with the knowledge you gave unto us therein, of your sense of our
condition here, and of the Lords dealing with your selves there in your
straits and difficulties: We rejoyce exceedingly to see you make such
a blessed use of the Lords delayes, for your further Humiliation and
Dependence upon him: That Sanctuary, your Enemies, and the Enemies of
your GOD hath taken, shall not save them: You have found by experience
in your marches and maintenance, that events are not ordered by the
propositions of men, but by the Providence and purpose of GOD. There
is a time for every purpose under Heaven, and the Cup of the Amorites
must be filled: Which being now full of every abomination, yea of the
blood of the Saints, the cry whereof cannot but be heard in Heaven, and
answered on Earth, presageth no lesse to us, than that the Lords time
of his deliverance of his own, and destruction of his Enemies draweth
near.
We are not unsensible of your present estate, and by the Lords grace
shall be carefull, both here and with our Congregations at home, to
make all take the same to heart. As for our condition here remembred
with such pious affection by you, we doubt not but ye have heard
what the Lord hath done for us; these happy beginnings of the Lords
scattering our unnaturall Enemies in the North, gives us confidence of
his assistance in the midst of difficulties against these that assault
us in the South: It is nothing with the Lord to help whether with many,
or with them that have no power.
The security of this Nation indeed is great, it is our part to blow
the Trumpet to give warning to the People, and to rouze them from that
fearfull condition which threateneth so much desertion. And to this
end we have injoyned a solemne Fast, the causes whereof being more
particularly considered by our Commissioners here, will no question be
sent unto you, that if the Lord please, you may joyne with us there in
that Action.
Wee have set down an order to be kept hereafter, for sending Ministers
unto the Armie, which the Clerk will send herewith unto you. Now the
Lord our GOD, in whose Name his people go forth against his Enemies,
help and assist them, and cover their heads in the Day of Battell, and
be their Refuge; and blesse your travels and endeavours, for the good
of their souls and his own glory.
_Subscribed in name of the Generall
Assembly by the Moderator._
Edinburgh, 3 June, 1644.
4 June, 1644. Sess. VII.
_The Letter from the Commissioners at London to the Generall Assembly._
Right Honourable, Reverend, and Beloved in the LORD,
IT was the earnest desire of our hearts to have come unto you at this
time, and to have brought with us the desireable fruits of our weighty
imployments and labours, to our common rejoycing in the mids of so many
troubles both here and there: but our Lord in his wisedome hath not
judged it fitting, that this should be the time of our joyfull harvest,
and of bringing our sheaves, to be matter of sacrifice to himself, and
of shouting to us. Both Nations as yet doe but go forth weeping and
bearing their precious seed; yet are we confident through JESUS CHRIST,
that as it is a seed-time, if the Labourers (although other men before
us have laboured, and we are entred into their labours) prove faithfull
unto the end, the harvest shall come in due time, and in great plenty.
The common Directory for publick Worship in the Kirks of the three
Kingdomes is so begun (which we did make known to the Commissioners
of the Generall Assembly) that we could not think upon any particular
Directory for our own Kirk, and yet is not so far perfected, that
wee could present any part thereof unto your view: for although wee
have exhibited unto the Grand Committee (which is composed of some
of the Members of both Houses, and of the Assembly, with our selves)
the materials of the publick Prayers of the Kirk, the method of
Preaching, and the order of administration of both Sacraments, and have
the Catechisme in hand; yet are they not throughly examined by the
Committee, nor at all by the Assembly or Parliament, which we cannot
impute to any neglect or unwillingnesse, but to the multiplicity and
weight of their affairs, by which they are sore pressed, and above
their power.
The Directory for Ordination of Ministers (which upon the extreme
exigence of this Kirk was much pressed by the Parliament) is agreed
upon by the Committee and Assembly, and some dayes past is presented
to both Houses, but hath not yet passed their Vote. The Assembly
hath been long in debate about the Officers and Government of the
Kirk (concerning which, we offered the two Papers which wee drew up,
according to the practice of our own, and other Reformed Kirks, and
so neere as we could conceive, to the minde of the Generall Assembly,
and did send to the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly) and hath
passed many votes about the one and the other, but hath not broght
their thoughts to such ripenesse and perfection, that they could think
upon the publishing of them, or presenting them to your sight, nor
is it in their power to do so, without warrant of Parliament. Your
wisedome will consider that they are not a Generall Assembly, but some
select Persons, called by Authority to give their advice in matters
of Religion, that they walk in a way which hath not been troden by
this Nation before this time, that many things seeme new unto them,
and cannot obtain their assent, till they see them clearly warranted
by the Word of GOD; That matters of the Government of the Kirk have
been much controverted here, and the prejudices against Presbyteriall
Government are many and great; That the two extremes of Prelacie and
Independencie, which latter is the generall claime of all Sects and
Sectaries, have prevailed most in this Kirk, and no other thing known
by the multitude but the one or the other; That such as look toward
the Government of the Reformed Kirks, finde a mighty party within
and without opposing them; And that Reformation and Uniformitie must
therefore be a work so full of difficulty, that the hand of the most
high GOD, which is now begun to be stretched out in this Land, must
bring it to passe.
There was also presented to the Assembly, a new Paraphrase of the
Psalmes in English Meeter, which was well liked of, and commended by
some of the Members of the Assembly; But because we conceived that one
Psalme Book in all the three Kingdomes was a point of Uniformity much
to be desired, we took the boldnes (although we had no such expresse
and particular Commission) to oppose the present allowing thereof,
till the Kirk of Scotland should be acquainted with it; and therefore
have we now sent an essay thereof in some Psalmes. We have also sent
another Specimen in Print, done by some Ministers of the City. Your
wisedome hes to consider, whether it be meet to examine them by your
Commissioners there, that their judgements be sent up unto the Assembly
here, both about the generall of Uniformity in this point, and about
the particular way of effecting it, whether by either of these two, or
by any other Paraphrase, or by changing some expressions in the books
now in use, which is aymed at by the first of these two.
As we cannot but admire the good hand of GOD in the great things
done here already, particularly; That the Covenant (the foundation
of the whole Work) is taken, Prelacie and the whole train thereof,
extirpated; The Service-Book in many places forsaken, plain and
powerfull preaching set up; Many Colledges in Cambridge provided with
such Ministers, as are most zealous of the best Reformation; Altars
removed; The Communion in some places given at the Table with sitting;
The great Organs at Pauls and of Peters in Westminster taken down;
Images and many other Monuments of Idolatry defaced and abolished; The
Chappel-royal at Whitehal purged and reformed; and all by Authority in
a quiet manner at noon day, without tumult: So have we from so notable
experience, joyned with the promises of the Word, sufficient ground of
confidence, that GOD will perfect this Work against all opposition,
and of encouragement for us all to be faithfull in the Work of GOD,
which is carried on by his mighty Hand, that no man can oppose it, but
he must be seen fighting against GOD. It is unto us no small matter of
comfort, that we have heard of no Minister of the Gospel (except such
as the Kirk hath rejected) joyning with the Malignants there, in their
ungodly and unnaturall afflicting of that Kingdome, while they are
endeavouring the relief of the afflicted in this Kingdome; and we pray
and hope, that they may carefully keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace, and walk worthy both of their holy calling, and of the
great Work, which the Lord is working by his own weak servants in Kirk
and Policy.
Be pleased to receive a Letter from the Assembly, unto which you
will return such an answer as shall seem good unto your wisedome,
and withall (which is our humble desire) some word of your thankfull
acknowledgement of the respect and favours done by them unto us.
We have at all occasions since our coming hither, acquainted the
Commission with our proceedings, and by the help of God, shall be
industrious in obeying your directions and theirs, during our abode
here, which through the power and blessing of God, bringing the affairs
of his own Church to a peaceable and blessed successe, wee wish may be
for a short time, and unto which your fervent prayers through Christ
may be very effectuall, which therefore is the humble and earnest
desire of
Your affectionate fellow-labouring and fellow-feeling Brethren in the
Work of the Lord,
ALEX. HENDERSON,
SAM. RUTHERFURD,
ROBERT BAILLIE,
GEORGE GILLESPIE,
JO. MAITLAND.
Worcester house,
London, May 20, 1644.
_The Letter from the Synod of Divines in the Kirk of England, to the
Generall Assembly._
Right Honourable, right Reverend, and dearly beloved Brethren in JESUS
CHRIST,
The blessing and comfort of that inviolable Union which our gracious
GOD hath vouchsafed to both Churches and Nations, gave us opportunity
the last year, to breath out some of our sighs into your compassionate
bosomes: And such have been the soundings of your bowels, as have
offered violence to Heaven by your effectuall fervent prayers, and
brought many sweet refreshings to our languishing spirits by your pious
and comfortable Letters, in answer to ours.
This makes us studious of all means of acknowledging your tender
Sympathie, and of laying hold on all opportunities of repairing
again to the same streams of consolation: for which end, as we
cannot but confesse, that in the midst of those boysterous waves
wherein we have been daily tossed, wee have met with many gracious
and unexpected encouragements: so we must needs renew our former
mournings, and rend our hearts afresh unto you, with greatest instance
for all the assistance that your Prayers, Tears, Learning, Piety, and
Largenesse of heart can possibly contribute to your poor afflicted and
still-conflicting Brethren: And this we the rather beg of you, who,
having bin first in the furnace of affliction, and are come out of
great tribulation, are meetest to commiserate, and best able to comfort
others in any trouble, by the comforts wherewith you your selves have
been comforted of GOD.
It was in our desires to have presented to your Venerable Assembly,
some of our dearest respects in writing, by that eminently learned
and much honored Commissioner of yours, the Lord Waristoun: But his
departure hence was so sudden to us, and unexpected by us, that we
could not have time (as his Lordship can inform you) to tender by
him such a testimony of our Brotherly and intimate affections, as
may in some measure suite with your manifold and most affectionate
expressions toward us, when our sighings were many, and our hearts
faint: For such hath been your love, that no waters can quench it,
and such the undertakings of the whole Kingdome of Scotland, through
your furtherance, that we already begin to reap the fruits of all that
Piety, Prudence, and Valour, which at this day render your Nation
worthily renowned in the Christian World; and us, exceedingly straitned
and restlesse in our selves, untill GOD please to open a way for our
endeavours, to make some more answerable returnes.
Toward this, our thoughts and hopes were to have made, ere now,
some proceedings of our Assembly legible in yours. But such are the
continued distractions which lye upon our spirits, by means of the sad
and bleeding condition of this Kingdome, as have cast us much behinde
our own expectations, and hindred that expedition which the necessities
of this Nation, and the desires of our Brethren abroad, do earnestly
call for at our hands.
Sometimes through GODS goodnesse wee have a prosperous Gale: Sometimes
againe, we saile like Paul and his company, very slowly many dayes. And
even then, when wee draw near the fair Havens, some contrary Windes put
us out into the Deep again. We walk in paths that have hitherto been
untrodden by any Assembly in this Church: We therefore are inforced
to spend more time in our inquiries, and in seeking of GOD a right
way for us, that at length we may put into that high way, the way of
holinesse, wherein Wayfaring men, though fools, shall not erre: And we
will wait upon our GOD (before whom we have been this Day humbling of
our Souls) untill he lead us into all these Truths which we seek after;
and we shall labour to be yet more vile in our own eyes, as finding by
experience that it is not in man to direct his way.
Those Winds which for a while do trouble the Aire, do withall purge and
refine it: And our trust is that through the most wise Providence and
blessing of GOD, the Truth by our so long continued agitations, will be
better cleared among us, and so our service will prove more acceptable
to all the Churches of Christ, but more especially to you, while we
have an intentive eye to our peculiar Protestation, and to that publick
Sacred Covenant entred into by both the Kingdomes, for Uniformity in
all his Majesties Dominions.
Which Work we carry on (against what ever difficulties are cast in our
way) with more ease and comfort, by the great sedulity and seasonable
assistance wee daily receive from your Noble and Reverend Commissioners
sitting among us: Their Prudence will (we doubt not) sufficiently
furnish you with more particular information touching our affairs: And
here, we cannot but acknowledge that the assidious presence of these
our learned and highly-esteemed Brethren among us, and their free and
faithfull contributing of their counsels to us, doe oblige us much to
a double duty; the one of Thanks, which we now heartily render to you,
for sending to us such excellent Helpers; the other of Request, which
wee earnestly make for their continuance with us, untill the Work bee
brought up to the finishing Cubite.
Now, the Great Master-Builder (without whose Almighty concurrence,
the Builders labour but in vain) accomplish and perfect all his own
glorious Work in your hands, and in ours also, to his own Glory, the
peace and edification of all the Churches, and the comfort of our
selves over all our travels and sufferings.
Your most affectionate Brethren and servants
in the LORD, by the direction, and in the
Name of this whole Assembly,
WILLIAM TWISSE, _Prolocutor_.
CORNELIUS BURGES, _Assessor_.
HENRY ROBROUGH, _Scriba_.
ADONIRAM BYFIELD, _Scriba_.
Westminster, May 17, 1644.
The Generall Assemblies Answer, to the right Reverend the Assembly of
Divines in the Kirk of England.
Right Honourable, right Reverend, and most dearly beloved in our LORD,
We do thankfully acknowledge your respectfull remembrance of us by your
Letters at all occasions; and not a little rejoyce to see that happie
correspondence and Christian communion so sweetly entertained amongst
us, which is so acceptable in the sight of the Lord, so pleasant and
profitable, especially when kept and entertained betwixt Kirks and
Kingdomes about affairs of highest and most publick concernment and
interest: We have nothing more in our desires than to entertain that
harmonious correspondence, that Christian sympathie and compassion,
that sounding and resounding of bowels, which well beseemeth Kirks and
Nations, united by a solemn League and sacred Covenant, for mutuall
endeavours, by all lawfull means, to a further unitie in that Faith
once delivered to the Saints, and greater Uniformitie in Divine
Worship, Discipline, and Government, according to the Paterne.
The case and condition of your bleeding Kingdome is no lesse sensible
to us, than if our selves were in affliction with you; but we trust all
is working to your best, and to our Lords glory: That some of you hes
fallen, it is to try you, purge you, and make you white: If the Lord
by those means be with that Reformation of his Ordinances, bringing
also alongst that other Reformation of hearts and lives, should it not
be welcomed with all joy, although it bee upon the expence of blood
and lives? The Lord will turn the bygone rage of Man to his glory
and your spiritual good, the remnant of rage will hee restraine. The
Lord delivereth his owne by degrees; _he is with them in trouble, and
delivereth them, and honoureth them_; He who hath been sensibly with
you hitherto, and upholden you in your trouble, will, we trust, yet
deliver you, and honour you: The more ye sow in teares, the greater
shall be your harvest of peace and joy, when the Lord, according to
the dayes wherein he hath afflicted you, and the years wherein ye have
seen evill, shall make you glad, and his Work to appeare unto you, and
his glory unto your children, and the beautie of the Lord your God to
be upon you, and shall establish the work of your hands; yea, even
establish the work of your hands.
We should prove both unthankfull to God, and unfaithfull to men, did
we not hold out unto you the Lords gracious and powerfull dealing
with us in the like condition, and comfort you with the consolations
wherewith wee our selves have been comforted: We were involved in the
like difficulties; we had the strong opposition of highest Authoritie
set over two powerful Kingdoms, beside this of ours; and the unhappy
providence of our wickedly-wise and wary Prelates, had done what in
them lay, to make the Ministery of this Land sworn Enemies to the
intended Reformation: So that we walked in a very wildernesse, in a
labyrinth, and as upon deep waters, wherein not onely did our feet lose
footing, but also our eyes all discovering or discerning of any ground;
yea, wee were ready to lose our selves: Yet the Lord hath graciously
rid us, and recovered us out of all these difficulties, and set our
feet upon a rock, and ordered our goings. The experience wee have had
in our own persons, affoordeth us confidence and hope concerning your
affaires; and wee trust this hope shall not be disappointed; it is our
duety to hope upon experience, and it is the Lords word and promise,
that such an hope shall not be ashamed. It cannot choose but beget
confidence in you, when yee shall consider, that ye have seen before
your eyes your neighbouring Ship of this Kirk and Kingdome, having
(as it were) loosed from your side, in the like or self-same storms,
notwithstanding all tossing of windes and waves, yet (_not by might,
nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts_) to have arrived
safe and sound to the Port and Harberie; yea, and to have dared to put
out again unto the storm, to contribute her weak endeavours for your
help.
We acknowledge your impediments to be great and many; the sufferings
of your Brethren, the People of GOD, cannot choose but both damp your
spirits, and divide your thoughts: Your walking in an untrodden and
unknown way, must put you (though never so willing to go on speedily,
yet) to take time and leisure to ask for the right way; and you want
not the opposition of some amongst your selves, to whom notwithstanding
we trust the Lord will reveale his truth in his own time. Neverthelesse
(much honoured and dear Brethren) go on couragiously against the
stream of all opposition; every Mountain in the Way of Zerubbabel,
the Lord shall make plain; and as many of you as are perfect, be thus
minded, that forgetting the things that are behinde, and looking to the
things that are before, you presse hard towards the mark, as having
before you, not onely the prize of the high calling and recompence of
reward, but also at the end of this race, these two precious Pearls and
inestimable Jewels of Truth and Unity, and all the Reformed Churches
beholding and looking on, not onely as witnesses, but also being ready
to congratulate and embrace you.
We were greatly refreshed to hear by Letters from our Commissioners
there with you, and by a more particular relation from the Lord
Waristoun now with us, of your praise-worthy proceedings, and of the
great good things the Lord hath wrought among you, and for you: Shall
it seem a small thing in our eyes, that the Covenant (the foundation
of the whole Work) is taken? That that Antichristian Prelacy with all
the traine thereof is extirpate? That the door of a right entrie unto
faithful Shepherds is opened; many corruptions, as Altars, Images,
and other Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition removed, defaced
and abolished; the Service-Book in many places forsaken, and plaine
and powerfull preaching set up; the great Organs at Pauls and Peters
taken down; That the Royal Chappell is purged and reformed, Sacraments
sincerely administrate, and according to the paterne in the Mount;
That your Colledges, the Seminaries of your Kirk, are planted with
able and sincere Professors? That the good hand of GOD hath called and
kept together so many pious, grave, and learned Divines for so long a
time, and disposed their hearts to search his Truth by their frequent
Humiliations, continuall Prayers, and learned and peaceable debates?
Should not all and each one of these stir up our souls to blesse the
Lord, and render both you and us confident, that he who hath begun
the good Work, will perfect it, and put the Cope-stone upon it; That
the beauty of a perfected Worke may shine to all Nations, and we may
say and shout, _Grace, grace, unto it_; that the time may be when
full liberty and leasure shall be to all the Builders of the House of
GOD, to give themselves with both their hands to the building up and
edifying the people of GOD in these things that belong to life and
Godlinesse, to the making of them wise to salvation, and throughly
furnished to every good work, and when the Lord shall delight to dwell
more familiarly, and to work more powerfully in, and by his throughly
purified ordinances? That you, afflicted and tossed with tempests and
not comforted, shall have your stones laid with fair Colours, your
foundations with Saphires, your Children shall be taught of GOD, and
shall have great peace, and no Weapon framed against you shall prosper,
and every tongue that riseth against you in Judgement shall bee
condemned; That the Lord will awake as in the ancient dayes, as in the
generation of old; That the Redeemed of the Lord shall come unto Zion
with singing, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
And as we are confident that the Lord who heareth Prayer, and hath
promised to guide his servants into all truth, will bring your labours
to a comfortable conclusion: So do all the Reformed Kirks, and the
Kirk of Scotland above all others extreamly long for the taste of the
fruits of their pious labours and continual pains: And so much the
more, that we have suspended some materiall determinations amongst our
selves, upon expectation of Uniformity; and that in the meane time
as many scandalous Papers come to our view, and to the hands of the
people here, for libertie of conscience, toleration of Sects, and such
Practices as are contrary to the Doctrine, Government, and Peace of all
the Reformed Kirks. For stopping and suppressing whereof, as wee doubt
not, but your Wisedome, and the Authority of the Honourable Houses of
Parliament will use some more effectuall means; So do we hope that
your Determinations shall carry such evidence of Divine Truth, and
demonstration of the Spirit, that those unhappy Clouds of darknesse
shall be so scattered, that they shall be no more gathered nor appear
hereafter, to the dishonour of God, the prejudice of his truth, and the
scandalizing of so many Souls for which Christ hath dyed.