TheFive Articles of Perth was an attempt by KingJames VI ofScotland to impose practices on theChurch of Scotland in an attempt to integrate it with those of theChurch of England.[1] This move was unpopular with those Scots who heldReformed views on worship, and with those who supportedpresbyterian church governance.
The articles required
The articles met with a mixed reception.[3] TheSecession historianThomas M'Crie tries to hint at the leading objections against them.[4] Others likeRobert Baillie accepted the liturgical changes even elaborating an exhaustive defence of kneeling at communion in protracted correspondence withDavid Dickson, the minister for the parish ofIrvine.
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | A Ratificatioun of the fyve articles of the General Assemblie of the kirk haldin at Pearthe in the moneth of August 1618. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1621 c. 1 [12mo ed: c. 1] |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Confession of Faith Ratification Act 1690 |
Status: Repealed | |
The articles were reluctantly accepted by theGeneral Assembly of the Church atPerth in 1618, and were not ratified by theScottish Parliament until theArticles of Perth Act 1621 (c. 1) in July 1621; it was known by some as Black Saturday and was accompanied by a thunderstorm.[5] The approving act was repealed by theConfession of Faith Ratification Act 1690.
In 1619 thePilgrims who were in exile inLeiden published a critical tract about the Five Articles, entitled thePerth Assembly, which nearly led toWilliam Brewster's arrest.[6]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.