to each commission, as follows, viz. The proceedings of the commission of Assembly 1642 are approven by Act Sess. 7, Aug. 9.

1706. No approbatory acts of the above nature are printed, because of the act appointing, That in all time thereafter the same formula be observed in the approbation of the actings and proceedings of the commissions of Assemblies, that is prescribed by the Acts of Assembly, to be observed in the attestation of the synod books. Act 8.

COMMISSIONS FOR REFORMATION IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS.

1725. It is appointed and ordained, 1. That the procurator for the church receive the sum of L.1000 sterling, issued by his majesty's warrant to encourage itinerant preachers and catechists to go to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. 2. That the ministers and elders named in the act be a committee, to endure till another be nominated in their room, empowered to employ the above sum for the ends mentioned in the royal warrant ; to choose their own moderator and clerk; to meet at Edinburgh upon the Fridays next after the meetings of the commissions of the General Assembly, in May, August, November, and March; with power to adjourn and to name sub-committees ; nine to be a quorum, whereof six to be ministers; and to keep a record of their proceedings. 3. That they appoint itinerant preachers and catechists, duly qualified, to go to the places designed in the royal warrant, to correspond with the presbyteries where these are employed, and with the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, and to advise with the commission of the Assembly as there may be occasion. That these preachers and catechists be subject to, and under the inspection of the presbytery of the bounds where they are employed, who are to take care that the orders of the committee be duly observed;-preachers also to catechise: and both they and the catechists to instruct the people

from house to house, visit the sick, and carefully to tea the people the principles and duties of true Christian Pr testant religion, and of loyalty to the king, and obedien to the laws; and the committee are empowered to gi them such instructions respecting their work and behavio as they shall judge meet; and they are appointed to obe the same. 4. That the allowance of L.45 per annum 1 given to a preacher, and L.25 to a catechist, except in th case of sickness, losses, or other accidents. 5. The com mittee is empowered to appoint settled ministers within th synods of Argyle, Ross, Murray, Aberdeen, and Perth an Stirling, and the presbytery of Dumbarton, with th allowance of L.4 per month, to dispense the ordinance of which preachers are incapable. Lastly, The committe are strictly to conform themselves to the terms and article of his majesty's warrant, in discharge of the trust commit ted to them. And it is ordained, That the presbyteries pointed at in the royal warrant meet as soon as possible and draw up a state of their bounds, and send in the same to the agent for the church, to be laid before the committee. Act 6.

1726. A commission is granted to some ministers and elders for reformation in the Highlands and Islands, and to manage the royal bounty for that end, with the powers and instructions given to the commission appointed by the above act: And further, they are to inquire how the ministers, preachers, and catechists named by them obeyed their appointments; to elect a cashier for receiving and giving out the king's bounty; to call for and state his accounts, and lay them before the commissioners of treasury or barons of exchequer; and likewise the committee is empowered to nominate ministers and elders, though not of their number, to meet with the Protestant heritors, to concert measures for advancing the interest of true religion in these countries: And which ministers and elders are ordained to join with the synod of Glenelg, and the presbyteries in that synod, in their meetings, and be assisting to them as members; and that the foresaid synod and presbyteries, and others concerned, draw up and send to the committee, from time to time, informations of the

state of their bounds, particularly with respect to popery and the success of their missionaries, and what discouragements they meet with.-Act 6.

1727. Another commission, with former powers and instructions; but with the addition, that they apply to the magistrates for assistance in carrying on a reformation in the Highlands and Islands; and to correspond with presbyteries, Protestant heritors, ministers, preachers, and catechists; and as much as they can to encourage ministers and Protestants in these parts.-Act 5.

1728. Another commission is given, with former powers and instructions renewed; and with an appointment for corresponding with the commission of the General Assembly, the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, and presbyteries and synods in the Highlands and Islands.Act 8.

1729. Another, with powers and instructions as formerly; only with the alteration that seven is declared to be a quorum, four whereof to be ministers.—Act 7.

1730. Another, with former powers and instructions, and containing the following regulations, viz. That presbyteries insert in their registers the committee's appointments of the designations, salaries, and stations of the respective missionaries, and have a regard thereto in all their letters respecting them, and in giving certificates to them; that they direct their letters only to the moderator of the committee, and that these letters be signed, at the appointment of the presbytery, by the moderator or clerk; that no payments be made of the missionaries' salaries, except upon receipts from themselves, and upon certificates from presbyteries, bearing the time they have served; yet reserving liberty to the committee to allow a quarter's salary per advance, if found necessary; that all the committee's accounts with their cashier be duly signed and attested, and recorded in the book prepared for that effect; and that all the money disbursed in managing the royal bounty be annually stated by the committee, and laid, with their report, before the Assembly for their approbation.-Acts 4, 6.

Annis 1731, 1732, 1733, 1734, 1735, 1736, 1737,

1738. Other commissions, with former powers and in structions renewed, are given in these years.

1739. A commission is granted, with former powers and instructions; and to which is added the following appointment:-That at the quarterly meeting in August, when the scheme or establishment of missionaries for the ensuing year shall be determined, fourteen shall be a quorum, nine whereof to be ministers; and that none once employed and inserted in the scheme shall be struck off for that year but by the quorum of fourteen; and no complaint against a missionary to be determined at the first ordinary meeting, but to lie on the table till the next; and, in the meantime, the person complained of, and the presbytery wherein he officiates, are to be acquainted with the complaint.-Act 6.

Commissions, with the whole powers and instructions in the above acts, are given annually, with little alteration, from 1739 downwards.

CONFESSION OF FAITH.

1638. An overture, That all persons, of whatsoever state or condition, be obliged to swear and subscribe the Confession of Faith, [the Covenant,] as then condescended on by the General Assembly, under pain of censure; referred to the several presbyteries, by Sess. 23, 24, Dec. 17, 18, Art. 11.

It is ordained, That no sort of persons, of whatever quality or degree, be permitted to speak or write against the Confession of Faith, concluded on by this kirk, both concerning doctrine and discipline; or against that Assembly, or any act thereof, upon the pain of censure.— Ibid. Art. 17.

The Confession of Faith, and National Covenant, and oath of this kirk, as renewed in February 1638, is allowed and approven in the haill heads and articles thereof; and all masters of universities, colleges, and schools, and all others who have not already subscribed the said Confession and Covenant, are ordained to subscribe the same, with these

ords prefixed to the subscription, viz. "The article of is Covenant which was, at the first subscription, referred the determination of the Assembly, being now determinat Glasgow, in December 1638, and whereby the Five Articles of Perth, and the government of the kirk by shops, being declared to be abjured and removed, the vil places and power of kirkmen declared to be unlawul; we subscribe, according to the determination of the aid free and lawful General Assembly." And the said Covenant, with that declaration, is ordained to be inserted n the registers of the Assemblies of this kirk, general, rovincial, and presbyterial, ad perpetuam rei memoriam. -Act Sess. 26, Dec. 20, Ass. 1638. And, by a subsequent act, of the same date, his majesty is addressed, That e would acknowledge and approve the foresaid true inerpretation, by his royal warrant, to be put in record for bat effect; and, in the meantime, the swearing or subscribng of the said Confession, as wrested to a contrary meanng, by an application thereof made by the privy council, prohibited and discharged, under the pain of ecclesiastic ensure, but that they subscribe the same as in the former ct.-Ibid.

1638. The General Assembly, by their supplication to is majesty's commissioner and Lords of Secret Council, indicate themselves from all disloyal designs, and soemnly swear their mutual concurrence and assistance for he cause of religion, and defence of his majesty's person nd government, in the preservation and defence of the rue religion, liberties, and laws of this kirk and kingdom, n quiet manner, or in arms, as they should be required y his majesty, his council, or any having their authority; nd do humbly supplicate them to enjoin, by an act of ouncil, the subscription of the Confession and Covenant. n answer to which supplications the Lords of Privy Council, by their act, Aug. 3, 1639, subjoined to this ct, ordain accordingly.-Act Sess. 23, Aug. 30, Ass. 1639. And his majesty's commissioner declares his majesty's llowance and consent, that the Covenant, with Assembly's oresaid explanation, be subscribed throughout all the ingdom; and he, in his majesty's name, subscribes the