This day the Overtures following anent the _Irish Bibles, New Testaments_
and _Catechisms_, were read in presence of the Assembly.
1. That a Letter of Thanks be written to these concerned, whether in this,
or our Neighbour Nation, for their Care of, and Liberal Charity towards
the _Highlanders_ of this Kingdom, in their so Liberally Contributing, for
the saids _Irish Bibles_, &c. And that Mr. _David Blair_ be appointed to
write the said Letter in the Name of this Assembly.
2. The whole Money so Charitably contributed, being expended, Therefore,
and for making up of the same, and for Defraying of the necessary Charges
of Transporting the saids Bibles, &c. to _Scotland_; It is thought most
needful, that there be an advance of One thousand Pounds _Scots_, and that
Their Majesties Privy Council be supplicat, for as much of some Vacant
Stipends of Parishes, where the King is Patron, as will make up the said
sum for the ends foresaid.
3. That it be Recommended to the Kirk Sessions, Heretors and others
concerned in the _Highlands_, to see the Act of Parliament anent Erecting
of Schools in every Parish, duely Execute, and the _Fonds_ established by
Law, for the same, made effectual.
4. That it be Recommended to the Agent for the Kirk, to Receive the
foresaid sum, and to Deburse the same at the sight of Mr. _John Law_ and
Mr. _David Blair_, for the said use: And also to receive the Books
above-mentioned, being three Thousand _Bibles_, one Thousand _New
Testaments_, and three Thousand _Catechisms_, from _London_.
5. That the several Synods, who have _Highland Parishes_ in their bounds,
appoint one of their Number, to receive their proportion, of the saids
_Bibles_, _New Testaments_, and _Catechisms_: And that in order thereto,
the Ministers and Elders having Interest in the _Highlands_, present in
this Assembly, shall meet and appoint some to receive these _Bibles_, &c.
And proportion the number that each Parish shall have thereof.
6. That it be Recommended to the Ministers, concerned in the _Highlands_,
to dispatch the whole Paraphrase of the _Irish Psalms_, to the Press. And
if the Principal Copy can be Recovered, to expede the same; But that any
other Copy they have, be Revised by the Synod of _Argyle_, and being
approven by them; That the same be Printed.
The Assembly having considered these Overtures, they approve thereof, and
Recommend and Appoint accordingly.
_At_ Edinburgh, November 12. 1690. _Post Meridiem._ Sess. 25.
XII. _Act anent a Solemn National Fast and Humiliation, with the Causes
thereof._
The General Assembly, Having taken into their most serious Consideration,
the late great and general Defection of this Church and Kingdom; Have
though fit to Appoint a Day of Solemn Humiliation and Fasting, for
Confession of Sins, and making Supplication to Our Gracious GOD, to
Forgive and Remove the guilt thereof; In order whereunto, they have
Ordained the Confession of Sins, and Causes of Fasting following, to be
duely Intimate and Published; Recommending it most earnestly to all
persons, both Ministers and Others, That every One of us may not only
search and try our own Hearts and Wayes, and stir up Ourselves to seek the
Lord; But also in our Stations, and as we have access, Deal with one
another, in all Love and Tenderness, to prepare for so great and necessary
a Duty, that we may find mercy in God’s sight, and He may be graciously
Reconciled to our Land in the Lord Jesus, and take delight to dwell among
us.
Although our gracious God hath of late, for His own Name sake wrought
great and wonderful things, for _Britain_ and _Ireland_, and for this
Church and Nation in particular; Yet the Inhabitants thereof have cause to
remember their own evil wayes, and to loath themselves in their own sight
for their Iniquities. Alas! Alas! We and our Fathers, our Princes, our
Pastors, and People of all Ranks have sinned, and have been under great
Transgression to this day: For though our gracious God shewed early
kindness to this Land, in sending the Gospel among us, and afterward in
our Reformation from Popish Superstition and Idolatry; and It had the
Honour, beyond many Nations of being after our first Reformation, Solemnly
devoted unto God, both Prince and People; yet we have dealt treacherously
with the Lord, and been unstedfast in His Covenant, and have not walked
suitably to our Mercies received from Him, nor obligations to Him. Through
the mercy of God this Church had attained to a great purity of Doctrine,
Worship and Government, but this was not accompanied with suitable
personal Reformation, neither was our Fruit answerable to the pains taken
on us by Word and Work; We had much Gospel-preaching, but too little
Gospel-practice, too many went on in open wickedness, and some had but a
form of Godliness, denying the power thereof: Many also who had the Grace
of God in truth fell from their first love, and fell under sad
languishings and decays; and when for our sins the Anger of the Lord had
divided us, and we were brought under the feet of strangers, and many of
our brethren killed, and others taken captive and sold as slaves; yet we
sinned still, and after we were freed from the yoak of strangers, instead
of returning to the Lord, and being led to Repentance by His Goodness, the
Land made open Defection from the good ways of the Lord: Many behaved as
if they had been delivered to work abomination, the flood-gates of Impiety
were opened, and a deluge of wickednese did overspread the Land. Who can
without grief and shame remember the shameful debauchery and drunkenness
that then was? And this accompanied with horrid and hellish cursing and
swearing, and followed with frequent Filthiness, Adulteries and other
Abominations, and the Reprover was hated, and he that departed from
Iniquity made himself a Reproach of Prey. And when by these, and such like
corrupt practices, mens Consciences were debauched, they proceeded to
sacrifice the Interest of the Lord Jesus Christ, and priviledges of his
Church to the lusts and will of Men; The Supremacy was advanced in such a
way, and to such an height, as never any Christian Church acknowledged;
The Government of the Church was altered, and Prelacie (which hath been
always grievous to this Nation) introduced, without the Churches consent,
and contrary to the standing Acts of our National Assemblies, both which
the present Parliament hath (blessed be God) lately found; And yet
nevertheless, of the then standing Ministry of _Scotland_, many did
suddenly and readily comply with that alteration of the Government, some
out of Pride and Covetousness, or Man-pleasing, some through infirmity or
weakness, or fear of Man, and want of Courage and Zeal for God; many
faithful Ministers were thereupon cast out, and many Insufficient and
Scandalous Men thrust in on their Charges, and many Families ruined,
because they would not own them as their Pastors.
And alas! It is undenyable, there hath been under the late Prelacie, a
great decay of Piety, so that it was enough to make a man be nicknam’d a
Phanatick, if he did not run to the same excess of Riot with others.
And should it not be lamented, for it cannot be denied, that there hath
been in some a dreadful Atheistical Boldness against God, some have
disputed the Beeing of GOD, and His Providence, the Divine Authority of
the Scriptures, the Life to come, and Immortality of the Soul, yes and
scoffed at these things.
There hath been also an Horrid Prophanation of the Holy and Dreadful Name
of GOD, by cursing and swearing: Ah! there hath been so much Swearing and
Forswearing amongst us, that no Nation under Heaven hath been more guilty
in this than we; some by swearing rashly or ignorantly, some falsly, by
breaking their Oaths. And imposing and taking ungodly unlawful Oaths and
Bonds, whereby the Consciences of many have been polluted and seared, and
many ruined and oppressed for refusing and not taking them.
There hath also been a great neglect of the worship of God, too much in
publick, but especially in Families and in secret.
The wonted care of Religious sanctifying the Lord’s Day is gone, and in
many places the Sabbath hath been and is shamefully prophaned.
The Land also hath been, full of bloody Crimes, and Cities full of
Violence, and much innocent Blood shed, so that Blood touched Blood, yea,
_Sodoms_ sins have abounded amongst us. Pride, fulness of Bread, Idleness,
Vanities of Apparel, and shameful sensuality filled the Land.
And Alas! how great hath been the Cry of Oppression and Unrighteousness,
Iniquity hath been established by a Law, there hath been a great
perverting of Justice, by making and executing unrighteous Statutes and
Acts, and sad persecutions of many for their Conscience towards God.
It is also matter of Lamentation, that under this great Defection, there
hath been too general a fainting not only amongst Professours of the
Gospel, but also amongst Ministers; yea, even amongst such, who in the
main things did endeavour to maintain their Integrity, in not giving
seasonable and necessary Testimony against the Defections and Evils of the
Time, and keeping a due distance from them, and some on the other hand
managed their Zeal with too little Discretion and Meekness.
It is also matter of Humiliation, that when Differences fell out amongst
these, who did own Truth, and bear witness against the Course of
Defection, they were not managed with due Charity and Love, but with too
much heat and bitterness, injurious Reflections used against Pious and
Worthy men on all hands, and scandalous Divisions occasioned, and the
Success of the Gospel greatly obstructed thereby, and some dangerous
Principles drunk in: And after all this, there were shameful advances
towards Popery, the abomination of the Mass was set up in many places, and
Popish Schools erected, and severals fell to Idolatry.
And though the Lord hath put a stop to the Course of Defection, and of his
great mercy given us some reviving from our Bondage; yet we have sad cause
to regrate and bemoan, that few have a due sense of our mercy, or walk
answerable thereto; Few are turned to the Lord in truth, but the wicked go
on to do wickedly; And there is found amongst us to this day, shameful
ingratitude for our mercies, Horrid impenitency under our sins, yea, even
among those, who stand most up for the defence of the Truth: And amongst
many in our Armies, there is woful Prophanness and Debauchery. And though
we profess to acknowledge, there can be no Pardon of Sins, no Peace and
Reconciliation with God, but by the Blood of Jesus Christ; Yet few know
Him, or see the Necessity and Excellency of the Knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ; few see their need of him, or esteem, desire, or receive him
as he is offered in the Gospel; few are acquainted with Faith in Jesus
Christ, and living by Faith in Him, as made of the Father unto us, wisdom,
Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption; And few walk as becometh the
Gospel, and imitate our Holy Lord in Humility, Meekness, Self-denial,
Heavenly mindedness, Zeal for GOD, and Charity towards Men: But as there
is even untill now, a great contempt of the Gospel, a great Barrenness
under it; So a deep Security under our sin and Danger, a great want of
Piety toward God, and Love towards Men, with a woful Selfishness, every
one seeking their own things, few the things of Christ, or the publick
Good, or one anothers welfare: And finally, the most part more ready to
Censure the sins of others, than to Repent of their own.
Our Iniquities are increased over our Heads, and our Trespasses are grown
up unto the Heavens, they are many in number, and hainous in their nature,
and grievously aggravated, as having been contrary to great Light and
Love, under signal Mercies and Judgments, after Confession and
Supplication, and notwithstanding of our Profession, Promises and solemn
Vowing, and Covenanting with God to the contrary.
Have we not then sad cause of deep Sorrow and Humiliation? And may we not
fear, if we do not repent, and turn from the evil of our wayes, and return
to the Lord with all our hearts, that he return to do us evil, after He
hath done us good, and be angry with us, until he hath consumed us?
Let us therefore humble our selves by fasting and Praying, let us search
out our sins, and consider our wayes, and confess these, and other our
sins, with Sorrow and Detestation; Let us Turn unto the Lord with fasting
and weeping, and with mourning; Let us firmly resolve and sincerely Engage
to amend our wayes and doings, and return unto the Lord our God, with all
our hearts, and earnestly pray, that for the Blood of the Lamb of God, our
sins may be forgiven, and our back slidings healed, and we may yet become
a Righteous Nation, keeping the Truth, that Religion and Righteousness may
flourish, and Love and Charity abound, and all the Lords People may be of
one mind in the Lord: And in order to all these, that the word of the Lord
may have free course, and be glorified, and that the Preaching of the
Word, and Dispensing of the Sacraments, may be accompanied with the wonted
Presence, Power and Blessing of the Spirit of the Lord, That the Lord
would Preserve and bless our gracious _King_ and _Queen_, _William_ and
_Mary_, and establish their Throne by Righteousness and Religion, and
grant to these Nations, Peace and Truth together; And for that End, bless
and prosper His Majesties Councils, and Forces by Sea and Land, and these
of the Princes and States his Allies, for God and his Truth; That inferior
Rulers may Rule in the fear of God and Judges be cloathed with
Righteousness, and that many faithful Labourers may be sent out into the
Lord’s Vineyard, and they who are sent, may find mercy to be Faithful, and
be blest with Success; That Families may be as little Churches of Christ,
and that the Lord would pour out His Spirit on all Ranks of People, that
they may be Holy in all manner of Conversation, and God may delight to
dwell amongst us and to do us good.
And while we pray for our selves, let us not forget our Brethren in
Foreign Churches, with whom, alas! we had too little Sympathy; Nay let us
pray, that all the Ends of the Earth, may see the Salvation of God; And
that he would bring His ancient people of the _Jews_ to the Acknowledgment
of Jesus Christ; And that he would hasten the Ruine of Romish Babylon and
advance the Reformation in Christendome, and preserve and bless the
Reformed Churches; That he would pitie His oppressed People, the _French
Protestants_, and gather them out of all places, whither they have been
scattered in the cloudy and dark day; And that He would be the Defence,
Strength and Salvation of any of His People, who are in War or Danger by
Infidel or Popish adversaries, in _Europe_ or _America:_ And in
particular, that the Lord would be Gracious to _Ireland_, and sanctifie to
His People there, both their distress and Deliverance, and perfect what
concerneth them, that he would Convert the Natives there to the Truth,
Reduce that Land to Peace; And appoint Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks to
_Brittain_.
For all these Causes and Reasons, The General Assembly hath Appointed the
Second Thursday of _January_ next, to be Observed in all the Congregations
of this Church and Nation, as a day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation, and
Prayer; Beseeching and Obtesting all, both Pastors and People, of all
Ranks to be sincere and serious, in Humiliation and Supplication, and
universal Reformation, as they would wish to find mercy of the Lord and
have deserved wrath averted, and would obtain the Blessing of the Lord
upon themselves and Posterity after them; And that the Lord may delight in
us, and our Land may be as Married to Him. And Ordains all Ministers,
either in Kirks or Meeting houses, to Read this present Act publickly from
the Pulpit, a Sabbath or two before the said Day of Humiliation: and that
the several Presbyteries take care, that it be carefully observed in their
Respective bounds. And where, in regard of Vacancies, the Day hereby
appointed, cannot be observed; The Assembly appoints the said Humiliation
to be kept some other Day with the first convenient opportunity. And
Appoints the Commission for Visitation, to apply to the Council for their
Civil Sanction to the Observation thereof.