to joyne with the Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates,
and the Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament
of England, for bringing the Kingdomes to a more near conjunction
and Union, received from the aforesaid Committees, the Covenant
above-mentioned, as the result of their consultations: And having
taken the same, as a matter of so publick concernment and of so deep
importance doth require, unto their gravest consideration, Did with all
their hearts, and with the beginnings of the feelings of that joy which
they did finde in so great measure upon the renovation of the Nationall
Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome, All with one voice approve and
embrace the same, as the most powerfull meane, by the blessing of GOD,
for settling and preserving the true Protestant Religion, with perfect
Peace in his Majesties Dominions, and propagating the same to other
Nations, and for establishing his Majesties throne to all ages and
generations. And therefore with their best affections recommend the
same to the Honourable Convention of Estates, that being examined and
approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence to the Kingdome of
England: that being received and approven there, the same may be with
publick humiliation, and all Religious and answerable solemnitie, sworn
and subscribed by all true Professours of the reformed Religion, and
all his Majesties good Subjects in both Kingdomes.
Sess. Ult. August 19, 1643.
_The Assemblies humble desires to his Majestie anent the Lists for
Presentations: With a Recommendation to Presbyteries._
The Assembly considering the difficultie of obtaining six able and
well qualified Persons to be put into a List to his Majestie, for
every vaiking Kirk at his Majesties Presentation: Therefore do most
earnestly recommend to his Majesties Commissioner, to represent their
humble desires to his Majestie, that he would be pleased to accept of
a List of three: As also conform to the desire of the last Assembly at
S. Andrews, that his Majestie would be pleased to accept of any one
qualified man, who shall be able to speak the Irish Language for Kirks
vaiking in the Highlands: Which the Commissioners Grace promised to do
with the first conveniencie.
And with all his Grace representing to the Assembly, that he conceived
his Majestie had already done more, and yet would do more for
satisfaction to the desires of this Kirk, anent Patronages, nor any
other Patron: And therefore that it were convenient that all other
Patrons were earnestly desired to follow his Majesties example; And the
Assembly thinking it very necessary that some Generall course were set
down for providing and planting of vaiking Kirks, whereby all occasions
of contests and differences amongst Patrons, Presbyteries, and Paroches
may be removed: Therefore the Assembly recommend to every Presbyterie,
to consult and advise upon the best wayes and means for effectuating
hereof, And to report the results of their consultations hereintill to
the next Assembly.
_Overtures anent Witch-craft, and Charming, &c._
The abundance and increase of the sin of Witch-craft, in all the sorts
and degrees of it in this time of Reformation, is to be taken to heart
by this reverend Assembly, who would to that end consider,
I. Of the occasions thereof, which are found to be these especially,
extremity of grief, malice, passion, and desire of revenge, pinching
povertie, solicitation of other Witches and Charmers; for in such cases
the devil assails them, offers aide, and much prevails.
II. Of the reasons and causes of Satans prevailing, which are grosse
ignorance, great infidelitie, want of the love of the truth (which GOD
hath made so long and clearly to shine in our Land) and profanenesse of
life.
III. Of the means and wayes to bring them to a confession and censure,
which we conceive to be, That a standing Commission for a certain
time be had from the Lords of Secret Councel, or Justice Generall,
to some understanding Gentlemen and Magistrates within the bounds of
Presbyteries that shall crave it, giving them power to apprehend, try,
and execute justice against such persons as are guilty of Witch-craft
within these Presbyteries; For many Paroches want the concurrence of
civill Magistrates.
IV. Of the grounds of apprehending them, Which may be a reigning brute
of Witch-craft, backed with dilations of confessing Witches, being
confronted with them; for it is found that the dilations of two or
three confessing Witches, hath ordinarily proved true: also depositions
of honest persons, anent malifices committed, or cures used by them,
may be a ground of apprehending them.
V. Being apprehended, there would be honest and discreet persons
appointed to watch them; for being left alone, they are in danger to be
suborned and hardened by others, or of destroying themselves.
VI. Ministers would be carefull at all times, especially Morning and
Evening, to deal with them by Prayer and Conference, whiles they are in
prison or restraint.
VII. The means to prevent the grouth of this wickednesse, are,
That Ministers be every way carefull and painfull in warning people
of the danger thereof, and of Satans temptations, both privately and
publickly, and to instruct them in the knowledge of the Gospell,
and grounds of Religion, by plain catechising, to urge lively faith
in Christ, which faith Witches bestow otherwise; Also to presse
holinesse of life, and fervent prayers in private, and in Families,
and in publick, that they be not led into temptation; And to use
the censures of the Kirk against profane persons, such as Cursers,
Whoores, Drunkards, and such like, for over such like he gets great
advantage. Finally, it is requisite for preventing of this hainous sin,
that people seek knowledge, studie to beleeve, walk in holinesse, and
continue constant and instant in prayer.
And because Charming is a sort and degree of Witch-craft, and too
ordinary in the Land; it would be injoyned to all Ministers to take
particular notice of them, to search them out, and such as consult with
them, and that the Elders carefully concurre in such search; And this
Assembly would think on an uniforme way of censuring these Charmers,
and such as employ them, or consult with them, _primo quoque tempore_.
The Assembly approves the Articles and Overtures aforesaid, And
ordaines every Presbyterie to take to their further consideration
by what other wayes or means, the sins aforesaid of Witchcraft,
Charming, and consulting with Witches, or Charmers, and such like
wickednes, may be tried, restrained, and condignely censured and
punished ecclesiastically and civilly: And to report their judgements
herein to the next Assembly.
_Commission for Ministers to go to Ireland._
The Generall Asembly having received a Petition subscribed by a very
great number in the North of Ireland, intimating their deplorable
condition through want of the Ministery 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 among them, or declared transportable,
that upon invitation from them, they might go and settle there:
Together with a Letter from the Vicount of Airds to that same effect.
All which the Assembly hath taken to their serious consideration,
being most heartily willing to sympathise with every Member of Christ
his body, although never so remote, much more with that plantation
there, which for the most part was a branch of the Lord his Vine,
planted in this Land. In which solicitude, 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 inlargement of Christs
Kingdoms, where so loud a cry of so extreme necessity, could not but
stir up the bowels of Christian compassion. And although they conceive,
that the present unsettled condition both of Church and State in that
Land, will not suffer them (as yet) to loose any, to make any constant
abode there; yet they have resolved to send over some for the present
exigent, till the next Generall Assembly, by courses, to stay three
moneth allanerly. And therefore do hereby authorize and give Commission
to the persons following, to wit, Master William Cockburne, Minister
at Kirkmichell, and Master Matthew Mackaill, Minister at Carmanoch,
for the first three moneths, beginning upon the 8 of September next.
Master George Hutchison, Minister at Calmonell, and Master Hugh
Henderson, Minister at Dalry, for the next three moneths, beginning
the 8 of December. Master William Adair, Minister at Air, and Master
John Weir, Minister at Dalserfe, for the third three moneths, beginning
the 8 of March, 1644. And Master James Hamilton, Minister at Dumfreis,
and Master John Macclellane, Minister at Kirkubright for the last
three moneths, beginning the 8 of June, the said year 1644. To repair
unto the North of Ireland, and there to visit, instruct, comfort, and
encourage the scattered flocks of Christ: To employ themselves 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 Kirk in all things. And if
need be (with the concurrence of such of the Ministers as are there)
to try and ordain such as shall be found qualified for the Ministery;
Giving charge unto the persons foresaids in the sight of God, that in
Doctrine, in Worship, in Discipline, and in their daily conversation,
they study to approve themselves as the Ministers of Jesus Christ; And
that they be countable to the Generall Assembly of this Kirk in all
things. And in case of any of the above-mentioned Ministers be impeded
by sicknes, or otherwayes necessarily detained from this service;
The Assembly ordains the Commissioners residing at Edinburgh for the
publick affairs of the Kirk, to nominate in their place well qualified
men, who hereby are authorized to undertake the foresaid imployment,
as if they had been expresly nominate in the face of the Assembly.
And this although possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large
expectation of their Brethren in Ireland: yet the Assembly is confident
they will take in good part at this time that which is judged most
convenient for the present condition, even a lent mite out of their
own, not very great plentie to supply the present necessity: Requiring
of them no other recompence, but that they in all chearfulnesse may
embrace and make use of the Message of Salvation, and promising to
inlarge their indebted bountie at the next Assembly, as they shall
finde the Work of the Lord there to require. In the mean while wishing
that these who are sent, may come with the full blessing of the Gospel
of peace, recommends them, their labours, and these to whom they are
sent, to the rich blessing of the great Sheepherd of the flock.
_Act against Ministers haunting with Excommunicate Persons._
If any Minister haunt the company of an excommunicate person, contrair
to the Lawes of this Kirk; The said Minister for the first fault
shall be suspended from his Ministerie by his Presbyterie, during
their pleasure: And for the second fault be deprived. And in case
the Presbyteries be negligent herein, the Provinciall Assembly shall
censure the Presbyterie thus negligent.
_Act anent an order for using civill Execution against Excommunicate
Persons._
The Assembly taking to their consideration an Article, in the Heads and
Propositions sent to the Assembly held at Edinburgh, in August, 1573,
by the Lord Regents Grace, and allowed by that Assembly: Whereof the
tenour followes: “It is resolved that the Executions of the sentence
of Excommunication against Persons excommunicate, after the space of
fourtie dayes past, shall be presented to the Lord Thesaurer, or his
Clerk, who thereupon shall raise Letters by deliverance of the Lords
of Session, to charge the Persons Excommunicate, to satisfie the Kirk,
and obtain themselves absolved under the pain of Rebellion: And in case
they passe to the Horne, to cause their Escheits be taken up, and also
to raise and cause execute Letters of Caption against them: And these
to be done at the Kings Majesties charges:” Do ratifie and approve the
said Article. And farther that the intention of the said Article may
be better effectuate, doth also ordain, that every Presbyterie cause
send to the Procurator, or Agent of the Kirk, the foresaid Execution,
that is, an minute or note of the sentences of Excommunication within
their bounds, bearing the time and cause thereof: And that under the
hands of the Moderatour or Clerk of the Presbyterie, or of the Minister
who pronounced the sentence; That the samine may be delivered to his
Majesties Thesaurer, Advocate, or Agent. To cause letters of Horning
and Caption be raised and execute, and other diligence to be used
against the Excommunicat Persons in manner foresaid: And that all other
civill action and diligence may be used against them, warranted and
provided by Acts of Parliament, or secret Councell made thereanent: And
that particular account be craved hereof in every Generall Assembly.
_To the Kings Most Excellent Majestie, The humble Answer of the
Nationall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland._
Although the many and ample testimonies of Your Majesties Royall favour
and bountie towards this Kirk and Kingdome be living and lasting
Monuments to hold all Your Majesties good Subjects and us most of
all, in remembrance of that duty, which we owe to Your Majestie our
great Benefactour, never by any length of time to be deleted out of
our minds: Yet when we remember even of conscience we owe honour and
subjection unto Your Majestie as our dread Soveraigne, as well in Your
Majesties absence as presence, We finde our obligation to be Religious,
and thereby much increased: And therefore have we at this time in all
our consultations and conclusions, of which some have been of more then
ordinary weight and concernment, in answer to certain Propositions,
made unto us by the Commissioners of the Houses of Parliament of Your
Majesties Kingdome of England, and some Reverend Divines assisting
them, fixed our eyes and thoughts upon Your Majesties honour and
happinesse, with no other and with no lesse intention, then if we had
been honoured by Your Majesties Royall Person in our Assembly. And in
like manner have given such Instructions to some Ministers and others,
to be sent unto the Assembly of Divines now in England, as next unto
the honour of God, and the good of Religion, may most serve for Your
Majesties preservation, and the peace of Your Kingdomes: Concerning
which, the Commissioners of the last Generall Assembly have so fully
exprest their humble thoughts and desires in their Supplication and
Remonstrance sent unto Your Majestie, that we need not adde any thing,
and Your Majesties times and affairs forbid all repetition. We do
onely in all humilitie beseech Your Majestie to judge of us and our
proceedings, by the nature and necessity of our vocation, and the rules
prescribed in the Word of God for our direction, and not by uncertain
rumours, and ungrounded reports of such men as have not the fear of
God before their eyes. And do earnestly pray to God Almighty, in whose
hands are the hearts of Kings, to incline Your Majesties heart to the
counsells of truth and peace, to direct Your Government for the good of
your People, the punishment of male-factours, and praise of well-doers;
that this fire of unnaturall and unchristian warre being extinguished,
the People of God, Your Majesties good Subjects may lead a quiet and
peaceable life, in all godlinesse and honestie.
_The Answer of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to the
Declaration of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England._
The Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, having received a
Declaration from the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England,
by their Committees and Commissioners now residing here; Have thought
good to make knowne unto the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that
all the Members of this Assembly, and others well-affected here, do
with most thankfull respects, take speciall notice of the expressions
which they have been pleased to make in the afore-named Declaration,
not only concerning their approbation of the desires and endeavours
of the Generall Assembly of this Kirk, for the Reformation of the
Church of England, and the union of both Churches in Religion and
Church-government; but also concerning the resolution of both Houses,
fully to concurre with them in these pious intentions. With the same
thankfulnesse and due reverence, they acknowledge the high respects
expressed towards them by both Houses, in directing unto them their
Committees and Commissioners, assisted by two reverend Divines, and in
desiring some of the godly and learned of this Kirk to be sent unto the
Assembly sitting there.
The Assembly doth blesse the Lord, who hath not only inspired the
Houses of Parliament with desires and resolutions of the Reformation
of Religion, but hath advanced by severall steps and degrees that
blessed Work; By which, as they shall most approve themselves to the
Reformed Churches abroad, and to their Brethren of Scotland, so shall
they most powerfully draw even from Heaven the blessings of prosperity
and peace upon England. And as it is the earnest wish of their Brethren
here, that the true state and ground of the present differences and
controversies in England may be more and more cleared to be concerning
Religion, and that both Houses may uncessantly prosecute that good Work
first and above all other matters, giving no sleep to their eyes, nor
slumber to their eye-lids, until they finde out a place for the Lord,
an habitation for the mighty GOD of Jacob, whose favour alone can make
their mountain strong, and whose presence in his own ordinances, shall
be their glory in the midst of them: So it is our confidence, that the
begun Reformation is of GOD, and not of man, that it shall increase,
and not decrease; and that he to whom nothing is too hard, who can
make mountaines, valleyes, crooked things, straight, and rough wayes,
smooth, shall lead along and make perfect this most wonderfull Work,
which shall be remembred to his glory in the Church throughout all
generations.
And lest through any defect upon the Generall Assemblies part, the Work
of Reformation (which hitherto to the great grief of all the Godly
hath moved so slowly) should be any more retarded or interrupted, they
have according to the renewed desires of both Houses of Parliament,
and their own former promises, nominated and elected Mr Alexander
Henderson, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr Robert
Bailzie, Mr George Gillespie, _Ministers_ of Gods word; and John
Earle of Cassills, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archbald Johnstoun of
Waristoun, _ruling Elders_, all of them men much approved here; With
Commission and power to them, or any three of them, whereof two shall
be Ministers, to repair unto the Assembly of Divines, and others of the
Church of England, now sitting at Westminster, to propound, consult,
treat, and conclude with them, and with any Committees deputed by the
Houses of Parliament (if it shall seeme good to the honourable Houses
in their wisedome to depute any for that end) in all such things as may
conduce to the utter extirpation of Popery, Prelacie, Heresie, Schisme,
Superstition and Idolatrie, And for the setling of the so much desired
Union of this whole Island in one forme of Church-government, one
Confession of Faith, one common Catechisme, and one Directorie for the
Worship of GOD, according to the Instructions which they have received,
or shall receive from the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly
appointed to meet at Edinburgh from time to time, with the Assemblies
power for that end. And as the Generall Assembly doth most gladly and
affectionately receive and fully trust the Committees and Divines sent
hither, so do they hereby commend the afore-named Commissioners, not
only to the like affection and trust of the Assembly there, but also to
the favour and protection of both Houses of Parliament.
And for the further satisfaction and encouragement of their Brethren of
England, the whole Assembly in their own name, and in name of all the
particular Churches in this Kingdome, whom they represent; Do hereby
declare, that from their zeal to the glory of GOD, and propagation of
the Gospell, from their affection to the happinesse of their native
King, and of the Kingdome of England, and from the sense of their own
interest in the common dangers of Religion, Peace, and Libertie, They
are most willing and ready to be united and associated with their
Brethren in a nearer League and solemne Covenant for the maintenance of
the truly reformed Protestant Religion, against Popery and Prelacie,
and against all Popish and Prelaticall corruptions; in doctrine,
discipline, worship, or Church-government, and for the settling and
holding fast of unity and uniformity betwixt the Kirks of this Island,
and with the best reformed Churches beyond sea. Which Union and
Covenant, shall with Gods assistance be seconded by their co-operating
with their Brethren in the use of the best and most effectuall meanes
that may serve for so good ends; For the more speedy effectuating
whereof, to the comfort and inlargement of their distressed Brethren
(whose hope deferred might make their hearts to faint) the whole
Assembly with great unanimity of judgement, and expressions of much
affection, have approved (for their part) such a draught and forme of
a mutuall League and Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, as was the result
of the joint debates and consultations of the Commissioners from both
Houses, assisted by the two reverend Divines, and of the Committees
deputed from the Convention of the Estates of this Kingdome, and from
the Generall Assembly: Expecting and wishing the like approbation
thereof by the right honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament,
and by the reverend Assembly there, That thereafter it may be solemnely
sworne and subscribed in both Kingdomes, as the surest and straitest
obligation to make both stand and fall together in that cause of
Religion and Libertie.
As the Estates of this Kingdome have often professed in their former
Declarations, the integritie of their Intentions against the common
enemies of Religion and Libertie in both Kingdomes, and their great
affection to their Brethren of England, by reason of so many and so
near relations; So doubtlesse now in this time of need they will not
fail to give reall proof of what before they professed. _A friend
loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversitie._ Neither
shall the Assembly, or their Commissioners be wanting in exhorting all
others to their duty, or in concurring so far as belongeth to their
place and vocation, with the Estates now conveened, in any lawfull
and possible course which may most conduce to the good of Religion
and Reformation, the honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie, the
deliverance of their Brethren of England from their present calamitous
condition, and to the perpetuating of a firme and happy peace betwixt
the Kingdomes.
_The Assemblies Answer to the right reverend the Assembly of Divines in
the Church of England._
RIGHT REVEREND AND DEARLY BELOVED,
As the sufferings of Christ abound in you, So our heartie desire to
God is, that your consolations may much more abound by Christ. The
perusing of your Letter, produced in every one of us such a mixture
of affections, as were at the laying of the foundation of the second
Temple, where there was heard both shouting for joy, and weeping aloud;
We rejoiced that Christ our Lord had at last in that Land created a new
thing, in calling together, not as of before a Prelaticall Convocation
to be task-masters over the people of the Lord, but an Assembly of
godly Divines, minding the things of the Lord, whose hearts are set to
purge the defiled House of GOD in that Land: yet this our joy was not a
little allayed by the consideration of the sad and deplorable condition
of that Kingdome, where the high provocations of so many years, the
hellish plots of so many enemies in a nick of time, have brought an
inundation of over-flowing calamities: We know you are patiently
bearing the indignation of the Lord, because you have sinned against
him, till he throughly plead your cause, and disquiet the inhabitants
of Babylon, who now laugh among themselves, while you are fed with the
bread of tears, and get tears to drink in great measure, being on the
mountains like the doves of the valleyes, all of you mourning every one
for his iniquitie.