Forswamikle as there is diverse persones within this realme that sends their children, being within age, furth of the countrie over sea to places where superstition and Papistrie is mayntainit, upon pretence of seeking farther instructione and learning, as also uthers, beand of perfect age, transports themselves out of the realme upon the same pretence, whairthrow they become for the maist part corrupt in religione, as be evident experience is daylie seen; For remied heirof, the Generall Assembly hes advysit and concludit, that the parents of sic children as within their minoritie sends them to the saids places, or heirafter shall send them where the said Papistrie is teachit and maintainit, shall be chargit be their own ministers to call back their children from the saids places with all convenient expeditione, under the paine of excommunicatione; and if they disobey, to proceed against them; and sic as are of perfect age, that already are past out of the countrie to the saids places, or in tyme comeing, shall pass thereto, shall in like manner be chargit to remove themselves therefra under the semblalle forme to be execute against them; and if they disobey, to be excommunicat be the minister of the place where they remainit before their departing out of the countrie. [FORTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.] The Generall Assembly, convenit at Edinburgh in the New Kirk, and begun the seventh of July 1579, wherein there was present the Commissioners of Countries, Provinces, Towns, and Universities. Sessio. Exhortation made be David Fargysone. Leitts, Mrs Andrew Hay, Thomas Smetoune, and John Duncansone: be plurality of votis the said Mr Thomas was made and chosen Moderator _hac vice_, at whais desyre the Laird of Dunn, Mrs John How, Andrew Melvill, Andrew Hay, James Lawsone, Robert Pont, David Fargysone, and John Greig, were appoyntit Assessors. Sessio 2. In the face of the Assemblie, Mr John Duncansone, the King’s Majestie’s minister, presentit his heines Letter direct to the Assemblie, qwhilk was read and humblie receavit, and ordayned to be registrat in the Register of the Kirk, quhairof the tenor followis: