_Mr Robert Douglasse_ Moderator.
_Act concerning the Hundred and eleven Propositions therein mentioned._
Being tender of so great an ingagement by Solemn Covenant, sincerely,
really, and constantly to endeavour in our Place, and Callings, the
preservation of the Reformed Religion in this Kirk of _Scotland_, in
Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, the Reformation of Religion
in the Kingdomes of _England_, and _Ireland_, in Doctrine, Worship,
Discipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, and the example
of the best Reformed Kirks, and to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and
Uniformity in all these, together with the extirpation of Heresie,
Schisme, and whatsoever shall bee found contrary to sound Doctrine: And
considering withall that one of the speciall meanes which it becometh us
in our Places and Callings to use in pursuance of these ends, is in zeal
for the true Reformed Religion, to give our publike testimony against the
dangerous Tenents of _Erastianisme_, _Independencie_, and which is falsely
called _Liberty of Conscience_, which are not only contrary to sound
Doctrine, but more speciall lets and hinderances, as well to the
preservation of our own received Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and
Government, as to the Work of Reformation and Uniformity in _England_ and
_Ireland_. The Generall Assembly (M2) upon these considerations, having
heard publikely read the CXI following Propositions exhibited and tendered
by some Brethren, who were appointed to prepare Articles or Propositions
for the vindication of the Trueth in these particulars, Doth unanimously
approve & agree unto these eight generall Heads of Doctrine therein
contained and asserted, _viz._ 1. That the Ministery of the Word and the
Administration of the Sacraments of the New Testament, Baptisme and the
Lords Supper, are standing Ordinances instituted by God himself to
continue in the Church to the end of the World. 2. That such as Administer
the Word and Sacraments, ought to be duely called and ordained thereunto.
3. That some Ecclesiasticall censures are proper and peculiar to be
inflicted onely upon such as bear Office in the Kirk; Other censures are
common and may bee inflicted both on Ministers and other Members of the
Kirk. 4. That the censure of suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords
Supper, inflicted because of grosse ignorance, or because of a scandalous
life and conversation, As likewise the censure of Excommunication or
calling out of the Kirk flagitious or contumacious offenders, both the one
censure and the other is warranteble by and grounded upon the Word of God,
and is necessary (in respect of divine institution) to be in the Kirk. 5.
That as the Rights, Power, and Authority of the Civill Magistrate are to
bee maintained according to the Word of God, and the Confessions of the
Faith of the Reformed Kirks; So it is no lesse true and certaine, that
Jesus Christ, the onely Head and onely King of the Kirk, hath instituted
and appointed a Kirk Government distinct from the Civill Government or
Magistracie. 6: That the Ecclesiastical Government is committed and
intrusted by Christ to the Assemblies of the Kirk, made up of the
Ministers of the Word and Ruling Elders. 7. That the lesser and inferiour
Ecclesiasticall Assemblies, ought to bee subordinate and subject unto the
greater and superiour Assemblies. 8. That notwithstanding hereof, the
Civill Magistrate may and ought to suppresse by corporall or Civill
punishments, such as by spreading Errour or Heresie, or by fomenting
Schisme greatly dishonour God, dangerously hurt Religeon and disturbe the
Peace of the Kirk. Which Heads of Doctrine (howsoever opposed by the
authors and fomenters of the foresaid errours respectively) the Generall
Assembly doth firmely beleeve, own, maintaine, and commend unto others, as
Solide, True, Orthodoxe, grounded upon the Word of God, consonant to the
judgement both of the ancient and the best Reformed Kirk; And because this
Assembly (through the multitude of other necessary and pressing
bussinesse) cannot now have so much leisure, as to examine and consider
particularly the foresaid CXI. Propositions; Therefore, a more particular
examination thereof is committed and referred to the Theologicall
faculties in the four Universities of this Kingdome, and the judgement of
each of these faculties concerning the same, is appointed to bee reported
to the next Generall Assembly. In the meane while, these Propositions
shall bee Printed, both that Copies thereof may bee sent to Presbyteries,
and that it may be free for any that pleaseth to peruse them, and to make
known or send their judgement concerning the same to the said next
Assembly.
_Desires and Overtures presented from Presbyteries and Synods, with the
Assemblies answer thereunto._
It is humbly presented to the Assembly, that the children of many of the
ordinary beggars want baptisme, Themselves also living in great vilenesse,
and therefore desire that some remedie may be provided for these abuses.
_The Assembly doth seriously recommend to Presbyteries to consider of the
best remedies, and to report their opinions to the next Assembly._
That all Students of Philosophie at their entry and at their Lawreation,
bee holden to subscribe the League and Covenant and be urged thereto, and
all other Persons as they come to age and discretion before their first
receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
_The Assembly approves this Overture._
Whereas divers Ministers want Mansses and Gleebs, and others have their
Gleeb so divided in parcells, or lying so Farre from their Charges the
Ministers are thereby much prejudged; We desire that this Generall
Assembly will recommend it to bee helped by the Parliament, or Committee
for planting of Kirks, in the best manner that their Lordships can advise.
Whereas divers Kirks were incommodiously united in corrupt times, we
desire that the same be now dismembered and adjoyned to other Kirks, or
erected in Kirks by themselves alone, and when the present incumbents
agrees thereto, we desire the same to bee recommend to the Parliament and
Committee for plantation of Kirks, Provided alwayes, that the present
Ministers who have laboured and indured the heat of day, may enjoy the
benefit of such parcells as are taken from them during their life.
_The Assembly doth approve these two Articles, and Recommends to the
Commissioners for publike Affaires to assist any interested in the
particulars for prosecuting the same before the Honourable Estates of
Parliament, or the Commission appointed by them for plantation of Kirks._
The Generall Assembly, Doe yet againe recommend to Presbyteries and
Provinciall Assemblies, to consider all matters formerly referred unto
them by preceding Assemblies, and desires that their opinions concerning
the same, be reported in writ to the next Generall Assembly.
_It is this day appointed, that the next Generall Assembly shall meet at_
Edinburgh _the second Wednesday of July 1648._
A. Ker.