The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 47

Edinburgh _25th._ October 1690. _Ante Meridiem._ Sess. 9.

V. _The proceedings of the a.s.sembly, anent Mr._ Thomas Lining _and Others._

The General a.s.sembly, having received a Report, from the Committee of Overtures, anent two Papers given in to the said Committee, and Subscribed by Mr. _Thomas Lining_, Mr. _Alexander Shields_ and Mr. _William Boyd_, who had followed some Courses contrary to the Order of this Church; whereby, "The said Committee out of their ardent Desire of Union in the Church, Recommend to the a.s.sembly, the Reading of the Shorter of these two Papers: In which the fore-named Persons Oblige themselves after the exhibiting of the larger Paper (which they offer, as they profess, for the Exoneration of their Consciences) and laying it down at the a.s.semblies feet, to be Disposed upon as the a.s.sembly should think fit: That they shall in all required Submission, subject Themselves, their Lives and Doctrine, to the Cognizance of the Respective Judicatories of this Church, and equally to Oppose Schism and Defection, in any Capacity, that they should be capable of. But the said Committee, Judgeth, the Reading of the larger of the saids two Papers, in full a.s.sembly, to be Inconvenient: In regard, That though there be several good Things in it, yet the same doth also contain, several Peremptory and gross Mistakes, Unseasonable and Impracticable Proposals, and Uncharitable and Injurious Reflections, tending rather to kindle Contentions, than to compose Divisions: Nevertheless, the said Committee, gives it as their Opinion, That the foresaid Offer of the above named Persons their Subjection and Obedience, to the Authority of this Church, in her Respective Judicatories, contained in the said Shorter Paper; should be Entertained and Accepted of, by the a.s.sembly, and they Received into Communion with this Church, according to their several Capacities."

Likeas the above named persons, having Compeared, in presence of the a.s.sembly, and Judicially Owned and Adhered unto their said Shorter Paper: And the a.s.sembly having heard the above-written Report, of the Committee of Overtures concerning both the saids Papers; As also the said shorter Paper, Read in their Presence; The General a.s.sembly, after mature Deliberation, did Unanimously, and without a contrary Vote, Approve the above written Report and Opinion of the Committee of Overtures, in the hail Heads thereof. Which being Intimate to the fore-named Persons, they Acquiesced thereto. Upon all which the following Act was made.

Act _anent Mr._ Thomas Lining _and Others._

Whereas Mr. _Thomas Lining_, Mr. _Alexander Schields_ and Mr. _William Boyd_, have presented to this a.s.sembly two Papers: One containing the Expressions of their Purpose and Promise, of being subject to the Authority of this Church, as formerly Const.i.tuted, and now Restored, in its several Judicatories: The other Offered for the Exoneration of their Consciences. Which Paper, containing their Submission and Subjection, did after the exhibition of the other to the a.s.sembly, Become Binding upon them, according to the Promise therein made. Likeas, after that other and longer Paper had been Read, before the Committee of Overtures, It was exhibite to and received by the a.s.sembly; together with the Reasons from the said Committee why it should not be Publickly read in full a.s.sembly.

Which Reasons being duely considered, and the said other Paper of Submission and Subjection publickly Read, and Judicially Owned by the forenamed Persons, in presence of the a.s.sembly: The a.s.sembly did conclude by one single Vote, that the foresaid longer Paper should not be Read: And that the above named Persons should be Received into the Fellowship of this Church, on the Terms of Submission and Subjection contained in the Shorter Paper: And after pa.s.sing of the said Vote, and that they were gravely Admonished by the Moderator to walk Orderly in time coming, in Opposition to all Schisme and Division; It was declared to them, by the Moderator, in the Name of the a.s.sembly, That the a.s.sembly did receive them into the Fellowship of this Church, to enjoy the priviledges thereof, and Perform the Duties therein, whereof they are, or shall be found Capable.

Whereupon, and at their desire, it was ordained that this Act should be made; and an Extract thereof given to them in good Form. _Follows the Tenour of the said shorter Paper._

_To the_ Moderator _and Remanent Members of the General a.s.sembly of the Church of_ Scotland.

_Right Reverend and Honourable,_

"With the greatest Earnestness of longing we have desired, and yet with a Patience perhaps to excess, we have waited, for an Opportunity, to bring our unhappy Differences (of which, all Parties concerned are weary) to a Happy and Holy close; And for this end to have access to apply our selves to a full and free General a.s.sembly of this Church, invested with Authority and Power, _in foro Divino & Humano,_ to Determine and Cognosce upon them. The want of which an a.s.sembly const.i.tute in that vigour, to which through the Mercy of G.o.d, This Venerable National Synod hath arrived, hath been the greatest let and impediment of our composing these Differences, in a way, wherein not only we, but all of the same Sentiments would acquiesce. Now having obtained this much longed, and long Prayed for priviledge; We cannot forbear any longer, humbly, to Accost and Address this Venerable a.s.sembly, with a free and Ingenuous Representation of our Minds and Desires. The scope of which is, to Represent these things, which have been most stumbling to us, for the exoneration of our Consciences; and to declare our Design, after we have exhibited our Testimony against these Courses, which we understand to have been Corruptions and Defections in this Church, And laid it down at the a.s.semblies feet, to be disposed of, as their Wisdoms shall think fit: That we shall in all Required Submission, Subject our Selves, our Lives and Doctrine, to the Cognizance of the Judicatories of this Church, and shall equally oppose Schism and Defection, in any Capacity, that we shall be found Capable of. And here by these presents, we bind and oblige our selves Faithfully, to live in Union, Communion and intire Subjection, and due Obedience in the Lord, to the Authority of this Church in her Respective Judicatories: As witness our Hands at _Edinburgh_ the 22 day of _October_ 1690."

_Thomas Lining._ _ Alexander Shields,_ _ William Boyd._

Edinburgh 28 of October 1690. _Ante Meridiem,_ Sess. 11.

VI. _Act anent Ministers that observe not the publick Orders of the Church._

The a.s.sembly Recommends it to Presbyteries, to take Notice of all Ministers, within their Bounds, whether the late Conforming Inc.u.mbents, or others, who shall not observe Fasts and Thanksgivings, Indicted by the Church: Or who shall be found Guilty, of any other Irregular Carriage, in administrating the Sacraments in private, or Celebrating Clandestine Marriages, without due Proclamation of Bans: And to censure them accordingly.

Edinburgh 29 October 1690. _Ante Meridiem,_ Sess. 12.

VII. _Act approving several Overtures._

This day the Overtures following were Read in Presence of the a.s.sembly.

(M3) 1. "For retaining soundness, and unity of Doctrine, It is judged necessary, that all Probationers Licensed to Preach, all Intrants into the Ministry, and all other Ministers and Elders Received into Communion with us, in Church Government, be obliged, to Subscribe their Approbation of the Confession of Faith, approven by former General a.s.semblies of this Church, and Ratified in the second Session of the Current Parliament: And that this be Recommended to the Diligence of the several Presbyteries, and they appointed to Record their Diligence thereanent in their respective Registers."

(M4) 2. "That it be Recommended to Presbyteries, to take special Notice, what Papists are in their Bounds, and that they take pains to Re-claim them, and to Advert how their Children are Educat: and if need be, to make Application to the Civil Authority concerning them."

(M5) 3. "That the Celebration of Marriage, without due Proclamation of Bans, according to Order, three several Sabbaths in the respective Parishes, be discharged: And that it be recommended to Presbyteries, to Censure the Contraveeners."

(M6) 4. "That it be recommended to Kirk-Sessions and Presbyteries, carefully to put in Execution, the Acts of former General a.s.semblies against Profanation of the Lords-day, and particularly by unnecessary Sailing and Travelling."

(M7) 5. "That Application be made to the Parliament: for alerting all Mercats in Royal Burghs and other places, on _Sat.u.r.days_ and _Mondays_."

The General a.s.sembly after mature Deliberation, approves of these Overtures, and Recommends and Appoints accordingly: And ordains the same to be observed, and to have the Force and Strength of an Act and Ordinance of a.s.sembly.

VIII. _Act approving the a.s.sociations of Presbyteries._

The General a.s.sembly, allows and approves of the Ministers of different Presbyteries, their a.s.sociating in Presbyteries; ay and while the Vacancies of the saids Presbyteries be filled: And declares them to have the Authority and Power of Presbyteries Respectively: And that notwithstanding, that according to the old Platform, the saids Ministers do reside in the Bounds of different Presbyteries.

Edinburgh 31 October 1690, _Ante Meridiem_ Sess. 15.

IX. _Act against Ministers Removing out of this Church._

The General a.s.sembly does hereby appoint, that no Ministers, who have actual standing and absolute Relations, to any Charge in the Church of _Scotland_, shall remove out of the Kingdom, without the Consent of the Respective Judicatories of this Church.

X. _Act anent the Administration of the Sacraments._

The General a.s.sembly considering, that the two Sacraments, that Christ hath appointed under the New Testament, _viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper_, are his Solemn Ordinances, and Seals of the Covenant of Grace (which is held forth in the Preaching of the Gospel). And that in the use of them, the Parties receiving them, are solemnly devoted and engaged to G.o.d, before Angels and men; and are solemnly received, as Members of the Church, and do entertain Communion with her: And that by the Authority of this Church in her former a.s.semblies. The private use of them hath been condemned: As also, that by allowing the private use of the same, in pretended Cases of Necessity; The Superst.i.tious opinion is nourished, that they are necessary to Salvation, not only as commanded Duties, but as means, without which Salvation cannot be attained. Therefore, The a.s.sembly hereby discharges, the Administration of the Lords Supper, to Sick Persons in their Houses, and all other use of the same, except in the publick a.s.semblies of the Church. And also doth discharge the Administration of Baptism in private, That is, in any place, or at any time, when the Congregation is not orderly called together, to wait on the Dispensing of the Word. And appoints that this be carefully observed, when and where ever the Lord giveth his people Peace, Liberty and Opportunity for their publick a.s.semblies. And ordains this present Act to be publickly Intimate in all the Churches.

Edinburgh 11 November 1690. _Post Meridiem_ Sess. 24.

XI. _Act approving Overtures anent the_ Irish _Bibles, &c._