Kirk within this Nation, with the riches of the Gospel, in giving to
us his Ordinances in great purity, liberty, and withall, a comely
and well established order: The Assembly, in the zeal of God, for
preserving Order, Unitie and Peace in the Kirk, for maintaining that
respect which is due to the Ordinances and Ministers of Jesus Christ,
for preventing Schisme, noysome Errours, and all unlawfull Practices,
which may follow on the Peoples withdrawing themselves from their
own Congregations, Doth charge every Minister to bee diligent in
fulfilling his Ministerie, to be holy and grave in his conversation,
to be faithfull in Preaching, declaring the whole counsell of God, and
as he hath occasion from the Text of Scripture to reprove the sins
and errours, and presse the duties of the time; and in all those, to
observe the rules prescribed by the Acts of Assembly; wherein if he
be negligent, he is to be censured by his own Presbytery. As also
Ordains every Member in every Congregation to keep their own Paroch
Kirk, to communicate there in the Word and Sacraments; And if any
person or persons shall hereafter usually absent themselves from their
own Congregations, except in urgent cases made known to, and approven
by the Presbytery, The Ministers of these Congregations whereto
they resort, shall both in publike by Preaching, and in private by
admonition, shew their dislike of their withdrawing from their own
Minister; That in so doing, they may witnesse to all that heare them,
their due care to strengthen the hands of their fellow-labourers in the
work of the Lord, and their detestation of any thing that may tend to
separation, or any of the above mentioned evils; Hereby their own Flock
will be confirmed in their stedfastnesse, and the unstable spirits of
others will be rectified. Likeas the Minister of that Congregation
from which they do withdraw, shall labour first by private admonition
to reclaim them; And if any after private admonition given by their
own Pastour do not amend, in that case the Pastour shall delate the
foresaid persons to the Session, who shall cite and censure them as
contemners of the comely order of the Kirk; And if the matter be not
taken order with there, It is to bee brought to the Presbytery: For
the better observing whereof, the Presbyteries at the Visitation of
their severall Kirks, and Provincial Assemblies, in their censure of
the severall Presbyteries, shall enquire hereanent: Which inquirie
and report shall be registrate in the Provinciall Books, that their
diligence may be seen in the Generall Assembly.
26 August, 1647. Post Meridiem. Sess. XXII.
_Approbation of the proceedings of the Commission of the preceeding
Assembly._
The Generall Assembly after mature deliberation, do ratifie and approve
the whole Acts and Conclusions of the Commissioners of the preceeding
Assembly for publike affaires now tryed and examined; Declaring that
they have proceeded therein with much zeal, wisdome, vigilancie, and
according to their Commission.
27 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXIII.
_Approbation of the Confession of Faith._
A Confession of Faith for the Kirks of God in the three Kingdomes,
being the chiefest part of that Uniformity in Religion which by
the Solemne League and Covenant we are bound to endeavour; And
there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the
Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assistance of
Commissioners from the Kirk of Scotland; Which Confession was sent
from our Commissioners at London to the Commissioners of the Kirk met
at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice
publikely read over, examined, and considered; Copies thereof being
also Printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the Members
of this Assembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publikely made,
to put in their doubts and objections if they had any; And the said
Confession being upon due examination thereof found by the Assembly to
bee most agreable to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the
received Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government of this Kirk:
And lastly, it being so necessary and so much longed for, That the
said Confession be with all possible diligence and expedition approved
and established in both Kingdoms, as a principall part of the intended
Uniformity in Religion, and as a speciall means for the more effectuall
suppressing of the many dangerous errours and heresies of these times;
The Generall Assembly doth therefore after mature deliberation Agree
unto and Approve the said Confession as to the truth of the matter
(judging it to be most orthodox and grounded upon the Word of God)
and also as to the point of Uniformity, Agreeing for our part that it
be a common Confession of Faith for the three Kingdoms. The Assembly
doth also blesse the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great
mercy, in that so excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and
thus far agreed upon in both Kingdomes; which we look upon as a great
strengthning of the true Reformed Religion against the common enemies
thereof. But lest our intention and meaning be in some particulars
misunderstood, It is hereby expressly Declared and Provided, that the
not mentioning in this Confession the severall sorts of Ecclesiasticall
Officers and Assemblies, shall be no prejudice to the Truth of Christ
in these particulars to be expressed fully in the Directory of
Government. It is further Declared, that the Assembly understandeth
some parts of the second Article of the thirty one Chapter, only of
Kirks not settled or constituted in point of Government; And that
although in such Kirks, a Synod of Ministers and other fit persons
may be called by the Magistrates authority and nomination without any
other Call, to consult and advise with about matters of Religion;
And although likewise the Ministers of Christ without delegation from
their Churches, may of themselves, and by vertue of their Office meet
together Synodically in such Kirks not yet constituted; Yet neither
of these ought to be done in Kirks constituted and setled: It being
alwayes free to the Magistrate to advise with Synods of Ministers and
ruling Elders meeting upon delegation from their Churches, either
ordinarily, or being indicted by his Authority occasionally and _pro
re nata_; It being also free to assemble together Synodically, as
well _pro re nata_, as at the ordinary times upon delegation from the
Churches, by the intrinsicall power received from Christ, as often as
it is necessary for the good of the Church so to assemble, in case the
Magistrate to the detriment of the Church withhold or deny his consent,
the necessity of occasionall Assemblies being first remonstrate unto
him by humble supplication.
Edinburgh, 28 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXV.
_Act for revising the Paraphrase of the Psalmes brought from England,
with a recommendation for Translating the other Scripturall Songs in
Meeter._
The Generall Assembly, having considered the report of the Committee,
concerning the Paraphrase of the Psalmes sent from England: And finding
that it is very necessary, that the said Paraphrase be yet revised;
Therefore doth appoint Master John Adamson to examine the first fourty
Psalmes, Master Thomas Craufurd the second fourty, Master John Row the
third fourty, and Master John Nevey the last thirty Psalms of that
Paraphrase; and in their Examination they shall not only observe what
they think needs to be amended, but also to set downe their own essay
for correcting thereof: And for this purpose recommends to them, to
make use of the travels of Rowallen, Master Zachary Boyd, or of any
other on that subject, but especially of our own Paraphrase, that what
they finde better in any of these Works may be chosen: and likewise
they shall make use of the animadversions sent from Presbyteries,
who for this cause are hereby desired to hasten their observations
unto them; And they are to make report of their labours herein to the
Commission of the Assembly for publike affaires against their first
meeting in February next: And the Commission after revising thereof,
shall send the same to Provinciall Assemblies, to bee transmitted to
Presbyteries, that by their further consideration, the matter may
be fully prepared to the next Assembly: And because some Psalmes in
that Paraphrase sent from England are composed in verses which do not
agree with the Common-tunes, Therefore it is also recommended that
these Psalms be likewise turned in other verses which may agree to the
Common-tunes, that is, having the first line of eight syllabs, and the
second line of six, that so both versions being together, use may bee
made of either of them in Congregations as shall be found convenient:
And the Assembly doth further recommend, That M. Zachary Boyd be at
the paines to translate the other Scripturall Songs in meeter, and to
report his travels also to the Commission of Assembly, that after their
Examination thereof, they may send the same to Presbyteries to be there
considered untill the next Generall Assembly.
_Act recommending the execution of the Act of Parliament at Perth,
for uplifting pecuniall paines to bee imployed upon pious uses, and
of all Acts of Parliament made against excommunicate Persons._
The Generall Assembly doth seriously Recommend and Ordaine, That
Presbyteries diligently endeavour that the ninth Act of the Parliament
holden at Perth, Anno 1645, Concerning the uplifting of pecuniall
paines to bee imployed upon pious uses, may bee put to due execution
within their severall bounds; And also that the Acts of Parliament
against excommunicate Persons, especially the twentieth Act of the
Parliament in March last, be also carefully execute: And that they
cause use all diligence to that effect, And account hereof shall bee
required in Provinciall and Generall Assemblies.
Ult August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXVII.
_Act discharging the importing, venting or spreading of erronious
Books or Papers._
The Generall Assembly considering how the errours of Independency and
Separation (have in our Neighbour Kingdome of England) spread as a
Gangræn, and do daily eat as a Canker; In so much that exceeding many
Errours, Heresies, Schismes, and Blasphemies, have issued therefrom,
and are sheltered thereby; And how possible it is, for the same evils,
to invade, and overspread this Kirk and Kingdome, (lying within the
same Island) by the spreading of their erronious Books, Pamphlets,
Lybels, and Letters, and by conversing with them that are infected with
these errours, except the same be timeously prevented; Doe therefore,
In the name of God, Inhibit and Discharge all Members of this Kirk
and Kingdome, to converse with Persons tainted with such errours; Or
to import, sell, spread, vent, or disperse such erronious Books or
Papers: But that they beware of, and abstain from Books maintaining
Independencie or Separation, and from all Antinomian, Anabaptisticall,
and other erronious Books and Papers; Requiring all Ministers to warne
their flocks against such Bookes in generall, and particularly such as
are most plausible, insinuating, and dangerous: And to try carefully
from time to time if any such Bookes bee brought into this Countrey
from England, or from beyond Seas (which is especially recommended to
Ministers on Sea Coasts, or Towns where any Stationers are) and if
any shall be found, to present the same to the Presbyterie, that some
course may be taken to hinder the dispersing thereof: And hereby all
Presbyteries, and Synods, are ordained to try and Processe such as
shall transgresse against the premisses or any part of the same. And
the Assembly also doth seriously recommend to Civill Magistrates, that
they may be pleased to be assisting to Ministers and Presbyteries in
execution of this Act, and to concurre with their authority in every
thing to that effect.
_Act for debarring of Complyers in the first Classe from
Ecclesiastick office._
The Generall Assembly Declares and Ordaines, That no Person who is
guilty of Complyance in the first Classe mentioned in the Act of
the preceeding Assembly, shall bee received in any Ecclesiasticall
charge, untill the evidence of his repentance before the Presbyterie
and Congregation be reported to the Synode to which he belongs, and
to the Generall Assembly, and their consent obtained for his bearing
office. And if any such Person be already received unto the Eldership
of any particular Congregation, yet he shall not be admitted to be a
Member of any Presbyterie, Synode, or Generall Assemblie, untill (upon
the evidence of his repentance) the consent and approbation of these
Judicatories respectively bee obtained thereto.
_Act for pressing and furthering the plantation of Kirks._
The Generall Assembly considering how the Work of Provision,
Plantation, convenient Dividing, Dismembring, better uniting or
enlarging of Parish Kirks is hitherto foreflowed, to the great
prejudice of many Ministers, many good People, and hinderance of the
Work of Reformation; Doth therefore Ordaine, That all Presbyteries have
special care that the present opportunity bee diligently improved by
all their Members, as need is, before the Commission for Plantation
of Kirks, as they would not be found censurable for neglect. And that
every Presbytery send in to the next Generall Assembly the names of all
their Parishes, with declaration which of them have Ministers, which
not, what is the largenesse of the bounds, commodious or incommodious
situation of each Parish Kirk, what is the number of Communicants,
what Kirks are under Patrons, what not, who are the severall Patrons,
what is the nature and quantitie of the present provision, or possible
ground of further provision for competent Maintenance, where the same
is not sufficiently provided already: As also, what Parishes are
united or disunited or bettered already, and in what measure by the
said Commission; That the Generall Assembly being acquaint therewith,
may doe accordingly both for censuring Neglecters, and finding out
Overtures for better furtherance of the Work for time to come. Moreover
it is hereby Ordained, That the next ensuing Provinciall Synodes, crave
account of the severall Presbyteries their diligence, And presse that
they have it ready in writ to present to the Provinciall Synodes in
April next to come, that so all may bee in readinesse and the full
account made at the next Generall Assembly.
_Act for censuring absents from the Generall Assemblie._
The Generall Assembly considering the absence of many Commissioners in
this and other preceeding Assemblies, and that many of those present
have gone from the Assembly before the dissolving thereof: Therefore,
for remedie hereof in time coming, Doth Ordaine, that hereafter, Every
Commissioner from Presbyteries and Universities who shall be absent
from the Assembly without a reasonable excuse notified to the Assembly,
Or who being present shall goe from the Assembly before the dissolving
thereof without licence, shall be suspended by the Assembly untill the
Provinciall Synode next thereafter following.
_Renovation of former Acts of Assembly for Triall and Admission of
Expectants to the Ministerie._
The Generall Assembly, doth hereby renew and confirme all former
Acts and Ordinances for triall and admission of Expectants to the
Ministery; Especially the Articles thereanent allowed by the Generall
Assembly 1596, and approven in the Assemblie at Glasgow 1638. The
thirteenth Article concerning the age of intrants to the Ministery
and the twentie fourth Article concerning the triall of Expectants,
Of an Act of the said Assembly at Glasgow, Sess. 23. And the Act
of the Assembly at S. Andrews 1642, Sess. 7. concerning Lists for
presentations from the King, and the trial of Expectants, &c. Ordaining
Presbyteries to observe the same carefully in all time coming.
Eodem die, Sess. XXVIII. Post Meridiem.
_Renovation of the Commission for prosecuting the Treaty for Uniformity
in England._
The Generall Assembly, Taking to their consideration that the Treaty
of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet
perfected; Therefore, Renews the Power and Commission granted by
preceeding Assemblies for prosecuting that Treaty, unto these Persons
afternamed, viz. Master Robert Douglas, Master Samuel Rutherfurd,
Master Robert Baillie, Master George Gillespie, _Ministers_: And John
Earle of Lauderdaill, John Lord Balmerino, and Sir Archibald Johnstoun
of Waristoun, _Elders_; Authorizing them with full Power to prosecute
the said Treaty of Uniformity with the Honourable Houses of the
Parliament of England, and the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or
any Committees appointed by them: And to doe all and every thing which
may advance, perfit, and bring that Treaty to an happy conclusion,
conforme to the Commissions given thereanent.
_Renovation of the Commission for the publike affaires of the Kirk._
The Generall Assembly taking to their consideration, that in respect
the great Work 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) 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
publike Affaires of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held in S.
Andrews 1642, and at Edinburgh 1643, 1644, 1645, and 1646, unto the
Persons following, viz. Masters, Alexander Casse, Samuel Douglas,
Robert Knox, William Penman, James Guthrie, Robert Cuninghame, David
Fletcher, Robert Lawder, Andrew Stevenson, Robert Davidson, David
Calderwood, James Fleming, Robert Ker, James Fairlie, Oliver Colt,
Patrick Sibbald, Andrew Ramsay, John Adamson, Robert Douglas, William
Colvill, George Gillespie, Mungo Law, Andrew Fairfoul, George Lesly,
Robert Lawrie, Alexander Spittle, Alexander Dickson, John Hay, Thomas
Vassie, Ephraim Melvill, Patrick Scheill, Alexander Simmervail, George
Bennet, Alexander Levingstoun, Robert Murray, Alexander Rollock,
William Menzies, Alexander Ireland, John Friebairn, George Murray,
Henry Guthrie, William Justice, Robert Wright, Henrie Livingstoun,
James Hammiltoun, George Gladstanes, Bernard Sanderson, Andrew
Lawder, George Rutherfurd, John Levingston, George Hutcheson, John
Bell, Heugh Mackaile, John Nevey, Matthew Brisbane, John Hammiltoun,
Allan Ferguson, David Dickson, Zachary Boyd, Robert Ramsay, Robert
Baillie, James Nasmith, Francis Aird, Robert Birnie, Thomas Kirkaldie,
Evan Cameron, Robert Blair, Coline Adam, George Hammiltoun, Samuel
Rutherfurd, Alexander Colvill, John Ramsay, James Martein, William
Levingstoun, Thomas Melvill, John Smith, Fredrick Carmichaell,
Patrick Gillespie, Alexander Moncrief, John Duncan, James Sibbald,
Walter Bruce, George Pittillo, Andrew Affleck, John Barclay, Thomas
Peirson, William Rait, David Strachan, Andrew Cant, William Douglas,
John Forbes, George Sharp, William Chalmer, Joseph Brodie, Alexander
Simmer, Gilbert Anderson, William Smith, _Ministers_; And Archibald
Marques of Argile, John Earle of Crawfurd, Alexander E. of Eglintoun,
William E. of Glencairne, John E. of Cassils, James E. of Home, James
E. of Tullibairdine, Francis E. of Bukcleuch, John E. of Lawderdaill,
William E. of Lothian, James E. of Finlatour, William E. of Lanerk,
James Earle of Callendar, Archibald Lord Angus, George L. Brichen, John
L. Yester, John L. Balmerino, James L. Cowper, John Lord Barganie, Sir
Archibald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Sir John Hope of Craighall, Arthur
Areskine of Scotiscraig, Alexander Fraser of Phillorth, Frederick Lyon
of Brigtoun, James Mackdougall of Garthland, Sir William Cockburne of
Langton, Sir Andrew Ker of Greinheid, Sir Heugh Campbell of Cesnock,
Sir James Levingstoun of Kilsyth, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Freeland, Sir
Gilbert Ramsay of Balmayne, John Henderson of Fordell, Walter Dundas
younger of that ilk, Sir William Scot younger of Harden, Sir Lodovick
Gordoun, Master George Winrhame of Libertoun, Alexander Levingstoun
of Saltcoats, John Birsbane of Bishoptoun, Sir Robert Douglas of
Tilliquhillie, James Pringle of Torwoodlie, Sir Iames Nicolsone of
Colbrandspath, William Ker of Newtoun, William Forbes younger of Lesly,
John Kennedy of Carmucks, Robert Arburthnot of Findowrie, Alexander
Brodie of Letham, Master Robert Narne younger of Strathurd, Master
James Schoneir of Caskeberrie, James Ruchheid, Lawrence Hendersone,
James Stewart, David Douglas, John Jaffray, George Porterfield, John
Semple, John Kennedy, William Glendinning, Master John Cowan, John
Mill, _Elders_: Giving unto them full power and Commission, to doe all
and every thing for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting, and bringing
the said Work of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions
to a happy conclusion, conform to the former Commissions granted by
preceding Assemblies thereanent: And to that effect, Appoints them
or any seventeene of them, whereof thirteene shall bee Ministers, to
meet heer in this City in the afternoone at four hours, and thereafter
upon the last Wednesdayes of November, February, and May next, and
upon any other day, and in any other place they shall think fit.
Renewing also to the Persons before named, the Power contained in the
Act of the Assembly 1643, intituled, A reference to the Commission
anent the Persons designed to repaire to the Kingdome of England; As
likewise the Power contained in the Act of Assemblie 1644, Sess. 6.
for sending Ministers to the Armie. And further, in case Delinquents
have no constant residence in any one Presbyterie, Or if Presbyteries
be negligent or averawed, in these cases, The Assemblie gives to the
Persons before named, full power of censuring Complyers and Persons
disaffected to the Covenant according to the Acts of Assemblie;
Declaring always and Providing, that Ministers shall not bee deposed
but in one of the Quarterly meetings of this Commission; With full
power to them to treat and determine in the matters aforesaid, and in
all other matters referred unto them by this Assemblie, as fully and
freely as if the same were here particularly expressed, and with as
ample power as any Commission of any 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.
_Desires and Overtures from the Commissioners of Universities; and the
Assemblies answer thereto._
1. The Commissioners of Universities represents to the Assembly: First,
That the Overtures of the Assembly 1643, for the visitation of Schools
and advancement of Learning are very much neglected.
The Assembly recommends to Synodes to take account of the observation
of these Overtures.
2. That it were good to exhort all the Universities, to be carefull to
take account of all their Schollers on the Sabbath-day of the Sermons,
and of their lessons of the Catechisme.
The Assembly approves this Overture, and recommends accordingly.
3. That all the Universities bee exhorted to send their Commissioners
instructed with answers to the Overtures agreed upon by the
Commissioners of Universities, and which from this meeting of their
Commissioners shall bee communicate to them, and this to bee when their
Commissioners come in Februar or March to the Commission of the Kirk.
The Assemblie recommends to Universities to bee carefull hereof.
4. That the Overtures concerning the providing of Bursars for Divinity
be recommended to Presbyteries and Synodes, and that they report their
diligence to the next Assembly.
The Assembly allowes this Article, and recommends accordingly.
Edinburgh, 1 September, 1647. Sess. Ult.
_The Assemblies Letter to their Countreyman in Poleland, Swedland,
Denmarke, and Hungarie._
Unto the Scots Merchants and others our Countrey-People scattered
in Poleland, Swedland, Denmarke, and Hungary; The Generall Assembly
of the Kirk of Scotland wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although this Kirk of Scotland, whiles spoiled of her Liberties
under the Prelaticall tyrannie, had much difficultie and wrestling
to preserve the true reformed Religion from being quite extinguished
among our selves; yet since the mighty and out-stretched arme of the
Lord our God hath brought us out of that Egypt, and hath restored to
us well constituted and free nationall Synods, It hath been our desire
and endeavour to set forward the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the purity of his Ordinances, not only throughout this Nation,
but in other parts also so far as God gave us a call and opportunity
and opened a way unto us. And among other things of this nature we
have more particularly taken into our serious thoughts the sad and
lamentable condition of many thousands of you our Country-men who are
scattered abroad as sheepe having no shepherd, and are through the want
of the meanes of knowledge grace and salvation, exposed to the greatest
spirituall dangers, whether through ignorance or through manifold
tentations to errors and false Religions, or through the occasions and
snares of sinne.