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<DATE>2014-05-15</DATE>
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<FRONT>
<DIV1 TYPE="title page">
<PB REF="1">
<P>THE PRINCIPAL ACTS OF THE <HI>General A&s;&s;embly</HI> OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Conveened at <HI>Edinburgh, January</HI> 20. 1699.</P>
<P><HI>Collected and Extracted from the Records, By the Clerk thereof.</HI></P>
<P><FIGURE>
<Q>NEC TAMEN CONSUMEBATUR.</Q>
<FIGDESC>emblem of the Church of Scotland</FIGDESC>
</FIGURE></P>
<P><HI>EDINB&V;RGH,</HI> Printed by <HI>George Mo&s;man,</HI> Printer to this CHURCH and Her ASSEMBLIES, <HI>Anno Domini</HI> M.DC,XCIX.</P>
</DIV1>
</FRONT>
<BODY>
<DIV1 TYPE="acts">
<PB REF="2">
<PB N="3" REF="2">
<HEAD>THE PRINCIPAL ACTS OF THE <HI>General A&s;&s;embly</HI> OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Holden and Begun at <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> the 20 day of <HI>January</HI> and ending the 4th. day of <HI>February</HI> 1699 years.</HEAD>
<DIV2 N="1" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>I. <HI>The Recording of His Maje&s;tie's Commi&s;&s;ion, To the Lord</HI> CARMICHAEL, <HI>for Repre&s;enting His</HI> MAJESTY <HI>in this A&s;&s;embly.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">At Edinburgh, January <HI>20, 1699. Se&s;&s;. 1.</HI></HEAD>
<P>_THIS Day, The General A&s;&s;embly of the Mini&s;ters and Elders of this Na|tional Church, being Conveened, There was produced to them, by a Noble Lord, <HI>JOHN</HI> Lord <HI>Car|michael,</HI> His Maje&s;tie<HI>'s Commi&s;&s;ion,</HI> under the great Seal of this King|dom, Nominating and Appointing Him to be His Maje&s;tie's High Commi&s;&s;ioner and Repre&s;entative in this National A&s;|&s;embly, which was publickly Read in their Audience, with all due Honour and Re&s;pect, and the General A&s;|&s;embly
<PB N="4" REF="3">Appointed, and hereby Appoints, the &s;ame to be Recorded in the Regi&s;ters of this A&s;&s;embly, therein to remain <HI>ad futuram rei Memoriam;</HI> The <HI>Tenor</HI> whereof fol|lows.</P>
<P><HI>G&V;LIELM&V;S</HI> Dei Gratia, Magnae <HI>Britanniae, Fran|ciae</HI> &amp; <HI>Hiberniae</HI> Rex, Fideique Defen&s;or: <Q>Omnibus probis Hominibus &s;uis, ad quos prae&s;entes Literae No|&s;trae pervenerint, <HI>Salutem,</HI> Quandoquidem Generalem Eccle&s;iae Conventum, Antiquioris Regni no&s;tri <HI>Sco|tiae vice&s;imo</HI> die Men&s;is <HI>Januarii</HI> in&s;tantis teneri de|crevimus, No&s;que item abunde cupidi, quin etiam ne|ce&s;&s;arium e&s;&s;e Judicantes in commodum dictae Eccle&s;iae, ut idem <HI>Generalis Conventus</HI> Die &s;tatuto ob&s;ervetur, &s;ed rebus magni momenti alio vocantibus, dicto conventui inter|e&s;&s;e nequimus, Cumque Fideli&s;&s;imus &amp; Dilecti&s;&s;imus no&s;ter Con&s;iliarius <HI>Joannes Dominus Carmichael,</HI> perpluri|ma praeclara edidit &s;pecimina de Facultatibus &s;uis exi|miis, &amp; fidelitate in&s;igni, unde nobis abunde Satisfactum e&s;t, Quod ad munera &s;ummi Officii Infra mentionati ri|te Exercenda &amp; obeunda, in finem &s;upra expre&s;&s;um u&s;quequaque e&s;t idoneus. Noveritis igitur nos feci&s;&s;e &amp; Con&s;titui&s;&s;e, &s;icuti per ha&s;ce no&s;tras patentes literas fa|cimus &amp; con&s;tituimus Eundem <HI>Joannem Dominum Car|michael,</HI> Supremum No&s;trum Commi&s;&s;ionarium quoad Effectum infra expre&s;&s;um; Damus pariter &amp; concedi|mus illi, Sacram no&s;tram per&s;onam, &amp; Authoritatem No&s;tram Regalem Repre&s;entandi, prae&s;entiam no|&s;tram &s;upplendi, locumque no&s;trum in dicto Sub&s;equen|ti Generali Conventu, tanquam Commi&s;&s;ionario no&s;tro in hunc Effectum, &s;pecialiter con&s;tituto tenendi, omnia|que alia ad Imperium &amp; munus Commi&s;&s;ionarii, pro Generali Eccle&s;iae Conventu peragendi, tam plene, adeo|que libere, in quovis re&s;pectu, quam Quilibet alius eju&s;|dem Supremi muneris &amp; Characteris fecerat, &s;eu quovis tempore retroacto facere poterat; atque &s;icuti Nos ip&s;i per&s;onaliter prae&s;entes facere poterimus, Pleni&s;&s;imam &amp; Ampli&s;&s;imam no&s;tram pote&s;tatem &amp; Commi&s;&s;ionem. Quaequidem omnia &amp; &s;ingula, a dicto <HI>Joanne Domino Carmichael,</HI> in hac no&s;tra Commi&s;&s;ione pro&s;equenda le|gitime facienda, Nos firmiter Approbamus, Rata habe|mus, &amp; habituri &s;umus. Omnibus &amp; Singulis in&s;uper ante dicti Conventus &amp; Eccle&s;iae Pa&s;toribus &amp; Pres|byteris, &amp; caeteris quibu&s;cunque hujus Regni &s;ubditis, cuju&s;cunque qualitatis &amp; conditionis, ut dictum <HI>Joannem Dominum Carmichael,</HI> tanquam Supremum no&s;trum Commi&s;&s;ionarium quoad Effectum &amp; modum &s;upra men|tionatum Agno&s;cant, Revereantur, &amp; dicto ip&s;ius au|dientes &s;e praebeant, &s;tricte mandamus, &amp; imperamus.
<PB N="5" REF="3">Ac denique hanc No&s;tram Commi&s;&s;ionem, a die quo magnum No&s;trum Sigillum hujus Regni prae&s;entibus e&s;t appen&s;um, &amp; deinceps hac Se&s;&s;ione &s;equenti Generalis Conventus antedicti in vigore continuare declaravimus, &amp; per prae&s;entes Declaramus, Saltem u&s;que dum a No|bis revocabitur. In cujus rei Te&s;timonium, prae&s;enti|bus Magnum Sigillum No&s;trum appendi praecepimus. Apud Aulam no&s;tram de <HI>Ken&s;ingtoun,</HI> &s;eptimo die men|&s;is <HI>Januarii.</HI> Anno Domini Mille&s;imo Sexcente&s;imo Nonage&s;imo Nono, Regnique no&s;tri Anno Decimo.</Q></P>
<P><HI>Per &s;ignaturam manu</HI> S. D. N. <HI>Regis &s;upra&s;ignatam.</HI></P>
<LIST>
<ITEM>Locus</ITEM>
<ITEM>Sigilli</ITEM>
<ITEM>Appen&s;i</ITEM>
</LIST>
<P>IN DORSO.</P>
<P><HI>Written to the great Seal, and Regi&s;trat the eighteenth day of</HI> January 1699. Charles Ker.</P>
<P><HI>Sealed at</HI> Edinburgh, <HI>the ninteenth day of</HI> Ja|nuary 1699. A. Home.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="2" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>II. His <HI>MAJESTIE'S</HI> gracious LETTER TO THE <HI>GENERAL ASSEMBLY</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THE which Day, His <HI>MAJESTIE'S</HI> High COMMISSIONER pre&s;ented His <HI>Maje&s;tie</HI>'s Mo&s;t Gracious LETTER, Directed to this <HI>General A&s;&s;embly,</HI> which was publickly Read in their Hearing, with all due Honour and Re&s;pect, and appoint|ed to be Recorded in their Regi&s;ters, The Tenor whereof follows.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<PB N="6" REF="4">
<OPENER><SALUTE><HI>WILLIAM</HI> R.</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>RIGHT Reverend, and well Beloved, We Greet you well, We have thought fit to allow and Countenance your Meeting at this time, that you may have the Opportunity, to do what is nece&s;&s;ary for promoting Religion, and Regulat|ing Order and Di&s;cipline; And We do again earne&s;t|ly recommend to you, to fall upon effectual Methods for planting Vacant Churches, with Pious and Learned Mi|ni&s;ters, which is &s;o nece&s;&s;ary for &s;uppre&s;&s;ing Error and Im|morality; In the doing whereof, you &s;hall have from us all due Encouragement and A&s;&s;i&s;tance. We have again cho&s;en Our right Tru&s;ty and entirely Beloved Coun&s;ellour <HI>John</HI> Lord <HI>Carmichael</HI> to be Our Commi&s;&s;ioner, and to repre|&s;ent Our Royal Per&s;on in this A&s;&s;embly: and as We have &s;ufficient experience of his Fidelity to Us, and of his Abilities and Fitne&s;s to Di&s;charge this Tru&s;t; So we know that he is acceptable unto you. We have fully in&s;tructed him in all things that we think needful, and therefore you may give him entire Tru&s;t and Credit. We are well &s;atisfied with your proceedings in the former A&s;&s;embly, and We doubt not, but your Management in this will be &s;utable to Our Expectation, We leave what farther is nece&s;&s;ary to Our Commi&s;&s;ioner, and We a&s;&s;ure you of Our Royal Protection and A&s;&s;i&s;tance in all your Concerns, and &s;o we bid you heartily Farewell.</P>
<P><HI>Given at Our Court at</HI> Ken&s;ingtoun, <HI>the</HI> 7th, <HI>Day of</HI> January 1696/9. And of Our Reign the Tenth Year.</P>
<CLOSER><SALUTE><HI>By His Maje&s;tie</HI>'s Command.</SALUTE>
<SIGNED>Seafeild.</SIGNED>
<SALUTE><HI>To the Right Reverend, and Well Beloved, Mini&s;ters and Elders mett in the</HI> General A&s;&s;embly <HI>of the Church of</HI> Scotland.</SALUTE></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="3" TYPE="act">
<PB N="7" REF="4">
<HEAD>III. <HI>The General A&s;&s;emblies An&s;wer.</HI> TO His <HI>Maje&s;tie</HI>'s Gracious Letter</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, January 24 1699. <HI>Po&s;t Meridiem</HI> Se&s;&s;. 4.</HEAD>
<OPENER><SALUTE>May it plea&s;e Your Maje&s;ty,</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>THE Renewed Te&s;timonies of Your Maje&s;ty's care and concern for this Church, &s;o amply &s;ig|nified by your Gracious Letter, are received by Us with all Satisfaction and Acknowledgment; And cannot but engage Us to double our Diligence in Pro|&s;ecuting the Duties of promoting Religion, Order and Di&s;cipline, Planting of Vacant Churches, and Suppre&s;|&s;ing of Error and Immorality, which Your Maje&s;ty par|ticularly Recommends, with the mo&s;t obliging A&s;&s;ur|ances of all due encouragement and A&s;&s;i&s;tance.</P>
<P>What Your Maje&s;ty recommended to the la&s;t A&s;&s;em|bly as to the Planting of the <HI>North;</HI> hath been minded by them, and their Commi&s;&s;ion and Committees im|powered for that effect, to the remote&s;t parts of the King|dom, and even to the I&s;les of <HI>Orknay</HI> and <HI>Zetland</HI> with a con&s;iderable progre&s;s: And We are firmly re|&s;olved to continue Our be&s;t endeavours for accompli&s;hing &s;o good and nece&s;&s;ary a Work; Nor can We omit to notice that Your Maje&s;ties Royal Bounty, did very &s;ea|&s;onably contribute, to make Our Labours in that matter more ea&s;y and effectual.</P>
<P>Nothing can be more rejoyceing to Us, Then to &s;ee Your Maje&s;tie's Zeal again&s;t Error and Immorality, which make Us pre&s;ume to beg, for Your renewed Com|mands to tho&s;e concerned, that Your excellent Laws again&s;t Prophanity (that to Our great Greif &s;till grows) may be put to vigorous Execution, without exception, And we earne&s;tly pray and hope, that GOD who pre|&s;erved Your Maje&s;ty, during a long and dangerous War, and Ble&s;&s;ed Your Conduct and Valour, with the con|clu&s;ion of a happy Peace; will &s;till &s;upport, and a&s;&s;i&s;t Your Royal Endeavours, in reforming the manners of this Profligat Age, and pre&s;erve You till that great Work be accompli&s;hed.</P>
<PB N="8" REF="5">
<P>We do al&s;o acknowledge the good choi&s;e, that it hath plea&s;ed Your Maje&s;ty to make of the Lord <HI>Carmichael,</HI> to repre&s;ent Your Royal Per&s;on in this A&s;&s;embly; who&s;e faithfulne&s;s to Your Maje&s;ty, as well as his kind affection to Us, do render him mo&s;t acceptable.</P>
<P>That Your Maje&s;tie's Reign may be long and happy, that all Your Subjects may continually make &s;uitable re|turns of Duty, and gratitude, for all the Labours and dangers You have undergone, for their Tranquillity: And that Truth and Peace may ever flouri&s;h in Your Dayes, are, and &s;hall be the fervent Prayers of.</P>
<CLOSER><SALUTE><HI>May it plea&s;e Your</HI> MAJESTY, <HI>Your MAJESTIE'S Most Faithful,</HI> Mo&s;t Obedient, and Mo&s;t Humble Subjects, <HI>The Mini&s;ters and Elders, met in this National A&s;&s;embly of the Church of</HI> Scotland.</SALUTE>
<SALUTE><HI>Signed in Our Pre&s;ence, in Our Name, and at Our Appointment.</HI> By</SALUTE>
<SIGNED>George Hamilton <HI>Moderator.</HI></SIGNED></CLOSER>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="4" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>IV. <HI>Act annexing &s;ome pari&s;hes to the Presbytries of</HI> Stranrauer <HI>and</HI> Wigton.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly having heard and con&s;ider|ed, the Opinion of the Committee for Overtures; Did by their Vote disjoin the Pari&s;hes of <HI>Ballintrae</HI> and <HI>Calmonel,</HI> from the Presbytry of <HI>Aire,</HI> and annexes them to the Presbytry of <HI>Stranrauer;</HI> and likeways disjoines the Pari&s;hes of <HI>Kirkmabreck, Kells, Dalry</HI> and <HI>Car&s;efairn</HI> from the Presbytry of <HI>Kirkcubright,</HI> and annexes them to the Presbytry of <HI>Wigton,</HI> which Presbytry of <HI>Wigton</HI> may meet at <HI>Monygaff</HI> frequently, and this but preju|dice to the Presbytries of <HI>Air</HI> and <HI>Kirkcubright,</HI> or any others concerned, to be heard again&s;t the Continuation
<PB N="9" REF="5">of this alteration, at the next, or any other en&s;uing Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly: And it is appointed and declared, that this Act, as to the &s;aid Di&s;-union and Annexation, &s;hall commence at the fir&s;t day of <HI>March</HI> next to come, and the General A&s;&s;embly ordains the Mini&s;ters of the Re&s;pective Pari&s;hes above-named &s;o di&s;-joined and annex|ed, to be adverti&s;ed hereof, and to give obedience thereto, as they will be an&s;werable, and that Letters be written to the Presbytries concerned for that end.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="5" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>V. <HI>Act anent Proclamation of Banns.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, 25 <HI>January</HI> 1699. <HI>Po&s;t merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 5.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly taking to their con&s;ideration, the Overtures pa&s;t in the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly, dated the 24 day of <HI>January</HI> 1698, Entituled, <HI>Overtures anent Pro|clamation of Banns.</HI> The Tenor whereof follows.</P>
<P>The General A&s;&s;embly being informed, That &s;everal Abu&s;es have crept in, in the way and manner of pro|claiming the Banns of Per&s;ons to be Married; Do for pre|venting the &s;ame, Overture and Declare, that before any Proclamations be made, the Names and De&s;ignations of the Per&s;ons to be Married, and their Parents, Tutors, or Curators, if they any have, be given up to the Mini&s;ter of the Bounds, in which any of them live and re&s;ide, that thereby it may be known, if their Parents and Friends give con&s;ent thereto; And that the Mini&s;ter being &s;atis|fied herein, order the Proclamation to be made three &s;e|veral Sabbaths, which when made, &s;hall be immediat|ly before Divine Wor&s;hip begin, in the Forenoon, and the Per&s;ons to be proclaimed, their Names and full De|&s;ignations, &s;uch as they are de&s;igned by in Writes or Con|tracts of Marriage, be fully and audibly expre&s;&s;ed, and that where there are more Churches Collegiat in the place or Town, the Proclamations be made, in all and every one of the Churches, within the City or Town, where they, or any of the Per&s;ons to be Married re&s;ide; And this to be atte&s;ted to the Mini&s;ter that Marries them, with certification of the Cen&s;ures of the Church again&s;t the Tran&s;gre&s;&s;ours herein.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly, having heard the Report of the &s;everal Commi&s;&s;ioners from Presbytries now pre&s;ent, to whom the con&s;ideration of the &s;aid Overture was re|commended
<PB N="10" REF="6">in order to its being more ripely advi&s;ed, and determined in this A&s;&s;embly; And finding that the &s;everal Presbytries were &s;atisfied therewith: Therefore this General A&s;&s;embly by their Vote, unanimou&s;ly did, and hereby do approve of the &s;aids Overtures, and ap|points the &s;ame to have the full force, and &s;trength of an Act of the General A&s;&s;embly, in all time coming, and that none may pretend Ignorance, Appoints the &s;ame to be intimate in all the Pari&s;h Kirks of this Kingdom.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="6" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>VI. <HI>Act of the</HI> General A&s;&s;embly <HI>anent a Solemn National Fa&s;t and Humiliation.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">At Edinburgh, the 26 January 1699. <HI>Post merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 6.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly taking into their &s;erious con|&s;ideration, That the many grievous and mo&s;t hain|ou&s;ly aggravated <HI>Sins</HI> and <HI>Abominations</HI> abounding and &s;till continuing in this Land, have procured and drawn from the hands of the Ju&s;t and Holy LORD, the La|mentable &s;troak of <HI>Dearth,</HI> and <HI>&V;n&s;ea&s;onable Weather</HI> in Seed Time and Harve&s;t, which as it hath redacted many Families of the Nation already into great Straits, &s;o if Mercy prevent not, threatens dreadful Famine: As likewayes con&s;idering the &s;adly di&s;tre&s;&s;ed &s;tate of &s;ome of the <HI>Reformed Churches Abroad,</HI> under <HI>Grievous Per&s;ecution,</HI> and the <HI>Dangerous Condition</HI> of others of them, which loudly call for our humbling our &s;elves for our own Sins, and for &s;ympathy with others, and frequent Prayer for our &s;elves and them: Have therefore thought it a nece&s;|&s;ary and &s;ea&s;onable Duty, to &s;et a part, and hereby do &s;et a part, and appoint the <GAP DESC="blank"> Day of <HI>March</HI> next being <HI>Thur&s;day,</HI> for Solemn Humiliation and Prayer, That GOD would pardon our Sins, turn away and avert his Wrath from this and other Churches, Command De|liverance for his Afflicted People under per&s;ecution, Ble&s;s and pre&s;erve Our <HI>King,</HI> under who&s;e Government we enjoy &s;o much peace, and Tranquillity and Liberty of Go&s;pel Ordinances, di&s;pen&s;ed with purity and freedom; That God may continue the &s;ame with Us, and Ble&s;s the Go&s;pel with &s;ucce&s;s, grant a Sea&s;onable Seed time, and Ble&s;s the Seed with Encrea&s;e, that the Poor may be &s;atis|fied with Bread; Obte&s;ting and be&s;eeching all Ranks of Per&s;ons to &s;earch and try their ways, and by unfeigned Re|pentance
<PB N="11" REF="6">and Reformation, turn to the Lord with all their Heart, that the Lord may return to us, and have Mercy upon us and the Land, and it is mo&s;t &s;eriou&s;ly Recom|mended to all Mini&s;ters, to be very explicite and partcu|lar in the acknowledgement of the National, and Epide|mick crying Sins, e&s;pecially the&s;e that &s;eem to abound in the Re&s;pective places, where Mini&s;ters &s;erve. And the General A&s;&s;embly ordains all Mini&s;ters to intimate this pub|lickly from the Pulpit a Sabbath or two before the &s;aid day of Humiliation. And la&s;tly the General A&s;&s;embly appoint|ed, and hereby appoints Mr. <HI>William Dunlop,</HI> Mr. <HI>George Meldrum,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Law,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Wilkie,</HI> Mr. <HI>Ga|briel Semple</HI> Mini&s;ters, Mr. <HI>John Campbel</HI> Brother to the Earl of <HI>Argyle,</HI> Sir <HI>John Riddel</HI> of that Ilk, Sir <HI>Thomas Kil|patrick</HI> of <HI>Closburn,</HI> and <HI>John Alexander</HI> of <HI>Black-Hou&s;e</HI> Ruling Elders, to apply to the Lords of his Maje&s;ties Privy Council, for their Civil Sanction to the ob&s;ervation of the &s;aid Fa&s;t, and leaves it to their Lord&s;hips to name the day of the Moneth of <HI>March,</HI> for the &s;aid Fa&s;t.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="7" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>VII. <HI>Act again&s;t Prophaine&s;s,</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">At <HI>Edinburgh 30 January 1699.</HI> Ante merid. <HI>Se&s;. 9.</HI></HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly taking to their con&s;ideration, the Overtures again&s;t Prophanne&s;s, pa&s;t by the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly <HI>January</HI> 24. 1698. <HI>Se&s;.</HI> 15. And hav|ing heard the Report of Commi&s;&s;ioners pre&s;ent, from the &s;everal Presbytries of this National Church, to whom the con&s;ideration of the &s;aids Overtures were recommended; And the General A&s;&s;embly being well and ripely advi&s;ed thereanent, did by their Vote, and hereby do approve of the&s;e Overtures after mentioned, whereof the Tenor fol|lowes.</P>
<P N="1">1&s;t. The General A&s;&s;embly con&s;idering the Lamen|table Grouth of Prophanity, Ignorance and Irreligion, that is too manife&s;t in this Land, and the woful Decay of the Life and Power of Godline&s;s, with the &s;mall Succe&s;s of the Go&s;pel, that's to be ob&s;erved every where, at this time, the General A&s;&s;embly, in a deep &s;en&s;e of the&s;e things, And for the Remeeding of them, do in the Fir&s;t place, In the
<PB N="12" REF="7">aw, and dread of GOD, Be&s;eech, Exhort and Require, all Mini&s;ters, by the Coming of our LORD <HI>Je&s;us Chri&s;t,</HI> and our gathering together unto him, That they take heed to them&s;elves, and to their Doctrine, and endeavour to be En&s;amples to the People, in all Piety, Purity, and Holi|ne&s;s, in all manner of Conver&s;ation.</P>
<P N="2">2. That they be Frequent and Fervent in Secret pray|er, for them&s;elves, and the People committed to them, Joining &s;ometime Fa&s;ting with prayer. And the General A&s;&s;embly Recommends to Mini&s;ters, and Elders in their &s;everal Pari&s;hes, and Mini&s;ters in their &s;everal Presbytries, to meet &s;ometimes together in their Pari&s;hes, and Presby|tries Re&s;pective, for private Fa&s;ting and Prayer and Con|ference anent the &s;tate of the Church, and that part of it, in which they have &s;pecial intere&s;t; with Re&s;pect to the Grouth or Decay of Godline&s;s, and Succe&s;s of the Go&s;pel therein.</P>
<P N="3">3. That Presbytries, be more Accurate in managing their privy Cen&s;ures, and that a day be &s;et apart to that purpo&s;e only, and &s;pent in Fa&s;ting and Prayer together.</P>
<P N="4">4. That Presbytries be very Cautious, in admitting Intrants to the Mini&s;try, and be Accurate and Exact in the Tryal, not only of their Literature, but of their Piety, Prudence, and former Godly Conver&s;ation and Walk.</P>
<P N="5">5. That Mini&s;ters be painful in Catechi&s;ing, frequent in Vi&s;iting of Families, and in privat Per&s;onal Confer|ence with the&s;e of their Charge, about the State of their Souls, and that Mini&s;ters be more frequent in admini&s;trati|on of the Lords Supper, and alwi&s;e Edifying in their Con|ver&s;e and Di&s;cour&s;e, and that they deal with Heads of Fa|milies to engage them to Piety, and a care to Reform their Families, and to &s;et up, and to keep up the Wor&s;hip of GOD therein; And in particular, that Mini&s;ters endea|vour by all Prudent and gaining Go&s;pel methods, to engage Per&s;ons of Honour and Power to fall in love with Holine&s;s, and reckon it, as in deed it is, their greate&s;t Ho|nour; And that in dealing with &s;uch of them, as are Vi|tious, an Humble and yet Holy Boldne&s;s and Zeal, be u&s;|ed in admoni&s;hing them, in order to their Recovery: And that herein Presbytries appoint &s;ome others of their number, to Concur with the Mini&s;ter of the place as may be mo&s;t for Edification.</P>
<P N="6">6. The General A&s;&s;embly Recommends, to the Kirk Se&s;&s;ions and Presbytries, the Vigorous, Impartial, and yet Prudent Exerci&s;e of Church-Di&s;cipline again&s;t all Immo|rality, E&s;pecially Drunkene&s;s, and Filthyne&s;s, Cur&s;ing and Swearing, and Prophaning the Lords day, which too much abound: And that they apply to the Magi&s;trat, for the
<PB N="13" REF="7">Execution of the Good Lawes, made again&s;t Immorality and Prophanne&s;s,</P>
<P N="7">7. That &s;eing it is ob&s;erved, that in Burghs, e&s;peci|ally the&s;e of greate&s;t Re&s;ort, as <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> many &s;it too late in Taverns e&s;pecially on the Saturdays night, and Men of Bu&s;ine&s;s, pretend they do it for Relaxation of their Mindes; through which &s;ome neglect the Publick Wor&s;hip on the LORDS-Day in the Forenoon; and others attend the Wor&s;hip drou&s;ily: Therefore the General A&s;&s;embly Recommends to all Mini&s;ters, where &s;uch &s;inful cu&s;toms are, to repre&s;ent to the People both publickly and privatly the &s;in and evil thereof, and to call them to Redeem that time, which they have free from Bu&s;ine&s;s; And to Em|ploy it for Conver&s;e with GOD about their Souls &s;tate, and in preparation for the Sabbath, which will yeeld more delight, than all &s;en&s;ual plea&s;ures can do.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly Be&s;eecheth, and Exhorteth all Magi&s;trates of Burghs, to be a&s;&s;i&s;tant to Mini&s;ters, in Enquiring into, and Reforming &s;uch abu&s;es.</P>
<P>And &s;iclike the General A&s;&s;embly, Revives the Act of the General A&s;&s;embly, dated the 11th, <HI>January</HI> 1697. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 8. Entituled Act again&s;t Prophanne&s;s, and approves of the Overture therein contained anent Cen&s;uring &s;uch Mini|&s;ters and Members of Se&s;&s;ions, as are negligent in pur&s;uing Scandals.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly Recommends and Enacts, the punctual ob&s;ervation of the &s;aids Acts and Overtures, and obedience thereto by all Presbytries, Mini&s;ters, El|ders and Se&s;&s;ions, as they are concerned, in their &s;everal &s;tations, as they will be An&s;werable.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="8" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>VIII. <HI>Act again&s;t Popery,</HI> Eodem die po&s;t meridiem <HI>Se&s;.</HI> 10.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly taking to con&s;ideration, the Overtures again&s;t Popery pa&s;t in the la&s;t A&s;&s;em|bly <HI>January</HI> 24 1698. the Tenor whereof fol|lowes.</P>
<P N="1">1st. That Mini&s;ters &s;tudy Popi&s;h Controver&s;ies more.</P>
<P N="2"><PB N="14" REF="8">2. That all due endeavours be u&s;ed, to Unite Pro|te&s;tants amon&s;t them&s;elves, &s;eing the Adver&s;aries get ad|vantage by our Divi&s;ion.</P>
<P N="3">3. That Mini&s;ters endeavour Faithfully to watch the Flock committed to them, and by publick Preaching, and private In&s;truction, and conference, to prevent Apo&s;tacie that way.</P>
<P N="4">4. That Mini&s;ters deal wi&s;ely, and convincingly with the Con&s;iences of the&s;e that have fallen to popery, and other Corrupt principles, for their Recovery.</P>
<P N="5">5. That when other means are ineffectual, Presby|tries would proceed to Church Cen&s;ures, when they &s;ee it may be for the Edification of the Church.</P>
<P N="6">6. That according to the Acts of former General A&s;&s;emblies, and Acts of Parliament, The Names of po|pi&s;h Prie&s;ts and Je&s;uits and Traffequing papi&s;ts, and of the&s;e who have &s;ent their Children to popi&s;h Colledges and Countreys, be given in to each provincial Synod, and by them Tran&s;mitted as Act <HI>Char.</HI> 2. <HI>Par.</HI> 3. <HI>Cap.</HI> 6.</P>
<P N="7">7. That the General A&s;&s;embly apply to the Privy Coun|cil for the Vigorous Execution of the Laws again&s;t papi&s;ts, particularly Seminary prie&s;ts, Popi&s;h School-Ma&s;ters, Mi&s;|tre&s;&s;es, Governours and Paedagogues, and Popi&s;h meet|ings; and for &s;eeing to the Training up of Popi&s;h Youth in the Prote&s;tant Religion; In all which, &s;ome Inferiour Magi&s;trates are ju&s;tly complained of, as very defective, and that the &s;aid addre&s;s be pre&s;ented by &s;uch as the Gene|ral A&s;&s;embly &s;hall appoint.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly having heard the Opinion, of the Commi&s;&s;ioners from the &s;everal Presbytries, con|cerning the &s;aids Overtures, and finding that there was no objection made again&s;t any thing therein contained, and that application being made to the Lords of His Maje&s;ties mo&s;t Honourable Privy Council, conform to the &s;eventh paragraph of the &s;aids Overtures, their Lord&s;hips were graciou&s;ly plea&s;ed to emit a Proclamation thereupon again&s;t papi&s;ts; and the General A&s;&s;embly being well and ripely advi&s;ed anent the premi&s;&s;es: They by their Vote unanimo&s;ly did, and hereby do approve of the &s;aids Over|tures, and appoints the &s;ame to have the full force and &s;trength of an Act of the General A&s;&s;embly, and to be ob|&s;erved in all time coming, and ordains Application to be made to the Civil Magi&s;trat conform to the &s;aid &s;eventh paragraph, as offen as need requires.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="9" TYPE="act">
<PB N="15" REF="8">
<HEAD>IX. <HI>Ast anent Planting of the</HI> Highlands.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly took to their con&s;ideration the Overtures pa&s;t in the la&s;t General A&s;&s;embly, <HI>January</HI> 24. 1698. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 15. Entituled, <HI>Overtures for Plant|ing the Highlands.</HI> The Tenor whereof follows.</P>
<P N="1">1. That Mini&s;ters and Probationers, who have the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, be &s;ent to the Highland pa<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="KEYERS" EXTENT="1 letter">i&s;hes, and that none of them be &s;etled in the Low-Country, till the Highland places be fir&s;t provided.</P>
<P N="2">2. That Mini&s;ters and Ruling Elders, who have the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, be appointed to vi&s;it the&s;e parts.</P>
<P N="3">3. That where in any Highland Congregation, many under&s;tand <HI>Engli&s;h,</HI> and there u&s;ed once a day to be a Sermon in <HI>Engli&s;h,</HI> Presbytries be careful to &s;upply them &s;ometimes by preaching in <HI>Engli&s;h;</HI> and that they Cate|chi&s;e them who under&s;tand not, by an Interpreter, when they cannot get one to preach to them in <HI>Iri&s;h,</HI> and that the&s;e, whether Mini&s;ters or Probationers, who have &s;ome what of the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, but not a facility to preach in it, be &s;ent to the&s;e places for the ends for&s;aid, that by conver&s;e they may Learn more of the Language, and ability to in&s;truct therein.</P>
<P N="4">4. That <HI>Engli&s;h</HI> School-Ma&s;ters be erected in all Highland pari&s;hes, according to former Acts of Parlia|ment and General A&s;&s;emblies: And for this end, The General A&s;&s;embly Recommends to their Commi&s;&s;ion, to Addre&s;s the King and Parliament, to take &s;uch cour&s;e for this, and other pious u&s;es in the more Northern High|land places, as is granted to the&s;e of <HI>Argyle,</HI> and that as they &s;hall think fit.</P>
<P N="5">5. That it be recommended to Presbytries and Uni|ver&s;ities, to have a &s;pecial regard in the di&s;po&s;al of their Bur&s;aries for Educating &s;uch, as it is hoped may be u&s;e|ful to preach the Go&s;pel in the Highlands: And that the Commi&s;&s;ion Addre&s;s the Lords of the The&s;aury: and recommend the &s;ame to the Town Council of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> and other Patrons for this end.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly having heard the Report, and the Opinion of the Commi&s;&s;ioners pre&s;ent from the &s;everal Presbytries anent the &s;aids Overtures; did by their Vote, and hereby do unanimou&s;ly approve thereof, and
<PB N="16" REF="9">Appoints and Recommends according thereto; With this Addition, that the Presbytries of <HI>Dumbartoun, Dum|blain, Auchterarder, Dunkeld, Inverne&s;s, Abernethy, Aber|loure, Tain, Dingwall, Dornock</HI> and <HI>Caithne&s;s;</HI> are hereby enjoined, to have Bur&s;ers, who have the <HI>Highland</HI> Lan|guage, if they can be had, and that the Univer&s;ities where &s;uch Students are, be wrot to, to give an account what Students having that Language they know of, that de&s;erve encouragement, and that they recommend them to any of the above Presbytries, and that care be taken, that any &s;o to be recommended, be piou&s;ly di&s;po&s;ed, and of &s;ound Principles.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="10" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>X. <HI>Recommendation to Presbytries and Synods anent Schools.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, January 31. 1699. <HI>ante meridiem.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 11.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly con&s;idering, that there are many good Laws and Acts of Parliament, and Acts of General A&s;&s;emblies, for erecting Schools in every pari&s;h, And wayes laid down for maintaining thereof, and being informed, That notwith&s;tanding thereof, there are &s;everal Pari&s;hes, even in the <HI>Low-lands,</HI> that wants Schools; There|fore the General A&s;&s;embly did, and hereby do, Recom|mend to the &s;everal Presbytries within this National Church to u&s;e their endeavours that Schools be erected in every pari&s;h within their re&s;pective bounds, conform to the Acts of Parliament, and General A&s;&s;embly, and it's recommended to Synods to make particular enquiry how this Recommendation is ob&s;erved.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="11" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XI. <HI>Overtures for Planting the</HI> North, <HI>with the Approbation thereof.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, February 3. 1699. <HI>ante meridiem.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 16.</HEAD>
<P>THE which Day, there was read in pre&s;ence of the General A&s;&s;embly, the Overtures underwritten, which were tran&s;mitted to the General A&s;&s;embly by their
<PB N="17" REF="9">Committee for Overtures, and upon the 31 of <HI>January</HI> la&s;t, read in open A&s;&s;embly, and the con&s;ideration thereof re|mitted to the &s;aid Committee, and any per&s;ons that had any thing to offer thereanent, were de&s;ired to attend that Committee, and repre&s;ent the &s;ame to them. The Te|nor of which Overtures follows.</P>
<P N="1">1, That any of the Twenty Probationers, Appoint|ed by the la&s;t General A&s;&s;embly, who have not obeyed, in going <HI>North,</HI> or not &s;tayed in the <HI>North</HI> 12 moneths, but returned from it, without the allowance of the Pres|bytry of the bounds, where they were &s;ent, &s;hall upon the de&s;ire of that Presbytry, to the Presbytry where they now re&s;ide, be &s;ent back to fulfil the 12 moneths.</P>
<P N="2">2. That when any of the&s;e, who were born on the North &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> are licenced by any Presbytry on the &s;outh &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> he be &s;ent <HI>North</HI> by that Presbytrie, within four moneths after his licencing, and it be re|mitted to the Commi&s;&s;ion to appoint the place, to which he &s;hould go, and the time of his &s;tay, and that no Proba|tioners born in the <HI>North</HI> &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> be &s;ettled in any Con|gregation as Mini&s;ter by South <HI>Tay,</HI> until the next Gene|ral A&s;&s;embly, unle&s;s they be of the&s;e who have been 12 moneths in the <HI>North,</HI> according to the appointment of the la&s;t General A&s;&s;embly, but &s;uch, who during the 12 moneths of their mi&s;&s;ion, having received no call from any Congregation in the <HI>North,</HI> are deelared free to come <HI>South,</HI> and accept of an orderly Call from any Congregation in the &s;outh &s;ide of <HI>Tay;</HI> It's al&s;o allowed to the Town of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> that if they call any North Countrey Probationer, he may be &s;ettled in that City, notwith&s;tanding of this Overture.</P>
<P N="3">3. And the General A&s;&s;embly, hereby di&s;chargeth any Presbytry on the &s;outh &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> to &s;ettle any Pro|bationer born in the North &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> within the fore|&s;aid time, except in the ca&s;es above excepted; with cer|tification, that the Presbytry &s;hall be Cen&s;ured by the Com|mi&s;&s;ion or General A&s;&s;embly, and the Probationer &s;o &s;ettled is hereby declared <HI>ip&s;o facto</HI> tran&s;portable, and that the Commi&s;&s;ion of this A&s;&s;embly appoint him immediatly to repair to the <HI>North,</HI> and any place thereof they think fit, as an extraordinary Supply, and if a Call be given to him, the Commi&s;&s;ion tran&s;port him to the <HI>North.</HI></P>
<P N="4">4. It's Overtur'd that other 20 Probationers be &s;ent this year to the <HI>North</HI> al&s;o, and of the&s;e Twenty, as ma|ny as can be had, of &s;uch who were born on the North &s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> and that they be &s;ent in the proportion follow|ing, <HI>viz.</HI> Three to the Presbytry of <HI>Perth, Auchterarder</HI>
<PB N="18" REF="10">and <HI>Dunkeld,</HI> Six for the Province of <HI>Angus</HI> and <HI>Merns,</HI> be|cau&s;e there are mo&s;t Vacancies there, Four to the Pro|vince of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> Three to the Province of <HI>Murray,</HI> Two to <HI>Ro&s;s, Sutherland</HI> and <HI>Caithne&s;s,</HI> and Two to <HI>Orkney,</HI> and that there be a Committee of one or two out of each Synod to nominat the&s;e Twenty Probationers, or the &s;ame referred to the Commi&s;&s;ion.</P>
<P N="5">5. Thar the&s;e Probationers, &s;o nominated go how &s;oon po&s;&s;ible without delay, to the places to which they are &s;ent, and to &s;tay in the <HI>North</HI> for 12 Moneths, And it's hereby Referred to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to be appointed by this A&s;&s;embly, to con&s;ider and determine of the Pro|vinces, they &s;hould go to, and of the time of their &s;tay, and abode in each Province.</P>
<P N="6">6. That for the encouragement of each Probationer, who &s;hall be thus &s;ent, and to help to defray the Charges of their Journey, The General A&s;&s;embly, do allow out of the Kings Gift, for defraying the publick Expences of the Church, to the&s;e who go to <HI>Perth, Auchterarder</HI> and <HI>Dun|keld,</HI> 40. <HI>lib.</HI> each one, to the&s;e who go to <HI>Angus</HI> 50 <HI>lib.</HI> to the&s;e who go to <HI>Aberdeen</HI> 100 <HI>Merks,</HI> to the&s;e who go to <HI>Murray</HI> 80 <HI>lib.</HI> to the&s;e who go to <HI>Ro&s;s, Sutherland</HI> and <HI>Caithne&s;s</HI> 100 <HI>lib.</HI> to the&s;e who go to <HI>Orknay</HI> 200 <HI>Merks.</HI></P>
<P N="7">7. That the&s;e Probationers be obliged to accept of Calls, whether Popular or Presbyterial, when pre&s;en|ted to them by the Presbytries of any of the &s;aids Pro|vinces, with Certification if they refu&s;e the &s;ame, the Presbytries within who&s;e bounds they are called, &s;hall have power to take their Licence from them, un|till the next A&s;&s;embly, yet that it be recommended to all Presbytries, not to make u&s;e of a <HI>Jus devolutum</HI> for the planting any Congregation till all other means be e&s;&s;ayed.</P>
<P N="8">8. That be&s;ides the&s;e Probationers, There be &s;ent from the Synods of the South, &s;ome actual Mini&s;ters, for the Supply of the <HI>North:</HI> and &s;eing diver&s;e places of the <HI>North</HI> are better planted than formerly, the number of the&s;e Mini&s;ters to be &s;ent for this year, <HI>for each four Moneths be Eleven,</HI> in manner after following, Five to <HI>Angus</HI> and <HI>Merns,</HI> Four to <HI>Aberdeen</HI> province, Two to <HI>Murray,</HI> out of the Synods following, <HI>viz.</HI> From the Synod of <HI>Mer&s;e</HI> and <HI>Teviotdale</HI> Two, to the Province of <HI>Angus;</HI> out of the Sy|nod of <HI>Lothian</HI> Three, Two to <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> and One to <HI>Murray;</HI> out of the Synod of <HI>Gla&s;gow</HI> Four, Two to <HI>Angus</HI> and two to <HI>Aberdeen;</HI> out of the Synod of <HI>Fife</HI> Two, One to <HI>Murray,</HI> and One to <HI>Angus,</HI> and if the Commi&s;&s;ion find it needful to &s;end one to <HI>Caithne&s;s,</HI> they be empowered to &s;end one from the Synod of <HI>Lothian</HI> for the Moneths of <HI>April, May,</HI> and <HI>June,</HI> and one from the Synod of <HI>Gla&s;|gow</HI> for <HI>July, Augu&s;t</HI> and <HI>September.</HI></P>
<P N="9"><PB N="19" REF="10">9. That when an orderly Call, is de&s;igned to any Mini|&s;ter on the South-&s;ide of <HI>Tay,</HI> by any of the places privi|ledged by the 8th Act of the la&s;t General A&s;&s;embly, yet Vacant, the proces of Tran&s;portation may be carried on, after the &s;ame manner pre&s;cribed in the &s;aid Act, and the A&s;&s;embly renewes the Recommendation, mentioned in the &s;aid Act, to all Judicatories, who &s;hall have occa&s;ion to judge, in any of the&s;e Tran&s;portations, and that they have a &s;pecial re&s;pect to the&s;e places priviledged by the A&s;&s;em|bly, when they repre&s;ent any Call; &s;eing Mini&s;ters are freed from the fear of Presbyterial Calls.</P>
<P N="10">10. That in regard of the Vacancies of the Town of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> and that place is &s;o con&s;iderable, and of &s;uch in|fluence on the Northern parts, the General A&s;&s;embly Re|commends to the Synods of <HI>Lothian</HI> and <HI>Gla&s;gow,</HI> that at lea&s;t one of their Supplies each quarter, for the Province of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> be a Grave and Experienced Man, &s;uted for the Supply of the Town of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> and that when the Town of <HI>Aberdeen</HI> pre&s;ents a Call to a Mini&s;ter, before any Church Judicatory, they have a &s;pecial and tender re|gard to the Planting of that place; and likewi&s;e the Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly doth Recommend to, and appoint Mr. <HI>William Moncreif</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Largo,</HI> to go and Supply the Town of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> for the Months of <HI>April</HI> and <HI>May,</HI> and this over and be&s;ides the ordinary Supply of that Synod.</P>
<P N="11">11. That Mr. <HI>Hugh Machendry,</HI> and Mr. <HI>John Mac|culloch,</HI> be &s;ent to <HI>Angus</HI> or <HI>Perth,</HI> and have the allow|ance for their Journey out of the Kings Gift.</P>
<P N="12">12. That it be referred to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to &s;end Mr. <HI>Robert Burnet</HI> to <HI>Angus,</HI> after <HI>May</HI> next.</P>
<P N="13">13. That &s;eing it is regrated by &s;ome who are &s;ent, as Supplies that they have much toill in Traveling, betwixt the Vacant Pari&s;hes of the Presbytries of <HI>Strathbogie,</HI> and Presbytrie Seat of <HI>Murray,</HI> Therefore the A&s;&s;embly Re|commends to the united Presbytries of <HI>Turref, Fordyce,</HI> and <HI>Alfoord,</HI> to take care of the Supplies of the&s;e Vacant Pari|&s;hes, with the concurrence of Mr. <HI>William Chalmers</HI> Mi|ni&s;ter at <HI>Gairtly,</HI> untill the next General A&s;&s;embly, but that the Planting of the&s;e Vacant Pari&s;hes, be with the con|&s;ent and concurrence of the Presbytrie of <HI>Murray;</HI> &s;eing the Presbytrie of <HI>Strathbogie</HI> is within the bounds of the Province of <HI>Murray:</HI> And that it be recommended to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to &s;end up one Probationer more if they have need, and if any difficulty ari&s;e in Planting Pari&s;hes, it be referred to the Commi&s;&s;ion.</P>
<P N="14">14. That it be Recommended to Presbytries, to be careful that the allowance granted by the Act of Parlia|ment to them who Supply the <HI>North,</HI> be punctually payed,
<PB N="20" REF="11">and that the Presbytrie be careful, to provide commodious places for Mini&s;ters and Probationers, where they may re|&s;ide, when &s;ent to Supply any Pari&s;h; &s;eing they are to &s;tay there for &s;ome time, and to Catechi&s;e the People according to 16th, Act of the General A&s;&s;embly <HI>January</HI> 12. 1697. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 10. <HI>&amp; ultima</HI> paragraph. 8.</P>
<P N="15">15 That it be Recommended to the Synods of <HI>Drumfrees Mer&s;e</HI> and <HI>Gla&s;gow,</HI> to Supply the Presbytries of <HI>Wigtown</HI> and <HI>Stranrawer</HI> with Mini&s;ters and Probationers, and that they be careful to &s;end &s;uch, as for Prudence and Piety, may be judged fitte&s;t for that Countrey, and that it be Re|commended in particular to Mr. <HI>John Good</HI> Mini&s;ter of the Go&s;pel, to go to <HI>Galloway,</HI> in ca&s;e that he be not &s;hortly &s;ettled in a Pari&s;h el&s;e where.</P>
<P>And the General A&s;&s;embly having duely and maturely con&s;idered the &s;aids Overtures, They by their Vote un|animou&s;ly did, and hereby do approve of the &s;ame, and Recommends, Refers, and appoints according thereto, in all points.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="12" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XII. <HI>Approbation of the Actings and Proceedings of the Commi&s;&s;ion, appointed by the General A&s;&s;embly</HI> 1698.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh 3. February 1699. <HI>Post meridem</HI> Se&s;&s;. 17.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly having this day, had Repro|duced in their pre&s;ence, the Regi&s;ter of the Actings and Proceedings, of the Commi&s;&s;ioners appointed by the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly, and having heard the Report of a Com|mittee of this A&s;&s;emblies own number, that were not mem|bers of the &s;aid Commi&s;&s;ion, but appointed to Revi&s;e, Examine, and con&s;ider the &s;aid Regi&s;ter, with their Ob|&s;erves thereupon, all the members of the &s;aid Commi&s;&s;ion were removed, and Mr. <HI>James Hutche&s;on</HI> was cho&s;en Moderator, and Mr. <HI>David Ewing</HI> Clerk <HI>Pro tempore,</HI> (the Moderator and Clerk of this A&s;&s;embly being members of the &s;aid Commi&s;&s;ion, and thereforeremoved) and the Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly, having &s;eriou&s;ly con&s;idered the &s;aid Re|port, and An&s;wers made by the Moderator and other mem|bers of the Commi&s;&s;ion to the &s;aids Ob&s;erves, and finding thereby that the whole Actings, Proceedings, and Con|clu&s;ions of the &s;aids Commi&s;&s;ioners, contained in the Re|gi&s;ter
<PB N="21" REF="11">Sub&s;cribed by Mr. <HI>John Moncreif</HI> Clerk thereto, begining at page 169. and ending at page 354. do evidence much Wi&s;|dom, Prudence and Diligence, and that the &s;aid Commi&s;&s;ion have proceeded orderly, and formally in every thing, accord|ing to their Commi&s;&s;ion and In&s;tructions, and that the &s;aid Re|gi&s;ter is very Accurate; Therefore this General A&s;&s;embly by an unanimous Vote, did, and hereby do, Ratifie and approve the &s;aids whole Actings, Proceedings, and Conclu&s;ions of the &s;aids Commi&s;&s;ioners contained in the &s;aid Regi&s;ter thereof, begining <HI>January</HI> 15th, 1698. and ending 18. <HI>January</HI> 1699. Inclu&s;ive of both dayes; and the Members of the Commi&s;&s;ion being called in, the &s;ame was intimate to them, and the Moderator gave them the thanks of this A&s;&s;embly, for their good &s;ervice, and then the Moderator and Clerk of this A&s;&s;embly took their place.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="13" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XIII. <HI>Act anent Sub&s;cribing the Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith,</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione,</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly Recommends, to all Synods and Presbytries, to enquire what Mini&s;ters or Probationers or School-Ma&s;ters, within their Re&s;pective bounds, have not Sub&s;cribed the <HI>Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith,</HI> conform to former Acts of the General A&s;&s;embly, as the Confe&s;&s;ion of their Faith, That the&s;e who have not done it, may be put thereto, and thinks it nece&s;&s;ary that there be a new impre&s;&s;ion of the <HI>Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith</HI> in Folio for that end.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="14" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XIV. <HI>Commi&s;&s;ion by the General A&s;&s;embly to &s;ome Mini&s;ters and Elders, for Planting of Vacant Kirks in the</HI> North, <HI>and other Affairs Referred to them.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">At Edinburgh 4. February 1699. <HI>ante meridiem</HI> Se&s;&s;. 18. <HI>&amp; ultima.</HI></HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly of this National Church, con&s;ider|ing that there are yet many Vacant Churches on the <HI>North</HI> &s;ide of <HI>Tay;</HI> as likewi&s;e that there are &s;everal weighty affairs,
<PB N="22" REF="12">which the &s;aid A&s;&s;embly cannot overtake, Therefore the Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly finds it needful, that there be a Commi&s;&s;ion granted to &s;ome Mini&s;ters and Elders, for planting the&s;e Vacant Kirks, and doing what other affairs &s;hall be referred to them, and for that end, do hereby Nominat and Appoint Mr. <HI>Andrew Roger</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Galstoun,</HI> Mr. <HI>Henry Osburn</HI> at <HI>Tarbolton, Mr. Patrick Li&s;ton</HI> at <HI>Air, Mr. John Gal&s;gow</HI> at <HI>Kilbirnie,</HI> Mr. <HI>George Chalmers</HI> at <HI>Kilwining,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander King</HI> at <HI>Bonill, Mr. David Fleckfeild</HI> at <HI>Balfrone,</HI> Mr. <HI>Patrick Simp&s;on</HI> at <HI>Ren|frew,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Hutche&s;on</HI> at <HI>Killalan,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Stirling</HI> at <HI>Greenock,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Dunlop</HI> Principal of the Colledge of <HI>Gla&s;gow.</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Hea&s;tie</HI> at <HI>Gla&s;gow,</HI> Mr. <HI>David Ewing</HI> at <HI>Calder,</HI> Mr. <HI>Robert Wylie</HI> at <HI>Hamilton,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Murehead</HI> at <HI>Camnetham,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Bannatyne</HI> at <HI>Lanerk,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Lin|ing</HI> at <HI>Le&s;mehago,</HI> Mr. <HI>Daniel Campbel</HI> at <HI>Gla&s;&s;ary,</HI> Mr. <HI>Walter Campbel</HI> at <HI>Denoon,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Black</HI> at <HI>Perth,</HI> Mr. <HI>David Shaw</HI> at <HI>Aberdalgie,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Spence</HI> at <HI>Fo&s;&s;oway,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Forre&s;ter</HI> at <HI>Stirling,</HI> Mr. <HI>Hugh White</HI> at <HI>Larbert,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Douglas</HI> at <HI>Logie,</HI> Mr. <HI>Michael Potter</HI> at <HI>Dumblain,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on</HI> Principal of the <HI>Leonardine</HI> Colledge of St. <HI>Andrews,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Moncreif</HI> at <HI>Largo,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Sheilds</HI> at <HI>St. Andrews,</HI> Mr. <HI>Edward Jame&s;on</HI> at <HI>Monymail,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Gla&s;s</HI> at <HI>Auchter|mouchty,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Hadow</HI> at <HI>Couper,</HI> Mr. <HI>Archbald Riddel</HI> at <HI>Kircaldie,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Mackie</HI> at <HI>Markincb,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Shaw</HI> at <HI>Le&s;ly,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Wylie</HI> at <HI>Saline,</HI> Mr. <HI>Samuel Charters</HI> at <HI>Inner|keithing,</HI> Mr. <HI>Allan Logan</HI> at <HI>Torrieburn,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Mitchel</HI> at <HI>Dundee,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Ram&s;ay</HI> at <HI>Cortochie,</HI> Mr. <HI>Francis Melvil</HI> at <HI>Arbuthnet,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Arrot</HI> at <HI>Montro&s;e.</HI> Mr. <HI>James O&s;|burn</HI> at <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Thom&s;on</HI> at <HI>Turrif,</HI> Mr. <HI>Patrick Innes</HI> at <HI>Bamf,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Brown</HI> at <HI>Aberdour,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Johnston</HI> at <HI>Auchterle&s;s,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Forbes</HI> at <HI>Dyck</HI> Mr. <HI>James Thom&s;on</HI> at <HI>Elgin,</HI> Mr. <HI>Hugh Duff</HI> at <HI>Fern</HI> in <HI>Ro&s;&s;e,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Innes</HI> at <HI>Thur&s;o</HI> in <HI>Caithnes,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Baikie</HI> at <HI>Kirk|wal</HI> in <HI>Orknay,</HI> Mr. <HI>Hugh Leigh</HI> at <HI>Bre&s;&s;ay</HI> in <HI>Zetland,</HI> Mr. <HI>Gil|bert Rule</HI> Principal of the Colledge of <HI>Edinburgh, Mr. William Crichton</HI> at <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Law</HI> there, Mr. <HI>George Meldrum,</HI> there, Mr. <HI>George Hamilton</HI> there, Mr. <HI>David Blair</HI> there, Mr. <HI>John Hamilton</HI> there, Mr. <HI>John Moncreif</HI> there, Mr. <HI>Da|vid William&s;on</HI> at <HI>We&s;t-Kirk,</HI> Mr. <HI>Andrew Bowie</HI> at <HI>North-Leith,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Wilkie</HI> in <HI>Canogate,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Forre&s;t</HI> at <HI>Pre&s;ton-Kirk,</HI> Mr. <HI>Robert Stark</HI> at <HI>Stenton, Mr. Andrew Brown</HI> at <HI>Spott,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Clerk</HI> at <HI>Dirletoun, Mr. Mungo Wat&s;on</HI> at <HI>Glad&s;muir, Mr. Mathew Reid</HI> at <HI>Northberwick, Mr. William Trail</HI> at <HI>Borthwick,</HI> Mr. <HI>Patrick Cuming</HI> at <HI>Ormi&s;ton, Mr. Mathew Selkrig</HI> at <HI>Crich|toun, Mr. David Walker</HI> at <HI>Temple, Mr. William Macjore</HI> at <HI>Pennycook,</HI> Mr. <HI>George Barclay</HI> at <HI>&V;phal,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Burnet</HI> at <HI>Falkirk,</HI> Mr. <HI>Thomas Miller</HI> at <HI>Kirkli&s;toun, Mr. John Brand</HI> at <HI>Borrow&s;tounnes, Mr. William Ru&s;&s;el</HI> at <HI>Stobo, Mr. Robert Li|ving&s;toun</HI>
<PB N="23" REF="12">at <HI>Bigger,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Sandilands</HI> at <HI>Dolphingtoun,</HI> Mr. Mr. <HI>Gabriel Semple</HI> at <HI>Jedburgh,</HI> Mr. <HI>Samuel John&s;toun</HI> at <HI>South|dean,</HI> Mr. <HI>Robert Wil&s;on</HI> at <HI>Melro&s;s,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Gelen</HI> at <HI>Stitchell,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Dy&s;ert</HI> at <HI>Coldinghame,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Linlithgow</HI> at <HI>Swintoun,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Colden</HI> at <HI>Duns,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Vetch</HI> at <HI>We&s;truther, Mr. George John&s;toun</HI> at <HI>Er&s;letoun, Mr. William Vetch</HI> at <HI>Drum|frees, Mr. Robert Paton</HI> there, <HI>Mr. James Elder</HI> at <HI>Keir, Mr. Tho|mas Gowdie</HI> at <HI>Kirkpatrick juxta, Mr. James Arm&s;trang</HI> at <HI>Canabee, Mr. James Monteith</HI> at <HI>Borg, Mr. Robert Rowand</HI> at <HI>Pennyghame, Mr. William Boid</HI> at <HI>Dalry, Mr. Andrew Ewart</HI> at <HI>Kells,</HI> Mini&s;ters. <HI>George</HI> Earl of <HI>Melvil</HI> Lord Pre&s;ident of the Privy Council; <HI>George</HI> Earl of <HI>Sutherland, William</HI> Lord <HI>Forbes, Robert</HI> Lord <HI>Burleigh, William</HI> Lord <HI>Ro&s;s, John</HI> Lord <HI>Belhaven, James</HI> Ma&s;ter of <HI>Carmichael,</HI> Sir <HI>Hugh Dalrymple</HI> of <HI>Northberwick</HI> Lord Pre&s;i|dent of the Se&s;&s;ion, Sir <HI>James Stewart</HI> of <HI>Goodtrees</HI> His Maje&s;ties Advocat, <HI>Adam Cockburn</HI> of <HI>Ormi&s;toun</HI> Lord Ju&s;tice-Clerk, Sir <HI>Alexander Swinton</HI> of <HI>Mer&s;ingtoun,</HI> Sir <HI>Collin Campbel</HI> of <HI>Abe|ruchel,</HI> Sir <HI>John Hamiltoun</HI> of <HI>Halcraig,</HI> Sir <HI>David Home</HI> of <HI>Cro&s;|rig</HI> four of the Senators of the Colledge of Ju&s;tice, <HI>Mr. John Campbel</HI> Brother to the Earl of <HI>Argyl,</HI> Mr. <HI>Francis Montgomery</HI> of <HI>Giffan, Lodovick Grant</HI> of that Ilk, <HI>William Baillie</HI> of <HI>Laming|toun, James Brodie</HI> of that Ilk, <HI>George Home</HI> of <HI>Kello</HI> Provo&s;t of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> Sir <HI>John Riddel</HI> of that Ilk, Sir <HI>William Cuninghame</HI> of <HI>Cuninghamhead,</HI> Sir <HI>Collin Campbel</HI> of <HI>Ardkinla&s;s</HI> Sir <HI>John Pringle</HI> of <HI>Stitchel,</HI> Sir <HI>John Clerk</HI> of <HI>Pennycook,</HI> Sir <HI>Wil|liam Denholme</HI> of <HI>We&s;t&s;heilds,</HI> Sir <HI>Archibald Mure</HI> of <HI>Thorntoun,</HI> Sir <HI>Thomas Burnet</HI> His Maje&s;ties Phi&s;ician, Sir <HI>William Baird</HI> of <HI>Newbaith,</HI> Lievtenent Collonel <HI>John Erskin</HI> of <HI>Carridden,</HI> Captain <HI>John Erskin, Adam Drummond</HI> of <HI>Meggins, John Alexander</HI> of <HI>Blackhou&s;e, George Moncrief</HI> of <HI>Reedy,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Daes</HI> of <HI>Col|ding knows</HI> Advocat, <HI>Henry Rollo</HI> of <HI>Wood&s;ide</HI> Governour of the Ca&s;tle of <HI>Blackne&s;s, Walter Stewart</HI> of <HI>Pardivan, James Hamil|ton</HI> of <HI>Pencaitland, Robert Martine</HI> of <HI>Burnbrae, John Ander&s;on</HI> of <HI>Dowhill,</HI> and Mr. <HI>Archbald Dick&s;on</HI> of <HI>Tourlands</HI> Ruling Elders. To be Commi&s;&s;ioners of the General A&s;&s;embly, to the effect aftermentioned: with full power and Commi&s;&s;ion to the &s;aids per&s;ons, or their Quorum, which is hereby declared to be, any <HI>Fifteen</HI> of the &s;aids Commi&s;&s;ioners, whereof nine are alwayes to be Mini&s;ters, to meet and Conveen within the A&s;&s;embly-hou&s;e at <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> the fir&s;t <HI>Munday</HI> after the di&s;&s;olution of this A&s;&s;em|bly, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, and afterwards to meet the fir&s;t <HI>Tue&s;day</HI> of <HI>March, June, September</HI> and <HI>December</HI> and oftner, where or when they &s;hall &s;ee needful, during the continuance of this Commi&s;&s;ion: And the General A&s;&s;embly requires, all the Members of this Commi&s;&s;ion, to attend pun|ctually, the Meetings thereof: with power to the &s;aid Com|mi&s;&s;ion to chu&s;e their own Moderator and Clerk: and &s;icklike the General A&s;&s;embly, fully impowers and Authorizes the &s;aids
<PB N="24" REF="13">Commi&s;&s;ioners, or their Quorum, to con&s;ider, cogno&s;ce, and finally determine as they &s;hall &s;ee cau&s;e, in every thing contain|ed in, and conform to, the In&s;tructions given them by this A&s;|&s;embly, as fully and freely as if the &s;ame were in the&s;e pre&s;ents, at full length in&s;ert and &s;et down; As al&s;o, to con&s;ider and cogno&s;ce and finally determine, in all References, Appeals, and other Matters, particularly remitted to them, by any Act or or|der of this A&s;&s;embly, all which are holden as herein expre&s;t; And the General A&s;&s;embly, do hereby prohibit and di&s;charge the &s;aids Commi&s;&s;ioners to meddle in any other matters than what is contained herein: Declaring al&s;o that in and for their Actings, they &s;hall be countable to, and cen&s;ureable, by the next en&s;uing General A&s;&s;embly of this Church: And la&s;tly Declares, that this Commi&s;&s;ion &s;hall continue, until the Meeting of the next General A&s;&s;embly.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="15" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XV. <HI>Instructions to the Commi&s;&s;ion appointed by the General A&s;&s;embly for planting the Vacant Churches in the</HI> North, &amp;c.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P N="1">1. THAT this Commi&s;&s;ion do what in them lyes to ren|der effectual the Overtures pa&s;t the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly, for the more &s;peedy planting of the <HI>North,</HI> and exerce all the Power that is committed to them for that effect, except in fo far as they are, or &s;hall be altered by this A&s;&s;embly; And that they cogno&s;ce and finally determine in all References made to them, by this A&s;&s;embly, and in all Appeals for Tran&s;porting Mini&s;ters to the <HI>North,</HI> which &s;hall be orderly brought in to them, according to the above, or any other Overtures pa&s;t in this A&s;&s;embly.</P>
<P N="2">2. That this Commi&s;&s;ion, as often as they &s;ee cau&s;e, apply to the Government, or any Magi&s;trate for their countenance|ing of, and concurrence with the Judicatories of the Church, in what the Law allows, particularly for &s;ettling Vacant Churches, Redre&s;&s;ing any Grievances, which may fall out, and that they corre&s;pond with the State, anent Fa&s;ts and Than&s;givings, as occa&s;ion requires, and to &s;pecify the Cau&s;es thereof.</P>
<P N="3">3. That when any Mini&s;ters, who &s;erved under the late Prelacy, who&s;e Lives and Doctrines, may render them u&s;eful to this Church, do apply for reception to the Government, the A&s;&s;embly do impower and recommend to this Commi&s;&s;ion,
<PB N="25" REF="13">and the other Judicatories of this Church competent, that they may be ready to receive them, according to former Acts of the A&s;&s;embly.</P>
<P N="4">4. That this Commi&s;&s;ion may di&s;po&s;e of His Maje&s;ties Gifts to this Church, and in the di&s;po&s;al thereof, that they do particularly take care, that the encouragement granted by this A&s;&s;embly, to the Probationers who are to go to the <HI>North</HI> to Preach, be rendered effectual, and that they cau&s;e defray the extraordinary Charges, that &s;everal Mini&s;ters of the <HI>North,</HI> have been at, in carrying on the planting of the <HI>North,</HI> and other publick Affairs of the Church there, and for the de|fraying the Charges, of &s;uch <HI>Mini&s;ters,</HI> or <HI>Probationers,</HI> as &s;hall yet be &s;ent to <HI>Orknay,</HI> or other remote parts of the <HI>North.</HI></P>
<P N="5">5. That this Commi&s;&s;ion, on the de&s;ire of Presbytries, or Synods, or as they &s;hall &s;ee cau&s;e, may appoint Committees upon occa&s;ion, for vi&s;itation of particular Kirks, and Presby|tries, or tryal of per&s;ons, and do all things proper for any Vi|&s;itation. who are to Act in conjunction with the Presbytry of the bounds, and that they proceed to Cen&s;ure as they &s;ee cau&s;e.</P>
<P N="6">6. The Commi&s;&s;ion is to give advice and a&s;&s;i&s;tance, to any Synod or Presbytry, applying to them in difficult ca&s;es.</P>
<P N="7">7. That this Commi&s;&s;ion enquire, who are defective in &s;ending Supplies to the <HI>North,</HI> and &s;ee them fulfil their Mi&s;&s;ion, and that they endeavour, that the Supplies appointed by this A&s;|&s;embly, be made effectual, under the Certifications contained in Acts of prior A&s;&s;emblies thereanent, and for this effect, that each Synod and Presbytry, &s;end in quarterly to the Commi&s;|&s;ion, an account of the names of the per&s;ons, they appoint for Supplies, and the places to which they are &s;ent, and that ano|ther double thereof be each 4 Moneths &s;ent to the Presbytry or Province to which they &s;end.</P>
<P N="8">8. That this Commi&s;&s;ion &s;hall have power, to add to, or alter the In&s;tructions given to the Presbytries of <HI>Orknay</HI> and <HI>Zetland,</HI> as they &s;hall &s;ee cau&s;e, particularly with reference to Tran|&s;portation of Mini&s;ters, becau&s;e of the &s;ad circum&s;tances that &s;ome Mini&s;ters there are in, that they be ready to give advice and a&s;&s;i&s;tance to the&s;e Presbytries, as they are required, becau&s;e they have not Synods in the&s;e bounds.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="16" TYPE="act">
<PB N="26" REF="14">
<HEAD>XVI. <HI>Overtures for Promoving the Knowledge of God in the</HI> Highlands, <HI>and for Rendering the Act made</HI> Se&s;&s;. 10. <HI>of this A&s;&s;embly, the more effectual</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P N="1">1 THAT each Presbytry, give up yearly to the General A&s;&s;embly, a di&s;tinct account, of Probationers and Stu|dents of Divinity within their bounds, who have the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language.</P>
<P N="2">2. That enquiry be made, what Mini&s;ters are &s;ettled in the <HI>Lowlands,</HI> who have the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, that they may be &s;ent on Supply to Vacant and <HI>Highland</HI> places, and if they get orderly Calls, they be Tran&s;ported to the <HI>Highlands.</HI></P>
<P N="3">3. That &s;eing a great number of Bibles, have been on the Charges of diver&s;e Charitable per&s;ons in <HI>England,</HI> &amp; &s;ome in <HI>Scot|land</HI> Tran&s;lated and Printed in the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, and &s;ent down to this Kingdom, to be di&s;per&s;ed, chiefly for the u&s;e of the poor, and many of them, are not yet di&s;tributed, and diver&s;e Pari&s;hes in the <HI>Highland</HI> parts, have gotten none of them, it be recom|mended to Mr. <HI>David Blair</HI> Mr. <HI>William Crichton,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Law,</HI> Mr. <HI>Gilbert Rule,</HI> Mr. <HI>George Meldrum,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Moncreif,</HI> Mr. <HI>George Hamilton</HI> Moderator, and to the Earls of <HI>Sutherland</HI> and <HI>Tillibardine</HI> the Lord <HI>Aberuchle,</HI> and Laird of <HI>Grant,</HI> to enquire how many of the&s;e Bibles, whether Printed in the Ro|man or Iri&s;h Character are already di&s;tributed, and how and to whom, and how many does yet remain, and to make di&s;tri|bution of them, to different parts of the Church, in &s;uch propor|tion, as may be mo&s;t for Edification, and that they be deliver|ed and di&s;tributed by the order of any three of this Committee, on &s;ufficient Receipt by the Receiver, and that Presbytries and Mini&s;ters of each pari&s;h, be careful of the due di&s;tribution of what is received, and an account thereof &s;ent to the next Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly.</P>
<P N="4">4. That it be Recommended to all, but e&s;pecially to Pres|bytries who have <HI>Highland</HI> pari&s;hes, to con&s;ider what may be done for getting a Fond for a new Impre&s;&s;ion of the Bible in the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, and of the P&s;alms in meeter, and of the Shorter Catechi&s;me.</P>
<P N="5">5. That &s;eing it is Informed, there was 1000 <HI>lib. Scots,</HI> given by the Lords of His Maje&s;ties Thea&s;ury, for Binding of the&s;e Bibles, and other Charges anent them, it be Recommend|ed
<PB N="27" REF="14">to the fore&s;aid Committee, or to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to enquire to whom that money was given, and on what Terms, and how imployed, and if there be any of it yet remaning, after the Defraying of the Charges fore&s;aid, that it be allotted for the help of a Fond for a new Impre&s;&s;ion.</P>
<P N="6">6. That it be Recommended to the Synod of <HI>Argyle,</HI> to Tran&s;late the <HI>Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith</HI> of this Church, and the <HI>Larger Catechi&s;me</HI> in the <HI>Iri&s;h</HI> Language, the <HI>Le&s;&s;er Catechi&s;me</HI> and <HI>P&s;alms</HI> being Tran&s;lated already in that Language, and that they exactly notice any Typographical Errors, which may be found in the late Impre&s;&s;ion of the Bible, in the <HI>Highland</HI> Language, that they may be amended in a new Impre&s;&s;ion.</P>
<P N="7">7. That it be Recommended to the Synod of <HI>Argyle,</HI> that as they have done worthily hitherto, in Vi&s;iting the Country and I&s;lands within their bounds, &s;o they would continue, and abound more and more, and be ready to a&s;&s;i&s;t their Neigh|bours, as they are called and have opportunity.</P>
<P N="8">8. That there be a Committee, for Vi&s;iting the <HI>Highland</HI> Pari&s;hes of <HI>Dumbarton, Strivling,</HI> and <HI>Perth, Shyres,</HI> of the per|&s;ons following <HI>viz.</HI> Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Drymmen,</HI> Mr. <HI>Robert Ander&s;on</HI> at <HI>Perth,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Campbel</HI> at <HI>Monivaird,</HI> Mr. <HI>David Shaw</HI> at <HI>Aberdalgy,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Dowglas</HI> of <HI>Logy,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Dining</HI> at <HI>Abernethy,</HI> Mini&s;ters, the Earl of <HI>Tillibardine,</HI> Vi&s;count of <HI>Dipline,</HI> Lord <HI>Ruthven,</HI> Sir <HI>Colin Campbel</HI> of <HI>Aberuchle,</HI> one of the Senators of the Colledge of Ju&s;tice, the Laird of <HI>Meggins</HI> and <HI>Lauchlan Mackinto&s;h</HI> Elders.</P>
<P N="9">9. And that the Synod of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> at their meeting in <HI>A|pril</HI> next, do appoint &s;ome of the Mini&s;ters and Elders in their bounds to be a Committee, to Vi&s;ite the few <HI>Highland</HI> Pari|&s;hes in their Province.</P>
<P N="10">10. And that Mr. <HI>David Cuming</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Edinkilly,</HI> Mr. <HI>Alexander Forbes</HI> at <HI>Dyck,</HI> and Mr. <HI>Donald Mackinto&s;h</HI> at <HI>Duthel,</HI> Mini&s;ters: together with the Lairds of <HI>Grant, Brody</HI> and <HI>Collodine</HI> Elders, with any other that the Presbytry of <HI>Murray</HI> may appoint of their own Number, to be a Committee to Vi&s;ite the <HI>Highland</HI> Pari&s;hes within the Province and Synod of <HI>Murray.</HI></P>
<P N="11">11. And that Mr. <HI>William Innes</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Thur&s;o,</HI> Mr. <HI>Walter Denoon</HI> at <HI>Golp&s;ie,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Monro</HI> at <HI>Rhe,</HI> Mr. <HI>John Macpher&s;on</HI> at <HI>Farr,</HI> Mr. <HI>William Stewart</HI> at <HI>Kiltearn,</HI> and Mr. <HI>Hugh Duff</HI> at <HI>Ferne,</HI> with the Lairds of <HI>Foulis</HI> and <HI>Dal|pholey</HI> and <HI>William Ro&s;s</HI> of <HI>Aldie,</HI> be a Committee, to Vi&s;ite the <HI>Highland</HI> Pari&s;hes of <HI>Ro&s;s, Sutherland</HI> and <HI>Caithne&s;s.</HI></P>
<P N="12">12. And that the&s;e Committees Vi&s;ite the Kirks, Man&s;es, Gleibs, and if need be <HI>perambulat,</HI> the Pari&s;hes, and con&s;ider how they may be more commodiou&s;ly divided, or annexed, or where there is need of new Erections, and how the &s;ame may be mo&s;t conveniently accompli&s;hed.</P>
<P N="13"><PB N="28" REF="15">13. And that they vi&s;it the Schools, within the &s;aids Bounds, and endeavour to get Schools Erected, according to the Act of Parliament, where they are not, and apply to the&s;e, who have the care and charge of di&s;po&s;ing of the Kings Gift, out of the Bi&s;hoprick of <HI>Dunkeld,</HI> or any other Gift His Maje&s;ty, may grant to other places, for that end, that where it is needful they may have more Schools in one pari&s;h where it's large and &s;paci|ous, than the&s;e provided by Act of Parliament.</P>
<P N="14">14. And that they do all and every thing proper for a Com|mittee for vi&s;itation to do, and to Report their Diligence to the next General A&s;&s;embly, and from time to time to the Commi&s;|&s;ion appointed by this A&s;&s;embly, who are hereby impowered to give them advice on all occa&s;ions, and to draw the &s;everal Commi&s;&s;ions to the re&s;pective Committees to the effect above|&s;pecified, and appoint the time and place of their fir&s;t meeting re&s;pective, with power to the Commi&s;&s;ion to add &s;uch of their number as they &s;hall think fit, with power al&s;o to the above mentioned Committees, to chu&s;e their own Moderators and Clerks and to appoint the diets and places of their after-meet|ings.</P>
<P N="15">15. That the King be addre&s;&s;ed for the effect of his Royal Munificence, in favours of the more Northern <HI>Highland</HI> places, as he hath done to the Synods of <HI>Argyle</HI> and <HI>Perth,</HI> and the con|currence of the Nobility and Gentry concerned, be de&s;ired for this end.</P>
<P>The General A&s;&s;embly having &s;everal times heard and con|&s;idered the abovewritten Overtures, They by their vote un|animou&s;ly did, and hereby do approve thereof; And Appoints, Refers, and Recommends according thereto, in all points.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="17" TYPE="act">
<HEAD>XVII.</HEAD>
<P>THE next General A&s;&s;embly of this National Church is to be held at <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> upon the fir&s;t <HI>Friday</HI> of <HI>February,</HI> One Thou&s;and Seven Hundred Years.</P>
<P><HI>The A&s;&s;embly being clo&s;ed, the Members were di&s;mi&s;&s;ed with Pray|er, &s;inging the</HI> 133 <HI>P&s;alm, and pronouncing of the Ble&s;&s;ing.</HI></P>
</DIV2>
<CLOSER><HI>Collected, and Extracted, From the Records of the General A&s;sembly,</HI>
<SIGNED>By Me, J. Bannatyne, <HI>Cls. Syn. National.</HI></SIGNED></CLOSER>
</DIV1>
</BODY>
<BACK>
<DIV1 TYPE="table of contents">
<PB REF="15">
<HEAD>A TABLE Of the Printed Acts of the <HI>Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly</HI> 1699.</HEAD>
<LIST>
<ITEM>1. THE Recording of His Maje&s;tie's Commi&s;&s;ion, to the Lord <HI>Carmichael</HI> for Repre&s;enting His Maje&s;ty in this A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Page</HI> 3.</ITEM>
<ITEM>2. His Maje&s;tie's Gracious Letter to the General A&s;&s;embly. 5, &amp; 6.</ITEM>
<ITEM>3. The General A&s;&s;emblies An&s;wer to His Maje&s;tie's mo&s;t Gracious Letter. 7.</ITEM>
<ITEM>4. Act annexing &s;ome pari&s;hes to the Presbytries of <HI>Wig|toun</HI> and <HI>Stranrauer.</HI> 8.</ITEM>
<ITEM>5. Act anent proclamation of Banns. 9.</ITEM>
<ITEM>6. Act of the General A&s;&s;embly, anent a Solemn National Fa&s;t and Humiliation. 10.</ITEM>
<ITEM>7. Act again&s;t Prophanne&s;s. 11.</ITEM>
<ITEM>8. Act again&s;t Popery. 13.</ITEM>
<ITEM>9. Act anent planting of the <HI>Highlands.</HI> 15.</ITEM>
<ITEM>10. Recommendation to Presbytries and Synods anent Schools. 16.</ITEM>
<ITEM>11. Overtures for planting the <HI>North,</HI> with the Aprobation thereof. <HI>Ibid.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>12. Approbation of the Actings and proceedings of the Commi&s;&s;ion appointed by the General A&s;&s;embly 1698. 20</ITEM>
<ITEM>13. Act anent the Sub&s;cribing the Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith 21</ITEM>
<ITEM>14. Commi&s;&s;ion by the General A&s;&s;embly to &s;ome Mini|&s;ters and Elders for planting of Vacant Churches in the <HI>North,</HI> and other Affairs referred to them. <HI>Ibid.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>15. In&s;tructions to the Commi&s;&s;ion appointed by the Gene|ral A&s;&s;embly for planting the Vacant Churches in the <HI>North, &amp;c.</HI> 24.</ITEM>
<ITEM>16. Overtures for promoving the knowledge of God, in the Highlands, and for rendering the Act made Se&s;&s;ion 10. of this A&s;&s;embly the more effectual. 16.</ITEM>
<ITEM>17. Appointment of the next Diet of the General A&s;&s;embly. 28</ITEM>
</LIST>
</DIV1>
<DIV1 TYPE="index">
<PB REF="16">
<HEAD>INDEX <HI>Of the</HI> ACTS <HI>&amp;c. of the General A&s;&s;embly</HI> 1699. <HI>which are not here Printed.</HI></HEAD>
<LIST>
<ITEM>THE meeting, and opening of the General A&s;&s;embly (af|ter Sermon) by Mr. <HI>George Meldrum</HI> Moderator of the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly.</ITEM>
<ITEM>Election of Mr. <HI>George Hamilton</HI> Moderator. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 1.</ITEM>
<ITEM>Mr. <HI>John Bannatyne</HI> cho&s;en Clerk to this A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Ibidem</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>The Commi&s;&s;ioner and Moderator's <HI>Speeches. Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for drawing an An&s;wer to the Kings Letter. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for <HI>Overtures. Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for <HI>Bills, References</HI> and <HI>Appeals. Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Appointment of a Diet for Prayer. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Some Mini&s;ters appointed to Preach before the <HI>Commi&s;&s;ioner,</HI> and Supply the Kirks of the Mini&s;ters of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> who are Members of the General A&s;&s;embly, and they ordered to name others to &s;ucceed them. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>A Diet &s;pent in Prayer. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 2.</ITEM>
<ITEM>The Presbytries of <HI>Caithne&s;s</HI> and <HI>Orknay</HI> excu&s;ed, for not &s;ending Commi&s;&s;ioners to this General A&s;&s;embly, and the con&s;ide|ration of <HI>Letters</HI> therefrom remitted to a Committee. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 3.</ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for Cogno&s;ceing upon the dates of Commi&s;&s;ions, con|form to the 6 Act of the la&s;t General A&s;&s;embly 1698. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for revi&s;ing the proceedings of the <HI>Commi&s;&s;ion</HI> of of the General A&s;&s;embly 1698. <HI>Ibid.</HI> &amp; <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 8.</ITEM>
<ITEM>Committees for revi&s;ing <HI>Synod-Books. Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act appointing the <HI>Synod-Book</HI> of <HI>Argyle</HI> to be brought to the next General A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>The Presbytries in the Provinces of <HI>Angus, Merns, Aberdeen, Murray, Ro&s;s, Sutherland, Caithne&s;s, Orknay</HI> and <HI>Zetland,</HI> ap|pointed to bring their <HI>Records</HI> to the next General A&s;&s;em|bly to be revi&s;ed. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for con&s;idering the &s;tate of the <HI>North-Highlands</HI> &amp;c. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Rejecting the Appeal of <HI>Aberdeen</HI> anent their Proce&s;s con|cerning the Tran&s;portation of Mr. <HI>William Mitchel</HI> from <HI>Dundee</HI> to <HI>Aberdeen. Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<PB REF="16">
<ITEM>A Letter of thanks from the Con&s;i&s;tory of the&s;e of the Reform|ed Religion in <HI>Konigsberg,</HI> for the Charity of this Church and Nation, to help to Build their Church. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for receiving the Li&s;ts of Probationers and Stu|dents, according to the 3. Act of the General A&s;&s;embly 1697. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 4</ITEM>
<ITEM>Report of a Committee appointed by the la&s;t A&s;&s;embly, for re|vi&s;ing the Overtures anent Di&s;cipline, and the appointment continued, with a new addition of &s;ome Members to that Committee. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee to name &s;ome Mini&s;ters for Supplying <HI>Aberdeen. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Tran&s;porting Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on</HI> Mini&s;ter, from <HI>We&s;tkirk</HI> to St <HI>Andrews. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 5 and 15</ITEM>
<ITEM>The Commi&s;&s;ioners from the Presbytry of <HI>Stranrauer,</HI> excu&s;ed for not attending this A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 6</ITEM>
<ITEM>Mr. <HI>Gilbert Rule</HI> Principal of the Colledge of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> Commi|&s;&s;ioner there from, excu&s;ed for not attending this A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 7</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act appointing Mr. <HI>Thomas Wilkie</HI> Mini&s;ter at <HI>Canogate,</HI> Mr. <HI>James Clark</HI> and Mr. <HI>David Broun</HI> Mini&s;ters, to go to <HI>Aber|deen,</HI> and Supply them with Preaching. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act refu&s;ing to Tran&s;port Mr. <HI>James Stirline</HI> Mini&s;ter to <HI>Aber|deen</HI> or <HI>Barony</HI> pari&s;h of <HI>Gla&s;gow,</HI> and continuing him at <HI>Kil|barchan. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 4 5 and 7</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Su&s;taining an Appeal, from the Presbytry of <HI>Er&s;letoun,</HI> made by the pari&s;h of <HI>Dalmeny</HI> to the General A&s;&s;embly, anent the Tran&s;portation of Mr. <HI>George John&s;toun</HI> Mini&s;ter from <HI>Er&s;le|toun</HI> to <HI>Dalmeny,</HI> and ordaining the pari&s;h of <HI>Er&s;letoun</HI> to be cited before the General A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 8</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act taking off the Sentence of Su&s;pen&s;ion and Depo&s;ition, off Mr. <HI>William Ru&s;&s;el</HI> lately Mini&s;ter at <HI>Morum,</HI> upon his appli|cation and promi&s;e of Subjection <HI>&amp;c. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 8</ITEM>
<ITEM>A Letter to the Magi&s;trates of <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> and another to Mr. <HI>James Osburn. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 8 &amp; 9</ITEM>
<ITEM>Addre&s;s to the King, anent the Stipends of the Mini&s;ters of St-<HI>Andrews. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 9</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Refu&s;ing the Petitions of Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on</HI> and Mr. <HI>David William&s;on</HI> Mini&s;ters, and the Pari&s;honers of <HI>We&s;tkirk,</HI> crav|ing a Recognition of the A&s;&s;emblies Sentence, Tran&s;port|ing Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on</HI> to St <HI>Andrews. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act anent Mr. <HI>Alexander Ore</HI>'s going to <HI>Alyth,</HI> with a Refer|ence to the Commi&s;&s;ion in his favours. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Recommendation to the Lords of Thea&s;ury, in favours of the Kirk-Se&s;&s;ion of <HI>Dumfermling,</HI> for the Vacant Stipend of that pari&s;h, with a Recommendation to their Presbytry, and the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent planting of that pari&s;h. <HI>Se&s;s.</HI> 8 &amp; 9</ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee anent the poor. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 10</ITEM>
<ITEM>Repre&s;entation anent the &s;tate of <HI>Orknay,</HI> with an Act approv|ing Overtures, anent addre&s;&s;ing the Lords of Thea&s;ury for the
<PB REF="17">Vacant Stipends of that Country Cropt 1698. <HI>&amp;c</HI> for pious u&s;es, the Presbytry appointed to Vi&s;ite pari&s;hes and ruinous Kirks and Man&s;es, and report to the Commi&s;&s;ion. <HI>Item</HI> Anent Erect|ing Schools in that Country, an addre&s;s to the King, for an Augmentation to the Stipend of one, of the two Mini|&s;ters of <HI>Kirkwal,</HI> And la&s;tly anent &s;ending &s;ome Mini&s;ters and Probationers to <HI>Orknay. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 10</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act taking off the Sentences of Su&s;pen&s;ion and Depo&s;ition of Mr. <HI>Hugh Mackhenry,</HI> upon his application and humble de|&s;ire therefore, and his engagment to be &s;ubject to the Ju|dicatories of this Church. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act anent an addre&s;s to the Council for puni&s;hing Witches, Charmers <HI>&amp;c.</HI> with Overtures thereanent. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act refu&s;ing the de&s;ire of Mr <HI>John Fergu&s;&s;on,</HI> and Petition of <HI>Robertoun,</HI> craving a Recognition of the late A&s;&s;emblies &s;en|tence, Tran&s;porting him to <HI>Aberbrothick, Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Petition for Mr. <HI>George John&s;toun,</HI> craving that the General A&s;|&s;embly would con&s;ider his affair, and not remit the &s;ame to the Commi&s;&s;ion, granted. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 11</ITEM>
<ITEM>The Presbytry of <HI>Pai&s;ly</HI> appointed to &s;ee that Mr. <HI>David Broun</HI> go to <HI>Aberdeen. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act taking off the &s;entence of Su&s;pen&s;ion off Mr. <HI>John Fergu&s;|&s;on,</HI> and appointing him to go to <HI>Aberborthick. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 12</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act appointing the Presbytry of <HI>Coupar,</HI> to be admoni&s;hed for not ob&s;erving the Acts of the General A&s;&s;embly, anent Calls. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act appointing Mr. <HI>David Pitcairn</HI> Mini&s;ter to go to <HI>Forre&s;&s;e,</HI> with a reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion in his favours. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act refu&s;ing to Su&s;tain the Appeal of <HI>Keeth</HI> from the Presby|try of <HI>Biggar,</HI> and remitting the affair anent Mr. <HI>Robert Bail|lies</HI> Tran&s;portation from <HI>Lamingtoun</HI> to <HI>Keeth. Se&s;.</HI> 13</ITEM>
<ITEM>A Letter to the Earl of <HI>Aboyne,</HI> congratulating his renouncing the Popi&s;h and owning the Prote&s;tant Religion, and en|couraging his Lord&s;hip to continue therein. <HI>Se&s;.</HI> 10 &amp; 13</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Refu&s;ing to Tran&s;port Mr. <HI>George Barclay</HI> Mini&s;ter to <HI>Wig|toun,</HI> and continuing him at <HI>&V;phal. Se&s;.</HI> 13</ITEM>
<ITEM>Prote&s;tation of <HI>Campvere,</HI> that <HI>Clackmanan</HI> had pa&s;t from their Call to Mr. <HI>Thomas Hog. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent a Petition from the Pre&s;|bytry of <HI>Kircubright. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Addre&s;s to the Privy Council anent the poor. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act allowing Mr. <HI>Thomas Hog,</HI> to dimit his Mini&s;try at <HI>Cam|vere,</HI> and accept of a Call from the <HI>Scotti&s;h</HI> Congregation at <HI>Rotterdam. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 14</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act Receiving Mr. <HI>John Mackcalman,</HI> (one of the&s;e that &s;erv|ed under the late prelacy) to Mini&s;terial Communion, upon the Terms of the General A&s;&s;embly 1694. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act determining that Mr. <HI>Hugh Machenry,</HI> &s;hould not return
<PB REF="17">to his former Charge at <HI>Dalton,</HI> with a recommendation in his favours. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 15</ITEM>
<ITEM>Act refu&s;ing to Tran&s;port Mr. <HI>George John&s;ton</HI> to <HI>Dalmeny,</HI> and continuing him Mini&s;ter at <HI>Er&s;letoun. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act approving an Overture, that Mr. <HI>George Clephane,</HI> be lookt upon as Mini&s;ter of <HI>Newtild</HI> and upon his Petition grant|ing him an Act of Tran&s;portability therefrom. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Recommendation in favours of Mr. <HI>John Ander&s;on. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Acts atte&s;ting the Vi&s;itors approbation of the Synod Books, of <HI>Gla&s;gow</HI> and <HI>Air, Fiffe, Lothian</HI> and <HI>Tweedale, Mer&s;e</HI> and and <HI>Teviotdale. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act and Recommendation in favours of Mr. <HI>David William&s;on</HI> and the pari&s;h of <HI>We&s;tkirk. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 16</ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for Naming the Members of the Commi&s;&s;ion. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act taking off the &s;entence of Su&s;pen&s;ion, off Mr. <HI>John Hep|burn,</HI> on his humble and earne&s;t de&s;ire, and profe&s;&s;ed defe|rence and re&s;pect to the Judicatories of this Church, and the Peace and Order thereof, which was granted by the General A&s;&s;embly with Certification <HI>&amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion in favours of the <HI>African</HI> and <HI>Indi|an</HI> Company of <HI>Scotland,</HI> anent providing them with Mini|&s;ters <HI>&amp;c. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 16 &amp; 17</ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion in favours of the Lord <HI>Strathna|ver</HI>'s Regiment for a Mini&s;ter. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 17</ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent Mr. <HI>Alexander Steedman,</HI> and Mr. <HI>Alexander Ander&s;on</HI>'s going to <HI>Wick</HI> in <HI>Caithne&s;s. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee to draw In&s;tructions to the Commi&s;&s;ion. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act allowing <HI>John Blair</HI> 50. <HI>lib. sttarling,</HI> for Agenting the Churches affairs, and 5. <HI>lib.</HI> to his Servant yearly. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent Erroneous Books <HI>&amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent Mr. <HI>Patrick Murray</HI> of <HI>Caddell &amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent Intruders <HI>&amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to con&s;ider the Repre&s;entation &s;ent from <HI>Murray. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Upon the de&s;ire of the Directors of the <HI>African</HI> and <HI>Indian</HI> Com|pany, The General A&s;&s;embly Recommends to all Mini&s;ters, to pray for the Pre&s;ervation and Succe&s;&s;e of the&s;e &s;ent by the &s;aids Directors to remote places. <HI>Ib.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to name Twenty Probationers for the <HI>North. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 18</ITEM>
<ITEM>Report anent the dates of Commi&s;&s;ions <HI>&amp;c.</HI> with a Recommen|dation to Presbytries, to ob&s;erve more punctually, the 6 Act of the General A&s;&s;embly. 1698 <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 4 &amp; 18</ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent an addre&s;s to the Lords of Thea&s;ury in favours of <HI>Orknay. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 18 &amp; <HI>ultima</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Refetence to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent Mr. <HI>Charles Gordons</HI> going to <HI>Aberdeen,</HI> and Mr. <HI>John Curries</HI> going to <HI>Murray,</HI> and anent the Supply of the <HI>North. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<PB REF="18">
<ITEM>Act atte&s;ting the Vi&s;itors approbation of the Synod Book of <HI>Gal|loway. Se&s;&s;.</HI> 18</ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, to addre&s;s the Commi&s;&s;ion of Parliament, for plantation of Kirks <HI>&amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Recommendation anent the Collections for Building the Bridges of <HI>Lanerk</HI> and <HI>Ancrum. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent the Petition of Mr. <HI>John Lyon,</HI> for reception to Mini&s;terial Communion. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion of the Petitions of Mr. <HI>Hugh Cla|nie,</HI> Mr. <HI>Walter Menzies</HI> and Mr. <HI>William Abercromby,</HI> three Mini&s;ters depo&s;ed. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent <HI>John Sharp</HI> of <HI>Hodom. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion of the Petition of <HI>Creiff Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent the Petition of <HI>Mr. Pa|trick Lyon,</HI> for reception to Mini&s;terial Communion. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent the Tran&s;portation of <HI>Mr. Alexander Gla&s;s,</HI> from <HI>Auchtermouchty</HI> to <HI>Meegle. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent Mrs. <HI>John Demp&s;ter,</HI> and <HI>Patrick Strauchan,</HI> their Proce&s;ses. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent the form of proce&s;s. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent old Scandals, and Scandals committed out of the Kingdom, by per&s;ons now re&s;iding therein, and Education of Youth. <HI>&amp;c. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion to addre&s;s the King in favours of the <HI>North, Highlands, Caithne&s;s</HI> and <HI>Orknay, &amp;c.</HI> And to write to the Vi&s;count of <HI>Seafeild,</HI> for his Lord&s;hips a&s;&s;i&s;tance and concurrence therein, <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, of all affairs that were depend|ing before the la&s;t Commi&s;&s;ion, yet undi&s;cu&s;&s;ed particularly, the references made thereto by the Committee &s;ent la&s;t year to <HI>Ro&s;s, Sutherland, Caithne&s;s</HI> and <HI>Orknay. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, of the Petition of Mr. <HI>James Hutche&s;on,</HI> lately Mini&s;ter at <HI>Grayfriers</HI> Kirk of <HI>Edinburgh,</HI> for taking off a &s;entence of Depo&s;ition, and receiving him to Mini&s;terial Communion. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act appointing Mr. <HI>Robert Clelland,</HI> and Mr. <HI>John Wil&s;on</HI> Mi|ni&s;ters to &s;tay out four Moneths in the Province of <HI>Angus</HI> and <HI>Merns,</HI> Supplying Vacances. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent Mr. <HI>Hector Fra&s;er</HI> Proba|tioner his going to <HI>Ro&s;s,</HI> and <HI>Sutherland. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion, anent the Synod Book of <HI>Drum|frees. Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent Witchcraft, Charming <HI>&amp;c.</HI> Ma&s;quarads, Balls, Stage-playes. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Reference to the Commi&s;&s;ion anent the Petition of &s;ome Mini|&s;ters in <HI>Angus</HI> and <HI>Merns,</HI> for part of the Money gifted by the King to help to defray their publick Charges, anent the Churches affairs. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Recommendation to Presbytries to Supply the Charges of Mini|&s;ters
<PB REF="18">that are members of the Commi&s;&s;ion during their atten|dance thereon. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Recommendation in favours of <HI>Linlithgow, Leith, Airth</HI> and <HI>Clackmanon,</HI> anent their being &s;peedily planted. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>Act declaring all appeals made to this A&s;&s;embly, and not in|&s;i&s;ted in, Null. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 18 &amp; <HI>ult.</HI></ITEM>
<ITEM>The Moderator and Commi&s;&s;ioners Speeches at the clo&s;s of the A&s;&s;embly.</ITEM>
<ITEM>Committee for Revi&s;ing the Minute, and ordering the Print|ing of the Acts of this A&s;&s;embly. <HI>Ib</HI></ITEM>
</LIST>
</DIV1>
<DIV1 TYPE="overtures">
<HEAD>OVERTURES, <HI>Tran&s;mitted by the General A&s;sembly</HI> 1699, <HI>to the &s;everal Presbytries within this National Church, that they may con&s;i&s;der the &s;ame, and &s;end their Opinion thereanent to the next General A&s;|&s;embly, who may pa&s;s the &s;ame in Acts, if the more general Opinion of this Church agree thereunto.</HI></HEAD>
<DIV2 N="1" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>I. <HI>Overtures anent Revi&s;ing of the Regi&s;ters of Church-Judicatories</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, 24. January 1699. <HI>Po&s;t merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 4.</HEAD>
<P>THE which Day, The Overtures under-written being brought in, from the Committee for Overtures, was Read in pre&s;ence of the General A&s;&s;embly. The Tenor where|of follows.</P>
<P>It is Overtur'd that the General A&s;&s;embly, con&s;idering the great import to this Church, that all its Regi&s;ters be exact and well kept; Do require all Provincial Synods and Presbytries, to be careful in revi&s;ing of Regi&s;ters of the Judicatories, under their immediat in&s;pection, And that they may appoint the mo&s;t fit and experienced Brethren for that work, and that when they find nothing to challenge in any Regi&s;ter, they give the &s;ame the atte&s;tation following.</P>
<P><Q>The Provincial Synod of&mdash;having heard the Report of the Brethren appointed to revi&s;e the Presbytry Book of &mdash;and having heard their Remarks thereupon, and the &s;aids Presbytries An&s;wers thereto, and it having been enquir|ed by the Moderator, if any other had any Complaints to make again&s;t the Actings of the &s;aid Presbytry, and nothing appearing Cen&s;urable, Ordered their Clerk to atte&s;t this in their Presbytry Book.</Q></P>
<PB REF="19">
<P>And &s;o for the Regi&s;ters of Provincial Synods, and Kirk Se&s;&s;ions <HI>Mutatis Mutandis.</HI></P>
<P>The abovewritten Overtures being read and con&s;idered, the General A&s;&s;embly tran&s;mitted the &s;ame to the &s;everal Pres|bytries within this National Church, to be con&s;idered again&s;t the next General A&s;&s;embly.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="2" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>II. <HI>Overtures anent School-Ma&s;ters,</HI> &amp;c.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, 27 January 1699. <HI>Po&s;t merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 8.</HEAD>
<P>THE which Day there was brought in from the Com|mittee for Overtures, the Overture following <HI>viz.</HI></P>
<P>That all Presbytries take &s;pecial, particular and exact notice of all School-Ma&s;ters, Chaplains, Governours, and Paedagogues of Youth within their re&s;pective bounds, who Teach Errone|ous Principles, or are not careful to Educat the&s;e under their charge in the Prote&s;tant Reformed Religion, or that are guilty of Immoralities, particularly of Sabbath-breaking, <HI>&amp;c.</HI> And that Ma&s;ters of Colledges take care, and u&s;e their Authority for the &s;ame ends, that the Delinquents may be proce&s;&s;ed by the Re&s;pective Presbytries, and Cen&s;ured upon clear evidences of their guilt.</P>
<P>The above Overture being read and con&s;idered by the Gene|ral A&s;&s;embly, they tran&s;mitted the &s;ame to the &s;everal Presby|tries within this National Church, to be con&s;idered, again&s;t the next General A&s;&s;embly.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="3" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>III. <HI>Overture again&s;t Witch-craft, Charming</HI> &amp;c.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, January 30. 1699. <HI>po&s;t merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 10.</HEAD>
<Q><P>THE which Day, There was brought in from the Com|mittee for Overtures, a Repre&s;entation anent diver&s;e Lamentable accounts of effects of Witch-craft, charged upon &s;everal per&s;ons, and the &s;aid Committee gave it as their Opi|nion, that it is fit, that former Acts of General A&s;&s;emblies con|cerning Witch-craft were revived, and Recommended to the
<PB REF="19">care of all Presbytries, particularly Act A&s;&s;embly 1640. <HI>July</HI> 29. <HI>Se&s;&s;.</HI> 2. A&s;&s;embly 1643. <HI>August</HI> 19, <HI>Se&s;&s;. ult.</HI> and A&s;&s;em|bly 1649. <HI>Augu&s;t</HI> 6. <HI>Se&s;&s;. ult.</HI></P>
<P N="2">2. And that it were worthy of the A&s;&s;emblies con&s;ideration to think upon, and pre&s;cribe &s;ome uniform method, for cen|&s;uring Eccle&s;ia&s;tically &s;uch as &s;hall be convict of Witch-craft or Charming and their Con&s;ulters who e&s;cape the civil puni&s;h|ment.</P></Q>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="4" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>IV. <HI>Overture anent Scandalous and Contumacious Per&s;ons.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh, 3 February 1699. <HI>po&s;t merid.</HI> Se&s;&s;. 17.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly having heard an Overture, That the Names of Scandalous Per&s;ons of whatever quality, guilty of gro&s;s immoralities and contumacious to Church-Di&s;cipline, be &s;ent in to the Commi&s;&s;ion, or General A&s;&s;embly, by the Clerks of the Re&s;pective Synods, with an full Extract of the Proces again&s;t them, and that they proceed again&s;t them as they &s;ee cau&s;e. Which Overture being con&s;i|dered, the General A&s;&s;embly tran&s;mits the &s;ame, to the &s;everal Presbytries, to be con&s;idered again&s;t the next General A&s;&s;em|bly.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="5" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>V. <HI>Overture anent the Emolumentary Writes of Mini&s;ters, Kirks, School-Masters,</HI> &amp;c.</HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly having heard an Overture anent the Emolumentary Writes of Mini&s;ters, School-Ma&s;ters, Church|es, and the Poor of Pari&s;hes, do tran&s;mit the &s;ame to the con&s;idera|tion of the &s;everal Presbytries within this National Church, to be ripned again&s;t the next General A&s;&s;embly. The Tenor where|of follows.</P>
<P>That all Mini&s;ters be appointed to exhibit to their re&s;pective Presbytries, their Decreets of Modification or Locality that they now have, with all Emolumentary Writes that belong to their Re&s;pective Kirks, and their Se&s;&s;ions, and that they Sub&s;cribe an Inventary thereof, with an obligement to make them forth|coming,
<PB REF="20">bearing Regi&s;tration, and the &s;aid obligement be Re|gi&s;tred in the Books of Council and Se&s;&s;ion, as well as the In|ventary and Obligement in the Books of the Presbytry of the Bounds. <HI>Item,</HI> That all the &s;aid Emolumentary Writes, not bearing Regi&s;tration be Regi&s;tred, conform to the late Act of Parliament, and if they bear Regi&s;tration, that they be Regi|&s;tred accordingly: And that all the &s;aids Regi&s;trations be made upon the Expences of the Se&s;&s;ion-Box, in &s;o far as con|cerns the Poor. <HI>Item,</HI> It would be convenient, that the Lord Regi&s;ter be applyed to, to appoint a particular Regi&s;ter in each of the three Clerks of Se&s;&s;ions Chamber, for the more ea&s;y &s;earching and finding of the &s;aids Papers &s;o Regi&s;tred. <HI>Item,</HI> That the dates of the Regi&s;trations be marked in the Inventary, As likewayes that the dates of the Regi&s;tration of the &s;aid Oblig|ment be Recorded in the Presbytry Book.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="6" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>VI. <HI>Overtures anent the making of Acts, and due care to ob&s;erve them when made.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Edinburgh February 4. 1699. <HI>ante merid</HI> Se&s;&s;. 18. <HI>&amp; ult.</HI></HEAD>
<P N="1">1. THAT when any thing of publick concern, and of great weight is propo&s;ed to the General A&s;&s;embly, to be pa&s;t as Overtures or Acts, after the fir&s;t Reading, it be delayed till the next next day of the A&s;&s;emblies &s;itting, and ly on the Table to be &s;een and con&s;idered by all the Members.</P>
<P N="2">2. That when any thing is pa&s;t as Overtures by the Gene|ral, A&s;&s;embly, it be ordained, that all and every Presbytry read them publickly in their Presbyterial Meeting, once before the fir&s;t Meeting of the Synod next after the General A&s;&s;embly, and that they con&s;ider of them, and that this be Record|ed in their Presbytry Book, and enquired into by their Sy|nods in vi&s;iting Presbytry Books: As al&s;o, It be recommended to all Presbytries, to &s;end in an account of their Judgement and opinion thereanent, with their Commi&s;&s;ioners to the General A&s;&s;embly in Write, but as breifly as may be, and the Overtures to be Printed after the Acts.</P>
<P N="3">3. That each Mini&s;ter and Se&s;&s;ion have a Copy of all the Printed Acts of the General A&s;&s;embly, and that the Presby|tries enquire into this at Vi&s;itations.</P>
<P N="4">4. That an Alphabetical Index be drawn of the Acts of the General A&s;&s;emblies.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="7" TYPE="part">
<PB REF="20">
<HEAD>VII. <HI>Overture Di&s;charging the Printing of any Paper to be pre&s;ented to the A&s;&s;embly without Allowance.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THAT no per&s;on pre&s;ume to print any Petition, Addre&s;s, Appeal, Rea&s;ons or An&s;wers, or any other part of any Proces, brought in to the General A&s;&s;embly, or any other Church Judicatory, without leave given by the Re&s;pe|ctive Judicatories before whom the &s;ame is in dependence, with Certification that no re&s;pect &s;hall be had thereto, in ca&s;e they contraveen this, by reading or con&s;idering the &s;ame.</P>
<P>The General A&s;&s;embly having con&s;idered the &s;aids Overtures, did and hereby do tran&s;mit the &s;ame to the con&s;ideration of the &s;everal Presbytries, <HI>&amp;c.</HI></P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="8" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>VIII. <HI>Overtures anent Cen&s;uring Scandalous Per&s;ons.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>THE General A&s;&s;embly tran&s;mits to the &s;everal Presby|tries within this National Church, the Overtures con|cerning the method and form of procedure of the Judicatories of the Church, again&s;t Scandalous Per&s;ons, which Overtures are printed at the end of the <HI>Index of the &V;nprinted Acts of the Ge|neral A&s;&s;embly</HI> 1698. being agreed to, by the Commi&s;&s;ion there|of; And it is Recommended to Presbytries, to con&s;ider the &s;aids Overtures, and &s;end their Opinion thereanent to the next General A&s;&s;embly.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 N="9" TYPE="part">
<HEAD>IX. <HI>Overtures anent Papi&s;ts.</HI></HEAD>
<HEAD TYPE="sub">Eadem Se&s;&s;ione.</HEAD>
<P>IT is Overtur'd, That a privat acknowledgement of a Papi&s;t Renounceing that Religion Verbally, is not &s;ufficient to ad|mit them to Church priviledges, but that Presbytries do in this, what may tend mo&s;t to the gaining of the party concerned, and for the edification of the Church.</P>
<P>The General A&s;&s;embly tran&s;mits this Overture to the con&s;i|tion of the &s;everal Presbytries.</P>
</DIV2>
<TRAILER>FINIS.</TRAILER>
</DIV1>
</BACK>
</TEXT>
</EEBO>
</ETS>
