implacable fury and hellish rage, the bloud-thirstie Papists, as
Babylon without, and the Prelaticall Faction, the children of Edom
within, having adjoyned to themselves many malignant adherents, of
time-serving Atheists, haters of holinesse, rejecters of the yoke of
Christ, (to whom the morning light of Reformation is as the shadow of
death) have begun to swallow up the inheritance of the Lord, and are
not easily satisfied in making deep and long furrowes on your backs.
We cannot say that the loudnesse of your cry surpasseth the heavinesse
of your stroake; but though the Lord hath delivered the men, every one
into his neighbours hand, and into the hand of his King, and they have
smitten the Land, yet the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the
lot of the righteous: This cloud shall speedily passe away, and a fair
sun-shine shall appear.
As for us, though your extreame calamitie did not threaten the ruine of
our Religion, Peace, and Liberties, as it doth most evidently; we would
hate our selves, if we did not finde our hearts within us melting with
compassion over you: You are engraven on the tables of our hearts to
live and die with you: we could desire that our heads were waters, and
our eyes a fountain of tears, that we might weep day and night for the
slain of the daughter of the Lords people; So calamitous a condition of
any of the Kirks of Christ, could not but be very grievous unto us; How
much more shall not we stoup and fall down in the dust to embrace our
dearest Brethren of England, to whom we are tied in so near and tender
relations. When we were but creeping out of the deep darknesse and
bondage of Popery, and were almost crushed with the fury of Forreigne
Invaders, joined with intestine enemies, pretending the name and
warrand of authority as now your oppressours do; Then did the Lord by
your Fathers send us seasonable assistance against that intended and
begun bondage both of soul and body: The repayment of which debt, the
Divine Providence seemeth now to require at our hands. And whereas of
late through our security we had fallen into a wofull relapse, and were
compassed about with dreadfull dangers on all hands, while we aymed at
the recovery of our former puritie and libertie: Then we wanted not the
large supply of your fervent Prayers, and other brotherly assistance of
that Nation, while those who are now your malignant enemies, would have
swallowed us up.
These strait bonds of your ancient and late love, do so possesse our
hearts, that when the motions of the Commissioners of the honourable
Houses of Parliament, and your Letters did challenge our advice and
aid for defence of Religion, and advancement of Reformation; our
smoaking desires for a more strict Union and Uniformitie in Religion
betwixt both the Nations, did break forth into a vehement flame, in
such sort, as when the draught of a League and Covenant betwixt both
Kingdomes for defence of Religion, &c. was read in open audience.
It was so unanimously and heartily embraced, with such a torrent of
most affectionate expressions, as none but eye or ear-witnesses can
conceive; whereof the two reverend Divines sent from you to us, being
then present, no doubt will give you an account. Neither was it so
onely with us, but also the honourable Convention of Estates here,
with the like harmony of affectionate expressions, did entertain the
same; So that we hope to be reall and constant in prosecuting the
contents of this Covenant. When we in our straits fled to the Lord, and
entred in Covenant with him, he owned us and our Cause, rebuked and
dissipated our enemies, and hitherto hath helped us, and blessed our
enterprises with success from heaven, notwithstand our great weaknesse
and unworthinesse. We trust in the Lord, that as once it was prophesied
of Israel and Judah; So shall Scotland and England become one stick in
the hand of the Lord, they shall ask the way to Sion, with their faces
thitherward, saying, Come, let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a
perpetuall Covenant, that shall not be forgotten; And so shall come
to passe, that the Lords Jerusalem in this Island, shall be a cup of
trembling, and a burthensome stone to all their enemies round about.
Though now it be the time of Jacobs trouble, the Lord will deliver him
out of it. Reverend and dear Brethren, we conceive your case, and of
all the Faithfull in that Land, to be no other then of a woman crying,
travelling in birth, and pained till she be delivered. The great red
Dragon, (under whose standard the sons of Belial are fighting) is your
Arch-enemy, This cannot but be a time of fear and sorrow; But when
the male childe shall be brought forth, the pain shall cease, and the
sorrow shall be forgotten. We are very confident in the Lord, that you
will be faithful to Jesus Christ, in the work committed to you by him
in all his ordinances, and taking neither foundation, corner-stone, nor
any part of the rubbish of Babell to build the City that is called,
_The Lord is there_: But measuring all with the golden reed of the
Sanctuary, you may more closely be united to the best Reformed Kirks,
in Doctrine, Worship, and Government, that you may grow up in him in
all things which is the head, even Christ.
And now Reverend and dear Brethren, though we know that you abound in
all gifts and graces, the Spirit of Jesus Christ being plentifully
powred out upon you, yet according to your desire and the motion
made by the Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, to
testifie our hearty sympathie with you in the work of the Lord, We have
nominate and elected some Godly and learned of this Church to repair to
your Assembly. We doubt nothing of your hearty embracing them in the
Lord, and their diligent concurrance with you in advancing that great
work.
Not onely the common danger we are under, but the conscience of our
duty to his suffering people, layeth bonds on us frequently to present
you, and that blessed Work of Reformation, in your hands, to the
throne of Grace, that the GOD of all Grace, who will call you into his
eternall glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while
may make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
_Subscribed in name of the Assembly of the Church of Scotland, by the
Clerk of the Assembly._
Edinburgh, August 19, 1643.
_The Assemblies Answer to the Reverend their beloved Brethren,
Ministers in the Church of England._
REVEREND AND BELOVED,
Wee acknowledge with thankfulnesse to GOD, that this is one of the good
blessings bestowed upon our Kirk of late, and a pleasant fruit of our
free Assemblies, That a way is opened for keeping communion with our
sister Kirks abroad, and correspondence with you our dear Brethren,
in whose joy and sorrow we have so near interest, and whose cause and
condition we desire to lay to heart as our own.
All your former Letters were most acceptable, and full of refreshment
unto us, being taken as the earnest of a more full and constant
fellowship, longed after and hoped for: And this your last, although
full of sadnesse and sorrow, yet accounted of us all most worthy of our
tenderest affection and best respects, both for your cause who sent
it, and for these worthy witnesses which did attest it: Wherein as you
have given unto us no small evidence, not only of your love, but also
of trust and friendly respect, by choosing to poure out your grieved
souls in our bosome; So we shall wish, and Godwilling endeavour, that
you may really finde some measure of brotherly compassion in our
receiving thereof. For these your sad expressions of deep sorrow,
being as you have given us to conceive but a part of your complaint,
and a lamentation lesse then the causes doth require, cannot but melt
every heart, wherein there is any the least warmnesse of the love of
Christ and his Saints: And what Childe of the Bridegrooms chamber, can
hear the voice of so many friends of the Bridegroom, lamenting for the
evils which have befallen Christs Bride in England, in the very night
before her expected espousalls, and not sit down and mourn with them,
except his heart be fallen asleep and frozen within him? This pitifull
condition of our sister Church in England hes matter enough we confesse
to move, yea, to rend our bowels.
If we should weigh this your heavie grief in the scales of common
reason, we behoved either to stand aloof from your plague as men
astonished, or sink down in heaviness and be swallowed up of sorrow:
but when we ponder your sad condition in the Ballance of the Sanctuary,
we finde that nothing hath as yet befallen unto you, save that which
hath been the exercise of the Saints in former times, who have been
made to sit down for a while in the shadow of death before the day
of their deliverance. We finde nothing but that which may be a fit
Preparation for a comfortable out-gate from all your troubles. What
if it was necessary in the wise dispensation of Almighty GOD, that a
People in great estimation for wisedome and power, such as England,
should be thus farre humbled, as you declare, to the end that your
deliverance may be seen hereafter to be of the Lord, and not of
your selves? What if the Lord would not draw back his hand from the
Wine-presse wherein you now lye, till he should draw forth from you
these pitifull expressions of your low estate, and so provide himself
witnesses against the day to come, that he may have the greater and
purer glory in your salvation, and your gloriation may be in the Lord
alone? Dear Brethren, comfort your selves in the Lord; this sowing in
tears, doth promise a reaping in joy, and who knoweth how soon he will
give to you who are mourners in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oyle of
joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse;
That you may be called the trees of righteousnesse, the planting of the
Lord, that he may be glorified.
Though weeping be in the evening of this begun Reformation and purging
of the Lords House among you, yet in the morning when the discovered
filthinesse and sweepings of the Temple shall be orderly cast out,
joy shall come with thanksgiving and praise. Though a fire be kindled
in the Land, yet it is not to consume any of the mettal, for the Lord
is sitting down as a Refiner amongst you, and especially to purifie
the sons of Levi, that he may have a more pure oblation of spirituall
worship and service in all his holy ordinances throughout all the
Land, which is no token of wrath, but of loving-kindnesse towards you.
No wonder that Satan doth thus rage, as you relate, for-seeing his
casting out: No wonder he stirre up all the children of disobedience,
and kindle their naturall malice against the children of God with the
inspiration of hellish fury: No wonder the spirit of Antichrist be mad,
when the morsell half swallowed down, is like to be pulled out of his
throat, the fat morsell of the rich Revenues of England: No wonder he
be cruell against you the servants of Christ, who are consuming him by
the breath of the Lords mouth.
You do well to expect no mercy, if Papists and Prelats prevail over
you, neither desire we to deceive our selves with hopes to be free from
what ther power and malice can do against us; for they will not do to
us if they get the upper-hand, as we have done, and must do, if God
bring them low again under us, as they were before; for we and they are
led by the contrary spirits of Christ and Antichrist: We have laboured,
and must labour for their conversion, but they (except in so far as God
shall bridle them) will not rest without our destruction; for their
fury against our persons is much more fierie then our zeal is fervent
against their abominations. Let them follow the spirit of lying and
murthering, wee must take us to our refuge, and joyne our selves with
all that are sensible of the danger of the Reformed Religion in prayer
and supplication, The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our
refuge.
Now for advice, what can we say to you who are upon your watch-tower,
wherein is the spirit of wisedome and counsell, who lye thus as humble
Disciples under the Lords foot, who did never forsake them that
sought him. Go on in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, against all
opposition, without fear of whatsoever dangers, to purge the House of
the Lord, to repair the breaches thereof, to set up all his Ordinances
in their full beautie and perfection, to the uttermost of your power,
according to the pattern of the Word of GOD, and zeal of the best
reformed Kirks; And let these two Kingdomes be knit together as one man
in maintaining and promoving the truth of the Gospel; Let us enter in
a perpetuall Covenant for our selves and our posterity, to endeavour
that all things may be done in the House of GOD according to his own
will, and let the Lord do with us what seemeth good in his eyes. Only
wait upon the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your
heart. Let your hands be ever at your Masters Work, and hold your faces
resolutely to his Cause. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quite your
selves like men, be strong, for ye shall see the salvation of the Lord,
and your labour shall not be in vain.
_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly of the Church of
Scotland, by the Clerk of the Assembly._
_Commission of the Generall Assembly for these that repair to the
Kingdome of England._
The Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, finding it necessary
to send some godly and learned of this Kirk to the Kingdome of England,
to the effect under-written. Therefore gives full Power and Commission
to Master Alexander Henderson, Master Robert Douglas, Master Samuel
Rutherfoord, Master Robert Bailzie, and Master George Gillespie,
_Ministers_, John Earle of Cassills, John Lord Maitland, and Sir
Archbald Johnstoun of Waristoun _Elders_, or any three of them, whereof
two shall be Ministers, to repair to the Kingdome of England, and
there to deliver the Declaration sent unto the Parliament of England,
and the Letter sent unto the Assembly of Divines now sitting in that
Kingdome. And to propone, consult, treat and conclude with that
Assembly or any Commissioners deputed by them, or any Committees or
Commissioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all matters which
may further the Union of this Island in one forme of Kirk-government,
one confession of Faith, one Catechisme, and one Directorie for the
Worship of GOD, according to the Instructions which they have received
from the Assembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from
the Commissioners of the Assembly deputed for that effect. With power
also to them to convey to his Majestie, the humble Answer sent from
this Assembly to his Majesties Letter, by such occasion as they shall
think convenient; And suchlike to deliver the Assemblies Answer to the
Letter sent from some wel-affected Brethren of the Ministery there.
And generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the
so much desired Union, and nearest conjunction of the two Churches of
Scotland and England, conform to their Instructions aforesaid.
_Reference to the Commission, anent the Persons designed to repair to
the Kingdome of England._
The Assembly having this day approven the nomination made by the
Commissioners of the late Assembly, of Persons to repair to the Synod
of Divines in England: And having of new elected and nominated all the
same persons, except Master Eleazar Borthwick, who is now with GOD.
Therefore gives power to the Commissioners to be appointed by this
Assembly for the publick affairs of this Kirk, to nominate and appoint
any other whom they shall think meet in his place. And suchlike the
Assembly refers to the said Commission, to consider whether it be
convenient to send now at this present time to the Kingdome of England,
all the persons appointed to go thither, and to designe the Persons
whom they think meet to go at this present occasion, to determine the
time of their dispatch, and to give unto them their Instructions. And
further in case of sicknesse or death of any of the persons appointed
for that employment, or in the case of any other necessary impediment
of their undertaking the samine; Gives power to the said Commission,
to nominate others in their place if the Commission shall finde it
convenient.
_Commission for the Publick affairs of this Kirk._
The Generall Assembly, considering the laudable custome of this Kirk,
in appointing Commissions betwixt Assemblies for the publick affairs
of the Kirk, and the commendable practice of the late Assembly at
Saint Andrews, in appointing their Commission for prosecuting that
blessed Work, for uniting the Kirks of this Island in Religion
and Kirk-government, by all lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, for
continuance of our own peace at home, and of the common peace betwixt
the two Nations, and for other good ends, as at length is exprest
in that Commission: And finding that the painfull endeavours and
proceedings of that Commission, unanimously approven in this Assembly,
though they have much advanced that glorious Work of Unity in Religion
and Government; yet hes not brought the samine to full perfection
and a finall accomplishment: And the Assembly being now much animate
and encouraged to prosecute that Work by the Parliament of England
their Bills past against Episcopacie, and sundry other corruptions,
and the good hopes of a solemne Covenant betwixt the Nations, And
conceiving that in thir times of danger, there may be some occasions
for conveening the Assembly, before the time indicted for their next
meeting. Therefore the Assembly finding it necessary to appoint a new
Commission, By these presents, nominates and appoints Mr Andrew Ramsay,
Mr Alexander Henderson, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr William Colvill, Mr
William Bennet, Mr George Gillespie, Mr John Adamson, Mr John Sharpe,
Mr James Sharpe, Mr William Dalgleish, Mr David Calderwood, Mr Andrew
Blackhall, Mr James Fleeming, Mr Robert Ker, Mr John Macghie, Mr Oliver
Colt, Mr Hugh Campbell, Mr Adam Penman, Mr Richard Dickson, Mr Andrew
Stevinson, Mr John Lauder, Mr Robert Blair, Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr
Arthur Morton, Mr Robert Traill, Mr Frederick Carmichell, Mr Mungo
Law, Mr John Smith, Mr Patrick Gillespie, Mr John Duncan, Mr John
Hume, Mr Robert Knox, Mr William Jameson, Mr Robert Murray, Mr Henry
Guthrie, Mr James Hamilton, Mr Bernard Sanderson, Mr John Leviston,
Mr James Bonar, Mr Evan Cameron, Mr David Dickson, Mr Robert Bailzie,
Mr James Cunninghame, Mr George Young, Mr Andrew Auchinleck, Mr
David Lindsay, Mr Andrew Cant, Mr John Oiswald, Mr William Douglas,
Mr Murdoe Mackenzie, Mr Coline Mackenzie, Mr John Monroe, Mr Walter
Stuart, _Ministers_: Marquesse of Argyle, Earle Marshell, Earle of
Sutherland, Earle of Eglintoun, Earl of Cassills, Earle of Dumfermling,
Earle of Lawderdail, Earle of Lindsay, Earle of Queensberrie, Earle of
Dalhousie, Lord Angus, Vicount of Dudhope, Lord Maitland, Lord Elcho,
Lord Balmerinoch, Lord Cowper, Sir Patrick Hepburne of Wauchtoun,
Sir Archbald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Sir David Hume of Wedderburne,
Sir Alexander Areskine of Dun, Sir William Cockburne of Langtoun,
________________ Ruthven of Frieland, Sir James Arnot of Fernie, Sir
Walter Riddell of that Ilk, Sir Lodovick Houstoun of that Ilk, Sir
William Carmichaell, Fiar of that Ilk, Laird of Bonjedburgh, Laird of
Libbertoun, Laird of Brodie, Sir John Smith, James Dennistoun, Master
Robert Barclay, John Rutherfoord, William Glendinning, John Sempill,
John Kennedie, Master Alexander Douglas; To meet at Edinburgh the 21
day of August next, and upon any other day thereafter, and in any
other place they shall think good. And gives and grants unto them, or
any fifteen of them, there being twelve Ministers present, full power
and Commission, to consider and performe what they finde necessary
by Praying and Preaching, by supplicating his Majestie and all the
Judicatories of this Kingdome, by Declarations and Remonstrances to
the Parliament of England, to the Synod of Divines in that Kingdome,
by Informations, Directions, and Instructions to, and continuall
correspondence with the Commissioners, now designed by this Assembly
to go to the Synod of Divines in England, or by any other lawfull
Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work, in the Union
of this Island in Religion and Kirk-government, and for continuance of
our own Peace at home, and of the common Peace betwixt the Nations,
and keeping of good correspondence betwixt the Kirks of this Island.
With power also to them to concurre with the Lords of Councell,
Commissioners of Peace, or with the Honourable Estates assembled in
Convention or Parliament, or with their Committees or Commissioners,
in prosecuting this good Work at home or abroad by all Ecclesiastick
wayes. And suchlike with power to them to prevent the dangers conteined
in the Remonstrance, presented unto the Convention of Estates by the
Commissioners of the late Assembly in June last, and to prosecute the
remedies of these dangers conteined in another Remonstrance, presented
by the saids Commissioners to the Convention the 6 of July last, by
admonitions, directions, censures, and all other Ecclesiastick wayes.
And further in case their Brethren of England shall agree to the
Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, the draught and frame whereof is now
so unanimously approven in this Assembly Gives also unto the Persons
foresaid, or the Quorum above-written, full Power and Authoritie to
command and enjoyn the samine to be subscribed and sworn by all the
members of this Kirk: And that in such order and manner, and with such
solemnities as they shall think convenient for so great and glorious
a Work; And to send their directions to Sessions, Presbyteries and
Synods, for execution of their orders thereanent. And with power to
proceed against any Person whatsoever, that shall refuse to subscribe
and swear the said Covenant, with all the censures of the Kirk, or to
refer the tryall and censures of such delinquents to Presbyteries or
Synods as they shall think convenient. And such like gives unto the
persons foresaids power and libertie, to call a Generall Assembly _pro
re nata_, in case they shall finde the necessity of the Kirk, and this
great Work to require the same: With full power also to them to give
Answers in name of the Assembly, to all Letters sent to the Assembly
from the Kirks of Holland, Zealand, or any other forraigne Reformed
Kirks. And further gives power to them to promove the other desires,
Overtures and recommendations of this, or of any former Assemblies
to the Kings Majestie, Parliament or Convention of Estates, to the
Lords of Councell, Session, Exchequer, Commissioners of Parliaments,
for plantations of Kirks, for the common burdens, and for conserving
the Peace. And suchlike gives us full power and Commission to them to
treat and decerne in any other matters referred, or to be referred
to them by this Assembly, as if the samine were herein particularly
insert. And generally gives unto the Persons foresaids, or the Quorum
above-mentioned full power and Authoritie, to do and performe all
things which may advance, accomplish, and perfect the great Work
of Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government in all his
Majesties Dominions, and which may be necessary for good order in
all the publick affairs of this Kirk, until the next Assembly, _ne
quid detrimenti capiat Ecclesia_. With als ample power in all matters
particularly or generally above-mentioned, as any other Commission
of Generall Assemblies, hes had or been in use of before; They being
alwayes countable to, and censurable by the next Generall Assembly, for
their proceedings thereintill.
* * * * *
The Generall Assembly appoints the meeting of the next Generall
Assembly, to be at Edinburgh the last Wednesday of May, in the year
1644.
FINIS.
INDEX _of the_ ACTS _of the_ ASSEMBLY _holden at_ EDINBURGH, 1643. _Not
printed._
1.—The Kings Majesties Commission to Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall,
Knight, his Majesties Advocate.
2.—Election of Master Alexander Henderson, Moderatour.
3.—Appointment of Master John Scot, who was sent from the Presbyterie
in the Scottish Army in Ireland, to be present in the Assembly every
Session.
4.—Questions propounded by the Moderatour, to some brethren in the
North, anent some Papists there, and there answer thereunto.
5.—Commission for visitation of the University of S. Andrews.