and Fervent Prayer, though the principall, yet are not all which are
required at the hands of this Nation, but men of all sorts and degrees,
must timely apply themselves to such other Resolutions and Actions as
are most suteable and necessary at this time: Which that all may the
better understand, and bee excited and encouraged to act accordingly,
let it be well observed, that the present state of the Controversie
and Cause is no other but what hath been formerly professed before GOD
and the World, that is, The Reformation and Preservation of Religion,
The Defence of the Honour and Happinesse of the King, and of the
authority of the Parliament, together with the maintenance of our
Lawes, Liberties, Lives, and Estates. We are not changed from our
former principles and intentions, but these who did fall off from us
to the contrary party, have now made it manifest, that these were not
their ends when they seemed to joyn with us: Therefore are they gone
out from us, because they were not of us. And as our Cause is the same,
so the danger thereof is not lesse, but greater then before, and that
from two sorts of Enemies: First, from open Enemies, we mean those of
the Popish, Prelaticall, and Malignant Faction, who have displayed
a Banner against the Lord, and against his Christ, in all the three
Kingdoms, being set on fire of Hell, and by the speciall inspiration of
Satan, who is full of fury, because he knowes he hath but a short time
to reigne. The Cockatrice before hatched, is now broken forth into a
Viper. The danger was before feared, now it is felt; before imminent,
now incumbent; before our division, now our destruction is endeavoured;
before the Sword was fourbished and made ready, now the Sword is
made fat with Flesh, and drunk with Bloud, and yet it hungreth and
thirsteth for more. The Queen is most active abroad, using all means
for strengthening the Popish, and suppressing the Protestant party;
insomuch that Malignants have insolently expressed their confidence,
that her journey to France shall prove a successefull Counsell, and
that this Island, and particularly this Kingdome, shall have a greater
power to grapple with, before the next Summer, then any which yet we
have encountred with. The Irish Rebels have offered to the King to send
over a greater number into both the Kingdomes: The hostile intentions
of the King of Denmark, if God be not pleased still to divert and
disable him, do plainly enough appear from his own Letters, sent not
long since to the Estates of this Kingdome. In the mean time, the
hellish crue under the conduct of the excommunicate and forefaulted
Earle of Montrose, and of Alaster Mac-Donald, a Papist and an Outlaw,
doth exercise such barbarous, unnaturall, horrid, and unheard-of
cruelty, as is above expression: And (if not repressed) what better
usage can others not yet touched expect from them, being now hardened
and animated by the successe which God hath for our humiliation and
correction, permitted unto them: and if they shall now get leave to
secure the High-Lands for themselves, they will not onely from thence
infest the rest of this Countrey, but endeavour a diversion of our
forces in England, from the prosecution of the ends expressed in the
Covenant of the three Kingdoms, toward which ends, as their service
hath been already advantageous, so their continuance is most necessary.
The second sort of Enemies, from which our present dangers arise,
are secret Malignants and Dis-covenanters, who may be known by these
and the like Characters: Their slighting or censuring of the publick
Resolutions of this Kirk and State: Their consulting and labouring to
raise Jealousies and Divisions, to retard or hinder the execution of
what is ordered by the publick Judicatories: Their slandering of the
Covenant of the three Kingdomes and Expedition into England, as not
necessary for the good of Religion, or safety of this Kingdome, or
as tending to the diminution of the Kings just power and greatnesse:
Their confounding of the Kings Honour and Authority, with the abuse
and pretence thereof, and with Commissions, Warrants, and Letters,
procured from the King, by the Enemies of this Cause and Covenant, as
if we could not oppose the latter, without encroaching upon the former:
Their whetting of their tongues, to censure and slander those whom GOD
hath honoured as his chief Instruments in this Work: Their commending,
justifying, or excusing the proceedings of James Grahame, sometime Earl
of Montrose, and his Complices: Their conversing or intercommuning by
word or writ, with him, or other excommunicate Lords, contrary to the
nature of that Ordinance of Christ, and to the old Acts of Generall
Assemblies: Their making merry, and their insolent carriage, at the
news of any prosperous successe of the Popish and Malignant Armies in
any of these Kingdomes: Their drawing of Parties and Factions, to the
weakning of the common Union: Their spreading of Informations, That
Uniformitie in Religion, and the Presbyteriall Government, is not
intended by the Parliament of England: Their Endeavours, Informations,
and Sollicitations, tending to weaken the hearts and hands of others,
and to make them withhold their assistance from this Work.
Let this sort of bosome Enemies, and dis-affected Persons, be well
marked, timely discovered, and carefully avoided, lest they infuse the
poyson of their seducing counsels into the mindes of others: Wherein
let Ministers be faithfull, and Presbyteries vigilant and unpartial, as
they will answer the contrary to GOD, and to the Generall Assembly, or
their Commissioners.
The cause and the dangers thereof being thus evidenced, unlesse men
will blot out of their hearts the love of Religion, and the Cause of
GOD, and cast off all care of their Countrey, Lawes, Liberties, and
Estates, yea, all naturall affection to the preservation of themselves,
their Wives, Children, and Friends, and whatsoever is dearest to them
under the Sun (all these being in the visible danger of a present ruine
and destruction) they must now or never appear actively, each one
stretching himself to, yea beyond his power. It is no time to dally,
nor go about the businesse by halfes, nor by almost, but altogether
zealous: “Cursed be he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently, or
dealeth falsely in the Covenant of God.” If wee have been so forward to
assist our Neighbour Kingdomes, shall wee neglect to defend our own?
Or shall the Enemies of GOD be more active against his Cause, than
his People for it? GOD forbid. If the Work being so far carried on,
shall now mis-carry, and fail in our hands, our own consciences shall
condemne us, and posterity shall curse us: But if wee stand stoutly and
stedfastly to it, the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in our hands,
and all Generations shall call us blessed.
Let Ministers stir up others by free and faithfull preaching, and by
admonishing every one of his duty, as there shall be occasion: And
if it shall be the lot of any of them to fall under the power of the
Enemy, let them through the strength of Christ, persevere in their
integrity, choosing affliction rather then sin, glorifying GOD, and not
fearing what Flesh can do unto them.
Let our Armies beware of ungodlinesse, and worldly lusts, living
godly, soberly, and righteously, avoyding all scandalous carriage,
which may give occasion to others to think the worse of their Cause
and Covenant, and remembring that the eyes of GOD, Angels, and Men are
upon them: Finally, renouncing all confidence in their own strength,
skill, valour, and number, and trusting only to the God of the Armies
of Israel, who hath fought, and will fight for them.
Let all sorts both of high and low degree in this Kingdome, call to
minde their Solemne Covenants, and pay their vows to the most High;
and namely, that Article of our first Covenant, which obligeth us not
to stay nor hinder any such Resolution, as by common consent shall
be found to conduce for the ends of the Covenant, but by all lawfull
means to further and promove the same; Which lyeth as a bond upon
peoples consciences, readily to obey such orders, and willingly to
under go such burdens, as by the publick and common resolution of
the Estates of Parliament, are found necessary for the prosecution
of the War; considering that the Enemy cannot bee suppressed without
a competent number of Forces, and Forces cannot be kept together
without maintenance, and maintenance cannot be had without such publick
Burdens; which however for the present, not joyous, but grievous,
yet it shall be no grief of heart afterwards, even unto the common
sort, that they have given some part of their necessary livelihood,
for assisting so good a Work. It is far from our thoughts, that the
pinching of some, should make others superfluously to abound: It is
rather to bee expected of the richer sort, that they will spare and
defalk, not onely the pride and superfluity, both of apparell and
diet, but also a part of their lawfull allowance in these things,
to contribute the same as a free-will-offering, beside what they
are obliged to, by Law or publick Order, after the example of godly
Nehemiah, who for the space of twelve years, while the walls of
Jerusalem were a building, did not eat the bread of the Governour, that
he might ease by so much the Peoples Burthens and Bondage.
In our last Covenant, there is another article which (without the
oblivion or neglect of any of the rest) we wish may be well remembred
at this time; namely, That we shall assist and defend all that enter
into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof,
and shall not suffer our selves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever
Combination, Perswasion, or Terror, to be divided and withdrawne from
this blessed Union and Conjunction, whether to make defection to the
contrary part, or to give our selves to a detestable indifferency or
neutrality in this Cause: According to which Article, mens reality and
integrity in the Covenant, will be manifest and demonstrable, as well
by their omissions, as by their commissions; as well by their not doing
good, as by their doing of evil; He that is not with us, is against us;
and he that gathereth not with us, scattereth. Whoever he be that will
not, according to publick order and appointment, adventure his Person,
or send out these that are under his power, or pay the Contributions
imposed for the maintenance of the Forces, must be taken for an
Enemie, Malignant, and Covenant-breaker, and so involved both into the
displeasure of GOD, and Censures of the Kirk, and no doubt into civil
punishments also to be inflicted by the State.
And if any shall prove so untoward and perfidious, their iniquitie
shall be upon themselves, and they shall bear their punishment:
Deliverance and good successe shall follow those who with purpose of
heart cleave unto the Lord, and whose hearts are upright toward his
glory. When wee look back upon the great things which GOD hath done for
us, and our former deliverances out of several dangers and difficulties
which appeared to us insuperable, experience breeds hope: And when we
consider how in the midst of all our sorrows and pressures, the Lord
our God hath given us a naile in his holy place, and hath lightned our
eyes with the desireable and beautiful sight of his own glory in his
Temple, we take it for an argument that he hath yet thoughts of peace,
and a purpose of mercy toward us; Though for a small moment he hath
forsaken us, yet with great mercies he will gather us: Hee hath lifted
up our Enemies, that their fall may be the greater, and that he may
cast them downe into desolation for ever. Arise, and let us be doing;
The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our Refuge.
_Act against Lykwakes._
Whereas the corrupt Custome of Lykwakes hath fostered both Superstition
and Profanitie through the Land; This present Assembly Discharges the
same in time comming; And appoints Presbyteries To take speciall care
for trying and censuring the Transgressors of this Act within their
severall Bounds.
_Act recommending to Sessions To have the Printed Acts of Assemblie._
The Generall Assembly, considering how necessar it is, That every
Session in a Parish have the Acts of the Assembly for their use, Doth
therefore seriously recommend to every Parish and Session To buy
the Printed Acts of the Assembly; and Ordains Presbyteries To crave
account hereof from every Minister, before their going to Provinciall
Assemblies: And likewise, That every Provinciall Assembly, crave
account from Presbyteries in their trials, if every Session be so
provided, and that they try the diligence of Presbyteries and Ministers
used for that effect.
13 Februar. 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. Ult.
_Act for censuring the Observers of Yule-day, and other superstitious
dayes, especially if they be Schollars._
The Generall Assembly taking to their consideration, The manifold
Abuses, Profanitie, and Superstitions, committed on Yule-day, and some
other superstitious dayes following, Have unanimously concluded, and
hereby Ordains, That whatsoever Person or Persons hereafter shall be
found guilty in keeping of the foresaid superstitious dayes, shall
be proceeded against by Kirk Censures, and shall make their publick
Repentance therefore in the face of the Congregation where the
offence is committed: And that Presbyteries and Provinciall Synods
Take particular notice how Ministers try and censure Delinquents of
this kinde, within the severall Parochines. And because Schollars and
Students give great scandal and offence in this, That they (being
found guilty) be severely disciplined and chastised therefore by their
Masters: And in case the Masters of Schools or Colledges be accessorie
to the said superstitious profanitie, by their connivence, granting
of liberty of Vacance to their Schollars at that time, or any time
thereafter, in compensation thereof, That the Masters be summoned by
the Ministers of the Place to compeir before the next ensuing Generall
Assembly, there to bee censured according to their trespasse: And if
Schollars (being guilty) refuse to subject themselves to Correction, or
be Fugitives from Discipline, That they be not received in any other
Schoole or Colledge within the Kingdom.
_Act for encouragement of Schollars to Professions in Schooles._
In respect of the paucitie of men, fit and willing to professe
Divinitie in the Schooles, by reason that few frame their studies
that way, The Generall Assembly thinks it fit, That the Provincials
diligently consider and try who within their Bounds most probably may
bee for a Profession in the Schooles, And report their names to the
following Generall Assembly, that such may be stirred up and encouraged
by the Generall Assembly, to compose and frame their studies, that they
may be fit for such places.
_Act for restraining Abuses at Pennie-Brydals._
The Generall Assembly, considering the great profanitie and severall
Abuses which usually fall forth at Pennie-Brydals, proving fruitful
Seminaries of all lasciviousnesse and debaushtrie, as well by the
excessive number of people conveened thereto, as by the extortion of
them therein, and licentiousnesse thereat, To the great dishonour of
GOD, the scandall of our Christian Profession, and prejudice of the
Countreys welfare; Therefore they Ordain every Presbyterie in this
Kingdome, To take such speciall care for restraining these Abuses
flowing from the causes foresaid, as they shall think fit in their
severall bounds respective: And to take a strict accompt of every
Minister and Session of their obedience to the Ordinance of the
Presbyterie thereanent, at the Visitation of every Parish Kirk in their
Bounds.
_Act Discharging deposed Ministers to be reponed to their former
Places._
The Generall Assembly, considering the manifold prejudices redounding
to the Kirk in Generall, and private Congregations in particular,
through the restoring of Ministers once deposed to the same places
wherein formerly they served: As also, how derogatorie it would prove
to the weight of that sentence of Deposition; Do therefore Ordain, That
no Minister deposed, shall be restored again into that place where
formerly he served.
_Renovation of the Commission for the publick Affairs of the Kirk._
The Generall Assembly taking to their consideration, That in respect
the great Work of Uniformitie in Religion in all his Majesties
Dominions, is not yet perfected, (though by the Lords blessing there
is a good progresse made in the same) there is a necessity of renewing
the Commissions granted formerly for prosecuting and perfecting that
great Work; Doe therefore Renew the Power and Commission granted for
the publick Affairs of the Kirk by the Generall Assembly, held in S.
Andrews in the year 1642, upon the fifth day of August post meridiem,
Sess. 12. And by the Generall Assembly held in Edinburgh in the year
1643, upon the 19. day of August, Sess. ult. And by the late Generall
Assembly held at Edinburgh in the year 1644, upon the third of June,
Sess. 6, to the Persons afternamed, viz. M. Andrew Ramsay, M. Alex.
Henderson, M. Robert Douglas, M. William Colvil, M. William Bennet, M.
George Gillespie, M. John Oswald, M. Mungo Law, M. Robert Lawrie, M.
John Adamson, D. John Sharp, M. George Leslie, M. Andrew Fairfowle, M.
David Calderwood, M. Andrew Blackhall, M. James Fleeming, M. Robert
Ker, M. John Macghie, M. John Dalyell, M. Andrew Stevenson, M. Robert
Lauder, M. James Robertson, M. Patrick Sibbald, M. Robert Carson, M.
Alex. Spittall, M. Alex. Dickison, M. James Smith, M. John Gibbison,
M. James Symson, M. Ephraim Melvill, M. Alex. Somervell, M. Robert
Eliot, M. George Bennet, M. Robert Blair, M. David Forret, M. Arthur
Mortoun, M. Samuel Rutherfurd, D. Alex. Colvill, M. Andrew Bennet, M.
James Wedderburn, M. Walter Greg, M. John Moncreiff, M. John Smith, M.
Frederick Carmichael, M. Patrick Gillespie, M. John Duncan, M. James
Sibbald, M. Robert Bruce, M. John Hume at Eccles, M. Mungo Dalyell,
M. Alex. Kinneir, M. Thomas Ramsay, M. William Turnbull, M. James
Guthrie, M. Thomas Donaldson, M. William Jameson, M. David Fletcher,
Andrew Dunkison, M. Robert Murray, M. David Weemes, M. John Hall, M.
John Freebairn, M. David Drummond at Creiff, M. George Murray, M. Henry
Guthrie, M. Robert Wright, M. Andrew Jaffray, M. Bernard Sanderson, M.
Alex. Tran, M. Thomas Chalmers, M. Andrew Lawder, M. Hugh Henderson,
M. John Levingstoun, M. James Blair, M. James Bonar, M. John Burne, M.
John Bell, M. Hugh Mackale, M. Matthew Birsbane, M. David Elphingstoun,
M. David Dickson, M. George Young, D. John Strang, M. Robert Baillie,
M. Patrick Sharp, M. Robert Birnie, M. Evan Camron, M. George Symmer at
Megle, M. Andrew Fleck, M. Patrick Lyon, M. John Lindsay, M. Sylvester
Lammie, M. George Fogo, M. David Strachan, M. Andrew Cant, M. William
More, M. William Davidson, M. John Paterson, M. William Jaffray, M.
Thomas Mitchell, M. George Cummin, M. Joseph Brodie, M. William Lawder,
M. David Rosse, M. Ferquhard Makclennan, _Ministers_; And Archbald
Marquesse of Argyle, John Earle of Crawfurd-Lindsay, Alexander Earle
of Eglintoun, William Earle of Glencarne, John Earle of Cassils,
Charles Earle of Dumfermeling, James Earle of Tullibardin, John Earle
of Lauderdale, James Earle of Annandale, William Earle of Lothian,
James Earle of Queenesberry, William Earle of Dalhousie, William
Earle of Lanerik, Archbald Lord Angus, Vicount of Arbuthnet, James
Vicount of Frendraught, Alexander Lord Garleis, James Lord Johnstoun,
John Lord Yester, John Lord Balmerino, Alexander Lord Balcarras, John
Lord Loure, John Lord Barganie, Sir Patrick Hepburn of Wauchtoun,
Sir John Hope of Craighall, Sir Archbald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Sir
David Hume of Wedderburn, Frederick Lyon of Brigtoun, Sir Alexander
Areskine of Dun, Alexander Fraser of Phillorth, Sir William Baillie
of Lammingtoun, Haddin of Glennegies, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Freeland,
James Macdougall of Garthland, Sir Alexander Murray of Blackbarronie,
William Drummond of Rickartoun, Sir William Scott of Hardin, Sir Andrew
Ker of Greenhead, Sir William Stuart of ______ Sir Alexander Shaw of
Sauchie, Alexander Brodie of that Ilk, M. George Hume of Kimmerjame,
Sir John Smith, M. Alexander Colvill Justice Depute, John Binnie,
Archbald Sydserf, Laurence Henderson, James Stuart, Gilbert Sommervell,
John Semple, M. Robert Barclay, Patrick Leslie, James Law, M. Robert
Cuninghame, George Gardin, William Glendunning, _Elders_. And for
discharging the said Commission, Appoints the persons aforesaid, or
any ninteene of them, whereof fifteen shall be Ministers, to meet at
Edinburgh upon the 14. of this moneth of February and upon the second
Wednesday of May, August, November, and of February next to come,
and upon any other day, or in any other Place they shall think meet.
Giving unto them full power and Commission to do all and every thing
for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting, and bringing the said Work
of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions to an happy
conclusion, conforme to the former Commissions granted by the saids
Assemblies thereanent: And further, Renewes to the Persons afore-named,
the power contained in the Act of the said Assembly, 1643, Intituled, A
Reference to the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the
Kingdom of England; As also the power contained in two severall Acts of
the said late Assembly 1644. Sess. 6. made Against secret dis-affecters
of the Covenant, and, For sending Ministers to the Army: With full
power to them, to treat and determine in the matters aforesaid, and
in all other matters referred unto them by this Assembly, as fully
and freely, as if the same were here particularly expressed, and with
as ample power as any Commission of former Generall Assemblies hath
had, or been in use of before; They being alwayes for their whole
proceedings countable to, and censurable by the next Generall Assembly.
_Renovation of the Commission to the Persons appointed to repair to
the Kingdom of England, for prosecuting the Treaty of Uniformitie in
Religion._
The Generall Assembly, Taking to their consideration, that the Treaty
of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet
perfected, though by the Lords blessing there is a good progresse made
in the same, Do therefore Renew the Power and Commission granted to
the Persons formerly nominate by the two preceding Assemblies, and by
their Commissioners sitting at Edinburgh; for prosecuting the said
Treatie of Uniformitie with the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of
England, and the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or any Committees
appointed by them, Giving unto them full power to do all and every
thing which may advance, perfect, and bring the said Treatie to an
happy conclusion, conforme to the former Commissions granted to them
thereanent.
_The Generall Assemblies Answer to the Right Reverend the Assembly of
Divines in the Kirk of England._
Right Reverend and welbeloved
in the Lord Jesus,
Amidst the manifold troubles in which this Kingdome hath been involved,
and under which it still laboureth, we greatly rejoyced when it was
testified unto us by our reverend Brethren, and under your hands in
your Letter, and these Papers by them presented to us from you, what
progresse you had made in the much desired Work of Uniformitie; and
acknowledge, that the same hath comforted us concerning our work
and toile of our hands, and seemeth to us as an olive branch, to
prognosticate the abating of the waters, which overflow the face of the
Earth.