Chapter XXIV: The Abercorns and the Kirk
“The which day the saids brethren, appointed commissioners for a reference, reported they had conferred with the said Countess, and that her Ladyship had craved continuance therein, hoping thereby she might be profited, which the brethren granting, ordained the said commissioners to continue in conference with her.
“The which day Mr. John Hay reported he had superseeded to admonish the said noble Erle publickly, upon his earnest request and desire of conference for his satisfaction and resolution anent those doubts which his Lordship pretended why he could not come to the hearing of God's word publickly preached. The saids brethren therefore ordains Mr. John Maxwell and Mr. John Hay to confer with his Lordship anent the said doubts, and to report their dilligence the next presbyterie day.”
“June 24, 1627.—Mr. John Hay reports Thos. Algeo promised to satisfy this day. He fails to do this, and is to be publickly admonished—pro tertio, ut prius.
“Naismith proceeded against by prayer, pro tertio, but remains obstinate, his process to be extracted, that warrant may be got from the Archbishop for his excommunication.”
“The which day the brethren appointed commissioners for conference reported they had conferred with the said Countess, and that they had profited little by the same. And therefore the whole brethren ordained Mr. Daniel Cunninghame and Mr. John Hay to go to my Lady, and to intimate to her that, if she gives not obedience, the process will be prosecuted. The commissioners appointed to confer with the said noble Erle reported they had conferred with his Lordship, and that he had craved continuance therein, hoping thereby he might be profited, which the brethren granting, the said commissioners to continue conference with him.”
“July 5, 1627.—The moderator and brethren understanding that Isobel Mouatt, servitor to the Countess of Abercorne, is not only an enemy to the true religion, but also openly avoweth her idolatry and papistrie, submitting thereby that she adhereth to anti-Christian doctrine . . . she is ordered to be summoned to appear in the Kirk of Paslay before the Presbyterie, 19th of July, and to answer to them anent the premises aforesaid.”
“July 19, 1627.—Algeo proceeded against.
“The which day the saids brethren intimate, as was ordained, anent the Countess, who answered she hoped they would deal more favourably with her than to exercise any rigour. And therefore the brethren, to make her more inexcusable, ordain de novo Mr. J. Hay and Mr. Andro Hamilton to go to her Ladyship and confer with her till the next Presbyterie day.
“Isobel Mouatt to be cited pro secundo.
“August 2, 1627.—Algeo proceeded against.
“The commissioners report they had profited nothing with the Countess, and therefore the brethren ordain Mr. J. Hay and Mr. Andro Hamilton to proceed by publick admonitions against her.
“A similar report and order made regarding the Erle.
“Mowat to be summoned pro tertio.
“The brethren understanding Claud Algeo had returned from Ireland, ordain him to be summoned—pro tertio.
Aug. 16, 1627.— Mr. Hay reported he had proceeded by prayer pro tertio, for Thomas Algeo, according to the ordinance, and seeing the said Thomas Algeo hath obstinately and contumaciously disregarded all good order of the Kirk, and wilfully contumilts and adhereth unto his former grosse and damnable errors of the Kirk of Rome, notwithstanding any information given him by conference, whereby he manifesteth himself ane open enemy to the gospel and religion founded thereupon ; therefore the said Moderator and brethren ordained that the process should be extracted and forwarded to my Lord Archbishop of Glasgow, that a warrand may be obtained for his excommunication. Mr. John Hay reports he had proceeded against the Countess by the first publick admonition. Mr. Andro being absent, and not having proceeded according to the ordinance, the brethren ordained Mr. John to proceed pro secundo, and Mr. Andro to proceed primo and secundo.”
“The Erle to be similarly dealt with.”
“Mouat to be proceeded against by first public admonition.”
“Aug. 30, 1627.—The Countess to be proceeded against by third public admonition and first prayer.”
“The Erle to be similarly dealt with.”
“Mouat to be admonished—pro secundo.”
“Claud Algeo to be summoned—pro tertio.”
“The process against Thomas Algeo produced, and the deduction thereof approved and allowed by the Archbishop, likewise a warrant given by him to excommunicate the said Thomas, if he give not satisfaction within twenty days next thereafter.”
“Sept. 13, 1627.—Mr. J. Hay and Mr. Andro Hamilton reported they had proceeded against the Countess by the third public admonition. They had, at her earnest request and promise of obedience, desisted to proceed by prayer, which promise if her ladyship perform, the brethren ordain them to continue, if not, to proceed by prayer.”