Declaration Concerning the Late Tumults in Scotland, Floating text 29 – Letter 16
The Act of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh 24. Octob. 1638. yeares, in answer to this Complaint.
UPon the said day, we the Brethren of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, after we had received this Bill and complaint, presented unto us by the Laird of Buchanan, The Laird of Dury the younger, The Laird of Carlourie, John Smith late Bailife of Edinburgh, John Hammiltoun, and Richard Maxwel, in name of the Noblemen, Barons, Burgesses, and Commons, subscribers of the Covenant (which are not Commissioners to the Generall Assemblie) against the pretended Archbishops and Bishops of this Kingdome, and after wee had read and seriously considered the same, wee, according to the desire of the complainers did and do referre the same to the next Generall Assemblie to bee holden at Glasgow 21. November. And we ordaine the publishing of this complaint, and of our reference of it to the Assemblie, to be fully read by all the Pastors of the Presbyterie upon the next Sabbath before noone out of their Pulpits, with a publike warning and cytation to the offendants complained upon; By name, Master John Spotswood pretended Archbishop of Saint Andrewes, Master Patrick Lyndsey pretended Archbishop of Glasgow, Master Thomas Sydserfe pretended Bishop of Galloway, Master David Lyndsey pretended Bishop of Edinburgh, Master Alexander Lyndsey pretended Bishop of Dunkeld, Master Adam Bannatine pretended Bishop of Aberdene, Master John Gutherie pretended Bishop of Murray, Master John Maxwel pretended Bishop of Rosse, Master George Greme pretended Bishop of Orknay, Master John Abernethie pretended Bishop of Caithnes, Master Walter Whitefoord pretended Bishop of Brichen, Master James Wedderburne pretended Bishop of Dunblane, Master James Fayrley pretended Bishop of Argyle, Master Nail Campbel pretended Bishop of the Isles, to be present at the said Assemblie, to answer to this complaint in generall, and to the particular heads of it, to undergo the triall and censure of it, and to bring with them the books and scroules of the subscriptions and oaths of them who enter into the Ministerie, the books of the High Commission, and the book of the Generall Assemblie, which they either had or have fraudulently put away; and if any Pastor within this Presbyterie refuse to publish this cytation, we require the Reader of the Church to do it. In like manner wee require all parties who have interest, either in pursuing, or specifying, or proving this complaint, to be present at the said Assemblie for that purpose: Upon which the complainers took instruments in the hands of the Notarie.
According to this complaint, and the warrand of the Presbyteries reference of it, I A. R. warne and admonish the abovenamed offenders to compeere before the next Generall Assemblie to bee holden at Glasgow 21. November, for the causes contained in the complaint, and for the certification expressed in it.
NOw though the verie reading of this Libell cannot chuse but work a detestation of it in the heart of everie religious and just man, yet the Reader shall do well to take a more speciall notice of these particular passages of injustice and impietie in it: First, that the Presbyterie of Edinburgh taketh cognisance of the cause, and accordingly makes cytation, not onelyonly of the Bishop of Edinburgh, over whom they can have no jurisdiction, but of all the rest of the Archbishops and Bishops, of which none at all, or certainely if any, verie few, are inhabitants within the bounds of their Presbyterie: And who before this, did ever heare that any Consistorie or Judicatorie, Ecclesiasticall or Civill, could make processe against any man, or take cognisance of the cause of any man, who was not an inhabitant, nor had any charge or estate within the Precincts or bounds of those places, which onelyonly are liable to the jurisdiction of that Court? Next, who did ever heare that men should wittingly and willingly cyte others to answer for the transgression of acts and Lawes which they themselves do know were repealed by posteriour acts and Lawes; and so stood at the time of this cytation, and therefore can no wayes be censurable for them, though it were true that the person cyted had done as it is alledged in the Libell, and such be these acts of Assemblie cyted by them, which were and still are disanulled by divers acts both of Assemblie and Parliament: Thirdly, who did ever heare that men should be called in question for yeelding obedience to acts of Parliament and Generall Assemblie, and yet in this Libell the Prelats are charged with giving voices in Parliament, and practising the five Articles of Perth, and divers other particulars, which then were and are now still in force by acts both of Parliament and Assemblie: and if it should be said that these acts were unduly obtained, which is the Covenanters onelyonly plea, sure to say so is a greater fault then the other; for what Judge can ever give sentence in any cause, if the asseveration of the partie aggrieved by the sentence, that the Law was unjustly made, may passe for a good plea? Fourthly, who ever heard that men should bee charged with yeelding obedience to acts commanded by the authoritie of Us and Our Councell, especially in things not repugnant to any established Law of that Church and Kingdome? and yet such are all these pretended Innovations, with the introduction whereof the Prelats are charged in this Libell: for they were injoyned and commanded first by Us, and then by acts of Our Councell, it being farre more agreeable to reason to complaine of the Lords of Our Councell, by whose authoritie they were commanded, then of those who in dutifull obedience to authoritie did practise them: But indeed it is to bee wondred at, with what face the Covenanters can blame either the one for commanding, or the other for practising them: For what ground have they, or did they ever yet alledge, for their swearing to the Confession of Faith and their Covenant annexed? Did they ever yet alledge any but the authoritie of Our Royall Father and his Councell, who by their authoritie commanded them to bee sworne throughout the Realme? And did not We and Our Councell by equall authoritie command these pretended Innovations? Was not then the Prelats practice of them as well warranted, as this Confession of Faith and the band annexed, which were never brought in by acts of Parliament or Assemblie, but meerly by Our Royall Fathers Prerogative, and put in execution by the authoritie of his Councell? Fifthly, who did ever heare that men professing Pietie and Religion, durst adventure in the sight of God, in the house of God, and in the Pulpit, which is as it were the Chaire of God, and in the face of the Congregation, which is the people of God, to command the Bishops to be indited and accused of such horrible crimes, as whoring, excessive drinking, excessive gaming, swearing, profane talking, profanation of the Lords day, contempt of Gods publike ordinances, neglecting pietie in their families, mocking of the power of preaching, prayer, and spirituall communication; briberie, simonie, lying, perjuries, unhonest dealing in civill bargaines, adulterie, incest, and what not? We do even appeale to their owne consciences, whether they did thinke all of them, or any one of them, guiltie of all these crimes: Most certainly they did not; and that excuse which they bring for the justifying of this wicked Libell cannot any wayes extenuate their fault: They say that some particulars contained in the whole Libell may be proved against everie one of them, and therefore it is a good and a legall Libell, if they can make good any thing contained in it: But bee it legall or not, the world must needs take notice that it is most unconscionable. The other things mentioned before, and charged upon them in this Libell, are not crimes at all, being warranted by acts of Parliament, Assembly and Councell; these last rehearsed are crimes indeed, odious in the sight of God and man, and of which, as if they be guilty, the Bishops deserve death and exquisite torments; so, if they who have accused them of these crimes, shall faile in proving them to bee guiltie, they deserve to bee infamous throughout all generations, for the most malicious and malignant traducers of the servants of God, that ever lived upon the earth, and must looke for the unavoidable judgements of God to fall upon them and their whole families for this so horrible a crime, committed wilfully against the knowledge of their owne consciences, unlesse they doe expiate it with the bitter teares of repentance: For We desire them to declare bonâ fide, whether they themselves did beleeve or conceive all the Bishops accused in the Libell, or onelyonly some of them to bee guiltie of these last recyted crimes: If not all, but some, why did they not distinguish them, that the people might know whom they should take for guiltie, and whom for not guiltie? Nay, did they not beleeve and know, that some of these Bishops were holy and learned men, free from the crimes objected? For instance, We will onelyonly name the Bishop of Edinburgh, seeing in the principall Presbyterie of his Diocesse this Libell was presented, admitted, and publiquely read in the Churches within the Precincts of it: did they then, or doe they yet beleeve or suspect that he was guiltie of incest, adulterie, excessive whoring, gaming, drinking, dicing, swearing, &c. ut supra? We doe verily beleeve, that if they were judicially called, they would absolve him from such foule crimes; how then they can answer to God, men, or their owne consciences, for accusing that reverend, learned, and holy Prelate of such crimes, for which they themselves would be his compurgators, We must leave it to themselves to resolve: Nay, what if they themselves did not beleeve any one, not the most hated of all the Prelates to be guiltie of these last recyted crimes? Sure, the presumptions are very pregnant and unanswerable, that they did not beleeve it: for at the generall Assembly, when the severall Bishops causes came to bee heard and discussed upon this Libell, they did not so much as offer to make any proofe of these last rehearsed crimes against them, they examined not so much as one witnesse upon them in discussing the processes of many of the Bishops: And in the printed Acts of their pretended Assembly (as shall appeare by those passages of it in their place) in their particular sentences of deprivation and excommunication, they not onelyonly do not censure them for these crimes, but doe not so much as take notice of them: And it is well knowne, that these men who in all their proceedings had made everie Bishops moat a beame, were not so mercifully or compassionately affected towards them, that they would have spared them, or forborn to make proofe of these crimes, if they had seene but colour for it. If they shall say, that though they could not prove these crimes, yet there was a publique scandall of them; There was indeed a scandall raised amongst them, and that publique enough, when it was proclaimed in the Pulpits; But by whom was it raised? even by the principall Covenanters themselves, who were resolved to raise a fame when they were sure they could prove no fact: or if they should alledge that they did forbeare probation, or examining of witnesses, out of their respect either to the Bishops calling or their persons, they will hardly find credit with any one; For who will thinke they did it out of the respect of their calling, which they have given out for Popish and Antichristian? or out of respect of their persons, whom they have scandalized in so many great and publique congregations of the Kingdome, infinitely exceeding in number those who were present at the Assembly? The plaine truth then was this: They could easily slander them with these crimes in the Churches, but they were sure they could make no proofe of them at the Assembly. Sixthly, who did ever heare, that the forme of proceeding of Presbyteries in that Kingdome was by reading of the Libell in any Church? the custome being to cyte them personally where they may be found; or if they be not to be found, by leaving both the cytation and copie of the Libell at the place of their dwelling; or if the partie bee out of the Kingdome, by cyting him publiquely in the Church, and afterward serving him with a copie of the Libell upon his coming home and appearance: and if he doe not appeare, by proceeding against him tanquam pro confesso; which forme was observed by them in the processing of all the Ministers, whom at this time they suspended and transmitted over to the generall Assembly, none of their Libells being publiquely read in Churches: But with the Bishops they proceeded otherwaies, against all course of Law, made the Libell against them bee read publiquely in the Churches, and that after divers of them, upon the Covenanters owne knowledge, had been served with it by the Officers of that Presbyterie; so that there was no use of any further publique citation, personall citation being already made: Nay, and to doe it upon a Sunday, though that morning the Magistrates of Edinburgh, by Our Commissioners speciall commandement, required them to forbeare: Nay, yet to publish that infamous Libell in their Churches, upon a day when the holy Communion was solemnly administred; Nay, and in the Colledge Church where Rollock is Minister, (because it was late, and after noone before all the people had received) to have the ordinarie thanks-giving and praiers after the Communion quite omitted, and the afternoone Sermon begun without any precedent praier, and all to gaine time for the reading of this lewd Libell, as if it had been of greater consequence then either the thanks-giving or praiers after the holy Communion, or the reading of those Lessons and Chapters of sacred Scripture, or using of praier, which are duties usually performed before Sermon: Nay, to have this Libell read in the afternoone, directly against the Act of the Presbyterie which appointed it to be read in the forenoone, and to have it read neither by Minister nor Reader, as the Act enjoyneth, but by a Lay-man, and a fierie Advocate: All these put together, let the Reader judge whether here were not many acts, first of injustice, then of impietie; As drawing along with them the profanation and violation of the Lords house, the Lords day, the Lords holy Communion, the Lords service and worship in both parts of it, Praier and Preaching. Seventhly, the Reader shall doe well to observe in the Preface of this Libell, what a harmlesse and hazzardlesse mustring and training of their men they make: For all the Covenanters being now one grosse bodie, sworne to one Covenant, and to mutuall defence one of another, without admitting any motion which shall tend to the division or breaking of their rankes, see how they divide themselves, onelyonly to exercise their armes, and to make them perfect in their postures and motions; after they have cast themselves in severall figures, they fall to skirmishing, not in earnest, but in jest, to please themselves and the spectators: For since they could not all be Judges, and Commissioners of the Assembly, they make their fellow-Covenanters not elected Commissioners, to be Plaintiffes; so that indeed upon the point, the Plaintiffes and Judges are all one: for they having all sworne and abjured (as they say themselves) the principall things to be determined in the Assembly, the same actors before they came from their Tables at Edinburgh, sorted and divided their parts, appointed some to bee chosen Commissioners, and so to act the part of Judges, and others of themselves to draw a Libell against those whom they should nominate, so they should act the part of Plaintiffes: In the meane time, what was like to become of the poore Defendants and the parties cited? whether they were not like to bee killed in this play, let the spectators deliver their opinions: And this now is that Libell, with which the Covenanters did undoubtedly compasse their owne end, which was, to raise up in the people an utter abhorring of the present Bishops persons, and an irreconcilable hatred against both their persons and calling; but with what religion, justice, and honestie they have effected it, others besides themselves, both in heaven and earth, must judge and give sentence.
As this of the Libell was a tricke of falshood, so about this time there was put upon the people a notable tricke of forgerie, which was this: There was a maid, whose name is Michelson, her father was a Minister; and when he died left her young, she hath been for many yeeres distracted by fits: Upon this young Maids weaknesse some were pleased to worke, and to report her for one inspired with a spirit of divination; and finding, that out of her blind zeale shee was wonderfully affected with their Covenant, and that in her raving fits her words tended all, or for the most part, to the admiration of it, and detestation of the opposers of it; and perceiving, that shee was well skilled in the phrases of the Scripture, and had a good memorie, so that shee could remember the bitter invectives, which both in the Pulpits and elsewhere shee had heard made against the Bishops and the Service-booke, they thought her a very fit instrument to abuse the people, and cryed her up so much, that the multitude was made beleeve her words proceeded not from her selfe, but from God. Thence was that incredible concourse of all sorts of people, Noblemen, Gentlemen, Ministers, Women of all rankes and qualities, who watched or stayed by her day and night, during the time of her pretended fits, and did admire her raptures and inspirations, as coming from Heaven: She spake but at certaine times, and many times had intermissions of daies and weekes, in all probabilitie, that she might have time to receive instructions, and to digest them against the next time of exercising her gifts (as they call them;) which so soone as shee was ready to begin, the newes of it was blowne all the Towne over, and the house so thronged, that thousands at every time could find no accesse. The joy which her auditors conceived for the comfort of such a messenger from Heaven, and such messages as she delivered from thence, was many times expressed by them in teares, by none more then by Rollock her speciall Favourite; who being desired sometimes by the spectators to pray with her, and speake to her, answered, That he durst not doe it, as being no good manners in him to speake while his Master was speaking in her. Now, that shee was set up by the Covenanters, to perswade their ends with the people, there bee two reasons which may induce the Reader probably to beleeve: First, because that they of best judgement, who were present at the time of her pretended raptures, did affirme, that they saw nor could observe nothing supernaturall in them; they onelyonly found she had a good memorie, especially of that which she had read in the Scripture, or had heard preached: that shee had a very good expression of her selfe, but yet they found that both shee knew that shee was speaking, and what shee was speaking (contrary to that report which went about of her) and that while she was speaking, if she were interrupted by any questions, shee made very pertinent answers to them, which could not have been, if all that time shee had been transported with any supernatuall rapture. Secondly, because most of all that shee spake, still tended to the Covenanters ends: when she spake of Christ, she ordinarily called him by the name of Covenanting Jesus: The summe of her speeches for the most part was, that it was revealed unto her from God, that their Covenant was approved and ratified in Heaven; but that Our Covenant was an invention of Sathan; that all the adherents to it should bee confounded, as all the adherents to the former were and should be protected by God, the author of their Covenant, against all opposition whatsoever; which speeches of hers were averred by the Covenanters with as great confidence, and admired by the people with as much veneration, if not more, as any other of their Pulpit Dictats: which presumptions did make very many (both Covenanters and others) thinke, that the crying up of this Maid, did looke something like a Romish imposture.
Let all this rebellious behaviour, and these contempts of Our Commissioner and Councell, interveening betweene Our last gracious Proclamation of the indiction of the Assembly, and the day of the Assembly neere at hand, bee laid together, and what judgement can any man make of them, but that they were devised and practised principally for this purpose, That Our Commissioner might prorogue or discharge the Assembly, from whence by these strange proceedings hee could not have the least hope of any good: and if hee should discharge it, they were sure they should gaine some credit with their partie, whom they had made beleeve that hee never intended otherwise, as also, should indict an Assembly themselves, which they made full accompt to doe; which appeareth both by the tenour of the Commissions given to their severall Commissioners, both from Presbyteries and Burrowes, which run thus: We give you full power to appeare for Us at this Assembly now indicted the 21. of November next, wheresoever it shall happen to be, not naming the place, Glasgow, where Wee had appointed it, hoping that it should bee prorogued; in which case they intended to hold it at Edinburgh, the seat of their Tables, As also by divers of the Covenanters Letters written to that purpose; the copie of one, written by the Lord of Balmerino, We here exhibit to you.
Loving Cousin,
I Have lately received advertisment from severall friends that are chosen Commissioners for the Assembly, to helpe them to lodgings in Glasgow; I send you h…re a Roll of some of our particular friends, whereof you may give a Copie to the Provost and Magistrates, that they, (being men of quality) may be accordingly furnished for themselves and their train, with such roomes (at least) as you have provided for me. I hope your Magistrates have beene as carefull to provide for the Commissioners as for the Councellours, which are not so necessary members of the Assembly as the Commissioners: And if they be not well eased, it may be a great argument to the Assembly to remove it selfe elsewhere. I am of opinion, that of the three hundred necessary Commissioners of Assembly, the halfe of them have not provided themselves, as being farre distant and unacquainted, hoping in so good a towne to fnde all commodities for money. I would send a servant to take possession of those Lodgings which can be had, for my self and our friends, that we be not surprised with the Councellours followers, who are to be with you the 15 or 16 of this instant.
George Porterfield undertooke to my Lord Lindsey and other Noblemen, at his last being here, to bespeake three or foure of the best Lodgings they designed for such Noblemen as was given him in list; we have heard nothing of his performance. My Lord Lindsey hath written oft-times to me, and I would intreat you to desire George to write with the first occasion to John Smith, or any other he pleaseth here, that we may know his care and account of his undertaking. You will pardon me for this trouble I put you to, being for friends that will be verie sensible of it, whereof none are more obliged and lesse able to acquite all your favours, then
Edinb. Novemb. 8. 1638. Your loving Cousin to dispose of, Balmerino.
I could wish our owne friends were as well bestowed neere one another as can be; and if I cannot come there the next weeke, I will send a servant.
BY these lines you may easily perceive, both the insolent contempts used by these men towards Our Councel, and the resolution which they had to keep the Assembly, or to remove it at their pleasures. But after they were once perswaded, that Our Commissioner was resolved to hold the Assembly at the time and place appointed by Our Proclamation, the time of it approaching, they sent out from their Tables a second paper of publique instructions throughout all the parts of the Kingdome, which were these▪
THat all Noblemen subscribers of the Covenant, (except the Noblemen of the West, who shall be ready upon advertisment) meet at Edinburgh the 12. of November, and stay there till they goe to Glasgow, where they shall all meet on Saturday the 17. of November at the furthest.
That the full number of these who are appointed Commissioners by the severall shires, to attend this common cause, with foure Gentlemen within the bounds of every Presbyterie at the least, out of the number of their Assessors, without excluding any voluntaries, That they come to Glasgow the 17. day of November, to attend constantly the Assembly, and give their advice in the common cause to the ruling Elders, Commissioners to the Assembly out of these Shires and Presbyteries.
That the Burrowes appoint (according to their quality and number) two, foure, or six, of most judicious men to come to Glasgow the 17. of November, and there constantly to attend the Assembly, and give their advice to their Commissioner in this common cause.
That the Fast be observed the fourth day of November universally, with any other dayes they may conveniently: and if any be repairing to the Assembly, that they keepe the Fast where they shall bee for the time.
That now especially, seeing ruling Elders from particular Congregations are received in Presbyteries, that particular Congregations take such course, that no Minister Commissioner be forced to be absent from the Assembly for want of necessarie charges.
That where any hath beene deceived or compelled to subscribe this new Covenant, that the Ministers take their Declarations in writing, or by act in the bookes of Session, or before one witnesse, that they were forced, deceived, or mistaken: And that every Minister make known, and intimate publikely to the people the printed protestation, contayning the reasons against this new subscription; and where the Minister refuseth, that some well affected Gentleman doe it.
IN the first of these, there is a meeting appointed of all the Commissioners, first at Edinburgh, then at Glasgow, which was (no doubt) to agree upon the conclusions to bee made in the Assembly, before the Assembly should assemble: In the second and third you see a course taken, That both from Presbyteries and Burrowes, the severall Commissioners shall have numbers of Assistants, without whose advice the Commissioners were to conclude nothing; a thing never heard of before at any Assembly of that Church; and by which multitude they meant to terrifie all those, who in Glasgow should offer to oppose or speake against them. In the fourth, to the high contempt of Our Authoritie and Proclamation, they appoint another day for the publique Fast then was by Us designed. In the sixth, they order that all these who had subscribed Our Covenant and Confession, should bee presented as publique offenders.
These new instructions, especially that Article which appointed so great troupes to repaire to Glasgow, all which (as Our Commissioner was informed) meant to goe thither with Armes, and in hostile equipage, which is most severely prohibited by the Lawes of that Our Kingdome, moved Our Commissioner and Councell, by publique Proclamation at the Crosse of Edinburgh, severely to interdict any Commissioner for the Assembly at Glasgow to travell thither, or to continue there with more attendance then those of their owne family and ordinarie retinue; and that they should carrie with them no other Armes, but such as were allowed by the Lawes of that Kingdome, under the paines and penalties contained in the said Lawes. This Proclamation they onelyonly answered with a Protestation, yeelding no obedience to it; for they travelled to Glasgow in great troupes, carrying with them prohibited and warlike Armes.
It is easie now to be conceived, that Our Commissioner could expect no good from this Assembly, the preparations whereunto were so full of rebellion and tumult; and the precedent elections of the members whereof had induced many legall, unavoidable, and undeniable nullities of it: yet because Our people should clearely see the realitie of Our royall intentions, and the Covenanters partie might understand how they had beene abused by the reports which their leaders had dispersed, That We meant nothing lesse then to keepe this Assembly; and principally, that in that Assembly We might fully make good to all Our subjects, whatsoever We had promised in Our last gracious declaration, (the heads of the Covenanters having mainly laboured with them that point, viz. that We never meant to performe what therein We had promised) Our Commissioner began his journie towards Glasgow, and arrived there on the 17. day of November in a quiet and peaceable manner, none of his traine carrying with them any prohibited armes: There met him at Glasgow all Our Councell by Our direction, according to a Letter which We had written unto them, requiring them to assist him all the time of his being there, with their best concurrence and counsell: Our Letter to them here followeth.
RIght trusty and right wel-beloved Cousin and Councellour, Right trusty and right wel-beloved Cousins and Councellours, We greet you well:
As by your Letter Wee find how well you are satisfied with Our gracious pleasure, expressed in Our late Proclamation and Declaration; so We doe expect the continuance of your care by your best indevours, to bring all Our good people to a true sense of Our Royall intentions, and reall care of preferring and advancing the good and peace of that Church and Kingdome, which hath alwayes been and still is one of Our chiefest cares. We give you hearty thanks for your affection and paines in this service, and doe approve of your course in subscribing of the Confession and band, and order taken by you for publishing and requiring the like due and thankfull acceptance of Our gracious pleasure by all Our good subjects. And seeing the time of the Assembly doth now approach, We require you to attend diligently upon Our Commissioner, untill the time appointed for the downe sitting of the said Assembly, and further, to the finall ending thereof; that from time to time you may be assisting to him with your best opinions and advices, for preparing and digesting every thing that may conduce to bring this businesse, to be treated upon in the Assembly; to the wished peaceable and happy end. And although We will not doubt but that all Our good subjects will bee carefull of every thing that may concerne Us, or Our Soveraigne authority; yet because that at such publike and generall meetings, it is not to be expected that all mens dispositions will be alike, and of one temper, Wee require you, and that in a more particular manner, according to the trust and confidence Wee have in your affections to Our service, carefully to advert, that if any proposition shall be made, which may seeme to derogate from Soveraignty, or that true estate of Monarchicall Government already established within that Kingdome, or which may impede the peaceable conclusion of this Assembly, that as good subjects and faithfull Councellours and servants to Us, you assist Our Commissioner to withstand the same to the uttermost of your power: To whom We will you to give absolute trust in every thing which he in Our name shall deliver or impart to you, or any of you, in publike or in private, And so We bid you farwell.
From Our Honour of Hampton Court the first of October. 1638.
THe Citie of Glasgow being much filled and thronged with all sorts of people, on the 21. day of November 1638. the day designed by Our Proclamation, the Generall Assembly begun, and was opened; and the proceedings were as follow.
After Sermon in the morning, they assembled in the afternoone: The ancientest Minister of the Towne, who had preached in the morning, desired all present to begin the Action with the chusing of a Moderatour: Our Commissioner (who sate upon a State raised in a place eminent above the rest, with his Assessors about him conveniently seated below) told them that there was something to be done before the choice of the Moderatour, viz. that his Commission was first to be read, that it might be knowne by what authoritie he sate there; which was done, and so Our Commission to him was publikely read, as followeth.