Series 6 > Perth Kirk Session books, 1577-1590

406
THE PERTH KIRK SESSION BOOKS: 1588
It is ordanit that na inhabitant within this burgh cheifly taverners and toppis
of wyne and eill55 ressave or keip within their house upon the saboth day
ony person or persons stranger or inhabitant quhatsumever in tyme of
preitsching or sermone under the paines contenit in the actis of parhament,
actis of burgh, and ordinance of the kirk, assuring thame quha ever thai ar
that contravenis the foirsaides with all rigor to be punised in exempill to
uthers.
The minister and elders present ordanis that na person nor persons within
this burgh houshalder nor uther ressave into their service or house ony
man or woman out of ane town or congregation without ane sufficient
testimonial of their godly and honest behavior in tyme past be the minister
of that parish quhere thai cam fra.56 And seing there ar sundry harlotes and
filthy leiffars enterit in this town in service, fugitives fra the disciphne of
the kirk quharffa thai ar come, it is ordanit that everie man try his awin
house quhere ony sik is and delait their names to the elders of their quarter
or to the session of the kirk, certefeing them that dissobeys in the premisse
thai salbe punisit according to the actis and ordinancis set down befoir for
punisment of sik crymes. (Ressait of harlots)
The minister and elders of the kirk of Perth ratefeis and approves the jugment
of the commissioners of the general assemblie and presbiterie of Perth in all
poyntes concerning the alienation and setting of the waist ground caUit sum
tyme St Ans Chapel to Mr William Rynd minister at Kynoull.57
[22v] Secundo Decembris 1588
Ordanis Androw Ruderfurd wobster to pay ten schillingis becaus the saboth
day ws brokin in his house be his wyffe in warping ane wob58 thereon, and
his wyf to present hir self in the repentance seit on Sonday nixt for the same.
Comperis Jhon Duncan and Helison Swan and desyris their bannes of
mariage to be proclamit. Caution for the man James Gill, for the woman
Thomas Broun.
55 Ale.
56 This provision, typical of Scots parishes after the Reformation, is what makes the disciplinary
system so effective: people could not escape the discipline of their own parish by fleeing
to another.
57 This former ecclesiastical property is thus transferred to support a preaching ministry in the
neighbouring parish of Kinnoull, just across the Tay from Perth.
58 Setting the warp on her loom to weave cloth.