Series 4 > Stirling Presbytery Records 1581-1587
(14) Introduction
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INTRODUCTION
Stirling presbytery records merit particular attention not only as
the earliest surviving presbytery records in Scotland but also as the
only presbytery records for the late sixteenth century whose minutes
commence with the presbytery’s formal constitution and erection in
1581. As an ecclesiastical court, the presbytery came into being two
decades after the institution of kirk sessions, provincial synods and
general assemblies, but its appearance, as the history of its ante¬
cedents suggests, was less innovatory and less disruptive than is
sometimes imagined.
Antecedents to the presbytery’s erection: From its inception, the
reformed church had developed a system of conciliar government
which subordinated individual overseers to the supervision of a
concentric series of church courts. The wide-ranging responsibilities
attributed to superintendents and commissioners of provinces in the
1560s were never permitted to obscure the accountability of over¬
seers, as regional administrators, to the ministers and elders within
their jurisdiction and to the graded courts where authority collec¬
tively resided. During visitations, the superintendent was encouraged
to act with the advice of assessors and with the assistance of the
minister and elders of the congregation. Elsewhere, his activities
were associated with the work of the synod and of the kirk session of
the chief town of the province which became his court when he was
resident. The existence of an appellate jurisdiction from kirk
session and synod to general assembly (presided over by an elected
moderator), to whose judgment the superintendents and commis¬
sioners were obliged to submit themselves for trial at every meeting,
suggests a system essentially at variance with what are usually
understood to be the principles of episcopacy.1 ‘Episkope’, it has
been observed, ‘ originates with the bishop ... and descends through
1J. K. Cameron, The First Book of Discipline (Edinburgh, 1972), 126-7; The Works of
John Knox, ed. D. Laing (Wodrow Society, 1846-8), ii, 147, 150; The Booke of the
INTRODUCTION
Stirling presbytery records merit particular attention not only as
the earliest surviving presbytery records in Scotland but also as the
only presbytery records for the late sixteenth century whose minutes
commence with the presbytery’s formal constitution and erection in
1581. As an ecclesiastical court, the presbytery came into being two
decades after the institution of kirk sessions, provincial synods and
general assemblies, but its appearance, as the history of its ante¬
cedents suggests, was less innovatory and less disruptive than is
sometimes imagined.
Antecedents to the presbytery’s erection: From its inception, the
reformed church had developed a system of conciliar government
which subordinated individual overseers to the supervision of a
concentric series of church courts. The wide-ranging responsibilities
attributed to superintendents and commissioners of provinces in the
1560s were never permitted to obscure the accountability of over¬
seers, as regional administrators, to the ministers and elders within
their jurisdiction and to the graded courts where authority collec¬
tively resided. During visitations, the superintendent was encouraged
to act with the advice of assessors and with the assistance of the
minister and elders of the congregation. Elsewhere, his activities
were associated with the work of the synod and of the kirk session of
the chief town of the province which became his court when he was
resident. The existence of an appellate jurisdiction from kirk
session and synod to general assembly (presided over by an elected
moderator), to whose judgment the superintendents and commis¬
sioners were obliged to submit themselves for trial at every meeting,
suggests a system essentially at variance with what are usually
understood to be the principles of episcopacy.1 ‘Episkope’, it has
been observed, ‘ originates with the bishop ... and descends through
1J. K. Cameron, The First Book of Discipline (Edinburgh, 1972), 126-7; The Works of
John Knox, ed. D. Laing (Wodrow Society, 1846-8), ii, 147, 150; The Booke of the
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Scottish History Society volumes > Series 4 > Stirling Presbytery Records 1581-1587 > (14) Introduction |
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Description | Over 180 volumes, published by the Scottish History Society, containing original sources on Scotland's history and people. With a wide range of subjects, the books collectively cover all periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and reflect changing trends in Scottish history. Sources are accompanied by scholarly interpretation, references and bibliographies. Volumes are usually published annually, and more digitised volumes will be added as they become available. |
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