farre as they meddle with Ecclesiasticall matters and have no Commission of the kirke thereto but were elected in time of our Soveraignes mother when things were out of order It is an absurd thing that sundry of them having no function of the kirk should be Judges to Ministers and depose them from their roomes Therefore they either would be discharged to meddle with Ecclesiasticall matters or it would be limited to them in what matters they might be Judges and not hurt the liberty of the kirk They also that before were of the Ecclesiastique estate in the Popes kirk or that are admitted of new to the Papisticall titles and now are tollerate by the lawes of the Realme to possesse the two-part of their Ecclesiasticall rents ought not have any further liberty but to intromet with the portion assigned and granted to them for their life-times and not under the abused titles which they had to dispon the kirk-rents set tackes and fewes thereof at their pleafure to the great hurt of the kirk and poore labourers that dwell upon the kirk-lands contrary to all good conscience and order CHAP. XII Certain speciall heads of Reformation which we crave WHatsoever hath been spoken of the offices of the kirk the severall power of the office-bearers their conjunct power also and last of the patrimrny of the kirk we understand it to be the right Reformation which God craves at our hands that the kirk be ordered according thereto as with that order which is most agreeable to the Word But because something would be touched in particular concerning the estate of the Countrey and that which we principally seek to be reformed in the same we have collected them in these heads following Seeing the whole Countrey is divided in Provinces and thir Provinces againe are divided in Parishes as well in land-ward as in Townes in every Parish and reasonable Congregation there would be placed one or moe Pastors to feed the flock and no Pastor or Minister alwayes to be burdened with the particular charge of moe kirks or flocks then one alanerly And because it will be thought hard to finde out Pastors or Ministers to all the paroch kirks of the Realm as well in Landward as in Towns we think by the advice of such as commission may be given to by the kirk and Prince Parishes in landward or small Villages may be joyned two or three or more in some places together and the principall and mest commodious kirks to stand and be repaired sufficiently and qualified Ministers placed thereat and the other kirks which are not found necessary may be suffered to decay their kirk-yards alwayes being kept for buriall places and in some places where need requires a Parish where the Congregation is over great for one kirk may be divided in twa or moe Doctors would be appointed in Universities Colledges and in other places needfull and sufficiently provided for to open up the meaning of the Scriptures and to have the charge of Schooles and teach the rudiments of Religion As for Elders there would be some to be censurers of the manners of the people one or moe in every Congregation but not an Assembly of Elders in every particular kirk but onely in Towns and famous places where resort of men of judgement and ability to that effect may be had where the Elders of the particular kirks about may convene together and have a common Eldership and assembly-place among them to treat of all things that concerns the Congregations of which they have the oversight And as there ought to be men appointed to unite and divide the Parishes as necessity and commodity requires So would there be appointed by the generall kirk with assent of the Prince such men as feare God and know the estate of the Countries that were able to nominate and designe the places where the particular Elderships should convene taking confideration of the Diocesse as they were divided of old and of the estate of the Countries and Provinces of the Realm Likewise concerning Provinciall and Synodall Assemblies confideration were easie to be taken How many and in what places they were to be holden and how oft they should convene ought to be referred to the liberty of the generall kirk and order to be appointed therein The Nationall Assemblies of this Countrey called commonly the Generall Assemblies ought alwayes to be reteined in their own liberty and have their owne place With power to the kirk to appoint times and places convenient for the same and all men as well Magistrates as inferiours to be subject to the judgement of the same in Ecclesiasticall causes without any reclamation or appellation to any Judge Civill or Ecclesiasticall within the Realm The liberty of the election of persons called to the Ecclesiasticall function and observed without interruption so long as the kirk was not corrupted by Antichrist we desire to be restored and retained within this Realm So that none be intrused upon any Congregation either by the Prince or any inferiour person without lawfull election and the assent of the people over whom the person is placed as the practise of the Apostolicall and Primitive Kirk and good order craves And because this order which Gods word craves cannot stand with patronages and presentation to benefices used in the Popes kirk we desire all them that truely feare God earnestly to consider that for as much as the names of patronages and benefices together with the effect thereof have flowed from the Pope and corruption of the Canon law onely in so farre as thereby any person was intrused or placed over Kirkes having Curam animarum And for as much as that manner of proceeding hath no ground in the word of God but is contrary to the same and to the said liberty of Election they ought not now to have place in this light of Reformation And therefore whosoever will embrace Gods word and desire the kingdome of his Son Christ Jesus to be advanced they will also embrace and receive that policie and order which the word of God and upright estate of his Kirk craves otherwise it is in vaine that they have profest the same Notwithstanding as concerning other patronages of benefices that have not curam animarum as they speak such as are chaplenries prebendaries founded upon temporall lands annuels and such like may be reserved unto the ancient Patrones to dispone hereupon when they vaike to schollers and bursers as they are required by act of Parliament As for the Kirk rents in generall we desire that order be admitted and maintained amongst us that may stand with the sincerity of Gods word and practise of the purity of the Kirk of Christ To wit that as was before spoken the whole rent and patrimony of the Kirk excepting the small patronages before mentioned may be divided in foure portions one thereof to be assigned to the Pastor for his entertainment and hospitality an other to the Elders Deacons and other
the end the discretion of some may correct the levity of others Not only must the life maners of Ministers come under censure judgement of the Kirk but also of their wives children and familie judgement must be taken that he neither live riotously neither yet avaritiously yea respect must be had how they spend the stipend appointed to their living If a reasonable stipend be appointed and they live avaritiously they must be admonished to live as they receive for as excesse superfluitie is not tolerable in a Minister so is avarice the carefull sollicitude of money utterly to be damned in Christs servants especially in them that are fed upon the charge of the Kirk We judge it unseemly and untolerable that Ministers shall be buirded in common Ale-houses or in Tavernes neither yet must a Minister be permitted to frequent commonly haunt the Court unlesse it be for a time when he is either sent by the Kirk either yet called for by the authoritie for his counsell judgement in civill affaires neither yet must he be one of the Councell be he judged never so apt for the purpose But either must he cease from the ministery which at his own pleasure he may not doe or else from bearing charge in civill affaires unlesse it be to assist the Parliament if they be called The office of Deacons as before is said is to receive the rents gather the almes of the Kirk to keep and distribute the same as by the Ministers and Kirk shall be appointed they may also assist in judgement with the Minister and Elders and may be admitted to read in assembly if they be required and be able thereto The Elders and Deacons with their wives and houshold should be under the same censure that is prescribed for the Ministers For they must be carefull over their office and seeing they are judges over others manners their own conversation ought to be irreprehensible They must be sober lovers and maintainers of concord and peace and finally they ought to be examples of godlines to others And if the contrary thereof appeare they must be admonished thereof by the Ministers or some of their brethren of the Ministerie if the fault be secret and if the fault be open and known they must be rebuked before the Ministerie and the same order kept against the Senior and Deacon that before is described against the Minister We think it not necessary that any publick stipend shall be appointed either to the Elders or yet to the Deacons because their travell continues but for a yeare and also because that they are not so occupied with the affaires of the Kirk but that reasonably they may attend upon their domesticall businesse The ninth head concerning the policie of the Kirk POlicie wee call an exercise of the Kirk in such things as may bring the rude and ignorant to knowledge or else inflame the learned to greater fervencie or to reteine the Kirk in good order And thereof there bee two sorts the one utterly necessary as that the word be truly preached the sacraments rightly ministred common prayers publickly made that the children rude persōs be instructed in the chief points of religion that offences be corrected punished These things be so necessary that without the same there is no face of a visible Kirk The other is profitable but not meerly necessary That Psalms should be sung that certain places of the Scripture be read when there is no sermon that this day or that few or many in the week the Kirk should assemble Of these and such others we cannot see how a certaine order can be established For in some kirkes the Psalms may conveniently be sung in others perchance they cannot Some kirkes convene every day some twice some thrice in the week some perchance but once In this and such like must every particular kirk by their consent appoint their owne policie In great Townes we thinke expedient that every day there be either Sermon or common prayers with some exercise of reading of Scriptures What day the publick Sermon is we can neither require nor greatly approve that the common prayers be publickly used lest that wee shall either foster the people in superstition who come to the prayers as they come to the Masse or else give them occasion that they think them no prayers but which be made before and after Sermons In every notable town we require that one day beside the Sunday be appointed to the Sermon and prayers which during the time of Sermon must be kept free from all exercise of labour as well of the Master as of the Servant In smaller townes as wee have said the common consent of the kirk must put order but the Sunday must straitly be kept both before after noone in all townes Before noone must the word be preached and Sacraments minstred as also marriage solemnized if occasion offer after noone must the yong children be publickly examined in their Catechisme in the audience of the people whereof the Minister must take great diligence as well to cause the people understand the questions proponed as answers and that doctrine that may be collected thereof The order how much is appointed for every Sunday is already distinguished in the book of our common order which Catechism is the most perfect that ever yet was used in the kirk and after noone may Baptisme be ministred when occasion is offered of great travell before noone It is also to be observed that prayers be after noone upon Sunday where there is neither preaching nor catechisme It appertaines to the policie of the kirk to appoint the times when the Sacraments shall be ministred Baptisme may be ministred whensoever the word is preached But we think it more expedient that it be ministred upon Sunday or upon the day of prayers only after the Sermon Partly to remove this grosse errour by the which many are deceived thinking that children be damned if they die without Baptism and partly to make the people have greater reverence to the administration of the Sacraments then they have for we see the people begin already to wax weary by reason of the frequent repetition of those promises Foure times in the yeare we think sufficient to the administration of the Lords Table which we desire to be distincted that the superstition of times may be avoided so farre as may be For your Honours are not ignorant how superstitiously the people runne to that action at Pasche even as if the time gave vertue to the Sacrament and how the rest of the whole year they are carelesse and negligent as if it appertained not unto them but at that time onely We think therefore most expedient that the first Sunday of March be appointed for one time the first Sunday of June for another the first Sunday of September for the third the first Sunday of December for the fourth We doe not deny but any severall kirk
for reasonable causes may change the time and may minister oftner but we study to represse superstition All Ministers must be admonished to be more carefull to instruct the ignorant then ready to serve their appetite and to use more sharp examination then indulgence in admitting to their great Mysteries such as be ignorant of the use and vertue of the same And therfore we think that the administration of the Table ought never to be without examination passing before specially of them whose knowledge is suspect We think that none are to be admitted to this Mysterie who can not formally say the Lords prayer the Articles of the Beliefe and declare the summe of the Law Further we think it a thing most expedient necessary that every Kirk have the Bible in English and that the people be commanded to convene and heare the plaine reading and interpretation of the Scripture as the Kirk shall appoint By frequent reading this grosse ignorance which in this cursed Papistry hath overflowed all may partly be removed We thinke it most expedient that the Scripture be read in order that is that some one book of the old or new Testament be begun and orderly read to the end And the same we judge of preaching where the Minister for the most part remaines in one place For this skipping and divagation from place to place of Scripture be it in reading or be it in preaching we judge not so profitable to edifie the Kirk as the continuall following of one text Every Master of houshold must be commanded either to instruct or cause to be instructed his children servants and familie in the principalls of the Christian Religion without the knowledge whereof ought none to be admitted to the Table of the Lord Jesus For such as be so dull and so ignorant that they can neither try themselves nor yet know the dignitie and mysterie of that action cannot eat and drink of that Table worthily And therefore of necessity we judge that every yeare at the least publick examination be had by the Ministers Elders of the knowledge of every person within the Kirk to wit that every Master and Mistresse of houshold come themselves and their family so many as be come to maturity before the Minister and the Elders give confession of their faith If they understand not nor cannot rehearse the commandements of Gods law know not how to pray neither wherein their righteousnesse stands or consists they ought not to be admitted to the Lords Table And if they stubbornly contemne suffer their children and servants to continue in wilfull ignorance the discipline of the Kirk must proceed against them to excommunication and then must that matter be referred to the Civill Magistrate For seeing that the just lives by his own faith and Christ Jesus justifies by knowledge of himselfe insufferable we judge it that men be permitted to live and continue in ignorance as members of the Kirk Moreover men women Children would be exhorted to exercise themselves in Psalmes that when the Kirke doth convent and sing they may be the more able together with common hearts and voyces to praise God In private houses we think expedient that the most grave and discreet person use the common prayers at morne and at night for the comfort and instruction of others For seeing that we behold and see the hand of God now presently striking us with divers plagues we thinke it a contempt of his judgements or provocation of his anger more to be kindled against us if we be not moved to repentance of our former unthankfulnesse and to earnest invocation of his name whose only power may and great mercy will if we unfainedly convert unto him remove from us their terrible plagues which now for our iniquities hang over our heads Convert us ô Lord and we shall be converted For Prophecying or Interpreting of the Scriptures TO the end that the Kirk of God may have a tryall of mens knowledge judgements graces and utterances as also such that have somewhat profited in Gods word may from time to time grow in more full perfection to serve the Kirk as necessity shall require it is more expedient that in every towne where Schooles and repaire of learned men are there be in one certaine day every week appointed to that exercise which S. Paul cals prophecying The order whereof is expressed by him in their words Let two or three Prophets speake and let the rest judge But if any thing be revealed to him that sits by let the former keep silence yee may one by one all prophesie that all may learne and all may receive consolation And the spirit that is the judgements of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets By which words of the Apostle it is evident that in the Kirk of Corinth when they did assemble for that purpose some place of Scripture was read upon the which one first gave his judgement to the instruction consolation of the auditors after whom did another either confirm what the former had said or added what he had omitted or did gently correct or explaine more properly where the whole veritie was not revealed to the former And in case things were hid from the one and from the other liberty was given for a third to speake his judgement to the edification of the Kirk Above which number of three as appeares they passed not for avoiding of confusion This exercise is a thing most necessary for the Kirk of God this day in Scotland For thereby as said is shall the Kirk have judgement and knowledge of the graces gifts and utterances of every man within their body The simple and such as have somwhat profited shal be encouraged daily to study to proceed in knowledge the Kirk shall be edified For this exercise must be patert to such as list to heare and learne every man shall have liberty to utter and declare his minde and knowledge to the comfort and consolation of the Kirk But lest of this profitable exercise there arise debate and strife curious peregrine and unprofitable questions are to be avoided All interpretation disagreeing from the principles of our faith repugning to charity or that stands in plaine contradiction with any other manifest place of Scripture is to be rejected The Interpreter in this exercise may not take to himself the liberty of a publick Preacher yea although he be a Minister appointed but he must bind himselfe to his text that hee enter not in digression or in explaining common places he may use no invective in that exercise unlesse it be of sobriety in confuting heresies in exhortations or admonitions he must be short that the time may be spent in opening the minde of the Holy Ghost in that place following the sequele and dependence of the text and observing such notes as may instruct and edifie the auditor for avoiding of contention neither may the Interpreter nor any in the Assemblie move any
their bounds CHAP. VII Of the Elderships Assemblies and Discipline ELderships and Assemblies are commonly constitute of Pastors Doctors and such as we commonly call Elders that labour not in the word and Doctrine of whom and of whose severall power hath been spoken Assemblies are of foure sorts For either are they of particular Kirks and Congregations ane or moe or of a Province or of a whole Nation or of all and divers Nations professing one Jesus Christ All the Ecclesiasticall Assemblies have power to convene lawfully together for treating of things concerning the Kirk and pertaining to their charge They have power to appoint times and places to that effect and at one meeting to appoint the dyet time and place for another In all Assemblies an Moderatour should be chosen by common consent of the whole brethren convened who should propone matters gather the votes and cause good order to be kept in assemblies Diligence should be taken chiefly by the Moderator that onely Ecclesiasticall things be handled in the assemblies and that there be no medling with any thing pertaining to the civill jurisdiction Every Assembly hath power to send forth from them of their own number ane or moe visitours to see how all things be ruled in the bounds of their jurisdiction Visitation of moe Kirks is no ordinary Office Ecclesiastick in the person of one man neither may the name of a Bishop be attribute to the visitor onely neither is it necessary to abide alwayes in one mans person but it is the part of the Eldership to send out qualified persons to visit prore nata The finall end of assemblies is first to keep the Religion and Doctrine in purity without error and corruption Next to keep comlinesse and good order in the Kirk For this orders cause they may make certaine rules and constitutions appertaining to the good behaviours of all the members of the kirk in their vocation They have power also to abrogate and abolish all Statutes and Ordinances concerning Ecclesisticall matters that are found noysome and unprofitable and agree not with the time or are abused by the people They have power to execute Ecclesiasticall Discipline and punishment upon all transgressors and proud contemners of the good order and policy of the Kirk and so the whole Discipline is in their hands The first kinde and sort of assemblies although they be within particular Congregation yet they exerce the power authority and Jurisdiction of the Kirk with mutuall consent and therefore beare sometime the name of the Kirk When we speake of the Elders of the particular Congregations we mean not that every particular Parish-kirk can or may have their own particular Elderships specially in Landward but we thinke three foure moe or fewer particular kirks may have one Eldership common to them all to judge their Ecclesiasticall causes Yet this is meet That some of the Elders be chosen out of every particular Congregation to concur with the rest of their brethren in the common Assembly and to take up the delations of offences within their own kirks and bring them to the Assembly This we gather of the practise of the Primitive kirke where Elders or Colledges of Seniors were constitute in Cities and famous places The power of their particular Elderships is to use diligent labors in the bounds committed to their charge that the kirks be kept in good order to inquire diligently in naughty unruly persons and travell to bring them in the way againe either by admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It pertaines to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God be purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred the Discipline rightly maintained and the Ecclefiasticall goods uncorruptly distributed It belongs to this kind of Assembly to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies provinciall nationall and generall to be kept and put in execution To make constitutions which concerne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the kirk for the decent order of these particular kirks where they govern Providing they alter no rules made by generall or provinciall Assemblies and that they make the provinciall Assemblies fore-seen of these rules that they shall make and abolish them that tend to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate The power of election of them who beare Ecclesiasticall charges pertaines to this kinde of Assembly within their own bounds being well erected and constitute of many Pastors and Elders of sufficient abilitie By the like reason their deposition also pertaines to this kinde of Assembly as of them that teach erronious and corrupt Doctrine that be of slanderous life and after admonition desist not that be given to schisme or rebellion against the kirk manifest blasphemy fimony corruption of bribes falshood perjury whoredome theft drunkennesse fighting worthy of punishment by the Law usury dancing infamy and all others that deserve separation from the kirk These also who are altogether found unsufficient to execute their charge should be deposed whereof other kirks would be advertised that they receive not the persons deposed Yet they ought not to be deposed who through age fickenesse or other accidents become unmeet to do their office in which case their honour should remaine to them their kirk should maintaine them and others ought to be provided to doe their office Provinciall assembles we call lawfull conventions of Pastors Doctors and other Elders of a Province gathered for the common affaires of the kirk thereof which also may be called the conference of the kirk and brethren Their assembles are institute for weighty matters to be intreated by mutuall consent and assistance of the brethren within that Province as need requires This assembly hath power to handle order and redresse all things committed or done amisse in the particular assemblies It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that province for good and just causes deserving deprivation And generally their assemblies have the whole power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected The Nationall assembly which is generall to us is a lawfull convention of the whole kirks of the Realm or Nation where it is used and gathered for the common affaires of the kirk and may be called the generall Eldership of the whol kirks in the Realm None are subject to repaire to this assembly to vote but Ecclefiasticall persons to such a number as shall be thought good by the same Assembly not excluding other persons that will repaire to the said Assembly to propone hear and reason This Assembly is institute that all things either committed or done amisse in the Provinciall Assemblies may be redressed and handled and things generally serving for the weale of the whole body of the kirk within the Realm may be forescen intreated and set forth to Gods glory It should take care that kirks be planted in places where they are not planted It should prescribe the rule how the other two kindes of Assemblies
spirituall keys which our Master gave to the Apostles and their true successors And although Kings and Princes that be Godly sometimes by their owne authority when the Kirk is corrupted and all things out of order place Ministers and restore the true service of the Lord after the example of some godly Kings of Juda and divers godly Empeours and Kings also in the light of the new Testament Yet where the ministerie of the Kirk is once lawfully constitute and they that are placed doe their office faithfully all godly Princes and Magistrates ought to heare and obey their voice and reverence the Majestie of the Son of God speaking in them CHAP. XI Of the present abuses remaining in the Kirk which we desire to bereformed AS it is the duty of the godly Magistrate to maintaine the present libertie which God hath granted by the Preaching of his Word and the true administration of the Sacraments within this Realme So is it to provide that all abuses which yet remaine in the Kirk be removed and utterly taken away Therefore first the admission of men to papisticall titles of benefices such as serve not nor have no function in the Reformed Kirk of Christ as Abbotes Commendators Priors Prioresses and other titles of Abbeys whose places are now for the most part by the just judgement of God demolished and purged of idolatry is plain abuse and is not to receive the Kingdome of Christ amongst us but rather to refuse it Such like that they that of old were called the Chapiters and Convents of Abbeys Cathedrall kirks and like places serve for nothing now but to set fewes and tacks if any thing be left of the kirk lands and teinds in hurt and prejudice thereof as daily experience teacheth and therefore ought to be utterly abrogate and abolished Of the like nature are the Deanes Archdeacons Chantours Subchantours Thesaurers Chancellors and others having the like titles flowing from the Pope and Canon law onely who have no place in the reformed kirk The kirks also which are united together and joyned by annexation to their benefices ought to be separated and divided and given to qualified Ministers as Gods Word craves Neither ought such abusers of the kirks Patrimony to have vote in Parliament nor sit in Councell under the name of the kirk and kirkmen to the hurt and prejudice of the libertie thereof and laws of the Realme made in favour of the Reformed kirk Much lesse is it lawfull that any person amongst these men should have five sixteen twenty or moe kirks all craving the charge of souls and bruike the patrimony thereof either by admission of the Prince or of the kirk in this light of the Evangell For it is but a mockage to crave reformation where such like have place And in so farre as in the order taken at Leith in the yeere of our Lord 1571 it appeares that such may be admitted being found qualified either that pretended order is against all good order or else it must be understood not of them that be qualified in worldly affaires or to serve in Court but such as are qualified to teach Gods Word having their lawfull admission of the kirk As to Bishops if the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be properly taken they are all one with the Ministers as before was declared For it is not a name of superiority and lordship but of office and watching Yet because in the corruption of the kirk this name as others have been abused and yet is likely to be we cannot allow the fashion of these new chosen Bishops neither of the Chapiters that are Electors of them to such offices as they are chosen unto True Bishops should addict themselves to a particular flock which sundry of them refuse neither should they usurpe Lordship over their brethren and over the inheritance of Christ as these men doe Pastors in so farre as they are Pastors have not the office of Visitation of moe kirks joyned to the pastorship without it be given to them It is a corruption that Bishops should have further bounds to vifit nor they may lawfully No man ought to have the office of Vifitation but he that is lawfully chosen thereunto The Elderships being well established have power to send out visitours one or moe with commission to vifit the bounds within their Eldership and likewise after count taken of them either continue them or remove them from time to time to the which Elderships they shall be alwayes subject Criminall jurisdiction in the person of a pastor is a corruption It agreeth not with the word of God that Bishops should be Pastors of Pastors Pastors of many flocks and yet without a certaine flock and without ordinary teaching It agreeth not with the Scriptures that they should be exemed from the correction of their brethren and Discipline of the particular Eldership of the Kirk where they shall serve neither that they usurpe the Office of Visitation of other Kirks nor any other function beside other Ministers but so farre as shall be committed to them by the kirk Wherefore we desire the Bishops that now are either to agree to that order that Gods word requires in them as the generall kirk will prescribe unto them not passing their bounds either in Ecclefiasticall or Civill affaires or else to be deposed from all function in the kirk We deny not in the meane time but Ministers may and should affist their Princes when they are required in all things agreeable to the Word whether it be in Councell or Parliament or otherwayes Providing alwayes they neither neglect their own charges nor through flattery of Princes hurt the publick estate of the Kirk But generally we say no person under whatsoever title of the Kirk and specially the abused titles in Papistry of Prelates Convents and Chapters ought to attempt any act in the Kirks name either in Councell or Parliament or out of Councell having no Commission of the Reformed Kirk within this Realme And by Act of Parliament it is provided that the Papisticall Kirk and Jurisdiction should have no place within the same and no Bishop nor other Prelate in times comming should use any jurisdiction flowing from his authority And againe that no other Ecclefiasticall Jurisdiction should be acknowledged within this Realme but that which is and shall be in the Reformed Kirk and flowing therfrom So we esteem holding of Chapiters in Papisticall manner either in Cathedrall kirks Abbeyes Colledges or other conventuall places usurping the name and authority of the kirk to hurt the patrimony thereof or use any other Act to the prejudice of the same fince the yeare of our Lord 1560 yeares to be abuse and corruption contrary to the liberty of the true kirk and lawes of the Realme and therefore ought to be annulled reduced and in times comming utterly discharged The dependances also of the Papisticall jurisdiction are to be abolished of the which sort is mingled jurisdiction of the Commissars in so
officers of the Kirk such as clerks of Assemblies takers up of the Psalmes Beadels and keepers of the Kirk so far as is necessary Joyning with them also the Doctors and Schooles to help the ancient foundations where need requires the third portion to be bestowed upon the poore members of the faithfull and hospitalls the fourth for reparation of the Kirks and other extraordinary charges as are profitable for the Kirk and also for the common-wealth if need require We desire therefore the Ecclesiasticall goods to be uplifted and distributed faithfully to whom they appertaine and that by the ministerie of the Deacons to whose office properly the collection and distribution thereof belongs that the poore may be answeted of their portion thereof and they of the Ministery live without care and solicitude as also the rest of the treasury of the Kirk may be reserved and bestowed to their right uses If these Deacons be elected with such qualities as Gods word craves to be in them there is no feare that they shall abuse themselves in their office as the profane Collector did of before Yet because this vocation appeares to many to be dangerous let them be oblished as they were of old to a yearely count to the Pastors and Eldership and if the Kirk and Prince think expedient let cautioners be oblished for their fidelity that the Kirk rents on na wayes be dilapidat And to the effect this order may take place it is to be provided that all other intrometters with the Kirk rent Collectors generall or speciall whether it be by appointment of the Prince or otherwaies may be denuded of further intromission therewith and suffer the Kirk rents in time comming to be wholly intrometted with by the ministrie of the Deacons and distribute to the use before mentioned And also to the effect that the Ecclesiasticall rents may suffice to these uses for the which they are to be appointed Wee thinke it necessary to be desired that all alienations setting of fewes or tacks of the rents of the Kirk as well lands as tiends in hurt and diminution of the old rentalls be reduced and annulled and the patrimony of the of Kirk restored to the former old liberty And likewise that in times comming the tiends be set to nane but to the labourers of the ground or else not set at all as was agreed upon and subscribed by the Nobility of before CHAP. 13. The utilitie that shall flow from this reformation to all Estates SEeing the end of this spirituall government and policie whereof we speak is that God may be glorified the kingdome of Jesus Christ advanced and all who are of his mysticall body may live peaceable in conscience Therfore we dare boldly affirme that all these who have true respect to these ends will even for conscience cause gladly agree and conforme themselves to this order and advance the same so farre as lyeth in them that their conscience being set at rest they may be replenished with spiritual gladnesse in giving full obedience to that which Gods word and the testimony of their owne conscience doth crave and refusing all corruption contrary to the same Next wee shall become an example and paterne of good and godly order to other nations countries and Kirks professing the same Religion with us that as they have glorified God in our continuing in the sincerity of the word hither to without any errours praise be to his name so they may have the like occasion in our conversation when as we conforme our selves to that discipline policie and good order which the same word and purity of reformation craveth at our hands Otherwise that fearfull sentence may be justly said to us The servant knowing the will of his Master and not doing it c. Moreover if we have any piety or respect to the poore members of Jesus Christ who so greatly increase and multiply amongst us we will not suffer them to be longer defrauded of that part of the patrimony of the Kirk which justly belongs unto them and by this order if it be duly put to execution the burden of them shall bee taken off us to our great comfort the streets shall be cleansed of the cryings and murmurings of them as we shall no more be any scandall to other Nations as we have hitherto been for not taking order with the poore amongst us and causing the word which we professe to be evill spoken of giving occasion of slander to the enemies and offending the consciences of the simple and godly Besides this it shall be a great ease and commodity to the whole common people in relieving them of the building and upholding their Kirks in bigging of brigges and other like publick workes to the labourers of the ground in payment of their tiends and shortly in all these things whereinto they have been hitherto rigorously handled by them that were falsly called Kirk-men their tacks-men factours chalmerlanes and extortioners Finally to the Kings Majestie and common-wealth of the countrey this profit shall redound That the other affaires of the Kirk being sufficiently provided according to the distribution of the which hath been spoken the superplus being collected in the treasurie of the Kirk may be profitably imployed and liberally bestowed upon the extraordinary support of the affaires of the Prince and Common-wealth and specially of that part which is appointed for reparation of Kirks So to conclude all being willing to apply themselves to this order the people suffering themselves to be ruled according thereto the Princes and Magistrates not being exemed and these that are placed in the Ecclesiasticall estate rightly ruling and governing God shall be glorified the Kirk edified and the bounds thereof inlarged Christ Jesus and his Kingdome set up Satan and his Kingdome subverted and God shall dwell in the midst of us to our comfort through Jesus Christ who together with the Father and the Holy Ghost abides blessed in all eternity Amen FINIS
in the election of the said Bishops in the meane time under the paine of perpetuall deprivation from their offices The Act above written extended to all times to come Sterling Iulti 11. 1578. and all Bishops already elected required to submit themselves to the generall Assembly concerning the reformation of the corruption of that estate which submission the Bishop of Dunblane willingly offered to the Assembly Sess 4. For as much as the office of a Bishop as it is now used Dundie Iulii 12. 1580. Bishops as they are judged unlawfull discharged and commonly taken within this Realme hath no sure warrant authority nor good ground out of the Scriptures but is brought in by the folly and corruption of mens inventions to the great overthrow of the Kirk of God The whole Assembly of the Kirk in one voice after liberty given to all men to reason in the matter none opponing himselfe in defending the said pretended Office Findes and declares the same pretended Office used and termed as is abovesaid unlawfull in the selfe as having neither fundament ground nor warrant within the word of God and ordaines That all such persons as bruike or shall bruike hereafter the said Office shall be charged simply to dimit quite and leave off the same as an Office where into they are not called of God And such like to desist and cease from all preaching ministration of the Sacraments or using any way the Office of Pastors while they receive de novo admission from the generall Assembly under the paine of Excommunication to be used against them Wherein if they be found disobedient or contradict this act in any point the sentence of Excommunication after due admonitions to bee executed against them Synodall Assem blies appointed And for better execution of the said Act It is statute that a Synodall Assembly shall be holden in every Province where any usurping Bishops are and begin the 18. of August next to come whereto they shall be called and summoned by the Visitors of the said Countries to compeire before their Synodall Assemblies and namely the Bishop of Saint Andrewes to compeir in Saint Andrewes The Bishop of Aberdene in Aberdene The Bishop of Glascow in Glascow The Bishop of Murray in Elgyne to give obedience to the said Act which if they refuse to doe That the said Synodall Assemblies shall appoint certaine brethren of their Ministery to give them publick Admonitions out of the Pulpit and warnethem in case they disobey To compeir before the next generall Assembly to be holden at Edinburgh the 20. of October next to come to heare the sentence of Excommunication pronounced against them for their disobedience And to this Act the Bishop of Dunblane agreed submitting himselfe to bee ruled thereby The twelfth Parliament holden at Edinburgh the fifth of Iune the yeare of God 1592. yeares by the right excellent right high and mighty Prince IAMES the sixt by the Grace of God King of Scottes with advice of his Three Estates Ratification of the liberty of the true Kirk Of gener all and Synodall Assemblies Of Presbyteries Of Discipline All lawes of Idolatry are abrogate Of Presentation to Benefices OUR Soveraigne Lord and Estates of this present Parliament following the laudable and good example of their Predecessors hath ratified and approved and by the Tenour of this present Act ratifies and approves all liberties priviledges immunities and freedomes whatsoever given and granted by his Highnesse his Regents in his name or any of his Predecessours to the true and holy Kirk presently established within this Realme and declared in the first Act of his Highnesse Parliament the twenty day of October the yeare of God 1579. yeares And all and whatsoever Acts of Parliament and Statutes made of before by his Highnesse and his Regents anent the liberty and freedome of the said Kirk and specially the first Act of Parliament holden at Edinburgh the twenty foure day of October the yeare of God 1581. yeares with the whole particular Acts there mentioned Which shall be as sufficient as if the same were here expressed and all other Acts of Parliament made since in favour of the true Kirk and such like ratifies and approves the generall Assemblies appointed by the said Kirk and declares that it shall bee lawfull to the Kirk and Ministers every yeare at the least and oftner pro re nata as occasion and necessity shall require to hold and keepe generall Assemblies Providing that the Kings Majesty or his Commissioners with them to bee appointed by his Highnesse bee present at ilk Generall Assembly before the dissolving thereof nominate and appoint time and place when and where the next generall Assembly shall bee holden and in case neither his Majesty nor his said Commissioners be present for the time in that Towne where the said generall Assembly is holden Then and in that case it shall bee leasum to the said generall Assembly by themselves to nominate and appoint time and place where the next generall Assembly of the Kirk shall bee kept and holden as they have beene in use to doe in times by past And also ratifies and approves the Provinciall and Synodall Assemblies to bee holden by the said Kirk and Ministers twice ilk yeare as they have beene and presently are in use to doe within every Province of this Realme And ratifies and approves the Presbyteries and particular Sessions appointed by the said Kirk with the whole Discipline and Jurisdiction of the same Kirk agreed upon by his Majcsty in conference had by his Highnesse with certaine of the Ministers conveened to that effect Of the which Articles the Tenour followes Matters to bee intreated in Provinciall Assemblies Their Assemblies are constitute for weighty matters necessary to be intreated by mutuall consent and assistance of brothren within the Province as need requires This Assembly hath power to handle order and redresse all things omitted or done amisse in the particular Assemblies It hath power to depose the office bearers of that Province for good and just causes deserving deprivation And generally their Assemblies have the whole power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected Matters to be intreated in the Presbyteries The power of the Presbyteries is to use diligent labours in the bounds committed to their charge that the Kirkes be kept in good order To enquire diligently of naughty and ungodly persons and to travell to bring them in the way again by Admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It appertaines to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God bee purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred the Discipline entertained and Ecclesiasticall goods uncorruptly distributed It belongs to this kind of Assemblies to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies Provinciall Nationall generall to be kept and put in execution to make Constitutions which concerne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Kirk for decent order in the particular Kirk where
they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or generall Assemblies And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foresaid privie to the rules that they shall make and to abolish Constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate for mall processe being led and due intervall of times observed Anent particular Kirkes if they bee lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministers and Session they have power and Jurisdiction in their owne Congregation in matters Ecclesiasticall And decrees and declares the Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Jurisdiction and Discipline foresaid to bee in all times comming most just good and godly in the selfe Notwithstanding of whatsoever Statutes Acts Canons Civill or Municipall lawes made to the contrary To the which and every one of them their presents shall make expresse derogation And because there are divers Acts of Parliament made in favour of the Papisticall Kirk tending to the prejudice of the liberty of the true Kirk of God presently professed within this Realme Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof which stand yet in the bookes of the Acts of Parliament not abrogated nor annulled Therefore his Highnesse and Estates foresaid hath abrogated cassed and annulled and by the Tenour hereof abrogates casses and annulles all Acts of Parliament made by any of his Highnesse Predecessours for maintenance of superstition and idolatry withall and whatsoever Acts Lawes and Statutes made at any time before the day and date hereof against the liberty of the true Kirk Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof as the same is used and exercised within this Realme And in speciall that part of the Act of Parliament holden at Sterling the fourth day of November the yeare of God 1443. yeares commanding obedience to be given to Eugenius the Pope for the time The Act made by King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24. of February the yeare of God 1480. yeares And all other Acts whereby the Popes authority is established The Act of King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20. of November the yeare of God 1469. yeares anent the Saturday and other vigils to be holy dayes from Evensong to Evensong Item that part of the Act made by the Queene Regent in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the first day of February the yeare of God 1551. yeares giving speciall licence for holding of Pasche and Zuill Item the Kings Majesty and Estates foresaid declares that the 129. Act of the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of May the yeare of God 1584. yeares shall no wayes be prejudiciall nor derogate any thing from the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Kirk concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrant of the word of God Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament fore-said abrogates casses and annihilates the Acts of the same Parliament holden at Edinburgh the said yeare 1584. yeares granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Highnesse presentation to Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order to all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates afore-said declares to bee expired in the selfe and to bee null in time comming of none availe force or effect And therefore ordaines all Presentations to Benefices to be direct to the particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters and causes Ecclesiasticall within their bounds according to the Discipline of the Kirk providing the fore-said Presbyteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laicke Patrons THE FIRST BOOKE OF DISCIPLINE To the great Councell of Scotland now admitted to the Regiment by the providence of God and by the Common consent of the Estates thereof Your Honours humble Servitours and Ministers of Christ Jesus within the same wish grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with the perpetuall increase of the holy Spirit FRom your Honours weereceived a charge dased at Edinburgh the 29. of April in the yeare of our Lord 1560. requiring and commanding us in the name of the eternall God as wee will answer in his presence to commit to writing and in abooke deliver to your wisedomes our judgements touching the reformation of Religion which heretofore in this Realme as in others hath beene utterly corrupted upon the receit whereof so many of us as were in this Towne did conveene and in unity of minde doe offer unto your wisedomes these subsequents for common order and uniformity to bee observed in this Realme concerning doctrine administration of Sacraments election of Ministers provision for their sustentation Ecclesiasticall discipline and policy of the Church Most humbly requiring your Honours that as you looke for participation with Christ Jesus that neither ye admit any thing which Gods plaine word shall not approve neither yet that ye shall reject such ordinances as equity justice and Gods word doe specifie For as wee will not bind your wisedomes to our judgements further then wee are able to prove by Gods plaine Scriptures so must we most humbly crave of you even as ye will answer in Gods presence before whom both ye and wee must appeare to render accounts of all our facts that ye repudiate nothing for pleasure and affection of men which ye bee not able to improve by Gods written and revealed word The first head of Doctrine SEing that Christ Jesus is he whom God the Father hath commanded onely to bee heard and followed of his sheepe wee judge it necessary that his Gospell bee truely and openly preached in every Church and Assembly of this Realme and that all doctrine repugnant to the same be utterly repressed as damnable to mans salvation The explication of the first head LEst that upon this generality ungodly men take occasion to cavill this wee adde for explication By preaching of the Gospell wee understand not onely the Scriptures of the new Testament but also of the old to wit the Law Prophets and Histories in which Christ Jesus is no lesse contained in figure then wee have him now expressed in verity And therefore with the Apostle we affirme that all Scripture inspired of God is profitable to in struct to reprove and to exhort In which bookes of old and new Testaments we affirme that all thing necessary for the instruction of the Church and to make the man of God perfect is contained and sufficiently expressed By the contrary doctrine wee understand whatsoever men by lawes counsells or constitutions have imposed upon the conseiences of men without the expressed commandement of Gods word such as bee the vowes of chastity for swearing of marriage binding of men and women to severall and disguised apparells to the superstitious
it were of benevolence may not bee appointed and elected to serve in other places but once being solemnely elected and admitted wee cannot approve that they should change at their owne pleasure Wee are not ignorant that the rarity of godly and learned men shall seeme to some a just reason why that so strait and sharpe examination should not bee taken universally for so it shall appeare that the most part of the Kirks shall have no Minister at all But let these men understand that the lack of able men shall not excuse us before God if by our consent unable men bee placed over the flock of Christ Jesus As also that amongst the Gentiles godly and learned men were also rare as they bee now amongst us when the Apostle gave the same rule to trie and examine Ministers which wee now follow And last let them understand that it is alike to have no Minister at all and to have an Idoll in the place of a true Minister Yea and in some case it is worse for those that bee utterly destitute of Ministers will be diligent to search for them but those that have a vain shadow doe commonly without further care content themselves with the same and so remaine they continually deceived thinking that they have a Minister when in very deed they have none For wee cannot judge him a dispensator of Gods mysteries that in no wise can breake the bread of life to the fainting and hungry soules Neither judge wee that the Sacraments can bee rightly ministred by him in whose mouth God hath put no Sermon of exhortation The chiefest remedy left to your Honours and to us in all this raritie of true Ministers is fervent prayer unto God that it will please his mercy to thrust out faithfull workmen in this his harvest And next that your Ho. with consent of the Church are bound by your authority to compell such men as have gifts and graces able to edifie the Church of God that they bestow them where greatest necessity shall bee knowne For no man may bee permitted to live idle or as themselves list but must bee appointed to travell where your wisedomes and the Church shall thinke expedient We cannot prescribe unto your Honours certaine rules how that ye shall distribute the Ministers and learned men whom God hath already sent unto you But hereof wee are assured that it greatly hindereth the progresse of Christs Gospell within this poore Realme that some altogether abstract their labours from the Church and others remaine altogether in one place the most part of them being idle And therefore of your Honors we require in Gods name that by your authority which ye have of God ye compell all men to whom God hath given any Talent to perswade by wholesome doctrine to bestow the same if they bee called by the Church to the advancement of Christs glorie and the comfort of his troubled flock And that ye with the consent of the Church assigne unto your chiefest workmen not onely Townes to remaine in but also Provinces that by their faithfull labours Churches may bee erected and order established where none is now And if on this manner ye shall use your power and authority chiefly seeking Gods glorie and the comfort of your brethren wee doubt not but God shall blesse you and your enterprises For Readers TO the Churches where no Ministers can bee had presently must bee appointed the most apt men that distinctly can read the common prayers and the Scriptures to exercise both themselves and the Church till they grow to greater perfection and in processe of time be that is but a Reader may attaine to a farther degree and by consent of the Church and discreet Ministers may bee permitted to minister the Sacraments but not before that hee bee able some what to perswade by wholesome doctrine beside his reading and bee admitted to the Ministery as before is said Some wee know that of long time have professed Christ Jesus whose honest conversation deserveth praise of all godly men and whose knowledge also might greatly helpe the simple and yet they onely content themselves with reading these must bee animated and by gentle admonition encouraged by some exhortation to comfort their brethren and so they may bee admitted to administration of the Sacraments but such Readers as neither have had exercise not continuance in Christs true religion must abstaine from ministration of the Sacraments till they give declaration and witnessing of their honesty and further knowledge that none bee admitted to preach but they that are qualified therefore but rather bee retained Readers and such as are Preachers already not found qualified therefore by the Super-intendent bee placed to bee Readers The fifth head concerning the provision for the Misters and for the distribution of the rents and possessions justly appertaining to the Church SEing that of our Master Christ Jesus and his Apostle Paul wee have that the workman is worthy of his reward and that the mouth of the labouring exe ought not to bee musseled of necessitie it is that honest provision bee made for the Ministers which wee require to bee such that they have neither occasion of solicitude neither yet of insolencie and wantonnesse And this provision must bee made not onely for their owne sustentation during their lives but also for their Wives and Children after them For wee judge it a thing most contrarious to reason godliness and equity that the Widow and the Children of him who in his life did faithfully serve in the Kirk of God and for that cause did not carefully make provision for his family should after his death bee left comfortlesse of all provision which provision for the Wives of the Ministers after their decease is to bee remitted to the discretion of the Kirk Difficile it is to appoint a severall stipend to every Minister by reason that the charge and necessity of all will not bee alike For some will bee continuers in one place some will bee compelled to travell and oft to change their dwelling place if they shall have charge of divers Kirkes among these some will bee burdened with Wife and Children and one with more then others and some perhaps will bee single men If equall stipends should bee appointed to these that in charge should bee so unequall either should the one suffer penurie or else should the other have superfluity and too much Wee judge therefore that every Minister have sufficient whereupon to keepe an house and bee sustained honestly in all things necessary as well for keeping of his house and cloathes flesh fish bookes fewell and other things necessary of the rents and treasurie of the Kirk at the discretion of the Congregation conforme to the quality of the person and necessity of the time Wherein it is thought good that every Minister shall have at least fourty bolls meale twenty six bolls malt to finde his house bread and drinke and more so much as the diseretion of
in learning and vertue The rich and potent may not be permitted to suffer their Children to spend their youth in vaine idlenesse as heretofore they have done But they must be exhorted and by the censure of the Kirk compelled to dedicate their Sonnes by good exercises to the profite of the Kirk and Common-wealth and that they must doe of their owne expences because they are able The Children of the poore must be supported and sustained of the charge of the Kirk triall being taken whether the Spirit of docility be in them found or not If they be found apt to learning and letters then may they not we meane neither the Sonnes of the rich nor yet of the poore be permitted to reject learning but must be charged to continue their study so that the Common-wealth may have some comfort by them And for this purpose must discreet grave and learned men be appointed to visit Schooles for the tryall of their exercise profite and continuance To wit the Minister and Elders and the rest of learned men in every Towne shall in every quarter make examination how the youth have profited And certaine times must be appointed to reading and learning of the Catechisme and certaine to the Gramma and to the Latine tongues and a certaine to the Arts of Philosophy and the tongues and certaine to that study in the which they intend chiefly to travell for the profite of the Common-wealth Which time being expired we meane in every course the Children should either proceed to the farther knowledge or else they must be set to some handy-craft or to some other profitable exercise providing alwayes that first they have further knowledge of Christian Religion To wit the knowledge of Gods Law and Commandements the use and office of the same the chiefe Articles of the beleese the right forme to pray unto God the number use and effect of the Sacraments the true knowledge of Christ Jesus of his Office and Natures and such others without the knowledge whereof neither any man deserves to be called a Christian neither ought any to be admitted to the participation of the Lords Table and therefore their principles ought and must be learned in the youth-head The Times appointed to every course TWo yeares we thinke more then sufficient to learne to read perfectly to answere to the Catechisme and to have some entres in the first Rudiments of Grammar to the full accomplishment whereof we meane of the Grammar we thinke other three yeares or foure at most sufficient to the Arts to wit Logick and Rhetorick and to the Greeke tongue foure yeares and the rest till the age of 24 yeares to be spent in that study wherein the Learner would profit the Church or Common-wealth be it in the Lawes Physick or Divinity which time of 24. yeares being spent in the Schools the Learner must be removed to serve the Church or Common-wealth unlesse he be found a necessary Reader in this same Colledge or Vniversity If God shall move your hearts to establish and execute this order and put these things in practise your whole Realme we doubt not within few yeares will serve it selfe of true Preachers and of other Officers necessary for the Common-wealth Of the Erection of Universities THe Grammar Schoole being erected and of the tongues as we have said next we thinke it necessary there be 3. Vniversities in this whole Realme established in 3. Townes accustomed The first in S. Andrewes the second in Glasgow and the third in Aberdein And in the first Vniversity and principall viz. S. Andrewes that there be 3. Colledges and in the first Colledge which is the entry of the Vniversity therebe foure classes or seages the first to the new Supposts shall be onely Dialecticae next onely Mathematicae the third of Physick onely the fourth of Medicine And in the second Colledge two classes or seages the first of Morall Philosophy the second of the Lawes And in the third Colledge two classes or seages the first of the tongues to wit Greeke and Hebrew the second of Divinity Of Readers and of the degrees and time of study ITem in the first Colledge and first Classe shall be a Reader of Dialectica who shall accomplish his course thereof in a year In Mathematica which is the second Classe shall be a Reader which shall compleat his course of Arithmetica Geometry Cosmography and Astrology in one yeere In the third classe shall bee a Reader of naturall Philosophy who shall compleat his course in one yeere And who after thir three yeares by triall and examination shall be found sufficiently instructed in the foresaid sciences shall be Laureat and Graduat in Philosophy In the fourth classe shall be a Reader of Medicine who shall compleat his course in 5. yeares after the study of the which time being by examination found sufficient they shall be graduat in Medicine Item in the second Colledge in the first classe one Reader onely in the Ethicks Oeconomicks and Politicks who shall compleat his course in the space of one yeare In the second classe shall be two Readers in the Muncipall and Roman Lawes who shall compleat his course in 4. yeares after which time being by examination found sufficient they shall bee graduate in the Lawes Item in the third colledge in the first classe one reader of the Hebrew and another of the Greeke tongue who shall compleat the Grammar thereof in 3. moneths and the remanent of the yeare the Reader of the Hebrew shall interpret one booke of Moses the Prophets or the Psalmes so that this course and classe shall continue one yeare The Reader of the Greek shall interpret some book of Plato together with some place of the new Testament In the second classe shall be two Readers in Diuinity the one in the new Testament the other in the old who shall compleat their course in five yeares after which time who shall be found by examination sufficient they shall be graduate in divinity Item wee thinke expedient that none be admitted to the first Colledge and to he Supposts of the University unlesse he have from the Master of the Schoole and Minister of the Town where he was instructed in the tongues and testimony of his learning docility age and parentage and likewise triall be taken by certaine Examinators depute by the Rector and Principals of the same And if he be found sufficiently instructed in the Dialectica he shall incontinent the same year be promoted to the classe of Mathematica Item that none be admitted to the classe of Medicine but he that shall have his testimoniall of his time well spent in Dialectica Mathemasica and Physick and of his docility in the last Item that none be admitted unto the classe of the Lawes but he that shall have sufficient testimonials of his time well spent in Dialectica Mathematica Physica Ethicks Oeconomicks and Politicks and of his docility in the last Item that none be admitted unto the classe
substantious Gentlemans sonne 1 mark Item every substantious husband and Burges son at each time 10. shil Item every one of the rest not excepting the bursars 5. shil at each time And that this be gathered in a common box put in keeping to the principall of the Theologians every principall having a key thereof to be counted each year once with the rest of principalls to be laid in the same about the 15. day of Nov. in presence of the Superintendent Rector and whole Principals and with their whole consent or at least the most part of them referred imploied only upon the building and upholding of the places repairing of the same ever as necessitie shall require And therefore the Rector with his assistants shall be holden to visit the places each year once incontinent after he be promoted upon the last of October or thereby Of the priviledges of the Vniversitie SEeing wee desire that Innocencie should defend us rather then priviledge we think that each person of the Universitie should answer before the Provost and Bailiffes of each Town where the Universities are of all crimes whereof they are accused only that the Rector be assessor to them in the said actions In civill matters if the question be betwixt members of the Universitie on each side making their residence and exercise therein for the time in that case the partie called shall not be holden to answer but onely before the Rector and his assessors heretofore exprimed In all other cases of civill pursuit the generall rule of the law to be observed actor sequatur forum rei c. Item that the Rector and all inferiour members of the Universitie be exempted from all taxations imposts charges of warre or any other charge that may onerate or abstract him or them from the care of his office such as Tutorie Curatorie or any such like that are established or hereafter shall be established in our Common-weal to the effect that without trouble they may wait on the upbringing of the youth in learning and bestow their time onely in that most necessarie exercise All other things touching the bookes to be read in ilk classe and all such like particular affaires we referre to the discretion of the Masters Principals and Regents with their well advised counsell not doubting but if God shall grant quietnesse and give your Wisedomes grace to set forward letters in the sort prescribed ye shall leave wisedome and learning to your posteritie a treasure more to be esteemed then any earthly treasure ye are able to amasse for them which without wise some are more able to be their ruin and confusion then help and comfort And as this is most true so we leave it with the rest of the commodities to be weighed by your honours wisedome and set forwards by your authoritie to the most high advancement of this Common-wealth committed to your charge The sixth head of the Rents and Patrimonie of the Church THir two sorts of men that is to say Ministers and the poore together with the Schooles when order shall be taken thereanent must bee susteined upon the charges of the Kirk and therefore provision must bee made how and by whom such summes must be lifted But before we enter in this head we must crave of your Honours in the name of the eternall God and of his Son Christ Jesus that ye have respect to your poore brethren the Labourers and Manurers of the ground who by their cruell beasts the Papists have before been opprest that their life to them hath been dolorous and bitter If yee will have God authour and approver of this reformation ye must not follow their foot-steps but yee must have compassion of your brethren appointing them to pay reasonable teinds that they may finde some benefit of Christ Jesus now preached unto them With the griefe of our hearts we heare that some Gentlemen are now as cruell over their Tenants as ever were the Papists requiring of them whatsoever they afore payed to the Kirk so that the Papisticall tyrannie shall only be changed into the tyrannie of the Lord Laird We dare not flatter your Honours neither yet is it profitable for you that we so doe If we permit crueltie to be used neither shall ye who by your authoritie ought to gainstand such oppression nor yet they that use the same escape Gods heavie and fearefull judgements The Gentlemen Barons Earles Lords and others must be content to live upon their just rents and suffer the Kirk to be restored to her libertie that in her restitution the poore who heretofore by the cruell Papists have been spoiled and oppressed may now receive some comfort and relaxation that their teinds and other exactions be cleane discharged and no more taken in times comming The uppermost claith corps-present clerk-maile the Pasche offering teind-aile and all handlings upaland can neither bee required nor received of good conscience Neither do we judge it to proceed of justice that any man should possesse the teinds of another but we think it a most reasonable thing that every man have the use of his owne teinds provided that he answer to the Deacons and Treasurers of the Kirk of that which justice shall be appointed to him We require the Deacons and Treasures rather to receive the rents then the Ministers themselves because that of the tiends must not onely the Minister be susteined but also the poore and schooles And therefore we think it expedient that common Treasurers to wit the Deacons be appointed from yeare to yeare to receive the whole rents appertaining to the Kirk and that commandement be given that none be permitted either to receive or yet to intromet with any thing apperteining to the sustination of the persons foresaid but such as by common consent of the Kirk are thereto appointed If any think this prejudiciall to the tackes and assedations of them that now possesse the tiends Let them understand that their unjust possession is no possession before God for they of whom they received their title and presupposed right or warrant were theeves and murtherers and had no power so to alienate the patrimonie and common good of the Kirk And yet we are not so extreme but that we wish just recompence to be made to such as have debursed summes of money to the unjust professors so that it hath not been done of late dayes in prejudice of the Kirk But such as are found and known to be done of plaine collusion in no wayes ought to be maintained by you And for that purpose we thinke it most expedient that whosoever have assedation of tiends and Kirks be openly warned to produce their assedation and assurance that cognition being taken the just takesmen may have the just and reasonable recompence for the yeares that are to runne the profit of the yeares past being considered and deduced and the unjust and surmised may be served accordingly so that the Kirk in the end may receive her
Iesus then that the zeale of Christ Iesus his glory provoke and move you to set his oppressed Kirk at freedome and libertie wee feare your sharpe and suddaine punishments and that the glory and honor of this enterprise be reserved unto others And yet shall this our judgement abide to the generations following for a monument and witnesse how lovingly God called you and this nation to Repentance what counsellours God sent unto you and how you have used the same If obediently ye heare God now calling we doubt not but he shall heare you in your greatest necessitie But if following your owne corrupt judgements ye contemne his voice and vocation we are assured that your former iniquitie and present ingratitude shall together crave great punishment from God who cannot long delay to execute his most just judgements when after many offences and long blindnesse grace and mercy offered is contemptuously refused God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate your hearts that ye may cleerly see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence and so bow the same to his obedience that ye may preferre his revealed will to your owne affections And so strengthen you by the Spirit of Fortitude that boldly yee may punish vice and maintaine vertue within this Realme to the praise and glory of his holy Name to the comfort and assurance of your own consciences and to the consolation and the good example of the posterity following Amen By your Honours most humble servitors From Edinburgh the 20. of May. 1560. Act of Secret Counsell 17 Januarii anno 1560. WEE which have subscribed thir presents having advised with the Articles herein specified as is above mentioned from the beginning of this book thinkes the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the notes and additions hereto eiked and promises to set the same forward to the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and benificed men which else have adjoyned them to us bruik the revenues of their benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministry and Ministers as herein is specified for the Preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments sic subscribitur James Hamiltoun Archbald Argyle James Stewart Rothes Boid William Lord Hay Alexander Cambell M. Alexander Gordoun Glencarne Vchiltrie Sanquhare S. Jhones William of Culrosse Drumlangrig Bargannie yonger Lochinvar Cunninghamhead James Haliburtoun Ihone Lochart of Bar. Jone Schaw of Halie Scot of Haning James Maxwell George Fentoun of that ilk Andro Ker of Fadounside Andro Hamiltoun of Lethane Deane of Murray The second Booke of Discipline Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk CHAP. I. Of the Kirk and policie thereof in generall and wherein it is different from the civill policie THE Kirk of God sometimes is largely taken for all them that professe the Evangell of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not onely of the godly but also of hypocrites professing alwayes outwardly the true Religion Other times it is taken for the Godly and Elect only and sometimes for them that exercise spirituall function in the congregation of them that professe the truth The Kirk in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it uses a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Kirk This power Ecclesiasticall is an authoritie granted by God the Father through the Mediator Iesus Christ unto his Kirke gathered and having the ground in the Word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the Kirk by lawfull calling is committed The Policie of the Kirk flowing from this power is an order or forme of spirituall government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the Word of God and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutuall consent of them that bear the office and charge after the form of judgement The former is onely called potestas ordinis and the other potestas jurisdictionis These two kinds of power have both one authority one ground one finall cause but are different in the manner and forme of execution as is evident by the speaking of our Master in the 16 and 18 of Matthew This power and policy Ecclesiasticall is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called Civill power and appertaineth to the Civill government of the Common wealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used viz. to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects For this power Ecclesiasticall floweth immediately from God and the mediator Jesus Christ and is spirituall not having a temporall head in the earth but only Christ the only spirituall King and governour of his Kirk It is a title falsly usurped by Antichrist to call himself head of the Kirk and ought not to be attributed to Angel nor man of what estate that ever he be saving to Christ the onely head and Monarch in the Kirk Therefore this power and policy of the Kirk should leane upon the word immediatly as the onely ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the scriptures the Kirk hearing the voice of Christ the only spirituall King and being ruled by his laws It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ onely to be called Lord and Master in the Spirituall government of the Kirk and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion therein nor be called Lords but only Ministers Disciples and servants For it is Christs proper office to command and rule his Kirk universally and every particular Kirk through his spirit and word by the ministery of men Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiasticall estate are subject to the Magistrate civill so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk spiritually and in Ecclesiasticall government And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinary The Civill power is called the power of the Sword and the other the power of the Keys The civill power should command the spirituall to exercise and to doe their office according to the word of God The spirituall rulers should require the Christian magistrate to minister justice and punish vice and to maintaine the liberty and quietnes of the Kirk within their bounds The Magistrate commandeth externall things for externall peace and quietnesse amongst the subjects the Minister handleth externall things onely for conscience cause The Magistrate handleth externall things only and actions done before men but
should proceed in all things This Assembly should take heed that the spirituall jurisdiction and civill be not confounded to the hurt of the kirk That the Patrimony of the kirk be not consumed nor abused and generally concerning all weighty affaires that concern the weale and good order of the whole Kirks of the Realm it ought to interpone authority thereto There is besides these another more generall kinde of Assemblie which is of all Nations and all estates of persons within the kirk representing the universall kirk of Christ which may be called properly the Generall Assembly or Generall Councell of the kirk of God These Assemblies were appointed and called together specially when any great schisme or controversie in Doctrine did arise in the kirk and were convocate atcommand of godly Emperours being for the time for avoiding of schisme within the Universall kirk of God which because they pertain not to the particular estate of any Realm we cease further to speak of them CHAP. VIII Of the Deacons and their Office the last Ordinary function in the Kirk THE word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes is largely taken comprehending all them that bear office in the Ministery and spirituall function in the kirk But now as we speak it is taken only for them unto whom the collection and distribution of the almes of the faithfull and Ecclesiasticall goods doth belong The office of the Deacons so taken is an ordinary and perpetuall Ecclesiasticall function in the kirk of Christ Of what properties and duties he ought to be that is called to this function we remit it to the manifest Scriptures The Deacon ought to be called and elected as the rest of the Spirituall Officers of the which election was spoken before Their Office and power is to receive and to distribute the whole Ecclefiasticall goods unto them to whom they are appointed This they ought to doe according to the judgement and appointment of the Presbyteries or Elderships of the which the Deacons are not that the patrimony of the kirk and poore be not converted to private mens uses nor wrongfully distribute CHAP. IX Of the Patrimony of the Kirk and distribution thereof BY the Partrimony of the Kirk we meane whatsoever thing hath been at any time before or shall be in times comming given or by consent or universall custome of Countries professing the Christian Religion applied to the publick use and utility of the kirk So that under the Patrimony we comprehend all things given or to be given to the Kirk and service of God as lands biggings possessions annuel rents and all such like wherewith the Kirk is doted either by donations foundations mortifications or any other lawfull titles of Kings Princes or any persons inferiour to them together with the continuall oblations of the faithfull We comprehend also all such things as by Laws or Custome or use of Countries have been applied to the use and utility of the Kirk of the which sort are Teinds Manses Gleibs and such like which by common and municipall Laws and universall Custome are possessed by the Kirk To take any of this Patrimony by unlawfull means and convert it to the particular and prophane use of any person we hold it a detestatable sacriledge before God The goods Ecclesiasticall ought to be collected and distributed by the Deacons as the word of God appoints that they who beare office in the Kirk be provided for without care or solicitude In the Apostolicall Kirk the Deacons were appointed to collect and distribute what summe soever was collected of the faithfull to distribute unto the necessity of the Saints so that none lacked amongst the faithfull These collections were not onely of that which was collected in manner of almes as some suppose but of other goods moveable and unmoveable of lands and possessions the price whereof was brought to the feet of the Apostles This office continued in the Deacons hands who intrometted with the whole goods of the Kirk ay and while the estate thereof was corrupted by Antichrist as the ancient Canons bear witnesse The same Canons make mention of a fouresold distribution of the Patrimony of the kirk whereof one part was applyed to the Pastor or Bishop for his sustentation and hospitality another to the Elders and Deacons and all the Glergy the third to the poor sick persons and strangers the fourth to the upholding other affaires of the kirk specially extraordinary We adde hereunto the Schooles and Schoolemasters also which ought and may be well sustained of the same goods and are comprehended under the Cleargy To whom we joyne all Clerks of Assemblies as well particular as generall Syndicks or Procutors of the kirk affaires takers up of Psalmes and such like other ordinary Officers of the Kirk so farre as they are necessary CHAP. X. Of the Office of a Christian Magistrate in the Kirk ALthough all the members of the Kirk be holden every one in their vocation and according thereto to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ so farre as lyeth in their power yet chiefly Christian Princes and other Magistrates are holden to doe the same For they are called in the Scripture nourishers of the Kirk for so much as by them it is or at least ought to be maintained fostered upholden and defended against all that would procure the hurt thereof So it pertains to the office of a Christian Magistrate to assist and fortifie the godly proceedings of the Kirk in all behalfes and namely to see that the publique estate and Ministery thereof be maintained and sustained as it appertains according to Gods Word To see that the Kirk be not invaded nor hurt by false Teachers and Hirelings nor the rooms thereof be occupied by dumb doggs or idle bellies To assist and maintain the Discipline of the Kirk and punish them civilly that will not obey the censure of the same without confounding alwayes the one jurisdiction with the other To see that sufficient provision be made for the Ministery the Schooles and the poore and if they have not sufficient to awaite upon their charges to supply their indigence even with their own rents if need require To hold hand as well to the saving of their persons from injury and open violence as to their rents and possessions that they be not defrauded robbed nor spoiled thereof Not to suffer the Patrimony of the Kirk to be applyed to prophane and unlawfull uses or be devoured by idle bellies and such as have no lawfull function in the Kirk to the hurt of the Ministery Schools poore and other godly uses whereupon the same ought to be bestowed To make lawes and constitutions agreeable to Gods word for advancement of the Kirk and policie thereof without usurping any thing that pertains not to the civil sword but belongs to the offices that are meerly Ecclesiasticall as is the ministerie of the Word and Sacraments using Ecclesiasticall Discipline and the spirituall execution thereof or any part of the power of the
their calling CHAP. IIII. Of the Office-bearers in particular and first of the Pastors or Ministers PAstors Bishops or Ministers are they who are appointed to particular Congregations which they rule by the word of God and over the which they watch In respect whereof sometime they are called Pastors because they feed their Congregation sometime Episcopi or Bishops because they watch above their flock sometimes Ministers by reason of their service and office and sometimes also Presbyters or Seniors for the gravity in manners which they ought to have in taking care of the spirituall government which ought to be most deare unto them They that are called unto the Ministery or that offer themselves thereunto ought not to be elected without any certain flock be assigned unto them No man ought to ingyre himselfe or usurpe his office without lawfull calling They who are once called by God and duely elected by man after that they have once accepted the charge of Ministery may not leave their functions The desertours should be admonished and in case of obstinacy finally Excommunicate No Pastor may leave his flock without License of the Provinciall or Nationall Assembly which if he doe after admonitions not obeyed let the censures of the Kirk strike upon him Unto the Pastors apperteins teaching of the Word of God in season and out of season publikly and privately alwaies travelling to edifie and discharge his conscience as Gods word prescribes to him Unto the Pastors onely apperteins the administration of the Sacraments in like manner as the administration of the Word For both are appointed by God as meanes to teach us the one by the care and the other by the eyes and other senses that by both knowledge may be transferred to the minde It appertains by the same reason to the Pastor to pray for the people and namely for the flock committed to his charge and to blesse them in the name of the Lord who will not suffer the blessings of his faithfull servants to be frustrate He ought also to watch above the manners of his flock that the better he may apply the Doctrine to them in reprehending the dissolute persons and exhorting the godly to continue in the feare of the Lord. It appertains to the Minister after lawfull proceeding by the Eldership to pronounce the sentence of binding and loosing upon any person according unto the power of the keys granted unto the Kirk It belongs to him likewise after lawfull proceeding in the matter by the Eldership to solemnizate mariage betwixt them that are to be joyned therein and to pronounce the blessing of the Lord upon them that enter in at that holy Band in the feare of God And generally all publick denunciations that are to be made in the Kirk before the Congregation concerning the Ecclesiasticall affaires belonging to the Office of a Minister For he is as messenger and Herauld betwixt God and the people in all these affaires CHAP. V. of Doctors and their Office and of the Schooles ONE of the two ordinary and perpetuall functions that travell in the Word is the Office of the Doctor who may be also called Prophet Bishop Elder Catechiser that is teacher of the Catechisme and rudiments of Religion His office is to open up the minde of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures simply without such applications as the Ministers use to the end that the faithfull may be instructed and sound Doctrine taught and that the purity of the Gospell be not corrupted through ignorance or evill opinions He is different from the Pastor not only in name but in diversity of gifts For to the Doctor is given the word of knowledge to open up by simple teaching the mysteries of faith to the Pastor the gift of wisdome to apply the same by exhortation to the manners of the flock as occasion craveth Under the name and office of a Doctor wee comprehend also the order in Schooles Colledges and Universities which hath been from time to time carefully maintained as well among the Jewes and Christians as also among the prophane Nations The Doctor being an Elder as is said should assist the Pastor in the government of the Kirk and concurre with the Elders his brethren in all assemblies by reason the interpretation of the Word which is onely judge in Ecclesiasticall matters is committed to his charge But to preach unto the people to Minister the Sacraments and to celebrate mariages pertaine not to the Doctor unlesse he be otherwise called ordinarily howbeit the Pastor may teach in the Schooles as he who hath the gift of knowledge oftentimes meet for that end as the examples of Polycarpus and others testifie c. CHAP. VI. Of Elders and their Office THE word Elder in the Scripture sometime is the name of Age sometime of Office When it is the name of any Office sometime it is taken largely comprehending as well the Pastors and Doctors as them who are called Seniors or Elders In this our division we call these Elders whom the Apostles call Presidents or Governours Their office as it is ordinary so is it perpetuall and alwayes necessary in the Kirk of God The Eldership is a spirituall function as is the Ministery Elders once lawfully called to the office and having gifts from God meet to exercise the same may not leave it again Albeit such a number of Elders may be chosen in certaine Congregations that one part of them may relieve another for a reasonable space as was among the Levites under the Law in serving of the Temple The number of the Elders in every Congregation cannot well be limited but should be according to the bounds and necessity of the people It is not necessary that all Elders be also teachers of the Word albeit the chiefe ought to be such and swa are worthy of double-honour What manner of persons they ought to be we referre it to the expresse word and namely the Canons written by the Apostle Paul Their office is as well severally as conjunctly to watch diligently upon the flock committed to their charge both publikely and privately that no corruption of Religion or manners enter therein As the Pastors and Doctors should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seed of the Word so the Elders should be carefull in seeking the fruit of the same in the people It appertains to them to assist the Pastor in examination of them that come to the Lords Table item in visiting the sick They should cause the acts of the assemblies as well particular as generall to be put in execution carefully They should be diligent in admonishing all men of their duty according to the rule of the Evangell Things that they cannot correct by private admonitions they should bring to the Eldership Their principall office is to hold Assemblies with the Pasiors and Doctors who are also of their number for establishing of good order and execution of Discipline unto the which Assemblies all persons are subject that remain within