THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE Of the KIRKE of SCOTLAND As it was formerly set forth by publicke authority And at this present commanded there to be practised in the said KIRKE Anno 1641. TOGETHER VVith some Acts of generall Assemblies clearing and confirming the same AS ALSO An Act of Parliament by the King and three Estates of Scotland for rectifying of the said Discipline THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKE According to all that I shew thee after the paterne of the Tabernacle even so shall yee make it EXOD. 25.9 Printed by Rob. Young his Majesties Printer for Scotland and are to be sold by John Sweeting at the signe of the Angell in Popes-head-Allie 1641. THE PREFACE AFter these dark and dreadfull dayes of barbarous blindnesse superstition wherein by the deceit of dumb dogs bloudie warres for many years had covered the face of this land it pleased the bountifulnesse of God in that riches of his love as not regarding the time of former ignorance with a marvellous mercy to visit this Realme by sending not one Jonah to such a Ninivie or one Phillip to such a Samaria but first few since many and all faithfull holy wise frack to preach the Gospel in Scotland as in another Antiochia At the terrour of these Trumpets like smoake before the winde were quickly driven away not onely the darkenesse of Idolatrie and damnable dissension among the members of this kingdom wherein consisted the strength of that bloudie beast by whose tyrannous crueltie and deceivable wayes Princes and People were shamefully abused and often compelled with the clawes of violence to shed the bloud of the Saints yea to keep the booke of the unchangeable Testament of Jesus Christ under the cover of a strange tongue as a clasped boeke that it should not be read but also many of that Antichristian sect who in the time of persecution had used the curious Arts of that kingdom of lies and service of Baal were turned to the truth of God and preached the word of his grace so that in a short time that Romish Jericho fell the people that sate in darknesse saw a great light and where the power of Satan had prevailed the Throne of Christ was set up the word increased and the Lord added to the Kirke from day to day such as were to be saved so magnifying the strength of his owne arme against his enemies in that prosperous time that neither proud Anakims nor craftie Gibeonites were able to stand before the Spirit that spake in these men of God when they were but few and though they walked in the flesh yet did they not warre after the flesh but by the spirituall armes of bold Preaching reverent ministration of the Sacraments and sincere ruling of the flocke of Christ with discretion and without partialitie and alwayes praying and often fasting they banished Atheisme Barbaritie and Papistrie quenched the fire of contentions prevented dangers planted the Kirkes teached and perswaded great and small poore and rich and persons of all estates to professe the Evangel And howsoever they were daily crossed with deceit and opposition so led they diversity in the hand of amitie that all things concerning the great worke of that glorious reformation to the praise of God and the comfort of the godly were wisely and firmly appointed In those happy dayes the servants of the Lord in love were like Jonathan and David in courage like Gideons 300. in unitie like the Saints that first received the Gospel in care and diligence like the builders of the wall of Jerusalem and so marching like the Lords Armies Then were they neither despised nor abhorred but received as the Angels of God and yet in the Lords troupes neither for worke nor war were there to be found any pompous Prelate Abbot Prior Bishop or Archbishop that loves to shine in dignitie and rejoyce in rent with the contempt of their brethren and neglect of the Lords service O Scotland what was then thy felicitie Then didst thou sing shout with the voyce of joy God will arise and his enemies shall be scattered they also that hate him shall stye before him Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it Thou madest roome for it and didst cause it to take root and it filled the land c. The superstitious ignorant the perverse Papist the craftie Parasite and the self-loving Politian the Christian coloured Belly-god and the loose-liver the time-server and all the sorts of that filthy sect that hates to bee reformed often conspired against the building of that glorious Temple but all in vaine for by the power of God they were disappointed Yet in these last dayes some dangerous Dalilah hath betrayed Sampson and told wherein his strength lay with no lesse hurt to this Kirke then was performed by the false brethren who were craftily sent in and crept in privily amongst the faithfull to spie out their liberty which they had in Christ Jesus that they might bring them into bondage It is cleerly knowne to many in this Kingdome and in forraine parts what a wall for defence and a band for peace and progresse of the Gospel was that heavenly discipline whereby brotherly amitie and sacred harmonie of Prince Pastors and Professours were so continued and increased that all as one man did stand together for the Doctrine Sacraments and Kirke government against the adversaries either lurking or professed It was the hedge of the Lords vineyard and the hammer whereby the hornes both of adversaries and disobeyers were beaten and broken And of this happy mean it might be truely said that in the strength of it more then by our owne vertue were we strong and prevailed And to sharpen our love it is thus written by a stranger but a friend Albeit it be necessarie that they who have their Citie in heaven repose altogether thereupon yet nothing should let us to behold as it were heaven upon earth that is the power of God in his owne c. By most evident reasons I judge the Kirke of Scotland to be of this sort In the which the many mightie and long continuing assaults of Satan the like whereof as I thinke no Nation sustained could neither defile the puritie of doctrine nor bow the rule of right discipline This is a great gift of God that he hath brought together to Scotland both the puritie of Religion and Discipline whereby as in a bond the doctrine is safely kept I pray and beseech you so to keep these two together as that ye may be assured that if the one fall the other can no wayes long stand It cannot be denyed but by the space of fifty yeares and above Scotland ranne well the Doctrine was in such sort preached and Discipline appointed and practised yea both professed established and constantly defended not onely by those faithfull men that went before but by them who followed and yet live in such concord of Kirk and policie that
answered that a part of them had made a publick profession of this Religion before alwayes now they declare and professe the Religion presently professed within this Realme and that they shall maintaine the same to their power As to the rest they think good the King and his Councell bee suited and they shall insist with the King for answer thereto The time to that effect they shall notifie to the Assembly the morne The because in the last conference holden at Sterling by his Graces command concerning the policy of the Kirk Edinburgh Iulii 7. 1579. certaine Articles there anent remaine yet unresolved and referred to further conference Therefore the Assembly craves of his Majesty that persons unspotted of such corruptions as are desired to be reformed may be nominate by his Majesty to proceed in the further conference upon the said policy and time and place to be appointed to that effect The question being proponed by the Synods of Lowthiane to the generall Assembly anent a generall order to be taken for erecting of Presbyteries in places where publick exercise is used Ibidem unto the time the policy of the Kirk be established by law It is answered that the exercise may be judged to be a Presbytery An Article propounded by the Commissioners of the Kirk to his Majesty and Councell Dundie Iulii 12. 1580. that the booke of policy may bee established by an act of privy Councell while a Parliament bee had at which it may bee confirmed Forasmuch as travells have beene taken in the forming of the policy of the Kirk Glasgow Aprilis 24. 1581. and divers suits made to the Magistrate for approbation thereof which albeit hath not yet taken the happy effect which good men would crave yet that the posterity should judge well of the present age and of the meaning of the Kirk the Assembly hath concluded that the booke of policy agreed to in divers Assemblies before should bee registrate amongst the Acts of the Assemblies and remaine therein ad perpetuam rei memoriam And the Copies thereof to be taken by every Presbytery Of the which booke the Tenour followeth c. For as much as it is certaine Edinburgh Aug. 4. 1590. P. Galloway Moderator that the word of God cannot bee kept in the owne sincerity without the holy Discipline be had in observance It is therefore by common consent of the whole Brethren and Commissioners present concluded that whosoever hath borne office in the ministery of the Kirke within this Realme or that presently beares or shall hereafter beare office herein shall bee charged by every particular Presbytery where their residence is to subscrive the heads of Discipline of the Kirk of this Realme at length set downe and allowed by act of the whole Assembly in the book of policy which is registrat in the Assembly-bookes and namely the heads controverted by enemies of the Discipline of the reformed Kirk of this Realme betwixt and the next Synodall Assemblies of the Provinces under the paine of excommunication to be executed against the non-subscrivers and the Presbyteries which shall bee found remisse or negligent herein to receive publick rebuke of the whole Assembly And to the effect the said Discipline may be knowne as it ought to be to the whole brethren It is ordained that the Moderator of each Presbytery shall receive from the Clerke of the Assembly a copy of the said booke under his subscription upon the expenses of the Presbytery betwixt and the first day of September next to come under the pain to bee openly accused in face of the whole Assembly The Assembly ordaines Edinburgh Iulii 2. 1991. that the Discipline contained in the acts of the generall Assembly be kept as well in Angus and Mernis as in all other parts ACTS CONCERNING THE Adversaries of Discipline It is to bee marked that such as adhered to Papistry were enemies beth to reformation and Discipline and such as embraced the true Religion whether Kirkmen or other Professors and yet possessed the Kirk rents were not onely unhearty friends but under colour and in policie as great hinderers as lovers of the benefices and livings belorging to the service of God ALexander Gordon Edinburgh Iulii 30. 1562. being Bishop of Galloway is no other wise acknowledged by the Assembly in respect of spirituall function then as a private man void of Jurisdiction and therefore hee and the rest of that sort are not simply set downe by their title of Bishop but by a note as it were of degradation so called to wit by custome but by no right The said Mr. Alexander Gordon without respect to his place Edinburgh Decem. 25. 1562. or Bishopricke is inrolled after the Super-intendents and is thus designed Mr. Alexander Gordon intitulate Bishop of Galloway and is there leited for the Super-intendencie of Dunfrice Liddisdaill and Galloway and gets commission to present Ministers Exhorters and Readers for planting of Kirkes and to doe such other things as hath beene heretofore accustomed Mr. Alexaxder Gordon named Bishop of Galloway was removed S. Ichnston Iunii 25. 1563. out of the Assembly and accused by the Laird of Gairles his excuses were not found altogether relevant and therefore the Assembly appointed order to be taken anent the matter complained upon Ibidem The Assembly ordained commissions to be given to the Bishops of Galloway Orknay and Catnes for the space of a yere after the date hereof to plant Kirks c. within their owne bounds and that the Bishop of Galloway haunt as well the Shirefdome of Wigtoun as the Stewardie of Kirkubright reckoned within his bounds It was then ordained Ibidem that when any benefice shall chance to vake or is now vacant that a qualified person be presented to the Super-intendent of that Province where the benefice vakes and that he being sufficient be admitted Minister to that Kirk which is destitute of a Pastor that ignorant Idiots bee not placed in such roomes by them that are yet called Bishops and are not Mr. Robert Pont complained upon the Bishop of Dunblane Ibidem that the said Bishop lately said and caused say Masse in Dunblane contrary to the tenor of the Act made thereanent c. Remember to make supplication to the Queenes Majesty and her Councell for remitting the thirds Ibidem or any part thereof to the Bishops that are elected by the Kirk to bee Commissioners to plant Kirkes within their bounds A sentence of unquhile Iames Bishop of Rosse Ibidem Commissioner to unquhile Iames Archbishop of Saint Andrewes pronounced against Iames Hammiltoun of Kincavel was declared wicked ungodly and wrangusly led Bishops Abbots Priors and other Persons beneficed Edinburgh Decem. 25 1566. being of the Kirk who receive teinds and awaite not on the flock committed to their cure anther present themselves to the Generall Assembly are ordained to be summoned by the Super-intendents to compaire at the next generall
they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or generall Assemblies And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foresaid privie to the rules that they shall make and to abolish Constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate for mall processe being led and due intervall of times observed Anent particular Kirkes if they bee lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministers and Session they have power and Jurisdiction in their owne Congregation in matters Ecclesiasticall And decrees and declares the Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Jurisdiction and Discipline foresaid to bee in all times comming most just good and godly in the selfe Notwithstanding of whatsoever Statutes Acts Canons Civill or Municipall lawes made to the contrary To the which and every one of them their presents shall make expresse derogation And because there are divers Acts of Parliament made in favour of the Papisticall Kirk tending to the prejudice of the liberty of the true Kirk of God presently professed within this Realme Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof which stand yet in the bookes of the Acts of Parliament not abrogated nor annulled Therefore his Highnesse and Estates foresaid hath abrogated cassed and annulled and by the Tenour hereof abrogates casses and annulles all Acts of Parliament made by any of his Highnesse Predecessours for maintenance of superstition and idolatry withall and whatsoever Acts Lawes and Statutes made at any time before the day and date hereof against the liberty of the true Kirk Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof as the same is used and exercised within this Realme And in speciall that part of the Act of Parliament holden at Sterling the fourth day of November the yeare of God 1443. yeares commanding obedience to be given to Eugenius the Pope for the time The Act made by King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24. of February the yeare of God 1480. yeares And all other Acts whereby the Popes authority is established The Act of King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20. of November the yeare of God 1469. yeares anent the Saturday and other vigils to be holy dayes from Evensong to Evensong Item that part of the Act made by the Queene Regent in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the first day of February the yeare of God 1551. yeares giving speciall licence for holding of Pasche and Zuill Item the Kings Majesty and Estates foresaid declares that the 129. Act of the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of May the yeare of God 1584. yeares shall no wayes be prejudiciall nor derogate any thing from the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Kirk concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrant of the word of God Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament fore-said abrogates casses and annihilates the Acts of the same Parliament holden at Edinburgh the said yeare 1584. yeares granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Highnesse presentation to Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order to all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates afore-said declares to bee expired in the selfe and to bee null in time comming of none availe force or effect And therefore ordaines all Presentations to Benefices to be direct to the particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters and causes Ecclesiasticall within their bounds according to the Discipline of the Kirk providing the fore-said Presbyteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laicke Patrons THE FIRST BOOKE OF DISCIPLINE To the great Councell of Scotland now admitted to the Regiment by the providence of God and by the Common consent of the Estates thereof Your Honours humble Servitours and Ministers of Christ Jesus within the same wish grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with the perpetuall increase of the holy Spirit FRom your Honours weereceived a charge dased at Edinburgh the 29. of April in the yeare of our Lord 1560. requiring and commanding us in the name of the eternall God as wee will answer in his presence to commit to writing and in abooke deliver to your wisedomes our judgements touching the reformation of Religion which heretofore in this Realme as in others hath beene utterly corrupted upon the receit whereof so many of us as were in this Towne did conveene and in unity of minde doe offer unto your wisedomes these subsequents for common order and uniformity to bee observed in this Realme concerning doctrine administration of Sacraments election of Ministers provision for their sustentation Ecclesiasticall discipline and policy of the Church Most humbly requiring your Honours that as you looke for participation with Christ Jesus that neither ye admit any thing which Gods plaine word shall not approve neither yet that ye shall reject such ordinances as equity justice and Gods word doe specifie For as wee will not bind your wisedomes to our judgements further then wee are able to prove by Gods plaine Scriptures so must we most humbly crave of you even as ye will answer in Gods presence before whom both ye and wee must appeare to render accounts of all our facts that ye repudiate nothing for pleasure and affection of men which ye bee not able to improve by Gods written and revealed word The first head of Doctrine SEing that Christ Jesus is he whom God the Father hath commanded onely to bee heard and followed of his sheepe wee judge it necessary that his Gospell bee truely and openly preached in every Church and Assembly of this Realme and that all doctrine repugnant to the same be utterly repressed as damnable to mans salvation The explication of the first head LEst that upon this generality ungodly men take occasion to cavill this wee adde for explication By preaching of the Gospell wee understand not onely the Scriptures of the new Testament but also of the old to wit the Law Prophets and Histories in which Christ Jesus is no lesse contained in figure then wee have him now expressed in verity And therefore with the Apostle we affirme that all Scripture inspired of God is profitable to in struct to reprove and to exhort In which bookes of old and new Testaments we affirme that all thing necessary for the instruction of the Church and to make the man of God perfect is contained and sufficiently expressed By the contrary doctrine wee understand whatsoever men by lawes counsells or constitutions have imposed upon the conseiences of men without the expressed commandement of Gods word such as bee the vowes of chastity for swearing of marriage binding of men and women to severall and disguised apparells to the superstitious
these novelties under the name of anoient verities yea without shame or feare to affirme that this last was the primitive and naturall face of their mother It may be seene in these dayes that after a large time this second mysterie working under cover yet alwayes perceived by some in this Land is now at last brought to light according to the warnings of the wise watchmen of this Kirke and hath changed the comely countenance of Christs Spouse further then the lovers of the truth would have thought into the Antichristian complexion of that whore of Babel and without Gods preventing mercie and our speedy repentance the losse of a great substance for a foule conformitie and yet howsoever all men cry that the ancient way was the best and as they love honestie they will be the sonnes of constancie and firmely retaine the ancient Discipline of the reformed Kirke of Scotland They have renounced nothing they have abjured nothing yea if any whisper of a fall from the first love they are quickly marked as wilfull pleading for shadowes and making of schismes and so such as would strive to stand must suffer for their fault who hath wrought the change As that old Painter intending to represent the body of Hercules expressed nothing of the lineaments of his face stature or members contenting himselfe with the resemblance of the Lyons skinne which hee was wont to carrie as the badge of his strength and Trophie of his honour So some of his Prentices for the beautifull face of this Kirke and heavenly proportion of her drivine Discipline do set before the eyes of men of this time who never saw the faire face nor felt the strength of ancient order that roaring Lyons skinne of Episcopacie the greatest monster that this Kirke had conflicted with in the most part of her meetings and whose skin within these few yeares was commonly repute amongst the rest of the spoyles taken from her enemies As it was the courage of wise Cato against the bragges of arrogant Greekes perverting all veritie and antiquitie of Hystorie and usurping the honour of the invention of all things to write a booke de Originibus for vindicating the truth from usurping presumption And as in later times many have happily labored in discovering the Roman inventions and bringing to light the beginnings and progresse of errour and idolatrie creeping in and corrupting that Kirke It were likewise to be wished for the weale of this Kirke and her cause of controversies that the Acts of the generall Assemblies so often visited and prepared for publicke use were now according to the intention and care of the Kirke together with the bookes of Discipline which should be lights for direction and lawes for dicision of controversies arising thereabout faithfully perused and printed For the present necessitie ye have here the first and second bookes of Discipline with certaine Acts of the Kirke for clearing your doubts and confirming the truth against such as delight in vatles of obscuritie and circuits of circumvention As there was never any miracle wrought for confuting of Atheists because every work of God is a miracle against them so there needs no argument to stop the mouthes of adversaries for Discipline who would seem to stand to their own oath and ancient profession because every line almost of these bookes will be an argument against them If truth shall obtrude her selfe to the knowledge of men not suffering them to be so forgetfull and ignorant as perhaps they would seeme God forbid that any should thinke that his resolution to be rich and stately should so suppresse his light and stay his mind from thinking that true which wee would wish were false that were the sinne of a wittie malignant Haec est summa delicti nolle agnoscere quod ignorare non potes It were much better that as many as through ignorance of the established order in the Kirke have beene misled would now repent their negligence and dangerous course when they shall see a good daughter of an evill mother This truth brought to light to be the fruit of our division As persecution in former times hath brought forth purity and heresie the truth of doctrine so hath this fit of distraction among brethren brought this draught of Discipline to the view of the world to so many as have stood by the grace of God to the defence of their profession a strong confirmation and to such as are tossed with doubtings a cleere resolution Let it be no derogation to the truth here expressed nor to the labours of these faithfull Fathers who penned and put in Register the same but a great imputation and guiltinesse lying upon the succeeding age who deprived themselves of such a benefit and the Kirk of such a defence Though the booke of Gods covenant lay long hid in the Temple yet Josiah rejoyced when it came to light Very Jezabel could not be stayed from magnifying of Baal by all the dashes hee suffered from heaven and earth And should not Christians be ashamed to be lesse affectionate to Veritie then she to Idolatrie and namely a truth concerning Christs Kingly Office and the Ministers of his Kingdome without the truth whereof we can neither have comfort of his Prophecie nor Priesthood It is the Lord his great mercy that in the reformation of this Kirk he hath beene preached and professed King Priest and Prophet And it shall be the glory of this Land thankefully to acknowledge that incomprehensible benefit and alwayes carefully to keepe whole without rent and to carrie a reverent estimation to the great worke of the glorious reformation of this Kirke For this effect ye must arme your selves against the Lords of tongues who have said with our tongues will we prevaile Of that generation some will dash you by the name odious of Puritan yet one of that Lordly sort is forced to confesse that Scots Professours are unto him Puritanes from the forme of externall government but not from Religion which both is and may be one and the same where the externall forme of government is different and contrary who albeit they be miserably taken with that their owne forme yet in the rest of the doctrine they are sufficiently Orthodox Others like wicked creditors destroying the obligation whereby they are bound for debtfull obedience summarily deny that ever this Kirk had any approved discipline except that which is printed and placed in the Psalme bookes A third sort making such Pastors who at the beginning were called Super-intendents to be figures patterns forerunners or lievtenants of Bishops such as now are would move the world to beleeve that they follow the first Discipline A fourth kinde wandering in the wildernesse of unbounded indifferency takes upon them to determine all doubts of discipline by honour ease or gaine And some of Gallio's disposition it may be hidly esteeming all Religion a matter of speech spare not to proclaime that striving about such trifles is
needlesse For your incouragement against such and others of the like disposition it hath pleased the Lord to set on worke our pens and in his owne time if presumption bee obstinate hee will inspire them with greater love of his truth to whom he hath given knowledge in measure above them who hath put to their hand and increase their knowledge in whose hearts he hath wrought some love howsoever their knowledge be far inferiour to many of theirs who stand for the truth It is to be remembred that the true friends of discipline are the Ministers of the blessed Evangel of Jesus Christ agreeing in doctrine and administration of the Sacraments and the people of this Realme that professe Christ as he is now offered in his Evangel and doe communicate with the holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirke of this Realme they are publickly administred according to the confession of Faith and that such as were clothed with the Kirkrents or greedily gaped after the same as Abbots Priors Prioresses Bishops Commendatairs and other sacrilegious usurpers of Kirk-livings as they had place in policie and credit in Court or Councell either professedly or craftily have resisted the course of the Gospel and the discipline thereof as may be seen in these conflicts whereby the Kirke hath ever striven for deliverance from their usurpation till now the zeale of benefices having devoured the zeale of discipline old opposites are thought to be her most loving familiars and her old friends her greatest enemies A strange Case and yet very casuall for the Kirk by seeking worldly preferment to lose spirituall servants as one said Never a Minister got a great Benefice but hee spilt it or it spilt him Item that under the name of discipline is to be understood not onely the particulars expressed in these two bookes but also the Acts Constitutions and practises agreed upon and recorded in the Registers of the Generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions Thirdly to consider the different conditions of the Kirk in her infancie in her growing and in her ripe age and accordingly to accommodate the discipline to practise as the condition of the time permitted or required and wisely to distinguish betwixt the Kirks purpose and intention in every particular and their possibility to performe and practise as circumstances concurred or were contrary As for example they intended resident Ministers one or moe as Kirks were of largenesse with Elders and Deacons Item Doctors of Divinitie for Schools Assemblies generall provinciall weekely meetings for the interpretation of the Scripture which afterward at Edinburgh the 7. day of July 1579. were judged to be a Presbyterie And they abhorred Anarchie Oligarchie and Hierarchie but with great paines and frequent meetings was abuses condemned and order established so that for lack of ordinary Ministers planted in that respect lack of lawfull Assemblies they were forced occasionally to use Super-intendents and Visiters of Countries who afterward in the generall Assemblie holden at Edinburgh the 4. of August 1590. when Presbyters were well and orderly constitute were declared neither to be necessary nor expedient Fourthly the first and second booke of Discipline penned by the Mininisters of the reformed Kirke and the first booke at the charge and commandement of the great Councell of Scotland subscribed by the greatest part thereof and afterward by many more as may be seene in the Acts of the Kirk the second booke standing insert in publick Register of the Kirk ordained to be subscribed by divers Acts of the Assemblie and confirmed by practise are both for one end To wit to direct reformation in Doctrine Sacraments and exercise of Discipline and to resist Idolatrie and corruptions The first hath more particular purposes The second sets down more fully and particularly the jurisdiction of the Kirk as it agrees or is distinguished from the Civill Policie the Office-bearers of the Kirk with their dutie the Assemblies of the Kirk and distinctions thereof the Patrimony of the Kirk and distribution thereof the Office of a Christian Magistrate in the Kirk certaine heads of reformation with the utility of the said bookes c. Item either of the said bookes confirme the other and neither of them abolish or innovate the other ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY FOR CLEERING AND CONFIRMING THE SAID BOOKES OF DISCIPLINE AND AGAINST THE ADVERSARIES THEREOF For the First Booke BEcause the lives of Ministers ought to bee such Edinburgh Iul. 30. 1562. as thereby others may be provoked to godlinesse It becomes them first to be tried after the triall of the Superintendents if any man have whereof to accuse them in life doctrine or execution of their office After the Ministers must the Elders of every Kirk be tried c. In that whole ordinance anent triall and in the Constitution following anent the subjection of all sorts of Ministers to the Discipline of the Kirk there is no mention of Bishops or any sorts of Prelates as not acknowledged to have any place in the Ministry of the Reformed Kirke Mr. Alexander Gordone called Bishop of Galloway Ibidem making petition for the Superintendencie of Galloway was refused because hee had not observed the order of calling Superintendents and in the meane time was required to subscribe the booke of Discipline Where it is evident that by his Episcopacy he might exercise no Ministeriall dutie and although he was presented by the Lords yet they would not admit him to be Super-intendent except hee subscribed the booke of Discipline And let this be remembred for the subscription of others of whom there may be seene a great number at the end of the said booke It is concluded by the whole Ministers assembled Ibidem That all Ministers shall be subject to their Super-intendents in all lawfull Admonitions as is prescribed as well in the booke of Discipline as in the election of Super-intendents Here observe two things First that Super-intendents might not doe what pleased them Secondly that obedience to bee performed to them was injoyned by the Kirk and set downe in the booke of Discipline and in the election of Super-intendents A Minister lawfully admitted Ibidem shall not bee removed but according to the order of the booke of Discipline so that the said booke is both the warrant of orderly admission and orderly removing According to the fourth head of the booke of Discipline concerning the lawfull election of Ministers Edinburgh Decem. 25. 1562. the Assemblie ordaines That Inhibition shall be made to all and sundry persons now serving in the Ministery who have not entred into their charges by the order in this same head appointed And this Act to have strength as well against them that are called Bishops as others pretending any Ministery within the Kirk It was thought needfull Edinburgh Decem. 25. 1563. for further confirmation of the booke of Discipline that the Earle Marshal Lord Ruthwen Lord Secretar the Commendator of Kilwinning the Bishop of
Orknay Clerk of Register Iustice Clerke Mr. Henry Balnaves David Forrester and Mr. George Buchanan or any three or foure of them should over-see the said booke and diligently consider the contents thereof noting their judgement in writ and report the same to the next Assembly generall of the Kirk or if any Parliament chance to be in the meane time that they report their judgements to the Lords of the Articles that shall happen to be chosen before the said Parliament By these it is evident that our Kirk acknowledged the first booke to bee the booke of Discipline and no wayes to be abolished but for the use of the Kirk to be further confirmed For the second Booke of Discipline A Nent the causes of the Kirk Edinburgh Junii 25. 1564. and jurisdiction thereof the Assembly appointed the laird of Dunn Mr. Iohn Winram Mr. Iohn Spottiswod Mr. Iohn Willock Super-intendents Mr. Iohn Row George Hay Robert Pont Christopher Gudman Thomas Drumond Iohn Knox Iohn Craig Iohn Rutherford George Buckhanan Robert Hammiltoun Clement Little the lairds of Lundie Elephiustoun Karnall Kers and Thomas Scot of Abbottishall to conveen the morn after the preaching and to reason and conferre anent the said causes and jurisdiction Ordaines an humble supplication to bee made to the Lords of secret Councell anent the commission of jurisdiction Edinburgh Decem. 25. 1566. supponed granted to the Bishop of S. Andrewes to the effect that their honours may stay the same in respect that these causes for the most part judged by his usurped authority pertaine to the Kirk and howbeit for hope of good things the Kirk did over-see the Queens Majesties Commission given to such men who for the most part were our brethren yet can the Assembly no wayes be content that the Bishop of Saint Andrewes a conjured enemy to Christ use that jurisdiction as also in respect of that coloured commission he might usurpe againe his old usurped authority and the same might bee the meane to oppresse the whole Kirk by his corrupt Judgement The whole Assembly thought meet that certaine brethren be appointed to concurre at all times with such persons of Parliament Edinburgh Decem. 25. 1567. of secret Councell as my Lord Regents Grace hath nominate for such affaires as pertain to the Kirk and jurisdiction thereof and also for decision of questions that may occurre in the meane time viz. Mrs. Iohn Knox Iohn Craig Ministers of Edinburgh The Super-intendents of Angus and Lothiane David Borthuike Thomas Mackcalzan David Lindsay Minister at Leith George Hay at Ruthven and Iohn Row at S. Iohnstonn Letters directed from the Assembly by their Commissioners Edinburgh Junii 25. 1567. to the Earls Lords and Barons viz. the Earls Huntly Argyle Cassels Rothes Marshal Munteith and Glencarne to the Lords Boyd Drumond Sanchar Heres Yester Cathcart Mr. of Grahame Fleming Levingston Forbes Salton Glames O gilvis Mr. of Sinclare Gray Oliphant Methven Innermeth M. of Somervell Barons Lochinvar Garlies Shireff of Air Glenurquher Sir Ia. Hamiltoun Bonington Commendatares Arbroth Kilwinning Dunfermling Saint Colms Newbottel Halyrood house shewing them that the Assembly had of long time travelled both in publick and private with all estates continually craving of their honours in speciall that the course of the Evangell of salvation now once of the liberall mercy of God restored to this Realme might continue to all their comforts and their posterities And that for the furthering and maintaining thereof a perfect policy and full liberty might bee granted to this reformed Kirk within Scotland c. An Article presented to my Lord Regent Edinburgh Iul. 1. 1568. That his Grace would cause such as are appointed of the Councel convene with them that are appointed of the Assembly to confer anent the jurisdiction of the Kirk to decide therein that time place may be condiscended upon to that effect and that it be done before the Parliament My Lord Regents Grace ordaines the persons nominate in the act of Parliament to convene the time of the next chekker Edinburgh Iul. 1. 1569. and desine and limitate the jurisdiction of the Kirk according to the word of God and act of Parliament made there anent Extract act secretarii consilii Alexander Hay Articles pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Kirk to be proponed to the Regents Grace and secret Councell Edinburgh Martu 5. 1570. and sought to bee appointed by them 1. That the Kirk have the judgement of true and false Religion of doctrine heresies and such like annexed to the preaching of the word and ministrations of the Sacraments 2. Election examination and admission of them that are admitted to the Ministery or other functions of the Kirk charge of soules and Ecclesiasticall benefices the suspension and deprivation of them there-from for lawfull causes 3. All things concerning the Discipline of the Kirk which stand in correction of manners admonitions excommunications and receiving to repentance 4. The judgement of Ecclesiasticall matters betwixt persons that are in the Kirk and especially among them that are constitute in the Ministery as well concerning beneficiarie causes as others 5. Iurisdiction to proceed by admonitions to the processe of excommunication if need be against them that rob the patrimony of the Kirk pertaining to the Ministery or otherwayes intromet therewith unjustly whereby the Ministery is in danger to decay by occasion of the poverty of the Ministers 6. And because the conjunction of Marriages pertaines to the Ministery the causes of adherence and divorcements ought also to pertaine to them as naturally annexed thereto Brethren appointed to make an overture of the policie Edinburgh Apr. 24. 1576. Sess 6. and jurisdiction of the Kirk c. For the West country the Bishop of Glasgow Mrs. Androw Melvil Androw Hay Iames Graig David Cuninghame For Lowthian Mrs. Robert Pont Iames Lowson David Lindsay Clement Littil and Alexander Simme For Fyfe the Super-intendent thereof with the principall masters of the Vniversitie For Angus and Merns the Laird of Dunne William Chrystesone Iohn Row William Rind Iohn Dunkesone for Aberdene Mrs. Iohn Craig Alexander Arbuthnot George Hay and their persons to conveen ilk country and rank in the places following viz. The West in Glascow Lothian in Edinburgh Fyfe in Saint Andrewes Angus in Montrois the first Tuesday of Iune next to come to confer and advise upon the said matter and to have generall meeting or conventions two or one at least of ilk country in Stirling the last of Iuly thereafter to communicate and cognosce upon their whole travels and labours taken herein and to conferre hereupon and report what they have found and conceived in the said matter to the next Assembly The brethren depute to the conceiving and forming of the heads of the policie of the Kirk Edinbudgh Octob. 1. 1577. being called to give account of their diligence presented the same as they had made partition thereof at the Assembly in Stirling The heads penned by
Iesus then that the zeale of Christ Iesus his glory provoke and move you to set his oppressed Kirk at freedome and libertie wee feare your sharpe and suddaine punishments and that the glory and honor of this enterprise be reserved unto others And yet shall this our judgement abide to the generations following for a monument and witnesse how lovingly God called you and this nation to Repentance what counsellours God sent unto you and how you have used the same If obediently ye heare God now calling we doubt not but he shall heare you in your greatest necessitie But if following your owne corrupt judgements ye contemne his voice and vocation we are assured that your former iniquitie and present ingratitude shall together crave great punishment from God who cannot long delay to execute his most just judgements when after many offences and long blindnesse grace and mercy offered is contemptuously refused God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate your hearts that ye may cleerly see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence and so bow the same to his obedience that ye may preferre his revealed will to your owne affections And so strengthen you by the Spirit of Fortitude that boldly yee may punish vice and maintaine vertue within this Realme to the praise and glory of his holy Name to the comfort and assurance of your own consciences and to the consolation and the good example of the posterity following Amen By your Honours most humble servitors From Edinburgh the 20. of May. 1560. Act of Secret Counsell 17 Januarii anno 1560. WEE which have subscribed thir presents having advised with the Articles herein specified as is above mentioned from the beginning of this book thinkes the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the notes and additions hereto eiked and promises to set the same forward to the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and benificed men which else have adjoyned them to us bruik the revenues of their benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministry and Ministers as herein is specified for the Preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments sic subscribitur James Hamiltoun Archbald Argyle James Stewart Rothes Boid William Lord Hay Alexander Cambell M. Alexander Gordoun Glencarne Vchiltrie Sanquhare S. Jhones William of Culrosse Drumlangrig Bargannie yonger Lochinvar Cunninghamhead James Haliburtoun Ihone Lochart of Bar. Jone Schaw of Halie Scot of Haning James Maxwell George Fentoun of that ilk Andro Ker of Fadounside Andro Hamiltoun of Lethane Deane of Murray The second Booke of Discipline Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk CHAP. I. Of the Kirk and policie thereof in generall and wherein it is different from the civill policie THE Kirk of God sometimes is largely taken for all them that professe the Evangell of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not onely of the godly but also of hypocrites professing alwayes outwardly the true Religion Other times it is taken for the Godly and Elect only and sometimes for them that exercise spirituall function in the congregation of them that professe the truth The Kirk in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it uses a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Kirk This power Ecclesiasticall is an authoritie granted by God the Father through the Mediator Iesus Christ unto his Kirke gathered and having the ground in the Word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the Kirk by lawfull calling is committed The Policie of the Kirk flowing from this power is an order or forme of spirituall government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the Word of God and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutuall consent of them that bear the office and charge after the form of judgement The former is onely called potestas ordinis and the other potestas jurisdictionis These two kinds of power have both one authority one ground one finall cause but are different in the manner and forme of execution as is evident by the speaking of our Master in the 16 and 18 of Matthew This power and policy Ecclesiasticall is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called Civill power and appertaineth to the Civill government of the Common wealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used viz. to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects For this power Ecclesiasticall floweth immediately from God and the mediator Jesus Christ and is spirituall not having a temporall head in the earth but only Christ the only spirituall King and governour of his Kirk It is a title falsly usurped by Antichrist to call himself head of the Kirk and ought not to be attributed to Angel nor man of what estate that ever he be saving to Christ the onely head and Monarch in the Kirk Therefore this power and policy of the Kirk should leane upon the word immediatly as the onely ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the scriptures the Kirk hearing the voice of Christ the only spirituall King and being ruled by his laws It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ onely to be called Lord and Master in the Spirituall government of the Kirk and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion therein nor be called Lords but only Ministers Disciples and servants For it is Christs proper office to command and rule his Kirk universally and every particular Kirk through his spirit and word by the ministery of men Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiasticall estate are subject to the Magistrate civill so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk spiritually and in Ecclesiasticall government And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinary The Civill power is called the power of the Sword and the other the power of the Keys The civill power should command the spirituall to exercise and to doe their office according to the word of God The spirituall rulers should require the Christian magistrate to minister justice and punish vice and to maintaine the liberty and quietnes of the Kirk within their bounds The Magistrate commandeth externall things for externall peace and quietnesse amongst the subjects the Minister handleth externall things onely for conscience cause The Magistrate handleth externall things only and actions done before men but