The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 24

The Generall a.s.sembly considering that the Commissioners appointed by the last a.s.sembly upon the ninteenth day of August 1643. years, the last Session thereof to sit at _Edinburgh_, for the Publick affairs of the Kirk, have not yet fully perfected that great Work for Unity of Religion, and Uniformitie of Kirk-government in his Majesties Dominions; And that now in respect of the present condition of affairs in this Kingdome, their proceedings cannot be examined at this time: Therefore finding it necessar that the said Commission be renewed unto the Commissioners therein mentioned, and to the Persons afternamed now thought, fit to be added for the better expediting of the businesse, Do hereby appoint the Persons particularly nominate in the said Commission, _viz._ Masters _Andrew Ramsay, Alexander Henderson, Robert Douglas, William Colvill, William Bennet, George Gillespie, John Oiswald, Mungo Law, John Adamson, John Sharp, James Sharp, William Dalgleish, David Calderwood, Andrew Blackball, James Fleeming, Robert Ker, John Mackenzie, Oliver Cole, Hugh Campbell, Adam Penman, Richard d.i.c.kson, Andrew Stevinson, John Lawder, Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherfurd, Arthur Mortoun, Robert Traill, Frederick Carmichael, John Smith, Patrick Gillespie, John Duncan, John Hume, Robert Knox, William Jameson, Robert Murray, Henry Guthrie, James Hamilton,_ in _Dumfreis, Bernard Sanderson, John Levingstoun, James Bonar, Evan Camron, David d.i.c.kson, Robort Bailzie, James Cuninghame, George Youngh, Andrew Affleck, David Lindsay, Andrew Cant, William Douglas, Murdo Mackenzie, Coline Mackenzie, John Monroe, Walter Stuart_ Ministers; _Archbald_ Marquesse of _Argyle, William_ Earle _Marshall, John_ Earle of _Sutherland, Alexander_ Earle of _Eglingtoun, John_ Earle of _Ca.s.sils, Charles_ Earl of _Dumfermeling, John_ Earle of _Lauderdale, John_ Earle of _Lindsay, James_ Earle of _Queensberry, William_ Earle of _Dalhousie, Archbald_ Lord _Angus, James_ Vicount of _Dudhope, John_ Lord _Maitland, David_ Lord _Elcho, John_ Lord _Bahnerinoch, James_ Lord _Cowper_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of _Waughtoun_, Sir _Archbald Johnstoun_ of _Waristoun_, Sir _David Hume_ of _Wedderburne_, Sir _Alexander Areskine_ of _Dun_, Sir _William c.o.c.kburne_ of _Langtoun_, Sir _Thomas Ruthven_ of _Frieland_, Sir _James Arnot_ of Fernie, Sir _Walter Riddall_ of that Ilk, Sir _Ledovick Houstoun_ of that Ilk, Sir _William Carmichael_ Fiar of that Ilk, Mr _George Douglas_ of _Bonjedburgh_, Mr _George Winrame_ of _Libertoun_, Laird of _Brodie_, Sir _John Smith, James Dennistoun_, Master _Robert Barclay, John Rutherford, William Glendunning, John Sempill, John Kennedy_ and Master _Alexander Douglas_ Elders: And also Masters, _David Dalgleish, Andrew Bennet, John Moncreiff, Alexander Ca.r.s.e, Thomas Wilkie, James Gushrie, Henry Levingstoun, David Drummond at Creiff, John Hay at Renfrew, John Strang, Richard Inglis, William Falconer, John Paterson, Gilbert Rosse, Richard Maitiand, George c.u.mming, William Campbel_ Ministers, And _William_ Earle of _Glancairne, William_ Earle of _Louthian, James_ Lord _Murray_ of _Gask, John_ Lord _Yester, Robert Maitland, Frederick Lyon_ of _Brigtoun, James Macdowell of Garthland, David Beton of Creich_, Sir _James Stuart_ Sheriff of _Buit_, Sir _John Weemes_ of Bogie, Mr _William Sandilands_ Tutor of _Torphichin, Archbald Sydserfe, Laurence Henderson, James Stuart, Thomas Paterson_, and _Alexander Jaffrry_ Elders now added by this a.s.sembly, to meet at _Edinburgh_ upon the fifth day of this instant moneth of June, and upon the last Wednesday of August next, the last Wednesday of November next, and upon the last Wednesday of February next; and upon any other day, or in any other place they shall think meet: Giving and granting unto them, or any fifteen of them, there being twelve Minister present, full power and commission to prosecute the said work of unitie in Religion, and uniformitie of Kirk government in all his Majesties Dominions, and to do and performe all things particularly or generally contained in the said Commission of the preceeding a.s.sembly, or in an Act of the said a.s.sembly upon the said 19. day of August, int.i.tuled, _A Reference to the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the Kingdome of England_, and to treat and determine therin, and in all other matters referred unto them by this a.s.sembly, siclike, and as freely, as if all these were herein expressed, and as the persons nominat in that said former Commission might have done by vertue of the said Act and former Commission at any time by-gone, and with as ample power as any Commission of former General a.s.semblies hath had, or been in use of before, they being alwayes comptable and censurable for their whole proceedings hereintill by the next General a.s.sembly.

_Renovation of the Commission granted to the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdome of_ England.

The General a.s.sembly, finding that the great Work of unity in Religion, and uniformity of Kirk-government in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet perfected, Do therefore renew the Commission granted for that effect by the preceeding a.s.sembly, unto the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdome of _England_ upon the 19. day of August 1643. in the last Session thereof, Giving and granting to the Persons therin mentioned, the same power, to do all and every thing particularly or generally contained in the said Commission, in the same manner, and as fully, as if the same were herein expressed, and as they might have done at any time by gone by vertue of the former Commission.

_The a.s.semblies answer to the Presbyterie with the Armie._

_Reverend and loving Brethren in the LORD,_

We received yours of the 17 and 20 of May, and were much refreshed with the knowledge you gave unto us therein, of your sense of our condition here, and of the Lords dealing with yourselves there in your straits and difficulties: We rejoyce exceedingly to see you make such a blessed use of the Lords delayes, for your further Humiliation and Dependence upon him: That Sanctuary, your Enemies, and the Enemies of your G.o.d hath taken, shall not save them: You have found by experience in your marches and maintenance, that events are not ordered by the propositions of men, but by the Providence and purpose of G.o.d. There is a time for every purpose under Heaven, and the Cup of the _Amorites_ must be filled: Which being now full of every abomination, yea of the blood of the Saints, the cry whereof cannot but be heard in Heaven, and answered on Earth, presageth no lesse to us, than that the Lords time of his deliverance of his own, and destruction of his Enemies draweth near.

We are not unsensible of your present estate, and by the Lords grace shall be careful, both here and with our Congregations at home, to make all take the same to heart. As for our condition here remembred with such pious affection by you, we doubt not but ye have heard what the Lord hath done for us; these happy beginnings of the Lords scattering our unnatural Enemies in the North, gives us confidence of his a.s.sistance in the midst of difficulties against these that a.s.sault us in the South: It is nothing with the Lord to help whether with many, or with them that have no power.

The security of this Nation indeed is great, it is our part to blow the Trumpet to give warning to the People, and to rouze them from that fearful condition which threatneth so much desertion. And to this end we have injoyned a solemne Fast, the causes whereof being more particularly considered by our Commissioners here, will no question be sent unto you, that if the Lord please, you may joyne with us there in that Action.

We have set down an order to be kept hereafter, for sending Ministers unto the Armie, which the Clerk will send herewith unto you. Now the Lord our G.o.d, in whose Name his people go forth against his Enemies, help and a.s.sist them, and cover their heads in the Day of Battel, and be their Refuge; and blesse your travels and endeavours, for the good of their souls and his own glory.

_Edinburgh_, 3. June 1644.

_Subscribed in name of the Generall a.s.sembly by the Moderator._

4. _June_ 1644. Sess 7.

_The Letter from the Commissioners at_ London _to the General a.s.sembly._

_Right Honourable, Reverend and beloved in the LORD,_

It was the earnest desire of our hearts to have come unto you at this time, and to have brought with us the desireable fruits of our weighty imployments and labours, to our common rejoycing in the mids of so many troubles both here and there: but our Lord in his wisedome hath not judged it fitting, that this should be the time of our joyful harvest, and of bringing our sheaves, to be matter of sacrifice to himself, and of shouting to us. Both Nations as yet do but go forth weeping and bearing their precious seed; yet are we confident through JESUS CHRIST, that as it is a seed time, if the Labourers (although other men before us have laboured and we are entred into their labours) prove faithful unto the end, the harvest shall come in due time, and in great plenty.

The common Directory for publick Worship in the Kirks of the three Kingdomes is so begun (which we did make known to the Commissioners of the General a.s.sembly) that we could not think upon any particular Directory for our own Kirk, and yet is not so far perfected, that wee could present any part thereof unto your view: for although wee have exhibited unto the Grand Committee (which is composed of some of the Members of both Houses, and of the a.s.sembly, with our selves) the materials of the publick prayers of the Kirk, the method of Preaching, and the order of administration of both Sacraments, and have the Catechisme in hand; yet are they not throughly examined by the Committee, nor at all by the a.s.sembly or Parliament, which we cannot impute to any neglect or unwillingnesse, but to the multiplicity and weight of their affairs, by which they are sore pressed, and above their power.

The Directory for Ordination of Ministers (which upon the extreme exigence of this Kirk was much pressed by the Parliament) is agreed upon by the Committee and a.s.sembly, and some dayes past is presented to both Houses, but hath not yet pa.s.sed their Vote. The a.s.sembly hath been long in debate about the Officers and Government of the Kirk (concerning which, we offered the two Papers which wee drew up, according to the practice of our own, and other Reformed Kirks, and so neere as we could conceive, to the minde of the General a.s.sembly, and did send to the Commissioners of the General a.s.sembly) and hath pa.s.sed many votes about the one and the other, but hath turned their thoughts to such ripenesse and perfection, that they could think upon the publishing of them, or presenting them to your sight, nor is it in their power to do so, without warrant of Parliament. Your wisedome will consider that they are not a General a.s.sembly, but some select Persons, called by Authority to give their advice in matters of Religion, that they walk in a way which hath not been troden by this Nation before this time, that many things seeme new unto them, and cannot obtain their a.s.sent, till they see them clearly warranted by the Word of G.o.d; That matters of the Government of the Kirk have been much controverted here, and the prejudices against Presbyteriall Government are many and great; That the two extremes of Prelacie and Independencie, which latter is the general claime of all Sects and Sectaries, have prevailed most in this Kirk, and no other thing known by the mult.i.tude but the one or the other; That such as look toward the Government of the Reformed Kirks, finde a mighty party within and without opposing them; And that Reformation and Uniformitie must therefore be a work to full of difficulty, that the hand of the most high G.o.d, which is now begun to be streched out in this Land, must bring it to pa.s.se.

There was also presented to the a.s.sembly, a new Paraphrase of the Psalmes in English Meeter, which was well liked of, and commended by some of the Members of the a.s.sembly; But because we conceived that one Psalme Book in all the three Kingdomes was a point of Uniformity much to be desired, we took the boldnes (although we had no such expresse and particular Commission) to oppose the present allowing thereof, till the Kirk of _Scotland_ should be acquainted with it; and therefore have we now sent an essay thereof in some Psalmes. We have also sent another _Specimen_, in Print, done by some Ministers of the City. Your wisedome has to consider, whether it be meet to examine them by your Commissioners there, that their judgements be sent up unto the a.s.sembly here, both about the generall of Uniformity in this point, and about the particular way of effecting it, whether by either of these two, or by any other Paraphrase, or by changing some expressions in the Books now in use, which is aymed at by the first of these two.

As we cannot but admire the good hand of G.o.d in the great things done here already, particularly; That the Covenant (the foundation of the whole Work) is taken, Prelacie and the whole train thereof, extirpated; The Service-Book in many places forsaken, plain and powerful preaching set up; Many Colledges in _Cambridge_ provided with such Ministers, as are most zealous of the best Reformation; Altars removed; The Communion in some places given at the Table with sitting; The great Organs at _Pauls_ and of _Peters_ in _Westminster_ taken down; Images and many other Monuments of idolatry defaced and abolished; The Chappel-royal at _Whitchal_ purged and reformed; and all by authority in a quiet manner at noon day, without tumult: So have we from so notable experience, joyned with the promises of the Word sufficient ground of confidence that G.o.d will perfect this Work against all opposition, and of encouragement for us all to be faithfull in the Work of G.o.d, which is carried on by his mighty Hand, that no man can oppose it, but he must be seen fighting against G.o.d, It is unto us no small matter of comfort, that we have heard of no Minister of the Gospel (except such as the Kirk hath rejected) joining with the Malignants there, in their unG.o.dly and unnaturall afflicting of that Kingdome, while they are endeavouring the relief of the afflicted in this Kingdome; and we pray and hope, that they may carefully keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and walk worthy both of their holy calling, and of the great Work, which the Lord is working by his own weak servants in Kirk and Policy.

Be pleased to receive a Letter from the a.s.sembly, unto which you will return such an answer as shall seem good unto your wisedome, and withall (which is our humble desire) some word of your thankfull acknowledgement of the respect and favours done by them unto us.

We have at all occasions since our coming hither, acquainted the Commission with our proceedings, and by the help of G.o.d, shall be industrious in obeying your directions and theirs, during our abode here, which through the power and blessing of G.o.d, bringing the affairs of his own Church to a peaceable and blessed successe, wee wish may be for a short time, and unto which your fervent prayers through Christ maybe very effectuall, which therefore is the humble and earnest desire of

_Worcester_ house, _London_ May 20. 1644.

_Your affectionate fellow-labouring and fellow feeling Brethren in the Work of the Lord._

JO. MAITLAND.

_Alex Henderson. Sam. Rutherfurd. Robert Baillie. George Gillespie._

_The Letter from the Synod of Divines in the Kirk of_ England, _to the Generall a.s.sembly._

_Right Honourable, right Reverend, and dearly beloved Brethren in_ Jesus Christ,

The blessing and comfort of that inviolable Union which our gracious G.o.d hath vouchsafed to both Churches and Nations, gave us opportunity the last year, to breath out some of our sighs into your compa.s.sionate bosomes; And such have been the soundings of your bowels, as have offered violence to Heaven by your effectuall fervent prayers, and brought many sweet refreshing to our languishing spirits by your pious and comfortable Letters, in answer to ours.

This makes us studious of all means of acknowledging your tender Sympathie, and of laying held on all opportunities of repaying again to the same streams of consolation: for which end, as we canno but confesse, that in the midst of those boysterous waves wherein we have been daily tossed, wee have met with many gracious and unexpected encouragements, so we must needs renew our former mournings, and rend our hearts afresh unto you, with greatest instance for all the a.s.sistance that your Prayers, Tears, Learning, Piety, and Largenesse of heart can possibly contribute to your poor afflicted and still-conflicting Brethren: And this we the rather beg of you, who, having bin first in the furnace of affliction, and are come out of great tribulation, are meetest to commiserate, and best able to comfort others in any trouble, by the comforts wherewith you your selves have been comforted of G.o.d.

It was in our desires to have presented to your Venerable a.s.sembly, some of our dearest respects in writing, by that eminently learned and much honored Commissioner of yours, the Lord _Waristoun_: But his departure hence was so sudden to us, and unexpected by us that we could not have time (as his Lordship can inform you) to tender by him such a testimony of our Brotherly & intimate affections, as may in some measure suite with your manifold and most affectionate expressions toward us, when our sighings were many, and our hearts faint: For such hath been your love, that no waters can quench it, and such the undertakings of the whole Kingdome of _Scotland_ through your furtherance, that we already begin to reap the fruits of all that Piety, Prudence, and Valour, which at this day render your Nation worthily renowned in the Christian World; and us, exceedingly straitned and restlesse in our selves, untill G.o.d please to open a way for our endeavours, to make some more answerable returns.

Toward this, our thoughts and hopes were to have made, ere now, some proceedings of our a.s.sembly legible in yours, But such are the continued distractions which lye upon our spirits, by means of the sad and bleeding condition of this Kingdome, as have cast us much behinde our own expectations, and hindred that expedition which the necessities of this Nation, and the desires of our Brethren abroad, do earnestly call for at our hands.

Sometimes through G.o.dS goodnesse wee have a prosperious Gale, Sometimes againe, we saile like _Paul_ and his company, _very slowly many dayes_.

And even then, when wee draw near _the fair Havens_, some contrary Windes put us out into the Deep again. We walk in paths that have hitherto been untrodden by any a.s.sembly in this Church: We therefore are inforced to spend more time in our inquiries, and in seeking of G.o.d a right way for us, that at length we may put into that high way, the way of holinesse, wherein Wayfaring men, though fools, shall not erre: And we will wait upon our G.o.d (before whom we have been this Day humbling of our souls) untill he lead us into all these Truths which we seek after; and we shall labour to be yet more vile in our own eyes, as finding by experience that it is not in man to direct his way.

Those Winds which for a while do trouble the Aire, do withall purge and refine it: And our trust is that through the most wise Providence and blessing of G.o.d, the Truth by our so long continued agitations, will be better cleared among us, and so our service will prove more acceptable to all the Churches of Christ, but more especially to you, while we have an intentive eye to our peculiar Protestation, and to that publick Sacred Covenant entred into by both the Kingdomes, for Uniformity in all his Majesties Dominions.

Which Work we carry on (against what ever difficulties are cast in our way) with more ease and comfort, by the great sedulity and seasonable a.s.sistance wee daily receive from your n.o.ble and Reverend Commissioners sitting among us: Their Prudence will (we doubt not) sufficiently furnish you with more particular information touching our affairs; And here, we cannot but acknowledge that the a.s.sidious presence of these our learned and highly-esteemed Brethren among us, and their free and faithfull contributing of their counsels to us, doe oblige us much to a double duty; the one of Thanks, which we now heartily render to you, for sending to us such excellent Helpers; the other of Request, which wee earnestly make for their continuance with us, untill the Work bee brought up to the finishing Cubite.

Now, the Great Master-Builder (without whose Almighty concurrence, the Builders labour but in vain) accomplish and perfect all his own glorious Work in your hands, and in ours, also, to his own Glory, the peace and edification of all the Churches, and the comfort of our selves over all our travels and sufferings.

_Westminster_, May 17. 1644.

_Your most affectionate Brethren and servants in the Lord, by the direction, and in the Name of this whole a.s.sembly,_

William Twiffe, _Prolocutor_.

Cornelius Burges, _a.s.sessor_.

Henry Robrough, _Scriba_.

Adoniram Byfield, _Scriba_.

_The Generall a.s.semblies Answer to the right Reverend the a.s.sembly of Divines in the Kirk of_ England.