_Causes._--Universall conspiracies of the Papists, in all countries against Christianes for executione of the bloody Counsell of Trent. 2. The oppression and thraldome of the Kirk of God. 3. Wasting of the rents thereof without remedie. 4. Falling from the former zeal. 5. Flocking home of Jesuits and Papists. 6. Manifest bloodshed, incest, adulteries, with such horrible crymes defylling the land unpunisched. 7. The danger qwherin the King’s Majestie stands throw evill companie resorting about him, be qwham it is feared he may be corrupted in manners and religione, and universall oppressione and contempt of the poor.
Ordaynis every Presbytrie within their awn bounds to try the ministers of the same, and if any offences beis found, to punische the same, according to the qualitie and estate of their crymes, betwixt and the next Generall Assembly of the Kirk.
Anent persones desyrand to enter in the functione of the ministrie: the Kirk ordaynes the particular Presbytries to try and examine them; and such as they find qualified, to provide them to kirks.
The nixt Assembly appoyntit at Edinburgh, the 24th of October nixt, except some necessar occasione interveine, be the advertisement of the Elderschip of Edinburgh, and the King’s Ministers, qwhereby they may be brought together sooner.
The Generall Assemblie of the Kirk conveint at Edinburgh, the 27 of June 1582; Qwhair there were present the Commissioners.
Exhortatione made be Mr Andrew Melvill, qwho was continowit Moderator unto the nixt Assemblie.
Anent the lang discourse made be John Durie, of his calling before the King’s Majestie and Counsell, his answer, and haill proces used against him: as also a charge to him this day, be the King’s letter, to remove off the towne; cravand in end the good advyce of the brether, qwhither he sould remove from his flock according to the charge, or remaine according to his calling, being allwayes readie to follow their determinatione, howsoever the brether thinks expedient to giue it: The Kirk direct David Fargysone and Mr Thomas Buchanane to the King’s Majestie, to understand his meining therin, and to crave at his heines, the performance of the promise made to certaine breither concernyng him; as also to lament unto his Heines the case of their brether of Glasgow, chargit to St Johnstoune, and to make sute for them to this effect: also ane missive to be direct to Johne Duncansone to concurr earnestly with them.