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 - Philosophy

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

Book Language: English

Okay, hear me out. You know how you sometimes wonder what a massive, centuries-long committee meeting would sound like? This is that book, but it's way more dramatic than you'd think. 'The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland' isn't a novel—it's the official, year-by-year record of the church's highest court, stretching from the 1500s to the 1800s. The main conflict? It's the epic, real-life struggle to define a nation's faith. Think fiery debates about who gets to be king, heated arguments over church governance, and momentous decisions that shaped Scottish identity. It's a raw, unfiltered look at power, belief, and politics clashing in real time.

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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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This isn't a book with a traditional plot. Instead, it's a massive collection of primary source documents—the official minutes and decisions from the annual meetings of the Church of Scotland's governing body. It chronicles, in their own words, the major religious and political battles of Scotland from the Reformation onward.

The Story

Picture a room full of ministers and elders, arguing year after year, decade after decade. They're not just talking about hymns or pews. They're wrestling with earth-shattering questions: Should they obey the king or their conscience? Who controls the church—bishops or elected representatives? The entries capture the fallout of historical earthquakes like the execution of Charles I and the political union with England. The 'story' is the slow, contentious, and often messy process of building a national church.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was the sheer humanity in these dry records. Between the formal language, you sense the frustration, the conviction, and the stubbornness. You see how abstract theological ideas had real, immediate consequences for ordinary people. It completely changed how I see Scottish history. This isn't a polished summary written later; it's the live broadcast, complete with all the disagreements and uncertainty.

Final Verdict

This is a specialist's treasure, but with a wider appeal than you'd guess. It's perfect for history buffs who want to go beyond textbooks, for anyone with Scottish roots curious about their ancestors' world, or for readers fascinated by how institutions are built (and sometimes torn apart) through debate. It's not a casual beach read, but for the right person, it's absolutely gripping.

📢 Public Domain Content

This masterpiece is free from copyright limitations. You can copy, modify, and distribute it freely.