THREE ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOR PROMOVING the KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUNDS OF SALVATION, AND OBSERVING the RULES OF DISCIPLINE.  
Printed Anno, 1652.   

Overture for Ordering of Lecturing and Catechising, to be observed while the next General Assembly.  
Edinburgh 2. August, 1652. Antemeridiem. Sess. XVII.  
THe General Assembly, after consideration of the great controversy the Lord hath against the Land, for the manifold transgressions of his known Commands, and continued despising of Grace and Reconciliation offered through Jesus Christ, whereby transgressions might have been, and yet may be pardoned, and amended; And after acknowledgement of the just Quarrel he hath against us all his Ministers, for the sins of our Persons and Calling, for which he hath so shaken the Judicatories and Assemblies of this Kirk amongst us, and doth threaten to cast down altogether the hedge of Discipline, and to thrust all his Ministers for a time from their places; Do seriously exhort and charge all and every one entrusted with the holy Ministry, to stir up themselves to seek the LORD more carefully, and settle their own peace with him, and to make full proof of their Ministry, so long as the day of his patience continueth: And in particular, to be more diligent in the means of acquainting the people with the Scripture, and grounds of Religion held forth in the Catechism, And to this end does Recommend,  
1. That every Minister do so dispose of the time appointed for the reading of Scripture, as both the Order of the Directory, and Act of Uniformity in the point of Lecture, may be observed; That two Chapters being read, one of the Old Testament, and the other of the New, after reading of the first, some few Observations of the chief Doctrines being held forth, and propounded briefly and plainly to the people, time may be left to read the second Chapter, and to give some brief Observations on it also, as the time allowed will suffer.  
2. For promoving the work of Catechising, the Assembly, besides that they renew the Act for Catechising weekly, 

1. Recommends that also every LORDS Day, when the people do most frequently conveen, some competent portion of the Catechism be explained before the whole Congregation (without prejudice of the Preaching) And Recommendeth that in this public Catechetick instruction, the points that are handled, be propounded by question, to be answered by some called up for that purpose.  
2. And because many being bashful to speak in public audience, do either altogether absent themselves, or if they must compear, are so distempered with fear, that the edification is marred; The Assembly Recommendeth this Overture, that the Minister, in the public Catechetick Instruction, call up some that are more able in knowledge, and prepared before, to answer the points that are to be interrogat and explained, that all the Congregation may the more freely drink in knowledge, and more frequently attend such exercises; and that others, that are not so fit to speak in public, be tried in their knowledge, at the more private diets of examination, or in their families.  
3. That Ministers, beside public teaching and instructing, be careful, and make conscience to teach and instruct from house to house, and frequently visit the families within their charge, on purpose for this very work; And try what pains Parents and Heads of Families take to instruct such as are under them, according to their station: and, if they find them negligent herein, to admonish them: and if, after oftener admoninition, they continue in that sinful negligence, to bring them to more public admonition before the Session.  
4. That the Ministers and Sessions of every Congregation see, that such as have Schools in their bounds, exercise the young ones under their charge in getting the Catechism by heart, which will much serve to further the public Catechetick Doctrine.  
5. And that the Minister, with some of the Session appointed for that effect, do every quarter of a year, or so often as they can conveniently, visit the Schools in their bounds, to try what diligence is used in this: And if these that teach Schools shall be found negligent herein, and after admonition shall continue 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 b● taken to get them removed, and others put in their place.    
The Assembly Recommends to Presbyteries to be seriously thinking upon further Overtures, which may b● conducible for making Catechising further useful, and may ser●● for promoving the knowledge of GOD in the land, and to bring their thoughts to the next General Assembly.   

Act concerning admitting Expectants to their trials, and Ruling Elders to act in Presbyteries and Synods.  
Edinburgh 3. August, 1652. Antemeridiem. Sess. XIX.  
THe General Assembly having, out of their earnest desire of the Peace and Unity of this Kirk, condescended upon an Overture of Peace, and not only propounded it to some Brethren who were here, opposite to the public Judicatories of this Kirk; But also in pursuance of that end, Ordained the said Overture, to be presented and offered by the several Presbyteries or Synods, to all in their respective bounds, who hes Protested against, and Declined, or consented or adhered unto the Protestations and Declinatours made against this and the preceding General Assembly, and the conditions therein contained, to be required of them; And considering the great prejudice like to arise to this Kirk, by increasing of our unhappy differences and distractions, if young men shall be admitted into the Ministry, which shall still blow the fire of contention, and continue in avowed opposition to, and contempt of the public Judicatories, Therefore Ordains Presbyteries to take special care, that upon the calling of any Expectant to a particular charge of the Ministry, before they admit him to his trials, they require him under his hand, to pass from the Protestations and Declinatours against this and the preceding General Assembly, if he hath been accessary to the same, and to promise and give assurance that he shall abstain from holding up debates and controversies, about matters of differences in this Kirk, since the Assembly 1650, in Preaching, Writing, or other ways. Upon the performance whereof, the Presbytery shall proceed to his trials, if not, in that case, the Presbytery shall forbear to proceed until the next General Assembly, leaving liberty to the Presbytery and Congregation for planting of the place otherwise. And the Assembly Ordains and requires that Presbyteries be not sudden to lay by such young men as at first refuses or scruples to perform these conditions mentioned, but that pains be taken upon them to convince them of the reasonableness thereof, and to persuade them to embrace them, and to give them a competent time for that effect.  
Likeas the Assembly considering the prejudice of Elders coming to Presbyteries for strengthening a faction in opposition to the public Judicatories, Ordains, that Presbyteries shall require the same things  of every Ruling Elder that comes to sit and act in Presbyteries, and in case of his refusal, shall not admit him to act as an Elder in the Presbytery, but require the Kirk Session from which he is sent, to make choice of, and send another, who for the Peace of this Church, shall agree to perform the conditions required.   

Act for putting in execution former Acts and constitutions of General Assemblies, anent trying. admitting, removing, and deposing of Church Officers, censuring of scandalous persons, receiving of penitents, and debarring of persons from the LORDS Table.  
Edinburgh 3. August, 1652. Postmeridiem. Sess. XX.  
THe General Assembly, considering the obligations that lies upon all Ecclesiastic Judicatories, and Ministers within this Land, by the commandment of GOD, and our Covenants, and Engagements taken upon us, before GOD and the World (whereunto they resolve, in the power of the LORDS might, constantly to adhere) and to show themselves faithful, and zealous in all their administrations, for the LORD, and for advancing the Work of Reformation, and particularly, considering that the condition of this time doth require in special ways, that in trying, admitting, removing, and deposing of Church Officers, censuring of scandalous persons, dispensing of Ordinances, receiving of penitents, the rules of the Word of GOD, and constitutions of this Kirk be diligently put in execution and acuratly observed.  
Therefore,  
The Assembly Ordains, that Presbyteries and Synods, in admitting of Persons to the Ministry, be accurate in their trials, according to the order prescribed in this Church, that none be admitted to the holy and high function, but such as are qualified according as is required in the Word of GOD, and constitutions of this Kirk, both for knowledge in the mystery of godliness, and abilities to teach and convince the gainsayers, as also in conversation and godliness, that they lay hands suddenly on no man, nor be partaker of other men's sin, and for this end that every Presbytery be careful to have gathered together such Acts of Assemblies as concerneth the trial of Ministers, and have them before them, whensoever any person is called to any place of the Ministry, and is upon his trials.  
2. Ordains that Presbyteries and Synods, in their respective bounds, make conscience, that such Ministers as are found either ignorant and not apt to feed the people of GOD with knowledge and understanding, or erroneous in their judgement in matters of Religion, or are scandalous in their life and conversation, and are not examples unto their flocks in godly and holy walking, or disaffected to the work of Reformation, be censured according to the degree of their offence and Acts of Assemblies. And for this end, that they be frequent and accurate in visitation of Kirks, and therein make conscienscious use of the rules prescribed for visitations, and of such Acts of former Assemblies, as holds forth the duties of Ministers, and the grounds and causes of censure.  
3. Ordains that, where Ministers lawfully deposed, are unlawfully admitted and not according to the Order prescribed in the Acts of General Assemblies, or intrudes themselves into places, Presbyteries and Synods make use of that Power and Authority which CHRIST hes put in their hands, to remedy the same, and to censure such disorders and enormities, as they deserve, And that people be not accessary unto, or concurring with any Ministers that are deposed, in intruding themselves into places no● give them any countenance that does so, as they would not draw upon themselves the wrath of GOD, by contemning and despising CHRIST'S Ordinance of Discipline, And that no Presbyteries nor Synods proceed to open the mouths of, or readmit unto the Ministry, and deposed Ministers, but according to the Order prescribed in the Acts of General Assemblies, As they will be answerable unto the General Assembly.  
4. Ordains that Sessions be careful that none be admitted to be Elders in Congregations, but such as are in some competent measure able and qualified with knowledge of Religion, and understanding of the duties of their calling, for discharging the duties of that Office, and of a blameless christian and godly conversation; And that before any be admitted to be an Elder, the Persons name that is designed, be publicly intimate to the Congregation the LORDS Day before, that if any have any thing to object against him, they may come and present the same to the Session or to the Minister. And that if any Elder be found negligent in the duties of his charge, and continue so after admonition, or scandalous in his life and conversation, or to be a neglecter of the worship of GOD in his Family, he be removed from and purged out of the Session.  
5. Ordains that Sessions and Presbyteries be careful, and make conscience by all means to censure impartially all persons of whatsoever rank or condition, that are scandalous, either in things of the first, or in things of the second Table, according to the Rules and Order which Christ hath prescribed in his Word, and to proceed to the highest censures, with such as are grossly and obstinately scandalous or are ignorant, and contemn, and continuedly neglect the means of knowledge, as public and private catechising, etc. after they are made inexcusable by sufficient means used to reclaim and gain them.  
6. Ordains that Ministers and Sessions in Congregations be careful, as they will be answerable to CHRIST JESUS, to debar from the LORDS Table, all such persons as are found not to walk suitably to the Gospel, and being convinced and admonished thereof, do not reform; As also all such as have not knowledge to examine themselves, and to discern the LORDS Body. And that for the more orderly performing of this, the Minister in examination of the people, have some of the Elders always with him, and represent unto the Session such as are found grossly ignorant, that by order of the Session they may be debarred.  
7. That Presbyteries and Sessions make conscience, that such persons as are found scandalous, and are under censure for that cause, be not received nor absolved from their censure, unless they give such satisfaction and evidences of their repentance, as are expressed in the Acts of the Assemblies, concerning the receiving of penitents.  
J. Makghie.   
FINIS.