Principis_, never to come in the contrair of this Statute and Sanction,
nor any thing therein contained; but to hold the same in all points
firm and stable, and shall cause it to be truly observ’d by all his
Majesty’s Lieges, according to the Tenour and Intent thereof, for now
and ever.
Like as the Parliament of both Kingdoms give full assurance, and do
make publick Faith in the Name of both Kingdoms Respectively, for the
True and Faithful Observance of this Treaty, and whole Articles thereof
Inviolably, _hinc inde_, in all time to come.
* * * * *
2. _Principal Baillie’s Journal of the Assembly, 1642, in a Letter to
the Rev. William Spang._[295]
COUSIN,
You had long ago from me, an account of our parliament; what has
fallen out since in England and Ireland, you know it as well as I. The
world sees the passages daily in print, and it is like, many hands
will be careful to give account to posterity, of so many notable
pieces of state as have fallen out this year in our dominions. The
misintelligence of the King with his parliament continues to this day.
When they had found the accusation, and had assayed to arrest by force
in the middle of the House of Commons, five of their well-deserving
members to ____________ the King’s long stay in his way from Scotland,
and extraordinary caressing of the city of London, they became more
jealous than ever, that their old enemies were on some new ways to
make all their labours fruitless. Their great fears forced them to
these guards which occasioned the King in malecontentment to go from
Whitehall, and the Queen to leave the kingdom. Mutual misunderstanding
has ever since increased pitifully; the putting of Sir William Balfour
from the tower of London; my Lord Digby’s appearing in arms about
Kingston, his flight to Holland, and idle letters to the King and
Queen; my Lord Newcastle’s attempt on Hull, before Sir John Hotham’s
coming there; Sir John’s refusing to let the King enter; his Majesty
besieging of that place; my Lord Warwick’s using of the navy against
the King’s mind; the great desertion of the parliament, by noblemen
and others; that thrice traitor Goring’s delivery of Portsmouth to the
King, has now well near betrayed Ireland to the will of the barbarous
rebels, has put England in the posture of a most dangerous war, the
event whereof, what it may be, we tremble to think. The best-affected
of our council, before these evils went so high, thought meet to send
up our Chancellor to see what his counsel might effectuate betwixt
King and parliament. His Majesty, at that time, misliked the way of
intercession, and caused the Chancellor to return, requiring our
council withal to read and consider all that had passed betwixt him
and the parliament, that finding how much he was injured by them in
his just and legal prerogative, our council might, in name of our
kingdom, declare the sense of these wrongs to the parliament by what
commissioners they pleased. To this council-day were invited, by his
Majesty’s letters, all the noblemen and other counsellors who were
affected his way. The parliament, to preveen inconveniencies, moved our
commissioners to send down Sir Archibald Johnston, with a declaration
from them of their proceedings; trusting thereby to demonstrate, that
all their ways with his Majesty should appear necessary and just. Upon
that meeting of our council there were many eyes. The banders flocked
to the town with so great backing, the Chancellor and Argyle’s company
was so small, that there was a great rumour raised of a wicked design
against Argyle’s person; but incontinent the gentry and ministry of
Fife running over in thousands, and the Lothians with the town of
Edinburgh cleaving to Argyle above expectation, the banders courage and
companies of foot and horse melted away as snow in a hot sunshine. A
paper of Sir Archibald Johnston’s, as a letter to a friend, gave good
satisfaction to the minds of men. The petition of those who met was
so resolute, full, and well conceived. My Lord Montgomery’s petition
was so evil taken, that the council, however at the beginning for the
far most part so resolute to have concluded a boasting mediation to
the terrifying of the parliament, yet in end was glad to lay down all
such motions. Since the King was not able to carry his intentions, his
pleasure was we should desist for a time to essay any accommodation.
When the Marquis of Hamilton had left, first the parliament, and then
the King, we thought he had come to us with some instructions from the
one or both; but it seems he had nothing from either, but, to eschew
drowning, had chosen to leave both for a time, since both could not be
kept, and to both his obligations were exceeding great.
It were a pity that our armies were so unhappily employed, when there
is so fair an occasion offered to set our friends abroad on their feet,
and to put our enemies once for all, over the brae, never more to arise
to their terrible former greatness.
At this time I will only give you an account of our late assembly at
St Andrew’s. On our way we heard of sundry rumours of the banders
intention to essay their numbers, to extort from the assembly an
exposition of our covenant, favourable for an expedition to England,
for vindication of the King’s honour, which was alledged to be unjustly
trampled upon by the parliament. However, we found no footsteps, when
we came to the place, of any such plot; yet to preveen it, many of our
best noblemen thought meet to countenance the assembly: not only all
the noblemen of Fife—Weems, Burleigh, Sinclair, Elcho, Balcarras—but
Argyle also brought over with him, Eglinton, Cassils, Glencairn,
Lauderdale, Gordon, Maitland, and others, who all were elders, and
voiced. The parliament of England also thought meet to send to us, by
our commissioners, a declaration of their earnest desire to have their
church reformed according to the word of God, and a copy of their
petition to the King for peace. Lest the carrier hereof, Mr Robert
Barclay, should have been so long detained by the King, whom he was
directed to visit by the way, another copy was sent to us, which came
with Mr Borthwick’s man, on the fourth morning, from London. We thought
ourselves much honoured by the respectful letters both of the King and
parliament to us. It seems it concerned both to have our good opinion.
On Monday, the 26th of July, we came over the water; not without danger
and fear. Tuesday the 27th, we came to St Andrew’s. We found there,
in the people, much profanity and ignorance, swearing, drunkenness,
and the faults of the worst burghs, with extraordinary dearth. On
Wednesday the 28th was a fast. Mr Henderson preached graciously and
wisely, on 2 Cor., vi., 1, 2, 3; taxed freely the vices of ministers,
among other the humour of novation. In the afternoon, Mr Blair had a
sermon on Isaiah, lii., 7, 8, 9. He had preached thrice that week for
Mr Rutherford, and was unwell: it seems he expected Mr Andrew Ramsay
to have preached that diet, being the antecedent moderator; but he was
absent, not being a commissioner. After both sermons, we entered the
Old College with great trouble. Dumfermling took the chair of state for
the King. He was in his way for France; for hither his mind carried
him, against the heart of all his friends; but having this favourable
commission put on him, by all mens expectation, he came with a number
of his noble friends; his nephew, the Master of Zester, carried the
commission in a purse before him. After prayer, the moderator leeted
Mr Robert Douglas, Mr James Bonner, Mr Andrew Cant, Mr Robert Blair.
Cassils, for keeping of the assembly’s liberty, caused add Mr Robert
Ramsay. Mr James Bonner, got some voices; the rest almost none: but
unanimously Mr Robert Douglas was chosen. Before the election, the
commissions were given in, the names were read and booked. Want of
charges made many presbyteries send but one minister. The commission
was referred to consideration, because of a clause of the chancery,
of not transferring the synod without his Grace’s advice. The King’s
letter was read: it was very gracious; yet had a discharge express
enough to meddle with any thing concerned us not. The Commissioner
craved liberty of assessors: (he spoke little and low.) It was refused,
except for private consultation. The King had written to the Marquis of
Hamilton, Argyle, the Chancellor, Morton, and Southesk, to attend, and
assist him. Argyle read his letter; but professed his presence there
alone, in quality of a ruling elder from the presbytery of Inverary.
Southesk sat at his foot-stool, and oft whispered his unsavoury advice.
None of the other appeared. The commission from Campvere was welcomed.
Thursday, July 29th, I was sent for by the moderator in the morning
to Mr Blair’s chamber. There the moderator had appointed his private
meetings with his assessors, for regulating of difficult affairs. The
members were secretly advertised; for none were allowed publickly;
Mess. Henderson, Cant, Dickson, Blair, Fleming, Argyle, Cassils,
Lauderdale, Sir Archibald Johnston, Mr George Winton, and John Binnie.
We resolved there upon the committees. We were feared for a storm about
novations. The ablest men of the kingdom were present. I advised to
name the committee for regulating of Shetland and Orkney first, and
put upon it these men from whom they expected more fashrie, such as
Mr Harrie Guthrie, Mr David Dogleish, and sundry moe. The committee
for bills and reports I got too ordered, that Mr James Bonner became
moderator for the one, and Mr Robert Ramsay for the other, with Mr
George Young his clerk, who made all the reports in face of the synod,
as he had done twice before; only some of my friends were neglected
through my forgetfulness, who therefore were like to have created
us trouble, had I not gotten some employment to them thereafter.
The clerk had drawn up a number of matter for the synod, which then
we examined. No sermon that day, for Mr R. Ramsay nominate by the
moderator but yesternight, had refused. In the assembly the committee
for bills, reports, and Shetland, were appointed, as we resolved. The
commissioners for visiting the universities of St Andrew’s and Glasgow
were renewed. I admired the industry of Argyle. All the diets of our
synod he kept, and did give most and best advice in every purpose that
came by hand. Our privy committee, before or after the assembly, he
never missed; the committee for visitation of the universities, had
punctually attended, and yet never complained of weariness. We put
Eglinton on the committee of bills, and Glencairn on the reports,
where he became a little more busy than was well taken. Because of the
ignorance of acts of the general assemblies, the clerk was desired
to draw together in one body the general acts of the old assemblies,
to be ready for the press, and to print, without delay, the acts of
the last five assemblies. Mr George Haliburton was somewhat tedious
in his speeches anent the plantation of Dundee. His son was presented
by the Viscount of Didup; yet at the town’s desire, the young man did
pass from his presentation. Mr D. Dogleish spoke much and well, but so
boldly and oft that he was little regarded. Mr George Gillespie’s cause
came in. His patrons Weems and Elcho spoke much for his retention:
himself also was very earnest to stay. Many marvelled of the difficulty
was made, since long before, as he was alleged, the city of Edinburgh
had agreed with Mr George for his transportation with his patrons
consent. The King’s letter was read again, and overtures for Papists
and presentations were referred to the moderator. The committees were
appointed in the afternoon. At our meeting, it was laid on Mr Henderson
to answer the King and parliament’s letters. The overture anent Papists
was committed to me; which I drew, as it was thereafter approven in
the assembly, without alteration. We spake much of patronages. The
overtures whereupon the commissioners of parliament had agreed on with
the King, I shewed was of no use to us; for it was hard for us to find
one person to a vacant kirk; but to send up six to the King, where-ever
he was to present any one, whereof we would assure should be accepted
by all who had interest, it was not possible. Argyle made a fair offer
for himself, and all the noblemen present, hoping to persuade other
noblemen and gentlemen to do the like, that they would give free
liberty to presbyteries and people to name whom they would to vacant
places, upon condition the assembly would oblige intrants to rest
content with modified stipends. I reasoned against this condition, not
for stipends already modified, but where benefices were yet entire; for
there it was hard for us to dilapidate these few relicks with our own
hand. Lauderdale was much against popular elections. So we resolved to
have nothing spoken at all of patronages.
Friday, 30th, the provincial assembly-books were produced by the
commissioners where the clerk resided. A very well-penned letter
by sundry noblemen and gentlemen was read for help of ministers in
Ireland. After much private debate, Mr D. Dickson having peremptorily
refused it was laid by the voices of the assembly on Mr Blair and
Mr James Hamilton to go to Ireland for the first four months; on Mr
Robert Ramsay and Mr James Maclelland for four months following; on Mr
John Livingston and me for the next four. It came so suddenly on me,
that all my opposition was in vain; and it was the assembly’s care,
to beware lest all the men that went over to that land should be in
danger, in the first settling of that church, to favour any differences
from our church. There was much debate for reading of the parliament
of England’s letters. The commissioner was passionate, that no answer
might be given to them till the King’s license might be obtained for
that end. When his weeping could not obtain this, Southesk suggested
the delay of answer only for twenty-four hours. This also was refused;
for however the answer was not ready for some days thereafter, yet we
esteemed it a dangerous preparative, to be hindered to answer when we
found meet, the motion made to us by less considerable parties than the
parliament of England. Mr Robert Brown having satisfied the presbytery
of Penpont for his long delay to come to the covenant, upon his humble
petition was received an expectant. After noon, in our committee, the
book of the commissioners of the last general assembly was revised, and
approven by us. Mr Henderson made a long and passionate apology for his
actions, That the nomination of William Murray to be agent for the kirk
till the next assembly, was by the commissioners, and not by him; that
the man had done many good offices, and none evil, to the church; that
he had refused to serve any longer in that place; that what himself
had got from the King, for his attendance in a painful charge, was
no pension; that he had touched as yet none of it; that he was vexed
with injurious calumnies. After the venting of his stomach, to all
our much compassion, the gracious man was eased in his mind, and more
chearful. It is true, some expressions in his sermons before the King,
and his familiarity with William Murray, who was thought to be deep
in all the plots, made him somewhat less haunted by our nobility than
before; and Mr David Catherwood, and Mr Andrew Kirkhall, their censure
of the ministry of Edinburgh in the late provincial of Lothian, for not
applying their doctrine to the evil of the times; also his dissuading
of his acquaintance, at Mr William Scot’s burial, to come over to the
council-day, and his small countenancing of the ministers petition
to the council, occasioned many unpleasant whispers against him; but
certainly the man’s great honesty, and unparalleled abilities to serve
this church and kingdom, did ever remain untainted.
Mr R. Blair and Mr S. Rutherford moved us to assist them for an act
of transportability. There was a great heartburning for the time in
the town. Mr Andrew Afflect of Largo had been nominate by Mr A. to be
his colleague in St Andrew’s. The whole town did much affect him. Mr
Robert and Mr Samuel had given once way to his transportation hither:
yet when Mr James Bruce, Mr Arthur Morton, and Mr George Hamilton, had
carried the plurality in the presbytery, for his keeping at Largo, his
doctrine not being so spiritual and powerful as the case of St Andrew’s
required, Mr Robert plainly avowed his dissent from his transportation;
whereupon almost the whole town did storm, and refused to regard any
of Mr Robert and Mr Samuel’s desires. This made both urge at least a
transportability. I helped Mr Samuel to obtain it; but to my great
repentance, if he makes any use, as he is too much inclined, of that
his liberty. Mr Robert got some more contentment by the transporting
of Mr Andrew Honniman to be his colleague. Mr Andrew Afflect also was
taken to Dundee for the ending of that tough plea betwixt the town and
the Constable.
All this while my Lord Eglinton was seeing what he might get done for
my retaining. He was assured by all, that the assembly would transport
me; and, for this effect, Edinburgh had sent a warrant to their
commissioners, which I knew not for the time. His Lordship, therefore,
resolved to speak nothing of his appeal; only he required the favour of
an act to transport in the synod of Glasgow any he could find without a
burgh and nobleman’s residence. This was granted; and so his Lordship
went away, being much afflicted with the death of his noble son Sir
Alexander, the Colonel.
The fourth session was on Saturday, July 31. A letter from a number
of English ministers at London was read, shewing their desire of
Presbyterian government, and a full union with our church. The question
of Mr John Bruce’s admission came in. The patron, presbytery, and
provincial synod, urged his receiving. William Rig, and the people,
vehemently opposed it, because of his great insufficiency, and neglect
of some part of his trial; he was decerned to be admitted. Mr And.
Stewart’s was agitate. The provincial of Galloway had made an act,
to put all transported Ministers in their bounds unto all the trials
required of expectants. This by all was thought to be absurd; yet
the clerk fell on an overture concluded in the last assembly, giving
liberty to presbyteries to put ministers to some trial. The exposition
of this act was committed to some who made a commodious interpretation
thereof. Sundry bills, and reports of particular affairs, were
discussed.
On Sunday Mr David Dick preached, most on the afflictions of ministers,
for the comfort of Mr Blair as I took it; but was not thought pertinent
by the most. After noon, Mr And. Cant preached zealously on, “The zeal
of thine house hath eaten me up.”
Session fifth, Monday, August 2. The principal of the English
parliament’s declaration to us, with their petition for peace to the
King, being presented by Mr Robert Barclay, was read. The King’s very
sharp answer, presented by his Grace, was read. After it, we had
some debate in our committee about the publick reading of the King’s
answer; yet all consented it should be read. The assembly resolved to
supplicate the King, and to deal with the parliament, for peace. The
pieces were drawn up by Mr Henderson, and committed to my Lord Maitland
to deliver; which produced that gracious return from the parliament
which ye see in print. A number of bills and reports were dispatched.
Mr John Guthrie, though he had satisfied for his late subscription of
the covenant, and was earnestly supplicate by the whole provincial of
Murray, yet the patron Duff’s dissenting, could not be replanted in
his old church. The assembly presented Mr George Halyburton to the
church of Bonimoon. The presbytery of Brechin alledged their right. It
is resolved, that the rights of presbyteries and synods must cease,
and dissolve in the hands of general assemblies sitting. That great
contest had been in Glasgow anent the choice of their session, we got
it settled with motioning the occasion; the old session was ordained
to chuse the new: but that question which some would have moved, If
the old session, being viciously chosen, was to be the elector? we
did suppress. The negligence of some clerk had lost the most part
of the acts of the presbytery at Newcastle; but it was ordained to
deliver all could be had to Sir Archibald Johnston, to keep them _in
retentis_. In the afternoon we had much debate for novations in our
committee. Mr Andrew Cant, as I alledged, been put to by his nephew,
did much extenuate them. Mr Henderson and Mr Robert Murray fell
sharply on him. He freed himself of all suspicion. I was vexed on all
hands in the committee. I was mouth for these who pressed the danger
of novations; out of it I was beaten on as too slack in that matter.
When, by the cunning delays of some, the matter was like to be cast
to the end of the synod, and so to evanish, I gave over my agentry;
whereupon those who hated novations being enraged, drew a petition to
be subscribed by too many hands. This I brought to our committee. It
put them in a fray of division. They laid on me to draw an act, which
I did to the satisfaction of all once. Yet thereafter some of our
committee, repenting of their consent, it was laid on Mr Henderson to
make an explanation of the former act anent novations. His draught did
displease more than mine. At last, for fear of scandal, we agreed on
pressing for the time all acts, and writing a letter by the moderator
to the presbyteries troubled with novations. This letter I drew to the
satisfaction of all; yet, after the assembly dissolved, the form of my
draught was altered. This letter was brought from the presbyteries it
was sent to, to our provincial synod, where we got it inserted in the
questions of our visitations of churches, that novations in our bounds
should be stopped according to that letter. This was the most difficile
matter in our synod. Our northland brethren were much inflamed; and if
it had come in face of synod, would have made a violent act; yet the
places of those evils being alone among us in the west, they did leave
the agenting of it to us. Divers practices of the brethren of Galloway,
specially the deposition of Mr Gilbert Power, had wakened many of us
against their new way; yet the managing of that matter falling, by
God’s providence, in my poor hands, it was guided so peaceably as I was
able, and all was for this once fairly carried to all sides reasonable
contentment.