Campheir, with attestations of some Dutch Kirks, anent hinging of
Pensills in Kirks, &c.
7.—Act for summar excommunication of Adam Abercrombie.
8.—Approbation of the deposition of Master John Forbes, with an
ordinance for his subscribing the Covenant.
9.—Questions from the Presbyterie of Hadington with the Assemblies
resolution thereof, anent Sir John Seaton, and his daughter.
10.—Approbation of the advice of the Commissioners of the late Assembly
at S. Andrews, for not printing two Acts of the last Assembly held at
Aberdene.
11.—Approbation of the Lord Maitland his faithfull discharging the
Commission given to him by the late Assembly at S. Andrews for
repairing to the Kings Majestie, and Parliament of England, &c.
12.—Committee appointed to meet with the English Commissioners.
13.—Power of Collectorie to Master Robert Dalgleish, of the annuitie of
500 lib. sterling, granted by his Majestie to the Kirk.
14.—Approbation of the Lord Marquesse of Argyle his apprehending Ronald
Macronald, Priest.
15.—Approbation of the Laird of Birkenboge, for apprehending John
Robeson, Priest.
16.—Renunciation of the unlawfull Band, conforme to the ordinance of
the Assembly at Edinburgh, 1641.
17.—Recommendation anent the captives in Argiers.
18.—Approbation of Master Alexander Henderson, his faithfull and
wise carriage in discharging of the Commission given to him by the
Commissioners of the late Assembly, for going to His Majestie, &c.
19.—Report of the Committee appointed to meet with the English
Commissioners.
20.—Report of the Committee appointed for trying the Presbyterie of
Auchterarder, The Assemblies approbation, admonition, and publick
rebuke of the severall brethren of that Presbyterie respective,
according to their behaviours.
21.—Suspension of Master John Grahame. With [Answers.]
22.—The ordinance for debarring the Ministers who are Commissioners of
that Presbyterie, from this Assembly.
23.—Recommendation to the Synod of Perth for reconciling the
differences amongst the brethren of that Presbyterie.
24.—Publick rebuke of Master Henry Futhie.
25.—Recommendation of the desire of Sir John Crawfurd of Kilburnie,
Knight, to the Presbyterie of Dumbartan.
26.—Anent Doctour Howies papers.
27.—Act anent the desire of the Letters sent from the Minister of the
Scottish Kirk at Campheir.
28.—Recommendation to him, to urge the subscribing of the Covenant.
29.—Deposition of Master Andro Logie.
30.—Erection of a Presbyterie at Biggar, with a suspension of entrie
thereunto.
31.—Reference of the matter betwixt the parishoners of Closburne, &c.,
and the Presbyterie of Penpont, to the Synod of Dumfreis.
32.—Reference of the Petition of Dunscoir to the Commiss. Parl. for
plantation of Kirks.
33.—Recommendation anent the Kirk of Carubie, to the Presbyterie of S.
Andrews.
34.—Remitt. anent Traflat and Drungrey, to the Synod of Dumfries.
35.—Act anent Roger Lindesay of Maines his Excommunication, With a
Recommendation to the Convention of Estates concerning him.
36.—Recommendation to the Convention of Estates, anent persons
excommunicate.
37.—Commission for visitation of Orkney, Zetland, &c.
38.—Act anent the Kirk of Stracathro.
39.—Recommendation anent erecting a Kirk at Seatoun.
40.—Reference to the Commission to be appointed by this Assembly, for
the publick affairs of this Kirk, for providing the Universitie of
Aberdene with a Professour of Divinity.
41.—Reference to the said Commiss. for providing a Professour of
Divinitie to the Universitie of S. Andrews.
42.—Committee appointed to conferre with the English Commissioners upon
the Papers presented by them to the Assembly upon the 15 of August.
43.—Committee to conferre also with the Committee of the Convention of
Estates thereanent.
44.—Ordinance that Master Alexander Henderson, Master David Calderwood,
and Master David Dickson, make some draught and forme of the publick
Directorie for Worship.
45.—Act for proceeding with Ecclesiastick censures against the
murderers of William Creightoun.
46.—Commission appointed to sit at Air for the particulars concerning
the parochiners of Stainiekirk, &c.
47.—Triall of the Synod books.
48.—Approbation of the Act of the last Assembly, concerning the power
granted to Sir Archibald Johnstoun, Procurator of the Kirk, and Clerk
to the Assembly.
49.—Recommendation of the matter concerning a Collegue to the Minister
of Dumfreis, to the Commissioners of Parliament for plantation of Kirks.
50.—Recommendation to the Synod of Lowthian, to try the proceedings of
the Presbyterie of Peebles, in admission of Master John Hay to the Kirk
of Peebles.
51.—Reference of Master John Mackinzie to the Commission of the
Generall Assembly.
52.—Act for proceeding against the Presbyterie of Sky, for not keeping
the Synod.
53.—Recommendation to the Lord Marquesse Argyle, to move the ruling
Elders in Argyle, to be more observant of Presbyteries and Synods.
54.—Recommendation to the Lord Marquesse Argyle for planting Loquhaber.
55.—Ordinance for suppressing of sub-synods.
56.—Ordinance for deleting an Act of the Synod of Murray.
57.—- Reference anent the order of triall of Synods, Presbyteries,
and Kirks, With a recommendation for using the orders set down in the
Assemblies 1638 and 1602, in the interim.
58.—Commission for planting the Kirks of Edinburgh.
59.—Remitt. to the Presbyterie of S. Andrews anent the Kirk of Largo.
60.—Recommendation of Master James Fairlie, to the Commission of this
Assembly.
61.—Recommendation anent the Bill given in by William Janson, Printer
in Amsterdam.
62.—Reference anent Master Robert Fleiming to the Commission appointed
to sit at Air.
63.—Report and approbation of the proceedings of the Commission of
visitation of the Universitie of Glasgow.
64.—Commission of Visitation of that Universitie.
65.—Report of the Committee anent the distressed people in Ireland.
66.—Recommendation to the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly, to
sit at Edinburgh anent Expectants to go to Ireland.
67.—Acts anent James Murray.
68.—Recommendation of Master Robert Brown.
69.—Commission to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh, for his admission to
the Earle of Irwins Regiment.
70.—Report of the Committee anent the receiving and dispensing of
his receipts of the annuitie of five hundred pound sterling, &c. And
approbation thereof.
71.—Report of the Committee appointed to consider the References from
the Commission of the late Assembly.
72.—Act for Master Andrew Murray, Minister at Ebdie, his exercise
of his calling of the Ministerie, and for rejecting honours, &c.
Incompatible with that calling.
73.—Recommendation Master William Bennet, Minister at Ancrum, to
abstain from civill courts and meetings, &c.
74.—Recommendation to the Commissioners of the Assembly for tryall if
any Excommunicate Papists, be in the Scotish Regiments in France, &c.
75.—Recommendation of Master Iames Iohnstoun.
76.—Reference of Tillifruskie to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh.
77.—Recommendation anent Laird Gagies mortification.
78.—Recommendation of Master Alexander Trotter.
79.—Recommendation anent the dismembring some parts of the Paroch of
Hadintoun, to be a severall Parochine.
FINIS.
=Miscellaneous Historical Documents.=
RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1643.
The League and Covenant referred to in the Acts, as “to be printed at
the return thereof,” when received and approven of by the Parliament
of England and Assembly of Divines, is not among the printed Acts of
that or any subsequent year; but as it was afterwards sanctioned by
these bodies, and the States of Scotland, we think it advisible, for
the sake of connection and distinctness, to insert it and the Act of
Ratification in this place.
August 17, 1643.
_A Solemne League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion,
the Honor and Happinesse of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the
three Kingdomes of Scotland, England, and Ireland_.[301]
Wee Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses,
Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, in the kingdomes of
Scotland, England, and Ireland, by the providence of GOD, living under
one King, and being of one reformed religion, having before our eyes
the glory of GOD, and the advancement of the kingdome of our Lord and
Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie
and his posterity, and the true publick liberty, safety, and peace
of the kingdomes, wherein every ones private condition is included:
And calling to minde the treacherous and bloudy plots, conspiracies,
attempts, and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true
religion and professours thereof in all places, especially in these
three kingdomes, ever since the reformation of religion; and how much
their rage, power, and presumption are of late, and at this time,
increased and exercised; whereof the deplorable state of the church and
kingdome of Ireland, the distressed estate of the church and kingdome
of England, and the dangerous estate of the church and kingdome of
Scotland, are present and publick testimonies; we have now at last,
(after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and
sufferings,) for the preservation of our selves and our religion from
utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of
these kingdomes in former times, and the example of GODS people in
other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to
enter into a mutuall and Solemne League and Covenant, wherein we all
subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to
the most High GOD, do swear,
I. That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the
grace of GOD, endeavour, in our severall places and callings, the
preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in
doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, against our common
enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdomes of England and
Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according
to the word of GOD, and the example of the best reformed Churches; and
shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three kingdomes
to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession
of faith, form of church-government, directory for worship and
catechizing; that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren,
live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst
of us.
II. That we shall, in like manner, without respect of persons,
endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is,
church-government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors, and
Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other
ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that hierarchy,) superstition,
heresie, schisme, profanenesse, and whatsoever shall be found to be
contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse; lest we partake
in other mens sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their
plagues; and that the Lord may bee one, and his name one, in the three
kingdomes.
III. We shall, with the same sincerity, reality and constancie, in our
severall vocations, endeavour, with our estates and lives, mutually
to preserve the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the
liberties of the kingdomes; and to preserve and defend the Kings
Majesties person and authority, in the preservation and defence of
the true religion, and liberties of the kingdomes; that the world may
bear witnesse with our consciences of our loyalty, and that wee have
no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and
greatnesse.
IV. We shall also, with all faithfulness, endeavour the discovery of
all such as have been or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or evil
instruments, by hindering the reformation of religion, dividing the
King from his people, or one of the kingdomes from another, or making
any faction or parties amongst the people, contrary to this League
and Covenant; that they may be brought to publick triall, and receive
condigne punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or
deserve, or the supreame judicatories of both kingdomes respectively,
or others, having power from them for that effect, shall judge
convenient.
V. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed peace between these
kingdomes, denyed in former times to our progenitors, is, by the good
providence of GOD, granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and
settled by both Parliaments; we shall each one of us, according to our
place and interest, endeavour that they may remaine conjoined in a
firme peace and union to all posterity; and that justice may be done
upon the wilfull opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent
article.
VI. Wee shall also, according to our places and callings, in this
common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdomes, assist
and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the
maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves,
directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or
terrour, to be divided and withdrawen from this blessed union and
conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give
ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause,
which so much concerneth the glory of GOD, the good of the kingdomes,
and honour of the King; but shall, all the dayes of our lives,
zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition,
and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets and
impediments whatsoever; and, what we are not able ourselves to supresse
or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely
prevented or removed: All which we shall do as in the sight of GOD.
And, because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations
against GOD, and his Son JESUS CHRIST, as is too manifest by our
present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we professe and
declare, before GOD and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled
for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdomes: especially, that
have not as we ought, valued the inestimable benefit of the gospel;
that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and that
we have not endeavoured to receive CHRIST in our hearts, nor to walk
worthy of him in our lives, which are the causes of other sins and
trangressions so much abounding amongst us: and our true and unfeigned
purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under
our power and charge, both in publick and in private, in all duties
we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before
another in the example of a reall reformation; that the Lord may turn
away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these churches and
kingdomes in truth and peace. And this Covennnt we make in the presence
of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention
to performe the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the
secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed; most humbly beseeching the
LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to blesse
our desires and proceedings with such successe, as may be deliverance
and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian
churches, groaning under, or in danger of, the yoke of anti-christian
tyrannie, to joyn in the same or like association and covenant, to the
glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdome of JESUS CHRIST, and the
peace and tranquillity of Christian kingdomes and commonwealths.
* * * * *
July 15, 1644.
_Act anent the Ratification of the calling of the Convention,
Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of Treatie betwixt
the Kingdomes of Scotland and England, and remanent Acts of the
Convention of Estates, and Committee thereof._[302]
The Estates of Parliament, presently conveened by vertue of the last
Act of the last Parliament, holden by his Majestie, and the three
Estates, in _anno 1641_, Considering, that the Lords of his Majesties
Privie Councel, and Commissioners for conserving the articles of the
treatie, having, according to their interests and trust committed
to them by his Majestie and Estates of Parliament, used all meanes,
by supplications, remonstrances, and sending of Commissioners,
for securing the peace of this kingdome, and removing the unhappy
distractions betwixt his Majestie and his subjects in England, in
such a way as might serve most for his Majesties honour, and good of
both kingdomes; and their humble and dutifull endeavours for so good
ends having proven ineffectuall, and their offer of mediation and
intercession being refused by his Majestie; and thereby finding the
weight and difficultie of affaires, and the charge lying on them to
be greater then they could beare; did therefore, in the moneth of May
1643, meet together with the Commissioners for the common burdens,
that, by joynt advice, some resolution might be tane therein; and
in respect of the danger imminent to the true Protestant religion,
his Majesties honour, and peace of thir kingdomes, by the multitude
of Papists and their adherents in armes in England and Ireland, and
of many other publick and important affaires, which could not admit
delay, and did require the advice of the representative body of the
kingdome; appointed and caused indict a meeting of the Convention of
Estates (his Majesty having formerly refused their humble desires
for a Parliament) to be upon the 22d of June following; which diet
being frequently kept by the Noblemen, Commissioners of shires and
burrowes, and they finding these dangers against this kirk and state
still increasing, Resolved, after serious deliberation and advice of
the Generall Assembly, and joynt concurrence of the Commissioners
authorized by the Parliament of England, that one of the chiefest
remedies for preventing of these and the like dangers, for preservation
of religion, and both kingdomes from ruine and destruction, and for
procuring of peace, That both kingdoms should, for these ends, enter
into Covenant; which was accordingly drawne up, and cheerfully embraced
and allowed. Whereat the opposite and malignant party, more enraging
then before, did gather their strength and power against the same, so
as the Estates were necessitate to put this kingdome into a posture
of defence; and for this purpose, appointed Colonels and Committees
of Warre in the severall shires for exercising the forces therein,
and putting them in readinesse for mutuall defence, in this cause
of Religion, his Majesties honour, and peace of his kingdomes, as
they should be required by the Estates, or their Committee who were
entrusted with the charge of the publicke effaires of the kingdome
during the not sitting of the Estates. And at last a treatie was agreed
unto by both kingdomes, concerning the said Covenant, and assistance
craved from this kingdome by the kingdome of England, in pursuance
of the ends expressed therein, and another Treatie for settling a
Garrison in and securing of the Town of Berwick, as the same more
fully proports, conforme whereunto orders were issued forth, and an
Armie raised out of the shires and burrowes of this kingdome and sent
unto England. And the Estates finding themselves bound in dutie and
conscience to provide all means of supply of that Army, and relieving
the Scots Army in Ireland, did resolve that the same should be by
way of Excise, as the most constant, just, and equall way, least
prejudiciall to the kingdome, and most beneficiall to the cause in
hand, and ordained certaine rates and summes to be raised off the
commodities contained in the Act made thereanent, and schedule there
unto annexed; and in respect of the necessitie of present money, and
that the Excise could not be gotten timously in for supply of the army,
did appoint that all persons within this kingdome who had moneys, or by
their credit could raise and advance the same, should lend such summes
to the Estates or their Committee as they should be required, upon
assurance of repayment from the publick in manner contained in the Acts
made thereanent; and gave orders to their Committee to see them put in
execution, who have accordingly beene carefull in discharge of that
trust committed to them:—And the Estates being still desirous to use
all good meanes, that, without the effusion of more bloud, there may
be such a blessed pacification betwixt his Majestie and his subjects,
as may tend to the good of religion, his Majestie’s true honour and
safety, and happinesse of his people, did therefore give commission to
John Earle of Loudoun, Lord Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord Waristoun,
and Mr Robert Barclay, to repaire to England, and endeavour the
effectuating of these ends contained in the covenant and treaties,
conforme to their instructions. And, in this interim, the Estates being
informed of the traiterous attempts of some unnaturall countreymen,
who, in ane hostile manner, invaded this kingdome toward the south,
and had their complices in armes in the north, all for ane designe,
of subverting the religion, lawes, and liberties of the kingdome, were
necessitate, for suppresing thereof, to direct an army to the south,
under the command of the Earle of Calender, and a Committee of the
Estates to be assisting to them; another armie to the north, under the
command of the Marquesse of Argyle, and a Committee to goe along with
him.