The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 17

The General a.s.sembly considering the necessity of sending some person of good worth & quality for to present their humble Supplication to His Majestie, and to deliver their directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdom, now at _London_, with their Declaration to the Parliament of _England_, and Answer to some wel-affected Ministers of that Kirk: And having certain knowledge of the worth, ability, and faithfulnesse of _John_ Lord _Maitland_, one of their number, who being witnesse to all their intentions and proceedings, can best relate their true loyaltie and respect to their Soveraign, and brotherly affection to the Kirk and Kingdom of _England_ therein; Therefore do unanimously require his Lordships pains, by repairing to Court and to _London_ for the premisses, which hereby they commit to this diligence and fidelity, willing his Lordship to make account of his proceedings herein to their Commissioners appointed to sit at _Edinburgh_.

Sess. 11. August 5. post meridiem.

_Commission for publike affairs of this Kirk, and for prosecuting the desires of this a.s.sembly to His Majestie, and the Parliament of_ England.

The General a.s.sembly considering the laudable custome of this Kirk for to appoint some Commissioners in the interim betwixt a.s.semblies, for presenting of Overtures and prosecuting the other desires of the Kirk to His Majestie, the Lords of His Councell, and the Estates of Parliament; And taking to their consideration the present condition of the Kirk of _England_, with the Declaration thereof sent down from the Parliament, and some Reverend Brethren of the Ministery there, with their own Answer to the Parliament and Ministery, and their humble Supplication to His Majestie for Unity of Religion and Uniformity of Kirk-government. And withall remembring their desires to the Honourable Lords of His Majesties secret Councell, and to the Commissioners appointed by the King and Parliament, for conservation of the common Peace, That they would joyn their concourse in their desires to His Majestie and Parliament, and directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdom at _London_ for the time.

And likewise considering their good hopes from G.o.ds gracious favour to this Island, that by his good providence he will in his own way and time settle this great Work through this whole Ile; And that it is both our earnest desire and Christian duty to use all lawfull means and Ecclesiastick wayes for furtherance of so great a Work, continuance of the common peace betwixt these nations, and keeping a brotherly correspondence betwixt these Kirks. Therfore the a.s.sembly thinks it necessary before their dissolving, to appoint, and by these Presents do nominate and appoint, Masters _Andrew Ramsay_, _Alex Henderson_, _Robert Dowglas_, _William Colvill_, _William Bennet_ Ministers at _Edinburgh_. _Mr. William Arthur_ Minister at _St. Cuthbert_, _Mr. James Robertson_, _John Logan_, _Robert Lighton_, Commissioners from _Dalkeith_ a.s.sembly: Masters, _Andrew Blackhall_, _James Fleeming_, _Robert Ker_, Commissioners from _Hadingtoun_ to the a.s.sembly. Masters, _George Hamilton_, _Robert Clair_, _Arthur Mortoun_, _David Dalgleish_, _Andrew Bennet_, _Walter Greg_, _John Moncreff_, _John Smith_, _George Gillespie_, _John Row_, _John Duncan_, _Walter Bruce_, Commissioners for the Presbyteries within the Province of _Fyffe_: _Mr. David Calderwood_ Minister at _Pencait_ and _Mr. John Adamson_ Princ.i.p.all of the Colledge of _Edinburgh_, _Mr. John Strang_ Princ.i.p.all of the Colledge of _Glasgow_. _Mr. David Dikson_, _Mr. James Bonar_, _Mr. Robert Bailie_, _Mr. John Bell_, _Mr Robert Ramsay_, _Mr.

George Young_, _Mr Henry Guthrie_, _Mr. Samuel Oustein_, _Mr. John Robertson_ Minister at _St. Johnstoun_, _Mr. John Robertson_ Minister at _Dundie_, _Mr. John Hume_ Minister at _Heckills_, _Mr. Andrew Cant_, _Mr William Guild_, _Mr. Samuel Rutherfurd_, _Mr. James Martin_, _Mr.

Alexander Monroe_, _Mr. Robert Murray_, _Mr. John Maclellan_, _Mr. Andrew Doncanson_, _Mr. Silvester Lambie_, _Mr. Gilbert Ross_, Ministers: Marquesse of _Argile_, Earles of _Lauderdaile_, _Glencarne_, _Kingborne_, _Eglintoun_, _Weemes_, _Ca.s.sils_: Lords _Gordoun_, _Maitland_, _Balcarras_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of _Wauchtoun_, Sir _David Hum_ of _Wedderburne_, Sir _David Creightoun_ of _Lugtoun_, Sir _David Barclay_ of _Cullearnie_, _John Henderson_ of _Fordell_, _Mr. George Winrame_ of _Libertoun_, Sir _Robert Drummond_, Sir _William Carmichaell_, _John Binnie_, _Thomas Paterson_, _John Sempill_, _John Kennedy_ of _Air_, _John Leslie_ from _Aberdene_, _William Glendinning_ Provest of _Kirkubrigh_, _John Colzear_, Ruling Elders with the concurse of the Procurator of the Kirk: and grants to them full Power and Commission in this _interim_, betwixt and the next a.s.sembly, for to meet and conveen at _Edinburgh_ upon the 17. day of this moneth of _August_, and upon any other day, or in any other place, as they shall think convenient: And being met and conveened, or any fifteen of them, there being alwayes twelve Ministers present: With full power for to consider and performe what they finde necessary for the Ministerie, by preaching, supplicating, prepairing of draughts of one Confession, one Cathechisme, one directory of publike Worship (which are alwayes to be revised by the next Generall a.s.sembly) and by all other lawfull & Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work in the Union of this Iland in Religion and Kirk-government, and for continuance of our own peace at home, and of the common peace betwixt the Nations, and keeping of good correspondence betwixt the Kirks of this Iland. Like as if it shall please G.o.d to blesse the prayers and endeavours of his Saints for this blessed Union, and that if either the Lords of Councell, or Commissioners for the Peace shall require their concurse at home or abroad, by sending Commissioners with theirs to His Majesty and Parliament for that effect, or that they themselves shall finde it necessary; The a.s.sembly grants full power to them, not only to concurre by all lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, with the Councell and Conservators of the Peace at home, but also to send some to present and prosecute their desires and humble advice to His Majesty and the Parliament, and the Ministerie there, for the furthering and perfecting of so good and great a Worke. Like as, with power to them to promove their other desires, overtures and recommendations of this a.s.sembly, to the Kings Majestie, Lords of Councell, Session, Exchequer, and Commissioners of Parliament, for plantation of Kirks, for common burdens, or conservation of the common peace, and to the Parliament of this Kingdom, in case it fall out _pro re nata_ before the next a.s.sembly. And such like, with as full power to them to proceed, treat and determine in any other matters to be committed to them by this a.s.sembly, as if the samine were herein particularly insert, and with as ample power to proceede in the matters particularly or generally above-mentioned, as any Commissioners of Generall a.s.semblies have had, and have been in use of before: They being alwayes comptable to, and censurable by the next Generall a.s.sembly, for their proceedings thereanent.

Sess. 13. Aug. 6. 1642.

_A Pet.i.tion from some distressed Professors in_ Ireland.

_To the reverend and right Honourable the Moderator and remanent members of the Generall a.s.sembly of_ Scotland, _conveened at S._ Andrews, _July 1642_.

The humble Pet.i.tion of the most part of the Scottish Nation in the North of _Ireland_, in their own names, and in name of the rest of the Protestants there.

_Humbly sheweth_,

That where your Pet.i.tioners, by the great blessing of the Lord, enjoyed for a little while a peaceable and fruitfull Ministerie of the Gospel, yet through our own abuse of so rich a mercy, and through the tyrannie of the Prelates, we have been a long time spoiled of our Ministers (a yoke to many of us heavier then death) who being chased into _Scotland_, were not altogether un-usefull in the day of your need; And we having been since oppressed and scattered, as sheep who have no shepherd, now at last the wise and righteous hand of the Lord, by the sword of the Rebels, hath bereft us of our friends, and spoiled us of our goods, &c. left us but a few, and that a poor handfull of many, and hath chased from us the rest that were called our Ministers; the greatest part whereof we could scarce esteem such as being rather Officers to put the Prelats Injunctions in execution, then feeders of our souls: So that now being visited with sword and sicknesse, and under some apprehension of famine, if withall we shall taste of the sorest of all plagues, to be altogether deprived of the Ministery of the Word, we shall become in so much a worse condition then any Pagans, as that once we enjoyed a better: Neither know we what hand to turn us to for help, but to the Land so far obliged by the Lords late rare mercies, and so far enriched to furnish help of that kinde; a Land whence many of us drew our blood and breath and where (pardon the necessary boldnesse) some of our own Ministers now are, who were so violently plucked from us, so sore against both their own and our wills; yea, the Land that so tenderly in their bosoms received our poor out-casts, and that hath already sent us so rich a supply of able and prosperous Souldiers to revenge our wrong.

Therefore, although we know that your zeale and brotherly affection would urge you to take notice without our advertis.e.m.e.nt, yet give us leave in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, to intreat, if there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels of mercy, that now in this nick of time, when the sword of the Enemie making way for a more profitable entertaining the Gospel, having also banished the Prelates, and their followers, when our extremity of distreste, and the fair hopes of speedy settling of peace, hath opened so fair a doore to the Gospel, you would take the cause of your younger sister, that hath no brests, to your serious consideration, and pity poore _Macedonians_ crying to you that ye would come over and help us, being the servants of the G.o.d of your Fathers, and claiming interest with you in a common Covenant, that according to the good hand of G.o.d upon us, ye may send us Ministers for the house of our G.o.d. We do not take upon us to prescribe to you the way or the number, but in the view of all, the finger of the Lord points at these, whom though persecution of the Prelats drew from us, yet our interest in them could not be taken away, wherein we trust in regard of severall of them, called home by death, your bounty will super-adde some able men of your own that may help to lay the foundation of G.o.ds house, according to the Pattern. But for these so unjustly reft from us, not only our necessity, but equity pleads, that either you would send them all over, which were a Work to be parallelled to the glories of the Primitive times, or at least that ye would declare them transportable, that when Invitators shall be sent to any of them, wherein they may discerne a call from G.o.d, there may be no difficultie in their loosing from thence, but they may come back to perfect what they began, and may get praise and fame in the Land, where they were put to shame. Neither are you to question your power over us so to doe, or crave a president of your own practise in that kind, for our extraordinary need calling on you, furnisheth you with a power to make this a president for the like cases hereafter: herein if you shall lay aside the particular concernment of some few places, which you may easily out of your rich Nurseries plant again, and make use of your publike spirits, which are not spent, but increases by your so many n.o.ble designes; you shall leave upon us and our posteritie the stamp of an obligation that cannot be delete, or that cannot be expressed; you should send to all the neighbouring Churches a pattern, and erect for after-ages a monument of self-denying tender zeale; you shall disburden the Land of the many outcasts, who will follow over their Ministers; and you shall make it appear, that the churlish bounty of the Prelats, which at first cast some of these men over to us, is not comparable with the cheerful liberalitie of a rightly const.i.tute General a.s.sembly, to whom we are perswaded, the Lord will give seed for the loane which you bestow on the Lord; yea, the day may come, when a General a.s.sembly in this Land may returne to you the first fruits of thanks, for the plants of your free gift. And although you were scant of furniture of this kinde your selves, or might apprehend more need then formerly, yet doubtlesse, your bowels of compa.s.sion would make your deep povertie even in a great tryal of affliction, abound to the riches of your liberalitie. But now seeing you abound in all things, and have formerly given so ample a proof of your large bestowing on Churches abroad in _Germanie_ and _France_, knowing that you are not wearied in well-doing, we confidently promise to our selves in your name, that we will abound in this grace also, following the example of our Lord and the Primitive Churches, who alwayes sent out Disciples in paires. But if herein our hopes shall faile us, we shall not know whether to wish that we had died with our Brethren by the Enemies hand; for we shall be as if it were said unto us, _Goe serve other G.o.ds_; Yet looking for another kinde of Answer at your hands, for in this you are to us as an Angel of G.o.d, we have sent these bearers, M. _John Gordoun_, and M. _Hugh Campbell_ our brethren, who may more particularly in-forme you of our case, and desire that at their returne, they may refresh the bowels of

_Your most instant and earnest Supplicants._

_Commission to some Ministers to go to_ Ireland.

The a.s.sembly having received a Pet.i.tion, subscribed by a considerable number in the North of _Ireland_, intimating their deplorable condition, through want of the Ministerie of the Gospel, occasioned by the tyrannie of the Prelats, and the sword of the Rebels, and desiring some Ministers, especially such as had been chased from them, by the persecution of the Prelats, and some others to be added, either to be sent presently over to reside amongst them, or declared transportable, that upon invitation from them they might goe and settle there; together with some particular Pet.i.tions, desiring the returne of some particular Ministers, who had laboured there before: All which the a.s.sembly hath taken to their serious consideration, being most heartily willing to sympathize with every member of Christs Body, although never so remote; much more with that Plantation there, which for the most part was a Branch of the Lords Vine, planted in this Land. In which sollicitude, as they would be loath to usurpe without their own bounds or stretch themselves beyond their oun measure; so they dare not be wanting, to the enlargement of Christs Kingdome, where so loud a cry of so extreame neccesitie, could not but stirre up the bowels of Christian compa.s.sion. And although they conceive that the present unsettled condition both of Church, and State, and Land, will not suffer them as yet to loose any to make constant abode there; yet they have resolved to send over some for the present exigent till the next Gen.

a.s.sembly, by courses to stay there four moneths allanerly: And therefore doe hereby authorize and give Commission to the persons following, to wit, M. _Robert Blair_, Minister at S. _Andrews_, and M. _James Hamilton_, Minister at _Dumfreis_ for the first four moneths: M. _Robert Ramsay_, Minister at _Glasgow_, and M. _John Mac'elland_, Minister at _Kirkudbright_, for the next four moneths: And to M. _Robert Baillie_, Professor of Divinitie in the Universitie of _Glasgow_, and M. _John Levistoun_, Minister of _Stranaire_, for the last four moneths: To repair into the North of _Ireland_, and there to visit, comfort, instruct and encourage the scattered flocks of Christ, to employ to their uttermost with all faithfulnesse and singlenesse of heart, in planting and watering, according to the direction of Jesus Christ, and according to the doctrine and discipline of this Church in all things, And if need be (with concurrence of such of the Ministers of the Army as are there) to try and ordain such as shall be found qualified for the Ministerie, Giving charge unto the persons foresaid in the sight of G.o.d, that in Doctrine, in Worship, in Discipline, and in their dayly conversation, they studie to approve themselves as the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and that they be comptable to the General a.s.sembly of this Kirk, in all things. And in case if any of the above-mentioned Ministers be impeded by sickness or otherwise necessarily detained from this service, the a.s.sembly ordaines the Commissioners residing at _Edinburgh_, for the publike affairs of the Church, to nominate in their place well qualified men, who hereby are authorized to undertake the foresaid imployment, as if they had been expressely nominate in the face of the a.s.sembly. And this, although possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large expectation of the Brethren in _Ireland_, yet the a.s.sembly is confident they will take in good part at this time, that which is judged most convenient for their present condition, even a lent mite out of their own, not very great plenty, to supply the present necessity; requiring of them no other recompence, but that they in all cheerefulnesse may embrace and make use of salvation, and promising to enlarge their indebted bounty at the next a.s.sembly, as they shall finde the Worke of the Lord there to require. In the meane while, wishing that these who are sent, may come with the full blessing of the Gospel and peace, and recommending them, their labours, and these to whom they are sent, to the rich blessing of the great Shepherd of the flock.

Sess. 13. August 6. 1642.

_Act against slandering of Ministers._

The General a.s.sembly considering the malice of divers Persons in raising calumnies and scandals against Ministers, which is not onely injurious to their persons, and discreditable to the holy calling of the Ministerie, but doth also prove often a great prejudice and hinderance to the promoving of the Gospel: Doe therefore ordain Presbyteries and Synods to proceed diligently in processe against all persons, that shall reproach or scandal Ministers, with the censures of the Kirk, even to the highest, according as they shall finde the degree or quality of the scandal deserve.

_Act anent ordering of the a.s.sembly House._

The a.s.sembly for better order in time coming ordains the Act of the a.s.sembly at _Aberdene_ for ordering the House of the a.s.sembly to be kept hereafter punctually. And for that effect, that the samine be reade the first Session of every a.s.sembly.

_Act for remembring in publike Prayers the desires of the a.s.sembly to the King and Parliament, and indiction of a publike Fast._

The General a.s.sembly being desirous to promove the great work of Unity in Religion, and Uniformity in Church government, in all thir three Dominions, for which the a.s.sembly hath humbly supplicate the Kings Majestie, and remonstrate their desires to the Parliament of _England_, lest they should be wanting in any meane that may further so glorious and so good a work: Doe ordain, that not only the said Declaration to the Parliament, and supplication to the Kings Majestie, shall be accompanied with the earnest Pet.i.tion, and prayers of the whole brethren in private and publike, for the Lords blessing hereunto, according to the laudable custome of our predecessors, who in the year of G.o.d 1589. ordaines that the Brethren in their private and publike prayers, recommend unto G.o.d the estate of the afflicted Church of _England_: But having just cause of fear, that the iniquities of the Land, which so much abount may marre this so great a Work, doe also ordain a solemne Fast to be kept on the second Lords Day of _September_ and the Wednesday following throughout the whole Kingdome for the causes after specified.

I. Grosse ignorance and all sort of wickedness among the greater part, security, meer formality and unfruitfulnesse among the best, and unthankfulnesse in all.

II. The sword raging throughout all Christendome, but most barbarously in _Ireland_, and dayly more and more threatned in _England_, through the lamentable division betwixt the King and the Parliament there, tending to the subversion of Religion and Peace in all the three Kingdomes.

III. That G.o.d may graciously blesse the Supplication of the a.s.sembly to the Kings Majesty, and their motion to the Parliament of _England_, for Unitie in Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, and all other meanes which may serve for the promoving of so great a Worke, and advancement of the Kingdome of Christ every where.

IV. That G.o.d may powerfully overturne all wicked plots and designes of Antichrist and his followers, and all divisive motions against the course of Reformation, and the so much longed for Union of the King and Parliament.

V. That G.o.d may blesse the harvest.

_Reference from the Presbyterie of_ Kirkcaldie.

Anent the Acts of a.s.semblies, for observation of the Lords Day, profaned by going of salt-pannes, That this a.s.sembly would declare the limits of the Sabbath, during which the pannes should stand.

_The a.s.sembly referres the Answer of this Question, to the Acts of former a.s.semblies._

_Reference frrom the Synode of_ Fyffe.

That the Provinciall of _Angus_ keep their meeting on the same day with the Synod of _Fyffe_, which breakes the correspondence between them, appointed by the General a.s.sembly of _Glasgow_.