Declaration sent unto them by the Commissioners of this Kingdome, now
at London, from the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England,
expressing their care to prevent the effusion of Christian bloud in
that Kingdome, and their affections to Reformation, both in Kirk
and State, and having taken the same to such consideration as the
importance of so weighty matters, and the high estimation they have of
so wise and honourable a meeting as is the Parliament of England, did
require; have, with universall consent, resolved upon this following
Answer:—
I. That from the recent sense of the goodnesse of God, in their own
late deliverance, and from their earnest desire of all happinesse to
our native King and that Kingdome, they blesse the Lord for preserving
them in the midst of so many unhappy divisions and troubles from a
bloudy Intestine War, which is from God the greatest Judgement, and to
such a nation the compend of all calamities. They also give God thanks
for their former and present desires of a Reformation, especially of
Religion, which is the glory and strength of a Kingdome, and bringeth
with it all temporall blessings of prosperity and peace.
II. That the hearts of all the members of this Assembly, and of all the
well-affected within this Kingdome, are exceedingly grieved and made
heavy, that in so long a time, against the professions both of King and
Parliament, and contrary to the joynt desires and prayers of the godly
in both Kingdomes, to whom it is more deare and precious then what is
dearest to them in the world, the Reformation of Religion hath moved so
slowly, and suffered so great interruption. They consider that not only
Prelates, formall Professours, profane and worldly men, and all that
are Popishly affected, are bad councellours and workers, and do abuse
their power and bend all their strength and policies against the Work
of God; but the god of this world also, with Principalities and Powers,
the rulers of the darknesse of this world, and spirituall wickednesse
in high places, are working with all their force and fraud in the same
opposition, not without hope of successe, they having prevailed so
farre from the beginning, That in the times of the best kings of Juda
of old, and the most part of the Reformed Kirks of late, a through and
perfect Reformation of Religion hath been a work full of difficulties;
Yet doe they conceive, that as it ought first of all to be intended,
so should it be above all other things, with confidence in God, who
is greater than the world, and he who is in the world, most seriously
endeavoured. And that when the supreame Providence giveth opportunity
of the accepted time and day of salvation, no other work can prosper
in the hands of his servants, if it be not apprehended, and with all
reverence and faithfulnesse improved. This Kirk and Nation, when the
Lord gave them the calling, considered not their own deadnesse, nor
staggered at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God.
And who knoweth (we speak it in humility and love, and from no other
mind then from a desire of the blessing of God upon our King and that
Kingdome) but the Lord hath now some controversie with England, which
will not be removed, till first and before all, the worship of his
name, and the government of his house be settled according to his
own will? When this desire shall come, it shall be to England, after
so long deferred hopes, a tree of life, which shall not only yeeld
temporall blessings unto themselves, but also shall spread the branches
so far, that both this nation and other reformed Kirks shall find the
fruits thereof to their great satisfaction.
III. The Commissioners of this Kingdome in the late Treaty of peace,
considering that Religion is not only the meane of the service of God
and saving of Souls, but is also the base and foundation of Kingdomes
and Estates, and the strongest band to tye Subjects to their Prince in
true loyaltie, and to knit the hearts of one to another in true unity
and love, They did, with preface of all due respect and reverence, far
from arrogancy or presumption, represent, in name of this Kingdome,
their serious thoughts and earnest desires for unity of Religion, That
in all His Majesties Dominions, there might be one Confession of Faith,
one directory of Worship, one publike Catechisme, and one forme of
Kirk Government. This they conceived to be acceptable to God Almighty,
who delighteth to see his People walking in truth and unity, to be
a special meanes for conserving of peace betwixt the Kingdomes, of
easing the Kings Majesty, and the publike Government of much trouble,
which ariseth from differences of Religion, very grievous to Kings
and Estates; of great content to the King himself, to his Nobles, his
Court, and all his People, when (occasioned to be abroad) without
scruple to themselves, or scandall to others, all may resort to the
same publike worship, as if they were at their own dwellings; of
suppressing the names of Heresies, and Sects, Puritans, Conformists,
Separatists, Anabaptists, &c., which do rent asunder the bowels both of
Kirk and Kingdome; of despaire of successe to Papists and Recusants, to
have their profession, which is inconsistent with the true Protestant
Religion, and authority of Princes, set up again, and of drawing
the hearts and hands of Ministers, from unpleasant and unprofitable
Controversies, to the pressing of mortification, and to Treatises of
true pietie, and practicall Divinity. The Assembly doth now enter upon
the labour of the Commissioners, unto which they are encouraged, not
only by their faithfulnesse in the late Treaty, but also by the zeale
and example of the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk in former times, as
may appeare by the Assembly at Edinburgh, Decemb. 25, in the year 1566,
which ordained a Letter to be sent to England against the Surplice,
Tippet, Corner-cap, and such other ceremonies as then troubled that
Kirk, that they might be removed. By the Assembly at Edinburgh, April
24, 1583, humbly desiring the Kings Majesty to command his Ambassadour,
then going to England, to deale with the Queen, that there might be an
union and Band, betwixt them and other Christian Princes and Realmes,
professing the true Religion for defence and protection of the Word
of God, and Professors thereof, against the persecution of Papists
and confederates joyned and united together by the bloudy league of
Trent: as also, that her Majesty would disburden their brethren of
England of the yoke of Ceremonies, imposed upon them, against the
libertie of the Word: And by the Assembly at Edinburgh, March 3, 1589,
ordaining the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, to use all good and possible
means for the relief and comfort of the Kirk of England, then heavily
troubled for the maintaining the true discipline and government of
the Kirk, and that the Brethren in their private and publike prayers,
recommend the estate of the afflicted Kirk of England to God. While
now, by the mercy of God, the conjunction of the two Kingdomes is many
wayes increased, the zeale of the Generall Assembly towards their
happinesse ought to be no lesse. But besides these, the Assembly is
much encouraged unto this duetie, both from the Kings Majesty and his
Parliament, jointly, in their Answer to the proposition, made by the
late Commissioners of the Treaty, in these words:—_To their desire
concerning unity of Religion, and uniformity of Kirk government, as
a speciall meanes for conserving of peace betwixt the two Kingdomes,
upon the grounds and reasons contained in the paper of the 10 of
March, and qiven in to the Treatie and Parliament of England. It is
answered upon the 15 of June, That his Majestie, with advice of both
Houses of Parliament, doth approve of the affection of His Subjects
of Scotland, in their desire of having conformitie of Kirk government
between the two Nations; and as the Parliament hath already taken into
consideration the Reformation of Kirk government, so they will proceed
therein in due time, as shall best conduce to the glory of God, the
peace of the Kirk, and of both Kingdomes._ And also severally; for his
Majestie knoweth that the custodie and vindication, the conservation
and purgation of Religion, are a great part of the duetie of Civill
authority and power. His Majesties late practise while he was here in
person, in resorting frequently to the exercises of publike worship,
his Royall actions, in establishing the worship and government of this
Kirk in Parliament, and in giving order for a competent maintenance to
the Ministery and Seminaries of the Kirk, and His Majesties gracious
Letter to the Assembly (seconded by the speech of His Majesties
Commissioner) which containes this religious expression:—_Where any
thing is amisse we will endeavour a Reformation in a fair and orderly
way, and where Reformation is settled, we resolve, with that authority
wherewith God hath vested us, to maintain and defend it in peace and
liberty, against all trouble that can come from without, and against
all Heresies, Sects, and Schismes, which may arise from within._
All these doe make us hopefull that His Majesty will not oppose,
but advance the work of Reformation. In like manner, the Honourable
Houses of Parliament, as they have many times before witnessed their
zeale, so now also in their Declaration sent to the Assembly, which
not only sheweth the constancy of their zeale, but their great grief
that the worke hath been interrupted by a malignant party of Papists
and evill affected persons, especially of the corrupt and dissolute
Clergie, by the incitement and instigation of Bishops and others, their
hope according to their earnest desire, when they shall returne to a
peaceable and Parliamentary proceeding, by the blessing of God, to
settle such a Reformation in the Church, as shall be agreeable to Gods
word, and that the result shall be a most firm and stable union between
the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland, &c. The Assembly also is not
a little encouraged by a Letter sent from many reverend brethren of
the Kirk of England, expressing their prayers and endeavours against
every thing which shall be found prejudiciall to the establishment of
the Kingdome of Christ, and the Peace of their Soveraigne. Upon these
encouragements, and having so patent a doore of hope, the Assembly
doth confidently expect, that England will now bestirre themselves
in the best way for a Reformation of Religion, and do most willingly
offer their prayers and uttermost endeavours for furthering so great a
Work, wherein Christ is so much concerned in his glory, the King in his
honour, the Kirk and Kingdome of England in their happinesse, and this
Kirk and Kingdome in the purity and peace of the Gospel.
IIII. That the Assembly also from so many reall invitations, are
heartened to renew the Proposition made by the aforenamed Commissioners
of this Kingdome, for begining the Work of Reformation, at the
uniformity of Kirk-government. For what hope can there be of Unity
in Religion, of one Confession of Faith, one Form of Worship, and
one Catechisme, till there be first one Forme of Ecclesiasticall
Government? Yea, what hope can the Kingdome and Kirk of Scotland have
of a firme and durable Peace, till Prelacie, which hath been the main
cause of their miseries and troubles, first and last, be plucked up,
root and branch, as a plant which God hath not planted, and from which,
no better fruits can be expected then such sower grapes, as this day
set on edge the Kingdome of England?
V. The Prelaticall Hierarchie being put out of the way, the Work will
be easie, without forcing of any conscience, to settle in England
the government of the Reformed Kirks by Assemblies. For although the
Reformed Kirks do hold, without doubting, their Kirk Officers, and
Kirk-government by Assemblies higher and lower, in their strong and
beautiful subordination, to be _jure divino_, and perpetuall: yet
Prelacie, as it differeth from the Office of a Pastor, is almost
universally acknowledged by the Prelates themselves, and their
adherents, to be but an humane ordinance, introduced by humane reason,
and settled by humane Law and Custome for supposed conveniencie: which
therefore by humane authority, without wronging any mans conscience,
may be altred and abolished upon so great a necessity, as is a hearty
conjunction with all the Reformed Kirks, a firm and well grounded
Peace betwixt the two Kingdomes, formerly divided in themselves, and
betwixt themselves by this partition wall, and a perfect Union of the
Kirks in the two Nations: which although by the providence of God in
one Iland, and under one Monarch, yet ever since the Reformation,
and for the present also, are at greater difference in the point of
Kirk-government, which in all places hath a powerfull influence upon
all the parts of Religion, then any other Reformed Kirks, although in
Nations at greatest distance, and under divers Princes.
VI. What may be required of the Kirk of Scotland, for furthering the
Work of Uniformitie of Government, or for agreeing upon a common
Confession of Faith, Catechisme, and Directory for Worship, shall,
according to the order given by this Assembly, be most willingly
performed by Us, who long extreamly for the day when King and
Parliament shall joyn for bringing to passe so great, so good a Work,
That all Warres and Commotions ceasing, all Superstition, Idolatry,
Heresie, Sects, and Schismes being removed, as the Lord is one, so his
name may be one amongst us; and mercy and truth, righteousnesse and
peace meeting together, and kissing one another, may dwell in this
Iland.
Act, Sess. VIII. Aug. 3, 1642.
_Overtures for transplantation of Ministers, and provision of Schools,
ordained by the late Assembly at Edinburgh to be sent to Synods, and
reported to this Assembly._
Act, Sess. XI. Edinb. Aug. 5, 1641.
These Overtures underwritten, anent the transporting of Ministers
and Professors to Kirks and Colledges, being read in audience of the
Assembly, and thereafter revised by a Committee appointed for that
effect, The Assembly appoints them to be sent to the severall Synods,
to be considered by them, and they to report their judgements thereof
to the next Generall Assembly.
I. No transportation would be granted hereafter without citation of
parties having interest (viz., the Minister who is sought and his
Parish) to hear what they can oppose, and the matter is to come first
to both the Presbyteries (viz., that wherein the Minister dwells,
whose transportation is sought, and the other Presbyterie to which
he is sought, if the Kirks lye in several Presbyteries) and if the
Presbyteries agree not, then the matter is to be brought to the Synod,
or Generall Assembly (which of them shall first occure after such
transportation is sought) and if the Synod (occurring first) agree not;
or if there be appeale made from it, then the matter is to come to the
Generall Assembly.
II. A Minister may be transplanted from a particular Congregation
(where he can onely doe good to a part) to such a place, where he may
benefit the whole Kirk of Scotland, because, in reason the whole is to
be preferred to a part, such as Edinburgh.
1. Because all the great Justice Courts sit there, as Councell,
Session, Justice Generall, Exchequer, &c., and it concerns the whole
Kirk, that these Fountains of Justice be kept clean, both in the point
of Faith, and Manners.
2. Because there is great confluence to Edinburgh, from time to time,
of many of the chief Members of the whole Kingdome, and it concerns the
whole Kirk to have these well seasoned, who (apparently) are to be the
Instruments of keeping this Kirk and Kingdome in good temper.
That this may be the more easily done, the Assembly first recommends
to Edinburgh, that some young men of excellent spirits may be (upon
the charges of the said Town) trained up, at home or abroad, toward
the Ministery from time to time. Secondly, we meane not that all the
places of the Ministerie of Edinburgh be filled with Ministers to be
transported by Authority of this Act, but only till they be provided
of one Minister (transplanted by the Authority of the Assembly) for
every Kirk in Edinburgh, and that the rest of the places be filled
either according to the Generall Rules of transportation for the whole
Kingdome, or by agreement with actuall Ministers, and their Parishes,
with consent of the Presbyterie or Synod, to the which they belong.
III. In the next roome, we finde, that it is a transporting of
Ministers for publike good, that Colledges (having the profession of
Divinitie) be well provided of Professors.
Wherein the Colledge of Divinitie in S. Andrews is first to be served,
without taking any Professors or Ministers out of Edinburgh, Glasgow,
or Aberdene, and then the rest of the Colledges would be provided
for as their necessity shall require: yet (in respect of the present
scarcity) it were good for the Universities to send abroad for able and
approved men, to be Professors of Divinitie, that our Ministers may be
kept in their pastorall charge as much as may be.
Towns also wherein Colledges are, are very considerable in the matter
of transportation.
IIII. Also Congregations, where Noblemen have chief residence are to
be regarded, whether planted or unplanted, and a care is to be had,
that none be admitted Ministers where Popish Noblemen reside, but
such as are able men (especially for controversies) by sight of the
Presbyterie: and moreover it is necessary, that such Ministers as dwell
where Popish Noblemen are, and are not able for controversies, that
they be transported.
V. They who desire the transportation of a Minister should be obliged
to give reasons for their desire: Neither should any Presbyterie or
Assembly, passe a sentence for transportation of any Minister, till
they give reasons for the expediencie of the same, both to him and his
Congregation, and to the Presbyterie whereof he is a member. If they
acquiesce to the reasons given, it is so much the better: if they doe
not acquiesce, yet the Presbyterie, or Assembly (by giving such reasons
before the passing of their sentence) shall make it manifest, that what
they doe is not _pro arbitratu, cel imperio_ onely, but upon grounds of
reason.
VI. Because there is such scarcity of Ministers having the Irish
tongue, necessity requires, that when they be found in the Low-lands,
they be transported to the High-lands: providing their condition be not
made worse, but rather better by their transportation.
VII. In the point of voluntary transportation, no Minister shall
transact and agree with any Parish, to be transported thereto, without
a full hearing of him, and his Parish, before the Presbyterie to which
he belongs in his present charge, or superiour Kirk judicatories, if
need shall be.
VIII. The planting of vacant Kirks, is not to be tyed to any (either
Ministers, or Expectants) within a Presbyterie: but a free election is
to be, according to the order of our Kirk, and Lawes of our Kingdome.
IX. The chief Burghs of the Kingdome are to be desired to traine up
young men of excellent spirits for the Ministery, according to their
power, as recommended to Edinburgh: Which course will in time (God
willing) prevent many transplantations.
The Overtures under-written anent the Schooles being likewise read
in audience of the Assembly, they recommend the particulars therein
mentioned, anent the providing of the maintenance for Schoolmasters,
to the Parliament; and ordaine the rest to be sent to the Synods, to
be considered by them, and they to report their judgements thereof to
the next Generall Assembly, as said is.
I. Every Parish would have a Reader and a Schoole, where children are
to be bred, in reading, writting, and grounds of Religion, according to
the laudable Acts, both of Kirk and Parliament, made before.
And where Grammar Schooles may be had, as in Burghs, and other
considerable places, (among which all Presbyteriall Seates are to be
reputed) that they be erected, and held hand to.
II. Anent these Schooles, every Minister with his Elders, shall
give accompt to the Presbyteries at the visitation of the Kirk; the
Presbyteries are to make report to the Synode, and the Synode to the
Generall Assembly, that Schools are planted, as above-said, and how
they are provided with men and means.
III. And because this hath been most neglected in the High-lands,
Ilands, and Borders, Therefore the Ministers of every Parish are to
instruct by their Commissioners, to the next Generall Assembly, that
this course is begun betwixt and then: and they are further to certifie
from one Generall Assembly to another, whether this course is continued
without omission, or not.
IIII. And because the means hitherto named or appointed for Schooles
of all sorts, hath been both little, and ill payed, Therefore, beside
former appointments, (the execution whereof is humbly desired, and to
be petitioned for at the hands of his Majestie and the Parliament)
the Assembly would further supplicate this Parliament that they (in
their wisdome) would finde out how meanes shall be had for so good an
use, especially that the children of poore men, (being very capable
of learning, and of good engines) may be trained up, according as the
exigence and necessity of every place shall require. And that the
Commissioners, who shall be named by this Assembly, to wait upon the
Parliament, may be appointed to represent this to his Majestie, and the
Parliament, seeing His Sacred Majestie, by his gracious Letter hath put
us in hope hereof, wherewith we have been much refreshed.
V. The Assembly would supplicate the Parliament, that for youths of the
finest and best spirits of the High-lands, and Borders, maintenance may
be allotted (as to Bursars) to be bred in Universities.
VI. For the time and manner of visitation of Schooles, and contriving
the best and most compendious and orderly course of teaching Grammar,
we humbly desire the Assembly to appoint a Committee for that effect,
who may report their diligence to the next Generall Assembly.
The Overtures and Articles above-written being reported to this
Assembly, after reading and serious consideration thereof, the
Assembly approves the same, and ordaines them to have the strength
of an Act and ordinance of Assembly in all time coming.
Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
_Act anent contrary Oaths._
The Generall Assembly finding the inconvenience of contrary Oaths in
trying of Adulteries, Fornications, and other faults and scandals,
do therefore for eviting thereof, discharge Synods, Presbyteries
and Sessions, to take Oath of both parties in all time hereafter,
Recommending to them in the mean time all other order and wayes of
tryall used in such cases: And that there may be a common order and
course kept in this Kirk of trying of publike scandals, The Assembly
ordains the Presbyteries to advise upon some common order hereintill,
and to report their judgements to the next Assembly.
* * * * *
_Overtures anent Family Exercises, Catechising, keeping of Synods and
Presbyteries, and restraint of Adulteries, Witch-crafts, and other
grosse sins._
The Committee supplicates the Assembly,
I. To urge the severall Synods and Presbyteries, especially these
of the North, that Family Exercise in Religion, Visitation of the
Churches, Catechising, keeping of the Presbyteriall and Provinciall
meetings (both by Preaching and Ruling Elders) be more carefully
observed.
II. That the Clerk at least subscribe every Book before it come to the
Assembly, and that every Act be noted on the Margent, for a directory
of expedition.
III. That the Assembly would seriously studie by all meanes and wayes
how to procure the Magistrates concurrence to curb and punish these
notorious vices which abound in the Land, especially in the Northern
parts.