you have shown to our Commissioners, and your high esteeme of them in
love for the Works sake; Although their presence here would be very
comfortable unto us, very steedable to the publick, and necessar in
respect of their great and important particular charges and Stations;
yet do we willingly dispense with all, yea nothing shall be too dear
unto us, so that this Work be finished with joy, and _Jerusalem made
the glory and praise of the whole Earth: Because of the house of the
Lord our God, we will seek her good: For our Brethren and Companions
sake, we will now say, Peace be within her Walls, prosperity within her
Palaces._
_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly of
the Kirk of Scotland, by the Moderator of the
Assembly._
Edinburgh, 4 June, 1644.
_The Assemblies Answer to their Commissioners at London._
REVEREND AND BELOVED BRETHREN,
It would have been the rejoycing of our hearts, and the lightning of
our countenances, to have seen your faces, and injoyed your presence
here with us, especially, should yee have arrived unto us loaden with
the spoils of Antichrist, the Trophees of the Kirk of Christ, and the
long-longed-for fruits of your painfull labours: But seeing it hath
pleased the Lord whose Interest in the businesse is main and principall
otherwise to dispose, it doth become us with all humility to submit
to his good pleasure, with faith and patience to attend his leasure,
for _he that beleeveth maketh not haste_, and with more frequency and
fervencie in prayer seek to him who will be sought for these things,
and having _begun the good work will perfect it_, and double the
benefit by bestowing it in a more seasonable time unto us.
We have not been a little refreshed with your Letters sent unto us
and the Commissioners of the preceding Assembly, and with these
from the Reverend Synod of Divines, the answer whereof you will be
pleased to present unto them: By all which, and more particularly by
a full Relation from the Lord Waristoun a faithfull witnesse and a
fellow-labourer with you there, we see and acknowledge that by the
Lords blessing, the Progresse of the Work is already more than we can
overtake in the course of our thankfulnesse, that your labours are
very great, your pains uncessant, your thoughts of heart many, that
ye endure the heat of the day; but being confident of your patient
continuance in wel-doing, and that your labours shall not be in vaine
in the Lord, wee have renewed your Commission, and returned the Lord
Waristoun unto you, according to your desire, that ye may prosecute
that great Work which the Lord hath blessed so farre in your hands.
When the Ordination and entry of Ministers shall be conformable to
the Ordinance of God, there is to be expected a richer blessing shall
be powred out from above, both of furniture and assistance upon
themselves, and of succeese upon their labours; for which end as our
earnest desire is, that the Directory for it may be established; so doe
we exceedingly long to see the common Directory for worship perfected,
which may prove an happy means of that wished for Uniformity in the
Kirks of the three Kingdomes, shall (we trust) direct by all Rocks
of offence and occasions of stumbling, and shall remove all these
corruptions wherewith the Lords sacrifice and service hath been defiled.
That point concerning a change of the Paraphrase of the Psalmes in
Meeter, we have referred to the Commissioners here, whose power and
Commission granted by the preceding Assembly, we have renewed and
continued.
That there be difficulties concerning Kirk-Government, wee think it not
strange for these reasons you lay out before us; yet because the minds
of men are still in suspense upon the successe of the determination
of that Reverend Assembly on the one hand, and upon the successe of
the Warre on the other; which doth not a little faint their hearts and
feeble their hands, both you and we must be instant with God and man
for a finall determination of all these debates, and a happy and speedy
conclusion of this great affaire, so much concerning his own glory and
the good of his Kirk. _Now the Lord lead you in all truth, and give you
understanding in all things._
_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly
by the Moderator._
Edinburgh, 4 June, 1644.
_The Assemblies Letter to the Kirks in the Netherlands._
FRATRES IN DOMINO PLURIMUM COLENDI,
Quæ anno superiore Ecclesiarum Zelandicarum nomine, missæ sunt ad nos
Literæ, ut eas communis totius Ecclesiæ vestræ Belgicæ voluntatis
testes fuisse interpretaremur, effecit benevolentia vestra tot
tantisque officiis nobis spectata: quam sententiam nobis confirmarunt
ea quæ copiosè clarissimus Eques D. Archibaldus Jonstonus Varistonus
in foro supremo Judex, a reliquis tum Ordinum tum Ecclesiæ hujus Regni
Delegatis Londino non ita pridem remissus, in hac ipsa Synodo Nationali
de eximio vestro erga nos studio commemoravit: præsertim quanta fide,
quam solicita diligentia nostram, vel Domini potius nostri Jesu Christi
causam, quæ nunc Londini agitur, et promoveritis, et promovere etiamnum
satagatis. Quo in negotio, ex iis, quorum ab eo recitata audivimus
nomina, de propensa reliquorum voluntate et cura, ut conciliandæ
Ecclesiarum Britannicarum unionis fœliciter suscepta consilia, vestra
ope et opera prosperum mature sortiantur exitum, minime obscura fecimus
indicia. Sunt hæc tam illustria benevolentiæ vestræ testimonia, et
in omnium bonorum oculis adeo perspicua, ut eorum memoriam nulla
unquam delere potuerint oblivia. Laboris autem et jam impensi et porro
suscepti ad controversias in Synodo Londinensi suborientes fœliciter
expediendas et decidendas nequando pœniteat, ex eo quem per divinam
jam benedictionem fructum cepistis, optima quæqui in posterum sperare
consentaneum est.
Huic tam honorificæ beneficiorum vestrorum commemorationi a D.
Varistonio factæ supervenerunt ex partibus Hiberniæ aquilonaribus
Literæ multorum Chirographis subsignatæ; Qui singularis gratiæ in
illam Ecclesiam divinitus effusæ, ex quo tempore in societatem fœderis
trium unitorum sub Rege nostro Regnorum admissi sunt, mentione facta,
“hujus inquiunt divinæ benedictionis amplissimum nuper habuimus
testimonium, Sanctorum in Belgio liberalitatem eximiam; qui nobis,
ignotis licet et peregrinis, fratres se nostri amantissimos, et
malorum nostrorum sensu tenerrimo compunctos aperte demonstrarunt.
Pauculos enim nos gladio superstites, et fame propediem interituros,
omnibus extremis circumventos, in ipso articulo sublevarunt: nec
tantum oratione ad consolationem composita nobis animos confirmarunt,
hortantes ut humiliter incedentes Deum liberatorem expectemus, qui non
nisi ad breve tempus faciem suam ad domo Jacob abscondere solet, sed
subsidio insuper opulento cum annonæ, tum aliarum rerum ad nostram in
tantis angustiis relaxationem et solatium necessariarum, copiose nos
refocillarunt. Tantam munificentiam cum supplices a Deo contendimus, ut
septuplam ipsis in sinum rependat, tum demisse vos etiam atqui etiam
rogamus, ut in tanti beneficii agnitione Ecclesiis Belgicis, nobiscum
gratias agatis.” Hæc illi. In quo quidem officio si illis desimus, in
nos pariter et illos graviter peccemus.
Agnoscimus igitur illustrissimorum et potentissimorum Hollandiæ,
Zelandiæ, aliorumqui Ordinum Belgicorum tam eximiam beneficentiam:
quibus non conniventibus modo et permittentibus (quod ipsum non
vulgare beneficium habendum esset) sed authoribus etiam, modumque et
rationem præscribentibus, exemplo quoque præeuntibus, in subsidium
fratrum nostrorum Hibernensium collecta per Ecclesias facta ad
ipsos mature deportata sit: Agnoscimus piorum in iisdem Ecclesiis
Belgicis tam expromptam voluntatem et liberalitatem: agnoscimus
tantum beneficium non in ipsos magis fratres nostros, quam in illorum
persona in nosmetipsos esse collatum: Vosque (fratres Reverendi)
obnixe rogatos volumus, ut quemadmodum nos ad omnem grati animi
significationem prompti semper erimus, ita qua vobis potissimum
ratione commodum videbitur, illustrissimis et potentissimis Ordinibus
nostro nomine gratias agatis: populo autem Christiano curæ vestræ
commisso tum publice universo, tum privatim singulis, ut occasio
tulerit, demonstretis quam honorifice de ipsis sentiamus, et quanti
faciamus tam eximiam benevolentiam et charitatem, qua in Ecclesiarum
Hibernicarum consolatione viscera nostra refocillaverunt. Quæ autem
vestræ fuerint partes, fratres charissimi, quam pio studio et labore,
quam assidua diligentia tantæ charitatis semen in segetem et maturam
tandem messem provexeritis, cum nos libentes agnoscimus, tum res ipsa
loquitur, et fructus opimus abunde testatur. Imprimus autem (quod
caput est) tantæ gratiæ authorem et largitorem nos una cum Ecclesiis
Hibernicis laudamus et celebramus: comprecantes ut in vos universos,
in Ecclesias a Domino vobis commissas, in illustrissimos Belgii vestri
Ordines Spiritum suum copiose effundat, ut quemadmodum in Rep. vestra
adversus hostem potentissimum defendenda, et inter tantas bellorum
moles indies amplificanda, in Evangelii luce et veritate incontaminata
contra inferorum portas in vestris Ecclesiis propugnanda, atque inde
latius propaganda, immensa Dei vobis excubantis potentia, multiformis
sapientia, et eximia beneficentia, per universum terrarum orbem
hactenus celebrata est; ita bonis omnibus vos deinceps cumulare pergat
idem fons omnis bonitatis, ut frementibus religionis et libertatis
vestræ hostibus, sapientiæ et optimarum artium juxta ac armorum
triumphorumque gloria inter nobilissimas gentes Resp. vestra fœderata
quotidie magis emineat, Ecclesia sacrorum puritate, et cœlestis
veritatis splendore perspicua refulgeat; eoque prospere vobis cedant
vestra prudentissima et saluberrima consilia, quibus certissimum ad
fœlicitatem publicam compendium vos capessere demonstratis, nec vobis
tantum consulitis, sed de vicinis etiam Ecclesiis soliciti, qua opera,
qua consilio opibusque vestris eas sublevatis et confirmatis omnes,
et quasi de specula universis prospicientes de periculis imminentibus
commone facitis, et ad ruinam ab hostibus dolose machinatum mature
præcavendam armatis.
Ergo quod anno superiori, veluti signo dato, Reformatas omnes
Ecclesias, missis ex Zelandia literis commonuistis, ut cum impostores,
Jesu nomen impudenter ementiti, cæterique Antichristi satellites,
quo securius in populum erroribus Pontificiis fascinatum grassari,
et puriores Christi Ecclesias funditus extirpare queant, arctissima
conjuratione sociati ad impia consilia patranda sese accinxerunt;
Ita Ecclesiæ quoque Reformatæ sine mora consilia in medium alacriter
conferant, et animos ac vires conjungant, ut perniciem sibi omnibus
intentatam in hostium capita retorqueant: ni fecerint, tam pudendæ
ignaviæ excusatione apud posteritatem carituri; consilium non minus
prudens et fidum, quam fœlix et salutare libenter et tum agnovimus et
nunc ipso etiam eventu comprobamus.
Principio autem ad hoc consequendum necessarium videtur, ut sine
mora convolemus omnes ad Deum nostrum clementissimum, qui postquam
Ecclesiarum Reformatarum mores minime reformatos multis annis
longanimitate sua pertulisset, ferulam primum, mox etiam gladium
vibratum interminatus, tandem rubentem et madidum suorumque sanguine
calentem et spumantem per regiones plurimas jam diu circumtulit; in nos
denique reliquos nunc intentat, nisi mature resipuerimus, et de domo
ipsius amplius purganda, de gratia Domini nostri Jesu Christi pluris
facienda, de cultu Dei ipsiusque institutis religiosius habendis, de
Sabbatho ejus sanctificando, a quo nimium oculos nostros avertimus, et
de moribus ad pietatis normam componendis magis serio quam hactenus
a nobis factum est, nobiscum statuentes cum populo Dei sub Nehemia,
Josia, reliquisque piis Gubernatoribus, religioso fœdere percusso,
tanquam firmissimo vinculo Deo obstricti, nos inter nos arctius
adversus hostes univerimus, ut avertat Deus jam fumantem et capitibus
nostris imminentem iram, quam peccata nostra plurima et maxima adversus
nos provocarunt et accenderunt.
Non tantum nobis deferimus, nondum eos renovato cum Deo fœdere, et
votis nuncupatis dignos edidimus fructus, ut nostrum exemplum vobis
proponere libeat: Quod tamen experti sumus, de Dei erga nos gratia,
quod gratitudo erga Deum, quod gloria ipsius a nobis flagitat, celare
non audemus. Quæcunque nostra male merita sunt in conspectu Dei et
hominum; certe ex quo die nos de religioso fœdere cum deo et inter
nos ineundo cogitavimus, a portis inferorum revocari, et res nostræ
omnes in Deum nostrum necessario conjectæ melius habere cœperunt, et
fœliciore hactenus successu processerunt. Quod si de fœderis hujusmodi
religiosa societate coeunda (quod rerum vestrarum et Religionis in
Britannia nostra ex fœdere nuper inito perpurgandæ et stabiliendæ
commodo fieri possit) vestræ prudentiæ visum fuerit cogitare, et ex
consilio eorum quorum interest statuere, ac cum aliis Reformatis
Ecclesiis agere (pro ea qua apud omnes valetis gratia) ut eandem
vobiscum ineant rationem, non dubium est, per Domini ac Dei nostri
benignissimi Jesu Christi in Ecclesias suas gratiam, fore, ut non modo,
quod certissimum adversus impendentia mala perfugium anno superiore
missis ex Zelandia literis denunciastis, Ecclesiæ Reformatæ arctioris
societatis vinculo inter se unitæ ad hostium conatus impetusque
frangendos corroborentur et confirmentur; sed disjecti etiam lapides
Domus Dei per Germaniam ex rudere et cineribus redivivi recolligantur,
ac gloriosum Domini nostri Templum ibidem instauretur: et purioris
Religionis Professores in istis Ecclesiis, per resipiscentiam ad
cum qui percussit eos, reversi, et quod nullis canescat sæculis
fœdere, Domino nobiscum coadunati, malis, sub quorum pondere tot
annos gemiscunt, tandem subleventur. Qui dies longe optatissimus si
per Dei gratiam semel illuxerit; de consiliorum communione inter
Reformatarum Ecclesiarum Synodos per Legatos et Literas concilianda
iniri possit ratio, per quam Ecclesiæ hostes compescantur, hæreses
opprimantur, et schismata resarciantur, pax cum Deo et inter Ecclesias
firma conservetur, et gloriosum Dei opus in Evangelio per orbem
terrarum propagando, et Antichristi regno abolendo promoveatur. Quod ut
optandum, et sperandum, piis et prudentibus vestris meditationibus, ut
bonum semen fœcundissimo solo commendamus.
Vestræ Dignitati et Fraternitati addictissimi,
Pastores et Seniores Nationalis
Synodi Scoticanæ, et nostro omnium
nomine ac mandato,
JA. BONAR, _Moderator_.
Edinburgi, 4 Junii, 1644.
DIRECT.
Ecclesiis Dei, quæ sunt in unitis
Hollandiæ, Zelandiæ, aliisque
fœderati Belgii Provinciis.
_Ordinance concerning Bursars._
The Assembly understanding that the Overture for maintaining Bursars,
in the Assembly holden in the year 1641, upon the 7 of August, Sess.
15, is never yet put in practice: Do therefore Ordain Presbyteries
to put the same in practice with all diligence, and to make account
thereof to the next Assembly.
_Ordinance for up-lifting and imploying Penalties contained in Acts of
Parliament, upon pious uses/_
The Assembly understanding that the executing of some laudable Acts of
Parliament, made against Non-Communicants and Excommunicate persons,
and of divers other Acts containing pecuniall pains for restraining
of Vice, and advancing Piety, is much neglected by the slownesse of
Presbyteries and Ministers, in seeking Execution thereof: Therefore
ordains Presbyteries and Ministers respective, to be diligent hereafter
by all means, in prosecuting full and exact Execution of all such Acts
of Parliament, for lifting the saids Penalties contained in the same,
and for faithfull imployment thereof, upon pious uses, and that every
Presbytery report their diligence herein yearly to Generall Assemblies.
_An Overture concerning Promise of Marriage made by Minors, to those
with whom they have committed Fornication._
Forsameikle as it is found by experience, that some young men being
put to Colledges by their wel-affected Parents, that they may be
instructed in the knowledge of Arts and Sciences, to the intent they
may bee more able for publick Imployments in the Ecclesiastick and
Civill state, that the said Children hes committed Fornication: And
the Woman and her friends hes seduced the foresaid Schollers being
Minors, to make promise of Marriage to the party with whom they have
committed Fornication; And thereupon intends to get the benefite of
marriage with the said young men, not onely without the consent of
their Parents, but to their great grief, and to the great appearance
of the ruine and overthrow of their estate: Which may be the case of
Noblemen and Gentlemens children, as wel as of these of other estates
and degrees within the Kingdom. Wherefore if the Assembly think it
expedient, it would be declared that all such promises be made null and
of none effect, especially where the maker of the promise is Minor,
and not willing to observe the samine, because his Parents will not
consent, but oppose and contradict, threatning to make him lose not
onely his favour but both blessing and birth-right. This Ordinance
shall not onely be very expedient for many good civill causes, but
is very consonant and agreeable to the Word of God, and will be very
comfortable to many Godly Parents, who otherwise may be disappointed of
their pious intentions, and have the comfort they expected, turned to
an heavy and grievous crosse.
The Generall Assembly thinks it convenient at this time, to delay any
determination in the matter above-written untill the next Assembly,
That in the meane time every Presbyterie may take the same to their
serious consideration, and report their judgements to the Assembly.
_Act concerning dissenting voices in Presbyteries and Synods._
The Assembly thinks it necessar, if any Member of Presbyteries or
Synods shall finde in matters depending before them, that the Moderator
shall refuse to put any thing of Importance to voices; Or if they finde
any thing carried by plurality of voices to any determination which
they conceive to be contrary to the Word of God, the Acts of Assembly,
or to the received order of this Kirk, That in either of these cases
they urge their dissent to be marked in the Register; And if that be
refused, that they protest as they would desire to be free of common
censure with the rest: And the Assembly declares the dissenters to
be censurable, if their dissent shall be found otherwise nor they
conceived.
_Act concerning the Election of a Moderator in Provinciall Assemblies._
The Generall Assembly understanding that some Provinciall Assemblies
in choosing their Moderator tye themselves to these Persons who have
been before named and designed in particular Presbyteries, which is
against the libertie of the Provinciall Assembly: Therefore discharges
Presbyteries to make any such nomination hereafter; And ordain
Provincials in their first meeting, to elect their Moderator, and to
make their own List for that effect without any such prælimitation.
_Act for keeping of the Fast by the Congregations in the Towne where
the Assembly holds._
The Assembly judge it most necessar and comely, seeing the first day of
the meeting of Generall Assemblies, is by the laudable practice of this
Kirk a day of Fasting and Humiliation, for craving the Lords blessing
to that meeting; That not onely the Members of the Assembly, but that
all the Congregations also of the Town where the Assembly holds bee so
exercised: And that publick worship be in all the Kirks thereof that
day for that effect.
The Generall Assembly appoints the meeting of the next Assembly, to be
upon the last Thursday of May, in the yeer 1645.
INDEX _of the_ ACTS _of the_ ASSEMBLY _holden at_ EDINBURGH, 1644. _Not
Printed_.
1.—Election of Master James Bonar Moderator. Sess. I.
2.—Continuation of the decision in the question concerning the
Commission from Craill, untill the appellation be discussed. _Ib._
3.—Appointment of Committees for Bills, Reports, &c. Sess. II.
4.—A Letter from the Presbytery at the Armie concerning sending
Ministers unto them. _Ib._
5.—A Letter from the Presbyterie in Ireland. _Ib._
6.—The Assemblies thankful resentment of the E. Louthians sufferings.
_Ib._
7.—The desire of the Convention of Estates, to quicken the proceedings
of the Assembly, and the Assemblies resolution thereinto. Sess. III.
8.—Reference to the Commission to be appointed by the Assembly, for
presenting Overtures, Acts, &c., to the Parliament. _Ib._
9.—Renovation of the Act of the preceding Assembly, for planting the
new Colledge of St Andrews. _Ib._
10.—Ref. of Denmures Bill.
11.—Ref. of Aytouns Bill.
12.—Committee to consider some Overtures concerning Universities and
Schooles. Sess. IV.
13.—Commission granted to M. William Cockburn, M. Hugh Mackale for the
first 3 Moneths beginning the 1 of Aug. next; to M. George Dick, and
M. John Dick the next 3 Moneths; and to M. John Levingstoun, and M.
Thomas Wylie for the last 3 Moneths, to repair to the North of Ireland,
bearing the same power granted to the Persons appointed for that
imployment by the preceding Assembly. _Ib._
14.—Renovation of the Commission for sending Expectants to Ireland.
_Ib,_
15.—Recom. of Sir John Weemes of Bogie his Bill. _Ib._
16.—Commission for visitation of Orkney, Zetland, Caithnes, Sutherland
and Rosse, to Masters William Falconer, and Murdo Mackeinzie, and
Alexander Brodie of that Ilk.
17.—Act for M. George Halyburtouns going to the Army. _Ib._
18.—Report of the Lords of Exchequer their promise concerning payment
of some of the arreers of the annuitie of 500 lib. _Ib._
19.—Act and Reference concerning M. James Wood. _Ib._
20.—Reference to the Commission of this Assembly concerning the
Papers presented by my Lord Waristoun, which were directed to the
Commissioners of the preceding Assembly. Sess. V.
21.—Ref. to the Commission for planting the New Colledge of Aberdene.
_Ib._
22.—Transportation of M. George Leslie to the Kirk of Leslie. _Ib._
23.—Act concerning the planting of the Kirk of Syres. _Ib._
24.—Ref. of the Countesse of Kinnowles Bill to the Commission. _Ib._
25.—Act concerning M. Andrew Murray Minister at Ebdie. _Ib._
26.—Act and Ref. concerning the planting of the Kirk of Lamingtoun.
_Ib._
27—Ref. to the Commission of the Assembly concerning Overtures for
Universities and Schooles, &c. Sess. VI.
28.—Ref. to the said Commission for planting the Kirk of Aberdene.
_Ib._
29.—Indiction of a Fast. _Ib._
30.—Renovation of the appointment of the preceding Assembly for framing
a Directory for Worship, and for tryall of Synods, Presbyteries, and
Kirks. _Ib._
31.—Act for the Clerks subscribing the deliverance of the Committee of
Bils for charity to the distressed people of Ireland. _Ib._
32.—Ref. to the Commission for considering the formes and draughts of
Commissions for visitation of Universities. _Ib._
33.—Act recalling two Acts of the Commission for visitation of the
University of S. Andrews. _Ib._
34.—Recom. to the Commission concerning confirmation of Ministers Books
in their wives Testaments. _Ib._
35.—Recom. to the said Commission concerning Witches and Charmers. _Ib._
36.—Ref. of the Overtures of the Synod of Murray to the said Commis.
_Ib._
37.—Recom. of D. Adam Stuart. _Ib._
38.—Renovation of the Act concerning James Murray. Sess. ult.
39.—Continuation of the Commission of the preceding Assembly appointed
to sit at Air. _Ib._
40.—Act concerning M. Robert Peirson Minister in Orkney. _Ib._
41.—Recom. of the Lord Gasks Bill. _Ib._
42.—Act concerning the Kirks of Aberchirdour and Ennerkethenne. _Ib._
43.—Ref. of M. Alex. Petries Letter to the Commission of Assembly. _Ib._