_The humble Answer of the National Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland._
Although the many and ample testimonies of Your Majesties Royal favour and
bountie towards this Kirk and Kingdome be living and lasting Monuments to
hold all Your Majesties good Subjects and us most of all, in remembrance
of that duty, which we owe to Your Majestie our great Benefactour, never
by any length of time to be deleted out of our minds: Yet when we remember
even of conscience we owe honour and subjection unto Your Majestie as our
dread Soveraigne, as well in Your Majesties absence as presence, We finde
our obligation to be Religious, and thereby much increased: And therefore
have we at this time in all our consultations and conclusions, of which
some have been of more then ordinary weight and concernment, in answer to
certain Propositions, made unto us by the Commissioners of the Houses of
Parliament of Your Majesties Kingdome of England, and some Reverend
Divines assisting them, fixed our eyes and thoughts upon Your Majesties
honour and happinesse, with no other and with no lesse intention, then if
we had been honoured by Your Majesties Royal Person in our Assembly. And
in like manner have given such Instructions to some Ministers and others,
to be sent unto the Assembly of Divines now in England, as next unto the
honour of God, and the good of Religion, may most serve for Your Majesties
preservation, and the peace of Your Kingdomes: Concerning which, the
Commissioners of the last General Assembly have so fully exprest their
humble thoughts and desires in their Supplication and Remonstrance sent
unto Your Majestie, that we need not adde any thing, and Your Majesties
times and affairs forbid all repetition. We do onely in all humilitie
beseech Your Majestie to judge of us and our proceedings, by the nature
and necessity of our vocation, and the rules prescribed in the word of God
for our direction, and not by uncertain rumours, and ungrounded reports of
such men as have not the fear of God before their eyes. And do earnestly
pray to God Almighty, in whose hands are the hearts of Kings, to incline
Your Majesties heart to the counsels of truth and peace, to direct Your
Government for the good of your People, the punishment of male-factours,
and praise of well-doers, that this fire of unnatural and unchristian
warre being extinguished, the People of God, Your Majesties good Subjects
may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlinesse and honestie.
_The Answer of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to the
Declaration of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England._
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, having received a
Declaration from the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, by
their Committees and Commissioners now residing here; have thought good to
make knowne unto the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that all the Members
of this Assembly, and others well-affected here, do with most thankful
respects, take special notice of the expressions which they have been
pleased to make in the afore-named Declaration, not only concerning their
approbation of the desires and endeavours of the General Assembly of this
Kirk, for the Reformation of the Church of England, and the union of both
Churches in Religion and Church-government; but also concerning the
resolution of both Houses, fully to concurre with them in these pious
intentions. With the same thankfulnesse and due reverence, they
acknowledge the high respects expressed towards them by both Houses, in
directing unto them their Committees and Commissioners, assisted by two
reverend Divines, and in desiring some of the godly and learned of this
Kirk to be sent unto the Assembly sitting there.
The Assembly doth blesse the Lord, who hath not only inspired the Houses
of Parliament with desires and resolutions of the Reformation of Religion,
but hath advanced by several steps and degrees that blessed Work; By
which, as they shall most approve themselves to the Reformed Churches
abroad, and to their Brethren of Scotland, so shall they most powerfully
draw even from Heaven the blessings of prosperity and peace upon England.
And as it is the earnest wish of their Brethren here, that the true state
and ground of the present differences and controversies in England may be
more and more cleared to be concerning Religion, and that both Houses may
uncessantly prosecute that good Work first and above all other matters,
giving no sleep to their eyes, nor slumber to their eye-lids, until they
finde out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty GOD of
_Jacob_, whose favour alone can make their mountain strong, and whose
presence in his own ordinances shall be their glory in the midst of them:
So it is our confidence, that the begun Reformation is of GOD, and not of
man, that it shall increase, and not decrease; and that he to whom nothing
is to hard, who can make mountaines, valleyes, crooked things, straigth,
and rough wayes, smooth, shall lead along and make perfect this most
wonderful Work, which shall be remembred to his glory in the Church
throughout all generations.
And lest through any defect upon the General Assemblies part, the Work of
Reformation (which hitherto to the great grief of all the Godly hath moved
so slowly) should be any more retarded or interrupted, they have according
to the renewed desires of both Houses of Parliament, and their own former
promises, nominated and elected Master _Alexander Henderson_, Mr _Robert
Douglas_, Mr _Samuel Rutherfoord_, Mr _Robert Balzie_, Mr _George
Gillespie_, Ministers of Gods Word; and _John_ Earle of Cassels, _John_
Lord Maitland, and Sir _Archbald Jonhstuon_ of Warritoun, ruling Elders,
all of them men much approved here; With Commission and power to them, or
any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair unto the
Assembly of Divines, and other of the Church of England, now sitting at
Westminster, to propound, consult, treat, and conclude with them, and with
any Committees deputed by the Houses of Parliament; (if it shall seeme
good to the honourable Houses in their wisedome to depute any for that
end) in all such things as may conduce to the utter extirpation of Popery,
Prelacie, Heresie, Schisme, Superstition and Idolatrie, And for the
feeling of the so much desired Union of this whole island in one forme of
Church government, one Confession of Faith, one common Catechisme, and one
Directorie for the Worship of GOD, according to the Instructions which
they have received, or shall receive from the Commissioners of the
Generall Assembly appointed to meet at Edinburgh from time to time, with
the Assemblies power for that end. And as the Generall Assembly doth most
gladly and affectionatly receive and fully trust the Committees and
Divines sent hither, so do they hereby commend the afore-named
Commissioners, not only to the like affection and trust of the Assembly
there, but also to the favour and protection of both Houses of Parliament.
And for the further satisfaction and encouragement of their Brethren of
England, the whole Assembly in their own name, and in name of all the
particular Churches in this Kingdome, whom they represent; Do hereby
declare, that from their zeal to the glory of GOD, and propagation of the
Gospell, from their affection to the happinesse of their native King, and
of the Kingdome of England, and from the sense of their own interest in
the common dangers of Religion, Peace, and Libertie, They are most willing
and ready to be united and associated with their Brethren in a nearer
League and solemne Covenant for the maintenance of the truly reformed
Protestant Religion, against Popery and Prelacie, and against all Popish
and Prelatical corruptions, in doctrine, discipline, worship, or
Church-government, and for the settling and holding fast of unity and
uniformity betwixt the Kirks of this Iland, and with the best reformed
Churches beyond sea. Which Union and Covenant, shall with Gods assistance
be seconded by their cooperating with their Brethren in the use of the
best and most effectall meanes that may serve for so good ends; For the
more speedy effectuating whereof, to the comfort and inlargement of their
distressed Brethren (whose hope deferred might make their hearts to faint)
the whole Assembly with great unanimity of judgement, and expressions of
much affection have approved (for their part) such a draught and forme of
a mutuall Leagu and Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, as was the result of
the joint debates and consultations of the Commissioners from both Houses,
assisted by the two reverend Divines, and of the Committees deputed from
the Convention of the Estates of this Kingdome, and from the Genrall
Assembly:
Expecting and wishing the like approbation thereof by the right honourable
the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and by the reverend Assembly there,
That thereafter it may be solemnely sworne and subscribed in both
Kingdomes, as the surest and straitest obligation to make both stand and
fall together in that cause of Religion and Libertie.
As the Estates of this Kingdome have often professed in their former
Declarations, the integritie of their Intentions against the common
enemies of Religion and Libertie in both Kingdomes, and their great
affection to their Brethren of England, by reason of so many and so near
relations: So doubtlesse now in this time of need they will not fail to
give reall proof of what before they professed. _A friend loveth at all
times, and a brother is born for adversitie._ Neither shall the Assembly,
or their Commissioners be wanting in exhorting all others to their duty,
or in concurring so far as belongeth to their place and vocation, with the
Estates now conveened, in any lawful and possible course which may most
conduce to the good of Religion and Reformation, the honour and happinesse
of the Kings Majestie, the deliverance of their Brethren of England from
their present calamitous condition, and to the perpetuating of a firme and
happy peace betwixt the Kingdomes.
_The Assemblies Answer to the right reverend the Assembly of Divines in
the Church of England._
_Right reverend and dearly beloved,_
As the sufferings of Christ abound in you, So our heartie desire to God
is, that your consolations may much more abound by Christ. The perusing of
your Letter, produced in every one of us such a mixture of affections, as
were at the laying of the foundation of the second Temple, where there was
heard both shouting for joy, and weeping aloud; We rejoyced that Christ
our Lord had at last in that Land created a new thing, in calling
together, not as before of a Prelaticall Convocation to be task-masters
over the people of the Lord, but an Assembly of godly Divines, minding the
things of the Lord, whose hearts are set to purge the defiled House of GOD
in that Land: yet this our joy was not a little allayed by the
consideration of the sad and deplorable condition of that Kingdome, where
the high provocations of so many years, the hellish plots of so many
enemies in a nick of time, have brought in an inundation of over-flowing
calamities: We know you are patiently bearing the indignation of the Lord,
because you have sinned against him, till he throughly plead your cause,
and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon, who now laugh among themselves,
while you are fed with the bread of tears, and get tears to drink in great
measure, being on the mountains like the doves of the valleyes, all of you
mourning every one for his iniquitie.
It is now more nor evident to all the Kirks of Christ, with what
implacable fury and hellish rage, the bloud-thirstie Papists, as _Babylon_
without, and the Prelaticall Faction, the children of _Edom_ within,
having adjoyned to themselves many malignant adherents, of time-serving
Atheists, haters of holinesse, rejecters of the yoke of Christ, (to whom
the morning light of Reformation is as the shadow of death) have begun to
swallow up the inheritance of the Lord, and are not easily satisfied in
making deep and long furrowes on your backs. We cannot say that the
loudnesse of your cry surpasseth the heavinesse of your stroake; but
though _the Lord hath delivered the men, every one into his neigbours
hand, and into the hand of his King, and they have smitten the Land, yet
the rod of the wicked shall not not rest upon the lot of the righteous_:
This cloud shall speedily passe away, and a fair sun-shine shall appear.
As for us, though your extreeme calamitie did not threaten the ruine of
our Religion, Peace, and Liberties, as it doth most evidently, we would
hate our selves, if we did not finde our hearts within us melting with
compassion over you: You are engraven on the tables of our hearts to live
and die with you: we could desire that our heads were waters, and our eyes
a fountain of tears, that we might weep day and night for the slain of the
daughter of the Lords people; So calamitous a condition of any of the
Kirks of Christ, could not but be very grievous unto us; How much more
shall not we stoup and fall down in the dust to embrace our dearest
Brethren of England, to whom we are tied in to near and tender relations.
When we were but creeping out of the deep darknesse and bondage of Popery,
and were almost crushed with the fury of Foreigne Invaders, joined with
intestine enemies, pretending the name and warrand of authority, as now
your oppressours do; Then did the Lord by your Fathers send us seasonable
assistance against that intended and begun bondage both of soul and body:
The repayment of which debt, the Divine Providence seemeth now to require
at our hands. And whereas of late through our security we had fallen into
a wofull relapse, and were compassed about with dreadfull dangers on all
hands, while we aymed at the recovery of our former puritie and libertie:
Then we wanted not the huge supply of your fervent Prayers, and other
brotherly assistance of that Nation, while those who are now your
malignant enemies, would have swallowed us up.
These strait bonds of your ancient and late love, do so possesse our
hearts, that when the motions of the Commissioners of honourable House of
Parliament, and your Letters did challenge our advice and aid for defence
of Religion, and advancement of Reformation, our desires for a more strict
Union and Uniformitie in Religion betwixt both the Nations, did break
forth into a vehement flame, in such sort, as when the draugt of a League
and Covenant betwixt both Kingdoms for defence of Religion, &c. was read
in open audience, it was so unanimously and heartily embraced, with such a
torrent of most affectionate expressions, as none but eye or ear witnesses
can conceive whereof the two reverend Divines sent from you to us being
then present, no doubt will give you an account. Neither was it so onely
with us, but also the honourable Convention of Estates here, with the like
harmony of affectionate expressions, did entertain the same; So that we
hope to be reall and constant in prosecuting the contents of this
Covenant. When we in our straits fled to the Lord, and entred in Covenant
with him, he owned us and our Cause, rebuked and dissipated our enemies,
and hitherto hath helped us, and blessed our entreprises with successe
from heaven, notwithstanding our great weaknesse and unworthinesse. We
trust in the Lord, that as once it was prophesied of _Israel_ & _Judah_,
So shall Scotland & England shall become one stick in the hand of the
Lord, they shall ask the way to _Sion_, with their faces thitherward,
saying, Come, let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant,
that shall not be forgotten; And so shall it come to passe, that the Lords
Jerusalem in this Island, shall be a cup of trembling, and a burthensome
stone to all their enemies roundabout. Though now it be the time of
_Jacobs_ trouble, the Lord will deliver him out of it. Reverend and dear
Brethren, we conceive your case, and of all the Faithful in that Land to
be no other then of a woman crying, travelling in birth, and pained till
she be delivered. The great red Dragon, (under whose standard the sons of
_Belial_ are fighting) is your Arch enemy, This cannot but be a time of
fear and sorrow; But when the male childe shall be brought forth, the pain
shall cease, and the sorrow shall be forgotten. We are very confident in
the Lord, that you will be faithful to Jesus Christ, in the work committed
to you by him in all his ordinances, and taking neither foundation, corner
stone, nor any part of the rubbish of Babel to build the City that is
called, _The Lord is there_: But measuring all with the golden reed of the
Sanctuary, you may more closely be united to the best Reformed Kirks, in
Doctrine, Worship, and Government, that you may grow up in him in all
things which is the head, even Christ.
And now Reverend and dear Brethren, though we know that you abound in all
gifts and graces, the Spirit of Jesus Christ being plentifully powred out
upon you, yet according to your desire and the motion made by the
Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, to testifie our
hearty sympathie with you in the work of the Lord, We have nominate and
elected some Godly and learned of this Church to repair to your Assembly.
We doubt nothing of your hearty embracing them in the Lord, and their
diligent concurrance with you in advancing that great work.
Not onely the common danger we are under, but the conscience of our duty
to his suffering people, layeth bonds on us frequently to present you, and
that blessed Work of Reformation, in your hands, to the throne of Grace,
that the GOD of all Grace, who will call you into his eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered and a while may make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Edinburgh, August 19. 1643.
_Subscribed in name of the Assembly of the Church Scotland, by the Clerk,
of the Assembly._
_The Assemblies Answer to the Reverend their beloved Brethren, Ministers
in the Church of England._
_Reverend and beloved,_
We acknowledge with thankfulnesse to GOD, that this is one of the good
blessings bestowed upon our Kirk of late, and a pleasant fruit of our free
Assemblies, That a way is opened for keeping communion with our sister
Kirks abroad, and correspondence with you our dear Brethren, in whose joy
and sorrow we have so near interest, and whose cause and condition we
desire to lay to heart as our own.
All your former Letters were most acceptable, and full of refreshment unto
us, being taken as the earnest of a more full and constant fellowship,
longed after and hoped for: And this your last, although full of sadnesse
and sorrow, yet accounted of us all most worthy of our tenderst affection
and best respects, both for your cause who sent it, and for these worthy
witnesses which did attest it: Wherein as you have given unto us no small
evidence, not only of your love, but also of trust and friendly respect,
by choosing to poure out your grieved souls in our bosome; so we shall
with, and Godwilling endeavour, that you may really finde some measure of
brotherly compassion in our receiving thereof. For these your sad
expressions of deep sorrow, being as you have given us to conceive but a
part of your complaint, and a lamentation lesse then the causes doth
require, cannot but melt every heart, wherein there is any the least
warmnesse of the love of Christ and his Saints: And what Childe of the
Bridegrooms chamber, can hear the voice of so many friends of the
Bridegroom, lamenting for the evils which have befallen Christs Bride in
England, in the very night before her expected espousals, and not sit down
and mourn with them except his heart be fallen asleep and frozen within
him? This pitiful condition of our sister Church in England hes matter
enough we confesse to move, yea, to rend our bowels.
If we should weigh this your heavie grief in the scales of common reason,
we behoved either to stand aloof from your plague as men astonished, or
sink down in heavinesse and be swallowed up of sorrow: but when we ponder
your sad condition in the Ballance of the Sanctuary, we finde that nothing
hath as yet befallen unto you, save that which hath been the exercise of
the Saints in former times, who have been made to sit down for a while in
the shadow of death before the day of their deliverance. We finde nothing
but that which may be a fit Preparation for a comfortable out-gate from
all your troubles. What if it was necessary in the wise dispensation of
Almighty GOD, that a People in great estimation for wisedome and power,
such as England, should be thus farre humbled, as you declare, to the end
that your deliverance maybe seen hereafter to be of the Lord, and not of
your selves? What if the Lord would not draw back his hand from the
Wine-presse wherein you now lye, till he should draw forth from you these
pitiful expressions of your low estate, and so provide himself witnesses
against the day to come, that he may have the greater and purer glory in
your salvation, and your gloriation may be in the Lord alone! Dear
Brethren, comfort your selves in the Lord; this sowing in tears, doth
promise a reaping in joy, and who knoweth how soon he will give to you who
are mourners in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oyle of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse; That you may be called the
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be
glorified.
Though weeping be in the evening of this begun Reformation and purging of
the Lords House among you, yet in the morning when the discovered
filthinesse and sweepings of the Temple shall be orderly cast out, joy
shall come with thanksgiving and praise. Though a fire be kindled in the
Land, yet it is not to consume any of the mettal, for the Lord is sitting
down as a Refiner amongst you, and especially to purifie the sons of
_Levi_, that he may have a more pure oblation of spiritual worship and
service in all his holy ordinances throughout all the Land, which is no
token of wrath, but of loving kindnesse towards you. No wonder that Satan
doth thus rage, as you relate, foreseeing his casting out: No wonder he
stirre up all the children of disobedience, and kindle their natural
malice against the children of God with the inspiration of hellish fury:
No wonder the spirit of Antichrist be mad, when the morsel half swallowed
down, is like to be pulled out of his throat, the fat morsel of the rich
Revenues of England: No wonder he be cruell against you the servants of
Christ, who are consuming him by the breath of the Lords mouth.
You do well to expect no mercy, if Papists and Prelats prevail over you,
neither desire we to deceive our selves with hopes to be free from what
the power and malice can do against us; for they will not do to us if they
get the upper-hand, as we have done, and must do, if God bring them low
again under us; as they were before; for we and they are led by the
contrary spirits of Christ, and Anti-Christ: We have laboured, and must
labour for their conversion, but they (except in so far as God shall
bridle them) will not rest without our destruction; for their fury against
our persons is much more fierie then our zeal is fervent against their
abominations: Let them follow the spirit of lying and murthering, we must
take us to our refuge, and joyne our selves with all that are sensible of
the danger of the reformed Religion in prayer and supplication. _The Lord
of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge._
Now for advice, what can we say to you who are upon your watch tower,
wherein is the spirit of wisedome and counsel; who lye thus as humble
Disciples under the Lords foot, who did never forsake them that sought
him. Go on in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, against all opposition,
without fear of whatsoever dangers, to purge the House of the Lord, to
repair the breaches thereof, to set up all his Ordinances in their full
beautie and perfection, to the uttermost of your power, according to the
pattern of the Word of GOD, and zeal of the best reformed Kirks; And let
these two Kingdomes be knit together as one man in maintaining and
promoving the truth of the Gospel, Let us enter in a perpetual Covenant
for our selves and our posterity, to endevour that all things may be done
in the House of GOD according to his own will, and let the Lord do with us
what seemeth good in his eyes. _Only wait upon the lord, be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen your heart._ Let your hands be ever at
your Masters Work, and hold your faces resolutely to his Cause. _Watch ye,
stand fast in the faith, quite your selves like men, be strong, for ye
shall see the salvation of the Lord,_ and your labour shall not be in
vain.
_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, by
the Clerk of the Assembly._
_Commission of the Generall Assembly, for these that repair to the
Kingdome of England._
The Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, finding it necessary to
send some Godly and learned of this Kirk to the Kingdome of England, to
the effect under-written. Therefore gives full Power and Commission to
Master _Alexander Henderson_, Master _Robert Douglas_, Master _Samuel
Rutherfoord_, Master _Robert Bailzie_, and Master _George Gillespie_,
Ministers, _John_ Earl of Cassills, _John_ Lord Maitland, and Sir
_Archbald Johnstoun_ of Waristoun Elders, or any three of them, whereof
two shall be Ministers, to repair to the Kingdome of England, and there to
deliver the Declaration sent unto the Parliament of England and the Letter
sent unto the Assembly of Divines now sitting in that Kingdome. And to
propone, consult, treat and conclude with that Assembly or any
Commissioners deputed by them, or any Committees or Commissioners deputed
by the Houses of Parliament, in all matters which may further the Union of
this Island in one forme of Kirk-government, one confession of Faith, one
Catechisme, and one Directorie for the Worship of GOD, according to the
Instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive
from time to time hereafter from the Commissioners of the Assembly deputed
for that effect. With power also to them to convey to his Majestie, the
humble Answer sent from this Assembly to his Majesties Letter, by such
occasion as they shall think convenient; And suchlike to deliver the
Assemblies Answer to the Letter sent from some wel-affected Brethren of
the Ministry there. And generally authorizes them to do all things which
may further the so much desired Union, and nearest conjunction of the two
Churches of Scotland and England, conform to their Instructions aforesaid.
_Reference to the Commission, anent the Persons designed to repair to the
the Kingdome of England._
The Assembly having this day approven the nomination made by the
Commissioners of the late Assembly, of persons to repair to the Synod of
Divines in England: And having of new elected and nominated all the same
Persons, except Master _Eleazar Borthwick_, who is now with GOD. Therefore
gives power to the Commissioners to be appointed by this Assembly for the
publick affairs of this Kirk, to nominate and appoint any other whom they
shall think meet in his place. And suchlike the Assembly refers to the
said Commission, to consider whether it be convenient to send now at this
present time to the Kingdome of England, all the Persons appointed to go
thither, and to designe the Persons whom they think meet to go at this
present occasion, to determine the time of their dispatch, and to give
unto them their Instructions. And further in case of sicknesse or death of
any of the Persons appointed for that employment, or in the case of any
other necessary impediment of their undertaking the samine; Gives power to
the said Commission, to nominate others in their place if the Commission
shall finde it convenient.
_Commission for the Publick Affairs of this Kirk._
The General Assembly, considering the laudable costome of this Kirk, in
appointing Commissions betwixt Assemblies for the publick affairs of the
Kirk, and the commendable practice of the late Assembly at Saint Andrews,
in appointing their Commission for prosecuting the blessed Work, for
uniting the Kirks of this Island in Religion and Kirk-government, by all
lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, for continuance of our own peace at home,
and of the common peace bytwixt the two Nations, and for other good ends,
as at length is exprest in that Commission: And finding that the painful
endevours and proceedings of that Commission, unanimously approven in this
Assembly, though they have much advanced that glorious Work of Unity in
Religion and Government; Yet has not brought the samine to full perfection
and a finall accomplishment: And the Assembly being now much animate and
encouraged to prosecute that Work by the Parliament of England their Bills
past against Episcopacie, and sundry other corruptions, and the good hopes
of a solemne Covenant betwixt the Nations, And conceiving that in their
times of danger there may be some occasions for conveening the Assembly,
before the time indicted for their next meeting. Therefore the Assembly
finding it necessary to appoint a new Commission, By these presents,
nominates and appoints Mr _Andrew Ramsay_, Mr _Alexander Henderson_, Mr
_Robert Douglas_, Mr _William Colvil_, Mr _William Bennet_, Mr _George
Gillespie_, Mr _John Adamson_, Mr _John Sharpe_, Mr _James Sharpe_, Mr
_William Dalgleish_, Mr _David Calderwood_, Mr _Andrew Blackhall_, Mr
_James Fleeming_, Mr _Robert Ker_, Mr _John Macghie_, Mr _Oliver Colt_, Mr
_Hugh Campbell_, Mr _Adam Penman_, Mr _Richard Dickson_, Mr _Andrew
Stevinson_, Mr _John Lauder_, Mr _Robert Blair_, Mr _Samuel Rutherfoord_,
Mr _Arthur Morton_, Mr _Robert Traill_, Mr _Frederick Carmichell_, Mr
_Mungo Law_, Mr _John Smith_, Mr _Patrick Gillespie_, Mr _John Duncan_, Mr
_John Hume_, Mr _Robert Knox_, Mr _William Jameson_, Mr _Robert Mura_, Mr
_Henry Guthrie_, Mr _James Hamilton_, Mr _Bernard Sanderson_, Mr _John
Leviston_, Mr _James Boner_, Mr _Evan Cameron_, Mr _David Dickson_, Mr
_Robert Bailzie_, Mr _James Cunninghame_, Mr _George Youngh_, Mr _Andrew
Auchinleck_, Mr _David Lindsay_, Mr _Andrew Cant_, Mr _John Oiswald_, Mr
_William Douglas_, Mr _Murdoc Mackenzie_, Mr _Coline Mackenzie_, Mr _John
Monroe_, Mr _Walter Stuart_, Ministers: Marquesse of _Argyle_, Earle
_Marshell_, Earle of _Sutherland_, Earle of _Eglintoun_, Earle of
_Cassils_, Earle of _Dumsermling_, Earle of _Lawderdail_, Earle of
_Lindsay_, Earle of _Queensberrie_, Earle of _Dalhouse_, Lord _Angus_,
Vicount of _Dudhope_, Lord _Maitland_, Lord _Elcho_ Lord _Balmarinoch_,
Lord _Cowper_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of Wauchtoun, Sir _Archbald
Johnstoun_ of Waristoun, Sir _David Hume_ of Wedderborne, Sir _Alexander
Areskine_ of Duns, Sir _William Cockburne_ of Langtoun, Sir _Thomas
Ruthven_ of Frieland, Sir _James Arnos_ of Fernie, Sir _Walter Riddell_ of
that Ilk., Sir _Lodonick Houstoun_ of that Ilk, Sir _William Carmichael_
Fiar of that Ilk, Laird of _Bonjedburgh_, Laird of _Libbertoun_, Laird of
_Brodie_, Sir _John Smith_, _James Dennistoun_, Master _Barclay, John
Rutherfoord_, _William Glendinning, John Sempill, John Kennedie_, Master
_Alexander Douglas_, To meet at Edinburgh the 21. day of August next, and
upon any other day thereafter, and in any other place they shall think
good. And gives and grants unto them, or any fifteen of them, there being
twelve Ministers present, full power and Commission, to consider and
performe what they finde necessary by Praying and Preaching, by
supplicating his Majestie and all the Judicatories of this Kingdome, by
Declarations and Remonstrances to the Parliament of England, to the Synod
of Divines in that Kingdome, by Informations, Directions, Instructions to,
and continual correspondence with the Commissioners, now designed by this
Assembly to go to the Synod of Divines in England, or by any other lawful
Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work, in the Union of
this Island in Religion and Kirk-goverment, 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 Island. With power also to
them to concurre with the Lords of Councel, Commissioners of Peace, or
with the Honourable Estates assembled in Convention or Parliament, or with
their Committees and Commissioners, in prosecuting this good Work at home
or abroad by all Ecclesiastick wayes. And suchlike with power to them to
prevent the dangers conteined in the Remonstrance, presented unto the
Convention of Estates by the Commissioners of the late Assembly in _June_
last, and to prosecute the remedies of these dangers conteined in another
Remonstrance, presented by the _aids_ Commissioners to the Convention the
6. of _July_ last by admonitions, directions, censures, and all other
Ecclesiastick wayes. And further in case their Brethren of England shall
agree to the Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, the draught and frame whereof
is now so unanimously approven in this Assembly Gives also unto the
Persons foresaid, or the _Quorum_ above-written, full Power and Authoritie
to command and enjoyn the samine to be subscribed and sworn by all the
members of this Kirk: And that in such order and manner, and with such
solemnities as they shall think convenient for so great and glorious a
Work; And to send their directions to Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods,
for execution of their orders thereanent. And with power to proceed
against any Person whatsoever, that shall refuse to subscribe and swear
the said Covenant, with all the censures of the Kirk, or to refer the
tryall and censures of such delinquents to Presbyteries or Synods as they
shall think convenient. And such like gives unto the persons foresaids
power and libertie, to call a General Assembly _pro re nata_, in case they
shall finde the necessity of the Kirk, and this great Work to require the
same: With full power also to them to give Answers in name of the
Assembly, to all Letters sent to the Assembly from the Kirks of Holland,
Zealand, or any other forraigne Reformed Kirks. And further gives power to
them to promove the other desires, Overtures and recommendations of this,
or of any former Assemblies to the Kings Majestie, Parliament or
Convention of Estates, to the Lords of Councel, Session, Exchequer,
Commissioners of Parliaments, for plantation of Kirks, for the common
burdens, and for conserving the Peace. And suchlike gives as full power
and Commission to them to treat and decerne in any other matters referred,
or to be referred to them by this Assembly, as if the samine were herein
particalarly insert. And generally gives unto the Persons foresaids, or
the _Quorum_ abovementioned full power and Authoritie, to do and performe
all things which may advance, accomplish, and perfect the great Work of
Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government in all his Majesties
Dominions, and which may be necessary for good order in all the publick
affairs of this Kirk, untill the next Assembly, _ne quid detrimenti capiat
Ecclesia_. With als ample power in all matters particularly or generally
above-mentioned, as any other Commission of General Assemblies, has had or
been in use of before; They being alwayes countable to, and censurable by
the next General Assembly, for their proceedings thereintill.
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_The General Assembly appoints the meeting of the next General Assembly,
to be at Edinburgh the last Wednesday of May, in the year 1644._