be observed: and for the last, the Assembly being confident of the
readinesse of the Judge Ordinar to restrain and punish these faults,
Do therefore ordain all Presbyteries to give up to the Justice, the
names of the Adulterers, incestuous persons, Witches and Sorcerers,
and others guilty of such grosse and fearfull sins within their
bounds, that they may be Processed, and punished according to the Laws
of this Kingdom; and that the Presbyteries and Synods be carefull
herein, as they will answer to the Generall Assemblies. And because
that Witch-craft, Charming, and such like, proceeds many times from
ignorance; Therefore the Assembly ordains all Ministers, especially in
these parts where these sins are frequent, to be diligently Preaching,
Catechising, and conferring, to inform their people thereintill.
Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
_Act against Petitions, Declarations, and suchlike, in name of
Ministers, without their knowledge or consents._
The Generall Assembly being informed, that after the Petition presented
to the Lords of His Majesties Privie Councell by the Noblemen,
Burgesses, and Ministers, occasionally met at Edinburgh the 31 day
of May last by-past, had received a very gracious Answer, There was
another Petition given in to their Lordships upon the _________ day of
June last, entituled, The Petition of the Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burrows,
Ministers, and Commons: which as it was not accompanied with any one
Minister to the Lords of Privie Councell, so all the Ministers of this
Assembly, disclaims and disavoweth any knowledge thereof, or accession
thereto. And the Assembly conceiving that the Kings Majestie himself,
and all the Courts and Judicatories of this Kingdoms may be deluded and
abused, and the Kirk in Generall, and Ministers in particular, injured
and prejudged by the like practices hereafter, Do therefore prohibite
and discharge all and every one to pretend or use the name of Ministers
to any Petition, Declaration, or suchlike at any time hereafter,
without their knowledge, consent, and assistance: And if any shall
doe the contrary, ordaines Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies to
proceed against them with the highest censures of the Kirk.
Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
_Act anent the Assemblies desires to the Lords of Counsell and
Conservators of Peace._
The Assembly being most desirous to use all, and to omit no lawfull
meane or occasion to testifie their zeale by dealing with God and man,
for furtherance of their desires of Unity in Religion and uniformity
of Kirk-government, And considering the great necessity, that the
Kirk and State contribute jointly their best endeavours to this happy
end: Therefore enjoynes the Moderator, and the Commissioners from
the Assembly, to supplicate with all earnestnesse and respect, the
Lords of his Majesties Honourable Privie Councell, and likewise the
Commissioners appointed by his Majestie, and the Parliament, for
conservation of the Peace, that they may be pleased to concur with the
Kirk in the like desires to His Majesty and the Parliament of England,
and in the like directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdome,
at London for the time, that by all possible means, Civill and
Ecelesiastick, this blessed Worke may be advanced, and a happy settling
betwixt His Majestie and his Parliament, may be endeavoured, and the
common Peace betwixt the Kingdomes continued and strengthened.
Sess. XI. Aug. 5, 1642.
_The Assemblies humble desire to the Kings Majestie for the Signator of
£500 Sterling, and recommendation thereof to the Kings Commissioner._
The Generall Assembly having received the Report of the proceedings of
the Commissioners of the late Assembly, and specially that His Majestie
was graciously pleased, upon their humble Petition, solemnly to promise
and declare under his Royall hand, his pious resolution and dedication
of £500 sterling, out of the readiest of his Rents and revenues, to be
imployed yearly on publike necessary and pious uses of the Kirk, at
the sight of the Generall Assembly, as His Majesties gracious Answer
of the 3 of January 1642, registrate in their books at His Majesties
own desire, for their further assurance of his Majesties pious zeale,
doth more fully proport. Likeas being informed that His Majestie was
graciously pleased to signe and send down to the Kirk the Signator of
the said £500 yearly to have past the Exchequer, albeit the samine is
not as yet delivered; And considering His Majesties pious directions
to them by His Majesties Letter to plant and visit the utmost skirts
and borders of the Kingdome, as most necessary for the glory of God,
the good of the Kirk, and His Majesties honour, and service, which
is only stopped by the want of charges for publike visitations, And
withall to remonstrate to His Majestie by his Commissioner, their
just and necessary desires for what may further serve to the good
of Religion, whereunto His Majesties Commissioner promised his best
endeavours and assistance. Therefore the Assembly doth most earnestly
recommend to His Majesties Commissioner to represent to His Majestie,
with his best assistance, the humble and necessary desires of the whole
Assembly, that His Majestie will be graciously pleased to command that
Signator, already signed by His Royall hand (or to signe another of the
samine tenor, whereof they deliver the just double to His Majesties
Commissioner for that effect) to be sent to this Kingdom, and delivered
to the Commissioners from this Assembly, who are to sit at Edinburgh,
or to the Procurator of the Kirk, whereby His Majestie shall more and
more oblige this whole Kirk to pray for a blessing from Heaven upon his
Royall Person and Government.
Sess XI. 5 Aug. 1642.
_The Asemblies Letter to the Commissioners of this Kingdom at London._
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
We have received your Lordships Letter, with the Declaration of
the Parliament of England, and have sent this Noble bearer to His
Majesty with our humble Supplication, and to your Lordships with
our Answer, earnestly desiring Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of
Kirk-government, to be presented by your Lordships, and this Noble
bearer to the Honourable Houses of Parliament. Your Lordships will
perceive by the inclosed Copies, and by our desires to His Majesties
Honourable Privie Councell and Commissioners for the conservation of
the Peace, to joyn their best endeavours with His Majestie and the
Parliament, and their directions to your Lordships, by our leaving a
Commission behinde us, to concur with them in all Ecclesiastick wayes,
and by our appointing publike Prayers, and a solemn Fast through
this Kirk, for the furtherance of this great work of Reformation,
and continuance of the common Peace, that this unity in Religion and
Uniformity of Kirk-government is the chiefest of our desires, prayers,
and cares: whereunto as we have been encouraged by the faithful labors
of the Commissioners of this Kingdom in the late Treaty, and continued
and renewed by your Lordships, so we are assured, that your Lordships
will omit no lawfull mean, argument, or occasion of seconding the same
there, And advertising our Commissioners at Edinburgh, wherein they
may further concur with your Lordships for the furtherance of the
Work, which tends so much to the glory of God, advancement of Christs
Kingdom, increase of the honour and happinesse of our Soveraign, and
the peace and welfare of these Kingdoms, whereby your Lordships will
oblige this Kirk more and more to pray for a blessing on your persons
and travels, and to rest
Yours in the Lord
The Commissioners of the Generall
Assembly.
St. Andrews 5 Aug. 1642.
_A letter from some Ministers of England._
Reverend and wel-beloved in our
Lord and Saviour,
We received with much joy and satisfaction, the Answer which your
Generall Assembly vouchsafed us to our Letters of the last yeer. Some
of us, in the name of our Brethren, thought it then fit by M. Alexander
Henderson (a Brother so justly approved by you, and honoured by us) to
return our deserved thanks. And we now further think it equall upon
this occasion, to make a more publike acknowledgement of such a publike
favour. You were then pleased to give us fair grounds, to expect that
brotherly advice and endeavours, which the common cause of Christ, and
the mutuall interest of the united Nations, command us now again to
ask, if not to chalenge. We doubt not but your experience, together
with your intelligence, abundantly informes you of our condition, what
various administrations of providence we have passed through, and we
still lye betwixt hopes and feares, a fit temper for working; the God
of all grace enable us to improve it. As our hopes are not such as
may make us fear, so neither doe our Feares prevail, to the casting
away our confidence. Your own late condition, together with this
Declaration of ours present, may acquaint you with the certain, though
subtil, authors and fomentors of these our confused conflicts: which
we conceive to be the Hierarchical faction, who have no way to peace
and safety, but through the trouble and danger of others. Our prayers
and endeavours, according to our measure, have been, and shall be, for
the supplanting and rooting up whatsoever we finde so prejudiciall
to the establishment of the Kingdome of Christ and the peace of our
Soveraigne. And that this Declaration of our selves may not leave
you unsatisfied, we think it necessary further to expresse, That the
desire of the most godly and considerable part amongst us, is, That the
Presbyterian Government, which hath just and evident Foundation both in
the Word of God, and religious reason, may be established amongst us,
and that (according to your intimation) we may agree in one Confession
of Faith, one directorie of Worship, one publike Catechisme and form
of government: Which things, if they were accomplished, we should much
rejoyce in our happy subjection to Christ our Head, and our desired
association with you our beloved brethren. For the better effecting
whereof, we thought it necessary, not only to acquaint you with what
our desires are in themselves, but likewise to you, that is, That what
way shall seem most fit to the wisedom of that grave and religious
Assembly, may be taken for the furtherance of our indeavours in this
kind. We understand that our Parliament hath been beforehand with us
in this intimation, and it cannot but be our duty, who are so much
concerned in the businesse, to adde what power the Lord hath given us
with you to the same purpose. This designe and desire of ours hath
enemies on the Left hand; and dissenting brethren on the Right; but
we doubt not, that as our hearts justifie us that our intentions are
right, and such as we conceive tend most to the glory of God, and the
peace of the Churches of the Saints; so (by your brotherly concurrence
in the most speedy and effectuall way you can find out) the Work will,
in Gods due time, receive a prayed for, hoped for issue. We shall not
need by many arguments from mutuall Nationall interest (though we know
you will not overlook them) to inforce this request, the firme bond
wherewith we are all united in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are assured
will alone engage your faithfull endeavors in this businesse. To him we
commit you, with these great and important affairs you have in hand. Be
pleased to accept of these as the expression of the mindes of our many
godly and faithfull Brethren, whose hearts we doubt not of, neither
need you, though their hands in regard of the suddennesse of this
opportunity could not be subscribed together with ours, who are
Your most affectionate friends and brethren
in the Work of the Lord.
London 22 July,
1642.
_Answer to the Ministers Letter._
Right Reverend and beloved in the Lord Jesus.
By our Answer to the Declaration sent unto us from the honourable
Houses of Parliament, ye may perceive that your Letter which came
into our hands so seasonably, was not only acceptable unto us, but
hath also encouraged us to renew both to the Kings Majestie and the
Houses of Parliament, The desires of the late Commissioners of this
Kingdome for Unity in Religion, in the four particulars remembred by
you, we cannot be ignorant but the opposition from Satan and worldly
men in Kirk and Policy, will still be vehement as it hath been already,
But we are confident through our Lord Jesus Christ, that the prayers
and indeavours of the godly in both Kingdoms, will bring the work to
a wished, and blessed Issue. This whole nationall Kirk is so much
concerned m that Reformation and Unity of Religion in both Kingdomes,
that without it we cannot hope for any long time to enjoy our puritie
and peace, which hath cost us so dear, and is now our chiefest comfort
and greatest treasure: Which one cause (beside the Honour of God) and
the happinesse of the People of God in that Kingdome, more desired of
us then Our lives) is more then sufficient to move us, To contribute
all that is in our power for bringing it to passe. And since we have
with so great liberty made our desires and hopes known both to King
and Parliament, it is a duety incumbent both to you and us, who make
mention of the Lord, and are Watch-men upon the Walls of Jerusalem,
never more to keep silence nor to hold our peace day nor night, till
the righteousnesse of Sion go forth as brightnesse, and the salvation
thereof as a lamp that burneth. And if it shall please the Lord to
move the hearts of King and Parliament, to hearken unto the motion,
for which end we have resolved to keep a solemne Fast and Humiliation
in all the Kirks of this Kingdome, the mean by which we have prevailed
in times past, we wish that the work may be begun with speed, and
prosecuted with diligence by the joint labours of some Divines in both
Kingdoms, who may prepare the same for the view and examination of a
more frequent Ecclesiastick meeting of the best affected to Reformation
there, and of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly here, that in
end it may have the approbation of the Generall Assembly here, and of
all the Kirks there, in the best way that may be, we wish and hope at
last in a nationall Assembly; Our Commissioners at Edinburgh, shall in
our name receive and returne answers for promoving so great a Work,
which we with our heart and our soule recommend to the blessing of God,
we continue,
Your loving brethren and
fellow-labourers.
_Act for the Lord Maitlands presenting the Assemblies Supplication to
His Majestie, and for going to the Commissioners at London, with the
Answer to the Parliament of Englands Declaration._
The Generall Assembly considering the necessity of sending some person
of good worth and quality for to present their humble Supplication to
His Majestie, and to deliver their directions to the Commissioners of
this Kingdom, now at London, with their Declaration to the Parliament
of England, and Answer to some wel-affected Ministers of that Kirk:
And having certain knowledge of the worth, ability, and faithfulnesse
of John Lord Maitland, one of their number, who being witnesse to all
their intentions and proceedings, can best relate their true loyaltie
and respect to their Soveraign, and brotherly affection to the Kirk
and Kingdom of England therein; Therefore do unanimously require
his Lordships pains, by repairing to Court and to London for the
premisses, which hereby they commit to his diligence and fidelity;
willing his Lordship to make account of his proceedings herein to their
Commissioners appointed to sit at Edinburgh.
Sess. XII. 5 Aug. _post meridiem_.
_Commission for publike affairs of this Kirk, and for prosecuting
the desires of this Assembly to His Majestie and the Parliament of
England._
The Generall Assembly considering the laudable custome of this Kirk
for to appoint some Commissioners in the interim betwixt Assemblies,
for presenting of Overtures and prosecuting the other desires of the
Kirk to His Majestie, the Lords of His Councell, and the Estates of
Parliament; and taking to their consideration the present condition of
the Kirk of England, with the Declaration thereof sent down from the
Parliament, and some reverend Brethren of the Ministery there, with
their own Answer to the Parliament and Ministery, and their humble
Supplication to His Majestie for Unity of Religion and Uniformity of
Kirk-government. And withall remembring their desires to the Honourable
Lords of His Majesties Secret Councell, and to the Commissioners
appointed by the King and Parliament, for conservation of the common
Peace, That they would joyn their concourse in their desires to His
Majestie and Parliament, and directions to the Commissioners of
this Kingdom at London for the time. And likewise considering their
good hopes from Gods gracious favour to this Island, that by his
good providence he will in his own way and time settle this great
Work through this whole Ile; And that it is both our earnest desire
and Christian duty to use all lawfull means and Ecclesiastick wayes
for furtherance of so great a Work, continuance of the common peace
betwixt these nations, and keeping a brotherly correspondence betwixt
these Kirks. Therfore the Assembly thinks it necessary before their
dissolving to appoint, and by these presents do nominate and appoint,
Masters, Andrew Ramsay, Alex. Henderson, Robert Dowglas, William
Colvill, William Bonnet Ministers at Edinburgh, M. William Arthur,
Minister at S. Cuthbert, M. James Robertson, John Logan, Robert
Lighton, Commissioners from Dalkeith to this Assembly: Masters, Andrew
Blackhall, James Fleeming, Robert Ker, Commissioners from Haddingtoun
to this Assembly: Masters, George Hamilton, Robert Blair, Arthur
Mortoun, David Dalgleish, Andrew Bennet, Walter Greg, John Moncreff,
John Smith, George Gillespie, John Ross, John Duncan, Walter Brace,
Commissioners for the Presbyteries within the Province of Fyffe: M.
David Calderwood, Minister at Pencaitland, M. John Adamson, Principal
of the Colledge of Edinburgh, M. John Strang Principal of the Colledge
of Glasgow, M. David Dickson, M. James Bonar, M. Robert Bailie, M.
John Bell, M. Robert Ramsay, M. George Young, M. Henry Guthrie, M.
Samuel Oustein, M. John Robertson, Minister at S. Johnstoun, M. John
Robertson, Minister at Dundie, M. John Hume Minister at Eckills,
M. Andrew Cant, M. William Guild, M. Samuel Rutherfurd, M. James
Martin, M. Alexander Monroe, M. Robert Murray, M. John Maclellan,
Andrew Doncanson, M. Silvester Lambie, M. Gilbert Ross, _Ministers:_
Marquesse of Argyle, Earles of Lauderdaile, Glencarne, Kinghorne,
Eglintoun, Weemes, Cassils: Lords, Gordoun, Maitland, Balcarras, Sir
Patrick Hepburne of Wauchtoun, Sir David Home of Wedderburne, Sir
David Creightoun of Lugtoun, Sir David Barclay of Cullearnie, John
Henderson of Fordell, M. George Winrame of Libertoun, Sir Robert
Drummond, Sir William Carmichaell, John Binnie, Thomas Paterson, John
Sempill, John Kennedy of Air, John Leslie from Aberdene, William
Glendining Provest of Kirkubright, John Colzear, _Ruling Elders_, with
the concurse of the Procurator of the Kirk: And grants to them full
Power and Commission in this interim, betwixt and the next Assembly,
for to meet and conveen at Edinburgh upon the 17 day of this moneth of
August, and upon any other day, or in any other place, as they shall
think convenient: And being met and conveened, or any fifteen of them,
there being alwayes twelve Ministers present: With full power for to
consider and performe what they finde necessary for the Ministerie, by
preaching, supplicating, preparing of draughts of one Confession, one
Catechisme, one directory of publike Worship (which are alwayes to be
revised by the next Generall Assembly) and by all other lawfull and
Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work in the Union
of this Iland in Religion and Kirk-government, and for continuance of
our own peace at home, and of the common peace betwixt the Nations,
and keeping of good correspondence betwixt the Kirks of this Iland.
Like as if it shall please God to blesse the prayers and endeavours
of his Saints for this blessed Union, and that if either the Lords of
Councell, or Commissioners for the Peace shall require their concurse
at home or abroad, by sending Commissioners with theirs to His Majesty
and Parliament for that effect, or that they themselves shall finde
it necessary, The Assembly grants full power to them, not only to
concurre by all lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, with the Councell and
Conservators of the Peace at home, but also to send some to present
and prosecute their desires and humble advice to His Majestie and the
Parliament, and the Ministerie there, for the furthering and perfecting
of so good and great a Worke. Like as, with power to them to promove
their other desires, overtures, and recommendations of this Assembly,
to the Kings Majestie, Lords of Councell, Session, Exchequer, and
Commissioners of Parliament, for plantation of Kirks, for common
burdens, or conservation of the common peace, and to the Parliament
of this Kingdom, in case it fall out _pro re nata_ before the next
Assembly. And such like, with as full power to them to proceed, treat
and determine in any other matters to be committed to them by this
Assembly, as if the samine were herein particularly insert, and with
as ample power to proceede in the matters particularly or generally
above-mentioned, as any Commissioners of Generall Assemblies have
had, and have been in use of before: They being alwayes comptable to,
and censurable by the next Generall Assembly, for there proceedings
thereanent.
Sess. XIII. 6 Aug. 1642.
_A petition from some distressed Professors in Ireland._
To the Reverend and right Honourable the Moderator and remanent members
of the Generall Assembly of Scotland, conveened at S. Andrews, July
1642. The humble Petition of the most part of the Scottish Nation in
the North of Ireland, in their own names, and in name of the rest of
the Protestants there,
_Humbly sheweth,_
That where your Petitioners by the great blessing of the Lord, enjoyed
for a little while a peaceable and fruitfull Ministerie of the Gospel,
yet through our own abuse of so rich a mercy, and through the tyrannie
of the Prelates, we have been a long time spoiled of our Ministers, (a
yoke to many of us heavier then death) who being chased into Scotland,
were not altogether un-usefull in the day of your need; And we having
been since oppressed and scattered, as sheep who have no shepherd, now
at last the wise and righteous hand of the Lord, by the sword of the
Rebels, hath bereft us of our friends, and spoiled us of our goods,
and left us but a few, and that a poor handfull of many, and hath
chased from us the rest that were called our Ministers; the greatest
part whereof we could scarce esteem such, as being rather Officers to
put the Prelats Injunctions in execution, than feeders of our souls:
So that now being visited with sword and sicknesse, and under some
apprehension of famine, if withall we shall taste of the sorest of all
plagues, to be altogether deprived of the Ministery of the Word, we
shall become in so much a worse condition then any Pagans, as that once
we enjoyed a better: Neither know we what hand to turn us to for help,
but to the Land so far obliged by the Lords late rare mercies, and so
far enriched to furnish help of that kinde; a Land whence many of us
drew our blood and breath, and where (pardon the necessary boldnesse)
some of our own Ministers now are, who were so violently plucked from
us, so sore against both their own and our wills; yea, the Land that
so tenderly in their bosoms received our poor out-casts, and that hath
already sent us so rich a supply of able and prosperous Souldiers to
revenge our wrong.