declared, that as on the one
part the Kirk and the Ministers thereof are oblidged to give their advise
and good counsel in matters concerning the Kirk or the Conscience of any
whatsomever, to his Majestie, to the Parliament, to the Councel, or to any
members thereof, for their resolutions from the word of God, So on the
other part, that it is both in-expedient, and unlawful in this Kirk, for
Pastors separate unto the Gospel to brook civil places, and offices, as to
be Justices of peace; sit and decerne in Councel, Session, or Exchecker;
to ride or vote in Parliament, to be Judges or Assessors in any Civil
Judicatorie: and therefore rescinds and annuls, all contrarie acts of
Assembly, namely of the Assembly holden at _Montrose_ 1600. which being
prest by authority, did rather for an _interim_ tolerat the same, and that
limitate by many cautions; for the breach whereof the Prelats have been
justly censured, then in freedome of judgement allow thereof, and
ordaineth the Presbyteries to proceed with the Censures of the Kirk,
against such as shall transgresse herein in time coming.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638.

The Assembly considering the great prejudice which Gods Kirk in this land,
hath sustained these years by-past, by the unwarranted printing of lybels,
pamphlets, and polemicks; to the disgrace of Religion, slander of the
Gospel, infecting and disquyeting the mindes of Gods people, and
disturbance of the peace of the Kirk, and remembring the former acts, and
custome of this Kirk, as of all other Kirks, made for restraining these
and the like abuses, and that nothing be printed concerning the Kirk, and
Religion, except it be allowed by these whom the Kirk intrusts with that
charge: The Assembly _unanimously_, by vertue of their ecclesiastical
authority, dischargeth and inhibiteth all printers within this Kingdome,
to print any act of the former Assemblies, any of the acts or proceedings
of this Assembly, any confession of Faith, any Protestations, any reasons
_pro_ or _contra_, anent the present divisions and contraversies of this
time, or any other treatise whatsoever which may concerne the Kirk of
Scotland, or Gods cause in hand, without warrand subscribed by Mr.
_Archbald Johnston_, as Clerk to the Assembly, and Advocate for the Kirk;
or to reprint without his warrand, any acts or treatises foresaids, which
he hath caused any other to print, under the paine of Ecclesiastical
censures to be execute agains