Anent my Lord Regent’s Grace desyre, twiching some of the learnit ministers to be Senators in the Colledge of Justice; The haill Kirk presently assemblit, having at lenth reasonit, whether a minister were able to discharge himself of both the vocations; votit throughout, that nane was able nor apt to bear the said twa charges; and therefore inhibites, that any minister occupying the vocatione of the ministrie take upon him to be a senator, Mr Robert Pont only exceptit, wha is already placit with advyce and consent of the Kirk. Articles presentit be the Superintendant of Lawthiane, and Ministers within his jurisdictioune. 1. First, that a copie of the acts of the Generall Assembly begine every exercise. 2. That sic matters as falls out betuixt the Synodall Conventione and Generall Assemblies, shall be notit at every exercise, 20 dayes before the Generall Assemblie. 3. That sic matters as are referrit to the Generall Assembly, fra the particular, be pennit be the Superintendant’s clarks, faithfullie reportit to the Generall Assembly be the said Superintendant. 4. That the Generall Assemblie be frequent with the nobilitie and barrons, alsweell as ministers, that the face of the Assembly may be had in reverence as afoirtymes. 5. That sic ministers as have not wherwith to buy books, may have books lowsit to them be the collector, and to allow the pryces thereof in their stipends. The Kirk approves and ratifies all the forsaids articles as necessary and profitable. It is thocht maist reasonable and expedient, that Bishops, Superintendants, and Commissioners, purches generall letters, without delay; commanding all men to frequent preaching and prayers, according to the order receavit in their congregations; and also to charge the magistrate, to put the acts concerning the observation thereof, alseweell grantit be parliament as friely, with uniforme consent, the congregations hes condescendit upon, and for executione of discipline and punisching of others. Giue any man leave his wife and pass out of the countrie, and tarries away the space of seven yeares and marries ane uther woman in ane strange countrie, and else his first wyfe be married upon ane other man in his absence, both are adulterers, unless the sentence of divorcement had been pronouncit be the judge. It is neither agrieable to the word of God, nor to the practise of the primitive Kirk, that the speciall administration of the word and sacraments, and the ministration of the criminall and ciuill justice, be so confoundit, that ane persone may occupy both the cures. [TWENTY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.] The Generall Assembly, begun and halden in Edinburgh, the saxt day of August 1573: In the whilk war present the Earles, Lords, Barrones, Bischops, Superintendants, Commissioners to plant Kirks, Commissioners of Provinces, Townes, and Kirks, with the Ministers. Mr Alexander Arbuthnot was chosen Moderator. Sessio.