England, being commanded by them (as we have already declared) to
desire the reverend Assembly of Scotland, seriously to lay to heart
the present Estate of their Sister Church and Kingdome of England,
and not onely to assist with their Prayers in their straits, but also
by such reasonable and effectuall means as to themselves shall seem
meet to further and expedite the assistance now desired by both Houses
from the Kingdome of Scotland, and a more strict union with them, Have
thought fit in Pursuance of the commands received from both Houses
of Parliament, to communicate to this Assembly the paper which to
this purpose we have lately delivered to the Honourable Convention of
Estates, in this Kingdome, that so this reverend Assembly might be
the better enabled, to contribute their best assistance toward the
furthering and expediting of the same. Wherein we assure our selves
of their ready and willing affections, considering the great service
they may do to God, and the great honour may redound to themselves in
becoming the Instruments of a glorious Reformation, not onely through
this Iland, but from thence possibly to be spread to other Churches now
oppressed under the Antichristian bondage, and tyrannie of the Popish
and prelaticall Faction. We will not say there lies any obligation upon
this Church and Kingdome, to comply with the desires of the two Houses
of Parliament; though we might call to minde that God by the hand of
the Church and Kingdome of England, did once reach forth assistance
and aid unto this Nation, and hath since used them as a help to that
blessed Reformation it now enjoys. And who knoweth whether the wise
providence of God hath not suffered this Church and Kingdome to be
tempted thereby, to make them the more sensible of the present miseries
of their brethren, and likewise given them a good issue, with the
tentation, that they might be made a means of our deliverance? We shall
not need to offer any grounds of prudence to invite them hereunto,
who have already prevented us in the acknowledgement of what might be
said of that kinde in the advice presented by the Commissioners of
the Generall Assembly, July 6, 1643, unto the Convention of Estates,
expressing as one remedie of the present dangers of this Church and
Kingdome, their earnest desire of renewing the league and association
with England, for the defence of Religion against the common enemie,
and of further extending the same against Prelacie and Popish
Ceremonies, for Uniformity in externall worship and Church-government.
And we hope that the same God who hath put these desires into the
hearts of both Kingdomes, will make use of this present opportunity to
knit them both to himself and each other in a most strict and durable
Union, and thereby the more firmly to establish truth and peace in
both Nations. Howsoever this which we have done in discharge of our
duty, will affoord the comfort of a good conscience in our greatest
distresses, and give us ground to expect deliverance some way or other
from the manifold wisedome and power of God, who though men and means
fail, will not cast off his people, nor forsake his inheritance. We
have onely this to adde further, that we are commanded by both Houses
to let this reverend Assembly know that it is their earnest desire,
that what other Propositions may be thought fit to be added and
concluded by this Assembly, whereby the assistance and Union betwixt
the two Nations, may be made more beneficiall and effectuall for the
securing of Religion and Libertie, should be offered to us, and taken
to our speedy consideration.
WILLIAM BOND, Secr. Com.
August 15, 1634.
_The Paper before-mentioned, delivered August 12 to the Convention, and
this day to the Assembly._
We the Commissioners appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of
England, are by our instructions commanded to put their brethren of
Scotland in minde that the Popish and Prelaticall Faction that began
with them, about the year 1638 and 1639, and then intended to make way
to the ruine of the Kingdome of England by theirs, have not abated any
part of their malice toward the Nation and Church of Scotland, nor are
at all departed from their designe of corrupting and altering Religion
through the whole Iland, though they have inverted the manner of their
proceeding, conceiving now that they have an easier way to destroy
them, if they may first prevail over the Parliament and Kingdome of
England. In which respect it is the desire of both Houses, that the two
Nations may be strictly united, for their mutuall defence against the
Papists and prelaticall Faction, and their adherents in both Kingdomes,
and not to lay down arms till those their implacable enemies shall be
dis-armed, and subjected to the authority and justice of Parliament in
both Kingdomes respectively. And as an effectuall mean hereunto, they
desire their brethren of Scotland, to raise a considerable force of
Horse and Foot, for their aide and assistance, to be forthwith sent
against the Papists, prelaticall Faction, and malignants now in arms in
the Kingdome of England.
And for the better encouragement of the Kingdome of Scotland to
this necessary and so much desired Union, we are by both Houses of
Parliament authorized to assure their brethren, that if they shall be
annoyed or endangered by any Force or Army, either from England or any
other place, the Lords and Commons of England will assist them with
a proportionable strength of Horse and Foot, to what their brethren
shall now affoord them to be sent into Scotland for the defence of that
Kingdome. And they will maintain a guard of Ships at their own charge
upon the coast of Scotland, for the securing of that Kingdome, from
the invasion of Irish Rebells or other enemies, during such time as
the Scottish Army shall be employed in the defence of the Kingdome of
England. And to the end that nothing might be wanting in the Parliament
and Kingdome of England to facilitate this work (wherein the true
reformed religion, not onely in these two Kingdomes, but throughout all
Europe is so highly concerned; We are farther authorized to consider
with their brethren the Estates and Kingdome of Scotland, of what other
Articles or propositions are fit to be added and concluded, whereby
this assistance and Union betwixt the two Nations may be made more
beneficiall and effectuall for the security of Religion and Libertie in
both Kingdomes.
All which being taken into the serious and Christian consideration
of the right honourable the Lords and others of the Convention of
the Estates of Scotland, we hope there will not need many arguments
to perswade and excite them to give their consent, and that with all
convenient speed, to these desires of both houses of the Parliament of
England; seeing now they have so fully declared, as by what they have
done already, so by what they are yet desirous to do, that the true
state of this cause and quarrel is Religion, in the Reformation whereof
they are, and have been so forward and zealous, as that there is not
any thing expressed unto them by their brethren of Scotland, in their
former or latter Declarations, which they have not seriously taken to
heart, and seriously endeavoured to effect, (notwithstanding the subtle
malicious and industrious oppositions) that so the two Kingdomes might
be brought into a near conjunction in one form of Church-government,
one directorie of worship, one Catechisme, &c., and the foundation laid
of the utter extirpation of Popery and prelacie out of both Kingdomes.
The most ready and effectuall means whereunto, Is now conceived to be,
that both Nations enter into a strict Union and league, according to
the desires of the two Houses of Parliament.
And to induce the perswasion of this (if there were cause) we might
observe, that, in the many Declarations made by the Generall Assembly
or States of Scotland, to their Brethren of England, there have
been sundry expressions, manifesting the great necessitie that both
Kingdomes for the securitie of their Religion and Liberties should joyn
in this strict Union against the Papists, Prelats, and their adherents:
As also in the endeavour of a near conjunction between the Churches
of both Nations. The apprehension and foresight of which hath caused
the Popish and Prelaticall Faction in foreigne parts as well as in his
Majesties Dominions, strictly and powerfully to combine themselves to
the hinderance of this so necessary Work, and the universal suppression
of the true protestant Religion in Europe: A course not much different
from that which they took in the year 1585, when the wisedome and
zeal of this Nation to counter-myne so wicked a conspiracie, and
from the due sense of the mutuall interest of these two Kingdomes in
Religion and Libertie, found a necessity of entring into a league of
this nature, as well considering, that thereby no lesse safetie might
be expected to both Nations, then danger by forbearing the same. And
though we doubt not but in so necessary and so good a Work, many
difficulties may arise to interrupt and retard the same; yet we are as
confident, that the heartie and brotherly affection of this Nation to
the Parliament and Kingdome of England, will easily break through them;
and the rather because in the like cases of difficultie and danger,
not only at the time of the league above-mentioned, but before, and
likewise since, when any opportunity hath offered it self particularly,
during the sitting of this present Parliament, the Kingdome of England
hath been very forward and ready to lay to heart the dangers of the
Kingdome of Scotland as their own, and to decline no means within the
reach of their power for the redresse or prevention of the same.
WILLIAM BOND, Secr. Com.
August 12, 1643.
Sess. XIII. August 16, 1643.
_Recommendation to Presbyteries and Vniversities anent Students that
have the Irish language._
The Assembly considering the lamentable condition of the people in
the Highlands, where there are many that gets not the benefite of
the Word, in respect there are very few Preachers that can speak the
Irish language. Do for remeid thereof think good, that young Students
who have the Irish tongue, be trained up at Colledges in Letters,
especially in the studies of Divinitie, And to this effect recommend
to Presbyteries and Universities to preferre any hopefull Students
that have the language aforesaid, to Bursaries, that they by their
studies in processe of time attaining to knowledge, and being enabled
for the Ministerie, may be sent forth for preaching the Gospel in these
Highland parts, as occasions shall require.
Sess. XIV. August 17, 1643.
_The Letter from the Assembly of Divines in the Kingdome of England,
To the right reverend the Generall Assembly of the Church of
Scotland._
Right reverend and dearly beloved in
our Lord Jesus Christ,
We the Assembly of Divines and others, called and now sitting by
authority of both Houses of Parliament, to be consulted by them
in matters of Religion, have received from the honourable House
of Commons, a speciall order (dated the 3 of this instant August)
recommending it to us to write a Letter to the Generall Assembly of the
Church of Scotland, taking notice of the pious and good expeditions
to this Church and State, certified in the late Answer of the
Commissioners of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, from
their meeting at Edinburgh the 17 of July, 1643. And further to desire
them to possesse the people of that Kingdome with our condition, and to
encourage them to our assistance in this cause of Religion. And having
with that order received and read the said Answer directed to the
honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, we cannot sufficiently
expresse the great content and comfort, unto which it hath raised us in
the midst of the sad and calamitous condition under which we lie.
It is no small refreshing to our mourning spirits to finde, that yet
our God hath not left us wholly comfortlesse, nor cast us so far out
of his sight, as having made us sick with smiting, that should be
verified of us, _Lover and friend has thou put far from us_, and that
no man should turn aside to ask how we do: but that we finde so many
of the Churches of Christ, and above them all, our dearest Brethren of
Scotland, so far to take to heart our extremities, as to sit in the
dust with us, and so to look upon our adversities, as being themselves
also in the body.
And as we cannot render thanks sufficient unto our God for remembring
such mercie in the midst of so much wrath; so we embrace with all
cheerfulnesse this opportunitie of thankfull acknowledgement of the
great debt which your love doth continually lay upon, not us alone,
but upon this whole Kingdome, in the free and full expressions of your
care, piety and zeal, and of like affections of that whole Nation,
to assist and concurre with the Parliament here, by all good and
lawfull means, for settling of Religion in godly unity and uniformitie
throughout all his Majesties Dominions against all the designes, power
and malice of bloudie Papists, and the Prelaticall Faction, with all
their malignant adherents, the common enemies of Reformation, truth and
peace.
We are likewise much ingadged to the great vigilancie and travels of
the honourable Convention of the Estates of Scotland, in contributing
their brotherly advice, and for their readinesse to give assistance
for recovering and settling the peace of this Kingdome, against the
devices, power and practices of the enemies of Religion, and the
publick Good, whereof some hints are given in that Answer, and of
which we doubt not but the honourable Houses of Parliament will be so
sensible as to give such a return as becomes them; for they, better
knowing then we do, the depth of the evils under which this Nation now
groaneth, and the further dangers imminent, will be more able to value
and improve the great affection and wisedome of their Brethren, in
points of so high and generall concernement, for the safetie and glory
of the Kings Majestie, and of all his Kingdomes, and are more fit to
take notice of advices of that kinde, in reference to the civil State,
which therefore we wholly leave with them.
But as for the many prudent, pious, and seasonable admonitions which
concerne our Assembly, the good Lord reward (for we cannot) seven fold
into your bosomes all the good, which you have laboured to procure
unto the House of our GOD, and blessed be his name who hath put such a
thing as this into the hearts of our Parliament, to cleanse the House
of the Lord of all the uncleannesse, that is in it, by impure Doctrine,
Worship, or Discipline.
Nor can we in the depth of all our sufferings and sorrows, withhold
our hearts from rejoycing in the wonderful goodnes of God toward
this Kingdome, in that he hath let us see the gracious fruit of your
effectuall prayers and teares, as well as of our own endeavours this
way: In bringing together this Assembly, although in a very troublous
time, whereby we may have better opportunity more fully to poure out
our soules jointly and together to our God, for healing of this now
miserable Church and Nation: To consider throughly, for what more
especially the Land mourneth, and how we may be most usefull to our
great GOD and Master Jesus Christ; in contributing somewhat to the
vindicating of his precious truth, many wayes corrupted through the
craft of men that have lyen in wait to deceive: In the seeking out
of a right way of worshipping our GOD according to his own heart: In
promoting the power of Godlinesse, in the hearts and lives of all his
people, and in laying forth such a Discipline as may be most agreeable
to Gods holy Word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of
this Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland
(highly honoured by us) and other the best reformed Churches abroad,
That so to the utmost of our power, we may exalt him that is the only
Lord over the Church, his own House, in all his Offices, and present
this Church us a chast virgin unto Christ.
It is a timely and savourie prayer which you have put up at the
throne of Grace, touching the due managing of the proceedings in this
Assembly, and that with straight intentions we may all seek the truth
in everything, which by the blessing of God upon our labours, must
needs produce all those blessings which your worthie Commissioners
mention. And now, for your comfort as well as our own encouragement,
we desire you to take notice of the gracious answer of the God that
heareth prayer, unto your fervent cryes. For beside our own particular
addresses and secret vows to our God to be faithfull (with disdain
of all baits of avarice and ambition) it hath pleased the Divine
Providence so to direct both the honourable Houses of Parliament, to
take care of preventing all obliquitie in our proceedings, and to stop
the mouthes of all that watch for their and our haltings, and are apt
maliciously to traduce both, (as if we were so restrained by them, in
our votes and resolutions, as to be bound up to the sense of others,
and to carry on private designes in a servile way) that the Houses
have tendered to us, and we have all most readily taken a solemne and
serious Protestation in the presence of Almighty God, to maintain
nothing in this Assembly touching Doctrine, but what we are perswaded
in our consciences to be the truth; nor in matters of Discipline, but
what we conceive to conduce most to the glory of God, and the good and
peace of his Church; which doth not only secure the Members against
fettering of their judgements or votes, but engage them to the use of
all freedome, becoming the integrity of Conscience, the weight of the
Cause, the gravitie and honour of such an Assembly. It is likewise a
great consolation, that our GOD hath put it into your hearts to designe
some godly and learned brethren to put in their sickles with us into
this Harvest, which is so great, and requires so many Labourers; for
which, as we heartily return thanks, so we earnestly pray the Lord to
open a way to their timely coming hither, and do assure them of all
testimonies of respect, love, and the right hand of fellowship, who
shall under-take a journey so tedious, and now so perillous, to joyne
with us in the Work, when it shall please the honourable Houses of
Parliament to invite them thereunto.
It remaines that we should now spread before you our calamities,
dangers and fears of further evils, not only drawing towards us, but
even threatening you also; and crave your compassionate aids in all
wayes becoming the servants of Jesus Christ. But your Commissioners
have so fully declared your certain knowledge and deep sense of them,
that they have left us no room for inlarging our selves in this
particular, to Brethren so full of bowels and zeal. And they have
sufficiently intimated unto the honourable Houses, that you are well
aware how often the common enemies of both Kingdomes have consulted
together with one consent to cut off both the one and the other from
being a Nation, and that the tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites
of Moab, and the Hagarens, Geball, Ammon, and Amalek, the cursed
Papists, and their implacable and bloudy Abettors here, do still retain
the same malice, and carry on the same designe against Religion, and
perfect Reformation even in your Kingdome, happily rescued from their
former tyrannies, as well as in this of scorched England, not in the
furnace: Only they have varied the Scene, pouring out all their fury
upon us at the present: That so, having once trodden us under as mire
in the streets, they may afterward more easily, (which God avert)
set their proud and impure feet upon your necks also. Wherefore with
the good leave and favour of the honourable Houses of Parliament, we
shall now spare the further exciting of you to that which we doubt
not of your forwardnesse by all lawfull and meet means, to promote
with all your might; namely, the possessing the good people of that
Kingdome, (of whose willing minde and readinesse you have already given
ample testimony) touching our condition, and to encourage them to our
assistance in this Cause of Religion.
And now remembring without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of
love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; with all due
acknowledgements of the precious effects of your prayers; We most
humbly and earnestly desire, that the same breathings of the spirit
in you may still continue, and (if possible) more frequently and
fervently ascend to your God, and our God, not only for removall
of outward pressures, and the visitation of the sword, that hath
already learned to eat much of our flesh, but also for the speciall
assistance and protection of the Father of lights, in this great Work
unto which we are now called, and wherein we already finde many and
potent adversaries: that seeing the plummet is now in the hands of
Zerubbabels, all mountaines may become plains, and they may bring forth
the capstone of the Lords House with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace
unto it: and that how weak and contemptible builders soever we be, the
Lord would enable us to build with them, that none may have cause to
despise the day of our small beginnings, nor to stop our progresse in
the work which he hath given us to do. And as for us who cannot but
take notice of the extraordinary employments unto which you are called
in your great Assembly, now also sitting: God forbid that we should
sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you, that the Lord may
enable you to be wise master-builders, preserve your peace alwayes by
all means, and make you stedfast, unmoveable, alwayes abounding in
the work of the Lord, to the praise of the glory of his grace, and to
the further benefit and comfort of the whole Church of God, but more
especially of this our afflicted Ark, now wafted into the midst of a
sea of miseries, and tossed with tempests, untill our wise and gracious
God, by the furtherance of your prayers and brotherly endeavours, shall
cause it to rest upon the mountains of Ararat, which may take away our
fears, as well as put an end to our present sufferings, and give you to
rejoyce with us, that now mourn for us.
Westminster, Aug. 4, 1643.
Subscribed by your most loving brethren, highly
prysing the graces of God in you, and that
are your servants for Jesus sake, in the name
of the whole Assembly.
WILLIAM TUISSE, _Prolocutor_ }
JOHN WHITE, _Assessor_ }
CORNELIUS BURGES, _Assessor_ } _of the Assembly._
HENRY ROBOROUGH, } }
ADONIRAM BYFIELD,} _Scribes_ }
_The Result of the Debates and Consultations of the Committees of the
Convention of Estates and Generall Assembly, appointed to meet with the
Commissioners of the Parliament of England._
August 17, 1643.
The Committees of the Convention of Estates of Scotland, and of the
Generall Assembly, being appointed to meet with the Commissioners of
the two Houses of the Parliament of England, upon the Papers delivered
in by the said Commissioners, onto the Convention of Estates, and
unto the Generall Assembly, upon the 12 and 15 of this instant 1643.
Concerning the desires of both Houses, for a near and strict union to
be entered into by the two Kingdomes. And it being declared at the
said meeting, with what sensible affections the Generall Assembly
and Convention, did receive the desires above-mentioned: And how
beneficiall it would be for the more firme settlement of the said
union, that a Covenant should be entered into by both Nations: And
this forme thereof being by all the foresaid persons taken into most
serious debate and consideration, and agreed unto: It was thereupon
resolved by them, that it should be presented to the Generall Assembly,
to the Convention of Estates of Scotland, and to the two Houses
of the Parliament of England, by their respective Committees and
Commissioners, that it might with all speed receive their respective
resolutions.
Subscribed, JA. PRIMEROSE.
A. KER.
WILLIAM BOND, Sec. Com.
The League and Covenant above-mentioned, being sent with the
Commissioners of this Assembly, to the Parliament of England, and
Assembly of Divines in that Kingdome, to be received and approven
there, is to be printed at the return thereof.[300]
_Approbation of the League and Covenant above-mentioned._