The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

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The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

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By Charlotte Girard Posted on Nov 15, 2025

In Category - Historical Fiction

Authors: Church of Scotland. General Assembly Published By : Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Book Language: English

Okay, hear me out. I know a collection of old church meeting minutes sounds like the absolute definition of a dry read. But trust me, this is one of the most fascinating historical documents I've picked up. It's not about theology—it's about raw, messy power. Picture this: for centuries, a group of religious leaders in Scotland had the authority to tell kings what to do, put people on trial, and shape the laws of the land. This book is the unedited record of every argument, every decree, and every dramatic showdown. It's the real-life 'Game of Thrones,' but with more sermons and just as much political scheming. If you love seeing how institutions actually work when the cameras aren't rolling, give this a look.

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_Reasons for annulling the pretended Assembly at_ Linlithgow, 1608. _Reasons for annulling the pretended Assembly at_ Glasgow, 1610. _Reasons for annulling the pretended Assembly at_ Aberdene, 1616. _The nullitie of the pretended Assembly at_ Saint Andrews, 1617. _Reasons for annulling the pretended Assembly, holden at_ Perth, 1618. Act. Sess. 13. December 5. 1638. _Against the unlawfull oaths of intrants._ Act. Sess. 14. December 6. 1638. _Condemning the Service-book, Book of Canons, Book of Ordination, and the high Commission._ _Sentence of deposition and excommunication against Mr._ John Spottiswood, _pretended Archbishop of St._ Andrews; _Mr._ Patrik Lindsay, _pretended Archbishop of_ Glasgow: _Mr._ David Lindsay, _pretended Bishop of_ Edinburgh: _Mr._ Thomas Sidserfe, _pretended Bishop of_ Galloway: _Mr._ John Maxwell, _pretended Bishop of_ Rosse: _Mr._ Walter Whyt-foord, _pretended Bishop of_ Brechen. _Sentence of deposition and excommunication, against_ Mr. Adam Ballantyne, _pretended Bishop of_ Aberdeen, _and Mr. James Wedderburn pretended Bishop of_ Dumblane. _Sentence of deposition against Master_ John Guthry, _pretended Bishop of_ Murray: _Mr._ John Grahame, _pretended Bishop of_ Orknay, _Mr._ James Fairlie, _pretended Bishop of_ Lismoir: _Mr._ Neil Cambell, _pretended Bishop of_ Isles. _Sentence of deposition against Maister_ Alexander Lindsay _pretended Bishop of_ Dunkell. _Sentence of deposition against Master_ John Abernethie _pretended Bishop of_ Cathnes. Act of the Assembly at _Glasgow_, Sess. 16. December 8. 1638. _Declaring Episcopacie to have been abjured by the Confession of Faith_, 1580. _And to be removed out of this Kirk._ Act. Sess. 17. December 10. 1638. _The Assembly at_ Glasgow, _declaring the five Articles of_ Perth _to have been abjured and to bee removed._ Act. Sess. 21. December 17. 1638. Act. Sess. 23, 24. December 17. 18. Act Sess. 14. December 18. 1638. Act. Sess. 25. December 19. 1638. _Against the civil places and power of Kirk-men._ Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. Act. Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. Act Sess. 26. December 20. Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. _Concerning the subscribing the confession of Faith lately subscribed by his Majesties Commissioner, and urged to be subscribed by others._ Act. Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. _Concerning yearly generall Assemblies._ _Ordaining an humble supplication to be sent to the Kings Majestie._ The General Assembly, At Edinburgh, 1639. Sess. 8. August 17. 1639. _Master_ George Grahame _his renouncing and abjuring of Episcopacie._ Sess. 8. August 17. 1639. _Act containing the Causes and Remedie of the by-gone Evils of this Kirk._ Sess. 18. Aug. 26. 1639. _Act approving an old Register of the Generall Assembly._ Act Sess. 19. August 27. 1639. _Act approving the deposition of the Ministers by the Committees._ Act Sess. 20. Aug. 28. 1639. _Act anent receiving of deposed Ministers._ Act Sess. 21. August 29. 1639. _Act anent the keeping of the Lords Day._ Act Sess. 22. Aug. 29. 1639. _a Meridie._ _Articles and Overtures approved by the Assembly._ Sess. 23. August 30. 1639. _The Supplication of the General Assembly to the Kings Majesties Commissioner, concerning the Book, called_, The large Declaration. _The Supplication of the Assembly to His Majesties High Commissioner, and the Lords of secret Councell._ _The Act of the Lords of Councel at_ Edinburgh, August 30. 1639. _containing the_ Answer _of the preceding_ Supplication. _The Kings Majesties Commissioners Declarations._ _Like as his Majesties Commissioner, read and gave in the Declaration following, of his consent to the Act of the Assembly_ 17. August, _anent the causes of our by gone evils._ _Like as His Majesties Commissioner, read and gave in the Declaration following:_ _Act ordaining the subscription of the Confession of Faith and Covenant, with the Assemblies Declaration._ _Act anent Appellations._ _Act anent advising with Synods and Presbyteries...

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Let's be clear from the start: this isn't a novel. 'The Acts of the General Assemblies' is a massive, centuries-spanning archive. It collects the official decisions, debates, and pronouncements made by the top governing body of the Church of Scotland, starting in the 1500s. Think of it as the meeting notes from the most powerful boardroom in the country for over 300 years.

The Story

There's no single plot, but there is a relentless, unfolding drama. You watch the church fight for its independence from the crown, excommunicate nobles, and set up its own courts. You see it grapple with massive national events like civil wars and political unions. Page by page, year by year, you witness an institution trying to build a godly society by making rules about everything—from Sunday observance to poor relief to suppressing 'witchcraft.' The tension between spiritual ideals and hard political power is on every page.

Why You Should Read It

I loved it for the sheer, unfiltered humanity. These aren't dry statements; they're reactions. You can feel the panic in decrees during plague outbreaks, the stubbornness in fights with the king, and the meticulous (sometimes petty) concern for everyday life. It completely shatters the idea that history is just about kings and battles. This is the story of how a society was managed, argued over, and shaped from the pulpit and the committee room. It gave me a whole new understanding of Scottish identity.

Final Verdict

This is a specialist's treasure, but curious general readers can get a lot from it, too. Perfect for history buffs who want to go beyond the textbooks, for anyone with Scottish roots, or for people fascinated by how religion and politics collide. Don't try to read it cover-to-cover. Dip in, pick a century, and see what they were arguing about. It's surprisingly addictive.

⚖️ Usage Rights

This text is dedicated to the public domain. Feel free to use it for personal or commercial purposes.