ABSTRACT
Contemporary defences of Scottish Presbyterianism emphasises the importance of Church discipline and its role in managing mankind's behaviour following the Fall of Adam and Eve. The First Book of Discipline of 1560 is went on to state that 'the Kirk may and ought to receive' those who shows 'unfaigned repentance' following a moral trespass. Senior Kirk judiciaries are acutely aware of the dangers presented by divided meetings and advise parishes to purge sessions of politically questionable members or outright rebels to ensure discipline remained pure. Local presbyteries and sessions continue to have significant flexibility in the application of such discipline despite the attempts of higher authorities to limit their influence. Local authorities enter into negotiations with an opposing minister to avoid lengthy disciplinary procedures and to underline the legality of the Covenanter cause. In areas of high troop concentration across Scotland, local Kirk authorities attempt to bargain over disciplinary standards with English officials.
