non-nullorum ad nos perlatum est, historiam a quodam 
 and William Roberto Johnstono scriptam, cuidam ex Hollandiae vel Zelan- 
 
 Spang, concern- # ... 
 
 ing Mr. Robert diae typographis traditam esse, ut typis mandetur et in publicam 
 historie. nS mundi lucem exeat. Hanc historiam criminosam, mendaciorum 
 et calumniarum plenam, ex fragmento ejusdem e Latino in 
 Anglicum sermonem verso, comperimus. In quo fragmento 
 praeter caetera scripturitor ille invehitur in viros doctrina et 
 pietate insignes Johannem Knoxium et Andream Melvinum, 
 servos Christi fidelissimos, quorum opera fructuose vsus est 
 Dominus apud nos, in religione purganda a fo?da colluvie 
 errorum Papisticorum et cultus Idololatrici. Mercenarius enim 
 ille scriptor, adulator aulicus, totus in hoc fuit ut auribus 
 inserviret eorum, qui vel a partibus Pontificiis stabant, vel 
 plantain illam, quam dominus non plantavit, tyrannidem 
 Episcopalem tandem aliquando ex Ecclesia ejiciendam summo 
 cum metu praesagiebant. Quum famosa haec historia et veri- 
 tati et Ecclesiae et Reipublicae nostras injuriosa sit, quum ad 
 impediendam in aliis regionibus religionis et cultus Reforma- 
 tionem comparata sit, quum fidelissimorum Dei servorum 
 famam laceret, quum ad regnum Christi evertendum, et ad 
 regnum Antichristi stabiliendum tendat, speramus neminem 
 virum bonum earn imprimendam suscepturum, et si quis per 
 incuriam hactenus susceperit, confidimus eum, lecta nostra hac 
 epistola, sententiam mutaturum, nisi coram Dei tribunali, 
 omnium mendaciorum et calumniarum, quibus liber refertus 
 est, velit reus et obnoxius teneri. Ideo pergratum nobis 
 feceris, frater charissime, si sedulo investiges apud quern deli- 
 tescat bella ilia historia, et ut omnes apud vos typographos 
 nostro nomine etiam atque etiam rogare velis, ne quis historiam 
 illam vel fabulam potius excudendam suscipiat ; et si quis 
 nunc apud se habet retineat, donee nos certiores reddas. 
 
 Spondemus nos gratiam relaturos, nec apud ingratos benefi- 
 cium collocatum fore. Hoc si per eorum omnium vel ullius 
 ex ipsis amicitiam fiat, non opus erit nobis ad illustrissimorum 
 Ordinum authoritatem confugere, vel mendacia et sycophantias 
 refutandi onus suscipere ; sed per typographorum benevolen- 
 tiam voti compotes esse malumus et speramus. Quod si per 
 tuam fieri possit operam, ad omnia erga te officia prompti et 
 parati erunt 
 
23 dec] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1647 
 
 345 
 
 ' Fratres tui amantissimi, Nationalis Synodi Ecclesiae 
 Scoticanae delegati, omniumque nomine, 
 Direct: 4 Moderator et Scriba Synodi.' 
 
 Fratri nostro charissimo Fratri nostro charisslmo 
 
 Magistro Alexandro Petreio Magistro Gulielmo Spang Ec- 
 Eccleske Scotorum que est clesice Scotorum que est m 
 Roterodami Pastor i. civitate Verensi (vulgo Cam- 
 
 phiriam vocant) in Zelandia 
 Pastor L 
 
 The Comission, considering the letter from the Provinciall of Kirk of 
 
 Ch n ' 
 
 Rosse, recomends to the brethren that are vpon the Comission anue ' 
 for visitation of the Vniversity of Sanct Andrewes to speak to 
 the Thesaurer, at their meiting, concerning the businesse of the 
 kirk of Chanrie, and Messrs. Andro Ramsay, William Colvill, 
 and Mungo Law shall assist the busines befor the Comission 
 for planting of kirks as they shall be desired. 
 
 The Comission, having considered the papers concerning Mr. Mr. James 
 James Sympson, minister of Sproustoun, and his answers, Think s y msone - 
 fitt that the matter be delayed vntill the nixt quarterly meit- 
 ing, that Mr. James may then clear him selfe of all suspition 
 of Antinomian tenets by way of declaration, and be ready to 
 give further satisfaction in the poynts of his discourse and 
 conference contained in the said papers, if it be required : As 
 also to clear him selfe if he said to the laird of Clerkingtoun 
 that he found no thing in Crispe[s] book that might not suffer 
 a good sense. 
 
 The Comission desires Mr. Mungo Law to assist the peti- Leivtennent 
 tion of the relict of Leivtennent Collonell Bryson to the siSis^ct^* 
 honourable Comittee of Estates, that shee may receave satis- 
 faction for her husbands arreirs, who died in the publick 
 service. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 February 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. Andro Affleck : Mr. Walter Bruce: Mr. James Guthrie: 
 Mr. George Hamilton: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. William 
 Rait: Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. Andrew Fairfull: 
 Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. Johne Nevey : Mr. Zachary Boyd: Mr. 
 John Livistoun: Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Mungo 
 Law: Mr. Johne Hay: Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. John Barclay: Mr. 
 Robert Knox: Mr. * Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. William Colvill: Mr. 
 
346 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [8 FEB. 
 
 Comittee for 
 tryall of 
 scandalls of 
 malignant doc- 
 trine in this 
 town. 
 
 Brother 
 directed to the 
 Presbytery of 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 Letter to the 
 Presbytery of 
 Strathbogie 
 concerning Mr. 
 John Redfurd 
 and the kirk of 
 Aberchirdour. 
 
 Robert Lawrie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Androw Steanson : Mr. 
 James Hamiltoun. Elders. — Dundas : Balmayn. 
 
 This day the Moderatour shew the reasones why he convened 
 the brethren at this tyme, becaus the Comissioners at London 
 had desired that both the Comittee of Estates and Comis- 
 sioners of Assembly might be frequently conveaned to heir 
 their report. And sieing the Lord Chancellor and remanent 
 Comissioners wer not yet come to towne, the Comission 
 resolved to stay and attend the report of the said Comissioners. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding of some scandalls vpon some 
 of the ministers in this town for preaching against the Cause 
 and publick proceidings therin, Do therfor appoint Messrs. 
 David Calderwood, Robert Blair, Robert Baillie, and Robert 
 Ker, to be a comittee for tryall therof, with power to them to 
 call the parties and any others who can give information befor 
 them, wherin they shall report their diligence to this Comission. 
 
 The Comission desires their brother, Mr. David Calderwood, 
 to goe to the Presbytery of Edinburgh and crave of them that 
 a report may be sent of their diligence in the recomendation 
 sent vnto them concerning some scandalls vpon the preaching 
 of some of their ministers of this town, and to shew also that 
 the Comission lies now appointed a comittee of their owne 
 number for tryall therof. 
 
 Concerning the answer to the Presbyterie of Strobogie and 
 the matter of the kirk of Aberchirdour, the Comission resolves 
 to returne the answer following : — 
 
 ' Reverend and loving brethren, — Having considered your 
 letters and informations sent therwith, and heard Mr. John 
 Ridfurd also at full lenth, and finding that your selfes had 
 once rejected the reasones given in against Mr. John, Wee think 
 it strange that vpon the same reasons yow should have delayed 
 all this tyme his admission, especially when they wer given in 
 by one that was so j ustly cast out of that place : And therfor 
 it is our opinion and advise that yow proceid without more 
 delay to the admission of your brother, Mr. John (that yow be 
 not found to blame for suffering that kirk of Aberchirdour be 
 vaiking so long), and that notwithstanding of these reasons or 
 appellations given vnto yow by Mr. Richard Maitlane, wherin 
 we sie no weight or ground to refuse or delay the admission. 
 This is all we have to say, comitting the busines to yow to doe 
 
8 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 347 
 
 in it as ye will be answerable, and having thus exonered our 
 selfes by our free and brotherly advyse, we remaine, 
 1 Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Comissioners 
 
 of the General Assembly/ 
 
 The Comission desires the brethren formerly appointed, Concerning 
 viz., the Moderator, Mr. George Gillaspie, and John Smith? s °° 1 * steri 
 yet againe to speake the Thesaurer for the 500 lib., and report 
 his answer to the Comission. 
 
 The Comission, finding that Mr. James Strachan cannot be Mr. James 
 put in a capacity of an expectant, Doe therfor appoynt adver- Strachan - 
 tisment to be sent heirof to the Presbyterie of Mernes : But 
 in respect of Mr. James his necessitous condition, they do 
 seriouslie recomend him to the Presbyterie and Province, that 
 they may take some course for contributing some charitie for 
 the present maintenance of him and his familie. 
 
 This day Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd produced tuo papers 
 bearing the Report of some Comittees of the Houses of Parlia- 
 ment in England and Assembly of Divines, which wer read. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, vnderstanding that the Lord Lord Semple 
 Sempell is taken from the schooles vpon some purpose to marie 
 him vpon on of the Lord Mordingtons daughters, who is a 
 Papist, Doe therfor conceive it necessary for preventing of such 
 a mariage, — which, as it is vnlawfull, so may prove very 
 dangerous to the young nobleman — that the Presbyterie of 
 Chirneside be advertised heirof, that they may take some course 
 to prevent and hinder the mariage, both heir in this Kirk and in 
 England, by giving intimation to the Lord Mordington of the 
 vnlawfulnesse of such mariage, and by any other wayes they 
 shall judge fitting. 
 
 The Comission, considering the recomendation of the late Mr. George 
 Assembly in favour of Mr. George Hanna, his wyfe, and Hanna - 
 children, Doe appoint letters to be written to the Presbytery 
 and Patron, seriously desiring that the recomendation of the 
 Assembly may be effectuall to him, and that he may have the 
 vacant stipend according to that recomendation : And, sieing 
 it is in the power of the Presbyterie to dispose thervpon, that 
 he be secured therin befor the admission of any presented by 
 the Patron to that kirk. 
 
348 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [10 FEB. 
 
 Masse by the 
 Frensh agent. 
 
 2d minister to 
 Air. 
 
 3 Comittees. 
 
 Comittee for 
 tryall of scan- 
 dalls of malig- 
 nant doctrin in 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 The Comission will take to their consideration the mater, 
 referred by the Presbytery of Edinburgh to the Secreit Counsell, 
 concerning the Frensh agents preist, and consider what is to be 
 done in it, as also concerning traffiqing Sectaries in this 
 kingdome, and desires every brother to be thinking with him 
 selfe what is fit to be done therin. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. David Dickson, Robert 
 Blair, and Samuell Rutherfurd to assist Mr. William Adair for 
 a 2d minister to Air befor the Comission for planting of kirks, 
 conforme to the recomendation of the Assemblie. 
 
 Concerning the bringing of adulterers and incestuous persones 
 befor the Justice, the Comission will consider of it the nixt 
 
 meiting. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Februarij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Zachary 
 Boyd: Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. George Leslv: Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. James Fleming : Mr. Robert 
 Baillie : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Androw Affleck : .Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. 
 Alexander Spittle : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. William Rait : 
 Mr. Hew Mackell : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. 
 George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. James Xasmith : Mr. 
 Thomas Kirkcaldie: Mr. David Fletcher: Mr. David Dickson: Mr. John 
 Bell : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. Robert Lawrie : 
 Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Thomas Yassie : Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. 
 Alexander Liviston : Mr. Harie Liviston : Mr. Francis Aird: Mr. James 
 Marten : Mr. Frederick Carmichaell : Mr. John Barclay : Mr. Colin 
 Adam: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Andrew Fairfull. Elders. — Crafurd : 
 Glencairne : Cassills : Scotscraig : Kilsyth : Greanhead : Balmayn : 
 Dundas : Libertoun : Xewtoun : James Stewart : George Porterfeild. 
 
 The Comission thinke fitt that the brethren divyd them 
 selfes in three comittees, viz. the brethren of the West by them 
 selfes, the brethren of Lothian and the South by them selfes, 
 and the brethren of Fyfe and of the North by them selfes, To 
 consult vpon the present condition of affaires and to give their 
 opinions of what is fitt by the Comission and the Ministrie to 
 doe at such a tyme, and also take in reports from Presbyteries 
 concerning malignants : Fvfe and the North to meet in this 
 place ; Lothian and the South in the New kirk at the Tron, and 
 the brethren of the West in the Midd kirk at two afternoon. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the brethren before named to try 
 the scandalls of some particulars preaclied by some ministers 
 in Edinburgh, viz. Messrs. David Calderwood, Robert Blair, 
 
ii FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 349 
 
 Robert Baillie, Robert Ker, with Messrs. Samuell Rutherfurd 
 and Messrs. Hew Mackell, Robert Knox, and James Nasmith, 
 Scotscraig, Greanhead, Dundas, and George Porterfield, now- 
 added, and to meet for that purpose at four houres in this 
 place, and appointes them also to tak in the report of the 
 Presbytery of Edinburgh, if it shall come vnto them, and to 
 present it to this Comission. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. James Fairly : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. George Gillaspie : 
 Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Bernard 
 Sanderson : Mr. George Hutchesoii : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Robert 
 Baillie: Mr. James Nasmith: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. Walter 
 Bruce : Mr. John Barclay : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. David Fletcher : 
 Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 Patrik Sheill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Murray : Mr. John 
 Livistoun : Mr. John Bell : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : 
 Mr Francis Aird : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. Robert 
 Laurie. Elders. — Craufurd : Glencairne : Cassills : Tullibairne : Cal- 
 lendar : Yester : Barganie : Garthlane : Greanhead : Kilsyth : Balmayn : 
 Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 This day Mr. Archbald Newtoun, Moderatour of the Presby- Reponofthe 
 terie of Edinburgh, being sent in from the Presbyterie, did ESnburgh.° 
 present this answer in their name to the desire of the Comission 
 sent to them yesterday by Mr. David Calderwood : That the 
 reference they receaved concerning scandalls vpon the doctrine 
 of some of the ministers in this towne wes generall, neither con- 
 discending vpon persones nor the scandalls, and that they never 
 hard of any particulars ; But hearing of some thing preached by 
 Mr. Androw Ramsay, since that reference came to them, they 
 entred in try all thereof, and Mr. Archbald produced the extract 
 of their diligence therein. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dicksone, John Lord Hacker- 
 Adamson, Robert Baillie, and James Hamiltoun to concure J°J|" S Sl§na " 
 with the commissioners of the Vniversitie of St. Andrewes for 
 stoping Lord Hackertons signator, 1 and to present the pre- 
 
 1 Probably granting or prorogating to him a tack of the teinds of Halkerton, 
 of which St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, were titulars, and which had been 
 
350 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 FEB. 
 
 judice of the Kirk therein, and to oppose the same befor the 
 Exchequer, and to doe everie other thing necessar for preserving 
 the right of the Vniversitie and the Kirk. 
 Mr. Zachary The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Robert 
 Boyd. Blair, and Samuell Rutherfurd to assist Mr. Zachary Boyd 
 
 before the Comission [for] planting of kirks. 
 Mr. Andro The Comission referrs Mr. Andro Ramsay es papers, and the re- 
 
 Ramsay. p 0r ^ concerning him presented by the Moderatour of the Presby- 
 terie of Edinburgh to be considered by the Comittee appoynted 
 yesterday for tryall of some scandells of ministers preaching. 
 Comittee for The Comission thinks fitt that it be taken to consideration 
 ph^nUiefancT 1 ^ 0 " now tnat ai 'ticle °f the Covenant against prophanity and for 
 personaii refor- reformation of our selfes and our followers may be better 
 observed, and the transgressours punished, and appoynts Messrs. 
 David Calderwood, David Dickson, And row Cant, Robert 
 Ramsay, George Gillaspie, Samuell Rutherfurd, Robert Knox, 
 John Smith, John Livistoun, and James Guthrie, with the 
 Moderatour, Cassillis, Yester, Scotscraig, Kilsyth, Dundas, 
 Balmayn, Libertoun, Laurence Henderson, and George Porter- 
 field, to be a Comittee, and to meet presently after dissolving. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the Comittee for personaii Refor- 
 mation to consider whether ther be necessity of a petition to 
 the Comittee of Estates, and if they find necessity of it, to 
 think vpon the the matter thereof. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Affleck: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Zachary Boyd: Mr. Hew Mackaell : 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Dickson : 
 Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. 
 David Calderwood : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. 
 Colin Adam : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Alexander 
 Spittle : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Androw Steanson. Elders. — Libertoun : 
 George Porterfield. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt to dissolve, that the Comittee ap- 
 pointed for considering of a petition to the Comittee of Estates 
 may meet to consider that busines and report their opinions. 
 
 The nixt meiting on Monday at ane afternoone. 
 
 leased to the King's Master Hawker in 1586 on terms disadvantageous to the 
 College, as the price of Andrew Melville's restoration. — See Diary of James 
 Melville^ p. 166. 
 
14 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 351 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. James Fleeming: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Lesly: 
 Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. 
 HarieLivistoun: Mr. John Bell: Mr. AndrowSteanson : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. William 
 Livistoun : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Androw Fairfoull : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. J ohn Hay : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Murray : Mr. George Livistoun : Mr. 
 Hew Mackaell : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. George Hamiltoun: Mr. James Marteen: Mr. John Barclay. 
 Elders. — Earl Angus : Dundas : Liberton. 
 
 The Comission, finding a generall prophanitie and loosnes in Comittee for 
 the land, notwithstanding our League and Covenant for per- matioTas^t i° r ~ 
 sonall reformatione, and the many Acts of Kirk and State for now appointed, 
 punishing such offences, Therfor they perceave it very necessary 
 that some course be thought vpon how the Acts of Kirk and 
 State may be put to execution against them : And finding, by 
 the report of the former Comittee appointed to this purpose, 
 that it will be a worke requiring brethren out of diverse parts 
 of the countrey,Doe therfor appoynt Messrs. David Calderwood, 
 Robert Ker, William Colvill, George Gillaspie, Mungo Law, 
 Andro Fairfoull, James Hamiltoun, Robert Blair, Samuell 
 Rutherfurd, Frederick Carmichaell, John Smith, Patrik Gil- 
 laspie, Andro Cant, Andro Affleck, Alexander Rollock, George 
 Murray, John Barclay, Robert Knox, James Guthrie, David 
 Fletcher, David Dicksone, Robert Ramsay, Robert Baillie, 
 Hew Mackall, John Livistoun, George Hutcheson, and Ber- 
 nard Sanderson, with the Moderatour, Scotscraig, Greanhead, 
 Newton, Dundas, Liberton, Kilsyth, and Balmayn, to be a 
 Comittee to consider therof, and of any overturs fitting for 
 restraining the generall prophanitie and lewdnes in the land : 
 And to report their opinions. 
 
 The Comission appoints, for a Comittee to consider the comittee for 
 matter of a petition to the Comittee of Estates, and to draw the ^comutee 
 draught of it and report the morne, Messrs. David Calderwood, of Estates. 
 Robert Knox, Andro Fairfull, Robert Baillie, George Gillaspie, 
 David Dickson, George Lesly, James Guthrie, William Livis- 
 toun, Colin Adam, James Hamiltoun, and Androw Steanson, 
 Angus, Dundas, Libertoun, with the Moderatour, and to meet 
 presently after dissolving of this meiting. 
 The nixt meiting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
352 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [15 FEB. 
 
 Edinburgh, loth February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Androvv Fairfull : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Androw Cant: 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 George Hamiltoun: Mr. John Liviston : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Hew 
 Mackall : Mr. Frederick Carmichaell : Mr. John Barclay: Mr. William 
 Livistoun : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. William 
 Colvill: Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Robert 
 Lawrie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. 
 David Fletcher : Mr. Androw Steanson : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George 
 Hutcheson : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie: Mr. Alexander Livistoun: Mr. James Marteen : Mr. John 
 Hay: Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. John Bell: Mr. George Murray: 
 Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. Andro Affleck : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill. Elders. — Crafurd : Eglingtoun : Glencairne : Tillibairne : 
 Finlator : Tweddell : Kilsyth : Scotscraige : Dundas : Balmayn : Liber- 
 toun : Newton : George Porterfield : Laurence Henderson. 
 
 David Concerning the petition of David Grahame, 1 some tyme of 
 
 tymeofGorSTe. Gorthie, for relaxing him from excommunication, The Comis- 
 sion appoints the Presbyterie of Auchterardour, with concur- 
 rence of Messrs. Robert Murray, Alexander Rollock, John 
 Crewkshank, William Row, Robert Young, Laird Freiland and 
 Baccheltoun, out of Perth Presbyterie, to heare the said David 
 Grahame, to conferr with him, to receive any declaration or 
 confession vnder his owne hand, and to examine the sinceritie 
 of his repentance, as also the way of his conversation, and 
 to make report of all to this Comission, that thereafter they 
 may take such further course concerning his desire as they 
 shall find reasonable. 
 
 This day the report of the Comittee for drawing a petition 
 to the Comittee of Estates being read, The Comission approves 
 the petition, and appoints Messrs. David Calderwood, David 
 Dickson, Andro Cant, Robert Knox, and the Moderatour, 
 with Kilsyth, Dundas, and Libertoun, to present it. 
 Tenor whairof followes : — 
 
 6 Vnto the Right Honorable the Comittee of Estates, The 
 4 humble petition of' the Comissioners of the Generall Assembly, 
 6 Humblie sheweth, — 
 
 6 That as it hath alwayes been acknowledged most expedient 
 
 1 A zealous adherent of Montrose, and forfeited and excommunicated for 
 taking part with him. On 7th January 1661, with other Grahams, he took 
 down the head of his beloved leader from the pinnacle of the tolbooth of Edin- 
 burgh and kissed it, and it is said that he died the same night. 
 
 Petition to the 
 Comittee of 
 Estate 
 
15 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 353 
 
 that their be a tymous and cleare correspondence between your 
 Lordships and ws in the prosecuting of the comon Cause and 
 Covenant, and the want of such correspondence could not but 
 be of very dangerous consequence, so we conceive ther wes 
 never mor need of it then at this tyme, when ther is a generall 
 expectation of somewhat which may be of highest concernment 
 to the Covenant and Religion ; Wherfor, having been these 
 eight dayes past attending heir, we now desire that your Lord- 
 ships will be pleased with the first conveniencie to make known 
 vnto ws the true state of any busines relating to the Covenant 
 and Religion before your Lordships proceid therin, which if your 
 Lordships shall be pleased to doe, we doe not doubt but within 
 few dayes your Lordships may have such a returne from ws as 
 your Lordships shall have reason to be, and (we hope) will be 
 satisfied therwith. And your Lordships answer.'' 
 
 The Comission of Assembly Doe renue their humble desire Desires to the 
 to the honorable Lords of Counsell for restraining trafficking cernfng^ec" 
 sectaries, and doe also seriously recomend, That according to tJ V ies and * e 
 
 7 J / ° education of 
 
 the 39 Act of the late Parliament concerning 6 the education of the Earie 
 children vnder Popish parents or tutors," 1 their Lordships may LoSTiordin- 
 be pleased to provide and appoint some way for the religious fod^eils'chif 11 " 
 education of the daughters of George, Earle of Wintoun, who dren. 
 being vnder the charge of their mother, the Count esse of Win- 
 toun, ane excomunicat papist, ar bred with her in Poperie ; And 
 also of the daughters of the Lord Mordingtoun, who ar hither- 
 tills bredd in Poperie, and will be confirmed therin, if they shall 
 be permitted to stay with their mother, the Lady Mording- 
 toun, who is a knowen obstinat papist : Humbly lykewise 
 desiring that their Lordships may be pleased to take course 
 that the children of the laird of Pitfoddells be not corrupted 
 in their religion by their education in France, wher they now 
 ar, according to the Act of Parliament before expressed, and 
 other Acts therin mentioned. And appoynts the Moderatour 
 and Messrs. William Colvill, George Gillaspie, James Hamil- 
 toun, and Mungo Law, with Dundas and Libertoun, to present 
 in their names to their Lordships those their humble desires. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly Doe appoynt the persones befor- Desires to the 
 named to represent also to the Honorable Lords of Privie Coun- c 
 
 z 
 
 cerning mar- 
 
 1 Thomson's Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 795. prdsts^ 
 
354 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [16 FEB. 
 
 Desires to the 
 Counsell con- 
 cerning excom- 
 municat per- 
 sones. 
 
 Lord SempU 
 
 Comittee for 
 
 personall 
 
 reformation. 
 
 sell the frequency of marriages by preists in the North, parti - 
 cularlie the marriage of Patrik Grant of Phanesse with Sophia 
 Hav, and of Robert Irwine with Jean Menzies, all maried by 
 priests, and cohabiting together, to the great offence of the 
 godly : Humbly desiring their Lordships to take some course 
 in their wisdomes with such vnlawfull manages, and to prevent 
 the lyke in tyme coming. 
 
 The Comission of Assemblie Doe humblie represent to the 
 Honorable Lords of Privie Counsell, that, notwithstanding of 
 many laudable Acts of Parliament, both of old and of late, 
 against excommunicat persones, yet the same are not put to 
 execution, but, on the contrair, excomunicat persones are 
 conversed with familiarly, to the great contempt of that 
 dreadfull ordinance of God, particularly Robert Irwin, living 
 in Aberden, long since excommunicat, and against whom horn- 
 ing and caption wes raised and put in the hands of the magis- 
 trats of Aberden, and not yet putt to execution. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Ramsay and Robert 
 Baillie to speak to the friends of the Lord Semple for his 
 education at schooles wher he wes, and to report their answer. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Comittee for restraint of pro- 
 phannes to meet afternoone at tuo houres in this place, and 
 refers to the same Comittee to consider what shall be done in 
 that matter concerning the Frensh agent his having masse in 
 his house. 
 
 The Comission to meet at four houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 16 Februarij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander 
 Spitle : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George Gledstones : Mr. John Livis- 
 toun : Mr. John Bell : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. 
 Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. Walter Bruce: Mr. John Barclay: Mr. 
 Robert Knox : Mr. Robert Cuninghame : Mr. Androw Steanson : Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. John Hay: Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Bernard 
 Sanderson: Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr, John Nevey : Mr. Zachary 
 Boyd : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Andro Affleck : 
 Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. George Gillaspie, Elders. — Kilsyth : Dundas : 
 Libertoun : James Stewart : George Porterfield. 
 
 Contribution ^ * s this day appointed that James Stewart, baillie, deliver 
 forArgiie. the sowme of 1720 lib., 2s. to Mr. Archibald Maccallane, 
 
 Minister, who is appointed by the Presbyterie to receive the 
 
 same. 
 
16 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 355 
 
 The Comission appointeth this day, that letters be written to Mr. Robert 
 every Synod in favours of Mr. Robert Lindsayes relict, for Lmdseys rellc 
 sending to her the charity they have collected ; To which effect 
 it is to be desired that the roll of the Synod be called to see 
 who lies not payed, and that what shall be receaved may be 
 given to him who was appointed by the Generall Assemblie, to 
 be brought into the Comission, that the relict may receave it. 
 
 The nixt meeting at tuo afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 16 February 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. George Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Alexander Rol- 
 lock : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr, Alexander Dickson : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. 
 George Lesly : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spittle : Mr. Robert Cuningham : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. William 
 Livistoun: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. David Calder- 
 wood : Mr. David Dicksone : Mr. 'William Colvill : Mr. Androw Affleck : 
 Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Robert 
 Lawrie : Mr. John Hav : Mr. John Barclay: Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. 
 David Fletcher : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Bell : Mr. James 
 Nasmith: Mr. George Bennet: Mr. George Gledstones: Mr. Francis Aird: 
 Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd: 
 Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. James Fairly. 
 Elders. — Argyle : Eglintoun : Finlatour : Angus : Craighall : Dundas : 
 Libertoun : Mr. Robert Nairne : George Porterfield. 
 
 This day the Lord Chancellour and the Earle of Lauderdaill Relation by 
 having produced his Majesties letter, and made relation of an d Lawder- 
 affaires in England relating both to Religion in England and dale - 
 the Kings condition, The Comission desired their Lordships to 
 be pleased to soume 1 the heads of their discourse in writting, that 
 they may the better know what to consult and give advise 
 vpon ; the matter being of such consequence as they cannot 
 trust to their owne memories and adventure to give opinion 
 in the mater, without having the purpose represented to them 
 in writ ; And the Lord Chancellar promised to put it in writing 
 and send it in with all convenience. 
 
 The Comission, in respect of the gravity and consequence Committees, 
 of maters now to be considered, Thinks that there should be a 
 fast for the Lords direction for advise, and therfore appoints 
 
 Soume, i.e. sum, as in title of Rutherfurd's Catechism. 
 
356 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 FEB. 
 
 the Comisssion to divyde them selfes in three severall comittees 
 as formerly, and thinke upon causes for a fast, and of the tyme 
 of it : As also that this Comittee thinke vpon the busines 
 related by the Lord Chancelar, when the same shall be sent in 
 writt by his Lordship. 
 
 Tenor of the Kings letter followes : — 
 
 ' Charles R. 
 
 The Kin^s ' Trustie and wel-beloved, — Wee greet yow well. We have 
 
 Letter. intrusted the Comissioners sent to ws from the Kingdome of 
 
 Scotland to communicat to yow our condition and resolutions : 
 And seeing we have resolved so farr to agree to the desire of the 
 Kirk and Kingdome of Scotland concerning the Covenant and 
 setling Religion, as we are confident will give yow satisfaction : 
 Wee trust and expect yow will, according to yourplace anddewtie, 
 give evidence that your zeale to Religion doeth no wayes lessen, 
 but strenthen your loyaltie to your King, and that yee will 
 contribute your endevours that trueth with a lasting peace 
 may be established, and religion and righteousness may flourish 
 vnder our government, whereby yow will both doe acceptable 
 service to God and to your native Prince. 
 
 ' Given at Carisbrook Castle, the 27 of December 1647/ 
 
 Direct : For our trustie and welbeloved the Moderator and 
 Comissioners from the Generall Assemblie of the Church of our 
 Kingdome of Scotland. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 Februarij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. Androw Steanson : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James 
 Fairlie: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. George Bennet: 
 Mr. George Murray : Mr. George Gledstons : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. 
 John Bell: Mr. JohnXevey: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : 
 Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. 
 John Barclay: Mr. Robert Knox: Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. David Calder- 
 wood : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Alexander Spittle : 
 Mr. John Hay : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. 
 Bernard Sanderson : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 Zachary Boyd : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. William Livis- 
 toun : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. David Dickson. 
 Elders. — Earle Lothian : Kilsyth : Balmyn : Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 Report from the This day the brethren of Lothian and the South reported 
 Comittees. ^ weg ^[j. opinion that ther be a fast, and that the 
 
 Honorable Comittee of Estates and the Comission may joyne 
 in it, and be humbled together befor God, and seek counsell 
 
17 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 357 
 
 from him in this great affair befor anything be concluded ; And 
 that their Lordships be advysed for the tyme of it. 
 
 And that it is their opinion also that their Lordships be 
 thanked for their correspondence, and that it be represented 
 that the Comission expects a sume of the Lord Chancellars 
 and Lord Lauderdaills relation, at least in that concerning 
 Religion and the Covenant, to be communicat to them in 
 writing, that they may the better know how to return their 
 opinion in it. 
 
 The two Comittees report wes almost coincident with this 
 report abone written. 
 
 The Comission, taking to their consideration the Report of 
 the Brethren, appoints a drau ght to be drawn of the particulars 
 in the report to be presented to the Comittee. 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 4 Vnto the Right Honorable the Comittee of Estates, 
 The Commissioners of' the Generall Assemhlie 
 4 Humbly represent, — 
 
 4 That as your Lordships have begune to keep correspondence Petition to the 
 with ws, for which wee returne our humble thanks to your Lord- E°ta\es e for f 
 ships, desiring and expecting the continuance therof, and that py" in g in a 
 wee may have in wryting a summary of the relation made to ws 
 by the right honourable the Lord Chancellour and the Earle 
 of Lauderdaill, at least of that part therof which more espe- 
 cially concernes the Covenant and Religion ; so the matters 
 comunicat to ws from your Lordships being of highest conse- 
 sequence, we conceive it necessary that, in the verie entering 
 thervpon, there be an extraordinarie humiliation for seeking 
 counsell and direction from God, and that the Lord wold be 
 pleased so to direct and ordour all consultations, debates, and 
 conclusiones, which shalbe in this busines, as may resolve into 
 that which shalbe most for the glory of God, the good of 
 Religion, and the true hapines both of King and Kingdomes. 
 Wee have left the day to your Lordships designation, and desire 
 to know your Lordships pleasure therm.' 
 
 The Comission approves the drawght, and appoints Messrs. 
 David Calderwood, David Dickson, Andro Cant, and the 
 Moderator, with Dundas and Libertoun to present the same to 
 the Comittee. 
 
358 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 FEB. 
 
 Robert 
 Grahame of 
 Cairnie. 
 
 Comissions 
 granted to the 
 lords of Coun- 
 sell. 
 
 Letters for the 
 Contributioun 
 for Argile. 
 
 The Comission appoints Robert Grahame of Cairnie to repair 
 to the Presbyterie of Auchterardor, that they and the brethren 
 of Perth, adjoyned to them for hearing David Grahame, some- 
 tyme of Gorthie, may deall and conferre with the said Robert 
 to bring him to a sense of his offences, and to report to this 
 Comission what evidence they find of repentance in him. In 
 the mean tyme Messrs. James Guthrie, James Nasmith, and 
 Alexander Rollock, shall conferre with him whilst he is in this 
 toune, and report. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Andro Cant, James Hamil- 
 toun, and the Clerk, to consider of the Comission of the Coun- 
 sell 1642, concerning preists and excomunicat papists, and see 
 what is further to be done thereanent, and to report. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the Comittee for personall reforma- 
 tion to meet afternoone at two houres. 
 
 The Comission appoints letters to be written to Presbyteries 
 and Synods, that have not yet sent their contributiones for 
 Argyle, to send them with diligence. Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend axd lovixg brethren, — Notwithstanding of the 
 frequent advertisment from the Assembly and their Comis- 
 sioners from tyme to tyme for that charitable supplie to our 
 distressed brethren in Argyle, yet we, vnderstanding yow have 
 not sent anything vnto them, Therfor these are yet againe to 
 desire yow without more delay to deliver it to this beirar, who 
 is come expresly for it, their necessities being exceiding great ; 
 expecting yow will not fail heirin, wee remain, 
 * Your loving brethren, etc. 1 
 
 The nixt melting of the Comission at 4 afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 February 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers.— Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Andro 
 Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Hew Mac- 
 kaell : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. George Leslie : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. 
 George Murray : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. George Gledstons : Mr. 
 Zacharie Boyd : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James 
 Fleeming: Mr. MungoLaw: Mr. John Livistoun: Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John 
 Bell : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. 
 Colin Adam. Elders. — 
 
 The answer from the Comittee of Estates being reported 
 
 that their Lordships are heartily content to joyne in the fast, 
 
1 8 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 359 
 
 remitting the day to the Comission, Therfor the nixt Sabboth 
 is appointed as the fittest day for it, and desire Messrs. 
 Andrew Cant and David Dickson to intimat it to their Lord- 
 ships. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 February 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Audrow Ramsay : Mr. Robert Knox : 
 Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. 
 George Lesly : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. George 
 Hutcheson : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Bernard Sandersone : Mr. George 
 Gladstons : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Hew Mackaell : 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. 
 George Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Bell : Mr. 
 Androw Affleck: Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James Fairly: Mr. Robert 
 Cuninghame : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. John Hay: Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. William 
 Livistoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Androw Fair- 
 full. Elders. — Earle Angus : Kilsyth : Balmayn : Dundas. 
 
 The Comission desires the Moderatour and Messrs. David Thanks Mr. 
 Calderwood and David Dickson, and any other of the number er e ' 
 the Moderator thinks fitt to assume to himselfe, to goe to Mr. 
 Herle 1 to welcome him to this toune, and thanke him for his 
 respects to this nation, and the great kyndnes and courtisie he 
 shew to our Comissioners whilst they wer at London. 
 
 The Comission desires Messrs. David Dickson, Robert Baillie, Thanks to 
 
 ]£3i^c CTcissill 
 
 and Samuell Rutherfurd, with the Moderatour, to thank the 
 Earle of Cassills for his caire of ministers provisiones, as also 
 to goe to the Comission for planting of kirks, and desire their 
 Lordships to sitt some few days for setling ministers stipends 
 that ar now in dependance this session. 
 
 1 Herle of Winwick, appointed Prolocutor of the Westminster Assembly 
 after the death of Dr. Twisse, and the famous Puritan preacher, Dr. Stephen 
 Marshall, were selected to accompany the deputies of the English Parliament 
 sent to Scotland in January 1648, professedly 'to preserve and keep a good 
 correspondency and right understanding and perpetual agreement between the 
 two kingdoms, by declaring the sincerity of the intentions of the Houses of 
 Parliament to remove all misapprehensions or impressions that may have arisen 
 in or been made upon our brethren of Scotland. ' Not a few, however, thought 
 that the result, if not the intention, of their visit was to beget jealousies and 
 divisions between the representatives of Church and State in Scotland at this 
 important crisis in their separate treaty and negotiations with the king. 
 
360 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 FEB. 
 
 Bi r *J a Q es Comission appoints Messrs. Andrew Ramsay, William 
 
 bum e and Colvill, Andro Cant, to speake the Thesaurer for Mr. James 
 Daigerme. Blair, that his provision may be setled, as also concerning the 
 
 planting of the kirks of Closeburne and Dalgernie. 1 
 Ancrum kirk. The Comission desires Messrs. Andrew Cant and Robert 
 Ker to speake the Earle of Lothian to see how the kirk of 
 Ancrum may be setled. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that James Murray is not 
 yet satisfied, doe therfor appoint this letter to be sent in his 
 behalfe to Presbyteries : — 
 Letter to Pres- 1 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have often written 
 behaifof James ^° y ow concernm g the moneys dew to James Murray, both of 
 Murray. the 20 schillings and for the papers printed and sent vnto yow. 
 
 The printer craves his executors, and they have no thing to 
 pay. Therfor we must againe desire yow to send in with all 
 diligence to Patrick Dickson that money that is dew to James, 
 aither for the bookes or for that anuitie granted to him, which 
 is the last he will receive from yow. Wee desire accompt from 
 vow heirin, and if any of your number be vnwilling, or shift, 
 that ye send to ws their names, that we may take such course 
 as is prescribed by the Act of Assembly ; What other bookes 
 are sent heirwith yow will receave, and send the pryces therof 
 with diligence. Wee remaine, 
 
 ' Your loving brethren, etc." 
 
 Conference This day Lauderdaill, Lord Advocat, and Sir Alexander 
 
 aSub-^omTttee Wedderburne, reporting that the Comitee hes appointed a 
 Committee Sub-Comittee to consider of the present dangers, and to cor- 
 of Estates. respond with the Comisioners of the Kirk, and sent them to 
 
 desire the Comission to send some of their number to conferre 
 
 with them. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator, 
 Messrs. David Calderwood, David Dickson, Andro Cant, Robert 
 Knox, Robert Ramsay, William Colvill, Robert Blair, and 
 John Livistoun, with the Lord Angus, Balmayn, Dundas, 
 Kilsyth, and these appointed by the Assemblie to be Comis- 
 sioners for the Treaty for Vniformity in England, viz. : — Messrs. 
 Samuell Rutherfurd, Robert Baillie, and George Gillaspie, the 
 
 1 Dalgernie, or Dalgerno, was ultimately united to Closeburn. 
 
2i FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 361 
 
 Marques of Argile, Balmerinoch, Waristoun, and Libertoun, 
 to meet with the Sub-Comittee appointed by the Comitee of 
 Estates, and to heare what propositions that Sub-Comittee hes 
 from the Comittee of Estates, and to report the same to this 
 Comission, that therafter they may know what further power 
 to give them theranent, and desires Mr. Andro Cant to shew 
 this to the Comittee to know the dyets of meeting of that 
 Comittee appointed by their Lordships. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Laird of Geight, Patrik Laird Geight. 
 
 Graham of Phones, and Gordoun of Ardlogie, to be cited a " d 
 
 to this Comission, becaus it is notor that Presbyteries where 
 they live are overawed. 
 
 The Comission desires that the Comittee of Estates may be Excomunicats 
 remembred to take some course with the excomunicat per- m Dal £ etle - 
 sones of the house of Dalgety. 
 
 Edinburgh. 21 February 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas. Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Colin Adam: 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. 
 Bernard Sanderson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. John 
 Hay: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. John Xevey : Mr. 
 James Hamiltoun : Mr George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Hutcheson. 
 Elders. — Dundas : Kilsyth: Libertoun: Balmayn. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Hew Mackaell, Robert Knox, 
 Androw Fairfull, and Samuell Rutherfurd, Dundas and Kilsyth, 
 to goe to the Comittee of Estates and desire humbly that 
 their Lordships may be pleased to appoint their dyets of meet- 
 ing so as ther may be frequent meetings of the Comission 
 for tveths and planting kirks, that ministers (especially such as 
 ar attending in toun) may be setled in their provisiones, if the 
 condition of the publick affaires may permitt the same : As 
 also to repair to the Comission for planting kirks to thank 
 their Lordships for their cair of ministers, and for the same 
 reason desire them to appovnt as many dyets of their meeting 
 as they can conveniently keepe, before the Parliament, and 
 likwise desires them to give thanks to the Earle of Cassills, 
 President, in particular, for his speciall cair in dispatching 
 ministers and furthering their causes. 
 
 The nixt meeting at tuo afternoone. 
 
362 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 FEB. 
 
 Eodem die post meriditm. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Anclro 
 Cant: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Knox : 
 Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. David Calderwood : 
 Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. 
 George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. George Gledstons : Mr. 
 Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Bell : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John 
 Paterson : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. William Colvill : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. William Livistoun. Elders. — Lord Angus: 
 Kilsyth : Balmayn : Libertoun : Dundas. 
 
 Kirk of The Comission advises the arbiters in the mater concerning 
 
 Eymouth. ^he kirk of Eymouth to wryt to the Presbytery of Chirnsyd to 
 
 plant the kirk of Eymouth with diligence. 
 Appoyntment The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, William 
 fro C m a the 500lib ' Colvill, and Robert Baillie to go to the Thesaurer and desire 
 Thesaurer. payment of 500 lib. sterling from his Lordship, and to shew 
 
 him, if his Lordship will not take course in it, that they will be 
 
 forced to complaine to the Parliament. 
 Sir Robert Concerning the desire of Sir Robert Murray for a young 
 
 desire ayeS man to his Regiment, The Comission desires the brethren 
 
 thinke vpon some young man fitting for that employment. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 22 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Andro Affleck : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Gledstons : Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Colin 
 Adam : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Robert Cuninghame : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Androw Fairfull : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun: Mr. Androw Lauder: Mr. Androw Ramsay: 
 Mr. Androw Cant: Doctor Colvill: Mr. William Colvill: Mr. David 
 Fletcher: Mr. Patrick Gillaspie: Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Hutcheson: Mr. Robert Ker: 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. 
 John Hay: Mr. Alexander Rollock: Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. William Chalmer. Elders. — Eglingtoun : Angus : 
 Philorth : Balmayn : Kilsyth : Dundas : Newtoun : Tilliquhillie : 
 Libertoun : Scotscraige : Greanhead : George Porterfield : Laurence 
 Henderson. 
 
 Relation of This day the relation of the Lord Chancellar and Lauderdaill 
 
 an°d d Lawde?- elar was sent m wr ^ according to their promise, and it being read, 
 dale. The Comission thinks fitt first to take to their consideration 
 
 the Kings particular concessions relating to his letter. 
 
22 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 363 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, after serious consideration of Votes upon the 
 the first article of the Kings concessions concerning the ^ssion*' °° n 
 League and Covenant, find vnanimously that the said article is 
 destructive to the Covenant. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, taking also the 2d article of Vote vpon 
 the Kings concessiones to consideration, doe vnanimously find 2d concesslon - 
 the same destructive to Presbyteriall Government, the Directory 
 for Worship, and the Vniformitie intended according to the 
 League and Covenant. 
 
 The nixt meeting at tua houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Androw 
 Affleck : Mr. Androvv Fairfull : Mr. Androw Lauder : Mr. David 
 Fletcher: Mr. Oliver Colt: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. George Hamiltoun: 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. William Chambers : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. 
 Bernard Sanderson : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 Robert Lawrie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. 
 John Adamson : Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Robert 
 Knox : Mr. Robert Cuninghame : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Francis Aird : 
 Mr. James Xasmith : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie: Mr. George Hutcheson: 
 Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. John Hay: Mr. James Hamiltoun: Mr. 
 George Gledstones : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. John Livistoun : Doctor Colvill : 
 Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd. Elders. — Cassills : 
 Angus : Philorth : Kilsyth : Balmayn : Dundas : Libertoun : Newtoun : 
 George Porterfield. 
 
 Concerning the 3d article of the Kings concessiones, tuching vote concerning 
 suppressing haeresie and schisme, the Commission of Assembly l ^ D 3d conces " 
 doe approve the suppressing of the particular haeresies and 
 schismes enumerat ; But find the article dangerous and defective 
 in omitting Erastianisme and other errors and haeresies, 
 especiallie Poperie and Praelacie ; which may be destructive to 
 the Covenant in ministering occasion to Papists and Praelates 
 to plead for a toleration. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. James Guthrie, Colin 
 Adam, Androw Fairfull, Doctor Colvill, Hew Mackaell, James 
 Fleeming, George Hutcheson, Patrik Gillaspie, Robert Ker, 
 Andro Lawder, James Hamiltoun, and James Nasmith, with 
 any other of the brethren, that may stay after dissolving, to 
 think vpon publick busines and to report their opinions. 
 
 The nixt meiting the rnorne afternoone. 
 
364 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [23 FEB. 
 
 Comittee for a 
 Declaration. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 February 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant: Mr. William Chamber: Mr. John Hay: Mr. Francis Aird : 
 Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Nevoy : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 Androw Affleck: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. David Calderwood: Mr. 
 David Dickson : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Alexander Dickson : 'Sir. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. George Gledstones : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Oliver 
 Colt : Mr. Robert Cunynghame : Mr. Alexander Rollock. Elders. — 
 Eglingtoun : Philorth : Dundas. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt that their be a Declaration drawen 
 vpon the votes concerning the Kings offers, that it may be sent 
 to the Comittee of Estates, and desires the Moderatour and 
 Clerk to draw the drawght of it, and that the Moderator 
 assume any other he pleases to assist them. 
 
 The nixt meiting at afternoone. 
 
 Mr. Heugh 
 Henderson. 
 
 Mr. James 
 Symson. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 Februarij 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Robert Fleeming : Mr. Walter 
 Bruce : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Bernard 
 Sanderson: Mr. John Livistoun: Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. John 
 Hay : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Rollock: Mr. Androw Ramsay: Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. James Fairly: Mr. David Dickson: Mr. Mungo Law: 
 Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. 
 George Gledstones: Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. John Nevoy: Mr. 
 Zachary Boyd: Mr. James Fleeming: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. David Fletcher : 
 Mr. AV^illiam Chamber: Mr. William Livistoun. Elders. — Crafurd : 
 Glencairne : Angus : Balmayn : Dundas : Libertoun : Sir James Stewart: 
 George Porterfield : Laurence Henderson : James Rouchhead. 
 
 The Summonds for transporting Mr. Hew Henderson being 
 called, The parties are ordained to take others papers, and 
 answer them the morne in writt. 
 
 For the matter tuching Mr. James Symsones tryall and 
 clearing, which wes vpon the 23 of December last continued to 
 this day, the said Mr. James, personallie present, having given 
 in a petition, wherin he offered his declaration, The Comission 
 doe now thinke it meitt that the ordinarie judicatories consider 
 of that matter. 
 
24 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 365 
 
 The Comission of Assembly appoints Messrs. James Hamil- Recomendation 
 toun, Androw Fairfull, and Rober Ker, to assist in their names leato™ and 
 the recomendation of the Generall Assemblie to the Honorable and^usveii. 
 Comissioners of Parliament for planting kirks, concerning the 
 erecting of the kirk of Seatoun, and the annexing of some parts 
 of the paroch of Lochmaben to the paroch of Mouswell. 1 
 
 The Comission of the Assembly doeth prorogat and continue John Wilkie of 
 the power given to the Presbyterie of Chirnsyde, vpon the 26 M^Thomas 
 of November last, in the matter betuixt John Wilkie of Foul- Ramsay, 
 don and Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister there, to the nixt 
 quarterlie meiting in Maij, and appoints the said Presbytery to 
 make a report at the furthest against the said last Weddens- 
 day of Maij nixttocome. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne at ten houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 February, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. 
 Androw Affleck : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Colin 
 Adam : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Alexander Dickson : 
 Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay: Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Livis- 
 toun : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. James Fleem- 
 ing : Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. William Chalmber : Mr. Patrick Scheill : Mr. John Hay : 
 Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Doctor Colvill: Mr. Hew Mackaell. Elders. — Crafurd : Lanerk : 
 Philorth : Kilsyth : Balmayn : Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the Sub-Comittee formerly ap- Sub-Comittee 
 pointed for conference with the Sub-Comittee from the Estates, for conference - 
 adding to them Messrs. Androw Fairfull, Androw Affleck, and 
 Philorth, to consider of the rest of the dangers, and what is 
 further fitt to be done by the Comission, and to report their 
 opinions. 
 
 The nixt meiting at afternoone. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. David 
 Fletcher : Mr. James Fairlie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. John Hay : 
 Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. John 
 
 1 That is, Mouswald. 
 
366 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 FEB. 
 
 Smith : Mr. George Gledstones : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : 
 Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 And row Ramsay : Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Androw 
 Affleck: Mr. Oliver Colt: Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. John Nevoy : 
 Doctor Colvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : 
 Mr. William Chamber : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. Robert Cuningham. Elders. — Argyle : Crafurd : 
 Glencairne : Cassills : Finlator : Tullibairne : Lauderdaill : Lanerk : 
 Barganie : Lord Advocat : Dundas : Libertoun : Sir James Stewart : Wil- 
 liam Glendoning : James Rouchhead : Laurence Henderson. 
 
 Comittee con- 
 cerning Mr. 
 Hew Hendcr- 
 
 Declinator of 
 William Glen- 
 dining and 
 Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun. 
 
 Transportation 
 of Mr. Hew 
 Henderson to 
 Drumfreis. 
 
 Recomendation 
 for another 
 Minister in 
 Drurnfreise. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Androw Affleck, James 
 Guthrie, David Fletcher, Robert Ker, and Libertoun, to hear 
 the paroch of Dairy and Drumfreis their reasons, that they 
 desire to propone, in privat, and to report their opinions whither 
 they may be proponed to the Comission. 
 
 In the mater concerning the transportation of Mr. Hew 
 Henderson, Mr. James Hamiltoun, sometyme minister at 
 Drumfries, and William Glendoning, Proveist of Kircudbright, 
 were both removed in respect of declinators proponed against 
 them as parties interessed. 
 
 Concerning the petition of the toune of Drumfreis for the 
 transportation of Mr. Hew Henderson to the Kirk of Drum- 
 freis, the said Mr. Hew compearing personallie, and the Lord 
 Garlies, young Erlestoun, and divers others of the toune and 
 paroch of Dairy, compearing in name of that paroch, and John 
 Johnstoun, Provest of Drumfreis, Mr. Rodger Kirkpatrick, 
 Baillie, Mr. John Corsan, lait Provest, and Thomas Mackbirnie, 
 lait Baillie, and diverse vthers, in name of the burgh and paroch 
 of Drumfreis : The Comission of the Generall Assemblie, having 
 at great lenth hard both the saids parties hinc inde, and 
 seriously considered the reasons given in by them for and 
 against the said transportation, after mature deliberation, Doe 
 find that the said Mr. Hew should be transported to Drumfreis, 
 And therfor heirby transports him to the ministrie their, 
 ordaining him to be admitted actually to that chairge, and to 
 remove for that effect from Dairy betuixt this and the next 
 quarterly meiting. 
 
 The Comission recomends to the paroch of Drumfries to pro- 
 vyde a helper to Mr. Hew Henderson, and desires the Provest 
 of Drumfries and Mr. Hew to meit togidder that he may 
 
25 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 367 
 
 be satisfied therin, and to report to the Comission the 
 morne. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. Androw Fair- 
 full : Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. James Marteen : 
 Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. William Colvill : Doctor Col- 
 vill : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. 
 David Dickson : Mr. Zacharie Boyd: Mr. "William Chalmer : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander 
 Livistoun : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Oliver Colt : 
 Mr. George Gledstones : Mr. Patrick Sheill : Mr. John Smith : Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. 
 George Hutcheson. Elders. — Lord Angus : Kilsyth : Libertoun : 
 Dundas. 
 
 The Comission desires Mr. John Adamson to revise Mr. 
 David Leitche papers of poecie, and give his opinion to the 
 Comission thereof. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. George Gillaspie to preach Preach at the 
 befor the Parliament the day of their first meiting. m£JSl ° f 
 
 The Comission of Assembly recomends humbly Mr. John Recomenda- 
 Midletoun to the Honorable Comittee of Estates to be taken j 1 ^ jJiddle- 
 to consideration by their Lordships both for his great sufferings toun. 
 and for his service in the ministrie to the Army, and that 
 Messrs. Androw Cant and Mungo Law assist the recomenda- 
 tion. 
 
 Concerning the desire this day presented from the Comittee 
 by the Lord Thesaurer, Laird Freiland, and Hew Kennedy, The 
 Comission will thinke vpon ane answer thervnto, and desires 
 the Moderatour to have his thoughts vpon it, and to report 
 his opinion afternoon. Tenor of the Desires followes : — 
 
 6 Since it is the mutuall desire both of Church and State to The Desires of 
 keep a good correspondence in what concerneth Religion and Es^es™ 1 ^ ° f 
 the Covenant, Therfor the Comittee of Estates doe appoint the 
 Lord Thesaurer, the Laird of Freirland, and Hew Kennedy to 
 goe to the Commission of the Kirk and shew, that, as hitherto 
 the Comittee have acquainted the Comission of the Kirk, and 
 communicat with them in matters of Religion and the Covenant, 
 so they expect and desire, That the Comissioners of the Kirk 
 
368 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 FEB. 
 
 will, befor they proceid to any resolution concerning the 
 Covenant, or emitt any Remonstrance or Declaration to the 
 King or this Kingdom theranent, keip the like correspondence 
 with the Comittee ; And this is to be vnderstood without pre- 
 judice to the power or priviledge of either judicatorie. 
 
 ' Sic sabscribitur, 
 
 6 Sir Archbald Primerose, Cle." 1 
 The nixt meiting at 2 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. Oliver Colt : 
 Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Hew Mackaell : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Alexander Monereiff : Mr. 
 Androw Ramsay : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spitle : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Gledstones : Mr. 
 Patrick Sheill : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. John Smith : 
 Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd. Elders. — Philorth : Libertoun. 
 
 Answer to the The Comissioners of the Generall Assemblie Doe appoint 
 Coniftte^of 6 Messrs. Androw Ramsay, Samuell Rutherfurd, Robert Baillie, 
 Estates pre- an( j Androw Fairfull, with Philorth and Libertoun to goe to 
 
 sented by Earle / to 
 
 Crafurd, Lord the Honorable Comittee of Estates, and returne this answer to 
 and others' their Lordships desire sent vnto them this day : — 
 yesterday. < That, as they did by their petition of the fifteen of this 
 
 moneth of Februarij desire no other correspondence to be con- 
 tinued between their Lordships and them, but such as the 
 Parliament, Convention, and Comittee of Estates did vsuallie 
 keip with them formerly, in matters relating to the Covenant 
 and Religion, without prejudice to their Lordships to proceid 
 and resolve in other matters not relating to the Covenant and 
 Religion ; so their Lordships may be assured that they have ever 
 been and are farre from any thoughts of leaving that vsuall 
 way of correspondence, without preiudice or limitation to their 
 power of proceiding to resolutiones and determinationes in 
 anything that falls within their Comission from the Generall 
 Assembly. For the present they are about a Declaration, 
 which, when it shall be ready, shall be communicat to their 
 Lordships as they haue vsed in the like cases before.' 
 
26 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 369 
 
 This day the Provest and Baillies of Drumfreis having Provision for a 
 reported a band of 800 merks for provision to a collegue to Mr. Drumfreise. " 
 Hew Hendersone, The Comission returned thanks for what they 
 had oblidged them selfes vnto, expecting in what is further 
 necessarie their cair and travells with the rest of the paroch ; 
 And appoints the band to be keiped amongst the records by 
 the Clerk. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Hew Henderson to remove 
 him selfe betwixt and the nixt quarterly meiting to Drumfries, 
 but further delay. 
 
 It is the opinion of the Comission of the Generall Montruis Mass. 
 Assembly that the Presbytery of Edinburgh should not 
 tollerat the saying of Masse in Monsier Montrools 1 house. 
 
 The Comission appoints the letter following to be written to 
 the Presbyterie of Chirnsyd concerning the Lord Mordingtouns 
 familie for reclaiming the Lady Mordingtoun and her children 
 from Poperie : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren, — Wee have formerly re- Letter to 
 comended to yow to take speciall cair to prevent the mariage of cwmsyde! 
 the Lord Semple with on of the Lord Mordingtouns daughters, 
 which wee hope ye will be cairfull of. And now, vnderstanding 
 that the Lady Mordingtoun and her children are not laboured 
 with to be reclaimed from Poperie, wee thought it our dewtie 
 to recomend vnto yow to take speciall notice of that familie, 
 and to give accompt of your diligence to your Provinciall 
 Assemblie. So we recomend yow to the Lords direction, 
 
 And remain, 
 4 Your loving brethren,** etc., 
 
 The Comission continues the mater concerning the Lord Lord Rae and 
 Rae and the remanent persones in the summonds to the nixt others Clted ' 
 quarterly meiting. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 February 1648. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. 
 James Guthrie : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Colin 
 Adam : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. David Dickson : Doctor Colvill : Mr. 
 John Livistoun : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. 
 
 1 Monsieur Montreuil, the French Ambassador, who took an active part 
 in the negotiations between Charles and the Scottish representatives. 
 
 2 A 
 
370 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 FEB. 
 
 James Hamiltoun : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Moncreiff : Mr. William Chamber : Mr. George Gledstones. 
 Elders. — Philorth : Scotscraige : Libertoun : Balmayn. 
 
 Refusaii of Mr. The Comission of the Generall Assembly, having this day 
 Muncreifes heard the petition by the parochiners of Bruntiland for trans- 
 t^Bruntmand P or ti n g Mr. Alexander Moncreiff from Scuny 1 to that charge in 
 Brunt Hand, with the reasones given in to that purpose by Sir 
 James Melvill, George Garden, and diverse others of the con- 
 gregation of Bruntilland ; and having also heard the reasones 
 given in against his transportation by the Lord Register, the 
 lairds of Fenzies and Atherny, and diverse others of the congre- 
 gation of Scunie, and by the said Mr. Alexander himselfe per- 
 sonallie present, after serious consideration of the reasones, Jiinc 
 inde, Doe refuse the desire of the parochiners of Bruntilland 
 for the said Mr. Alexanders transportation, and appoints him 
 to remaine at the present charge in Scuny notwithstanding 
 therof. 
 
 Bruntilland. The Comission appoints a letter to be written to the Presby- 
 terie of Kirkcaldie, recomending to their cair the suppliing the 
 kirk of Bruntilland after Mr. John Smiths removing to Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 The nixt meiting vpon Mononday at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9&th February 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas^ M oderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. Andro 
 Affleck : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John Livistoun : 
 Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. 
 Robert Blair: Mr. James Fairly: Mr. Androw Ramsay: Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. George Gled- 
 stones : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Hutche- 
 son : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. James Hamiltoun: 
 Doctor Colvill : Mr. William Chalmbers. Elders. — Crawfurd : Egling- 
 toun : Lauderdaill : Angus : Balmayn : Libertoun : Kilsyth : Garthland : 
 William Glendoning : John Semple : John Kennedie. 
 
 Conference with This day the drawght of the Declaration being read, the 
 Comission appoints the Moderatour, Messrs. David Dickson, 
 Robert Blair, Samuell Rutherfurd, John Livistoun, George 
 Gillaspie, and James Guthrie, to meet with my Lord Chan- 
 
 1 That is, Scoonie in the same Presbytery. 
 
29 FEB.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 371 
 
 cellar and Lauderdaill, before they consider further of the 
 drawght, and to conferr with their Lordships thervpon. 
 The Comission to meet at 4 houres frequently. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9,8th February 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Robert Lawrie : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Androw 
 Affleck : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. 
 Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. 
 George Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. George Glad- 
 stones : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. Alexander 
 Moncreiff : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. James 
 Marteen. Elders. — 
 
 The Comission desires the brethren before named to meit Conference 
 againe with the Lord Chancellar and Lauderdaill, to conferre chanceiar. 
 vpon the drawght of the Declaration the morne at 9 houres, 
 and will tak any objectiones now moved against this drawght 
 of the Declaration now read to their owne consideratioun. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne afternoone. 
 
 Edinburgh, vltimo February 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. James Marteen : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. George Hutche- 
 son : Mr. John Nevoy : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. 
 John Hamiltoun: Mr. Oliver Colt: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. William 
 Chalmers : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. Robert Wright : 
 Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Francis Aird : Doctor Colvill : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John Hay. Elders. — Marques 
 of Argyle : Crawfurd : Glencairne : Cassills : Tullibairne : Lauderdaill : 
 Finlator : Lanrick : Barganie : Philorth : Garthland : Kilsyth : Dundas : 
 Balmayn : Libertoun : Sir James Stewart : John Semple : James Rouch- 
 head : William Glendoning. 
 
 This day, after much debate vpon the question, It wes resolved Concerning the 
 that the objectiones moved the other day by the Earle of Lanrick objectiones. rkS 
 against the drawght of the Declaration as it now stands should 
 be presently discussed before the same be comitted ; And for 
 this effect the Comission appoints that drawght of the Declara- 
 tion to be now read. 
 
372 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i mar. 
 
 Concerning 
 Earle Lanerks 
 objectiones. 
 
 Comittee for 
 reviseing the 
 Declaration. 
 
 Therafter the Earle of Lanerk being heard at great lenth 
 vpon the objectiones moved the other day, It being put to the 
 question, whither these words of the paper, viz., Yet solicita- 
 tions, perswasiones, and endevoures have not been nor are 
 wanting for his Majesties restitution to the exercise of his 
 Majesties royall power, and for espouseing his Majesties quarell 
 etc., doeth, notwithstanding of these objectiones now proponed, 
 containe anything that alters the genuine sense of the Cove- 
 nant or wrongs the King, It wes resolved negative. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Moderatour and Messrs. David 
 Dickson, Robert Blair, Samuell Rutherfurd, George Gillaspie, 
 John Livistoun, and James Guthrie, to be a Comittee to 
 examine the drawght of the Declaration, to mend some ex- 
 pressiones, and to consider the obiectiones moved by the Lord 
 Chancellar and Lauderdaill, wherof these that conferred with 
 them had a not ; as also to heare any new dowbts and objections 
 that any had to propone, and to report the morne. 
 
 The nixt melting; the morne at 2 houres. 
 
 Concerning the 
 2d instance. 
 
 Edinburgh, primo Martij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. John Hay : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Androw Affleck : Mr. John 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. William Chalmers : Mr. James 
 Fairlie : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Androw Ramsay 1 : Mr. Robert Blair : 
 Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 James Hamiltoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Alexander Colvill : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. George Lesly : 
 Mr. Alexander MoncreifF : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Robert Wright : Mr. 
 James Marteen : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Andro Lawder : Mr. Andro 
 Fairfull : Mr. Samuell Douglasse. Elders. — Marques of Argyle : Cra- 
 furd : Eglingtoun : Glencairne : Cassills : Home : Tullibairne : Finlator : 
 Lauderdaill : Lanerk : Callendar : Yester : Barganie : Wariestoun : 
 Balmayn : Kilsyth : Dundas : Libertoun : Langtoun : Greanhead (sic) : 
 Garthland : George Porterfeild : Mr. Robert Nairne : John Kennedy: 
 John Mill: Lawrence Henderson : Sir James Stewart : William Glendon- 
 ing : John Semple. 
 
 This day the Declaration being againe taken to considera- 
 tioun, and after much debate vpon the section tuching the 2d 
 instance, The question being whither that section tuching the 
 
 1 Sic in MS. 
 
i mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 373 
 
 2d instance should stand as it is or be altered, It wes resolved 
 by pluralitie of voices that it should stand as it is. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assemblie, after hearing the Approbation of 
 Declaration read this day againe and againe, and after much 
 debate thervpon, Doe approve the said Declaration. 
 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 ' A Declaration of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly 
 to the whole Kirk and Kingdome of Scotland, concerning 
 present dangers and duties relating to the Covenant and 
 Religion. 
 
 ' Iff in a time of so great and imminent danger to Religion and Declaration of 
 the Cause of God, the trumpet in Zion should give no certain March 
 sound, nor the watchmens tower any seasonable warning, it might 
 be justly charged vpon ws as a sinful neglect of duty, and the 
 blood of many thousand soules might be required at our hands : 
 Therfore, so farre as we have discovered the dangerous plots and 
 snares of the malitious and crafty adversaries of this Cause, wee 
 shall freely and faithfully make the same known, trusting that all 
 who would not make shipwrack of faith and a good conscience, 
 will cairfully avoyd as well hid as manifest rocks when they are 
 warned of them. 
 
 ' After the Solemne League and Covenant of the three king- 
 domes had so prospered against the enemies and opposers therof 
 as made them despair of overthrowing it in any such way of a 
 direct opposition, they begun with much wit and industry to 
 indeavour a dividing of the ends of the Covenant, and an altering 
 of the first principle and state of the Cause. Wpon the one hand, 
 the Sectaries in England (according as is formerly represented 
 by the late Generall Assembly in their Declaration to their 
 brethren of England, and by our Remonstrance to the Comittee 
 of Estates of the 13 of October last) have by fraud and violence 
 endeavoured the subversion of Religion, whose exorbitant insol- 
 ency, being now in arms, is so vnsupportable, that no man can 
 doubt but all the articles of the Covenant are in danger by them ; 
 the vile errors, wicked haeresies, and intolerable blasphemies, 
 daily growing amongst them, can hardly be reckoned vp ; all 
 which are mightily aggredged by the lawlesse and godlesse tolera- 
 tion therof ; And least Parliamentary authority should curb this 
 monstrous insolency, they have not only refused orders for dis- 
 banding, but have forced orders for their own standing, and do over- 
 rule Parliament, King, City, and Country, to the trampling vnder 
 
374 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i mar. 
 
 foot all government, Civill and Ecclesiastically and to the terrour, 
 oppression, and apparent mine of all the truly godly and sound 
 lovers of the Solemn League and Covenant. On the other hand, 
 the Praelaticall and malignant party have catched at and studied 
 to make advantage of some parts and clauses of the Covenant, 
 without keeping all the links of that golden chain fast together. 
 
 ' This designe of receding from the former principles, and stating 
 the publick Cause otherwise then it was stated by both Kingdomes 
 when they joyned in Covenant and arms, may be abundantly 
 discovered by two instances : First, the designe hath been so fast 
 and so farr driven on, that although the fourth article of the 
 League and Covenant was cleerly framed and intended against 
 the malignant party ; and although there was one expresse article 
 in the Treaty between the Kingdomes for swearing and subscribing 
 the League and Covenant by both Kingdomes, as a more near tye 
 and conjunction of both, for their defence against the Popish, 
 Praelaticall, and malignant party and their adherents; and although 
 in the Declaration of both Kingdomes in the year 1643, it was de- 
 clared that all such, as would not speedily take the Covenant and 
 joyn with all their power in the defence of this Cause, are to be cen- 
 sured and punished as professed Adversaries and Malignants, yet 
 some are not ashamed to plead for the malignant party, as if they 
 were friends rather then enemies to this Cause, and as none were 
 now to be looked vpon as dangerous enemies to the Cause but the 
 Sectaries only ; Wheras the Word of God, and the experience of 
 former tymes, not only teacheth us to beware of dangers from the 
 fraud, as well as the force, from the plots as well as from the power 
 of enemies, but also setteth before us sad examples of great 
 vnexpected miseries and mischiefes brought vpon the people of 
 God from enemies once broken and quashed, when they got again 
 the power of the sword, and opportunity to act whatsoever cruel- 
 ties their inveterate malice and enraged spirits put them vpon. 
 
 ( The other instance is that, although in the Covenant the duty 
 of preserving and defending the Kings Majesties persone and 
 authority be joyned with and subordinate vnto the duty of pre- 
 serving and defending the true Religion and liberties of the King- 
 domes, and although from the begining of this Cause the good, 
 safety, and security of Religion hath been principally sought after 
 and insisted vpon ; yet solicitations, persuasiones, and endeavours 
 have not been nor are wanting, for his Majesties restitution to the 
 exercise of his royal power, and for espousing his Majesties 
 quarrell, notwithstanding his not granting of the publick desires 
 
i MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 375 
 
 concerning the Covenant and Religion. And this course is clearly 
 contrary to the declared resolution of the Parliament of this 
 Kingdome, after advice desired from ws, vpon the case concerning 
 the King then propounded to \vs : And it is no lesse contrary 
 to the principles and professions of the Convention and of the 
 Comittee of Estates, before any such advise was desired or had from 
 ws : Yea, all along, and in the whole course of the publick pro- 
 ceedings, the setling and securing of Religion hath been so much 
 stood vpon, that malignants who intended a new state of the 
 cause did well perceive how great difficulty, and how small hopes, 
 ther was of satisfying this Kirk and Kingdome with anything else, 
 while unsatisfied in the point of Religion ; and therfore all possible 
 care hath been taken by them wherby to have some specious and 
 fair pretences of satisfaction in the businesse of Religion. 
 
 c And here, as we do not disapprove, but highly commend the 
 worthy paines of such as did indeed endeavour to bring the Kings 
 Majestie a greater length, even to give full satisfaction in point of 
 Religion, so we cannot but take notice of that report which many 
 did lately entertain and spread in this country, namely, that his 
 Majestie hath given satisfaction to the desires of this Kirk and 
 Kingdome in point of the Covenant and Religion. 
 
 ' If his Majesty had indeed given such satisfaction, we should 
 rejoyce at it as much as any, and however shall not cease to pray 
 for his Majestie that God would give him repentance and remission 
 of sins, and incline his heart to the love of the true Religion and 
 Reformation, and that his royal person may be preserved from all 
 harm and violence : And being now (as we formerly remonstrat 
 on the 13 of October) very sensible of the present danger his 
 Majesties person and Monarchicall Government is into, by that pre- 
 valent party of Sectaries, wee shall, so far as concerneth the duty of 
 our places and callings endeavour the preservation of Monarchicall 
 Government in his Majestie and his posterity according to the 
 Covenant, not being ignorant what confusions and calamities use to 
 attend the change either of the government itselfe or of the Royall 
 line. Neverthelesse, the country being so generally possessed with 
 so dangerous a mistake and misunderstanding of so great a businesse, 
 and his Majestie himselfe professing in his letter to ws, dated at 
 Carisbrook Castle, the 27 of December last, that he hath resolved so 
 farre to agree to the desires of this Kirk and Kingdome, concerning 
 the Covenant and setling Religion, as he is confident shall giue ws 
 satisfaction, if now wee should be silent we might be vnderstood 
 as tacitely consenting and acquiescing. Wee are therfor necessi- 
 
376 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i mar. 
 
 tated for vndeceiving the nation, and for acquitting our selves, to 
 declare that a narrative of the state of publick affaires having been 
 made to ws by those who were entrusted for that effect, and since 
 delivered to ws in writing, wee have more especially taken to our 
 serious thoughts so much of that narrative as was from his Majestie 
 made known vnto ws, as his resolutiones for satisfaction in point 
 of Religion. The first article wherof is as followeth : — 
 
 tet l. For the Covenant, his Majestie giving beleefe to the pro- 
 fessions of those who have entred into the League and Covenant, 
 and that their intentiones are reall for preservation of his Majesties 
 persone, according to their allegiance, and no wayes to diminish 
 his just power and greatnesse, is content, so soon as he can with 
 freedome, honour, and safetie be present in a free Parliament, to 
 confirme the said League and Covenant by Act of Parliament in 
 both Kingdomes, for securitie of all those who have taken or shall 
 take the said Covenant, provided that none who is vnwilling shall 
 be constrained to take it." 
 
 ' Which Article hath nothing in it of his Majesties affection to, 
 or liking and approbation of, the Covenant, but only what he is 
 content to yeeld in order to his own interest. Yea, an Act of 
 Parliament for security of those who have taken, or shall take, 
 the Covenant, doth or may suppose some fault, or somewhat justly 
 challengeable in the taking of the Covenant, which needeth ane Act 
 of indemnity. Next, the offer is but conditionall, and hath in the 
 bosom of it ane complication of such and so many conditions as 
 might open a door to some evasion or other, by multiplying excep- 
 tions, difficulties, and various notions, either concerning the profes- 
 sions of those who have entred into the League and Covenant, or 
 concerning his Majesties just power and greatnesse, or concerning 
 his freedome, honour, and safety, or concerning a free Parliament. 
 And although the concession wer certain and absolute, it amounts 
 to no more but to a leaving of the Covenant arbitrary ; which is 
 contrary to the Acts of the Generall Assembly and Parliament in 
 this Kingdom, to the Declaration of both Kingdomes before cited, 
 and to one of the chiefe Propositions of Religion once agreed vpon 
 by both Kingdomes for a safe and well-grounded peace, viz., the 
 Proposition concerning his Majesties swearing and signing of the 
 League and Covenant, and enjoyning by Act of Parliament, in 
 both kingdomes, the taking therof by all the subjects in the three 
 kingdomes, with such penalties as shall be agreed vpon by both 
 kingdomes. So that the first Article of his Majesties offer is a 
 
i MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 377 
 
 most manifest altering of the state of this Cause. It is also a 
 strengthening of the hearts and hands both of the Sectaries and 
 of the malignant party, a partaking in, and conniving at, the shine 
 of all those in the three kingdom es who have refused, or shall 
 refuse, to enter into the League and Covenant, an introducing of 
 a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this Cause which so much 
 concerneth the glory of God, the good of the Kingdome, and the 
 honour of the King ; And therfore we have judged this article not 
 only vn satisfactory, but destructive to the Covenant. Neither are 
 we moved with that objection which is hinted concerning the 
 constraining or inforcing of mens consciences. They refuse a 
 necessary duty who refuse to take the Covenant, and the penalty 
 or punishment of such refusall is no constraining of the conscience, 
 more then the penalty or punishment of a subject who refuseth to 
 take the oath of allegiance is a constraining of the conscience to 
 loyalty, or more then the punishment of idolaters, blasphemers, 
 and seducers, mentioned so often in Scripture, can be called a 
 constraining of the conscience to the feare of God. 
 
 e The words of the second Article are these, — " His Majesty will 
 likewise confirm by Act of Parliament in England Presbyteriall 
 Government, the Directory for Worship, and Assembly of Divines 
 at Westminster, for three yeares, so that his Majesty and his 
 household be not hindered from using that form of Divine service 
 he hath formerly practised, and that a free debate and consulta- 
 tion be had with the Divines at Westminster (twenty of his 
 Majesties nomination being added unto them) and with such as 
 shall be sent from the Church of Scotland, wherby it may be 
 determined by his Majestie and the tuo Houses how the Church 
 Government, after the three years, shall be fully established accord- 
 ing to the Word of God." 
 
 ' For ought we know, the conditions couched in the first Article 
 are also to be vnderstood in this and the following Articles. How- 
 ever, this second Article, as it is but the same in substance with 
 some of his Majesties concessiones in former messages, so that 
 which is proposed in it is but a toleration of Presbyteriall Govern- 
 ment in England, and that but for three years, and is a direct 
 allowance at least of the Book of Common Prayer in his 
 Majesties household. And, moreover, by the second Article not 
 only a door is left open for reestablishing Prelacy and the Service 
 Book, but the happy progresse already made in the Reformation 
 and Vniformity of Religion according to the Covenant in a Confes- 
 
378 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i mar. 
 
 sion of Faith, Directory of Worship, Forme of Church Government, 
 and Catechisme is set aside as so much lost labour in order to a 
 future settlement. Free debate with any of the Prelaticall party 
 nominated by his Majesty (when there was any such occasion) 
 hath not been declined ; But we have great cause to be tender 
 of unsetling and razing a good foundation already laid in the work 
 of Reformation. And whereas his Majesty will have it determined 
 by him self and the two Houses how the Church Government, 
 after the said three years, shall be established according to the 
 Word of God, this doth at once cut off three of the most materiall 
 and most necessary Propositions concerning Religion formerly 
 agreed vpon by both Kingdomes, and from both tendred to his 
 Majesty (though some of them be now laid aside by the two 
 Houses of the Parliament of England), namely, the third Proposition 
 for abolishing Archbishops, Bishops, &c. ; the fifth Proposition, 
 That reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled 
 by Act of Parliament in such maner as both Houses have agreed 
 or shall agree vpon, after consultation had with the Assembly of 
 Divines ; and the sixth Proposition, That such unity and vniformity 
 in Religion according to the Covenant as, after consultation had 
 with the Divines of both kingdoms assembled at Westminster, is, 
 or shall be, joyntly agreed by both Houses of the Parliament of 
 England and by the Church and Kingdome of Scotland, be con- 
 firmed by Acts of Parliament of both Kingdomes respectively : Of 
 which three Propositions there can be no hopes (as to his Majesties 
 consent or concurrance) if the offer now made concerning a deter- 
 mination by his Majesty and the two Houses be compared with 
 his Majesties claiming of a negative voice, and with his message of 
 November 1 6, in which he declared that both in relation as he is 
 a Christian and as a King he cannot give his consent to the abolish- 
 ing Archbishops, Bishops, etc., believing that this order was placed 
 in the Church by the Apostles themselves, and that his Majesty is 
 also bound by his Coronation Oath to maintain it. And this 
 message of November 16 his Majestie adhereth unto in his answer 
 to the Bills and Propositions presented to him at Carisbrook Castle ; 
 which answer is dated December 28, and so after his Majesties 
 letter to ws. Upon these and the like considerations we have 
 found the said 2d Article of his Majesties offers in point of Religion 
 to be destructive to Presbyteriall Government, the Directory 
 of Worship, and the Uniformity intended according to the 
 Covenant. 
 
i mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 379 
 
 e For the third Article delivered to ws in these words — " And for 
 suppressing of schisme and heresies his Majestie is content and 
 most willing that an effectual course be taken by Act of Parliament, 
 and all other wayes needfull and expedient, for suppressing the 
 opinions and practises of Antitrmitarians, Arrians, Socinians, 
 Antiscripturists, Antinomians, Anabaptists, Arminians, Familists, 
 Brownists, Separatists, Independents, Libertines, and Seekers, 
 and generally for suppressing all blasphemy, heresie, schisme, and 
 all such scandalous doctrine or practises as are contrary to the 
 light of nature or to the known principles of Christianity (whether 
 concerning faith, worship, or conversation), or to the power of 
 godlinesse, or which may be destructive to order or government 
 or to the peace of Church or Kingdom." 
 
 ' As we doe approve of the suppression of the particular heresies 
 and schism es enumerat in his Majesties offer, so we see not 
 how it can be reconciled with his Majesties message of November 
 16, in which there was a Concession of Toleration to all such as 
 differ from Presbyteriall Government : And doe further find the 
 Article dangerous and defective in omitting Erastianism and other 
 dangerous errours, especially Popery and Prelacy, which may 
 prove destructive to the Covenant in ministring the occasion to 
 Papists and Prelats to plead for a toleration, although the Covenant 
 binds us to endeavour the extirpation both of Popery and Prelacy. 
 
 ' Having now discovered the snares and dangers, we shall in the 
 next place most humbly and seriously propose and recommend 
 some wholesome, seasonable, and pious counsells to all the 
 members of this Church and Kingdome, especially to the Honour- 
 and High Court of Parliament and to the brethren of the Ministery, 
 which may also serve to expresse our sense concerning the w T hole 
 matter contained in that narrative delivered to ws in writing, 
 so far as is competent and fit for ws to give any judgment ther- 
 vpon. 
 
 ' First of all, we exhort all and every one to make more con- 
 science of endeavouring a reall reformation of themselves and 
 their families, and of the places in which they live, then ever yet 
 they have done ; to be more serious in searching their hearts, con- 
 sidering their wayes, and purging themselves from all filthinesse of 
 the flesh and spirit to perfect holmes in the fear of God ; to oppose 
 wickednesse and profanenesse, promote the practise and power of 
 godlinesse, and to be deeply humbled before the Lord for neglect- 
 ing these things so much and so long ; With all employing and 
 
380 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i MAR 
 
 improving Christs alsufficiency, and striving to exercise faith in 
 him for the grace of mortification and sanctification, as well as for 
 remission of shines and peace with God ; that, being implanted and 
 rooted in him, we may grow vp as trees of righteousnesse, the 
 planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified ; for without amend- 
 ment of life and bringing forth of better fruit the fierce wrath of 
 the Lord cannot turne away from ws. 
 
 ' Secojidly. — As men desire they may not be led into temptation, 
 but may be guided in safe and right pathes in the midst of so great 
 difficulties, let them avoid the company and counsell of the un- 
 godly, whereby even good men have been oft times most danger- 
 ously ensnared ; Let all that fear God choose the testimonies of 
 the Lord for their counsellours, be much in prayer and searching 
 the minde of God in his Word without leaning to their own under- 
 standing or consulting with flesh and blood in cases of conscience. 
 
 1 Thridly. — Seeing 'tis no act of wisdom but of folly so to shunne 
 one danger as to runne vpon another as bad or worse, let ws ther- 
 fore avoid enemies and beware of dangers on all hands ; Wee 
 cannot see but the Cause of God, the true Religion, the Covenant, 
 Presbyteriall Government, this Church and Kingdom, and whatso- 
 ever is dearest to ws will be in as great danger if the Prelaticall 
 party prevaill, as now they are into, by the power and prevalency 
 of Sectaries in England, who have made the Covenant and begun 
 Reformation to be laid aside, and hindered the promoting thereof. 
 So that there is a necessity to be apprehensive of dangers and 
 attentive to remedies on both sides, and to beware of compliance 
 with and connivance at Sectaries vpon the one hand, and 
 malignants vpon the other. 
 
 ' Fourthly. — When we speak of malignants, we desire that the 
 distinction may be remembred which was made in the Solemne 
 Warning to the Kingdome from the Generall Assemblie in Feb- 
 ruary 1645, viz., That the Cause is in veiy great danger from tuo 
 sorts of malignant enemies ; first, from such as have openly dis- 
 played a banner, or joyned in armes and professed hostility against 
 the Cause, and such as adhered thervnto ; secondly, from secret 
 malignants, discovenanters, and bosome enemies. This second 
 sort may be still known by some characters given both at that 
 time and before that time, as by their slandering or censuring the 
 Covenant of the three kingdomes, and expedition into England in 
 the year 1643, as not necessary for the good of Religion or safety 
 of this Kingdome, or as tending to the diminution of the Kings 
 
i MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 381 
 
 just power and greatnes, by their confounding of the Kings power 
 and just authority with the pretence and abuse thereof by comis- 
 sions, warrants, or letters, procured from his Majesty by the 
 enemies of this Cause and Covenant ; as if none wer faithfull and 
 loyall to the King who oppose such men and their wayes ; by 
 their spleen, malice, and calumnies against such as God hath made 
 eminently instrumentall in this Cause, and who resolve to be 
 constant to the end in their first principles, as if such men were 
 the Kings enemies who are most zealous for the good and safety 
 of Religion ; by their commending, justifying, or excusing other 
 known malignants, and by their conversing or intercommuning 
 with excomunicat delinquents. Unto which characters time and 
 experience give ws occasion to adde some others, as, namely, their 
 unwillingnes and declining to reckon malignants among the 
 enemies of this Cause from whom danger is to be apprehended ; 
 their disjoyning and dividing the duty of endeavouring the Kings 
 Majesties preservation and restitution from the duty of preserv- 
 ing, defending, setling, and secureing Religion, As if we might and 
 ought to pursue the former without the latter, while both are in 
 danger ; their maligning of and uttering malicious words against 
 faithfull and zealous ministers, and against this meeting and judi- 
 catory, appointed by the Generall Assemblie ; lastly, their crying 
 up or down of parties or persons, and even of the Sectaries them- 
 selves, according as they have more or lesse hopes of advantage 
 from them to their own designes. For 'tis not long since such men 
 made light account of any dangers which were apprehended from 
 the prevalent faction of the Sectaries in England, there being 
 then some hopes of a compliance and combination between them 
 and the malignants, which is an infallible demonstration that such 
 mens pretended zeal against those Sectaries now is not from the 
 right principle. Wherfore let all such dangerous persons as we 
 have here deciphered and described be cairfully observed and 
 avoided, as men would keepe themselves pure and free of snares : 
 And let Presbyteries be diligent to discover, trie and censure any 
 of this kinde in their bounds, that they may be able herein to give 
 a good account of their diligence ; as also that they be cairfull to 
 discover, try and censure any trafficking Sectaries, and all such as 
 favour their opinions and wayes. 
 
 ' Fiftly. — Though we esteem that prevalent faction of Sectaries, 
 with their abbetters and adherents, presumptuous and malicious 
 enemies to Religion, King, and Government, yet we hold it is our 
 
382 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 mar. 
 
 duty to labour to remove and prevent all occasions of jealousies 
 and suspitions betuixt the kingdoms, and to doe or say no thing 
 that may breed misunderstandings, break of correspondence, 
 weaken the confidence, or infringe the union and peace betwixt 
 the two Kingdoms, so happily established in his Majesties presence, 
 and with his royall consent in both Parliaments ; a caution as 
 necessary now as when it was given abone five yeares agoe, in a 
 Warning from the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie met 
 in this same place, January the fourth 1643. And generally, we 
 desire that all the articles and clauses of the Solemn e League and 
 Covenant may be kept inseperably and inviolably linked together, 
 and that ther may be great tendernesse and care to avoid e every 
 thing which may be interpreted as a contradicting or abandoning 
 of the former principles, proceedings, petitions, protestations, 
 remonstrances, and Declarations of this Kirk and Kingdome, in 
 the pursuance of this Cause ; and more especially to take good 
 heed that Scotlands desires doe not mount higher for the King 
 and fall lower in the point of Religion, then they wer at our first 
 vndertaking and ingagement in this Cause. 
 
 e Finally. — We doe most seriously obtest all the people of God 
 in this nation, and especially the Estates of Parliament, by their 
 love to the Cause of God, by their solemne Vowes and Covenants, 
 by their first principles and professions, by their former zeal and 
 sincerity, by the many blessings of God, and his great works done 
 for ws, when our zeal and integrity was greatest in this Cause, and 
 by all the curses and judgments of God which his Word denoun- 
 ceth against backsliders and Covenant breakers that they may all 
 the dayes of their lives continue firme, stedfast, and faithful in 
 their Covenant with God, and one with another, and make good 
 their former professions in a time of tentation and difficulty, with- 
 out wavering or falling off to the right hand or to the left. 
 And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and 
 mercy, and vpon the Israel of God.' 
 
 Characters of The Comission resolves to take to their consideration the 
 motion now made concerning a Comittee for discovering the 
 characters of Sectaries. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne at tua houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 2 Marty 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 
4 MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 383 
 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 Alexander Moncreiffe : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie: Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. George Lesly : 
 Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. William Chalmers : Mr. 
 George Gladstones: Mr. Andrew Fairfull : Mr. James Hamiltoun. 
 Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Comittee for personall Reforma- 
 tion to meet after the dissolving of the Comission to rypen 
 and prepaire their report. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 3 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Wil- 
 liam Colvill : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Patrick 
 Scheill : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. James Nasmith : 
 Mr. Allan Ferguson : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Robert 
 Baillie: Mr. Androw Lawder: Mr. William Chalmers: Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Ephram Melvill : 
 Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. John Livistoun: Mr. George Lesly. 
 Elders. — Craighall : Kilsyth : Dundas : Libertoun : John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. David Dickson and Robert 
 Blair to preach before the Parliament the nixt Sabboth, Mr. 
 Robert Baillie to pray there this day, and Mr. James Nasmith 
 the morne. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne at 2 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 4 Martij 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. 
 Androw Lawder: Mr. John Hay: Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. William Chalmers: 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Gladstones. Elders. — Craighall. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Clerk to insert the 3d article 
 of the Kings Concessions in the Declaration, and therafter the 
 answere therto as it is now read in these words, viz., 6 As we 
 approve of the suppression of the particular haeresies and errors 
 enumerat in his Majesties offer, so we see not how it can be 
 reconciled with his Majesties message of November 16, in which 
 there was a concession of Toleration to all such as differ from 
 Presbyteriall Government ; And doe find the article dangerous 
 and defective,'* etc. 
 
384 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [7 mar. 
 
 Appointment The Comission appoints Messrs. Androw Cant, John Adam- 
 the Declaration son ? David Dickson, Robert Blair, James Hamiltoun, Robert 
 mem 6 Parlia ' Baillie, George Gillaspie, Samuell Rutherfurd, and John Livis- 
 toun, with the Moderatour, Craighall, Dundas, Libertoun, and 
 Sir James Stewart, to present the Declaration to the Parlia- 
 ment, as soon as they find opportunity. 
 
 The nixt meiting on Monday at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 6 Marti) 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. John Livis- 
 toun : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Alexander 
 Moncreiff : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun: Mr. Allan Ferguson : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. 
 Mungo Law : Mr. Hew Mackaell. Elders. — 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd to pray in 
 the Parliament this day, and Mr. Mungo Law the morne. 
 The nixt meiting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 7th Martij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson: Mr. David Dickson: Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Patrik Gil- 
 laspie: Mr. John Nevey: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. Robert Baillie: Mr. 
 George Gladstones : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 Patrik Sheill : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Thomas 
 Kircaldie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. George 
 Lesly. Elders. — Craighall: Dundas: Sir James Stewart. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. James Hamiltoun to pray in 
 the Parliament the morne. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Androw Cant and Mr. John 
 Livistoun to preach before the Parliament the next Lords day. 
 Addition, Mr. The Comission appoints Mr. David Calderwood, with the 
 wo^d tofhg 1 " rest named on the fourth of March, to present the Declaration 
 presenters of to t } ie Parliament. 
 
 the Declaration 
 
 to the Parlia- The nixt meiting at 2 afternoon, 
 ment. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. John Nevoy : Mr. 
 
8 mar ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 385 
 
 Alexander Moncreiff: Mr. George Bennet : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. 
 David Calderwod : Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Patrik 
 Sheill. Elders. — Craighall : Sir James Steward. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne at 9 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. 
 Androw Lawder : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Thomas 
 Kircaldie : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George 
 Hutcheson : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Mr. Patrik Sheill. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Clerk to cause print the Declara- Order for print- 
 tion so soon as the same shall be presented to the Parliament. 1 tion. 6 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding how profitable it might prove Desire to the 
 if the sermon preached by the Moderatour vpon Monondav Mod eratour to 
 
 1 J r J print his ser- 
 
 was a fortnight, on the 31 Psalme, wer published, doe therfore mon. 
 earnestly desire the Moderatour to print that sermon. 
 The nixt meiting at 3 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 Martvj 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 George Bennet : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie. 
 Elders. — Libertoun : Sir James Steward. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Hew Mackaell to pray to the 
 Parliament the morne. 
 
 The Comission appoints for a Comittee Messrs. David Cal- Comittee for 
 derwood, Robert Blair, David Dickson, George Gillaspie, SriparHament. 
 
 1 It was accordingly printed and published with the title, A Declaration of 
 the Commissioners of the General Assembly to the whole Kirk and Kingdome 
 of Scotland concerning present dangers and duties relating to the Covenant and 
 Religion. Printed at Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, 1648. It was reprinted in 
 London in the following year. 
 
 9 n 
 
386 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [9 MAR. 
 
 Andrew Cant, John Livistoun, Robert Birnie, and James 
 Hamiltoun, with the Moderatour, Libertoun, and Sir James 
 Stewart, to consider of overtures and desires to the Parliament. 
 The nixt meiting the morne afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9 Marty 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Fleeming : 
 Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Livistoun : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. David Calderwood : 
 Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Thomas 
 Vassie : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Androw Lawder : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Francis Aird. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : John 
 Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. John Nevey to pray the morne 
 in Parliament. 
 
 This day a paper produced from the Estates of Parliament 
 as their Lordships answer to the Declaration, which being read 
 the Comission delayed to take to their consideration vntill the 
 morne, that in the meane tyme the same may be subscribed. 
 
 The nixt meiting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James- 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Thomas 
 Kircaldie : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Fleem- 
 ing : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. 
 George Bennet : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. 
 George Hutcheson : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Androw Lawder. Elders. 
 — Earle Angus : Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Lawrence Henderson r 
 John Mill. 
 
 This day Arthur Erskin of Scotscraige having represented 
 the Parliaments desire that ther might be a fast vpon the nixt 
 Lords day for them selves in the Parliament house, which they 
 wished also might be keiped in all the kirks of this town, and 
 in the Cannogait, Leith, and St. Culberts, the Comission accord- 
 ing heartily to their Lordships desire, Doe appoint that the nixt 
 Lords day be keiped for a solemne fast and humiliation for the 
 Lords blessing to the Parliament, and to pray for his directione 
 
 Fast for the 
 Lords Blessing 
 to the Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
io mar ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 387 
 
 and counsell to their Lordships in maters now in hand ; and 
 appoints intimation heirof to be sent to the ministers of this 
 citie, and of Leith, Cannogait, and St. Culberts, and doe againe 
 appoint their brethren, Messrs. Androw Cant and John Livis- 
 toun to preach in the Parliament house the nixt Lords day, 
 and that Messrs. Robert Birnie and Alexander Livistoun 
 preach that day in the Colledge Kirk. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Comittee appointed vpon the Comittee for 
 eight of March for overtures to the Parliament to consider of parliament. 0 
 the Parliaments answer to the Declaration now subscribed, and 
 after dissolveing of the Comission, to sitt still in this place for 
 that effect. Tenor of which answer followes : — 
 
 ' The Declaration of the Commissioners of the Generall The Paper from 
 Assemblie produced be Mr. Robert Douglas, accom- 0 f the 9 of 
 panied zv'ith diverse of the ministrie and ruleing elders, March - 
 being 1 read in audience of the Parliament. 
 * The Estates of Parliament acknowledge and taks well the 
 continuance of their correspondence in communicating this 
 counsell or advise to the Parliament, and remitts the same to be 
 considered in the 2 severall bodies : But the Parliament desires 
 in the mean tyme, till the returne of their answere (which they 
 will doe with all possible speed), that the Comissioners of the 
 Church wold take no course for publishing or devulging the 
 same, and declaires that, as they conceive this offer of counsell 
 from the Church to the Parliament does not derogat from 
 Parliamentary power and libertie, so by this delay or answer 
 they doe not meane any wayes to intrench vpon the priviledge 
 dew to the Church or Comission therof, Their intention being 
 ineerly for preservation of vnitie and good correspondence 
 betuixt them. Eoctr actum. 
 
 4 Sic subscribitur, 
 
 4 Alexii. Gibson, Cle. Regrj.' 
 The nixt melting at 2 afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Martij 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt. — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Hamiltoun : 
 
 1 ' Being ' is omitted in the 4to print of May 1848. 
 - ' Their ' instead of ' the ' in 4to print. 
 
388 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [10 mar. 
 
 Answer to the 
 Parliaments 
 Paper of the 
 9 March. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Moncreiff: Mr. George Hutcheson: Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James 
 Fleeming. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. George Hutcheson to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 This day the Lord Burley, Laird of Innes, and Sir Alexander 
 Wedderburne, having come for answer to the paper sent yester- 
 day from the Parliament, the Comission, thinking it not fitt 
 that these noble gentlemen should attend, promised to send 
 their answer with some of their own number tin's night. 
 
 The Comission having heard the report of the Comittee 
 appointed to draw an answer to the Parliament, Doe approve 
 therof, and appoints Messrs. Robert Baillie, James Hamiltoun, 
 and Mungo Law, with Dundas and Libertoun, to present their 
 answer to the Parliament. Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 ' The Comission of the Generall Assemblie, having this day 
 receaved, vnder the hand of the Clerk Register, the desire of 
 the Honorable Court of Parliament concerning their Declara- 
 tion presented to their Honours yesterday, Doe humbly returne 
 this ansuer : — 
 
 ' As we acknowledge it to be a great favour that the Honor- 
 able Estates of Parliament doe take well the continuance of 
 our correspondence in communicating our counsell and advise 
 to their Honours, and that they professe their intentione for 
 preservation of vnitie and good correspondence betuixt their 
 Lordships and ws, without entrenching any wayes vpon the 
 priviledge and liberties of the Kirk, 
 
 ' So we are necessitat humbly to represent to their Honours 
 that their desire to ws (to take no course for publishing or 
 divulging the said Declaration till the returne of their answer) 
 is such as 1 this Kirk hath not been formerly acquainted with 
 the like. Neither can we be answerable to the trust put vpon 
 us by God and the Generall Assemblie, if we neglect or delay 
 to emitt and publish this Declaration, vnles we had assurance 
 (which wee have not), that ther should be no danger to the Cause 
 
 That ' for ' as ' in 4to print. 
 
ii mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 389 
 
 by the delay. Otherwise we come vnder great guiltines if we 
 neglect to give tymeous and dew warning not only to their 
 Honours, but also to the whole kingdome, as God requires of 
 watchmen in tyme of evident danger : Which made ws, as before 
 in like cases we have done, to resolve vpon the printing of the 
 said Declaration before we knew anything of their Honours 
 desire for not publishing it. 
 
 4 Thus having exonered our own consciences, we humbly desire 
 their Honours to rest confident that as we are cairfull to keip 
 the liberty of the Kirk, so we shalbe most vnwilling to give to 
 their Honours any cause of offence. 1 
 
 The brethren appointed to present this paper to the Par- 
 liament returne this answer, that the Lord President said that 
 the paper presented to them required no ansuer, and therfore 
 the Parliament wold take such course therin as they thought 
 expedient. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt. — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. John Hamilton : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Alexander 
 MoncreirF: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. Androw Ramsay: Mr. John Adam- 
 son : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Androw Fairfull : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Robert 
 Lawrie. Elders. — Lord Marques of Argyle : Crafurd : Glencairne : 
 Cassills : Lothian : Lawderdaill : Home : Lanerk : Callendar : Finlatour : 
 Angus : Yester : Barganie : Wariestoun : Craighall : Dundas : Kilsyth : 
 Libertoun : Sir James Steward : James Rouchhead : David Douglas. 
 
 The Lord Burley, Laird of limes, and Sir Alexander Wedder- Answer to the 
 burne, coming this day from the Parliament, shew that their ^cemfng 
 Lordships, being very willing to keip a good correspondence D e ™afauon he 
 with this Comission, desired to know if ther wes any intention 
 to divulge their Declaration the morne in the kirks of this 
 town ; The Comission declared that they had no intention to 
 divulge the Declaration the morne, that [it] is their earnest desire 
 to keip a good correspondence with their Lordships, and that 
 the Clerk is not to give out any copies without publick order 
 from the Comission, and appoints Messrs. Robert Baillie and 
 
mo 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 mar. 
 
 James Hamiltoun to goe to the Parliament and present this 
 their humble answer. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. George Hamiltoun to pray in 
 the Parliament vpon Monday. 
 
 The nixt meiting vpon Monday after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, ISth Marti) 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Air. Robert Douglas. Modcratour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Alungo Law : 
 Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Gillaspie : 
 Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. 
 Robert Birnie : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Androw Ramsay : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Hamil- 
 toun : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 Thomas Kircaldie : Air. James Guthrie : Air. John Livistoun : Air. 
 Thomas Vassie : Air. Alexander Aloncreiff. Elders. — Craighall : Scots- 
 craig : Kilsyth : Greanhead : Dundas : Libertoun : Sir James Steward : 
 Lawrence Henderson : John Mill. 
 
 Act for reading The Comission appoints the Clerk to divulge the printed 
 the Declaration. c ,i 7 ^ i ,• ,1 
 
 copies 01 the Declaration presently. 
 
 The Comission of the General) Assemblie appoints the 
 printed copies of the Declaration emitted on the first of March 
 instant, presently to be sent to Presbyteries, Ordaining heirby 
 that every minister (as he will be answerable) read the samen 
 himselfe to the Congregation, after fornoon sermon, befor the 
 blissing, and that vpon the first Sabboth after the Declaration 
 come to their hands ; And that Presbyteries returne spedily 
 accompt of their diligence heirin. 
 
 The nixt meiting at 2 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, VS Marty, post meridiem. 
 
 AIinisters. — Air. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Air. John Adamson : 
 Air. Androw Cant : Air. James Hamiltoun : Air. Androw Lawder : Air. 
 Robert Ker : Air. Ephram Alelvill : Air. James Guthrie: Air. John 
 Nevey : Air. Thomas Kircaldie : Air. Alexander Aloncreiff : Air. George 
 Gladstones : Air. George Hamiltoun : Air. David Calderwood : Air. 
 David Dickson : Air. Samuell Rutherfurd : Air. Thomas Vassie : Air. 
 Alungo Law : Mr. Colin Adam : Air. Patrik Sheill : Air. John Livistoun : 
 Air. James Fleeming : Air. Alexander Livistoun : Air. George Bennet : 
 Air. John Hay : Air. Robert Birnie : Air. George Gillaspie. Elders. — 
 Craighall : Scotscraige : Dundas : Libertoun : Greanhead : John Semple : 
 John Alill : George Porterfeild. 
 
13 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 391 
 
 The Comission, being exceedingly sensible of the great Duelis. 
 seandall given by some late dwells, will therfor take the same 
 to their consideration. 
 
 The Comission, having heard the report of the proceiding of 
 the Comittee appointed for personall reformation, Appoints 
 them to thinke vpon the matter againe, and perfyt the report. 
 
 The Comission continues the petition of Patrick Grahame, inchbrakie. 
 sone to Inchbrakie, for three or four dayes. 
 
 The Comission having heard a letter written to the Modera- 
 tour of the travells of Mr. Alexander Petrie about Mr. 
 Johnstones book, doe appoint a letter of thankes to be written 
 to him, as also that a letter be written to Sir David Cuning- 
 hame for calling in these papers. Tenor of these letters 
 folio wes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brother, — We thanke yow hartily Letter to Mr. 
 
 Alexin clcr 
 
 for your paines in that we wrott concerning Mr. Johnstones p e tre. 
 Historie ; It is our earnest desire yow continue still to labour 
 with the printers, or any others that may contribute to the 
 busines for getting the written copies. What our brother, the 
 Moderatour, lies written shall be assuredly performed. For 
 that you wrytt concerning a treatise De rebus gestis M. Montis 
 Rosary, 1 we shall be glad yow send some of them to the 
 Moderatour, that after sight therof we may accordingly take 
 such course in it as shall be found fitting. Thus commending 
 yow and your labours to the Lords grace, wee remain, 
 ' Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Commissioners 
 
 oe the generall assembly."' 
 
 Direct : For our Reverend brother, Mr. Alexander Petrie, 
 minister of the Scots Kirk at Roterdarn. 
 
 4 Much honoured Sir, — Being informed of a treatise com- Letter to Sir 
 
 David Cunin° 
 
 pyled by our countryman, Mr. Johnston, by way of historie, hame. Uni " S 
 
 1 This was no doubt the treatise ascribed to Wishart, his chaplain, ' De rebus, 
 auspiciis Serenissimi ac Potentissimi Caroli . . . sub imperio illustrissimi 
 Jacobi Montisrosariwi Marchionis . . . Supremi Scotia Gubernatoris, anno 1644 
 et duobns sequentibus, praxlare gestis Commentarius^ the first edition of which 
 appeared in Holland in 1647, and a second and enlarged edition in 1648. A 
 •copy of it is said to have been tied about the neck of the Marquis when he was 
 executed. 
 
392 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 mar. 
 
 wherin he exceedingly wrongs this Kirk, and some of the pryme 
 instruments of our Reformation, we thought it our duty rather 
 to prevent the publishing of it then to take such course, for 
 puting away these calumnies, as might rub vpon the memory of 
 the author now after his decease : Therefore, Sir, vnderstanding 
 that yow have some interest or trust in his affaires and papers, 
 we thought good, in name of this Kirk, to desire earnestly that 
 yow might be pleased to hinder the printing of that treatise, 
 which, we think, cannot be done, except all the copies of it wer 
 called in, and such course taken therwith as yow and we might 
 thinke fittest. This is all we have to say : but expecting in 
 this mater, wherin Religion and this Kirk is so much concerned, 
 your favourable answer, We remain, 
 
 ' Your loving brethren to be commanded in the Lord, 
 The Commission bus 
 
 of Tin-: Genekall Assemblie. 1 
 
 Direct : To the much honoured Sir David Cuninghame. 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Mixistkrs. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Ewin Camron : 
 Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 Androw Cant : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. 
 Robert Birnie : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. John 
 Xevey : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. John Hay. 
 Elders. — Craighall : Libertoun : Balmain : Kilsyth : Dundas : Lawrence 
 Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. James Guthrie to prav the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Douglas and James 
 Guthrie to preach to the Parliament the nixt Sabboth, and that 
 Mr. Francis Aird preach for Mr. Robert Douglas in his kirk. 
 Concerning the T ne Comission, considering the frequency of duells at this 
 lat duells be- tvme, doe therefore thinke it incumbent to them to think vpon 
 
 tuixt the Lords. * . . 1 
 
 fitting overtures how to prevent all duells in tvme coming, and 
 
 in the meane time appoints Messrs. Androw Cant and David 
 
 Dickson, with the Moderatour and Craighall, to goe to the 
 
 Marques of Argyle, Earles of Crafurd and Lanerk, and Major 
 
14 MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 393 
 
 Innes, and to shew them the sense of the Comission of that 
 scandalous offence, they are guilty of, by the combat they 
 intended ; 1 and that they report the morne whither they find 
 them sensible of such offence or not. 
 The nixt meeting at 4 houres. 
 
 Eodem die jjost meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson: Mr. AndrowCant: Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Guthrie: 
 Mr. Robert Baillie: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Androw 
 Lawder : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Doctor Colvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. 
 Evin Cameron : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Alexander 
 Moncreiff: Mr. Patrik Gillaspie: Mr. Alexander Livistoun. Elders. — 
 Craighall: Kilsyth: Dundas : Libertoun : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day the letter from the Protestant Kirks of the Cantons, Letter from the 
 which was sent to the late Assembly, being read, the Comission Cantons - 
 thinks fitt it be represented to the Parliament the morne by 
 Messrs. Robert Baillie, Doctor Colvill, and James Hamiltoun, 
 and will thinke vpon what answer to returne. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding of some scandells of contradic- Comitteefor 
 tiones in pulpits, Doe therefore appoint Messrs. David Calder- Si^o^some 
 wood, Robert Baillie, Doctor Colvill, David Dickson, Androw jj^^jjjjjjjj^ 
 Cant, James Guthrie, Hew Mackaell, John Nevey, Francis of Edinburgh 
 Aird, James Nasmith. George Hamiltoun, and Ephram Mel- and Leith- 
 vill, with Craighall, Dundas, Findoury, and John Mill, to 
 informe themselfes of these scandells of contradictiones amongst 
 ministers in Edinburgh and Leith, and to consider of overtures 
 for preventing the lyke in tyme coming ; and to report : Their 
 meiting to be in this place the morne at 8 houres. 
 
 The nixt meetin<r the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 1 Crawford being challenged by Argyll for certain references to him in a 
 speech he had made in Parliament, replied that ' whatever he had said he would 
 make good with his sword.' Upon this Argyle desired him to appoint time and 
 place. Crawford, on the Sunday evening, replied that ' at Musselburgh links 
 at 7 o'clock next morning he would meet him.' But 'before they begun their 
 plea' friends interfered, and made them part without a stroke, and the Council 
 in the evening got them professedly reconciled. There had been duels between 
 Eglington and Glencairn, and between Kenmure and Cassilis about the same 
 time. See Baillie's Letters, vol. iii. p. 36. 
 
394 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [15 MAR. 
 
 Edinburgh, 15 Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Robert Birnie : 
 Mr. Androw Lawder : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. 
 Androw Cant: Mr. Robert Baillie: Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Francis Aird : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. George Bennett : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Colin Adam. Elders. 
 — Waristoun : Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Sir James Steward: 
 Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 Comittee for The Coinissioii of the Generall Assembly vnderstanding by 
 with a Comittee »iy Lord Advocat the desire of the Comittee of Parliament that 
 of Parliament. some G f £] ie Comission may conferre with some of their number, 
 Doe therefore appoint the Moderatour, and Messrs. David 
 Calderwood, David Dickson, George Gillaspie, and Robert 
 Baillie, with Craighall and Libertoun, to meet with any of 
 that Comittee of Parliament, and to heare and conferre vpon 
 what shalbe proposed at that meeting ; and to report to this 
 Comission. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne afternoon. 
 
 Earle Crafurd. 
 
 Marques 
 Argyle, Earle 
 Lanerk, and 
 Major Innes. 
 
 Edinburgh, 16 Marty 1648, past meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers.— Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Mungo 
 Law: Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Alexander Livistoun: Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. George Gladstones: Mr. John Smith: Mr. James Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Robert Lawrie : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. 
 .fames Guthrie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Androw Cant : 
 Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Francis Aird: Mr. Androw Fairfull. Elders. — 
 Dundas. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Patrick Gillaspie to pray in 
 Parliament the morne. 
 
 This day the Moderatour shew that he had taken to occasion 
 to speak to the Earle of Crawfurd in that mater of the duell ; 
 But the tyme being short, that he did not find so much satis- 
 faction as he wished, and as by longer conference with him 
 might have been gotten ; And therfore desired that some others 
 might be sent to him to conferr at great lenth. 
 
 The Comission ordaines Messrs. Androw Cant, James 
 Guthrie, and James Nasmith to conferr with the Marques of 
 Argyle, Earle of Lanerk, and Maior James Innes, and shew 
 
17 mar ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 395 
 
 that the Kirk is sensible of the scandall anent their single 
 combat, and desires them to tell what they thinke of it them 
 selfes ; and to report, that the Comission may consider therof. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 Martij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. James Fleeming: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 Hew Mackaell : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. Robert Blair : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gladstones : 
 Mr. George Bennet : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Thomas 
 Kircaldie. Elders. — Craighall: Dundas: Libertoun: Sir James Steward. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, having at the desire of the Delay of con- 
 Comittee of Parliament appointed some brethren to conferr sub-comittee 
 witli a Sub-comittee appointed by their Lordships, and vnder- of Parhament - 
 standing that a vote yesternight past in Parliament which may 
 be a predetermination of the matter whervpon the conference 
 was, Therfor they conceive it fitting that that conference be 
 delayed vntill the Comission give further ordor. 
 
 The Comission appoints the Moderatour and Messrs. David Comittee for 
 
 conference of 
 
 Calderwood, Androw Cant, David Dickson, Robert Blair, what is to be 
 Robert Baillie, George Gillaspie, John Smith, Robert Ker, ^Cor!^ 011 
 Samuell Rutherfurd, James Guthrie, and Colin Adam, with ference. 
 Craighall, Libertoun, Dundas, and Sir James Steward to be a 
 Comittee to consider what is to be done by this Comission in 
 relation to the Conference appointed by the Sub-comittee of 
 Parliament to meet at 2 afternoon in the Moderators hous, 
 and to report. 
 
 The Comission of Assemblie appoints Patrick Grahame sone Patrik Graham, 
 to Inchbrakie his petition, presented to them, to be sent to his brakie. 
 Presbytery, desiring that, after he lies addressed him selfe to 
 them by a petition acknowledging particularly his offences for 
 which he wes excommunicat, which is the defect of this petition, 
 they wold appoynt some to conferr with him and labour to 
 bring him to a sense of these his offences, and to report to the 
 Comission what they find to be his condition after conference. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 4 afternoon. 
 
396 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [17 mak 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John Smith: Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. 
 Androw Cant: Mr. Miingo Law: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert 
 Ker : Mr. Francis Aird: Doctor Colvill : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. 
 Georg-e Gillaspie : Mr. Thomas Melvill: Mr. Robert Baillie. Elders. — 
 Craighall : Wariestoun : Balmayn : Dundas : Libertoun : Kilsyth : 
 Greanhead : Sir James Steward : Lawrence Henderson : John Sempie. 
 
 Paper from the This day Colingtoun find Sir Alexander Wedderburne pro- 
 the r i7th e Apriil. 1 ducing a paper from the Comittee of Parliament, The Comission 
 promised to send to their Sub-comittee mentioned in the paper 
 their answer thervnto the morne at 7 houres. 
 Followes the tenor of the Paper : — 
 
 'The Comittee of Parliament appoints Sir James Ponies of 
 Colingtoun and Sir Alexander AVedderburne to goe to the 
 Comission of the Kirk, and to acquaint them that this Comittee 
 have appointed the Sub-comittee of ther number to meet the 
 morne, at 7 houres in the morning, with such as shall be 
 employed be the Comission of the Kirk for drawing vp the 
 Declaration formerly intrusted to them. Extraction. 
 
 6 Sic subscribitur, 
 
 1 S r Abchbald Primrose, C&. 1 
 
 Answer to the This day Sir James Foules and Sir Alexander Wedderburne 
 the d pari?arnent. having presented a paper from the Comittee of Parliament 
 shewing that their Lordships have appointed their Sub-comittee 
 to meet the morne, at 7 houres in the morning, with such as 
 shalbe employed by the Comission for drawing vp the Declara- 
 tion formerly intrusted to them, The Comission of Assembly, 
 considering that the reason of their delaying in the fornoon the 
 conference with the Sub-comittee doeth yet remain, therfor 
 they are still of the same judgment, and appoints Messrs. 
 Androw Cant, Robert Ramsay, and Samuell Rutherfurd, with 
 Dundas, to present this answer to the Sub-comittee with the 
 other vote in the fornoon. 
 
 1 Sic, for March ; also in sidenote of next page. 
 
iS mar ] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 397 
 
 This day the report of the Comittee appointed befor noon 
 being heard, The Comission approves the paper drawen be them 
 to the Parliament, and appoints Messrs. Robert Blair, Androw 
 Cant, Robert Ramsey, and Samuell Rutherfurd, with Dundas, 
 to present it. Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 ' To the right honourable the Estates of Parliament, 
 The Commissioners of the General! Assembly Humbly shew — 
 
 4 That wheras, vpon a desire from the Comittee of Parliament, Paper of the 
 some of our number wer appointed to conferre with some of presented to the 
 their Lordships concerning the present condition of affaires, in Parliament con- 
 
 e ia e j m v • j , i cerning delay of 
 
 reference to the safety and security oi Religion and the pursu- the Conference. 
 
 ing the ends of the Covenant, We, vnderstanding of a vote 
 
 past in Parliament yesternight, which doeth by consequence 
 
 predetermine that which was the subject of the conference, 
 
 did thervpon find ourselves necessitat and oblidged to delay 
 
 our conference, and not to allow our Sub-comittee to proceid 
 
 therin : And as we are not to be blamed, as if that conference 
 
 wer interrupted on our part, so we are full of deep apprehen- 
 
 siones and feares of the prejudices and sad effects which may 
 
 follow to Religion and the Covenant from any ordors or resolu- 
 
 tiones tending to ingage this kingdome in a warre, whill ther 
 
 is not yet any such state and ground of the quarrell agreed 
 
 vpon as may satisfie mens consciences : Which we have con- 
 
 ceved necessary for ws tymely to represent to your honours for 
 
 our exoneration, and that we may not be involved into the 
 
 sinne nor accessory to the most dangerous consequences of such 
 
 a course.'' 
 
 The nixt meeting on Mononday at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh^ 18 Marty 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 ( alderwood : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. William Colvill : Doctor Col- 
 vill : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Thomas Mel- 
 vill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Androw Ramsay : Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Nevey : 
 Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. 
 Alexander Rollock : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. George Hamiltoun. Elders. — Garthlane : Kilsyth : Bal- 
 mayn : Dundas : Libertoun : George Porterfeild : John Mill. 
 
398 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 mar. 
 
 Answer sent to The Comission of Assembly, being called extraordinarily to 
 the Sub-comit- mee j. fais afternoon vpon the desire of the Sub-comittee of 
 Parliament to give their answer to the desire of the Parliament 
 for a present conference with that Sub-comittee, and finding 
 themselfes very vnfrequent at this tyme, many brethren being 
 out of town, Doe therefor continue the consideration of that 
 matter vntill Mononday after the sermon, which wes the dyet 
 appointed yesterday in a very frequent meeting : And appoints 
 Messrs. Androw Cant, Robert Ramsey, and Samuell Rutherfurd 
 to present this humbly to the Sub-comittee. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 Marty, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Modcratour. Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander 
 Moncreiff : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. David Calderwood : 
 Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. 
 John Smith : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. 
 Robert Blair : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Bennet. Elders. — Craighall : 
 Greanhead : Kilsyth : Dundas : Libertoun : Lawrence Hendersone. 
 
 Comittee. The Comission thinks fitt that the Comittee appointed on 
 
 the 17 of this moneth, Mr. Robert Ramsay being added, con- 
 sidder whither the conference with the Sub-comittee of Parlia- 
 ment should be continued or not, and if, in their opinion, it 
 should not be continued, what reasones they find should be 
 given for it, and to report. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt. — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Gladstones : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. 
 Robert Baillie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Alexander 
 Livistoun : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James 
 Fleeming: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. George Hamiltoun: Mr. George Bennet : 
 Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. Thomas : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. "Robert 
 
 Ramsay: Mr. Androw Cant: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Hew Mackaell: 
 Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Craighall: Balmain : 
 Dundas : Libertoun : Findawrie : Sir James Stewart : George Porter- 
 feild : Lawrence Henderson : John Mill: John Semple. 
 
20 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 399 
 
 This day the Earle of Crawfurd, the Lord Humbie, and Desire of the 
 Arch bald Sydserf, come from the Comittee of 18, and shew conference! 
 their Lordships earnest desire that the Comission wold enter- 
 taine and continue the conference formerly appointed with 
 their Sub-Comittee ; Which desire the Comission promised to 
 take to their consideration, and send their answer in writ to 
 my Lord Crafurd. 
 
 The Comission to prepair ane answer to the desire of the 
 Comittee of Parliament, entering vpon the consideratioun of 
 the report of the Comittee appointed in the fornoon, Doe 
 agree that the conference be delayed vpon the first three 
 reasones in the report, and appoints the Clerk to draw vp ane 
 answer to the Parliament and Comittee vpon these 3 1 reasones, 
 and for the other three reasones, the Comission will take them 
 to further consideration. Tenor of which answer followes : — 
 
 4 The Comission of the Generall Assembly, being desired by Answer to the 
 the honourable Estates of Parliament and their Comittee to pariTanien^and 
 entertaine the Conference with their Sub-Comittee, doe returne Comittee con- 
 
 , cerning enter - 
 
 humbly this answer : — tainingthe 
 6 That they have great discouragement to entertaine that Conference - 
 conference, vnderstanding that since it began, and whilst the 
 continuance of it is sought, the Declaration concerning the 
 state of the question, presented to their Sub-Comittee, hes 
 been shawen to severall persones, and endevoures vsed to move 
 men to be satisfied with it, notwithstanding the brethren vpon 
 that Sub-Comittee declared themselfes vnsatisfied therwith ; 
 
 4 They thinke it not safe to entertaine that conference for 
 these reasones : — 
 
 ' 1. Becaus the vote past in Parliament for a Comittee vpon 
 the 16 of this instant, doeth by consequence predeter- 
 mine that which was the subiect of Conference. 
 4 2. Becaus they conceave the power of that Comittee to be 
 of exceiding dangerous consequence to the Cause of God 
 and the ends of our Solemne League and Covenant.' 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Ramsay and John 
 Smith to present the preceiding answer, under the Clerks hand, 
 to the Earle of Crafurd. 
 
 1 In the MS. this 3 is written over another figure more like 2. 
 
400 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 mar. 
 
 Marques The Comission appoints the Moderatour, Messrs. David 
 
 furd, Lanerk, Dickson, and Androw Cant, with Craighall, to goe to the 
 Major innes. Marques of Argyle, Earles of Crafurd and Lanerk, and Major 
 Innes, confornie to the former appointments, and report what 
 sense they find them have of their scandalous offence in the 
 lait combat they intended. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 Marty 1648. 
 
 Sederunt:— Ministers, — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant: Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Samuell Rutherford : Mr. Robert Baillie : 
 Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Alexander Livistouo : Mr. Alexander Monn- 
 creiff : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. George Murray: Mr. John Smith: Mr. 
 Robert Ker : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. .Fames Hamiitoune: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. Zachary 
 Boyd : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. John Neve}' : 
 Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. James Fleming: Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. James Nasmith. Eiders. — Craighall : 
 Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 The brethren appointed yesterday to goe to the Earle of 
 Crafurd, declared that he declined to take that answer to the 
 Parliament : Therfore the Comission resolve they will take 
 opportunity to send it some other way. 
 Comittee to The Comission appoints Air. Robert Douglas, Moderator, 
 i?fiu d to r b q e Uhat Messrs. David Calderwood, David Dicksone, Robert Baillie, 
 represented to George Gillaspie, Androw Cant, Robert Blair, Robert Ramsay, 
 Samuell Rutherfurd, Colin Adam, John Smith, and James 
 Guthrie, with Craighall, Dundas, and Libertoun, to be a 
 Comittee to consider what is fitting to be represented to the 
 Parliament for our exoneration at this tyme, and to report 
 their oppinions. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 4 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. James Guthrie :* Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Alexander 
 Rollock : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Robert Birnie : 
 Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Robert 
 
 1 Sic in ms. 
 
21 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 401 
 
 Ker : Mr. Thomas Kircaldy : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. John Ram- 
 say : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Patrik 
 Sheill : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. George Lesly. Elders. — Craighall : 
 Balmayn : Dundas : Kilsyth: Libertoun : Lawrence Henderson: John 
 Semple. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Blair and Patrick 
 Gillaspie to preach before the Parliament the nixt Lords day. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Robert Ker to pray in Parlia- 
 ment the morne. 
 
 This day the Lord Cowper, the Laird of Garthland, and Desire of the 
 John Short, shew that the Parliament did renew their desire Parliament - 
 formerly made be themselves and their Comittee for entertain- 
 ing the Conference. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, having considerit the desire of 
 the Parliament, returned this answer, that they are about 
 some desires relating to the Conference, which they are to 
 present to their Lordships tomorrow, at the first sitting doune 
 of Parliament, and appoints Mr. Robert Ramsay to present 
 this answer. 
 
 This day the Comission, vnderstanding that Mr. William Mr. William 
 Colvill, on of the ministers of this town, had not read the Colvl11 - 
 Declaration lately emitted, Doe therfore appoint that he be 
 cited to appeare before them the morne at 10 houres, to answer 
 for his not reading the Declaration the last Lords day. 
 
 This day the Comission of Assembly having considered the 
 letters from the Vicount of Airds, 1 and from the Presbyterie of 
 Carrickfergus, Thinke fitt to returne the answeres following : — 
 
 6 Right honourable and our very good lord, — We wer Letter to the 
 hartily glad to know (by your Lordships letter) that yow are lTJt of 
 returned home from your long imprisonment, and wold be very 
 glad to doe anything which lyes in ws for furnishing the place 
 
 1 Hugh, third Viscount Montgomery of Airds or Ards, had command of the 
 cavalry at Benburb when, on 5th June 1646, the Scots and Parliamentary troops 
 were defeated by O'Neill and the Irish. He was taken prisoner and confined for 
 nearly two years in Clough outer Castle in Lough Erne, where Bishop Bedell had 
 been imprisoned for some time in 1641. In consequence of a representation 
 made by the Commission on 17th February 1647 to the Scottish Parliament, and 
 by them to the English Parliament, who made various proposals for an exchange 
 of prisoners, he was released about the end of February 1648. In 1649 he 
 changed sides, and became a bitter persecutor of the Presbyterians of Ulster. 
 See Reid's History of Presbyterian Church of Ireland, vol. ii. pp. 25, 27, 59, 
 115-118. 
 
 2c 
 
402 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 mar. 
 
 of your Lordships residence with such ane able man as lies a 
 calling from the people. But the late Generall Assembly 
 having determined Mr. John Livistons abode at Stranrauer, 
 vpon the full hearing of the call from Newtoun, wee (who only 
 have comission from them) may not goe about to determine 
 otherwise, and wilbe loath to deceive your Lordship by putting 
 yow in hope therof, for our comission is limited, and Mr. John 
 Livistouns transportation (or the plantation of the Kirk of New- 
 toun at all) is no way within our comission, so that we cannot 
 doe that service which your Lordships necessity and pious 
 desires call for. This is the answer of them who (comending 
 your Lordship to God) remain, 
 
 ' Your Lordships humble servants/ 
 
 For the right honourable and our very good Lord, The Lord 
 V'uvunt of Mount gomrie of Airds. 
 
 Letter to the 6 Reverend axd beloved brethrex, — We have considered 
 cSSfe^us y° llY l e tter desiring, first, that we send over our brethren (in 
 ther towres) to visit your parts, as they wer appointed by the 
 late Generall Assemblie ; 2. That we wold further the Lord 
 Vicount of Airds to Mr. John Livistouns ministrie at Newtoun. 
 For this last we have written plainely to his Lordship that it 
 is beyond the bounds of our comission. To the former, As 
 the Assembly determined four brethren to goe to visit Irland, 
 ilk one of them for three moneths at once, (viz., Mr. Androw 
 Lawder, minister at Whithorne, Mr. John Livistoun, minister 
 at Stranrauer, Mr. Alexander Livistoun, minister at Biggar, 
 Mr. Harie Semple, minister at ), so we shall send 
 
 them word to take journey. But the maine stop is, that there 
 cannot yet any course be taken here for the charges of their 
 journey as reason requires; Which we shall endeavour to pro- 
 cure as soon as can be, by dealling with them who have been 
 in vse to afford such charges. So, recomending your labours 
 (in the Lords harvest ther) to Gods blissing. Wee are, 
 
 fi Your very loving brethren.'' 
 
 For the right reverend and our dear brethren the Moderatour 
 and brethren of the Presbyter ie at Carrichfergus in Irland, 
 
 This day Mr. Robert Ramsay reported that the Parliament 
 had comanded him to declair to this Comission that their Lord- 
 
 Return from 
 the Parliament. 
 
22 MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 403 
 
 ships are to meet the morne at 9 houres, and do expect then 
 our desires, mentioned in our last paper, given vnto them. 
 Therfore the Comission resolves to meet the morne at halfe 
 hour to eight in the morning. 
 
 Edinburgh, 22 Marty 1648, Jwra 8 a matutina. 
 
 Sederunt. — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay : Mr. James Fleming : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Alexander Livis- 
 toun : Mr. Thomas Kircal'die : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Alexander Rol- 
 lock : Mr. Thomas Ramsay : Mr. George Murray : Mr. George Gillaspie : 
 Mr. John Smith : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Hew 
 Mackaell : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Alexander Mouncreiff : 
 Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. James Guthrie. Elders. — Craighall : 
 Dundas : Libertoun : George Porterfeild : Findawrie : Lawrence Hender- 
 son. 
 
 The Comittee appointed yesterday in the fornoon, having Report of the 
 reported that it wer necessar to present some desires to the Comittee - 
 Parliament, concerning the present great affair, wherof they had 
 drawen a drawght, which the Comission having read and 
 seriously considered, Doe vnanimously aprove, and appoints 
 Messrs. Robert Blair, Robert Ramsay, and Robert Ker, with 
 Findawrie and Lawrence Henderson, to present the same to the 
 Parliament. 1 Tenor whereof followeth : — 
 
 ' To the right honorable the Estates of Parliament, 
 The humble desires of the Comission 2 of the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 * Wheras we wer desired to appoint a Conference with some The 8 desires 
 of your Lordships, which did goe one towards ane agreement till it J^J^ 6 Parlia ' 
 was obstructed by a vote of Parliament of the l6th of this instant; 
 And having already showen, by our papers of the 1 7th and 20th, the 
 reasones of our not proceiding in that Conference, and that the 
 caus was not in ws, We doe now, as the servants of Jesus Christ, 
 for our own exoneration, for preventing of mistakes, and for a clear 
 vnderstanding between your Lordships and ws, represent these our 
 humble desires, which we recomend to your lordships serious 
 thoughts : — 
 
 1 This paper occupies pp. 13-16 of the 4to pamphlet containing the Declara- 
 tion of the Commission, adopted on the 5th May ensuing, entered in their 
 proceedings of that date, and published soon after. 
 
 2 ' Commissioners ' in 4to pamphlet. 
 
404 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 mar 
 
 * 1. That the grounds and causes of vndertaking a warre may- 
 be cleared to be so just, as that all who are well affected 
 may be satisfied in the lawfulnes and necessity of the in- 
 gagment, and that no thing be acted in reference to a warre, 
 before the lawfulnes of the warre and state of the question 
 be agreed vpon. 
 
 e 2. That as the breaches of the Covenant by the prevalent 
 party of Sectaries in England 1 are evident, so we desire and 
 hope, that according to the Treaty it may be condiscended 
 vpon and declared by the Parliament what are these breaches 
 of peace which they take to be a ground of warre, and the 
 reparation therof may be sought. 
 
 ' 3. That ther be no such quarrell or ground of the warre as 
 may break the vnion between the kingdomes, or may dis- 
 courage and disoblidge the Presbyterian party in England 
 who continue firme in adhering to the League and Covenant. 
 
 f 4. That if the Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party shall againe 
 rise in armes, This nation and their Armies may be so farre 
 from joyning or associating with them, that on the contrary 
 they may oppose them, and endeavour to suppresse them, 
 as enemies to this Cause and Covenant on the one hand, as 
 well as Sectaries on the other. 
 
 ' 5. Seing your Lordships vndertaking should be in the first 
 place for Religion, We desire that his Majesties late conces- 
 sions and offers concerning Religion, as they have been by 
 the Church, so may be by the Parliament, declared vnsatis- 
 factorie : Wherby your Lordships may give further evidence 
 of the reality of your intentions for the good and safety of 
 Religion. 
 
 ' 6. That your Lordships may be pleased not to fixe or setle vpon 
 any such state of a question as doeth not containe security 
 and assurance to be had from his Majestie by his solemne 
 oath vnder his hand and seall, That he shall, for him selfe 
 and his successours, consent and agree to Acts of Parliament 
 enjoy ning the League and Covenant, and fully establishing 
 Presbyteriall Government, Directory of Worship, and Con- 
 fession of Faith, in all his Majesties dominions, and that his 
 Majestie shall never make opposition to any of these, or en- 
 deavour any change therof, and that this security be had 
 from his Majestie before his restitution to the exercise of his 
 royall power. Which desire we propone for no other end but 
 
 1 The words ' in England ' are omitted in 4to pamphlet. 
 
22 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 405 
 
 because we cannot see how Religion, which hath been, and 
 we trust shall be, the principall end of all the vndertakings 
 of this nation, can be otherwise secured, but that without 
 this security it shall be left in very great hazard. 
 
 * 7. That for the same end of securing Religion (which is pro- 
 
 fessed to be the principall cause of Engagement), and for 
 securing all other ends of the Covenant, such persones 
 may only be entrusted by your Lordships to be of your 
 Comittees and armies as have given constant proofe of their 
 integrity and faithfulnes in this Cause, and against whom 
 ther is no just exception or jealousie — That so we may the 
 more constantly encourage our flocks and congregations to 
 follow the Cause of God in their hands, and not to doubt of 
 the fidelitie of those who shalbe entrusted by your Lordships. 
 
 * 8. That ther may be no engagement without a solemn e oath, 
 
 wherin the Church may have the same interest which they 
 had in the Solemne League and Covenant, the Cause being 
 the same. 
 
 * All which desire being dewly pondered by your Lordships in ane 
 
 equall ballance, will, we trust, be found just and necessary, 
 and doe not doubt but satisfaction from your Lordships 
 therin may be a happie and effectuall meanes for facilitating 
 the state of the question, for vniting this nation in an vnani- 
 mous vndertaking of such dueties as are requisit for the 
 reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happi- 
 nes of the King, the peace and safety of the Kingdomes/ 
 The nixt meeting at 10 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. James Fleeming : 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. Alexander Mouncrieff: Mr. 
 Alexander Spitle : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. 
 Robert Birnie : Mr. James Nasmith: Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. George Gillaspie : Doctor Colvill : 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George 
 Gladstones : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr, Francis Aird : Mr. John Ramsay : 
 Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. James Hamiltoun. 
 Elders. — Craighall : Balmayn : Dundas : Libertoun. 
 
 This day report was made by the brethren appointed to Marques 
 speake with Marques of Argyle, Earles of Crawfurd and Lanerk, ofcSfuui ha 
 that they professed their sorrow for any scandall they had Lanerk. 
 
406 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 mar. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Colvill. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Colvill. 
 
 Presbyterie, 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 Comittee for 
 restraint of 
 duelles. 
 
 given by the late combat, and that they submitted them selfes 
 to the censure of the Kirk for the same. 
 
 This day Mr. William Colvill, having appeared, did acknow- 
 ledge that he had not read the Declaration of the Comission 
 lately emitted, which, he said, he did delay to doe, not out of 
 contempt, but only in respect of some scruples he had upon 
 some part of the Declaration, conceaving it not his dewtie to 
 read that to his people, wherof he had not full light and per- 
 swasion himselfe. 
 
 Mr. William, being againe called in and desired to expresse 
 his scruple, sayed it was on that part, in the ende of the thrid 
 page, wher it is condemned as a fault that endeavours are vsed 
 to restore the King to the exercise of his royall power till he 
 give full satisfaction, etc. For if the meaning be that the King 
 be not restored to the full exercise of his power vntill he setle 
 Religion here, and joyne to reforme it in England, then he 
 agrees. But if the meaning be that he may exercise no part of 
 civill power in civill things, he hes scruple against that, and 
 desires humbly satisfaction in it, to which effect he earnestly 
 entreats that some brethren may conferr with him thervpon. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt that Mr. William Colvill give 
 vnder his hand the reasons of his not reading the Declaration 
 against four houres in the afternoon. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Androw Cant and John 
 Nevey to goe presently to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, and 
 desire a report from them concerning the brethren of that 
 Presbyterie, their reading the Declaration lately emitted. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Ramsay, Robert 
 Baillie, Hew Mackaell, John Nevey, and James Guthrie, with 
 Dundas, to consider what shalbe done for satisfaction of the 
 publick scandall of the late combate amongst the noblemen that 
 are members of this Comission, and to consider also what is 
 fitt to be presented to the Parliament for restraining and 
 punishing duells in tyme coming, and to report. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 4 houres, and the Comittee for Overtures 
 to the Parliament to meet at tuo afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 
22 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 407 
 
 George Gladstones : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 Hew Mackaell : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Robert Blair : 
 Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spitle : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. John 
 Nevoy : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. George Gillaspie : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas: 
 Libertoun : Findawrie : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission, considering the frequency of brethrens absence Comittee for 
 from their meeting, especially of such as dwell in or neare the ^ComSa 
 town, and of others that have come to the town, and yet attend 
 not the meeting, Doe therfor appoint Messrs. Androw Cant, 
 Robert Ramsay, Robert Blair, Robert Baillie, James Guthrie, 
 Hew Mackaell, John Nevey, and Patrik Gillaspie, with Dundas, 
 to consider what shalbe done with such, and to report their 
 opinions. 
 
 This day Messrs. William Dalgleish, John Weir, and Alex- 
 ander Peirsone gave in the report of the Presbyterie of Edin- 
 burgh concerning the brethrens cariage in the reading of the 
 late Declaration, except of Mr. William Colvill, whom they 
 heard the Comission had taken notice of them selfes. Tenor 
 of which Report followes : — 
 
 ' At Edinburgh, the 22 of March 1648. 
 
 6 The quhilk day the Presbyterie, having made enquiry of all Report from 
 the brethren whither they had read the Declaration of the Edi^burgi 
 Comission of the Kirk as they wer ordained by the Act of the 
 said Comission, The Presbyterie did find that Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay had not read it, quho being required the reason of his 
 refusall, answered that it was not out of any contempt, but 
 because of just scruples he had anent the samen, wherin being 
 satisfied, he was willing to give obedience. 
 
 6 Mr. Androw Fairfull answered he had read it according to 
 the ordinance of the Comission. 
 
 6 Mr. Robert Lowry answered as followes : — My answer is, I 
 gave indeed a gloss thinking my selfe bound in conscience to 
 communicat that clearing and satisfaction to others, which I 
 receaved myself ; but what I spoke I trust was no wayes con- 
 trary to any poynt of the Declaration, neither offensive, as 
 I hear from others, but such as tended rather to the advantage 
 of what the Comission had done, and was so intended by me. 
 
408 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [22 MAR. 
 
 'The Presbyterie did find that all the rest had red the 
 Declaration according to the Act. The Presbyterie ordaines 
 ther brethren, Mr. William Dalgleish, Mr. John Weir, with 
 Mr. Alexander Peirson, ruling elder, to give in this their dili- 
 gence. Extract. 
 
 ' Sic Subscribitur, 
 
 6 Charles Lummisden, Clerk.'' 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that diverse Presbyteries had 
 not yet sent their charitable supplie to their distressed brethren 
 of Argyle, Doe therfore appoint the letter of recomendation 
 following to be sent vnto them : — 
 Letter to Pres- * Reverend axd loving brethrex, — Notwithstanding of the 
 byterie for the frequent advertisments from the Assembly and their Comis- 
 
 Contribution to t *■ # J 
 
 Ministers of sioners from tyme to tyme for that charitable supplie to our 
 distressed brethren in Argyle, yet we vnderstand yow have not 
 sent anything vnto them: Therfore these are yet againe to 
 desire yow without more delay to deliver it to this bearar, Mr. 
 Archibald M c Callome, minister at Glastrie, 1 who comes ex- 
 pressly for it, their necessities being so exceiding great that 
 he is now againe goeing to yow for the same. So expecting 
 yow will not fail heirin, we remaine 
 
 ' Your loving brethren, etc.' 
 Comittee for The Comission, considering the desire of the Parliament sent 
 Conference. to them t j lis ^ hy Lor( i Burley, Garthland, and John Short, 
 for appointing a Comittee to conferre with a Comittee to be 
 appointed by their Lordships vpon the desires of this Comission 
 given to the Parliament this day, Doe therfor appoint Mr. 
 Robert Douglas, Moderator, Messrs. David Calderwood, David 
 Dickson, Androw Cant, Robert Blair, Robert Baillie, and 
 George Gillaspie, with Craighall, Dundas, and Libertoun, to 
 be a Comittee to conferre with the Comittee of Parliament 
 vpon the Desires of this Comission this day presented to the 
 Parliament, and to report. 
 Marques This day the Lord Marques of Argyle, appearing before the 
 
 iedgm e ent C and W Comission, did very sensiblie acknowledge his offence to God, 
 satisfaction for an d the scandall he lies given to his people, in goeing to that late 
 ' combat, agredging the same from the tyme of it, being the day 
 immediatelie following the solemne fast and humiliation, and 
 
 1 Glassary in Argyllshire. For full account of this minister see Scott's Fasti, 
 pt. v. p. 7. 
 
22 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 409 
 
 from other circumstances, very ingenuouslie and with sense and 
 feeling: acknowledging also him selfe vnworthie to sitt as a 
 member of this Comission, and therfor submitted him selfe to 
 their censure, professing his hartie willingnes to vndergoe any 
 satisfaction they thought fitt to prescribe for removing the 
 scandall which he had given by that his miscariage. 
 
 The Comission, having taken to their seriouse consideration Act concerning 
 the Lord Marques his present sense and sorrow for his said Argyle. eS 
 miscariage, and that he had of his owne free accord addressed 
 him selfe to the Comission with so humble and ingenuouse 
 acknowledgment and submission, which the other Lords, as 
 guilty, if not more then he, had not done, nor wer like to be 
 willing to doe, Therfore doe appoint the Moderatour, in their 
 names, to lay out before his Lordship the greatnes of that 
 offence — agredging the same from the tyme and other circum- 
 stances, and to rebuike him for the same ; And withall to declare 
 that, in respect of his Lordships voluntarie addresse to them in 
 publick, in so sensible and submissive a maner, they wer well 
 satisfied with his Lordships acknowledgment, and that his sub- 
 missive cariage, and doe very hartily accept therof, admonishing 
 and exhorting him to take head that he fall not in such a sin 
 and scandall in tyme coming. 
 
 This day Mr. William Colvill appearing personallie and Mr. William 
 presenting a paper containing the grounds of his scruple vpon Colvi11 - 
 the late Declaration, as he wes desired, The Comission thought 
 fitt to question him whither in reference to the present difference 
 of the tymes he had preached anything to the same purpose of 
 that which he hes now given in writt, that is, that Kings may 
 not be restrained in exercise of their royall power, notwith- 
 standing of their apostacie and idolatrie, and their opposing 
 Religion, and confirmed it by the examples of the Kings of 
 Israeli and Judah, whervnto Mr. William answered that he was 
 called heir to answer for not reading the Declaration, and ther- 
 fore humbly conceaved that he could not be desired to answer 
 to any other thing ; but when he was legally challenged with 
 any particulars of Eterodoxie, or error in doctrine, he should 
 then willingly answer to it. 
 
 The Comission, having considered the paper presented by Mr. William 
 Mr. William Colvill, appoints Mr. William to give in to them Colvi11 - 
 in writt more distinctly and clearely that Theologicall trueth 
 
410 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 MAR. 
 
 which he thinks is contradicted by the Declaration, and how 
 he inferrs that contradiction, and continues the matter vntill 
 Mr. William be againe called for. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne in the afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 23 Marti) 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Alexander 
 Spitle : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Androvv Fair- 
 foull : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. John Adamson : 
 Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 George Lesly : Mr. George Murray: Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 Thomas Melvill : Mr. James Guthrie : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Evan Camron : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : John 
 Mill : John Semple : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 Comittee for The Comission appoints Doctor Colvill, Messrs. Samuell 
 Ramsay1ind r0W Rutherford, Robert Kamsay, Robert Birnie, James Guthrie : 
 William Col- Robert Ker, John Nevoy, and Alexander Rollock, with John 
 Semple, and John Mill, to conferr with Messrs. Androw Ram- 
 say and William Colvill, and to question them vpon their 
 differences of judgment and the grounds of their scruples vpon 
 anything in the Declaration, and to report. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Ephram Melvill to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne after sermon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 Martij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Dowglas,, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant: Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Robert Ker: Mr. Alexander Spitle: 
 Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. George Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Hamiltoun : 
 Doctor Colvill: Mr. David Calderwood: Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Livis- 
 toun : Mr. George Murray: Mr. John Nevoy: Mr. Francis Aird: Mr. 
 Thomas Kircaldie: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd: Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. 
 Thomas Melvill. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Lawrence 
 Henderson. 
 
 The Comission continues their meeting vntill the afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt in Sessione ante meridiem. 
 Report concern- This day produced by Mr. James Guthrie the report of the 
 Rfrr^ay S and A " Comittee appointed to try the scandalls vpon the preaching 
 
 Robert Lawrie. 
 
25 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 411 
 
 of some of the ministrie of Edinburgh ; which concerned Mr. 
 Androw Ramsay and Mr. Robert Lawrie. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Alexander Livistoun to pray 
 the morne in Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne befor noon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 Martij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers,— Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr, David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr, George Gillaspie : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 George Murray : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. John Adamson : Mr, David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Androw Cant : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : 
 Mr, Robert Ker : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Thomas Melvill : Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. George 
 Gladstones. Elders. — Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Findawrie. 
 
 This day the Report concerning Mr. William Colvill was 
 read, and Mr. William sent for. 
 
 The Moderator reported that the Comittee appointed for Report of the 
 Conference had mett with the Comittee of Parliament, and, nce " 
 after much debate, That their Lordships had resolved to give 
 their report to the Parliament, and that the Parliament was to 
 give their answer. 
 
 The Comission, having considered the drawght of the Re- Petition con- 
 monstrance for restraint of duells, Doe approve the same, and to F Xe^adia- S 
 appoints Messrs. Androw Cant, James Nasmith, and Findawrie, ment - 
 to present it to the Parliament. Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 6 For the high and honorable Court of' Parliament, 
 The humble Remonstrance of' the Comissioners of the Generall 
 
 Assemblie. 
 
 4 Right Honorable, — All the members of this Kirk and 
 Kingdome being vnder so many and great obligations to walk 
 without offence, and as it becomes the Gospell of Jesus Christ, 
 it cannot but be vnto ws mater of much sorrow and greif, that 
 whilst we are vnder many sadd effects of the Lords wrath, and 
 threatned with heavie things to come, because of the multitude 
 of provocations, that guiltines should be so encreased by those 
 duells and combatts, which have of late fallen out in and about 
 this city, vnto the great dishonour of God, the scandall of the 
 Gospell, and the reproach of our Cause and Covenant. We shall 
 not need to agredge those duells, either from their nature or 
 
412 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 MAR. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Colvill. 
 
 Mr. William 
 Colvill. 
 
 Desire of Par 
 liament for 
 Conference. 
 
 number, or 'from the tyme or persons, that have been involved 
 therin, or from the many woefull consequences that may follow 
 thervpon, if tymous and effectuall remedies be not found and 
 applyed. But as we conceave our selfes bound in our places, 
 and according to our dewtie, to endeavour the restraint and 
 removall therof in ane Ecclesiastick way ; so we earnestly 
 entreat your Lordships, as yow tender the honour of God and 
 the preserving of righteousnesse and peace in the land, that 
 yow wold apply your selfes vnto the finding out of such wayes 
 and meanes, and making or puting in execution such lawes, 
 as may for the future prevent so barbarous and bloodie a 
 practise amongst persons of all sorts. And though your Lord- 
 ships present employments and affaires be otherwise very 
 weighty and important, yet as we have in the conscience of our 
 duety exonered our selfes, so we are confident it shall not be 
 laid aside or forgotten by your Lordships, but whilst the evill is 
 recent and growing, your Lordships will tak it in consideration 
 without delay, and doe therin as beseemes the wisdome and 
 justice of the hie and honorable Court of Parliament — that 
 the Lords wrath may be removed from the land, and the Lords 
 people may have a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and 
 honesty. 1 
 
 This day Mr. William Colvill appearing personallie befor 
 the Comission, wes questioned whither he wold read the 
 Declaration according to the sense he had put vpon it to the 
 Comittee, or if he wold read it without that sense and recall 
 that glosse, The said Mr. William answered that he was con- 
 tent to read the Declaration as it stands, acknowledging him- 
 selfe not satisfied in his scruples by the Comittee. 
 
 The Comission, having caused the Clerk draw some few lynes 
 of acknowledgment of his offence in not reading the Declara- 
 tion, and recalling the sense and glosse he had vpon the 
 Declaration, desired Mr. William to advyse whither he wold 
 signe that paper and give his answer against 3 afternoon. 
 
 This day a paper, produced by the Earle of Crafurd and 
 others, containing the desire of Parliament for continueing the 
 Conference and enlairging their power, The Comission, in respect 
 they are very vnfrequent at this tym, doe continue to give ane 
 answer vntill Monday. Tenor of the paper followes : — 
 
25 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 413 
 
 4 The Estates of Parliament appoints Earle Crafurd, Laird Paper from the 
 Garthland, and Archbald Sydserfe to goe to the Comission of Parliament - 
 the Church and shew that the Parliament is to give answer to 
 their Desires vpon Twesday at eight houres ; And therfore to 
 desire the continuance of the Conference, and that enlargment 
 of the power may be granted to debate vpon the whole matter 
 and state of the question. 
 
 6 Sic subscribitur, 
 
 6 Alexr. Gibson, Cls. Regrv)? 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that the Declaration was not Act for reading; 
 read the last Sabboth in the Mid Kirk according to their indie^n™ 1 ° n 
 appointment, and being offended at that omission of the minister Kirk 
 that preached in the fornoon, Therfor doe ordaine Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun to declare that the Comission hes it vnder their 
 consideration what course to take with that and the like scan- 
 dalls, and in the meanetyme appoints Mr. James to preach in 
 the fornoon to-morrow, and after sermon to read the Declara- 
 tion according to their former ordinance, and that this be 
 intimat to Mr. Androw Ramsay. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator. Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John Ramsay : 
 Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Doctor Col vill : Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. John Adamson: Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. Robert Ker: 
 Mr. Thomas Melvill: Mr. George Rutherfurd: Mr. George Murray: 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 George Gillaspie : Mr. James Nasmith. Elders. — Craighall : Libertoun: 
 Findawrie : George Porterfeild : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 Mr. William Colvill, appearing in the afternoon, and having Mr. William 
 
 produced a paper vnder his hand, bearing his acknowledgment Colvi11 - 
 
 of his oifence, and offering to read the Declaration, being now 
 
 satisfied, The Comission finding that paper not conforme to that 
 
 which they gave him to advise with in the fornoon, wer not 
 
 satisfied therwith, Therfor Mr. John Smith and Mr. Robert 
 
 Ker wer desired to goe forth and confer with Mr. William in 
 
 the matter. 
 
 The said brethren, Messrs. John Smith and Robert Ker, Mr. William 
 having conferred with Mr. William, reported that he acknow- ColvilL 
 ledged that no endeavours should be vsed for the Kings- restitu- 
 
414 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 mar. 
 
 tion to anie exercise of his power which he lies wanted these 
 yeares bygon, vntill he give satisfaction for the security of 
 Religion and liberties of the Kingdomes. 
 
 The Comission therafter having desired that Mr. William 
 Colvill might sett doune in writting what he is to say, the said 
 Mr. William did give in the paper following : — 
 Paper given 4 Wheras, the Comittee appointed to heare me have reported 
 Colvill Wllham that after some conference I professed that I thought that the 
 King might not only be lawfully resisted in the abuse of his 
 power by the Estates of the Kingdome, but also that, in regard 
 of his former cariage and present disposition according to the 
 Declaration, no endeavours ought to be vsed for restoiring of 
 the King to any exercise of his royall power in so farre as the 
 samen may be employed to the destruction of Religion and the 
 liberties of the Kingdomes ; yet that the exercise of his royall 
 power is not to be denyed vnto him wher it doeth not endanger 
 Religion and the liberties of the Kingdomes. And, being in the 
 nixt place enquired concerning my scruple that keept me from 
 reading the Declaration, I answered that my scruple was from 
 the indefinit expression of exercise of power without the word 
 full, which to me seemed to import that the exercise of all 
 power is to be denyed vnto the King vntill he satisfie the pub- 
 lick desires concerning Religion, etc. Wherin I professe I was 
 mistaken, and that ther is no just ground in the Declaration 
 for any such scruple : And I doe acknowledge no endeavours 
 should be vsed for restitution of the Kings Majestie to the 
 exercise of his royall power vntill he give satisfaction in the 
 publick desires concerning the Covenant and Religion : And 
 am content to read the Declaration without that distinction 
 and sense, and according to the tenour of it as it stands, and 
 doe also ingenuously passe from the said distinction, and do 
 acknowledge my offence in not reading it the last Sabboth 
 according to the appointment of the Comission. 
 
 ' Sic Subscribitur, 
 
 6 W. Colvill; 
 
 Act appointing This day, Mr. William Colvill having given in a paper 
 CoWi^to^d wherin he acknowledged his offense in not reading the Declara- 
 the Declaration f j on an( j promiseing to read it without any sense or glosse, but 
 
 in his own kirk. ' r 0 J ° 
 
27 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 415 
 
 according to the tenor of it as it stands, The Comission appoints 
 him to read the Declaration the morne, and to lay the blame 
 of the not reading of it the last Sabboth vpon him selfe, 
 according to his letter written to the Moderatour, and desires 
 Messrs. Robert Ramsay and George Gladstones to goe to his 
 kirk and be witnesses thervnto. 
 
 The nixt meeting vpon Monday afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 Martij 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander 
 Spitle : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Evan Camron : Doctor Colvill : 
 Mr. Androw Fairfull : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. 
 David Caldervvood : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. George Ramsay: Mr. John 
 Nevey : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. Zacharie Boyd: 
 Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. George 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd. Elders. — Craighall: Dundas : 
 Libertoun : Findawrie : Lawrence Henderson : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Rollock appointed to goe presentlie to the 
 Parliament to pray, and Mr. George Murray to pray there the 
 morne. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. Androw Ramsay to be cited to Mr. Andiow 
 appear the morne at 10 houres to answer for not reading the Ram?a y- 
 Declaration, and for the scandall of some points of vnsound 
 and vnseasonable doctrine, tending to the subversion of Pres- 
 byteriall Government and the worke of Reformation, preached 
 by him in this toune. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. John Adamson, Androw Cant, Cartaii sent to 
 Zachary Boyd, and James Nasmith, John Nevey, to shew my schollers - 
 Lord Cassills the cartall sent to the schollers at the Colledge, 
 that his Lordship may present it to that Comittee of the Par- 
 liament, or to the Parliament it selfe as he shall find most 
 convenient, that theirby their Lordships may be the more 
 moved to restraine cartalls and duells in tyme comeing. 
 
 The Comission, in respect of the vnfrequency of the meeting, Parliaments 
 doeth yet continew to give answer to the Parliaments paper M^h^ 25 
 presented vpon Satterday by the Lord Crafurd and others. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. James Hamiltoun and Mr. 
 James Nasmith to preach vpon the nixt Sabboth to the Parlia- 
 
416 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 mar. 
 
 ment, and Mr. George Hutcheson to pray in the Mid Kirk for 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 James Murray. 
 
 Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay. 
 Parliaments 
 Answers. 
 
 Parliaments 
 Answers to the 
 8 desires. 
 
 Edinburgh, 28 Marty 16-18, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Francis Aird : 
 Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. 
 James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. George Murray : Mr. 
 David Calderwood : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. 
 Zacharie Boyd : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Alexander Rollock : Mr. Robert 
 Ramsay: Mr. Androw Fairfoull : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Earle 
 Cassills : Lord Craighall : Dundas : Libertoun : Greinhed : Findowrie : 
 George Porterfeild : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 The Comission appoints letters to be sent to Provinciall 
 Assemblies for James Murray, for payment of his dewes of the 
 20 schillings, and of the prices of the printed Acts and of 
 papers sent vnto them, and appoints Messrs. James Guthrie, 
 Samuell Rutherfurd, and Patrik Gillaspie, to thinke vpon letters 
 to be sent to Synods at this tyme, and to report their opinions. 
 
 Continues Mr. Androw Ramsay till the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 This day the Parliaments answer being presented, the Comis- 
 sion having considered the same, and compared it with their 
 8 Desires, found them not satisfied by this answer; And 
 therfore appoints the Comittee, appointed formerly for confer- 
 ence with the Comittee of Parliament, to consider further of 
 the said answer, and to draw vp the reasons of the vnsatisfac- 
 torines of this answer, and to report the drawght. Tenor of 
 the answer followes : — 
 
 4 Edinburgh, 27 Merclie 1648. 
 
 'Answers of Parliament to the Desires of the Commissioners of 
 the Generall Assembly represented by them to the Parliament. 1 
 ' The Estates of Parliament now conveened, in this first sessioune 
 
 1 The spelling of this and other Parliamentary papers given in Thomson's 
 Acts is more antique than that given in these records, and the spelling of Church 
 papers given here is generally much more antique than that given in the contem- 
 porary printed copies of the same papers, wdiich, being meant for circulation in 
 England as well as in Scotland, were, like the later writings of Gillespie and 
 Rutherfurd, much more nearly conformed to English than to Scottish contem- 
 porary usage. 
 
27 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 16-18 
 
 417 
 
 of the second trienniall Parliament, haveing considered the Desires 
 efter mentioned of the Comissioners of the Generall Assemblie 
 represented to them, They, after full debate and consideratioune 
 concerning the same, 
 
 1 For answer to the first desire, bearand that the grounds and 
 causes for vndertaking of warre may be cleared to be so 
 just, as that all who are well-affected may be satisfied in 
 the lawfulnes and necessitie of the Engagement, and that 
 nothing be acted in reference to a warre before the lawful- 
 nes of the warr and the state of the question be aggreed 
 vpon, Declaires that the grounds and causes of vndertaking 
 of warr shall be cleared to be so just, as that all who are 
 well-affected may be satisfied in the lawfulnes and necessity 
 of the Engagement, and declaires that they will be very 
 cairfull that nothing be acted in reference to a warr dureing 
 the Conference, and vntill the same be reported to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 ' Item, for answer to the second desire, bearand that, as the 
 breaches of the Covenant by the prevalent party of Sectaries 
 in England are evident, so wee desire and hope that, accord- 
 ing to the Treatties, it may be condiscendit vpone and 
 declared by the Parliament, what are the breaches of peace 
 which they take to be a ground of warre, and that the 
 reparatioune therof may be sought, The Estates of Parlia- 
 ment thinkes fitt that the breaches of the Covenant and 
 Treatties be represented, and the seeking of reparatioune 
 and the best tyme and manner therof considered, and 
 appoints the Comittee of 24, or such of their number as they 
 shall appointe, to doe the same. 
 
 ' Item, for answer to the third desire, bearand that ther may 
 be no sick querrell or ground of the warr as may break the 
 vnion between the Kingdomes, or may discourage or dis- 
 obleidge the Presbyterian party in England who continew 
 firme in adheering to the League and Covenant, The saids 
 Estates of Parliament declaires that this kingdome will 
 be so farre from making warr against the kingdome of Eng- 
 land, that any Engagement they shall enter into shall be for 
 strengthening the vnion betueen the kingdomes and for en- 
 couradgeing the Presbyterians and well-affected in England. 
 
 ' Item, to the fourt desire, That if the Popish, Prelaticall, or 
 Malignant Party shall again rise in armes, this Nation and 
 
418 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [27 mar. 
 
 their armies may be so farre from joyning or associating with 
 them, that, on the contrary, they may oppose them, and 
 endeavour to suppresse them as enemies to the Cause and 
 Covenant vpon the on hand, as well as Sectaries on the 
 vther, The Estates of Parliament aggree to the substance 
 and matter of this fourt desire, and remitts to these who 
 are to be vpone the Conference for stateing the question to 
 explaine the same. 
 
 5. ' Item, to the fyft desire, bearand that, seing the Parliaments 
 
 vndertaking should be in the first place for Religion, wee 
 desire that his Majesties late concessions and offers, as they 
 have been by the Church, so may be by the Parliament, 
 declared vnsatisfactorie, wherby the Parliament may give a 
 further evidence of the realitie of their intentiounes for the 
 good and safety of Religioun, The Estates of Parliament 
 for answer to this desire, declaires that, vpon the aggree- 
 ments on the haill matter and state of the question, they 
 will declair his Majesties concessions concerning Religion 
 not to be satisfactorie. 
 
 6. ' Item, to the sixt desire, That the Parliament may be pleased 
 
 not to fixe or setle vpon any such state of a question as 
 doth not conteine securitie and assurance to be had from 
 his Majesty by his solemne oath vnder his hand and seall, 
 that he shall, for himselfe and his successours, consent and 
 aggree to Acts of Parliament injoyning the League and 
 Covenant, and fullie establishing Presbyterian Government, 
 Directory of Worship, and Confession of Faith, in all his 
 Majesties dominions, and that his Majesty shall never make 
 any oppositioune to any of these, or endeavour any change 
 therof, and that this securitie be had from his Majestie 
 before his restitutione to the exercise of his royall power, 
 which desire wee propone for no vther end, bot becaus wee 
 cannot sie how Religion (which hath been, and wee trust 
 shalbe, the principall end of all the vndertakings of this 
 nation) can be vtherwayes secured, bot that without this 
 securitie it shalbe left in verie great hazard, The Estates of 
 Parliament for answer to this declaires, that since Religion 
 hath been, and they trust shall be, the principall end of all 
 the vndertakings of this Kingdome, so they will be cairfull 
 that the present question to be stated sail conteine securitie 
 and assurance to be had from his Majestie be his solemne 
 
27 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 419 
 
 oath, vnder his hand and seall, that he shall, for himselfe 
 and his successours, give his royall consent to pass Acts of 
 Parliament injoyning the League and Covenant, establish- 
 ing Presbyterian Government, the Directorie of Worship, 
 and Confession of Faith, in all his Majesties dominions, and 
 that his Majestie shall never make opposition to any of 
 these, nor endeavour any change therof: And as to that 
 clause, viz., that this securitie be had from his Majestie 
 before his restitutione to the exercise of his royall power, 
 The Estates of Parliament remitts this to these on the Con- 
 ference, and who shall be appointed for drawing vp the state 
 of the question, to finde out some more smooth expressione 
 in place therof with the like security to Religion. 
 
 ' Item, to the sevint desire, bearand that for the same end of 7. 
 secureing Religion (which is professed to be the principal], 
 cause of Engagement), and for secureing all the vther ends 
 of the Covenant, such persones only may be intrusted by 
 the Parliament to be of their Comittees or armies as have 
 given constant proofe of their integrity and faithfulnes in 
 this Caus, and against whom their is no just cause of excep- 
 tioune or jealousie, that so wee may the more confidently 
 encourage our flocks and congregations to follow the Cause 
 of God in their hands, and not to doubt of the fidelitie of 
 those who shall be intrusted by the Parliament, The saids 
 Estates of Parliament declaires that they will be cairfull 
 that nane shall be imployed in the command of their armies, 
 nor in their Comittees, but such as are of knowne integritie 
 and good affectioune to the Caus, and against whom their 
 is no just caus of exceptioune. 
 
 ' Item, to the eight article or desire The Estates of Parlia- 8. 
 ment declaires that to the grounds of their Ingadgment and 
 vndertaking ane oath shall be subjoyned, wherin both in the 
 frameing of it and vtherwayes the Church shall have their 
 dew interest. And the Estates of Parliament desires the 
 Comissioun of the Church to appoint some of their number 
 to meet with such of that Comittee of Parliament of 24, as 
 sail be appoynted be the same Comittee for the Conference 
 and stateing of the question, for aggreing vpon the grounds 
 of ane Ingagement and drawing vp such a state of a question 
 as may vnite this nation in ane vnanimous vndertaking of 
 such dewties as are requisit for the reformation and defence 
 
420 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 mar. 
 
 of Religion, the safety, honour, and happines of the King 
 and his posteritie, and the gude of this Kingdorae. 
 ' Extractit furth of the Books of Parliament be me, Sir 
 Alexander Gibson of Durie, knight, Clerk of his Majesties 
 Registers, Councell, and Rollis, vnder my signe and sub- 
 scriptioun manuall. 
 
 'Sic Subscribitur S. Alex. Gibsone, Cls. Regrj.' 
 
 Brethren sent The Comission appoynts Mr. David Dickson and John Ram- 
 of Pa^iiamente. sa }% w fth Dundas, to goe to the Comittee of Parliament and 
 shew their Lordships that so soone as they can consider of the 
 Parliaments answer to their 8 Desires, they shall present their 
 returne thervnto to the Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 29 March 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Nevoy : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. George Ruther- 
 furd : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George Gladstones : Doctor Col- 
 vill : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. 
 Robert Blair : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Xasmithe. Elders. 
 — Craighall : Dundas : Findawrie : Libertoun : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day the Returne to the Answers of the Parliament to the 
 Desires of the Comission twice read, voiced and approven, and 
 Messrs. Robert Blair, Andro Cant, Robert Ramsay, Mungo 
 Law, my Lord Craighall, Dundas, appointed to present the 
 same to the Parliament this day at 10 houres. Tenor wherof 
 followes : — 
 
 'Edinburgh, 29 Marti) 1648. 
 
 6 A Humble Representation of the sense of the Commissioners 
 of the Generall Assembly, To the Honourable Estates of 
 Parliament vpon their Lordships Answer to the Desires 
 lately presented to their Lordships. 
 
 The Represen- c Having received yesterday the Answer of the Honourabill 
 
 tation vpon the Estates of Parliament to our late Desires, presented to their Lord- 
 Parliaments , - (.-... l.J . T iT.l 
 
 Answers to the ships vpon the 22 or this instant, wee did immediatlie take to our 
 8 Desires. consideration the particular answers given thervnto ; And now, 
 
 without any longer delay, doe humbly represent to their Honours 
 
 our sense of the particulars. 
 
29 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 421 
 
 ' As to the answer of the first desire, wee conceive that, not- 1. 
 withstanding anything expressed in your Lordships answer, 
 their may be an acting in reference to a warre before the law- 
 fulnes of the warr and the state of the question be agreed 
 vpon, which is the very thing we did desire to be avoided. 
 
 ' In the answer to our second desire we neither find any 2. 
 breaches of peace betueen the Kingdomes which may be a 
 ground of warre condescendit vpon, or any positive resolu- 
 tion of the Parliament to seek reparation therof according to 
 the Treaties, yet both these wer desired by ws. 
 
 ' In the answer to the thrid desire, instead of that clause of the 3. 
 desire, "The Presbyterian party in England, who continue 
 firm in adhering to the League and Covenant " we find this 
 change of expression in the answer " The Presbyterians and 
 well-affected in England," which, as the words stand, may 
 intimate and suppose, that ther are some well-affected in 
 England which are not of the Presbyterian party, nor doe 
 adhere to the League and Covenant. 
 
 1 Our fourth desire for not joyning or associating with the 4. 
 Popish, Prrelaticall, or Malignant party, if they shall againe 
 rise in armes, and that it may be endeavoured to suppresse 
 them as enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the one 
 hand, as well as Sectaries vpon the other, being so just in 
 it selfe, so consonant to the former principles and professions 
 of this Kirk and Kingdome since their first ingagement in 
 this Cause ; And being also as cleare, both in the matter and 
 expression, as the Covenant, Treaties andDeclaratiouns of both 
 Kingdomes, we cannot conceive wherin it neids explanation, 
 or what doubt or scruple can be made concerning it as it 
 stands, wnles ther be now some more favourable and friendlie 
 intentions towards the Malignant pairty then formerlie, which 
 we pray the Lord to avert ; and altho it is too manifest that 
 some plead for Malignants as if they were to be joyned with 
 as friends rather then avoided as enemies to the Cause 
 (wherof wee have spoken more fully in our late Declaration), 
 yet wee trust that any such design e is and sail be farr from 
 the thoughts and intentions of the Honourabill Court of 
 Parliament. 
 
 ' Touching the 5th desire, As your Lordships answer seems 5. 
 to suppose his Majesties late concessions concerning Religion 
 not to be satisfactorie, so, these concessions being so preiudi- 
 
422 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 mar. 
 
 ciall to the Cause and Covenant, wee wish your Lordships had 
 been pleased to declare against them, both positively without 
 any condition, and presently without any delay, 
 
 6. ' In the answer to the sixt desire, As ther is much said in the 
 first part for security of Religion to be had from his Majestie, 
 so that clause, viz.: — "That this securitie be had from his 
 Majestie before his restitution to the exercise of his royall 
 power," not being agreed to by your Lordships, bot rather 
 laid aside, vntill some smoother expressions be found out, 
 wee are left vnsatisfied in that which is the mayne of that 
 desire, and cannot be assured of any securitie expressed in 
 the first part of your Lordships answer. If your Lordships had 
 been pleased to condiscend vpon another expression contain- 
 ing as good and as reall securitie for Religion, wee should have 
 acquesced therin without sticking vpon words : But ther 
 being no other expression yet condescended upon, and that 
 clause of ours (without which the whole desire is left vncer- 
 taine) layd aside for the present, wee cannot find ourselves 
 therin satisfied as yet. 
 
 7. ' The answer to the 7th desire, concerning such as are to be 
 trusted in armies and comittees, doeth omitt some of the 
 qualificatiouns expressed in our desire, viz., " Such as have 
 given constant proofe of their integrity and faithfulnes in this 
 Cause, and against whom there is no just cause of jealousie, 
 that so wee may the more confidently encourage our flocks 
 to follow the Cause of God in their hands, and not to doubt 
 of their fidelitie," which qualificatiouns being contained in 
 our desire, and omitted in your Lordships answer, wee are 
 not without feares that this omission may be made vse of by 
 some, as if your Lordships had not meant to agree fully to 
 that desire, and so take occasion to deall for employing and 
 entrusting such in the Comittees and armies as may be justly 
 excluded by the qualifications contained in our just desire. 
 
 8. ' In the answer to the last desire, instead of that clear expres- 
 sion vsed by ws, namely, " That the Kirk may have the same 
 interest in any oath for a new Engagement which they had in 
 the Solemne League and Covenant," wee find this doubtful 
 and vncertaine expression, " That both in the framing of the 
 oath and otherwise the Kirk shall have their dew interesse," 
 which difference of your Lordships expression from ours may 
 also be interpret by some, as if the Kirk had assumed more 
 
29 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 423 
 
 interesse in the League and Covenant nor wes dew vnto 
 them. 
 
 ' Vpon these and the like considerations, wee humbly conceive 
 that our Desires, vnto which wee still adhere as just and necessarie, 
 are not satisfied by your Lordships answers ; and, without cleare 
 satisfaction in these desires, wee find it not safe to appoint a con- 
 ference for agreeing vpon the state of a question for warre : Yet, 
 if your Lordships had desired, or doe desire, further conference 
 with some of our number, for satisfaction of our abone-mentioned 
 desires, wee should have yeelded, and yet shall willingly yeeld ther- 
 vnto. And, as the present want of satisfaction in these Desires 
 doeth retard and hinder our proceedings towards an agreement 
 vpon the state of a question, so wee are still confident that a reall 
 and clear satisfaction to the said desires may be a happie and 
 effectual meanes for facilitating the state of the question, and for 
 vnitinff this nation in an vnanimous vndertakine; of such dewties as 
 are requisit for the reformation and defence of Religion, the safety, 
 honour, and happines of the King and his posterity, and the good 
 peace and safety of the Kingdomes.' 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. David Dickson, Androw Mr. Andro 
 Cant, Samuell Rutherfurd, James Nasmith, John Nevoy, Francis amsay ' 
 Aird, Ephram Melvill, James Guthrie, Craighall, Dundas, 
 Libertoun, John Mill, to consider the report of the late 
 Comittee concerning Mr. Andro Ramsay, and also the report 
 of the Comittee appointed formerly concerning the Ministers 
 of Edinburgh their preaching, and to prepare and putt in 
 forme the information therin concerning him against the after- 
 noon, and in the meane tyme, Mr. Andro, personallie present, 
 continued vntill he get new advertisment. 
 
 Mr. John Smith to pray to the Parliament presently, and 
 Mr. Andro Cant to pray the morne. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres afternoon. 
 
 Eodern die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Androw 
 Cant : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Murray : 
 Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Alexander Rolloek : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. 
 Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. 
 
424 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [29 mar. 
 
 Ephram Melvill. Elder?. — Lord Craiirhall : Dundas : Libertoun : Fin- 
 dawrie: Sir James Stewart: Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 29 Marty. 
 
 Mr. Andro This day Mr. Andro Ramsay, personallie present, having 
 
 some particular articles of information read vnto him with the 
 precept for his citation, made this answer : — He acknowledged 
 that lie did not read the Declaration vpon Sabboth wes 8 daves, 
 in respect of his age and weaknes, being excused and exeemed 
 in bvgone times from reading in the kirk such publick Declara- 
 tions ; confessed that he had some scruples about it, but he 
 thought thev might be soon satisfied. For the particulars of 
 his preaching lie desired to have the coppie of the particulars, 
 and he should prepare an answer. The Comission appoints the 
 Clerk to give a copie of the particular articles that he may give 
 his answer, and continues the matter till the morne after noon. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh* pcnulthno Marti) 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Modtratour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Spittle: 
 Mr. George Murray : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Evan 
 Camron : Mr. Androw Cant : Mr. James Fleeminir : Mr. Samuell Ruther- 
 furd : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. 
 George Rutherford: Mr. John Nevey: Mr. George Gladstones: Mr. 
 William Colvili : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Francis Aird. Elders. — 
 Lord Crai<rhall : Dundas: Libertoun: Findawrie : Sir James Stewart: 
 Lawrence Henderson : George Porterfeild. 
 
 Paper from the This dav, the Earle of Crafurd, Lord Humbie, and Archbald 
 Sydserf, haveing presented a paper from the Parliament, the 
 Comission resolved to prepare an ansuer to that paper against 
 the afternoon, and present it to the Parliament ; And desires 
 therfore the said Earle and the other gentlemen that thev doe 
 not stay now for a present answer. Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 'Edinburgh, 29 Martij 1648. 
 
 1 Whereas the Comissioners of the Church have this day 
 exhibited to the Parliament an Paper intitulat, " Ane Humble 
 Representation of the sense of the Comissioners of the Generall 
 Assemblie to the Honourabill Estates of Parliament vpon 
 
 Parliament. 
 
 Paper from 
 Parliament. 
 
30 MAR.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 425 
 
 their Lordships Answer to the 8 Desires laitlie presentit to their 
 Lordships,'" And the same being read in audience of the Estates 
 of Parliament, they ordane the former Comittee of 24 to confer 
 with the Comissioners of the Church, or ony whom they shall 
 appoint, vpon the Papers exhibited be the Church, and Answers 
 given therto be the Parliament, and appoints them to debait 
 thervpon and for removing all differences, and also vpon the 
 state of the question and whole matter; And ordaines this to 
 be communicated to the Comission of the Church, in answer to 
 the Papers exhibited be them to this Parliament this day ; and 
 desyres that the Comission of the Kirk, or these whom they shall 
 appoint, may come authorised with the like power to conferr. 
 Extractit out of the records of Parliament be me, Sir Alexander 
 Gibsone of Durie, Clerk of his Hienes Registre and Rollis. 
 
 8 Sic subscribitur, S. Alex. Gibsox, Cls. Regrj." 
 
 The Comission is willing to confer presently vpon the 8 Vote concerning 
 Desires presented to the Parliament, and the vnsatisfactorines 
 of the Parliaments Answer thervnto, and satisfaction being 
 given to the said Desires, they will then appoint Conference 
 vpon the state of the question. 
 
 The Comissions appoints Messrs. Robert Blair, George Gil- 
 laspie, and Samuell Rutherfurd, to draw the said vote in a 
 formal] answer to the Parliament against afternoon. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon at 2 houres. 
 
 Eodcm die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Zacharie 
 Boyd : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. 
 John Adamson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spittle : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. James 
 Nasmith: Mr. George Gillaspie: Mr. George Murray. Elders. — Lord 
 Craighall: Ce>nuck: Dundas: Libertoun: Findawrie: Sir James Stewart: 
 John Semple : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day the drawght of the Answer to the Parliaments Answer to the 
 Paper being read wes approvin vnanimously, Therfore the Paper mentS 
 Comission appoints Messrs. Robert Blair, James Fleeming, 
 James Nasmith, and Robert Ker, Cesnuck, and Sir James 
 Stewart, to present it presently to the Parliament. Tenor of 
 the Answer followes : — 
 
426 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 mar. 
 
 Answer to the 
 
 Parliaments 
 
 Paper. 
 
 Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Concerning the 
 infrequencie of 
 the meeting. 
 
 6 Edinburgh, pemdtimo Marti] 1648. 
 
 6 The Comission of Assembly, having this day received a Paper 
 from the Honourabill Estates of Parliament, desiring a Confer- 
 ence vpon our late Desires, and the Parliaments Answer given 
 therevnto, and also vpon the state of the question and whole 
 matter, Doe humbly returne this answer : — 
 
 f That as wee have been, so wee are still, willing to appoint a 
 Conference vpon the 8 Desires lately presented to your Lordships, 
 and vpon the vnsatisfactorines of your Lordships Answer thervnto, 
 and if your Lordships shall yet be pleased to give reall and cleare 
 satisfaction to our said Desires, wee shall immediatly herevpon 
 appoint some of our number to conferr with a Comittee of Parlia- 
 ment vpon the state of the question. This insisting vpon satisfac- 
 tion to our Desires, before we appoynt a Conference vpon the state 
 of the question, doth not proceed from any peremptorines about 
 words or things of small moment, nor from any partiality or self- 
 interest, nor from any inclination to stretch ourselves beyond our 
 lyne, nor from intention to obstruct any lawfull endeavours, either 
 for preserving Monarchicall Government in the Kings Majestie 
 and his posterity, or for opposeing and suppressing of Sectaries ; 
 Our record is in heaven ; Wee abhorre and detest all such wayes. 
 But our reall purpose is to keepe ourselves so free, that in an 
 implicit way wee consent not to, nor concurre in, stateing of a 
 question of warre, before wee see the safety and security of 
 Religion sufficiently provided for ; being tender of the great trust 
 committed to us as the servants of Jesus Christ and officers of his 
 Kingdome for preserving the precious jewell of Religion, which 
 ought to be, as well to your Lordships as to ws, abone all w T orldly 
 interests.' 
 
 The Comission continues the mater concerning Mr. Androw 
 Ramsay vntill the morne at ten houres, and in the meane tyme 
 appoints sumonds to be given out for citing witnesses to the 
 same dyet. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Samuell Rutherfurd, Robert 
 Ramsay, John Smith, to consider of some overtures for bring- 
 ing brethren to the Comission this tyme when busines of so 
 great affaires are in agitation. 
 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill appointed the morne to pray in Par- 
 liament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
31 mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1618 427 
 
 Edinburgh^ vltimo Marty 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Andro 
 Cant : Mr. Samuell Rutherford : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. Robert Ker : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Evan Camron : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie: Mr. George 
 Murray: Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. James Fleeming : 
 Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr, Alexander Spittle : Mr. Zachary Boyd : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Gladstones : Mr. 
 George Gillaspie. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Cesnock : Dundas : Liber- 
 toun : Findawrie : Sir James Stewart : Lawrence Henderson : John Mill. 
 
 This day, Mr. Andro Ramsay appearing personallie, and a Mr. Andro 
 promiscuous multitude, or in great number, comeing with him Busines^ 
 in a very tumultuous way, 1 Therfor befor the Comission entered 
 ypon the busines concerning Mr. Andro, they sent Messrs. 
 llobert Blair, Robert Ramsay, and William Colvfll, to present 
 to the Towne Counsell this great contempt of, and wrong done 
 to, this Judicatorie by such a tumult, and desire that they 
 presently send to remove that tumultuous multitud, as also 
 that they punish those that have had principall accession 
 therto, and take notice of such tumults, for preventing the 
 like in tyme coming. 
 
 The Comission appoints also the Petition to be given to the Petition to the 
 
 Parliament which followes, and that Messrs. Androw Cant, fining the C ° n " 
 
 Robert Blair, and Dundas, present it :— tumuiHn Mr " 
 
 ' ' r Andro Ram- 
 
 1 To the Right Honourable the Estates of Parliament, sa y es mater - 
 The humble Petition of the Comissioners of' the Generall Assembly, 
 6 That while wee wer about a legall tryall of a scandall vpon 
 Mr. Andro Ramsay of some poynts of vnsound doctrin, tend- 
 ing to the subversion of Presbyteriall Government and the 
 work of Reformatioun, wee are this day impeded by a promis- 
 cuous multitude coming in a great number, in a very tumultous 
 way, to our meeting, who yet stay about the doores of the 
 place of our meeting, and are countenanced and assisted by 
 some members of the honourable Court of Parliament, namely, 
 the Lord Forrester and Clerk Register. It is therfore our 
 humble desire that their 2 Lordships may be pleased to take such 
 course therin, especially with their owne members, as becomes 
 
 1 There are some erasures and alterations on these clauses, as if the Commis- 
 sion had been somewhat agitated by the tumult which had occurred. 
 
 2 ' Their ' is written over ' your.' 
 
428 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [31 mar. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 the justice of the Court of Parliament, and is fitt for preventing 
 the like miscariages in tyme coming. 1 
 
 Appoynts Mr. Andro Ramsay, personallie present, to appeir 
 againe at 2 afternoon. 
 
 Overtures to 
 Parliament and 
 Assembly. 
 
 Tumult in Mr. 
 Andro Ram- 
 sayes busines. 
 
 Complaint to 
 the Parliament. 
 
 Comittee for 
 Conference with 
 the Comittee 
 of Parliament. 
 
 Edinburgh, vltirno Marty 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James Fleem- 
 ing : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. George Gillaspie: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay : Mr. Andro Fairfull : Doctor Colvill : Mr. ^V r illiam 
 G'olvill. Elders. — Lord Craighall : C'esnock : Libertoun : Sir James 
 Nicolsoun : Sir James Stewart : Findawrie : John Mill. 
 
 This day, report being heard from the Comittee for preparing 
 overture for personall reformation, and of overtures for the 
 Parliament, The Comission appoints the Clerk to draw the 
 overtures to the Parliament in forme, that they may be pre- 
 sented to the Parliament, as also the other overtures, that they 
 may be given to the nixt Assembly ; and doe also thinke fitt, 
 that in letters to Presbyteries, they be desired to think vpon 
 any overtures they have of that nature to present to the 
 Assemblie. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that the Lord Forrester and 
 Clerk Register desire to speake to them, Therfore doe appoynt 
 Messrs. John Smith and Mungo Law to goe to those Lords, and 
 show them that they would not hear them if they wer to speak 
 in Mr. Andro Ramsayes busines, becaus they had given a com- 
 plaint against them to the Parliament for their miscariage in 
 that matter, wherin they wer still continueing now in the 
 afternoon, a promiscuous multitud being now also with them 
 thronging rudely about the doors. 
 
 The Comission desires Messrs. Andro Cant and Robert Blair 
 to goe to the Parliament and shew their Lordships that the 
 tumult is yit continued in the afternoon which wes complained 
 of befor noon, ther being a promiscuous multitud thronging 
 rudely about the doors, and the Lord Forrester and Clerk 
 Register with them. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, adheiring to their former 
 Desires, appoynts the Moderatour, Mr. Robert Douglas, Messrs. 
 
3i mar.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 429 
 
 Andro Cant, Robert Blair, Samuell R uth erf urd, Robert Ram- 
 say, George Gillaspie, John Smith, and James Guthrie, Craig- 
 hall, D undas, and Libertoun, to be a Comittee to conferr with 
 the Comittee of Parliament vpon these desires lately presented 
 to the Parliament, and vpon the vnsatisfactorienes of their 
 Lordships Answer thervnto, and to report. 
 
 Mr. Andro Ramsay gave in his answers, which being read, Mr. Andro 
 The Comission desires that he may give a positive and short Ramsa y- 
 answer to the particulars, by denying or affirming, without 
 large discourses, against Monday at % houres. 
 
 The Comission appoints the letter following to be sent to 
 Synods for their information : — 
 
 * Reverend and deare brethren, — Knowing that vow are Letter to 
 now about to assemble, in the name of the Lord Jesus, vpon Assemblies, 
 the affaires of his house, wee, who are employed with yow in 
 the same work of the Lord, thinke it expedient to acquaint 
 yow with our proceedings heer, and to represent vnto yow our 
 desires in reference to the publick affaires, not doubting but 
 yow will improve both to the best advantage of the Cause of 
 God in these dark and difficult tymes. 
 
 6 Efter the recept of his Majesties letter, written vnto ws 
 from Carisbrook Castle, and sent by the Comissioners of this 
 Kingdome, and the report maid by them of his Majesties 
 offers in that which concernes Religion and the present posture 
 of affaires in England, wee found it necessary to publish a 
 Declaration to the whole Kirk and Kingdome of Scotland 
 concerning present dangers and dewties, and wee doubt not 
 bot befor this tyme the same is come vnto your severall Pres- 
 bvteries, and hath bein read publictly in each paroch kirk, 
 according to the Act sent therewith. It will be needfull for 
 yow to make accurat search concerning this thing, whither 
 ther be any who have not read it, or put false glosses vpoun 
 it, or spoke or preached against it, or schawin their disaffection 
 therof any way : And gif any such shall be found, that yow 
 take a course for ceiting them to compeir befor the nixt 
 Generall Assemblie, ther to rander an accompt of their dis- 
 affection and disobedience to that which so much concernes 
 the Covenant and the ends therof, the good and safety of 
 Religion, the honour and happines of the King, the preservation 
 
430 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [30 mar. 
 
 of Monarchie in his persone and his posteritie, and the vnion 
 betuixt the Kingdomes. Wee trust also that yow will tak 
 notice of the cariage of people heirin, that such as have 
 removed themselves from the congregatioun at the reading 
 therof, or have in any other scandalous way rubbed ther vpon, 
 may be noted as men disaffected to the work of God, and 
 proceedit against in their severall Presbyteries according to the 
 degree of their offence ; And that Presbyteries make report of 
 their diligence in all the premisses vnto the nixt quarterlie 
 meeting of the Comission in Maij. Since the emitting of the 
 Declaration wee have bein prest by the honourable Estates of 
 Parliament to confer vpon the state of a question for warr, 
 in which wee have resolved to give no judgment vntill we 
 vnderstand the wholl complex bussines : And therfore we have 
 proponed vnto their Lordships eight humble Desires (a copie 
 wherof wee have sent vnto vow), and as yitt we have receavit no 
 satisfactorie answer thervnto. And as we desire that yow will 
 give ordor vnto your severall Presbyteries to wait vpon infor- 
 mation from ws in the publict affaires, which we sail com- 
 municat vnto them from tyme to tyme, so we expect that they 
 will tymeously acquaint ws with anything that needs publict 
 advyse. Amongest vther things which we have taken in con- 
 sideratioun, we thought it incumbent to ws seriously to look 
 vpon the causes of the Lords wrath against the land, which as 
 it hath been manifested these veires in many scharpe rodes, so 
 doeth it still continew and threatten ws with farder things to 
 come. This lies led ws vnto the search of the sinnes of this 
 nation, and vnto thoughts of some overtures and remedies 
 against the same. What is civill therm and doeth concerne 
 the Parliament, wee are now about to represent vnto them ; 
 what is ecclesiastick we resolve to offer vnto the consideration 
 of the Generall Assembly. In the meane while wee have hope 
 that as yow will not forgett to mourne for all the abomina- 
 tiones that are comitted in the land, so wee are confident that 
 quhilst yow are now assembled togither, vow will faithfullie and 
 zealouslie, to the vtmost of your powar, indevour the preserva- 
 tion of treuth and vnitie against all errour and schisme, and to 
 studie the bearing doune of ignorance and prophanitie, and 
 the promoveing of the knowledge of God and godlines, That 
 
3 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 431 
 
 so the Lords wrath may be turned away from ws, and his 
 people armed against temptations on all hands, both from 
 Sectaries and Malignants, and that yow will recomend to 
 Presbyteries to tak in serious consideration the sinnes and 
 provocations of the land, and as to put in execution Acts 
 alreadie maid, so to bring in the catalogue of those sinnes, 
 with ther best overtures to the nixt Generall Assemblie con- 
 cerning the remedies therof. 
 
 ' The affaires which have been in agitation here these weekes 
 past ar of great importance to Religion, and therfore as we 
 esteme well of those who have made conscience to attend, so 
 we leave those who have not come at all, or have with drawin 
 themselves too soone without a reasonable excuse, to the 
 Generall Asseiaiblie to be takin notice of. And in the mean 
 tyme wee intreat that yow will tak cair that such of your 
 number as ar members of the Comission may studie to keepe 
 the dyetts therof in tyme comeing. So trusting that yow will 
 bear burdein for ws befor the Lord, as we sail endeavour to doe 
 on your behalff, wee rest, 
 
 ' Your affectionat brethren in Jesus Christ, 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 vltimo Martij 1648. of the Generall Assemrlie.' 
 
 Edinburgh, 3 Aprilis 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. George Glad- 
 stons : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Patrik 
 Scheill : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. John Smith : Mr. 
 Evan Cameron : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Livistoun : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 George Bennet. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Balmayn. 
 
 Mr. Zachary Boyd appoynted, if he be in town, to pray the 
 morne befor the Parliament, and if he be out of town, Mr. 
 George Rutherfurd. 
 
 Continues Mr. Andro Ramsayes bussines whill Wednesday Mr. Andro 
 at 2 houres afternoon. Ramsay. 
 
 Becaus the Comittee of Parliament desires a Conference 
 againe in the afternoon, Therfor the Comission thinks fitt to 
 dissolve, and to appoint the nixt meeting the morne at 10 
 houres. 
 
432 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [4 APRIL 
 
 Edinburgh, 4 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Patrik Scbeill : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. 
 John Adamson : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Smith: Mr. Evan Cameron: Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gladstons. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Liber- 
 toun : Sir James Stewart: John Sempell. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant and Mungo 
 Law to preach befor the Parliament the nixt Sabboth. 
 Mr. Samuell Row to pray the raorne to the Parliament. 
 Comitteefor The Comission appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, John Smith, 
 makethe t0 Andro Cant, James Hamilton, James Guthrie, Alexander 
 Sequent° n m ° rC Livistoun, Robert Ramsay, Libbertoun, and John Semple, 
 with the Moderatour, to confer vpon the best meanes for 
 making the meetings of the Comission more frequent, and to 
 report. 
 
 Report concern- The Moderatour this day reported concerning the Conference 
 ence the C ° nfer appoynted with the Comittee of Parliament, ther lies nothing 
 followed vpon it, but that they thought the Lords left the 
 Conference very abruptly yesterday, nothing being granted, 
 and whither they are to desyre a inciting againe they know 
 not. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres in the afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 4> Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. 'Mr. Andro 
 Cant: Mr. Zachary Boyd: Mr. Patrik Gillaspie: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. 
 Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Evan 
 Camron : Mr. John Adamson: Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. James Guthrie : 
 Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. 
 George Rutherfurd: Mr. George Gladstons: Mr. John Smith: Mr. 
 Robert Ramsay. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Dundas : Findawrie : Liber- 
 toun : John Semple : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 Letters to the The Comission appoynts letters to be written very seriouslie 
 2 > s I ^ lssloners and peremptorly to all the members of this Comission to come 
 
 to the Comission, that the meetings may be mor frequent at 
 
 such a tyme of necessitie. 
 Comittee for The Comission appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, Andro Cant, 
 Tumuu ing thC James Guthrie, Robert Ramsay, George Gladstones, and Patrik 
 
5 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 433 
 
 Gillaspie, Dundas, John Semple, to be a Comittee to try who 
 had principall accession to the tumultuous meeting vpon 
 Fryday last about Mr. Andro Ramsayes bussines, what wer 
 the threatning expressions that wer then vsed, and by whom 
 they wer vttered, who have threatned the witnesses or laboured 
 to withdraw them ; and to report. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Evan Camron and George 
 Rutherfurd to preach for Mr. Mungo Law the nixt Sabboth. 
 
 Edinburgh, 5 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt .'—Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Doctor Col- 
 vill : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. 
 Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Patrik Sibball : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Andro 
 Cant : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr, Alexander Mun- 
 creiff : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Thomas Vassie : 
 Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Thomas Kirkcaldie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. William 
 Colvill. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Balmayn : Dundas : Libbertoun 
 Findawrie : Sir James Stewart : James Rouchhead. 
 
 Concerning the petition for planting the kirks of Badinoch Kirks of 
 the Comission appoints the letter following to be written to Badmoch - 
 the Province of Murray and Presbytery of Aberlour : — 
 
 6 Reverend axd loving brethren, — Having receaved a peti- Letter to the 
 tion from the Lord Marquesse of Argyle in name of the people Murray for 
 of Badinoch, desyreing an recommendation for planting the Badulo?h° f 
 vaking kirks ther, Therfor knowing the great necessitie of the 
 distressed people in these parts, through ther long want of the 
 confort of the ministerie there, Wee do therfor earnestly 
 recomend to yow to have a speciall cair of the planting of the 
 vaking kirks in Badinoch with all possible diligence ; And 
 being desired to interpon our selfs for transporting Mr. Donald 
 Mackferson, minister at Caddell, to Kingassie, and for admit- 
 ting Mr. John Dolar to the kirk of Laggen and Alvie, wee 
 doe recomend these particulars to your owne consideration, 
 who can best judge of the expediencie therof. Only wee desire 
 that yow will tak such course therin as yow shall find best for 
 the good of the congregations. Wee doe also recomend vnto 
 yow to have cair to supplie the garrisone in Ruthven of 
 Badinoch with a minister from tyme to tyme, and that they 
 be no longer left destitut without preaching and other ordi- 
 
 2 E 
 
434 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 april 
 
 Letter to the 
 Presbyterie of 
 Ellon concern- 
 ing Mr. David 
 Leith. 
 
 Recommenda- 
 tion for supplye 
 ing the places 
 of the Commis- 
 
 Letter to the 
 Presbyterie of 
 Dumbartan, in 
 the behalfe of 
 Mr. Ewau 
 Camerone. 
 
 nances, as wee ar informed they have been. Comitting all this 
 to your speciall cair, Wee remain, 
 
 ' Your loving brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 5 Aprytt 1648. of the Genera ll Assemblie.' 
 
 To the reverend brethren of the Province of Murray and 
 Presbyterie of Aberlour. 
 
 Concerning Mr. David Leith, the Comission appoynts the 
 letter following to be written to the Presbytery of Allan : — 
 
 6 Right reverend and welbeloved brethren, — These are to 
 show yow that our brother, Mr. David Leith, being employed 
 in paraphrasing the songs of the Old and New Testament, hes 
 been in this town some tyme, and for als much as he yet is 
 appointed to continue in that employment, our earnest desyre 
 is that yow endevour you selfes joyntly for his further encour- 
 agment in that work, provyding that it be no hinderance to 
 him in his present charge. So recomending yow and your 
 labours to the blissing of God, Wee rest, 
 
 6 Your loving brethren, &C. 1 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 5 Apryll 1648. 
 
 Direct : To their reverend brethren of the Presbyterie of Ellon. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Alexander Muncreiff to pray 
 the morne in Parliament. 
 
 The Comission appoynts that in the letters that shall be 
 sent to Presbyteries ther be a recomen dation to them to sup- 
 plie in all ministeriall dewties the absence of ther brethren 
 that attend this Comission. 
 
 Concerning the desire of Mr. Evan Cameron, the Comission 
 appoynts the letter following to be written in his behalf : — 
 
 4 Reverend and loving brethren — Wee ar informed by Mr. 
 Evan Cameron, minister in Dunnoone, that being banished 
 from his awin charge, his parochiners scattered, and the enemies 
 then haveing that countrie in their command and having after- 
 wards brunt it, he sheltered himself within the bounds of your 
 Presbyterie, and that he fund the favour of yow, that both by 
 your Presbytery and Parochine of Hosneth (it being at that 
 
5 APRIL] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 435 
 
 tyme vaiking), he wes invited to exerce his talent at that 
 chairge, till either his awin parochin wer in some measure 
 planted, or yow had occasion to plant that paroch with a 
 qualified man. And becaus wee ar informed that ther ar some 
 entring in proces with him for his absence from that employ- 
 ment in Rosneth, which to our knowledge wes occasioned by 
 his being Comissioner to the tua last Generall Assemblies, and 
 by his being on of the Comissioners from these tua Assemblies 
 for the publict affaires of this Kirk, which employments did 
 necessarly call not only for his attendance at all the dyettis of 
 these meitings this and the last yeir, but lykewayes for the 
 attendance of many others, who wer intrusted in the same 
 service, Th erf ore wee hope that his absence vpon these publict 
 employments will be so farr from being with yow any ground 
 of a process, censure, or other preiudice to him quhatsumeuer, 
 that we expect yow will rather give him some testimony of 
 thanks for that attendance, and endevour to remove ony mis- 
 construction that his parochiners or any other make for his 
 necessary absence. So recomending this to your speciall cair, 
 Wee remain, Your loving bretheren, 
 
 Edinburgh, TlIE COMMISSIONERS OF 
 
 5 Apryll 1648. the Generall Assemblie. 
 
 4 We desir that yow may vse diligence for planting Rosneth 
 with a qualified honest man, that Mr. Evan may be returned 
 to his own charge." 
 
 For Dumbartan Presbyterie. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, having heard the petition of Reference for 
 Patrik Grahame, younger of Inchbrakie, humbly acknowledging ofVatHk^ 1011 
 his offences, Doe referr him to the Provinciall of Perth, desyre- Graham, called 
 ing them, after tryall of his life and conversation, and evidence of Inchbraky - 
 of vnfained repentance for the offences for which he wes ex- 
 comunicat, to prescribe his satisfaction in saccloth, and ther- 
 after to give order for his relaxation. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 6 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. George Lesly : Doctor Colvill : Mr. Patrik Sheill : Mr. 
 
436 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 april 
 
 Witnesses in 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ram say es 
 bussines. 
 
 Witnesses ex- 
 cepted against 
 admitted. 
 
 The rest of the 
 witnesses ad- 
 mitted. 
 
 Committee for 
 examining these 
 witnesses. 
 
 George Rutherfurd : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. 
 Andro Stevinson : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. j ames Hamiltoun : Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Robert Blair : 
 Mr. Andro Fairfull: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. George Gillaspie. Elders. 
 — Balmayn : Dundas : Libbertoun : John Semple : John [Mill]. 
 
 This day, John Ramsay, William Castillaw, Mr. James 
 Winrhame, George Lesly, James Trotter, Mr. James Browne, 
 elders, John Burnes, Robert Atcheson, William Lorimer, 
 Patrik Borthwick, Gilbert Hardie, and William Mitchelsone, 
 deakons, in Mr. Andro Ramsayes parosh, warned as witnesses 
 in Mr. Andros bussines, appearing — The said Mr. Andro, per- 
 sonallie present, excepted against the said Robert Acheson, 
 William Lorimer, and William Mitchelsone, why they could 
 not be witnesses, 1. Becaus he wes informed they had given 
 information of some of the particulars he wes charged with to 
 some of the members of this judicatorie, and so being informers, 
 could not be his witnesses. 2. Becaus, notwithstanding they 
 wer deakons, yet they did absent themselves some tymes from 
 his preaching on the Lords day. The Comission taking 
 the said exceptions to consideration, find that the said three 
 deacons excepted against should purge them-selves vpon oath 
 whether they have given partiall counsell or information against 
 the said Mr. Andro out of malice or not, and find the 2d excep- 
 tion nowayes relevant as it is proponed. 
 
 The said Robert Achesone, William Lorimer, and William 
 Mitchelson, being called and sworne, declared that they had 
 given no partiall counsell or information against the said Mr. 
 Andro out of malice, Therfor the said Mr. Andro having no 
 more to except against them, the said 3 deacons wer admitted 
 to be witnesses and sworne. 
 
 The elders and the rest of the deacons (Mr. Andro excepting 
 no thing against them) wer also all received and sworne, and 
 all appoynted to returne afternoon to depone. 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. Andro Cant, Robert Blair, 
 James Guthrie, George Bennet, and Dundas, John Semple, 
 John Mill, to be a Comittee for examining the said witnesses, 
 and to meet here in the afternoon at 4 houres. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
7 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 437 
 
 Edinburgh, 7 Apr ill 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, M oderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. John Smith: 
 Mr. William Colvill : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. 
 And.ro Cant: Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Patrik 
 Scheill : Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. Andro Stevinson. Elders. — Balmayn : 
 Dundas : Libbertoun : Findawrie : James Rouchhead : Lawrence Hen- 
 derson : John Semple: 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. George Bennet to pray in Mr. Andro 
 Parliament afternoon, John Hamiltoun the morne, Mr. Wil- Ramsa y- 
 liam Colvill vpon Monday, or their nixt meeting. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. David Prymrose, advocat, 
 John Wilkie, wrytter, Mr. John Hay, advocat, Mr. Thomas 
 Henderson, advocat, Mr. William Thomson, Mr. William 
 Jack, Mr. Alexander Peirson, advocat, John Flint, the Laird 
 of Scotscraige, to be cited as witnesses in Mr. Andro Ramsayes 
 bussines, and to appeir vpon Mononday afternoon, and that 
 Mr. Andro be warned to the same dyet. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant, Robert Blair, Tumult in 
 Robert Ramsay, to seek the answer from the Parliament of Ram^ayesT 
 the complaint given this day vpon the tumult in Mr. Andro bussines. 
 Ramsayes bussines. 
 
 The Comission, having considered an informatioun given David Spence. 
 in against David Spense his miscariage at the reading of the 
 Declaration, desire the Clerk to consult the Kings advocat 
 theranent. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 George Rutherfurd : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. John Sempill. Elders. — Dundas: 
 Libbertoun : Findawrie : Alexander Livistoun : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Andro Cant and Robert Concerning the 
 Blair to goe to the Thesaurer for the 500 lib. sterling and 5 ?° lb - s ; erling 
 
 . . . ° ot annuitie. 
 
 show his Lordship that if he will not pay it, at the leist on 
 yeirs payment of so many resting, they will be forced to move 
 the bussines to the Parliament. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. John Smith to pray the morne 
 
438 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [ioapril 
 
 to the Parliament, and Mr. John Hamiltoun to pray, in place 
 
 of Mr. Evan Cameron, for Mr. Mango Law. 
 
 This day a letter produced and read from the Presbytery of 
 
 Hadingtoun concerning; the reading of the Declaration. Tenor 
 
 wherof followes : — 
 Letter from the ' Right Reverend, — Wee have each of \vs read the Declara- 
 Hadingtoun f tion lately sent to ws, exactly according to the order prescrived 
 concerning j n || ie Act sen t therwith, whereby as wee acknowledge that 
 
 their reading of ' J ° 
 
 the Declaration, wee have received full and tymous satisfaction to our sens and 
 our flocks concerning the state of publict affairs, so doe wee 
 thanke God heartilie for your faithfulnes and vigilancie, and 
 shall pray that the Lord may be pleased to increase vpon yow 
 his light and strength, quhairby yow may be able for the 
 future to give information to ws and others, and to stand 
 steadfast against such oppositions and contradictions as the 
 enemie of the work of God will still be stirring vp instruments 
 to make vnto the Cause in hand. So comending yow and your 
 labours in the Lords work to his grace and blissing, wee rest, 
 ' Your loving brethren of the 
 Presbytery of Hadingtoun, 
 Hadingtoun, Sic Subscribltur, Ro. Ker, Mod r . 
 
 Aprilc o, IG-48. T. Stirljxg, Cls. 
 
 in presence and at command of the Presbytery? 
 The nixt meeting on Monday at 2 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. George Ruther- 
 furd : Mr. Andro Cant : Mr. William Colvill : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. Evan Cameron. Elders. — Balmayn : Findawrie : 
 Sir James Stewart : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 This day, report from the Presbyterie of Dunbar concerning 
 the reading of the Declaration. Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 ' At Dunbar, March 20, 1648. 
 Report from 6 The whilk day all the brethren of the Presbytery being 
 Dur?bar. ry ° f present, wer asked if they had read, as was directed, the Decla- 
 ration sent from the Comissioners of the Generall Assemblie, 
 and ansred they had all done it. 
 
 6 Sic subscribitur, Johx Daliell, Mod r ? 
 
1 1 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 439 
 
 Continues Mr. Andro Ramsay and the witnesses vntill the Mr. Andro 
 morne at 10 houres. Ramsay - 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 A prills 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Francis Aird : Doctor 
 Colvill : Mr. Andro Fairfull : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Evan Cameron: 
 Mr. John Nevey : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Walter Bruce. Elders. — 
 
 The Comission appoynts a petition to be drawen to the David Spensc. 
 Parliament representing the ryot comitted by David Spense. 
 
 This day appeired Mr. Alexander Peirson, Mr. David Prym- Witnesses in 
 rose, Mr. William Thomson, and John Flint, witnesses in the Ramsays™ 
 matter concerning Mr. Andro Ramsay. The said Mr. Andro bu ssmes. 
 excepted against Mr. Alexander Peirson, that he cannot be Exception 
 received a witness against him, becaus the last yeir when Mr. Alexander*"' 
 Andro preached de rege non dedendo Anglis, that Mr. Alex- Peirson repelled, 
 ander vttered this expression vpon occasion of that sermon 
 4 That he wondered that Mr. Andro was not pullit out of the 
 pulpit.' The Comission repelles the exception as not relevant ; 
 And thereafter Mr. Alexander having declared that he only 
 spoke something shewing his greife at some points Mr. Andro 
 had that tyme in his sermon, but not in such expression as 
 Mr. Andro alledges, the said Mr. Andro passed from the 
 exception. 
 
 The said day Mr. Andro excepted against John Flint, John Flint 
 [1.] Becaus he did not ordinarlie heare him preach ; 2. becaus iecelved ' 
 he had given informations in some particulars wherwith he wes 
 charged to some of the members of this judicatorie. The 
 Comission finds the first exception against John Flint not 
 relevant, and for the 2d finds that John Flint should purge 
 him self by oath that he hes given no partiall counsell nor in- 
 formation against Mr. Andro, out of malice, which wes accord- 
 ingly done. 
 
 Mr. Andro having no more to say against the 4 witnesses witnesses 
 this day appearing, the Comission therfor received the witnesses, adm y tted - 
 and they being sworne, wer appointed to come againe in the 
 afternoon. 
 
440 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [u april 
 
 Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun ad- 
 mitted witnesse, 
 
 Comittee for 
 examining the 
 witnesses in 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsayes 
 bussines. 
 
 The Comission conceaving it necessar to examine Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun, Mr. Andro Ramsayes collegue, and Mr. Andro 
 objecting no thing to the contrair, doe therfore receave and 
 swear the said Mr. James. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, Andro Cant, 
 Doctor Colvill, James Hamiltoun, James Guthrie, Findawrie, 
 John Semple, and John Mill, to examine the said witnesses in 
 Mr. Andro Ramsayes bussines afternoon. 
 
 The nixt meeting of the Comission at 4 afternoon. 
 
 Thanks to the 
 Province of 
 Fyfe. 
 
 Letter from 
 Province of 
 Fyffe. 
 
 Edinburgh, 11 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. John Duncan : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Andro Cant: Mr. John 
 Nevey : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Mungo 
 Law: Doctor Colvill: Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — 
 Libbertoun : Findawrie : Lawrence Henderson : John Semple : Sir 
 James Stewart: John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. George Lesly and John Neve 
 to preach in the Parliament the nixt Sabboth. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. John Duncan to preach vpon 
 Sabboth come eight dayes in the Parliament, and are to pro- 
 vide another to preach that day. 
 
 This day, Sir James Lumisden, the Laird of Creich, and 
 Messrs. John Muncreiff and Andro Bennet, having presented 
 a letter from the Provinciall Assembly of Fyfe, together with 
 a petition to the Parliament, The Comission very heartily 
 thanked them, and blissed the Lord for their good affection 
 at such a tyme, and appoynted those of the Province of Fyfe 
 that wer members of that Comission to accompany the 
 brethren come from that Province, and assist their petition to 
 the Parliament. Tenor of the letter from the said Provinciall 
 followes : — 
 
 ' Reverend and dear brethren, — As at this tyme of our 
 meeting here, we wer in expectation of some direction and 
 incouragment from yow, so your letter to ws was very satisfac- 
 torie and refreshing ; And we cannot but with thankfull hearts 
 acknowledge our Lords goodnes toward yow, that though he 
 let yow encounter with many and great difficulties in this his 
 owne work intrusted to yow, yet suffers yow not to want 
 
1 1 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 441 
 
 strength and furniture from himself according to need. It is 
 mater of great joy to our hearts that ye have not keipt silence 
 in this day of our deip dangers, bot hes sounded the trumpet 
 clearly throghout this Kirk and Kingdome, as it became the 
 faithfull watchmen of Zion ; Your Declaration hes been read 
 in all the congregations of this Province ; And what further is 
 recomended to ws in relation to that, salbe tymously and 
 diligently gone about ; as also all other things which in your 
 letter are comitted to our care we sail, in the strength of our 
 Lord, labour to performe with such zeale as maters of so great 
 concernment doe requyre. Wee know our stormes ar bot 
 growing, and therfore as yee will have neid of new supplyes of 
 strength and courage from him who hath imbarked yow in his 
 owne worthy cause, so wee, your weak brethren, alike interessed 
 with yow therin, cannot bot shew what strong confidence we 
 have, that our Lord will so strengthen and settil yow, that ye 
 sail be a brazen wall against all opposers, whether Sectaries or 
 Malignants. Yee ar sett vpon the watch tower at such a tyme 
 as this, and as your faithfull diligence is for the present ane 
 ey-sore to Zions foes, and no small confort to hir freinds, so 
 will it meitt yow in the day of your greatest neid with such 
 joy as the world can neither give to these it favours, nor take 
 away from these it frownes vpon. Your helpe is of the Lord, 
 who made the heaven and the earth, and who will not be want- 
 ing to yow since ye put your trust in him. As we labour to 
 bow our knees befor him in your behalf that he wold strengthen 
 yow with might, and wold confort yow in all your toyle, so wee 
 beseich yow (worthy and dear brethren) be yee stedfast, vn- 
 moveabill, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, for 
 your labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord, which is the 
 hopefull desire of all the Lords people in thir parts, and 
 especially of 
 
 6 Your loving brethren in the Lord, 
 
 J. Monciieiff, 1 Moderato?\ 
 St. Androis, 111 name and at comand of 
 
 6 Apryle 1648. the Provinciatt Assemblie of Fyff? 
 
 4 We have sent a humbill supplication to the honorabill 
 
 1 Minister of Kinghorn and a member of Commission in 1646-7. 
 
442 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 april 
 
 Estates of Parliament. Ye will be pleased to give your advyse 
 to our Comissi oners for their way of addresse. 1 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. John Harwie to preach the 
 nixt Sabboth for Mr. George Gillaspie. 
 Dr. Sharp. The Comission appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, Doctor Col- 
 
 vill, and Mr. Mungo Law, to assist the petition of Doctor 
 Shairp in the Parliament for payment of the moneyes he lent 
 to the publick, which wes his whole meanes and subsistance. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Report from 
 Dalkeith. 
 
 Mr. Robert 
 Lichton. 
 
 Report from 
 Dalkeith. 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 Apr His 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Lesly : 
 Mr. Robert Cunynghame : Mr. James Fairly : Mr. George Gladstons : 
 Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. John Neve: Mr. 
 John Adamsone. Elders. — Libbertoun : Findawrie : Sir James Stewart: 
 John Semple. 
 
 This day, the report of the Presbyterie of Dalkeith concern- 
 ing the reading of the Declaration being read, the Comission 
 resolve for that concerning Mr. Robert Lichtoun, to hear him- 
 self when he returnes to the countrey. 1 Tenor of the Report 
 followes : — 
 
 < At Dalkeith, 6 Aprile 1648. 
 ' The which day it was declared by the brethren (being 
 interrogated by the Moderator) that they had all read the 
 Declaration, only the ruleing elder for 2 both told 
 
 that Mr. Robert Lichtoun had caused the precentor read it, and 
 that becaus of the weaknesse of his owne voice, which could not 
 be heard throw the whole kirk. Extracted out of the Presby- 
 tery bookes, at the comand of the Presbyterie, and ordained 
 to be given in to the Comission of the Generall Assembly. 
 
 4 Sic Subscribitur, G. Sixclar, Clerk.'' 
 
 This day the Lord Balmerino, Lord Humbie, and Archbald 
 Sydserff, having given in a vote of Parliament concerning on 
 of the Demands to England, after reading wherof,The Comission 
 thinke fitt to appoynt the Moderator and Messrs. Robert Blair, 
 
 1 He was probably on his annual visit to his aged father in London. 
 
 2 Newbottle, now Newbattle. 
 
12 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 443 
 
 George Gillaspie, George Leslie, John Smith, James Gutterie, 
 Patrik Gillaspie, Libbertoun, Findawrie, Sir James Stewart, 
 and Lawrence Henderson, to be a Comittee to consider that 
 paper, and what answer to returne thervnto, and to report 
 their opinions. Tenor of the said paper followes : — 
 
 6 Followes the Article of the Demands, whilk is to be 
 comunicat to the Comission of the Church, viz., 
 4 That ane effectuall course be tane by the Houses for injoyn- Demandcon- 
 ing the Covenant to be taken be all the subiects of the Crowne gton'to the 
 of England, conforme to the first article of the Treatie, and Engla^se^t 
 conforme to the declaration of both Kingdomes in anno 1643 ; from the Pariia- 
 By which all who wald not take the Covenant wer declared to Comission. 
 be publick enemies to Religion and the countrey, and that they 
 are to be censured and punished as professed adversaries and 
 malignants, and that Reformation of and Vniformity in Religion 
 be setled according to the Covenant : That as the Houses of 
 Parliament have agreed to the Directory of Worship, so they 
 wald tak a reall course for the practiseing therof by all the 
 subiects of England and Ireland : That the Confession of Faith 
 transmitted from the Assembly of Divines at Westminster to the 
 Houses be approven : And that Presbyterian Government, with 
 a subordination of the lower assemblies to the hier, be setled 
 and fully established in England and Ireland; and that effectual 
 course be tane for suppresing and extirpatting all heresies and 
 schismes, particulate Socinianisme, Arminianisme, Arrianisme, 
 Annabaptisme, Antinomianisme, Erastianisme, Familisme, 
 Brounisme, and Independencie, and for perfyting what is yit 
 farder to be done for extirpating Poperie and Prelacie, and 
 suppresing the practise of the Service Book, comounlie callit 
 the Book of English Comoune Prayer. 1 
 
 oci Aprilis 1648. 
 
 ' This Article, red and agreed to be the Estates of Parliament 
 as thought fitting to be demanded of the Parliament of England, 
 
 1 The full title of the document of which the above formed part is 4 A De- 
 claration of the Parliament of Scotland, To His Maiesties good subjectis of this 
 Kingdome, Concerning their Resolutiones for Religion, King, and Kingdomes, 
 In persueance of the endis of the Covenant.' It is inserted at length in Acts of 
 the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. pt. ii. pp. 40-43. 
 
444 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 APRIL 
 
 and the Estates appoynts the samen Article to be comimicat to 
 the Comission of the Church, that they may returne their 
 thoughts ther vpon either for addition or alteratioun, quhilk 
 the Parliament will take to their consideration. And the 
 Estates appoynts the Lord Balmerino, Lord Humbie, and 
 Archbald Sydserff, to acquant the Comission of the Church 
 heirwith. 
 
 ' Extractit furth of the Records of Parliament and Articles 
 of the Breaches of the Covenant and Treaties, and demands 
 for reparatioune therof respective, be me. Sir Alexander Gib- 
 sone of Durie, Clerk of his Hienes registeris and rollis, vnder 
 my signe and subscriptioun manuall. Sic Subscribitur, 
 
 6 Alex. Gibsoxe, Cle. RegrjS 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Letter from 
 Provinciall, 
 Glasgow, con- 
 cerning their 
 reading of the 
 Declaration. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dicksone: Mr. John Duncan: Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. Francis Aird: 
 Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. 
 Robert Blair: Mr. Walter Bruce: Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. John 
 Nevey : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Mungo Law. Elders. 
 — Libbertoun : Lawrence Henderson : John Semple : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 This day report from the Provinciall of Glasgow produced 
 concerning the reading of the Declaration. Tenor quhairof 
 followes : — 
 
 ' Right reverexd, — The letter quhilk ye sent vnto our late 
 meeting at Glasgow came in a very acceptable tyme, and in 
 the midst of our sad thoughts of the apparent trubells of this 
 land did refresh our hearts not a litle while wee considered 
 the riches of the gratious assistance of our Lord Jesus gevin 
 vnto yow in so necessar a tyme as this is, and made manifest 
 to all men in your late 4 Declaration of the comoun dangers and 
 dueties," faithfullie and tymouslie emitted and sent through the 
 Kingdome, in your wise Representation of these most reason- 
 able and necessary Desires gevin in vnto the honorabill Estates 
 of Parliament, in your prudent debates about the same, and in 
 sindrie other particular passages of your vnwearied painefulnes 
 and watchfulnes for the publick good, and doe acknowledge 
 that it is our duetie to give thanks vnto Him vpon every 
 
13 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 445 
 
 remembrance of your diligence and sinceritie in the Lords 
 Cause. And as we professe our obligation to yow for your 
 acquainting ws with what concerned ws to know hithertills, so 
 doe we expect and requeist for advertisment from yow heir- 
 after, how your maters goe, and what ye wold have ws to doe, 
 and that from tyme to tyme as yee find fitt or necessar, pur- 
 poseing for our parts (God willing) to discharge our dueties as 
 your directions shall come to our hands. 
 
 ' Wee have taken account of the reading of the Declaration 
 in all our bounds, and can find no thing as yet offensive in ony 
 part except Rutherglen, wherof yee have receaved (as wee heir) 
 information from the Presbytery of Glasgow, and we doubt not 
 but ye will doe your best to see it exemplarie taken order with. 
 The rest of the particulars in your letter wee recomendit to the 
 brethren, who will, wee hope, make further vse therof, for 
 quhilk end we have given order for sending copies therof vnto 
 the severall Presbyteries in our bounds, as ye directed ; and 
 will be in the meane tyme praying for the continuance of the 
 Lords presence with yow in all things, as it is the duetie of 
 ' Your loving brethren of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayre. 
 
 Sic Siibscribitur, David Dickson, Moderator, 
 
 Glasgow, the 6 of Mr. Robert Young, Clerk.' 1 
 
 Aprylc 1648. 
 
 The Comission appoynts John Duncan to pray the morne 
 in Parliament, and Mr. Andro Fairfull vpon Fryday. 
 
 Edinburgh, 13 Apr His 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas^ M oderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. John Smith: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. John Duncan: 
 Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 John Hay: Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : 
 Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : 
 Mr. John Neve: Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. Andro Fairfull: Mr. 
 Robert Cunynghame. Elders. — Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart: Law- 
 rence Henderson : John Semple. 
 
 The draught of an answer to the Parliaments last paper Approbation 
 being red, Approves the said answer vnanimously, and appoynts para™ 
 Messrs. Robert Blair, David Dickson, Dundas, and Libbertoun, mem. 
 with the Moderatour, to present it to the Parliament presently. 
 Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
446 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [13 april 
 
 'Edinburgh, 13 AprUis 1648. 
 
 ' The humble Returne of the Comission of the General As- 
 sembly vnto that Article of the Demands conceriiing 
 Religion and the Covenant, etc., comunicat vnto them by 
 the honorable Estates of Parliament. 
 
 The Humble 6 As ther is no thing which the Kirk of Scotland now for a 
 Commisk>n he * on g tyme hath more earnestlie wished and seriouslie studied 
 unto that then the setling of Religion and carving on the Worke of 
 
 Article of the 0 P . . 
 
 Demands, etc., Vniformity in all the 3 kingdomes, so it is still our desire that 
 then" 11111 ^ 1 10 vour Lordships should sinceerly and reallie endeavour the same 
 in all fair lawfull wayes with the King and Parliament of Eng- 
 land, according to the League and Covenant. As to the 
 article comunicat vnto ws, wee shall not search after the cause 
 why your Lordships hath changed the way formerly vsed of 
 sending propositions to his Majesty, without whose condescend- 
 ance your Lordships will easily acknowledge that the Parliament 
 of England cannot render the particulars conteined in the 
 Demand effectuall for securing of Religion : Neither shall wee 
 insist vpon the preiudice, that preparative of the taking of 
 resolutions in that which concernes Religion without the advise 
 and consent of the Kirk, may bring to the interest and libertie 
 therof. But, conceiving that wee have just reason to looke 
 vpon the Demand as intended to be a ground of warre in caise 
 the same shall be refused by the Parliament of England, wee 
 cannot returne our thoughts thervpon vntill your Lordships 
 shall be pleased also to acquaint ws with the articles of the 
 Breaches of the Covenant and Treatties, and other Demands for 
 reparation therof mentioned in the paper sent to ws : That so we 
 may not only know that noe other of the Demands doe crosse 
 this, or tend to the hinderance of the work of Reformation; 
 but also that wee may be satisfied in our consciences upon the 
 whole mater, and be assured that all things are so ordered and 
 resolved as may indeid contribut for establishing the Covenant 
 and setling of Reformation of, and Vniformity in, Religion, 
 and attaining all things expressed in your Lordships Demand 
 communicat to ws. In the meane while, seing your Lordships 
 doe professe that the Cause is the same, and the cheif ground 
 of vndertaking Reformation, wee desire your Lordships seriously 
 
13 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 447 
 
 in your consciences to ponder how yow can make the refusall of 
 this Demand a cause of warre against the Parliament of Eng- 
 land, with whom this nation was lately ingaged in a warre 
 in defence of the League and Covenant, and the ends therof, 
 when the King was in armes against both, and yet ingage in a 
 warre for the King, while he still refuses to setle Religion and 
 injoyne the Covenant, and will come no farther, at the vtmost, 
 then to leave the samen arbitrarie, as is evident from his late 
 concessions ; Or how your Lordships can propond any such 
 Demand vnto others whilst your selves have not declared the 
 Kings concessions so much as vnsatisfactorie, seing these conces- 
 sions are destructive to most part of the particulars contained 
 in your Lordships Demand/ 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Doctor. Col- 
 vill: Mr. Andro Fairfoull: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Smith: Mr. 
 J ohn Hay : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Francis Aird : 
 Mr. John Neve: Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. David Dickson: Mr. 
 Robert Blair : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Evan Cameron. 
 Elders. — Dundas : Libbertouu : Sir James Stewart: Lawrence Hender- 
 son. 
 
 The Comission, having taken the particulars wherwith Mr. Mr. Andro 
 Andro Ramsay is charged to consideration, and Mr. Andros Ramsav - 
 answers, and the depositions of the witnesses, finds the 7 article, 
 the first part of the 8 article, and that part of the 10 article 
 concerning some expressions in his praying for the King suffi- 
 ciently proven. 
 
 The Comission, finding some of the particulars wherwith Committee in 
 Mr. Andro Ramsay is charged to be proven, Doe therefore Ramsayes° 
 appoynt Messrs. David Dickson, Robert Blair, Doctor Colvill, bussines. 
 John Hamiltoun, James Guthrie, John Smith, with the 
 Moderator, Dundas, Findawrie, John Sempill, and John Mill, 
 to be a Comittee to consider what is further to be done in the 
 bussines, and to report their opinions against the morne. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
448 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 april 
 
 Edinburgh, 14 April'is 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spittle: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. John Neve: Doctor Colvill : Mr. John Hay: Mr. 
 Hary Livistoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. James 
 Gutterie : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Frederick Carmichaell : Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie. Elders. — Dundas : Sir James Stewart: Lawrence 
 Henderson. 
 
 Rouse Para- The Comission appoynts the ministers of this town, or anv 
 phrase. three of them, to be a Comittee to examine the corrections of 
 
 the brethren appoynted to revise Rouse Psalmes, and to conferr 
 with those brethren thervpon, and to report their opinions to 
 this Comission the first dvet vpon Mononday at 10 houres in 
 this place. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. James Hamiltoun to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 Thanks to the This day, a letter presented by Messrs. Hary Livistoun and 
 Perth 1106 ° f Robert Young from the Province of Perth, with the petition to 
 the Parliament, The Comission gave thanks for their good 
 affection at this tyme, and their cair in giving a satisfactorie 
 answer to the Comissions letter, and appoynts Messrs. James 
 Hamiltoun, John Smith, and Mungo Law to assist the brethren 
 in presenting the petition to the Parliament. Tenor of the 
 letter followes : — 
 
 Letter from the 4 Reverexd axd lovixg brethrex, — Wee being mett provin- 
 Perth mCia11 ° f ciallie about the affaires of our Master did receave a letter from 
 yow which did evidence so much of care, zeale, providence, and 
 courage as could be expectit from instruments so publictly 
 intrusted, which did not a litle rejoyse ws all who so much 
 depend upon the fidelitie of your discharge, and moved ws to 
 bliss God and his Sone Jesus Christ for that measure of assist- 
 ance which hithertills hes attendit yow, and at this tyme of so 
 hard and wniversall tryell of this Church : For continuance of 
 which we shalbe most earnest in secreit, privat, and publick, 
 that so still ye may prove the same in your zeale, fidelitie, and 
 couraige, vntill the hearts of all this Church-enemies be broken, 
 and their courage whollie spent, to the accomplishing of Gods 
 wark and filling vp of our joy. 
 
14 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 449 
 
 6 As for the particulars contenit in your letter, the first that 
 occurreth is the emissioun of that publick " Declaration to the 
 whole Church and Kingdom e concerning present dangers and 
 dewties,"' which efter search we find was read by so many whose 
 hands it came to, and that without any contradiction or any 
 note of disaffectione ; And such as haife not yit sein it (which 
 be verie few) we have ordained them to read it, and their 
 Presbyteries to be ansrable for their diligence, and sail 
 indevour to discover aither ministers or people who lies or shall 
 bewray any disaffectione. 
 
 ' Wee receaved from yow a copie of 8 Humble Desires, pre- 
 sentit to the Honourabill Estates of Parliament, to which ye 
 declair ye have as yit receavit no satisfaction, which is the 
 mater of our regrait. According to your desire wee shall waitt 
 vpon your seasonable informations, as in all vther particulars 
 of publick concernment, so concerning your satisfaction in 
 these, and shall not faile from tyme to tyme to informe yow 
 of everything occuring amongst ws that neids your wyse 
 advyse. 
 
 4 As for the thrid thing, your resolutione to present the 
 grounds of the imminent wrath both to Church and State, as 
 we conceave them severallie concerned, we blisse God for that 
 motione, and humblie desires yow to prosecute it. For that 
 which concernes our selfes wee sail waitt vpon it with much 
 desyre, and in the mean tyme conceaving that vnder a present 
 posting wraith delayes of humiliation are dangerous, we have 
 fallin upon resolutiones of a fast in our Province, and have 
 maturely thought vpon some nationall and provinciall provoca- 
 tions to be humblit for, and hes thought upon such things as 
 are fitting for ws in this dangerous caise to seik at Gods hands, 
 and that againe the secund Sabboth of Maij nixt. 
 
 4 As for the 4 and last in your letter concerning brethren 
 amongst ws who aither have not keipt, or hes too soone desertit 
 your meetings, we heartily regraite that. But their excuses we 
 referr to their first meeting with yow. In the meane tyme wee 
 have graivlie admonished them of their dewtie in keiping with 
 yow, and for the tyme to come we have ordained them to attend 
 all your ordinarie dyetts, and such extraordinarie, as they shall 
 be advertised to by letter, and that as they will be ansrable ; 
 
 2 F 
 
450 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [14 April 
 
 so that we hope ye shall not have of this kynd wherof to com- 
 plaine so much againe. 
 
 6 As for the postscript, that our Clerk shall wrytt a copie of 
 the letter and articles to every Presbyterie, we have ordained 
 so, and accordingly shall sie it done. As for the 2d, we have 
 tryed anent conversants with excomunicat persons, and shall 
 not faill to proceed against them. As for the 3d, Mr. Zacharie 
 Boyds travills vpon the Scripturall Songs, we have recomendit 
 them to the Presbytery of Perth to be reveisit, and report 
 therof to be made by them to their Comissioners to the 
 Generall Assembly. 
 
 6 We have heirwith sent a humble supplicatione to the honor- 
 able Estates of Parliament for the effect therin contenit with 
 our Comissioners, which ye, efter consideratione, may vse as ye 
 sail thinke fitt. 
 
 ' Your affectionat brethren in the Lord, 
 
 Sic Suberibitur, Mr. William Mexzeis, Modr. 
 
 Mr. Edward Richardson, Clerk ' 
 
 The nixt meeting at 2 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas^ Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Hamiltoim : Mr. Frederick Carmichaell : Mr. Andro Fairfull : Mr. 
 Robert Birnie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Lesley : Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. John Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Hary Livistoun : Mr. William Colvill. Elders. — 
 Dundas : Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart: Johne Sempill : John Mill: 
 Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 Mr. Andro The Comission delayes Mr. Andro Ramsayes bussines vntill 
 
 Wednesday, and in the meane tyme appoynts the Comittee to 
 meet in the afternoon, and adds Messrs. Fredrick Carmichaell 
 and Patrik Gillaspie to that Comittee. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. John Hay to pray in Parlia- 
 ment vpon Mononday. 
 
 Report from the Presbytery of Biggar produced concerning 
 their reading of the Declaration. Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
 Bigger. £ Reverend axd welbelouit, — Grace and peace. Wee have 
 
 receaved your comands for reading of the Declaration verie 
 
17 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 451 
 
 cheirfully, and efter tryell finds it lies bein read and hard in 
 all our kirks most heartily, and with on heart blissed the 
 Lord, whose good hand and everlasting arms hes often caried 
 yow clearly through vnknowne paths, and graced yow from 
 the watch tower to give many seasonable warnings in sad tymes 
 of a nighted kirk. Our bowells hes been often refreshed by 
 your paines, that Christ and his prerogative royall hes been 
 dearer to yow then all things ells. This on thing we know, that 
 in the day when the Master shall call the labourers to the vyn- 
 yaird, to give them there hyre, when the favour of men and 
 worlds glorie shalbe as the cullour of the rainbow, that none 
 can put in his treasure, then your labour of love and paines 
 shall smyle on yow, then it shall never repent yow that yow 
 have been at any coast for Christ and treuth. In the meane 
 tyme they shall not faill to requeist him who walks in the 
 midst of the candlesticks to be still sein amongst yow, and to 
 strenthen yow to every good word and work, who desyres to be 
 accounted 
 
 4 Your observant brethren in all dutifull respects. 
 At the comand of the Presbytery, 
 Biggar, this 12 Sic Subscribitur, Alex r . Livingstoun, Mod r ? 
 ofAprik 1648. 
 
 The nixt meeting vpon Mononday afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 17 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. Fredrik Carmichaell : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. James Guthery : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. William Colvill: 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. Evan Cameron: Mr. John Neve: Mr. Hew Mac- 
 kaell : Mr. James Hamiltoun. Elders. — Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart : 
 John 1 Porterfeild : John Sempill. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. John Neve to pray the morne 
 
 in Parliament. 
 
 The Comission, finding it necessary at this tyme to present Comittee for 
 a petition to the Parliament for the security of Religion, £etrtions°o the 
 Therfor appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, John Smith, and Parliament. 
 James Guthrie, with Libbertoun, and the Moderatour and 
 Clerk, to consider of a draught therof, as also to revise the 
 overtures for the Parliament, and to draw vp a petition for 
 punishing the ryot comitted be David Spense in Rutherglen at David Spense. 
 
 1 Sic for George. 
 
452 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 april 
 
 the reading of the Declaration, and to report their diligence 
 heirin. 
 
 The nixt meeting at half eight houres at the 3d bell. 
 
 Edinburgh, 18 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Modcratour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. Alexander Moncreiff : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. David Dickson : 
 Mr. John Neve: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 Hary Livistoun : Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. 
 John Adamson. Elders. — Libbertoun : George Porterfeild : Sir James 
 Stewart: John Semple. 
 
 The petition to the Parliament being read, The Comission 
 vnanimously approve the same, and appoynts Messrs. James 
 Hamiltoun, John Smith, Fredrick Carmichaell, George Hamil- 
 toun, Sir James Stewart, Lawrence Henderson, to present 
 the said petition to the Parliament. Tenor of the petition 
 folio wes : — 
 
 'Edinburgh, 18 Aprilis 1648. 
 ' To the right honourable and hight Court of Parliament, 
 The humble petition of the Comission of the Generall 
 Assembly. 
 
 Petition to the ' Religion being of all things most excellent, as it hath been 
 1*8 Apriie" 1 ' ^ ne P rmc ip a ll en d of all the endeavours and vnder takings of 
 this nation, so it is the maine subiect of our thoughts and 
 caires, and we trust is most in the hearts of all the faithfull 
 ministers and godly people throughout the land, as severall of 
 their supplications vnto your Lordships doe make evident. It 
 was from the tender regaird wee had of this so pretious a jewell 
 that we did emitt a " Declaration concerning present dangers 
 and dew-ties," and it was also from our respect ther vnto, per- 
 ceiving your Lordships inclyne to ane engagment from which 
 we neither wer then, nor now are averse (being first satisfied in 
 the grounds of the vndertaking and in the way of the manadg- 
 ing of the same), that we did afterwards propound some 
 humble Desires vnto your Lordships, containing things neces- 
 sary for a right vndertaking, and for secureing of Religion and 
 preserving the vnion betueen the Kingdomes. But after long 
 attendance and most earnest expectation, having receaved no 
 satisfaction from your Lordships in these ourDesyres: And con- 
 
1 8 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 453 
 
 ceaving that your Lordships resolutions ar towards an ingadg- 
 ment in a warre, wee doe from no vther principle and intention 
 then the love of the truth and the dischairge of the trust 
 comitted vnto ws, as the servants of the living God and his 
 Son Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, 
 entreat and obtest your Lordships, That as yow doe professe 
 that anie vndertakings which yow now are, or shall be neces- 
 sitat vnto, shall only be for setling Religion, trueth, and peace, 
 vnder his Majesties government, so for convinceing our con- 
 sciences and all the faithfull ministers and people of God in 
 both Kingdomes of the integrity of your intentions, that your 
 Lordships will be pleased to give satisfaction in all these our 
 former just and necessary Desires ; And that for the same end 
 your Lordships will make it appeare that yow mean to be 
 farre from interessing your selfes in anything that may put in 
 his Majesties hands such power as may not only bring the 
 bygone proceedings of both Kingdomes in the League and 
 Covenant in question, but also for the tyme to come mak voyd 
 all the authority of Parliaments though proceiding never so 
 rightly in reference to Religion and liberties of the King- 
 domes ; And that your Lordships will be pleased to make it 
 manifest that yow will be so farre from associating with, or 
 giving trust and contenance to any within the three King- 
 domes who doe not swear and subscribe the Solemne League 
 and Covenant, that, on the contrary, your Lordships will hold 
 them all for professed adversaries and Malignants, and ende- 
 vour to suppresse them if they rise in armes. Which we may 
 with the greater reason and confidence expect from your Lord- 
 ships, because ye have resolved to demand of the Parliament 
 of England that an effectual course be taken by the Houses for 
 enjoyning the Covenant to be taken by all the subiects of 
 the Crowne of England, conforme to the first Article of the 
 Treaty and the Declaration of both Kingdomes in anno 1643, 
 by which all who wold not take the Covenant wes 1 declared to 
 be publick enemies to Religion and the countrey, and that 
 they ar to be censured and punished as professed adversaries 
 and Malignants. And we trust that whilst your Lordships 
 require of them the performance of dewties contained in the 
 
 1 Or wer. 
 
454 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [18 APRIL 
 
 Treaties and Declaration, yow will make it appeare that yow 
 intend to doe no thing your selves contrary thervnto, the 
 obligation therin bein equall in regard of both, and the per- 
 formance alike conduceing for Religion and the Covenant. 
 And we doe humbly intreat that your honours will be pleased to 
 make knowne vnto ws your resolutions vpon the whole mater, 
 that we may sie ther is nothing therin that may crosse your 
 Lordships Demands concerning Religion, and be inconsistent 
 with the security therof and our Desires for the same. And 
 that what shall be thought fitting to be demanded of the 
 Parliament of England concerning Religion, for randering the 
 same the more effectuall, your Lordships will at the same tyme 
 solicit his Majesty for his royall assent thervnto, That his 
 Majesty and all others may know that what yow intend on his 
 behalfe is with a subordination to these ends, and so his 
 Majesty may be induced to remove all obstructions on his part 
 that hinder the setling of Religion and his Majesties Govern- 
 ment. And being desirous that all meanes be first essayed 
 which may prevent the effusion of more Christian blood so 
 farre as is possible, Therfor, as the messengers of peace, wee 
 doe supplicat that your Lordships will take such course for 
 seeking reparation from the Parliament of England, as may be 
 most probable in reason to obtaine the same in a peaceable 
 way. And finallie we expect that your Lordships will doe no 
 thing that may strenthen the Popish, Praelaticall, or Malignant 
 party, who are waiting for their day, or that may discouradge 
 or weaken the Presbyterian party in England, or rander your 
 wayes suspitious vnto them ; But that your Lordships will 
 employ all the power which God hath put in your hands for 
 advancing his honour and the kingdome of his Son. Many of 
 your Lordships have been instrumentall in als glorious a worke 
 of Reformation as any age hath seen, and all of yow have been 
 witnesses therto ; and if anything shall proceed from yow for 
 weakening and defaceing therof, as it will be matter of high 
 provocation against the Lord, so doubtles it will be trouble 
 to your soules in your latter end, and meet yow in the day of 
 your accompts. And if your Lordships shall refuse to hearken 
 to this our humble supplicatione, wee take God to record that 
 wee have exonered our selfes as in his sight, and that we and 
 
1 8 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 455 
 
 the Kirk of Scotland, whose trust we discharge in the publick 
 affaires therof, ar free of all the guilt that shall follow vpon 
 any vndertakings or resolutions tending to the preiudice of 
 Religion, the honour and happines of the King, and the vnion 
 and peace of the Kingdomes. But we desire to perswade our 
 selfes better things of your Lordships, and that yow will give 
 ws such satisfaction as may encourage ws to bear testimony of 
 your Lordships that yee reallie intend the setling of Religion, 
 and the carrying on of all things in such a way as may contri- 
 bute for the secureing of the same." 
 
 The nixt meeting at 4 houres afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas,, Moderatour. Mr. William 
 Colvill : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. 
 James Nasmith : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Hary 
 Livistoun : Mr. John Smith: Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. John Adamson : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. 
 Robert Birnie : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Moncreiff : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Fred- 
 rick Carmichaell. Elders. — Libbertoun : Dundas : Findawrie : Law- 
 rence Henderson : John Sempill : John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Hew Mackaell to preach with 
 Mr. John Duncan the nixt Sabboth in Parliament. 
 
 The brethren that presented the petition to the Parliament 
 reported that the Lord Chancellar gave this answer, That the Answer re- 
 Parliament intended to give an answer to the petition and to Parliament! 
 all the Comissions desires so soon as they could, and that 
 they had remitted all for that purpose to be considered by a 
 Comittee. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, William Mr. Andro 
 Colvill, and John Smith, to speake with Mr. Andro Ramsay, Ramsa y- 
 and try if he be sensible of the scandall and offence given by 
 him in the particulars of the charge proven against him, and 
 to report the morne. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Alexander MuncreifF to pray 
 the morne in Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 9 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, J 9 Aprilis 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Thomas 
 AVassie: Mr. John Smith: Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. John Neve: 
 
456 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 april 
 
 Comittee. 
 
 Concerning a 
 murther com- 
 plained on by 
 Drumfreise. 
 
 Letter from the 
 Synod of Drum- 
 freise. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. 
 David Dicksou : Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. James 
 Gutterie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Hamil- 
 toun : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff. Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun : Fin- 
 dawrie. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Robert 
 Baillie, George Gillaspie, John Smith, James Gutherie, Fred- 
 rick Carmichaell, John Neve, Dundas, Libbertoun, Findawrie, 
 with the Moderator, to consider what is yet further to be done, 
 fitting for the Comission, in anything relating to the publick 
 bussines, and to report. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 2 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 19 Apr'iUs 164?8, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. John Neve : Mr. John Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Hew Mackell : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. 
 Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Evan Cameron : 
 Mr. John Bell : Mr. Thomas Wassie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 Colin Adam : Mr. Thomas Melvin : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Mungo 
 Law : Mr. George Hamiltoun. Elders. — Balmayn : Dundas : Libber- 
 toun : Findawrie: John Sempill : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 This day a letter was delyvered from the Synod of Dumfreis 
 bearing their diligence in reading the Declaration, together 
 with a paper informing anent murthers and other barbarities 
 done within their bounds. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. John Bell, Hary Livistoun, 
 and James Hamiltoun, Dundas, to notifie the particular con- 
 cerning the murther to the Generall and Lievtennent Generall, 
 and therafter to the Parliament. Tenor of the said letter 
 followes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and dear brethren, — As we cannot but thank- 
 fullie acknowledge your regard to ws your fellow-labourers in 
 the Lords worke, in that ye have been pleased to acquaint ws 
 with the course of affaires as they now stand in relation to 
 Religion and the Cause of God, so we cannot but reverence 
 Divine Providence that made your letter come so seasonable 
 to our hands, even at the first session of our Synod. 
 
 4 As to the particulars mentioned in your letter, First, wee 
 declair that we have tymously received the Declaration which 
 
19 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 457 
 
 wes latelie emitted by yow, wherwith wee wer exceedingly 
 pleased, and red it in our severall churches, con forme to the 
 Act theranent, and have made search both in our Presbyteries, 
 as also in the face of the Synod, how our brethren behaved 
 themselfes in the reading, and our people in the hearing therof. 
 We have found no thing censurable in any of our number, but 
 wee intend to make more narrow enquirie, that, if anything be 
 found amiss, we may make it knowne vnto yow with all dili- 
 gence. Secondlie, We have sein your Desyres to the Parliament, 
 conteind in eight articles, with all which we ar well satisfied, 
 and in our humble oppinion do thinke that they are precisely 
 to be adhered to, and no thing of the matter to be remitted. 
 Thridlie, We shall be cairfull that our Presbyteries waite on 
 information and intelligence from yow from tyme to tyme, 
 which we pray may be tymouslie dispatcht to ws : Lykas we 
 shall not faill to acquaint yow vpon all occasions with everie 
 thing occurres to ws quhairin your advise and aide may be 
 vsefulL For the present we have thought it very necessary to 
 acquaint yow with the barbarous and savage behaviour of some 
 of the souldiers that ar quartered in our bounds, whose crueltie 
 is broken out to the vtmost in murdering, mutilating, and 
 wounding severall of our people, as the enclosed paper will 
 more particularlie informe. Wee doubt not but that as your 
 harts wilbe wounded togither with ours at the hearing of such 
 fearfull bloodshed and prophanity, so yee will seriously goe 
 about the representing of it to the judge competent, that 
 justice may be done on the wretched malefactors for terror to 
 others, for confort to surviving freinds, and for the pacifying 
 and allaying the wrath of ane angrie God. Wee know that 
 some of our number have waited constantly vpon the Comission 
 in this straite tyme ; for which we resolve to give them publick 
 comendation in due tyme ; we have strictly charged others to 
 waite on yow as they will be ansrable. 
 
 6 In end, Reverend and dear brethren, we doe unfeinedly from 
 our hearts blesse the Lord in your behalfe who hes made yow 
 so faithfull, so wyse, so watchfull, so resolute and strong in the 
 Lord at this tyme. Wee are neither ignorant of the great 
 weight that lyes vpon your shoulders, nor of the sad discour- 
 adgments that yee meitt with many a tyme. We sympathize 
 
458 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [19 april 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Recomendation 
 for restraining 
 the Masse in 
 the Frensh 
 Agents house, 
 and for answer 
 to the com- 
 plaint of the 
 tumult. 
 
 with yovv in the bowells of our soules, and shall endevour to 
 hold vp your condition before the Lord, that ye may be more 
 and more enabled for your various and weighty employments. 
 Your reward is with the Lord, your reputation is with all 
 the faithfull that know yow, your progresse and successe in 
 the Lords work is in the first and cheifest desyres of 
 
 4 Your most affectionat brethren to serve yow in the Lord, 
 
 Sic Subscribitur, Mr. Alex r - Makgowxe, Mocl r . 
 Drum/rets, 111 name of the Frovinciall Synod, 
 
 13 Aprile 1643. Mr. H. Fareis, Cls. Synod." 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. George Lesly to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 This day the brethren appoynted yesterday to speak e with 
 Mr. Andro Ramsay, reported that they had conferred with 
 him, and that Mr. Andro is to give in his owne mynd in the 
 particulars him selfe, And the Comission, having considered the 
 paper produced by Mr. Andro him self, declar that they doe 
 not find in the paper anything that imports any sense of the 
 scandall and offense given by him in the particulars of the 
 charge proven against him. 
 
 The Comission thinke fitt yet to delay the bussines concerning 
 Mr. Andro Ramsay vntill the morne, that in the meane tyme 
 some brethren may deall yet further with him, And therfor 
 appoynts Messrs. George Lesly, William Colvill, John Smith, 
 and Robert Baillie, to shew that the Comission doeth not see 
 any sense of his offenses in the paper produced, and to labour 
 with him to bring him to a sensible acknowledgment therof, 
 and to report the morne. 
 
 The Comission desires the idolatrous sacrifice of the Masse 
 in the Frensh Agents house to be complained of to the Par- 
 liament, as also desires the Parliament to give answer to the 
 complaint given in for the tumultuous cariage of some toward 
 this Comission. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 20 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las. Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Baillie: Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. John Bell: Mr. 
 
2o APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 459 
 
 Francis Aird : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Patrik Gil- 
 laspie : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. David Dickson: Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. John 
 Neve : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Hary Livistoun : Mr. Ephram Mel- 
 vill : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Evan Cameron. 
 Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun : John Sempill : George Porterfeild : 
 John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. James Hamiltoun, James Overturs for the 
 Guthrie, John Neve, Patrik Gillaspie, to revise the Overtures Assembl y- 
 for the Generall Assembly, and to prepare a report. 
 
 The Comission appoynts that Comittee appoynted yesterday Mr. Andro 
 for considering what is to be done in publick bussines, with Ramsa y- 
 Messrs. Mungo Law and Patrik Gillaspie, to consider also what 
 is to be done in Mr. Andro Ramsayes bussines, and to report 
 their opinions. 
 
 This day, Mr. James Hamiltoun shew that Mr. John Bell and Report concern - 
 he had spoken the Lord Generall concerning the murther com- com^iainerof 1 
 plained of by the Synod of Drumfreise, and that his Lordship by Synod of 
 
 i.T-Li iii T iii Drumfreise. 
 
 shew that he had alreadie sent to cause apprehend the persones, 
 and to bring them to this town with the witnesses, and intends 
 to doe justice vpon them heir. 
 
 The nixt meeting at three afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Doug-las, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John Neve : Mr. 
 George Hamiltoun : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. John Bell : Mr. Hew 
 Mackell : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Evan 
 Cameron : Mr. David Dickson : Doctor Colvill : Mr. George Gillaspie : 
 Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Fredrik Carmichell : Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. 
 Hary Livistoun : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Andro 
 Fairfoull : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Alexander Murray : Mr. James Nasmith. 
 Elders. — Dundas: Libbertoun: Findawrie : Sir James Stewart: Law- 
 rence Henderson: John Sempill : John Mill. 
 
 The Comission appoints Mr. David Dickson and Mr. Robert 5 oo lib. sterling. 
 Baillie to speake to the Lord Thesaurer for giving at the leist 
 on yeirs payment of the 500 lib. sterling, of so many yeirs rest- 
 ing, conforme to the precept given be his Lordship, and to show 
 his Lordship that other wayes the Comission will be forced to 
 move it to the Parliament. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. John Adamson, Doctor Committee for 
 
 the Psalmes. 
 
460 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [20 april 
 
 Colvill, James Hamiltoun, John Smith, John Neve, and Patrik 
 Gillaspie, James Gutterie, to revise Rouses Psalmes, and the 
 amendements sent in from these that wer appoynted by the 
 Assembly to revise them, and to report their opinions, their 
 meeting to be the morne at 7 houres in the Colledge. 
 
 The brethren sent to Mr. Andrew Ramsay having reported 
 that they had conferred with Mr. Andro according to the 
 appoy[nt]nient of the Comission, and that Mr. Andro was readie 
 to produce another paper to the Comission, And Mr. Andro 
 having appeared him self and produced a paper, The Comission, 
 after consideration therof, doe not find that that paper con- 
 taineth that sense and acknowledgment of the offences proven 
 against him which he should have expressed. 
 
 The Comission, having againe called Mr. Andro, and desyring 
 to know if he wes sorie for the particular offences proven, He 
 answered that he wes not conscious to him self of any offence 
 given by him, but conceived him self innocent, not remembring 
 of the particulars he wes charged with, but said he was sory for 
 any offence that wes taken at anything he had spoken. 
 
 The Comission of Assembly, entering vpon the bussines con- 
 cerning Mr. Andro Ramsay, after some debate vpon the power 
 of the Comission, doe find them selves judges to that bussines, 
 notwithstanding any doubts moved to the contrairy. 
 
 The Comission continues further proceeding in the business 
 concerning Mr. Andro Ramsay vntill the morne. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 21 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Guthree: 
 Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Thomas 
 Melvill : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. John Bell : Mr. John Neve : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. Fredrick Car- 
 michaell : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie. Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun : Findawrie : John Sempill : 
 Sir James Stewart : John Mill : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 David Spense. The Comission approves the petition to the Parliament anent 
 David Spenses cariadge the 19 of March last at the reading of 
 the Declaration in the kirk of Rutherglen. Tenor quhairof 
 folio wes : — 
 
 Mr. Andrew 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
2i APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 461 
 
 4 Vnto the Honorable Estates of Parliament The humble petition 
 
 of the Comissioners of the Generall Assemblie. 
 4 Wheras it hath been oft and heavily regraited vnto ws by Petition and 
 diverse of the reverend brethren of the Synod and Presbytery agaTnirDavid 
 of Glasgow that on the Lords Day, the 19 of March last, ^^^[^ 
 David Spense, towne clerk of Rutherglen, did very scandalously 
 disturb the congregation in the forenoon befor the ending of 
 the public worship, stoping the minister, and hindering him to 
 read our Declaration, saying in the audience of all the people 
 that he, as a member of Parliament, according to the trust putt 
 vpon him, did discharge the minister to read that Declaration, 
 and withall did charge the Proveist and Baillies not to heir that 
 paper red, avoving that the Parliament had put furth a pro- 
 clamation against the reading of it, vnder paine of treason ; 
 Which most false and wicked speeches occasioned a great confu- 
 sion and disturbance in the congregatioun then assembled : Wee 
 humbly therefore beseech your Lordships to take the premisses 
 into your consideration that, according to the Act of the ij. 
 Parliament of King James 6 " Against the makers of trouble in 
 the Kirk," and according to the answer of the late Parliament, 
 February ij, 1647, to our remonstrance then presented to their 
 Honours, wherin they judged it most just and reasonable that 
 all insolencies against the judicatories of the Kirk be exemplarly 
 punished, your Lordships will be pleased to proceed and enjoyne 
 condigne censure to be inflicted vpon the foirsaid delinquent, 
 not only for troubling of the Kirk, and so high contempt to the 
 autoritie of the judicatories therof, but also for his open abusing 
 of the name and autoritie of this Honorabill Court of Parlia- 
 ment to cover and patronize his impious misdeamenoures.' 
 
 The Earles of Crafurd, Lindsay, and Murray, the Lords 
 Humby and Lee, Archbald Sydserff, and Sir Alexander Wedder- 
 burne, did this day present from the Parliament the answer to 
 the Desyres given in by the Comission of the Kirk, vpon the 
 13 and 18 of this instant, togither with their Declaration 
 desyring the Comission to consider the same, and to returne 
 their answer vpon Monday nixt at 2 afternoon. Tenor of the 
 papers aforsaid followes : — 
 
462 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 4 Edinburgh, 20 Appryle 1648. 
 ' Answers of Parliament to the Desyres given in to them be the 
 Commissioners of the Generall Assemblies and to their 
 papers given in be them vpon the 13 and 18 dayes of this 
 moneth. 1 
 
 The Answere of ' The Estates of Parliament having againe taken to their con- 
 
 the Parliament s jd era tion the Desires given in to them be the Comissioners of the 
 
 to the Desires ° 
 
 of the 13th and Generall Assemblie, and having also considered the papers given in 
 be the saids Comissioners vpon the 13 and 18 dayes of this moneth, 
 Doe conceave that the Declaration of Parliament is a full and satis- 
 factorie answer to the first 8 2 Desyres, as also to the vther tua 
 papers in sua farr as the samen ar coincident with these Desires, 
 and also 3 to the vther particulars of their tuo last papers concern- 
 ing the way and tyme of sending the Propositions to the King, 
 
 1. ' It is ansred, That the Parliament conceaves the same way is 
 now tane that hes been formerlie, and in regard the Parlia- 
 ment of England have layd asyde these Propositiones con- 
 cerning Religion and the joynt enterest of the Kingdome of 
 Scotland, wee ar necessitat to make our first applicatiouns to 
 them who most first agrie and condescend thervnto befor his 
 Majesties assent can be demanded : And that it evidently 
 appeares be the Declaratione, That we reallie intend to insist 
 for satisfactione from his Majesty in that concernes Religion 
 befor all worldly things, and that so soone as his Majestie 
 sail be in such a conditione of freedome, honour, and safety 
 as his concessiounes may be effectuat. 
 
 ' And as to that preiudice alledgit in the preparative of taking 
 resolutioune in that whilk concernes Religion without advyse 
 and consent of the Kirk, 
 
 2. ' It is ansred, That as we have never hithertills taken any 
 resolutiounes in that which concernes Religion without 
 advyse of the Kirk, and since what is now declared be the 
 Parliament in order to Religion is not vpon any new grounds 
 but in pursuance of the same grounds conteined in the 
 Covenant, in the Acts of the Generall Assemblie and Acts 
 of Parliament, and that as in our Demands concerning 
 
 1 Acts of the Parliainents of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. II. pp. 40-44. The varia- 
 tions of the text there given from that in these Records are indicated in the 
 notes which follow. The text here given, however, coincides with that in the 
 contemporary 4to print by Tyler, Edin. 1648. 
 
 2 8 first. 3 as. 
 
21 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 463 
 
 Religion the advyse of the Comissioners of the Generall 
 Assemblie have been desyred, so we sail never doe anything 
 that may preiudice the just interest and libertie of the Kirk 
 of Scotland. 
 
 3. ' And for their Desyre to be satisfied in the haill mater, It is 
 ansred, that it is cleare be the Declaratioune, which con- 
 taines the grounds and resolutiones of the Parliament on the 
 haill matter, that ther is nothing therin which doeth crosse 
 the Demands concerning Religion, or is inconsistent with the 
 securitie therof. 
 
 ' And, farder, It is ordained that, the Parliament having agreed 
 into 1 the Declaratioime, it be comunicat to the Comissioners 
 of the Generall Assembly befor it be published, And in 
 materis that concernes Religion that the Parliament will be 
 reddie to heare and consider the advyse of the Comissioune 
 of the Kirk. Extractit out of the Bookes of Parliament be 
 me, Sir Alexander Gibsone of Durie, knight, Clerk of his 
 Majesties Registers, Councell, and Rollis, vnder my signe and 
 subscription manuall. 
 
 Sic Subscribitur 
 
 ' Alex. Gibsone, Cls. Regrj.' 
 
 4 A Declaration of the Parliament of Scotland The Pariia- 
 
 4 To all 2 his Majesties good subjects of this Kingdome concern- tTon! tS Declt 
 big their resolutions for Religion, King, and Kingdoms, 
 In pursuance of the ends of the Covenant. 
 
 ' Wee, the Estates of Parliament, now conveened in the first 
 session of this second Trienniall Parliament, 3 finding the stronge 
 endeavours and attempts of disaffected persones and enemies of 
 Truth to blast and obstruct our labours in the performance of our 
 duties in order to all our relations, by traducing and calumniating 
 our proceedings, Are therfore obliged to vndeceive the abused 
 people, to vindicate ourselves from all vnjust aspertions, and to 
 clear and evidence to this Kingdom our constancie and firmnesse 
 to the Cause of God, which we find now in as great (if not greater) 
 danger then it ever was in since the begining of all thir late 4 
 troubles. 
 
 e Vpon the growing divisions and debates betuixt his Majestie 
 
 i vnto. 2 all omitted. 
 
 3 The clause now conveened, etc., is omitted. 4 late omitted. 
 
464 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 and his tuo Houses of the Parliament of England this Kingdome 
 did, for the space of neer tuo yeares, by reiterated petitions and 
 messages, offer their services and endeavours for composeing and 
 removing these dissentions and differences : But their desires 
 therin, through the councells and practises of their comon enemies, 
 wer still made ineffectual and disappoynted, vntill at length many 
 thowsands of either side wer fallen by the fuiy and rage of a cruell 
 and vnnaturall sword, and the flourishing Kingdome of England 
 turned into a field of blood. And while they wer thus with their 
 owne hands tearing out their owne bowells and massacring them- 
 selves, the Houses of Parliament, then in a very low conditione, 
 invited this Kingdome to their assistance, who finding their peti- 
 tions and addresses to his Majestie for a more naturall and amicable 1 
 decision of differences then by the sword rejected, and justly appre- 
 hending to have the dregs of that bitter cup which overflowed 
 in England poured out vpon their owne heads, if those councels 
 and advices which gave first life and motion to these dissentions 
 should still be prevalent, Did engage in a Solemne League and Cove- 
 nant for Reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and hap- 
 pines of the King, and peace and safety of the three Kingdomes. 
 In pursuance therof 2 this Kingdome joyned in armes with their 
 brethren in England, and for diverse years, through many hazards 
 and wants, did prosecute these ends, vntill, by the blessing of God 
 vpon their joint endeavours, their common enemies wer subdued, 
 and most of them brought to such condign punishment as the 
 respective Parliaments thought fitt. Therafter our Army returned 
 home vpon assurance from the tuo Houses that the Treaties and 
 Covenant should be inviolably kept. But by the contrary we find 
 that their is not ane article of the Solemne League and Covenant 
 which hes not been sinfully and dangerously violated before God, 
 angels, and men, by the prevalent party of Sectaries and their 
 adherents ; Nay, the Covenant itself like to be destroyed, or at 
 least forgot and layd asyde. For where we expected that, accord- 
 ing to the first Article of the Treaty betwixt the Kingdomes in 
 anno 1643, it should have been tane by both Kingdoms, and that 
 the not takers therof ar by the joynt Declaration of both declared 
 publick enemies to Religion and Countrey, and are to be punished 
 as professed adversaries and Malignants, wee now find, by the 
 prevalent party of Sectaries and ther adherents it is not onely 
 laid aside in the new Propositions lately sent to his Majestie to 
 
 1 amicable and naturall. 2 quhairof. 
 
2i APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 465 
 
 the lie of Wight, and no execution of publick orders for taking it 
 through the countrey, but also many persons of eminent and 
 publick trusts in the Army and elsewhere have never taken it, 
 nether are vrged thervnto. Instead of Reformatioun and defence 
 of Religion, that Reformation which by the Covenant ought to be 
 endeavoured is resisted and hindered, heresie and schisme tol- 
 lerated, vnder which most horrid blasphemies are sheltered and 
 protected, if not openly professed and allowed. Instead of main- 
 taining the rights and priviledges of Parliament, the Houses have 
 been highly disobeyed and threatned ; those who by the Cove- 
 nant ought to be brought to condigne tryall and punishment for 
 hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his 
 people, or any of the Kingdoms from another, or making any 
 faction or party amongst the people contrary to the League and 
 Covenant, have been protected and assisted, and those persecuted 
 who by the Covenant ought to be defended. Instead of a firme 
 vnion and peace 1 betuixt the Kingdoms, a breach hath been endea- 
 voured. And wheras both Kingdoms by the Solemne League and 
 Covenant are obliged to preserve his Majesties persone and 
 authoritie in the preservation and defence of the true Religion 
 and liberties of the Kingdoms, that 2 the world may bear witnesse 
 with our consciences of our loyaltie, and that we have no thoughts 
 nor intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness : 
 And the Kingdom of Scotland, having also vpon his Majesties 
 goeing from Newcastle, declared against all injury, harm, preiu- 
 dice, or violence to be done to his Royall Person ; yet by a sudden 
 surprizall his Majesty wes violently seized on and carried from his 
 house at 3 Holdenby against his owne will, and the declared resolu- 
 tions of both Kingdoms, by a party of the Army, under the comand 
 of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and by that Army thereafter caryed about 
 from place to place at their pleasure, kept and invironed with 
 strong guards within their quarters, vntill he was forced for safety 
 of his life to flee from Hampton Court, as he himself declared in 
 his message from thence. And by the power and prevalency of 
 that Army and their adherents, he is kept a close prisoner in the 
 He of Wight, and votes past declaring it high treason to make any 
 further applications to him, or receive any letters or messages 4 from 
 him ; Yea, even to that extremity are they already gone against 
 him, that it is declared they will repose no further trust in him. 
 Lykeas not onely such as had warrants for accesse to him from the 
 
 1 peace and anion. 
 
 2 all inserted. 
 
 2 G 
 
 4 messages or letters. 
 
466 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 Parliament of this Kingdom are debarred therof, notwithstanding 
 of the ingagement of the Houses, 27 January l6i7, to the contrary ; 
 but the Earle of Lauderdale, a publick minister of this Kingdom, 
 contrary to the law of nations, was violently removed from Woburn, 
 wher his Majestie then was, and not suffered to have accesse to 
 him, and though reparation therin was desired by the Comittee of 
 Estates, yet none was given : And when the saids Comissioners 
 desyred to know whether the votes against all applicatiouns to the 
 King did extend to his Majesties subjects of Scotland, to debar 
 such as are warranted by the Parliament of this Kingdom or their 
 Comitties from free access to or entercourse with his Majesty, Or 
 that he should be hindered from, and so made vncapable of any 
 act [of] Government in relation to the affaires of Scotland, no 
 answer at all was returned therto, vntill the Comissioners from both 
 Houses, now residing here, did in March last give to ws a large 
 Declaration 1 from them acclaiming the sole power of the disposing" 
 of the King in England. We do not conceive it fit at this tyme 
 to insist vpon any violation made of the Large Treaty concerning 
 the remainder of the money due vpon the brotherly assistance, 
 nor of the Treaty for the Army in Ireland, for whose service their 
 was due in anno 1643, by a subscrivet accompt, 312,000 1. sterling 
 (though we can never part from the interest of that Army till they 
 be justly satisfied for their long and faithfull services). For as 
 money neither was the cause nor motive to any of our vndertak- 
 ings nor resolutions, what ever hath been falsly suggested by our 
 enemies, so we shall not value it so much as now to mention it 
 amongst the causes and grounds of our proceedings at this tyme. 
 
 ' By the Large Treaty betuixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and 
 England it is provided, that if any armies be levied in any of the 
 Kingdoms, and the nighbour Kingdom therby harmed or wronged, 
 that then the Estates of the country by which it is done shall be 
 oblidged to pursue, take, and punish the offenders with all rigour. 
 The Kingdom of Scotland hath diverse times desired the perform- 
 ance of this Article, and, in particular, the Parliament of Scotland 
 vpon the 16 of January 1647. To which the Houses in their letter 
 of 27 of January, ingaged them selves to the Parliament of Scot- 
 land, that the English garisons being delivered vp, and the Scot- 
 tish Army marched out of England, they should take that desire 
 into speady consideration. Vpon the 16 of July 1647, the Scottish 
 Comissioners desired performance hereof ; but through the preval- 
 
 1 A Declaration of the Honourable House of Commons in Answer to the Scotch 
 Papers. London, 1648. 2 of the persone inserted. 
 
2i april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 467 
 
 ency and power of the Sectaries, no reparation, satisfaction, nor 
 answer was given. 
 
 e And although by the eight Article of the Treatie 1643 it is 
 agreed that no cessations, pacifications, nor agreement for peace 
 whatsoever shall be made by either Kingdom, or the Armies of 
 either Kingdome, without mutuall advyse and consent of both 
 Kingdoms, which ingagement the Houses of Parliament also 
 repeated in their letter of the 17 of January 1647, to observe that 
 x'Vrticle after the removall of our Army out of England, yet contrary 
 thervnto the Army of Sectaries and their adherents framed pro- 
 posals destructive to the ends of the Covenant, which wer pre- 
 sented to his Majestie without the advyse or consent of the 
 Kingdome of Scotland ; And therafter by their power and preval- 
 ency the Houses of Parliament have laid aside the Propositions 
 agreed vpon by both Kingdoms, and have, contrary to the Treaty, 
 presented Propositions and Bills to his Majesty, against which the 
 Comissioners of this Kingdome by order, and according to their 
 instructions, did protest, as being destructive to Religion, the 
 Crown, and Virion of the Kingdoms. 
 
 ' These dangers so eminently threatning Religion and Govern- 
 ment call vpon ws as Christians, as subjects, as Scotchmen, to a 
 duty to God, our King, and Countrey, and to our oppressed and 
 heavily afflicted brethren in England who are faithfull and con- 
 stant to the Cause of God. We have therfore resolved, in the 
 first place, to endevour and assay all brotherly and amicable 
 meanes of repairing and making vp such differences or breaches, 
 as may otherwise necessitat this Kingdom to ingage in a warr. 
 And therfore we do intend to send to the honorabill Houses of 
 the Parliament of England these following necessary and just 
 desires for Religion, his Majesty, and good and peace of these 
 Kingdoms : — 
 
 ' 1. That an effectuall course be tane by the Houses for enjoyning 
 the Covenant to be taken by all the subjects of the Crown 
 of England, conforme to the first Article of the Treaty, and 
 conforme to the Declaration of both Kingdoms in anno 
 1643, by which all who would not take the Covenant were 
 declared to be publick enemies to Religion and the country, 
 and that they are to be censured and punished as professed 
 adversaries and Malignants ; And that Reformation of and 
 Vniformity in Religion be setled according to the Covenant : 
 That as the Houses of Parliament have agreed to the Direc- 
 
PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 tory of Worship, so they would take a reall course for 
 the practicing therof by all the subjects in England and 
 Ireland ; That the Confession of Faith transmitted from 
 the Assemblie of Divines at Westminster to the Houses be 
 approven; And that Presbyteriall Government, with the 
 subordination of the lower Assemblies to the higher, be 
 setled and fully established in England and Ireland ; And 
 that an effectuall course be taken for suppressing and extir- 
 pating all heresies and schismes, particularly Socinianism, 
 Arminianism, Arrianism, Annabaptism, Antinomianism, 
 Erastianism, Familism, Brownism, and Independencie, and 
 for perfecting what is yet further to be done for extirpating 
 Popery and Prelacy, and suppresing the practise of the 
 Service Book, comonly called the Book of English Common 
 Prayer. 
 
 2. That, conforme to the former desires of this Kingdom, the 
 
 Kings Majesty may come with honour, freedom, and safety 
 to some of his houses in or near London, that the Parlia- 
 ments of both Kingdoms may make their applications to 
 him for obtaining his royall assent to such desires as shalbe 
 by them presented to him for establishing Religion as is 
 abone exprest, and setling a well ground[ed] peace. 
 
 3. And to the end that all members of both Houses who 
 have been faithfull to this Cause may freely and safely 
 returne and attend their charges, the city of London may 
 enjoy its liberty and priviledges, which it had before the 
 late encroachment of the Army, the Parliament may sitt 
 and voyce with freedome and safety, both Kingdoms with- 
 out interruption or disturbance may make their applications 
 to his Majesty, and the setling of Religion and peace may 
 be no longer hindred and obstructed, that the present army 
 of Sectaries, vnder the comand of Thomas, Lord Fairfax of 
 Cameron, be disbanded, and none imployed but such as 
 have or shall take the Covenant, and are well affected to 
 Religion and Government, excepting from the said disband- 
 ing the garrisons necessary to be kept vp by the Parliament 
 of England for the safety of that Kingdom, which are 
 desired to be comanded by such as have or shall take the 
 Covenant, and are well affected to Religion and Govern- 
 ment as aforesaid. 
 
 ' Wee will not doubt but the Honourable Houses will seriously 
 
2i APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 469 
 
 weigh and consider how necessary and just these our Demands are, 
 to which we will expect an satisfactory answer. But if through 
 the influence and power of the Army of Sectaries that now invirons 
 them, these our desires be slighted and rejected, yet we resolve, 
 by Gods assistance, in all our proceedings never to break on our 
 part the vnion betuixt the Kingdoms, nor to encroach vpon the 
 nationall rights of the subjects of England, or entrench vpon their 
 just liberties ; much lesse is it our intention at all to make an 
 Nationall ingagement against the Parliament and Kingdome of 
 England, but for them, whose freedom, priviledges, and happi- 
 nesse shall be ever as dear to ws as our own. And if we shall be 
 necessitat to any vndertakings in a war, We do resolve that as the 
 ingagements of this Kingdom have been constantly hitherto for 
 setling Truth and Peace vnder his Majesties Government, so they 
 shall still be for the 1 obtaining the same ends. And we will be 
 cairfull that in the managing and carying on of so pious and duti- 
 full a work, that we shall not enter into associatione and conjunc- 
 tion of forces with those who shall refuse to swear and subscribe 
 the Solemne League and Covenant, nor vse such meanes or instru- 
 ments as may discourage or disoblige the Presbyterians in England 
 who continue firme to the Solemne League and Covenant : And that 
 we will be so far from joyning or associating our selves with the 
 Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party, if they shall againe rise in 
 arms, either to oppose or obstruct all or any one of the ends of 
 the Covenant, that, on the contrary, we will oppose and endeavour 
 to suppresse them, as enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the 
 one hand, as well as Sectaries on the other. And we further 
 declare that we will give trust in our Armies and Comittees to none 
 but such as are of known integrity, abilities, and faithfulnesse to 
 this Cause and Covenant, and against whom their is no just cause 
 of exception. And as we shall endeavour the rescuing of his 
 Majesty from those who violently carried him away from Holdenby, 
 and by whose power he is still detained close prisoner, that he may 
 come with honour, freedom, and safety to some of his houses in or 
 neer to London, wher both Kingdoms may make their applications 
 to him for setling Religion and a well grounded peace, So we 
 resolve not to put in his Majesties hands, or any other whatsoever, 
 any such power wherby the foirsaid ends of the Covenant, or any 
 one of them, may be obstructed or opposed, Religion or Presby- 
 terian Government indangered ; But, on the contrary, before any 
 
 the omitted. 
 
470 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 agreement or condition to be made with his Majesty, having found 
 his late concessions and offers concerning Religion not satisfactory, 
 that he give assurance by his solemne oath, vnder his hand and 
 seal, that he shall for him self and his successours give his Royall 
 assent, and agree to such Act or Acts of Parliament and Bills as 
 shall be presented to him by his Parliaments of both or either 
 Kingdoms respective, for enjoyning the League and Covenant, 
 and fully establishing Presbyteriall Government, Directory of 
 Worship, and Confession of Faith in all his Majesties dominions, 
 and that his Majesty shall never make any opposition to any of 
 those, nor endeavour any change therof. And, further, to shew 
 and evidence the candor and reality of our intentions, we are will- 
 ing to subjoyne to the grounds of our vndertakings ane oath, 
 wherein, both in the framing therof and otherwayes, we are willing 
 the Church shall have hir due interest as formerly in the like cases. 
 
 ' And albeit we are resolved not to engage in any war before 
 the necessity and lawfulnesse therof be cleared, so as .all who are 
 well affected may be satisfied therwith ; and that reparation to such 
 breaches and injuries as are or shall be condescendit on, shall be 
 demanded in such a just and fitt way as shall be found most law- 
 full and expedient, yet we cannot be answereable to the great 
 trust laid vpon ws, if, seeing so imminent and great dangers to all 
 that is dearest to ws, we did not make vse of our authority and 
 power for the common safety of this 1 Kingdom, And therfore we 
 have resolved to put this Kingdom presently in a posture of defence 
 as it was in anno 1643. 
 
 ' And now, as many of the dangers, with the grounds and resolu- 
 tions in pursuance of our duties, are hereby made known to this 
 Kingdom, so we are assured that all and every one who have 
 any zeal to Religion, love to Monarchical 1 Government, sense of 
 the sufferings and imprisonment of their King, affection to their 
 oppressed brethren in England, or desire to preserve the privi- 
 ledges of Parliament and liberty of the subject, will chearfully in 
 such an exigent (while the eyes of all Christendom are on ws) 
 rouze vp them selves, and contribute their best endeavours, as they 
 shall be required by ws, in pursuance of all the ends of the Cove- 
 nant, alswell for Religion as for his Majesties Person and Govern- 
 ment, and priviledges of Parliament; in doing whereof we shall 
 witnesse to the world that w T e have not swerved from these our 
 rst principles contained in our Nationall Covenant and in our 
 
 1 the for this. 
 
2i april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 471 
 
 Solemne League and Covenant, whereby we did solemnly swear 
 and promise 1 before God and his angels To endeavor in our severall 
 places and callings the Reformation of and Vniformity in Religion 
 and Church Government in all his Majesties dominions, according 
 to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches ; 
 and not only to the outmost of our power with our meanes and lives 
 to stand to the defence of our dread Soveraign, his Person and 
 Authority in the preservation of the true Religion and liberties of 
 the Kingdoms ; But also in every cause, which may concern his 
 Majesties honour, to concur according to the laws of this Kingdom 
 and duty of good subjects ; and also hereby give a singular proof 
 of the good intentions of all that maintain Presbyteriall Govern- 
 ment, that they are not enemies to Monarchic, as they are falsely 
 by ther enemies branded. And, in particular, this Kingdom of 
 Scotland will now make it evident, as they often declared, That 
 their quietness, stability, and happiness doth depend vpon the 
 safety of the Kings Majesties Person and maintenance of his 
 greatnesse and Royal Authority, who is Gods Vice-gerent set over 
 ws for maintenance of Religion and ministration 2 of justice ; Having 
 so many bands and ties of duty and subjection to his Majestie and 
 his Government, who is our native King, from a longer series and 
 discent of his Royall Progenitors then can be paralleld in Europe, 
 That we resolve closely and constantly to adhere therevnto, as 
 also to all the ends of the Covenant. 
 
 Sic Subscribitur, Alex. Gibson, Cler. Regist.' 
 
 A letter to the Comission, and a supplication to the Parlia- Thanks to the 
 ment, from the Provinciall Synod of Merse and Tiviotdaill, Sfer^Sd ° f 
 presented be Mr. William Jamison, Mr. Thomas Ramsay, Mr. Teviotdaie. 
 John Somervaill, Sir AValter Riddell, and Gallosheills, the 
 Comission having read the letter and petition, did blesse the 
 Lord for so faithfull a testimony from them, and gave them 
 hearty thanks for their cair and labours at such a tyme. 
 
 6 Right reverend and much beloved in the Lord, — We Letter from the 
 received your letters of the dait the last of March, whereby £ ovincia 5 of 
 
 /» i i Merse and 
 
 we were much refreshed, and have and salbe cairfull to give Teviotdaie. 
 satisfaction in all the particulars therof ; and we cannot but 
 heartily blesse the Lord for so tymeous and faithfull remem- 
 brancers. This dangerous tyme wherin it hath pleased God to 
 cast our lott calls for men of such abilitie and fidelitie, and shall 
 
 1 and promise omitted. Administrationne for and ministration. 
 
472 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [21 april 
 
 we not be thankfull to him who hath sett such vpon the watch- 
 tower, who have both wysely descryed the dangers, as your 
 Declaration sheweth, and doe couragiously endeavour the 
 remedies, as daylie report bringeth to our earis ? We heare 
 what opposition ye encounter ; So long as the Lord continueth 
 a Kirk on earth, that will be the lot thereof. Ye are not 
 ignorant either of the wyles or wayes of Sathan ; but be sure, if 
 ye faint not, ye shall receive the fruit of your labours, yea, even 
 here, a wished success to them, and heir after the Croune of 
 righteousnes which is the reward of all those who are faithfull 
 in there Masters service, which is the hope, and shall be the 
 earnest prayer of 
 
 6 Your loveing brethren of the Provinciall 
 
 of Merse and Tiviotdaill. 
 Sic Subscribitiu\ M R . Jo. Kxox, Cle. 
 
 Jedburgh, B?J coman d of the Provinciall Assemblie 
 
 the 19 ofApryle 1648. of Merse and Tiviotdaill* 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. James Guthrie, John Smith, 
 Fredrick Carmichaell, George Lesly, Libbertoun, and Fin- 
 dawrie, to accompany the brethren of Merse and Tiviotdaill 
 in presenting the petition of that Synod to the Parliament at 2 
 afternoon. 
 
 Committee for The Comission appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. 
 
 pTriLmenfs the Messrs. David Dickson, Robert Baillie, George Gillaspie, James 
 
 Declaration. Hamiltoun, Fredrick Carmichaell, John Smith, George Leslie, 
 James Guthrie, Dundas, Libbertoun, Findawrie, and Sir James 
 Stewart, to be a Comittee to consider the Declaration and the 
 vther papers presented this day from the Parliament, and to 
 prepair a drawght of an answer, and to report. 
 
 David Spense. The Comission appoynts Messrs. John Bell, George Hamil- 
 toun, Colin Adam, and John Neve, Lawrence Henderson, to 
 present the petition concerning David Spense before mentioned 
 to the Parliament. 
 
 David Spense. The Comission recomends to the Presbytery of Glasgow to 
 proceed against David Spence ecclesiasticallie for his miscariage 
 m the Kirk of Rutherglen. 
 
 This day a letter from Presbytery of Lithgow, bearing the 
 report from them, produced. Tenor quhairof followes : — 
 
24 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 473 
 
 4 Right Reverend, — Wee have receaved your Declaratione, Report from 
 together with the Act ordaining the samen to be read in all Lithgow7 ° 
 our churches the first Sabboth day after the recept therof ; 
 Which hath been done by ws all, and, wherin any hath not 
 evidenced such affection as became in the reading of the 
 samyne, we trust ere long to give ane account of our diligence 
 in the tryall therof. It cannot be expressed how much we 
 have been refreshed from tyme to tyme by your seasonable 
 warnings, trew informations, and vsefull Declarations, as for- 
 merlie, so especiallie at this nick of tyme, wherin your Chris- 
 tiane courage, fervent zeall, and vnwearied constancy in 
 standing on the brunt of so many difficulties, and opposeing 
 the sperit of a backslyding generation, doeth ingadge and 
 greatly oblidge ws both to praise the Lord for his gratious 
 assistance he hath vouchsafed in tyme bygone, and also to pray 
 earnestlie for yow both publicklie and privatlie, that the Lord 
 would make yow a defenced citie and an iron pillar against 
 all that oppose yow, and that in all your proceedings yow may 
 be so filled with the spirit of judgment, that you may con- 
 tinually make glad the heart of the righteous ; Which ever 
 shall be the earnest desire of 
 
 6 Your affectionat brethren. 
 Sic Subscribitur, M R . Ro. Row, Cler. 
 
 in name of' the Presbytery of Lhxlythgou\ 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. Wil- 
 liam Colvill : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. John Smith : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Hary Livistoun : 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. 
 John Neve. Elders. — Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart: John Sempill : 
 John Mill. 
 
 The nixt meeting on Mononday at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 Apr His 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Baillie : Doctor Colvill : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. John Smith : 
 Mr. Patrik Gillaspy : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Harie Livistoun : Mr. 
 
474 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [24 april 
 
 William Penman: Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Neve: Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. William Colvill : Mr. John Duncan: Mr. Hew Mackaell : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. 
 Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. John Bell : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. James 
 Nasmith. Elders. — Lord Angus: Libbertoun : Findawrie : Sir James 
 Stewart : Lawrence Henderson : John Sempill. 
 
 This day a Report from the Presbytery of Drumfreise con- 
 cerning the Lord Herreis his satisfaction, and their reiding of 
 the Declaration. Tenor qnhairof followes : — 
 
 'At Drwnfrcis, 14 December 1647. 
 
 Report con- ' Whereas John, Lord Herreis, presented to the Presbytery 
 Lord^erreiss the last dyet ane missive and Act from the Comission of the 
 satisfaction and Generall Assembly, praescrivin^ the maner of his Lordships 
 
 relaxation. ^ 
 
 satisfaction, The Presbyterie, in obedience therto, having 
 appoynted Mr. William Macjore to receave the same in Drum- 
 freis, the said Mr. William reported that the said Lord had 
 given full obedience in every poynt required, viz., first he did 
 seale his confession of his haynous offence of malignancy and 
 joyning with the rebells, for which he acknowledged him self 
 to have been justly excomunicat ; nixt, presenting him self in 
 sack, in a place sett apart before the pulpit, genibus jleocis did 
 iterat the said confession, abjured Poperie, subscrived the 
 Nationall and Mutuall League and Covenant. 
 
 ' Extraction per M R . H. Fareis, clericum 
 Presbyterii DrumfrisiensisS 
 
 Their Report 
 of reading the 
 Declaration of 
 the Comission. 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 ' At Dritmfreis, 28 March 1648. 
 
 ' The brethren of the Presbytery of Drumfreis being severallie 
 demanded, reported their diligence anent the reading of the 
 Declaration of the Comission of the Generall Assemblie, which 
 wes performed the Lords Day imediatlie praeceiding this dyet. 
 6 Extraction per M . H. Fareis, Clericum Presbyterii: 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Dickson, Robert 
 Baillie, Fredrick Carmichaell, Patrik Gillaspie, James Guthrie, 
 James Nasmith, with the Moderator, Libbertoun, Findawrie, 
 and Sir James Stewart, to consider what is to be done in Mr. 
 Andro Ramsayes bussines, and to report their opinions. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 hours. 
 
25 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 475 
 
 Edinburgh, 24 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 Sederunt vt supra. 
 The Comission continues the meeting vntill 5 afternoon, and 
 appoynts the Comittee appoynted vpon Fryday to meet pre- 
 sently and praepare their Report against that tyme. 
 
 Eodem die, hora 5< z . 
 Sederunt vt supra. 
 The Comission continues the meeting vntill the morne at 
 7 houres in the morning, and desyres all the brethren to keep 
 that dyet, and to advertise others that are in towne. 
 
 Edinburgh, 25 Aprilis 1648, hora 7, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. John Bell : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. James Guthrie: 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Hew Mackell : 
 Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. John Neve : Mr. David Dick- 
 son : Mr. J ohn Duncan : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. William Penman : Mr. 
 Alexander Muncreiff: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Harie Livistoun: Mr. 
 Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Doctor Colvill : Mr. John 
 Smith: Mr. Robert Baillie. Elders. — Dundas : Sir James Stewart: 
 Lawence Henderson: John Semple. 
 
 This day a paper presented bearing a protestation, togither Approbation of 
 with a returne to the Parliaments papers from the Comittee, a nd Return to 
 the Comission, having seriously considered the same, doe vnani- J^* 6 Parlia ~ 
 mously approve the said Protestation, as also the returne to 
 the Parliament, and appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderator, 
 Messrs. John Adamson, David Dickson, Robert Blair, Robert 
 Baillie, John Duncan, Samuell Rutherfurd, William Colvill, 
 John Smith, John Bell, Dundas, Libbertoun, Findawrie, and 
 Lawrence Henderson, to present it to the Parliament. Tenor 
 wherof followes : — 
 
 'Edinburgh, 25 Aprill 1648. 
 
 4 The Humble Return of the Comission of the Generall Assem- 
 bly to the Answer of the Honor abill and High Court of 
 Parliament to our 8 Desires, and to our papers of the 13 
 and 18 of this moneth. 
 
 4 Whereas your Lordships did comunicat vnto ws your large The Protesta- 
 Declaration, containing principally your Lordships resolutions toTh^Padki"™ 
 concerning dangers and dewties relating to Religion, we wish ment - 
 
476 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 april 
 
 your Lordships had been so tender of the liberties and due 
 interest of the Generall Assemblie and their Comissioners as to 
 have comunicat to ws a bussines so highly concerning Religion 
 before, not after your Lordships resolutions taken therin, and 
 that your Lordships had not given just cause to so many and 
 so considerable members of Parliament, who have given most 
 reall and constant testimony of their integrity in this Cause, 
 to dissent from and protest against your Lordships proceeding 
 to determine a bussines of this nature without consultation 
 with ws, and our consent had therin. For our part, the trust 
 comitted to ws is so pretious, that we may not hold our peace 
 
 n such a case, but must freely professe and declare to your 
 Lordships, That, this act being reallie a taking from ws to your 
 
 elves the antecedent judgment and determination of dangers 
 and dewties so highly concerning Religion, in this present 
 juncture of affaires, The liberties of the Kirk ar so farr pre- 
 j udiced as could not have entered in our hearts to expect, after 
 so solemne obligations 4 to preserve and mantaine the doctrine, 
 discipline, and government of the Kirk of Scotland. 1 Wee 
 therfore protest for the preservation of the liberties of this 
 Kirk, according to the Word of God, solemne Covenants, 
 former laws and lawdable customes of this Kirk and Kingdom, 
 and that this act of your Lordships be no preparative for the 
 future, Finallie, that it shall be yet free vnto ws, according 
 to the duty of our place, and as ther shall be cause, to give 
 our judgment, in an ecclesiasticall way, of the materialls of the 
 said Declaration, so farre as Religion is therein concerned, as 
 freely as if your Lordships had taken no resolution thervpon. 
 These things being premissed, and desireing your Lordships to 
 remember what we did formerly professe in our late petition, 
 that we never were, nor now are, averse from an Ingagment, 
 being first satisfied in the grounds of vndertaking and in the 
 way of manadging the same, We proceid to make our humble 
 returne to your Lordships answer of the 20th of this moneth 
 to our eight Desires and to our papers of the 13th and 18 of 
 this same moneth. Wheras your Lordships conceive that your 
 Declaration comunicat vnto ws is a full and satisfactory answer 
 to our eight Desires, we must clearly professe to your Lordships 
 that we can find no such thing: in that Declaration as a satis- 
 
25 APRIL.] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 477 
 
 faction to our eight Desires, but that we find diverse things in 
 it which we humbly conceive to be very prejudiciall to these 
 our Desires, and of very dangerous consequence to the Cause of 
 God and the Solemne League and Covenant. And for the 
 particulars we shall expresse our sense therof in a distinct 
 paper, as soone as we can put our thoughts in order, which we 
 hope shall be very shortly. 
 
 6 As to our other tuo papers, give ws leave to put your Lord- 
 ships in mind of some particulars contained therin which we 
 observe not to be touched much lesse satisfied by your Lord- 
 ships, either in your answer of the 20th or in the Declaration, 
 as, namely, (1) In our paper of the 13, we desire your Lordships 
 seriously to ponder how vow can make the refusall of that 
 Demand concerning Religion a cause of warre against the 
 Parliament of England, with whom this Nation wes lately 
 engaged in a warr for defence of the League and Covenant 
 and the ends therof, when the King wes in armes against both, 
 and yet engadge in warre for the King whilst he refuseth to 
 give satisfaction in that which concernes Religion and the 
 Covenant, and will come no further at the vtmost than to leave 
 the same arbitrarie. Shall the refusall of one and the same Desire 
 be in the Parliament of England a cause of warre, and yet in 
 the King not so much as ane impediment to assistance, even 
 whilst we have just cause to fear that he will employ his power 
 against the Cause and Covenant ? (2) Neither doe we find any 
 answer to that part of our petition of the 18th which con- 
 cerneth his Majesties negative voice, there expressed vnder the 
 name of such power as may not onely bring the bygone pro- 
 ceedings of both Kingdoms in the League and Covenant in 
 question, but also for the tyme to come make void all the 
 authority of Parliaments, though proceeding never so rightly in 
 reference to Religion and liberties of the Kingdoms, which made 
 ws desyre your Lordships might be farr from interessing your 
 selfs in any thing that may put such a power in his Majesties 
 hands. (3) We have received no answer to that part of the 
 same petition wherin it was desired that if any within the three 
 Kingdoms who doe not sweare and subscribe the Solemne 
 League and Covenant rise in armes, your Lordships will hold 
 them all for professed adversaries and malignants, and endeavour 
 
478 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 april 
 
 to suppresse them. (4) Nor find we any thing in your Lordships 
 answers or Declaration in reference to that clause of our peti- 
 tion, ' That your Lordships may let his Majesty and all others 
 know that what yow intend on his behalf is with a subordina- 
 tion to Religion and the security therof." 
 
 6 Some particulars in those tuo papers your Lordships are 
 pleased to make answer vnto; And, first,to that which we desired 
 concerning applications to be made to the Kings Majestie as 
 well as to the Parliament of England for satisfaction in poynt 
 of Religion, your Lordships answer, 'That the Parliament 
 conceives the same way is now taken that hath been formerly,"' 
 which we doe not vnderstand to be so, not having k no wen 
 heretofore such a way of sending Demands of this nature to the 
 Parliament of England, but that the Parliament of England 
 were alwayes desired to concurre with this Kingdom in the 
 sending of propositions to his Majestie. And whatsoever the 
 Houses of Parliament have done in laying aside diverse of the 
 Propositions concerning Religion formerly agreed vpon by both 
 Kingdoms, yet we conceive 'tis still the duty of this Kingdome 
 to insist with his Majesty vpon their just and lawdable desires 
 for setling the Reformation and Vniformitie of Religion accord- 
 ing to the Covenant, for the reasons already expressed in our 
 petition ; And so much the rather becaus, after so many 
 vnsatisfactory answers and messages from his Majestie, we doe 
 not expect a right vnderstanding betueen his Majestie and his 
 people,/till somewhat proceed from him towards a clear satisfac- 
 tion of the just desires of his people, and especially in poynt 
 of Religion. And althogh his Majestie be not presently in 
 that condition as that he may make a perfect setlement of 
 Religion, yet we know not why, even in the condition he now 
 is in, there may not be applications made to him for obtaining 
 from him security and assurance for the setling of Religion 
 according to the Covenant. And wheras your Lordships, by 
 that which followeth in your answer, let ws know that yow 
 suspend your insisting for satisfaction from his Majesty in 
 Religion, till he shalbe in such a conditione of freedome, 
 honour, and safety as his concessions may be efFectuat, to passe 
 the ambiguity which may be conceived in these last words, and 
 what concessions are meant, whethfer] his Majesties future 
 
25 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 479 
 
 concessions ar those already granted, we doe not thinke this 
 delay saffe, neither can we know how long it may be. 
 Withall, this clause gives some light to that part of your 
 Lordships Declaration for his Majesties comeing with honour, 
 freedome, and safety to some of his housses in or near London ; 
 This honour, freedom, and safety being conceived by your 
 Lordships to be such as may inable his Majesty to effect uatt 
 his concessions concerning Religion, appeareth to ws to be no 
 lesse than a restoring of his Majestie to the exercise of his 
 royall power without security first had from him for setling 
 Religion. 
 
 6 The secound part of your Lordships answer, we humbly con- 
 ceive, doth rather con firme than satisfy our just complaints 
 concerning resolutions taken by your Lordships in maters or 
 Religion without the advise and consent of the Kirk. For 
 when your Lordships say 4 That what is now declared by the 
 Parliament in order to Religion is not vpon any new grounds, 
 but in pursuance of the same grounds contained in the Covenant 
 and in the Acts of the Generall Assemblie, yea, that in your 
 Lordships Demand concerning Religion our advise was desired,' 
 all this addeth to our just greivance intimating to ws that your 
 Lordships interpret the Covenant and Acts of the Generall 
 Assemblie otherwise then we doe ; For we cannot conceive 
 how your Lordships Declaration agreeth with the grounds of 
 the Covenant and Acts of the Generall Assemblie, but that it 
 goeth vpon new grounds not contained in them. 'Tis true our 
 advise was desired in that Demand concerning Religion, but 'tis 
 also true that the Demand was resolved vpon by your Lordships 
 before our advise was desired, and that the answere and advise 
 returned from ws hath not found good acceptance, neither have 
 your Lordships proceeded according to the same. And wheras 
 your Lordships say 6 That as yow^have never hithertills taken 
 anie resolutions in that which concernes Religion without 
 advise from the Kirk (and here give instance in those particulars 
 complained of by ws), so yow shall never doe any thing that 
 may prejudice the just interest and liberty of the Kirk of 
 Scotland,'' As we shall not call to mind all that is past, so that 
 which is here expressed by your Lordships doth yet further add 
 to our greivance ; For to paralell and proportion the measur 
 
480 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 april 
 
 which we may expect for the future with that which we have 
 in these late passages received from your Lordships can not but 
 leave ws vnder just fears and sad apprehensions. 
 
 ' The thrid part of your Lordships answer is in reference to 
 our Desire of being satisfied vpon the whole mater, where your 
 Lordships againe referre ws to the Declaration as containing 
 the grounds and resolutions of the Parliament on the whole 
 matter. This we are not able to reconcile with that passage 
 in the Declaration where your Lordships professe that yow are 
 resolved not to ingage in any warre before the necessity and 
 lawfulnesse tlierqf' be cleared, so as all who ar well affected may 
 be satisfied therewith, and that reparation to such breaches or 
 injuries as are or shall be condescended on shall be demanded in 
 such a just and fitt way as shall be found most lawfull and 
 expedient ; The one passage holdeth furth to ws satisfaction 
 on the whole matter, the other holdeth ws still in suspence till 
 the necessity and lawfulnes of the warre be cleared, and the 
 way of demanding reparation resolved vpon. For that your 
 Lordships are pleased to say in the end 'that it is clear by the 
 Declaration that there is no thing there in which doth crosse 
 the Demands concerning Religion, or is inconsistent with the 
 security therof What reason we have to be of another judg- 
 ment shall appeare to your Lordships in our other paper, which 
 we are to present to your Lordships concerning the Declaration, 
 vnto which we refer our selves concerning our sense of other 
 particulars in the bussines not here expressed.'' 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. James Nasmith to pray this 
 day in Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9.5 Aprilis 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. —Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Ruth erf urd : Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. John Neve: Mr. Patrik 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Hary Livistoun : Mr. William 
 Penman: Mr. John Smith: Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. Hew Mackell : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. James Guthrie : Doctor Colvill : Mr. George Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. Alexander Mouncreiff : Mr. Andro Fairfull : Mr. James Hamilltoun : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. J ohn Duncan : Mr. 
 Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Andro Fleck. Elders. — Dundas : Sir James 
 Stewart: JohnSempill: Lawrence Henderson. 
 
25 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 481 
 
 The Moderator reported that the paper sent to the Parlia- Report from 
 ment wes read, and all the answer given wes, That they had 
 comitted it to the consideration of a Comittee, and after their 
 report they wold tak it to their own consideration. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assemblie having taken to Act concerning 
 consideration the particulars in the charge concerning Mr. Ramsay^and 
 Andro Ramsay his doctrine and prayer, found proven, to wit, [^Sxt^uar 
 the 7 article, bearing that vpon the last day of March, preach- terly meeting 
 ing on Daniel 9, v. 4, he said, 6 Now we have gotten the purity m May ' 
 of Religion established amongst ws with the Kings consent, 
 and for ought I know (said he) he lies consentit to establish it 
 amongst our neighbours ; but I am suire he hes given promises 
 quhen he comes to his power to settle it' : And the first part of 
 the 8 article, bearing that, March 12, vpon the said text he 
 spoke these words, ' This I say, that Presbyteriall Government 
 being setled, wee should not abuse it, for as bishops wer a 
 government but humain, so is Presbyteriall Government, altho 
 I confesse it comes nearest to the Word of God, yet I say, let 
 them not vsurp abone their power as bishops did, for it is but 
 human, as I can prove."' And that part of the 10 article con- 
 cerning his praying for the King, viz., after sermon praying for 
 the King he said, 4 God forgive ws for what we have done to 
 him ' : — Doe declare these particulars to be contrary to the 
 Word of God, destructive to the Covenant and worke of Refor- 
 mation, and sclanderous against the proceedings of this Kirk 
 and Kingdom ; And also considering the poynt delivered by him 
 concerning the dispensing with blood in caise of murther, given 
 in to them by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, who had judged 
 the same vnsound and vnseasonable, Doe approve of their judg- 
 ments therin. And becaus he also lyes vnder the scandall of 
 diverse other materiall poynts of malignancie, wherein it is 
 needful to vse tryall, Therfore refers the tryall of these poynts, 
 and the wholl proces concerning him, to the nixt quarterly 
 meeting in Maij. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd and Mr. 
 George Hamiltoun to preach in Parliament the nixt Sabboth. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. David Dickson to pray the 
 morne, and Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell vpon Thursday, in Par- 
 liament. 
 
 2 H 
 
482 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [25 April 
 
 Thanks to 
 Provinceof 
 Anguse. 
 
 Lettei from 
 Province of 
 Angus. 
 
 Letter from the Province of Angus, produced by Mr. Andro 
 Fleck and Mr. D. Cambell, wes redd, together with a petition 
 from that Province to the Parliament, which the Commission 
 very gladly and heartily thanked God for, And therfor appoynts 
 Messrs. David Fletcher, Colin Adam, and John Neve, to assist 
 the brethren at the presenting of it to the Parliament. Tenor 
 of the letter folio wes : — 
 
 6 Reverend and worthie brethren, — Wee wer not a litle 
 conforted by the cuming of your last to our hands, which is 
 esteimit of ws in these sad tymes a meane contributing much 
 for our refreshing ; and so long as it shall please our Lord to 
 blisse ws with this mutuall comunication, we will hold it as a 
 token that God hes not cast off all delight in ws, and may yet 
 receeave a free offering from our hands. Wee find it lyand 
 vpon ws to represent to yow what we owe to God on your 
 behalf for your fervent zeale to God and his treuth, your 
 vnwearied paines and labour of love for the worke of God and 
 good of his people, wherof ye have given many and singuler 
 proofis ; And amidst many mae we cannot but give to the last 
 emitted by yow to this whole Kirk and Kingdome its well 
 deserved roome amongst the chiefest, even to that most neces- 
 sary and withall most seasonable Declaration, the sensible good 
 of which, and that in due tyme, all those will acknowledge, 
 and we among their number, who wer sensible of the great 
 thick mist, that was vpon the face of bussines, by its meane dis- 
 pellit ; And does so heartily blesse God for it, and your paines 
 taken in emitting of it, that we have begune already to try 
 and have recomendit to our severall Presbyteries to try every- 
 thing in our selves or others within our compasse that shall in 
 the meanest way rubb vpon it, and have ordered an account to 
 be made according to your desire. 
 
 6 And we cannot but find our selves bound to blesse God for 
 your prudence in delaying to give your judgment in a matter 
 of such consequence concerning the state of a question for 
 warre, vntill ye shall vnderstand the whole complext bussines, 
 and that we esteame it not amongs the least of the goodnes 
 of our God to ws, that yow preferre still to let ws have informa- 
 tion from yow in our severall Presbyteries concerning publict 
 affaires, and ye may expect to be tymously acquainted by ws 
 with anything that neids publict advyse. 
 
25 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 483 
 
 4 And we, by the help of our God, according to his good 
 hand vpon ws, joyne with yow in seriously looking vpon the 
 cause of the Lords wrath against the land, and will more 
 narrowlie search into the sinnes of it vntill they shall be 
 found out, and bring a catalogue of them with our best over- 
 tures for remedie (as we have begunne at this our meeting to 
 condescend vpon one which is a ringleading sinne — hie profana- 
 tioun of the Sabboth, and have found some good help against 
 the same), and appoynted a solemne humiliation within our 
 bounds for all the abominations done in the land. Wee cannot 
 bot regrate with yow that some of our number, who ar members 
 of your venerable meeting, have ether not keept with yow at 
 all in such a tyme when things that have so neere concern- 
 ment to Religion have been agitat, or have with drawen them 
 selves so soone, and have expostulat with our brethren for it, 
 and taken them promisit for better keeping in tyme to come. 
 
 ' Wee have been examining who they be amongst ws that 
 converse with excomunicat persons, and cannot but regrate to 
 yow that whill we have been doeing, and still ar doeing, our 
 best against this evill, we find our labour lossit, and that 
 sentence which should be a terrour to wicked men, is now 
 rendered voyde and contemptible in regard of the civill 
 magistrat his wanting in his part ; And particularlie against on 
 John Ogilvie, now tuentie yeirs excomunicat, a great perverter 
 of Gods people, living in the Presbytery of Meegill, whilk we 
 intreat yow seriously to represent to the Parliament. Wee 
 have receaved Mr. Zacharie Boyd his travaills, sent to ws 
 be yow, and are to revise them and prepare a report to the 
 Assembly. We have also caused our Clerk deliver a coppie to 
 our severall Presbitries of your letter. Thus dayly putting vp 
 for yow to the throne of grace, that God would confort and 
 establish your hearts, and creat his clud over your assembly, 
 we rest 
 
 4 Your affectionat brethren in our Lord, 
 4 The Provinciall Assemblie of Angus and Mearnis. 
 Sic Subscribitur, 
 
 Mr. Androw Auchinleck, Moderator, 
 
 Aberbrothick, in name °f the Assembly, 
 
 the day of Mr. R. Malcolm, Clerk? 
 
 Aprill 1648. 
 
484 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [26 april 
 
 Comittee ap- 
 poynted for 
 considering 
 Parliaments 
 papers to meet. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the Comittee named vpon the 21 
 of Aprill, for considering the papers presented from the Parlia- 
 ment, to meet presently, and to consider what is further to be 
 done, and adds to that Comittee Messrs. Robert Blair, Samuell 
 Rutherfurd, and Andro Affleck, and John Semple ; And refers 
 also to that Comittee to consider of the motion of printing 
 some sermons preached in this towne at this tyme, wherby it 
 is conceived good information might be given to the people, 
 and to report their opinions. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Commissioner 
 from Irland. 
 
 Edinburgh, 26 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. John Bell: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. David Fletcher: 
 Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Hew Mackell : Mr. Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill :" Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Robert 
 Baillie : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. Evan Cameron : 
 Mr. John Duncan : Mr. George Duncan : Mr. Andro Affleck. Elders. — 
 Dundas : Sir James Stewart : John Semple : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission desires Mr. Hew Mackall to preach for Mr. 
 George Gillaspie vpon the Sabboth, and Mr. Robert Blair 
 vpon Mononday, in respect of his present distraction in pre- 
 paring an answer to the Parliaments Declaration. 
 
 This day Mr. William Cunyngham having reported that he 
 had some instructions from the Presbyterie of Carrickfergus to 
 communicat to this meeting, Therefore the Comission appoynts 
 the Comittee appoynted for preparing an answer to the Parlia- 
 ments Declaration to hear any instructions he hes, and to 
 report. 
 
 The nixt meeting of the Comission at 4 houres afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. Andro Affleck : Mr. Evan 
 Cameron : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill: Mr. John Duncan: Mr. Alexander Muncreiff: Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. George Lesly: Mr. John Bell: Mr. 
 John Neve : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Fredrick 
 Carmichaell : Mr. Colin Adam: Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Dundas: 
 Findawrie : Lawrence Henderson : John Semple. 
 
 The Commision thinks fitt to dissolve at this tyme, that the 
 Comittee for preparing an answer to the Parliaments Declara- 
 
27 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 485 
 
 tion may meet presently, and the nixt meeting of the Comis- 
 sion to be the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Andro Affleck to pray the 
 morne in Parliament, and Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell. 
 
 Edinburgh, 27 Aprilis 1648. 
 Sederunt vt supra. 
 
 The Comission continues their meeting vntill the morne at 
 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 28 Aprilis 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Ephram 
 Melvill : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Evan Cameron : 
 Mr. John Smith: Mr. John Neve: Mr. John Adamson : Mr. David 
 Fletcher : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell 
 Rutherfurd : Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Colin Adam : 
 Mr. Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Mungo Law. 
 Elders. — Dundas : Findawrie : Sir William Scott, younger : Newtoun : 
 John Semple : John Mill. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt that there be a fast through all a Fast, 
 the kirks of this Kingdome vpon the last Sabboth of May nixt. 
 
 The Comission, having considered a letter drawen to give 
 information to Presbyteries of the estat of the bussines here, 
 doe approve therof, and appoynts in the postscript to add the 
 indiction of the Fast. Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend brethren, — In our letter of the last of Merch to Letter to 
 the Synods, which we suppose all of yow have seen and pervsed, Presb y tenes - 
 we did acquaint yow with our Desires given in to the honorabill 
 Estates of Parliament about that tyme, and since, after some 
 conferences had and some papers interchanged betuixt their 
 Lordships and ws vpon these Desyres, whilst we have receaved 
 no satisfactione therto, they wer pleased to fall vpon the con- 
 sideration of the breaches of the Treatie and Covenant, and 
 have resolved to send Demands vnto the Parliament of England 
 for reparation therin. On of these Demands concerning Reli- 
 gion, having first voted the same before our advyse and consent 
 was sought theranent, they did therafter comunicat vnto ws 
 that we might returne our thoughts thervpon. In answer to 
 which, after some insinuation of their laying aside of their 
 former way of applicatione, both to the King and the Parlia- 
 ment of England, and of their incroching vpon the liberties 
 
486 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 of the Kirk by their taking resolutione in that which con- 
 cerned Religion without ws, and conceaving the Demand (in 
 caice it should be refused) to be intended as a ground of warre, 
 we delayed to give any judgment therof vntill our former 
 Desires should be first satisfied, and withall intreated that their 
 Lordships would be pleased to comunicat vnto ws their resolu- 
 tions vpon the whole matter, that we might sie that all things 
 wer so caried on as would contribute for secureing of Religion 
 and preserving of the Vnion betuixt the Kingdoms; And therafter 
 did present vnto thair Lordships ane humble and earnest peti- 
 tion pressing an answer to our former Desires, and containing 
 an exoneration of our selves and of the Kirk of Scotland if they 
 should refuse to hearken thervnto ; which their Lordships having 
 considered did after some dayes comunicat vnto ws a Declara- 
 tion containing the grounds and resolutions of the Parliament 
 vpon the whole matter, togither with an other paper which 
 referreth ws to the Declaration for satisfaction to our eight 
 Desires, and containeth their answer to the other particulars 
 which we had added in our petition and in our answer vpon the 
 Demand concerning Religion, and intimateth to ws that in 
 those things in their Declaratioun which concerne Religion they 
 will be ready to hear and consider the advise of the Comission 
 of the Kirk. But, after pervsall of the Declaratioune and of their 
 other papers, we ar farr from finding satisfactione to our first 
 Desires or to the other particulars afterwards given in by ws to 
 their Lordships ; which, as we have already in part by a paper 
 of the 25 of this instant, so we resolve in a very short tyme 
 more fully to represent to their Lordships ; And conceaving the 
 liberty of the Kirk to be very farr prejudiced by the Parlia- 
 ments proceeding to determine in these things which so nearly 
 and highly concerne Religion, without the advise and consent 
 of the Kirk (many considerable members of Parliament, who 
 have been of constant integritie to the cause of God, in open 
 Parliament dissenting therfrom, and protesting against the 
 same for the liberties of the Kirk), we found our selves neces- 
 sitat to protest for the preservation of the liberties of the Kirk, 
 according to the Word of God, Solemne Covenants, former 
 lawes, and lawdable customes of this Kirk and Kingdome, and 
 that this Act of the Parliament be no preparative for the 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 487 
 
 future, and that it shall be yet free vnto ws, according vnto the 
 duty of our place and as ther shall be cause, to give our judg- 
 ment in an ecclesiasticall way of the materialls of the said 
 Declaration so farr as Religion is therm concerned, as freely as 
 their Lordships had taken no resolution thervpon. But we 
 hope in a short tyme to give vow a more full and perfyte infor- 
 mation of all things by sending the papers them selves, and 
 therfore should now have been silent, wer it not that we ar not 
 ignorant of the devyces of malignant and disaffected men, who 
 doe indevour no thing more diligently then (if it be possible) by 
 subtile words and faire speaches on the one side, and slandrous 
 and false reports on the other, to gaine some of the ministrie 
 to be subservient to their designes against the Kirk and Cause 
 of God, knowing that by this meanes especially it was that the 
 libertie of this Kirk was betrayed, the pure ordinances of Chryst 
 corrupted of before. 
 
 4 These things we speake not as if we wer affrayed of any of 
 yow, our dear brethren ; We hope that after so many teares 
 and tentatiounes, so many prayers and supplications, so great 
 power of the Lords hand in dely vering ws from so great a yoake 
 of bondage, and after so many vowes and promises, every minister 
 of Chryst throughout the land will abhorr to be accessorie to 
 any thing that may promove the purposes of those who study 
 to vndermyne the work of God. Nay, these many letters to 
 our selves, and supplications to the Parliament from many 
 Synods and Presbyteries, as they ar vnto ws mater of much re- 
 freshment in the midst of many difficulties and straites, wherewith 
 God is pleased to exercise ws, so we take them for evidences of 
 the steadfastnesse of those from whom they have come ; And, 
 albeit all have not had the opportunitie to expresse themselves 
 that way, yet we make no question of their constancie, and that 
 they will be readie to witnesse their affectione to the Cause of 
 God as they shall sie neid. But as fellow-labourers who are 
 imployed with yow in the same work of the Lord we give yow 
 warneing of the danger, and stir yow vp as to be earnest with 
 God in prayer and supplicatione for your owne stedfastnesse, so 
 to give faithfull and tymeous warning vnto all with whom ye 
 have to doe, against all the snares and temptations of these 
 times, and that ye may now so cary yourselves in all things that 
 
488 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 Postscript. 
 
 Petition from 
 Drumfreise. 
 
 when the Lord shall be pleased to bring his servants togither 
 in a Generall Assembly, all of them may cum hither furnished 
 with the spirit of integritie, vnitie, and zeale, that so the 
 boasting adversaries may be put to silence, and their hopes 
 blasted when they shall sie ws to be of on mynd, and hear ws 
 speake the same things for carieing on the work of the Gospell, 
 and obviating every danger which threatnes the same at home 
 or from abroad, which, as we trust, will be the endevour of all 
 Presbyteries, so it is the earnest desire and prayer of 
 4 Your affectionat brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The CoMISSIONEES 
 
 the 27 ofAprile 1648. of the Gexerall Assembly." 
 
 6 Postscript in the other side. 
 
 'It is evident from the premises how great and many difficul- 
 ties the Kirk of God in this land is brought vnder by reasone 
 of the sinnes and provocationes of his people, and how deip 
 revolting from the Cause of God many are come to, and what 
 cause we have to fear the overturning of all that God lies done 
 for ws : Therfor we have resolved that ther should be a fast 
 keiped in all the congregations of this land the last Sabboth of 
 Maij, for intreating the Lord for help and mercie in this day of 
 our great need, which we desire yow to keip in all your severall 
 congregationes. We doubt not yow will be myndfull that such 
 of our 1 members as ar of this Comission keip the nixt quarterly 
 meeting the last Wednesday of Maij." 
 
 This day a petition from the Province of Drumfreis, pre- 
 sented to the Parliament by Mr. Alexander Smith, Mr Alex- 
 ander Drumgrie, being read, Messrs. Zacharie Boyd, Colin 
 Adam, John Nevey, Ephram Melvill, and John Mill desired 
 to accompany the said Mr. Alexander in presenting it to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas^ Moderatour. Mr. 
 Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. John Bell : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Nasmith : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Andro Auchinleck : 
 Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. John Nevey : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Evan Cameron : 
 
 1 Sic, for your. 
 
28 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 489 
 
 Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. 
 Zachary Boyd. Elders. — Dundas : Findawrie : Sir James Stewart : 
 George Porterfeild : John Semple : John Mill : Sir William Scott : 
 Newtoun. 
 
 The Comission approves vnanimously the answer to the 
 Parliaments Declaration, entitulated a Representation, and 
 appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, Samuell Rutherfurd, John 
 Smith, George Lesly, Robert Baillie, John Adamson, Mungo 
 Law, James Hamiltoun, Zacharie Boyd, James Guthrie, 
 Ewan Cameron, Findawrie, Libbertoun, Sir James Stewart, 
 Lawrence Henderson, with the Moderatour, to present it to 
 the Parliament. Tenor of the Representation 1 followes : — 
 
 4 The Humble Representation of the Comission of the Generall 
 Assembly To the honorable Estates of Parliament, vpon 
 their Declaration lately communicate to ws. 
 
 6 Edinburgh, 28 Aprile 1648. 
 
 ' Seing your Lordships have been pleased in your answer to ws The Humble 
 of the twentie of this moneth to remitt ws to your Declaration to ^^fp^. n 
 the Kingdome for satisfaction to our eight Desires formerly pre- liaments Decla- 
 sented to your Lordships, as likewayes to our other Desire con- ratlon- 
 cerning applicationes to be made to the King as well as to the 
 Parliament of England ; and seing your Lordships in the same 
 paper answering our Desire to be satisfied in the whole matter, 
 wer pleased againe to remitt ws to the Declaration as containing 
 the grounds and resolutions of the Parliament on the whole 
 matter, Wee have therefore taken to our serious consideration your 
 Lordships Declaration to looke after satisfactorie answers to these 
 our Desires, and to be satisfied on the whole matter ; But in stead 
 thereof, our feares and dissatisfactions are not a little increased by 
 your Lordships Declaration. Wee shall not search into some par- 
 ticulars in matter of fact mentioned in the narrative part, neither 
 shall we be curious after the reason why in so large a Declaration 
 concerning publict dangers, duties, and remedies, ther is no ex- 
 pression for preserving Monarchicall Government in his Majesties 
 posteritie as well as in his own person. 
 
 1 Published separately with the title The Humble Representation of the Com- 
 mission of the Generall Assembly, To the Honourable Estates of Parliament upon 
 their Declaration lately communicate to us. Edinburgh, 28 Aprile 1648. 
 Printed at London by Edward Griffen for J. R. . . . 1648. 
 
490 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 ' To the preface we shall only say this much, that we could have 
 wished your Lordships had been pleased to expresse your selves 
 more plainly who are those obstructers and traducers of your 
 Lordships proceedings, those deceivers and abusers of the people, 
 which your Lordships (we suppose) point at in reference to this 
 Kingdome, the Declaration being intended for the subjects of this 
 Kingdome, whom your Lordships call the abused people. If your 
 Lordships meaning be that the people are abused by the lies and 
 calumnies of Malignants, how cumes it that so much favour and 
 forbearance is granted to such men ? If any others then the 
 Malignant party in the Kingdome be meant, we should be glad 
 they were made known. 
 
 ' In the first part of the narrative concerning the necessity, 
 occasion, and consequence of the conjunction of both Kingdoms, 
 we cannot but take notice of that which your Lordships say of 
 those common enemies by whose counsells and practises the com- 
 posing of differences in the begining was hindered, and what evils 
 this kingdome might have expected, if these counsels and advices 
 which gave first life and motion to these dissentions should have 
 been still prevalent. Wee desire it may not be forgotten who 
 were these common enemies, and whose counsell it was that did 
 prevaile about his Majestie in the begining of these troubles, and 
 whether there ought not to be a jealous and watchfull eye over any 
 such, if, even after their joyning in the Covenant, they be found 
 in a way of compliance with known Malignants, and in a way of 
 opposition to such as have been most active and zealous in the 
 Cause from the begining. 
 
 ' Your Lordships adde " that in the pursuance of the Covenant 
 this Kingdome joyned in armes with their brethren in England, 
 and did prosecute these ends till their common enemies were 
 subdued, and most of them brought to such condigne punishment 
 as the respective Parliaments thought fitt." Wee shall heere passe 
 your Lordships omitting of the Treaty between the Kingdomes, 
 which may be thought to have had a neer and immediat influence 
 in reference to the conjunction of these Kingdomes in arms, 
 although the Covenant was the cheife foundation therof. But 
 wheras your Lordships seem to intimat that the cloud of Malig- 
 nancie was then sufficiently dissipat, or at least that the Covenant 
 was sufficiently performed in bringing delinquents to such condigne 
 punishment as the respective Parliaments thought fit, Wee are 
 sory that we have cause to remember what forbearance, yea favour 
 
28 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 491 
 
 and friendship, hath been granted to many such ; and wee are so 
 farr from thinking the danger from these former comon enemies 
 past and gone, that we still sie Malignancie vpon the on hand as 
 Sectarisme vpon the other, springing vp like roots of bitternesse to 
 trouble, yea to defile many in these Kingdomes. These are the 
 homes which yet push Judah and Jerusalem on both sides. The 
 Lord prepare such carpenters as may cut off both the one and the 
 other. 
 
 ' As for the breaches of Covenant which your Lordships insist 
 vpon in the following part of your narrative, we wish your Lord- 
 ships to remember a passage in the Declaration of the Generall 
 Assemblie, and how cautiously they speak of the breach of Cove- 
 nant in England. The words are these : — " Wee would not be 
 understood as if wee meant either to justifie this Nation, or to 
 charge such a sin vpon all in that Nation. We know the Covenant 
 hath been in diverse particulars broken by many in both Kingdoms 
 (The Lord pardon it and accept a sacrifice), and we doe not doubt 
 but there are many seven thousands in England who have not only 
 kept themselves unspotted and retained their integritie in that 
 bussinesse," etc. That the Covenant hath been foully and shame- 
 fully broken by as many of the prevalent party of Sectaries and 
 their adherents as ever took the Covenant is clear and vndeny- 
 able, and by their meanes hath come the resisting and hindering of 
 Reformation, connivance at heresie and schisme, and other things 
 contrary to the Covenant. But it can as litle be doubted of, that 
 there are dangerous breaches of Covenant by Malignants both at 
 home and abroad ; and your Lordships know true zeale against 
 breach of Covenant should strike equally on both hands, begining to 
 reform e at home. Your Lordships say well " that the not takers of 
 the Covenant are by the joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms de- 
 clared to be publict enemies to Religion and Countrey, and are to 
 be punished as professed adversaries and Malignants." But we wish 
 your Lordships may not forgett to apply that passage of the said 
 Declaration to those who have not at this day taken the Covenant 
 in England, and that therefore they may be lookt vpon by your 
 Lordships as comon enemies, which ought to be suppressed and 
 punished. 
 
 ' The laying aside of the Covenant out of the new Propositions 
 sent to his Majesty to the Isle of Wight we vtterly dissapprove, 
 and are heartily sory for it : But we wish there had not been 
 some guiltinesse of this same kind at home, when it was carried in 
 
492 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 the Comittee of Estates that there should be no mention of the 
 Covenant in the publick Desires sent vp in August last to his 
 Majesty. And whereas your Lordships doe enumerat amongst 
 these breaches of Covenant, "that they who ought to be brought to 
 try all and condign e punishment for hindering the Reformation of 
 Religion, dividing the King from his people, or on of the Kingdoms 
 from another, or making any faction or party among the people, 
 contrary to the League and Covenant, have been protected and 
 assisted ; " Wee shall heer only desire your Lordships to remember, 
 that all this is true of Malignants as well as of Sectaries, and for 
 our part (whatsoever liberty there be in the manner or circum- 
 stances) we doe not doubt but the thing itself is necessary, both 
 by the Word of God and Solemne Covenant, viz., That justice 
 be done, and condigne punishments inflicted on all hinderers of 
 Reformation and Peace, and all who make factione contrary to the 
 Covenant, whether they be Sectaries or Malignants. But if it was 
 sufficient that the most part of the Malignants were brought to 
 such condigne punishment as the respective Parliaments thought 
 fit, which your Lordships gave ws a touch of in the precedent part 
 of your narrative, we leave it to your Lordships consideration 
 whether you doe not hereby furnish such a retortion to those that 
 favour the Sectaries in England, as that they may plead from that 
 principle in your Lordships Declaration that the punishment of 
 Sectaries is to be referred simplie to the Parliament of England, 
 as they think fit, and that your Lordships must allow them the 
 same latitude of favour toward the Sectaries as before yow have 
 allowed both to your selves and them towards the Malignants. 
 Your Lordships adde another breach of Covenant, "that instead 
 of a firme Vnion and Peace between the Kingdomes a breach hath 
 been endeavoured," which cannot be denyed to be a breach of 
 Covenant, and therefore a rock to be the more carefully avoided. 
 It is our grief that there is also cause to complain of the Malignant 
 party at home as no lesse guilty of endeavouring a breach betueen 
 the Kingdomes. 
 
 ' The at temps, injuries, and violences of that party of Sectaries 
 against his Majesties Royall Person, and the hard condition he is 
 reduced vnto by their meanes we are very sensible of, and, as we 
 have often before professed, our prayers and endeavours, according 
 to our place and calling, have not been, neither shall be wanting 
 for the preservation of his Majesties Person and Authority in the 
 preservation of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdomes. 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 493 
 
 And we leave it to be pondered by your Lordships whether they 
 that obstruct and hinder the requiring of satisfaction and security 
 from his Majestie in point of Religion before his restitution to the 
 exercise of his royall power do not vpon the matter, and by conse- 
 quence obstruct and hinder his Majesties deliverance and restitu- 
 tion, wherof such security and assurance had from his Majestie 
 might be a powerfull and effectuall means. 
 
 ' As we know not whom your Lordships mean when yow speak 
 of such as had warrand from the Parliament of this Kingdome for 
 accesse to his Majestie and yet were debarred, and as no violence 
 nor injurie offered to a publick minister of another Kingdome can 
 be excused, so we are informed, that the souldiers act in removing 
 once the Earle of Lauderdale from Wooburn was not only dis- 
 dained, but his Lordship often thereafter permitted free accesse 
 of his Majestie. 
 
 ' Your Lordships insist vpon three instances of the breach of 
 Treaties ; one of the Large Treaty, and two other breaches of the 
 Treaty 1643. As to the first, which for orders sake we begin at, 
 wee can not say that it holds forth any convincing clearnes to ws, 
 yea, so farr as we vnderstand, the thing, wherevnto the Kingdom of 
 England was bound by the Treaty, was not insisted vpon by the 
 Comissioners of this Kingdom at London, but an alternative for an 
 assistance against the rebells by forces or moneys : After which 
 the Parliament of this Kingdome made a desire of assistance by 
 moneyes, which the Parliament of England promised to take 
 into their consideration. And seing your Lordships in this same 
 Declaration wave breaches of Treaty in money matters even where 
 the money wes due by Treaty, wee hope your Lordships will find 
 it the more inexpedient to insist vpon the not obtaining of that 
 assistance by moneyes against the rebels, being a way not provided 
 by the Treaty. 
 
 c Concerning the other tuo breaches which pitch vpon the 
 Treaty l6'43 : First, your Lordships say that according to the first 
 article of that Treaty the Covenant should have been taken by 
 both Kingdomes, but that now by the prevalent party of Sectaries 
 and their adherents it is not only laid aside in the new Proposi- 
 tions, and no execution of publick orders for taking it throughout 
 the countrey, but many in places of trust have never taken it, 
 neither are vrged to take it. Certainly such slighting of the 
 Covenant is a great sin against God, and a high contempt of the 
 Covenant ; and it is very fitt that this Kingdome should desire the 
 
494 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 Parliament of England to presse it not only vpon persons of trust, 
 but vniversally on all the subjects of that Kingdom e. Yet we are 
 not convinced of any just grounds of war against that Kingdome 
 in that which hath been instanced by your Lordships, especially 
 considering that the Covenant was taken by the representatives 
 and other chief corporations in England, wherin both the Generall 
 Assemblie and the Parliament of this Kingdome have frequently 
 mentioned in their Acts, letters, and Declarations, the vnion and 
 conjunctione of both Kingdomes by solemne Covenant. Neither 
 are we without hopes, if things be carried on in a fair and right 
 way, that the Kingdome of England may be brought a further 
 length in the performance of this duty ; Wherof we are the more 
 confident, becaus of the famous and frequent testimonies given 
 to the Covenant and against the errors of the time by the ministry 
 in diverse provinces in England. As for the last breach which 
 your Lordships conceive to be against the eight article of the 
 same Treaty 1643, wee heartily wish that the joynt way of appli- 
 cations to the King by both Kingdomes once begun, had been 
 continued, and do conceive very much prejudice to the Cause by 
 the divided way. Only we offer it to your Lordships further 
 consideration whither this breach be not at least disputable, there 
 being no mention at all in that article of Proposalls, Propositions, < 
 or Bills, but only of cessation, pacification, and agreement for 
 peace. So that it may justly be doubted whether the sending of 
 those Proposalls and Bills to the King, without the consent of this 
 Kingdome, hath in it that certainty and clearnes of a breach of 
 Treaty betueen the Kingdomes as may be a ground of war. And 
 if it be a breach of the Treaty for either Kingdome singly and 
 dividedly to send propositions to his Majestie, we shall crave leave 
 that we may desire to be informed how this consisteth with that 
 latitude which your Lordships leave afterwards in this same 
 Declaration, in the maner of presenting Bills or Acts of Parlia- 
 ment to the King. For your Lordships desire " assurance of his 
 Majestie to agree to such Acts or Bills as shall be presented to 
 him by his Parliaments of both or either Kingdomes respective." 
 We might also insist vpon some papers and propositions presented 
 to his Majestie from this Kingdome at Newcastle, and much more 
 vpon the pacification concluded there with his Majestie in refer- 
 ence to the disbanding and removing of the rebells in this King- 
 dome, and that in a single way (as we conceive), without the 
 knowledge and concurrance of the Parliament of England. 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 495 
 
 ' But we shall come to that which your Lordships make the 
 result vpon all these breaches of Covenant and Treaties, viz., 
 " That they call vpon your Lordships to a duty to God, your King, 
 and countrey, and to your oppressed brethren in England/' which 
 your Lordships speake more plainly in the next clause, giving ws 
 to vnderstand that those differences or breaches are such as, if not 
 repared by amicable endeavours, may otherwise necessitat this 
 Kingdome to engadge in a war, but that first your Lordships 
 intend to send the three Desires (next mentioned in the Declara- 
 tion) to the Parliament of England. And this is all the satisfac- 
 tion we find to our second Desire, which was " that according to the 
 Treaties it may be condescended vpon and declared by the Parlia- 
 ment, what are those breaches of peace which they take to be a 
 ground of war, and that reparation therof may be sought." But as 
 we see no breach of peace instanced in the Declaration, and as the 
 three breaches of Treaties insisted vpon by your Lordships seem 
 to be at least debatable, so we hear no thing of any resolution of 
 Parliament that such breaches as are or shall be condescended 
 vpon by your Lordships, shall be made knowne and sent to the 
 Parliament of England, as we expected, and they have desired 
 by their Comissioners here ; Only we hear of three Desires to be 
 sent to the Parliament of England for Religion, his Majestie, 
 and the good and peace of these Kingdomes. We conceive 'tis 
 the best and most justifiable way of proceeding that publick as 
 well as privat injuries be declared and made knowne to these 
 whom it concerneth to give satisfaction therein. Besides all this, 
 we fear your Lordships will hardly avoid a nationall quarrell 
 against the Parliament of England, if the three instances before 
 mentioned be insisted vpon as breaches of Treaty to inferre a war ; 
 because when the Houses wer most free, and when there was no 
 such overawing influence of the Sectaries party, even then they 
 did not suppresse the Irishes in this kingdome ; they did not 
 enforce the Covenant on all their officers, much lesse on all English 
 subjects, neither would they then admitt that they wer obleiged 
 by Treaty not to send Propositions or Bills to the King without the 
 concurrance of this Kingdome. 
 
 { In all this we have said, it is far from our meaning to assume 
 any judgment of the Treaties betueen the Kingdomes ; Only 
 because your Lordships have remitted ws to the Declaration for 
 satisfaction to our consciences as in other particulars, so in this of 
 the breaches, we have humbly represented to your Lordships 
 
496 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 wherin we are not clear and satisfied in our consciences to consent 
 and concurre for our part vpon such grounds. And with all seing 
 it is not only our desire as messengers of peace, but your Lord- 
 ships professed resolution in this Declaration, " that yow will assay 
 all brotherly and amicable wayes for repareing differences and 
 making vp breaches/' we recomend it to your Lordships serious 
 thoughts, whether it will not be most agreeable to that brotherly 
 way of proceeding betueen tuo Kingdoms, in Covenant together, 
 to desire a Treaty with the Parliament of England concerning the 
 breaches and demands mentioned in this your Declaration, especi- 
 ally seeing the way of Treaty was the way thought fitt to be vsed 
 in the years 1639 and 1646 1 , before the Kingdomes wer joyned in 
 Covenant. How much more now, being so conjoined, are all 
 possible and lawfull wayes to be tried for preventing the effusion 
 of more blood. 
 
 ' In your Lordships first Demand, which concerneth Religion, 
 there are some things wherwith we can not in our consciences be 
 satisfied, as, namely, 1. Because the first tuo particulars therin 
 contained, viz., concerning the taking of the Covenant and prac- 
 tiseing of the Directory of Worship, are pressed only vpon subjects, 
 which may be interpret as tending to exempt the Kings Majestie 
 not only from taking the Covenant (which yet was laudably 
 desired in the Propositions of both Kingdoms), but from having 
 the Directory of Worship practised in his family, which was a 
 liberty that his Majesty reserved to himself in his late concessions 
 sent to ws, and in diverse messages sent before to the Houses of 
 Parliament at Westminster. 2. We find no thing in this Demand 
 of any application to be made at or about the same time to the 
 King for obtaining assurance from his Majesty for his royall con- 
 sent. But of this we have expressed our selves more fully in 
 answer to your Lordships paper of the tuentieth of this month. 
 3. Although this is the second time your Lordships cite in this 
 Declaration a passage of the joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms, 
 by which all that would not take the Covenant wer declared to 
 be publick enemies to their Religion and countrey, and that they 
 are to be censured and punished as professed adversaries and 
 Maligna nts, yet we find no such thing declared or resolved by 
 your Lordships in this Declaration in reference to those who have 
 not to this day taken the Covenant, as that yow will hold them all 
 for professed adversaries and Malignants. Wee hope your Lord- 
 
 1 Sic, for 1640, as printed in 4to edition of 1648. 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 497 
 
 ships will not thinke it just nor equall to presse such a rule vpon 
 the Parliament of England, except your Lordships be pleased to 
 walk according to that rule yourselves. 4. Your Lordships doe 
 simply and absolutely desire " that the Confession of Faith trans- 
 mitted from the Assembly of Divines at Westminster to the 
 Houses be approven;" Whereas the Act of the last Generall 
 Assemblie, approving that Confession of Faith, hath in it some 
 necessary cautions, provisoes, and explanations 1 which, as the 
 Generall Assembly judged necessary to be added in their Act, so 
 we doe not thinke that part of your Lordships Demand as it stands 
 without any such caution to be safe enough, which among other 
 things shewes the danger and inconvenience of your Lordships 
 taking resolutions in things concerning Religion without our 
 advise and consent. 5. As we desire that Reformation of and 
 Vniformity in Religion may be endeavoured by your Lordships in 
 all fair, lawfull, and brotherly wayes, according to the Covenant, 
 and heartily approve any such desire as your Lordships shall send 
 to the Parliament of England by the advise and consent of this 
 Kirk, for injoyning the Covenant and for bringing the Churches of 
 Christ in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and 
 vniformity in on Confession of Faith, Directory of Worship, and 
 Presbyteriall Government, so we would be very cautious and 
 tender when such desires are turned into causes of war, if not 
 obtained, which is the present case, as we vnderstand by your Lord- 
 ships expression in the precedent paragraphe. 
 
 ' Your Lordships second Demand is, " That the Kings Majestie 
 may come to some of his houses in or near London with honour, 
 freedome, and safety ; that applications may be made to him by 
 Parliaments of both Kingclomes for attaining 2 his royall assent to 
 such desires as shall be by them presented to him for establishing 
 Religion as is abone 3 exprest, and setling a well-grounded peace." 
 
 e This Demand we conceive to be of dangerous consequence to 
 Religion and the Covenant, for the reasons and consideratiouns 
 following, which we humbly offer to be considered by your Lord- 
 ships. 1. All applications and desires to his Majesty for Religion 
 
 1 The provisoes were, ' that the not mentioning in this Confession the several 
 sorts of ecclesiastical Officers and Assemblies shall be no prejudice to the truth 
 of Christ in these particulars,' and that certain parts of Chapter xxxii. sect. 2, 
 respecting the power of summoning Synods, were to be understood as applying 
 only to Churches not fully settled or constituted. The Act is generally prefixed 
 to Scotch editions of the Westminster Confession of Faith. 
 
 2 obtaining at p. 468. 3 above in 4to print. 
 
 Q , 
 
498 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 are suspended till he come with honour, freedome, and safety to 
 some of his houses in or near London. We know not what length 
 of tyme this may draw to, or how much danger there may be 
 in the delay. 2. The establishing of Religion here mentioned, 
 as that which your Lordships intend to desire of his Majestie, is 
 according to that which is abone expressed, where we doubt not 
 your Lordships referre to your first Demand which went before ; 
 whereas the establishing of Religion in such a manner as is there 
 expressed, we doe not think safe for the reasons before given. 
 We conceive that this second Demand amounts to no lesse then 
 the restitution of his Majestie to the exercise of his royall power 
 before applications made and desires presented to him, much 
 more before assurance and security had from him for the setling of 
 Religion in the right maner and according to the Covenant. For, 
 besides what we have expressed in our last paper, presented to your 
 Lordships, that this honour, freedom e, and safety is conceived by 
 your Lordships to be such as may enable his Majestie to effectuat 
 his concessions concerning Religion, (and what is that lesse then 
 the exercise of his royall power restored ?) this we further adde, 
 that we humbly conceive his Majesties honour may comprehend, 
 or may be made vse of as comprehending, not only the possession 
 of his revenews, but also the exercise of his royall government. 
 Next, being in freedome, he may repare to any of his dominions 
 in Scotland, England, or Ireland ; and lastly, being restored to be 
 in a condition of safety, he may provide forces for guarding him- 
 self against all apprehended dangers, for if guards should be set 
 about him by his Parliament, it will be said to be contrary to the 
 condition of freedome; So that being restored to some of his 
 houses in or near London with honour, freedome, and safety, we 
 do not conceive what he shall want of the exercise of his royall 
 power ; considering withall that neither himself, nor any others, 
 will conceive the honour, freedome, and safety to be kingly, and 
 such as becomes his royall Person, if he shall want the exercise of 
 his royall power. Yet this restitution of his Majestie to the 
 exercise of his royall power before security had from him for 
 settling Religion, your Lordships know by our eight Desires and 
 otherwayes, is conceived by ws to be inconsistent with the safety 
 and security of Religion. 4. If his Majestie wer once come with 
 honour, freedome, and safety to some of his houses in or near 
 London, we know not what influences he may have vpon the 
 Houses of Parliament to obstruct and hinder their presenting of 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 499 
 
 Bills to him for enjoining the Covenant, abolishing Prelacy and 
 the Book of Comon Prayer, establishing the Confession of Faith, 
 Directory of Worship, and Presbyteriall Government ; or what 
 strength his Majestie so restored may againe attaine by the assist- 
 ance of the Popish, Prelaticall, and Malignant party, for a new and 
 bloody war, to the devastation of these Kingdomes, and the mine 
 of our Religion and liberties ; Which things we have the more 
 cause to feare and apprehend, his Majestie having declared and 
 professed that he is oblieged in conscience to emprove all the 
 power which God shall put in his hands for the establishment of 
 Episcopacy. 5. To insist vpon the bringing of his Majestie to 
 some of his houses in or near London, before satisfaction and 
 security had from him in point of Religion, and in such other 
 things as are necessary for the safety of the Kingdoms, could not, 
 as we conceive, but be an exceeding great discouragement and 
 offence to the Presbyterians in England, who will conceive (if such 
 a thing be pressed vpon them) that the remedy propounded in 
 your Demand is worse then the desease. And we have also heard 
 that the Parliament of England, when they were as free as ever 
 they were, would never agree to his Majesties comming to London 
 with honour, freedome, and safety, without security first had from 
 him in such things as are necessar for Religion and the safety of 
 the Kingdome. 6. Seing your Lordships are oblieged by the thrid 
 article of the Covenant, to defend his Majesties Person and Autho- 
 rity in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and 
 liberties of the Kingdomes, we conceive your Lordships should not 
 demand from nor presse vpon the Kingdome of England his 
 Majesties restitution with honour, freedome, and safety, except 
 with that qualification in the Covenant, and with a subordination 
 to Religion and the liberties of the Kingdomes. And how can 
 this subordination according to the Covenant be said to be 
 observed in your Lordships Demand as it stands ? For if his 
 Majesty be brought to some of his houses in or near London with 
 honour, freedom, and safety, before so much as applications be 
 made to him for establishing Religion and peace, we then leave it 
 to your Lordships consciences whether his Majesty shall not be 
 restored to his honour before Jesus Christ be restored to His 
 honour and set vpon his throne of government in his Church ; 
 whether his Majesty shall not be in a condition of liberty before 
 the ordinances of Christ have a free course; and whether his 
 Majesties safety shall not be provided for and secured before either 
 
500 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 Church or Kingdome can say they are in a condition of safety. 
 And is this to endeavour the setling of Religion before all worldly 
 interests, or rather to make it come after the Kings interest ? 
 
 7. Wee feare that after so many instructions from the Parliament, 
 Convention, and Comittee of Estates, to their Comissioners at 
 London from time to time, for endeavouring in the first place the 
 setlement of Religion, and then to endeavour the removing of the 
 civill differences and the restitution of the King, vpon his first 
 giving satisfaction in Religion and the grounds of a solide peace ; 
 and if after it was declared by this Kingdome (during his Majesties 
 being at Newcastle) that they could not admitt of his Majesties 
 coming to Scotland in freedome, vnlesse his Majesty granted the 
 Proposition concerning the Covenant and Religion, and gave a 
 satisfactory answer to the rest of the Propositions ; likewise if, 
 after such a Declaration of the Parliament of this Kingdome, 
 January 16, 1647, for his Majesty es being in some of his houses, 
 with such attendance as the tuo Houses should think fitt vntill he 
 give satisfaction in the Propositions ; if after all this it be now 
 insisted vpon that his Majesty may be restored with honour, 
 freedome, and safety, before such satisfaction had from him, we 
 feare it shall lye as a great scandall vpon this Kingdome, and as 
 too sensible and apparent a change of their former principalis and 
 professions in a point so much concerning the security of Religion. 
 
 8. Wee are very apprehensive that your Lordships vrging the dis- 
 posing of the Kings person in England in such a way as that he 
 may come to London with honour, freedome, and safety, without 
 his Majesties giving, or your Lordships desiring his Majestie to 
 give, satisfaction and security in Religion, and in such things 
 as belong to the safety of the Kingdome (without which ther can 
 be no lasting security expected to Religion), as it is a far different 
 point from the vrging of a joint interest in the disposing of the 
 Kings person, by both Kingdomes for the good of both, so it will 
 be judged by most of all parties in England, that ever concurred 
 in this Cause, to be so preiudiciall to their nationall rights and 
 liberties, and such an encroachment therevpon (though your Lord- 
 ships declare yow have no such intention), as that it will vnite 
 them all in opposition to this Kingdome, and consequently alienate 
 them from the intended Vniformity in Religion according to the 
 Covenant. As these reasons make ws conceive your Lordships 
 second Demand to import no small danger to Religion, so we would 
 not be vnderstood as if we had any thoughts to decline the restore- 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 501 
 
 ing of his Majesty to the same condition he was in by the agree- 
 ment of both Kingdoms, when he was taken away by a party of 
 the Army vnder the comand of Sir Thomas Fairfax, that both 
 Kingdoms may freely make their applications to him. 
 
 ' Concerning your Lordships thrid Demand, " That the present 
 Army of Sectaries may be disbanded" for the ends expressed in the 
 Demand, As we think no persons whatsoever fit to be imployed or 
 entrusted in the Armies of either Kingdome who have not taken 
 the Covenant, and that all Sectaries in England that are in armes 
 should be disbanded and disarmed ; so we conceive there is also 
 reason for your Lordships to foresee and provide against the danger 
 of the rising againe of the Popish, Prelaticall, and Malignant 
 party in armes, and the rather because of the late commotions 
 begun by some of them both in England and Ireland ; there being 
 also some both in Wales and Ireland actually in amies who have 
 discovered and declared their principles and ends to be very 
 malignant ; wherin we are informed they are the more animated 
 and encouraged vpon confidence of some agreement between his 
 Majestie and this Kingdome. It is further to be considered that 
 this Demand being joyned with the second, the present Army in 
 England disbanded, and his Majesty brought to London with 
 honour, freedome, and safety, how easily may all the Malignant, 
 Popish, and Prelaticall party in his Majesties dominions flock vnto 
 him ! Which how prejudiciall it may be, his Majesty keeping still 
 his principles, is easie to be judged. 
 
 ' As for the exceptions added in your Lordships Demand, to 
 passe the ambiguity therof, your Lordships except from the said 
 disbanding the garisons necessary to be kept in England, and 
 desire that these garisons may be commanded by such as have or 
 shall take the Covenant, and are well affected to Religion and 
 Government, but doe not desire any such thing concerning the 
 garisons themselves ; which may be vnderstood as a tacite con- 
 fession on our part that all the garisons to be kept in England 
 may be of such as have not taken nor shall tak the Covenant, nor 
 are well affected to Religion and Government, provided that those 
 garisons be commanded by such as your Lordships describe. 
 
 ( We have but on point more to adde concerning this thrid and 
 last Demand, for we cannot conceale our feares and apprehensions 
 that your present resolutions and proceedings, and the entertain- 
 ment of English souldiers, wherof many are Papists and Malig- 
 nants, and some eminent in malignancy, is not the way to further 
 
502 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 but to retard and hinder the disbanding of the present Army in 
 England, and to frustrat the ends your Lordships propose in your 
 Declaratioun for the disbanding of that Army. 
 
 c And whereas your Lordships declare " that it is not your inten- 
 tion at all to make a Nationall engadgement against the Parliament 
 and Kingdome of England, but for them;" as we shall not pre- 
 sume to speake of the nationall rights and privil edges of another 
 Kingdome, so we cannot see how the principles of your Lordships 
 Declaration can consist with the first part of our thrid Desire, 
 which was, " That there may be no such quarrell or ground of the 
 war as may break the vnion between the Kingdomes ; " For we 
 conceive there are diverse such quarrells in the Declaration as fall 
 directly and necessarly vpon the votes and proceedings of the 
 Houses of Parliament, even when they were most free. 
 
 ' Concerning that which your Lordships adde in reference to 
 the latter part of our thrid Desire, and to our whole fourt Desire, 
 We humbly conceive it is very far short of that which is no lesse 
 your Lordships duety then our Desire. For, 1. Your Lordships 
 only declare against " association and conjunction of forces with 
 those who shall refuse to swear and subscribe the Covenant," which 
 doth not exclude association of forces with such as neither have 
 taken nor shall tak the Covenant, so that they be not vrged 
 therto, and so not reckoned amongst refusers. This we have the 
 more reason to take notice of, becaus your Lordships have before 
 in this same Declaration complained that there is no vrging of the 
 Covenant in England, nor no execution of publick orders for 
 taking of the same : which being so, How shall your Lordships 
 find the Malignants in England to be refusers of the Covenant 
 except your Lordships enforce it vpon them ? which we suppose 
 your Lordships intend not to doe. 2. Your Lordships doe not 
 declare that if any who have not taken, and shall not take the 
 Covenant, nay, not so much as they that shall refuse the Covenant 
 if they rise in armes, your Lordships will oppose them and endea- 
 vour to suppresse them ; only your Lordships say yow will not 
 associat nor joyne forces with them. 3. Whereas your Lordships 
 say " that yow will be so far from joyning 1 or associating with the 
 Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party, if they shall againe rise in 
 armes, either to oppose or obstruct all or any one of the ends of 
 the Covenant, that yow will oppose and endeavour to suppresse 
 
 1 joying in MS. 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 503 
 
 them as enemies to the Cause and Covenant : " Wee beseech your 
 Lordships to consider whether this part of your Declaration doth 
 not reserve a latitude, that if the Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant 
 party shall rise in armes for the Kings restitution, and can but 
 have so much cunning (which is more nor probable) as to conceale 
 their intentions of obstructing or opposing all or any on of the 
 ends of the Covenant, in such a case it may be free to your Lord- 
 ships, instead of opposing or endeavouring to suppresse them, that 
 yow shall both protect their persons and estates, and also joyne or 
 associate forces with them. In all which we have the more cause 
 to be full of feares and apprehensions becaus of so many English 
 Malignants even now protected and intertained in this Kingdome 
 in hopes of military employments, yea, diverse of them (as we are 
 informed) such as have served against this Cause and Covenant. 
 
 ' As to that which follows relating to our seventh Desyre, con- 
 cerning such as are to be entrusted in armies and Comitties, we 
 shall need to say no more then was expressed in our humble 
 Representation, March 29, namely, that your Lordships omitt in 
 your answer some of the qualifications expressed in our Desire, viz., 
 Suck as have given constant proof e of their integrity and faithfulnesse 
 in this Cause, and against whom there is no just cause of jealousie, that 
 so we may the more confidently encourage our flocks to follow the cause 
 of God in their hands, and not to doubt of their fidelity. Which 
 qualifications being contained in our Desire, and omitted in your 
 Lordships answer, we are not without fears that this omission may 
 be made vse of by some as if your Lordships had not meant to 
 agree fully to that Desire, and so take occasion to deal for employ- 
 ing and entrusting such in the Comittees and Armies as may be 
 justly excluded by the qualifications contained in our said Desire. 
 
 ' These things having been before represented to your Lord- 
 ships, and there being no thing in your Lordships Declaration to 
 satisfie or take off these our fears, but such expressions insisted 
 vpon as keep aloof from the qualificatiouns desired by ws, all that 
 are vnbyased may easily judge whether we have not here some 
 real ground to be vnsatisfied. 
 
 ' That which followeth in the Declaration concerning the rescu- 
 ing of his Majesties Person, "that he may come with honour, free- 
 dome, and safety to or near London, where both Kingdomes may 
 make their applications to him for setling Religion and peace," 
 we have before spoken fully to it. And whereas your Lordships 
 adde a kinde of salvo in satisfaction to our fifth and sixth Desires, 
 
504 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 it will plainly appear that these Desires are not satisfied by any 
 thing here expressed in your Lordships Declaration. Your Lord- 
 ships say, yow resolve " not to put in his Majesties hands, or in any 
 others whatsoever, any such power, whereby any of the ends of 
 the Covenant may be obstructed or opposed." But may it please 
 your Lordships to give ws leave to put yow in minde, 1. That your 
 Lordships words may be vnderstood either in this sense, that yow 
 are not resolved to put any such power in his Majesties hands, and if so, 
 your Lordships know, what yow resolve not now yow may resolve 
 afterwards ; or in this sense, that your Lordships are resolved thai 
 yow shall put no such power in his Majesties hands, and if so, then 
 there remaines some doubt how far that power extends which your 
 Lordships conceive shall not be able to obstruct or oppose any of 
 the ends of the Covenant, or endanger Religion and Presbyteriall 
 Government : or whether it be meant to be extended to his 
 Majesties negative voice. 2. When your Lordships say that yow 
 are not resolved to put any such power in his Majesties hands, 
 this needeth not hinder your Lordships yeelding and acquiescing 
 if others put such power in his Majesties hands ; For resolutions 
 not to doe a thing may stand with resolutions not to hinder it. 
 3. When your Lordships have resolved to oppose the puting of 
 any such power in his Majesties hands as may be destructive to 
 Religion, yet vpon supposition that his Majestie is come to London 
 with honour, freedome, and safety, we doubt whether it may not 
 prove impossible to your Lordships to hinder the putting of such 
 a power in his Majesties hands. 
 
 c Your Lordships adde what assurance yow intend to crave from 
 his Majesty for satisfaction in point of Religion ; But withall we 
 observe three limitations or qualifications joined therewith, which 
 (so far as we are able to judge) leave this great point in a very 
 dangerous vncertaintie. 1. Your Lordships resolve that his 
 Majesty give this assurance for Religion " before any agreement or 
 condition to be made with his Majesty," which is the expression 
 chosen by your Lordships, instead of that clause in our sixt Desire, 
 " before his restitution to the exercise of his royall power." If your 
 Lordships expression wer only a more smooth one, with the like 
 security to Religion (such as your Lordships answer, March 27, 
 did put ws in hopes of), we should have chearefully acquiesced ; 
 But we are so far from perceiving the like security to Religion, 
 that we rather fear your Lordships qualification may make void 
 and frustrate the securitie that we desired. For first, it clearely 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 505 
 
 supposeth that his Majestie shall come with honour, freedome, 
 and safety to London before any condition or agreement to be 
 made with him ; For such agreement or condition to be made with 
 his Majesty being posterior to the assurance to be made 1 from him 
 for Religion, must be much more posterior to his Majesties coming 
 to or neer London with honour, freedome, and safety, according 
 to the method of proceedings proposed in the Declaration. Now, 
 being once at London with honour, freedome, and safety, and that 
 without any agreement or condition made with him, it is not 
 probable to ws that his Majesty will then desire any agreement or 
 conditione, vnlesse it be for some concessions on his Parliaments 
 part, and among other concessions probably somewhat for Episco- 
 pacy too, for establishing whereof he conceiveth himself oblieged 
 in conscience to make vse of his power, as was before observed. 
 The result of this point is that we humbly conceive that, notwith- 
 standing of that clause, l( before any agreement or condition to be 
 made with his Majesty," or anything else in the Declaration, his 
 Majesty may be restored to the exercise of his royall power before 
 security had from him for Religion, as we desired. 
 
 ' The next qualification added by your Lordships immediatly is 
 in these words, " Having found his late concessions and offers 
 concerning Religion not satisfactory;" Where first, the words, 
 " having found," may be variously vnderstood, either " B when his 
 Majesty shall have found," or " when your Lordships shall have 
 found," or " because his Majesty hath found," or " because your 
 Lordships have found." 
 
 ' Next, the words, " not satisfactory," are as doubtfull, and may 
 be interpreted in severall senses, either that his Majesties late con- 
 cessions and offers concerning Religion are not satisfactory in themselves 
 or that they are neither satisfactory to your Lordships nor to ws ; or the 
 meaning may be onely that they are not satisfactory to ws, which 
 doubtfulnesse in the sense of the words we have more cause to 
 observe, becaus your Lordships have not hitherto returned ws 
 any clear or positive answer to our fifth Desire, " That his Majesties 
 late concessions and offers concerning Religion, as they have been 
 by the Church, so may be by the Parliament declared vnsatisfac- 
 tory only your Lordships are pleased here to make a light 
 transition over that which we conceived to be vnto ws a grave 
 subject of a solemne Declaration. 
 
 Had for made in 4to print. 
 
506 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 ' The thrid qualification in the assurance to be required from 
 his Majesty is, " that he shall agree to such Act or Acts of Parlia- 
 ment and Bills as shall be presented to him by his Parliament 1 of 
 both or either Kingdoms respectively, for enjoyning the Covenant 
 and establishing the Presbyteriall Government, Directory of Wor- 
 ship, and Confession of Faith, in all his Majesties dominions." But 
 we humbly conceive it wer more for the glory of God, good of 
 Religion, and his Majesties own happinesse, that his Majesty 
 should, after the example of the godly reforming Kings of Judah 
 and of the best Christian Emperours of old in the Christian 
 Church, declare his own zeale and forwardnesse for the Reforma- 
 tion and setleing Religion, and that your Lordships should doe 
 well to sollicite and incite his Majesty here vnto, rather then to 
 seeme to yeeld so farre that his Majesty shall be free for his part 
 till his Parliaments of both or either Kingdomes respectively agree 
 what Acts or Bills to present to him ; the preparing and present- 
 ing whereof how much it may be retarded and obstructed by the 
 prevalency both of Malignants and Sectaries we know not. Seeing 
 therefore his Majesty oweth a duety both to God and to his 
 people, for the Reformatioun and setlement of Religion, your Lord- 
 ships may doe better to sollicite his Majesty, and to desire that 
 he will positively declare himself willing and ready for his part, 
 and for that duety which is incumbent to his Majesty, and that 
 he give assurance for the same in the particulars. 
 
 ' Your Lordships further declare in reference to our eight and 
 last Desire, " that yow are willing to subjoyne to the grounds of 
 your vndertaking an oath, wherein both in the framing thereof 
 and otherwise, your Lordships are willing the Church shall have 
 their due interest as formerly in the like cases ; " where, as we 
 know not how farre your Lordships meaning doth reach in the 
 word other n- ayes, and in the w 7 ord due, so we know not why your 
 Lordships did not thinke fitt to agree to our Desire as it was con- 
 ceived, and as the words stood, viz., " That there may be no in- 
 gagement without a solemne oath, wherein the Kirk may have 
 the same interest which they had in the Solemne League and 
 Covenant," which Desire is so farre vnsatisfied, that for our interest 
 in the matter of the oath and in the grounds of the vndertaking, 
 we doe not see it allowed or preserved to ws ; but rather that the 
 Declaration holdeth forth the grounds of the vndertaking already 
 resolved vpon by your Lordships, only leaving ws an interest in the 
 
 Parliaments- in 4to print. 
 
28 April] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 507 
 
 forme of an oath to be subjoined, and that not without some vncer- 
 taine and dubious qualifications as hath been touched. Meanwhile 
 we see only a Declaration without an oath, and as Declarations are 
 alterable by Parliaments, and their proceedings sometimes not 
 agreeable to their Declarations (which the experience of these 
 times hath taught ws), so if there were an oath subjoyned to the 
 grounds of vndertaking expressed in this Declaration, we could 
 not account it a lawful oath, but that it would make the bussi- 
 nesse worse. 
 
 ' Your Lordships adde somewhat further relating to the matter 
 of our first and second Desires, namely, " That your Lordships are 
 resolved not to engage in any war before the necessity and lawful- 
 nesse thereof be declared, 1 so as all who are well affected may be 
 satisfied therewith, and that reparation to such breaches and 
 injuries as are or shall be condescended vpon shall be demanded 
 in such a just and fit way as shall be found most lawfull and 
 expedient." This clause, as likewise that which followeth, " that 
 many of the dangers, with the grounds and resolutions, are by 
 this Declaration of your Lordships made known to this Kingdom," 
 seems to hold ws in suspense till all the dangers, grounds, and 
 resolutions be made known, and till the lawfulnesse and necessity 
 of the war be cleared, and the way of seeking reparation resolved 
 vpon ; Yet your Lordships may be pleased to remember that in 
 that part of your answer to ws of the tuentieth, which is a returne 
 to our Desire of knowing fully your Lordships resolutions, and 
 being satisfied on the whole matter, we wer remitted to the 
 Declaration as containing the grounds and resolutions of the Par- 
 liament on the whole matter. 
 
 'As to that which followeth concerning a present putting of 
 the countrey in a posture of defence, as in anno 1643, we should 
 be glad it wer made to appear really that the grounds, principles, 
 and ends were the same now they were in the year 1643 ; other- 
 wise the like act vpon different grounds and for different ends 
 make it not the same cause. Your Lordships doe indeed speak 
 of the principles expressed in the Declaration as the same with 
 the first principles contained in our Nationall Covenant and in the 
 Solemne League and Covenant. But what reason we have to 
 conceive they are new and different principles may appear by the 
 severall particulars before mentioned. Wee cannot here passe a 
 new interpretation which the Declaration puts vpon the Solemne 
 
 1 cleared for declared at p. 470. 
 
508 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 APRIL 
 
 League and Covenant, viz., " That we did solemnly swear and 
 promise before God and his angels to endeavour Reformation of 
 and Vniformity in Religion and Church Government in all his 
 Majesties dominions, according to the Word of God and the 
 example of the best Reformed Churches ;" where we passe your 
 Lordships limiting and restricting of Vniformity more then the 
 Covenant doth, which may infer that Vniformity in Church Govern- 
 ment between the Churches of Christ in these three covenanted 
 Kingdoms is not to be vrged in any other maner or measure then 
 we have a precedent of in other Reformed Kirks. But that which 
 here we chiefly aime at in 1 the following clause of the Declaration, 
 viz., " And not only to the vtmost of our power, with our meanes 
 and lives, to stand to the defence of our dread Soveraigne his Person 
 and Authority in the preservation of the true Religion and liberties 
 of the Kingdome, but also in every cause which may concerne his 
 Majesties honour, to concur, according to the lawes of this King- 
 dom and duty of good subjects." Yet your Lordships know that 
 no such interpretation hath been made by the Assemblies of the 
 Kirk of the Solemne League and Covenant as your Lordships are 
 pleased here to make of it. If it be said that your Lordships 
 meaning was only of our Nationall Covenant, yet it may be observed 
 withall that the plain and grammaticall construction of the words 
 will carry that interpretation either vpon the Solemne League and 
 Covenant only, or both vpon it and vpon our Nationall Covenant. 
 However, although our Nationall Covenant only were here fixed 
 vpon, concerning which there is such an expression in the suppli- 
 cation of the Generall Assemblie an?io lb'39 to his Majesties 
 Comissioner and the Lords of Secreet Counsell, yet there are some 
 weighty considerations which we humbly offer against the applica- 
 tion of that supplication of the Assembly to the present bussinesse ; 
 For, 1. His Majestie was at that time giving satisfaction to the 
 publick desires of this Kirk concerning Religion; we heartily wish 
 we might say the like now. 2. We doe not see the Cause stated 
 in the Declaration to be for his Majesties honour, and so to fall 
 within that duty expressed in the Declaration of the Generall 
 Assemblie ; and as one of the ends of the Covenant was his 
 Majesties honour and happinesse, and your Lordships have also 
 acknowledged in your oath of Parliament that the honour, happi- 
 nesse, and greatnesse of the Kings Majestie doth depend on the 
 
 1 Is for in in 4to print. 
 
28 april] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 509 
 
 purity of Religion as it is now established in this Kingdome, so 
 whatsoever crosseth or prejudiceth the grounds of the Covenant, 
 or any of the ends therof, can not with ws find any such comenda- 
 tion as to be a cause which concerneth his Majesties honour. 
 3. Whatsoever we owe to the King in civill matters distinct from 
 the cause of Religion, sure all these other dueties are with a 
 subordination to the glory of God and good of Religion, and we 
 are very confident it was and will be far from the thoughts of the 
 Generall Assemblie, vnder colour of his Majesties honour, to concur 
 with him, or any in his name, in a cause which is hurtfull and pre- 
 judiciall to the good of Religion and to the other ends of the 
 Solemne League and Covenant ; yet the cause stated in the 
 Declaration we humbly conceive to be such. 4. It may be 
 remembred that the Crosse Petition, 1 having cited the same clause 
 of the said Petition of the Generall Assemblie, and making vse 
 thereof in order to an Engagement in War in his Majesties quarrell 
 against the Parliament of England, was declared against by the 
 Comission of the Generall Assemblie anno 1643. And among 
 other particulars it was then declared, that the limitations expressly 
 mentioned in the words cited out of the Assemblies Supplication, 
 viz., " According to the lawes of this Kingdome and duety of good 
 subjects," wer interpreted by some that spake at the time in the 
 Generall Assembly, to be all one as if it had been said, " within this 
 Kingdome," we not knowing of any lawes of this Kingdom of further 
 extent. It was also then observed, and may now be applyed and 
 remembred, That the Nationall Covenant having been subscribed 
 in the years 1581 and 1590, before King James was King of 
 England, and being qualified in the particular heads and articles 
 by expresse limitations and restrictions to this Kirk and Kingdom, 
 to the Religion, lawes, and liberties of Scotland, can no more be 
 
 1 A petition presented by some noblemen and gentlemen to the Privy Council 
 on ioth January 1643, in opposition to one by ' the Commission of the Assembly 
 and certain noblemen, barons, and burgesses,' and declared by them to ' tend to 
 the hinderance of their proceedings and endeavours in this publick work com- 
 mitted to them by the King's Majesty and Parliament,' and declared by the 
 Commission ' to be nothing else but a secret plot and subtle undermining of all 
 the present designs of this Kirk and Kingdome for Unity of Religion, and of all 
 the work of God in this land.' See the representation against it published by 
 the Commission under the title, ' A Declaration against a Crosse Petition, wherein 
 some secret letts of the intended Reformation are discovered ',' etc. Edinr., Evan 
 Tyler, 1643. 
 
510 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 april 
 
 extended to municipall debates, and to the lawes and liberties of 
 England, vnto which we are strangers, then the Kingdome of 
 England can judge of our lawes and determine our differences, 
 the tuo Kingdomes being still independent each on other, and not 
 subordinate on to another, as the first article of the Large Treaty 
 fully declareth. 
 
 ' As to what we find in the close of the Declaration, " that this 
 Kingdome of Scotland will now make it evident, as they have often 
 declared, that their quietnes, stability, and happinesse doth depend 
 vpon the safety of the Kings Majesties person and mainten- 
 ance of his greatnesse and royall authority, who is Gods Vice- 
 gerent set over ws for maintenance of Religion and ministration of 
 justice," we shall only put your Lordships in mind, that your 
 Nationall Covenant joyneth with his Majesties safety, his good 
 behaviour in his office, and sayeth, " That the quietnesse and 
 stability of our Religion and Kirk doth depend vpon the safety 
 and good behaviour of his Majesty, as vpon a confortable instru- 
 ment of Gods mercy granted to this countrey for the maintenance 
 of his Kirk and ministration of justice." Otherwise, if a King doe 
 not his duety for the maintenance of the true Religion and minis- 
 tration of justice, it is not his safety alone that make his people 
 to be in quietnesse and happinesse. Withall, as our quietnesse 
 and happinesse dependeth on his Majesty and his doing of his 
 duty as an instrument and minister of God for good, so the honour, 
 greatnesse, and happinesse of the Kings royall Majestie and the 
 welfare of the subjects, depend vpon the purity of Religion, as is 
 well expressed in your Lordships oath of Parliament. 
 
 ' And now we shall, with your Lordships favour and permission, 
 make this conclusion vpon the whole matter, that as we neither 
 were nor are against ane Engagement of this Kingdom in war, but 
 have been and shall be willing to consent thereto if once satisfied 
 in our consciences concerning the clearnesse, lawfulnesse, and 
 necessity of the Cause and quarrell, and concerning our calling, 
 manner of proceeding, instruments to be entrusted, security to be 
 had for Religion and other particulars contained in our former 
 papers, not yet satisfied by your Lordships, so we are necessitat to 
 professe and declare to your Lordships that we cannot, we dare not 
 in our consciences agree to an Engagement vpon such grounds, 
 and in such a way as is stated in your Lordships Declaration : And 
 therefore, for our exoneration, doe dissent from the whole complex 
 bussinesse in the said Declaration, as not containing clear and con- 
 
28 APRIL] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 511 
 
 vincing grounds of vndertaking of war, nor providing for the 
 security of Religion, nor clearly disclaiming his Majesties late con- 
 cessions and offers as vnsatisfactory, nor tending to the suppression 
 of the Malignant party, but rather to compliance with them, as 
 we humbly conceive ; nor preserving the liberties and known 
 interest of the Kirk, nor proposing the way of Treaties, and all 
 other possible wayes of peace to be sought and assayed before a 
 war. For which reasons, and others before mentioned vpon the 
 particular heads of the Declaration, we plainly declare our dissent 
 from the complex circumstantiat state of the present bussines con- 
 tained in the said Declaration, and take to witnesse God, angels, 
 and men, that your Lordships have not wanted warning from the 
 watchmen, and that we shall be free of all the distractions, con- 
 fussions, miseries, and blood which may follow vpon your Lordships 
 proceeding to an Engadgement in war vpon the grounds of the 
 Declaration. We further call to record the Searcher of all hearts 
 and the righteous Judge of all the world, That our not concurring 
 proceedeth not from want of zeale against Sectaries, nor from any 
 remissenes in that which may concerne his Majesties true honour 
 and happines, and the preservation of Monarchicall Government 
 in him and his posterity, nor from any want of tendernes of the 
 priviledges of Parliaments, nor from any want of sympathie with 
 our afflicted and oppressed brethren in England, in reference to 
 all which our proceedings have been, and shall be (wee trust), 
 reall testimonies of our affection and sinceritie. But our not 
 concurring proceedeth meerly from tendernesse in the point of 
 security of Religion and Vnion between the Kingdomes, and from 
 the vnsatisfactorinesse of the grounds of your Lordships Declara- 
 tion, as hath been expressed in the particulars. Wherefore we 
 humbly beseech your Lordships to interpret favourably and charit- 
 ably any liberty which we have vsed (the matter being such as 
 lyeth sad and weighty vpon our consciences), and that your Lord- 
 ships would also be pleased to be mindfull of making good that 
 passage of your Declaration, where yow say that yow are resolved 
 te not to engadge in any war before the necessity and lawfulnesse 
 thereof be cleared, so as all who are well affected may be satisfied 
 therewith Which if your Lordships shall be pleased to do, there 
 is a door of hope yet open, and we shall not cease to pray vnto the 
 Lord (as He shall assist ws), that a spirit of counsell and vnder- 
 standing, and of the fear of the Lord, may be vpon yow, and that 
 God would gratiously rid both your Lordships and ws out of all hid 
 
512 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [28 April 
 
 and lurking snares, and so guide your Lordships as that there may 
 be yet a sweet and harmonious joining of hearts and hands vpon 
 right principles, grounds, and motives, in a right way, and for the 
 right ends.' 
 
 The nixt meeting at 10 houres vpon Mononday. 
 The Comission appoynts the letters following to be sent to 
 the Presbytery and town of Air : — 
 
 Letter to the ' REVEREND AND LOVING BRETHREN, It IS not vnknowne to 
 
 ? Air bytery ° f y ow that we have intrusted to ws the planting of the Kirk of 
 Air with a collegue to your brother, Mr. William Adair, and 
 that there is nothing done there anent, altho the Comissioners 
 of the Generall Assemblie have recomended the planting therof 
 to the towne of Air : Therefore we desire that yow may concur 
 with your best advise to them for the planting therof ; And we 
 wish that it may be planted with all diligence before the 
 ensueing Generall Assemblie, that we may make the report 
 therof to them. Being confident of your cair of so necessary a 
 work both for the help of your brother and for the confort of 
 the people of God there, wee recommend yow and your labours 
 to the blissing of God and rest/ 
 
 To their reverend and loving' brethren The Presbytery of Air. 
 
 Letter to the 4 RlGHT WORTH IE AND MUCH RESPECTED, We wrot to yOW 
 
 Toun of Air. De f or concerning that recomendation of the Generall Assemblie 
 for providing a collegue to your minister, earnestly desiring 
 that yow wold take some course therin, wherof we have heard 
 no thing from yow ; only we hear by the clerk that ther wes 
 sumonds given out, bot he hes heard of no returne of diligence ; 
 Therefore we onlie desire that now before the Assembly there 
 may be so much done as may testify your diligence and cair of 
 so pious a work. It is all w r e have to say. Recommending 
 vow to the Lords speciall blissing, and remain 
 ' Yours in the Lord, 
 Edinburgh, The Comissioners 
 
 28 Aprilc 1648. OF THE Generall Assemrlie."' 
 
 For the right worthie and their much respected freinds the 
 Proveist, Baillies, and Cornwall of the burgh of Air. 
 
I may] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 513 
 
 Edinburgh, 1 Maij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Bell : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. Colin Adam : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. 
 Robert Blair : Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. John Smith : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. 
 John Neve : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd. Elders. — 
 Libbertoun : Lawrence Henderson : George Porterfeild : Sir James 
 Stewart. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assembly, considering that at Recommenda- 
 this tyme they have provided ministers to preach to the honor- p r ovinciaii of 
 abill Court of Parliament, and knowing that their reverend ^mstere°to 
 brethren of the Provinciaii Assembly of Lothian, being to meet pray^and 
 the morne, will be very carefull to supplie that duety, seing the *iamen T 
 Comission after so long attendance is now to dissolve, Therfor 
 they doe seriously recomend to the said Provinciaii to provyd 
 tuo ministers to preach to the Parliament each Sabboth of this 
 instant moneth of Maij, as also that during their sitting they 
 may be pleased to send some of their owne number to pray 
 every day in Parliament, and, after their dissolving, to re- 
 comend it to the Presbyterie and Ministry of Edinburgh vntill 
 the said nixt quarterly meeting of this Comission. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. James Guthrie to pray the 
 morne to the Parliament. 
 
 The Comission having heard by Mr. Heugh Cunningham Correspon- 
 that the brethren in Irland are very desirous to have informa- iriand WUh 
 tion of bussines in this Kingdome, Therefore the Comission 
 appoynts Mr. James Hamiltoun to keepe correspondence with 
 them from tyme to tyme. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Robert Dalgleishe to speake to Annuitie of 
 the Thesaurer to provyde the 500 lib. sterling against the nixt 500 llb * sterlm S- 
 quarterly meeting, and to show his Lordship that the Comis- 
 sioners that should goe to Irland, and many other particular 
 bussines are impeded for want of money. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Robert Blair, Samuell Commissioner 
 Rutherfurd, James Hamiltoun, and John Smith, with the from Irland ' 
 Moderatour, to hear the Commissioner from Irland and to 
 report. 
 
 The Comission, having considered the Report of the brethren 
 of Auchterardour and Perth concerning, David Grahame, being 
 vnsatisfied therewith, Thinke fit to returne this answer : — 
 
 % K 
 
514 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i may 
 
 Letter concern- 
 ing David 
 Graham to 
 Presbyterie of 
 Auchterardor. 
 
 6 Reverend and loving brethren, — Having considered your 
 Report and David Grahams Declaration, We doe not find that 
 satisfaction in it we desired, perceiving him to decline any 
 acknowledgment that the course he wes in wes rebellion, nor 
 doeth he give so positive and particular confession of the offenses 
 as his sentence beareth, which we conceive may be from want of 
 present information, Therfor wee yet desyre yow, with the con- 
 currance of the brethren formerly desired to assist yow, in that 
 bussines, to conferr with him, and labour to bring him to a 
 greater measure of sense and acknowledgment of the haynousnes 
 of his offences, and that as particularlie as his sentence imports, 
 or as others in his condition lies done, which we hope the 
 gentleman will be willing to doe, and being done sincerly and 
 heartily will tend to his good and inward confort. Thus 
 comending yow and all your labours to the Lords grace, we 
 remain 
 
 i Your loving brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Comissioners 
 
 1 Maij 1648. of the Generall Assembly.' 
 
 ' Concerning Robert Grahame of 
 
 , your Report 
 
 relates to a supplication which we have not received, nor have 
 we sene it, nor heard from himself, and therfore can give no 
 opinion concerning him. 1 
 
 To the right reverend The Presbytery of Aucht er ardour. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 2 houres afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers, — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Heugh 
 Mackall : Mr. J ohn Neve : Mr. Zacharie Boyd : Mr. George Leslie : Mr. 
 Robert Blair: Mr. John Bell: Mr. James Guthrie: Mr. Mungo Law. 
 Elders. — Libbertoun : Findawrie : Sir James Stewart: George Porter- 
 feild : Lawrence Henderson : John Semple. 
 
 Committee for The Comission appoynts Mr. Robert Douglas, George Gil- 
 laspie, William Colvill, James Hamiltoun, John Smith, with 
 Mr. John Adamson, to revise Rouse paraphrase of the Psalmes 
 in meeter, with the animadversiones thereupon, and to report 
 their opiniones. 
 
4 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648. 515 
 
 The Comission appoynts the clerk to draw vp in forme the Overturs to the 
 overtures to the Parliament, but for the overtures that shall be Assembly! ^ 
 prepared to the Assembly the Comission appoynts Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun to have them in readines against the nixt quarterly 
 meeting. 
 
 The Comission thinks it fit to dissolve now, desireing the 
 brethren to returne at the nixt quarterly meeting in Maij, and 
 to acquaint their brethren absent to keepe that dyet, appoynt- 
 ing also the Moderatour, if any mater occurre of importance, to 
 conveen so many of the Comission as he can conveniently. 
 
 Edinburgh, 4 May 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Robert 
 Ker : Mr. John Smith : Mr. John Hay : Mr. EphramMelvill : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr, William Colvill : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Doctor 
 Colvill: Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. Patrik Scheill: Mr. Evan Cameron. 
 Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun. 
 
 The Moderator shew that this day he had conveened the 
 brethren occasionallie now in towne at the Synod by reason of 
 some letters and petitions he had received. 
 
 This day a letter sent from the Provincialls of Galloway 
 and Aberdene, and from the Presbytery of Lanerk, togither 
 with their petition they desired to be presented to the Parlia- 
 ment, which, being considered, The Comission appoynts Mr. 
 William Dalgleish to present the petition of Galloway to the 
 Parliament, and to accompany the presenters of the petitions 
 from the Provincialls of Lothian and Aberdene, and of the 
 Presbytery of Lanerk. Tenor of the letters folio wes : — 
 
 'Reverend and deare brethren, — Amidst the distractions Letter from the 
 and sad discouragments of this backsliding and sinfull tyme our Q^^y 11 of 
 hearts are exceedingly refreshed by the goodnes of God in 
 setting yow ther on a watchtower to see and communicat to 
 the land, both in what condition Religion stands, and what is 
 fitting to be done in relation thervnto, wherin, although your 
 fightings and fears are more nor ordinary, yet your reward is 
 with the Lord, your strength and successe is from him, your 
 persons and employments are deare to the people of God 
 through the land as their owne soules. 
 
516 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [4 MAY 
 
 ' That necessary and seasonable Declaration emitted by yow 
 was so acceptable in all the points therof to all here, and 
 accordingly red by ministers and received by people, that vpon 
 inquirie made in several Presbyteries, and now in the Synod, we 
 cannot find the least suspicion of disaffection in any, either 
 minister or people ; But all acknowledge the good hand of God 
 vpon yow, and take it as an argument of his favour towards 
 the land, and that he is not mynded as yet to forsak ws, when 
 he is pleased to give ws so clear intimation of our dueties and 
 dangers. 
 
 'We adore the deepe and gratious wisdome of God in leading 
 yow along in that conference with the right honorabill the 
 Estates of Parliament, and are so well satisfied with these 8 
 Desires imparted by yow to ws that we humbly conceive all and 
 everie on of them to be precisly adhaered vnto, as without which 
 neither Religion, King, nor Kingdome can well be secured. 
 And therefor we have made our addresses in a humble petition 
 to the right Honorabill the Estates of Parliament to satisfie 
 these so just Desires, which we have herewith sent that it may 
 be disposed of according to your judgment, who know the 
 juncture of affaires. As for the Presbyteries within this 
 Province yow neid not doubt but they will both wait vpon 
 information from yow in publick affaires, and tymously acquaint 
 yow when they shall stand in neid of publick advice. What 
 yow recomend anent searching out and mourning for the sins of 
 this Nation, and the preserving of trueth, vnitie, knowledge, 
 and pietie, wee doe acknowledge the same to be most necessary, 
 and shall by the grace of God, according to our abilitie, ende- 
 vour to acquit our selves according to your advice in all things. 
 And wee are confident that, as yow have testified your zeale 
 in every thing, so likwise in taking notice of vnsound and 
 vnseasonable doctrine, which being vented (as we are informed) 
 in the most eminent place of the Kingdome, both strengthened 
 the hands and increaseth the number of Malignants, and scan- 
 dalizeth manie throughout the whole land, and even in those 
 parts where we live, wherein we both sympathize with your 
 difficulties, and promise to our selves, that yow will tymously 
 censure and suppresse such enormities according to the power 
 of God put in your hands. 
 
4 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 517 
 
 4 Such of our number as are members of the Comission have 
 attended as those that live at such a distance could, and we have 
 charged them in the Lord not to be wanting in time comeing. 
 Now, the Lord himself, who is able to doe exceeding abound- 
 antlie abone all we aske or think, furnish yow with such 
 counsell and courage as these times and your trust requires. 
 Wee rest 
 
 8 Your very loving brethren in the Lord Jesus, 
 
 The Provixciall Syxod of Galloway. 
 
 Wigtoun, Sic Subscribitur, Jo. M'Lellan, Modr. 
 Aprill 18,1648. Mr. Ja. Irvixg, Cle. SynodV 
 
 6 RlGHT HoXOURABILL, REVEREXD AXD DEARLIE BELOVED IX THE Letter from 
 
 Lord, — We are very sensible of the great solicitude and paines AtTerderu 11 ( 
 ye have taken in the Cause of God, both before and now in 
 this dangerous tyme, when Satan so much bestirreth himself 
 in his craft and malice to imped that happie course of Refor- 
 mation which hath bene so laudablie vndertaken and advanced 
 within thir three Kingdomes ; and doe highly esteeme of your 
 paines, of the work of your faith, the labour of your love, 
 the patience of your hope, and blesse the Lord for the evident 
 demonstrations of his presence with yow in this his owne work, 
 wherof we have seen cleare footsteps in your Declaration 
 seasonablie emitted, receaved by ws, pervsed also according to 
 your direction verie vnanimously : as also in your most just 
 Desires presented to the Honourabill Court of Parliament. In 
 all these, and in this letter to your selves, with a supplication to 
 the Parliament, ye have ws all and everie on goeing along with 
 yow, nemine (so much as in appearance) contradicente. And be 
 ye assured that, by the grace of God, we shall be ever readie to 
 contribute what in ws lyeth for your incouragment in so good 
 and laudable a work which doth so nearly concerne the glory 
 of God, the happines of this Kirk, of the King, and of the 
 Vnited Kingdomes. We are not ignorant of the manifold 
 difficulties and oppositions that ye doe meet with, yet knowing 
 whom ye beleve, we beseech yow to be constant, stedfast, 
 vnmoveable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, foras- 
 much as ye know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord, 
 
518 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [4 may 
 
 to whose grace heartily recomending yow we subscribe ourselves- 
 your humble servants and loving brethren by 
 
 6 Your honours humble servant and loueing 
 fellow labouer in Christ, 
 
 Sic subscribitur, Mr. Jo. Row, 
 Moderator of the Provinciall Synod oJ'Aberdene y 
 in their name and at their speciall command: 
 4 Wee desire and intreat that the bearer, our reverend brother, 
 Mr. John Forbes, whom we have sent over with our letter and 
 supplication, may be directed and assisted by yow in presenting 
 the supplication. 1 
 Aberdene, 
 Aprile 26, 1648. 
 
 Letter from the 4 Right iiEVEREND, — We have received your Declaration, and 
 L^nSc.^ 7 ° f nes obeyed your ordinance with all diligence for the reading of 
 it. We bless God for your zeale, faithfulnes, and prudence in 
 this your seasonable warning in so needfull a tyme ; We hope 
 that the example of your zeale and sound of your trumpet sail 
 waken many that otherwyse might have sleiped, That the Lord 
 may yet have in this land his tuo faithfull witnesses who may 
 lift vp their voice and cry aloud in so great defection of these 
 miserable times, when truth is contradicted and opposed on 
 ether side. We know the manifold difficulties ye wrassle with, 
 and sail not be vnmindfull to hold up your condition befor Him 
 who is able to establish and strenthen yow that ye may stand 
 forth against all opposition, knowing that whatever be the con- 
 tradiction of many, yet wisdome shall be justified of her owne 
 children ; and howsoever that faith and love of the truth could 
 scaircely be found in those latter dayes, yet your judgment is 
 with the Lord, and your work with him ; and for our selves we 
 shall continew stedfast through the strenth of Christ to follow 
 your warnings according to our places. We commend yow and 
 all your imployments to the grace of God, and rests 
 * Your observant brethren and 
 
 fellow labourers in the Gospell, 
 Sic subsciibitur, 
 
 Mr. J. Hume, Modr. 
 Mr. J. Semple, Clerk: 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 8 houres. 
 
5 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 519 
 
 Edinburgh, 5 May 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Doctor 
 Colvill : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert 
 Lawder : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. John Hay: Mr. John Adamson : 
 Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. James Fleeming : 
 Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. Georg-e Bennet : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. John Smith. Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Asssembly doe humbly desire David Spence. 
 that the Honorabill Estates of Parliament wold take to their 
 consideration the complaint given in against David Spence, and 
 that their Lordships may be pleased to assigne a day for it, 
 and appoynts the brethren that goe to the Parliament with 
 the petitions to represent this their humble desire. 
 
 The Comission, considering the proceedings of the honorabill Act for Advise 
 court of Parliament tending now to Engagement befor satisfac- t0 Presbytenes ' 
 tion in the Cause and other grounds of the Engadgment, and 
 their other Desires to the Parliament, Therefor think it very fitt 
 that Presbyteries withdraw them selves from giving any assist- 
 ance or concurrance in any way to their proceedings in that 
 Engadgment, and especially that they do not read the publick 
 orders of the Comittee, nor send foorth any of their number to 
 attend their forces. The Comission thinks also fit that a 
 present short Information be drawen for Presbiteries that they 
 may the better know how to carrie them selves. 
 
 This day the drawght of a Declaration to be sent to Presby- Committee for 
 teries read ; the Comission appoynts Messrs. David Calderwood, Deciarftioun. 
 George Gillaspie, John Smith, Robert Ker, and the Moderator 
 to revise it. 
 
 The nixt meeting at 3 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik Sibbald : 
 Mr. Robert Baillie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Evan Cameron : Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander 
 Spittle : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie: Mr. George Bennet: Mr. Alexander Dickson: Mr. John 
 Forbes. Elders. — Dundas: Libbertoun: Sir James Stewart : Lawrence 
 Henderson. 
 
 The Comission approues the Declaratioun vnanimously ; 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
520 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 may 
 
 'A Declaration 1 of the Commission of the Generall Assembly 
 to this whole Kirk and Kingdome concerning the present 
 publike proceedings towards an Engagement in Warre 
 so Jarre as Religion is therin concerned. 
 
 Declaration ' God only wise, who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in 
 
 pres^mdangers working, whose thoughts are not like mens thoughts, nor his 
 of the 5th May. wa yes like mens wayes, who some times by weak and vnlikely 
 meanes, and often by contrary meanes, vseth to worke out the 
 greatest works of his glory, and the greatest salvation to his 
 people ; After he had broken the Egyptian Antichristian yoke, first 
 in this, then in the nighbour Kingdome, with a mightie hand and 
 stretched out arm, and had also brought ws through a Red Sea of 
 a bloody opposition in 2 warre ; yea, after we were near the wished 
 for Reformation and peace, He hath againe reduced ws to such 
 extreme difficulties and dangers, as makes many in their haste apt 
 to wish they had not come out of Egypt, or that they wer returned 
 thither again. How great and how many soever our dangers be, 
 " the Lord is righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his works," 
 and He hath " punished ws lesse then our iniquities deserve." 
 Among many other provocations, that of sinfull compliance is one 
 which the present judgments of God in both Kingdomes do more 
 especially and more distinctly proclaim and speake out eccho-wise 
 vnto ws. Sectaries in the one hand, and Malignants in both, were 
 so much connived at and complied with, that God hath most justly 
 made them on both sides to be thornes and scourges to these that 
 cherished them, when they should have suppressed them. But as 
 we will " beare the indignation of the Lord because we have sinned 
 against him," so we encourage ourselves in our God, and trust that 
 when He hath humbled and proved his people, He will doe them 
 good in their latter end. Blessed are they that wait for him, and 
 live by faith, and keep their garments clean, for they shall " see the 
 good of Jerusalem, and peace vpon Israel." Yea, God shall work 
 so much good out of all the greatest evills which now afflict them, 
 that they shall say in end, Wee had perished vnlesse we had 
 perished ; and the work of God had not been done if it had not 
 been vndone. 
 
 1 It was published as a 4to pamphlet, without title-page, printer's name, or 
 place of publication, like several of the other papers of the Commission, and 
 with the identical heading given above. 2 And for in in 4to. 
 
5 MAY] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 521 
 
 i It is one door of hope to ws that God hath raised vp the spirits 
 of many of his servants in diverse places and Provinces of England 
 to joyne together in witnessing a good confession, and giving a 
 fair publike testimony for the Truth of Christ, for the Covenant, 
 for the Presbyteriall Government, and against that abominable 
 toleration of most dangerous errors, heresies, and schismes. These 
 testimonies we have seen to our great joy and confort, and have 
 been much refreshed thereby, trusting that so many publick testi- 
 monies as have been given in both Kingdomes for the Covenant 
 and against the toleration of heresie or schisme shall not be in 
 vaine, but that God shall lay open those that resist the truth, so 
 as "they shall proceed no further, but their folly shall be made 
 manifest unto all men." And we doe 1 not doubt but that such 
 shoutings shall be heard among the Churches of Christ, " Shame, 
 shame vpon the way of the Sectaries !" " Grace, grace vpon that 
 Covenant and Reformation which the Sectaries opposed ! " 
 
 ' Our present work is at home, to give an antidote against these 
 Malignant designes now brought to so much maturity ; and withall 
 to clear our own late proceedings, which some are not content to 
 misunderstand, except they also misrepresent them to as many 
 others as they can ; Yea, some are so skilfull in coyning, others 
 so bold in outing, and a thrid sort so weak and simple in believing 
 lies and calumnies, that every conscientious man hath cause to 
 pray at this tyme, " Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and 
 from a deceitfull tongue." 
 
 ' That we may therefore lay more open the truth of matters, we 
 shall not now so far run the back trade as to insist vpon the rise 
 and progresse of these present evills, nor vpon the grounds of our 
 former feares and apprehensions of dangerous and Malignant 
 designes heretofore on foot : It shall be sufficient at this time to 
 make known the late passages since we received his Majesties letter, 
 dated at Carisbrook Castle, December 27, 1647, together with a 
 narrative in writting of his Majesties concessions and offers con- 
 cerning Religion, and what his Majesty is content to doe for this 
 kingdom (vpon a good agreement) ; vnder which expression we 
 know not how much may be comprehended. That letter and narra- 
 tive, together with the reports which then this Kingdome was full 
 of, That his Majesty had given satisfaction to the publike desires 
 concerning the Covenant and Religion (thereby to make the people 
 secure, and the better to animate them vnto an engagement in his 
 
 Doe omitted in 4to. 
 
522 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [5 MAY 
 
 Majesties quarrell), did minister occasion to our late Declaration, 
 which, although extreemly opposed and maligned by such as found 
 their projects thereby crossed, yet hath found such generall and 
 good acceptance in this Kirk of Scotland, that we have already 
 received not only from diverse Presbyteries, but from the most 
 part of the Provinciall Synods, most affectionate letters of thanks 
 for the same, as, namely, from the Provincialls 1 of Lothian and 
 Tweddale, Fyffe, Merse 2 and Tiviotdale, Perth and Stirling, Angus 
 and Mernes, Glasgow and Air, Drumfreis, Galloway, and Aberdeen : 
 And we doubt not but that the few other Provincialls would have 
 done the like, but that being in more remote places, they had 
 not the opportunity to be so soon acquainted with the condition of 
 publick affairs. 
 
 ' Not long after the emitting of that Declaration, we were desired 
 vpon the 1 5 of March by the Comittee of Parliament, to appoint 
 some of our number to conferee with their Lordships, which we 
 did : But vpon the 17 of that moneth, vnderstanding that a vote 
 had passed in Parliament vpon the 16 concerning Berwick and 
 Carlile (which vote, as it was dissented from and protested against 
 by diverse members of Parliament, who have been most zealous 
 and constant since the begining, so we conceived to be a prede- 
 termining of the subject of the Conference, and to be of exceeding 
 dangerous consequence to the Cause of God and ends of the Cove- 
 nant), we were there vpon discouraged from entertaining that 
 Conference, and so resolved to delay it till we should give further 
 order to those of our number appointed on the Conference. 
 
 ' After this, vpon the 22 of March, we did, for our owne exonera- 
 tion and for a clear vnderstanding between the Honorabill Court of 
 Parliament and ws, represent to their Lordships 8 humble Desires ; 
 wherevpon the same day we wer invited to a new Conference with 
 some of their Lordships, which did not produce the wished effect 
 and satisfaction which we were waiting for. Vpon the 28 of 
 March we received the Parliaments Answers to our eight Desires, 
 which, leaving ws still vnsatisfied, did occasion our Humble Repre- 
 sentation of March 29, wherevnto we received no other answer, 
 but a desire of Parliament sent ws the next day for a Conference 
 vpon our said Desires and the Parliaments Answer therevnto, and 
 also vpon the state of the Question and whole matter. But as we 
 were willing to conferee vpon our 8 Desires, and the vnsatisfactori- 
 nes of the Parliaments Answers thervnto, so till we should receive a 
 
 1 Provinciall in 4to print. 
 
 - Mense in do. 
 
5 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 523 
 
 cleer and reall satisfaction to these our Desires, we declined a Con- 
 ference vpon the state of a Question for warre, for the grounds and 
 reasons expressed in our paper of the 30 of March, and did accord- 
 ingly give order to those of our number appointed to conferre. 
 But the power given to the Comittee of Parliament containing 
 no thing of further satisfaction to be given to our Desires, that their 
 Conference (after some time spent in debates) proved no lesse 
 ineffectuall then the former two. 
 
 ' Upon the 11 of April, It was ordered by the Parliament that 
 the Demand concerning Religion, thought fitt by their Lordships to 
 be sent to the Parliament of England, should be communicated 
 vnto ws, wherevnto we returned an answer by our paper of the 13 
 of that moneth ; And (that we might leave no meanes vnessayed 
 for satisfaction in those particulars, (wherein most part of the Pro- 
 vinciall Synods hath joyned with ws in supplications to the Parlia- 
 ment) without which many others as well as our selves, could not 
 be satisfied in conscience to concurre in the Engagement,) We did 
 by our petition of the 1 8 further insist with their Lordships in all 
 humility and earnestnesse for satisfaction to our Desires, and to be 
 cleared vpon the whole matter, unto all which we have received 
 no other answers for the satisfaction of our consciences, but the 
 paper delivered in to ws from the Parliament vpon the 20 of April, 
 together with their Lordships Declaration, vnto which we were 
 remitted for satisfaction in most things we had desired. But how 
 great reason we have to be still vn satisfied, will appear by our 
 answer to their Lordships paper of the 20 of April, and by our 
 Humble Representation vpon the Declaration itself, expressing 
 more fully our sense of the whole matter. And although we might 
 have justly desired some weeks for deliberation about an answer 
 to so large and so premeditate a Declaration concerning things of 
 so high a nature, yet we made such haste that our Representation 
 therevpon was fully agreed and concluded among ws vpon the 
 eight day after we received the Declaration itself. 
 
 ' If the Honorabill Estates of Parliament had been pleased to 
 delay the sending away of their Demands to England, and the 
 publishing their Declaration to this Kingdom till they had received 
 and considered our Humble Representation therevpon, we know 
 not but it might have, by the blessing of God, conduced much to 
 the preventing of great and sad inconveniences. But now their 
 Lordships Declaration being emitted, as it is, we have too much 
 cause to feare that the Malignant party shall make vse of it to the 
 
524 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 may 
 
 ensnaring of many, vnlesse tymous warning and information be 
 given them. For our part it hath been our endeavour (which we 
 are confident is desired with ws by all the well affected both in 
 Church and State), that there may be no rupture in this Nation, 
 but a firm vnion and conjunction vpon the first principles and 
 grounds of engaging in this Cause. And as we have not been 
 tenacious of words but of things, nor of any other things but such 
 as highly concerne the glory of God, solemne Covenants, and the 
 good, safety, and security of Religion, so we shall be blamelesse 
 before God, angells, and men, of all the evills, distractions, and 
 confussions which may follow vpon or be occasioned by the not 
 satisfying of so just and necessary Desires. 
 
 ' And now for the result of the whole busines : As we were 
 before, and still are, ready to consent and agree to the engaging 
 and acting in warre if we were satisfied in our consciences concern- 
 ing the grounds of vndertaking and the meanes and wayes of 
 prosecuting the same, and concerning the other particulars con- 
 tained in our papers presented to the Parliament ; So not being 
 satisfied in those, and looking vpon the warre as it is now stated, 
 matters standing as they do, and the whole complexe busines taken 
 together, We cannot but with all dutifull respect and honour, both 
 to his Majesty, and to the Estates of Parliament, plainly dissent 
 and differ from the same, being so far from a cleer satisfaction in 
 our consciences concerning the lawfulnesse and necessity of a war, 
 vpon the grounds and in the manner expressed in the Declaration of 
 Parliament, that contrariwise we are cleerly perswaded in our con- 
 sciences it is an Engagement of most dangerous consequence to the 
 true Reformed Religion, both in Doctrine, Discipline, Worship, and 
 Government, prejudicial] to the due interest and liberty of the 
 Kirk, favourable and advantagious to the Popish, Prelaticall, and 
 Malignant party, inconsistent with the Vnion of the Kingdomes 1 
 and the satisfaction of the Presbyterian party in England, and 
 therefore contrary to the Word of God, to the Solemn Covenants, 
 first principles and publick professions of this Kirk and Kingdom, 
 and a remedy worse then the desease, and a course wherevpon we 
 cannot expect a blessing from God ; For which reasons (expressed 
 more fully and particularly in our Humble Representation vpon the 
 late Declaration of Parliament), we cannot in our consciences allow 
 either ministers in their places and callings, or any others whatso- 
 ever, to concurre and co-operate in the Engagement, but trust that 
 
 1 Kingdom in 4to print. 
 
5 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 525 
 
 all that have in them true tendernesse of conscience and tremble 
 at the Word of God, will by his grace and assistance keep them 
 selves vnspotted and free in this busines, and will choose affliction 
 rather then iniquity, and take their hazard of suffering rather then 
 of sin, believing that the wrath of man shall turn to the praise of 
 God, and " the remainder of wrath He will restrain." 
 
 ' We know there is much zeall pretended for the ends of the 
 Covenant, Vniformity of Religion, suppression of Sectaries, and the 
 like : But the more pretence be made of religious ends, the 
 Malignant designes, varnished and painted therewith, are vnto God 
 and good men so much the more hatefull. Doth the same foun- 
 tain send forth both sweet water and bitter ? Or how can true 
 zeall against Sectaries lodge in one breast with zeal with 1 Malig- 
 nants ? Besides, if Religion and the glory of God be now cheifly 
 aimed at, what meaneth the refusing of that satisfaction and 
 security which hath been desired for Religion ? And if there be 
 such zeal against Sectaries in the Engagement, what meant it that 
 not long ago, when the dangers of the true Reformed Religion in 
 this Kirk from the prevalent party of Sectaries in England were 
 remonstrat by ws to the honorabill Comittee of Estates, it was 
 pleaded by some who now are most active and forward for an En- 
 gagement, that this Kirk and Kingdom was in no such danger from 
 the Sectaries in England and there 2 Army there, as might be 
 any cause of not disbanding the Army in this Kingdome. And is 
 this candid or fair dealing to extenuat or elevat dangers from 
 Sectaries so as may best serve mens present busines ? Or if the 
 design at that tyme was so to disband that Army, as to make 
 vp another of their owne modelling, why was this so much dis- 
 claimed when mentioned among our feares and apprehensions in 
 our Remonstrance, October 13 ? However, it seems the thing 
 then suspected is now begun to be acted, and it is too apparent 
 that our former feares wer not without some reall ground. 
 
 e As to any calumnies or aspersions cast vpon our proceedings by 
 Malignant and disaffected persons, as our consciences before God, 
 so the very course of our proceedings before men doth cleerly wipe 
 them off. And because we have here only summarily pointed at 
 things, we shall for the cleerer vnderstanding of all refer to the 
 several papers them selves here withall published and made known 
 to all the people of God in this land, that they may "prove all things, 
 and hold fast that which is good." We doe not doubt but vpon a 
 
 For instead of with in 4to. 
 
 2 The for there. 
 
526 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION 
 
 [5 MAY 
 
 serious search into the particulars, all that do ingenuously seek 
 after satisfaction shall find it. And as it will appear by the par- 
 ticular papers that we have not medled with civill businesses, but 
 only with such things as meerly concerne the safety and security 
 of Religion, so we leave it to the consciences of all the well affected 
 in the land whether they will give more credit and belief to the 
 professions and informations of such as were strangers and enemies 
 to the Work and Cause of God in the begining, or of those who 
 have given constant and reall proof of their integrity in this Cause 
 from the begining. We trust God will discover more and more 
 the mistery of Malignancy now so strongly working, manifest the 
 innocency and sincerity of his servants, deliver his people out of 
 the present snares, and guide them in a right and safe way ; which 
 afterwards shall be no grief of heart, but matter of peace and 
 confort vnto them.' 
 
 This day a letter produced from the Provinciall of Lothian, 
 intimating a petition presented by them to the Parliament ; 
 tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 Letter from the ' RlGHT REVEREND AND WELL BELOVED IX OUR LORD, 
 
 Lothian. Imediatlie efter the opening of our Synod we receaved and read 
 your letter, with the inclosed copie of your eight Desires to the 
 Parliament, plainly informing ws how matters now stand, and 
 what duties are incumbent to ws in such a tyme as this. We 
 blisse the Lord with all our hearts for your zeal to God, and 
 pious and prudent cariage in these times, and for your faithfull 
 acquainting of ws (as yow have also done other Synods) what 
 is in doing, and what ought to be done, in this juncture of 
 affaires, according to our dutie to God and to the people who 
 are vnder our charge. And howbeit yow neither desire nor 
 expect comendation from ws nor any other, seing yow constantly 
 labour to approve your selves to God who searches the heart, 
 and resolve to goe through honour and dishonour, through ill 
 report and good report ; Yet when we ponder in our hearts how 
 yow are set vp as a signe of contradiction, and that yow meit 
 with many vnjust calumnies, we have thought it our duetie to 
 declair before God and men that your zeale and cair at this 
 tyme in your Declaration and Desires have been (through Gods 
 blissing) most seasonable and approveable, and we are confident 
 that after ages, and all of this same time who are vnprejudged, 
 
5 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 527 
 
 shall acknowledge that yee have done a verie faithfull duetie to 
 God and to this poore Church and Kingdome, And therfore we 
 doe vnanimously thanke yow, and exhort yow in the Lord to 
 take more and more courage to expresse yourselves stedfastlie 
 for the Lord and his Cause, even as yow also doe, and wee (by 
 Gods grace) shall in all things recomended by yow to ws give 
 heartie concurrance and obedience in our places and according 
 to our power. 
 
 4 And now to give ane account of the particulars contained in 
 jour letter directed to ws : First, we have cairfullie enquired 
 anent the reading of your Declaration and the miscariages of 
 any thereanent. In the tryall of our severall Presbyteries we 
 doe find that the same hath been vniversally read and well 
 received in all the Presbyteries within our bounds ; yet we have 
 recomended to the severall Presbyteries to enquyre if any 
 person whatsoever have slighted the same, and to censure 
 according to the measure of the miscariage. 
 
 'We have diligentlie compared your Desires to the Parliament 
 with their Answers thervnto as they are contained in their 
 printed Declaration, which (through Gods good providence) 
 came abroad at the same time when we were assembled. And 
 finding these your most necessar and just Desires not satisfied 
 by the Parliament, we have made our addresse to that High and 
 Honorabill Court by a supplication, whereof we have herewith 
 sent yow a copie. 
 
 4 We shall (God willing) labour to lay to heart the many pro- 
 vocations of this land, and to wrestle in prayer for removall of 
 the wrath provocked therby, and have concluded that a catalogue 
 of the sins of the time, with the causes and remedies therof, 
 be brought in by our severall Presbyteries to the Generall 
 Assembly. 
 
 4 We have entreated such of our number as are members of 
 the Comission to wait constantlie vpon your meetings at all 
 tymes hereafter, as we hear most of them have done hitherto. 
 
 4 Finallie, we shall labour to have in readiness our thoughts 
 anent the travells of Mr. Zacharie Boyd on the Scripturall 
 Songs againe the next Generall Assembly. 
 
 4 The Lord him self encourage yow all (reverend and dear 
 brethren) to proceed and encrease more and more in your zeal 
 
528 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 may 
 
 for God, and for publishing the mind of our Lord as these 
 times requyre, and preserve yow from vnreasonable men, which 
 shall be the constant prayer of 
 
 4 Your most loving brethren in Christ, 
 4 The Provixciall Assemblie 
 
 of Lothian and Tweddall. 
 
 Sic subscribitur, 
 Edinburgh, Mr. J. Smith, Moderator, 
 
 5 Maij 1648. i n their name and at their command. 1 
 
 The Short Information, which is thought fitt to be presently 
 prepared, being read, The Comission approves the same, and 
 appoynts it to be sent with diligence to Presbyteries, together 
 with a letter also read. Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 6 A SHORT INFORMATION from the Commission of the 
 Generall Assembly concerning the Declaration of the 
 Honorabill Court of Parliament lately emitted to the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 ' Although in the Answer of Aprill 22, which we received in 
 writing from the Honorabill Court of Parliament, we are 
 remitted to their Lordships Declaration (now printed and 
 published), therin to find satisfaction to our eight Desires, 
 presented to the Parliament March 22, and although these 
 Desires wer such as wer most agreeable to the Word of God, 
 and doe highly concern the safety and security of Religion, 
 yet after diligent pervsall of the said Declaration of Parlia- 
 ment, we cannot find therein any one of these our eight 
 Desires satisfied. 
 
 ( 2. We find twice in the said Declaration a passage cited out of 
 the Declaration of both Kingdomes, 1643, viz., "That the 
 not takers of the Covenant are declared to be publick 
 enemies to Religion and Countrey, and to be punished 
 as professed adversaries and Malignants." But while this 
 passage is pressed and vrged vpon the Parliament of 
 England against the Sectaries, we cannot see that it is 
 applyed against such Malignants as have not to this day 
 taken the Covenant. Shall we require of them the observ- 
 ing of such a rule, and not yet walk by that rule our selves ? 
 ' 3. As the three breaches of Treaties insisted vpon in the said 
 Declaration are disputable and not without controversie, so 
 
 The Informa- 
 tion sent to 
 Presbyteries. 
 
5 may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 529 
 
 the three Demands sent to the Parliament of England (as 
 they are conceived) are of most dangerous consequence to 
 Religion, so farre as we are able to judge of them or piy into 
 them : And although we are reall well wishers to his Majesties 
 honour, freedome, and safety, in such a way as may not be 
 inconsistent with the safety and security of Religion ; yet 
 the Demand of his Majesties coming with honour, freedome, 
 and safety to some of his houses in or near London, before 
 security had from him, yea, before applications to be made 
 to him by his Parliaments for setling Religion according to 
 the Covenant, we conceive to be not only a postponing of 
 Christs interest to the Kings, but an apparent hazard of 
 the subversion of all the ends of the Covenant ; considering 
 that the Army being disbanded (as is also demanded) and 
 his Majesty vnder no restraint, but restored with honour, 
 freedome, and safety, may gather new strength, with the 
 help of the Popish, Prelaticall, and Malignant party, for 
 hindering the setling of Religion and peace according to the 
 Covenant ; which we have the more reason to fear and appre- 
 hend, his Majesty still retaining his old principles, and 
 having not long since professed and declared that he is 
 obliged in conscience to improve that power which God 
 shall put in hands for the establishing of Episcopacy. 
 ' 4. There are in the said Declaration diverse particulars highly 
 concerning Religion, determined and resolved vpon without 
 the advice and consent of the Generall Assemblie or their 
 Comissioners ; which is a great prejudice to the just interest 
 and liberties of the Kirk. 
 ' 5. We doe not find in the said Declaration all lawfull and 
 possible wayes of peace, and, namely, by Treaties (as before 
 in 1639 and 1640), endeavoured or sought after before an 
 Engagement in warre ; which method we conceive to be 
 necessary as well by common and naturall equity as by the 
 Word of God, and especially between two Kingdoms vnited 
 by Solemne Covenant. 
 ' 6. The Declaration holds forth no resolution of Parliament for 
 opposing and suppressing of the Popish, Prelaticall, or 
 Malignant party, if they rise againe in armes, but only against 
 associating or joyning forces with them, and not so much 
 as that, except with limitations, in case they be refusers to 
 swear and subscribe the Covenant ; and in case they rise in 
 2 L 
 
530 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [5 may 
 
 armes to oppose or obstruct all or any one of the ends of 
 the Covenant. Whereas it may be easily foreseen that if 
 the Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party rise againe in 
 armes in England, they can not only conceale their inten- 
 tions against the ends of the Covenant, but also be easily 
 exempted from being reckoned refusers of the Covenant, 
 the Covenant not being now imposed vpon them ; and 
 being once suffered to rise in armes (as some ar already), 
 may grow so strong as that it will be very hard and difficult 
 to suppresse them. 
 
 ' 7. Whereas we have, insisted for satisfaction to our consciences 
 concerning the persons to be entrusted with the managing 
 of the warre, and " that non may be employed in Comittees 
 and Armies but such as have given constant proof of their 
 integrity and faithfulnesse, and against whom there is no 
 just cause of jealousie, That so we may the more confidently 
 encourage our flocks to follow the Cause of God in their 
 hands : " The Declaration, instead of satisfying this Desire, 
 doth avoyd and keep off from these qualifications desired 
 by ws, and so leaves a latitude for employing such as these 
 qualifications do not agree to. 
 
 ' Finally. As we neither were nor are against an engagement if 
 once satisfied in the grounds of vndertaking and manner 
 of proceeding, and the other particulars expressed in our 
 former papers ; So, for the reasons before mentioned, and 
 diverse others, fully expressed in our Representation vpon 
 the Declaration, wee judge the present Engagement, as it is 
 stated, vnlawfull, and trust that all the well affected in the 
 Kingdome will make conscience of their solemne vowes, and 
 will be cairfull, by the grace and assistance of God, to keep 
 them selves from being ensnared and carried alongst in any 
 course contrary to the Covenant.' 
 
 Letter to ' Reverend and loving brethren, — We have sent vnto yow 
 
 Presbyteries of heirinclosed a Short Information (vntill yow receive a more full 
 
 Advyse con- t ... 
 
 cerningthe and large one) which yow will be cairfull with all convenient 
 Engagement. S p eec j ^ Q ma k e known vnto your people, and to disperse copies 
 therof to preserve them from being ensnared by the specious 
 pretences of men. And becaus the Honorabill and High Court of 
 Parliament have proceeded toward ane Engagement in a warre, 
 wherein Religion is so neerly and highly concerned, before satis- 
 
3i may] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 531 
 
 faction given vnto ws (who are entrusted by the Generall 
 Assembly in the publict affairs of the Kirk) in the lawfulnesse 
 and necessity of the cause and quarrell, and in our other Desires 
 presented to their Lordships, Therefore, according to the 
 trust comitted vnto ws, we doe advertise and advyse yow that 
 every on of yow with-draw your selves from giving any assist- 
 ance or concurrance in any way to their proceedings in that 
 Engagement, and specially that yow neither send any of your 
 number forth to attend their forces, nor yet read, or allow any 
 others to read, any ordours or papers concerning the advance- 
 ment of their present Engagement, as yow will be answerable 
 to the ensueing Assembly. So praying God to give yow vnder- 
 standing in all things, and make yow strong in the Lord and 
 in the power of his might, against all temptations of the tyme, 
 We remain 
 
 6 Your loving brethren, 
 The Comissioners 
 
 of the Generall Assemblie. 
 Edinburgh, Subscribitur, 
 
 Maij 1648. Mr. Robert Douglas, Modr." 1 
 
 The Comission of Assembly heirby warrants and appoynts Warrand for 
 the Clerk to publish, either in writt or print as he shall find ^1!?^! 
 most convenient, the Declaration past in the fornoon, as also 
 all the other papers whervnto it relats, and to send the same 
 with diligence to Presbyteries ; And further warrants him to 
 publish aither in writt or print, any vther papers that shall be 
 here after emitted in relation to the publick bussines for further 
 clearing of the whole proceedings therin. 
 
 Edinburgh, vltimo Maij 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt .-—Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Patrik 
 Sibbald : Mr. Alexander Dicksone : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. Francis Aird: 
 Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. David Dickson: Mr. 
 George Leslie : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. James Guthrie : Mr. William Livistoun : 
 Mr. John Neve: Mr. James Mairtein : Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. 
 Ephram Melvill : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Andro Fairfoulj : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Mungo Law : Mr. Robert Birnie. Elders. — Lauderdale : 
 Angus : Balmerino : Lord Craighall : Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart. 
 
532 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JUNE 
 
 The petition of the Lord Rae and his sone read, the Comis- 
 sion continues to give answer to it vntill the morne. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Mr. Samuel 
 Douglas re- 
 moved from 
 the Commis- 
 sioun. 
 
 Letter from 
 Paislev. 
 
 Edinburgh, 1 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Guthrie: Mr. John Adamson : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. George Lesly : 
 Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. Bernard Sanderson: Mr. John Neve: Mr. Zacharie Boyd: Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. James Martein : Mr. Fredrick 
 Carmichaell : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Samuell 
 Douglas: Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. AVilliam Colvill : Mr. Mungo Law: Mr. 
 Robert Lawrie: Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. George Bennet: Mr. George 
 Murray : Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. William 
 Livistoun : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Hew 
 Mackall. Elders. — Lord Angus : Libbertoun : Lawrence Henderson : 
 George Porterfeild. 
 
 The Comission, vnderstanding that Mr. Samuell Douglas is 
 vnder processe befor his Presbytery, not yet cleared, Doe therfor 
 remove the said Mr. Samuell, and debar him from any place in 
 this Comission vntill he be cleared. And, in respect that Mr. 
 Samuell is not yet tryed, The Comission thinks fitt that the 
 wholl matter be referred to the nixt Generall Assembly now 
 approaching, and that the Presbyterie of Chirnsyd cite any 
 necessary witnesses, and Mr. Samuell warned heirof apud acta. 
 
 Letters produced from Paisley and Ersletoun, with their 
 petitions to the Parliament. Tenor of the letters followes : — 
 
 ' Right reverexd and beloved brethrex, — Our hearts 
 blisseth God in your behalff for your faithfulnes and vigil- 
 ancie in that whilk is intrusted to vow, especiallie for your 
 seasonable and tymous warning given to ws in thir times of 
 tentatioun, and in furnishing ws with information so full of 
 light and convincing cleirnes, whilk as it lies been most profit- 
 able for our selfs, so we sail endeavour to make knowne to the 
 people of our flocks as the Lord shall assist ; We have resolved 
 to supplicat the Honorabill Court of Parliament against this 
 present Engadgment, and have sent our Commissioners, Mr. 
 James Tailyeour, and the Laird of Barochane, to present the 
 samen to their Honours, whom we doe earnestly intreat ye 
 would countenance therin if ye think fitt, and withall that ye 
 wald continew in furnishing ws with information in publick 
 
i JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 533 
 
 matters of so great concernment. As we shall be readie to give 
 obedience to all your directions, so praying the Lord to con- 
 firme your hearts and strengthen your hands in this his great 
 work, We rest 
 
 4 Your loveing brethren, 
 Paslay, The Presbytery of Paslay. 
 
 25 Maij 1648. Subscribltur, Mr. H. Peblis, Moderatour.'* 
 
 4 Reverend and beloued brethren, — It was only the want better from 
 
 . .-i-ii i • • Presbytery of 
 
 of a fitting oportunitie that hath made ws so slow in returning Ersletoun. 
 vnto yow a report of our diligence in reading of the Declara- 
 tion, emitted in March last, which, as it was very seasonable in 
 it self, so was it very heartily intertained by all of ws, and read 
 publictly from our pulpits the first Lords day after the same 
 came to our hands. We have severall tymes since receaved very 
 tymous and seasonable information from yow concerning your 
 proceedings, and the condition of publick affaires, which hath 
 been verie vsfull vnto ws and our people to keep ws free of 
 snares in this day of temptation. And, therfore, we cannot 
 but looke vpon your faithfulnes and zeale in the discharge of 
 the trust comitted vnto yow with very much joy and gladnes 
 of heart, especially in those things that doe concerne the warre 
 stated in the Declaration of the Parliament, To which we resolve 
 (as not being satisfied in our consciences) to give no coun- 
 tenance nor concurrence, aither by preaching, or prayer, or 
 wtherwyse, bot to warne our people of the evill and danger 
 therof ; Therefore for the further discharge of our consciences 
 we have sent some of our number with an supplication to the 
 honorabill Estates of Parliament, by way of returne to thair 
 Lordships letter, the 11 of May, whom we doubt not but ye 
 will countenance and assist in the presenting therof. So pray- 
 ing Jesus Christ our Lord to continue and multiplie his Spirit 
 vpon yow for doing of your duetie resolutelie and boldlie, we 
 rest 
 
 4 Your affectionat brethren of 
 
 Basindine, The Presbyterie of Erslington, 
 
 24 of Maij 1648. Subscribltur, Mr. J. Vetche, Cls. Prij: 
 
 This day divers brethren came from diverse other Presby- other Presby- 
 teries shewing the Comission they had petitions from their teries that sent 
 
534 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JUNE 
 
 Petitiones to Presbyteries to the Parliament concerning the present Engadg- 
 ment, viz., from Penpont, Irwin, Lanerk, Air, Ocherardour, 
 Bigger, Hamiltoun, Glasgow, Lithgow, and from Edinburgh 
 and Dalkeith joyntly, and the Comittee of the warre of that 
 shyre ; as also the brethren of Edinburgh Presbytery shew they 
 had a petition to present to the Parliament in answer to their 
 Lordships letter sent to Presbyteries. 
 Appoyntment The Comission appoynts Messrs. John Adamsou, James 
 the P Pe S Utionfor Guthrie, Andro Fairfoull, George Leslie, Libbertoun, Sir 
 Glasgow. James Stewart, Lawrence Henderson, to present to the Parlia- 
 ment a petition for the distressed town of Glasgow. Tenor 
 whereof folio wes : — 
 
 The Petition 
 to the Parlia- 
 ment for the 
 distressed 
 people in 
 Glasgow. 
 
 6 The Supplication of the Comissioners of the Generall 
 Assembly vnto the High and Honor abill Court of 
 Parliament, 
 
 i Humbly Sheweth, — 
 
 4 The greef and deep sorrow of our hearts, arising from the 
 sense of the hote sparks of the Lords apparent wrath, and from 
 the fear of his further just displeasure, least according to his 
 threatning he sould spew this land out of his mouth, and bring 
 all the curses of a broken Covenant on it, not only for the 
 former coldrife affection to his cause and slighting of his oath, 
 but also for ther deceitful dealing in his Covenant ; which by 
 degrees have come to such a measure of defection that, except 
 God speedily provyd remedy, it is now most likly that every 
 Malignant and disaffected person to the power of Religion and 
 Reformation, and who have lifted banner against the people of 
 God, standing for the Covenant, and have shed their blood, 
 shall have more safe being, more countenancing and encourag- 
 ment in this land then they who have been most constant in 
 Gods Cause, and doe still make most conscience of the Solemne 
 League and Covenant. For what lesse can we fear when we 
 consider that the forces already on foot are about to force men 
 either to rise them selves, and thrust out others tow r ard this warr, 
 without having any other satisfaction to their consciences 
 save your Lordships Ordinance, or els to resolve to brook 
 nether office nor livelyhood in this land ? And of this we have 
 
i JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 535 
 
 no small evidence in this sad preparative past in diverse places 
 of the land, especially vpon the towne of Glasgow, who, with 
 the rest of the congregations within the bounds of their Synod, 
 being on the way of supplication to all who might most orderly 
 make it knowne to this High Court, that their not levying of 
 men did proceed not from any contempt, but from want of 
 satisfaction to ther consciences, are quartered vpon by diverse 
 troupes of horss and regiments of foot; The burding lying only 
 vpon such as are knowne best affected to the Covenant, and, 
 namely, the Magistrate and Counsal, of whom about the number 
 of tuentie have lyeing in their houses, and vpon their pay, at 
 excessive rate, to the number of about tuo hundred men and 
 fourscoir horse, as we are informed, and all now in their owne 
 persons cast in prison in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, of whom 
 some are infirme and old, all of them tho honest men, yet of 
 small meanes ; Some of them have their houses and merchand 
 shops plundered, and sindrie of them tradsmen who must 
 quickly give vp houskeeping, being thus exhausted, and what 
 the rest of the land expect who are in the same condition of 
 vnsatisfaction about the way of this Engagement. Wee therfor, 
 being bound in conscience toward them who suffer in this sort, 
 doe humbly request that the Magistrats of Glasgow now laying 
 in prison may be liberat and set at freedom, and their houses, 
 with others in the like condition, may be releived of such in- 
 supportable burden, and some other course may be thoght vpon 
 by your Lordships then thus to force Gods people either to sin 
 or suffer such hard things." 
 
 The Comission, having read a letter sent from the Parlia- Committee for 
 ment to Presbyteries 1 wherin their proceedings are much Pa"uamenfs the 
 
 letter and of 
 
 Major Turners 
 
 i The following is the letter referred to :— Glasgow? 6 " 
 
 ' Right reverend, — The many scandellis that are throwne vpone our 
 actiones by the favoureris of sectaries and the haiteris of the persone of our king 
 and of monarchicall government invites ws to the extraordinary addresse to yow, 
 conjureing yow as yow will ansuere to the great God whose servands yow are 
 not to suffer yourselves to be possest with vnjust and vndeserved prejudices 
 against ws and our proceedinges, who have since our laite meeteing in parlia- 
 ment preferred no earthlie thing to our dewties to Religion and the promoveing 
 of all the ends of our Covenant, and have constantlie vsed all real! endeavours 
 to have caried on our said dewties to the satisfactione of the most tender con- 
 sciences, and especiallie by our great compliances with the many desires from 
 
536 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JUNE 
 
 reflected vpon, therfore appoynts Messrs. David Calderwood, 
 David Dickson, Robert Blair, Samuell Rutherfurd, Robert 
 Ramsay, James Hamiltoun, George Gillaspie, Fredrick Car- 
 michaell, John Knox, John Smith, James Gutterie, to be a 
 
 the Comissioners of the Generall Assemblie. Wee have proceeded to greater 
 discoveries of our resolutiounes in the waves and meanes of manadgeing this 
 present service then possibly in prudence wee ought to have done, haveing so 
 neere and active enemies to oppose ws ; neither can it by any with treuth and 
 justice in any soirte be alledged that we have in the least measure wronged or 
 violated the true priviledges and liberties of the Church, or any wayes taken 
 vpon ws the determinatioune or decisioune of any mater of faith or Church 
 discipline, though wee be vnjustlie charged with taking an antecedent judgment 
 in maters of Religion, vnder the pretense whereof great encrochmentis are maid 
 vpone our vnquestioned rightis. For what can be more civill then to determine 
 what civill dewtyes wee ought to pey to our king, or what civill [power] he 
 ought to be possessed of? And if wee meet with obstructiones and oppositiones 
 in the carieing on of these dewties, are wee not the only judges therevnto ? Is 
 there any vther authoritie in this kingdome but that of [King and] the parlia- 
 ment and what flowes frome them that can pretend anie authoritative power and 
 choyse of the Instrumentis and manageris of their publict resolutiones? Is 
 it a subject and theme for the dispute of Churche judicatories whither his 
 Majestie hath a negative Voyce in parliament or not? Those certanelie cannot 
 be pretended [to] by any churcheman without a great vsurpatioune over the 
 Civil magistrate, whereof wee are most confident the Church of Scotland nor 
 any judicatorie thereof will never be guiltie, nor fall into the Episcopall disease 
 of medling with civill effaires. And if any have alreddie in those particularis 
 exceeded their bounds, Wee expect the ensueing generall Assembly will censure 
 it accordinglie, and prevent the vilifying and contemning of the Authority of 
 parliament by any of the Ministry, either in or out of their pulpits, or who shall 
 offer to stirr vp the subjectis of this kingdome to disobey or deny to give civill 
 obedience to their lawes, it being expresley prohibited by the 2 d and 3 d actis of 
 James 6 th his eight Parliament in Anno 1584 That none of his Majesties subjectis 
 vnder paine of Treason impugne the auctoritie of Parliament. And therefore 
 seing this cause is the same for which this kingdome hath done and suffered so 
 much, And that wee are resolved to proceed for the preservation and defence 
 of Religion before all other interest whatsoever, and to cary on sinceirly, reallie, 
 and constantly the Covenant and all the endis of it, as yow will find by our 
 declaration heirwith sent yow : Wee doe confidentlie expect, That as the 
 Ministeris of this kingdome have ever hitherto beene most active and exemplary 
 in furthering the former expeditiones, So now yow will continue in the same 
 Zeall to stirr vp the people by your preaching and prayeris and all vtherwayes 
 in your Calling to a cheerfull obedience to our orders and engadgeing in this 
 bussines ; And that yow will not give soe great advantage to the enemies of 
 presbyteriall government and bring so great a scandell on this kirk as to oppose 
 the auctoritie of Parliament or obstruct their proceedinges in their necessary 
 dutyes for Religion, their king, and his royall posteritie, and true peace and 
 happines of his dominiones.' — Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. pt. 2, 
 pp. 86, 87. 
 
i JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 537 
 
 Comittee to consider of a vindication to be drawen for clear- 
 ing the Comission of these aspersions in the Parliaments letter ; 
 As also appoynts this Comittee to give their opinions concern- 
 ing Major Turners cariage in Glasgow. 1 
 
 This day their being produced a letter from the Provinciall 
 of Murray with a petition to the Parliament, The Comission 
 appoynts Mr. John Smith to present the petition to the Par- 
 liament. Tenor of their letter folio wes : — 
 
 ' Right reverend and dear brethren, — The Declaration Letter from the 
 emitted by your wisdomes latelie hes been pervsed be ws, your Murray!^ 
 brethren of the Province of Murray, both in private, and in our 
 congregations publickly ; Be the which Declaration we doe 
 evidentlie perceive the good hand of our God goeing alongst 
 with yow, his watchmen, for wakening, warning, and informing 
 of all sorts of persons in all ranks within this Kirk and King- 
 dome, which yeelds ws abundant mater of prase to him who 
 sitts amongst the golden candlesticks, and also to blesse his 
 name in your behalff who hath put such happie motions in 
 your hearts, testified by your pious zeale for his glorie, your 
 
 1 Turner had been sent to Glasgow with a regiment of foot and three troops 
 of horse ' to reduce it to obedience ' to the Parliament. He says, ' At my 
 comeing there I found my worke not very difficil ; for I shortlie learned to know, 
 that the quartering two or three troopers and half a dozen musketeers was ane 
 argument strong enough, in two or three nights time, to make the hardest- 
 headed Covenanter in the toune to forsake the Kirk and side with the Parlia- 
 ment.' Finding that notwithstanding his prohibition Dickson on the Sunday 
 afternoon ' railed maliciouslie against both King and Parliament,' he felt 
 obliged to command all his ' officers and sojors to go presentlie out of the 
 Church.' . . . 'This,' he adds, 'was that great and well neere inexpiable sinne 
 which I committed against the sacred soveraigntie of the Kirk, for which all 
 members were so implacable and irreconcileable enemies to me afterwards.' 
 This is Sir James Turner's jaunty account of the matter in the Memoirs of his 
 own Life ajid Times, pp. 53, 54. Baillie's account of the same matter is, ' Some 
 regiments of horse and foot were sent to our towne with orders to quarter upon 
 no other but the magistrates, council, session, and their lovers. These orders 
 were exerced with rigor. On the most religious people of our own town huge 
 burdens did fall. On some 10, on some 20, on others 30 soldiers and more did 
 quarter ; who, beside meat and drink, wine and good cheer, and whatever they 
 called for, did exact cruelly their daily pay and much more. In ten days they 
 cost a few honest but mean people 40,000 pounds, besides plundering of these 
 whom necessity forced to tiee from their houses. Our loss and danger was not 
 so great by James Graha?ne {i.e. Marquis of Montrose). — Baillie's Letters, vol. iii. 
 pp. 47, 48. 
 
538 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JUNE 
 
 constant courage for his trueth and vndoubted fidelitie to his 
 cause at such an straight of time, when Sectaries and Hereticks 
 abroad, and privat and publick Malignants at home, ceaseth 
 not to threaten, plott, and by might and mischief labour the 
 overthrow (at least the interruption) of the Lords worke, of this 
 holie Reformation in thir three (happilie) vnited Kingdomes. 
 Reverend brethren, as we declare hereby our judgment to be 
 fullie satisfied with all set furth in that pious, zealous, and 
 prudent Declaration of the Church vnder your hands, so shall 
 our affections be still for prosecuteing therof, and our lives, with 
 all that is dearest vnto ws, shall be ready to be consecrated for 
 the lawdable ends of the Solemne League and Covenant where- 
 with God hath mervellously blessed these Kingdomes, whervnto 
 this Declaration hath expresse reference ; Neither shall we 
 cease to carie burthen for yow before the Lord, who have 
 shewen your selves couragious for the trueth in the day of 
 try all. Earnestlie praying that His Majestie will be pleased 
 still to assist your wisdomes with his Holy Spirit in discharging 
 that high trust committed to your care, that yow may prove 
 the Lords continuall remembrancers sett on the walles of his 
 Israeli, giveing alwayes seasonable warning, for informing of 
 the ignorant, confirming of the strong, and stoping of the 
 malitious mouthes of Sions enemies, while Jerusalem be made 
 ane praise on earth, to his eternall glorie who is Head of his 
 Church, and to your long lasting honour in blissed memorie 
 with pious posteritie, for standing in the gappe to make vp the 
 breach threatning ruine (at least great prejudice) to the Lords 
 vineyaird ; and for your pious, zealous, and vncessant paines 
 heirin, wee doe (by this, our reverend brother, Mr. Joseph 
 Brodie, directed for that effect) rander to God and to yow our 
 most heartie thanks : Promiseing still to adhere to yow in your 
 holy proceedours and never cease to supplicat the Lord for an 
 happie successe to your godlie travells, which is the oblieged 
 duetie of Your most affectionat brethren 
 
 and fellow-labourers in the Lord, 
 The brethren of the Province of Murray. 
 Subscribitur, 
 
 Elgin, the Mr. William Clogie, Mode* for the tyme 
 
 20th Maij 1648. of the Provinciall Assemblie of Murray' 
 
i JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 539 
 
 This day a letter from the Presbyterie of Forres also read ; 
 Tenor wherof followes : — 
 
 4 Right reverend, — Amongst the manifold mercies of God Letter from 
 towards this afflicted land, it is not the least that he hath of Forresse!' 
 keept our Kirk judicatories in a sweet harmonie and keept yow 
 in a straight course in the midst of changes of time, and giving 
 constancie and courage to owne the cause of our Lord and 
 Master against so manie and so strong tentations ; We cannot 
 but heartily praise the Lord in your behalfF and beseech him to 
 encrease and continew his grace in yow more and more that his 
 worke may prosper in your hands. It was no small confort to 
 ws when we received your last Declaration ; We have accord- 
 ing to your Act red it and commended it to our people. As it 
 came be the providence of God in a seasonable time, so we 
 trust by the blissing of God it shall produce some good effect 
 to the vndeceiving of manie of the Lords people. This, our 
 thankfull acknowledgment and diligence, we thought fittest to 
 be returned by one of our owne number, Mr. Joseph Brodie, 
 who is a faithfull and well affected brother and constant in the 
 cause of our Lord and Maister. Exspect your reward from the 
 Lord and from ws continwance of daylie prayer to the Lord 
 for strength to yow for the advancement of his great worke, 
 which he will perfite and bewtifie against all opposition how 
 great so ever. The grace of the Lord be with yow. 
 
 Yours most aftectionat brethren 
 and fellow labourers in the Lord Jesus. 
 Subscribitur, 
 
 Forres, The Presbyterie of Forres at our command, 
 
 April 23, 1648. WlLL# Falconer, Mod 1 ? 
 
 The nixt meeting at 2 houres. 
 
 Eodem die ', post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Hutchesone : Mr. John 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. John Neve : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Hew Mackell : 
 Mr. Oliver Colt : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. George Murray : Mr. 
 David Fletcher : Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Robert Cuninghame : Mr. 
 Andro Fairfoull : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. John 
 Smith : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. Robert Birnie : 
 Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. 
 
540 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [i JUNE 
 
 David Graham. 
 
 Judgment of 
 brethren con- 
 cerning the 
 Engagement. 
 
 Warrand for 
 citing Major 
 James Turner. 
 
 John Wilkie 
 and Mr. 
 
 Robert Ker : Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. Walter Bruce : Mr. 
 Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. John Hay : Mr. Alexander 
 Casse : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. George Bennet. Elder. — 
 Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Report of the Presbytery of Ochterardor and the 
 brethren adjoyned to them concerning David Grahames report 
 being read, The Comission againe refers the said matter to the 
 said brethren, giving them power to relax the said David as 
 they shall find reasonable, and recomends to them to take a 
 particular acknowledgment of his offenses vnder his hand, and 
 that he satisfie publikly and in sackcloth ; and to report their 
 diligence to the nixt Assembly. 
 
 This day the Comission having particulate asked at the 
 brethren their judgment concerning the present Engagement 
 and their cariage with their flocks in informing them of the 
 vnlawfulnes therof, as also the cariage of the brethren of their 
 Presbyteries therein, The Comission fand that in the Presby- 
 terie of Pasley Messrs. Mathew Birsbane and Robert Birsbane 
 did declyne to testifie their dissent from the present Engage- 
 ment, which is recorded in their Presbyterie Bookes, and the 
 brethren of Edinburgh declared that tua of their number, 
 Messrs. Andrew Ramsay and William Colvill, had not yet 
 expressed their dislyke to the present Engagement : Which the 
 Comission desired to be recorded in their Bookes, and recom- 
 mended to Presbyteries to doe their further diligence therein. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assembly appoynts Major 
 James Turnor to be cited to appeare before them the sixth day 
 of J unij nixt to answer for the tumultuous goeing out of the 
 Kirk of Glasgow vpon the last Sabbath, being a day of 
 humiliation, and calling others out of the kirk whilst the 
 minister wes preaching, and for disturbing at that time Gods 
 people, and interrupting divyne service, and for vpbraiding and 
 revileing the ministers of the said towne publicklie, and other 
 most scandalous miscariages the said day, as also to cit 
 
 witnesses to appear the said sixth day of Junij to bear 
 witness in the said mater in sua far as they know or shall be 
 speared at them. 
 
 Concerning the report from the Presbyterie of Chirnsyde 
 tutching John Wilkie and Mr. Thomas Ramsay, the Comission 
 
2 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 541 
 
 continues the mater vntill Tuesday, and appoynts them to be Thomas 
 
 Ramsay. 
 
 advertised heiroi. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 2 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. George Murray: Mr. David Fletcher : 
 Mr. Zachary Boyd: Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. 
 Alexander Dickson : Mr. John Neve : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. James 
 Marten : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. 
 Oliver Colt : Mr. Patrik Scheill : Mr. Andro Lauder : Mr. James 
 Nasmith : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Fredrick Carmichaell : Mr. 
 Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. 
 James Guthrie : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. William Penman : Mr. 
 Mathew 1 Mackaell : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 William Colvill : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. George Lesly: Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. John Smith: Mr. Robert Cun- 
 nynghame : Mr. John Ramsay, Elders. — Lord Angus : Sir James 
 Stewart : Lawrence Henderson, 
 
 Letters this day presented by Mr. Robert Young from 
 Perth, another from Dumbartan with a petition to the Parlia- 
 ment, and Mr. Alexander Spittle and Alexander Murray, 
 Robert Ramsay, and John Hamiltoun appointed to assist 
 them. Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 4 Reverend axd loving brethren, — We acknowledge our Letter from 
 selfes greatly oblidged to thanke God for all your paines and ^pg^" 6 
 caire ye have had in the effaires of this Kirk, especiallie in dis- 
 covering to ws, by your letters and printed papers sent, 
 approvin and made vse of be ws, according to your desire ; The 
 dangerous courses against Religion that are caried on vnder such 
 faire pretextes for Religion, whereby we are so sensible of the 
 present dangers to Religion and the Covenant that we wer 
 vnanimously constraned out of conscience to represent our 
 feares and dangers, not only by ane petitione framed for the 
 Comittee of the shyre, which we could not gett opportunity so 
 much as to present, the reasons whairof our brother, Mr. Robert 
 Young, sent heirwith can more fully declair ; bot also by an 
 humble supplicatioun to the honorabill Estates of Parliament 
 for remedy of our present feares and dangers, which we desire 
 yow to take to your consideration, and if ye shall find it con- 
 venient to be presented at this tyme, your wisdomes wold concur 
 
 1 Sic, for Hezv. 
 
542 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 JUNE 
 
 and assist our brother in his addresse and giving in the same to 
 the Parliament. And we are confident that as yow have been, 
 by Gods grace, faithfull, zealous, and wyse in the work of the 
 Lord, for the treuth already, to the great confort and joy of 
 all the well affected and lovers of the treuth, so the same grace 
 of God shall, according to our hearty prayers to God, cary yow 
 on to doe that which is best and acceptable to him in Christ, 
 and confortable to his people, to the convincing of all the 
 enemies of the treuth, and bring this work to an happie closour 
 through the good hand of God vpon yow, to whose grace we 
 commend yow and your weightie eff aires. Remaining 
 
 ' Your loving brethren in the Lord. 
 Subscrib tur, 
 
 At Perth, the Alexr. Rollok, Moderatour 
 
 31 ofMaij 1G48. for this present.' 
 
 Letter from ' RlGHT REVEREND AND BELOVED BRETHREN, As we Cannot 
 
 ^Dumbarton. DO * Dnsse God for yow, acknowledging in all thankfulnes your 
 faithfulnes, diligence, and vigilancie, the fruit wherof yee have 
 been pleased to comunicat to ws by sending frequent and full 
 informations wherby we are made acquaint with the present 
 posture of affaires as they relate to Religion, So we thought it 
 our duety by thir presents to give yow assurance of our full and 
 vnanimous resolution to joyne with yow and adhere vnto your 
 declared judgment in these things representit vnto ws, having 
 heartily in our owne judgments appro vin your proceedings as 
 yee have reportit the same vnto ws ; And for a present testi- 
 mony publick of the firmnes of our said resolutions we have 
 given comission to the beirar, our brother, with your advyse 
 and asssistance, to present a supplication to the honorabill 
 Court of Parliament in our owne names and in the names of the 
 severall congregations wherof we have the oversight, quhilk our 
 supplication ye will be pleasit to take notice of and (as yee 
 find agreeable to your owne judgments and declared resolutions) 
 give your concurrence in presenting the same, that so at least 
 our testimony at this tyme with that of others, the faithfull of 
 the land, may be manifest, that Malignants may be out of hope 
 of approbation of ther way from any of ws, and the well 
 affected may have full assurance of our constancie and integrity 
 
2 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 543 
 
 in the cause of God, to whois blissing and assistance recomend- 
 ing the work in your hands and your selfes in the carying on 
 of it, We doe remain 
 
 4 Your affectionat and loving brethren of the 
 
 Presbytery of Dumbartan, 
 Subscry vand be our Moderator in our name. 
 Dumbartan, the Subscribitur, 
 
 30 of Afaij 1648. Mr. Alan Ferguson, Moderator! 1 
 
 This Comission appoynts Mr. George Ilamiltoun to pray this 
 day, and Mr. George Hutcheson the morne in Parliament. 
 
 Mr. William Colvill having declared that yet he wes not Mr. William 
 clear in his judgment concerning the vnlawfulnes of the 
 Engagement, The Comission resolve to thinke vpon the mater 
 at 3 afternoon. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. John Smith : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 Andro Lawder: Mr. George Hutcheson: Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. 
 John Neve : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Wil- 
 liam Colvill : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Alexander Casse : Mr. William 
 Penman : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Zachary 
 Boyd: Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie: Mr. Thomas Kirkcaldie 
 Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. George Murray : Mr. David Fletcher : Mr. 
 Thomas Vassie : Mr. Robert Cunyngham : Mr. Fredrick Carmichell. 
 Elders. — Lord Angus : Sir James Stewart : Craighall : Lawrence 
 Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Andro Lawder to preach for 
 Mr. George Gillaspie. 
 
 Letter from the Presbytery of Air produced concerning the 
 planting the kirk of Air with a collegue ; Tenor wherof 
 followes : — 
 
 ' Right Reverend, — In answer to your letter concerning the Letter from 
 planting of the kirk of Air where vnto your w. [wisdomes] o^^concern- 
 pressed ws, we thought fitt according to your desire to report ing the planting 
 our diligence heirin, and doe by these signifie vnto your w. acolleguet ere ' 
 [wisdomes] that this day we have concluded that bussinesse 
 concerning the planting of the said kirk, and that the same 
 
544 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [2 JUNE 
 
 shall be acceptable to your reverend w. [wisdomes] and also 
 approven by vow is the expectation of 
 
 c Your loving brethren, 
 
 The Presbytery of Air, by 
 Subscribitur, W. Fullertox, Moderator. 
 
 Mr. R. Sprule, Clerk? 
 
 ' The brother whom by transportatioun we have agreed vpon 
 by act is one of our owne number. 1 
 Mr. William The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Calderwood, David 
 Dicksone, Robert Blair, Robert Ramsay, Samuell Rutherfurd, 
 John Smith, James Guthrie, Robert Ker, Fredrick Carmichaell, 
 George Lesly, Lord Angus, Sir James Stewart, with the 
 Moderator, to be a Comittee to considder of the bussines con- 
 cerning Mr. William Colvill ; as also to consider what is fitt to 
 be done by Presbyteries with any of their number who doe not 
 declare themselves against the present Engagement, and to 
 report their opinions. 
 
 This day brethren from the Presbyteries of Lanerk, Drum- 
 freis, and Couper shew that they had petitions to the Parlia- 
 ment in relation to the publick bussines. 
 Mr. Thomas The Comission of the Generall Assemblie, considering the 
 Ramsay. petition presented by Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister at 
 Fouldon, Doe resolve vpon Wednesday nixt to take the report 
 of the Presbyterie of Chirnsyde in the mater betuixt John 
 Wilkie of Foulden and the said Mr. Thomas to their cognition 
 without more delay, intimatioun being given heirof to the said 
 John Wilkie by the said Mr Thomas. 
 
 The nixt meeting vpon Monday at 2 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 5 Junij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt .-—Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. George Murray : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. J ohn Neve : 
 Mr. George Hutcheson : Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. Andro Lawder : 
 Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. 
 John Adamson : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Patrick Gillaspie : Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. William 
 Livistoun: Mr. John Hamiltoun: Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Ramsay: 
 Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. 
 Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. James Hamiltoun : 
 Mr. James Martene. Elders. — Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart : 
 Lawrence Henderson. 
 
5 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 545 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assembly recomends seriouslie Recommenda- 
 to Presbyteries to take speciall notice and try all of every teries concern- 
 brothers cariage in the publick bussines, That if any be found, do^^decfare 
 who either doe not declare them selves against the present themselves 
 Engagement, or that doe not joyne with their brethren in their Engagement, 
 comon resolutions against it, or that give not publik informa- 
 tion to the people of the vnlawfulnes therof, they may be 
 referred to the nixt Generall Assembly ; And if any of them 
 have already declared them selves for it, that they be presently 
 censured. 
 
 The Comission of the Assembly vnderstanding that Mr. Mr. William 
 William Colvills cariage in relation to the present Engagement Colvi11, 
 is taken notice of by the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, Therefore 
 doe remitt to the said Presbyterie to doe with him according 
 to the general recommendation sent to Presbiteries. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. James Gutterie to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 6 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Minsters. — Mr. Robert Douglas, M oderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. George Gillaspie: Mr, John Smith : Mr. 
 Alexander Dickson : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. Fredrik Carmichaell : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. George Hutcheson : 
 Mr. John Hamiltoun : Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. 
 David Calderwood : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. Johne Adamson: Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. 
 Oliver Colt : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. James Marteine. Elders. — Lord Angus: Lord Craighall: 
 Dundas : Sir James Stewart. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the letter following to be written 
 to Mr. Hew Henderson to goe presently to his charge at 
 Drumfreise : — 
 
 6 Right and well beloved brother, — When we consider the Letter to 
 present necessitie and perill of that great congregation of Henderson 
 Drumfreis (to which yow are called) in this tyme of your 
 absence from them, We doe apprehend that they are in danger 
 to be scattered as a flock without ane sheepheard ; And therfore 
 doe exhort and requyre yow in the name of the Lord (as now 
 countable to Him for that your charge) that with all diligence 
 
 2 M 
 
546 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 yow whollie apply your self to the ministrie there, and reside 
 amongst them, according as yow were ordainit in the last 
 quarterlie meeting, which Ordinance we are confident yow 
 will not faill to accomplish and obey with all possible 
 haste vpon this double call of our earnest and faithfull adver- 
 tisment, and the extreme need of that people in this perillous 
 tyme. So, beseeching the Lord to be with yow and to 
 blesse yow in that your charge, we rest, Your very loving 
 brethren, 
 
 Edinburgh, The Commissioners 
 
 6 Junij 1G48. of the Generall Assembly." 
 
 A letter presented from Pebles with a petition to the Par- 
 liament. Tenor of the letter followes : — 
 
 Letter from 4 RlGHT REVEREND AND WELBELOUIT IN THE LORD, As we 
 
 Peebles 
 
 cannot but acknowledge your zeale for God and constancie in 
 his worke, in giving so many tymeous and seasonable warnings 
 in these backsliding tymes, So we cannot bot take speciall 
 notice of your cair towards ws by your directions and counsalls, 
 whereby we are much confortit and confirmit in our Lords 
 work. And now to give your wfisdomes] some accompt 
 of our diligence : The Declaration sent to ws from your 
 wfisdomes] hes been read in all the congregations within our 
 bounds, and efter speciall tryell we have found non who with 
 drew them selves at the reading therof. The short Information 
 and the Representationes are dispersed among ws. We have 
 not only our selves both by word and wreat, but also our 
 severall congregations hes petitioned the Comittee of Warre 
 within the shyre to desist from the present vndertakings, and 
 receaved this answer from them, that they should not only 
 acquaint the Parliament with our petitions, bot also mediat 
 with their Lordships that Religion might be secured and the 
 Desires of the Kirk satisfied. And fearing these petitions hes 
 not been remembred, we have sent our brother, Mr. Patrik 
 Fleeming, with our humble supplication to the honorabill 
 Court of Parliament for the samen effect, And sail not cease to 
 pray to the Lord that these and other the indeavours of his 
 faithfull servants may prove helpfull in these tymes of tryell. 
 
6 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 547 
 
 Thus recomending both your persons and labours to God and 
 
 to the Word of his grace, we rest 
 
 8 Your very loving brethren in the Lord, 
 
 From our Presbytery SubscriUtur Mk . p. Fumm Ch . g _ 
 at Peoles, _ ' _ 
 
 5 Junij 1648. ^ command of Presbytery . 
 
 The nixt meeting at 2 houres. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. David 
 Dickson: Mr. Robert Blair: Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. John Ramsay: 
 Mr. Fredrik Carmichell : Mr. Alexander Spittle : Mr. George Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. 
 Robert Knox : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. John Livistoun : Mr. William 
 Justice : Mr. Hary Livistoun : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. Hew Mackaell : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. George 
 Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Ramsay: Mr. John Neve: Mr. George Hutche- 
 son : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. George 
 Lesly : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Zacharie 
 Boyd : Mr. William Penman : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. John Smith : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. James Martene : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : 
 Mr. Thomas Vassie : Mr. Patrik Scheill. Elders. — Lord Angus : Lord 
 Craighall : Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Mr. Patrik Gillaspie to pray the 
 morne in Parliament. 
 
 A drawght of Vindication from the Aspersions in the Parlia- 
 ments Letter being read, wes vnanimously approven ; Tenor 
 wherof followes :— 
 
 < THE HUMBLE VINDICATION of the Commissioners 
 of the Generall Assembly and their late proceedings, in 
 answer to the letter of the High and Honorabill Court 
 of Parliament, dated Maij 11, to the sever all Presby- 
 teries in the Kingdome. 1 
 
 ( Although we doubt not but the particular Presbyteries will The Vindication 
 sufficiently returne answer to the Parliaments letter, so far as con- °. f th f Commis- 
 
 11/1 1 T~» 1 1 SIOn ft" 0 " 1 
 
 cerneth them (wherein diverse Presbyteries have already given aspersions in 
 example to the rest), yet the chief purpose of that letter, reflect- LetSr^ 1 *™ 611 * 3 
 ing all along vpon our late proceedings, and the letter being also 
 printed and published for common view and use, The great trust 
 put vpon ws will not allow ws to be silent in such a case. And the 
 
 1 It was printed at once in 4to form bearing the signature A. Ker, but with- 
 out the name of the printer, or place or date of printing. 
 
548 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 greater cause we have to vindicate our proceedings in this manner, 
 because whilst we had just reason to expect from the Parliament 
 a clear and reall satisfaction to our Desires, seconded by so many 
 Provinciall Synods, instead of such satisfaction, that letter came 
 abroad with many reflections vpon our proceedings, neither was 
 anything heirof communicat or made known e from their Lordships 
 to ws, that we might have been heard for clearing our owne 
 actions before the divulging and spreading abroad of the letter. 
 
 ' To the preface of the letter we answer, that as it is too mani- 
 fest how many and great scandalls are thrown vpon ws and our 
 proceedings by the favourers of Malignants and haters of Reforma- 
 tion and Presbyteriall Government, so we know not either among 
 our selves, or in any Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, any 
 " favourers of Sectaries or haters of the Person of the King and of 
 Monarchical! Government, who throw scandalls vpon the Parlia- 
 ments actions And if any shall by sufficient proof discover any 
 such in this Kingdome, it will quicklie appear how far the Assem- 
 blies of this Church (and we for our part) shall be from conniving 
 at them or bearing; with them : Yea, the Generall Assemblie and 
 their Comissioners have already declared so much and so often for 
 the preservation of Monarchicall Government in his Majesty and 
 his posterity and against Sectaries : And there hath been also so 
 long and real proof both of the loyaltie of this Reformed Church 
 of Scotland to his Majesties father and to himself, and of zeal in 
 executing Church discipline against Sectaries (wherever any were 
 found), that the world may beare witnesse with our consciences of 
 our integrity both in the one and in the other, although we should 
 altogether hold our peace. Errour will sooner comply with error 
 then truth can, and favourers of Malignants have been, and may 
 again turn to be, favourers of Sectaries, to serve their turne and 
 save their interest for the time. For our parts, as we did before, 
 so we doe still clearly and ingenuously 1 professe that we looke 
 vpon Sectaries and Malignants as enemies to be opposed, as rocks 
 to be avoided on the right and left hands. 
 
 c We see no cause why the severall Presbyteries need to be "con- 
 jured, 2 as they will answer to the great God not to suffer them- 
 selves to be possest with vnjust and vndeserved preiudices against 
 the Parliament and their proceedings." The fear of God and con- 
 science of their duty will keep them vpon the one hand from 
 vnjust and vndeserved prejudices against their Lordships and their 
 
 1 Misprinted ingeniously in 4to print. 
 
 2 Misprinted censured in do. 
 
6 JUNE] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 549 
 
 proceedings, and, vpon the other hand, from obeying vnjust 
 decrees and complying with iniquity, altho established by a law. 
 
 ' What their Lordships professe concerning their " preferring of 
 no earthly thing to their duties for Religion," and concerning their 
 " reall endeavours to satisfie the most tender consciences by their 
 Lordships great complyance with our many Desires All this we 
 leave to the Searcher of the hearts and Tryer of the reines, who can 
 and will judge therof. This we can say for our selves, that to this 
 day we have not resaved a satisfactory answer from their Lordships 
 vnto any on of our Desyres presented to their Lordships for the 
 safety and security of Religion, but under colour of yielding some- 
 what, our Desires were more dangerously refused then if they had 
 been flatly rejected. 
 
 ' If that which followeth in the letter hold good, viz., " That it 
 cannot be by any with truth and justice alledged, that their Lord- 
 shipes have in the least measure wronged or violated the true 
 priviledges and liberties of the Church," we are greatly to be 
 blamed and censured for complaining in one of our papers to the 
 Parliament, that their Lordships have very much prejudiced the 
 true priviledges and liberties of this Kirk, and for protesting (vpon 
 that occasion) against such preparatives, and for preservation of the 
 liberties of the Kirk in time coming. But now how much truth 
 and justice we had for the ground of our grievance and protesta- 
 tion, all who will not shut their eyes against the clear light may 
 easily vnderstand. For was it ever before heard and known that 
 any Parliament of this Kingdome did, without the knowledge and 
 consent of those who had for the time the trust of the publick 
 affaires of this Kirk, determine, judge, and declare by an ante- 
 cedent judgment matters so highly concerning Religion, as these 
 contained in the Parliaments late Declaration, Wherein there are 
 not only dangerous expressions concerning the Confession of Faith, 
 Directory of Worship, and Presbyteriall Government (as we have 
 particularlie instanced in our late Declaration), but likewyse in the 
 close, a strange and new sense put vpon the Covenant and Acts of 
 Generall Assemblies, without so much as first consulting ws con- 
 cerning such a sense thereof, which might have been prevented if 
 they had consulted ws therin? Notwithstanding of all which the 
 Declaration being commuicat to ws from the High and Honourable 
 Court of Parliament, and we having promised a speedy returne 
 therto, which accordingly after eight dayes we performed (the 
 matter being copious), the Declaration was ordered by the Parlia- 
 
550 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 ment to be printed and the three Demands contained therein sent 
 away to England without staying a litle for our answer (which we 
 had let them know we were preparing), whereas a very short delay 
 might have, by the blessing of God, brought vnto their Lordships 
 more light, and matter of second thoughts. 
 
 'We can easily 1 acquit ourselves of any incroachments vpon the 
 vnquestionable rights of Parliament. We are obliged by Solemn 
 Covenant to endeavour the preservation of the rights and privi- 
 1 edges of Parliament ; And to encroach vpon the same were indeed 
 a hainous crime, wherewith if any shall reproach ws, let them tak 
 heed what the ninth command will exact of them. Yet they who 
 will remember how in all ages the most faithfull servants of God 
 have vsually been traduced as troublers of, and encroachers vpon, 
 the rights of the Civill Magistrat, will not much marvail that what 
 hath been is now. 
 
 ' As to the three instances mentioned in the letter to prove that 
 great encroachments are made vpon their Lordships vnquestion- 
 able rights, First, it is said, " What can be more civill then to 
 determine what civill duties we ought to pay to our King, or what 
 civill powers he ought to be possessed of?" We aske again, 
 whether in our late conferences with their Lordships concerning 
 an Engagement in war there was any thing more propper to be in- 
 sisted vpon by ws then the secureing of Religion before all worldly 
 interests, and particularly that security may be had from his Majestie 
 for the point of Religion before his restitution to the exercise of 
 his royall power ? Must not duties to God (whereof the securing 
 of Religion is a main one) have the supream and first place, duties 
 to the King a subordinate and second place ? Next, as we have 
 not determined what civill duties the Parliament ought to pay to 
 the King, or what civill powers he ought to be possessed of, and 
 as it is competent to the Parliament to judge of civill duties 
 betueen the King and his people in their own way ; so can we not 
 admit that it is proper and competent only to them to judge of 
 those dueties. For the dueties of the second table as well as of 
 the first, namely, the dueties betueen king and subject, parents 
 and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants, and the 
 like, being contained in, and to be taught and cleared from the 
 Word of God, are in that respect, and so far as concerneth the 
 point of conscience, a subject of ministeriall doctrine, and in 
 difficult cases a subject of cognizance and judgment of 2 the 
 
 1 As easily in 4to print. 
 
 2 To for of in do. 
 
6 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 551 
 
 Assemblies of the Kirk. And here it is not to be passed that the 
 Kirk of Scotland in the large Confession of Faith, ratiffied by Acts 
 of Parliament, did long since determine the dueties of kings 1 and 
 subjects ; The like wherof may be seen in the other Confessions of 
 Faith of other Reformed Churches. 
 
 ' SecoJidly. Whereas it is said, " Is there any other Authority in 
 this Kingdom but that of the Parliament and what flows from them, 
 that can pretend authoritative power in the choice of the instru- 
 ments and managers of their publik Resolutions ? " We humbly 
 ask, Is there any ecclesiasticall authority within this Kingdom that 
 hath pretended or doth pretend to such a power ? For we know 
 no such thing. An authoritative power and choice of the instru- 
 ments to be entrusted in Comittees of Parliament and Armies doth 
 not belong vnto ws, but vnto the Parliament. Neverthelesse it 
 was very competent for ws, among other things requisite for the 
 safety and security of Religion and our Solemne Covenant, to 
 represent to the Parliament the qualifications which we judged 
 from Gods Word to be necessary in such as are entrusted with the 
 managing of so great affairs, and so highly concerning our Religion 
 and consciences ; Which we 2 have had the more reason to insist vpon 
 for our own and others satisfaction, we being desired to joyne and 
 concur in the businesse. Suppose a minister preaching before the 
 election of Magistrats (which is vsuall), and shewing from the 
 Word of God the qualifications requisit in Magistrats, and that 
 none ought to be choisin but such as are so and so qualified, who 
 will challenge such a minister of assuming the authoritative power 
 of choosing Magistrats ? And if the choosing of Magistrates 3 in 
 cities and burghs contraiy to the rules and qualifications of the 
 Word be sinfull and blam-worthie, how much more the comitting 
 of so great and 4 publik trust in Comittees and Armies to divers not 
 qualified with the necessary qualifications ? 
 
 'To the thrid instance which asketh, "Is it a subject for the dispute 
 of Church Judicatories whether his Majestie hath a negative voice in 
 Parliament or not?" We answer, So far as the Scriptures of the Old 
 and New Testament hold forth any light to ws, what power is due 
 and what is not due to Kings, it well agreeth with our places and 
 callings to comunicat such light to others as we see need. We 
 know no Church Judicatorie that hath disputed whether his 
 Majesty hath a negative voice in Parliament ; But we had just 
 
 1 The Kings in 4to print. 2 We is omitted in do. 
 
 3 Particular Magistrates in do. 4 A for and in do. 
 
552 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 reason to supplicat the Parliament that they might not interest 
 them selves in any quarrell for his Majesties negative voice, be- 
 cause of the great dangers which may therby come to Religion, 
 not only by future disappointments of the so-much desired settle- 
 ment of Church affaires, but by quarrelling the Solemne League 
 and Covenant itself, and the begun Reformation and Vniformity in 
 Religion, which hath been purchased with so much pains, hazards, 
 losses, and sufferings. 
 
 ' And now we shall tak all these three instances joyntly, and 
 make this further answer to them all. First, although the points 
 had been meerly civill, yet by the Confession of Faith agreed vpon 
 by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and approved by the 
 Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland as sound and ortho- 
 dox, as the Act more particularly beareth, we are allowed to apply 
 ourselves to the Parliament by way of humble supplication even 
 in civill matters ; The Parliament also having in their Declaration 
 expressed their desires and resolutions that the said Confession of 
 Faith be confirmed and established, have vpon the matter allowed 
 ws to supplicate their Lordships concerning such things. Next, 
 wcsay that in all the three instances which are given, our suppli- 
 cations and desires were to avert what we justly conceived to be 
 destructive to Religion. We hope no man will have the face to 
 say that the Assemblies of the Church may supplicat against 
 dangers in Religion which fall within the first table, but not 
 against the 1 dangers of Religion which fall within the second table, 
 or that they may supplicat against dangers of Religion arising 
 from other men, but not against dangers of Religion in which his 
 Majestie is any way concerned, or which flow from a bad choice of 
 the instruments and managers of publick resolutions. 
 
 ' "The Episcopall disease of medling with civill affaires " we trust, 
 through Gods mercy, neither hath nor shall have any place among 
 the ministry of this Kingdom, who by their Nationall Covenant 
 abjured the civill places and power of Kirkmen. Only we shall 
 desire it may be remembred that ther wer other Episcopall 
 diseases and distempers beside this, as, namely, encroaching vpon 
 the liberties and priviledges of Ecclesiasticall Assemblies, the 
 forcing of the consciences of Gods people, and persecuting such 
 who could not in conscience obey. Wherefore it is necessar that 
 all the Episcopall evills and disorders be cairfully avoided. And 
 as we doe not doubt the ensuing Generall Assembly will doe what 
 
 1 The omitted in 4to print. 
 
6 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 553 
 
 shall be fitt for them to prevent the vilifying and contemning the 
 authority of Parliament, if it be found in danger to be vilified, so 
 we humbly conceive they will not be vnmyndfull to prevent the 
 vilifying and contemning of the authority of their own Comis- 
 sioners. 
 
 ' The following clause in the letter putteth over to the Generall 
 Assemblie any of the ministry who shall offer to stir vp the subjects of 
 this Kingdom to disobey or deny to give civill obedience to their laws, it 
 being expressly provided by the second and thrid Acts of King James 6, 
 his 8 Parliament, in anno 1584, that none of his Majesties subiects, 
 vnder the pain of Treason, impugne the authority o f Parliament : Where, 
 first, we shall desire that tuo known distinctions, which in this 
 passage of the letter seem to be confounded or forgotten, may be 
 remembred. Civill obedience to Acts of Parliament is either in 
 things vnlawfull and contrary to the Word of God, or in things 
 lawfull and right. In the former case it is a sin to obey ; in the 
 latter case a sin not to obey. Again, the authority of Parliament 
 is one thing, an Act of Parliament another thing. Wee doe still 
 acknowledge their authority when we obey not this or that Act. 
 And whatsoever be the Treason of impugning the authority of 
 Parliament, it can be no Treason to obey God rather then man ; 
 Neither did the Generall Assemblie of Glasgow, 1638, and such as 
 were active for the Covenant at that time, commit any Treason 
 when they impugned Episcopacy and Perth Articles, although 
 ratified and strengthened by Acts of Parliament and standing laws 
 then vnrepealed. As to the tuo Acts cited in the letter, if the 
 order of the printed Acts be followed, the thrid hath no thing in 
 it of what it is cited for, neither know we for what vse it can be 
 cited and applied, except to the abridging of the liberties of Eccle- 
 siasticall Assemblies ; For it dischargeth all Judicatories and Judg- 
 ments, Conventions and Assemblies Ecclesiasticall, without his 
 Majesties speciall licence and com mandement, which how contraiy 
 it is to the Word of God, to the example of the primitive Church, 
 to the judgment of sound divines, to the liberties of this Kirk, and 
 to our Solemne Covenants, is more manifest then to need that we 
 should insist vpon it. But if the order of the vnprinted Acts be 
 followed, the second of these Acts doth not mention the authority 
 of Parliament, but of his Majesty and his Counsell. However, we 
 are heartily sorry for the citation of the Acts of that Parliament, a 
 Parliament which reintroduced Episcopacy, and so made defection 
 from the Nationall Covenant, sworn three years before. For 
 
554 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 Captain James Stewart, the 1 Earle of Arran and Chancellour, and 
 the few Prelats of that time, contrived and procured such Acts of 
 Parliament as might serve their ends. The same Acts were 
 alledged and vrged by his Majesties Comissioner in anno 1638 for 
 Episcopacy, wherevnto this answer was made at that time — " The 
 Acts of Parliament, 1584, are of severall natures, but they were 
 protested against by the ministers of Edinburgh, in name of the 
 Kirk of Scotland, at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh when they 
 were proclaimed ; and as they were made in that time which was 
 called the hour of darknesse of this Kirk, tyrranized over by the 
 Earle of Arran, so are they repealed 1582, 2 cap. 114." It is not 
 to be forgotten that after the making of those Acts of Parliament 
 they wer so generally clislyked by all good men, that the chief 
 Courtiers of that time thought it necessary to employ Mr. Patrik 
 Adamson, a chiefe deviser of these Acts, to make a Declaration of 
 the meaning therof in his Majesties name, which he accordingly 
 performed ; concerning which Declaration the said Mr. Patrik, 
 pretended Archbishop of St. Andrews, did afterwards in his recan- 
 tation 3 make this Confession : — " As where I am burthened to be 
 the setter forth of a book called f The Kings Declaration,' wherein 
 the whole order of the Kirk is condemned and traduced, I protest 
 before God that so I was commanded to write the same by the 
 Chancellour for the time, but chiefly by the Secretary, another great 
 Courtier, who himself penned the second Act of Parliament con- 
 cerning the power and authority of Judicatory to be absolute in 
 the Kings power, and that it should not be lawfull for any subiect 
 to reclaime from the same, vnder the penalty of the Act, which 
 I suppose was Treason." 
 
 ( Beside that Declaration, his Majesty himself having received 
 a supplication from diverse well affected ministers, with their 
 animadversions vpon the said Acts of Parliament, did pen with his 
 own hand another Declaration of the meaning thereof : But by both 
 those Declarations it may be easily vnderstood that the said Acts 
 wer intended for innovating and changing the Government and 
 Discipline of this Kirk, for setting vp bishops, and for suppressing 
 the best ministers, [and accordingly they were made vse of after- 
 wards for the ground of a charge against the ministers that were 
 banished. 4 
 
 1 Then for the in 4to print. 2 Sic for 1592, 1542 in do. 
 
 3 Reminciation in do. 
 
 4 For constituting an Assembly at Aberdeen in 1605 when the King had 
 prorogued it, without naming a day for its meeting as the Act 1592 required. 
 
6 JUNE] 
 
 OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 555 
 
 ' It shall not be amisse here to insert that part of the ministers 
 animadversions (given to his Majesty at that time) which con- 
 cerneth the second Act of that Parliament. The words are these : 
 — " As concerning the second Act, the narration therof appeareth 
 to be slanderous against some of the ministry, which we would wish 
 to be reformed or otherwise conceived, except the truth therof were 
 verified. And as to the substance of the Act it self, it attributeth 
 to your Majesty a sovereign power of judgment, not onely vpon 
 the persons of your subiects, but also in all matters wherein they 
 or any of them shall be apprehended, summoned, or charged, etc., 
 which appeareth to be very strange, the like whereof we hear 
 not to have been practised in any Christian comon-wealth, and 
 cannot stand with the Word of God ; For although the persons of 
 men are subject to your Majesty and civill Judges when they 
 offend against your laws, yet matters ecclesiasticall and concerning 
 conscience no Christian Prince can justly claime, or ever claimed, to 
 him self such power to judge, seeing the Prince in this behalf is a 
 member of the Kirk, and Jesus Christ onely the Head, who only 
 hath power to give laws in matters of conscience, and so said the 
 godly Ambrose : Imperator bonus intra ecc/esiam non supra ecclesiam 
 est. And to confound the jurisdiction civill and ecclesiasticall, is 
 that thing wherein men of all good judgments have justly found 
 fault with in the Pope of Rome, who claimeth to him self the 
 power of both the swords, which is as great a fault to a civill 
 Magistrate to claim and vsurp, and especially to judge vpon doc- 
 trine, errors, and haeresies, hee not being placed in ecclesiasticall 
 function to interpret the Scriptures, the warrants hereof out of the 
 Word of God we are likewise to bring forth." 
 
 ' Here vnto we shall adde a passage out of the recantation of Mr. 
 Patrik Adamson, subscribed with his hand before famous witnesses, 
 and exhibit to the Synod of Fyffe. The passage is this : — " There 
 are containd in that second Act of Parliament diverse other false 
 intentions for to defame the ministry, and to bring the Kirk of 
 God in hatred and envy with their Prince and Nobility, burdening 
 and accusing the ministers falsly of sedition and other crimes, 
 whereof they were innocent, as likewyse it is written in the same 
 Act and Declaration thereof that sovereign and supream power 
 pertaineth to the King in matters ecclesiasticall, which is worthy 
 to be condemned and not to be contained among Christian Acts, 
 where the power of the Word is to be extolled abone all the power 
 of Princes, and to be brought vnder subjection to the samen." 
 
556 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [6 JUNE 
 
 ' The words of the second printed Act cited, or the thrid 
 vnprinted (so far as concerneth the purpose of the letter), we find 
 to be thus : — " That none of his lieges or subjects presume or take 
 vpon hand to impugne the dignity and the authority of the saids 
 three Estates, or to seek or procure the innovation or diminution 
 of the power and authority of the same three Estates, or of any of 
 them, in time coming, vnder the pain of Treason." These words, 
 we humbly conceive, as they relate to the Constitution of Parlia- 
 ment made of the three Estates, and to the authority thereof, 
 being in that manner constituted, not to the obedience of their 
 particular Acts ; so, if they be vrged and pressed to the meaning 
 and intention of the Act before declared, they will conclude vnder 
 Treason all who impugne the power and authority of Bishops, 
 Abbots, and Pryors, as the thrid Estate of Parliament. 
 
 ' To the conclusion of the letter we shall need to say but little, 
 having already in other papers expressed ourselves fully concerning 
 the vnsatisfactorines of their Lordships Declaration, and the vnlaw- 
 fulnesse of the present Engagement ; Which, although it be pre- 
 tended to be " the same Cause for which this Kingdom hath done 
 and suffered so much," yet if it be remembred that the Kirks 
 Desires for the point of Religion are not granted, that the wel- 
 affected who were most zealous in the Cause from the begining 
 are generally against this Engagement, that it is carryed on by 
 such as were for the most part disaffected to the Cause in the 
 begining, and were against the former expeditions, that the publick 
 affairs are entrusted into many new hands, such as w r e cannot be 
 confident of ; These, and the like considerations, will quickly make 
 it appear that the Cause is not the same, but hugely different from 
 what it was, and that the same grounds and principles which made 
 ws active in furthering the former expeditions, hinder ws from 
 furthering this.' 
 
 The bussines concerning Mr. Andro Ramsay continued vntill 
 
 the morne in respect of his sicknes. 
 
 This day Mr. Hary Livistoun shew he had a petition from 
 
 the Presbyterie of Dumblane to the Parliament. 
 
 The Comission continues the proces against the Lord Rae 
 
 and his friends vntill the nixt Generall Assemblie, and appoynts 
 
 to Generall inters to be written to the Presbyterie for sending information 
 Assembly. , m J m ° 
 
 of the particulars against them, with the proofes therof taken 
 
 befor them selves. And for Mr. Gilbert Gordon the Comis- 
 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay. 
 
 Petition from 
 Dunkeld (sic) 
 presented to 
 Parliament. 
 Reference — 
 Lord Rae and 
 
7 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 557 
 
 sion will consider the bussines concerning him ; and appoynts Mr. Gilbert 
 Messrs. John Smith and James Gutterie to advyse the papers Gordon * 
 vnder his hand, and extract the particulars, and report. 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 8 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 7 Jumj 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spittle: Mr. James Martein : Mr. George Bennet : Mr Bernard 
 Sanderson : Mr. George Rutherfurd : Mr. Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. 
 John Adamson : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. 
 Francis Aird : Mr. John Neve : Mr. Hew Mackall : Mr. George 
 Hamiltoun: Mr. William Justice: Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. 
 William Livistoun : Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 Zaehary Boyd: Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd: Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. 
 Mungo Law': Mr. David Dickson: Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. George 
 Hutcheson : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Sir 
 James Stewart : Laurence Hendersone. 
 
 This day the Comission, finding that John Wilkie of Mr. Wilkie of 
 Foulden and Mr. Thomas Ramsay, minister there, are both Mr?Thomas 
 willing to submitt all the differences betuixt them to any two Ramsa y- 
 of their number, Doe therfor thinke fitt that Mr. George 
 Gillaspie and Mr. James Gutterie take paines with the said 
 pairties to take away all differences betuixt them ; And 
 becaus Mr. George Gillaspie is not present, therefore continues 
 it vntill the afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 7 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assembly, according to the Sentence of 
 power given vnto them by the late Assemblie, having seriouslye foun^^M™ 0 *' 
 considered the processe now a long tyme bygone depending Gilbert Gordon, 
 against Mr. Gilbert Gordon, — a constant follower of that 
 excomunicat rebell, James Grahame, some tyme Earle of 
 Montrose, in his wicked rebellion — since his escape out of the 
 Tolbuith of Edinburgh, where he wes incarcerat as a traffiquing 
 Papist : And finding that the said Mr. Gilbert hath not only 
 by a letter vnder his hand, full of vile reproaches, justified 
 Jesuitisme and Popery, called our Reformation a virulent 
 poyson of which many are sick ; But also in a little treatise 
 written and subscribed by himself, and which he entitules 
 ' A Panegyrick to his Excellency the Marques of Montrose, his 
 
558 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [7 JUNE 
 
 Majesties Lievtennet of the Kingdome of Scotland," That he 
 acknowledges the Comission and authority of the said ex- 
 comunicat rebell, James Graham, comends him throughout the 
 whole paper for his justice and Amies, which he professeth to 
 be his purpose in that treatise, and justifies that bloody, 
 rebellious, and vnnaturall invasion and war made by him in this 
 Kingdome, condemnes our Cause and proceedings as irreligion, 
 sedition, tyrannie, disloyaltie, rebellion, &c, calleth the Parlia- 
 ment of England, then goeing on in the work of Vniformitv, 
 Concilium MoUignantium, and the 6 traterous pretended Parlia- 
 ment at Westminster who hath poysoned the hearts of the 
 subjects of England and stollen their affections from their 
 soveraign Prince, 1 and most blasphemously applyeth the words 
 of the 45th Psalme, which the Holy Ghost there speaketh of 
 the Sone of God, to the said excomunicat Earle, saying to him, 
 'Thow lovest justice and hatest wickednes, therefore God, thy 
 God, hath anoynted thee with the oyle of gladnesse abone thy 
 fellowes ; And in thy majesty ryde prosperouslybecause of trueth, 
 meeknes, and justice, and thy right hand shall teach thee 
 terrible things : ' Which blasphemous and wicked miscariages, 
 being haynous offenses against God, most scandalous and 
 injurious to this Kirk, The Comission, moved with the zeale of 
 God, Do therefore vnanimously ordaine the said Mr. Gilbert 
 Gordon to be excomunicat and declaired to be one of those, 
 whom Christ comandeth to be holden by all and every on of 
 the faithfull, as ethnicks and publicans ; And appoynts this 
 sentence of Excomunication to be pronunced by Mr. George 
 Gillaspie in the East Kirk of this citie, and that therafter, vpon 
 advertisment, intimation be made therof in all the kirks of this 
 Kingdome. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon. 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas,, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. Robert Ramsay : Mr. Robert Knox : Mr. Zachary Boyd : Mr. 
 Fredrick Carmichell : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff: 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. 
 George Pitillo : Mr. Alexander Livistoun : Mr. Thomas Melvill : Mr. 
 Alexander Dickson : Mr. David Dickson : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : 
 Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George Hamiltoun : Mr. Thomas Vassie : 
 Mr. William Justice : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. James Marteine : Mr. 
 
7 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 559 
 
 Alexander Spittle : Mr. Alexander Dickson : 1 Mr. George Bennet : Mr. 
 Mungo Law : Mr. James Nasmith : Mr. Henry Livistoun : Mr. William 
 Penman. Elders. — Lord Craighall : Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart: 
 Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the Comittee appoynted yesterday, Committe for 
 with Messrs. Mungo Law, James Nasmith, Craighall, and currance in 
 Libbertoun, to consider how ministers might be vnanimous in b h u e ss ^e S llck 
 their advyse and cariage in this publick bussines, and to 
 thinke vpon any overtures for information of brethren and of 
 the people. 
 
 The Comission findes a necessity at this tyme of great diffi- Concerning 
 
 a Fast 
 
 culties and dangers, That their be a Fast vpon the last Thursday 
 of Junij and the first Sabboth of Julij, and that the reasons be 
 drawen vp be Messrs. James Gutterie, James Nasmith, and 
 George Lesly. 
 
 This day the Earle of Crafurd and Lawderdale, Lord Ley Concerning a 
 and Arnestoun, Archbald Sydserff and Sir Alexander Wedder- p^Silment. the 
 burne, come from the Parliament with a paper containing their 
 answers to the petitions from Synods and Presbyteries, and 
 desired the Comissions answer against Fryday nixt. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. David Calderwood, David Comittee. 
 Dickson, Robert Blair, Samuell Rutherfurd, George Gillaspie, 
 Robert Ramsay, James Hamiltoun, Fredrick Carmichaell, 
 Robert Knox, John Smith, James Guthrie, Mungo Law, 
 Georgte Lesly, James Nasmith, Craighall, Libbertoun, to be a 
 Comittee to consider the Parliaments paper, to meet in the 
 Moderatours house the morne at 7 houres. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 2 afternoon. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 Jumj 1648, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. Andro Fairfoull : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. George 
 Pitillo : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. Thomas Kircaldy : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Livistoun : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. William Gutterie : Mr. 
 Hary Livistoun : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Fredrik 
 Carmichell : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. James 
 Fleeming : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. Robert 
 Birnie : Mr. George Gladstons : Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. James 
 Guthrie : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. George Bennet : Mr. Francis 
 Aird : Mr. James Nasmith: Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. James 
 Hamiltoun. Elders. — Lawderdale : Balmerino : Libbertoun : Sir James 
 Stewart : George Porterfeild. 
 
 1 Sic in ms. 
 
560 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [8 JUNE 
 
 Answer to the 
 Parliaments 
 letter from 
 Hadington. 
 
 Motion from 
 the Erles of 
 Crafurd and 
 Lawderdale. 
 
 Act removing 
 all vnder 
 scandall of 
 combats from 
 the Com- 
 mission. 
 
 Appoyntment 
 of conference 
 with Erie 
 Crafurd. 
 
 Answer to the 
 motion of the 
 Erles of Crafurd 
 and Lawder- 
 dale. 
 
 This day an answer from the Presbyterie of Hadingtoun to 
 the Parliaments letter by way of petition presented and read r 
 and they heartely thanked for the same. 
 
 This day the Earle of Crafurd and Lawderdale having, as 
 members of this Comission, proponed a motion that the paper 
 they gave in yesterday from the Parliament might be made no 
 vse of; But that the Comission might give their opinions what 
 answers they wold desire the Parliament to give to the petitions 
 given to the Parliament from Presbyteries and Synods, The 
 Comission, before they take this motion to consideration, resolve 
 first to thinke vpon the scandall vpon the Earle of Crafurd for 
 his goeing to the late combate. 
 
 The Comission, remembring the scandall vpon some 
 members of this Comission for goeing to single combats, Doe 
 therefore declare that such shall not be permitted to sitt or 
 to vote as members of this Comission vntill the scandall be 
 removed by their satisfaction. 
 
 The Comission appoynts Messrs. Andro Fairfoull and James 
 Nasmith to goe to the Earle of Crafurd to labour with him 
 for bringing him to some sense of his offense for his goeing to 
 the single combat, and to shew him that the Comission lies 
 made a generall Act debarring all vnder such scandalls from 
 the Comission. 
 
 The Comission finds, concerning that motion for framing an 
 answer to the petitions of Presbyteries and Synods to the Par- 
 liament, that such a thing is not proper to them to doe vpon 
 any privat motion and seemes to be inconsistent with the mynd 
 of the Parliament, who sent them a paper yester-night as 
 a draught of the Parliaments answer to the said petitiones,. 
 wherevpon, as they conceived, the Parliament desired their sense 
 and opinion. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 9 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Modcratour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair: Mr. James Hamiltoim : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. James 
 Gutterie : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. Thomas 
 Melvill : Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. George 
 Bennet : Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Andro 
 Fairfoull: Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Robert Ker : Mr. William 
 
io JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 561 
 
 Livistoun : Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : Mr. John 
 Ramsay : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. George Gladstons. Elder. — 
 Libbertoun. 
 
 This day the Lord Ley and Arnestoun 1 shew they came from The privat 
 the Parliament to renewe the privat motion made yesterday by uvo Eries now 
 
 the Earle of Lawderdale as now coming from the Parliament, sent from 
 
 Parliament. 
 
 which is to crave- a particular returne to these papers sent from 
 the Parliament on Wednesday last, seing they were not to be 
 lookt vpon as the sense or mynd of the Parliament, in respect 
 that before the Parliament had taken them in debate or con- 
 sideration they did thinke fitt to communicat them to this 
 Comission ; And withall to desire that the Comission wold be 
 pleased to tender vnto the Parliament their advyse concerning 
 the securitie of Religion in answer to the severall petitions pre- 
 sented to the Parliament of late from the severall Synods, 
 Presbyteries, and Shires. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt to delay the consideration of the Answer to the 
 paper sent from the Parliament, and to intertaine the motion said motlon - 
 sent from the Parliament for their advyse of an answer to the 
 petitions ; And to this effect appoynts the Comittee before 
 named for the consideration of the said paper to give their 
 opinion what advyse [is] to be given to the Parliament and 
 to report, and appoynts Messrs. James Hamiltoun and Robert 
 Ker to show the Lord Ley and Arnestoun that they shall 
 prepare their returne this night, if it be possible ; if not, it 
 shall be ready the morne. 
 
 The nixt meeting the morne at 10 houres. 
 
 Edinburgh, 10 Junij 1648. 
 
 Sederunt : — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. David 
 Calderwood : Mr. Samuell Rutherfurd : Mr. Patrik Gillaspie : Mr. 
 Andro Fairfoull : Mr. Fredrik Carmichell : Mr. John Ramsay: Mr. 
 Alexander Dickson : Mr. Bernard Sanderson : Mr. William Livistoun : 
 Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. George Gillaspie : Mr. Robert Blair : Mr. 
 Mungo Law : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. James Fleeming : Mr. Robert 
 Knox : Mr. Francis Aird: Mr. Robert Birnie: Mr. Alexander Muncreiff : 
 Mr. Alexander Spitle : Mr. Thomas Kircaldy : Mr. George Gladstons : 
 Mr. Robert Ker ; Mr. George Pitillo : Mr. John Smith. Elders.— 
 Craighall : Libbertoun : Sir James Stewart : Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 1 i.e. and the Laird of Arnestoun, Sir James Dundas. 
 
 2 Sic in MS. for waive ; see introductory sentence of the Humble Advice in 
 next sederunt. 
 
 2 N 
 
562 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [iojune 
 
 The Humble 
 Advyse and 
 Petition to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 The Comission having considered the Report of the 
 Comittee bearing a drawght of a returne to the Parliament by 
 way of humble Advyse and Petition, Doe humbly and vnani- 
 mously approve the same ; Tenor wherof follows : — 
 
 ' The Humble Advice and Petition of the Comission of' the 
 Generall Assemblie to the Honor dbill Estates oj' Parliament. l 
 
 ' While we wer about the preparing of our thoughts concerning 
 the vnsatisfactorinesse of a paper comunicat vnto ws from your 
 Lordships vpon Wednesday, being a Draught of an Answer from the 
 Parliament to the severall Petitions of Presbyteries, Synods, and 
 Shires, tendered to them, there was a motion made vnto ws from 
 your Lordships by the Lord Ley and the Laird of Arnistoun, " to 
 wave a particular return " vnto that paper, " seing it wes not to be 
 looked vpon as the sense or minde of the Parliament, in respect 
 that before the Parliament had taken it into debate or considera- 
 tion, they did think fitt to comunicat it to this Comission, and 
 withall to desire that the Comission would be pleased to tender 
 vnto the Parliament their advise concerning the security of Religion, 
 in answer to the severall Petitions presented to the Parliament of 
 late from Synods, Presbyteries, and Shires;" vnto which motion we 
 make this humble returne. 
 
 ' For the first part of the motion, We are resolved to lay aside 
 the consideration of that paper, and to make no representation of 
 our thoughts there vpon, if your Lordships be pleased to make no 
 further vse therof. 
 
 ' As for the other part of the motion, calling for our advise 
 concerning an Answ T er to the Petitions presented from severall 
 Shires, Presbyteries, and Synods vnto the Parliament ; Although 
 we humbly conceive your Honours may clearly perceive what is 
 our judgment by our papers presented to your Lordships from 
 time to time ; yet being required, we shall againe faithfully and 
 freely tender this our humble advise. 
 
 ' We call to record the Searcher of all hearts, the Judge of the 
 world, that our not concurring with your Lordships proceedings 
 hitherto hath not flowed from want of zeal against Sectaries, for 
 the suppression of whom, and for advancement of the work of 
 
 1 This Humble Advice and Petition occupies pp. 1 7 to 23 of the quarto print, 
 containing on its first 15 pages the Humble Vindication inserted at pp. 547"55 6 
 of this volume. 
 
io JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 563 
 
 Reformation, we are ready to hazard all in a lawfull way ; nor from 
 any remissnes in that which concerns his Majesties true honour 
 and happines, and the preservation of Monarchicall Government 
 in him and his posteritie ; nor from any want of tenderness of the 
 priviledges of Parliament, nor from want of sympathie with our 
 afflicted and oppressed brethren in England ; nor from partiall or 
 sinistrous respect to any party or person whatsoever within the 
 Kingdom ; But from meer tenderness in the point of security of 
 Religion and the Vnion betueen the Kingdoms, and from the vnsatis- 
 factoriness of the grounds of your Lordships Declaration, as hath 
 been expressed more at length in our Representation. Notwith- 
 standing, your Lordships, to our very great grief, have proceeded 
 to a Levie, whereby most heavy burthens and pressures have been 
 laid vpon many faithfull Covenanters, most forward in all former 
 expeditions, and averse from this only for want of satisfaction 
 concerning the necessity and lawfulnesse thereof, promised in your 
 Lordships late Declaration, but not as yet performed. 
 
 ' It is therefore our humble advise That the abone mentioned 
 Petitions being so just in themselves, and flowing from the grounds 
 aforesaid, as they ought in equity to have been granted, so they 
 ought yet to be granted by the secureing Religion, staying the 
 present Levy, and, according to our former desires, by essaying 
 Treaties with England, applications to his Majestie, and all other 
 fair and amicable wayes, for removeing the differences between 
 the Kingdoms before sending any forces to England, or any other 
 way of Engagement in war : And, least the taking of Berwick and 
 Carlile (which is so scandalous to this Nation) be looked vpon by 
 England as a breach of vnion on our part, 1 That your Lordships 
 would be pleased to make it appear that neither the Parliament 
 or any of your number have had any accession to the supprisall or 
 supplying of these towns, nor shall have any correspondence or 
 complyance with these who have been actors therein. 
 
 ' We doe also conceive it necessary for satisfaction of the Peti- 
 tioners, That his Majesties late concessions and offers concerning 
 Religion may by your Lordships directly and positively be declared 
 vn satisfactory to this present Parliament. 
 
 ' That albeit we should not be vnderstood, as if we have had or 
 have any thoughts of declining the restoring of his Majesty to the 
 same condition he wes in, by the agreement of both Kingdoms, 
 when he was taken away by a party of the Army vnder Sir Thomas 
 
 Your for our in 4to print. 
 
564 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [iojune 
 
 Fairfax, that both Kingdoms may freely make their applications to 
 him ; yet your Lordships would be pleased to declare That there 
 shall be no Engagement for restoring his Majesty to on of his 
 houses with honour, freedome, and safety (which doth amount to 
 no lesse then the restitution of his Majesty to the exercise of his 
 royal power, for the reasons holden forth in our late Representa- 
 tion, never yet answered), before security and assurance be had 
 from his Majesty by his solemn oath, vnder his hand and seal, that 
 he shall, for him self and his successors, consent and agree to Acts 
 of Parliament enjoyning the League and Covenant, and fully 
 establishing Presbyterian Government, Directory of Worship, and 
 Confession of Faith, in all his Majesties dominions, and that his 
 Majesty shall never make opposition to any of these, or endeavour 
 any change thereof. 
 
 * That your Lordships will make it appear that yow mean to be 
 far from interesting your selves in any quarrel for his Majesty that 
 may put in his Majesties hands such power as may not only bring 
 the bygone proceedings of both Kingdoms in the League and 
 Covenant in question, but also for the time to come make voide all 
 the authority of Parliaments, though proceeding never so rightly 
 in reference to Religion and liberties of the Kingdomes. 
 
 ' That a clear and direct course be laid down and declared, not 
 only not 1 to associate nor joyne in counsells or forces with the 
 Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party, but also 2 oppose and effec- 
 tually endeavour to suppresse all such of them as have already 
 risen, or shall rise hereafter in Armes vpon whatsomever pretence, 
 as enemies to the Cause and Covenant on the one hand, as well as 
 Sectaries on the other. 
 
 ' That no thing be done in carying on the Engagement which 
 may break the Vnion of the Kingdoms, or may discourage or dis- 
 obliege the Presbyterian party in England. 
 
 ' Because it is our grief, and the grief of all the well affected, 
 that these who have been of constant and approven integrity in 
 the Cause, and have been very instrumentall vnder God for our 
 deliverance, should be forced for want of satisfaction to their con- 
 sciences to leave the service, and that others who have not given 
 constant proof of their integrity and faithfulness, and against whom 
 there is just cause of exception and jealousie, so that we cannot 
 exhort our flocks to be confident of their fidelity, yea, and divers 
 that have been in reall opposition to the Cause are intrusted with 
 
 1 Not omitted in 4to print. 
 
 - To inserted in do. 
 
io JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 565 
 
 the managing your Lordships publicke resolutions ; That therefore 
 your Lordships will be pleased in your wisdom to provide a timous 
 remedy herein. 
 
 ' That there be no Engagement without a Solemn Oath, wherein 
 the Kirk may have the same interest which they had in the 
 Solemne League and Covenant, the Cause being the same. 
 
 1 As we doe humbly insist with your Lordships for satisfaction 
 to our former Desires, expressed in our former papers, so it is our 
 humble petition to your Lordships that in such things as have 
 been ordained by your Lordships, and put in execution by your 
 order contrary to some of these Desires, some effectuall remedy 
 may be found out by your Lordships wisdome and goodnesse for 
 the help thereof ; That all who, since the begining of this Levie, 
 through tendernesse of conscience have suffered any wayes may 
 be repaired, all vnvsuall and grievous courses impoverishing good 
 people, and vtterly disabling them to subsist, may be hereafter 
 avoided, and the intolerable insolencie, prophaneness, blasphemies, 
 and manifold outrages, that of late have appeared in the souldiers, 
 may be severely punished and repressed ; That no Ordinance nor 
 Order may issue from your Lordships in prejudice of the liberties 
 of the Kirk, and of the free exercise of any part of the ministeriall 
 calling, all which they have from Jesus Christ, the only Head and 
 Lawgiver in his Kirk, and which your Lordships are oblieged by 
 solemn oath in our Covenants to maintain ; And that, as it is our 
 grief that, whilst your Lordships have been seeking our advice, 
 yow have been and are making grievous Acts, as we are informed, 
 so we desire your Lordships, in the fear of God, to bewar 1 of 
 making or maintaining such Acts, and, namely, that yow put not 
 the power of arbitrary government in the hands of any intrusted 
 by your Lordships, nor ordain any oathes to be imposed or exacted 
 that may be snares to mens consciences. 
 
 * All which we seriously recommend to your Lordships, as yow 
 desire not to provoke against your selves and your posterity the 
 wrath of the Most High God, and that the Lord should not avenge 
 the quarrell of a broken Covenant vpon the Parliament and Kingdom 
 of Scotland. But if your Lordships shall be pleased to hearken to 
 our humble advice, and to satisfie the consciences of the well- 
 affected in the Kingdom e to the work of Reformation by granting 
 their just desire, your Honours shall be blessed of God, the Lord 
 of the whole earth ; the people of God shall blesse yow in the 
 
 1 Be wary in 4to print. 
 
566 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 JUNE 
 
 Brethren to 
 present the 
 Advyse to the 
 Parliament. 
 
 Fast. 
 
 name of the Lord, and blesse the Lord for yow ; yow shall bind 
 vp the sores of this distressed and distracted Kingdom, endear the 
 affections of all the well-affected, disappoint the designs of the 
 disaffected, and your names shall be a praise vnto the present and 
 succeeding generations ; And we shall poure out our supplica- 
 tions before him who sitteth and judgeth among Gods, to endue 
 your Lordships with the spirit of counsel and of the fear of his 
 Name, that your resolutions may be rightly ordered and tend to 
 his glory, the security of Religion, the honour and happinesse of the 
 King and his posterity, and the peace and safety the Kingdomes.' 
 
 The Comission appoints Messrs. David Calderwood, James 
 Fleeming, Fredrick Carmichaell, Robert Blair, James Nasmith, 
 Alexander Spittle, William Livistoun, Thomas Kircaldie, James 
 Hamiltoun, Libbertoun, Sir James Stewart, and Lawrence 
 Hendersone, to present their Humble Advyce to the Parliament 
 this afternoon. 
 
 The Causes of a Solemne Fast to be keept vpon the last 
 Thursday of Junij and first Lord day in Julij wer read and 
 layd aside vntill we heare what the Parliament shall doe anent 
 the Advyse and Petition this day presented. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the brethren to meet at 4 hours. 
 
 Eodem die , post meridiem. 
 
 The Moderator and some brethren mett. 
 meeting vntill Mononday. 
 
 Continues their 
 
 Edinburgh, 12 Junij 1648, ante meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. Robert 
 Blair : Mr. William Livistoun : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Alexander 
 Muncreiff : Mr. John Adamson : Mr. John Ramsay : Mr. George Pitillo: 
 Mr. James Hamiltoun: Mr. David Calderwood : Mr. Fredrik Carmichaell: 
 Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. Francis Aird : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. 
 Mungo Law: Mr. Alexander Spittle: Mr. John Smith: Mr. Thomas 
 Kircaldie : Mr. Ephram Melvill. Elders. Lord Angus : Dundas : 
 Libbertoun. 
 
 Recommenda- The Comission recomends to the Presbytery of Edinburgh 
 ofEdSbSgh, 17 to take tryall of the preaching of Mr. Patrik Forbesse and Mr. 
 Mes C srs ni p g George Halyburtoun, reflecting, as they are informed, vpon the 
 Forbesse and publike Resolutions of the Comission ; As also to take notice of 
 burtaun and an y others that so expresse them selves in their sermons within 
 others. their bounds. 
 
12 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 567 
 
 The Comission approves the Causes of the Fast. Tenor 
 whereof followes : — 
 
 6 Causes of a Solemn Humiliation and Fast to be keept on the 
 last Thursday of June and first Sabbath of July 1648. 1 
 
 1. 1 We are to mourne for all the sins and provocations men- 
 tioned in the Causes of our former Humiliations which doe 
 continue and abound, notwithstanding of all our obliga- 
 tions to reform our wayes, and many former solemn profes- 
 sions of repentance, and of all the sharpe rods wherewith 
 God hes corrected ws, and heavy judgments wherwith he 
 now threatens ws. 
 
 2. e We are in a special 1 way to be humbled for the counten- 
 ance that hath been given, and complyance that hath been 
 made, by too many with Malignants and persons disaffected 
 to the work of Reformation, which in the just judgment of 
 God hes at last put such power and strength in their hands 
 as is terrible to the people of God and threatens his work 
 with mine. 
 
 3. ( We are to bewaile the small proficiency vnder the preach- 
 ing of the Gospell in many, the great contempt thereof in 
 others, and the great obstinacy and hardnesse of heart in 
 some, not onely vnto the dispysing and reproaching of the 
 ministry, but vnto the rejecting of the most powerfull word 
 of exhortation in the mouths of his servants. 
 
 4. c We are to be humbled for the grievous backsliding that is 
 amongst ws, which hath prevailed vnto the vndertaking of 
 an unlawfull Ingagement in war, notwithstanding of the 
 many Petitions from Burghs and Shires, Presbyteries and 
 Synods to the contrary ; Which vndertaking, beside many 
 sad effects amongst ourselves, is like to rend in sunder the 
 Vnion betuixt the Kingdomes, and not only obstruct the 
 progress of the work of Vniformity, but overturn the foun- 
 dation already laid. 
 
 5. ' We are to lament before the Lord for the oppression of his 
 people in many places of this Kingdom, vnto the spoiling of 
 their goods, offering violence vnto their persons, and forcing 
 of their consciences, and by causing them either to indure 
 great affliction, or to sin against God by being accessory to 
 a sinfull course. 
 
 6. < We are deeply to be humbled that the Parliament being 
 
568 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 JUNE 
 
 Reference, 
 Major Turner 
 to the 
 Assembly. 
 
 Reference, 
 Mr. Andro 
 Ramsay to the 
 Generall 
 Assembly. 
 
 now risen, they have been so far from satisfying any of the 
 just and necessary Desires of the Kirk, or hearkening to the 
 Petitions presented vnto them, that they have enjoyned 
 obedience to all their orders vpon the grounds of their 
 Declaration published in April. 
 
 7. ' We are to entreate the Lord in the behalf our King that 
 he may be convinced and repent of the evill of his former 
 wayes, and be inclined vnto the love and approbation of the 
 work of God ; and in the behalf of these who have the 
 power of the Kingdom in their hands that they may desist 
 from every sinful! course and satisfie the just and necessary 
 Desires of the Kirk, and the consciences of the well- 
 affected in the land, by securing of Religion and preserving 
 Vnion between the Kingdoms and Monarchicall Govern- 
 ment in the person of the King and of his posterity. 
 
 8. ' As we are to beg of God that all the purposes, both of 
 Sectaries and of the Popish, Prelaticall, and Malignant Party 
 in all the three Kingdoms, against the truth and work of 
 God may be disappointed and their power crushed, so also 
 that the Lord would strengthen his people in all these 
 dominions to adhere without shrinking or fainting vnto the 
 Cause of God, and to bear a faithfull testimony thereto in 
 the day of Tentation. 
 
 ' Lastly, we are to pray for a blessing vpon the ensuing Generall 
 Assembly that they may meet in peace and love, and being 
 furnished with the spirit of vnity, faithfullnesse, wisdom, 
 and zeale, they may so carry them selves in every thing, as 
 that the hopes and designes of disaffected men may be 
 disappoi nted, truth may be preserved, holiness promoved 
 amongst our selves, and the work of Vniformity advanced 
 amongst our neighbours.' 
 The Comission refers Major Turner to the Generall Assem- 
 blie now approaching, and appoynt sumonds to be direct for 
 his appearing there. 
 
 The Comission of the Generall Assemblie refers Mr. Andro 
 Ramsayes bussines in dependance before them to the Generall 
 Assembly now approaching; But prejudice to the Presbytery of 
 Edinburgh to proceed against him in any thing he is therin 
 charged with ; And appoynts intimation to be sent to him 
 heirof. 
 
 The nixt meeting afternoon at 2 houres. 
 
12 JUNE] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 
 
 569 
 
 Eodem die, post meridiem. 
 
 Sederunt: — Ministers. — Mr. Robert Douglas, Moderatour. Mr. John 
 Adamson : Mr. George Lesly : Mr. James Gutterie : Mr. Mungo Law : 
 Mr. Alexander Dickson : Mr. George Pittillo : Mr. Ephram Melvill : Mr. 
 David Calderwood : Mr. John Smith : Mr. James Hamiltoun : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Spittle : Mr. Robert Birnie : Mr. Thomas Kircaldie : Mr. Alex- 
 ander Muncreiff : Mr. Francis Aird. Elders. — Dundas : Libbertoun : 
 Sir James Stewart: Lawrence Henderson. 
 
 The Comission appoynts the letter following to be sent to 
 Presbyteries : — 
 
 4 Reverend brethren, — As we are glad that God hath put Letter to 
 an spirit in his servants throughout the land in this day of liesbyten< 
 tryall, so we thought it necessary to acquaint yow that vpon 
 the receat of the many petitions that wer presented from many 
 Presbyteries, Synods, Shyres, and Burghs vnto the honorabill 
 Estates of Parliament, their Honours wer pleased, efter some 
 dayes, to comunicate vnto ws the Drawght of an Answer vnto 
 these Petitions, which we, having taken in consideration, did 
 find verie vnsatisfactorie. And whilst we wer about to returne 
 our thoughts therevpon their Lordships wer pleased to desire ws 
 to wave the same, and to offer vnto them what advyse for 
 answering these Petitions we wold give them. Vpon which we 
 did represent vnto their Lordships what we conceived necessary 
 for their satisfaction therinto; Yet the Parliament hes not given 
 any intimation vnto ws of any purpose they have to hearken to 
 our advyse, neither can we learne that they intend any thing 
 that will be satisfactorie either to our Desires or those Petitions, 
 their Lordships having enjoyned obedience vnto their orders 
 vpon the grounds of their former Declaration. We have sent 
 yow herewith the causes of a Solemne Fast and Humiliation 
 to be keept on the last Thursday of this instant Junij and the 
 first Sabboth of Julij ; And we trust that ye will receave infor- 
 mation from none in those things that concerne Religion and 
 the Covenant but from ws who are intrusted by the Generall 
 Assemblie with the publick affairs of the Kirk, which sail be 
 faithfully given vnto yow by 
 
 Your affectionat brethren, 
 Edinburgh, The Comissioners 
 
 12 Junij 1648. oe the Generall Assembly. 1 
 
570 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION [12 JUNE 
 
 Order concern- The Comission desires Mr. John Adamson to be cairfull to 
 Monuments of keep the printed Service Bookes and these Monuments of 
 the Service" 1 Idolatrie which wer patt by the Generall Assemblies order in 
 Bookes. that house where now he duells, vntill he get order what to 
 
 doe with them from the Presbytery of Edinburgh, or from the 
 
 Generall Assembly, or their Commissioners. 
 
 The Comission thinks fitt to dissolve and not to meet againe, 
 
 except vpon advertisement, vpon some necessarie occasion, from 
 
 the Moderator. A. Ker. 
 
1 8 JULY] OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1648 571 
 
 ' Edinburgh, 18 Julij 1648, post meridiem, 
 Sessione la. 
 
 4 The Generall Assembly, having examined the proceedings 
 of the Comission of the preceding Assembly, especiallie their 
 Declarations, Remonstrances, Representations, Petitions, Vin- 
 dication, and other papers relating to the present Engagement 
 in warr, Doe vnanimously find that in all their proceedings 
 they have been zealous, diligent, and faithfull in discharge of 
 the trust comitted to them ; And therfor Ratifie and Approve 
 the whole proceedings, acts, and conclusions of the said Comis- 
 sion, and particularly their papers relating to the said Engage- 
 ment, and their judgment of the vnlawfulnes therof, Appoynting 
 Mr. John Moncreif, Moderator pro tempore, to returne them 
 hartie thanks in name of the Assembly for their great paines, 
 travells, and fidelitie in matters of so great concernment to the 
 Cause of God and to this Kirk, amidst so great and many 
 difficulties. 
 
 4 Geo. Gillespie, Moderator." 1 
 
 Mr. Jhon Moncreifs hand not being gotten in the tyme of 
 the Assemblys Meeting, he died befor there wes occasion to 
 meet with him thereafter. 1 
 
 1 It had been intended, apparently, that Moncrief should sign the above minute 
 of Assembly instead of or along with Gillespie. The latter, though Moderator of 
 the Assembly, having been also a member of the Commission of the previous 
 Assembly, could not well occupy the chair while its proceedings were under 
 review. 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 
 
 In the Register House, Edinburgh, are preserved contem- 
 porary copies of many of the communications between the 
 Commissioners of the Scottish Parliament and the English 
 Houses, as well as of Minutes of the Committee of both King- 
 doms of which these Commissioners were members. I subjoin 
 a few of these, along with some from and to the English 
 Houses, which illustrate matters referred to in this volume. 
 
 I. NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING THE CAPTIVES 
 AT ALGIERS. 
 
 Sir, — Wee are informed that the houses of Parliament are about 
 a course to have all such of the English Nation as are now prisoners 
 at Argeirs, Tunis and Saly released, and to setle such a way for the 
 future, as there may be no acts of hostility betuixt those of Algeirs 
 and this Nation. There is here inclosed a list of some Persons 
 of the Scottish Nation (whereof most have beine taken in English 
 bottomes, and in the service of Marchants in this Kingdome) con- 
 cerneing whom it is our earnest request, that the honorable houses 
 would be pleased to give order to such as are imployed by them 
 in Algeirs, to obtaine likewise the enlargement of such as are 
 contained in this list ; And the agreement to be made against acts 
 of hostility for the future may be extended to the subjects of 
 both Nations, and wee remaine 
 
 Your affectionat friends 
 
 Worcester house, the and humble servants, 
 
 first of Aprill 1647. Charles Erskine, 
 
 Hew Kennedy, Ro. Barclay. 
 
 Sir, — Wee wrote vnto you about a forthnight since touching the 
 agreement intended by the honorable houses with those of Argiers 
 for setting at Liberty all such prisoners there as are of the English 
 Nation ; And did earnestly desire that the agreement might be 
 extended to those of the Scottish Nation. Wee are informed that 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 573 
 
 the ship is now ready to depart within a few dayes. Wherefore 
 wee doe earnestly intreat that you wilbe pleased to read our former 
 letter to the house, And wee remaine 
 
 Your very affectionat freinds 
 13 Aprill 1647. and humble servants, 
 
 Charles Erskine, Hew Kennedy, Ro. Barclay. 
 
 Die Mercurij 13 th Apiilis 1647. 
 
 A letter from three of the Scotts Commissioneris from Worcester 
 house dated the 13 th of Aprill 1647 was this day read and was 
 concerneing such of the Scottish Nation as are Captives in Argier. 
 And it is therevpon ordered that it be referred to the Committee 
 of the Navy, to take care for the redemption of such of the Scotts 
 Nation as are Captives in Argier and were taken in the service of 
 English Marchants. 
 
 Ordered that it be referred to the Committee of the Navy to 
 treat with the Scotts Commissioneris concerneing the redemption 
 of such of the Scotts Nation, as are captives in Argier and were 
 not taken in the service of any English Marchants, and to acquant 
 them that instructions shalbe given to the Agent imployed thither 
 for the Kingdome of England to negotiate that bussiness also. 
 
 Right Honorable, — W T ee have some things in command from 
 the Parliament of Scotland, to be communicated to the honorable 
 houses ; for which end wee doe desire, that they would be pleased 
 to appointe their Committee to meete with vs when they shall 
 think fitt ; and so wee rest 
 
 Your Lordship's most humble servants. 
 
 Worcester house the 
 2'6rd of Apr ill 1647. 
 
 In pursuance of the Comands of the Parliament of Scotland, 
 Wee doe herewith deliver their letter to both houses of Parlia- 
 ment ; And are further to Let your Lordships know, that they 
 looke vpon it as a speciall blessing from heaven, that God hath 
 beine pleased so strictly to vnite these Kingdomes for so good 
 ends, by Solemne League and Covenant. And as it hath beine 
 their constant care by all good endeavours, inviolably to preserve 
 that happy Union, according to the Covenant and Treaties, and is 
 
574 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 their firme resolution to cherish and intertaine every meane which 
 may continue a good correspondence and promote a further 
 Union ; so the experience they have of the Love and kindnesse of 
 their Brethren of England give them confidence that they will 
 also continue to Lay hold on all oppurtunities which may further 
 and improve it, that so by joynt consultations and resolutions in 
 what may concerne mutuall interest and saifty, both may be 
 strenthned against the commoun Enemy, a happy peace may be 
 setled vpon a sure foundation, And a neerer vnion attained and 
 transmitted to posterity. In all which wee are ready, according 
 to the Direction of the Parliament of Scotland, to contribute our 
 best endeavours. 
 
 By command & c . 
 26 Aprill 1647. Jo. Cheislie. 
 
 Sir, — Wee have beine very desireous to conferre with the Com- 
 mittee of the Navy, concerning the redemption of such of the 
 Scottish Nation as are prisoners in Argeir and Tunis, according to 
 the order of the house of Comons ; But finding by your ansuere to 
 Mr. Barclay that they commounly meete when the house riseth in 
 convenient time, and so it is vncertaine when wee may have this 
 oppurtunity ; Wee have resolved to signify our desires to them by 
 you in writeing, And have sent you hereinclosed the names of 
 those Captives, which are in all 54. Wee cannot certify vnto you 
 which of them were taken in the service of English Marchants, 
 and w hich were not ; but doe seriously intreat that the Committee 
 wilbe pleased to take care for redemption of the whole. And wee 
 doe hereby promise and agree in the name of the Kingdome of 
 Scotland that what moneyes shalbe payd for redemption of those 
 Captives which were not taken in the service of English Marchants ; 
 the same shalbe allowed in payment of so much of the moneyes 
 which remaine due by this Kingdome to the Kingdome of Scotland. 
 
 Wee doe further desire that Instructions may be given to the 
 Agent imployed for this Kingdome in Argier to treat with the 
 Basha and Duana there that the Agreement for peace betuixt this 
 Nation and them may be extended to the Scottish Nation. And 
 that there may be in the meane time a forbearance from all Acts 
 of hostility, vntill the Acts of Agreement be seene and approved 
 by the Kingdome of Scotland. Wee are informed that the Ships 
 that are to goe for Argiers are to be dispatched within a very few 
 dayes ; Wherefore wee doe earnestly desire, that this our request 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 575 
 
 may first be made knowne and direction given therein, whereby 
 you will very much obleige 
 
 Your affectionat freinds 
 29^ Aprill 1647. and servants, 
 
 Lauderdaill, 
 Charles Erskine, 
 Hew Kennedy, Ro. Barclay. 
 
 Directed to Mr. Greene, Chaireman of the Committee of the 
 Navy. 
 
 In Argiers. 
 
 Alexander Goodale. James Lindsay. James Danser. Robert 
 Fletcher. William Hay. James Cuthbert. James Hudde. Mar- 
 great Straiton. Mary Rudde. Elisabeth Hayne. David Balfoure. 
 Oseley Nicolson. Marion Gibb. Margreat Gordoun. John Jack- 
 son, ane Marjoribanks. Jane Maxwell. Robert Hart. Robert 
 White. John Kennedy. James Dowgall. Margreat Maxwell. 
 Mary Wallace. John Cowan. William Lawson. Alexander Ken- 
 nedy. John Crawfurd. John Reed. William Drysdaill. William 
 Muddrell. Thomas Hall. Elisabeth Hudde. Alexander Riddoch. 
 James Riddoch. John Gordoun. John Mitchell. Adam Greige. 
 Jane Leith. Christian Morreis. John Cuninghame. Clays Pitle- 
 liem. Andro Watson. Margreat Blaik. John Anderson. George 
 Drowne. Irving Jacobson. Michael Hultfreder. 
 
 In Tunis. 
 
 Daniell Robertson. Edward Lilly. William M c indar. John Gib- 
 son. John Kennedy. Magnus Greige alias Grahame. Charles 
 Campbell. 
 
 II. ENGLISH HOUSE OF COMMONS LETTER OF 
 THANKS TO THE EARL OF LEVEN FOR HIS 
 SERVICES. 
 
 My Lord, — The Commons in Parliament doe by mee their 
 Speaker present their most affectionat respects vnto your Lord- 
 ship and do acknowledge your high merit in the performance of 
 the trust which hath beine reposed in you for carying on a large 
 proportion in this great work ; In which the commoun Cause of 
 
576 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 Religion and Liberties, and the welfare and happinesse of both 
 Kingdom es, have beine so essentially concerned, the memory 
 whereof will stilbe precious vnto them, and your honour by it, live 
 in the succeiding Generations; Nor is this the least part of it, 
 (which their Commission eris have represented vnto them from New 
 Castle) that your Lordship hath caried your selfe with so much 
 sincerity and gallantry in these last transactions of affaires, vpon 
 the marching away of your Army, and your peaceable and freindly 
 returne into your owne Countrey. Now that God hath so blessed 
 the joynt endeavours and the forces of the two Nations, as no 
 Enemy is left within this Kingdome to lift vp his hand against 
 them ; The house of Comons doe give god the praise of God ; yet 
 will not omit gratefull application to those Persons of honour and 
 worth, who have beine vnder God, the happy instruments of so 
 great a blessing, among whom they look vpon your Lordship as 
 one of eminence and of principall consideration, and in testimony 
 of their sense they have of it, They desire your Lordship to 
 accept the jewell herewith sent, to be a small remembrance to 
 you, of their great affection, and the value they set vpon your 
 worth and actions. My Lord, this they have commanded mee to 
 say, and to these publict expressions I will adde nothing of my 
 owne, but that I am 
 
 My Lord 
 
 February 1646. Your Lordships most affectionat 
 
 freind and humble servant, 
 
 W. Lenthall. 
 
 For the right Honorable the Earle of Leven, lord General of 
 the Scottish Armys. 
 
 On 3d Febry. 1646-7 Messrs. Holies and Bain ton were 
 appointed to draw up this letter, and on 9th Febry. their 
 draught was read and approved by the House, and the sum of 
 i?700 voted for payment of the jewel. On 7th April a letter 
 of thanks from the Earl of Leven was read, but it is not 
 entered in the Journals of the House. 
 
 I append, however, the Earl of Leven's letter of thanks to 
 both Houses for their kind expressions towards him soon after 
 his entry with the Scottish forces into England, extracted from 
 the Journals of the House of Lords, vol. vi. p. 561. 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 577 
 
 * For the Right Honourable the Speakers of both Houses of 
 Parliament, These presente. 
 
 ' Right Honourable, You have presented to me in your Letter 
 the kinde expressions of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, 
 for which I am desirous to render all humble thanks ; and hereby 
 do professe, that as the safty of Religion and Liberty, now so 
 neerly interested, is allwaies deerest to me, so nothinge could be so 
 powerfull to bringe me and this Army heere, as the great Desires 
 to further the Weell of this Kingdome, and establish the Peace of 
 both Nations, now happily united by nationall Covenante. Give 
 me therfore Leave by theise to assure the Honourable Houses of 
 Parliament, that nothinge shall be left undon which may serve to 
 produce the desired Issue of theise Troubles ; and that this Army 
 shall, God willinge, apply itself with constant Care and most effec- 
 tuall Endeavors for speedy reducinge the Enemy, and helpinge to 
 restore these Nations to a flourishinge Condition, under Truth and 
 Peace ; beinge confident of the Parliament's Care of them, as they 
 are not insensible of that which theise Honourable Houses have 
 formerly don for their Maintenance and Encouragement. My Lord 
 Fairfax and I remaine close aboute this Citty, and have sent Two 
 Thousand Horse and Dragooners for my Lord Manchester's better 
 assistance, who, I am confident, as they have Orders from us, so 
 will they be most carefull to pursue their best Advantages, either 
 of the Lord Newcastle's Forces, or of any other Forces which shall 
 come from the South ; and thus, having nothinge to add, with my 
 heartiest Wishes for the Prosperity of the Honourable Houses of 
 Parliament, and my due Respects to your Lordships, I remaine, 
 
 Ex'r. Your Lordship's 
 
 From the Campe. humble servant, 
 
 before York, < Leven. : 
 
 16th May, 1644. 
 
 III. NEGLECT OF THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT TO 
 MAKE EFFECTUAL PROVISION FOR THE SUB- 
 SISTENCE OF THE SCOTTISH FORCES IN IRELAND 
 AS WELL AS IN ENGLAND. 
 
 ' There are three moneths elapsed since Captaine Drumond did 
 come hither from the Scotts Army in Ireland and according to an 
 order of the house of Commons did represent their desires to the 
 committee of Lords and Commons for Ireland, wherevnto as yet 
 
578 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 
 
 bee hath received no ansuere, though he hath earnestly sollicitecl 
 and dayly attended for that purpose. It seemes to be very strange, 
 that whilst moneyes and provisions are sent to other forces within 
 that Kingdome, the Scottish Army should be altogether neglected, 
 and exposed to the miseries of famine and vtter destruction. It 
 is well knowne that their faithfulnesse to the Parliament of 
 England, preserved that Kingdome from falling whollie into the 
 hands of the Irish Rebels, when other armies complyed with 
 them, and agreed to the Cessation. Their sufferings and neces- 
 sities then and since that time, cannot be paraleld by the con- 
 dition of any other army, either in these or forraine Kingdomes. 
 Diverse hundreds of them have perished since the beginning of 
 that service for want of bread. The ordinary food of the souldiers 
 for above these foure yeares past hath beine no other for the 
 most part, than a pound of meall in the day, or at least a shilling 
 in ten daies. Their drink was never any other but water. The 
 most part of the officers are reduced to such penury and misery as 
 they want clothes to cover them from the injury of the weather, 
 although in the 5th article of the Treaty betuixt the Kingdomes, 
 concerneing that Army, it is agreed that the Comanders and 
 souldiers thereof shall have such pay respectively, as the Com- 
 manders and souldiers of the English Army had, according to a 
 list agreed upon by the Commissioneris of both Kingdomes [in the] 
 yeare 1642. And afterwards when the pressures and burthens of 
 this . . . e did encrease, by occasion of the differences betuixt 
 the King and Parliament, they were moved to accept of the 5th 
 or 6th part of that which was [due to] them by Treaty, and to 
 respite the rest on the publict faith, vntill the affaires of this 
 Kingdome were in a better condition. And accordingly by the 
 votes of the 11th of Aprill 1644, there was appointed vnto them a 
 very small proportion of 4000 lib. per mensem ; this they did expect 
 should have beine precisely and punctually payd vnto them 
 monethly, as being the least could preserve them any wise in 
 being. But herein they have beine as much disappointed as 
 formerly ; And now for these two yeares and a halfe past, all they 
 have received of this small allowance of 4000 lib. per mensem, is 
 only 25,000 lib. worth of provisions without any money at all. 
 Whereas according to these votes they should have received 
 120,000 lib. and according] to the Treaty many thousands more, 
 it is almost impossible [to] expresse and incredible to beleeve, 
 how great the sufferings [of] that army have beine and to what 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 579 
 
 extremity and utter dis[tress] are now driven ; All which being so 
 fully represented vnto [you] by Lettres from Scotland and Ireland. 
 For our exoneration and cleereing our selves of the guilt of any 
 inconveniences that may ensue vpon the neglect of that army, 
 we have found it necessary to make these things knowne to the 
 honorable houses, and earnestly to desire that a speedy and 
 effectuall course be taken for provideing the particulars long since 
 given in by Captaine Drumond to the Committee of lords and 
 Commons for Ireland ; and that a setled way be laid doune for 
 the future intertainement of that Army, that they may be in some 
 measure enabled to prosecute the service wherein they are 
 engaged, or otherwise to give them reasonable satisfaction for 
 their bypast service, that they may be dismissed according to the 
 Treaty. They have long wrestled with invincible difficulties, 
 fainted vnder languishing hopes of releife and trembled vnder the 
 sense of vnavoidable danger. And seing now there is nothing 
 before them but immediat ruine and apparent destruction, it is 
 high time to take into serious consideration, the condition of that 
 Army, least they being forced to think vpon other wayes of their 
 subsistence, take such ca[re of their] preservation, as (other means 
 failling) the [circumstances ?] require : Wherein now after so long- 
 delay [we desire a] speedy answer of the houses before Captaine 
 [Drummond] whom wee have long detained for that purpose [but 
 who is now ?] resolved, according to an expresse command from 
 . . . hat sen . . . within a very few daies to returne to that 
 Army to give [them] an accompt of what supplyes they may expect, 
 and how they may depend vpon any releife from this Kingdome. 
 
 By Comand &c. 
 13 November 1646. Jo: Cheislie.' 
 
 I append to this two out of many letters of complaint sent to 
 the English Houses as to the treatment of the Scottish forces 
 in England, the following : — 
 
 I. EXTRACT FROM JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE 
 OF LORDS, vol. vii. p. 669. 
 
 ' For the Right Honnorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres. 
 
 ' My Lord, ... It is well knowne to the Honnorable Houses 
 of Parliament, that, notwithstanding they have by ordinance setled 
 a Course for the Pay of that Army, how ineffectual! these meanes 
 
580 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 have proved, and that the Scottish Army hath only receaved one 
 moneth's Pay advanced by the Citty of London for these Eight 
 moneths past ; and we cannott understand how it should bee 
 expected, that the Army should depend upon the Course settled 
 by Ordinance of Parliament, which affords them noe subsistence, 
 and in the meane Tyme Free Quarter not allowed them, nor any 
 other meane whereby they may subsist ; and unlesse they take 
 Free Quarter, or bee otherwise provided for, wee cannott see how 
 it can bee avoyded but that they shall either starve or disband. 
 Wee have sent herewith a Coppy of that Declaration ; and doe 
 earnestly intreate the Houses of Parliament to consider to what 
 Straites and Extreamityes that Army is driven, what Discourag- 
 ments they meete with in the Publique Service ; and that they 
 would be pleased to take some speedy Course, w r hereby that Army 
 may bee entertayned, and the Inconveniencyes which may ensue 
 upon such a Declaration speedily prevented : All which wee offer 
 for noe other End, but that a good Understanding may bee kept 
 betweene the Kingdomes, and that Army enabled to prosecute 
 the Service against the common Enemy. And wee remaine 
 Your very affectionate 
 Freinds and Servaunts, 
 
 Loudoun, 
 
 Worcest. Home, Balmerino, 
 
 28 Octob. 164o. Hew Kennedy.' 
 
 II. EXTRACT FROM JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF 
 LORDS, vol. viii. p. 143. 
 
 ' For the Right Honnorable the Speaker of the House of Peeres 
 pro Tempore. 
 
 ' My Lord, — It is above Two Moneths since the Scottish Army 
 did, according to the Desires of both Houses, come before Newark e, 
 where, after the takeing of Muslim Bridge, they have, in the 
 greatest Extreamity of weather, continued in very hard Duty on 
 the one Side, and alsoe assisted Colonell Pointz on the other; 
 and yet noe effectuall Course is taken for their Entertainment, 
 but the Burthen thereof hath bin left upon those Parts of the 
 Country that have formerly bin wasted and exhausted by the 
 Enemy ; which gives Occasion of Complaints from the People, of 
 Wants and Disorders in the Army ; and greater Inconveniencyes 
 
ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS 
 
 581 
 
 may ensue, if not speedily prevented. Wee were in good Hopes 
 that, when the Commissioners of both Houses did repaire to that 
 Army, speedy Course should have bin taken for their maintenance, 
 especially after their musters; but as yet there hath bin only 
 offered an inconsiderable Proportion, which is noe Wayes sufficient 
 to afford them Subsistence ; and some of the Provisions are ap- 
 pointed to bee brought out of Lancasheir and other Places farre 
 distant, upon which the Army can not depend for Releife. The 
 Foote Souldier hath not received 18 d worth of Provisions Weekly 
 since their comeing before Newarke; and when the Quarter Master 
 Generall, who is now the Second Tyme sent hither of purpose to 
 represent the necessityes of the Army, did come from thence, 
 there was not 10 1. worth of Provisions in the Magasine for the 
 whole Army. If any shall in the winter season bee put to hard 
 Duty, and the meanes of Subsistence shal bee with-held from 
 them, it is easy to conjecture that nothing can follow but their 
 inevitable Ruine before the Springe. Wee have, from Tyme to 
 Tyme, constantly solicited the Houses of Parliament for their 
 maintenance; and wee are ashamed that our many earnest Desires 
 in their Behalfe have not prevailed with the Houses for such an 
 Answere as might have enabled us to have given a good Accompt 
 of our Endeavors to those that sent us, and in some measure 
 given satisfaction to the crying necessityes of the Souldiers, who 
 are resolved to declyne noe Duty nor Danger that may advance 
 the Service they are now engaged [in] at the Desire of the Houses : 
 It is therefore againe our most earnest Request to the Houses of 
 Parliament, that they would seriously lay to Heart the providing 
 of that Army ; and that they would extend the same Care to them 
 as they doe to their owne Forces on the other side of Newarke, 
 and graunt unto them the same Allowance in Money and Provi- 
 sions, that both may bee enabled to prosecute the Publique Service, 
 which things being performed, wee doe undertake in their names, 
 that as strick Order and Discipline shal bee observed there as ever 
 hath beene in any Army within these Kingdomes ; and earnestly 
 entreating for a speedy Answere, wee remaine, 
 Your Lordships 
 
 Affectionate Freinds, 
 and humble Servants, 
 Worcester House, Lauderdaill, Balmerinoth, 
 
 20 Feb. 1645-6. Hew Kennedy/ 
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES. 
 
 P. 7. 1 Ragatzie, prince of Transilvania.' This was George Rakoczy, who, in 
 1644, having failed by negotiation to obtain from Ferdinand III. more kindly 
 treatment for the Protestants of Hungary, entered into a league with the kings 
 of Sweden and France, broke into Hungary with an army of 70,000 men, 
 occupied the greater part of the country, and in the following year, by the 
 treaty of Linz, ' pacem religioni evangelicae procuravit.' He died in 1648, 
 mortally wounded in an engagement with the Turks. John Tolnai, who 
 returned from England in 1638, strove to introduce the Independency, which, 
 about that time, began to be viewed with favour there. After a fierce contest he 
 was condemned by a district Synod, and, on his appealing from it, a national 
 Synod was summoned by George Rakoczy in 1646, at which Tolnai was deposed, 
 the Independents were condemned, and the existing form of Church government 
 was confirmed and defined. This probably gave occasion to the correspondence 
 between the Prince and the Scottish Church. 
 
 See Andra's Monument a Evangelicornm Augustanae Confessionis in 
 Hungaria Historica, vol. ii. p. 330 ; vol. iv. p. 300, also Prof. Balogh 
 in Presbyterian and Reformed Review for January 1892, p. 159. 
 
 P. 9. The Marquis of Argyll's commission was presented to both Houses of 
 the English Parliament on July 7th, 1646, and on the following day he was 
 formally admitted to the Westminster Assembly. His great English speech was 
 not addressed to the Assembly of Divines, but to the Lords and Commons, in the 
 Painted Chamber, on 25th June 1646. On the following day the speech was 
 entered in the Journals of the House of Lords ', vol. viii. p. 392-394. 
 
 P. 10. 'The new expedient concerning the militia' was that the two Houses 
 of Parliament should have control of it for twenty years, instead of the king or 
 his successor.— -Journals of the House of Commons, vol. iv. p. 578. 
 
 P. 14. The Earl of Traquair, who, as Royal Commissioner in the Assembly 
 of 1639, had rendered some services to the Covenanters, afterwards vacillated 
 between their party and the king's, and only called away his son from Montrose 
 the night before his defeat at Philiphaugh. 
 
 P 21. Sir John Smith had been Provost of Edinburgh when the Council sent 
 ' its humble submission ' to the Marquis of Montrose. 
 
 P. 27. 'Mr. Alexander Casse, his book on the practices of the Jesuits.' I 
 cannot find that this book was actually published. Casse was minister of 
 Polwarth, and as his name stood first on the roll of the Assembly of 1638, and 
 unfortunately rhymed with that of an animal not in high repute, occasion was 
 taken by some royalist witlings to make merry over him and his following. — 
 Scott's Fasti, Pt. 11. p. 423. In Peterkin's list of the Assembly his name is 
 given as Carse, not Casse or Case, and it is so given at times in these Records. 
 
 P. 35. Strang's 'infirmities.' In the last session of the Assembly 1646, 
 mention is made of 'three Acts concerning Dr. Strang,' which, however, were 
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 583 
 
 not printed, and even here no particulars are given about these c infirmities.' 
 From Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 322, we learn that the Commissary had been 
 too busy for Montrose when he entered Glasgow and laid it under contribution, 
 'for which they say he is now fast and will not come off while {i.e. until) he 
 leaves his place and a great fine behind. / fear the Principal's case shall be little 
 better." Baillie, however, deprecated his deposition, vol. ii. pp. 377, 399- 
 
 P P- 38, 39- Both Aiton and M'Crie state that the 12th of August is men- 
 tioned on his tombstone as the day of Henderson's death, but the true date was 
 the 19th, which Brown says is really the reading of the stone. The inscription 
 was defaced after the restoration, and it was only when happier times returned 
 that it was renewed. On the 21st, amidst universal lamentation, he was buried, 
 Aiton says 4 in S. Giles' Churchyard, near to the grave of Knox,' his great pre- 
 decessor ; 'and when this burial ground was converted into the Parliament Square, 
 his body was removed to the Greyfriars' Churchyard' {Life of Henderson, p. 606), 
 while M'Crie and Woodrow say he was buried at Greyfriars. His last illness is 
 variously represented as consumption, fever, and jaundice, but all concur in 
 testifying that it was brought on by his great grief of heart at the obstinacy of 
 the king, and the misunderstandings and calamities he anticipated to result 
 therefrom. As our great Reformer had been traduced by his enemies as having 
 recanted on his death-bed, and expressed his unfeigned sorrow for the part he 
 had acted, so rumours were circulated soon after Henderson's death by those 
 who had feared and traduced him, while he lived, that he in his last illness had 
 expressed his deepest regret for the part he had acted, and nearly two years after 
 a forged ' Declaration ' was put into circulation by some favourers of the ' un- 
 lawful engagement,' in which, while adhering to the Second Reformation in 
 Scotland, he is made to pass a high panegyric on the king, and condemnation of 
 the proceedings of the English Parliament, and even regret of the attempts made 
 to subvert the hierarchy and set up Presbyterianism in England. The first vague 
 rumours were at once contradicted by those who were about him in his last hours, 
 as well as by Blair, who was with him at Newcastle, and Baillie, who was in 
 correspondence with him to the last, and the formal Declaration as soon as pub- 
 lished was condemned by the Assembly as 'forged, scandalous, and false.' 
 
 P. 100. Mr. Robert Traill was settled as minister at Elie, in the Presbytery of 
 St. Andrews, in 1639, and was transferred to Edinburgh in 1648. He belonged 
 to the party of the Protesters, and was exposed to many trials after the Restora- 
 tion, like most prominent members of his party. 
 
 P. 100. Balcanquhal, Dean of Durham. As he had made himself very busy 
 on the king's side when in attendance on the Marquis of Hamilton at the 
 Assembly of 1638, as well as subsequently, his 'letters and papers' probably 
 compromised several of the weak-kneed who had ultimately taken the Covenant, 
 and so it seems to have been deemed inexpedient to make any public use of them. 
 
 Pp. 100-103. Wright, Wilkie, and Douglas' relaxation. The two former, as 
 well as Strang, had been implicated with several leading Glasgow laymen in the 
 negotiations with Montrose (Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. pp. 322, 377), and probably 
 the ' escapes ' of Douglas were somewhat similar. 
 
 Pp. 105, 106. ' Extraordinary thunder ' in neighbourhood of Dundee. I have 
 failed to find any account of this great thunderstorm. The extant records of the 
 
584 
 
 ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 Presbytery of Dundee do not go back to this date. The Acts of the Parliaments 
 of Scotland make no reference to the recommendation of the Commission on 
 behalf of the sufferers. The writer of the old Statistical Account of Dundee 
 knows so little of it that he says, 1 No tradition or history speaks of any damage 
 done in Dundee by thunder.' For an account of a later storm see p. 589. 
 
 Pp. 109, 129. Cruelty of rebels to the brethren of the Presbytery of Dun- 
 blane, and especially to Messrs. Reid and Kirk. The statements here made, as 
 well as those given subsequently, are sadly at variance with those of the pane- 
 gyrists of Montrose as to his great chivalry and forbearance towards those not 
 found in arms against him, and the strict restraint he exercised over his wild 
 Highland and Irish followers save in the heat of battle. See also what is said 
 elsewhere of Messrs. Gairden and Massie (p. 144), Mr. Andro Fraser (p. 172), 
 and of Messrs. Balfour and Rosse (p. 192). Gellie (p. 225) ' suffered not only 
 the utter spoyle of all his goods and means, but great wounds also in his person ;' 
 Jameson and Scott (p. 261) endured great sufferings and losses, with hazard also 
 of their lives ; Isabel and Agnes Forbesses (p. 262), besides the spoil of all their 
 goods, had their husbands killed ; and Elspeth Forbes, an aged gentlewoman, 
 was harried and spoiled of her whole livelihood.' 
 
 Pp. 157, 158. Seaforth's ' Divisive Band and Remonstrance,' or, as it is 
 termed in the Act of Assembly 1646, condemning it and excommunicating him, 
 ' An humble Remonstrance against our National Covenant and the League and 
 Covenant of the three kingdoms,' consisted 'of seven articles, the first whereof 
 contained an invitation to the king to come to Scotland.' He not only sub- 
 scribed it himself, but 1 seduced and threatened others to subscribe and join with 
 him in prosecution of his treacherous and wicked designs.' He professed to have 
 destroyed it, though not to remember when he had done this. — Peterkin's 
 Records of the Kirk, p. 445 ; Blair's Autobiography, p. 180. For the bonds he 
 signed with Montrose in 1640-1641, see Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 468. 
 
 Pp. 159, 160. General King had been one of the royalist generals, and had 
 command of one of the divisions of the royal army in the battle of Marston 
 Moor. — Baillie's Letters, vol. ii. p. 204. He had been forfeited in 1644, but 
 was restored in 1647, and recommended ' to the crowne of Sweden and the town 
 of Hamburg.' — Acts\of Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 700. 
 
 P. 161, Note 1. The Confession of Faith, which had been presented to the 
 House of Commons on 4th, and to the House of Lords on 7th December 
 1646, was printed by the 19th, for in Perfect Occurrences of both Houses of Par- 
 lia?nent . . . for the week ending 25th December 1646, under date of Saturday 19th, 
 we have the following entry : ' This day there were delivered in print to the 
 Parliament The Humble Advise of the Assembly of the Divines now by atithority 
 of Parliament sitting at Westminster concerning a Confession of Faith, presented 
 by them before in writing to both Houses, consisting of 33 chapters (enumerated), 
 subscribed by Charles Herle, Prolocutor-, Cornelius Burgesse and Herbert 
 Palmer, Assessors ; and Henry Robrough and Adoniram Byfield, Scribes' — 
 E King's Pa)nphlets, in British Museum. The first edition of the entire Con- 
 fession folluws as No. 3 in this volume of Pamphlets. 
 
 P. 163. 'Mr. Robert Campbell, killed by the Irish rebels in Blakwater.' I 
 can find no reference to this sufferer in Reid's long list of Protestant ministers 
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES 585 
 
 put to death by the Irish rebels, unless he falls to be identified with the unnamed 
 Scottish minister, who, along with 600 Protestants, was massacred after an un- 
 successful engagement with an Irish contingent, commanded by the notorious 
 Alaster Macdonald or his sons. — Reid's History of Presbyterian Church, vol. i. 
 P- 313- 
 
 P. 171. Queries from Province of Murray. It is clear from these queries, and 
 the answers to them, that the number of complying ministers had been much 
 larger than is generally supposed — though self-preservation may have had more 
 to do with their 'escapes and infirmities in the day of tentation,' in at least a 
 number of cases, than change of former convictions. 
 
 P. 176 Repayment of Dr. Sharp's loan. The provision made by the 
 Parliament for repayment of Dr. Sharp was from the first ^"50,000 of the 
 second ,£200,000 promised them by the English Parliament, but no part of this 
 seems to have been paid, and on the 13th April 1648 payment was promised out 
 of the ' monthly maintenance ' and excise, but neither was this made, and the 
 only reply made to the Assembly's application in the following year on behalf of 
 his widow was that the Parliament would take it into consideration after the 
 public business. 
 
 P. 179. 'The lamentable conditions of the lairds of Glenurqhie and their 
 tennents.' Their chief, Campbell of Glenurquhie, like others of his clan, was 
 specially obnoxious to Montrose and Alaster Macdonald, and when making 
 their raid into Argyllshire, Mr. Napier tells us, ' On they swept to Loch Tay, by 
 both sides of which the clansmen pursued their fiery course, burning, through 
 Breadalbane, the no less hostile country of Campbell of Glenorchy, and so 
 through Lorn to Argyle proper.' The lands were again harried and burned by 
 Middleton in 1654, because Glenorchy was suspected of siding with Argyll and 
 the English. 
 
 P. 189. Mr. John Ward, minister of Ipswich, appointed to accompany the 
 Commissioners of the English Parliament to Scotland, was one of the super- 
 added members of the Westminster Assembly, admitted on 3d February 1644-5, 
 and added to the Committee for the North on 3d November 1646. They came 
 to Edinburgh about 20th Feby. 1647, and on the 23d the Commission report to 
 their representatives at London that certain of their members had saluted the 
 Commissioners, and particularly certified their respects to Mr. Ward (p. 211). 
 
 P. 236. For withdrawal of Wynraham's allowance after Lauderdale's return 
 to London, see Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. I. p. 812. 
 
 Pp. 243-244. Marquis of Huntly's house within Loch Kenmore. (?) This loch, 
 called by Wyntoun Canmore, from its supposed connection with Malcolm 
 Canmore, but now commonly designated Loch Kinnord, is a small lake in one 
 of the glens of Deeside, with an island — originally a crannog — near one end of 
 it, which, at this period, was connected with the mainland by a drawbridge. 
 The Marquis had on this island a strongly fortified peel, to which he could 
 retire in times of danger. For an interesting account of its history and anti- 
 quities, see Loch Kinnord, by Rev. J. G. Michie, also Maclagan's Hill Forts . . . 
 and other Structural Remains of Ancient Scotland, pp. 71, 91. Two of the 
 Marquis's sons, Lord Gordon and Lord Lewis, at first had refrained from joining 
 
586 
 
 ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 Montrose, and, under the influence of their uncle, Argyll, sided with the 
 Covenanters, but in the spring of 1645 tnev were reconciled to their father, and 
 persuaded to join Montrose. Lord Gordon was slain in the battle of Alford, 
 and Lord Lewis, with his contingent, left after the battle of Kilsyth, and was 
 guilty of various acts of oppression and spoliation on his wav north. 
 
 Pp. 250, 269. 'James Gordon, called Treeleg,' and ' Patrick Gordon, called 
 Steillhand,' probably because the former had a wooden leg, and the latter some 
 steel substitute for a hand he had lost. A French officer who lost an arm at 
 Fontenoy, and had an iron one made, was surnamed Bras de Fer. 
 
 P. 252. 'Desolate condition of Badyenoch' and ' fearfull estate of Lochaber.' 
 These wild regions were the resort of outlaws and 'broken men,' ever ready to 
 harass and plunder their peaceable neighbours in the more settled districts of the 
 country. Huntly had been detained in Edinburgh by the Privy Council in 1636, 
 as security for their good behaviour, and there and in Atholl was found the 
 nucleus of Montrose's army of Scotch Highlanders. Probably the life of a Low- 
 land minister among them would have been as hazardous as that of a modern 
 missionary in the heart of Africa ; but it is sad to think that Lochaber appears to 
 have been left uncared for ever since the Reformation, and that the Marquis 
 of Argyll had not, up to this date, fulfilled the promise he had made to the 
 General Assembly in 1642, to provide Lochaber with three ministers, the least of 
 whose stipends was to be 500 merks. The reference of this urgent matter by the 
 Commission to the Assembly of 1647 no doubt led that Assembly to pass its 'Act 
 for pressing and furthering the plantation of kirks ; ' but so far as these districts 
 were concerned, the Act seems to have been a dead, letter, as were also the 
 letters written by the Commission in April 1648 at the request of the Marquis of 
 Argyll to the Synod of Murray and. Presbytery of Aberlour, and all that the 
 Assembly of 1648 ventured to do was to recommend the Provincial Synods of 
 Aberdeen, Angus, and Murray to give temporary supply to the kirks of Badenoch 
 and Lochaber within their respective bounds. See Spalding's Memorialise vol. i. 
 pp. 419-431 ; Peterkin's Records of the Kirk, p. 520, Act 188. 
 
 P. 275. Letter of 8th June 1647 from Commissioners in London. On 4th 
 June Col. Joyce, with a party of soldiers from the army, carried off the king from 
 Holdenby, the king declaring himself 'unwilling,' and the Parliamentary Commis- 
 sioners who were with him protesting against their action. On the following 
 day the Earl of Dunfermline appeared at Westminster with a message from the 
 king to the Houses that he went from Holdenby unwillingly, and desired that 
 the Parliament would neglect no means for preserving their own honour and the 
 established laws of the land. On the afternoon of the 6th the Houses sat, 
 though it was Sunday, and the Lords entered in their Journals the paper lodged 
 the previous day by the Scotch Commissioners with the Committee of both 
 kingdoms, protesting against the violence done to the king — ' an action which 
 would certainly be highly resented by the kingdom of Scotland, and must needs 
 be dangerous to both kingdoms,' and proffering the hearty aid of the kingdom of 
 Scotland for rescuing and preserving His Majesty's person, and for maintaining 
 the privileges of the Parliaments. On Monday the address which Lord 
 Lauderdale had given when delivering this paper to the committee was also in- 
 serted. — See Journals of the House of Lords, vol. ijc. pp. 242, 244, 245. 
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 587 
 
 P. 278. ' Lues Gordon that vile rebel.'. While his father and elder brother 
 were specially excepted from pardon, it was voted by Parliament, probably 
 through the influence of his uncle of Argyll, that Lewis might 1 have some 
 conditions.' The Commission, on 1st September, recommended that he should 
 be put 'in firmance' (p. 305). In 1649 he got conditions from Lieut. -Gen. 
 Leslie, and in 165 1 the Marquisate of Huntly was restored in his person. — Acts 
 of the Parliaments of Scot/and, vol. vi. Pt. II. pp. 394, 648, 652. 
 
 P. 305. ' Debeats in the Assembly of Divines concerning Toleration.' The 
 only debates on Toleration or Accommodation I know of occurred not in the 
 Assembly of Divines, strictly so called, but in a Committee composed partly of 
 members of the Assembly — Independent as well as Presbyterian — and partly of 
 members of the Houses of Parliament. These were being prepared for the press 
 in 1647, and were published in 1648, and again in 1652, with the title Papers . . . 
 given in to the Honourable Committee of Lords and Commons and Assembly of 
 Divines, with the Scotch Commissioners for Accommodation. They are usually 
 bound up with The Reasons presented by the Dissenting Brethren against certain 
 Propositions concerning Presbyteriall Government, together with the Answer of the 
 Assembly to those Reasons. London, 1648. 
 
 P. 326. ' The Assembly conceive Christ calleth on them to give some public 
 testimony for the treuth against these detestable ways.' This and the encourage- 
 ment given them by the Commission in their letter of 26th November was pro- 
 bably the origin of that remarkable series of ' Testimonies to the truth of Jesus 
 Christ and to our Solemn League and Covenant ' which, headed by one from the 
 ministers witnin the Province of London on 27th December 1647, continued 
 during the next two years to be issued by the ministers in a large number of the 
 counties of England. 
 
 P. 329. ' No young man having the people's call and the patron's presentation 
 can, by the order and practice of this Kirk, be rejected without trial.' About this 
 no doubt has been raised in subsequent times. But the question has been raised 
 whether, if he had only the presentation of the patron, and lacked the positive 
 or negative acquiescence of the people, the presbytery might not reject him 
 without trial, and most mournful have been the consequences that have resulted 
 from the differences the discussion of the question occasioned. Now that pre- 
 sentation by patrons has been abolished and the election of the minister declared 
 to vest in the people ' cadit questio. ' 
 
 Pp. 355-6. When the king failed to come to an agreement with the army, and 
 began to be suspicious of their intentions towards him, he succeeded in making 
 his escape to the Isle of Wight. The English Parliament again appointed 
 Commissioners to treat with him. Owing to the misunderstandings which had 
 arisen between the two nations, the Scotch Commissioners resolved to act 
 separately, and succeeded in coming to terms with him though the English did 
 not. From the jealousy with which they were now regarded, and the interfer- 
 ence with their letters and papers on previous occasions, they did not venture 
 to carry this treaty with them through England, but buried it in the island. 
 But though they were able to give only an oral report of it, they seem to 
 have brought with them the king's letter to the Moderator and Commissioners 
 of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, which, so far as I know, has 
 never been published. It was at this juncture that certain Commissioners from 
 
588 
 
 ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 the English Parliament, accompanied by two members of the Westminster 
 Assembly, came down to Scotland, as mentioned in note to p. 359. Their 
 instructions, besides those quoted in note, p. 359, were not to ' offer payment ' 
 (Civil War, ill. 293), but to promise payment, as soon as they could raise the 
 necessary funds, of the instalment of the ^"200,000 then due, with interest till it 
 should be paid, and also to fix the amount due to the Scottish forces for their 
 long services in Ireland. No part of this last sum was ever paid, nor, so far as 
 I can find, any part of the above ,£200,000. What the parliament sent down 
 was not 'money to bribe,' as Montreuil asserts, but promises to pay debts with 
 interest thereon. These promises were repeated on 17th June (Lords'' Journals, 
 x - 33°)j but no doubt Hamilton's expedition in July was held to clear all accounts. 
 
 P. 359. Addition to note. At first the members of the Commission of As- 
 sembly do not seem to have shown the same favour towards Marshall as toward- 
 Herle. Rushworth tells us they were unwilling to let him preach in their 
 pulpits, saying he had turned Independent, and been a chief instrument in bring- 
 ing the army into London, and making peace between them and the authorities 
 of the city. On 6th March it is reported, ' Mr. Marshall not being smiled upon 
 inclines to a return. Mr. Herle has preached publicly, and was well liked, only 
 he prayed not for the king ; he pressed stiffly the Covenant, and also against 
 Sectaries' (Rushworth's Historical Collections, vol. viii. p. 1020) ; but on 13th 
 March it is further reported, ' Mr. Marshall haih had civil usage and respect 
 from the Divines, he preached the last Lord's day with very good liking ' 
 (p. 1026). If the Commissioners did not actually or intentionally stir up the 
 strife between the Parliament and the Commission, it is clear from many of the 
 references to it in the above volume of Rushworth, that they viewed it with 
 complacency, and reported that it was likely to save them from risk of the war 
 they had feared. 
 
 P. 431. Numbers of members of Commission had withdrawn from its meetings. 
 This confirms what Baillie says (vol. iii. p. 41, 46), that several of their mani- 
 festoes at this crisis were not so unreservedly accepted as those previously issued ; 
 that it was too much left to the more extreme men to frame them, the more 
 moderate either remaining silent or staying away. ' The peremptor rigidity of 
 some, the too great simplicity of others, and the evil talents of more,' helped 
 Colville and Ramsay 'to frame a faction for dividing our Church.' At the most 
 important crisis he ' was forced to keep his chamber ten days. In this interval 
 Mr. Gillespie, without much contradiction, got into his representation whatever 
 either himself or Warriston or Guthrie had collected, which made it tediously 
 long, and in sundry things needlessly quarrelsome.' 
 
 Pp. 481, 482. Charges against ' Mr. Andro Ramsay.' Ramsay was an old 
 minister, and held in great respect for his learning and abilities. He had entered 
 the ministry in the Episcopal times, but joined the great majority of his country- 
 men in protesting against the book of canons of 1636 and the liturgy of 1637. 
 He sat in the Glasgow Assembly of 1638, and for several years took a prominent 
 part in the work of the Church Courts. But he did not go along with the 
 majority of his brethren in their opposition to the Engagement, and he met with 
 rather harsh treatment at their hands in consequence. He succeeded Henderson 
 as Rector of the University, and left certain bursaries for students in Divinity. 
 
 Pp- 373, 385. Declaration of 1st March 1648. The copy of this rare pamphlet, 
 contained in a volume lent me from the Episcopal Library at Brechin, has the 
 title-page as given in the note p. 385. That in the Advocates' Library is said 
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 589 
 
 in the catalogue to be without title-page and, of course, without printer's name, 
 and the following extract would seem to show that part at least of the copies 
 were so issued : — ' Mr. James Hamilton, ane of the ministers of Edinburgh, with 
 some other ministers, produced from the Committie of the Church their Answer 
 to the Answer given be the Estates of Parliament to them, efter the in-giving of 
 their Declaratione and reading thereof in plaine Parliament, And this answer of 
 the Church being read in audience of the Parliament, and it being put to the 
 question whither the printer of the Churches Declaration should be send for to 
 the Parliament, It wes carried in maniest voyces that the printer should be send 
 for, whilk being accordingly done, and the printer called in face of Parliament, 
 viz., Johne Twyne, and being interrogat be what warrand he printed the afore- 
 said Declaration, declared that he had warrand from Mr. Andrew Ker, Clerk to 
 the General Assembly of the Church, for printing the said Declaratioune, Lykas 
 conforme to the warrand he printed 2000 of them, whilk he delivered to the said 
 Mr. Andrew Ker, and produced his warrand for printing of the foirsaid Declara- 
 tioun, whilk was given bak to him.' — Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. 
 vi. Pt. 11. pp. 11, 12. 
 
 Since the note at pp. 583-4 as to the extraordinary thunder in the neighbour- 
 hood of Dundee was put in type, I have received a letter from A. Maxwell, Esq., 
 who is so thoroughly acquainted with the early history of the city, and I cannot 
 refrain from subjoining the following extracts from it : — 1 Some time ago I went 
 carefully over the Town Council Minutes for the period named, and am satisfied 
 that they do not have anything on the subject, and since receiving your letter I 
 have searched the Records of the Burgh Court during the year 1646 without 
 finding any reference to the storm. ' ' The reason of this is probably because 
 serious damage had been confined to landward parishes.' ' I find from the 
 Council Minutes that at a later time there was a storm, the effects of which were 
 seriously felt in Dundee, and of which there is considerable notice. This took 
 place on 13th October 1669, and is referred to as " the last great storm," and as 
 " the sad and extraordinary late tempest whereby their piers, bulwarks and 
 others were destroyed, or the greater part." The Town Council made applica- 
 tion to Parliament and to the Convention of Burghs " for getting a supply for 
 the Town's losses," which they followed by "ane supplication made to His 
 Majesty anent the town's losses," and also by "letters to the noblemen of the 
 kingdom, the Archbishop of St. Andrews, the Bishop of Brechin, and such 
 others as sail be thought convenient for forwarding the said petition." Although 
 the Council obtained no " subsidy from Parliament, they were authorised to ask 
 for a voluntary contribution through the kingdom, they obtained sanction for a 
 temporary additional impost on malt, and on all wines and strong waters vented 
 within the burgh, and had a grant of two additional annual fairs, for repairing 
 the losses sustained by the town by the late storm of weather." It is a peculiar 
 and unusual feature in the notices of this tempest,' Mr. Maxwell subjoins, 'that 
 there is no attribution of it to the hand of Providence, and I cannot avoid con- 
 necting this with the fact that Grissell Jaffray, a famous Dundee witch, was 
 burnt within six weeks after its occurrence, and am inclined to think that the 
 poor woman had been charged with raising the storm ; but I propose to look 
 for further information on this matter, which only came to my knowledge a few 
 weeks ago.' 
 
 P. 343. Addition to note 3 . Very little seems to be known regarding the 
 author of this Historia. A manuscript copy of the first ten books of it is pre- 
 
590 
 
 ADDITIONAL NOTES 
 
 served in the Advocates' Library, as well as a manuscript History of Scotland. 
 This last is mainly a translation of Buchanan, but has various additions from 
 other sources. If the following verses inscribed on the title-page of the Historia 
 in one of these volumes (MS. 35, 1, 2), relate to himself, they contain more definite 
 information about him than is supplied in any of the brief notices I have seen : — 
 
 In patriam charus vixi, iucundus amicis, 
 
 Re medica frugi, libera mensque mihi ; 
 Pauperibus bona cuncta dedi ; monumenta reliqui 
 
 Exigui ingenii pignora fida mei, 
 Pro quibus officiis grates mihi postera reddent 
 
 Saecula, sic cineri spes superesse meo est. 
 Funeris exequias fido commendo sodaii, 
 
 Quern celebrat vera; pectus amicitiae. 
 
 Pp. 559, 561. The following is the paper proposed to be waived : — 
 ' Act and declaratioune of Parliament in answer to the Petitiones 
 of the severall Synodis and presrytries. 
 
 'The Estates of Parliament, finding by the petitiones presented to thame by 
 the severall synodis and presbyteries That their present proceedingis for the good 
 of Religion, his Majesties rescue and saifety, and the true peace of these king- 
 domes Is much misconstrued and misvnderstood, They have thought fitt to 
 declaire for the satisfactioune of all suche as are satisfieable, That in their vnder- 
 takinges at this tyme They sail preferr no earthlie consideratioune to their dewties 
 for preserveing Religion in Scotland in doctrine, worship, discipline, and govern- 
 ment, as it is alreddie established, and for endeavouring to setle [it] in England 
 and Ireland according to the Covenant, And as we cannot with saifety to our 
 consciences and honours Live and suffer our king to continew in his base im- 
 prisonment, So our vndertaking for him sail ever be subordinate to Religion and 
 to our dewties to God, and in the persewance of these endis, As wee sail imploy 
 nane in our Armie Bot such as have signed the solemn league and Covenant, and 
 such againest whome there is no just caus of exceptioune, So wee sail associat 
 with none bot such as will ingadge themselves to be faithfull to the endis of the 
 Covenant, And our vndertaking sail not be in anywayes against the kingdome of 
 England, or to break the vneon betweene the two nationes, Bot only for reforma- 
 tioun and defence of Religion, the honour and happines of the king and his 
 royall posteritie, And the peace and saifety of these kingdomes against such who 
 have destroyed religion and imprisoned our king, And certanelie when they have 
 brought their intendit confusioune in England to pas both in Church and Staite, 
 Wee cannot hope for saifety [here] whatsoever their professioune may now be. 
 Thairfore wee are resolved to proceid in this Levie in a vigorous doeing of 
 our dewties, and we doe expect frome yow, and all his Majesties good subjectis, a 
 ready obedience to the Commandis of the parliament and Committee of Estates 
 in persewance thereof, And the Estates of parliament Remittis to the Committee 
 of Estates To give furth ane more full declaratioun of the great endeavours the 
 parliament hes vsed, And still resolves sail be vsed, To satisfie the desyres of the 
 Comissioners of the generall assemblie, And to answer their paper given in this 
 day to the parliament, And ordaines this act to be printed and published and 
 sent to the Committee of Estates to the severall presby tries. ' — Acts of the Parlia- 
 ments of Scotland, vol. vi. Pt. II. p. 107. The petitions of the Committees of 
 War in several shires for delay of the levies till the Kirk was satisfied, answered 
 on the same page, show the support the clergy had from the gentry. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Aberbrothick, 483. 
 
 Aberchirdour, 376, 332, 346. 
 
 Abercorn, earl of, 16, 66, 106, 233, 
 234, and n. 281. 
 
 Abercrombie, Andrew, 52, 258, 264. 
 
 Aberdeen, xiii, xviii and n., 15-17, 
 19, 22, 36, 43, 52-54, 60, 63, 65, 
 77, 108, 114, 134, 136, 141, 145, 
 158, 165, 172, 176, 178, 186, 193, 
 203, 214, 216-218, 227, 231, 238, 
 240-245, 255, 259, 261, 262, 264, 
 272, 276, 277, 354, 515, 522, 554 n. 
 
 Aberdour kirk, Aberdeen, 214 and;/., 
 215. 
 
 Aberlour, 237, 249, 252, 258, 433. 
 Abernethy, 252 253. 
 Abertarf, 172. 
 Aboyn, 260. 
 laird of, 280. 
 
 James Gordon, lord, no, 136, 
 
 260, 264, ;/. 585. 
 Ach. See Avoch. 
 
 Adair, William, m.c, 4, 156, 206, 208, 
 
 211, 330, 339, 348, 512. 
 Adam, Colin, m.c, 302, 351, 363, 395, 
 
 400, 472, 482, 488. 
 Adamson, George, of Braco, 242. 
 
 of Floors, 265. 
 
 John, principal of Edinburgh 
 
 university, and m.c, 3, 7, 16, 20, 
 
 21, 27, 37, 77, 102, 146, 147, 153, 
 
 156, 168, 173, 191, 192, 282, 301, 
 
 318, 343, 349, 367, 384, 415, 459, 
 
 475, 489, 514, 534, 570. 
 
 Patrick, 554, 555. 
 
 William, of Flure, 242. 
 
 Advice and Petition of the Commission 
 
 . . . to Parliament, 562 and 11. 
 Affleck or Auchinleck, Andrew, m.c, 
 
 108, 115, 302, 351, 365, 366, 482, 
 
 484, 485. 
 
 James, m.c, 4. 
 
 Aird, Francis, m.c, 45, 302, 392, 393, 
 
 423. 
 
 Airds, viscount. See Montgomery, 
 lord. 
 
 Airlie, James Ogilvie, earl of, 55, 
 73, 74 ; excommunicated, 20 ; his 
 
 petition, 30 ; his papers unsatisfac- 
 tory, 45 ; conference recommended 
 for relaxation of, 50, 52 ; to be con- 
 ferred with regarding his confession, 
 61; conference continued, 64; to 
 be relaxed, 113; sackcloth indis- 
 pensable, 133 ; report of conference, 
 137; relaxed, 138-146; signs the 
 covenants, national and solemn 
 League, 153. 
 
 Aitkin, James, minister at Birsay, 213. 
 
 Alexander, Fergus, minister at Kil- 
 mood, Ireland, 195. 
 
 Alford (Awford), xviii, 223, 250, 251, 
 254, 261, 269 n., 586. 
 
 Algiers (Argeirs), Scots captives in, 
 187 and n.y 202, 203, 208 and 
 211, 574, list of captives, 575. 
 
 Alison (Aleson), Robert, 168. 
 
 Allan. See Ellon. 
 
 Alvie (Skiralvie), 253 and 433. 
 
 Amisfield. See Charteris, sir John. 
 
 Amsterdam, 343 n. 
 
 Ancrum, 360. 
 
 Anderson, George, Miltoun, 249. 
 
 Gilbert, m.c, 4, 158, 268, 302. 
 
 John, 575. 
 
 Angus, 482, 522. 
 
 Archibald, lord, m.c, 4, 106, 
 
 153, 233, 234, 302, 328, 338, 351, 
 36o, 544. 
 
 Annan, John, 143, 146, 164, 165, 168, 
 
 171, 262, 271. 
 Anstruther, John, 62. 
 Antrim, 68. 
 
 earl of, xvi, n. , xvii. 
 
 Arbuthnot, Robert, of Findowrie, m.c, 
 
 302, 393, 403, 4", 440, 443» 447, 
 
 456, 472, 474, 475, 489. 
 Archibald, Hew, 7, 103. 
 Archinlaye's regiment, 205. 
 Ardchattan. See Campbell, John. 
 Ardersier, 267. 
 
 Ardlogie. See Gordon, John. 
 Ardnamurchan, 68. 
 
 See Campbell, sir Donald. 
 
 Areskine. See Erskine. 
 Algiers. See Algiers. 
 
592 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Argyle, Archibald, marquis of, //i.e., 
 xxiv, 4, 9, 12, 14, 59, 77, 78, 100, 
 156, 190, 203, 205, 219, 252, 265, 
 302, 361, 392, 394, 400, 405, 408, 
 433; Seeieru/its : 77, 104, 133, 141, 
 156, 173, 186, 207, 219, 305, 307, 
 313, 355, 366, 37i, 372, 3S9, 582, 
 586. 
 
 Argyll, xviii and xx'iin., 26, 45, 49, 
 55^ 62, 70, 76, 104, 121, 125, 173, 
 190, 197, 219, 231, 354, 358, 408. 
 
 Armentiers (Armenteers), 223. 
 
 Arniston. See Dundas, sir James. 
 
 Arnot, Robert, provost of Perth and 
 //i.e., 4. 
 
 Arran, earl of, 554. 
 
 Arrandoull. See Gordon. 
 
 Arras (Arris), 223. 
 
 Aslowan. See Forbes, John. 
 
 Assynt, 192, 282. 
 
 See M'Leod, Donald. 
 
 Atcheson, Robert, 436. 
 
 Atherny. See Rig, William. 
 
 Athole, 50, 52, 113, 199, 583. 
 
 Auchinleck. See Affleck. 
 
 Auchmedden. See Baird, James. 
 
 Auchniall, 249. 
 
 Auchterarder, 34, 114, 129, 134, 145, 
 
 282, 352, 358, 513, 534, 540. 
 Auchterlonie, David, //i.e., 4. 
 Auldearn, xviii. 
 
 Austin (Austein), Samuel, //i.e., 4, 99, 
 
 113, 193, 195- 
 Avoch, or Ach, 267. 
 Aw ford. See Alford. 
 Ayr (Air), 4, 199, 214, 339, 348, 512, 
 
 522, 534, 543- 
 Aythin, lord. See King, general. 
 
 Baccheltoun. See Oliphant, John. 
 
 Badevie. See Baldovie. 
 
 Badenoch, xv, 252, 433, n. 586. 
 
 Baillie, lieut. -general, 35, 265 ;/. 
 
 Robert, minister and professor 
 
 in Glasgow, //i.e., 4, 5 n., 1 1, 12, 59, 
 79, 99, 105, 162, 175, 181 and n., 
 187-189, 191, 278, 284, 301, 303 71., 
 306, 319, 346, 249, 351, 354, 359, 
 360, 362, 368, 383, 384, 388, 389, 
 393-395, 400, 406-408, 455, 458,459, 
 472, 474, 475, 489. 
 
 sir William, of Lamington, 31, 39- 
 
 41, 52, 63, 66, 138, 277, 280, 284. 
 
 Bainton, Mr., 576. 
 
 Baird, James, of Auchmedden, 204, 
 215- 
 
 Balcanquall, Dr., 21, 100, n. 583. 
 Balcarres, lord, 35, 162. 
 Baldovie. See Ogilvie, major John. 
 Balfour, Alexander, //i.e., 3, 47, 156. 
 
 Balfour, David, 575. 
 George, 192. 
 
 Balhousie (Bousie). See Hay, Francis. 
 Ballengask, laird of, 258. 
 Balloch, 157. 
 
 Balmain. See Ramsay, sir Gilbert. 
 Balmerino, John, lord, //i.e., 4, 5 n., 
 
 9, 22, 77, 78, 100, 142, 144, 153, 178, 
 
 179, 234, 3° 2 , 303 361, 442, 444, 
 
 580, 5S1. 
 Banchory (Banchrie), 259. 
 Banks, Bernard, 235, 237. 
 Bannatyne, Hector, of Karnes, 206 
 
 and 
 
 Barclay, John, //i.e., 302, 351. 
 
 Ro., 575. 
 
 Barganie, John, lord, //i.e., 302. 
 Barnes, lady, 36. 
 
 Barochane. See Fleming, Patrick. 
 
 Bayn, Alexander, 283. 
 
 captain Alex., 283. 
 
 Duncan, 256. 
 
 Rorie, 283. 
 
 Beatoun, David, of Creich, 440. 
 
 Beattie (Beatie), Edward, quarter- 
 master in lord Montgomerie's regi- 
 ment, 157. 
 
 Bedell, bishop of Kilmore, 401 11. 
 
 Beggars, 123. 
 
 Bell, James, Glasgow magistrate, 129 
 140- 1. 
 
 John, //i.e., 301, 456, 459, 472, 
 
 475- 
 
 William, 1 14. 
 
 Bellie parish, 250. 
 
 Bellita. See Home, John. 
 
 Benburb, 401 n. 
 
 Bennet, Andro, 440. 
 
 George, //i.e., 301, 436, 437. 
 
 William, //i.e., 3, 7, 10, 15,22, 
 
 26, 27, 29, 31, 34, 35, 46, 50, 52, 53, 
 56, 60, 103, 108, III, 113, 125,126, 
 128, 133, 138, 141, 145, 146, 153, 
 156, 157, 168, 178, 190, 192, 195, 
 199, 225, 228. 
 
 Berwick, 563. 
 
 Bigamy, frequency of, 123. 
 
 Biggar, 107, 140, 208, 402, 450, 534. 
 
 Birnie, Robert, //i.e., 103, 302, 386-7, 
 410. 
 
 Birsay, 213. 
 
 Birsbane. See Brisbane. 
 Birse, 163, 173. 
 
 Bishoptoun. See Brisbane, John. 
 
 Bittenboig, 264. 
 
 Blackader. See Home, John. 
 
 Blackburn, William, 136. 
 
 Blackwater, 163, 584. 
 
 Blaik, Margreat, 575. 
 
 Blair. See Colvill, Alexander. 
 
INDEX 
 
 593 
 
 Blair, Alexander, 205, 273. 
 
 Hew, minister in Glasgow, 308. 
 
 James, 360. 
 
 Robert, minister of St. Andrews, 
 
 m.c, 3, 8, 15, 22, 47, 52, 53, 56, 
 77, 132, 140, 141, 144, 146, 147, 
 i53» 154. 157, 163, 165, 168, 169, 
 173, 175, l86 > 219, 232, 237, 262, 
 302, 304, 306, 318, 319, 321, 346, 
 348, 350, 35i, 360, 370, 372, 383, 
 3 8 4, 385, 395, 397, 400, 401, 403, 
 407, 408, 420, 425, 427, 428, 429, 
 432, 436, 437, 440, 442, 445, 447, 
 475, 484, 4^9, 5^, 536, 544, 559, 
 566. 
 
 Blair Athol, 114. 
 Blindlie. See Pringle, Robert. 
 Bog of Gight, 259 and n. 
 Boggesse. See M'Kay, William. 
 Bogie. See Innes, William. 
 Boleskin, 172. 
 
 Bonar, James, //i.e., 4, 26, 27, 29, 35, 
 133- 
 
 Book of Common Prayer, 58, 499. 
 Borland. See Hamilton, Hew. 
 Borthwick, Patrik, 436. 
 Botarie. See Pettarie. 
 Bothwell, 205. 
 
 Botriphnie, in Strathbogie, 247. 
 
 Bouchier, sir John, 279. 
 
 Bousie. See Hay, Francis. 
 
 Boyd, James, son of the bishop of 
 
 Argyll, 206 n. 
 Robert, minister at Bothwell, 
 
 205 and 
 
 Zachary, minister of High Church, 
 
 Glasgow, 192, 301, 350, 415, 431, 
 450, 483, 488, 489, 527. 
 
 Braco, 242. 
 
 Brakeless, 261. 
 
 Breadalbane, xviii and «., 147, 190, 
 
 219, 231. 
 Brechin, 36, 73. 
 
 George, lord, m.c., 302. 
 
 Bridgend. See Ogilvie, Patrick. 
 Brigton. See Lyon, Frederick. 
 Brisbane, John, of Bishopton, m.c. , 
 
 302. 
 
 Matthew, m.c, 4, 24, 26, 29, 37, 
 
 39, 40, 103, 279, 284. 
 Robert, 540. 
 
 Brodie, Alexander, of Brodie, m.c, 
 4, 21, 26, 27, no, 168, 302. 
 
 Joseph, m.c, 3, 39-41, 46, 102, 
 
 284. 
 
 Broomlie, Robert, 115. 
 Broun, Adam, minister at Kilpatrick, 
 206. 
 
 Browne, James, 436. 
 
 Bruce, James, m.c, 3, 63, 277. 
 
 Bruce, Walter, m.c , 302. 
 
 sir William, captain in lord 
 
 Ramsay's regiment, 159. 
 Bryson, colonel, 240, 285, 345. 
 Buccleuch (Bacleugh) Francis, earl of, 
 
 m.c, xxiv, 4, 302. 
 Buchantie. See Murray, Robert. 
 Buckholme. See Pringle. 
 Burgess, A., 343. 
 Burgesse, Cornelius, 584. 
 Burleigh (Burley), Robert, lord, m.c, 
 
 4, 49, 51, 54, 65, 388, 389, 408. 
 Burnes, John, 436. 
 
 Burnet, George, minister at Strauchan, 
 259- 
 
 Burntisland, 100, 142, 241, 272, 281, 
 
 370. 
 Bute, 207. 
 
 Byfield, Adoniram, scribe to Westmin- 
 ster assembly, 333, 584. 
 
 Caddell, 433. 
 
 Cairnie, in Strathbogie, 261. 
 
 See Grahame, Robert. 
 
 Caithness, 172, 237, 263, 305. 
 Calder. 141. 
 
 Calderwood, David, minister at Pen- 
 caitland, m.c, 3, 16, 21, 27, 29, 
 39-41, 102, 284, 301, 306, 318, 319, 
 337, 338, 346, 348, 349-352, 357, 
 359, 360, 384, 385, 394, 395, 400, 
 408, 519, 536, 544, 559, 566. 
 
 Callendar, James, earl of, m.c, 302. 
 
 Cambuslang, 103, 203. 
 
 Cameron, Evan, m.c, 4, 45, 130, 302, 
 433, 434, 438, 489. 
 
 J., 67. 
 
 Neill, 205, 220. 
 
 Campbell, Archibald, of Otter, 220. 
 
 Charles, 575. 
 
 Colin, Glasgow magistrate, 129 
 
 it., 140, 141, 195, 199. 
 
 D., 482. 
 
 David, m.c , 4. 
 
 Donald, of Glenmasson, 220. 
 
 sir Donald, of Ardnamurchan, 
 
 220. 
 
 Dugald, 203, 220. 
 
 Duncan, bailie-depute of Knap- 
 dale, 220. 
 
 of Illangreig, 220. 
 
 Elizabeth, 147. 
 
 George, sheriff-depute of Argyll, 
 
 221. 
 
 sir Hugh, of Cesnock, m.c, 4, 
 
 302, 425. 
 
 James, minister in Dunoon, 220. 
 
 John, of Ardchattan, 220. 
 
 of Lochnell, 220. 
 
 Marjorie, 147. 
 
 P 
 
594 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Campbell, Neil, of Duntroon, 220. 
 
 Robert, 163, 195, 199, and u., 
 
 n. 584. 
 
 sir Robert, of Glenurquhie, 179, 
 
 180, 220, ;/. 585. 
 
 William, m.c, 4, 26. 
 
 Campvere, 208, 343 11. 
 
 Canongate (Cannogait), 386. 
 
 Cant, Alexander, 46, 54. 
 
 Andrew, minister in New Aber- 
 deen, m.c, 4, 8, 17, 22, 27, 31, 37, 
 41, 46, 47, 50, 52, 53, 54, 56, 61, 
 
 65, 66, 70, 72, 77, 99, 102, 103, 
 108, in, 125, 126, 133, 139, 141, 
 142, 144, 146, 147, 153, 156, 163, 
 165, 167, 168, 173, 178, 180, 186, 
 l 9°> 1 93 1 !99> 201, 204, 205, 206, 
 208, 262, 302, 350, 351, 352, 
 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 367, 
 384, 386, 387, 392, 393, 394, 395, 
 396, 397, 398, 400, 406, 407, 408, 
 411,415, 420, 423, 427, 428, 429, 
 432, 436, 437, 440. 
 
 Carinton, 9. 
 
 Carisbrook castle, xxxvi, 429. 
 Carlisle, 563. 
 Carluke, 226, 235. 
 
 Carmichael, Frederick, m.c, 302, 351, 
 450, 452, 456, 472, 474, 481, 485, 
 536, 544, 559, 56i. 
 
 Carmucks. See Kennedy, John. 
 
 Carnfield, 248. 
 
 Carnwath, 28, 306, 313. 
 
 earl of, 313. 
 
 Carrick, the captain of, 220. 
 
 Carrickfergus, 190, 198,401,402,484. 
 
 Carrlesyd, 8. 
 
 Carron. See Grant, John. 
 
 Carson, Robert, Dalkeith, 107. 
 
 Carstoun. See Ogilvy, Walter. 
 
 Caskeberrie. See Schoneir, James. 
 
 Casse or Carsse, Alexander, m. c, 3, 
 24, 27, 39, 40, 301, 306, 11. 582. 
 
 Cassillis (Casles), John, earl of, m.c, 
 4, 66, 302, 350, 359, 361, 393 n., 
 415. Sederunts : 14, 15, 31, 34, 39, 
 
 66, 77, 104, 113, 133, 207, 313, 329, 
 348, 349, 363, 371, 372, 389, 416. 
 
 Castillaw, William, 436. 
 
 Catechisms, 79, 80, 86, 99, 187 and n., 
 
 230, 257, 273, 274, 306 and n., 311, 
 
 326, 341 and n. 
 Cesnock. See Campbell, sir Hugh. 
 Chalmer, Patrick, 136. 
 
 William, m.c, 302. 
 
 Chalmers, George, minister at Reyn, 
 
 246. 
 John, 258. 
 
 Chanonry, 256?/., 262, 267, 268, 281, 
 345. 
 
 Charles I., xxvi n., xxix, xxxix, 356, 
 
 363, 465, 469, 587. 
 Charteris, sir John, of Amisfield, 107, 
 
 108, ill, 193. 
 
 John, minister at Currie, 141. 
 
 Cheislie, John, 333, 341 and »., 343, 
 
 574, 579- 
 
 Cheyn, John, minister at Kintore, 43, 
 
 245, 246, 255. 
 Chirnside, 24, 142, 213, 238, 239, 307, 
 
 309 andw., 339, 347, 362, 365, 369, 
 
 532, 540, 544. 
 Church government, 78, 80, 86, 87, 
 
 9i, 96, 99, 209, 223, 304 and it. ; 
 
 form of, 332, etc. 
 Clanronald, captain of, 68. 
 Clapperton, John, 331. 
 Clay pots. See Grahame, James. 
 Clerk, Alexander, minister at Skiralvie 
 
 (Alvie), 253. 
 
 Donald, 268. 
 
 Clerkinton. See Cockburn, Patrick. 
 Clogie, William, 538. 
 Closeburn, 360. 
 
 Coalcoates. See Innes, George. 
 Cochran, Walter, 136. 
 Cochrane, sir William, of Cowden, 
 256. 
 
 Cockburn (Cokburne), Henry, 279. 
 
 Patrick, of Clerkinton, m.c., 4, 
 
 26-28, 30, 39, 40, 41, 345. 
 William, 272. 
 
 sir William, of Langton, m.c, 
 
 302. 
 
 Cockburnspath (Colbrandspaith). Sec 
 
 Nicholson, sir James. 
 Colchester, xx 11. 
 Colesse. See Collace. 
 Colinton. See Foulis, sir James. 
 Collace (Colesse), Andrew, 10, 12, 13, 
 
 14, 45- 
 
 Francis, 47. 
 
 College kirk, Edinburgh, 225, 387. 
 
 Collison, James, 136. 
 
 Colt, Oliver, m.c, 164, 301. 
 
 Colvill, Dr. Alexander, m.c professor, 
 St. Mary's college, St. Andrews, 
 3, 16, 21, 27, 34, 39, 40, 192, 
 226, 260, 302, 307, 363, 393, 4io, 
 440, 442, 447, 460. 
 
 of Blair, m.c, 4. 
 
 Patrick, m.c, 4, 35, 99, 103, 
 
 128. 
 
 William, minister at Edinburgh, 
 
 m.c, 3, 16, 21, 27, 29, 31, 34, 39- 
 ■41, 46, 53, 66, 99, 113, 133, 134, 
 145, 147, 153, 157, 168, 173, 190, 
 192, 195, 206, 208, 279, 280, 283, 
 284, 285, 289, 297, 301, 309, 311, 
 319, 328, 338, 339, 343, 345, 35^ 
 
INDEX 
 
 595 
 
 353. 36o, 362, 401, 406, 410, 413. 
 414, 427, 437, 455, 458, 475, 5i4, 
 
 54°, 543-5- 
 Cohvart, Harry % 33, 103, 145, 201. 
 Comlich, lady, 8. 
 
 Confession of Faith, 58, 78-82 and »., 
 86, 99, 104 and , 161 and 175, 
 181, 188, 189, 209, 230-232, 257, 274, 
 324 and 11. , 327 and , 332 and n. , 
 335, 418, 419, 468, 470, 497, 499, 
 ;/. 584. 
 
 Contin or Contoun, 265. 
 
 Corforach, 248. 
 
 Corsan, John, provost of Dumfries, 
 366. 
 
 Cowan, John, vi.c. , 302. 
 
 captive in Algiers, 575. 
 
 Cowden. See Cochrane, sir William. 
 Cowhill. See Maxwell, John. 
 Cowper (Couper), James, lord, //i.e., 
 302, 401. 
 
 William, schoolmaster at Chanrie, 
 
 262. 
 
 Coxtoun. See Innes, Alexander. 
 
 Craig. See Ogilvie, Gilbert. 
 
 Craigengelt, John, 144, 173. 
 
 Craighall. See Hope, sir John. 
 
 Craigivar. See Forbes, sir William. 
 
 Craigneis, captain of, 220. 
 
 Crawford and Lindsay, John, earl of, 
 7/1. c, xxxv 7/. 4, 27, 39, 63, 284, 
 302, 392, 399, 400, 405, 413, 415, 
 424, 461, 559, 560. 
 
 Crawfurd, John, 575. 
 
 Creemont. See Crimond. 
 
 Creich. See Beatoun, David. 
 
 Crewkshank. See Cruikshank. 
 
 Crimmond, 264. 
 
 Crispe's book, 345. 
 
 Cruikshank (Crewkshank), John, 114, 
 352. 
 
 Robert, 136. 
 
 Cullen, 19. 
 
 Cumming, George, no. 
 Cuningham, Robert, 771. c, 301. 
 Cuninghame, sir David, requested to 
 
 hinder the printing of Johnston's 
 
 Historia, 391. 
 John, 575. 
 
 sir William, of Cuninghamhead, 
 
 7/1. c, 4, 61,63, 66 > I0 3, I26 > 141, 285. 
 
 Cunningham, Scotch factor at Camp- 
 vere, 208 n. 
 
 Heugh, 513. 
 
 W r illiam, 484. 
 
 Cunnysone, John, 62. 
 
 Cushine. See Leochel-Cushnie. 
 
 Cupar (Couper), 35, 36, 57, 544. 
 
 Currie, 141. 
 
 Cuthbert, James, 575. 
 
 Dachmaluak, 282. 
 
 Dalgarnie kirk, 360 and n. 
 
 Dalgety, house of, 318, 329, 361. 
 
 Dalgleish, Robert, 177, 513. 
 
 William, m.c, 3, 72, 100, 138, 
 
 164, 178, 211, 236, 263, 284, 285, 
 
 407, 408, 515. 
 Dalhousie, earl of, 308. 
 
 regiment, 177. 
 
 Dalkeith, 107, 112, 164, 201, 208, 
 
 442, 534- 
 Dalrate. See M'Kay, Hugh. 
 Dairy, 366. 
 
 Dalzell (Daliell), John, 7/1. c, 3, 21, 
 438. 
 
 Danser, James, 575. 
 Dares, James, minister at Erslton, 8. 
 Darg, Walter, minister at Desfurd, 
 244. 
 
 Darroch, Dougal, 53, 67, 156, 205. 
 Davidson, Robert, m.c, 301. 
 William, 258. 
 
 Declaratio)i of the Commissioners con- 
 cerning present dangers and duties 
 relating to the Covenant and Religion, 
 289-294, 373 ; ordered to be printed, 
 385 and 71. ; answer of parliament, 
 387 ; commissioners' reply to parlia- 
 ment, 388 ; ordered to be read in 
 the churches, 390 ; report of Edin- 
 burgh presbytery regarding the read- 
 ing of the Declaration, 407 ; ordered 
 to be read in the Mid Kirk, 413 ; 
 inquiries to be made regarding any 
 who have not read it, or who have 
 preached against it, 429 ; report from 
 Haddington and Dunbar, 438 ; Dal- 
 keith, 442 ; Glasgow, 444; Lithgow, 
 473 ; Dumfries, 456, 474 ; Angus,. 
 482 ; Galloway, 515; Aberdeen, 
 517; Lanark, 518; Lothian, 526; 
 Peebles, 546 ; Moray, 537 ; Forres, 
 539, n. 588. 
 
 Declaration, etc., of the General 
 Assembly to their brethren of Eng- 
 land, 309 71. , 3II. 
 
 Decla)-atio7i of parlia77ie7it conce7'ni77g~ 
 . . . religio7i, king, a7id ki7igdoms, 
 463- 
 
 Declaratio7i of the co//r/uissio7i . . . co7i- 
 ccr7ii7ig the prese7it ptiblike proceed- 
 ings towards a7i e7igage7uc7it in war7-e 
 so far re as Religio7i is theri/i con- 
 ccr7ied, 520 and . 
 
 Deer presbytery, 214, 250, 264. 
 
 Denham, Mr., 229. 
 
 Deskfurd (Desfurd), 244. 
 
 Desires of the Commissio7i presented to 
 Pa7iia7ne7it, 403 ; answers to the 
 Desires, 416 ; reply of the commis- 
 
596 
 
 INDEX 
 
 sion to the answers of parliament, 
 420 ; committee to be appointed by 
 parliament to consider the matter ; 
 reply to parliament, 425 ; answer 
 to the Desires, 462. 
 
 Desires for Religion, etc., 467 ; return 
 to the answer of parliament, 475. 
 
 Dick, sir William, 137. 
 
 Dickson, Alexander, m.c, 3, 301. 
 
 David, minister and professor in 
 
 Glasgow, //i.e., 4, 16, 22, 24, 27, 
 28, 31, 34, 35, 4i, 46, 5°, 52, 53, 
 56, 61, 62, 65, 66, 70, 72, 99, 100, 
 102, 103, 108, 113, 125, 130, 133, 
 138, 140, 144, 146, 147, 153, 154, 
 
 156, 192, 278, 284, 285, 301, 304, 
 306, 307, 311, 318, 319, 320, 321, 
 349, 35o, 35i, 352, 357, 359, 360, 
 362, 370, 372, 383, 384, 385, 392, 
 393, 395, 400, 408, 420, 423, 445, 
 447, 45i, 455, 45 6 , 459, 472, 474, 
 475, 48i, 536, 544, 559- 
 
 Patrick, 319, 360. 
 
 Richard, m.c. t 3, 10, 63. 
 
 Die, in Dauphine, 176. 
 Dingwall, 165, 260, 265, 268. 
 Directions . . . concerning secret and 
 
 private worship, 319 and n. 
 Directory for church government, etc. , 
 
 304, 335- 
 
 Directory for ordination, etc., 230. 
 
 Directory of worship, 58 and n. , 80, 86, 
 183, 209, 231 «.,332, 335, 337, 363, 
 418, 419, 443, 470, 496-497, 499- 
 
 Dirleton, 160. 
 
 Doach. See Gordon, John. 
 Dobie, Patrick, 136. 
 Dolar, John, 433. 
 
 Donaldson, Thomas, m.c, 4, 23, 40, 
 IQ 7- 
 
 Douglas, marquis of, education of his 
 
 children in France, 281. 
 
 David, m.c, 302. 
 
 James, 28, 102, n. 584. 
 
 captain Robert, 8. 
 
 sir Robert of Tulliquhillie, cited 
 
 to appear before the Commission, 
 
 157, 226, 302. 
 
 Robert, minister of East or High 
 
 Church, Edinburgh, m.c, 3, 5 , 
 8, 22, 47, 50, 53, 56, 61, 65, 66, 
 69, 70, 77, 99, 102, 103, 125, 126, 
 130-132, 141, 144, 145, 146, 147, 
 153, 154, 156, 165, 168, 169, 173, 
 177, 178, 180, 186, 193, 199, 201, 
 206, 218, 219, 232, 241, 262, 268, 
 273, 276, 283, 301, 303;/., 304, 306, 
 318, 320, 321, 328, 331, 337, 338, 
 339, 342, 343, 347, 35°, 35 1 , 352, 
 353, 357, 359, 360, 370, 372, 384, 
 
 385, 386, 387, 392, 394, 395, 400, 
 408, 428, 432, 442, 445, 447, 451, 
 456, 472, 474, 475, 481, 489, 513, 
 514, 519, 544. 
 
 Samuel, m.c, 301, 306, 532. 
 
 William, m.c, 4, no, 255, 260, 
 
 264, 302. 
 
 Dowgall, James, 575. 
 
 Dowhill, an elder, 103. 
 
 Drowne, George, 575. 
 
 Drum. See Irvine, sir Alexander. 
 
 Drumgrie, Alexander, 488. 
 
 Drummond, captain, 577, 579. 
 
 David, m.c, 3, 112, 114, 160, 
 
 201. 
 
 George, 157. 
 
 — —James, minister at Kinloch, 216. 
 Drysdale, John, 213. 
 
 (Drysdaill) William, 575. 
 
 Duddingston (Dudiston). See Dundas, 
 George. 
 
 Duels, xxxv n., 391, 392, 393 and n, 
 
 394, 400, 406-408, 411, 560. 
 Duff, Adam, 261. 
 
 Alexander, 249. 
 
 James, 261. 
 
 Duffus, lord, 168, 253. 
 Dumbarton, 4, 434, 541, 542. 
 Dumbennan, 244 n. 
 Dumfries, 107, in, 115, 193, 238,273, 
 
 307, 320, 322, 327, 366, 369, 456. 
 
 459, 474, 488, 522, 544-545- 
 
 earl of, 7, 211. 
 
 Dun, Patrick, 77, 136. 
 Dunavertie, xx n. 
 Dunbar, 208, 438. 
 
 Alexander, 255. 
 
 (Dumbar), Patrick, 16. 
 
 Dunblane, 109, 129, 145, 556, 584. 
 Duncan, John, m.c, 3, 21, 57, 73, 
 
 186, 262, 284, 302, 440, 445, 455, 
 
 475- 
 
 Dundas, George, of Duddingston, m.c, 
 4, 113, 126, 133, 141, 147, 168, 
 r 73, J 78, 190, 195, 200, 206, 208, 
 225, 260, 277, 280, 284. 
 
 sir James, of Arniston, m.c, 4, 
 
 16, 27, 37. 
 
 Walter, of Dundas, 302, 311, 
 
 318, 321, 328, 349, 350, 351, 352, 
 353, 357, 360, 361, 384, 388, 393, 
 
 395, 396, 397, 400, 406, 407, 408, 
 420, 423, 428, 429, 433, 436, 445, 
 447, 45 6 ,..472, 475, 559, 561, 562. 
 
 Dundee, xviii and n., 13, 36, 73, 106, 
 
 108, 115, 242, 584, 589. 
 Dunfermline, 21, 57. 
 
 Charles, earl of, m.c , 4, 586. 
 
 Dunkeld, Meikle and Little, 114, 129, 
 
 143, 145, 179, 199, 202, 211, 216. 
 
INDEX 
 
 597 
 
 Dunlop, Alexander, 103, 207, 272. 
 Dunoon, 156, 207, 220, 434. 
 Dunscore kirk, 124, 195. 
 Dunse, 24, 142, 226. 
 Dunstaffnage, the captain of, 220. 
 Duntroon. See Campbell, Neil. 
 Durane, Mr., 229. 
 
 Durham, Patrick, minister at Ardersier, 
 
 267, 268, 271. 
 Durie. See Gibson, sir Alexander. 
 Margaret, servant of ladyEdnam, 
 
 8. 
 
 Duthill, 171, 252 n. 
 
 Earlston (Ersltoun), 8, 9, 40, 142, 
 
 164, 33i, 532, 533- 
 Eccles. See Home, John. 
 
 Hew, 273. 
 
 Eddertoun, 267. 
 
 Edgar (Edger), John, of Wedderlie, 
 m.c, 4, 23, 40. 
 
 Edinburgh, 13, 16, 21, 24, 28, 42, 47, 
 55, 60, 74, 100, 106, 109, 116, 129, 
 148, 168, 191 and n., 202, 208, 281, 
 320, 534 ; East Kirk, 139, 166 ; 
 Mid Kirk and West Kirk, 279 ; 
 New Kirk at the Tron, 348 ; Tol- 
 booth, 61, 535, 557; university, 
 176 n. 
 
 Edmonston (Edmestoun), James, 144. 
 Ednam, lady, 8. 
 laird of, 26. 
 
 Eglinton, Alexander, earl of, m.c, 
 
 26, 302, 393 n. 
 Eglishame, 26. 
 
 Elgin presbytery, no, 172, 246, 250, 
 
 254, 278. 
 Eliot, Andrew, m.c, 4, 130. 
 
 Robert, m.c, 3, 107. 
 
 Ellem, 8. 
 
 Ellon, 263, 270, 331, 434. 
 Elphingston, David, 103. 
 
 laird of, 28. 
 
 Enyie, 250. 
 Erling. See Evelyn. 
 Errybell. See Monro, Hector. 
 Erskine, Arthur, of Scotiscraig, m.c, 
 302, 337, 339, 349, 35°, 351, 386, 
 437. 
 
 Charles, 575. 
 
 Ersltoun. See Earlston. 
 
 Evelyn, sir John, 92 n. 
 
 Excommunicated persons, receiving of, 
 46 ; list of, 55 ; their arrogance, 
 120, 123 ; treatment of, 197 ; ex- 
 communicated ministers, 230 ; no 
 action taken against, 354. 
 
 Eyemouth, 213, 238, 239, 362. 
 
 Fairburne, 256. 
 
 Fairfax, sir Thomas, 233 and 465, 
 
 468, 564, 577. 
 Fairfoull, Andrew, m.c, 154, 201, 
 
 225, 301, 318, 319, 328, 351, 361, 
 
 363, 365, 368, 407, 445, 534, 56o. 
 Fairlie, James, bishop of Argyll before 
 
 1638, minister of Lasswade from 
 
 1644, //i.e., 301. 
 Falconer, William, 245, 259, 262, 263, 
 
 539. 
 
 Falkirk, IOO. 
 
 Fareis, H., 458, 474. 
 
 Farquhar (Farquhaird), Robert, pro- 
 vost of Aberdeen, 36, 76, 136, 201, 
 204, 211. 
 
 Farquharson, Robert, of Innercall, 
 261, 263. 
 
 Fasts, 48, 55, 99, 147, 216, 268, 274, 
 285, 286, 357, 358, 386, 485, 488, 
 559, 566, 567, 569. 
 
 Fechill. See Gordon, John. 
 
 Fenzies, laird of, 370. 
 
 Ferguson, Allan, //i.e., 4, 39-41, 130, 
 
 3d, 543- 
 Fergusson, James, 103. 
 Ferquhar. See Farquhar. 
 Fettercairn, 42. 
 Fetteresso, 42. 
 
 Fiennes (Fynes), Nathaniel, M.P., 
 92. 
 
 Fife, 62, 279, 440, 522. 
 Findlater, James, earl of, m.c, 302. 
 Findowrie. See Arbuthnot, Robert. 
 Fingask. See Wemyss, David. 
 Fleck. See Affleck. 
 
 Jean, daughter of lady Comlich, 
 
 8. 
 
 Fleming (Flemyng), Archibald, 103, 
 
 106, 107, in. 
 James, m.c, 3, 15, 21, 37, 72, 
 
 145, H7, 164, 273, 276, 301, 330, 
 
 363, 425, 566. 
 
 Patrick, m.c, 3, 205, 280, 546. 
 
 of Barochane, 532. 
 
 Fletcher, David, minister at Selkirk, 
 
 m.c, 164, 301, 351, 366, 482. 
 
 Robert, 575. 
 
 Flint, John, 437, 439. 
 Floors, 242, 265. 
 Forbes, lord, 223 and 
 
 of Scalletor, 261. 
 
 Agnes, 262. 
 
 Alexander, 136. 
 
 tutor of Pitsligo, m.c, 4, 
 
 206. 
 
 Arthur, 269. 
 
 Elspeth, 262. 
 
 George, 249. 
 
 (Forbesse), Henry, 279. 
 
 Issobell, 262. 
 
598 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Forbes, John, m.c, 42, 302, 518. 
 
 of Aslowan, 264. 
 
 Patrick, 566. 
 
 — — Thomas, of Watertoun, 264. 
 
 William, yr. of Lesly, m.c, 258, 
 
 302. 
 
 minister at Mortlach, 242, 
 
 243. 2 45- 
 
 sir William, of Craigievar, 46, 
 
 201. 
 
 Fordell. See Henderson, John. 
 Fordyce, 246 248-250, 285, 329. 
 Forfar, 242, 282. 
 Forg (Forge, Forgue), 130, 254. 
 Fornauchtie, 248. 
 
 Fornicators and adulterers in Dal- 
 
 housie's regiment, 177. 
 Forres, no, 172, 192, 539. 
 Forret, David, St. Andrews presbytery, 
 
 57, 73- 
 Forsyth, Gavin, 212, 239. 
 Fortingal (Forthirgill), 114, 202 
 Foulden. See Wilkie, John. 
 313,544. 
 
 Foulis, sir James, of Colinton, 396. 
 Foveran, 215. 
 
 Fraser, Alexander, of Phillorth, m.c, 
 302, 365, 368. 
 
 minister at Botriphnie, 247. 
 
 minister at Pettie, 171, 172, 
 
 269 and 11. 
 
 Andrew, minister at Abertarf and 
 
 Boleskin, murdered by the Irish ; 
 his children commended to the 
 Commission, 171, and to the charit- 
 able supply of Moray, Ross, etc., 
 172. 
 
 Donald, 172, 267. 
 
 sir James, 168. 
 
 William, minister at Killerne, 
 
 267, 268. 
 
 Freebairn (Freebarn), John, m.c, 4, 
 
 114, 160, 301. 
 Freeland. See Ruthven, sir Thomas. 
 Frendraught, lady, 130, 254. 
 Fullarton, William, no, 544. 
 Futhie, Harry, Dundee presbytery, 36. 
 Fynes. See Fiennes. 
 
 Gairdin. See Garden. 
 Gairdner, James, 205, 272. 
 Galloway, 515, 522. 
 Galloshiels. See Scott, James. 
 Garden (Gairdin), Alexander, 143, 
 144, 165. 
 
 George, m.c, 4, 142, 370. 
 
 Garioch, 261, 264. 
 
 Alex., m.c , 4, 264, 269. 
 
 Garlies, lord, 366. 
 Garioch, Ross-shire, 282. 
 
 Garthland. See M'Dougal, James. 
 
 Gartly (Gatly), 249. 
 
 Garven, Thomas, 201. 
 
 Gellie, John, minister at Monymusk, 
 
 225, 245. 
 Gibb, Marion, 575. 
 Gibson, Alexander, minister at Leith, 
 
 142, 235. 
 
 sir Alex., of Durie, 198, 387, 
 
 413, 420, 425, 444, 463, 471. 
 
 John, 575. 
 
 Gight, the laird of, 258, 361. 
 
 Gilbert, Eleazar, 7. 
 
 Gillespie, George, minister at Edin- 
 burgh, m.c, 3, 5 «., 11, 12, 59, 
 79, 99, 105, 162, 182, 187, 188, 
 189, 200, 210, 223, 224, 228, 233, 
 257, 274, 275, 301, 303 «., 306, 
 
 307, 319, 320, 328, 33i, 337, 338, 
 339, 340, 34i, 347, 35o, 35i, 353, 
 360, 367, 370, 372, 384, 385, 393, 
 395, 400, 408, 425, 429, 442, 443, 
 456, 472, 484, 514, 519, 536, 543, 
 557, 558, 559, 57i. 
 
 Patrick, minister at Kirkcaldy, 
 
 then at Glasgow, and principal of 
 college, m.c, 3, 27, 46, 61, 102, 
 141, 146, 156, 157, 164, 193, 204, 
 205, 237, 238, 272, 302, 305, 307, 
 
 308, 351, 363, 394, 401, 407, 416, 
 
 433, 443, 45°, 459, 460, 474, 547- 
 Gipsies, 123. 
 Givan. See Govan. 
 Gladstanes, George, minister at Urr, 
 
 m.c, 301, 321, 415, 432. 
 Glamis, 73. 
 
 Glanderstone. See Moore, William. 
 
 Glasgow, 4, 13, 26, 46, 52, 60, 63, 
 65, 101-103, 105, 106, 108, in, 
 112, 125 and n., 129, 135, 141, 145, 
 174, 186, 212, 227, 233-235, 307, 
 308, 444, 472, 522, 534, 537. 
 
 Glassary (Glastrie), 408. 
 
 Glasse, 247. 
 
 Patrick, minister to the garrison 
 
 in Strathbogie, 245. 
 Glenbucket. See Gordon, Patrick. 
 Glencairn, William, earl of, m.c. , 4, 
 
 302, 393 n. 
 Glencorse, 168. 
 
 Glendinning, William, m.c, and pro 
 vost of Kirkcudbright, 302, 366. 
 
 Glenluce, 180 and 11. 
 
 Glenmasson. See Campbell, Donald. 
 
 Glenurquhy, laird of. See Campbell, 
 sir Robert. 
 
 Goodale, Alexander, 575. 
 
 Gordon of Ardlogie, 361. 
 
 , Invermarkie, 330 
 
 Alexander, 249, 260. 
 
INDEX 
 
 599 
 
 Gordon, Alexander, of Arrandoull, ex- 
 communicated, 269. 
 
 of Mimark, 248. 
 
 of Oxhill, 248. 
 
 Welheads, 249. 
 
 George. See Huntly, marquis of. 
 
 of Killythie, 249. 
 
 of Lechistoun, 248. 
 
 Gilbert, 556, 557; author of a 
 
 panegyric upon Montrose, 305 ; ex- 
 communicated, 558. 
 
 James. See Aboyn, lord. 
 
 minister at Rothiemay, his 
 
 plans and maps of Edinburgh, 191 
 and 256. 
 
 Corforach, 248. 
 
 minister at Kinnor, 243, 
 
 244 and n. 
 
 called Treeleg, acknow- 
 ledges being a rebel, 250, 585. 
 
 John, of Ardlogie, 261. 
 
 of Avachie, 249. 
 
 Banff, 249. 
 
 of Doach, 249. 
 
 of Fechill, excommunicated, 
 
 269. 
 
 of Littlemiln, rebel officer, 
 
 251, 261. 
 
 of Mortlach, 260. 
 
 in Overhall, 261. 
 
 of Stranraer, 272. 
 
 captive in Algiers, 575. 
 
 sir Ludovick, m.c, 302, 318. 
 
 Ludovick, son of sir Robert 
 
 Gordon, repents signing Seaforth's 
 
 Remonstrance, 36, 76. 
 or Lues, son of the marquis 
 
 of Huntly, 243, 269, 278, 305 and 
 
 »., n. 585, 587. 
 
 ■ Margreat, 575. 
 
 Patrick, 249. 
 
 called Steillhand, excom- 
 municated, 269, n. 585. 
 
 of Glenbucket, acknowledges 
 
 being a rebel, 254. 
 
 Robert, 260. 
 
 bailie of Enyie, 250. 
 
 of Straloch, 269. 
 
 of Mayn, bailie to the mar- 
 quis of Huntly, 246. 
 
 sir Robert, 36, 76. 
 
 Thomas, in Brakelesse, 261. 
 
 of Pettindreich, 26. 
 
 William, advocate, 136. 
 
 of Arradoull, 136. 
 
 in Drumquhat, 260. 
 
 son of Carnfeild, 248. 
 
 younger of Newton, excom- 
 municated, 269 ; to be conferred 
 with, 328 ; his execution, 330 and n. 
 
 Gordon castle, 259. 
 
 kirk, 7, 23-25, 31, 34, 39-41, 44, 
 
 72, 73, 103, 142, 298. 
 
 Gorthie. See Grahame, David. 
 
 Gortinbeg. See Grant, Swyne. 
 
 Gouge, Dr., prolocutor of first presby- 
 terian synod of London, 257. 
 
 Govan (Givan), 102. 
 
 Grahame of Little Cairnie, 157. 
 
 David, of Gorthie, an excom- 
 municated rebel, 20, 55; his petition 
 for relaxation, 146 ; to be conferred 
 with, 160 ; to draw up a confession, 
 203 ; his paper unsatisfactory, 206 ; 
 his petition rejected, 216; committee 
 to confer with him, 352 and n., 358 ; 
 his declaration unsatisfactory, 514; 
 to make public confession, 540. 
 
 James. See Montrose, marquis of. 
 
 of Clay pots, 242, 281. 
 
 Patrick, son of Inchbraikie, ex- 
 communicated rebel, 20, 55, 391, 
 
 395» 435- 
 
 of Phones, 361. 
 
 Robert, 514. 
 
 of Cairnie, to be conferred 
 
 with, and any signs of repentance 
 reported, 358. 
 
 of Littlecairnie, 157, 280, 
 
 282. 
 
 Thomas, 283. 
 
 Grange, 242, 262. 
 
 Grant, the laird of, 258. 
 
 John, of Carron, 258. 
 
 Patrick, of Phanesse, married by 
 
 a priest, 354. 
 
 of Tolochgoram, 249. 
 
 Swyne, of Gortinbeg, 249. 
 
 Gray, lord, 7, 143. 
 
 Thomas, 136. 
 
 Greenhead. See Ker, sir Andrew. 
 
 Greg, Walter, m.c, 3, 57, 156. 
 
 Greige, Adam, 575. 
 
 Magnus, alias Grahame, 575. 
 
 Greenock, an elder, 103. 
 
 Greene, Mr., 575. 
 
 Gribton. See Maxwell, John. 
 
 Guelders, duke of, 223. 
 
 Gustavus Adolphus, 265 n. 
 
 Guthrie, Henry, minister at Stirling, 
 m.c, 301. 
 
 (Gutterie), James, minister at 
 
 Lauder, and then at Stirling, m.c, 4, 
 10, 15, 16, 23, 35, 40-42, 46, 50, 52, 
 63, 65, 66, 102, 103, in, 125, 126, 
 133, 137, 138, 141, 146, 153, I5 6 , 
 163, 175, 190, 193, 195, 204-206, 
 208, 225, 226, 228, 237, 238, 240, 
 241, 260, 262, 272, 280, 283-285, 
 289, 301, 311, 320, 328, 331, 350, 
 
600 
 
 INDEX 
 
 35 1 * 35 8 , 363, 366, 370, 372, 392, 
 400, 406, 407, 410, 416, 423, 429, 
 432, 436, 440, 443, 447, 451, 456, 
 459, 460, 472, 474, 489, 513, 534, 
 536, 544, 545, 557, 559. 
 
 Hackerton. See Halkerton. 
 Hackets (Halkheads), Euphemia, 211. 
 Issobell, 211. 
 
 John, minister of Old Cumnock, 
 
 211. 
 
 Haddington, 28, 29, 36, 107, 164, 201, 
 
 208, 438, 560. 
 earl of, 28. 
 
 Haliburton. See Home, Alexander. 
 
 George, 108, 566. 
 
 lady, 8. 
 
 Halkerton (Hackerton), lord, 349 
 and 
 
 Halkett, sir James, xx xxi ;/. 
 Halkheads. See Hackets. 
 Hall, Gilbert, 101, 201. 
 
 Thomas, 575. 
 
 Hallhill. See Melville, sir James. 
 Hamilton, 103, 108, 203, 207, 272, 
 278, 534- 
 
 duke of, xvi and xx xxix, 
 
 xwi, xxxiii xxxvi, xxxix, xl, xli, 
 207 ; explanation as to his delay in 
 signing the covenant, 23 ; his de- 
 claration accepted, 24. 
 
 lady marquise of, 207. 
 
 Alex., general of artillery, 
 
 200. 
 
 George, m.c, 302, 390, 393, 452, 
 
 472, 481, 543. 
 
 Hew, of Borland, 251. 
 
 Isobel, 163. 
 
 James, minister at Edinburgh, 
 
 m.c, 26, 301, 328, 330, 338, 349, 
 35i, 353, 358, 363, 365, 384, 386, 
 388, 390, 393, 413, 415, 416, 432, 
 440, 448, 452, 45 6 , 459, 460, 472, 
 489, 513, 514, 5*5, 536, 559, 5 6l » 
 566, 589. 
 
 minister at Dumfries, 366. 
 
 a malignant, 143. 
 
 John, m.c, 4, 21, 24, 99, 103, 
 
 156, 301, 437, 438, 447, 541. 
 Patrick, minister at Cambuslang, 
 
 103, 203. 
 William, 103. 
 
 Hampton Court, the king forced to 
 
 flee from, 465. 
 Hannay, George, 203 and;/., 253, 254, 
 
 347- 
 
 Harden. See Scott, sir William. 
 Hardie, Gilbert, 436. 
 Harper, John, Corforach, 248. 
 Hart, Robert, 575. 
 
 Hartfell, earl of, to be spoken to, 
 338 ; acknowledges joining the 
 rebels, his case remitted to Loch- 
 maben presbyter)', 105. 
 
 Harthill or Hearthill, Patrick Leith, 
 younger, 246, 269 ; execution of, 
 330 n. 
 
 Harvie, James, minister at New 
 
 Machar, 43. 
 
 John, 442. 
 
 Hay, colonel, 7, 107, 143. 
 
 Francis, of Balhousie, m.c ,4, 16. 
 
 John, m.c, 3, 154, 201, 301, 
 
 450. 
 
 advocate, 437. 
 
 bailie in Aberdeen, 136. 
 
 Sophia, married by a priest to 
 
 Patrick Grant of Phanesse, 354. 
 
 William, 250, 262, 264. 
 
 captive in Algiers, 575. 
 
 Hayne, Elisabeth, 575. 
 
 Hearthill. See Harthill. 
 
 Henderson, Alexander, minister of 
 
 Edinburgh, m.c, 3, 5 8, 27, 39, 
 
 228, ;/. 583. 
 
 Hew, 145, 364, 366, 369, 545. 
 
 John, of Fordell, m.c, 302. 
 
 "Lawrence, m.c, 4, 27, 28, 225, 
 
 302, 35°, 403. 443, 452, 472, 475, 
 
 489, 534, 566. 
 
 Thomas, advocate, 437. 
 
 Hepburn, sir Patrick, of Wauchtone, 
 
 m.c, 4. 
 
 Herle, Mr., of Winwick, 359 and 
 588. 
 
 Charles, 584. 
 
 Herries, John, lord, to be conferred 
 with, 237 ; cannot be relaxed from 
 excommunication, 238 ; his petition 
 for relaxation unsatisfactory, 225 ; to 
 be conferred with, 226 ; his petition 
 continued until he make confession 
 of his offences, 307 ; his case remitted 
 to Dumfries presbyter)-, 327, 328 ; 
 report of his confession, 474. 
 
 (Herres), John, of Mabie, 107, 
 
 193- 
 
 History of these times, committee 
 appointed to consider the manner 
 and means of making history of the 
 times, 319, 338. 
 
 Hog, John, 163. 
 
 Holburne, general-major, 205, 225, 
 227-229. 
 j Holland, earl of, xxvi n. 
 Holies, Mr., 576. 
 
 Holmby or Holdenby, 222 465, 
 469, 586. 
 
 Home, lieut.-col., of Plendergast, 8. 
 major, 8. 
 
INDEX 
 
 601 
 
 Home, sir Alexander, of Haliburton, 7- 
 9, 16, 23, 25-27, 29, 30, 34, 39-42, 107, 
 137, 138, 142, 198, 226, 237, 239, 240. 
 
 sir David, of Wedderburn, //i.e., 
 
 4- 
 
 Elspeth, 34, 40. 
 
 5i8. 
 
 James, earl of, m.c, 72, 73, 302. 
 
 James, 306. 
 
 John, 24, 107. 
 
 m.c, 3. 
 
 of Eellita, 42. 
 
 ofBlackader, //i.e., 4, 8,306. 
 
 ■ of Eccles, 306. 
 
 of Nynholls, 306. 
 
 Patrick, minister at Ellem, 8. 
 
 Robert, of Carrlesyd, 8. 
 
 Thomas, 28, 313. 
 
 William, //i.e. , 4, 31, 46, 239. 
 
 of Lenthill, //i.e., 4, 24. 
 
 213, 239. 
 
 Hope, sir John, of Craighall, m.c., 4, 
 26, 27, 30, 61, 65, 102, 108, 113, 
 125, 133, MO, 146, 147, 153, 168, 
 I 73> 178, 180, 190, 206, 208, 225, 
 302, 384, 392-395, 400, 408, 420, 
 423, 429, 559. Sederunts ; 6, 14, 22- 
 24, 28-31, 34, 39-41, 43, 45, 61, 63, 
 65, 66, 70, 72-74, 77, 103, 104, 107, 
 108, 113, 125, 126, 134, 137, 140-147, 
 152, 156, 157, 159, 160, 163, 166, 
 173, 177, 178, 181, 186, 192-194, 
 200, 204, 206, 207, 219, 226, 230, 
 355, 383-386, 388-390, 392-396, 
 398, 400-403, 405, 407, 410, 411, 
 413, 415, 416, 420, 424, 425, 427, 
 428, 431-433, 53i, 543, 545, 547, 
 557, 559-561. 
 
 Houston, an elder, 103. 
 
 Hudde, Elisabeth, 575. 
 
 James, 575. 
 
 Hultfreder, Michael, 575. 
 
 Humbie, lord, 338-339, 424, 442, 444, 
 461. 
 
 Hume. See Home. 
 
 Huntly, marquis of, 7, 38, 243-246, 
 
 253, 255, 258, 260, 269, 330 11., 
 
 331 341, 11. 585. 
 Hutcheson, George, m.c, 33, 145, 
 
 301, 351, 363, 388, 416, 543. 
 Hutton, Dumfriess-shire, 383. 
 
 Idolatrous Monuments in Bog of 
 
 GlGHT, 259 and n. 
 Illangreig. See Campbell, Duncan. 
 Incest, frequency of, 123. 
 Inch, 264. 
 
 Inchbrakie. See Grahame, Patrick. 
 Innercale. See P'arquharson, Robert. 
 Innerleith. See Towers, sir Alexander. 
 
 Innes, major, xxxv 11. , 392, 394, 400. 
 
 Alexander, 159, 269. 
 
 of Coxtoun, 243, 246 and n. 
 
 George, of Coalcoates, a rebel, 
 
 250. 
 
 John, a rebel, 249. 
 
 Robert, 128. 
 
 of Rosken, 256. 
 
 sir Robert, of Innes, //i.e., 4, 27, 
 
 388, 389. 
 
 Walter, of Pethnik, 242. 
 
 William, of Bogie, 242, 308. 
 
 of Rosken, 256 and 11. 
 
 Inverary, xviii, 156, 220. 
 Inverkeithny, 258 n. 
 Inverlochy, xviii. 
 
 Inverness (Innerness), 16, 28, 144, 
 
 171, 172, 269, 271. 
 Inwar. See Robertson, John. 
 Ireland, 33, 38, 49, 1*, 79, 87, 104, 
 
 121, I45, 152, 183, 197, 201, 203, 
 
 323, 402, 513, 577. 
 
 Alexander, //i.e., 301. 
 
 Irvine, 534. 
 
 sir Alexander, of Drum, 136 and 
 
 n., 245, 259. 
 
 (Irwine), Robert, minister at In- 
 verkeithny, 258. 
 
 married by a priest, 354. 
 
 Irving, Ja., 517. 
 
 James, //i.e., 4. 
 
 Islay (Ha), 68. 
 
 Isle of Wight, 465, 491, 587. 
 
 Jack, William, 437. 
 Jackson, John, 575. 
 Jacobson, Irving, 575. 
 Jaffray, Alexander, 136. 
 
 Grissell, n. 589. 
 
 John, //i.e., 302. 
 
 dean of guild in Aberdeen, 
 
 136, 264. 
 
 William, m.c., 4. 
 
 Jamieson (Jameson), Robert, minister 
 
 at Botarie in Strathbogie, 246, 261 
 
 and 11. 
 
 William, m.c., 4, 8, 25, 60, 61, 
 
 63, 72, 103, 277. 
 
 Jedburgh, 36, 471. 
 
 Jedburgh, 36, 57, 144. 
 
 Jesuits, examination of Casse's book 
 on their practices, 27. 
 
 Johnston, sir Archibald, of Wariston, 
 //i.e., 4, 5 n., 11, 12, 59, 77, 78, 
 82, 86, 92, 100, 109, 153, 178, 179, 
 181, 201, 204, 214, 237, 251, 279, 
 302, 303 fi., 338, 360, 361. 
 
 Gilbert, 28. 
 
 John, //i.e., 4. 
 
 provost of Dumfries, 366. 
 
602 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Johnston, Robert, the printing of his 
 book containing speeches against the 
 reformation, to be hindered, 343 and 
 n. ; letter to Petrie and Spang con- 
 cerning his History, 344 ; sir David 
 Cuninghame requested to hinder the 
 printing of the Historia, 391, n. 
 589- 
 
 Jowssie, John, 225. 
 Joyce, colonel, 586. 
 Justice, William, m.c, 301. 
 
 KAMBS. See Bannatyne, Hector. 
 Karnwath. See Carnwath. 
 Keith, 46, 201. 
 
 Robert, 261, 264. 
 
 Kelso, 36, 40, 57, 72, 142, 144, 164. 
 Kendmoir (Kenmore), 180. 
 Kenmure, lord, 393 
 Kennedy, Alexander, 575. 
 
 Hugh, 205, 211, 367, 575, 580, 
 
 581. 
 
 (Kennadie), John, provost of 
 
 Ayr, vi. c. , 4, 302. 
 
 ■ of Carmucks, m.c, 302. 
 
 captive in Algiers, 575. 
 
 Ker, sir Andrew, of Greenheid, m.c, 
 298, 302, 318, 349, 351, 547 
 570, 589- 
 
 Hew, 36. 
 
 James, Jedburgh, 57. 
 
 Robert," //i.e., 3, 16, 22, 24, 28-9, 
 
 39-41, 100, 102, 106, 157, 164, 200, 
 201, 283, 301, 306, 346, 349, 351, 
 360, 363, 365, 366, 395, 401, 403, 
 410, 413, 425, 438, 519, 544, 561. 
 
 William, of Newton, m.c, 302. 
 
 3$l- 
 
 Kilcowy. See M'Kenzie, Alex. 
 Kildonan, 260 
 Killie or Killin, 180, 199. 
 Killileach, Ireland, 144, 145. 
 Killythie. See Gordon, George. 
 Kilmany, Fife, 176. 
 Kilmood, Ireland, 199. 
 Kilmore, 220. 
 Kilmuir, Easter, 256 11. 
 Kilpatrick, 20G. 
 
 Kilsyth. See Livingstone, sir James. 
 
 battle of, 586. 
 
 Kilterne, 165. 
 Kinbethok. See Redford. 
 Kincardine O'Neil, 42;/., 54 163, 
 
 260, 261. 
 Kincraig, 282. 
 
 King, general, petitions to be ad- 
 mitted to the covenant, 159 ; to be 
 received on his confession of mis- 
 carriage, 180; concerning his sub- 
 scribing the covenant, 190 ; to be 
 
 received to the covenant, 194 ; ad- 
 mitted to the covenant, 201, n. 
 
 584. 
 Kingaith, 207. 
 Kinghorn, 270, 441 n. 
 Kingussie, 253, 433. 
 Kinlochj 216 ?:. 
 Kinnairny (Kinarne), 263. 
 Kinnalloch. See Kinloch. 
 Kinnear, Alex., m.c, 4, 16. 
 Andrew, 8. 
 
 Kinninmont, Alexander, Forfar, 35, 
 36. 
 
 William, 206. 
 
 Kinnor, 243, 244 and 245. 
 
 Kintore, 255. 
 
 Kintyre, 67, 70, 156. 
 
 Kirk, James, 106, 109, 11. 584. 
 
 Kirkcaldy, 21 305-307, 370. 
 
 Thomas, m.c, 302, 306, 312, 313, 
 
 566. 
 
 Kirkcudbright, 366. 
 Kirkmichael, 265. 
 Kirknewton, 141. 
 
 Kirkpatrick, Roger, baillie in Dum- 
 fries, 366. 
 Knapdale, 220. 
 
 Knox, John, minister at Dalkeith, m.c 
 
 Sederunts : 6, 19, 31, 77, 101, 133, 
 
 186, 203, 213, 226, 280. 
 minister at Selkirk, m.c 
 
 Sederunts: 6, 19, 31, 77, 101, 133, 
 
 186, 200, 219, 226, 280. 
 
 m.c, 3, 4, 8, 186, 193, 472. 
 
 Robert, minister at Kelso, m.c, 
 
 4, 193, 301, 349-352, 360, 361, 559- 
 
 Laggen, 433. 
 
 Laing (Lang), James, 43, 116, 137 
 141, 195, 202 and 11. 
 
 Lambie, Silvester, minister at Glamis, 
 m.c, 4, 73. 
 
 Lamington. See Baillie. 
 
 Lanark (Lanerick), 28, 102, 140, 281, 
 515, 534, 544. 
 
 William, earl of, m.e., xxi n., 
 
 xxiv, xxxv 4, 207, 214, 284, 302, 
 371, 372, 392, 394, 400, 405- Sede- 
 runts : 77, IOI, 104, 1C8, 113, 156. 
 207, 278, 280, 366, 371, 372, 389. 
 
 Lancaster, 60, 188, 581. 
 : Lang. See Laing. 
 
 Langton. See Cockburn, sir William. 
 
 Lass wade, 168. 
 
 Lauder, Andrew, m.c, 4, 301, 363, 
 
 402, 543- 
 
 Robert, m.c , 301. 
 
 William, Avoch, 267, 268. 
 
 Lauderdale, John, earl of, m.c, xxiv, 
 
 4, 5 71., II, 12, 59, 79, 105, 162, 181, 
 
INDEX 
 
 603 
 
 182, 186, 188, 208, 229, 230, 234, 
 237, 257, 275, 302, 303 «., 310, 
 312, 326, 355, 360, 362, 371, 372, 
 466, 493, 559 ; not permitted to sit 
 in commission, 560, 561, 575. 
 Law, Mungo, minister at Edinburgh, 
 >»•'"•> 4, 53, J 43, l6 4, 200, 201, 204, 
 205, 208, 226-228, 241, 280, 285, 
 297, 301, 318, 319, 321, 337, 345, 
 35i, 353, 367, 384, 388, 420, 428, 
 432, 433, 438, 442, 448, 459, 489, 
 559- 
 
 Thomas, m.c , 4. 
 
 Lawder. See Lauder. 
 
 Lawrie, John, 338 and n. 
 
 Robert, //i.e., 140, 163, 164, 
 
 168, 301. 
 
 Lawson, William, 575. 
 
 Learmonth (Leirmonth), Andrew, 10- 
 12, 14, 45- 
 
 John, m.c, 4, hi. 
 
 Lechistoun. See Gordon, George. 
 
 Lee, lord, 461. 
 
 Leggetsden, laird, 261. 
 
 Leighton (Lightoun), Robert, minister 
 at Newbattle, m.c, 3, 16, 163, 164, 
 442 and n. Sederunts : 9, 14-17, 23, 
 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, 34, 39, 43, 45, 
 56, 60, 66, 73, 74, 104, 108, 1 10, 
 143, 144, 147, 152, 160, 163, 213, 
 219, 226. 
 
 Leirmonth. See Learmonth. 
 
 Leitche. See Leith. 
 
 Leith, 22, 100, 133, 142, 187, 213, 
 226, 235, 386. 
 
 ■ David, 7, 263, 367, 434. 
 
 ■ James, 255. 
 
 Jane, 575. 
 
 Patrick. See Harthill. 
 
 William, 242. 
 
 Lenthall, William, 576. 
 
 Lenthill. See Home, William. 
 
 Lentrathen, 281. 
 
 Leochel-Cushnie, 269 
 
 Leslie, Alexander. See Leven, earl 
 of. 
 
 lieut. -general, David, xx n., xxiv, 
 
 xxxiii 11. , xl, 21, 100, 146, 204, 206, 
 208, 225, 227, 230, 241, 288, 587. 
 
 George, m.c, 163, 164, 178, 235, 
 
 301, 328, 351, 436, 440, 443, 458, 
 472, 489, 534, 544, 559. 
 
 Ludovick, 205. 
 
 Patrick, provost of Aberdeen, 
 
 136. 
 
 younger, Aberdeen bailie, 
 
 136. 
 
 Fetteresso, 42. 
 
 Lesmoire. See Lismore. 
 Lethendy, 216 
 
 Leven, earl of, xxvw., 154, 575, 577. 
 Levingstoun. See Livingston. 
 Ley, lord, 559, 561, 562. 
 Liberton. See Winram, George. 
 Lightoun. See Leighton. 
 Lilly, Edward, 575. 
 Lindsay, earl of, 461. 
 
 David, m.c, 4, 35, 258, 262, 264. 
 
 James, 575. 
 
 John, m.c, 4, 173. 
 
 (Lyndsay), Ludovick, 73, 74. 
 
 Robert, 27, 49, 55, 355. 
 
 Linlithgow, 66, 101, 112, 201, 208, 
 
 213, 472, 534- 
 
 earl of, 66. 
 
 Lismore (Lesmoire), 246. 
 
 Lithgow. See Linlithgow. 
 
 Little-Cairnie. See Grahame. 
 
 Little Dunkeld, 1 14. 
 
 Littlemiln. See Gordon, John. 
 
 Livingston, lord, 144, 173. 
 
 Alexander, m.c, 140, 145, 301, 
 
 387, 402,411, 432, 451. 
 
 of Saltcoats, m.c, 
 
 Harry, 144, 301, 448, 556. 
 
 sir James, of Kilsyth, m.c, 302, 
 
 350-352, 360, 361. 
 John, m.c, minister successively 
 
 at Stranraer and Ancrum, 26, 33, 
 
 144, 145, 30i, 35°, 351, 3 6 0, 370, 
 372, 384, 386, 387, 402. 
 
 William, m.c, 35, 36, 302, 351, 
 
 566. 
 
 Lochaber, 252, n. 586. 
 Loch Kenmore, 243, 244, n. 585. 
 Lochmaben, 105, 107, 112, 365. 
 Lochnell. See Campbell, John. 
 Lockhart, Robert, 50, 51, 54. 
 Logan, John, minister at Dalkeith, 
 164. 
 
 Logie, John, minister at Raffo, 245 
 and 71. 
 
 Kenneth, 45. 
 
 Logirait, 1 14. 
 
 London, 9-12, 21, 24, 45, 50, 52, 57, 
 66, 74, 77, 99, 108, 109, 161, 175, 
 186, 232 and 11., 257, 275. 
 
 Longformacus, 8. 
 
 Lorimer, William, 436. 
 
 Lothe, Sutherland, 165. 
 
 Lothian, 100, 101, 279, 324, 513, 515, 
 522, 526. 
 
 William, earl of, m.c. , xxvi 11., 4, 
 
 79, 105, 144, 162, 274, 302, 360. 
 
 Loudoun, John, earl of, lord chan- 
 cellor, xl, 59, 181, 187, 355, 357, 
 362, 370-372, 455, 58o. 
 
 Lough Oughter Castle, 401 n. {See 
 Corrigenda, p. xliii. ) 
 
 Lowry, Robert, 407. 
 
604 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Lyon, Frederick, of Brigtoun, m.c. t 
 302. 
 
 Lumsden (Lummisden), Alexander, 
 136. 
 
 Charles, 408. 
 
 sir James, 36, 200. 440. 
 
 Thomas, 136. 
 
 Lunphannan, 258. 
 Lyndsay. See Lindsay. 
 
 Mabie. See Herries, John. 
 
 M'Allam. See M'Callum. 
 
 Maccaill, Matthew, 45. 
 
 M'Call, Andrew, 268. 
 
 M'Callum (M'Callome), Archibald, 
 156, 354, 408 and 
 
 Donald, 205. 
 
 M 'Caiman, Mr., 205. 
 
 Nicoll, minister in Kilmore pres- 
 bytery, 220. 
 
 M 'Claud. ^M'Leod. 
 
 M'Cleirie, Jean, 157. 
 
 M'Clennan, Ferquhard, 268. 
 
 M'Crae, Donald, 266, 268. 
 
 Ferquhard, 268. 
 
 John, 266, 268. 
 
 M 'Donald, Allaster, a leader of Irish 
 rebels, xv, excommunicated, 20 ; 
 principal actor in the rebellion, 55 ; 
 negociating with Antrim, 68 ; in 
 command of rebels, 71, 585. 
 
 the younger, xvii. 
 
 sir James, 68. 
 
 M'Dougal, James, of Garthland, m.c, 
 4, 27, 30, 47, 162, 302, 401, 408, 
 413- 
 
 M'Ghie, Andrew, 201. 
 
 John, 36, 159, 177. 
 
 M'Gown, Alexander, Lochmaben, 
 107, 112, 458. 
 
 M'Indar, William, 575. 
 
 M'Intosh (M'Kintosh), William, im- 
 prisons a minister, 251 and 
 
 M'Jore. See Major. 
 
 MacKaile (Mackell, Mackall), Hugh, 
 minister at Edinburgh, m.c. , 301, 
 349, 35 1> 36i, 363, 385, 393, 406, 
 407, 455, 484. 
 
 M'Kart, Oven, in command of a 
 popish army in Ireland, 71. 
 
 Mackbirnie, Thomas, baillie in Dum- 
 fries, 366. 
 
 M'Kay (M'Ky), Hugh, of Dalrate, 
 168. 
 
 of Skoury, 168. 
 
 William, of Boggesse, 168. 
 
 M'Kenzie, Alexander, 283. 
 
 of Suddie, 256 and 
 
 268. 
 
 of Kilcowy, 256. 
 
 M'Kenzie, Colin, minister at Contoun, 
 deposed for compliance with the 
 rebels, 265. 
 
 of Kincraig, 282. 
 
 of Tarvie, 282, 283. 
 
 Hector, 283. 
 
 James, 283. 
 
 John, 284. 
 
 of Ord, 283. 
 
 minister at Tarbat, 266. 
 
 of Tachcairne, 283. 
 
 Kenneth, of Assint, 282. 
 
 Garloch, 282. 
 
 Murdoch, 68, 259, 260, 265 and 
 
 11. 
 
 Rorie, 256, 282, 283. 
 
 Simeon, brother of the earl of 
 
 vSeaforth, 256. 
 
 Thomas, 284. 
 
 M'Laine. See M'Lean. 
 M'Lauchlane, Colin, Dunoon, 220. 
 
 John, Kilmore, 220. 
 
 M'Lean, 68. 
 
 M'Lellan, Jo., 517. 
 
 M'Lennan, Ferquhard, 266. 
 
 M'Leod (M 'Claud), Donald, of 
 
 Assynt, 157. 
 M'Loy, Donald, Dunoon, 156. 
 M'Nachtan, laird of, 221. 
 Macpherson (Mackferson), Donald, 
 
 Caddell, 433. 
 M 'Queen, Angus, of Torriburgh, 271, 
 
 283. 
 
 Maitland, Richard, Marnock, 247, 
 
 258, 346. . 
 William, excommunicated rebel, 
 
 269, 341. 
 
 Major or M'Jore, William, m.c, 4, 
 
 106, no, 113, 114, 474. 
 Makghie. See M'Ghie. 
 Makgowne. See M'Gown. 
 Malcolm, R., 483. 
 Manchester, lord, 577. 
 Manerhamilton, 163. 
 Marischal, William, earl, 4, 42, 264. 
 
 Sedemnts: 6, 14, 15, 22, 31, 34, 
 
 104, 133, 207, 256, 258, 260, 262, 
 
 264. 
 
 Marjoribanks, 575. 
 
 Andrew, 313. 
 
 Marnoch, 247, 258. 
 
 Marriages by priests, 171, 172, 354. 
 
 Marshall, Dr. Stephen, minister of 
 
 Westminster Assembly, 359 n., 
 
 588. 
 
 Martin, James, m.c, 245, 250, 302. 
 Mass in the French agent's house, 369 
 
 and 11., 458. 
 Massie, Andrew, 144. 
 Masson, sir William, M.P., 334 n. 
 
INDEX 
 
 605 
 
 Maxwell, Gabriel, 103, 108, 205, 226, 
 
 273- 
 Jane, 575. 
 
 John, of Cowhill, 107, 108, 115, 
 
 I93> 273- 
 
 of Gribtoun, 107, 108, 115, 
 
 193. 273- 
 
 Margreat, 575. 
 
 Robert, son of the earl of Niths- 
 
 dale, 24, 26, 27, 29. 
 Mayn. See Gordon, Robert. 
 Mearns presbytery, 271, 347. 
 Meigle (Meegill), 483. 
 Meinyies. See Menzies. 
 Meldrum, George, Glasse, 247. 
 John, 22. 
 
 Melville, Andrew, 344, 350 ?i. 
 
 Ephraim, m.c, 164, 301, 330, 
 
 393, 410, 423, 426, 488. 
 sir James, of Hallhill, 100, 142, 
 
 281, 370. 
 
 Thomas, m.c., 21, 302. 
 
 Menzies (Meinyies), Alexander, 136. 
 
 sir Gilbert, of Pitfoddels, 253. 
 
 Jean, married by a priest to 
 
 Robert Irwine, 354. 
 
 John, 26, 34. 
 
 William, m.c, 179, 301, 450. 
 
 Merse and Teviotdale synod, 103, 
 
 279, 471, 522. 
 Middelburg, 343 //. 
 Middleton (Midlton), general-major, 
 
 37, 108, 115, 196, 204, 206, 207, 
 
 217, 272, 321, 324, 329, 330, 583. 
 
 John, 367. 
 
 Midmar, 263 
 Militia, 10, 582. 
 
 Mill, John, m.c, 302, 393, 410, 423, 
 
 436, 440, 447, 488. 
 Miltoun, 249. 
 
 Mimark. See Gordon, Alexander. 
 Mitchell, John, 575. 
 
 Thomas, 144, 168, 245, 282. 
 
 Mitchelsone, William, 436. 
 Moncreiff, Alexander, minister at 
 
 Scoonie, m.c, 21, 302, 370 n., 434, 
 
 455- 
 
 John, m.c, 3, 21, 31, 46, 61, 63, 
 
 77, 99, 102, 106, 113, 125, 126, 128, 
 133, 138, 141, 146, 225, 262, 270, 
 273, 276, 277, 280, 281, 440, 441 
 and n., 571 and n. 
 
 sir John, of Moncrieff, 277, 280, 
 
 284-5.. 
 
 major John, petition for payment 
 
 of pension, 224. 
 Monro of Obstoun, 168, 268. 
 
 Alexander, 263. 
 
 general-major, 198, 244. 
 
 lieut.-col., 268. 
 
 Monro, David, 268. 
 
 George, 158, 267, 268. 
 
 Hector, Eddertoun, 267. 
 
 ofErryboll, 168. 
 
 minister at Lothe, 165. 
 
 John, 263. 
 
 Robert, 266-268. 
 
 Montgomery, Hugh, viscount of Airds, 
 7, 52, 157, 190, 191 and 402. 
 
 Montreuil, M., French agent, xxvi n., 
 xxxiii xxxiv n., xxxv ; concern- 
 ing his saying mass, 369 and n., 458. 
 
 Montrose, marquis of, xiii, xvii, xviii, 
 xx n., xxi n., xxvi 11. , 31, 74, 141, 
 166, 202 71., 203 n., 255 and n., 
 265 //., 271 n., 283, 285, 305, 391 
 and 537 n., 557. 
 
 Monuments (idolatrous) in the house 
 of Bog of Gight, 259 and n. 
 
 Monyvaird, 134. 
 
 Monymusk, 225. 
 
 Monzie, 145. 
 
 Moore, William, Aberdeen, 136. 
 
 of Glanderstone, m.c, 4, 
 
 35, 103, 113, 133. 
 Moray, 35, 37, no, 171, 172, 246, 247, 
 
 252, 305, 433, 537, 585- 
 Mordington, 309. 
 
 lady, and her children to be re- 
 claimed from popery, 369. 
 
 lord, his daughter's marriage 
 
 with lord Semple to be hindered 
 because she is a papist, 347 ; reli- 
 gious education of his daughters to 
 be looked after, 353. 
 
 Morison (Moreson), sir Alex., of 
 Prestongrange, 28, 313. 
 
 Morreis, Christian, 575. 
 
 Mortlach in Strathbogie, 242-244. 
 
 Mortimer, Thomas, Aberdeen bailie, 
 136. 
 
 Mosstroopers, 124. 
 
 Moulin or Mowling kirk, 114, 199. 
 
 Mouswald, 365. 
 
 Mowat, Thomas, 136. 
 
 Muddrell, William, 575. 
 
 Muncreiff. See Moncreiff. 
 
 Munro. See Monro. 
 
 Mure. See Moore. 
 
 Murray, earl of, 461. 
 
 Alexander, 541. 
 
 George, m.c, 114, 160, 301, 351. 
 
 415. 
 
 James, 35, 49, 56, 109, 129, 130, 
 
 226, 231 and 288, 319, 360, 416. 
 
 Robert, m.c, 4, 21, 31, 35, 37, 
 
 46, 102, 106, 108, 113, 114, 125, 
 126, 133, 140, 141, 146, 147, 153, 
 157, 160, 195, 200, 206, 282, 301, 
 352. 
 
606 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Murray, Robert, of Buchantie, 114. 
 
 sir Robert, 362. 
 
 William, Auchniall, 249. 
 
 Musselburgh, 393 n. 
 Mustom bridge, 580. 
 Muthil (Muthell), 34. 
 
 Nairxe (Narne), Robert, yr. of 
 Strathurd, m.c. s 302. 
 
 Napier, lord, cited to appear before 
 the commission, 157. 
 
 Nasmith, James, minister of Hamilton, 
 m.c. t 4, 25, 26, 103, 108, 113, 156, 
 178, 190, 195, 204, 207, 214, 272, 
 277, 278, 280, 301, 349, 358, 363, 
 383, 393, 394, 4", 415, 423, 425, 
 474, 480, 559, 560, 566. 
 
 Natio7ial Covenant, 113, 248, 325. 
 
 Nevay (Neve), John, minister at Lou- 
 don, m.c, 4, 16, 35, 99, 102, 103, 
 113, 128, 133, 180, 190, 195, 205, 
 206, 272, 277, 278, 301, 386, 393, 
 406, 407, 410, 415, 423, 440, 451, 
 t 456, 459, 460, 472, 482, 488. 
 
 Newark, xxv and xxvi n., 580,581. 
 
 Newbottle, 442 n. 
 
 Newcastle, xxvii, xxix, xxxviii, 43, 47, 
 52, 53, 132, 146, 148, 154, 155, 162, 
 163, 169, 175, 189, 196, 202 229, 
 314, 465, 576. 
 
 lord, 577. 
 
 New Luce, 180 
 
 New Machar, 43. 
 
 Newton, 144, 269, 402. 
 
 See Ker, William. 
 
 Archibald, 319, 349. 
 
 upon Ouze, 279. 
 
 Nicolson, sir James, of Colbrands- 
 paith, m.c, 4, 302. 
 
 Oseley, 575. 
 
 Thomas, 136. 
 
 Nisbet, Alexander, 103. 
 
 Nithsdale, earl of, 24. 
 
 Northumberland independents, 229. 
 
 Novatians, 13. 
 
 Nynholls. See Home, John. 
 
 Obstoun. See Monro. 
 Ochterarder. See Auchterarder. 
 Ogilvie, David, 284. 
 
 sir David, 284. 
 
 Gilbert, of Craig, 281. 
 
 James. See Airlie, earl of. 
 
 John, 483. 
 
 major John, of Badevie, 281 and 
 
 n. 
 
 Patrick, of Bridgend in Len- 
 
 trathen, 281. 
 
 Walter, of Carstoun, 248. 
 
 Old Cumnock, 211. 
 
 Old Deer, 264. 
 
 Luce, 180 
 
 Monkland, 338 n. 
 
 Oliphant, George, submits to censure 
 for compliance with the rebels, 1 16. 
 
 John, of Baccheltoun, 352. 
 
 Omey, Frances, sentence of excom- 
 munication against him suspended, 
 
 Ordination of ministers, 58 and 11. 
 Ordiquhill, 246 
 
 Orkney and Caithness provincial 
 
 assembly, 213. 
 Oswald, John, m.c., 3, 15, 21, 143, 
 
 168, 279, 280, 284, 297. 
 Otter. See Campbell, Archibald. 
 Oustene. See Austin. 
 Oxhill. See Gordon, Alexander. 
 
 Paisley (Pasley), 16, 66, 106, 201, 
 207, 233, 234, 282, 532, 540. 
 
 lord, son of the earl of Aber- 
 
 corn, 106, 234. 
 
 Palmer, Herbert, 584. 
 
 Pape, Charles, 268. 
 
 Papists, marriages of, 38. 
 
 Paraphrase of the Psalms, Rouse's, 
 209, 210, 222, 223, 237, 274, 282 
 and 335, 448, 460, 514. 
 
 Paterson, David, 263. 
 
 John, 204, 214, 215 and »., 264. 
 
 Thomas, m.c, 4, 31, 46, 52. 
 
 Patronage, king's, not to be prejudged, 
 39- 
 
 Peblis, II., 533. 
 Peebles, 36, 201, 208, 546. 
 Peirson, Alex., 407, 408, 437, 439. 
 — Thomas, m. c. , 302. 
 Penman, Adam, m.c., 3, 201. 
 
 William, m.c., 4, 7, 57, 144, 301. 
 
 Penpont presbytery, 534. 
 
 Perth, 4, 108, 114-116, 129, 145, 352, 
 
 358, 435, 448, 450, 513, 522, 541. 
 Pethnik, 242. 
 
 Petrie, Alex., minister of the Scots 
 congregation at Rotterdam, 343 
 and n. ; thanked for his labours 
 regarding Johnston's Historia, 391. 
 
 Pettarie, in Strathbogie, 261 11. 
 
 Pettie, 171, 269. 
 
 Pettindreich. See Gordon, Thomas. 
 Phanesse. See Grant, Patrick. 
 Philiphaugh, xix n., xx n., xxi 
 xx iv. 
 
 Phillorth. See Fraser, Alex. 
 Pitfoddels. See Menzies, Gilbert. 
 Pitleliem, Clays, 575. 
 Pitscottie, colonel, 205. 
 Pitsligo, 214 n. 
 
INDEX 
 
 607 
 
 Pitsligo. See Forbes, Alexander. 
 
 Pittilloc, George, m.c, 272, 302. 
 
 Pittonfine, 269 and n. 
 
 Plendergest, lady, 8. 
 
 Pointz, colonell, 580. 
 
 Popery in Kintyre and the Isles, 67, 70. 
 
 Porterfield, George, provost of Glas- 
 gow, m.c, 4, 24, 35, 62, 174, 284, 
 302, 308, 349, 350. 
 
 Prelates, ordinance concerning prelates 
 and their lands, 78. 
 
 Presbyterian government, 9, 10, 12, 
 60 n., 325, 363, 377, 470. 
 
 Preston, xl, 312, 313. 
 
 laird of, 28. 
 
 Prestongrange. See Morison, sir 
 Alex. 
 
 Priesthill. See Ross, Thomas. 
 
 Primrose, sir Archibald, 368, 396. 
 
 David, advocate, 437. 
 
 Pringle (Pringill), Andrew, 144, 273. 
 
 George, Buckholme, to be dealt 
 
 with for joining the rebels, 108 ; 
 confesses his offences, 194. 
 
 James, of Buckholme, 194. 
 
 of Torwoodlee, //i.e., 302. 
 
 Robert, of Blindlie, remitted to 
 
 the presbytery of Selkirk for com- 
 pliance with the rebels, 104. 
 
 of Stitchel, 23, 40, 107. 
 
 Profanity, committee appointed for 
 restraint of, 350, 351, 354. 
 
 Propositions concerning Church Govern- 
 /ne/it, etc., 304 and n. 
 
 Protestants in France, 176 11. 
 
 Purdie, P., 547. 
 
 Raffo, 245 and //., 246. 
 Ragatzie, prince of Transilvania, 7, n. 
 582. 
 
 Rainis kirk, 329, 330. 
 
 Ramsay's, regiment, 159. 
 
 Alexander, 136. 
 
 Andrew, minister at Edinburgh, 
 
 m.c., 37, 45, 46, 50, 158, 301, 306, 
 307, 3*9, 343, 345, 349, 35°, 360, 
 368, 407, 410, 4" 5 4i3 5 4I5, 4i6, 
 423, 424, 426-429, 431, 433, 436, 
 
 . 437, 439, 440, 447, 45°, 455, 45§- 
 460, 474, 481, 540, 556, 568, 11. 
 588. 
 
 Gilbert, of Balmain, m.c., 302, 
 
 35o, 351, 36o. 
 
 John, m.c, 302, 420, 436. 
 
 Robert, minister at Glasgow, 
 
 m.c, 4, 16, 24, 27, 29, 35, 41, 46, 
 50, 52, 102, 113, 125, 130, 278, 
 301, 306, 350, 351, 354, 360, 396, 
 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 
 406, 407, 410, 415, 420, 426, 427, 
 
 429, 432, 437, 536, 541, 544, 
 559- 
 
 Ramsay, Thomas, Foulden, 115, 306, 
 
 3i3, 339, 365, 47i, 540, 544, 557- 
 
 younger, 308, 309. 
 
 Rate, William, minister at Brechin, 
 
 m.c, 4, 36, 73, 205, 272. 
 Ravensteyn, the printer of Johnston's 
 
 Historia, 343 n. 
 Reay (Ray), lord, 19, 22, 168, 237, 
 
 263, 305, 341, 369, 532, 556. 
 
 master of, 168. 
 
 Rebels, articles of peace to be offered 
 to rebels, 14, 15 ; rolls of prime 
 actors in the rebellion to be ob- 
 tained ; petition concerning offers 
 to the rebels, 17 ; sentences of for- 
 feiture, 19 ; rebels excommunicated 
 — extract ordered of rebels, with 
 their particular offences, 20 ; remon- 
 strance to be drawn up regarding 
 the offers to the rebels, 30; answer 
 to these, 41 ; proceedings to be 
 taken by the presbyteries against 
 rebels, 55 ; letter as to cruelties and 
 movements of Irish rebels in Argyll 
 and Isles, 67-68 ; report by Robert 
 Douglas concerning the peace with 
 the rebels, 131 ; their confessions to 
 be particular and in writing, 145 ; 
 declaration of Robert Douglas and 
 Robert Blair, 169; a form of con- 
 fession drawn up, 248 ; those who 
 still continue to glory in their 
 iniquity to be looked after, 251 ; 
 confessions to be in writing and 
 recorded in the books of the presby- 
 teries, 254. 
 
 Redford (Reidfoord), John, minister 
 at Kinbethok, 247, 258, 276, 332, 
 346. 
 
 Reed, John, 575. 
 
 Reformed churches, 79, 81, 82, 87, 
 184, 185. 
 
 Reid, Alexander, Dunblane, 129, 11. 
 584. 
 
 Gartly, 249 and 
 
 James, 235. 
 
 John, bailie of Irving, 219. 
 
 Reidfoord. See Redford. 
 
 Remonstrance presented to the Estates, 
 35, 3 I 4"3 ][ 8; answer to the remon- 
 strance, 41 ; remonstrance of the 
 commission to parliament, 104, 116 ; 
 ordered to be printed with the 
 answer of parliament, 195. 
 
 Representation of the Commission . . . 
 to the Estates of Parliament upon 
 their Declaration, 489. 
 
 Reston, 39. 
 
60S 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Reyn, 246. 
 
 Rhind (Rind), Andrew, 34, 45. 
 Rhynd, Perthshire, 343 11. 
 Richardson, Edward, 450. 
 Richelieu, cardinal, 176 n.\ 
 Riddell, sir Walter, 471. 
 Riddoch, Alexander, Leith, 575 ; his 
 
 account of Scots captives in Algiers, 
 
 187. 
 
 James, 575. 
 
 Ridfurd. See Redford. 
 
 Rig, William, of Atherny, 370. 
 
 Rind. See Rhind. 
 
 Robertson, Daniell, 575. 
 
 Donald, tutor of Strowan, ex- 
 communicated rebel, 20, 55. 
 
 (Robeson), James, 136, 164, 196. 
 
 John, m.c, 4, 73, 115, 204, 225. 
 
 of Inwar, 280. 
 
 William, 245. 
 
 Robeson. See Robertson. 
 
 Robrough, Henry, 584. 
 
 Rochhead. See Roughhead. 
 
 Rollock, Alexander, m.c, 1 14, 282, 
 301, 351, 352, 358, 410, 415. 542. 
 
 Rosemarkine, 158. 
 
 Rosneth (Rosneath), 434, 435. 
 
 Ross, 172, 268, 269, 272, 341, 345. 
 
 Ross (Rosse), Alex., minister at Inch, 
 264. 
 
 minister at Kinarne, 263 
 
 and n. 
 
 David, 268. 
 
 James, 202 and n. 
 
 John, minister at Assynt, 192. 
 
 minister at Birse, 163, 173, 
 
 177. 
 
 minister at Lunphannan, to 
 
 be examined for his compliance 
 
 with the rebels, 258. 
 
 Nicoll, 284. 
 
 Thomas, 256, 268. 
 
 William, 266. 
 
 Rosskeen. See Innes, William.} 
 
 Rothiemay, 256. 
 
 Rothiemurcus, 251 
 
 Rotterdam, 343 11., 391. 
 
 Roughhead (Rochhead, Rughead), 
 
 James, m.c, 4, 28, 301. 
 Rouse, Francis. See Paraphrase of 
 
 the psalms. 
 Row, James, 34, 1 14, 273. 
 John, minister at Aberdeen, 245, 
 
 258, 260, 262, 264, 282 n., 518. 
 
 Robert, 29, 164, 473. 
 
 Samuel, 145, 432. 
 
 William, minister at Ceres, 36, 
 
 "4, 352. 
 
 Rowallane, the younger, an elder, 103. 
 Rudde, Mary, 575. 
 
 Rughead. See Roughhead. 
 Rutherfurd, George, m.c, 301, 431, 
 433- 
 
 Samuel, minister at St. Andrews, 
 
 principal and professor of divinity in 
 St. Mary's college, m.c, 3, 5 n., 11, 
 12, 59, 79, 99, 105, 162, 182, 187, 188, 
 189, 200, 210, 223, 224, 233, 257, 
 274, 275, 302, 303 »., 306 and 
 310, 312, 326, 332, 340, 347, 348, 
 349, 35o, 35i» 359, 360, 361, 368, 
 37o, 372, 384, 395-398, 400, 410, 
 416, 423, 425, 426, 429, 475, 481, 
 484, 489, 513, 536, 544, 559. 
 
 Rutherglen, 451, 460, 472. 
 
 Ruthven (Rathven) garrison, 433. 
 
 sir Thomas, of Freeland, m.c, 
 
 302, 352, 367. 
 
 Ryland. See Stewart, Thomas. 
 
 Rymour, Henry, 204. 
 
 St. Andrews, 3, 18, 21, 26, 34-36, 
 57, 61, 100, 106, 123, 124, 135, 170, 
 176, 192, 196, 233, 234, 301, 345, 
 349- 
 
 St. Cuthbert's (St. Gilberts), 386. 
 .Saltcoats. See Livingston, Alex. 
 Saltpreston, 28, 29. 
 Sanderson, Bernard, tn.c, 301, 351. 
 Sandilands, Andrew, 158. 
 Scalletor. See Forbes. 
 Scheill. See Shiell. 
 Scheirglasse. See Stewart, John. 
 Schethin. See Seaton, William. 
 Schoneir, James, of Caskeberrie, m.c, 
 
 302, 321. 
 Scoonie, 370. 
 
 Scotscraig. See Erskine, Arthur. 
 Scott, colonel, 205. 
 
 James, of Galloshiels, 471. 
 
 John, 57, 108, 136. 
 
 William, 264. 
 
 minister at Strauchan, 261. 
 
 sir William, of Harden, m.c, 
 
 302. 
 
 Scottish army in Ireland, 577, 588. 
 
 Scougall, Patrick, St. Andrews presby- 
 tery, 21, 
 
 Scrogie, Alexander, 264. 
 
 Scuny. See Scoonie. 
 
 Seaforth (Seafort), earl of, 153; his 
 petition for relaxation continued, 30; 
 
 - his papers not satisfactory, 45 ; his 
 excommunication to be intimated to 
 the presbyteries, 47 ; conference re- 
 commended for the removing the 
 sentence, 50, 52 ; his excommunica- 
 tion to be intimated by the presby- 
 teries, 55 ; his case referred to the 
 general assembly, 62 ; allowed to 
 
INDEX 
 
 609 
 
 attend the kirk, but not to join in | 
 the services — to be conferred with, 
 65 ; said to be negotiating with 
 Antrim, 68 ; denies this report, 72; 
 the commission in answer to his 
 petition adhere to their former judg- 
 ment, 76 ; committee appointed for 
 a conference, 156 ; to be conferred 
 with touching the losses of ministers, 
 etc., caused by him ; promises re- 
 paration and urges his relaxation, 
 165 ; his petition for relaxation 
 granted, 166 ; witnesses of his re- 
 laxation, 168 ; committee appointed 
 to reconcile Seaforth with gentlemen 
 in the north, 173 ; to be spoken 
 with in regard to the losses of John 
 Rosse of Assynt, 192. 
 
 Seaforth's Remonstrance, 36, 218, 256, 
 265-268, 270, 272, 283, 284, 11. 584. 
 
 Seaton, Robert, 271. 
 
 William, of Schethin, 331 and n. 
 
 kirk, 365. 
 
 Sectaries, 339, 348, 353, 382, 404. 
 Selkirk, 104, 108, 164. 
 Seminary priests in Kintyre, 67, 70. 
 Semple, lord, his marriage with a 
 
 papist to be hindered, 347, 369 ; 
 
 his education, 354. 
 
 Harry, 103, 145, 402. 
 
 John, provostof Dumbarton, m.c, 
 
 4, 21, 153, 302, 410, 432, 433, 436, 
 
 440, 447, 484, 518. 
 Sharp, George, m.c, 264, 302. 
 James, minister at Leith, 142, 
 
 235- 
 
 Dr. John, 165, 168, 176 and n., 
 
 187, 442, n. 585. 
 Patrick, 103. 
 
 Shiell (Scheill), Patrick, m.c, 164, 
 301. 
 
 Shierglasse. See Stewart, John. 
 
 Short, John, 401, 408. 
 
 Short Information . . . concerning the 
 
 Declaration of Parliament, 528. 
 Sibbald, James, m.c, 3, 21, 301. 
 Patrick, m.c. , 112, 146, 164, 
 
 30I. 
 
 Sime, William, 306. 
 Simmer (Sumer), Alex., m.c, 253, 
 302. 
 
 Simpson (Sympsone), James, 23,- 24, 
 27, 34, 39-44, 72, 73, 128, 138, 1 4, 
 205, 240, 260, 262, 273, 345, 364. 
 
 Sinclair, G., 442. 
 
 John, 201, 213. 
 
 Sion college, London, 10, 12, 342, 343. 
 
 Skene (Skeen), John, 319. 
 
 Skinner, Laurence, m.c, 4. 
 
 Skiralvie. See Alvie. 
 
 Skoury. See M'Kay, Hugh. 
 
 Sleigh, John, m.c, 4. 
 
 Smith (Smyth), Alexander, 488. 
 
 John, minister first at Burntisland 
 
 then at Edinburgh, m.c, 3, 8, 22, 
 45, 100, 133, 140, 142, 146, 153, 
 162, 165, 173, 193, 206, 208, 225, 
 241, 272, 281, 283, 
 338, 347, 35o, 35i, 
 
 239, 
 328, 
 
 240, 
 33i, 
 
 235, 
 302, 
 37o, 
 
 428, 429, 432 
 451, 452, 455 
 489 
 557 
 
 475, 
 544, 
 
 2 
 
 395, 399, 400, 413, 423, 426, 
 437, 443, 447, 44^, 
 456, 458, 460, 472, 
 513, 514, 519, 536, 537, 
 559- 
 
 sir John, lord provost of Edin- 
 burgh, 21 ; to answer to a charge of 
 compliance with the rebels, 72 ; 
 further information to be prepared, 
 73 ; sentenced to make public 
 acknowledgment of his offences, 74, 
 n. p. 582. 
 
 Walter, 1 10. 
 
 William, m.c. , 302. 
 
 Smyth. See Smith. 
 So/emne and seasonable warning, xxvii 
 and n. 148 ; ordered to be printed, 
 J 54- 
 
 Solemn league and covenattt, xiii. 183, 
 222, 248, 291, 294, 418, 419, 453, 
 464, 465, 469, 471, 538. 
 
 Somerville (Summervaill), Alexander, 
 m.c, 3, 27, 29, 60, 63, 65, 301. 
 
 John, 27, 107, 164, 471. 
 
 Soure, Alex., 254. 
 
 Spang, William, minister of the Scots 
 congregation at Campvere, 343 and 
 n. 
 
 Spence, David, town-clerk of Ruther- 
 glen, his conduct at the reading of 
 the Declaration, 437, 461 ; petition 
 to be sent to parliament for his 
 censure, 439, 461 ; committee ap- 
 pointed to present petition ; Glasgow 
 presbytery recommended to proceed 
 against him ecclesiastically, 472 ; 
 parliament desired to consider the 
 complaint, 519. 
 
 Jerome, 261. 
 
 Spittle, Alexander, m.c, 301, 541, 
 566. 
 
 Spotswood, sir Robert, xxi. n, xxiv. 
 Sprouston, 40, 44, 205, 345. 
 Sprule, R. , 544. 
 
 Steillhand. See Gordon, Patrick. 
 Stevenson (Steanson), Andrew, m.c, 
 301, 351. 
 
 Stevin, Alexander, merchant in Elgin, 
 250. 
 
 Stewart or Stuart, Andrew, of Tan- 
 nachie, 248. 
 
 a 
 
610 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Stewart, captain James, 554. 
 
 sir James, m.c, 4, 7, 174, 200, 
 
 302, 354, 384, 386, 395, 425, 443, 
 452, 472, 474, 489, 534, 544, 566. 
 
 John, of Scheirglasse, excom- 
 municated rebel, 20, 55, 128, 212. 
 
 Robert, Fornauchtie, 248. 
 
 Thomas, of Ryland, 248. 
 
 Walter, m.c. , 4. 
 
 son of Stuart of Ryland, 
 
 248. 
 
 colonel William, excommuni- 
 cated rebel, 20, 55. 
 Stirling, 144, 522. 
 T..43& 
 
 Stitchel. See Piingle, Robert. 
 Strachan (Strawchane), Andrew, 245, 
 
 258, 264, 269. 
 
 David, m.c, 42, 302. 
 
 James, 158, 271, 347. 
 
 Robert, 279, 280, 284. 
 
 Straiton, Margaret, 575. 
 Straloch. Sec Gordon, Robert. 
 Strang, Dr., principal of Glasgow 
 
 college, 21, 34, 191 and //., 192, 
 
 n. 583. 
 
 Stranraer, 180, 272, 320, 322, 402. 
 Strathbogie, 130, 172, 191, 242, 245, 
 
 247, 249, 261, 276, 277, 332, 346. 
 Strathspey, 171, 172. 
 Strathurd. See Nairne, Robert. 
 Strauchan, 259, 261. 
 Strowan, tutor of. See Robertson, 
 
 Donald. 
 Stuart. See Stewart. 
 Suddie, 265. 
 
 See M'Kenzie, Alexander. 
 
 Suffolk, 209, 222. 
 Sumer. See Simmer. 
 Summervale. See Somerville. 
 Sutherland, 19, 165, 172, 263, 305. 
 
 earl of. 36, 165, 168. 
 
 Swinton, lady, 8. 
 
 younger, 8. 
 
 sir John, of Swinton, 26, 27, 107, 
 
 306. 
 
 Thomas, 306. 
 
 Waller, m.c. , 4, 24, 306. 
 
 Sydserf, Archibald, 201, 204, 399, 
 
 413, 424, 442, 444, 461, 559. 
 Symmer. See Simmer. 
 Symson. See Simpson. 
 
 Tachcairne, 2S3. 
 Tain, 266, 268, 269, 281. 
 Tannachie. See Stewart, Andrew. 
 Tarvi°, 282. 
 
 Taylor (Tailyeour), James, 532. 
 Teviotdale. See Merse. 
 sheriff of, 49, 51, 54. 
 
 Thirty-nine articles, 325 and //. 
 Thomson, George, m.c, 3, 35, 156, 
 205. 
 
 William, 36, 437, 439. 
 
 Thunder, reparation for damages by, 
 
 106, n. 584, 589. 
 Tibbermuir, xviii. 
 
 Tilliquhillie. See Douglas, sir Robert. 
 Tolbooth, the, 129, 139. 
 Toleration, 305, n. 587. 
 Toluai, John, 582. 
 Torribourgh. See M 'Queen, Angus. 
 Torwoodlee. See Pringle, James. 
 Tours, major John, 259. 
 Towers, sir Alexander, of Inverleith, 
 141. 
 
 Tracquer. See Traquair. 
 
 Traill, Robert, m.c, 3, 16, 22, 35, 
 
 100, 146, 155, 204, 289, n. 583. 
 Tranent, 160, 177. 
 Transylvania, 7. 
 
 Traquair (Tracquer), John, earl of, 14, 
 582. 
 
 Treeleg. See Gordon, James. 
 
 Trotter, Alexander, 273. 
 
 James, 436. 
 
 Troup, James, 255, 268. 
 
 Tuedmure kirk, 273. 
 
 Tuedy. See Tweedie. 
 
 Tullibardine, James, earl of, m.c, 4, 
 114,302. Sederunts : 31,34,77,101, 
 104, 278, 349, 352, 366, 371, 372. 
 
 Tulloch, 256. 
 
 Tullochgorum. See Grant, Patrick. 
 Tullynessle, 269. 
 
 Tunis, list of Scots captives in, 574. 
 Turnbull, Alexander, m.c, 4. 
 
 William, Kelso, 36, 72. 
 
 Turner, major, 535, 537 and 540, 
 568. 
 
 Turriff, 254, 258, 261. 
 Tweddale, 522. 
 
 Tweedie (Tuedy), William, 144. 
 Twyne, Johne, printer of the Declara- 
 tion, 589. 
 
 Tyler, Evan, printer in Edinburgh, 
 
 148 256, 385 n. 
 Tyrie, David, Alford, acknowledges 
 
 being a rebel, 254. 
 
 Uniformity, 3, 5 n., 9, 47, 50, 51, 
 57, 59, 75, 80, 84, 86, 109, 178, 
 181, 182, 291, 294, 297, 301, 303, 
 309, 315, etc. 
 
 Urquhart, 268. 
 
 James, 108, 137, 193, 194. 
 
 Vassie, Thomas, m.c, 3, 164, 178, 
 
 301, 330. 
 Veitch (Vetche), J., 533. 
 
INDEX 
 
 611 
 
 Vindication of the Commissioners . . . 
 in ansxver to the letter of Parliament, 
 \xxvii 547 and n. 
 
 Wallace, Mary, 575. 
 
 Ward, lohn, minister of Ipswich, 189, 
 211, n. 585. 
 
 Wariston. See Johnston, sir Archi- 
 bald. 
 
 Watson, Andro, 575. 
 Wauchtone. See Hepburn, sir Patrick. 
 Watertoun. See Forbes, Thomas. 
 Watson, John, minister at Ordiquhill, 
 246. 
 
 Robert, 242, 246. 
 
 William, 171, 172, 251, 252, 262. 
 
 Watt, Adam, 177. 
 
 Wedderburn. Sec Home, sir David. 
 sir Alexander, 360, 388, 389, 
 
 461, 559. 
 Wedderlie. See Edgar, John. 
 Weenies. See Wemyss. 
 Weir (Weer), James, 208 and n. 
 John, m.c, 4, 103, 143, 213, 
 
 214, 226, 235, 407, 408. 
 
 William, 145. 
 
 WelheadSj 249. 
 
 Wemyss (Weenies), David, m.c 9 4. 
 
 of Fingask, m.c, 4, 31, 46, 
 
 50- 
 
 White, Robert, 575. 
 
 Whithorn, 402. 
 
 Whitsome kirk, 308. 
 
 Whyte, Thomas, m.c, 4. 
 
 Wilkie, David, bailie in Leith, 235. 
 
 John, of Foulden, 115, 313, 339, 
 
 365, 540, 544, 557. 
 
 wrytier, 437. 
 
 Thomas, m.c, 4, 193. 
 
 William, 21, 102, n. 584. 
 
 Williamson, Robert, 265. 
 
 Wimam (Winrham), George, of Liber - 
 ton, m.c. , 4, 16, 21, 26, 27, 31, 
 34, 35, 41, 46, 50, 52, 102, 108, in, 
 113, 125, 126, 133, 138, 140,141, 
 146, 147, 153, 154, 168, 173, 178, 
 179, 189, 210, 223, 224, 233, 236, 
 257, 275, 302, 318, 321, 328, 331, 
 
 337, 339, 35o, 35i, 352, 353, 357, 
 361, 366, 368, 3S4, 386, 388, 394, 
 395, 400, 408, 423, 429, 432, 443, 
 445, 45 1 , 456, 472, 474, 475, 4^9, 
 534, 559, 566, n. 585. 
 James, 436. 
 
 Wintoun, George, earl of, religious 
 education of his daughters to be 
 looked after, 353. 
 
 Wishart, chaplain to the duke of 
 Montrose, 391 n. 
 
 George, 158. 
 
 Witchcraft, 123. 
 
 Woburn, 466, 493. 
 
 Wood, James, 158. 
 
 Thomas, 47. 
 
 Worcester house, xxiv, 11, 12, 59, 79, 
 99, 162, 182, 187-189, 200, 210, 223, 
 224, 257, 274, 275, 310, 312, 326, 
 342, 580-581. 
 
 Wright, Edward, minister at Glasgow, 
 26, 29, 34, 45, 100, n. 584. 
 
 James, m.c, 3, 39-41. 
 
 Robert, m.c, 4, 39-41, 47, 301. 
 
 Yester, John, Master of, m.c, 37- 
 40, 107, 112, 302, 328, 350. 
 
 Young, George, m.c, 4, 24, 35, 37, 
 46, 308. 
 
 John, 264. 
 
 Patrick, 28. 
 
 — Robert, 352, 445, 448, 541. 
 
 Zion College. See Sion. 
 
 Printed by T. and A. Constahlk, Printers to Her Majesty, 
 at the Edinburgh University Press. 
 
£>tottt£t) tytettjxv £>octetp 
 
 THE EXECUTIVE. 
 
 President. 
 The Earl of Rosebery, LL.D. 
 
 Chairman o f Council. 
 
 David Masson, LL.D., Professor of English Literature, 
 Edinburgh University. 
 
 Council. 
 
 J. R. Findlay, Esq. 
 P. Hume Brown, M.A. 
 G. Gregory Smith, M.A. 
 J. Ferguson, Esq., Advocate. 
 
 Right Rev. John Dowden, D.D., Bishop of Edinburgh. 
 jEneas J. G. Mackay, LL.D., Sheriff of Fife. 
 John Russell, Esq. 
 
 Sir Arthur Mitchell, K.C.B., M.D., LL.D. 
 Rev. Geo. W. Sprott, D.D. 
 Rev. A. W. Cornelius Hallen. 
 
 W. F. Skene, D.C.L., LL.D., Historiographer - Royal for 
 
 Scotland. 
 Colonel P. Dons. 
 
 Corresponding Members of the Council. 
 
 Osmund Airy, Esq., Birmingham ; Professor George Grub, 
 LL.D., Aberdeen; Rev. W. D. Macray, Oxford; Professor 
 A. F. Mitchell, D.D., St. Andrews ; Professor J. Veitch, 
 LL.D., Glasgow ; A. H. Millar, Esq., Dundee. 
 
 Hon. Treasurer. 
 J. T. Clark, Keeper of the Advocates' Library. 
 
 Hon. Secretary. 
 T. G. Law, Librarian, Signet Library. 
 
RULES 
 
 1. The object of the Society is the discovery and printing, under 
 selected editorship, of unpublished documents illustrative of the civil, 
 religious, and social history of Scotland. The Society will also under- 
 take, in exceptional cases, to issue translations of printed works of a 
 similar nature, which have not hitherto been accessible in English. 
 
 2. The number of Members of the Society shall be limited to 400. 
 
 3. The affairs of the Society shall be managed by a Council, consisting 
 of a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and twelve elected Members, five 
 to make a quorum. Three of the twelve elected Members shall retire 
 annually by ballot, but they shall be eligible for re-election. 
 
 4. The Annual Subscription to the Society shall be One Guinea. The 
 publications of the Society shall not be delivered to any Member whose 
 Subscription is in arrear, and no Member shall be permitted to receive 
 more than one copy of the Society's publications. 
 
 5. The Society will undertake the issue of its own publications, i.e. 
 without the intervention of a publisher or any other paid agent. 
 
 (>. The Society will issue yearly two octavo volumes of about 320 pages 
 each. 
 
 7. An Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held on the 
 last Tuesday in October. 
 
 8. Two stated Meetings of the Council shall be held each year, one on 
 the last Tuesday of May, the other on the Tuesday preceding the day 
 upon which the Annual General Meeting shall be held. The Secretary, 
 on the request of three Members of the Council, shall call a special 
 meeting of the Council. 
 
 9. Editors shall receive 20 copies of each volume they edit for the 
 Society. 
 
 10. The owners of Manuscripts published by the Society will also be 
 presented with a certain number of copies. 
 
 11. The Annual Balance-Sheet, Rules, and List of Members shall be 
 printed. 
 
 12. No alteration shall be made in these Rules except at a General 
 Meeting of the Society. A fortnight's notice of any alteration to be 
 proposed shall be given to the Members of the Council. 
 
PUBLICATIONS 
 
 For the year 1887. 
 
 1. Bishop Pococke's Tours in Scotland, 174-7-1760. Edited by 
 
 D. W. Kemp. (Oct. 1887.) 
 
 2. Diary of and General Expenditure Book of William 
 
 Cunningham of Craigends, 1 673-1 680. Edited by the Rev. 
 James Dodds, D.D. (Oct. 1887.) 
 
 For the year 1888. 
 
 3. Panurgi Philo-caballi Scoti Grameidos libri sex. — The 
 
 Grameid : an heroic poem descriptive of the Campaign of 
 Viscount Dundee in 1689, by James Philip of Almerieclose. 
 Translated and Edited by the Rev. A. D. Murdoch. 
 
 (Oct. 1888.) 
 
 4. The Register of the Kirk-Session of St. Andrews. Part I. 
 
 1559-1582. Edited by D. Hay Fleming. (Feb. 1889.) 
 
 For the year 1889. 
 
 5. Diary of the Rev. John Mill, Minister of Dunrossness, Sand- 
 
 wick, and Cunningsburgh, in Shetland, 174-0-1803. Edited 
 by Gilbert Goudie, F.S.A. Scot. (June 1889.) 
 
 6. Narrative of Mr. James Nimmo, a Covenanter, 1654-1709. 
 
 Edited by W. G. Scott-Moncrieff, Advocate. (June 1889.) 
 
 7. The Register of the Kirk-Session of St. Andrews. Part n. 
 
 1583-1600. Edited by D. Hay Fleming. (Aug. 1890.) 
 
 For the year 1890. 
 
 8. A List of Persons concerned in the Rebellion (1745). With 
 
 a Preface by the Earl of Rosebery and Annotations by the 
 Rev. Walter Macleod. (Sept. 1890.) 
 
 Presented to the Society by the Earl of Rosebery. 
 
 9. Glamis Papers: The c Book of Record,' a Diary written by 
 
 Patrick, first Earl of Strathmore, and other documents 
 relating to Glamis Castle (1684-89). Edited by A. H. 
 Millar, F.S.A. Scot. (Sept. 1890.) 
 
 10. John Major's History of Greater Britain (1521). Trans- 
 lated and Edited by Archibald Constable, with a Life of the 
 author by ^Eneas J. G. Mackay, Advocate. (Feb. 1892.) 
 
4 
 
 PUBLICATIONS 
 
 For the year 1891. 
 
 11. The Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies, 
 
 1646-47. Edited by the Rev. Professor Mitchell, D.D., and 
 the Rev. James Christie, D.D., with an Introduction by the 
 former. (May 1892.) 
 
 12. Court-Book of the Barony of Urie, 1 604-1 747. Edited 
 by the Rev. D. G. Barron, from a ms. in possession of Mr. R. 
 Barclay of Dorking. {To be ready June 1892.) 
 
 To be issued for 1892. 
 
 The Jacobite Rising of 1719. Letter Book of James, Second 
 Duke of Ormonde, Nov. 4, 1718— Sept. 27, 1719. Edited 
 by John Russell. {In active progress.) 
 
 ( The History of my Life, extracted from Journals I kept since I 
 was twenty-six years of age, interspersed with short accounts 
 of the most remarkable public affairs that happened in my time, 
 especially such as I had some immediate concern in,' 1 702-1754. 
 By Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, Baron of the Exchequer, 
 Commissioner of the Union, etc. Edited from the original ms. 
 in Penicuik House by J. M. Gray. {In active progress.) 
 
 In preparation. 
 
 The Diary of Andrew Hay of Stone, near Biggar, afterwards 
 
 of Craignethan Castle, 1659-60. Edited by A. G. Reid, 
 
 F.S.A. Scot., from a manuscript in his possession. 
 Sir Thomas Craig's De Unione Regnorum Britannle. Edited, 
 
 with an English Translation, from the unpublished manuscript 
 
 in the Advocates' Library. 
 The Diaries or Account Books of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, 
 
 (1679-1 707), and the Account Book of Dame Hannah Erskine 
 
 (1675-1699). Edited by the Rev. A. W. Cornelius Hallen. 
 Papers relating to the Military Government of Scotland, and 
 
 the Correspondence of Robert Lilburne and General Monk, 
 
 from 1653 to 1658. Edited by C. H. Firth. 
 A Selection of the Forfeited Estate Papers preserved in H.M. 
 
 General Register House. 
 Continuation of the Records of the Commissions of the General 
 
 Assemblies, 1648-1662. 
 
 In contemplation. 
 Diary of Col. the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1680. From a 
 ms. in possession of Henry David Erskine, Esq., of Cardross. 
 Albemarle Papers, 1746. 
 
 1 
 
DA 
 
 ? S? Sco *tish history society, 
 •S25 Publications, 
 v. '/ 
 
 Bapst Library 
 
 Boston College 
 Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167