the communicants, both before their going to, and after coming from the table, shall only join themselves to the present public exercise then in hand. 6. That when the communion is to be celebrated in a parish, one minister may be employed for assisting the minister of the parish, or at the most two. 7. That there be one sermon of preparation delivered in the ordinary place of public worship, upon the day immediately preceding. 8. That before the serving of the tables, there be only one sermon delivered to those who are to communicate, and that in the kirk where the service is to be performed; and that in the same kirk, there be one sermon of thanksgiving after the communion is ended. 9. When the parishioners are so numerous that their parish kirk cannot contain them, so that there is a necessity to keep out such of the parish as cannot conveniently have place, that in that case, the brother who assists the minister of the parish, may be ready, if need be, to give a word of exhortation, in some convenient place appointed for the purpose, to those of the parish who that day are not to communicate, which must not be begun until the sermon delivered in the kirk be concluded. 10. That of these who are present in the kirk where the communion is celebrated, none be permitted to go forth while the whole tables be served, and the blessing pronounced, unless it be for more commodious order, and other cases of necessity. 11. That the minister who cometh to assist, have a special care to provide his own parish, lest otherwise, while he is about to minister comfort to others, his own flock be left destitute of preaching. 12. That none coming from another parish shall be admitted to the communion without a testimonial from their own minister; and no minister shall refuse a testimonial to any of his parish who communicate ordinarily at their own parish kirk, and are without scandal in their life for the time; but this is no ways to prejudge any honest person, who occasionally is in the place where the communion is celebrated, or such as by the death or absence of their own minister, could not have a testimonial. -Act Sess. 14, Feb. 7, Art. 3.

1690. The administration of the Lord's supper to sick

persons in their houses, and all other use of the same, except in the public assemblies of the church; and also the administration of baptism in private, that is, in any place, or at any time when the congregation is not orderly called together, to wait on the dispensing of the word, are discharged: And the said act is appointed carefully to be observed, when and wherever the Lord giveth his people peace, liberty, and opportunity for their public assemblies. And it is appointed to be publicly intimated in all the churches.-Act 10.

1701. It is recommended to presbyteries to take care that the sacrament of the Lord's supper be more frequently administered within their bounds, and that the number of ministers to serve thereat be restricted, so that neighbouring churches be not thereby cast desolate on the Lord's day.-Act 19.

1706. It is recommended to the several ministers within this national church, to take as strict a trial as can be of such as they admit to the Lord's supper, especially before their first admission thereto; and that they diligently instruct them, particularly as to the covenant of grace, and the nature and end of that ordinance, as a seal thereof; and charge upon their consciences the obligations they lie under from their baptismal covenant, and seriously exhort them to renew the same.-Act 11.

1711. It is recommended to presbyteries to do what they can to get it so ordered, that the sacrament of the Lord's supper be duly observed in their bounds through the several months in the year.-Act 6.

1712. All presbyteries are enjoined to inquire if the acts appointing the frequent celebration of the Lord's supper be duly observed by all the brethren; and in case any minister neglect to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's supper in his parish for a whole year, the presbytery is to call for an account of the reasons of his omission, and to approve or disapprove of the same as they shall see cause, and to record their diligence in this matter; and synods are enjoined at their several meetings to inquire at presbyteries what care they have taken to exe cute the said acts, and other recommendations of Assem

blies in this behalf, and to record their diligencé in their books.-Act 11.

1724. Act 6, Ass. 1711, revived and renewed. And presbyteries and kirk-sessions are enjoined to endeavour to reform disorders that sometimes take place at the celebration of the Lord's supper: And for this end, presbyteries are to take care that neighbouring congregations be supplied with sermon on the Lord's day upon which the sacrament is to be dispensed in a place; and that ministers, on the preparation day, give public warning, that such as are guilty of disorder, shall be censured according to the degree of the offence; and presbyteries are appointed, at their privy censures, to inquire at the several members respecting the observation of the foresaid acts, and to record their diligence in this matter: And synods are enjoined to see the punctual observation of these acts; and particularly, at their privy censures, to call their respective presbyteries to answer with regard to their observance of what is here enjoined; and to record their diligence in their books.-Act 6.

1727. It is enjoined that the Act of the 7th Feb. 1645 be strictly observed; and it is left to the several judicatories of the church to give directions in cases of this nature as they occur.-Act 8.

1751. Act 11, Ass. 1712, is renewed; and it is appointed, That every presbytery at their privy censures before the winter synod, inquire at each of their brethren, whether they have administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper, once at least, the preceding year, and in case any of them have not done it, their excuses, and what the presbytery has done in approbation or disapprobation thereof, are to be marked in their minutes, and reported in writing to the synod; and if a member is absent from the diet for privy censures, he shall send up his excuse in writing either to that diet, or to the next synod; and in the event of brethren's failing in both these injunctions, it is appointed, That the presbytery, in the first meeting after the synod, shall call such to an account, and report to next synod, that they may do in it as they shall see cause.-Act 7.

MARRIAGE.

1638. Marriage, without proclamation of banns, discharged, conform to the former acts, except the presbytery, in some necessary exigents, dispense therewith. Act Sess. 23, 24, Dec. 17, 18, Art. 21.

1639. An overture, that course may be taken for restraining of people from passing into England to marry, as being the occasion of great inconveniences, is allowed; and recommended to the parliament, that they would appoint a pecunial sum to be paid by the contraveners.Act Sess. 22, Aug. 29, Art. 2.

1690. The celebration of marriage, without due proclamation of banns, according to order, three several Sabbaths in the respective parishes, is discharged; and it is recommended to presbyteries to censure the contraveners. -Act 7, § 3.

1690. It is declared, That, before any proclamations be made, the names and designations of the persons to be married, and their parents, tutors and curators, if they have any, be given up to the minister of the bounds in which any of them lives and resides, that thereby it may be known if their parents and friends give consent thereto; and that the minister, being satisfied herein, order the proclamation to be made three several Sabbaths; which, when made, shall be immediately before divine worship begin in the forenoon; and the persons to be proclaimed, their names and full designations, by which they are designed in writ, and the contracts of marriage, be fully and audibly expressed; and that, where there are more churches collegiated in the place or town, the proclamation be made in all and every one of the churches within the city or town, where they or any of the persons to be married reside; and this to be attested to the minister that marries them; with certification of the censures of the church against the transgressors herein.-Act 5.

1711. It is appointed, That the acts of Assembly concerning proclamation of banns be duly observed; and

that inquiry be made, that the persons desiring marriage be not within the forbidden degrees, and be single and free persons; and that all concerned do consent.-Act 5.

1784. It is resolved, That no session-clerk in this church, proclaim any persons in order to marriage, until he give intimation to the minister of the parish in a writing, dated and subscribed by him, of the names, designations, and places of residence of the parties to be proclaimed; and obtain the said minister's leave to make the said proclamation, with certification, that if any certificate of proclamation of banns be given, without observing the above order, the said certificate shall be held as a false certificate; and the session-clerk who subscribes it shall be censured accordingly: And in case of a vacancy, the above intimation is to be made to two of the elders of the parish. This resolution appointed to be sent to presbyteries, to be by them transmitted to sessions in order to its being observed.-Act 8.

MINISTERS.

1638. The act of the Assembly held at Edinburgh March 26, 1596, anent the entry and conversation of ministers, ratified, and ordained to be put in execution in every presbytery; and for that end, copies thereof are ordered to be given to each presbytery, under the clerk's hands, the substance whereof is as follows:-First, to pre

vent

Corruptions in the office of the ministry, it is ordained, That in time coming more diligent inquisition and trial be made of all such persons as shall enter into the ministry; as especially in these points. 1. That the intrant shall be posed upon his conscience before the great God, and that in the most grave manner, what moveth him to accept of the office and charge of the ministry upon him. 2. That it be inquired, if any, by solicitation or moyen, directly or indirectly, press to enter into the said office; and if it be found, that the solicitor be repelled; and that the presbyteries repel all such of their number from vot