representations of Montreville, a French agent, who assured him he
would be safe and welcome in the Scottish camp, then pitched before
Newark. On the 27th of April, 1646, Charles left Oxford in disguise,
and on horseback, as the lackey of one of his attendants, of whom
there were only two, Ashburnham, groom of his bed-chamber, and Hudson,
a clergyman; and, after traversing the country by many by-ways and
circuits, he at length, on the ninth day after leaving Oxford, reached
the camp at Newark. The King’s departure from Oxford, which was soon
discovered, and communicated to the Parliament, spread a panic among
the factions of which it was composed. They dreaded his appearance
in London, as calculated to excite some reaction inimical to their
designs; and to harbour or conceal his person was denounced, under
all the penalties of treason against the Commonwealth. This dastardly
alarm was only quieted by intelligence of his Majesty’s arrival at the
Scottish camp, of which the Lord Leven had sent notice to both the
Scottish and English Parliaments; and the latter passed a resolution
on the sixth day of May, that the Scottish general and commissioners
should be required to consent that his Majesty’s person might be at
the disposal of the two Houses of Parliament in England, and sent to
Warwick Castle. They were also desired to render up the persons of his
two companions; a demand to which the Scottish authorities in the camp
demurred, on grounds which were honourable to their feelings.[335]
The Scottish general had received his sovereign, on his arrival at the
camp, with all becoming courtesy and respect; but he soon found himself
in truth a captive, and reduced to the condition of a mere make-weight
in the scale of sordid political negotiations which speedily ensued
betwixt the Parliaments of England and Scotland. Leslie, with small
difficulty, induced the King, who was now powerless, to issue his
orders to the Commander of Newark, for the surrender of that town,
which took place on the 6th of May. This was followed by similar orders
to other loyalists in various other strengths, which still held out for
the King, and by his instructions were rendered up to the Parliamentary
forces; and thus the last visible sparks of loyalty, and of regal
authority in the person of Charles I. were extinguished in England.
Having effected these objects, and having the royal person in his
custody, the Scottish general led his army northward, and on the 13th
of May 1646, took up his cantonments at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.[336]
The cessation of arms was succeeded by a vast variety of complicated
negotiations, which it is not within our province to detail. The
Committee of the Scottish Estates was sitting when the King’s arrival
at the camp was made known to it, on which it sent a deputation with a
message of seeming loyalty, and an intimation of the lively interest
which it took in the safety of his person, and the preservation of his
honour; but very speedily he learned that it had given instructions to
its Commissioners to act in concert with the two Houses of Parliament
in England, and that the Scottish Estates would not agree to anything
by which the “unity and uniformity” in religious matters, which was
contemplated by the League and Covenant, in the three kingdoms might
be affected. Untaught by the lessons of experience—shutting their eyes
to the fact that, instead of the “unity and uniformity” which they
fondly anticipated from it, that celebrated monument of extraordinary
zeal had been productive only of an increase of schisms, divisions,
and theological sects, on all hands, and in high places—and forgetful
too that by the very terms of that deed, as well as by the Covenant
of 1637, they were bound “to defend the Kings Majesties person and
authority,” and “the honour of the King”—they allowed themselves to get
bewildered in a maze of metaphysical theology and polemics, which set
at nought the most obvious dictates of common sense and sound morality,
and still persisted in the inforcement of a uniformity which no earthly
power ever can command, without an exercise of unmitigated despotism.
In this state, and in this mood, were the affairs and the authorities
of Scotland when the General Assembly met on the 3d of June, 1646. The
political events of the time will become the subject of further review,
after exhibiting the proceedings of that Assembly.
THE PRINCIPALL ACTS
OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, MET AT EDINBURGH,
JUNII 3, 1646.
Edinb. 4 Junii, 1646. Sess. II.
_The Kings Letter to the Assembly, presented by M. Robert Douglas,
Minister at Edinburgh._
CHARLES R.
Right trusty and welbeloved, We greet you well. Having lately written
to Our Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and the Commissioners from
Our Kingdom of Scotland at London, and likewise to the Committees
of Estates of that Our Kingdom; Shewing Our great sense and grief
for the sad effects have flowed from the unhappy differences betwixt
Us and Our Subjects, with Our reall resolutions to comply with the
desires of Our Parliaments of both Kingdoms, and those entrusted by
them for settling of Trueth and Peace in all Our Dominions: And now
being informed of your meeting, We have thought fit hereby (since
We could not conveniently send a Commissioner) to give you the same
assurances; And withall, that it shall be Our constant endeavour to
maintain Religion there, as it is established, in Doctrine, Worship,
and Church-Government, and leave no good means unassayed for setling
an universall Peace in that Our native and ancient Kingdom, with the
Reformation of Religion, and settling Peace in England and Ireland:
And after the return of an answer to Our late Message to Our Houses
of Parliament heer, We shall more particularly acquaint you, or your
Commissioners, with Our further resolutions. In the mean time, We
seriously recommend Our selves and the distracted condition of Our
Kingdoms, to your most earnest Prayers to God in Our behalf, expecting
from you faithfulnesse in your severall Charges and Callings, with that
Loyaltie and obedience which becometh the Ministers of the Gospel. We
bid you very heartily farewell, from New-castle the 28 of May, 1646.
Direct.
For Our right trustie and welbeloved, The Moderatour, and other
Members of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Our Kingdom of
Scotland.
6 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. IIII.
_Act concerning the Registers and Acts of Provinciall Assemblies._
The Assembly recommends to Provinciall Assemblies, that hereafter they
cause read all their Acts, before the dissolving of every Assembly; And
that their Registers be written formally, and in a good hand writing,
with the severall Leafes or Pages thereof marked by ciphers according
to their number.
11 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. VII.
_Act concerning the publike satisfaction of Married persons, for
Fornication committed before Marriage._
The Generall Assembly understanding that in many places the publike
scandals of Fornication committed before Marriage, are not taken
notice of and removed by publike confession according to the order of
this Kirk; Therefore for remedie thereof do Ordain, That all Married
persons under publike scandall of Fornication, committed before their
Marriage (although the scandal thereof hath not appeared before the
Marriage) shall satisfie publikely for that sin committed before their
Marriage, their being in the estate of Marriage notwithstanding And
that in the same manner as they should have done if they were not
Married.
13 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. X.
_Ordinance for Excommunication of the Earle of Seafort._
The Generall Assembly having taken to their serious consideration,
that perfidious Band made and contrived lately in the North, under
the name of An humble Remonstrance, against our Nationall Covenant,
and the League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms; Which tendeth to
the making of division and fomenting of Jealousies within this and
between both Kingdoms, to the prolonging of these unnaturall Warrs,
to the impeding of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and to the
subversion of all the happie ends of our covenants: And finding
that George Earle of Seafort hes not only most perfidiously himself
subscribed the said wicked Band, contrary to his solemne Oaths in the
Covenants aforesaid, and most arrogantly owned the same under his owne
hand writing in his letters to the Committee of Estates, and to the
Commissioners of the preceding Assemblie: But also hes seduced and
threatned others to subscribe that divisive Band, and to joyne with
him in prosecution of his treacherous and wicked designes, therein
masked with the pretences of religion and libertie; boasting also the
pursuance of that his Remonstrance against all deadly the opposers
thereof, whether King or Parliament. And having also considered another
wicked and treacherous Band of Union which the said Earle formerly
entred into with that excommunicate Rebell James Grahame, after the
sentence of forfalture, and the dreadfull sentence of excommunication
were pronounced against him, Oblieging himself therein under solemne
Oaths to joyne with that forfaulted Rebell against this Kirk and
Kingdome, and to oppose all their publike resolutions for pursuance
of the happie ends of our said Covenants. All which, with his vile
reproachfull aspersions and most false calumnies against this Kirk
and State, and their publike and lawfull endeavours and resolutions,
with his other wicked and perfidious practises at length discovered in
the Proclamation of the Committee of Estates, and the Declaration of
the Commission of the Assembly against the said perfidious Band and
Remonstrance, being gravely pondered and considered; Together with
his base treachery to the Estates, being intrusted by them with ample
Commission, and encouraged and enabled for discharging thereof, with
Mony Ammunition and Arms in a good measure: Notwithstanding whereof
contrary to that great trust reposed in him, It is notor that not
only he did not joyne with the Forces raised for the defence of this
Kingdome, But rather on the contrary, actually joyning himself and
his Forces with that excommunicate Rebel James Grahame, and these
unnatural bloody Rebels his followers, did beleager Jnnernesse, a Towne
Garrisoned by the Estates for the Defence of that part of the Country.
And the Assembly having also found that fair means have been used for
reclaiming of the said Earle from that wicked and perfidious course,
by publike Declarations and Proclamations, and particular Letters
sent to himself from those that had power in that behalf, And that
notwithstanding thereof and of Summonds direct against him to answer
to the premisses, often called, he doth not appear, but still remains
obstinate in his wicked courses; And after mature deliberation having
found his frequent fearfull and grosse perjuries, his perfidious and
wicked conspiracies by Band and Oath, with the publike Enemies of
this Kirk and Kingdom, and his other treacherous and wicked practices
so contemptuously and pertinaciously persisted into, To be haynous
offences against God, and high contempt of all Ecclesiastical and
Civil authority, Therefore the Assembly moved with the Zeal of God,
do without a contrary voice Decerne and Ordain the said George Earle
of Seafort to be summarly excommunicate, and declared to be one whom
Christ commandeth to be holden by all and every one of the Faithfull as
an Ethnik and Publicane, and appoints the sentence of excommunication
to be pronounced by Master Robert Blair Moderator in the east Kirk of
this Citie, upon the next Lords day, being the 14 of this Moneth; And
that thereafter publike intimation be made thereof upon a Sabbath day
before noone in all the Kirks of this Kingdom so soon as advertisement
shall come unto them.
_Enormities and Corruptions observed to be in the Ministery, with the
Remedies thereof._
ENORMITIES.
The first and main sin, reaching both to our personall carriage and
callings, we judge to be, Not studying how to keep Communion and
Fellowship with God in Christ, but walking in a naturall way, without
imploying of Christ, or drawing vertue from him, to inable us unto
sanctification, and Preaching in spirit and power.
In our Lives.
1. Much fruitlesse conversing in companie, and complying with the sins
of all sorts, not behaving our selves as becomes the men of God.
2. Great worldlinesse is to be found amongst us, minding and speaking
most about things of this life, being busied about many things, but
forgetting the main.
3. Slighting of Gods worship in their families, and therefore no
cordiall urging of it upon others: yea, altogether a wanting of it in
some, if it be credible.
4. Want of gravity in carriage and apparell, dissolutenesse in haire,
and shaking about the knees, lightnesse in the apparrell of their wives
and children.
5. Tippling and bearing companie in untimous drinking in Tavernes and
Ale-houses, or any where else, whereby the Ministerie is made vile and
contemptible.
6. Discountenancing of the godly; speaking ill of them, because of some
that are unanswerable to their profession.
7. The Sabbath not sanctified after Sermons, which maketh people think
that the Sabbath is ended with the Sermon.
8. There are also to be found amongst us, who use small and minced
oaths.
9. Some so great strangers to Scripture, that except in their publike
Ministerie, though they read many things, yet they are little
conversant in the Scripture, and in meditation thereof: A dutie
incumbent to all the people of God.
In our Callings.
1. Corrupt entry into the Ministrie in former times, and following the
course of defection, though forsaken, yet never seriously repented: as
also present entring into the Ministery, as to a way of living in the
world, and not as to a spiritual calling.
2. Helping in, and holding in of insufficient and suspected men, who
favour the things of this life, and keeping the door straiter on them
whom God hath sealed, then upon these who have lesse evidence of the
power of grace and holinesse.
3. Partiality in favouring, and speaking for the scandalous, whether
Ministers or other persons, teaching them how to shift and delay
censures.
4. Silence in the publike cause, not labouring to cure the disaffection
of people, not urging them to constancie and patience in bearing of
publike burdens, nor to forwardnesse in the publike Cause; whereby
Malignants are multiplied; yea some are so grosse herein, that even in
publike Fasts little or nothing is to be heard from them sounding this
way.
5. Some account it a point of wisdome to speak ambiguously: some
incline to justifie the wicked cause, uttering words which savour of
disaffection: and all their complaining of the times, is in such a way
as may steal the hearts of people from liking of good Instruments in
this work, and consequently from Gods Cause: yea, some reading publike
Orders, are ready to speak against them in their private conference.
6. Idlenesse, either in seldome Preaching, as once on the Lords day,
or in preparation for publike duties, not being given to reading and
meditation: others have but fits of paines, not like other Tradesmen
continually at their work.
7. Want of zeal, and love to the conversion of souls, not being
weighted with the want of successe in reclaiming of sinners, nor
searching in themselves the cause of not profiting, preaching _ex
officio_, not _ex conscientia officii_.
8. Self-seeking in preaching, and a venting rather of their wit and
skill, than a shewing foorth of the wisdome and power of God.
9. Lifelesnesse in preaching, not studying to be furnished by Christ
with power; and so the ordinance of God reacheth not to the conscience:
and heereto belongeth the not applying of the doctrine unto the
auditory and times.
10. The indiscreet curing of the indiscretion of pious people and
Ministers, whereby godlinesse hath gotten a deep wound, and profanitie
hath lifted up the head, contrary to that wise and gracious order set
foorth in the Generall Assembly holden at Edinburgh, 1641.
11. Little care to furnish our Armie, either abroad or at home with
Ministers; One of our grievous sins, and causes of our calamity.
12. Last, it is to be feared that Ministers in secret are negligent to
wrestle in Prayer, for a blessing to be poured out upon their labours,
contenting themselves with their publike performances.
REMEDIES.
1. First, That Presbyteries make great conscience to have all vacant
places within their several bounds filled with godly and able men,
where-ever they be to be found: and that under pretence of being a
helper, or second to another, none be taken in, but such as are able
for the same charge.
2. Whereas it is known, that private tryall in Presbyteries are for the
most part perfunctorious, the Brethren are hereby exhorted to be more
serious, and faithfull heerein, as they will be answerable to Christ,
the Chief Shepherd: and in a way previous thereto, that Brethren be
free, in loving admonition one of another secretly, from time to time;
and that whosoever keeps not the Presbyterie or Synod, after grave
admonitions may come under further censures.
3. That accuracie be used at visitation of Kirks, and that the Elders
one by one (the rest being removed) be called in, and examined upon
oath upon the Ministers behaviour in his calling and conversation.
4. That course be taken to divide Congregations in parts, and by the
help not only of Elders in their several parts, but of neighbors also,
the evils, and neglects of persons and families, may be found out and
remedied.
5. That every Minister be humbled for his former failings, and make his
peace with God, that the more effectually he may preach repentance, and
may stand in the gap, to turne away the Lords wrath: runing between the
Porch and the Altar, sighing and crying for all the abominations of the
land.
6. Speciall care would be had, that all Ministers have their
conversation in heaven, mainly minding the things of God, and
exercising faith for drawing life out of Jesus Christ the fountain of
life, arming themselves thereby with power against the contagion and
wickednesse of the world.
7. Care would be had of godly conference in Presbyteries, even in time
of their refreshment, and the Moderator is to look to it, that good
matter be furnished thereto.
8. It is also very necessary for every Minister that would be fruitfull
in the work of the Lord, to bring home the Word of God to his own heart
and conscience, by Prayer and Meditation, both before and after the
publike ordinance.
9. Use would be made of the roll of the Parish, not onely for
examination, but also for considering the several conditions and
dispositions of the people, that accordingly they may be admonished,
and particularly prayed for by the Ministers in secret.
10. It is very expedient that Ministers have more communion among
themselves for their mutuall stirring up, and strengthning of
their hands in the Lords work, and rectifying of these who are not
incorrigible.
11. That Ministers in all sorts of companie labour to bee fruitfull,
as the Salt of the earth, seasoning them they meet with, not only
forbearing to drink healths (Satans snare, leading to excesse) but
reproving it in others.
12. All Ministers would be carefull to cherish the smoaking flax of
weak beginnings in the wayes of God, and ought couragiously to oppose
all mockers and revilers of the godly.
13. As at all times, so specially now when the Lord is calling us all
to an account; it becomes the Ministers of Christ, with all diligence
and faithfullnesse, to improve their Ministerie to the utmost, to be
instant in season and out of season; yea, even frugally to imploy their
time in private, in reading of, and meditating on Scripture, that the
Word of God may dwell plentifullie in them.
14. That the providing the Armies with Ministers be preferred to any
congregation, and these who are appointed to attend the same, and are
deficient, be without delay severalie censured according to the Act of
the Generall Assembly; And that all Ministers not only in publike, pray
for our Armies, specially these that are to encounter with the bloody
enemie within the land, but also continually bear them up before the
Lord, that their lives being reformed, their hearts and hands may be
strengthned, and their undertaking at last blessed of GOD with successe.
15. That beside all other scandals, silence or ambiguous speaking in
the publike cause, much more detracting and disaffected speaches be
seasonablie censured: and to this effect, all honest hearted Brethren
would firmlie unite themselves in the Lord, the younger honouring the
elder, and the elder not despising the younger.
16. And finallie, both for the corruption of the Ministerie and
remedies thereof, we refer the brethren to the Act of the Generall
Assemblie at Edinburgh, 1596, revived in the late Assemblie at Glasgow,
1638, to bee found in the printed Act concerning the same.
The Generall Assembly Ordains the Enormities above specified to be
tryed and restrained, and that the Remedies thereof for that purpose
be seriously observed and practised: Recommending especially to
Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies, that use be made of the same
in visitation of Kirks and tryall of Presbyteries.
_Approbation of the proceedings of the preceding Assembly._
The Generall Assembly having heard the report of the Committee
appointed to consider and examine the proceedings of the Commissioners
of the late Generall Assembly holden at Edinburgh in the yeer 1646.
And after serious consideration thereof, finding that the whole Acts,
Proceedings, and Conclusions of the saids Commissioners, contained
in the Register subscribed by M. Andrew Ker their Clerk, and by
M. Robert Ramsay Moderator to the said Committee, do declare much
Wisdom, Diligence, Vigilancie, and commendable Zeal; And that the
said Commissioners have orderly and formally proceeded in everything,
according to their Commission: Do therefore ratifie and approve the
said whole Acts, Proceedings, and Conclusions of the Commissioners of
the said Assembly.
15 Junii, 1646. Post Meridiem. Sess. XI.
_Act for joyning of the Presbyteries in Orkney and Zetland to the
Provincial of Cathnes._
The Generall Assembly, considering that the Presbyterie of Kirkwall
in Orknay and the Presbyterie of Scalloway in Zetland have never met
in any Provincial Assembly, wherethrough great abuses and disorders
are there committed, Therefore the Assembly hereby joyns the said two
Presbyteries to the Provinciall of Cathnes and Sutherland, And Appoints
all the Ministers and Elders of the said Presbyteries hereafter, to
meet at the said Provinciall Assembly, and to have place to reason and
vote therein as members of the said Provinciall. And, sicklike ordains
the saids two Presbyteries to be of subordinate Jurisdiction to the
said Provinciall Assembly; Declaring hereby, that the said Provinciall
shall consist of the Presbyteries of Cathnes, Sutherland, Orknay, and
Zetland in all time coming. And appoints them to meet onely once in the
yeer, in respect of their great distance and interjection of seas; And
that the first meeting be at Thurso in Cathnes upon the third Tuesday
of August next, and thereafter as shall be appointed by the said
Provinciall Assembly.
17 Junii, 1646. Post Meridiem. Sess. XIIII.
_Act concerning Expectants Preaching in publike._
The Generall Assembly discharges any person to preach in publike under
the name and notion of an Expectant, or under any other pretence
whatsoever, except such as shall be tryed and found qualified according
to the Acts of the Generall Assembly; Recommending to Presbyteries
and Provincialls to take special notice thereof, and to censure the
transgressors accordingly.
_Act for censuring the complyers with the publike enemies of this Kirk
and Kingdom._