in learning and vertue The rich and potent may not be permitted to suffer their Children to spend their youth in vaine idlenesse as heretofore they have done But they must be exhorted and by the censure of the Kirk compelled to dedicate their Sonnes by good exercises to the profite of the Kirk and Common-wealth and that they must doe of their owne expences because they are able The Children of the poore must be supported and sustained of the charge of the Kirk triall being taken whether the Spirit of docility be in them found or not If they be found apt to learning and letters then may they not we meane neither the Sonnes of the rich nor yet of the poore be permitted to reject learning but must be charged to continue their study so that the Common-wealth may have some comfort by them And for this purpose must discreet grave and learned men be appointed to visit Schooles for the tryall of their exercise profite and continuance To wit the Minister and Elders and the rest of learned men in every Towne shall in every quarter make examination how the youth have profited And certaine times must be appointed to reading and learning of the Catechisme and certaine to the Gramma and to the Latine tongues and a certaine to the Arts of Philosophy and the tongues and certaine to that study in the which they intend chiefly to travell for the profite of the Common-wealth Which time being expired we meane in every course the Children should either proceed to the farther knowledge or else they must be set to some handy-craft or to some other profitable exercise providing alwayes that first they have further knowledge of Christian Religion To wit the knowledge of Gods Law and Commandements the use and office of the same the chiefe Articles of the beleese the right forme to pray unto God the number use and effect of the Sacraments the true knowledge of Christ Jesus of his Office and Natures and such others without the knowledge whereof neither any man deserves to be called a Christian neither ought any to be admitted to the participation of the Lords Table and therefore their principles ought and must be learned in the youth-head The Times appointed to every course TWo yeares we thinke more then sufficient to learne to read perfectly to answere to the Catechisme and to have some entres in the first Rudiments of Grammar to the full accomplishment whereof we meane of the Grammar we thinke other three yeares or foure at most sufficient to the Arts to wit Logick and Rhetorick and to the Greeke tongue foure yeares and the rest till the age of 24 yeares to be spent in that study wherein the Learner would profit the Church or Common-wealth be it in the Lawes Physick or Divinity which time of 24. yeares being spent in the Schools the Learner must be removed to serve the Church or Common-wealth unlesse he be found a necessary Reader in this same Colledge or Vniversity If God shall move your hearts to establish and execute this order and put these things in practise your whole Realme we doubt not within few yeares will serve it selfe of true Preachers and of other Officers necessary for the Common-wealth Of the Erection of Universities THe Grammar Schoole being erected and of the tongues as we have said next we thinke it necessary there be 3. Vniversities in this whole Realme established in 3. Townes accustomed The first in S. Andrewes the second in Glasgow and the third in Aberdein And in the first Vniversity and principall viz. S. Andrewes that there be 3. Colledges and in the first Colledge which is the entry of the Vniversity therebe foure classes or seages the first to the new Supposts shall be onely Dialecticae next onely Mathematicae the third of Physick onely the fourth of Medicine And in the second Colledge two classes or seages the first of Morall Philosophy the second of the Lawes And in the third Colledge two classes or seages the first of the tongues to wit Greeke and Hebrew the second of Divinity Of Readers and of the degrees and time of study ITem in the first Colledge and first Classe shall be a Reader of Dialectica who shall accomplish his course thereof in a year In Mathematica which is the second Classe shall be a Reader which shall compleat his course of Arithmetica Geometry Cosmography and Astrology in one yeere In the third classe shall bee a Reader of naturall Philosophy who shall compleat his course in one yeere And who after thir three yeares by triall and examination shall be found sufficiently instructed in the foresaid sciences shall be Laureat and Graduat in Philosophy In the fourth classe shall be a Reader of Medicine who shall compleat his course in 5. yeares after the study of the which time being by examination found sufficient they shall be graduat in Medicine Item in the second Colledge in the first classe one Reader onely in the Ethicks Oeconomicks and Politicks who shall compleat his course in the space of one yeare In the second classe shall be two Readers in the Muncipall and Roman Lawes who shall compleat his course in 4. yeares after which time being by examination found sufficient they shall bee graduate in the Lawes Item in the third colledge in the first classe one reader of the Hebrew and another of the Greeke tongue who shall compleat the Grammar thereof in 3. moneths and the remanent of the yeare the Reader of the Hebrew shall interpret one booke of Moses the Prophets or the Psalmes so that this course and classe shall continue one yeare The Reader of the Greek shall interpret some book of Plato together with some place of the new Testament In the second classe shall be two Readers in Diuinity the one in the new Testament the other in the old who shall compleat their course in five yeares after which time who shall be found by examination sufficient they shall be graduate in divinity Item wee thinke expedient that none be admitted to the first Colledge and to he Supposts of the University unlesse he have from the Master of the Schoole and Minister of the Town where he was instructed in the tongues and testimony of his learning docility age and parentage and likewise triall be taken by certaine Examinators depute by the Rector and Principals of the same And if he be found sufficiently instructed in the Dialectica he shall incontinent the same year be promoted to the classe of Mathematica Item that none be admitted to the classe of Medicine but he that shall have his testimoniall of his time well spent in Dialectica Mathemasica and Physick and of his docility in the last Item that none be admitted unto the classe of the Lawes but he that shall have sufficient testimonials of his time well spent in Dialectica Mathematica Physica Ethicks Oeconomicks and Politicks and of his docility in the last Item that none be admitted unto the classe
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
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
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
they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or generall Assemblies And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foresaid privie to the rules that they shall make and to abolish Constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate for mall processe being led and due intervall of times observed Anent particular Kirkes if they bee lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministers and Session they have power and Jurisdiction in their owne Congregation in matters Ecclesiasticall And decrees and declares the Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Jurisdiction and Discipline foresaid to bee in all times comming most just good and godly in the selfe Notwithstanding of whatsoever Statutes Acts Canons Civill or Municipall lawes made to the contrary To the which and every one of them their presents shall make expresse derogation And because there are divers Acts of Parliament made in favour of the Papisticall Kirk tending to the prejudice of the liberty of the true Kirk of God presently professed within this Realme Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof which stand yet in the bookes of the Acts of Parliament not abrogated nor annulled Therefore his Highnesse and Estates foresaid hath abrogated cassed and annulled and by the Tenour hereof abrogates casses and annulles all Acts of Parliament made by any of his Highnesse Predecessours for maintenance of superstition and idolatry withall and whatsoever Acts Lawes and Statutes made at any time before the day and date hereof against the liberty of the true Kirk Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof as the same is used and exercised within this Realme And in speciall that part of the Act of Parliament holden at Sterling the fourth day of November the yeare of God 1443. yeares commanding obedience to be given to Eugenius the Pope for the time The Act made by King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24. of February the yeare of God 1480. yeares And all other Acts whereby the Popes authority is established The Act of King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20. of November the yeare of God 1469. yeares anent the Saturday and other vigils to be holy dayes from Evensong to Evensong Item that part of the Act made by the Queene Regent in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the first day of February the yeare of God 1551. yeares giving speciall licence for holding of Pasche and Zuill Item the Kings Majesty and Estates foresaid declares that the 129. Act of the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of May the yeare of God 1584. yeares shall no wayes be prejudiciall nor derogate any thing from the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Kirk concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrant of the word of God Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament fore-said abrogates casses and annihilates the Acts of the same Parliament holden at Edinburgh the said yeare 1584. yeares granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Highnesse presentation to Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order to all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates afore-said declares to bee expired in the selfe and to bee null in time comming of none availe force or effect And therefore ordaines all Presentations to Benefices to be direct to the particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters and causes Ecclesiasticall within their bounds according to the Discipline of the Kirk providing the fore-said Presbyteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laicke Patrons THE FIRST BOOKE OF DISCIPLINE To the great Councell of Scotland now admitted to the Regiment by the providence of God and by the Common consent of the Estates thereof Your Honours humble Servitours and Ministers of Christ Jesus within the same wish grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with the perpetuall increase of the holy Spirit FRom your Honours weereceived a charge dased at Edinburgh the 29. of April in the yeare of our Lord 1560. requiring and commanding us in the name of the eternall God as wee will answer in his presence to commit to writing and in abooke deliver to your wisedomes our judgements touching the reformation of Religion which heretofore in this Realme as in others hath beene utterly corrupted upon the receit whereof so many of us as were in this Towne did conveene and in unity of minde doe offer unto your wisedomes these subsequents for common order and uniformity to bee observed in this Realme concerning doctrine administration of Sacraments election of Ministers provision for their sustentation Ecclesiasticall discipline and policy of the Church Most humbly requiring your Honours that as you looke for participation with Christ Jesus that neither ye admit any thing which Gods plaine word shall not approve neither yet that ye shall reject such ordinances as equity justice and Gods word doe specifie For as wee will not bind your wisedomes to our judgements further then wee are able to prove by Gods plaine Scriptures so must we most humbly crave of you even as ye will answer in Gods presence before whom both ye and wee must appeare to render accounts of all our facts that ye repudiate nothing for pleasure and affection of men which ye bee not able to improve by Gods written and revealed word The first head of Doctrine SEing that Christ Jesus is he whom God the Father hath commanded onely to bee heard and followed of his sheepe wee judge it necessary that his Gospell bee truely and openly preached in every Church and Assembly of this Realme and that all doctrine repugnant to the same be utterly repressed as damnable to mans salvation The explication of the first head LEst that upon this generality ungodly men take occasion to cavill this wee adde for explication By preaching of the Gospell wee understand not onely the Scriptures of the new Testament but also of the old to wit the Law Prophets and Histories in which Christ Jesus is no lesse contained in figure then wee have him now expressed in verity And therefore with the Apostle we affirme that all Scripture inspired of God is profitable to in struct to reprove and to exhort In which bookes of old and new Testaments we affirme that all thing necessary for the instruction of the Church and to make the man of God perfect is contained and sufficiently expressed By the contrary doctrine wee understand whatsoever men by lawes counsells or constitutions have imposed upon the conseiences of men without the expressed commandement of Gods word such as bee the vowes of chastity for swearing of marriage binding of men and women to severall and disguised apparells to the superstitious
it were of benevolence may not bee appointed and elected to serve in other places but once being solemnely elected and admitted wee cannot approve that they should change at their owne pleasure Wee are not ignorant that the rarity of godly and learned men shall seeme to some a just reason why that so strait and sharpe examination should not bee taken universally for so it shall appeare that the most part of the Kirks shall have no Minister at all But let these men understand that the lack of able men shall not excuse us before God if by our consent unable men bee placed over the flock of Christ Jesus As also that amongst the Gentiles godly and learned men were also rare as they bee now amongst us when the Apostle gave the same rule to trie and examine Ministers which wee now follow And last let them understand that it is alike to have no Minister at all and to have an Idoll in the place of a true Minister Yea and in some case it is worse for those that bee utterly destitute of Ministers will be diligent to search for them but those that have a vain shadow doe commonly without further care content themselves with the same and so remaine they continually deceived thinking that they have a Minister when in very deed they have none For wee cannot judge him a dispensator of Gods mysteries that in no wise can breake the bread of life to the fainting and hungry soules Neither judge wee that the Sacraments can bee rightly ministred by him in whose mouth God hath put no Sermon of exhortation The chiefest remedy left to your Honours and to us in all this raritie of true Ministers is fervent prayer unto God that it will please his mercy to thrust out faithfull workmen in this his harvest And next that your Ho. with consent of the Church are bound by your authority to compell such men as have gifts and graces able to edifie the Church of God that they bestow them where greatest necessity shall bee knowne For no man may bee permitted to live idle or as themselves list but must bee appointed to travell where your wisedomes and the Church shall thinke expedient We cannot prescribe unto your Honours certaine rules how that ye shall distribute the Ministers and learned men whom God hath already sent unto you But hereof wee are assured that it greatly hindereth the progresse of Christs Gospell within this poore Realme that some altogether abstract their labours from the Church and others remaine altogether in one place the most part of them being idle And therefore of your Honors we require in Gods name that by your authority which ye have of God ye compell all men to whom God hath given any Talent to perswade by wholesome doctrine to bestow the same if they bee called by the Church to the advancement of Christs glorie and the comfort of his troubled flock And that ye with the consent of the Church assigne unto your chiefest workmen not onely Townes to remaine in but also Provinces that by their faithfull labours Churches may bee erected and order established where none is now And if on this manner ye shall use your power and authority chiefly seeking Gods glorie and the comfort of your brethren wee doubt not but God shall blesse you and your enterprises For Readers TO the Churches where no Ministers can bee had presently must bee appointed the most apt men that distinctly can read the common prayers and the Scriptures to exercise both themselves and the Church till they grow to greater perfection and in processe of time be that is but a Reader may attaine to a farther degree and by consent of the Church and discreet Ministers may bee permitted to minister the Sacraments but not before that hee bee able some what to perswade by wholesome doctrine beside his reading and bee admitted to the Ministery as before is said Some wee know that of long time have professed Christ Jesus whose honest conversation deserveth praise of all godly men and whose knowledge also might greatly helpe the simple and yet they onely content themselves with reading these must bee animated and by gentle admonition encouraged by some exhortation to comfort their brethren and so they may bee admitted to administration of the Sacraments but such Readers as neither have had exercise not continuance in Christs true religion must abstaine from ministration of the Sacraments till they give declaration and witnessing of their honesty and further knowledge that none bee admitted to preach but they that are qualified therefore but rather bee retained Readers and such as are Preachers already not found qualified therefore by the Super-intendent bee placed to bee Readers The fifth head concerning the provision for the Misters and for the distribution of the rents and possessions justly appertaining to the Church SEing that of our Master Christ Jesus and his Apostle Paul wee have that the workman is worthy of his reward and that the mouth of the labouring exe ought not to bee musseled of necessitie it is that honest provision bee made for the Ministers which wee require to bee such that they have neither occasion of solicitude neither yet of insolencie and wantonnesse And this provision must bee made not onely for their owne sustentation during their lives but also for their Wives and Children after them For wee judge it a thing most contrarious to reason godliness and equity that the Widow and the Children of him who in his life did faithfully serve in the Kirk of God and for that cause did not carefully make provision for his family should after his death bee left comfortlesse of all provision which provision for the Wives of the Ministers after their decease is to bee remitted to the discretion of the Kirk Difficile it is to appoint a severall stipend to every Minister by reason that the charge and necessity of all will not bee alike For some will bee continuers in one place some will bee compelled to travell and oft to change their dwelling place if they shall have charge of divers Kirkes among these some will bee burdened with Wife and Children and one with more then others and some perhaps will bee single men If equall stipends should bee appointed to these that in charge should bee so unequall either should the one suffer penurie or else should the other have superfluity and too much Wee judge therefore that every Minister have sufficient whereupon to keepe an house and bee sustained honestly in all things necessary as well for keeping of his house and cloathes flesh fish bookes fewell and other things necessary of the rents and treasurie of the Kirk at the discretion of the Congregation conforme to the quality of the person and necessity of the time Wherein it is thought good that every Minister shall have at least fourty bolls meale twenty six bolls malt to finde his house bread and drinke and more so much as the diseretion of