Chapter XXIV: The Abercorns and the Kirk
“May 4, 1626.—The which day Mr. Robert Boyd of Trochrege, minister of Pasley, appointed commissioner with Mr. Robert Wilkie, one of the ministers of the citie of Glasgow, and Mr. William Blase, minister at Dumbarton, by act and ordinance of a synod and assemblie holden at Glasgow the fourth day of April, 1626, did intimate to the Countess of Abercorne that because she neither resorted to the public preaching of God's Word and participation of the sacraments, thereby declaring that she was not of that religion and profession grounded on God's sacred Word, publickly professed, and authorised by His Majesty's laws, that therefore the Presbyterie of Paslay would enter on a processe against her (according to the ordinance of the said synod) in case she gave not satisfaction to the said Presbyterie of Paslay by swearing and subscribing the Confession of Faith (embraced publickly by the Kirk of Scotland), resort to the hearing of God's Word preached, and to the participation of the holy sacraments, notwithstanding the intimation of the commissioners aforesaid, Mr. Robert Boyd, in name of the rest, reported to the Presbyterie
that the said Countess shows herself obstinate against all the points aforesaid. Therefore the saids brethren ordained her to be summoned literatorie to appear before them in the Kirk of Paslay the next Presbyterie day for the causes above written, with certification—pro primo.”
“May 4, 1626.—Thos Algeo and John Naismith cited, called, and not compearing, to be summoned pro secundo. The Moderator and remanent brethren, being credibly informed that Claud Algeo had made apostacie and defection from the true religion grounded on God's sacred word, and professed within this kingdom, and authorised by her Majesty's laws, ordained the said Claud Algeo to be summoned literatorie to compear before them in the Kirk of Passley by the next Presbyterie day, to give account and reason of his religion, with certification—pro primo.”
“May 18, 1626.—The Countess of Abercorn, having been summoned by affixing a copy upon the yett of her dwelling at Blackstoun, and being called, compears not,, to be summoned to next diet—pro secundo.”
“The which day compeared Thomas Algeo, who declared that he had some doubts concerning which he desired the means of resolution, that so he might labour and endeavour to give the Presbyterie satisfaction. The brethren therefore thought good to give him the Confession of Faith, that therewith he might advise and be resolved, which Confession the said Thomas embraced willingly, to whome also the brethren assigned a month, and immediately following the said 18 May above to give satisfaction according to the said Confession, and summoned him apud acta to appear the 15 June to that effect.”
John Naismith excuses his absence by letter, and promises obedience. His case is continued, and he is summoned pro secundo.
“The which day the brethren, being informed that Claud Algeo is fugitive to Ireland, caused the process to cease till newe occassion.”
“June 1, 1626.—The Countess of Abercorne, being called, and not compearing, to be cited—pro tertio.”
“The same as to John Naismith.”
“June 15, 1626.—Dame Marion Boyd, Countess of Abercorne's case continued till a minister be settled for the Kirk of Passlay. John Naismith, summoned, and not compearing, to be publickly admonished pro primo.”
“Thomas Algeo's case, at his own desire, continued till next day.”
“June 29, 1626.—John Naismith had not been admonished, as there was no actual preaching these Sabbaths intervening. Whosoever shall be appointed to preach in the Kirk of Passlay shall admonish John Naismith as before.
“Thomas Algeo, called, and not compearing according to his promise, is ordained to be publickly admonished by Mr. Andro Hamilton, minister of Kilbarchan (the said Thomas then remaining with the Countess of Abercorne in Blackstoun, within the said parochin), unless he give assurance of obedience to the Presbyterie.”
“Aug. 17, 1626.—The which day Thomas Algeo compeared, in whose presence Mr. Andro Hamilton declared the said Thomas had come to him, and had shewn that heretofore his business had witholden him, so that in respect thereof he could not give that satisfaction to the brethren which otherwise he would strive to do, willing likewise the whole brethren to continue all admonition till the next Presbyterie day, at which time he promised to give contentment and satisfaction, which the brethren granting, summoned the said Thomas to the effect foresaid, apud acta, to appear.
“The which day the brethren ordained Mr. Andro Hamilton, minister at Kilbarchan, to proceed by public admonition against the Countess of Abercorn, her ladyship now dwelling in Blackstoun, within the said parochin.”
“August 31, 1626.—The which day compeared Thomas Algeo, and confessed he had some doubts anent the religion publickly professed within this kingdom, and desired to be resolved. The brethren therefore, for his better resolution, demanded if he would advise and diligently weigh and consider the Confession of Faith and the articles thereof which the Kirk of Scotland professeth. Whereunto the said Thomas condescended, and therefore the brethren ordained the said Confession to be extracted out of the buiks of the Presbyterie, and given to the said Thomas, and assign to him the sixteenth day of November next following to give satisfaction anent his doubts, certifying, if he fail to compear on the said sixteenth day of November, he would be proceeded against by the censures of the Kirk.”