[C1639/8/9]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Regarding the supplication presented by the assembly against the book called The Large Declaration, whereof Doctor [Walter] Balcanquall is challenged to be one of the authors, [John Stewart, earl of Traquair], the commissioner, represented that it is not expedient that this supplication be presented in a parliamentary way because it tends to the renewing of the remembrance of these troubles and the causes thereof, which have heretofore vexed this kingdom and are now to be buried in oblivion. And seeing the said book bears inscription of his sacred majesty's name, which he will not disclaim, it ought to be handled with more reverence than to be challenged in a public way, which evidently rubs with his majesty's honour and can produce no better effect than an answer to all assertions contrary to what is averred in the book, and will frustrate the petitioners of their intended end. And therefore the commissioner general desired that if the petitioners will go on in this supplication, they should do the same in that quiet humble way which may not infringe upon his majesty, but will most readily satisfy his majesty, which ought to be their first and main desire.
[Archibald Campbell], earl of Argyll and [John Leslie, earl of] Rothes answered that the said book contains so many untruths, and is so dishonourable to his majesty and this whole nation, and is so public and dispersed through all the world, of purpose to incense neighbour nations, and specially England, against us, and to possess them with prejudices against their proceedings, and therefore the petitions ought to be presented in a public parliamentary way, which being legal and humble cannot in reason offend his gracious majesty. The commissioner general answered that the public way will rather oblige his majesty to vindicate his honour by an answer for maintaining that book than procure any satisfaction from his majesty, because the king must either maintain that book, if it be challenged by a public way, or else acknowledge that he took arms upon unwarrantable grounds and false information, which is so dishonourable that no good subject can desire or expect the same. And now at this time it is unfit to renew the memory of what is past upon either side, but they are to be covered by an act of oblivion.
The estates of parliament being petitioned by the assembly to join with them in supplicating his majesty against a book entitled, A Large Declaration (which supplication is registered in the books of the assembly), the estates humbly recommend the same to the commissioner general to be presented to his majesty for obtaining graciously the desire of the said supplication; and ordain this to be enacted in parliament in these same words and no other way.
Act against drunkenness read, voted and passed in articles.
Act against blasphemy read, voted and passed in articles.
The committee for idle beggars etc. promised to give in their overtures in writing tomorrow.
The supplication presented by the assembly craving an act to be made giving power to ministers, elders and members of every presbytery to stent the parishioners for the expenses to the commissioners of the assembly, the lords of the articles remit the same to the commission to be granted for plantation of kirks and augmentation of stipends, and this article to be added to the commission that they may take some course, either by augmentation of each minister's stipend for such a sum as shall be thought a competent allowance to the commissioners for assemblies or otherwise as they shall think more expedient, and that the course to be taken have place for the last assembly.
The supplication from the assembly craving a civil sanction for prohibition of marriage in England to all Scots people, indwellers in Scotland, read, voted and passed in articles, under the pain of 20 merks for a yeoman servant and £40 for a yeoman master and of all others, the sixth part of their yearly rents or annualrents to be paid to the church session where they dwell, to be applied to the use of the poor.
The article regarding the reviving of the acts of parliament against papists and Jesuits committed to [Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall], advocate, and [James Lyon of] Auldbar, with some to revise the particular acts of parliament mentioned therein again after noon.