assembly, took up the most of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with
their report. All was approven; Maitland for his happy diligence
thanked; so likewise Argyle, and Birkenbog, for their apprehending of
two priests. Every presbytery, university, and parish, were ordained
to get a covenant, to be subscribed by all their members. We were
fashed with two questions. My Lord Balvaird bad deserted his ministry,
and came in the convention of estates to voice as a Lord. A minister
in the south had purchased a lairdship, and, as a laird, had come to
the meeting of the shire, and voiced for chusing a commissioner to
the convention. Both of them were furtherers of the Balvaird way.
After much reasoning, we determined, that both did wrong; that Lord
Balvaird should keep his ministry, and give over voicing in parliament,
under pain of deposition, and further censure; that the other should
no more sit nor voice in any court. A thorny business came in, which
the moderator, by great wisdom, got cannily convoyed. The brethren
of Stirling and Perth had made great outcries, that the commission
had authorised the clerk, in printing the assembly-acts, to omit two
acts of Aberdeen, one anent the Sabbath, another about novations.
In both these satisfaction was given: That our bounding the Sabbath
from midnight to midnight might offend some neighbouring kirks: As
for the other act, about novations, it was expressed also clearly in
the printed acts of the posterior assembly, to be made use of by
all who had occasion. These things were so well delivered, that all
were quieted. Mr Harry Guthrie made no din. His letter was a wand
above his head to discipline him, if he should mute. The presbytery
of Auchterarder was under the rod, to be made an example to all who
would be turbulent. After long examination of their business, at last
they were laureat. Some two or three of that presbytery, when many of
the gentry who were not elders, were permitted to sit among them, and
reason against the warning and declaration; and when Ardoch presented
reasons in writ against these pieces; yet they who were proven to have
been forward for the present reading of these pieces, were commended.
Others who, notwithstanding of the presbytery’s conclusion, of not
reading, yet did read, were, for voicing the continuation, gently
rebuked. Others who at last caused read parts of them, and Mr James
Row, who caused read them before himself came in, were sharply rebuked,
and their names delate from among the members of this assembly. Mr
John Graham, who now the second time had spoken scandalous speeches of
the commission, was made to confess his fault in face of the assembly
on his knees, and suspended till the next provincial. Ardoch, an old
reverend gentlemen, for his former zeal, was spared; only was urged
upon oath to reveal the persons from whom he had the reasons contrare
to the warning. Mr Harry Guthrie of Angus, a suspected person, for not
by name expressing of the malignants in a sermon at the provincial,
was made on his knees to crave pardon, and promise amendment. Mr
Andrew Logie, who lately had been reposed to his ministry, being cited
to answer many slanderous speeches in pulpit, not compearing, but by
an idle letter to the moderator, was deposed, without return to that
church for ever. Dr Forbes, whose sentence of deposition at Aberdeen I
had got to be suspended till the presbytery of Edinburgh had essayed
to gain him to our covenant; they, when they found no hope, pronounced
the sentence. This he thought unjust, and moved in the provincial of
Aberdeen, that they would try in this assembly if he might be permitted
to bruik his place, though he could not subscribe our covenant. It was
determined his deposition was valid from the beginning, and that he,
and all other, should either subscribe, or be farther processed. It was
complained, that Huntly received sundry excommunicated Papists in his
service; that he had no worship in his family; that these seventeen
years he had not communicate, but once with the excommunicate Bishop of
Aberdeen. Of these he was ordained to be admonished by his presbytery.
Hereof he was quickly advertised; so that, ere we arose, he sent to
us, under the hand of some neighbour-ministers, a testification of
his good carriage. But the former information being verified, the
attesting ministers were ordained to be rebuked. Sir John Seaton of
Barns, after a fair excuse of his Irish oath, was ordained to be
conferred with for subscribing our covenant within a certain time; and
upon his disobedience, to be processed, and have his daughter removed.
Mr Robert Dogliesh was elected church-treasurer, for the debursing of
the £500 Sterling as the commissioners of the church should appoint.
The commissioners who went to Ireland were thanked; Mr Jo. Maclelland,
for not going, called to answer: his health excused him. The same
reason excused the visitors of Orkney for their omission. Others were
appointed to go this year to both places.
Friday was the first day of the English appearing in our assembly. Your
affair spent the most of that day. For the general, sundry noblemen,
especially Eglinton, were not content to be excluded from the burial
of their fathers in the church; yet their respect to the presence
of strangers, and Argyle’s shewing his burying of his father in the
church-yard, and offering himself to be laid any where when he was
dead, rather than to trouble the church when he was living, made them
in silence let the act go against them. Much din was for the erecting
a new presbytery at Biggar. The conveniency, to ease some twelve or
thirteen churches at Lanerk and Peebles, with the leaving of moe than
thirteen to every one of the old presbytery-seats, did carry it; but
because of my Lord Fleming’s small affection to the common cause, the
execution of this decree was appointed to be suspended during the
assembly’s pleasure.
Sunday I was obliged to preach before noon in the New Church. I had
prevailed with the committee to put me in another place, for I much
misliked to be heard there; but the moderator with his own hand
did place me there, so there was no remeid; for who spoke against
conclusions, got usually so sickerly on the fingers, that they had
better been silent. God helped me graciously on Psalm 51. “Do good in
thy good pleasure to Zion, build up the walls of Jerusalem.” Many were
better pleased than I wished; for I am like to be troubled with the
town of Edinburgh’s too good liking, as ye will hear.
14th. Execution of the acts against excommunicate Papists, and others,
with whose estate no man would or durst meddle, was recommended to the
estates. Ministers deposed by general assemblies not to be restored
by provincial synods or presbyteries. Roger Lindsay, cited for
blasphemy, and other faults, not compearing, ordained to be summarily
excommunicate, and the states to be dealt with for further punishment
against him. Mr Fairlie’s, late Bishop of Argyle, long plea decided.
His scholar, my Lord Register, had presented him to Largo at the
commissioners of the general assembly’s desire. The people would not
hear of him. The presbytery of St Andrew’s joined with the people. They
were not cited; so the assembly could not judge, but behoved to commit
it to the presbytery. The man hath long been in extreme misery. He was
sure his remitting to the presbytery was the loss of the cause, and his
assured loss of all churches in the land, for no appearance that any
people would ever accept of him. Many tears shed he before us. Vehement
was Durie for him; but there was no remeid; parishes and presbyteries
might not be wronged. In all the assembly great care was had, not only
that nothing should come _per saltum_, but all particulars decidable
in presbyteries and provincials, should be remitted, with a reproof of
them, for sending to the assembly these things which they themselves
could more easily, and often better determine. We are like to be
troubled with the question of patronages. William Rigg had procured a
sharp petition to us from the whole commissioners of shires and burghs
against the intrusion of ministers on parishes against their minds.
Divers noblemen, patrons, took this ill. We knew not how to guide it;
at last, because of the time, as all other things of great difficulty,
we got it suppressed. Only when something about presentations came in
publick, good Argyle desired us, in all our presbyteries, to advise on
the best way of admitting of intrants, which the next general assembly
might cognosce on and conclude. He promised many, and trusted all,
patrons should acquiesce to the order. This pleased all.
15th. In our privy meetings we had many debates anent the troublesome
evil of novations. All the noblemen, especially Lauderdale, were much
displeased with the favourers of them; yet they were countenanced more
by some than was pleasing to all. Mr John Livingstone and Mr John
Maclelland were put on the chief committees, and other employments.
From the presbyteries of the synod of Glasgow, none of them were sent
commissioners, by the providence of some there; yet most of them came
to the town. Being called to the moderator’s chamber, Mr J. Maclelland,
and Mr John Nevo, most did propone their reasons for their judgment.
Mr S. Rutherford, and Mr D. Dick did answer. All heard with disdain.
Mr J. Nevo’s reasons were against the Lord’s prayer. After an hour’s
jangling, we left it nothing better. I found many inclined, especially
Mr S. R. though he professed it duty to answer satisfactorily all their
arguments, for peace sake to pass from the use of the conclusion, and
bowing in the pulpit, especially if we agree with England: however, we
agreed to draw up some act, for satisfying in some measure all. Mr H.
Guthrie, and the brethren in the north, were so overawed, that they
were very quiet; and being sent for, professed their contentment, for
the necessity of the time, to be content of any thing: but Mr G. Young,
Mr John Bell, and others of the west, were not so soon satisfied;
but threatened, on all hazards, to make much din, if something were
not really done for marring the progress of that ill. Mr Henderson
communicated to me the act he had drawn. I told him my mislike of some
parts of it, as putting in too great an equality the novators and their
opposites; also my opinion that the directory might serve for many good
ends, but no ways for suppressing, but much increasing, the ill of
novations. However, I assured I would make no din, but submit to him,
who was much wiser than I. These my thoughts I would not communicate
to others; so the brethren opposing most the novations being sent for,
when they heard the act, were well pleased with it, whereof I was glad.
This act did pass unanimously with all Mr Henderson, Mr Calderwood,
and Mr Dickson, were voiced to draw with diligence that directory,
wherein I wish them much better success than I expect; yet in this I
am comforted, that in none of our brethren who are taken with these
conceits, appear as yet the least inclination to Independency; and in
these their different practices they become less violent, and more
modest. Mr Ja. Bonner had not got such satisfaction as need were. For
his full contentment, be got a committee to sit at Ayr for the further
trial and censure of all who had interest in that riot.
Wednesday, 16th, a report was made by the clerk of the committee
for visiting the books of the provincial synods. It was found,
that the books of Argyle and Orkney were most accurate and formal.
Sundry questions were resolved. The order of visitation of churches,
presbyteries, and provincial synods, drawn up by Mr Calderwood, were
read. They were tediously long, but many of them very useful; so they
were referred, to be revised against the next assembly, to these
brethren who were appointed for the directory.
Thursday, the 17th, was our joyful day of passing the English covenant.
The King’s Commissioner made some opposition; and when it was so
past, as I wrote before, gave in a writ, wherein he, as the King’s
Commissioner, (having prefaced his personal hearty consent,) did assent
to it, so far as concerned the religion and liberties of our church;
but so far as it concerned the parliament of England, with whom his
Majesty, for the present, was at odds, he did not assent to it. The
moderator and Argyle did so always overawe his Grace, that he made us
not great trouble.
Friday, the 18th, a committee of eight were appointed for London,
whereof any three were a quorum. Mr Henderson, Mr Douglas, Rutherford,
Gillespie, I, Maitland, Cassils, Wariston. The magistrates of Edinburgh
obtained a warrant to the commissioners of the general assembly,
to plant their churches with three, dispensing with the overture
of the last assembly anent the order of transportation, that they
should not need to appear before presbyteries and synods, but at
this time the commission should have power quickly to plant them.
This dispensation with the act only of order, they intend to make a
catholick dispensation with all acts of all assemblies, as if a free
patent were given to take any they will in all the land. So they
have elected Mr Ja. Hamilton in Dumfries, of whom they have got two
_Nolumus_ already from the general assembly; Mr Jo. Oswald of Aberdeen,
who with so great difficulty was gotten north, and me. By my pithy and
affectionate letters to Argyle, Wariston, and their bailies, I have got
a supersedere from their present summons, and hopes to be made free
of their cumber; else I will appeal to the assembly, for in truth my
greatest end in coming to Glasgow was to flee their hands.
19th. Our last session was on Saturday. A number of particulars
that day passed. Mr Ja. Houston, a pious and very zealous young
man, minister at Glasford, in the time of his trials, and after his
admission, had fallen in fornication, for which he was deposed by
the presbytery of Hamilton; but being called to serve one of the
Irish regiments, was permitted to preach by the presbytery of Paisly.
Whereupon his old parishioners very instantly did suit his return to
them; while the presbytery of Hamilton refuses, the parish supplicates
the synod; where many being his friends, especially Mr R. Ramsay,
and Mr D. D., he is ordained to be reposed in his old place. The
presbytery appealed. The general assembly found it _bene appellatum_,
and reproved the synod. The great affront fell on Mr David; for in the
synod I had voiced with the presbytery. However, I did my best to keep
it from further hearing; but could not prevail. This day our answers
to the King’s letter, in the parliament of England’s declaration, by
Mr Henderson; to the assembly of divines, by Mr Blair; to the private
letter of corresponding divines, by Mr David Dickson, were publickly
read, and approven, albeit in our privy meeting revised. An ample
commission was drawn to a number of the ablest in the whole land,
whereof twelve ministers and three elders made a quorum. The parliament
meeting in Edinburgh the first Tuesday of June, the next assembly
was appointed to hold in that same place the last Wednesday of May.
The moderator ended with a gracious speech, and sweet prayer. In no
assembly was the grace of God more evident from the beginning to the
end than here; all departed fully satisfied.
20th. On the Sabbath, before noon, in the New Church, we heard Mr
Marshall preach with great contentment. But in the afternoon, in the
Grayfriars, Mr Nye did not please. His voice was clamorous: he touched
neither in prayer nor preaching the common business. He read much
out of his paper book. All his sermon was on the common head of a
spiritual life, wherein he ran out above all our understandings, upon
a knowledge of God as God, without the scriptures, without grace,
without Christ. They say he amended it somewhat the next Sabbath.
21st. On Monday the commission did sit on sundry particulars. But on
Tuesday the only errand it had was to appoint me to go presently to
London. Of this I understood nothing at all; for our quorum being
three, Mr Alexander and my Lord Maitland were undoubtedly two, and the
diet of going being on Saturday following, no man could dream they
would be so unreasonable as to command me, without visiting my family,
and putting my small affairs to some order, so suddenly to go so far
a voyage, having Mr G. Gillespie, who from his own door might put his
foot in the ship when he pleased: notwithstanding, in a meeting of the
nobles and others, on the Monday, from which I had foolishly absented
myself, it was concluded I should go, and that a commission should
sit to-morrow for that end. Of this I got a little inkling on Tuesday
morning; but not believing it, I was not so earnest, as otherwise I
might have been, in soliciting, till near nine o’clock, when I found
the conclusion was real: so I did what I could with so many of the
commission I got betwixt and ten, to deprecate my so sudden departure;
but being desperate of my prevailing, my best friends shewing me the
necessity, I committed the matter to God, with a humble submission.
Never, to my sense, did I find so clear a providence about me. I
offered, in a ten days, to follow in the next ship; but this would
have broken the quorum, and made the other two’s journey unprofitable
till I came. When it came to voicing, Mr Henderson and Maitland being
unanimously chosen, the voices ran just equal, some twenty for me,
and as many for Mr George. I then desired a delay till the afternoon,
when the commission might be more full. This was refused: so it was
voiced over again, and again we were equal. Then it was referred to
the moderator’s choice; who, on his knowledge of my vehement desire
and state of my family, named Mr George, for which I blessed God in my
heart; but he had not well spoken till Liberton came in, who, if he had
come before the word, would have cast the balance for me. But being
freed of that great trouble, incontinent I was like to fall in another.
Edinburgh put in, that in time of our college-vacance, I should be
nominated to stay and supply them. Argyle, who was chief for my going
to London, having burnt me before, would then blow me. He reasoned
stoutly for my going to Glasgow; yet it was determined that in the
time of the vacance, Mr S. Rutherford, Mr D. Dickson, and I, by turns,
should be there; but finding it their aim to entangle me, I have not
been there, nor minds to know them.
After my departure, with joy for my liberation unexpected from a
troublesome if not a dangerous voyage; for besides the sea, it was
feared the King should get London before they could be there; things,
praised be God, went better. The convention of estates emitted a
proclamation, containing the heads of the covenant, and commanding all
within sixty and sixteen, to be in readiness in full arms, with forty
days provision, to march to the rendezvous that the convention or
their committees should appoint. This was the first alarm. The English
commissioners made promise to secure our coast with their shipping,
and providing for our levy, and three months pay, L.100,000 Sterling,
also L.6000 to the Irish army. The year, through their default, was
far spent, and little possibility there was for us to arm so late.
The corns behoved to be first cut: and in this God has been very
gracious: never a better crop, never more early with us. The beginning
of October is like to end our harvest. Also we could not stir till
England did accept and enter in the covenant, and send down money. For
the hastening of these, the great ship, with our three commissioners,
Mr Meldrum, and two of the English, Mr Hatcher and Nye, made sail
on Wednesday, the 30th day, the wind made no sooner; but some eight
days before, the English had dispatched a ketch, with a double of
our covenant, which, when it came, was so well liked at London, that
Friday the 1st of September, being sent to the assembly of divines, it
was there allowed by all, only D. Burgess did doubt for one night. On
Saturday it passed the House of Commons, on Monday the House of Peers.
It seems to have been much facilitate by the flight of these Lords,
who all this time were opposing to their power their junction with us,
and all what might further their cause. After the taking of Bristol,
they grew more bold; and however they could not get the sending of
commissioners to us hindered, yet when they were gone, they put on foot
a new treaty of peace with the King. This proposition past the House of
Peers and Commons both; but the leading men made such a noise in the
city, that the Mayor, on the Monday, with the best of the city-council,
offered a very sharp petition to the contrare, which made, albeit with
great difficulty, that conclusion be renversed till they heard some
answer from us. To remeid this, the malignants stirred a multitude of
women of the meaner and more infamous rank, to come to the door of
both houses, and cry tumultuously for peace on any terms. This tumult
could not be suppressed but by violence, and killing some three or four
women, and hurting more of them, and imprisoning many. Hereupon the
underdealing of some being palpable, before it brake out fully they
stole away; Holland, Bedford, Clare, Conway, Portland, Lovelace, and as
they say, Salisbury and Northumberland. Some deny these two. Good had
it been for the Parliament these had been gone long before. However,
they were very well away at this time; for their absence was a great
further to the passing of our covenant in a legal way. There was, for a
time, horrible fears and confusions in the city; the King every where
being victorious. In the Parliament and city a strong and insolent
party for him. Essex much suspected, at least of non-fiance and
misfortune; his army, through sickness and runaways, brought to 4000
or 5000 men, and these much malecontented that their general and they
should be misprised, and Waller immediately prized. He had lost his
whole army, and occasioned the loss of Bristol. Surely it was a great
act of faith in God, huge courage, and unheard of compassion, that
moved our nation to hazard their own peace, and venture their lives and
all, for to save a people so irrecoverably ruined both in their own and
the world’s eyes. Yet we trust the Lord of heaven will give success
to our honest intentions; as yet all goes right. The city hath taken
good order with itself. Beside the prisons on land, the most tumultuous
they have sent out in two ships, to lie for a while at Gravesend. The
King, thinking, at the first summons, to get Gloucester, and being
refused, in a divine providence, was engaged to lie down before it;
where the unexpected courage, conduct and success of the besieged, has
much weakened the King’s army, and hath so encouraged the Parliament,
that Essex, well refreshed and recruited, is marched with 12,000 foot
and 2000 or 4000 horse towards Gloucester. It seems unavoidable, but
they must fight ere he return. From our commissioners yet we have
heard nothing. We expect this 22nd for Meldrum from them. Upon the
certainty of that covenant’s subscription by any considerable party
there, and the provision of some money, we mind to turn us to God, by
fasting and prayer, and to levy 22,000 foot and 4000 horse. General
Lesly is chosen, and accepted his old charge. It is true he past many
promises to the King, that he would no more fight in his contrare; but,
as he declares, it was with the express and necessary condition, that
religion and the country’s right were not in hazard; as all indifferent
men think now they are in a very evident one. As yet Almond is come no
further than to serve for putting the country in arms for defence at
home; so the lieutenant-general’s place is not as yet filled. Baillie
also is much dependent on Hamilton, who as yet is somewhat ambiguous,
suspected of all, loved of none; but it is like he will be quiet. Dear
Sandie, [Hamilton,] brother to the Earl of Haddington, hath accepted
the general of artillery’s place. Humbie is general commissary. Many of
our nobles are crowners for shires. Mr Walden hath seized on Berwick
for the Parliament, whereupon Crowner Gray makes prey of the town’s
cattle, and Newcastle is sending down men and cannon to besiege it.
Therefore our committee of estates dispatched Sinclair, and his three
troops of new-levied horse, and 600 foot, to assist the securing of it.
So the play is begun: the good Lord give it a happy end.—We had much
need of your prayers. The Lord be with you. Your Cousin,
ROBERT BAILLIE.
* * * * *
3. _Letter to Mr William Spang. November 17, 1643._[304]
REVEREND AND BELOVED COUSIN,