would urge you to take notice without our advertisement, yet give us
leave in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, to intreat, if there be
any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of
the spirit, if any bowels of mercy, that now in this nick of time, when
the sword of the Enemie making way for a more profitable entertaining
the Gospel, having also banished the Prelates and their followers, when
our extremity of distresse, and the fair hopes of speedy settling of
peace, hath opened so fair a doore to the Gospel, you would take the
cause of your younger sister, that hath no brests, to your serious
consideration, and pity poor Macedonians crying to you that ye would
come over and help us, being the servants of the God of your Fathers,
and claiming interest with you in a common Covenant, that according to
the good hand of God upon us, ye may send us Ministers for the house
of our God. We do not take upon us to prescribe to you the way or the
number, but in the view of all, the finger of the Lord points at
these, whom though persecution, of the Prelats drew from us, yet our
interest in them could not be taken away, wherein we trust in regard of
several of them, called home by death, your bounty will super-adde some
able men of your own that may help to lay the foundation of Gods house,
according to the Pattern. But for these so unjustly reft from us, not
only our necessity, but equity pleads, that either you would send them
all over, which were a Work to be parallelled to the glories of the
Primitive times, or at least that ye would declare them transportable,
that when Invitators shall be sent to any of them, wherein they may
discerne a call from God, there may be no difficultie in their loosing
from thence, but they may come back to perfect what they began, and may
get praise and fame in the Land, where they were put to shame. Neither
are you to question your power over us so to doe, or crave a president
of your own practise in that kind, for our extraordinary need calling
on you, furnisheth you with a power to make this a president for the
like cases hereafter: herein if you shall lay aside the particular
concernment of some few places, which you may easily out of your rich
Nurseries plant again, and make use of your publike spirits, which are
not spent, but increases by your so many noble designes; you shall
leave upon us and our posteritie the stamp of an obligation that cannot
be delete, or that cannot be expressed; you shall send to all the
neighbouring Churches a pattern, and erect for after-ages a monument
of self-denying tender zeale; you shall disburden the Land of the many
out-casts, who will follow over their Ministers; and you shall make
it appear, that the churlish bounty of the Prelats, which at first
cast some of these men over to us, is not comparable with the cheerful
liberalitie of a rightly constitute Generall Assembly, to whom we are
perswaded, the Lord will give seed for the loane which you bestow on
the Lord; yea, the day may come when a Generall Assembly in this Land
may returne to you the first fruits of thanks, for the plants of your
free gift. And although you were scant of furniture of this kinde your
selves, or might apprehend more need then formerly, yet doubtlesse,
your bowels of compassion would make your deep povertie even in a great
tryal of affliction, abound to the riches of your liberalitie. But
now seeing you abound in all things, and have formerly given so ample
a proof of your large bestowing on Churches abroad in Germanie and
France, knowing that you are not wearied in well-doing, we confidently
promise to our selves in your name, that ye will abound in this grace
also, following the example of our Lord and the Primitive Churches, who
alwayes sent out disciples in paires. But if herein our hopes shall
faile us, we shall not know whether to wish that we had died with our
Brethren by the Enemies hand; for we shall be as if it were said unto
us, _Goe serve other Gods_; yet looking for another kinde of Answer at
your hands, for in this you are to us as an Angel of God, we have sent
these bearers, M. John Gordoun and M. Hugh Campbell our Brethren, who
may more particularly informe you of our case, and desire that at their
returne, they may refresh the bowels of Your most instant and earnest
Supplicants.
* * * * *
_Commission to some Ministers to go to Ireland._
The Assembly having received a Petition subscribed by a considerable
number in the North of Ireland, intimating their deplorable condition,
through want of the Ministerie of the Gospel, occasioned by the
tyrannie of the Prelats, and the sword of the Rebels, and desiring
some Ministers, especially such as had been chased from them, by the
persecution of the Prelats, and some others to be added, either to be
sent presently over to reside amongst them, or declared transportable,
that upon invitation from them, they might goe and settle there;
together with some particular Petitions, desiring the returne of some
particular Ministers, who had laboured there before: All which the
Assembly hath taken to their serious consideration, being most heartily
willing to sympathize with every member of Christs Body, although
never so remote; much more with that Plantation there, which for the
most part was a Branch of the Lords Vine, planted in this Land. In
which sollicitude, as they would be loath to usurpe without their own
bounds, or stretch themselves beyond their own measure; so they dare
not be wanting, to the enlargement of Christs Kingdome, where so loud
a cry of so extreame necessitie, could not but stirre up the bowels
of Christian compassion. And although they conceive that the present
unsettled condition both of Church, and State, and Land, will not
suffer them as yet to loose any to make constant abode there; yet they
have resolved to send over some for the present exigent till the next
Generall Assembly, by courses to stay there four moneths allanerly:
And therefore doe hereby authorize and give Commission to the persons
following, to wit, M. Robert Blair, Minister at S. Andrews, and M.
James Hamilton, Minister at Dumfreis for the first four moneths: M.
Robert Ramsay, Minister at Glasgow, and M. John Maclelland, Minister
at Kirkudbright, for the next four moneths: and to M. Robert Baillie,
professor of divinitie in the University of Glasgow, and M. John
Levistoun, Minister of Stranraire for the last four moneths: To repair
into the North of Ireland, And there to visit, comfort, instruct, and
encourage the scattered flocks of Christ, to employ to their uttermost
with all faithfulnesse and singlenesse of heart, in planting and
watering, according to the direction of Jesus Christ, and according
to the doctrine and discipline of this Church in all things, And if
need be (with concurrence of such of the Ministers of the Army as are
there) to try and ordain such as shall be found qualified for the
Ministerie, Giving charge unto the persons foresaid in the sight of
God, that in doctrine, in worship, in discipline, and in their dayly
conversation, they studie to approve themselves as the Ministers of
Jesus Christ, and that they be comptable to the Generall Assembly of
this Kirk, in all things. And in case if any of the above-mentioned
Ministers be impeded by sicknesse, or otherwise necessarily detained
from this service, the Assembly ordaines the Commissioners residing
at Edinburgh, for the publike affairs of the Church, to nominate in
their place well qualified men, who hereby are authorized to undertake
the foresaid imployment, as if they had been expressly nominate in the
face of the Assembly. And this, although possibly it shall not fully
satisfie the large expectation of the Brethren in Ireland, yet the
Assembly is confident they will take in good part at this time, that
which is judged most convenient for their present condition, even a
lent mite out of their own not very great plenty, to supply the present
necessity; requiring of them no other recompence, but that they in all
cheerefulnesse may embrace and make use of the message of salvation,
and promising to enlarge their indebted bounty at the next Assembly,
as they shall finde the Worke of the Lord there to require. In the
meane while, wishing that these who are sent, may come with the full
blessing of the Gospel and peace, and recommending them, their labours,
and these to whom they are sent, to the rich blessing of the Great
Shepherd of the flock.
Sess. XIII. 6 Aug. 1642.
_Act against Slandering of Ministers._
The Generall Assembly considering the malice of divers persons in
raising calumnies and scandalls against Ministers, which is not onely
injurious to their persons, and discreditable to the holy calling
of the Ministerie, but doth also prove often a great prejudice and
hinderance to the promoving of the Gospel: Doe therefore ordain
Presteries and Synods to proceed diligently in process against all
persons, that shall reproach or scandall Ministers, with the censures
of the Kirk, even to the highest, according as they shall finde the
degree or quality of the scandal deserve.
* * * * *
_Act anent ordering of the Assembly House._
The Assembly for better order in time coming ordains the Act of the
Assembly at Aberdene for ordering the House of the Assembly to be kept
hereafter punctually. And for that effect, that the samine be reade the
first Session of every Assembly.
* * * * *
_Act for remembring in publike Prayers the desires of the Assembly to
the King and Parliament, and indiction of a publike Fast._
The Generall Assembly being desirous to promove the great work of Unity
in Religion, and Uniformity in Church-government, in all thir three
Dominions, for which the Assembly hath humbly supplicate the Kings
Majestie, and remonstrate their desires to the Parliament of England,
lest they should be wanting in any meane that may further so glorious
and so good a Work: Doe ordain, that not only the said Declaration
to the Parliament, and Supplication to the Kings Majestie, shall
be accompanied with the earnest Petitions and prayers of the whole
Brethren in private and publike, for the Lords blessing thereunto,
according to the laudable custome of our predecessors, who in the year
of God 1589, ordaines that the Brethren in their private and publike
prayers, recommend unto God the estate of the afflicted Church of
England; But having just cause of fear, that the iniquities of the
Land, which so much abound, may marre this so great a Work, doe also
ordain a solemne Fast to be kept on the second Lords day of September,
and the Wednesday following throughout the whole Kingdome for the
causes after specified.
I. Grosse ignorance and all sort of wickednesse among the greater
part, security, meer formality and unfruitfulnesse among the best, and
unthankfulnesse in all.
II. The sword raging throughout all Christendome, but most barbarously
in Ireland, and dayly more and more threatned in England, through the
lamentable division betwixt the King and the Parliament there, tending
to the subversion of Religion and Peace in all the three Kingdomes.
III. That God may graciously blesse the supplication of the Assembly
to the Kings Majesty, and their motion to the Parliament of England,
for Unity in Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, and all other
meanes which may serve for the promoving of so great a Worke, and
advancement of the Kingdome of Christ every where.
IIII. That God may powerfully overturne all wicked plots and designes
of Antichrist and his followers, and all divisive motions against the
course of Reformation, and the so much longed for Union of the King and
Parliament.
V. That God may blesse the harvest.
* * * * *
_Reference from the Presbyterie of Kirkcaldie._
Anent the Acts of Assemblies, for observation of the Lords Day,
profaned by going of Saltpannes, That this Assembly would declare the
limits of the Sabbath, during which the Pannes should stand.
The Assembly referres the Answer of this Question, to the Acts of
former Assemblies.
* * * * *
_Reference from the Synode of Fyffe._
That the Provincial of Angus keep their meeting on the same day with
the Synod of Fyffe, which breakes the correspondence between them,
appointed by the Generall Assembly of Glasgow.
ANSWER.—The Assembly ordaines the Provinciall Assembly of Angus to keep
their first meeting upon the third Tuesday of April, conforme to the
Act of the said Assembly of Glasgow.
* * * * *
_Overtures to be advised by Presbyteries against the next Assembly._
How Appeals shall be brought in to the Generall Assemblies, and by what
sort of citation. What shall be the prescription of scandalls, within
what space of time shall they be challenged, whether after three years,
the Minister having been allowed and approved in life and doctrine by
Synods, Presbyteries, and Visitations.
What order shall be taken for keeping Generall Assemblies, when
Presbyteries send not the full number of Commissioners: Or when the
Commissioners abide not untill the conclusion and dissolving of the
Assembly.
Order to be advised for Testimonialls.
* * * * *
The Assembly appoints the next Generall Assembly to hold at Edinburgh
the first Wednesday of August, 1643.
FINIS.
* * * * *
INDEX _of the_ PRINCIPALL ACTS _of the_ ASSEMBLY _holden at_ S.
ANDREWS, 27 July, 1642. _Not Printed._
1.—His Majesties Commission granted to Charles Earle of Dumfermling.
2.—Election of M. Robert Douglas, Moderator,
3.—Acceptation of the Commission from the Scottish Kirk at Campheir,
granted to M. William Spang.
4.—Act renewing the Commissions for Visitation of the Universities of
S. Andrews and Glasgow.
5.—Act anent delivery of the Irish contribution to the receivers
appointed by the Secret Councell.
6.—Act anent Idolatrous Monuments in Ruthwall.
7.—Act anent the Books of the Presbyteries in our Armie that went to
England.
8.—Act anent planting the Kirk of Kilwinning. 9.—Commis. anent
erecting a Presb. in Biggar.
10.—Act repealing the Act of the Synod of Galloway concerning tryal of
actuall Ministers.
11.—The Kings Declar. anent the gift of £500.
12.—Act for sending of Expectants to Ireland, and for a Commission to
be drawn up to some Ministers to go there.
13.—Recom. to the Marques of Argyle anent Patrick Egertie, Priest, and
all other Priests, or sayers of Masse in the North Iles, or within the
bounds of his Justiciarie.
14.—Act anent the reponing of M. Gilbert Power.
15.—Act for putting the Overtures anent maintaining Bursars in every
Presb. in practice.
16.—Report of the Com. for revising some Synod Books, and the
Assemblies approbation.
17.—Act for giving transumpts of the Covenant and Band.
18.—Act for sending of Generall Acts of Assemblies to Synods.
19.—Act anent Iames Murray.
20.—Report of the Committee of reports of the proceedings of the
Commissioners of the last Assembly appointed to attend the Parl. with
certain Overtures of the Assemblies approbation thereof, with the
double of the Signator of £500 sent to His Majestie.
21.—Com. for Visitation of Orknay and Zetland.
22.—Ref. to the Commis. of this Assembly, anent the choise of any
Minister to go to Ireland in place of any of the 6 appointed by this
Assem. to that effect, in case they or any of them be impeded by
sicknesse or death.
23.—Recom. of the Iles, Anandail, Escdaill, Liddisdaill, &c. for want
of Kirks and Schools, of the Presbyteries of Lochmaben, and Newbie, for
want of a civill Magistrate, to the Commission for planting of Kirks,
and Secret Councell, respective.
24.—Ref. to the Commission of this Assembly for planting of the Kirk of
Edinburgh.
25.—Act anent M. Colvils invitation to S. Andrews.
26.—Commission anent the planting of the Landward Kirk of S. Andrews.
27.—References and Overtures, and the Assemblies answer thereto.
28.—Ref. to the Commis. of this Assembly anent M. Iames Fairlie.
29.—Ref. to the Commis. of this Assembly anent the planting of the Kirk
of Dundie.
30.—Overtures anent the Kirk of Campheir.
31.—Recom. to the Magistrates of Glasgow anent Mundayes Market.
32.—Act anent giving in to the Clerk the List of Expectants.
33.—Act giving power and liberty to Sir Archibald Iohnstoun, Procurator
for the Kirk and Clerk to the Generall Assembly, to adjoyn any to
himself, or to depute any in these Offices whom he shall think fit.
* * * * *
=Miscellaneous Historical Documents,=
RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1642.
I. _The Propositions and Articles given in by the Scots Commissioners,
after the Lord Loudon his Return from the Parliament of Scotland._[294]
That the Treaty of Peace may be brought to a speedy and happy Close,
we did offer to your Lordships Consideration the Particulars following:—
1. That so soon as the Scottish Army shall remove out of England to
Scotland, the English Garisons of Berwick and Carlisle remove, _simul &
semel_.
2. Lest Malefactors, who have committed Theft, Murther, and the like
Crimes, crave the Benefit of the Act of Pacification and Oblivion,
for whom it is no ways intended, there would be an exception from the
said Act, of all legal pursuit, intended or to be intended, within
the space of one Year, after the Date of the Treaty, against all
Thieves, Sorners, Out-laws, Fugitives, Murtherers, Broken Men, or
their Receptors for whatsoever Thefts, Reifs, Hardships, Oppressions,
Depredations, or Murther done or committed by them; and all lawfull
Decrees given, or to be given, by the Parliament, or any Commissioners
to be appointed by them, for that effect, who shall have power to
dignosce and take cognition, whether the same falls within the said Act
of Pacification and Oblivion, or not.
3. It is desired, That the Demand concerning the not making or
denouncing of War with Foreigners, without Consent of both Parliaments,
may be condescended unto by the King and Parliament of England, which
is ordinary and universally observed in all mutual Leagues, which are
both defensive and offensive; and because the Wars denounced by one
of the Kingdoms with Foreigners, although made without Consent of the
other Kingdom, will engage them by necessary Consequence; or if the
Consideration of that Proposition, shall require longer time than
the present Condition of the important Affairs of the Parliament may
permit, and lest the speedy Close of the Treaty be thereby impeded, it
is desired, That this Demand, with the two other Articles of the same
nature—the one concerning Leagues and Confederations, and the other
concerning mutual Supply in case of Foreign Invasion—may all three
be remitted to Commissioners, to be chosen by both Parliaments, who
shall have power to treat and advise thereupon, for the Good of both
Kingdoms, and to report to the Parliaments respective.
4. It is desired, That the Articles concerning Trade and Commerce,
Naturalization, mutual Privilege and Capacity, and others of that
nature already demanded, may be condescended unto by the King and
Parliament of England: And namely, that demand about the pressing of
Ships or Men, by Sea or Land; or of shortness of Time, and exigency of
Affairs, may not permit the present Determination of these Demands;
it is desired, That these same (except so many of them as are already
agreed unto by the Commissioners for Trade) may be remitted to the
Commissioners to be chosen by both Parliaments who shall have power to
treat and advise thereof, for the good of both Kingdoms, and to make
report to the Parliaments respective. And that the Charters or Warrants
of the Scottish Nation, for freedom of Shipping in England or Ireland,
from all Customs, Imposts, Duties, and Fees, more than are paid by the
Natives of England and Ireland, granted by King James under the Broad
Seal of England, upon the Eleventh of April, in the Thirteenth Year of
his Reign, and confirmed by King Charles, upon the Ninteenth of April,
in the Eighth Year of his Reign, may be ratified and enacted in the
Parliament of England.
5. That the Extracts of Bands and Decretes put upon Record and
Register in Scotland, may have the like Faith and Execution, as the
French Tabelliones have in England or Ireland, seeing they are of
alike Nature, and deserve more Credit; and if this cannot be done
at this time, that it be remitted to the former Commission from both
Parliaments.
6. The manner of safe Conduct for transporting the Money from England
to Scotland, by Sea or Land, would be condescended upon, in such a way
as the Charges be not exorbitant.
7. The tenour of the Commission for conserving of Peace would be
condescended unto, together with the Times and Places of Meetings,
and whole Frame thereof; the Draught whereof, when it is drawn up in
England, is to be represented to the Parliament of Scotland, that they
may make like Commission, and name their Commissioners for that effect
8. The Parliament of Scotland do join their earnest and hearty Desire,
and crave the Parliament’s Concurrence, that none be in Places about
the Prince his Highness, but such as are of the Reformed Religion.
9. That an Act of Parliament of Publick Faith for payment of the Two
hundred and twenty thousand Pounds of the Brotherly Assistance which is
Arrear, may be presently framed and expedited, according to the Terms
agreed upon.
10. It is desired, that the Quorum to whom the Scots address themselves
for payment of £220,000 be condescended upon.
11. That the Order for re-calling all Proclamations, &c. made against
his Majesty’s Subjects of Scotland, be drawn up, and intimated in due
form and time, with the Publick Thanksgiving at all the Parish Churches
of his Majesty’s Dominions.
12. It is desired, That the Articles concerning the Castle of
Edinburgh, and other Strengths of the Kingdom may be understood to be,
that the same shall be disposed of for the Weal of the Kingdom, as the
King and Parliament shall think expedient.
* * * * *
_The English Lords Commissioners Answer._
1. That upon the disbanding of the Scottish Army, the Garisons of
Berwick and Carlisle shall be removed, according to the Article of the
Treaty on that behalf.
2. The second Article is condescended unto, according to the Provision
added to the Act of Oblivion and Pacification.
3, 4, 5, 6. The third Demand concerning the making of War with
Foreigners, with the other two Articles, concerning Leagues and
Confederations, and concerning mutual Supply and Assistance against
Foreign Invasion; as likewise 4, 5, and 6, Articles, concerning
Trade, Commerce, Naturalization, mutual Privilege and Capacity, and
others of that nature, and the Demands concerning the Extracts of
Bands and Decretes, and the manner of safe Conduct for transporting
of Moneys from England to Scotland, are all referred to be taken into
consideration by the Commissioners to be appointed by both Parliaments,
who shall have Power to advise and treat thereupon, and report to the
Parliaments respective.
7. It is just, That the tenour of the Commission for conserving of
Peace should be agreed upon by mutual consent; but the closing of the
Treaty not to stay hereupon, but to be left to the Commissioners to be
named.
8. To that Desire, concerning such as should be placed about the
Prince, the King hath already given a clear and satisfactory answer.
9. That there be an Act of Parliament of publick Faith, for securing
the payment of £220,000, which is Arrear of the Brotherly Assistance,
is just; and order is given for it accordingly: And it shall be
communicated with the Scottish Commissioners, that it may be a perfect
Security.
10. The Tenth, for appointing a Quorum for attending the payment of
the Money, is already moved to the Parliament, and will be done as is
desired.
11. The Eleventh Article is very just, and order shall be given
accordingly for re-calling all Proclamations, &c. and for publick
Thanksgiving.
12. This Article for the Castle of Edinburgh, and other Strengths of
Scotland, is to be settled betwixt his Majesty and the Commissioners of
Scotland; or by his Majesty and Parliament of Scotland.
All which Articles are assented unto, and approved by his Majesty,
with Advice of the Parliament of England, and by the Committees of the
Parliament of Scotland; and are necessary, for publick Declaration of
mutual Consent; and for firm Observation, to be confirmed and ratified
in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms.
* * * * *
_The Act of Pacification._
Be it therefore enacted by his Majesty, with the Assent of the Lords
and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, That the said
Treaty, and all the Articles thereof assented to as aforesaid, be and
stand for ever ratified and established, and have the Force, Vigour,
Strength, and Authority of a Law, Statute, and Act of Parliament.
Like as this afore-written Treaty, and whole Articles thereof, are by
his Majesty and the States of the Parliament of Scotland, enacted and
ordained in all time coming, the full force and strength of a true and
perfect Security, and Act of the said Parliament.