being recovered, may be established, Ordaines, that no Novation which
may disturb the peace of the Church, and make division, be suddenly
proponed and enacted: But so as the motion be first communicate to
the severall Synods, Presbyteries, and Kirks, that the matter may be
approved by all at home, and Commissioners may come well prepared,
unanimously to conclude a solide deliberation upon these points in the
Generall Assembly.
* * * * *
_Act anent Ministers Catechising, and Familie Exercises._
The Assembly, considering that the long-waited-for fruits of the
Gospel, so mercifully planted and preserved in this Land, and the
Reformation of our selves and Families, so solemnly vowed to God of
late in our Covenant, cannot take effect, except the knowledge and
worship of God be carried from the Pulpit to every family within
each Parish, hath therefore appointed, that every Minister, besides
his paines on the Lords day, shall have weekly catechising of some
part of the Paroch, and not altogether cast over the examination of
the people till a little before the Communion. Also, that in every
Familie the worship of God be erected, where it is not, both Morning
and Evening, and that the Children and Servants be catechised at home,
by the Masters of the Families, whereof accompt shall be taken by the
Minister, and Elders assisting him in the visitation of every Family:
And, lest they fail, that visitation of the severall Kirks be seriously
followed by every Presbyterie, for this end among others. The execution
and successe whereof, being tryed by the Synods, let it be represented
to the next Generall Assembly.
* * * * *
Sess. XXIV. 30. Aug. à meridie.
_The Assemblies Supplication to the Kings Majestie._
MOST GRACIOUS SOVERAIGNE,
Wee, Your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects, the Commissioners
from all the parts of this your Majesties ancient and native Kingdome,
and members of the Nationall Assembly, conveened at Edinburgh by your
Majesties speciall indiction, and honoured with the presence of Your
Majesties High Commissioner, have been waiting for a day of rejoycing,
and of solemne Thanksgiving to be rendred to God by this whole Kirk and
Kingdome, for giving us a King so just and religious, that it is not
only lawfull for us to be Christians under Your Majesties government,
which sometime hath been the greatest praise of great Princes, but
also that it hath pleased Your gracious Majestie to make known that
it is Your Royall will and pleasure, that all matters Ecclesiasticall
be determined in free Nationall Assemblies, and matters civill in
Parliaments; which is a most noble and ample expression of Your
Majesties justice, and we trust shall be a powerfull meane of our
common happinesse under your Majesties most blessed Raigne. In the
mean while we doe most humbly, upon the knees of our hearts, blesse
your Majestie for that happinesse already begun in the late Assembly
at Edinburgh, in the proceedings whereof, next under God, we have
laboured to approve our selves unto Your Majesties Vice-gerent, as
if Your Majesties eyes had been upon us, which was the desire of our
soules, and would have beene the matter of our full rejoycing, and
doe still continue Your Majesties most humble supplicants for Your
Majesties civill sanction and ratification of the constitutions of the
Assembly in Parliament: That your Majesties Princely power, and the
Ecclesiasticall Authority, joyning in one, the mutual embracements of
religion and justice, of truth and peace, may be seene in this Land,
which shall be to us as a resurrection from the dead, and shall make
us, being not only so farre recovered, but also revived, to fill Heaven
and Earth with our praises, and to pray that King CHARLES may be more
and more blessed, and His throne established before the Lord for ever.
* * * * *
The Assembly appoints the next Generall Assembly to sit at Aberdeene
the last Tuesday of July next, 1640 years. And warneth all parties,
Universities, and Burrows, to send their Commissioners, for keeping the
samine. And thereafter the Assembly was concluded by giving of thanks
by the Moderator, and singing of a Psalme, according to the custome.
FINIS.
INDEX _of the_ PRINCIPALL ACTS _of the_ ASSEMBLY _at_
EDINBURGH, 1639. Not printed.[161]
1.—The Kings Majesties Commission to John Earle of Traquair.
2.—Election of Master David Dickson, Moderator.
3.—The Kings Majesties Commissioners and the Assemblies Declarations
anent the Assembly of Glasgow.
4.—Renunciation of Master Alexander Lindsay, pretended Bishop of
Dunkell, of Episcopacie.
5.—Commission for Visitation of the Universitie of S. Andrews.
6.—Commission for Visitation of the Universitie of Glasgow.
7.—Act reviving former Acts against going of Salt Pannes on the Sabbath
day.
8.—Act for drawing up of a Catechisme.
9.—Articles and Overtures to be presented to the ensuing Parliament.
10.—The Report of the Committee appointed for Examination of the Booke
called “The Kings Manifesto or Declaration.”
11.—The Covenant, or Confession of Faith.
12.—Act anent the Adjoyning of some Kirks in the Ile of Boot to the
Presbyterie of Denune.
13.—Act Adjoyning some Kirks in the Iles of Coill and Tyrie to the
Provinciall of Kilmoire.
14.—Commission for Visitation of the Colledge of Aberdeene.
15.—Commission to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh.
* * * * *
=Miscellaneous Historical Documents,=
RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1639.
1639.—January 18-29.
1. _Missive anent the King’s coming to York to the Privy Council of
Scotland._[162]
Apud Edinburgh, 29 Januarii 1639—Sederunt,
Thesaurer,
Mar,
Murray,
Argyle,
Wintoun,
Elphinston,
Naper,
Clerk Regʳ,
Aduocat,
Treʳ Deput,
Justice Gʳᵃˡˡ,
Justice Clerk.
The whilk day the Missive Letter under written, signed be the Kings
Majestie, and direct to the Lords of Privie Councill, was presentit to
the saids Lords and read in their audience, of the whilk the tennor
followes:—
CHARLES R.—Right trusty and right weill belovit cousine and counsellor,
&c., We griet yow weill. Whereas we intend to repare, in person, to
York, about Easter next, that we may be the more neare to that our
kingdome, for accommodating our affaires there in a faire maner, which
course we allwayes affected, as we still doe: These are to advertyse
yow of this our resolution, being confident that, in the meane tyme,
yow will not be wanting in that which serves the good of our service;
and as we shall acquaint yow frome tyme to time with our further
proceedings; so, if anie thing occurre wherein yow would advise us,
lett us lykewayes be acquainted therewith, becaus we will speciallie
rely upon your judgement: And so we bid yow farewell, frome our Court
at Whitehall, the 18 of Januarie 1639. Sti. Sco.
Quhilk missive being heard and considert be the saids Lords, they
ordainit the same to be insert and registrat in the booke of Privie
Counsell.
* * * * *
1639.—January 26.
2. _Letter from the King to the Nobility of England._[163]
CHARLES REX,
Right Trusty and Right Welbeloved Cousin, We greet you well. The late
Disorders in Our Realm of Scotland, began upon pretence of Religion,
but now appearing to have been raised by Factious spirits, and fomented
by some few ill and traiterously affected particular Persons, whose aim
hath been, by troubling the Peace of that our Kingdom, to work their
own private ends, and indeed to shake off all Monarchicall Government,
though We have often assured them, that We resolved to maintain
constantly the Religion established by the Laws of that Kingdom, is
now growen to that height and dangerous consequence, that under those
sinister pretences, they have so far seduced many of our People there,
as great and considerable Forces are raised and assembled in such sort,
as we have reason to take into consideration the Defence and Safety of
this Realm of England; and therefore upon due and mature consultation
with the Lords of our Council, We have resolved to repair in our Roial
Person to the Northern parts of this our Realm, there (by the help
of Almighty God, and the assistance of our good Subjects) to make
resistance against any invasion that may happen.
And to the end that this Expedition may be as effectual as we design,
to the Glory of God, the Honour and safety of Us, and of this our said
Kingdom of England, We have directed that a considerable Army both of
Horse and Foot, should be forthwith levied out of all the Shires to
attend Us in this Action, wherein we nothing doubt, but the Affection,
Fidelity, and Courage of our People shall well appear.
In the mean time, we have thought fit, hereby to give you notice of
this our Resolution, and of the state of our Affairs, and withall
hereby to require You to attend Our Royal Person and Standard at Our
City of York, by the first day of April next ensuing, in such Equipage,
and such Forces of Horse, as your Birth, Honour, and your Interest in
the publick Safety do oblige you unto, And as we do and have reason
to expect from you. And this our Letter shall be as sufficient and as
effectual a Warrant and Discharge unto you for the putting of your
selfe, and such as shall attend you, into Arms, and Order as aforesaid,
as if you were authorised thereunto by our Great Seal of England. And
we do require you to certifie Us under your hand within fifteen days
next after the receit hereof, what Assistance we shall expect from you
herein, and to direct the same to one of our Principal Secretaries of
State. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the 26th day
of January in the fourteenth Year of our Raign.
_Exam._ P. WARWICK.
* * * * *
1639.—February 15.
3. _The King’s Letter to the Nobility._[164]
[This letter, though of a later date than the one which preceded it,
is precisely of the same tenor, in all respects, and seems, therefore,
to have been sent as a proof of the Kings settled purpose In regard to
the expedition. It is, therefore, omitted as superflous.]
* * * * *
1639.—February 20.
4. _Extract from the King’s Proclamation._[165]
This proclamation sets forth “How traiterously some of the Scottish
Nation had practiced to pervert his Loyal Subjects of this Realm, by
scattering abroad their Libellous and Seditious Pamphlets, mingling
themselves at their publick meetings, and reproaching both his Person
and Government; That he had never any intention to alter their Religion
or Laws, but had condescended unto more for defence thereof than they
had reason to expect; That they had rejected the Band and Covenant
which themselves had prest upon the people, because it was commended to
them by his Authority; and having made a Covenant against God and him,
and made such Hostile preparations, as if he were their sworn Enemy,
and not their King; That many of them were men of broken Fortunes, who
because they could not well be worse, hoped by engaging in this War
to make themselves better; That they had assumed unto themselves the
power of the Press, one of the chief markes of the Regal Authority,
prohibiting to Print what he commanded, and commanding to Print what he
prohibited, and dismissing the Printer whom he had established in that
Kingdom; That they had raised Arms, blockt up and besieged his Castles,
laid Impositions and Taxes upon his people, threatned such as continued
under Loyalty, with force and violence; That they had contemned the
Authority of the Council-Table, and set up Tables of their own, from
which they send their Edicts throughout all parts of the Kingdom,
contrary to the Laws therein established, pretending in the mean time
that the Laws were violated by himself; That the question was not
now, whether the Service-Book should be received or not, or whether
Episcopacy should continue or not, but whether he were King or not?
That many of them had denied the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance (for
which some of them had been committed) as inconsistent and incomptable
with their holy Covenant; That being brought under a necessity of
taking Arms, he had been traduced in some of their writings for
committing the Arms he had then raised, into the hands of professed
Papists, a thing not only dishonourable to himself, and the said noble
persons, but false and odious in it self; That some of power in the
Hierarchy had been defamed for being the cause of his taking Arms to
invade that Kingdom, who on the contrary had been only Councellors
of peace, and the chief perswaders (as much as in them lay) of the
undeserved moderation wherewith he had hitherto proceeded toward so
great Offenders; That he had no intent by commending the Service-Book
unto them to innovate any thing at all in their Religion, but only to
create a conformity between the Churches of both Kingdoms, and not to
infringe any of their Liberties which were according to the Laws; That
therefore he required all his loving Subjects not to receive any more
of the said seditious Pamphlets, but to deliver such of them as they
had received, into the hands of the next Justice of the Peace, by him
to be sent to one of his Majesties principal Secretaries; And finally,
That this his Proclamation and Declaration be read in time of Divine
Service in every Church within the Kingdom, that all his People to the
meanest, might see the notorious carriages of these men, and likewise
the Justice and Mercy of all his proceedings.”
* * * * *
1639.—March 1.
5. _Answer to his Majesties Missive anent his comming to Yorke._[166]
Apud Edinburgh, Primo Martii, 1639.—Sederunt,
Theasaurer,
Argile,
Mar,
Murray,
Wigton,
Kingorne,
Lauderdaill,
Southesk,
Angus,
Elphinston,
Naper,
Amant,
Clerk Regʳ,
Aduocat,
Justice Genˡˡ,
Trᵉʳ Deput,
Justice-Clerk,
Blackhall.
The whilk day, the Lords of Secreit Counsell ordained ane Missive to be
written to His Majestie, conteaning ane answer to his Majesties Missive
formerlie sent unto thame, and insert in the Bookes of Privy Counsell,
anent his Majesties comming to Yorke, quhilk wes accordinglie, done of
the date and tennor folowing:—
MOST SACRED SOVERANE,
By your Majesties Letter, the 18 of Januar, your Majestie wes
graciouslie pleased, not onlie to lett us know your Majesties
resolution to come to Yorke to be so much nearer this kingdome for
accommodating your Majesties affaires heere in a faire manner, which
course your Majestie graciouslie expresseth, you still affect, but also
requires us, that if there be anie thing wherein we would advyse your
Majestie, that we sould acquaint your Majestie therewith. Wherefore,
least we sould be wanting in that dewtie which your Majestie may
justlie expect frome us as humble and faithfull Counsellors, or
seeme unworthie of the place and rowme whiche, by your Majesties
speciall favour, we injoy in the kingdome, We cannot but acquaint
your Majestie with ane Supplication given in to us by ane great many
Noblemen, Barrons, Burgesses, and others of this Kingdome, which, for
your Majesties better information, we presume to send yow herewith.
And, withall, we cannot but let your Majestie know that, for farther
cleiring thair innocencie thairof, they have offered publicklie,
at Counsell table, by thair oaths and subscriptions, to justifie
thameselves and thair intentions heerin. And least upon this, or some
suche informations, your Majestie might be the more easilie moved to
thinke upon harder courses then your Majestie heirtofore hath beene
pleased to keepe with this your antient and native kingdome and
subjects therein, we deame ourselves bound in dewtie, and in obedience
to your Royall commandments, to represent to your Majesties wise and
grave consideration this thair Petition. And, seing the peace of your
Majesties Government, wherein consisteth our earthlie happenes, and
wealfare of the kingdome dependeth upon your Majesties resolutions, and
the course yow sall be graceouslie pleased to keepe in the prosecution
of thir maters now in hand, We humblie supplicat your Majestie, in your
accustomed fatherlie care of the good and preservation of this your
antient kingdome, and of your faithfull subjects therein, to resolve
upon sume suche course as, without force of armes or showing of your
princelie power, deplorable estate of this kingdome may be settled,
whereby your Majestie may receave contentment, and we, your humble and
faithfull subjects, may injoy the wounted blinkes of your Majesties
favour in ane happie and peaceable Government. And so, with our humble
and heartie prayer to God to direct your Majestie in this great and
important busines after suche maner as sall be most agreable to your
Majesties honour and the peace of the kingdome, we rest, &c. Edinburgh,
Primo Martii, 1639.
_Sic Subscribitur._
TRAQUAIRE,
Argile, Mar, Murray, Wigton, Kinghorne, Lauderdaill, Southesk, Angus,
Elphinston, Naper, Amont, J. Hay, Sʳ Thomas Hop, W. E. Johnston, Ja.
Carmichaell, Hamilton, Blackhall.
* * * * *
1639.—March 15-22.
6. _Another Missive anent his Majesties comming to Yorke._[167]
Apud Halyrudhous, 22 Martii 1639.—Sederunt,
Thesaurer,
Justice Genᵃˡˡ,
Treʳ Deput,
Mar,
Aduocat,
Justice Clerk.
Dumfreis,
The whilk day, the Missive Letter underwritten, signed be the Kings
Majestie, and direct to the Lords of Privie Counsell, wes presented to
the saids Lords, and read in thair audience, of the whilk the tennor
followes:—
CHARLES R.—Right trusty, &c., We greit you well. We have perceaved by
your Letter, wherein yow make mention of that which we expressed in a
letter formerlie, of our repairing to Yorke, to be the more neere to
that kingdome for accommodating our affaires there in a faire maner;
and withall yow expresse your desire how the deplorable estate of that
kingdome might be settled without force of armes, or showing of our
princelie power. We have shewne our care hitherto by our actions for
that effect: nather ar we yitt averse frome continuing in that course.
But if, in the meane tyme, anie of our good subjects sall suffer for
thair affection to our service, in obedience to our commands, we will
be verie sensible thereof, and have a speciall care to see thame fullie
repaired. And so, expecting that yow of our Counsell, as yow are
honoured by us to be first in place, will stryve to goe before others
by your good example in advancing of our service, we bid yow heartilie
farewell, from our Court at Whitehall, the 15 of Marche 1639.
Quhilk Missive being heard and considerit be the saids Lords, they
ordaine the same to be insert and registrat in the bookes of Privie
Counsell.
* * * * *
1639.—March.
7. _A Letter by the Lords of the Session to the Kings Majestie, sent
with my Lord Justice Clerk, in March 1639._[168]
MOST SACRED SOVERAIGNE,
The danger of the tymes wherein we live threatening dreadfull
desolation of this our ancient and native kingdome, and the conscience
of our humble duetie which we owe to your Majestie, our dear and
dread Soveraigne, and to this realme, whereof we are feeling members,
honoured be your Majestie to be Counsellours and Judges therein, hes
constrained us in this case, so important and pressing, to bemoane to
your sacred selfe, the present calamitie and apparent insueing of more.
God, who hes established in your sacred persone the just and lawfull
right of regall inheritance, hes also filled your Majestie with all
other induements necessar to the Royall calling; your Majestie, under
God, may sollie allay the terrours of the menassing stormes; and
without the sunschine of your graceous and calme countenance, this
land, and the inhabitants thereof, must become quicklie miserable.
The causes are better knowen to your Majestie then that they neid
relation. When your Majestie was pleased to indict a Generall Assembly,
we and most parte of all your good subjects of this Kingdome, wer
overjoyed in expectation that the doubts in religious worship and Kirk
Government, whilk was tossed to and fro this whyle bygone, should have
then beine cleirlie setled; and although the greater part of your
people be weill pleased with the constitutions therein concluded, yet
your Majesties displeasure against that Assembly, and the proceedings
thereof, and your expresse dislyke of these who adheres to the same,
and the fearfull consequences therefra like to ensue, hes turned all
the hopes of comfort which we expected, in sorrowes and teares. When
Princes stand in doubt of their people, and their subjects stand
in doubt of their Prince, if not tymelie remeaded, prove difficill
remeadable. To goe on at ance with deliberation, your Majestie may
be pleased to pardon us to averre, that in this they are but badd
Counsellours, and no better patriots, who will advise your Majestie
to add oyle and fewall to the fire. Violence and armes are pleased
amongst desperat remeadies, proving oftner worse then the disease. To
speake trueth ingenuouslie becomes all men, and us mainlie more then
uthers, speaking to our King, and in a matter importing no lesse nor
the universall fall or standing of this nation, and apprehended by most
parte of the leidges to reflect on religione and conscience, which
seldome are forced with successe. Who does insinuat to your Majestie
that the opposers to the proceedings of Glasgow doe surpasse in number,
and in uther considerable respects, such as adheres to the same, we
veritablie avow, in our alledgance, that they vent unwarrantable
suggestions, which may provock the Princes wrath against his people,
and does foment meanes for the overthrow of the peace of this Kirk
and Kingdome. It is over britle a foundation whereupon to gadge the
honour and safetie of your sacred persone, and to build conclusions
of warre; and we should not hold ourselves for loyall subjects, if we
should not say these informations wer contrare to trueth. Yet your
Majestie is knowne to the world to be ane Prince prudent and moderat,
who will not be drawen from that laudable forme of raigning which was
ever familiar to your Majesties selfe, and to your royall Father of
blessed memorie, who worthilie gloried in the title of ane pacifick
King; for the throne of Kings (says that wise King) is established by
Justice and righteousnes; and therefore we must, on the knies of our
hearts, supplicat your sacred Majestie, in the bowels and mercies of
our blessed Saveour, to be pleased to forbeare all purpose of warre,
and so to prevent the evills of dispaire and necessitie; and for that
effect, that your Majestie may be pleased to close your ears against
all contrarie enducements. Your Majestie is Vicegerent to Almichtie
God, whose mercies and compassions, although immutable, are proponed
as characters of imitation to Princes, so far as mortall man may joy
therein, and resemble the immortall God.
These our grave and submisse supplications, we begg, in all humilitie,
that your Majestie may be pleased graceouslie [to receive], which we
have sent to your Majestie by this bearer the Justice-Clerk, who is
ane of our number, to whom we have committed our Instructions with
trust: And we shall never cease to offer up our fervent prayers to Him
by quhom Kings reigne, for preservation of your sacred persone, and the
continowing felicitie of your long and happie reigning over us, and
thereafter of your royall posteritie, so long as the world shall endure.
The Instructions are—
1. To represent to His Majestie that latelie we have presumed, in all
humilitie, to write to His Majestie to the same sence of the letter now
sent, but we are informed the Letter hes never comed to His Majesties
hands, but hes bein miscarried, and hath bein withdrawen, by what
meanes we know not.
2. To shew His Majestie that, for any thing can appeare to us, these
thinges that are now in question are urged by all as moved thereto,
that are by the persuasion of their consciences, they esteeming them
poyntes of their faith; and if force be used, all are persuaded, and so
proves, that it is not for these poynts now in question only, but for
encroaching upon religion in ane higher degrie then is pretendit.