Robert Howie, Provest of the New Colledge of S. Andrews, whereby
he craved, that (notwithstanding of his dismission of his charge)
he should not be prejudged of his full provision and maintenance
during his life-time: The Assembly thinks it fit and necessary, that
his provision and maintenance should not be diminished, but that he
should injoy the same fully, as of before, during all the dayes of his
life-time, and craveth his dismission to be only but a cessation from
his charge, because of his age and inability: And declares, that old
Ministers and professors of Divinitie, shall not by their cessation
from their charge, through age and inabilitie, be put from injoying
their old maintenance and dignity. And recommends this and others the
like things, concerning the estate of that Universitie of S. Andrews,
to the Parliament, and the Visitation to be appointed from the Assembly
and Parliament. And likewise the Assembly being informed, that the said
Doctor Howie hath been very painfull in his charge, and that he hath
divers papers which would be very profitable for the Kirk: Therefore
they think fit, that the said Doctor Howie be desired to collect these
papers, which doeth concerne, and may be profitable for the use of
the Kirk, that the samine may be showne to the Visitors of the said
Universitie.
* * * * *
Sess. VIII. 2 Aug. 1641, _à meridie_.
_Act against sudden receiving Ministers deposed._
The Assembly ordaines, that Ministers who are deposed either by
Presbyteries, Synods, or Generall Assemblies, or Committees from
Assemblies for the publike cause of the Reformation and order of this
Kirk, shall not be suddenly received againe to the Ministerie, till
they first evidence their repentance both before the Presbyterie and
Synod, within the bounds where they were deposed, and thereafter the
samine reported to the next ensuing Generall Assembly.
* * * * *
Sess. IX. Aug. 3, 1641.
The Overtures under-written, concerning the Universities and Colledges
of this Kingdome, to be represented by the Generall Assembly to the
Kings Majesty and Parliament, being openly read, the Assembly approved
the saids Overtures, and ordained them to be recommended to the
Parliament.
First, because the good estate both of the Kirk and Commonwealth,
dependeth mainly upon the flourishing of Universities and Colledges,
as the Seminaries of both, which cannot be expected, unlesse the poore
meanes which they have, be helped, and sufficient revenues be provided
for them and the same well imployed: Therefore that out of the rents
of Prelacies, Collegiat or Chapter-Kirks, or such like, a sufficient
maintenance be provided for a competent number of Professors, Teachers,
and Bursers in all faculties, and especially in Divinitie, and for
upholding, repairing, and enlarging the Fabrick of the Colledges,
furnishing Libraries, and suchlike good uses in every Universitie and
Colledge.
II. Next for keeping of good order, preveening and removing of abuses,
and promoving of pietie and learning, it is very needful and expedient
that there be a communion and correspondence kept betwixt all the
Universities and Colledges. And therefore that it be ordained, that
there be a meeting once every year at such times and places as shall
be agreed upon, of Commissioners from every University and Colledge
to consult and determine upon the common affairs, and whatsoever may
concerne them, for the ends above-specified, and who also, or some of
their number, may represent what shall be needfull and expedient for
the same effect, to Parliaments and Generall Assemblies.
III. _Item_, that speciall care be had that the places of the
Professors, especially of Professors of Divinity in every University
and Colledge, be filled with the ablest men, and best affected to the
Reformation and order of this Kirk.
* * * * *
Sess. X. Aug. 4, 1641.
_Act against Impiety and Schisme._
The Assembly seriously considering the present case and condition
of this Kirk and Kingdom, what great things the Lord hath done for
us, especially since the renewing of our Covenant, notwithstanding
our former backsliding and desertion; and if we shall either become
remisse in the dueties of Piety, or shall not constantly hold &
keep our Religion, unto which we have bound our selves so straitly
& solemnly, what dishonour we doe unto the name of God before men,
who have their eyes upon us, and how great judgements we bring upon
our selves, upon these and the like considerations, The Assembly
doth finde it most necessary to stirre up themselves, and to provoke
all others both Ministers and people of all degrees, not only to the
religious exercises of publike worship in the Congregation, and of
private worship in their Families, and of every one by themselves
apart, but also to the dueties of mutuall edification, by instruction,
admonition, exhorting one another to forwardnesse in Religion, and
comforting one another in whatsoever distresse; and that in all their
meetings, whither in the way of civill conversation, or by reason of
their particular callings, or any other occasion offered by divine
providence, no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers: And because the best means have been, and may
still be despised or abused, and particularly the duetie of mutuall
edification, which hath been so little in use, and so few know how
to practise in the right manner, may be upon the one part subject to
the mocking of ungodly and worldly men, who cannot endure that in
others which they are not willing to practise themselves, and upon
the other part, to many errors and abuses, to which the godly through
their weaknes may fall, or by the craftinesse of others may be drawn
into, such as are Error, Heresie, Schisme, Scandall, Self-conceit, and
despising of others, pressing above the common calling of Christians,
& usurping that which is proper to the Pastoral Vocation, contempt or
misregard of the publike means, idle and unprofitable questions which
edifie not, uncharitable censurings, neglect of duties in particular
callings, businesse in other mens Matters and Callings, and many such
others in doctrine, charity, and manners, which have dolefully rent the
bowels of other Kirks, to the great prejudice of the Gospel.
Therefore the Assembly, moved with the zeal of God against all abuses
and corruptions, and according to their manifold obligations, most
earnestly desiring and thirsting to promove the work of Reformation,
and to have the comfort & power of true godlinesse sensible to every
soul, and Religion to be universally practised in every Family, and
by every person at all occasions, Doth charge all the Ministers and
Members of this Kirk, whom they doe represent, that according to their
severall places and vocations, they endeavour to suppresse all impiety
and mocking of religious exercises, especially of such as put foule
aspersions, and factious or odious names upon the godly. And upon the
other part, that in the fear of God they be aware and spiritually wise,
that under the name and pretext of religious exercises, otherwayes
lawfull and necessary, they fall not into the aforesaid abuses;
especially, that they eschew all meetings which are apt to breed Error,
Scandall, Schisme, neglect of dueties and particular callings, and such
other evills as are the works, not of the spirit, but of the flesh, and
are contrary to truth and peace; and that the Presbyteries and Synods
have a care to take order with such as transgresse the one way or the
other.
* * * * *
Sess. XIIII. 6 Aug. 1641, _à meridie_.
_Act anent Novations._
Since it hath pleased God to vouchsafe us the libertie of yearly
Generall Assemblies, It is ordained according to the Acts of the
Assembly at Edinburgh 1639, and at Aberdene 1640, that no Novation in
doctrine, worship, or government, be brought in, or practised in this
Kirk, unlesse it be first propounded, examined, and allowed in the
Generall Assembly, and that trangressors in this kinde be censured by
Presbyteries and Synods.
* * * * *
Act Sess. XV. 7 Aug. 1641.
_Overtures anent Bursars and Expectants._
The Overtures under-written being openly read in audience of the
Assembly, were approved, and declared by them to be Acts of the
Assembly, in all time coming, to be observed _respectivè_, as the
samine bears.
I. The Assembly thinks meet for maintaining of Bursars of Divinitie,
that every Presbyterie that consists of twelve Ministers, shall
maintain a Bursar, and where the number is fewer nor twelve, shall
be joyned with these out of another Presbyterie where their number
exceeds: where this course is not already kept, it is to be begun
without longer delay, and every Provinciall is ordained to give
an accompt of their number of Bursars, that is constantly to be
entertained by their Province, at the next ensuing Generall Assembly.
II. No expectant shall be permitted to preach in publike before a
Congregation, till first he be tryed after the same manner, howbeit
not altogether with that accuracie which is injoyned by the Act of the
Assembly of Glasgow 1638, which prescribes the order and manner of
tryall, that is to be kept with these who are to be admitted to the
holy Ministrie: and none so tryed shall preach in publike, without the
bounds of the University or Presbyterie where he past his tryalls, till
he first make it known to the other Presbyteries, where he desires
to be heard, by a testimoniall from the Universitie or Presbyterie
where he lived, that he hath bin of an honest conversation, and past
his tryalls conform to the order here prescribed: Which being done in
the meeting of the Province or Presbyterie, where he desires to be
heard; he is to be allowed by them to preach within the bounds of that
Province or Presbyterie, without any further tryall to be taken of him.
III. Expectants being educate in a colledge that was corrupt, or under
a corrupt Minister, if they themselves have been known to have been
tainted with error, or opposite to our Covenant, and the blessed Work
of Reformation within this Kirk, the same order is to be kept in
admitting them to the holy Ministrie, or to any place in the Colledges
or Schooles of this Kingdome, that was ordained to be kept in admission
of these Ministers who fled out of the Countrey, and shew themselves
opposite to our Covenant and Reformation.
* * * * *
Act Sess. XVII. Aug. 9, 1641.
_Act against unlawfull Bands._
The Assembly taking to their consideration the question proponed unto
them concerning the Band, the copy whereof was presented before them
from the Parliament, doth find and declare that Bands of this and
the like nature, may not lawfully be made: By which Declaration the
Assembly doth not intend to bring any censure for what is past, and by
the wisedome and care of the Committee of the Parliament is taken away,
upon any person, who being required by the Moderator and the Clerk,
shall under his hand declare before them, That as the Assembly doth
finde that the subscribers are not astricted by their Oath to the tenor
of the said Band, so he findeth himself not to be astricted by his Oath
to the tenor thereof; but the intention of the Assembly is meerly to
prevent the like in time coming.
* * * * *
Sess. XVIII. 9 Aug. 1641, _à meridie_.
_A Letter from some Ministers in England to the Assemblie._
Right Reverend and dear Brethren now conveened in this Generall
Assembly.
Wee most heartily salute you in the Lord, rejoycing with you in his
unspeakable goodnesse, so miraculously prospering your late endeavours,
both for the restoring and settling of your own Liberties and
Priviledges, in Church and Commonwealth (which we heare and hope he is
now about to accomplish) as also for the occasioning and advancing of
the Worke of Reformation among our selves; for which as we daily blesse
the highest Lord, sole Author of all our good, so doe we acknowledge
your selves worthy Instruments thereof. And for that (besides all other
respects) doe, and ever shall (by the help of God) hold you deare unto
us, as our own bowels, and our selves obliged to render unto you all
due correspondence according to our power, upon all good occasions.
And now (deare Brethren) forasmuch as the Church of Christ is but one
body, each part whereof cannot but partake in the weale and woe of
the whole, and of each other part; and these Churches of England and
Scotland, may seem both to be imbarqued in the same bottome, to sink
and swim together, and are so near conjoyned by many strong tyes, not
only as fellow-members under the same Head, Christ, and fellow-subjects
under the same King; but also by such neighbour-hood and vicinity of
place that if any evill shall much infest the one, the other cannot bee
altogether free: or if for the present it should, yet in processe of
time it would sensibly suffer also. And forasmuch as evills are better
remedied in their first begining, then after they have once taken
deep root; therefore we whose names are here under-written, in the
behalf of our selves, and of many others, Ministers of the Church of
England, are bold to commend to your consideration (being met together
in this venerable Assembly) a difference of great concernment, which
you may please (in brief) thus to understand. Almighty God having
now of his infinite goodnesse, raised up our hopes of removing the
yoke of Episcopacie (under which we have so long groaned) sundry other
forms of Church-government are by sundry sorts of men projected, to
be set up in the roome thereof: one of which (amongst others) is of
some Brethren that hold the whole power of Church-government, and all
Acts thereunto appertaining (as Election, Ordination, and Deposition
of Officers, with Admission, Excommunication, and Absolution of
Members) are by divine Ordinance _in foro externo_, to be decreed by
the most voyces, in, and of every particular Congregation, which (say
they) is the utmost bound of a particular Church, endued with power
of government, and only some Formalities of solemne execution to be
reserved to the Officers (as servants of the saids Church) if they have
any, or if none, then to be performed by some other members, not in
office, whom the said Church shall appoint thereunto: And that every
of the said particular Congregations (whether they consist of few or
many members, and be furnished with Officers or not) lawfully may and
ought to transact, determine, and execute all matters pertaining to the
government of themselves, amongst and within themselves without any
authoritative (though not consulatory) concurrence or interposition of
any other persons or Churches whatsoever, condemning all imperative and
decisive power of Classes, or compound Presbyteries and Synods, as a
meere usurpation. Now because we conceive that your judgement in this
case may conduce much by the blessing of God, to the settling of this
question amongst us; Therefore we doe earnestly intreat the same at
your hands, and that so much the rather, because we sometimes hear from
those of the aforesaid judgment, that some famous and eminent Brethren,
even amongst your selves, doe somewhat encline unto an approbation of
that way of government. Thus humbly craving pardon for our boldnesse,
leaving the matter to your grave considerations, and expecting answer
at your convenient leasure, We commit you, and the successe of this
your meeting, to the blessing of the Almighty, in whom we shall ever
remain,
Your faithfull Brethren to serve you
in all offices of love.
London, 12 July, 1641.
_The Assemblies Answer to the English Ministers Letter._
Right reverend and dearly beloved Brethren in
our Lord and common Saviour Jesus Christ.
Wee the Ministers and Elders met together in this Nationall Assembly,
were not a little refreshed and comforted by the good report which we
heard of you, and others of our Brethren of the Kirk of England, by
some of our Ministers who, by the good providence of our Lord, had
seen your faces and conversed with you. But now yet more comforted by
your Letters which we received, and which were read in the face of the
Assembly, witnessing your Christian love, and rejoycing with us in God
for his great and wonderfull Work in the Reformation of this Kirk, and
in the beginning of a blessed Reformation amongst your selves, and
that you are so sensible of your communion and fellowship with us, and
to desire to know our minde and judgement of that which some Brethren
amongst you hold, concerning Kirk-government.
We doe with our hearts acknowledge and wonder at the great and
unspeakable wisedome, mercie, and power of our God, in restoring unto
us the truth and puritie of Religion, after many Back slidings and
defection of some in this Kirk, and desire not only to confesse the
same before the world, and all other Christian Kirkes, but also doe
pray for grace to walk worthy of so wonderfull a love: We have been
helped by your prayers, in our weak endeavours, and you have mourned
with us (we know) in the dayes of our mourning; and therefore is it
that you doe now rejoyce and praise God with us: Neither are we out
of hope, but the same God shall speedily perfect that which he hath
begun amongst you, that your joy may be full: which is the desire
of our soule, and for which we doe now pray, and in our severall
Congregations will be instant at the throne of grace, for this and all
other spirituall and temporall blessings upon the Kirk and Kingdome
of England, by name, expecting the like performance of mutuall love
from you, and others equally minded with you, for your parts, till
a common consent may be obtained, even that you will recommend the
Kirk of Scotland, by name, in your prayers to God. Thus shall we be
as one people, mourning and rejoycing, praying and praising together;
which may be one meane of the preservation of Unity, and of many other
blessings to us both.
We have learned by long experience, ever since the time of Reformation,
and specially after the two Kingdomes have been (in the great goodnesse
of God to both) united under one Head and Monarch, but most of all of
late, which is not unknown to you, what danger and contagion in matters
of Kirk-government, of divine worship, and of doctrine, may come from
the one Kirk to the other, which beside all other reasons, make us to
pray to God, and to desire you, and all that love the honour of Christ,
and the peace of these Kirks and Kingdomes, heartily to endeavour, that
there might be in both Kirks, one Confession, one Directory for publike
worship, one Catechisme, and one Forme of Kirk-government. And if the
Lord who hath done great things for us, shall be pleased to hearken
unto our desires, and to accept of our endeavours, we shall not only
have a sure foundation for a durable Peace, but shall be strong in God,
against the rising or spreading of Heresie and Schisme amongst our
selves, and of invasion from forraine enemies.
Concerning the different Formes of Kirk-government, projected by
sundrie sorts of men, to be set up in place of Episcopall Hierarchie,
which we trust is brought near unto its period, we must confesse, that
we are not a little grieved that any godly Ministers and Brethren
should be found, who doe not agree with other Reformed Kirks in
the point of government as well as in the matter of Doctrine and
Worship; and that we want not our own feares, that where the hedge of
Discipline and Government is different, the Doctrine and Worship shall
not long continue the same without change: yet doe not marvell much,
that particular Kirks and Congregations which live in such places,
as that they can conveniently have no dependencie upon superiour
Assemblies, should stand for a kind of independencie and supremacie
in themselves, they not considering that in a Nation or Kingdome,
professing the same Religion, the government of the Kirk by compound
Presbyteries and Synods is a help and strength, and not a hinderance
or prejudice to particular Congregations and Elderships, in all the
parts of Kirk-government; and that Presbyteries and Synods are not an
extrinsecall power set over particular Kirks, like unto Episcopall
dominion, they being no more to be reputed extrinsecall unto the
particular Kirks, nor the power of a Parliament, or Convention of
Estates, where the Shires and Cities have their own Delegates, is to be
held extrinsecall to any particular Shire or City.
Our unanimous judgement and uniforme practice is, that according to the
order of the Reformed Kirks, and the ordinance of God in his Word, not
onely the solemne execution of Ecclesiasticall power and authoritie,
but the whole acts and exercise thereof, do properly belong unto the
Officers of the Kirk; yet so that in matters of chiefest importance,
the tacite consent of the Congregation be had, before their decrees
and sentences receive finall execution, and that the Officers of a
particular Congregation may not exercise this power independently, but
with subordination unto greater Presbyteries and Synods, Provinciall
and Nationall; which as they are representative of the particular
Kirks conjoyned together in one under their government; so their
determination, when they proceed orderly, whether in causes common
to all, or many of the Kirks, or in causes brought before them by
appellations or references from the inferiour, in the case of aberation
of the inferiour, is to the severall Congregations authoritative and
obligatorie, and not consultatory only: And this dependencie and
subordination, we conceive not only to be warranted by the light of
nature, which doth direct the Kirk in such things as are common to
other societies, or to be a prudentiall way for Reformation, and for
the preservation of Truth and Peace, against Schisme, Heresie, and
Tyranny, which is the sweet fruits of this government wheresoever it
hath place, and which we have found in ancient and late experience; but
also to be grounded upon the Word of God, and to be conforme to the
paterne of the Primitive and Apostolicall Kirks; and without which,
neither could the Kirks in this Kingdom have been reformed, nor were we
able for any time to preserve Truth and Unity amongst us.
In this forme of Kirk-government, our unanimity and harmony by the
mercy of God, is so full and perfect, that all the Members of this
Assembly have declared themselves to be of one heart, and of one soule,
and to be no lesse perswaded, that it is of God, then that Episcopall
government is of men; resolving by the grace of God, to hold the same
constantly all the dayes of our life, and heartily wishing that God
would blesse all the Christian Kirks, especially the famous Kirk of
England, unto which in all other respects we are so nearly joyned with
this divine Forme of government. Thus having briefly and plainly given
our judgement for your satisfaction, and desiring and hoping that ye
will beleeve against all mis-reports, that we know not so much as one
man, more or lesse eminent amongst us, of a different judgement, we
commend you unto the riches of the grace of Christ, who will perfect
that which he hath begun amongst you, to your unspeakable comfort.
Subscribed by our Moderator and Clerk.
Edinburgh, 9 Aug. 1641.
_The Assemblies Answer to the Kings Majesties Letter_.
MOST GRACIOUS SOVERAIGN,
Beside the conscience of that duetie which we owe to supreme Authority,
we are not only encouraged, but confirmed by the Royall favour and
Princely munificence, expressed in Your gracious Majesties Letters,
which filled our hearts with joy, and our mouths with praise, to
offer up our prayers with the greater fervencie to God Almightie for
Your Majesties happinesse, our selves for our own parts, and for the
whole Kirks of this your Majesties Kingdome, which we doe represent,
to serve Your Majestie in all humble obedience, our faithfull labours
for preserving Trueth and Peace amongst all Your Majesties Subjects,
and our example (according to Your Majesties just commandments laid
upon us) to be a presedent to others in paying that honour, which by
all Lawes divine and humane, is due unto Your sacred Majestie, being
confident that your Majestie shall finde at your coming hither much
more satisfaction and content than can be expressed by
Your Majesties most humble Subjects and
faithfull servants, the Ministers and Elders
met together in the venerable Assembly
at S. Andrews, July 20, and Edinburgh,
July 27, 1641.
_Act anent the Kirk of Campheir._