_Answer to the Ministers Letter._
_Right Reverend and beloved in the Lord Jesus._
By our Answer to the Declaration sent unto us from the honourable Houses
of Parliament, ye may perceive that your Letter which came into our hands
so seasonably, was not only acceptable unto us, but hath also encouraged
us to renew both to the Kings Majestie and the Houses of Parliament, The
desires of the late Commissioners of this Kingdome for Unity in Religion,
in the four particulars remembred by you, we cannot be ignorant but the
opposition from Satan and worldly men in Kirk and Policy, will still be
vehement as it hath been already, But we are confident through our Lord
Jesus Christ, that the prayers and indeavours of the godly in both
Kingdoms, will bring the work to a wished, and blessed Issue. This whole
national Kirk is so much concerned in that Reformation and Unity of
Religion in both Kingdomes, that without it we cannot hope for any long
time to enjoy our puritie and peace, which hath cost us so dear, and is
now our chiefest comfort and greatest treasure: Which one cause (beside
the Honour of God, and the happinesse of the People of God in that
Kingdome, more desired of us then Our lives) is more then sufficient to
move us, To contribute all that is in our power for bringing it to passe.
And since we have with so great liberty made our desires and hopes known
both to King and Parliament, it is a duety incombent both to you and us,
who make mention of the Lord, and are Watch-men upon the Walls of
_Jerusalem_, never more to keep silence nor to hold our peace day nor
night, till the Righteousnesse of Sion go forth as brightnesse, and the
salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And if it shall please the Lord
to move the hearts of King and Parliament, to hearken unto the motion, for
which end we have resolved to keep a solemne Fast and Humiliation in all
the Kirks of this Kingdome, the mean by which we have prevailed in times
past, we wish that the Work may be begun with speed, and prosecuted with
diligence by the joint labours of some Divines in both Kingdoms, who may
prepare the same for the view and examination of a more frequent
Ecclesiastick meeting of the best affected to Reformation there, and of
the Commissioners of the General Assembly here, that in end it may have
the approbation of the Generall Assembly here, and of all the Kirks there,
in the best way that may be, we wish & hope at last in a nationall
Assembly; Our Commissioners at _Edinburgh_, shall in our name receive and
returne answers for promoving so great a Work, which we with our heart and
our soule recommend to the blessing of God, we continue,
_Your loving brethren and fellow-labourers._
_Act for the Lord_ Maitlands _presenting the Assemblies Supplication to
His Majestie, and for going to the Commissioners at_ London, _with the
Answer to the Parliament of_ Englands _Declaration_.
The General Assembly 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 Assembly to His Majestie, and the Parliament of_ England.
The General Assembly considering the laudable custome of this Kirk for to
appoint some Commissioners in the interim betwixt Assemblies, 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 Gods 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 Assembly 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_ Assembly: Masters, _Andrew
Blackhall_, _James Fleeming_, _Robert Ker_, Commissioners from
_Hadingtoun_ to the Assembly. 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_ Principall of the Colledge of _Edinburgh_, _Mr. John Strang_
Principall 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_, _Cassils_: 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 Assembly, 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 Assembly) 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 God 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
Assembly 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 Assembly, 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 Assembly. 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 Assembly, 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 Assemblies
have had, and have been in use of before: They being alwayes comptable to,
and censurable by the next Generall Assembly, for their proceedings
thereanent.
Sess. 13. Aug. 6. 1642.
_A Petition from some distressed Professors in_ Ireland.
_To the reverend and right Honourable the Moderator and remanent members
of the Generall Assembly of_ Scotland, _conveened at S._ Andrews, _July
1642_.
The humble Petition 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 Petitioners, 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 advertisement, 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 God of your Fathers, and claiming
interest with you in a common Covenant, that according to the good hand of
God upon us, ye may send us Ministers for the house of our God. 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 Gods 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 God, 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 noble
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 constitute General Assembly, 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 Assembly 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
compassion 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 Gods_;
Yet looking for another kinde of Answer at your hands, for in this you are
to us as an Angel of God, 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 Assembly having received a Petition, 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
Petitions, desiring the returne of some particular Ministers, who had
laboured there before: All which the Assembly 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 compassion. 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.
Assembly, 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 God, 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 Assembly 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 Assembly 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 Assembly. And this, although
possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large expectation of the Brethren
in _Ireland_, yet the Assembly 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 Assembly, 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 Assembly 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 Assembly House._
The Assembly for better order in time coming ordains the Act of the
Assembly at _Aberdene_ for ordering the House of the Assembly to be kept
hereafter punctually. And for that effect, that the samine be reade the
first Session of every Assembly.
_Act for remembring in publike Prayers the desires of the Assembly to the
King and Parliament, and indiction of a publike Fast._
The General Assembly being desirous to promove the great work of Unity in
Religion, and Uniformity in Church government, in all thir three
Dominions, for which the Assembly 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 Petition, 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 God 1589. ordaines that
the Brethren in their private and publike prayers, recommend unto God 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 God may graciously blesse the Supplication of the Assembly 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 God 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.