The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 20

Sess. 10. August 12. 1643.

_Act anent reposition of Ministers, deposed by Superiour Judicatories._

The Generall a.s.sembly considering that sentences of Superiour Judicatories of the Kirk should stand effectuall, while they be taken away by themselves, and that they should not be made void and ineffectuall by Inferiour Judicatories: Therefore discharges all Provinciall a.s.semblies to repone any Minister deposed by the Generall a.s.sembly. And all Presbyteries to repone any Ministers deposed either by General or Provincial a.s.semblies; And declares and ordains, that all such sentences of reposition by these Inferiour Judicatories _respective_, shall be null in themselves; And that the sentences of deposition by the Superiour Judicatories _respective_ shall stand valid and effectual notwithstanding thereof.

Sess. 11. Aug. 14. 1643.

_Act against Masters who have Servants that prophane the Lords day._

The Generall a.s.sembly declares, that the Acts made against Salmond fishing upon the Sabbath, or against any other labour upon the Lords day, to be not only against servants who actually work: But also that the samine should be extended against masters, whose hired servants they are.

Sess. 12. Aug. 15. 1643.

_Act for preparing the Directorie for the worship of G.o.d_.

The a.s.sembly considering how convenient it is, that all the Ministers of the particular Kirks within this Kingdome, in their administration, keep unity and uniformity in the substance and right ordering of all the parts of the publick worship of G.o.d, and that all the particular Kirks by the same unity and uniformity, testifie their unanimous consent against all schisme and division, unto which these times, through the working of Satan and his instruments, against the propagation of the Gospel of peace are so inclinable: Doth ordain, that a Directorie for divine worship, with all convenient diligence be framed and made ready in all the parts thereof, against the next Generall a.s.sembly, to be held in the year 1644. And for this end that such as shall be nominate by this a.s.sembly, shall immediatly after the rising of the a.s.sembly, set themselves apart (so far as may be) from their particular callings, and with all diligence and speed, go about this so publick, so pious and so profitable a work. And when they have brought their endeavours and labours about this Directorie to an end, that it be put into the hands of the Commissioners of the Generall a.s.sembly, to be revised, and thereafter by them sent in severall Copies to all the particular Synods to be held in April and May, that the famine being reported with their observations, notes, and animadversions to the Generall a.s.sembly, it may in end, after their full triall and approbation, by order and authority from them be received, and practiced by all the Ministers and particular Kirks. And for preserving of peace and brotherly unity, in the mean while, till the Directorie by universall consent of the whole Kirk be framed, finished, and concluded, The a.s.sembly forbiddeth under the pain of the censures of the Kirk, all disputation by word or writing, in private or publick, about different practices in such things, as have not been formerly determined by this Kirk, And all condemning one of another in such lawfull things as have been universally received, and by perpetuall custome practised by the most faithfull Ministers of the Gospell, and opposers of corruptions in this Kirk, since the first beginning of Reformation to these times. And doth exhort and command that all endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace, that all beginnings of Separation, all scandall and division, be by all means avoided; And that against envying, and strife, and faction, and glorying in men, every one go before another in the duties of love, and so fulfill the Law of Christ; That continuing in one spirit and one minde, & fighting together through the faith of the Gospel, we may mutually aide, strengthen and comfort one another in all Pastorall and Christian emploiments, better resist the common adversaries, edifie one another in the knowledge and fear of G.o.d, and the more acceptably, and with the greater blessing serve the Lord who hath done so great things for us.

_Propositions from the English Commissioners presented this day to the a.s.sembly._

We the Commissioners appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of England, being commanded by them (as we have already declared) to desire the reverend a.s.sembly of Scotland, seriously to lay to heart the present Estate of their Sister Church and Kingdome of England, and not onely to a.s.sist with their Prayers in their straits, but also by such reasonable and effectuall means as to themselves shall seem meet to further and expedite the a.s.sistance now desired by both Houses from the Kingdome of Scotland, and a more strict union with them, Have thought fit in Pursuance of the commands received from both Houses of Parliament, to communicate to this a.s.sembly the paper which to this purpose we have lately delivered to the Honourable Convention of Estates, in this Kingdome, that so this reverend a.s.sembly might be the better enabled, to contribute their best a.s.sistance toward the furthering and expediting of the same. Wherein we a.s.sure our selves of their ready and willing affections, considering the great service they may do to G.o.d, and the great honour may redound to themselves in becoming the Instruments of a glorious Reformation, not onely through this Iland, but from thence possibly to be spread to other Churches now oppressed under the Antichristian bondage, and tyrannie of the Popish and prelatical Faction. We will not say there lies any obligation upon this Church and Kingdome, to comply with the desires of the two Houses of Parliament; though we might call to minde that G.o.d by the hand of the Church and Kingdome of England, did once reach forth a.s.sistance and aid unto this Nation, and hath since used them as a help to that blessed Reformation it now enjoyes. And who knoweth whether the wise providence of G.o.d hath not suffered this Church and Kingdome to be tempted thereby, to make them the more feasible of the present miseries of their brethren, and likewise given them a good issue, with the tentation, that they might be made a means of our deliverance? We shall not need to offer any grounds of prudence to invite them hereunto, who have already prevented us in the acknowledgement of what might be said of that kinde in the advice presented by the Commissioners of the General a.s.sembly. July 6.

1643. unto the Convention of Estates, expressing as one remedie of the present dangers of this Church and Kingdome, their earnest desire of renewing the league and a.s.sociation with England, for the defence of Religion against the common enemie, and of further extending the same against Prelacie, and Popish Ceremonies, for Uniformity in externall worship and Church-government. And we hope that the same G.o.d who hath put these desires into the hearts of both Kingdomes, will make use of this present opportunity to knit them both to himself, and each other in a most strict and durable Union, and thereby the more firmly to establish truth and peace in both Nations. Howsoever this which we have done in discharge of our duty, will afford the comfort of a good conscience in our greatest distresses, and give us ground to expect deliverance some way or other from the manifold wisedome and power of G.o.d, who though men and means fail, will not cast off his people, nor forsake his inheritance. We have onely this to adde further, that we are commanded by both Houses to let this reverend a.s.sembly know that it is their earnest desire, that what other Propositions may be thought fit to be added and concluded by this a.s.sembly, whereby the a.s.sistance and Union betwixt the two Nations, may be made more beneficiall and effectuall for the securing of Religion and Libertie, should be offered to us, and taken to our speedy consideration,

_August_ 15. 1643.

_William Bond._ Secr. Com.

_The Paper before-mentioned, delivered August 12. to the Convention, and this day to the a.s.sembly_

We the Commissioners appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of England, are by our instructions commanded to put their brethren of Scotland in minde, that the Popish and prelaticall Faction that began with them, about the year 1638. and 1639. and then intended to make way to the ruine of the Kingdome of England by theirs, have not abated any part of their malice toward the Nation and Church of Scotland, nor are at all departed from their designe of corrupting and altering Religion through the whole Iland, though they have inverted the manner of their proceeding, conceiving now that they have an easier way to destroy them, if they may first prevail over the Parliament and Kingdome of England. In which respect it is the desire of both Houses, that the two Nations may be strictly united, for their mutuall defence against the Papists and prelaticall Faction, and their adherents in both Kingdomes, and not to lay down arms till those their implacable enemies shall be dis-armed, and subjected to the authority and justice of Parliament in both Kingdomes respectively. And as an effectual mean hereunto, they desire their brethren of Scotland to raise a considerable force of Horse and Foot, for their aide and a.s.sistance, to be forthwith sent against the Papists, prelatical Faction, and malignants now in arms in the Kingdome of England.

And for the better encouragement of the Kingdome of Scotland to this necessary and so much desired Union, we are by both Houses of Parliament authorized to a.s.sure their brethren, that if they shall be annoyed or endangered by any Force or Army, either from England or any other place, the Lords and Commons of England will a.s.sist them with a proportionable strength of Horse and Foot, to what their Brethren shall now affoord them to be sent into Scotland for the defence of that Kingdome. And they will maintain a guard of Ships at their own charge upon the coast of Scotland for the securing of that Kingdome, from the invasion of Irish Rebels or other enemies, during such time as the Scotish Army shall be employed in the defence of the Kingdome of England, And to the end that nothing might be wanting in the Parliament and Kingdome of England to facilitate this work (wherein the true reformed Religion, not onely in these two Kingdomes, but throughout all Europe is so highly concerned) We are farther authorized to consider with their brethren the Estates and Kingdome of Scotland, of what other Articles or propositions are fit to be added and concluded, whereby this a.s.sistance and Union betwixt the two Nations, may be made more beneficial and effectual for the security of Religion and Libertie in both Kingdomes.

All which being taken into the serious and Christian consideration of the right honourable the Lords and others of the Convention of the Estates of Scotland, we hope there will not need many arguments to perswade and excite them to give their consent, and that with all convenient speed, to these desires of both houses of the Parliament of England; seeing now they have so fully declared, as by what they have done already, so by what they are yet desirous to do, that the true state of this cause and quarrel is Religion, in the Reformation whereof they are, and have been so forward and zealous, as that there is not any thing expressed unto them by their brethren of Scotland, in their former or latter Declarations, which they have not seriously taken to heart, and seriously endeavoured to effect, (notwithstanding the subtle malicious and industrious oppositions) that so the two Kingdomes might be brought into a near conjunction in one form of Church-government, one directorie of worship, one Catechisme, &c. and the foundation laid of the utter extirpation of Popery and prelacie out of both Kingdomes. The most ready and effectual means whereunto, is now conceived to be, that both Nations enter into a strict Union and league, according to the desires of the two Houses of Parliament.

And to induce the perswasion of this (if there were cause) we might observe, that, in the many Declarations made by the General a.s.sembly or States of Scotland, to their Brethren of England, there have been sundry expressions, manifesting the great necessitie that both Kingdomes for the securitie of their Religion and Liberties, should joyn in this strict Union against the Papists, Prelats, and their adherents: As also in the endeavour of a near conjunction between the Churches of both Nations. The apprehension and foresight of which, hath caused the Popish and Prelatical Faction in forreigne parts as well as in his Majesties Dominions, strictly and powerfully to combine themselves to the hinderance of this so necessary Work, and the universal suppression of the true protestant Religion in Europe: A course not much different from that which they took in the year 1585. when the wisedome and zeal of this Nation to counter-myne so wicked a conspiracie, and from the due sense of the mutual interest of these two Kingdomes in Religion and Libertie, found a necessity of entring into a league of this nature, as well considering, that thereby no lesse safetie might be expected to both Nations, then danger by forbearing the same. And though we doubt not but in so necessary and so good a Work, many difficulties may arise to interrupt and r.e.t.a.r.d the same; yet we are as confident, that the heartie and brotherly affection of this Nation to the Parliament and Kingdome of England, will easily break through them; and the rather because in the like cases of difficultie and danger, not only at the time of the league above-mentioned, but before, and likewise since, when any opportunity hath offered it self particularly, during the sitting of this present Parliament, the Kingdome of England hath been very forward and ready to lay to heart the dangers of the Kingdome of Scotland as their own, and to decline no means within the reach of their power for the redresse or prevention of the same.

_August_ 12. 1643.

_William Bond_ Secr. Com.

Sess. 13. Aug. 16. 1643.

_Recommendation to the Presbyteries and Universities anent Students that have the Irish language._

The a.s.sembly considering the lamentable condition of the people in the Highlands, where there are many that gets not the benefite of the Word in respect there are very few Preachers that can speak the Irish language, Do for remeid thereof think good, that young Students who have the Irish tongue, be trained up at Colledges in Letters, especially in the studies of Divinitie, And to this effect recommend to Presbyteries and Universities to preferre any hopefull Students that have the language aforesaid, to Bursaries, that they by their studies in processe of time attaining to knowledge, and being enabled for the Ministerie, may be sent forth for preaching the Gospel in these Highland parts, as occasions shall require.

Sess. 14. August 17. 1643.

The Letter from the a.s.sembly of Divines in the Kingdome of England.

_To the right reverend the Generall a.s.sembly of the Church of Scotland._

_Right reverend and dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ,_

We the a.s.sembly of Divines and others, called and now sitting by authority of both Houses of Parliament, to be consulted by them in matters of Religion; have received from the honourable Houses of Commons, a speciall order (dated the 3. of this instant August) recommending it to us to write a Letter to the Generall a.s.sembly of the Church of Scotland, taking notice of the pious and good expeditions to this Church and State, certified in the late Answer of the Commissioners of the Generall a.s.sembly of the Kirk of Scotland, from their meeting at Edinburgh the 17. of July 1643. And further to desire them to possesse the people of that Kingdome with our condition, and to encourage them to our a.s.sistance in this cause of Religion. And having with that order received and read the said Answer directed to the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, we cannot sufficiently expresse the great content and comfort, unto which it hath raised us in the midst of the sad and calamitous condition under which we lie.

It is no small refreshing to our mourning spirits to finde, that yet our G.o.d hath not left us wholly comfortlesse, nor cast us so far out of his sight, as having made us sick with smiting that should be verified of us, _Lover and friend hast thou put far from us_, and that no man should turn aside to ask how we do: but that we finde so many of the Churches of Christ, and above them all, our dearest Brethren of Scotland, so far to take to heart our extremities, as to sit in the dust with us, and so to look upon our adversities, as being themselves also in the body.

And as we cannot render thanks sufficient unto our G.o.d for remembring such mercie in the midst of so much wrath; so we embrace with all chearfulnesse this opportunitie of thankfull acknowledgement of the great debt which your love doth continually lay upon, not us alone, but upon this whole Kingdome, in the free and full expressions of your care, piety and zeal, and of like affections of that whole Nation, to a.s.sist and concurre with the Parliament here, by all good and lawfull means, for sending of Religion in G.o.dly unity and uniformitie throughout all his Majesties Dominions, against all the designes, power and malice of bloudie Papists, and the Prelaticall Faction, with all their malignant adherents, the common enemies of Reformation, truth and peace.

We are likewise much ingadged to the great vigilancie and travels of the honourable Convention of the Estates of Scotland, in contributing their brotherly advice, and for their readinesse to give a.s.sistance for recovering and settling the peace of this Kingdome, against the devices, power and practices of the enemies of Religion, and the publick Good, whereof some hints are given in that Answer and of which we doubt not but the honourable Houses or Parliament will be so sensible as to give such a return as becomes them: for they, better knowing then we do, the depth of the evils under which this Nation now groaneth, and the further dangers imminent, will be more able to value and improve the great affection and wisedome of their Brethren, in points of so high and generall concernement, for the safetie and glory of the Kings Majestie, and of all his Kingdomes, and are more fit to take notice of advices of that kinde, in reference to the civil State, which therefore we wholly leave with them.

But as for the many prudent, pious, and reosonable admonitions which concerne our a.s.sembly, the good Lord reward (for we cannot) seven fold into your bosomes all the good, which you have laboured to procure unto the House of our G.o.d, and blessed be his Name who hath put such a thing as this into the hearts of our Parliament, to cleanse the House of the Lord of all the uncleannesse that is in it, by impure Doctrine, Worship, or Discipline.

Nor can we in the depth of all our sufferings and sorrows, withhold our hearts from rejoycing in the wonderful goodnes of G.o.d toward this Kingdome, in that he hath let us see the gracious fruit of your effectuall prayers and teares, as well as of our own endeavours this way: In bringing together this a.s.sembly, although in a very troublous time, whereby we may have better opportunity more fully to poure out our soules jointly and together to our G.o.d, for healing of this now miserable Church and Nation: To consider throughly, for what more especially the Land mourneth, and how we may be most usefull to our great G.o.d and Master JESUS CHRIST; In contributing somewhat to the vindicating of his precious truth, many wayes corrupted through the craft of men that have lyen in wait to deceive: In the seeking out of a right way of worshipping our G.o.d according to his own heart: In promoting the power of G.o.dlinesse: in the hearts and lives of all his people, and in laying forth such a Discipline as may be most agreeable to G.o.ds holy Word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of this Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland (highly honoured by us) and other the best reformed Churches abroad, That so to the utmost of our power, we may exalt him that is the only Lord over the Church, his own House, in all his Offices, and present this Church as a chast virgin unto Christ.