Ormonde Papers New Series Volume iv p69

1677 Nov 26

Patrick Menzies [sec. to the Duke of Lauderdale] to Viscount Granard

Holyrood house my lord Duke commands me to send your lordship this extract,which his Grace assures you is truth

Carrick.

Sunday was sennight, Mr Welsh kept a most numerous conventicle in and about their new built meeting house in the parish of Girvan, where were present Mr Dick Cunningham, Gilchryst, Gilbert and Robert Kennedy's preachers and about 7000 people, and the communion was celebrated, and upwards of 2000 persons received it; who, before communicating, were all engaged solemnly never to hear the orthodox ministers more, and to adhere to and pursue the glorious ends of the solemn league and covenant.

Mr Welsh preached on Jon. ii., 34, 35 and amongst other seditious doctrines he said: 'the kings, nobles, and prelates are the murderers of Christ,' and then sitting down in his chair, said: 'oh people I will be silent - speak oh people, and tell me what good hath this king done since his home-coming - yea, hath he not done all the mischief that a tyrant could do both by his life and laws' and told the people that the present solemnity was appointed to restore Mr Gilbert Kennedy, the Nonconformist to his cure at Girvan, and that this was more Christ-like than an erastian indulgence. Monday after they kept a Presbytery, and chose Welsh moderator, and having published and received penitence of one Mr Cunningham (who had received ordination from the late Bishop of Glasgow), forever disowning episcopacy, they appointed him to be ordained by new imposition of hands.

They proceeded to make Acts, such as 1. the people should not rise in arms till provoked thereunto, and that thereupon the sign should be given them to make ready; 2. that people should be dissuaded to hear the orderly ministers any more, but they are not to hurt their persons or break their houses till they should be found acting against the cause of God by complaining to the authorities, and that those who did so are to be fallen upon. This they warranted from the commission the Israelites had to destroy the Canaanites.