seem grievous that we have thus long delayed the satisfying of your
earnest and just expectation: It is the Lot of Jerusalem, to have
her Wals built in troublous times, when there are many adversaries.
Nor let it offend, that (albeit we acknowledge the many, great, and
inestimable expressions of your love, zeal, and helpfulnesse unto us
every way in the day of our distresse, to be beyond all that we can
in words acknowledge) we professe plainly to you, That we do most
unwillingly part with those our Reverend and dear Fellow-labourers,
your Commissioners, whom now you have called home, to render an account
of their imployment here; which hath been so managed both by them and
the rest of their Honourable and Reverend Colleagues, as deserveth many
thanks, and all Honourable acknowledgement, not onely from us, but from
you also.
Give us leave to adde, that the long experience we have had of the
great sufficiency, integrity, and usefulnesse of them all, in the
great Work of Christ our common Lord and Master, inforceth us (next
to our greatest sute, for the continuance of your fervent prayers) to
be earnest suiters, not onely for the continuance of these excellent
helpers, Mr Alex. Henderson, and Mr Sam. Rutherfurd, yet remaining with
us, but also for the speedy return hither of our Reverend Brethren that
are now going hence, for the perfecting of that Work which yet remains.
And this sute we trust, you will the rather grant, because of the great
and joint concernment of both Churches and Kingdoms in these matters.
Now the spirit of wisdom and of all grace rest upon you in all your
great consultations, as at all times, so especially now when you shall
be gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the further
building up and polishing of his Church; and cause the fruit of all
your labour to be to the praise and glory of GOD, and the comfort and
rejoycing of the hearts of all the Israel of GOD: He reward all our
dear Brethren of that Sister Church and Nation manifold into their
bosome, all the labours, love, and sufferings which they have afforded,
and still do cheerfully continue, for our sakes and the Gospels, in
this distracted and bleeding Kingdome; suppresse all commotions and
bloody practices of the common Enemy, in both, yea in all the three
Kingdoms; set up the Throne of Jesus Christ, and make all the Kingdoms
to be the Lords, and our Jerusalem to be a praise upon Earth, that all
that love her and mourn for her, may rejoyce for joy with her, and may
suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation.
_Subscribed by_
Your most loving Brethren, and fellow-labourers in the Work of the
LORD, in the name of this whole Assembly,
WILLIAM TWISSE, _Prolocutor_.
CORNELIUS BURGES, _Assessor_.
JOHN WHITE, _Assessor_.
HENRY ROBROUGH, _Scriba_.
ADONIRAM BYFIELD, _Scriba_.
Westminster, Jan. 6, 1644.
DIRECT.
To the Right Honourable, and Right Reverend, the Generall Assembly of
the Church of Scotland, these present.
* * * * *
28 Jan. 1645. Post meridiem. Die Martis.
Sess. V.
_Approbation of the Proceedings of the Commission of the two preceding
Assemblies._
The Generall Assembly, having heard the report of the Committee
appointed to consider and examine the Proceedings of the Commissioners
of the two last Generall Assemblies, viz. Of the Assemblies held in
Edinburgh in the yeers 1643 and 1644; And after mature deliberation,
and serious consideration thereof, Finding that the whole Acts,
Proceedings, and Conclusions of the saids Commissioners contained in a
Book and Register, subscribed by Master Andrew Ker, their Clerk, and
by Master George Leslie, Moderator, and Master William Jaffray, Clerk
to the said Committee; Declare much wisedome, diligence, vigilancie,
and commendable zeal; And that the saids Commissioners have orderly
and formally proceeded in every thing according to their Commissions;
Do therefore Ratifie and Approve the said whole Acts, Proceedings, and
Conclusions of the Commissioners of the two Assemblies aforesaid.
* * * * *
3 Februar. 1645. Die Lunæ. Post meridiem.
Sess. X.
_Act of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, for the
establishing and putting in execution of the_ DIRECTORY _for the
publick Worship of God._
Whereas an happy Unity and Uniformity in Religion amongst the Kirks of
Christ in these three Kingdoms, united under one Soveraigne, hath been
long and earnestly wished for by the godly and well-affected amongst
us, was propounded as a main Article of the large Treaty, without
which Band and Bulwark no safe well-grounded and lasting Peace could
be expected; And afterward with greater strength and maturity, revived
in the Solemne League and Covenant of the three Kingdomes; whereby
they stand straitly obliged to endeavour the neerest Uniformity in
one forme of Church-government, Directory of Worship, Confession of
Faith, and forme of Catechising: Which hath also before and since our
entring into that Covenant, been the matter of many Supplications and
Remonstrances, and sending Commissioners to the Kings Majestie, of
Declarations to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England,
and of Letters to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and others of the
Ministerie of the Kirk of England, being also the end of our sending
Commissioners, as was desired from this Kirk, with Commission to treat
of Uniformitie in the foure particulars afore-mentioned, with such
Committees as should be appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of
England, and by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster: And
beside all this, it being in point of conscience the chief motive and
end of our adventuring upon manifold and great hazards, for quenching
the devouring flame of the present unnaturall and bloody Warre in
England, though to the weakning of this Kingdome within it self, and
the advantage of the Enemy which hath invaded it, accounting nothing
too dear to us, so that this our joy be fulfilled. And now this great
Work being so far advanced, that a Directory for the publick Worship
of GOD in all the three Kingdomes, being agreed upon by the Honourable
Houses of the Parliament of England, after consultation with the
Divines of both Kingdomes there assembled, and sent to us for our
Approbation, that being also agreed upon by this Kirk and Kingdome of
Scotland, it may be in the name of both Kingdomes presented to the
King, for his Royall consent and Ratification, The Generall Assembly
having most seriously considered, revised, and examined the Directory
afore-mentioned, after severall publick readings of it, after much
deliberation, both publickly, and in private Committees, after full
liberty given to all to object against it, and earnest invitations of
all who have any scruples about it to make known the same, that they
might be satisfied, Do unanimously, and without a contrary Voice, Agree
to, and Approve the following Directory, in all the Heads thereof,
together with the Preface set before it: And doth require, decerne, and
ordain, That according to the plain tenour and meaning thereof, and
the intent of the Preface, it be carefully and uniformly observed and
practised by all the Ministers and others within this Kingdome, whom
it doth concerne; which practice shall be begun, upon Intimation given
to the severall Presbyteries, from the Commissioners of this Generall
Assembly, who shall also take speciall care for the timeous Printing
of this Directory, that a printed Copy of it, be provided and kept for
the use of every Kirk in this Kingdome; Also that each Presbyterie
have a printed Copy thereof for their use, and take speciall notice
of the Observation or neglect thereof in every Congregation within
their bounds, and make known the same to the Provinciall or Generall
Assembly, as there shall be cause. Provided alwayes, that the Clause
in the Directory, of the Administration of the Lords Supper, which
mentioneth the Communicants sitting about the Table, or at it, be not
interpreted as if in the judgement of this Kirk, it were indifferent
and free for any of the Communicants, not to come to, and receive at
the Table; or as if we did approve the distributing of the Elements
by the Minister to each Communicant and not by the Communicants among
themselves. It is also provided, That this shall be no prejudice to the
order and practice of this Kirk, in such particulars as are appointed
by the Books of Discipline, and Acts of Generall Assemblies, and are
not otherwise ordered and appointed in the Directory.
Finally, the Assembly doth with much joy and thankfulnes acknowledge
the rich blessing and invaluable mercy of God, in bringing the so
much wished for uniformity in Religion, to such a happy Period, that
these Kingdoms once at so great distance in the form of Worship, are
now, by the blessing of GOD, brought to a neerer Uniformity than any
other Reformed Kirks, which is unto us the return of our Prayers, and
a lightning of our Eyes, and reviving of our hearts, in the midst of
our many sorrows and sufferings, a taking away in a great measure,
the reproach of the People of GOD, to the stopping of the mouthes of
Malignant and disaffected persons, and an opening unto us a door of
hope, that GOD hath yet thoughts of Peace towards us, and not of evill,
to give us an expected end: In the expectation and confidence whereof
we do rejoyce, beseeching the Lord to preserve these Kingdomes from
Heresies, Schismes, Offences, Prophanenesse, and whatsoever is contrary
to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godlinesse, and to continue
with us, and the generations following, these his pure and purged
Ordinances, together with an increase of the power and life thereof, To
the glory of his great Name, the enlargement of the Kingdom of his Son,
the corroboration of Peace and Love between the Kingdoms, the unity and
consent of all his People, and our edifying one another in love.
* * * * *
The DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, mentioned in the preceding Act, needs not
to be here printed, because it is to be printed in a Book by itself.
* * * * *
7 February, 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. XIV.
_Overtures for advancement of Learning and good Order in Grammar
Schools and Colledges._
I. That every Grammar School be visited twice in the year by Visitors,
to bee appointed by the Presbyterie and Kirk-Session in Landward
Parishes, and by the Town-Councell in Burghs, with their Ministers;
and, where Universities are, by the Universities, with consent alwayes
of the Patrons of the School, that both the fidelitie and diligence
of the Masters, and the proficiencie of the Schollers in Pietie and
Learning may appear, and deficiencie censured accordingly; And that
the Visitors see that the Masters be not distracted by any other
imployments, which may divert them from their diligent attendance.
II. That for the remedie of the great decay of Poesie, and of abilitie
to make Verse, and in respect of the common ignorance of Prosodie, no
School-Master be admitted to teach a Grammar School, in Burghs, or
other considerable Paroches, but such as after examination, shall be
found skilfull in the Latine Tongue, not only for Prose, but also for
Verse; And that after other trials to be made by the Ministers, and
others depute by the Session, Town, and Paroch for this effect, that he
be also approven by the Presbyterie.
III. That neither the Greek Language, nor Logick, nor any part of
Philosophie be taught in any Grammar School, or private place within
this Kingdom, to young Schollers, who thereafter are to enter to any
Colledge, unlesse it be for a preparation to their entrie there:
And notwithstanding of any progresse, any may pretend to have made
privately in these studies, yet in the Colledge hee shall not enter
to any higher Classe, then that wherein the Greek Language is taught,
and being entred, shall proceed orderly through the rest of the
Classes, untill he finish the Ordinary course of four years: Unlesse
after due triall and examination, he be found equall in Learning, to
the best or most part of that Classe, to which he desires to ascend,
by over-leaping a mid-Classe, or to the best or most part of those who
are to be graduat, if he supplicate to obtain any degree before the
ordinary time. And also, That there be found other pregnant reasons to
move the faculty of Arts to condescend thereto; And otherwise that he
be not admitted to the Degree of Master of Arts.
IIII. That none be admitted to enter a Student of the Greek tongue in
any Colledge, unlesse after triall he be found able to make a congruous
Theame in Latine; or at least, being admonished of his errour, can
readily shew how to correct the same.
V. That none be promoved from an Inferiour Classe of the ordinary
course to a superiour, unlesse he be found worthy, and to have
sufficiently profited: otherwise, that he be ordained not to ascend
with his con-disciples, and if he be a Burser, that he lose his
Burse. And namely, it is to be required, That those who are taught
in Aristotle, be found well instructed in his Text, and be able to
repeat in Greek, and understand his whole definitions, divisions, and
principall precepts, so far as they have proceeded.
VI. Because it is a disgrace to Learning, and hinderance to Trades and
other Callings, and an abuse hurtfull to the Publick, that such as are
ignorant and unworthy, be honoured with a Degree or publick Testimony
of Learning; That therefore such triall be taken of Students, specially
of Magistrands, that those who are found unworthy, be not admitted to
the Degree and honour of Masters.
VII. That none who have entred to one Colledge for triall or studie,
be admitted to another Colledge, without the Testimoniall of the
Masters of that Colledge wherein he entred first, both concerning his
Literature, and dutifull behaviour, so long as he remained there: at
least, untill the Masters of that Colledge from whence he cometh,
be timely advertised, that they may declare if they have any thing
lawfully to be objected in the contrary. And that none be admitted,
promoved, or receive Degree in any Colledge, who was rejected in
another Colledge for his unfitnesse and unworthinesse, or any other
cause repugnant to good Order, who leaves the Colledge where he was
for eschewing of Censure, or chastising for any fault comitted by him;
or who leaves the Colledge because he was chastised, or for any other
grudge or unjust Quarrell against his Masters.
VIII. That none of those who may be lawfully received in one Colledge,
after he was in another, be admitted to any other Classe, but to that
wherein he was or should have been in the Colledge from whence he came,
except upon reasons mentioned in the third Article preceding.
IX. That at the time of every Generall Assembly, the Commissioners
directed thereto, from all the Universities of this Kingdom, Meet and
consult together, for the establishment and advancement of Pietie,
Learning, and good Order in the Schools and Universities, and be
carefull that a correspondence be kept among the Universities, and so
farre as is possible, an Uniformitie in Doctrine and good Order.
The Generall Assembly, after serious consideration of the Overtures
and Articles above written, Approves the same, and Ordains them to
be observed, and to have the strength of an Act and Ordinance of
Assembly in all time coming.
_To the Honourable and High Court of Parliament, The Humble Petition of
the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland._
According to the constant and commendable practice of the Generall
Assemblies of this Kirk, Wee judge it incumbent to us, Right
Honourable, when the displeasure of the Almighty, and the extream
danger of this Kirk and Kingdome is so undenyably demonstrate to the
eyes of the whole World, by the Invasion, Increase, and Successe of
these Barbarous Irishes, and treacherous Countreymen joyned with them;
Not onely out of conscience of the trust committed unto us, To proceed
with the censures of the Kirk, against these who have joyned, or shall
happen to joyne themselves with these enemies of GOD and his Cause, To
appoint a Solemne Fast and Humiliation through the Kingdom, and to give
Warning to all the Ministers and Members of this Kirk of the dangers
and duties of the time; But also, out of respect to your Honours, _who
judge not for man, but for the Lord; Who is with you in the Judgement,
and standeth in the Congregation of the mighty_; Humbly to present your
Honours with our thoughts and desires concerning the duties which the
exigency of this time expecteth from your hands.
The impunity of known Incendiaries and Malignants, as by the course of
Divine providence (permitting those who have formerly escaped the hand
of Justice to be the prime instruments of our present Troubles) it is
held forth for a cause of the Wrath which yet burneth more and more; So
hath it been acknowledged before GOD in our publick Humiliations, to
be a maine Cause of GODS Controversie with the Land, and an accession
to the guiltinesse of the cruelty, villany, and other mischiefs
committed by them and their followers: And to lye still under the
guilt after solemne Confession, were an high provocation of GOD, and
an heavy aggravation of our sinne; And on the one part, doth grieve
the Godly, discourage their hearts, and weaken their hands, On the
other part, doth harden them who are already engaged, to persist in
their unnaturall and bloudy practices, heartneth others, who have not
hitherto avowed their Malignancy, openly to declare themselves, and is
laid hold upon by the disaffected, who lye in wait to find occasions,
as fitting to work the People to an unwillingnesse of undergoing
necessary Burthens imposed for publick good.
Although the Lord hath shewn unto us great and sore Troubles, and our
heart may be broken with reproach, shame, and dishonour, put upon us
by the vilest among men; Yet hath he made known unto us the power of
his working amidst these manifold troubles, bringing forward the much
desired Work of Uniformity in Worship and Government to a greater
perfection then was expected (as your Honours and wee did see the other
day with joy of heart) which is a Testimony from Heaven, That the
Lord hath not left us in the fiery Furnace, but dwelleth still in the
midst of the burning Bush, and should rouze up our drouping spirits to
follow GOD fully, and quicken our slownesse to hasten and help _the
Lord against the mighty_. In delay there is perill of strengthening the
arme of the intestine Enemie, making faint the hearts of our Neighbours
and Friends, and disabling us for reaching help unto those who are
wrestling against much opposition to perfect the Work of Reformation.
The reproach under which we lye almost buried, should bee so farre
from retarding proceedings, that it should intend the Spirit into a
higher degree of desire, and expede the hand to speedier action for
vindicating our own name, and that Name which is above all names from
the daily reproach of the foolish.
May it therefore please your Honours, in the zeal of the Lord, To
proceed with some speedy course of Justice against such persons as
are known to have joyned themselves, either actually in Arms, or by
their counsell, supplies, encouragements, have strengthened the hands
of the bloody Enemies, whereby a cause of the Controversie shall be
removed, the Land cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, the
cruell and crooked generation disheartned, the fainting hearts of the
Godly refreshed, and their feeble knees strengthened; And cheerfully
and unanimously to resolve upon, and put in execution all lawful and
possible wayes of speedy and active pursuing and extirpating these
barbarous and unnaturall Enemies within the Kingdom: Whereby your
thankfulnesse to GOD for promoving his owne Work, and your endeavours
of uniformity, shall be testified; your sense of the dishonour of this
Nation, and of the danger of delay, expressed, and your conscience of
the Oath of GOD upon you manifested. Wee are confident of your Honours
conscience, and care, onely we exhort you in the Lord, to unite your
Spirits, and accelerate your counsels and endeavours: And pray the Lord
of Hosts to prosper your enterprises, according to the engagement of
his Name, interest of his Work, and necessity of his People, to his own
glory, the establishment of the Kings Throne in righteousnesse, the
comfort of his Saints, and the conversion or confusion of Enemies. _Be
of good courage, and behave your selves valiantly, for our people, and
for the cities of our God. Arise, and the Lord be with you._
_Overtures propounded by the Committee, appointed by this venerable
Assembly, for ordering of the Bursars of Theologie, and maintaining
of them at the Schools of Divinitie._
I. That every Bursar have yearly payed him for his maintenance £100 at
the least.
II. That the said maintenance be taken forth of the Kirk penalties,
according to the intention of the first Act for maintaining of Bursars.
III. That every Presbyterie consisting of twelve Kirks in number,
maintain a Bursar yearly at the University.
IV. And where the Presbyteries are fewer in number, that they joyne
with other Presbyteries to make up their number: And the superplus of
the number to be ordered and disposed by the Presbyteries Synods: And
that their Books bear Records thereof.
V. That the Kirks of these Presbyteries be proportionally stented,
according to the number of the Communicants in each Parochin.
VI. That the said maintenance be collected by the Moderatour of every
Presbyterie, by equall divided portions, and the one half to be brought
in to the Winter Synod, and given to the said Bursars, and the other
half at the Summer Synod, to be sent unto them: And that the severall
Synods take an exact compt hereof, and see that all be rightly done,
and that their Books bear the report hereof to the Generall Assembly.
VII. That the time of Bursars abode at the Schools of Divinity exceed
not foure years: which being expired, or in case before the expiring of
the said time, any be removed either by death, or by some Calling to a
particular Charge, another be presented to the said Benefit.
VIII. That in case any prove deficient in payment of the said
maintenance for the time to come, That it shall be carefully exacted by
the Synods, and sent over to the Generall Assembly, to be disposed upon
by them, as they shall finde expedient; that no person may have benefit
in their slacknesse and neglect.
IX. That all Bursars of Theologie bring sufficient Testimonies yearly
from the Universities where they are bred, of their proficiencie and
good behaviour: And that they be also ready to give a proof of their
labours at the severall Synods, if it shall be required. And if they be
found deficient, that they be denuded of the said Benefit, and others
more hopefull placed in their rooms.
The Generall Assembly approves these Overtures above-written,
And Ordains the same to be observed in all time coming. And that
Presbyteries (who have not already done it) begin and enter to the
maintaining of their Bursars, in manner foresaid, in this present
year 1645. And Recommends to Presbyteries, to make choice of such for
the Burse, as are of good report, inclined to Learning, and have past
their course of Philosophie, And to try their qualification before
they send them to Universities.
_The opinion of the Committee for keeping the greater Uniformitie in
this Kirk, in the practice and observation of the Directory in some
points of publick Worship._
I. It is the humble Opinion of the Committee for regulating that
Exercise of reading and expounding the Scriptures read upon the Lords
Day, mentioned in the Directory, That the Minister and People repair
to the Kirk, half an hour before that time, at which ordinarily the
Minister now entreth to the publick Worship; And that, that Exercise
of reading and expounding, together with the ordinary Exercise of
Preaching, be perfected and ended at the time which formerly closed the
Exercise of publick Worship.
II. In the Administration of Baptisme, it will be convenient, That,
that Sacrament be administred in face of the Congregation, that what
is spoken and done, may be heard and seen of all, and that it be
administred after the Sermon, before the Blessing.
III. In the Administration of the Lords Supper, it is the judgement of
the Committee;
1. That Congregations be still tried and examined before the Communion,
according to the bygone practice of this Kirk.