expedient for correspondence that might be had from forraigne parts,
for the weal of this Kirk, That the Scots Kirk at Campheir were joyned
to the Kirk of Scotland, as a Member thereof: Which being seriously
thought upon and considered by the Assembly, they approved the motion,
and ordained M. Robert Baillie Minister at Cilwinning, to write to M.
William Spang Minister at Campheir, and Kirk Session thereof, willing
them to send their Minister, and a ruling Elder, instructed with a
Commission to the next Generall Assembly to be holden at S. Andrews,
the last Wednesday of July 1642, at which time they should be inrolled
in the Books of the Generall Assembly, as Commissioners of the Generall
Assembly of Scotland, from the Scots Kirk at Campheir.
* * * * *
The Assembly appoints the next Generall Assembly to be holden at S.
Andrews, the last Wednesday of July next 1642.
FINIS.
* * * * *
INDEX _of the_ PRINCIPALL ACTS _of the_ ASSEMBLY
_holden at_ S. ANDREWS _and_ EDINBURGH, 1641.
_Not Printed._
1.—His Majesties Commission to Iohn Earle of Weemes.
2.—A Letter from the Parliament to the Generall Assembly.
3.—Act anent the continuation of M. Andrew Ramsay Moderator.
4.—His Majesties Letter to the Assembly.
5.—Act anent the translation of the Assembly from S. Andrews to
Edinburgh.
6.—Election of M. Alex. Henderson Moderator.
7.—Declaration of the Assemb. anent the translation thereof to
Edinburgh.
8.—Act for drawing up one Catechisme, one Confession of Faith,
Directory of publike worship and form of Kirk-government.
9.—Act anent M. Andrew Ramsays delivery to the Clerk the Books,
Warnesins Book, and others, which he received at Aberdene.
10.—Overtures anent transportation of Ministers, and plantation of
Schooles, recommended to be advised by Synods.
11.—Ref. to the Parl. anent the Kirks of Dunkeld.
12.—Act anent M. David Calderwood.
13.—Commis. anent erecting a Presb. in Biggar.
14.—Com. for visitation of Orknay and Zetland.
15.—Act anent bringing of the Synode Books to the Assemblies.
16.—Ref. from the Parl. anent a Band and a Paper called a Manifesto.
17.—Act anent the deleting of the E. of Traquairs Declaration out of
the Books of Secret Councell.
18.—Report of Overtures made anent the Plantation of Kirks in the
High-lands.
19.—Commission for visitation of the Universitie of S. Andrews.
20.—Commis. for Visitation of the Universitie of Glasgow.
21.—Commis. to attend the Parliament.
22.—Ref. to that Commis. anent the Presb. of Sky.
=Miscellaneous Historical Documents,=
RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1640-41.
1640.—August 15.
1. _Letter from Lord Conway to Secretary Windebanke, announcing the
Approach of the Scotch Army_.[268]
MR SECRETARY,
My time is very short. I now received your Letter. I have within these
two hours word brought to me, [I pray you tell my Lord of Canterbury,
that it is by that man I did write last to him, that I have sent into
Scotland and gave him sixteen pounds,] that the Scotch Army, as he doth
assure me upon his life, and bids me hang him if it be not so, will
upon Munday or Tuesday next come into England, that they will upon
Saturday be before this Town, which they say they will take or here be
broken, from hence they intend to go to Yorkshire, &c.
Your most humble servant,
CONWAY AND KILULTA.
Newcastle Aug. 15,
1640.
1640.—August 21.
2. _Six Considerations of the Lawfulness of their Expedition into
England, manifested_.[269]
As, from the beginning till this time, we have attempted nothing
presumptuously in this great work of Reformation, but have proceeded
upon good grounds, and have been led forward by the good hand of God;
so now, from our own perswasion, are we ready to answer every one that
asketh us a reason of this our present expedition, which is one of
the greatest and most notable parts of this wonderful work of God,
beseeching all to lift up their minds above their own particulars, and,
without prejudice or partiality, to lay to heart the Considerations
following:—
First, As all men know and confess what is the great force of
necessity, and how it doth justifie actions otherways unwarrantable,
so it cannot be denyed but we must either seek our peace in England at
this time, or lye under the heavy burdens which we are not able to bear.
1. We must maintain Armies on the Borders, and all places nearest to
hazard, for the defence and preservation of our Countrey, which, by
laying down of Armes, and disbanding of our Forces, should be quickly
over-run by hostile invasion and the incursions of our enemies.
2. We shall want trade by Sea, which would not only deprive the
Kingdom of many necessaries, but utterly undo our Boroughs, Merchants,
Mariners, and many others who live by Fishing, and by Commodities
Exported and Imported, and whose particular callings are utterly made
void, by want of Commerce with other Nations and Sea-trade.
3. The Subjects through the whole Kingdom shall want administration
of Justice; and although this time past the marvellous power and
providence of God hath kept the Kingdom in order and quietness, without
any Judicatories sitting, yet cannot this be expected for afterward,
but shall turn to confusion. Any one of the three, much more all of
them put together, threaten us with most certain ruine, unless we
speedily use the remedy of this Expedition. And this we say not from
fear, but from feeling: for we have already felt to our unspeakable
prejudice, [what it is to maintain Armies, what to want traffick, what
to want administration of Justice.] And if the beginning of these evils
be so heavy, what shall the growth and long continuance of them prove
unto us? So miserable a being all men would judge to be worse than no
being.
Secondly, If we consider the nature and quality of this Expedition, it
is defensive, and so the more justifiable. For proof hereof, let it be
remembered—
1. The Kings Majesty, misled by the crafty and cruel faction of
our Adversaries, began this years war, not we. When Articles of
Pacification had been the other year agreed upon, Armies laid down,
Forts and Castles rendered, an Assembly kept, and concluded with the
presence and consent of his Majesties High Commissioner, the promised
Ratification thereof in Parliament (contrary to the foresaid Articles)
was denyed unto us, and when we would have informed his Majesty by
our Commissioners, of the reasons and manner of our proceedings, they
got not so much as presence or audience. Thereafter his Majesty being
content to hear them, before that they came to Court or were heard,
War was concluded against us at the Council Table of England, and a
Commission given to the Earl of Northumberland for that effect.
1. The Parliaments of Ireland and England were also convocate, for
granting subsidies unto this war against us, as is notoure, Plots have
been hatcht, and military preparations made against us: many invasions
by Sea, which have spoiled us of our ships and goods; men, women, and
children killed in Edinburgh by his Majesties Forces in the Castle:
Our enemies therefore are the authors and beginners of the War, and we
defenders only.
2. We intend not the hurt of others, but our own peace and
preservation, neither are we to offer any injury or violence: And
therefore have furnished our selves according to our power with all
necessaries, not to fight at all, except we be forced to it in our own
defence, as our Declaration beareth.
3. We shall retire and lay downe Armes, as soon as we shall get a sure
peace, and shall be satisfied in our just demands. Upon which ground
even some of those who would seem the greatest Royalists, hold the
Wars of the Protestants in France against the King, and the factions
of the Guisians, to have been lawful defensive Wars, because they were
ever ready to disband and quiet themselves, when they got assurance of
peace and liberty of Religion. Now this present Expedition being in the
nature of it defensive, hence it appeareth that it is not contrary, but
consonant to our former Protestations, Informations and Remonstrances:
In all which there is not one word against defensive War in this cause;
but strong reasons for it, all which militate for this expedition.
Our first information sent to England this year, though it accurseth
all offensive or invasive war, yet sheweth plainly, that if we be
invaded either by Sea or Land, we must do as a man that fighteth
himself out of prison. If a private man when his house is blocked up,
so that he can have no liberty of Commerce and Traffick to supply
himself and family, being also in continual hazard of his life, not
knowing when he shall be assaulted by his Enemies who lye in wait
against him, may in this case most lawfully step forth with the Forces
which he can make, and fight himself free, of how much more worth is
the whole Nation? and how shall one and the same way of defence and
liberation be allowed to a private man, and disallowed to a whole
Nation?
Thirdly, We are called to this Expedition by that same divine
providence and vocation which hath guided us hitherto in this great
business. We see the expediency of it, for the glory of God, for the
good of the Church, for advancing the Gospell, for our own peace: after
seeking of God, and begging light and direction from Heaven, our hearts
are inclined to it, God hath given us zeal and courage to prosecute
it, ability and opportunity for undertaking it, unanimous Resolution
upon it, scruples removed out of minds where they were harboured,
encouragements to atchieve it from many passages of divine providence,
and namely from the proceedings of the last Parliament in England,
their grievances and desires being so homogeneal and akin to ours, we
have laboured in great long-suffering by Supplications, Informations,
Commissions, and all other means possible, to avoid this Expedition. It
was not premeditate nor affected by us (God knows) but our enemies have
necessitated and redacted us unto it, and that of purpose to sow the
seeds of National Quarrels; yet as God hitherto hath turned all their
plots against themselves, and to effects quite contrary to those that
they intended; so are we hopeful that our coming into England (so much
wished and desired by our adversaries for producing a National quarrel)
shall so far disappoint them of their aymes, that it shall link the
two Nations together in straiter and stronger bonds, both of Civil and
Christian love, than ever before.
And that we may see yet further evidences of a calling from God to this
voyage, we may observe the order of the Lords steps and proceedings
in this work of Reformation. For, beginning at the gross Popery of
the Service Book, and Book of Canons, he hath followed the back trade
of our defection, till he hath Reformed the very first and smallest
Novations, which entered in this Church. But so it is, that this back
trade leadeth yet further, to the Prelacy in England, the fountain
whence all those Babylonish streams issue unto us: The Lord therefore
is still on the back trade, and we following him therein, cannot yet
be at a stay. Yea, we trust, that he shall so follow forth this trade,
as to chase home the Beast, and the false Prophet to Rome, and from
Rome out of the world. Besides, this third Consideration resulteth
from the former two; for if this Expedition be necessary, and if it be
defensive, then it followeth inevitably, that we are called unto it,
for our necessary defence is warranted, yea commanded by the Law of God
and Nature, and we are obliged to it in our Covenant.
Fourthly, The lawfulness of this Expedition appeareth, if we consider
the party against whom, which is not the Kingdom of England, but
the Canterburian faction of Papists, Atheists, Arminians, Prelates,
the misleaders of the Kings Majesty, and the Common Enemies of both
Kingdoms. We perswade our selves, that our Brethren and Neighbours
in England, will never be so evil advised, as to make themselves a
party against us, by their defence and patrociny of our Enemies among
them, as sometimes the Benjamites made themselves a party against
the Israelites, by defending the Gibeathites in their wicked cause,
_Judg._ 20. We pray God to give them the wisdom of the wise Woman in
Abel, who when Joab came near to her City with an Army, found out a
way which both kept Joab from being an Enemy to the City, and the City
from being an Enemy to him, 2 _Sam._ 20. As touching the provision and
furniture of our Army in England, it shall be such as is used among
friends, not among enemies. The rule of humanity and gratitude will
teach them to furnish us with necessaries, when as beside the procuring
of our own peace, we do good offices to them. They detest (we know)
the churlishness of Nabal, who refused victuals to David and his men,
who had done them good, and no evil, 1 _Sam._ 20. And the inhumanity
of the men of Succoth and Penuel, who denyed bread to Gideons Army,
when he was pursuing the Common Enemies of all Israel, _Judg._ 8. But
let the English do of their benevolence, what humanity and discretion
will teach them; For our own part our Declaration sheweth, that we
seek not victuals for nought, but for money or security: And if this
should be refused (which we shall never expect) it were as damnable
as the barbarous cruelty of Edom and Moab, who refused to let Israel
pass through their Countrey, or to give them bread and water in any
case, _Numb._ 20. _Judg._ 11. and this offence the Lord accounted so
inexpiable, that for it he accursed the Edomites and Moabites from
entering into the Congregation of the Lord, unto the tenth Generation,
_Deut._ 23. 3, 4.
Fifthly, The fifth Consideration concerneth the end for which this
Voyage is undertaken. We have attested the Searcher of Hearts, It is
not to execute any disloyal act against his Majesty, It is not to put
forth a cruel or vindictive hand against our Adversaries in England,
whom we desire only to be Judged and Censured by their own Honourable
and High Court of Parliament; It is not to enrich our selves with the
Wealth of England, nor to do any harm thereto. But by the contrary, we
shall gladly bestow our pains and our means to do them all the good
we can, which they might justly look for at our hands, for the help
which they made us at our Reformation, in freeing us from the French,
a bond of peace and love betwixt them and us to all generations.
Our Conscience, and God who is greater than our Conscience, beareth
us record that we aim altogether at the glory of God, peace of both
Nations, and honour of the King, in suppressing and punishing (in a
legal way) of those who are the troublers of Israel the firebrands of
Hell, the Korhas, the Baalams, the Doegs, the Rabshakahs, the Hamans,
the Tobiahs and Sanballats of our time, which done, we are satisfied.
Neither have we begun to use a military Expedition to England, as a
mean for compassing those our pious ends, till all other means which
we could think upon have failed us, and this alone is left to us as
_ultimum & unicum remedium_, the last and only remedy.
Sixthly, If the Lord shall bless us in this our expedition, and our
intentions shall not be crossed by our own sins and miscarriage,
or by the opposition of the English, the fruits shall be sweet,
and the effects comfortable to both Nations, to the Posterity, and
to the Reformed Kirk abroad: Scotland shall be Reformed as at the
beginning, the Reformation of England long prayed and pleaded for
the Godly thereby shall be according to their wishes and desires,
perfected in Doctrine, Worship and Discipline. Papists, Prelates, and
all the members of the Antichristian Hierarchy, with their Idolatry,
Superstition, and humane Inventions shall pack from hence, the names of
Sects and Separatists shall no more be mentioned, and the Lord shall
be one, and his name one throughout the whole Island, which shall be
glory to God, honour to the King, Joy to the Kingdoms, comfort to the
posterity, example to other Christian Kirks, and Confusion to the
incorrigible Enemies.
1640.—September 2.
3. _Letter from the Commissioners of the late Parliament in Scotland to
the Earl of Lanerick, and Petition therewith sent._[270]
NOBLE LORD,
As we have ever professed and declared, as well by our Words as
Actions, that the Grounds of our Desires are, and ever shall be the
redress of Wrongs and reparations of our Losses, and that we will never
leave off in all humility to Supplicate His Majesty for the same, so
this hath moved us now, being come this length, yet again humbly to
Petition His Majesty to take our Case to Consideration, and grant our
Desires. We are debarred from sending or carrying our Supplications in
the ordinary way, which makes us have our Address to your Lordship,
intreating your Lordship in our names to present this our Petition
herein inclosed to His Majesty, and in all humility to beg an Answer
thereunto, to be sent with the Bearer to us, who shall ever endeavour
to approve ourselves His Majesties Loyal Subjects, and most unwilling
to shed any Christian blood, far less the English; whereof we have
given very good prooff by our bygone Carriage to every one who hath
with Violence opposed us, yea, even to those who entred in Blood with
us, and were taken prisoners, whom we have let go with Meat and Money,
notwithstanding that all those of ours, who did but deboar’d from
their Quarters, are miserably massacred by these whom we can tearm no
otherwise than Cut-throats. Our behaviour to these in New-Castle can
witness our Intention, which is to live at peace with all, and rather
to suffer then to offend. We bought all with our money, and they have
extortioned us to the triple value: the Panick fear made most of them
leave the Town, and stop their own Trade; but we have studied to solve
their doubts. As all our Actions shall ever tend to that which is Just
and Right; so we could wish, they were interpreted to a true sense;
and whatever may be the event of business, we hope the blame shall not
lie upon
Your Lordships affectionate
Friends to serve you.
Leager beside New-Castle,
2ᵈ September, 1640.
_Signed,_
Rothes,
Cassilis,
Dumfermline,
Lindsay,
Lowdon,
Napier,
Tho. Hope,
W. Richarton,
J. Swith,
P. Hepburn.
D. Hoom,
Keir,
Ja. Sword,
J. Rutherford.
POSTSCRIPT.—We intreat Your Lordship to let the Bearer have a Pass for
his safe Return to us.
* * * * *
_To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, The Humble Petition of the
Commissioners of the late Parliament, and others of His Majesties
Loyal Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland._
Humbly Sheweth,
That Whereas after our many Sufferings the time past, extreme necessity
hath constrained us for our Relief, and obtaining our Humble and Just
Desires, to come into England, where according to our Intentions
formerly declared, we have in all our Journey lived upon our own Means
and Victuals, and Goods brought a-long with us, and neither troubling
the Peace of the Kingdom, nor harming any of Your Majesties Subjects
of whatsoever quality in their Persons or Goods, but have carried our
selves in a most peaceable manner, till we were pressed by strength of
Arms, to put such Forces out of the way, as did without our deserving,
and (as some of them have at the point of death confessed) against
their own Conscience, opposed our peaceable passage at Newburn on Tine,
and have brought their Blood upon their own Heads, against our purposes
and desires expressed in our Letters, sent unto them at New-Castle, for
preventing the like, or greater Inconveniences. And that we may without
farther opposition come into Your Majesties Presence, for obtaining
from Your Majesties Justice and Goodness satisfaction to our just
Demands, we, Your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects, do still
insist in that submiss way of Petitioning, which we have keeped since
the beginning, and from which no provocation of Your Majesties Enemies
and ours, no adversity that we have before sustained, nor prosperous
success that can befall us be able to divert our minds.
Most humbly entreating, That Your Majesty would in the depth of Your
Royal Wisdom, consider at last our pressing Grievances, provide for the
Repairing of our wrongs and losses, and with the advice and consent of
the Estates of the Kingdom of England convened in Parliament, settle a
firm and durable Peace, against all Invasion by Sea or Land, that we
may with chearfulness of heart pay unto Your Majesty, as our Native
King, all Duty and Obedience that can be expected from Loyal Subjects,
and that (against the many and great Evils, which at this time threaten
both Kingdoms, whereat all Your Majesties Good and Loving Subjects
tremble to think, and which we beseech God Almighty in mercy timeously
to avert) Your Majesties Throne may be established in the midst of us,
in Religion and Righteousness; and Your Majesties Gracious Answer we
humbly desire, and earnestly wait for.
1640.—September 5.
4. _The King’s Answer to the above Petition, dated at His Majestie’s
Court at York, the 5th of September 1640._[271]
His Majesty hath seen and considered this Petition, and is Graciously
pleased to return this Answer by me, that he finds it in such general
terms, that till you express the Particulars of your Desires, His
Majesty can give no direct Answer; therefore His Majesty requires
that you set down the Particulars of your Demands with expedition, he
having been always willing to hear and redress the Grievances of His
People: and for the more mature Deliberation of these great Affairs,
His Majesty hath already given out Summons for the meeting of the Peers
of the Kingdom in the City of York upon the 24ᵗʰ of this Month, that
so with the advice of the Peers you may receive such Answer to your
Petition, as shall most tend to His Honour, and the Peace and Wellfare
of His Dominions. And in the mean time (if Peace be that you desire as
you pretend) He expects, and by these His Majesty commands, that you
advance no further with your Army to these parts; which is the only
means that is left for the present to preserve Peace betwixt the two
Nations, and to bring these unhappy Differences to a Reconciliation,
which none is more desirous of than His most Sacred Majesty.
_Signed,_
LANERICK.
1640.—September 8.
5. _Letter from the Covenanters to the Earl of Lanerick._[272]
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
As nothing in Earth is more desired of us than His Majesties favour, so
doth nothing delight us more than that His Majesty beginneth again to
hearken to our Humble Desires, wherein we trust nothing shall be found
but what may serve for His Majesties Honour and for the Peace of His
Dominions. The Particulars we would have expressed, but that they are
contained in the Conclusions of the late Parliament, and our Printed
Declarations, which were sent to your Lordship; but in case the Papers
be not by your Lordship, we now summarily repeat them.