has passed you shall here have account. Our commissioners came safe
to London, were welcomed in the assembly by three harangues from D.
Twisse, Mr Case, and D. Hoile. Before their coming, the covenant had
passed, with some little alteration. This they took in evil part, that
any letter should be changed without our advice; but having a committee
from both houses, and the assembly, of the most able and best-affected
men, appointed to deal with them in that and all other affairs, we
shortly were satisfied, finding all the alterations to be for the
better. Being all agreed, as the assembly and House of Commons did
swear and subscribe that covenant, the little House of Lords did delay,
for sake of honour, as they said, till they found our nation willing
to swear it as then it was formed. In this we gave great satisfaction;
for so soon as Mr Henderson’s letters came to Mr R. Douglas, he
conveened the commissioners of the church, and the Chancellor, and
the commissioners of the estate, who, after a day’s deliberation,
did heartily approve the alterations, as not materially differing
from the form read in the assembly. So on Friday, in the new church,
after a pertinent sermon of Mr Robert Douglas, the commissioners of
state at one table, the commissioners of the church at another, the
commissioners from the parliament and assembly of England at a third,
did solemnly swear and subscribe, with great joy and many tears. Some
eighteen of our Lords were present that day; and copies were dispatched
to the moderators of all our presbyteries, to come read and expone
that covenant the first Sunday after their receipt, and the Sunday
following to cause swear it by men and women, and all of understanding
in every church of our land, and subscribe by the hand of all men who
could write, and by the clerk of session in name of those who could
not write, with certification of the church-censures, and confiscation
of goods, presently to be inflicted on all refusers. With a marvellous
unanimity was this every where received. A great many averse among
us from this course, who bitterly spoke against our way every where,
and none more than some of our friends; yet in God’s great mercy all
that yet I have heard of have taken this oath. Sundry things did much
contribute to the running of it. It was drawn with such circumspection,
that little scruple from any airth could be to any equitable. For the
matter, the authority of a general assembly and convention of estates
were great; the penalties set down in print before the covenant, and
read with it, were great; the chief aim of it was for the propagation
of our church-discipline in England and Ireland; the great good and
honour of our nation; also the parliament’s advantage at Gloucester
and Newburry, but most of all the Irish cessation, made the minds of
our people embrace that mean of safety: for when it was seen in print
from Dublin, that in July his Majesty had sent a commission to Ormond,
the judges, and committee there, to treat with these miscreants; that
the dissenting commissioners were cast in prison; that the agreement
was proclaimed, accepting the sum of £300,000 sterling from these
idolatrous butchers, and giving them, over the name of Roman-Catholick
subjects now in arms, a sure peace for a year, with full power to
bring in what men, arms, money they could from all the world, and to
exterminate all who should not agree to that proclamation, we thought
it clear that the Popish party was so far countenanced, as it was
necessary for all Protestants to join more strictly for their safety;
and that so much the more, as ambassadors from France were come both
to England and us, with open threats of hostility from that crown. Our
land now, I hope, in a happy time, hath entered, with fastings and
prayer, in a league with England, without any opposition. His Majesty
lets us alone; partly his distructions elsewhere, and most, as we
think, his experience how bitter proclamations did more than calm us,
only a letter came from him to the council, marvelling that in his name
they had proclaimed an injunction for all to arm, and had entered in a
covenant with his enemies, without his advice. An answer was returned
in justification of both these actions. Hamilton, Roxburgh, Traquair,
and others, had been advising what to do, as yet hitherto they have had
no din, and we trust they shall not be able to make any party. However,
we have laid in Stirling, for all accidents, some three troop of horse.
All the shires are put under their crowners, captains, and commanders
of war; but no men as yet are levied. The English are more unhappy
oft in their delays. Meldrum was sent up with some articles to their
parliament, agreed upon with their commissioners here; but he is not
returned. We know the best of the English have very ill will to employ
our aid, and the smallest hopes they got of subsisting by themselves
makes them less fond of us. The march of Essex to Gloucester; his
raising of that siege; his return to London, with some vantage at
Newburry; Manchester’s taking of Lynn; his clearing of Lincolnshire,
with some prosperous skirmishes there; Newcastle’s repulse from Hull,
puts them in new thoughts; also their bygone great expences of money,
and the great charge which Essex, Waller, Manchester, Warwick, Fairfax,
puts them to daily, makes it hard for them to get such sums of money as
are needful for raising of our army; and most of all, as is surmised,
the underhand dealing of some yet in their parliament, who have no
will, that by our coming in, that business should be ended, lest their
reign should too soon end. However, by lets open and secret, that help
which we were very willing to have given, is not like in haste to be
made need of; only Meldrum writes, that from twenty-eight parishes of
London there is got now some £30,000, with which he is presently to
come down. Mr Hatcher will follow with the rest that can be got. It
is like, when any competent sum comes, that an army shall rise, and
go towards Newcastle. There is lying some £100,000 worth of coals.
It is hoped, albeit it be winter, and the town fortified, yet there
cannot be great opposition; for Manchester and Fairfax, and the people
of Lancashire, coming on the one side, we hope that our army, on the
other, may come the better speed. The Irish cessation perplexes us. Our
army there is very inconsiderable, some 8000 of hunger and cold-beaten
soldiers, if ever were any, no duty at all has been done to them. The
parliament’s wants and negligence, and evil dealing of some, foolishly
and most unjustly jealous of us, has well near starved these soldiers.
If they run away, Ireland is lost; if they stay, they have all the
English and Irish for enemies; yet, if they had money, they would, with
God’s help, keep Ulster against all. For to advise on this, Sir Henry
Vane and Mr Marshall are gone to London; so only Sir William Armine
stays here. If the Scots were away, it is feared that all Ireland
should be ready to go upon England at a call. At last the assembly of
divines have permission to fall on the question of church-government.
What here they will do, I cannot say. Mr Henderson’s hopes are not
great of their conformity to us, before our army be in England.
However, they have called earnestly once and again for Mr Rutherford
and me. The commission has conveened, and sent for us. We are thus far
in our way to go abroad, God willing, one of these days. The weather is
uncertain, the way dangerous, pirates and shoals no scant; yet trusting
on God, we must not stand on any hazard to serve God and our country.
Write none to me till you hear from me where I am. The case of affairs
is lamentable. Not the least appearance of peace. The anger of God
burns like a fire, without relenting. Above 200,000 persons lost their
lives by this war already. The hearts of both parties this day alike
in courage. Besides bygone mischiefs, it is like the next spring, or
before, a flood of strangers will rush in on England. Scots, Irish,
French, Danes, and who not? There appears not any possible remeid,
till God send the overture. How things go abroad, you will write to
me more fully. Our negotiation at the court of France, it seems is
miscarried. Lothian, with nothing done, is returned. He would not be
dissuaded from going to Oxford; where we hear he is laid up, to our
grief and irritation. A little Monsieur, some agent with letters from
the Queen, has offered to our council the renovation of that league,
whereof Lothian was treating; but requires us not to covenant with the
parliament of England, and to annul the acts of our general assembly
against the Papists in our Scottish regiments in France, to cause set
the Earl of Antrim free. He stomachs that he has not a quick answer.
The man seems to be of a small account. He is delayed till Lothian
come. The friendship of the French was never much worth to us, and
now we regard it as little as ever. We shall do them no wrong; but
if they will join against the Protestant cause, we must oppose them.
A pity but your estates should regard more the safety of England, and
of themselves, than hitherto they have done. We had a month ago a
false alarm: it was probably informed, and certainly believed, that
Prince Rupert was on our borders, with 20,000 horse and foot; that his
cannon was at Morpeth; that our banders, then met at Kelso for the Lady
Roxburgh’s burial, were to join with him; that without impediment, they
were to seize Edinburgh. Our council were at the point of putting up
fire-beacons to call all the country to the border; yet some little
time made us find it was but a mistake of some horse and foot of
Colonel Gray’s, to beware of our eruptions from Berwick. As yet no acts
of hostility to count of are past.
* * * * *
4. _Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster
Assembly, December, 1643._[305]
The like of that assembly I did never see, and, as we hear say, the
like was never in England, nor any where is shortly like to be. They
did sit in Henry VII.’s chapel, in the place of the convocation; but
since the weather grew cold, they did go to Jerusalem chamber, a fair
room in the abbey of Westminster, about the bounds of the college
fore-hall, but wider at the one end nearest the door; and on both
sides are stages of seats, as in the new assembly-house at Edinburgh,
but not so high; for there will be room but for five or six score.
At the upmost end there is a chair set on a frame, a foot from the
earth, for the Mr Prolocutor Dr Twisse. Before it on the ground stands
two chairs for the two Mr Assessors, Dr Burgess and Mr Whyte. Before
these two chairs, through the length of the room, stands a table, at
which sits the two scribes, Mr Byefield and Mr Roborough. The house is
all well hung, and has a good fire, which is some dainties at London.
Foreanent the table, upon the prolocutor’s right hand, there are three
or four ranks of forms. On the lowest we five do sit. Upon the other,
at our backs, the members of parliament deputed to the assembly. On
the forms foreanent us, on the prolocutor’s left hand, going from the
upper end of the house to the chimney, and at the other end of the
house, and backside of the table, till it come about to our seats,
are four or five stages of forms, whereupon their divines sit as they
please; albeit commonly they keep the same place. From the chimney
to the door there are no seats but a void for passage. The Lords of
parliament use to sit on chairs, in that void, about the fire. We meet
every day of the week except Saturday. We sit commonly from nine to
two or three after noon. The prolocutor at the beginning and end has
a short prayer. The man, as the world knows, is very learned in the
questions he has studied, and very good, and beloved of all, and highly
esteemed; but merely bookish, and not much, as it seems, acquaint
with conceived prayer, among the unfittest of all the company for any
action; so after the prayer he sits mute. It was the canny conveyance
of these who guide most matters for their own interest to plant such
a man of purpose in the chair. The one assessor, our good friend Dr
Burgess, a very active and sharp man, supplies, so far as is decent,
the prolocutor’s place; the other, our good friend, Mr Whyte, has kept
in of the gout since our coming. Ordinarily there will be present about
three score of their divines. These are divided in three committees;
in one whereof every man is a member. No man is excluded who pleases
to come to any of the three. Every committee, as the parliament gives
order in writ to take any purpose to consideration, takes a portion,
and in their afternoon meeting prepares matters for the assembly, sets
down their minds in distinct propositions, backs their propositions
with texts of scripture. After the prayer, Mr Byefield the scribe
reads the proposition and scriptures, whereupon the assembly debates
in a most grave and orderly way. No man is called up to speak but who
stands up of his own accord. He speaks so long as he will without
interruption. If two or three stand up at once, then the divines
confusedly call on his name whom they desire to hear first. On whom the
loudest and maniest voices call, he speaks. No man speaks to any but
to the prolocutor. They harangue long and very learnedly. They study
the question well beforehand, and prepare their speeches; but withal
the men are exceeding prompt, and well-spoken. I do marvel at the very
accurate and extemporal replies that many of them usually make. When,
upon every proposition by itself, and on every text of scripture that
is brought to confirm it, every man who will has said his whole mind,
and the replies, and duplies, and triplies, are heard; then the most
part calls to the question. Byefield the scribe rises from the table,
and comes to the prolocutor’s chair, who, from the scribe’s book, reads
the proposition, and says, “As many as are in opinion that the question
is well stated in the proposition, let them say I,” [aye;] when I is
heard, he says, “As many as think otherways say No.” If the difference
of I’s and No’s be clear, as usually it is, then the question is
ordered by the scribes, and they go on to debate the first scripture
alledged for proof of the proposition. If the sound of I and No be
near equal, then says the prolocutor, “As many as say I, stand up;”
while they stand, the scribe and others number them in their minds;
when they are set down, the No’s are bidden stand, and they likewise
are numbered. This way is clear enough, and saves a great deal of
time which we spend in reading our catalogue. When a question is once
ordered, there is no more of that matter; but if a man will deviate, he
is quickly taken up by Mr Assessor, or many others, confusedly crying,
“Speak to order.” No man contradicts another expressly by name, but
most discreetly speaks to the prolocutor, and at most holds on the
general, The Reverend brother who lately or last spoke on this hand,
on that side, above or below. I thought meet once for all to give you
a taste of the outward form of their assembly. They follow the way
of their parliament. Much of their way is good, and worthy of our
imitation; only their longsomeness is woful at this time, when their
church and kingdom lie under a most lamentable anarchy and confusion.
They see the hurt of their length, but cannot get it helped; for being
to establish a new platform of worship and discipline to their nation
for all time to come, they think they cannot be answerable, if solidly,
and at leisure, they do not examine every point thereof.
When our commissioners came up, they were desired to sit as members of
the assembly; but they wisely declined to do so: but since they came
up as commissioners from our national church to treat for uniformity,
they required to be dealt with in that capacity. They were willing,
as private men, to sit in the assembly, and upon occasion to give
their advice in points debated; but for the uniformity, they required
a committee might be appointed from the parliament and assembly
to treat with them thereanent. All these, after some harsh enough
debates, were granted: so once a week, and whiles oftener, there is
a committee of some Lords, Commons, and Divines, which meet with
us anent our commission. To this committee a paper was given in by
our brethren before we came, as an introduction to further treaty.
According to it the assembly did debate, and agree anent the duty of
pastors. At our first coming, we found them in a very sharp debate
anent the office of doctors. The Independent men, whereof there are
some ten or eleven in the synod, many of them very able men, as Thomas
Goodwin, Nye, Burroughs, Bridges, Carter, Caryl, Phillips, Sterry,
were for the divine institution of a doctor in every congregation as
well as a pastor. To these the others were extremely opposite, and
somewhat bitterly, pressing much the simple identity of pastors and
doctors. Mr Henderson travelled betwixt them, and drew on a committee
for accommodation; in the whilk we agreed unanimously upon some six
propositions, wherein the absolute necessity of a doctor in every
congregation, and his divine institution in formal terms, was eschewed;
yet where two ministers can be had in one congregation, the one is
allowed, according to his gift, to apply himself most to teaching, and
the other to exhortation, according to the scriptures.
The next point, whereon we yet stick, is ruling elders. Many a brave
dispute have we had upon them these ten days. I profess my marvelling
at the great learning, quickness, and eloquence, together with the
great courtesy and discretion in speaking of these men. Sundry of the
ablest were flat against the institution of any such officer by divine
right, as Dr Smith, Dr Temple, Mr Gataker, Mr Vines, Mr Price, Mr
Hall, and many moe; besides the Independents, who truly speak much,
and exceedingly well. The most of the synod were in our opinion, and
reasoned bravely for it; such as, Mr Seaman, Mr Walker, Mr Marshall,
Mr Newcoman, Mr Young, Mr Calamay. Sundry times Mr Henderson, Mr
Rutherford, Mr Gillespie, all three, spoke exceeding well. When all
were tired, it came to the question. There was no doubt but we would
have carried it by far most voices; yet because the opposites were
men very considerable, above all gracious and learned little Palmer,
we agreed upon a committee to satisfy, if it were possible, the
dissenters: for this end we met to-day; and I hope, ere all be done, we
shall agree. All of them were willing to admit elders in a prudential
way; but this to us seemed most dangerous and unhappy, and therefore
was most peremptorily rejected. We trust to carry at last, with the
contentment of sundry once opposite, and silence of all, their divine
and scriptural institution. This is a point of high consequence;
and upon no other we expect so great difficulty, except alone on
Independency; wherewith we purpose not to meddle in haste, till it
please God to advance our army, which we expect will much assist our
arguments. However, we are not desperate of some accommodation; for
Goodwin, Boroughs, and Bridges, are men full, as it seems yet, of grace
and modesty; if they shall prove otherwise, the body of the assembly
and parliament, city and country, will disclaim them.
The other day a number of the city and country ministers gave in an
earnest and well-penned supplication to the assembly, regretting the
lamentable confusion of their church under the present anarchy; the
increase of Anabaptists, Antinomians, and other sectaries; the boldness
of some in the city, and about, in gathering separate congregations;
requesting the assembly’s intercession with the parliament for the
redress of those evils; and withal for the erection at London, during
the time of these troubles, of a college for the youth, whose studies
are interrupted at Oxford. This was well taken by the assembly. The
parliament promised their best endeavours for all. John Goodwin,
accused by Mr Walker and D. Homes of Socinianism, and others, are
appointed to be admonished for essaying to gather congregations. The
parliament the other day became sensible of their too long neglect of
writing to the churches abroad of their condition; so it was the matter
of our great committee to draw up letters in name of the assembly for
the Protestant churches. The drawing of them was committed to Palmer,
who yet is upon them. There is a little committee also, which meets in
the assembly house almost every morning, for the trial of expectants;
and when they have heard them preach, and posed them with questions,
they give in to the assembly a certificate of their qualifications:
upon the which they are sent to supply vacant churches, but without
ordination, till some government be erected in their desolate churches.
Plundered ministers are appointed, by order of parliament, to be put
in all vacant places in the city and country, in their obedience, till
they all be provided. Concerning the affairs of the church, I need say
no more at this time.
* * * * *
In our assembly, thanks to God, there is great love and union hitherto,
and great appearance of more before long. We have, after many days
debate, agreed, _nemine contradicente_, that beside ministers of
the word, there are other ecclesiastical governors to join with the
ministers of the word in the government of the church; that such are
agreeable unto, and warranted by the word of God, especially Rom.
xii. 8.; 1 Cor. xii. 28. How many and how learned debates we had on
these things in twelve or thirteen sessions, from nine to half-two,
it were long to relate. None, in all the company did reason more, and
more pertinently, than Mr Gillespie. That is an excellent youth; my
heart blesses God in his behalf. For Mr Henderson and Mr Rutherford,
all the world knows their graces. This day the office of deacon is
concluded from the 6th of the Acts. There will be some debate of the
perpetuity of his office, and the necessity of it in some cases, as
where they are poor, and where the magistrate provides for them; but
that will not much trouble us. In the great committee, this afternoon,
we have finally agreed on the draught of a letter for the churches
abroad, to inform them of our condition, which you may see in print.
Also we have begun an business (very handsomely I trust) of great
consequence. In the time of this anarchy, the divisions of people does
much increase: the Independent party grows; but the Anabaptists more;
and the Antinomians most. The Independents being most able men, and of
great credit, fearing no less than banishment from their native country
if presbyteries were erected, are watchful that no conclusion be taken
for their prejudice. It was my advice, which Mr Henderson presently
applauded, and gave me thanks for it, to eschew a publick rupture with
the Independents, till we were more able for them. As yet a presbytery
to this people is conceived to be a strange monster. It was our good
therefore to go hand in hand, so far as we did agree, against the
common enemy; hoping that in our differences, when we behoved to come
to them, God would give us light; in the meantime, we would essay to
agree upon the directory of worship, wherein we expect no small help
from these men to abolish the great idol of England, the service-book,
and to erect in all the parts of worship a full conformity to Scotland
in all things worthy to be spoken of. Having proponed thir motions in
the ears of some of the chief of the assembly and parliament, but in
a tacit way, they were well taken; and this day, as we resolved, were
proponed by Mr Solicitor, seconded by Sir Henry Vane, my Lords Sey and
Wharton, at our committee, and assented to by all; that a sub-committee
of five, without exclusion of any of the committee, shall meet with us
of Scotland, for preparing a Directory of Worship, to be communicate to
the great committee, and by them to the assembly. The men also were as
we had forethought, Mr Marshall chairman of the committee, Mr Palmer,
Mr Goodwin, Mr Young, Mr Herle, any two whereof, with two of us, make a
quorum: for this good beginning we are very glad. Also there is a paper
drawn up by Mr Marshall, in the name of the chief men of the assembly,
and the chief of the Independents, to be communicate on Monday to the
assembly, and by their advice to be published, declaring the assembly’s
mind to settle, with what speed is possible, all the questions needful
about religion; to reform, according to the word of God, all abuses;
and to give to every congregation a person, as their due: whereupon
loving and pithy exhortations are framed to the people, in the name
of the men who are of the greatest credit, to wait patiently for the
assembly’s mind, and to give over that most unseasonable purpose of
their own reformations, and gathering of congregations; but good is
expected from this mean. Farther, ways are in hand, which, if God
bless, the Independents will either come to us, or have very few to
follow them. As for the other sects, wise men are in opinion, that
God’s favour in this assembly will make them evanish. We had great
need of your prayers. On Wednesday Mr Pym was carried from his house
to Westminster, on the shoulders, as the fashion is, of the chief men
in the lower house, all the house going in procession before him, and
before them the assembly of divines. Marshall had a most eloquent and
pertinent funeral-sermon; which we would not hear; for funeral-sermons
we must have away, with the rest. The parliament has ordered to pay his
debt, and to build him, in the chapel of Henry VII., a stately monument.
* * * * *