_Ja. Primerose._
_A. Ker._
_William Bond_ Sec. Com.
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_The League and Covenant above-mentioned, being sent with the
Commissioners of this Assembly, to the Parliament of England, and Assembly
of Divines in that Kingdome, to be received and approven there, is to be
printed at the return thereof._
_Approbation of the League and Covenant above mentioned._
The Assembly having recommended unto a Committee, appointed by them to
joyne with the Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates, and the
Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, for
bringing the Kingdomes to a more near conjunction and Union, received from
the aforesaid Committees, the Covenant above mentioned, as the result of
their consultations: And having taken the same, as a matter of so publick
concernment, and of so deep importance doth require, unto their gravest
consideration, Did with all their hearts, and with the beginnings of the
feelings of that joy which they did finde in so great measure upon the
renovation of the National Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome, All with
one voice approve and embrace the same, as the most powerfull meane, by
the blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant
Religion, with perfect Peace in his Majesties Dominions, and propagating
the same to other Nations, and for establishing his Majesties throne to
all ages and generations. And therefore with their best affections
recommend the same to the Honourable Convention of Estates, that being
examined and approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence to the
Kingdome of England: that being received and approven there, the same may
be with publick humiliation, and all Religious and answerable solemnitie,
sworn and subscribed by all true Professours of the reformed Religion, and
all his Majesties good Subjects in both Kingdomes.
Sess. Ult. August 19. 1643.
_The Assemblies humble desires to his Majestie anent the Lists for
Presentations: With a Recommendation to Presbyteries._
The Assembly considering the difficultie of obtaining six able and well
qualified Persons to be put into a List to his Majestie, for every vaiking
Kirk at his Majesties Presentation: Therefore do most earnestly recommend
to his Majesties Commissioner, to represent their humble desires to his
Majestie, that he would be pleased to accept of a List of three: As also
conform to the desire of the last Assembly at S. Andrews, that his
Majestie would be pleased to accept of any one qualified man, who shall be
able to speak the Irish Language for Kirks vaiking in the Highlands: Which
the Commissioners Grace promised to do with the first conveniencie.
And with all his Grace representing to the Assembly, that he conceived his
Majestie had already done more, and yet would do more for satisfaction to
the desires of this Kirk, anent Patronages, nor any other Patron: And
therefore that it were convenient that all other Patrons were earnestly
desired to follow his Majesties example; And the Assembly thinking it very
necessary that some General course were set down for providing and
planning of vaiking Kirks, whereby all occasions of contests and
differences amongst Patrons, Presbyteries, and Paroches may be removed,
Therefore the Assembly recommend to every Presbyterie, to consult and
advise upon the best wayes and means for effectuating hereof, And to
report the results of their consultations herein till to the next
Assembly.
_Overtures anent Witch-craft, and Charming, &c._
The abundance and increase of the sin of Witch-craft, in all the sorts and
degrees of it in this time of Reformation, is to be taken to heart by this
reverend Assembly, who would to that end consider.
I. Of the occasions thereof, which are found to be these especially,
extremity of grief, malice, passion, and desire of revenge, pinching
povertie, solicitation of other Witches and Charmers; for in such eases
the devill assails them, offers aide, and much prevails.
II. Of the reasons and causes of Satans prevailing; which are grosse
ignorance, infidelitie, want of the love of the truth (which GOD hath made
so long and clearly to shine in our Land) and profanesse of life.
III. Of the means and wayes to bring them to a confession and censure,
which we conceive to be, that a standing Commission for a certain time be
had from the Lords of Secret Councel, or Justice Generall, to some
understanding Gentlemen and Magistrates within the bounds of Presbyteries
that shall crave it, giving them power to apprehend, try, and execute
justice against such personares are guilty of Witch-craft within these
Presbyteries; For many Paroches want the concurrence of civill
Magistrates.
IV. Of the grounds of apprehending them, Which may be a reigning brute of
Witch craft, backed with dilations of confessing Witches, being confronted
with them; for it is found that the dilations of two or three confessing
Witches, hath ordinarily proved true: Also depositions of honest persons,
anent malefices committed, or cures used by them, may be a ground of
apprehending them.
V. Being apprehended, there would be honest and discreet persons appointed
to watch them; for being left alone they are in danger to be suborned and
heardened by others, or of destroying themselves.
VI. Ministers would be careful at all times, especially Morning and
Evening, to deal with them, by Prayer and Conference, whiles they are in
prison or restraint.