III. There be many coppies, specially of general acts, yet extant, which do not debord from the saids registers, but are altogether agreeable thereto. IV. It is constant by the universal custome of this Kingdome, that all registers are transmitted from one keeper to his successour; and so comming by progresse and succession from the first incumbent to the last possessour, are never doubted to be the registers of that judicatorie, whereof the last haver was Clerk; and therefore it is evident, that these books comming successfulie from _John Gray_, _Master James Richie_, and _Master Thomas Nicolson_, who were all Clerks to the Assembly, into the hands of _Master Robert Winrame_, who was constitute Clerk depute by the said _Master Robert Nicolson_ (as his deputation here present to show, will testifie) are the undoubted registers of the Assembly: like as _Alexander Blair_ succeeded the said _Master Robert_ in his place of Clerkship to the assignations and modifications of Ministers stipends; and during _Master Robert_ his life-time, was his actual servant, and so had the said books by progresse from him, which the said _Alexander_’s readie presently to testifie. V. The two registers of _Master James Richie_, albeit not under his own hand, yet are frequently margined with his own hand-writ, and the same marginal additions subscribed by him, which hand-writ is seen and cognosced by famous men, who knoweth the same, and it is evident, being compared with his several writings and subscriptions yet extant. VI. The said registers are more perfect, lesse vitiated, scored, and interlined, then any other authentick and famous registers of the most prime judicatories within this Kingdom: VII. _Master Thomas Sandilands_, in name of his father, who was late Clerk by dimution of _Master Thomas Nicolson_, hath produced a Volume, which proveth the saids two registers of _Master James Richie_ to be sufficient records; because that same Volume is begun by that same hand, whereby the said _Master James Richie_ his registers are written, and is subscribed once in the margine by _Master James Richie_ his hand, and followed forth, and continued in the same book by _Master Thomas Nicolson_, who succeeded him in the place, and was known by most men here present to be of such approven worth and credit, that he would never have accomplished a register which had not been famous and true: and whereof the hand-write, had not then been known to him sufficiently.