e pertaining to _Master James Carmichel_,
superscribed by himself, and _Master James Richie_, there are sundry acts
and passages quoted out of the said fifth great Volume, saying, It is
written in such a page of the book of the Assembly, which agreeth in
subject and quotation with the said fifth book, and cannot agree with any
other; so that _Master James Carmichel_ reviser of the Assembly books, by
their command, would not alledge that book, nor denominate the same a book
of the Assembly, if it were not an authentick famous book.

XVII. Though the corrupt nature of man hath been tempted to falsifie
particular evidents, yet it hath never been heard that any whole register
hath ever been counterfeited; neither can it bee presupposed that any will
attempt that high wickednesse, seeing the inducements anwerable to that
crime, can hardly be presupposed.

XVIII. It is certain, and notour to all these who are intrusted with the
keeping of the publick records of the Kingdome, that the same are never
subscribed by the Clerk, but only written and filled up by servants, and
most frequently by unknown hands, yet they and the extracts thereof make
publick faith, and the same are uncontrovertedly authentick registers; and
when the most publick registers of the Kingdom shall be seen, and compared
with these registers of the Assembly, it shall be found that these other
registers of the most soveraigne judicatories ever unsubscribed are more
incorrect, oftner margined, scored, and interlined, made up by greater
diversitie of unknown hand writs, than these books of the Assembly, which
by special providence are preserved so intire, that in the judgement of
any man acquainted with registers, they will manifestly appear at the very
sight to be true, famous, and authentick.

XIX. The fame and credit of ancient registers in this Kingdome, is so much
reverenced that if any extract be different or discontinuous from the
register, that extract albeit subscribed by the person who for the time
had been of greatest eminence in the trust of registers, will be
rectified, conform to the register, and have no force, so far as it
debordeth therefrom; although the registers be written with an obscure,
unknown hand, and unsubscribed.

Act. Sess. 12. December fourth.

_The six late pretended Assemblies condemned._

Anent the report of the Committie, for trying the six last pretended
Assemblies: They produced in writ sundrie reasons, clear