onfident of
__ the readinesse of the Judge Ordinar to restrain and punish
these faults, Do therefore ordain all Presbyteries to give up to
the Justice, the names of the Adulterers, incestuous persons,
Witches and sorcerers and others guilty of such grosse and
fearfull sins within their bounds that they may be Processed and
punished according to the Laws of this Kingdom; and that the
Presbyteries and Synods be carefull herein, as they will answer to
the Generall Assemblies, And because that Witch craft, Charming,
and such like proceeds many times from ignorance, Therefore the
Assembly ordains all Ministers, especially in these parts where
these sins are frequent, to be diligently Preaching, Cathichising,
and conferring, to inform their people thereintill._

Sess. 11. Aug. 5. 1642.

_Act against Petitions, Declarations, & suchlike in name of Ministers,
without their knowledge and consents._

The Generall Assembly being informed, that after the Petition presented to
the Lords of His Majesties Privie Councell by the Noblemen Burgesses, and
Ministers, occasionally met at _Edinburg_ the 31. day of _May_ last
by-past, had received a very gracious Answer, There was another Petition
given in to their Lordships upon the 2 day of _June_ last, entituled, The
Petition of the Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burrows, Ministers, and Commons: which
as it was not accompanied with any one Minister to the Lords of Privie
Councell, so all the Ministers of this Assembly, disclaimes and disavoweth
any knowledge thereof, or accession thereto, And the Assembly conceiving
that the Kings Majestie Himself, and all the Courts and Judicatories of
this Kingdome may be deluded and abused, and the Kirk in Generall, and
Ministers in particular injured and prejudged by the like practises
hereafter, Do therefore prohibite and discharge all and every one to
pretend or use the name of Ministers to any Petition, Declaration, or
suchlike at any time hereafter, without their knowledge consent and
assistance: And if any shal doe the contrary, ordaines Presbyteries and
Provinciall Assemblies to proceed against them with the highest censures
of the Kirk.

Sess 11. Aug. 5. 1642.

_Act anent the Assemblies desires to the Lords of Counsell, and
Conservators of Peace._

The Assembly being most desirous to use all, and to omit no lawful meane
or occasion to testifie their zeale by dealing with God and