Right Worshipfull, &c.--Forsuameikle as we are informed be the minister and ane part of the elders of the kirk of Machlein, that ane called John Spottswood, sometyme an elder of the said kirk, for the adulterie committed be him in the tyme he was an elder, and the same beand sufficiently proven, hes been, and is publickly excommunicat; Nottheless ye now, being ane elder of the said kirk, contrare to your charge and vocation, maintaines and keeps in your company the said John, notwithstanding diverse admonitions made to you to put him therefrae, to the great contempt of God’s ordinance, and sclander of the Kirk of Jesus Christ, whilk we looked not for at your hands, being placed in so honourable ane rowme within this kirk: Therefore, this is most heartily to require you, in the name of the Eternall God, and as ye look to reigne with [his] Son Jesus Christ for ever, to remove from you all manner of sclander, and be not partaker of uther men’s sins, but remove from your societie that wicked persone, who being abhored be the faithfull, may be God’s grace repent his impietie, and returne to that company of the ffaithful, from the whilk be his hainous offence he hes so horribly fallen; in the whilk doing ye shall not only please God, but also have praise of us your brethren; utherwise we may not with safe conscience suffer sic maintaining of wickedness, but must oppose ourselves thereunto, and use the censures of the kirk, alsweell against the maintainer as the committer of manifest crymes: And this, wishing unto you the spirit of righteous judgement, committ you to the protection of the Omnipotent.--From Edinburgh, out of our Generall Assembly, and fourth Session thereof, the 28th of Junii 1567. The haill kirk thought good that ane publick ffast should be proclaimed in the toune of Edinburgh only, to begin on Sunday the 13th of July nixt, and on Sunday the 20th of the same; and so was the Assembly dissolved, and appointed the 20th day of July nixt to come to Edinburgh. [FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY.] The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, conveened at Edinburgh, the 21st day of July 1567; In the whilk were assembled Earles, Lords, Barrons, whose names are written after the Articles be them subscribed, with the Superintendents, Ministers, and Commissioners of Townes. Thanks was given to God be Mr John Craig, Minister of Edinburgh. Sess. 2^a, Julii 22, 1567. Tenor of the Letter of Excusatione of the Earle of Argyle, of his absence from this Assembly, followeth:--