Acts and Proceedings: 1576, April

A.D. M.D.LXXVI.

The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk conveinit in the Ovir Tolbuith of Edinburgh, the 24 of Apryle 1576: Wher ther was present Lords, Baronis, the Bischops of Glasgow, Dumblane, Dunkeld, Rosse, Brechine, Murray, Superintendents of Lowthiane and Angus, and Commissioners of Countreyes, Townes, Kirks, and Ministers. Mr John Row, [Minister of Perth,] Moderatour.

Sessio 1^a.

[The Bishop of Glasgow removed, was delated, For not preaching in the toun of Glasgow since he entered in his office, and alwise rare preaching, howbeit he was thought diligent in visitation; 2. That no injunctions were given to adulterers delated to him, nor summoned to receive injunctions; 3. That kirks within his diocese were not repaired; 4. That he hath no particular flock; and 5thly, Being required before his removing be the Moderator, to render the commission of visitation he had in the hands of the Assembly, he answered not directly, but only, That he would do reason. Being called in again, he answered to the first, Preaching is the good gift of God, which is not equally bestowed on all, and excused himself, that he was not so able, nor so liberally doted with understanding as others; always it cannot be denyed but that he preached, and especialy at Govean and other kirks, and was willing to doe his duty: To the second, If the particulars were expressed, he would answer, but remembers not that he hath failed, as that head purports: To the 3d, He granted the kirks are not repaired, and complains thereof as they do: To the 4th, That he received no particular flock in the entrie of his office, nor no question was then moved thereupon; but if the Assembly think that he should be astricted to a particular flock, he should either obey the Ordinance of the Assembly therein, or give place to others: To the fyfth, If the Assembly findeth that the commission which he hath, should endure only from year to year, he is content with the censure of the Assemblie.

The Superintendent of Lothiane removed, was complained upon, For rare visitations, not withstanding he had an act of the Assembly, for concurrence and assistance of such as he would require thereto; next, That he had initiat the Bishop of Ross in the Abbay of Halyrudhous, being admonished of the brethren not to doe it: Answered, That he had travelled in visitation till Januar, and sensyne hath been sick, and could not charge any of the brethren be reason of the evil weather: To the 2d, He grants his fault.

The Bishop of Dumblane removed, complained upon, That he had not taught since his entrie to his office, nor yet makes residence, nor hath a particular flock: Answered, He had not yet received any fruicts of the benefice, hath been diseased thir three weeks begane; alwise promiseth amendement in time coming. Being demanded, If he would demitt the commission of visitation which he had of the Assembly, answered, He was content, if the Assembly thought it good.

The Bishop of Murrey removed, was delated, first, That he had no particular flock; next, Charged be Mr Patrick Balsour, that his stipend, be the negligence of the Bishop, is changed, and his name left blank in the rolls, and a dead person called James Sibbet put in the room of another, that he is not able to edifie the flock; He grants he hath no particular kirk: As for the rolls he sall take order with the Clerk, that if any wrong be done, it may be reformed, and that there is no dead man placed in the books: Farther, He declared he was presently under process of horning, and, be the Regents Graces tollerance, came doun this day, to present himself to the Assembly. The Assembly, in respect of his own consession, that he is at the horne, ordained him to be removed till he be relaxed.

The Bishop of Rosse being required to dimitt in the hands of the Assembly the jurisdiction of Visitation, which he had of the Assemblie, condescended, and was exhorted to be diligent in visitation.

Sessio 2^a.

Anent the action of accusation led against Mr James Paton, called Bishop of Dunkeld, for diminution of the rents of the Bishoprick, be setting of a 19 year tack of 36 chalders of victual, for five shilling 8 pennies the boll, to the Erle of Argile, continued to this present Assemblie: The said Bishop being present in Assemblie, inquired, What he had done since the last Convention of the Kirk, for repairing of the said fact, declared, It had pleased my Lord Regents Grace to commune with the said Erle in the said matter, who promised to his Grace and lykwise to himself, to satissie the Assembly therein, desiring a delay thereof to his coming: which desire being be vote of the Assembly resused, with his other sute of delay, whill he conferred with the brethren appointed to that effect in the last Assemblie, in respect of the long continuation of tyme which he hath had since the last Generall Assembly, wherein he might have been sufficiently provided, and have consulted with the said brethren, whose deliberation he, not the less, hath not sought; the said Assembly desired, what defences he had, why the said fact merits not deprivation, to propone the same, namely, in respect of the Act of the Generall Assembly made the 9 day of March 1569, Sessio 8, against such persons as diminish the rents and fruits of their benefices: Which act being publickly read, the said Bishop alledged a certain obscurity to stand in thir words of the act, "where the contraveners thereof are decerned to be deprived of their benefice;" desiring the interpretation and meaning of the whole Kirk herein; which being, be the greatest part of the Assembly, resolved and interpret to be this, That the contraveeners of the said act shall be deprived of their offices, and all that they have of the Kirk therethrough, so far as this lies in the power of the Kirk: The said Bishop alledged and propounded, That the said act and execution thereof should not strike upon him, the same being unknown to him, and never coming to his ears, nor never published; That an ordinance of the Kirk was, that all the acts of the Kirk should be revised, and such as were found unmeet to be retained, to be tane away; of which number he knowes not if the same may be one: That the said act means only of Ministers, and of the setting of manses and gleebs, and is not meaned of Bishops; and last, The said fact done by him proceeded upon a most just fear, which might fall on a most constant man, his house being beseiged, and his son taken away. All which desences being at length heard and considered be the brethren, and the said matter being profoundly and freely reasoned be certain of the brethren, both of the Law of the eternal God, and upon the said act, in utramque partem, Whither the said sact merits deprivation, or not: The whole circumstances of the fact, together with the consession of the said Bishop weyed and rypely advised be the Assembly presently conveened, having chiefly regard to the glory of the name of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, for the most part resolved and concluded, The said Bishop to have contraveened the tenor of the said act, and therethrough to incurre the penaltie thereof, to wit, deprivation from his office, and that which he hath of the Kirk therethrough, so far as lyes in their power for ever. The said Bishop appealed from the said sentence verbo, to the Lords of Parliament.

This sentence was thought meet be the Assembly, to be intimat to my Lord Regents Grace; and to that effect directed Mr David Lindsay, Minister of Leith, and Mr Patrick Caustean. C.]

Anent the pluralitie of offices objectit to Mr Robert Hamiltoun, Minister of Sanct Androes: The said matter beand long debaittit with reasons on every syde, and rypelie advysit, the present Assembly, in respect of the circumstance of place and congregation of Sanct Androes, Finds and declares the twa offices joynit in his person to be incompatabill in him. [Mr Patrick Auchinleck, Commissioner for the toun of Sanct Andrews, protested in name thereof, That this sentence prejudge not the toun of Sanct Andrews, nor ingender any prejudice to them touching their Minister, without they be called and heard.

Conforme to the order taken in the last Assembly, for calling and summoning of persons delated for non residence, and dilapidation of their benesices, within every province, and for such as were then present and delated: The Assembly commandeth Mr James Hering, either to serve and make residence at his kirk, or else to dimitt his benefice. The persons with whom the Bishops, Superintendents and Commissioners had taken order with, conform to the ordinance of the Assembly; James Stirline and John Kinnaird excommunicat be the Bishop of Glasgow; Mr John Rynd his accusation found to be untrue; Mr John Colvill summoned be the Visiter to compear upon Fryday; Andrew Spence had not obtained his Manse, yet used reading in my Lord Forbes his house; Mr William M'Gown, William Boile and James Stewart ordained to be charged be their Commissioners respective, to enter to their charges, and make residence at their kirks, as becometh them.

Mr David Lindsay and Mr Patrick Adamson returned from my Lord Regents Grace, with his Graces answer concerning the Bishop of Dunkeld, That the Kirk hath proceeded against him, and deprived him worthilie for his offence, he could find no fault therein; yet his desire is, that a policie and universal order were established in the Kirk, for such and other proceedings; and to that effect, such things are were penned in that argument in the last conference, should be revised and seen; or that, with some of the Counsell, if the heads conceived before mislyked them, they should sitt doun and penne other heads; or else, themselves to sett doun and devise the said policie, to be presented to his Grace, that lawes may pass thereupon. In this mean tyme, in case of the said Bishops complaint upon the Kirk to the Counsel, that some of the learned be depute be the Assembly, to await upon the Counsel, and to reasone the matter formalie.

The Generall Assembly hath desired the honourable men and brethren underwritten, to advise what answer shall be given to my Lord Regents Graces desire herein, to wit, the Lairds of Lochlevin, Wedderburne and Braid, with the Bishop of Glasgow, the Laird of Dun, Mr Robert Pont, Mr Andrew Melvill, Mr Clement Littill, Mr James Lowson, Mr Alexander Arbuthnet, Mr John Craig, Mr Patrick Adamson, Mr David Lindsay; and to that effect to conveen in the kirk, the morne at six hours, and report their advice to the Assembly. C.]

Anent the advyse and opinioun of the brethren given in, in the last Assemblie, concerning the questioun movit, Whither if Bishops, as they are now in Scotland, hes their functioun of the word of God: The haill Assemblie, for the greatest part, after reasoning and long disputation vpon every article of the saids brethrens opinioun and advyse, resolutelie approvit and affirmit the same, and every article thereof, as the same is given be them; quherof also the tenour is heir reportit.

First, the name of Bishop is commoun to all them that hes a particular flock, over quhilk he hes a particular charge, asweill to preach the word as to minister the sacraments, and to execute the ecclesiasticall discipline with consent of his elders; and this is his cheife functioun in the word of God.

Attour of the number may be chosin some to have power to visite and oversie sick reasonable bounds besyd his awin flock, as the Generall Kirk sall appoint, and in these bounds to appoint Ministers, with consent of the Ministers of that province, and the consent of that flock to quhom they salbe appointit; asweill to appoint Elders and Deacons in every particular congregation quher ther is none, with consent of the peiple thereof; and to suspend Ministers for reasonable causes, with consent of the Ministers forsaids: And to the effect that the saids articles condiscendit vpon be the said Kirk, may be the better followit out, and readie executioun ensewit thervpon as appertaineth, Ordaines the Bischops, quho hes not Ʒit receivit the charge of a particular congregation, to condiscend, on the morne, quhat particular flocks they will accept to take the cure therof.

Sessio 4^a.

[Forsamekle as the great and intollerable burden lying to the charge of Bishops, Superintendents and Commissioners, is, and hath been the very cause, that the whole Kirk within thir bounds could not be duely overseen, consequently good discipline unexercised within the same for lack of visitation: Therefore it is thought meet, that such bounds be appointed to every Commissioner and Visitor, as may be duely visit and overseen be every one of them; and to that effect the Assembly present hath elected the Commissioners of Countries with the persons joyned to them under named, to conveen at extraordinar hours to make a proper distribution and division of the whole bounds of this realme, and to give in writt their opinions and judgement how every bounds may be best visited, to the morne at nine hours.

The Names of the said persons follow,—

For Galloway.

John Duncanson.
Mr James Fothringhame.
The Laird of Gadyeart.

For Nithisdaill and Annandale.

Peter Watson.
John Fullerton.
Lyon Brown.
Mr John Porterfield.
Mr Andrew Polwart.

For Tiviotdaill.

Mr Andrew Clayhills.
The Laird of Fawdounside.

For Tuedale.

John Brand and
The Laird of Traquair.

For Lothian and Merce.

The Superintendent of Lothian.
Mr David Lindsay.
The Laird of Braid.
The Laird of Spott.
David Hume.
William Hume.

For Fife.

The Rector of St Andrews.
Patrick Weems.
Patrick Kinninmonth.
Mr James Wilkie.

For Dunblane.

The Bishop of Dunblane.
Mr William Stirline.
Robert Graham.

For Stratherne.

The Laird of Craigie,
Adie, and Strathurer.
Archibald Hering.
Mr John Row.
Andrew Merser.

For Air.

The Bishop of Glasgow.
Mr John Young.
George Campbell.
The Minister of Air.
Mr David Cuninghame.

For Cliddisdale.

Mr Andrew Hay.
Mr David Cunninghame.

For Angus, Meernes, Stormont and Gowrie.

The Laird of Dun.
William Christeson.
Mr Andrew Mylne.
The young Laird of Dun.
James Anderson.

For Aberdeen and Bame.

Mr John Craig.
The Principal of Aberdeen.
The Laird of Craig.
The Laird of Innertowchie.
Mr Gilbert Gairdin.

For Murrey.

Mr Robert Pont.
Mr John Keith.
Patrick Balfour.

For Ross.

The Bishop of Rosse.
Robert Graham.
Mr John Monro.

For Cathness.

Adam Davidson.
Robert Graham.

For order to be tane with the parts of Argile, ordaines Mr Andrew Hay to desire my Lord Argile to be present in the Assembly: and sicklyk ordaines the Rector of Sanct Andrews, Mr John Row, Mr Patrick Adamson, Mr Alexander Arbuthnet and Mr Andrew Melvill, to pass to my Lord Regents Grace, and declare to him the proceedings of the Kirk in this matter, the morne at seven hours.

Anent the lamentable writing direct from the French Kirk exiled in England to the Kirk of Scotland, bewailing their sorrowfull estate and condition, and desiring the almes collected be the brethren to be sent to them: The whole Assembly, after reading of the said writting, with the procurator of the said exiled brethren direct for receiving of the said contribution, being inwardly touched with the sorrow of their brethren grievously borne at under with the hard dart of necessity, willing, with all heartie and tender affection, to utter their brotherly care toward them, has ordained the summes already collected to be delivered and sent away to them, with such securitie as shall be devised be their brethren, Mr James Lowson, Minister of Edinburgh, and Mr David Lindsay, Minister of Leith: And, in the mean tyme, becaus a great part hath promised their charitable almes, which is not yet performed, ordaines the Bishops, Superintendents and Commissioners of Countries to labour earnestly at their hands, for inbringing of the samen within 20 days next thereafter, and what is ingathered to deliver the same to Mr James Lowson, Minister of Edinburgh; and a general writting to be framed be Mr David Lindsay to this effect.

The brethren appointed to conceive and forme the power and jurisdiction which shall be given be the Kirk to the Visitors of Countries, gave in their judgement and advice therein, which was allowed and approved of the whole Assembly: The tenor whereof followeth.

Articles concerning the Office of Visitors.

That he call the rest of the Ministers together within the bounds of his visitation, as also to hold Synodall Assemblies, to be Moderator there, to try the Ministers, and have the oversight of the schooles; and he to be tried be this Assemblie: To propone the matters that are to be consulted of, to gather the votes, and declare what is found be votes.

He shall have the oversight of all the particular Kirks within the bounds of his visitation, and Ministers thereof, that every one of the Ministers exerce their own vocation diligently with their own congregations, and in the bounds of his visitation; to appoint Ministers with advice of the Ministrie of the Province, assembled in the Provincial Assemblyes, at the least six of the best learned within his bounds, or in laiking of that, of the next adjacent, to be chosen in the Synodal Assemblie, with the consent of the people to whom he shall be appointed Minister: and that becaus the power stands not in the Visiter, but in the Kirk, as to the suspension or deposition of any Minister from his office, the samen sall be done be the Visiter and Ministrie in the said Synodal Assemblies, the caus being there tried, particular intimation being made to his particular congregation to be present; except some urgent cause occurre, that it be necessar to doe the same with short advice; as if the Minister committ some notorious crime, whereby he cannot be longer retained in his office: In the which caus the Visiter may conveen them that are upon the exercise in that Province, and they with him, and the Session of the particular Kirk, to proceed to suspension be the lawfull tryal of the offence.

Upon the presentations of Patrons to the Visiter, he, with consent of the Synodall Assembly of his Province, sall give his letters testimonial to him that is presented, lawfull impediments being tane away, at the least with advice of six Ministers within his bounds, or in lacking that, of the next adjacent, to be chosen in the Synodal Assembly, providing always that the consent of the flock where he should be appointed be had, or else a reasonable caus be them showen why not; and in case he had been a Minister before, he to receive his letters testimonials upon the presentation, with the advice of the Ministers of the Exercise within that Province; and none to give collation of any benefice without the bounds appointed to him be Commission of the Kirk.

That an admonition be made to all Ministers, that unadvisedly they proceed not to excommunicat; and if difficultie arise herein, that the Visiter and the rest of the countrie be advised with; and sicklyk in absolution.

Where there is not Ecclesia bene constituta, that he travell to constitute it.

That he take head to the keeping of Exercise, repairing of kirks, kirk yairds, designation of manses and gleebs, and all other charges pertaining ad decorum Ecclesiæ, and granted to the Kirk be the Lawes of the Countrie.

For reading and answering of bills and supplications, to be given in to this present Assembly, and, sicklyke, for reviewing of the books of Visitation, the Kirk deputes their brethren underwritten: They are to say, Mr Robert Hamiltoun, Mr Alexander Arbuthnet, Mr Andrew Melvill, Mr John Craig, Mr Gilbert Gairdin, Mr Andrew Cuningham, Mr Andrew Polwart, John Brand, Mr John Duncanson, Mr Andrew Clayhills, to conveen every day in the morning, till the same be answered and reviewed.

To the question moved, If a Bishop, Superintendent or Commissioner of a Countrie may remove a Reader from a kirk, he being lawfully placed thereat, without a just cause: It was answered be the Assemblie, That he may not be removed be them, without a just cause.

Sessio 5^a.

According to the order taken the day preceeding, the brethren and others appointed to the limitation of the bounds to be committed to the Visiters of Countries, gave in their judgment, how they might be best and most commodiously visited; wherewith the Assembly being advised, divided the bounds to the Visiters underwritten, as after followes:—

Mr Gilbert Gairdin:—Aberdeen and Bamff, the Kirks of Boyn and Buchan from Etham, not exeeming Mr George Hay his Kirk.

Mr John Craig:—The Laigh of Marr and Garrioch, with the Kirks of the Mernes beyond the Munt upon the water of Dee.

John Strathawechin:—The High of Marr and Garrioch, with Mr George Hay his kirk.

Mr John Row, with the assistance of Duncan M'Aula:—The bounds of Dunkeld, with the kirks of Sanct Andrews within Strathern, except the kirks of Dunkell within Fife and Angus, committed to the Visiters thereof.

The Bishop of Dumblane:—Dumblane, and the Kirk of Dumblane to be his particular kirk, of his own consent.

Mr John Winrame with such others as he shall chuse, with advice of the Commissioners that are to pass to Sanct Andrews:—Fise from Sanct Andrews to Leven.

David Ferguson:—From Leven to Cambuskenneth, the kirks of the Diocese of Sanct Andrews, from Forth to Tay on both sides, to Newburgh, and theresra west, on the South side of the Ochills, the kirks of Sanct Andrews and Dunkeld.

Mr David Lindsay:—From the Water of Leith to Cockburnes Peth inclusive.

John Clapperton, Minister of Coldstreem:—Of Merce and Lamermuir.

Mr Andrew Clayhills:—For Tiviotdaill.

John Brand:—For Tueddall.

Mr Peter Watson:— For Nithisdale and Annandale.

Mr John Duncanson:—For Galloway.

The Bischop of Glasgow being inquired, If he would accept of a particular charge and flock, or not, gave in his answer in writt to the Assembly, That he is content, while the next Assemblie, unbound to travel with some several parishes, at such tyme as his leasure and other necessar causes will permit, provyding he be not astricted to the said congregation; and at the next Assembly he sall give his answer, whither he will accept a particular flock or not: and if he resuse, the Kirk not to reprove him for his last promise; and if he accept one, the samen sall be at his own option, and sall have another to assist him in the Ministrie of the said flock, because of his visitations and other charges: And also that the said Bishop shall not be precluded of his office accustomed in the rest of the parts of his Diocie, and service of the King, conform to the first admission; and desired thir things to be allowed be the Assemblie now present. The Generall Assemblie continues him in the office of Visitation of the bounds which he had before, to their next Assemblie. C.]

Mr James Lowson, Robert Pont, Alexander Arbuthnet, William Christeson, Johne Row and Johne Craig, with the Laird of Dun, are ordainit Commissioners to visite the Colledges of the Vniversitie of Sanct Androes, and to considder the same, the maner and the estate therof; and quhat they find to report to the nixt Assemblie.

[Anent the question moved in the Assemblie, Whither if the Assembly may proceed against the unjust possessors of the patrimony of the Kirk and the poor, or not; and if they may proceed, how far they may: For answering directly and formally hereto, the Assembly thought meet; first, it should be reasoned and disputed, If the Assembly may proceed against such persons, unjust possessors of the said Patrimony of the Kirk; and after debating of the argument on either side, C.] The haill Assemblie concludit affirmative; That they may proceid against unjust possessours of the Patrimonie of the Kirk, in respect of the notorious slander; [and that as upon slander,] and sicklyke, that they proceid against them be doctrine and admonitioun; and last of all, if no remeid beis, with the censures of the Kirk: and farther, that the Patrimonie of the Kirk, quhervpon the Kirk, the poore, the schooles sould be sustainit, is ex jure divino; leivand the farther disputation of this matter to the first day of May nixt; and then the description of the Patrimonie of the Kirk to be inquyrit at that day, and farther reasoning had for full resolution of the questioun.

Sessio 7^a.

[Forsameikle as there are diverse questions and difficulties moved, and proponed to this Assemblie, whereof the full and finall resolution, be reason of the shortness of the continuance of this Assembly, cannot presently be had, it is thought meet, That a copy of the saids questions be delivered to the Bishops, Superintendents and Visiters of Countries, to be propounded and advised in their Provinciall Conventioun, and reported again to the next Generall Assemblie.

The Bishop of Murrey, required be the Assembly to give proof of his doctrine be the brethren, declared, That he was content to give specimen and proof of his understanding, in the toun of Aberdeen, Dundie, or Murrey, before Mr John Craig, Minister of Aberdeen, and Mr Alexander Arbuthnet. The Assembly ordaines him to give the proof of his teaching before the saids persons, in their Provincial Assemblie next to come in Aberdeen, and the said brethren to report their judgment and opinion thereof to the next Generall Assembly: Father, the said Bishop, at the will and sight of the said Assemblie, was content to accept the cure of a particular flock. C. ]

[Ordained their brethren, Mr Robert Pont, Provest of the Trinitie Colledge, Mr James Lowson, Minister of Edinburgh, Mr Alexander Arbuthnet, Principal of the Colledge of Aberdeen, Mr Andrew Hay, Person of Renfrew, Mr David Lindsay, Minister of Leith, to review and oversie the book wrytin be their brother, Mr George Hay, contra Tyrie, and to consider and try the said work; and what judgment or opinion they conceive, the samen to propound to the next Assemblie of the brethren. C. & B.]

[Anent the demand of Mr Andrew Hay, Person of Rensrew, If every Visitor within his own bounds hath like power and jurisdiction to plant Ministers, suspend or depose for reasonable causes: The Assemblie resolved affirmativ;, That they have a like power and jurisdiction therein, as is contained in the particular articles printed concerning the jurisdiction of the Visitors.

Forsameikle as it is heaviely deplored and lamented be certain of the godly brethren, That the Countrie, in all quarters thereof, is miserably divided in factions and deadly seed, in so much as the parishoners, for fear and suspicion which they have of others, dar not resort to their parish kirks, to hear the word of unity preached, nor to receive the sacrament and seals of their salvation; quherof riseth a shamefull and insufferable slander to the Kirk of God, and his true religion within this realme: It is therefore thought good, and concluded universally, That the Visitors of the Countries in all parts zealously shall endeavour themselves, and travell with parties, to reduce and bring them to a christian unitie and brotherly concord, as becometh the brethren and members of Jesus Christ; exhorting them, as they tender the salvation and well of their own souls, to be at a heartie concord one with another, that the blessing which is pronunced for the peaceable may be imparted and given to them; and slander and offence ariseing to the Kirk through the occasion of their ungodly factions, may be cutt off and removed. C.]

[For making an overture of the policie and jurisdiction of the Kirk, and uttering the plain and simple meaning of the Assemblie therein, the Assembly present hath moved and requiested their brethren underwritten, to travell and take pains to reason and conserr upon the heads of the said argument, and to deliberat gravely and circumspectly thereupon, that they report their opinions advisedly to the next General Assembly, that is to say, For the West Countrey, the Bischop of Glasgow, Mrs Andro Melvill, Andro Hay, James Greige, David Cunighame; for Lowthiane, Mrs Robert Pont, James Lowsone, David Lindsay, Clement Litle and Alexander Syme; for Fyffe, The Superintendent therof, with the principall Masters of the Vniversitie; for Angus and Mernes, the Laird of Dun, William Christeson, Johne Row, William Rynd, Johne Duncansone; for Aberdeen, Mr Johne Craig, Alexander Arbuthnet, George Hay: and thir persons to conveine ilk countrey and rank in the places following, viz. The West in Glasgow; Lowthiane in Edinburgh; Fyse in Sanct Androes; Angus in Montrois, the first Tuesday of Junij next to come, to conferre and advyse vpon the said matter, and make generall meiting and conventioun, twa or ane at least, of ilk countrey above wrytin, in Stirling, the last of Julij therafter, to communicat and cognosce vpon thair haill travells and labours taken heirin, and to conserre vniversallie heirvpon together, and report quhat they have found and conceivit in the said matter, to the nixt Assemblie quhilk is appointit to be in Edinburgh the 24 of October nixt to come, in cace no Parliament: and in cace of a Parliament, the Kirk ordaines the Ministers of Edinburgh to make intimatioun thereof to the Bischops, Superintendents and Visitors of countreyis, that the Kirk may be conveinit foure dayes befor the said Parliament, and that the Barrones and gentlemen be exhortit to be present with the Commissioners appointit in the Provinciall Assemblies. C. & B.]