_The Letter from the Commissioners at_ London _to the General Assembly._
_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 Assembly) 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 Assembly, 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 Assembly 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 Assembly, and some dayes past is presented to both Houses,
but hath not yet passed their Vote. The Assembly 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 Assembly, and did send to the Commissioners of the
General Assembly) and hath passed 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 Assembly, 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 assent, till they see them clearly warranted by the Word of
GOD; 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 multitude 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 GOD, which is now begun to be
streched out in this Land, must bring it to passe.
There was also presented to the Assembly, a new Paraphrase of the Psalmes
in English Meeter, which was well liked of, and commended by some of the
Members of the Assembly; 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 Assembly 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 GOD 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 GOD will perfect this Work
against all opposition, and of encouragement for us all to be faithfull in
the Work of God, which is carried on by his mighty Hand, that no man can
oppose it, but he must be seen fighting against GOD, 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 ungodly 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 Assembly, 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 God, shall be
industrious in obeying your directions and theirs, during our abode here,
which through the power and blessing of God, 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._