e to the Regent, upon the town of _Drumfreis_, for urging and convoying
a Reader to the Kirk with Tabret and Whistle, to read Prayers, all the
holy dayes of _Christmas_, upon the refusal of their own Reader. Among the
articles directed by this Assembly to the Regent: It was craved that all
holy dayes hereto-fore keeped holy, beside the Lords day, such a
_Yooleday_, and Saints dayes, and such others may bee abolished, and a
certain penaltie appointed for banqueting, playing, feasting upon these
dayes. In the Assembly holden in _April_, _Anno_ 1577. It was ordained
that the visitors with the advice of the Synodal Assembly, should admonish
Ministers, preaching or ministrating the Communion at _Easter_, or
_Christmas_, or other like superstitious times, or Readers reading, to
desist, under the paine of deprivation. In the ninth head of the first
book of Discipline, the reason is set down against _Easter_ Communion.
_Your honours are not ignorant how superstitiously the people run to that
action at Pascheven; as if the time gave vertue to the Sacrament, and how
the rest of the whole year, they are carelesse and negligent, as if it
appartained not to them, but at that time only. And for this reason, other
times were appointed by that book, for that holy action._ In the Assembly
holden 1596. begun in _March_ 1595. at which time the _Covenant_ was
renewed, superstition and idolatrie breaking forth in observing festival
dayes; setting out of bone-fires, singing Carols, are reakoned amongst the
corruptions which were to be amended: And the Pulpits did sound from time
to time, against all shew of observing any festival day whatsoever, except
the Lords day.

Concerning kneeling at the Communion, findeth that in the confession of
Faith prefixed before the Psalmes, and approved by our Kirk in the very
beginning of the reformation, we have these words, _Neither in the
ministration of the Sacraments, must we follow men: but as Christ himself
hath ordained, so must they be ministred._ In the large confession of
Faith chap. 23. It is required as necessary, for the right ministration of
the Sacraments, that they bee ministred in such elements, and in such
sort, as God hath appointed, and that men have adulterate the Sacraments
with their own inventions: So that no part of Christs action abideth in
the originall puritie. The judgement of our reformers, who drew up the
large Confession, was by cleare evidents shewed to be contrary to this
ge