we thought our selves obliged to render some accompt of the estate
of our Affairs. It hath pleased the Lord to exercise us since our
out-coming, with many straits and difficulties, yet in the midst
thereof he hath wonderfully upheld and carried us through. The depth
of his wisedome hath suspended us for a time from any great action,
to make us walk humbly before him, and to keep us in a continuall
dependance upon himself: And yet he hath by his own power scattered
before us the great Popish Army, and much diminished the number
thereof, so that they do not now appeare against us in the Fields;
that all may learne to trust in GOD, and not in Man. It was farre
from our thoughts and intentions to have come this length at that
instant when the course of Divine Providence pointed out our way unto
us, which led us on by some long and speedie marches to joyne with my
Lord Fairfax and his Sonne their Forces. The City of York, wherein a
swarme of obstinate Papists have taken sanctuary, is blocked up; now
and then God favoureth us with successe in some enterprises about it,
and we look for more if the time be come which he hath appointed for
the deliverance of this People.
Our Soules do abhorre the treacherous attempts of our disnatured
Countrey-men, that have endeavoured to make their native Kingdome a
seat of Warre, and our bowels within us are moved to think upon the
maine mischiefs, if not tymeously prevented, that may follow upon the
unnaturall Warres there; like unto these under which this Kingdome
hath groaned for a long time. We have found none more malicious and
cruell against us than these of our own Nation, and we measure those
at home, by these here: Cursed be their rage, for it is fierce, and
their anger for it is cruell. The present danger calls upon all to
lay out of their hands what ever may hinder their haste, as one Man
to come together for saving the Vine-yard that the wilde Boares
would lay waste, and taking the Foxes that would destroy the Vines.
You are, right Reverend, now set upon the highest Watch-tower, from
whence you may discover the dangers that threaten on all coasts,
and wee need not put you in minde to give warning to the Watch-men
in their severall stations; to rouze up the People from their too
great security; to call them to unfeigned Humiliation, and to stirre
them up to wrestle with GOD by prayers that hee would preserve Truth
and Peace at home against the machinations of Malignants; that hee
would prepare the People here, and make them more fit to embrace the
intended Reformation; and that hee would command these unnaturall and
bloudy Warres to cease, that Religion and Righteousness may flourish
through the three Dominions, Praying GOD to send upon you the Spirit
of truth, who may lead you in all truth. We remaine
Your loving Brethren, the Presbyterie of the Scottish Army in England,
Master ROBERT DOUGLAS,
Moderator, in their name.
Middle-thorp, 20 Maii, 1644.
_The Petition from the distressed Christians in the North of Ireland._
To the Reverend and Honourable Moderator and remanent Members of the
Generall Assembly of Scotland, conveened at Edinburgh, in May, 1644.
The humble Petition of the distressed Christians in the North of
Ireland,
_Humbly sheweth_,
That whereas your former enlarged bounty, and our present overflowing
straits would require a gratefull acknowledgement of the one, and a
serious representation of the other: Our case is such, as neither can
be expected at our hands, being stricken with astonishment, and full
of the furie of the Lord. We are these indeed who have seen affliction
by the rod of his wrath: So that it were more fit, we had a Cottage
in the Wildernesse amongst the Owles to mourn out our imbittered
Spirits, then that by word or writ we should compeere before any of
his People: Although you cannot be wearied in wel-doing, yet we shall
no way think it strange, if now you shall give over any more care of
us; Seeing the Lord hath testified against us, and the Almighty hath
afflicted us. Your judgement is with the Lord, and your reward is
with God, not onely for your two years visiting and watering a barren
vineyard, but also for your zeale and care to have your Reformation
spred amongst other opprest and borne-down Churches, whereof you have
given an ample and famous testimony in sending hither that blessed
League and Covenant which wee much desired and longed for, as by our
Petitions to the Church and State of our Native Kingdome is knowne unto
you; which hath had a wished and gracious successe by the favour and
blessing of God, accompanying the pains of these to whom the tendering
thereof was intrusted by you. And we conceiving a chief part of our
miserie to consist in our want of opportunitie to joyne our selves
with the People of God in the foresaid League; Esteeming our selves
rejected of God and unfit to be joyned in any comfortable fellowship in
the Gospel with them, when the said League and Covenant was presented
to the Regiments; Wee made bold to lay hold upon the opportunity
(though afflicted abjects) and cheerfully and unanimously joined our
selves thereunto: That if wee perish in our misery, wee may die a
Covenanted People; and, if our miserable life be prolonged, we may
finde shelter and refreshment under the shadow thereof in our fierie
trials, confidently expecting from the Lord by our neerer conjunction
with you than of before, an accomplishment of what is agreed into
the Covenant, which ye bountifully expressed before we were one with
you, to your never-dying-commendation. We are nothing shaken in our
minds with the odious aspersions of sedition, combination against the
King, and overthrow of Municipal Laws, &c. (wherewith our Covenant
is branded) nor with the threats of these who should be comfortable
to us in our troubles: But are the more encouraged to beleeve that
God shall raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and repair
the breaches thereof: For, since we Covenanted with God, and united
our selves together, our dying Spirits have revived, and we sing like
these who have come forth from their Graves, for God hath had mercy on
Jacob: In testimony whereof he hath opened the bowels of the Churches
of Holland, who were strangers to us, and yet dear Brethren, and tender
Sympathizers with our afflictions and sorrows, who, when these who were
left of the Sword were in danger to dye by famine, did plentifully
relieve us in our straits, not onely by comfortable encouragements
to walk humbly with God, and wait for him who hides his face from
the house of Jacob for a season; but also by their rich supply in
Victuals and others necessar for our relief and comfort, which we
humbly desire our Lord to repay seven-fold in their bosome, and become
your Supplicants to joyne with us in a gratefull acknowledgement of
their singular favours: And upon the heels of these favours you have
continued your unparalelled compassions in keeping your forces and
enabling them, together with the other Forces, for avenging the cruell
murders, and effusion of Christian blood in this Land, notwithstanding
of your owne multiplied difficulties. The Lord hath begun to delight
into us, and in a day of salvation hath helped us (So happy are the
people who are in Covenant with God.) We are these (indeed) who may
justly be burnt up for our unfruitfulnesse in the days of our plenty,
and stubbornesse in the dayes of our affliction, which hath brought us
so low, that where we once enjoyed a blessed plenty, we must now beg
of the crumbs that fall from your Table: Wee cannot dissemble, but so
farre as we can discern our owne hearts, we would preferre the joyfull
sound of the Gospel to our much wished Peace and precious lives: But
it may be discerned, your Consultations of before have been guided by
the Spirit of the Lord; in that when wee twice in our forward hasting
desires begged the present loosing and planting of some Ministers
amongst us, you judged it more convenient to supply us by turnes, as
foreseeing that our captivity was likely to endure: Our hopes are so
far revived, that we trust to see the day when he shall take the Cup
of trembling out of our hands, and put it in the hands of them that
afflicted us.
And therefore, if you account us fellow-partners of the Purchased
Inheritance, Yet again suffer our necessitie to plead with you, that as
it hath been by the Committee of Bils already advised, that a competent
number of Ministers may be gifted to us by your Commission when they
shall see the Calling cleared, the same may be granted as a testimony
of your confidence, and expectation of our delivery; And in the meane
time some others may be sent by turnes to keep in the dying lives of
above twenty foure desolate Congregations, who are in danger to perish
for want of Vision: And although we do professe, we count not ourselves
worthy of such favours, yet as we have resolved to dye with the cry of
hope in our mouthes to the Lords Throne; So in obedience of the use of
the means by him appointed, we stretch out our hearts and our hands
to you for help, and have sent our Brother William Mackenna, Merchant
at Belfast, to attend what answer it shall please the Lord by you to
returne unto
Your distressed Brethren and Supplicants.
_Subscribed by very many hands._
3 Junii, 1644. Antemeridiem. Sess. V.
_Act for the present Entrie of the new erected Presbyterie at Biggar._
The which day anent the Supplication subscribed and given in to the
Generall Assembly by the Ministers and ruling Elders of the Kirks of
Biggar, Skirling, Brochton, Glenquhome, Kelbocho, Culter, Lamyngtoun,
Symontoun, Covingtoun, Quothquen, Welstoun, and Dolphingtoun, making
mention, That the Generall Assembly at Edinburgh in August 1643
years, by their Act of the date of the twelfth day of the samine
moneth and year, did upon good grounds, and after tryall and hearing
of all Parties to the full, erect a Presbyterie seat at Biggar, to
consist of the Kirks above-written; And granted to their Presbyterie
full power of jurisdiction and exerceing Discipline, with all other
Liberties and Priviledges belonging to any other Presbyterie; but
suspended the entrie and possession of this new erected Presbyterie,
during the pleasure of the Assembly: And therefore desiring the said
Generall Assembly to ordaine and appoint the entrie and possession of
the foresaid Presbyterie at Biggar, now presently; And to Declare,
that it is their pleasure, that the entrie and possession thereof
shall be no longer suspended, as the Supplication proports. Which
Supplication being read in audience of the Generall Assembly, and
thereafter the Commissioners from the Presbyteries of Lanerk and
Peebles, and all others having entresse to oppose the desire foresaid
being publickly called, and the saids Commissioners for Peebles and
Lanerk personally present, being at length heard in what they could
say or alledge therein: And the said Supplication and desire thereof,
with the Alledgeances and Objections made against the samine, being
taken to consideration by the Assembly, and they therewith being
fully and ripely advised: The Assembly after removing of the Parties,
and after consideration of the premisses and voycing of the foresaid
desire, Ordaines the entrie and possession of the foresaid Presbyterie
of Biggar, consisting of the particular Kirks above-mentioned, to
begin now presently; And appoints and ordaines all the Ministers and
Ruling Elders of the foresaids Kirks above specified, whereof the said
Presbyterie consists, to meet and conveene as a Presbyterie, with all
conveniencie, at the said Kirk of Biggar, which is the Place and Seat
of the samine Presbyterie. And the Assembly refers to the Commissioners
to be appointed by them for the publick affairs of the Kirk, to
determine to what Synod this the said new erected Presbyterie shall be
subordinate; As also to prescribe the order and solemnities that shall
be necessar for entring and possessing the Ministers and Elders in the
said Presbyterie.
Junii 3, 1644. Sess. VI.
_Act concerning the Declaration subscribed by the Scottish Lords at
Oxford._
The Generall Assembly having received a Copy of a Declaration, made and
subscribed at Oxford, sent unto them from the honourable Convention
of Estates, and having seriously considered the tenour thereof, doth
finde the same to be a perfidious Band and unnaturall confederacy,
to bring this Kirk and Kingdome to confusion, and to be full of
blasphemies against the late Solemne League and Covenant of the three
Kingdomes, of vile aspersions of Treason, Rebellion and Sedition, most
falsly and impudently imputed to the Estates and the most faithfull
and loyall Subjects of these Kingdomes: And seeing it is incumbent
to the Assembly to take notice thereof, and to stop the course of
these malicious intentions, in so farre as concernes them, Declare
that the subscribers of this or the like Declaration or Band, or any
that have been accessory to the framing, or that has been, or shall
be accessory to the execution thereof, deserve the highest censure
of the Kirk: And therefore gives power to the Commissioners of this
Assembly appointed for the publick affairs, to proceed against them to
the sentence of Excommunication, unlesse they make humble confession
of their offence publickly, in such manner, and in such places as
the Commission shall prescribe; Or otherwise to refer the tryall and
censure of such Delinquents to Presbyteries or Synods as they shall
think convenient. And when the sentence of Excommunication shall
be pronounced, discharges Presbyteries or Synods to relax any from
the sentence, without the advice of the Generall Assembly, or their
Commissioners, _nisi in extremis_. And in respect of the atrocitie of
this Fact, the Assembly in all humility, do seriously recommend to the
right honourable the Estates of Parliament to take such course, as
the persons that shall be found guilty, may be exemplarly punished,
according to the merit of so unnaturall and impious an offence: And
that some publick note of ignominie be put upon the Declaration and
Band it self, if their Honours shall think it meet.
_Act against the Rebells in the North and South._
The Generall Assembly considering the just sentence pronounced against
the principall Actors in that Rebellion in the North and South, by
ordinance of the Commissioners of the late Assembly; And finding it
most necessary, that such as assisted or joyned with them in that
impious and unnaturall Fact, be likewise censured; Therefore ordains
Presbyteries and Synods respective, to proceed against them with
the highest Censures of the Kirk, if they give not satisfaction by
publick repentance: And when the sentence of Excommunication shall be
pronounced, The Assembly discharges the said Judicatories to relax any
of them from the sentence, without the advice of the Generall Assembly,
or their Commissioners, _nisi in extremis_: To whom also the saids
Presbyteries and Synods shall be answerable for their diligence in
the premisses as they shall be required. And the Assembly doth humbly
recommend to the Honourable Estates of Parliament, to take such course
as the Persons that shall be found guilty may be exemplarly punished
according to the merit and degree of their offence.
_Act against Secret Disaffecters of the Covenant._
The Generall Assembly understanding that divers Persons dis-affected
to the Nationall Covenant of this Kirk, and to the Solemne League
and Covenant of the three Kingdoms, do escape their just censure,
either by their private and unconstant abode in any one Congregation,
or by secret conveyance of their malignant speeches and practises:
Therefore ordains all Ministers to take speciall notice when any such
Person shall come within their Paroches, and so soon as they shall
know the same, that without delay they cause warn them to appear
before the Presbyteries within which their Paroches lyes, or before
the Commissioners of this Assembly appointed for publick affairs, as
they shall finde most convenient; which warning the Assembly declares
shall be a sufficient citation unto them: And als that all Ministers
and Elders delate to the saids Judicatories respective, every such
dis-affected Person, although without their own Paroch, so soon as
they shall hear and be informed of them. And the Assembly ordains
the saids Commissioners not only to proceed to Tryal and Censure of
such disaffected Persons, but also to take a special account of the
diligence of Ministers, Elders, and Presbyteries herein respective.
_Act for sending Ministers to the Armie._
The Assembly understanding that Ministers are not duly sent forth to
the Regiments of the Army, neither such as are sent duly relieved,
which neglect falleth out oftimes, by reason of questions among
Presbyteries interessed in the Regiments: Therefore for remedy hereof,
thinks it convenient that this order be keeped hereafter; That a
List be made of three Ministers by the Colonels, or in their absence
the chief Officers of every Regiment, with advice and consent of the
Presbyterie at the Army, and sent to Presbyteries here, or if the
list be of Ministers in divers Presbyteries to the Commissioners of
the General Assembly, that they may appoint one out of that list to
be sent to the Regiment, to attend them for performing Ministeriall
duties 3 Moneths: And that the relief of Ministers already sent or
to be sent hereafter shall be in the same manner. And the Assembly
ordains Ministers who shall be thus appointed by Presbyteries or the
Commissioners of the Assembly respective, to repair to the Armie with
all diligence, under the paine of suspension: And humbly recommends to
the Honourable Estates of Parliament, to provide some way whereby these
Ministers may have due and ready payment of their allowance, from the
time of their going from their charges here. And it is declared that
this order shall be also keeped for sending forth of Ministers to the
Regiments in the second expedition.
_Renovation of the Commission for the Publick affairs of the Kirk._
The Generall Assembly considering that the Commissioners appointed
by the last Assembly upon the ninteenth day of August 1643 years,
the last Session thereof to sit at Edinburgh for the Publick affairs
of the Kirk, have not yet fully perfected that great Work for Unitie
of Religion, and Uniformitie of Kirk-Government in his Majesties
Dominions; And that now in respect of the present condition of
affairs in this Kingdome, their proceedings cannot be examined at
this time: Therefore finding it necessar that the said Commission be
renewed unto the Commissioners therein mentioned, and to the Persons
afternamed now thought fit to be added for the better expediting of
the businesse; Do hereby appoint the Persons particularly nominate in
the said Commission, viz. Masters Andrew Ramsay, Alexander Henderson,
Robert Douglas, William Colvill, William Bennet, George Gillespie,
John Oiswald, Mungo Law, John Adamson, John Sharp, James Sharp,
William Dalgleish, David Calderwood, Andrew Blackhall, James Fleeming,
Robert Ker, John Macghie, Oliver Colt, Hugh Campbell, Adam Penman,
Richard Dickson, Andrew Stevinson, John Lawder, Robert Blair, Samuel
Rutherford, Arthur Mortoun, Robert Traill, Frederick Carmichael, John
Smith, Patrick Gillespie, John Duncan, John Hume, Robert Knox, William
Jameson, Robert Murray, Henry Guthrie, James Hamiltoun in Dumfreis,
Bernard Sanderson, John Levingstoun, James Bonar, Evan Camron, David
Dickson, Robert Bailzie, James Cuninghame, George Young, Andrew
Affleck, David Lindsay, Andrew Cant, William Douglas, Murdo Mackeinzie,
Coline Mackeinzie, John Monroe, Walter Stuart, _Ministers_; Archibald
Marquesse of Argyle, William Earle Marshall, John Earle of Sutherland,
Alexander Earle of Eglintoun, John Earle of Cassils, Charles Earle
of Dumfermeling, John Earle of Lauderdale, John Earle of Lindsay,
James Earle of Queensberry, William Earle of Dalhousie, Archibald
Lord Angus, James Vicount of Dudhope, John Lord Maitland, David Lord
Elcho, John Lord Balmerinoch, James Lord Cowper, Sir Patrick Hepburne
of Waughtoun, Sir Archbald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Sir David Hume of
Wedderburne, Sir Alexander Areskine of Dun, Sir William Cockburne of
Langtoun, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Frieland, Sir James Arnot of Fernie,
Sir Walter Riddall of that Ilk, Sir Lodovick Houstoun of that Ilk,
Sir William Carmichael fiar of that Ilk, Master George Douglas of
Bonjedburgh, Master George Winrame of Libertoun, Laird of Brodie, Sir
John Smith, James Dunnistoun, Master Robert Barclay, John Rutherford,
William Glendunning, John Sempill, John Kennedy, and Master Alexander
Douglas, _Elders_: And also Masters David Dalgleish, Andrew Bennet,
John Moncreiff, Alexander Carse, Thomas Wilkie, James Guthrie, Henry
Levingstoun, David Drummond at Creiff, John Hay at Renfrew, John
Strang, Richard Inglis, William Falconer, John Paterson, Gilbert Rosse,
Richard Maitland, George Cumming, William Campbel, _Ministers_, And
William Earle of Glancairne, William Earle of Louthian, James Lord
Murray of Gask, John Lord Yester, Robert Maitland, Frederick Lyon
of Brigtoun, James Macdowell of Garthland, David Beton of Creich,
Sir James Stuart Sheriff of Buit, Sir John Weemes of Bogie, Master
William Sandilands Tutor of Torphichin, Archibald Sydserfe, Laurence
Henderson, James Stuart, Thomas Paterson, and Alexander Jaffray,
_Elders_, now added by this Assembly, to meet at Edinburgh upon the
fifth day of this instant moneth of June, and upon the last Wednesday
of August next, the last Wednesday of November next, and upon the
last Wednesday of February next; and upon any other day, or in any
other place they shall think meet: Giving and granting unto them, or
any fifteen of them, there being twelve Ministers present, full power
and commission to prosecute the said work of unitie in Religion, and
uniformitie of Kirk-government in all his Majesties Dominions, and to
do and performe all things particularly or generally contained in the
said Commission of the preceding Assembly, or in an Act of the said
Assembly upon the said 19 day of August, intituled, “A Reference to
the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the Kingdome of
England,” and to treat and determine therin, and in all other matters
referred unto them by this Assembly, siclike, and as freely, as if
all these were herein expressed, and as the persons nominat in the
said former Commission might have done by vertue of the said Act and
former Commission at any time by-gone, and with as ample power as any
Commission of former Generall Assemblies hath had, or been in use of
before, they being alwayes comptable and censurable for their whole
proceedings hereintill by the next Generall Assembly.
_Renovation of the Commission granted to the Persons appointed to
repair to the Kingdome of England._
The Generall Assembly, finding that the great Work of unity in
Religion, and uniformity of Kirk-government in all his Majesties
Dominions is not yet perfected, Do therefore renew the Commission
granted for that effect by the preceding Assembly, unto the Persons
appointed to repair to the Kingdome of England upon the 19 day of
August 1643, in the last Session thereof, Giving and granting to the
persons therein mentioned, the same power, to do all and every thing
particularly or generally contained in the said Commission, in the same
manner, and as fully, as if the same were herein expressed, and as they
might have done at any time by-gone by vertue of the former Commission.
_The Assemblies Answer to the Presbyterie with the Armie._
Reverend and loving Brethren in the LORD,