are enjoined at their several meetings to inquire at presb teries what care they have taken to execute the said act and other recommendations of Assemblies in this b half, and to record their diligence in their books.-A

11.

1724. Act 6, Ass. 1711, revived and renewed. An presbyteries and kirk-sessions are enjoined to endeavou to reform disorders that sometimes take place at the cele bration of the Lord's Supper: And for this end, presby teries are to take care that neighbouring congregation be supplied with sermon on the Lord's day upon whic the sacrament is to be dispensed in a place; and that m nisters on the preparation day give public warning, tha such as are guilty of disorder shall be censured accordin to the degree of the offence; and presbyteries are appoint ed, at their privy censures, to inquire at the several mem bers respecting the observation of the foresaid acts, and t record their diligence in this matter: And synods are en joined 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 ap pointed, 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

e synod, shall call such to an account, and report to ext 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 proelamation 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 con cerning proclamation of banns be duly observed; and tha 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 presby teries, 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.

1641. That ministers and professors of divinity shall not, by their demission of, or cessation from, their charge, through age and inability, be put from enjoying their old maintenance and dignity.-Act Sess. 5, July 30.

1642. All are prohibited and discharged to pretend or use the names of ministers to any petition, declaration, or such like, at any time thereafter, without their knowledge, consent, or assistance; otherwise to be proceeded against by the censures of the kirk.-Act Sess. 11, Aug. 5.

1646. A full acknowledgment and narration of the enormities and corruptions observed in the ministry.

1648. That every minister, by the word of wisdom, apby his doctrine faithfully against the public sins and corptions of the times; and particularly against the sins and scandals in that congregation where he lives, accordg to the Act of Assembly 1596, revived by Sess. 23, 4, Dec. 17, 18, Ass. 1638, Art. 9; and Act Sess. 10, une 13, Ass. 1646; with various other sins and evils, as ecorded at large in Act Sess. 26, Aug. 3.

1690. That no ministers who have actual standing and bsolute relation to any charge in the church of Scotland, emove out of the kingdom without the consent of the espective judicatories of this church.-Act 9.

1690. All sentences passed against ministers hinc inde y any church judicatory, upon account of the late differnces among presbyterians, from the year 1650 until the eintroduction of prelacy, are declared of themselves void and null, to all effects and intents; and it is recommended to the respective presbyteries to take care that such of hese ministers as are not otherwise disposed of by the church, return to the exercise of their ministry in their respective congregations; and to the civil magistrate, that the said ministers may have the legal maintenances and stipends where they served.-Act 13.

1694. Recommended to all the presbyteries of this church, to proceed in all processes against ministers with all due circumspection and prudence, and that they consult their respective synods, or, in case of urgent necessity, the commission of the Assembly; and it is required that no judicatory of the church do take advantage to censure any minister whatsoever for not having qualified himself in the terms of the act of parliament 1693.—Act 12.

Note. This act was only to endure till April 1695, or the meeting of next Assembly, which of them first happened.-Form of Process, cap. 1, § 7, and cap. 7, p. 156, Vol. I.

1709. The several synods and presbyteries are appointed to send accounts from time to time, to the clerk of the Assembly, of all ministers who are or shall be deposed or suspended, and probationers who are or shall be licensed by them; and the clerk is ordered to lay the same before

the Assembly or commission, at their first meeting aft it comes to hand, that due and proper methods may used to make the same publicly known to all concerne -Act 15.

1711. The questions to be put to a minister at his o dination are, 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Ol and New Testament to be the word of God, and the onl rule of faith and manners ?-2. Do you sincerely own an believe the whole doctrine contained in the Confession c Faith, approven by the General Assemblies of this Church and ratified by law, in the year 1690, to be founded upo the word of God; and do you acknowledge the same a the confession of your faith; and will you firmly and con stantly adhere thereto, and, to the utmost of your power assert, maintain, and defend the same, and the purity o worship as presently practised in this national church, and asserted in Act 15, Ass. 1707 ?-3. Do you disown all Popish, Arian, Socinian, Arminian, Bourignian, and other doctrines, tenets, and opinions whatsoever, contrary to, and inconsistent with, the foresaid Confession of Faith ?4. Are you persuaded that the presbyterian government and discipline of this church are founded upon the word of God, and agreeable thereto; and do you promise to submit to the said government and discipline, and to concur with the same, and never endeavour, directly or indirectly, the prejudice or subversion thereof, but to the utmost of your power, in your station, to maintain, support, and defend the said discipline and presbyterian government, by kirk-sessions, presbyteries, provincial synods, and General Assemblies, during all the days of your life?-5. Do you promise to submit yourself willingly and humbly, in the spirit of meekness, unto the admonitions of the brethren of this presbytery, and to be subject to them, and all other presbyteries and superior judicatories of this church, where God in his providence shall cast your lot; and that, according to your power, you shall maintain the unity and peace of this church against error and schism, notwithstanding of whatsoever trouble or persecution may arise; and that you shall follow no divisive courses from the present established doctrine, worship, discipline, and govern