The Generall Assembly of the Kirk, conveint att Edinburgh, in the Laigh Tolbooth thereof, the 25th of October 1577, where there was present the Commissioners of Countries, Provinces, Townes, and Universities, with the Ministers: Mr David Lyndsay, Moderator. Sessio. Because of great confusione heirtofore in Assemblies qwhilk fell out be casting in of purposes unfoirseene afoire, and be the multitude of proponers thereof; It was thocht meet, dureing this Assembly, that certaine brethren sould conferr with the Moderator upon matters to be intreatit on at this conventione, viz. Mrs John Row, Alexander Arbuthnot, Andrew Melvill, William Christison, James Lawsone, Robert Pont, Andrew Hay, John Duncansone; and sic lyke it is thocht good that the acts made in the Assemblie be considerit be the saids brethren, joynit to the Moderator, and thereafter read in open Assemblie. The Kirk thocht meet that my Lord Regent’s Grace should be desyrit to be in this Assemblie in proper persone, or be Commissioners; and to that effect war direct Mrs John Row and James Lawsone, qwha immediatlie returnit, with answer that his Grace had no leisure to talk with them for occupation. The haill Assemblie ordaynit Mrs John Craig and John Brand to gang to his Grace for the same effect, and to report his answer the morn at nyne hours, qwhilk was, that he was so occupied in earnest effairs of the Councill, that he had no leasure to confer with them. The Kirk hes thocht it meet that the said brethrene pass againe to him, and require his personall presence in this Assemblie, or Commissioners authorized with his commissione. Because the matter of the policie and jurisdictione of the Kirk committit to the recollecting, forming, and dispositione of certaine brethren being now present, be them was thocht expedient to be proponit and intreatit the morne; efter the reading of the generall heids thereof, the haill brether was requyrit to advyse with themselves gif they fand any uther heids necessary to be disputit then this, and to signifie the same to the Assemblie the morne. Sessio 3. Johne Brand returnit my Lord Regent’s answer, that in respect of sundry important businesses, and that he could not leave the Councill sa soone conveint, he could not satisfie the petitione of the Kirk, desyring that the brethren qwhilk war send down to him before, sould come downe and speik with his Grace; and because the Kirk is labourand in the policie, prayand them earnestly to gang fordwart and put the same to end, The Kirk wills Mrs James Lawsone and John Row to pass to his Grace the morne, according to his desyre.