there hath been lately a Solemne Humiliation throughout this Land,
upon occasion of these great and growing dangers; so we cannot but
still look upon them as matters of frequent Prayer and Humiliation
to our selves as well as our Brethren in England; there being much
sin in both Kingdomes procuring all this evill, and justly deserving
these, and heavier judgements. And as wee desire in the first place
to be humbled for our own sins, and the sins of this Nation, so
we trust, our Brethren will bee willing to be put in minde of the
necessity of their Humiliation and Repentance for the Nationall sins
of that Kingdome; which wee shall wish rather to be sadly considered
by them, then expressed by us. One thing we are confident of, that
God hath had a speciall controversie against his People of old for
the sin of a broken Covenant, and unwillingnesse to bee Reformed and
Purged according to the Word of the Lord; and that till these sinnes
were acknowledged and repented, his controversie did not take an end.
We are no lesse confident that the godly and well affected will in
tendernesse of conscience timely search out, weigh well, mourn for,
and study to remove all the causes of the Lords present controversie
against that Nation. What the honourable Houses of Parliament have
to bee humbled for, and to reform or amend, they have been (and we
trust still are) put in minde by such as are Ambassadours to them in
Christs stead at their solemn humiliations. For our part, as we have
alwayes mentioned them in our prayers, with thanksgivings also in their
behalfe, so we now most humbly beseech the Lord, to direct and blesse
them, and in their present difficulties to keep them by his Grace from
all sinfull compliance, especially from establishing iniquity by a
Law; to shew them why he contendeth with them, that the true cause of
his controversie may be removed, and that the glory of his Name, the
Kingdome, Crown, and Scepter of his Son Jesus Christ, with his Word,
Lawes, Ordinances, Trueth, Ministers, may be yet more set by in their
eyes, that they also may finde a further performance of the Word of the
Lord: Exalt her and she shall promote thee. And, them that honour mee,
I will honour.
We shall now by the mercies of God, and in the bowels of Jesus Christ,
earnestly beseech all those of whatsoever quality or condition in
England, who have entred into the same League and Covenant with us, and
especially the Houses of Parliament, the City of London, and Assembly
of Divines, that with sound Humiliation, fervent Prayer, and making
sure their Peace with God, they may joyne all care, faithfulnesse and
zeal, to hold fast the profession of their Faith without wavering,
against the many heresies and errors of these times; that they may
according to their places and callings endeavour to the utmost of
their power to prevent or hinder the laying aside or slighting of
the Covenant, the re-establishment of Episcopacy, and the toleration
of Popery, Prelacy, Heresie, Schisme, Superstition, or Profannesse,
and not suffer themselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever
combination, perswasion or terrour, to bee divided and withdrawn from
that blessed Union and Sacred Covenant, either to the contrary side,
or to a neutrality in this Cause, which so much concerneth the glorie
of God, the good of the Kingdomes, and the Honour of the King; but all
the dayes of their lives zealously and constantly continue therein
against all opposition, and promote the same according to their power
against all lets and impediments whatsoever, which things both they
and wee have solemnly and in the sight of God sworn unto. And as we
desired them to rest confident of the constancy of their Brethren
in this Nation, in adhering to that Covenant in all the Articles
thereof, which we shall by the Grace of Christ (without which we are
nothing) sincerly, really, and constantly pursue and promote, so far
as concerneth our Places and Callings; using our utmost endeavours
towards the suppression of those errors, which have so dangerously
hurt Religion in this Island: So, we expect confidently the like of
our Brethren in England united in Covenant with us, and that what ever
they may have cause to fear or bee called to suffer, yet the Lord will
so strengthen them by his grace, as that they may be able to say, All
this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we
dealt falsely in thy Covenant. And here is the wisdome and patience of
the Saints, to choose affliction rather then iniquity, to do duety in
the worst of times, and to trust God with events, and in so doing, to
hope to the end and wait upon the Lord, untill hee plead their cause
and execute judgement for them: So shall they bee more purified and not
made blacker (as, alas, some are) but whiter in times of tryall.
More particularly, wee do desire that Presbyteriall Government may be
setled and put in practise throughout that Kingdom, according to the
Word of God, and example of the best Reformed Churches: for without
this wee know no other proper and effectuall remedy against the present
dangers of Religion there, or for purging the Church from scandals,
which are destructive either to sound Doctrine, or to Godlinesse: And
herein we are confident, the experience of all the Reformed Churches
will bear witnesse with us. Nor do we doubt but in England also, time
and experience will more and more commend, not only the beautifull
order, but the great utility, yea, necessity of this Government, and
dispell all the clouds of aspersions and prejudices which it lieth
under among such as know it not, who ought therefore to beware of
speaking evill of the things they understand not. Yet we would not
have our zeal for Presbyteriall Government mis-understood, as if it
tended to any rigour or domineering over the flock, or to hinder and
exclude that instructing in meeknesse them that oppose themselves,
which the Apostolicall rule holds forth; or as if wee would have any
such to bee intrusted with that Government, as are found not yet
purged, either from their old profannesse, or from the Prelaticall
principles and practises which were but to put a piece of new cloath
unto an old garment, and so to make the rent worse; or to put new wine
into old bottles, and so to lose both wine and bottles. Yea who knows
whether this may not be one of the causes, (and not the least) why
the present Reformation succeeds the worse, even because of so little
repentance, either for the profannesse, or Prelaticall errours and
corruptions of divers who have acted in it: Neverthelesse, the right
hand of fellowship is to bee given to all such as bring forth fruits
meet for repentance, whatsoever their former errours or failings were.
And to our great joy, we understand that there are many learned, able,
godly, and prudent Ministers in that Kingdome, fit to be imployed in
that Government, together with such able and pious men, as are to be
joyned with them in the capacity of ruling Elders. It shall be a part
of our prayers, that the Lord of the Harvest may send forth many more
labourers in that Kingdome, where the Harvest is so great, and the
Labourers so few proportionably; and in the meane while, that such as
he hath already thrust out, may not be unemployed, as to the point of
Discipline and Government.
Nor lastly, doth our zeal for the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government
abate or diminish any thing at all from our Loyalty and Duety to the
Kings Majesty, although Incendiaries and Enemies spare not to reproach
this Church and Kingdome with Disloyaltie; Yet such calumnies will
easily be repudiate by all who will examine the whole course of the
publicke proceedings in this Nation, in reference to the King; and
particularly the Declaration of the Parliament of this Kingdome, dated
January 16, 1647. Wherefore passing all such calumnies, which cannot
but be hatefull to God and good men, wee do clearly and candidly
professe, That the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government are so far
from hindering or excluding our duety to the King, that it is thereby
very much strengthened and supported; for our giving to God what is
Gods doth not hinder us, but help us, to give unto Cæsar what is
Cæsars. And wee earnestly wish his Majesties Royall heart may bee
graciously inclined to the just desires of his good Subjects in both
Kingdomes, and to that happy settlement of Truth and Peace, Religion
and Righteousnesse, which may bee as well for the establishment of his
own Throne, as for the good of his people.
Now the Prince of Peace Himself, grant this afflicted People, tossed
with tempests and not comforted, a safe and wel-grounded Peace,
bring light out of the present darknesse, and order out of all these
confusions, give unto all who are waiting for the consolation of
Israel good hope through grace, comfort their hearts, stablish them in
every good word and work, make his Cause to triumph at last over all
opposition, and the enemies foot to slide in due time, and so put a new
Song of praise in the mouths of his people. AMEN.
24 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XIX.
_Act for observing the Directions of the Generall Assembly for Secret
and Private Worship, and mutuall edification, and for censuring such
as neglect Familie Worship._
The Generall Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth approve the
following Rules and Directions, for cherishing Piety and preventing
Division and Schisme, and doth appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders
in each Congregation to take speciall care that these Directions be
observed and followed; As likewise that Presbyteries and Provinciall
Synods enquire and make tryall whether the saids Directions bee duely
observed in their bounds, and to reprove or censure (according to the
quality of the offence) such as shall bee found to bee reproveable or
censurable therein. And to the end that these Directions may not be
rendred ineffectuall and unprofitable among some through the usuall
neglect of the very substance of the duty of Family Worship, The
Assembly doth further require and appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders,
to make diligent search and enquiry in the Congregations committed to
their charge respectively, whether there bee among them any Family or
Families which use to neglect this necessary duty; And if any such
Family be found, the head of that Family is to be first admonished
privately to amend this fault; And in case of his continuing therein,
he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the Session. After which
reproof, if he be found still to neglect Familie Worship, Let him be
for his obstinacy, in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the
Lords Supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein
till he amend.
_The Directions of the Generall Assembly, for Secret and Private
Worship and mutuall edification, for cherishing Piety, for
maintaining Unitie, and avoiding Schisme and Division._
Besides the publike Worship in Congregations, mercifully established
in this Land, in great purity; It is expedient and necessary, that
Secret Worship of each person alone, and Private Worship of Families be
pressed and set up: That with Nationall Reformation, the profession and
power of Godlinesse both Personall and Domestick bee advanced.
I. And first for Secret Worship; It is most necessar, that every
one apart and by themselves be given to Prayer and Meditation, The
unspeakable benefit whereof is best known to them who are most
exercised therein: This being the meane whereby in a speciall way
communion with God is entertained, and right preparation for all other
duties obtained: And therefore it becometh not onely Pastors, within
their severall Charges, to presse Persons of all sorts to performe
this dutie Morning and Evening, and at other occasions, but also it
is incumbent to the head of every Family, to have a care that both
themselves and all within their charge be daily diligent herein.
II. The ordinar duties comprehended under the exercise of Pietie, which
should be in Families when they are conveened to that effect, are
these: First, Prayer and Praises performed, with speciall reference as
well to the publike condition of the Kirk of God and this Kingdome,
as to the present case of the Familie, and every member thereof. Next,
Reading of Scriptures with Catechizing in a plaine way, that the
understandings of the simpler may be the better enabled to profit under
the publike Ordinances, and they made more capable to understand the
Scriptures when they are read; Together with godly conferences tending
to the edification of all the members in the most holy faith: As also,
admonition and rebuke upon just reasons from these who have Authority
in the Familie.
III. As the Charge and Office of interpreting the holy Scriptures, is
a part of the Ministeriall calling, which none (howsoever otherwise
qualified) should take upon him in any place, but he that is duely
called thereunto by God and his Kirk: So in every Familie where there
is any that can read, The holy Scriptures should be read ordinarily to
the Family; And it is commendable that thereafter they confer, and by
way of conference make some good use of what hath beene read and heard:
As for example, if any sin be reproved in the Word read, use may bee
made thereof, to make all the Familie circumspect and watchfull against
the same; Or, if any judgement be threatned or mentioned to have beene
inflicted in that portion of Scripture which is read, use may bee made
to make all the Familie fear, lest the same or a worse judgement befall
them, unlesse they beware of the sin that procured it: And finally, if
any duety bee required, or comfort held forth in a promise, use may bee
made to stirre up themselves to imploy Christ for strength to enable
them for doing the commanded duty, and to apply the offered comfort; In
all which the Master of the Familie is to have the chief hand. And any
member of the Familie may propone ane question or doubt for resolution.
IIII. The head of the Family is to take care that none of the Familie
withdraw himself from any part of Familie Worship: And seeing the
ordinar performance of all the parts of Family-worship belongeth
properly to the head of the Family, The Minister is to stirre up such
as are lasie, and traine up such as are weak to a fitnesse for these
exercises. It being alwayes free to persons of qualitie to entertain
one approven by the Presbyterie for performing Familie Exercise;
And in other families where the head of the Familie is unfit, that
another constantly residing in the Familie approven by the Minister
and Session, may be imployed in that service; Wherein the Minister and
Session are to be countable to the Presbyterie. And if a Minister by
divine providence bee brought to any Familie, It is requisite, that
at no time he conveen a part of the Familie for Worship secluding the
rest; Except in singular cases, specially concerning these parties,
which (in Christian prudence) need not, or ought not to bee imparted to
others.
V. Let no Idler who hath no particular calling, or vagrant person under
pretence of a calling, be suffered to perform Worship in Families,
to or for the same: Seeing persons tainted with errours or aiming at
division, may be ready (after that manner) to creep into houses and
lead captive silly and unstable souls.
VI. At Family Worship a speciall care is to be had, that each Familie
keep by themselves; Neither requiring, inviting, nor admitting persons
from divers Families; Unlesse it be these who are lodged with them or
at meal, or otherwise with them upon some lawfull occasion.
VII. Whatsoever hath been the effects and fruits of meetings of persons
of divers Families in the times of corruption or trouble (in which
cases many things are commendable, which otherwise are not tolerable)
Yet when God hath blessed us with Peace and the purity of the Gospel,
such meetings of persons of divers Families (except in the cases
mentioned in these Directions) are to be disapproved, as tending to the
hinderance of the Religious exercise of each Familie by it self, to the
prejudice of the publike Ministery, to the renting of the Families of
particular Congregations, and (in progresse of time) of the whole Kirk;
besides many offences which may come thereby, to the hardning of the
hearts of carnall men, and grief of the godly.
VIII. On the Lords Day, after every one of the Family apart, and
the whole Family together have sought the Lord (in whose hands the
preparation of mens hearts are) to fit them for the publike Worship,
and to blesse to them the publike Ordinances; The Master of the Familie
ought to take care that all within his charge repair to the publike
Worship, that he and they may joyne with the rest of the Congregation;
And, the publike Worship being finished, after prayer, he should take
an account what they have heard, And thereafter to spend the rest
of the time which they may spare, in Catechising and in spirituall
conferences upon the Word of God; Or else (going apart) they ought
to apply themselves to reading, meditation, and secret prayer, that
they may confirme and increase their Communion with God; That so the
profit which they found in the publike Ordinances may bee cherished and
promoved, and they more edified unto eternall life.
IX. So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of that gift of
God: Albeit these who are rude and weaker may begin at a set form of
prayer; But so, as they bee not sluggish in stirring up in themselves
(according to their daily necessities) the spirit of prayer, which is
given to all the children of God in some measure. To which effect, they
ought to be the more fervent and frequent in secret prayer to God, for
enabling of their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to expresse
convenient desires to God for their Familie. And in the mean time,
for their greater encouragement, let these materialls of prayer be
meditated upon, and made use of, as followeth.
* * * * *
Let them confesse to God how unworthy they are to come in his presence,
and how unfit to worship his Majesty; And therefore earnestly ask of
God the spirit of prayer.
They are to confesse their sins, and the sins of the Familie, accusing,
judging, and condemning themselves for them, till they bring their
souls to some measure of true humiliation.
They are to pour out their souls to God, in the Name of Christ, by the
spirit, for forgivinesse of sins, for Grace to repent, to believe, and
to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and that they may serve God
with joy and delight, walking before him.
They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his People, and
to themselves, and especially for his love in Christ, and for the light
of the Gospel.
They are to pray for such particular benefits, Spirituall and
Temporall, as they stand in need of for the time, (whether it be
Morning or Evening) as health or sicknesse, prosperitie or adversitie.
They ought to pray for the Kirk of Christ in general, for all the
Reformed Kirks, and for this Kirk in particular, and for all that
suffer for the Name of Christ, for all our Superiours, The Kings
Majesty, the Queene, and their Children, for the Magistrates,
Ministers, and whole body of the Congregation whereof they are
members, as well for their Neighbours absent in their lawfull affaires,
as for those that are at home.
The prayer may be closed with an earnest desire, that God may be
glorified in the comming of the Kingdome of his Son, and in the doing
of his will; And with assurance that themselves are accepted, and what
they have asked according to his will shall be done.
* * * * *
X. These exercises ought to be performed in great sinceritie without
delay, laying aside all Exercises of worldly businesse or hinderances,
Notwithstanding the mockings of Atheists, and profane men; In respect
of the great mercies of God to this Land, and of his severe Corrections
wherewith lately he hath exercised us. And to this effect, persons
of eminency (and all Elders of the Kirk) not onely ought to stir up
themselves and their Families to diligence herein; But also to concurre
effectually, that in all other Families, where they have Power and
Charge, the said exercises be conscionably performed.
XI. Besides the ordinary duties in Families which are above mentioned,
extraordinary duties both of humiliation and thanksgiving are to
bee carefully performed in Families, when the Lord by extraordinary
occasions (private or publike) calleth for them.
XII. Seeing the Word of God requireth, That wee should consider one
another to provoke unto love and good works; Therefore, at all times,
and specially in this time wherein profanitie abounds, and mockers
walking after their own lusts think it strange that others run not
with them to the same excesse of riot, Every member of this Kirk
ought to stir up themselves and one another to the duties of mutuall
Edification, by instruction, admonition, rebuke, exhorting one another
to manifest the Grace of God, in denying ungodlinesse and worldly
lusts, and in living godly, soberly, and righteously in this present
world, by comforting the feeble minded, and praying with, or, for one
another; Which duties respectively are to be performed upon speciall
occasions offered by divine providence; As namely, when under any
calamity, crosse, or great difficultie, counsell or comfort is sought,
Or when an offender is to bee reclaimed by private admonition, and if
that be not effectuall, by joyning one or two more in the admonition,
according to the rule of Christ; that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established.
XIII. And because it is not given to every one to speak a word in
season to a wearied or distressed conscience, It is expedient, that a
person (in that case) finding no case after the use of all ordinary
means private and publike, have their addresse to their own Pastour, or
some experienced Christian: But, if the person troubled in conscience
be of that condition, or of that sex, that discretion, modesty, or fear
of scandall, requireth a godly grave and secret friend to be present
with them in their said addresse, It is expedient that such a friend be
present.
XIV. When persons of divers Families are brought together by divine
providence, being abroad upon their particular Vocations, or any
necessary occasions, As they would have the Lord their God with them
whithersoever they go, they ought to walk with God, and not neglect
the duties of Prayer and Thanksgiving, but take care that the same
be performed by such as the company shall judge fittest: And that
they likewise take heed that no corrupt communication proceed out of
their mouth, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that
it may minister grace to the hearers. The drift and scope of all
these Directions is no other, but that upon the one part, the power
and practice of godlinesse among all the Ministers and Members of
this Kirk, according to their severall places and vocations, may be
cherished and advanced, and all impietie and mocking of Religious
Exercises suppressed; And upon the other part, that under the name
and pretext of Religious Exercises, no such meetings or practices be
allowed, as are apt to breed Error, Scandall, Schisme, contempt or
misregard of the publike Ordinances and Ministers, or neglect of the
duties of particular Callings, or such other evils as are the works not
of the Spirit but of the Flesh, and are contrary to Truth and Peace.
_Act against such as withdraw themselves from the publike Worship in
their own Congregation._