Magnæ Britanniæ notitia: or, the present state of Great Britain. With diverse reflections upon the ancient state thereof / By John Chamberlayne.

Edward Chamberlayne

Date:: 1741

Credit: Magnæ Britanniæ notitia: or, the present state of Great Britain. With diverse reflections upon the ancient state thereof / By John Chamberlayne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

377/818 (page 357)

$Presbyteries in all Cafes whatfoever. If the Plurality of the Presbytery defire it, the Modétator can call an Intermediate | Seffion pro re mata, Presbyteries are fubje& to the privy Cenfures of the Synods, as Minifters are to the privy Cen- {ures of Presbyteries. At every ordinary Seffiona Diet is ap- pointed; 7, e. one certain Time, in which thefe privy Cen- 'Flices are performed, All the Aéts of the Synods are fubjeét to the Review of General Affemblies ; for which Reafon they _ Keep exaé& Regifters of all their Proceedings. | _ General Alemblies.] The General Affembly is the Dernier R fort of the Church of Scotland; to which Appeals lie from every Provincial Synod, and from which no Appeal lies to any Superior Court. | : it confifts of Commiflioners from Presbyteries, Royal. Burghs, and Univerfities. A Presbytery, confifting of under 12 Minifters, fends two Minifters and one Ruling Elder. If it’ contains between 12 and 18 Minifters, it fends three, and one | Ruling Elder. If it contains between 18 and 24 Minifters, it , fends four Minifters, and two Ruling Elders. But if the Pref- bytery has 24 Minifters, it fends five Minifters and two Ruling | Elders. Every Royal Burgh fends one Ruling Elder, and . Edinburgh two, whofe Election muft be attefted by the re- {peGive Kirk-Seffion of their own Burghs. © Eyery Univerfity fends one Commiffioner, ufually a Minifter of their own Body. The Commiffioners are chofen yearly, fix Weeks be- fore the Meeting of the Aflembly. The Ruling Elders are ufually of the firft Quality of the Country. ‘This Affembly meets once a Year, and for the moft part at Edinburgh. ‘The Sovereign, or his Commiffioner, is always prefent, but gives no Vote. Upon the Day appointed, the _ preceding Moderator makes a Sermon before the King’s Commiffioner and the Members. Sermon ended, they go to the Affembly-Houfe, where the Commiffioner being upon the Throne, they proceed to choofe a Moderator. ‘ The Ele@ti- on is managed thus: The laft Moderator nominates two or _ three Minifters, to whom the Aflembly adds whom they pleafe. ‘The Nominees are faid be upon the Lift. Every Man upon the Lift gives his Vote and withdraws: Then the Affembly | votes, and he that has the Majority is chofen, and takes the Chair at the Foot of the Throne, The Moderator being chofe, the Commiffioner produces his ~Commiffion, empowering him to fit there, with his Majetty’s - Letter tothe Affembly ; both which are read by the Clerk, all the Members ftanding. The Commiffioner then makes a Speech, _ which is anfwer’d by the Moderator; and then Committees are appointed. This clofes the firft Day, Next Day is fet apart for Prayers; the Commiffioner certainly attends that Day. The _ Moderator nominates 8 or 9 fucceflively to pray ; after which ' the Affembly adjourns, Next Day they fall to Bufinefs, The yaaa A23 Moderator *$