XIII. In the Assembly 1596, the Church complained upon the Chancelour his retention of their registers, & desired they might be delivered to their Clerk, which accordingly was done; as a memorandum before the beginning of the first book, bearing the redeliverie of these foure books to _Master James Richie_, clerk proporteth; which clearly evinceth that those foure books are the registers of the Assembly. XIV. The said fifth book and greatest Volume, is also marked on the margine, with the hand-writ of the said _Master James Carmichell_; (which is cognosced) who was appointed to peruse the books of the Assembly as said is, and would not have margined the same by vertue of that command, nor extracted the general acts out of it, if it were not an approbation therof, as an authentick and famous book. XV. The said fifth Volume doth agree with the other foure books; in all which is extant in them, and marketh the blanks, which are lacerate and riven out of the same; and compleateth all what is lacking in them. XVI. In the book of Discipline pertaining to _Master James Carmichel_, superscribed by himself, and _Master James Richie_, there are sundry acts and passages quoted out of the said fifth great Volume, saying, It is written in such a page of the book of the Assembly, which agreeth in subject and quotation with the said fifth book, and cannot agree with any other; so that _Master James Carmichel_ reviser of the Assembly books, by their command, would not alledge that book, nor denominate the same a book of the Assembly, if it were not an authentick famous book. XVII. Though the corrupt nature of man hath been tempted to falsifie particular evidents, yet it hath never been heard that any whole register hath ever been counterfeited; neither can it bee presupposed that any will attempt that high wickednesse, seeing the inducements anwerable to that crime, can hardly be presupposed. XVIII. It is certain, and notour to all these who are intrusted with the keeping of the publick records of the Kingdome, that the same are never subscribed by the Clerk, but only written and filled up by servants, and most frequently by unknown hands, yet they and the extracts thereof make publick faith, and the same are uncontrovertedly authentick registers; and when the most publick registers of the Kingdom shall be seen, and compared with these registers of the Assembly, it shall be found that these other registers of the most soveraigne judicatories ever unsubscribed are more incorrect, oftner margined, scored, and interlined, made up by greater diversitie of unknown hand writs, than these books of the Assembly, which by special providence are preserved so intire, that in the judgement of any man acquainted with registers, they will manifestly appear at the very sight to be true, famous, and authentick.