the ablest men, and best affected to the Reformation and order
of this Kirk.

Sess. 10. August 4. 1641.

_Act against Impiety and Schisme._

The Assembly seriously considering the present case and condition of this
Kirk and Kingdome, what great things the Lord hath done for us, especially
since the renewing of our Covenant, notwithstanding our former backsliding
and desertion; and if we shall either become remisse in the dueties of
Piety, or shall not constantly hold and keep our Religion, unto which we
have bound ourselves so straitly and solemnly, what dishonour we doe unto
the Name of God before men, who have their eyes upon us, and how great
judgements we bring upon our selves, upon these and the like
considerations, The Assembly doth finde it most necessary to stirre up
themselves, and to provoke all others both Ministers and people of all
degrees, not only to the religious exercises of publike worship in the
Congregation, and of private worship in their families, and of every one
by themselves apart, but also to the duteies of mutual edification, by
instruction, admonition, exhorting one another to fordwardnesse in
Religion, and comforting one another in whatsoever distresse; and that in
all their meetings, whither in the way of civill conversation, or by
reason of their particular callings, or any other occasion offered by
divine providence, no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers: And because the best means have been, and may still be
despised or abused, and particularly the duetie of mutual edification,
which hath been so little in use, and so few know how to practise in the
right manner, may be upon the one part subject to the mocking of ungodly
and worldly men, who cannot endure that in others, which they are not
willing to practise themselves, and upon the other part, to many errors
and abuses, to which the godly through their weaknes may fall, or by the
craftinesse of others may be drawn into, such as are Error, Heresie,
Schisme, Scandal, Self-conceit, and despising of others, pressing above
the common calling of Christians, and usurping that which is proper to the
Pastoral Vocation, contempt or misregard of the publike means idle and
unprofitable questions which edifie not, uncharitable censurings, neglect
of duties in particular callings, businesse in other mens Matters and
Callings, and m