of before to the Viccarage of Ardrossane, and required also of us, that he might also have the viccarage of Steinsone, seeing both was ane matter meine aneuch to sustaine him, and because the kirks war neir, he might discharge the cure of both. We haveing him commendit be diverse great men to the same, but thocht guid to advertise yow that this preparatione induce not evill example and corruptione; alwayes, in caice sic things occurr hereafter, let us understand what ye would have us to doe, as in lyke manner, towards the chaplanries shall happen to vaike; whereanent, because there is no certaine order, and some confusione stands, some desyrand them for lyftyme, some for inffants that are not of the schooles, and some for seven yeares. We are sometyme preasit to receave or confirme assignationes or admissione of benefices, the preparature whereof appears to bring with it corruptione, and so we would be resolvit how to proceed. Before our comeing from Fyfe, and sinsyne, we have beene very willing to doe justice on all suspect persones of witchcraft, as also upon adulterers, incestuous persons, abusers of sacraments, quherin we could not have sic expeditione as we would have wisched, because we had no uther probabilitie whereby to try and convict them but ane generall delatione of names; the persones suspect not being, for the maist part, tryit and convict be order of the Kirk of before. This hinderit many things that utherwayes might have been done; and therefore we pray you appoynt and prescryve, how the judgement of the Kirk may proceed and be execute against all sic trespassers, before complaint be made to us, that when we come to the cuntrie, we may cause execute the law, and be relievit of the tryall of inquisitione heiranent. We thocht expedient to give yow this for advertisement; and so remitts the haill to your care and diligence, committs yow in the protectione of Eternall God. Aberdeene, July ultimo, 1569. Your assurit ffriend, JAMES, Regent. Articles and their Answers. To the Questione, whether the cryme before specifiet, committit be Nicoll Sudderland, be incest or not? Answerit, The Kirk finds it incest, and so hes resolvit. _Item_, Anent the Chaplanries that shall happen to vake? Annswerit, The Kirk agriees that they be disponit to Colledges or to the puire, conforme to the act of Parliament, and no utherwayes. [TWENTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.] The Generall Assembly being appointit in Strevilling, February 25, be reason of troubles falling out be the slaughter of my Lord Regent’s Grace, was continueit till the first of Marche, and begunne in Edinburgh the said day, 1569(70), in the Tolbuith thereof; where was present the Nobilitie, Superintendents, Commissioners to plant Kirks, Ministers, and Commissioners of Kirks and Townes. The Sermone and Prayers made be William Christisone, Minister of Dundee, last Moderator.