Dunfermline Synod (1596)



On the 12th of May, in the same year (1596 - see General Assembly), the covenant was renewed in the synod of Fife, met at Dunfermline,when Mr James Melville discoursed on the last chapter of Joshua with such power and force, that all were forced to fall down before the Lord with sobs and tears, and to search their own ways in private meditation. Thereafter he made open confession, in name of the rest, of unthankfulness, undutifulness, negligence, coldness, hardness of heart, instability, vanity of mind, folly of speech, and conversation fashioned after the world, &c. Finally, trembling and weeping for the misusage of so honourable a calling, and quaking for fear that such a weight of God's wrath was lying upon them for the blood of so many souls belonging to their charge, they weeped bitterly, and sought grace from God for amendment. After this confession, the Moderator proceeded in his discourse, — and after diverse other points of doctrine, admonition and exhortation, delivered for the purpose, every one, by lifting up of the hand, testified before God mutually, one before other, the sincere and earnest purpose of their heart to study to amend, and serve God better in time to come, both in their lives and in the great office of the ministry. James Melville then discoursed further on'ye are witnesses against yourselves this day' and urged their consenting to register the whole transaction in the minutes of Synod as a testimony. He then invited some of the ancient fathers, for the benefit of the younger brethren, to declare what they had seen of God's Providence in planting and preserving the gospel and the liberty of Christ's kingdom in their country.

"David Ferguson, the oldest minister in company, discoursed how that a few preachers, viz. only six, whereof himself was one, went forward without fear or care o: the world, and prevailed when there was no name of a stipend heard tell of, when authority, both ecclesiastical and civil, opposed themselves, and there was scarce a man o note or estimation to take the matter in hand. But non the fear and flattery of men, care of purchasing, or fear o losing money or stipends, had weakened the hearts of a number of ministers/ Mr John Davidson and Mr David Black followed with powerful exhortations, and an affecting service was closed.

History of Revivals of Religion in the British Isles, Especially in Scotland Mary Grey Lundie Duncan 1836, p189-91.

This re-dedication to the Covenant was first done in Edinburgh, and there are reports that revival spread over the nation.

Additional Information

I am assuming that the Synod would have been held in Dunfermline Abbey.