Parliament of the date 10 of June, 1648, highly concerning Religion,
and the consciences of the People of God in the Land, and one Act
of the Committee of Estates, of the date 12 of June, 1648, both
published in Print, whereby all Subjects are Ordained by subscription
to acknowledge as just, and oblige themselves to adhere unto the said
Act and Declaration, containing an obligation upon their honours and
credits, and as they desire to be, and to be holden, as lovers of their
Country, Religion, Laws and Liberties, to joyn and concur with their
persons and Estates in the assistance of the execution, and observation
of the Acts and Constitutions of this Parliament, as the most fit and
necessary remedies of the by-gone and present evils and distractions of
this Kirk and Kingdom, and for the preservation of Religion, Laws and
Liberties, and of his Majesties authority, with certification that such
as refuse or delay to subscribe the same, shall be holden as Enemies
and Opposites to the common Cause, consisting in the maintenance of
the true reformed Religion, of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom
and of his Majesties authority. Which subscription the Assembly cannot
otherwise look upon, then as a snare for the People of God to involve
them in guiltinesse, and to draw them from their former Principles and
Vows in the Solemn League and Covenant. For that subscription were an
approving of some Acts of Parliament, which they have never yet seen
nor known, they not being all published, were an agreeing to Acts of
Parliament, highly concerning Religion and the Covenant, made not
onely without, but expressly against the advise of the Kirk, were an
acknowledging of this present Engagement in War, in all the means and
ways for promoving the same, to be the most fit and necessary remedies
of the by-gone and present evils, whereas so many Petitions to the
Parliament, from Committees of War, Synods, Presbyteries and Paroches
have made it appear, that they are no way satisfied therewith in point
of conscience; were an ascribing of a power to the Parliament, to
declare these to be enemies to the true Religion, whom the Kirk hath
not declared to be such but rather friends; were an approving of an Act
made for the restraining the liberty of printing from the Kirk, yea
and of all the Acts of the Committee of Estates, to be made in time
coming, till March, 1650, which by Act of Parliament are ordained to
be obeyed; were an allowing of Acts for securing of the persons, and
intrometting with the Estates of such as themselves shall not obey, or
perswade others not to obey resolutions concerning this Engagement,
and for protecting persons under Kirk Censures, and so an infringing
and violating of the Liberties and Discipline of the Kirk established
by the Laws of the Land, and sworn to in the Nationall Covenant to
be defended, under the pains contained in the Law of God. And in all
these, such as do subscribe, do binde themselves not only to active
obedience in their own persons, but to the urging of active obedience
upon all others, and so draw upon themselves all the guiltinesse and
sad consequences of the present Engagement; Yea, such as are Members
of Parliament, and have in the Oath of Parliament sworn not to Vote
or consent to any thing, but what to their best knowledge, is most
expedient for Religion, Kirk and Kingdom, and accordingly have reasoned
against, and dissented from divers Acts of this Parliament, These by
the subscription of this Act, cannot eschew the danger of perjury, in
obliging themselves to active obedience to these Acts, which according
to their Oath, they did judge unlawfull. Neither can the 38 Act of
the Parliament 1640, wherein such a kinde of Band was enacted to be
subscribed by any precedent or Warrant for subscribing of this Act;
For it plainly appears by the narrative of that Act omitted in this
Band, how great a difference there is between the condition of affairs
then and now. Then the Kings Commissioner had left and discharged the
sitting of the Parliament, then the Parliament for sitting was declared
Traitors, and Armies in England and Ireland prepared against them, then
not only the Acts, but the very authority of Parliament was called in
question, then Kirk and State were united in the Cause against the
Malignant party, then nothing was determined in Parliament in matters
of Religion without, much lesse against the advice of the Kirk: But
beside that, it was not thought expedient by the State, that that Band
should be pressed through the Kingdom. The case now not onely differs
from what was then, But is in many things just contrary, as is evident
to all who will compare the two together. And therefore the Generall
Assembly professing all tender respect to the High and Honourable
Court of Parliament and Committee of Estates, but finding a straiter
tye of God lying upon their Consciences, that they be not found
unfaithfull watchmen, and betrayers of the souls of these committed
to their charge, Do unanimously Declare the foresaid subscription to
be unlawfull and sinfull. And do warn, and in the Name of the Lord
Charge all the members of this Kirk, to forbear the subscribing of the
said Act and Declaration, much more the urging of the subscription
thereof, as they would not incur the wrath of God, and the Censures of
the Kirk. And considering how necessary it is that according to the
eighth desire of the Commissioners of the Assembly to the Parliament,
the Kirk might have the same interest in any new Oathes in this Cause,
as they had in the Solemn League and Covenant, and what dangers of
contradictory Oathes, perjuries and snares to mens consciences may
fall out otherwise: Therefore they likewise Enjoyn all the members of
this Kirk, to forbear the swearing, subscribing or pressing of any
new Oathes or Bands in this cause, without advise and concurrence of
this Kirk, especially any negative Oathes or Bands, which may any way
limit or restrain them in the duties whereunto they are obliged, by
nationall or Solemn League and Covenant, and that with certification as
aforesaid. And such as have already pressed or subscribed the foresaid
Act and Declaration, The Generall Assembly doth hereby exhort them most
earnestly in the bowels of Christ, to repent of that their defection.
And Ordains that Presbyteries, or in case of their negligence or being
overawed, the provinciall Synods or the Commission of the Assembly,
which of them shall first occur, and in case of the Synods negligence,
that the said Commission be carefull to proceed against, and censure
the Contraveeners of the Act according to the quality and degree of
their offences as they will be answerable to the Generall Assembly; and
that therefore this Act be sent to Presbyteries to be published in the
several Kirks of their bounds.
* * * * *
Eodem die Post Meridiem. Sess. XIX.
_Approbation of the Shorter Catechisme._
The General Assembly having seriously considered the shorter
Catechisme, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at
Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, Doe finde
upon due examination thereof, That the said Catechisme is agreeable
to the Word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received Doctrine,
Worship, Discipline and Government of this Kirk, And therefore Approve
the said shorter Catechisme as a part of the intended Uniformity, to be
a Directory for Catechising such as are of weaker capacitie.
* * * * *
_Act discharging a little Catechisme printed at Edinburgh, 1647._
The General Assembly having found in a little Catechisme, printed at
Edinburgh, entituled, “The A, B, C, with the Catechisme, That is to
say, an instruction to be taught and learned of young children,” very
grosse errours in the point of Universall Redemption, and in the number
of the Sacraments, Therefore doe discharge the venting or selling of
the said Catechisme of the foresaid impression, or of whatsoever other
impression the same be of, and all use thereof in Schools or Families,
Inhibiting also all Printers to reprint the same, And recommends to
Presbyteries to take speciall care that this Act be obeyed.
* * * * *
Vlt. Iuly, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sess. XXI.
_A Declaration of the Generall Assembly concerning the present dangers
of Religion, and especially the unlawfull engagement in War, against
the Kingdom of England; Together, with many necessary exhortations and
directions to all the Members of the Kirk of Scotland._
It cannot seem strange to any that considereth the great trust that
lyeth on us, comparing the same with the eminent dangers wherewith the
Cause of God is invironed in this land, if at this time We declare
our sense thereof, and warn the people of God from this watch-tower of
the present duties incombent to them: Our witnesse is in heaven, and
our record on high, that we doe not this from any dis-respect to the
Parliament whom we have honoured and will ever honour and also obey
in all things which are agreeable to the Word of God, to our Solemn
Covenants, and to the duties of our callings, Nor from any disloyalty
or undutifulnesse to the Kings Majesty, to whom we heartily wish,
and to his posterity after him, a happy Reigne over these Dominions,
Nor from any factious disposition or siding with this or that party
whatsoever, Nor from any contentious humour about light or small
matters, Nor from any favour to or complyance with Sectaries, against
whose cursed opinions and ungodly practises, we have heretofore given
ample testimony, and are still obliged by Solemn Covenant to endeavour
the extirpation of Heresie and Schism; But from the conscience of
our duty when the glory of God, the Kingdom of his Son, his Word,
Ordinances, Government, Covenant, Ministery, Consciences of People,
Peace and Liberties of the Kirk are incompassed and almost overwhelmed
with great and growing dangers.
How freely and faithfully the servants of God of old have rebuked sin
in persons of all ranks, not sparing Kings, States nor Kingdoms, the
Scripture maketh it most plain to all that look thereon; Neither want
we domestick examples, if we look back a little upon the behaviour of
our zealous Ancestours in this Kirk, who not only in their Sermons
severally with great gravity and freedom reproved the sins of the
time, But more especially in the Kirk Judicatories plain and downright
dealing was most frequent and familiar, as appears in the Assemblies
holden in June and in October, 1582, in October, 1583, in May, 1592,
in May, 1594, and in March, 1595. And not only the General Assembly
by themselves, but also by their Commissioners faithfully and freely
laboured to oppose all the steps of defection; as at other times, so in
the yeer 1596, wherein four or five severall times they gave most free
admonitions to the King, Parliament and Councell, with a Protestation
at the last before God, that they were free of their blood, and of
whatsoever judgement should fall upon the Realm, and that they durst
not for fear of committing High Treason against Jesus Christ the onely
Monarch of his Kirk, abstain any longer from fighting against their
proceedings with the spirituall armour granted to them of God, and
mighty in him for overthrowing all these bulwarks set up against his
Kingdom: And in their Declaration then emitted to the Kingdom, they
shew that it was a main design to have the freedom of the Spirit of
GOD in the rebuke of Sin by the mouth of his Servants restrained; and
therefore they warne all Pastours of their duty in applying Doctrine
and free preaching. Like as the Assembly, 24 March 1595-6 reckons
up amongst the corruptions of the Ministery to be censured with
deprivation, if continued in, the not applying their Doctrine against
the corruptions of the time, which was renewed in our late Assembly
at Glasgow 1638. What hath been done since that Assembly is in recent
memory, and the Papers to that purpose have been published in Print,
and are in the hands of all, Therefore being warranted by the Word
of GOD, and encouraged by the forementioned examples, as after exact
examination, we have approven the proceedings of the Commissioners of
the last Generall Assembly, and specially their Declarations, Desires,
Representations, Remonstrances, Supplications, Vindication and other
Papers, relating to the present engagment in War, wherein they have
given good proof of their fidelity, wisdom and zeal in the cause of
GOD, So we finde our selves necessitate to make known unto all the
People of GOD in this Nation our sense concerning the dangers and
duties of this present time.
The cry of the insolencies of this present Army from almost all the
parts of this Kingdom, hath been so great that it hath gone up to
heaven, and if we should be silent, we could not be reputed faithfull
in the performance of our duty. We do acknowledge that it is incident
unto all Armies to be subject unto some disorders, and the Ministers
of the Kingdom have not been deficient in former times to represent
the same as they come unto their knowledge, calling for the redresse
of them at their hands who had power: But the Commissioners of this
present Assembly from the severall Provinces have exhibited great
variety of abominable scandals and hainous impieties and insolencies
committed by persons imployed in this service, whereof we think fitting
here to give you a touch.
As if liberty had been proclaimed to the lusts of lewd men, These that
have been imployed in very many places of the Land have used horrible
extortion of Moneys at their pleasure, and beside the taking of
victuals as they would for their own use, they have in severall places
wilfully destroyed the same, and have plundered many houses, taking
all away they could, and destroying what they could not carry away; In
this great oppression and spoil of goods as the sufferers were many, so
choise hath been made of those who Petitioned the High and Honourable
Court of Parliament for satisfaction to their Consciences before the
Engagement, or who were known to make conscience of the worship of God
in their families, on whom they might exercise their raging wrath and
unsatiable covetousnesse; Nor stayed their rage here, but as though the
war had been against God, publick Fasts have not only been neglected,
but profaned by riotous spending and making merry, Divine Worship have
been in many parts disturbed, some Ministers and people impeded from
coming together, others scattered when they were met, some taken out of
Kirks in time of worship, others apprehended at their coming out at the
Kirk doors and carryed away; Besides these Ministers in performing the
worship of God have been menaced, contradicted, not without blasphemous
Oathes, yea their persons in Pulpit assaulted, not to speak of the
spoiling of their goods, taking, beating, carrying away their persons
and detaining them for a time. And finally that which exceeds all the
rest and is more immediately and directly against God, there hath also
been many cruell mockings of his Worship, and horrid blasphemies; And
it is not to be marvelled that such insolencies have been committed,
since there hath been admitted upon this service some Papists, some
bloody Irish Rebels, some non-Covenanters, and very many fugitives
from Kirk Discipline, Finally, even those who have been upon the late
Rebellion, and these not onely common Souldiers but Commanders, beside
many voluntiers who have no speciall command and trust.
Besides all these, the Liberties of the Kirk have been grievously
encroached upon: 1. By emitting Declarations from the Parliament and
Committee of Estates, containing severall things highly concerning
Religion without the advice or consent of the Generall Assembly or
their Commissioners, which was a ground of protestation to divers
Members of Parliament who have been most zealous and active in the
Cause. 2. The Article of Religion as expressed in the Declaration
of Parliament hath in it many dangerous expressions, which are
particularly instanced in the Representation of the Commissioners
of the Generall Assembly; And the same Article of Religion in the
late Declaration of the Committee of Estates to England is more
unsatisfactory then the former: Like as in the said late Declaration
there is a totall omission of some most materiall things pretended to
in the Declaration of Parliament as satisfactory in point of securing
Religion, viz. the clause concerning security to be had from his
Majesty by his solemn Oath under his hand and Seal, that he shall for
himself and his Successors give his Royall assent, and agree to such
Act or Acts of Parliament, and Bills as shall be presented to him by
his Parliaments of both and either Kingdoms respectively for enjoyning
Presbyteriall Government, Directory of Worship and Confession of Faith
in all his Majesties Dominions, and that his Majestie shall never
make opposition to any of those, nor endeavour any change thereof;
also the clause against association with any that refuse to take the
Covenant is omitted: From all which it may appear in how great danger
the liberties of the Kirk and even Religion it self are left. 3. In
the close of the Declaration of Parliament, there is a new and unsound
glosse put upon the Covenant and Acts of Generall Assembly, contrary to
the sense of the General Assembly it self, as is more fully expressed
in the Representation of the late Commission. 4. No redresse by the
Parliament of certain injuries complained of to their Lordships by the
Commissioners of the preceding Generall Assembly. 5. Endeavours to
weaken and frustrate Kirk-Censures by making provisions for securing
the stipends of such as shall be censured for their concurring in,
or preaching for this present Engagement. 6. A misrepresentation
of the proceedings of the Commission of the Generall Assembly by
the Parliaments Letter of May 11, to the severall Presbyteries,
endeavouring to incense them against the Commission of the late
Assembly and to pre-ocupie their Commissioners to this Assembly. 7.
Whereas there were many Petitions presented to the High and Honourable
Court of Parliament from the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly,
Synods and Presbyteries against the present Engagement as stated
in the Parliaments Declaration, yet notwithstanding of the said
Petitions, and notwithstanding of many free and frequent warnings
given by faithfull Ministers in their Sermons, notwithstanding also
that it was not unknown how much the generality of the wel-affected
in the Kingdom were unsatisfied in their consciences with the grounds
and way of the said Engagement, yet good people are not onely left
unsatisfied in their and our desires, but compelled and forced either
to sin against their consciences or to be under heavy pressures and
burdens: 8. Yea in the late Band injoyned to be subscribed by all
the Subjects of this Kingdom, men are put to it to joyn and concur
with their Persons and Estates, in the advancement, furtherance and
assistance of the execution, obedience, and observation of the Acts
and constitutions of the late Parliament; and consequently, as many
as think the Engagement unlawfull, shall binde themselves not onely
to obey for their own part against their consciences, but to inforce
the same upon others who refuse, and so not onely be oppressed, but
turn oppressours of others. 9. This all the subjects are required by
the Act and Declaration of Parliament to subscribe, as they desire to
be holden true lovers of Religion. It being further affirmed in the
said Act and Declaration, that the Acts and Constitutions of the late
Parliament, are the most fit and necessary remedies for preservation
of Religion; where the Parliament assume to themselves, without
the advice and consent of the Assemblies of the Kirk, to judge and
determine such things wherein, (if in any thing) the Ecclesiasticall
Assemblies have undoubtedly a speciall interest, viz. who are to be
holden lovers of Religion, and what are the most fit and necessary
remedies for preservation of Religion: Yea it is ordained by the fourth
Act of Parliament, 1640, that for preservation of Religion, Generall
Assemblies rightly constitute, as the proper and competent Judge of all
matters Ecclesiastical, be keeped yearly and oftner _pro re nata_. The
Coronation Oath doth also suppose the antecedent Judgement of the Kirk,
as the proper and competent judge who are enemies to true Religion and
who not; for his Majesty obliged himself by that Oath, that he should
be carefull to root out all Hereticks and enemies to the true Worship
of God, who shall be convict by the true Kirk of God, of the aforesaid
crimes. 10. The General Assembly and their Commissioners are now
deprived of their liberty of Printing, confirmed and ratified by Act of
Parliament, there being an inhibition to the contrary upon the PRINTER,
under the pain of Death by the Committee of Estates.
Whereas the desires of the Commissioners of the last Assembly, for the
safety and security of Religion, and the right manner of proceeding
to war, together with the supplications of Provinciall Assemblies and
Presbyteries, all tending to the composing of the present unhappy
differences, and to the begetting of a right understanding, have
not produced the desired and wished-for effect; But on the contrary
our just grievances being still more and more heightened, iniquity
established by a law, and that law put in execution; We cannot chuse
but declare and give warning to all the people of God in this land,
concerning the sinfulnesse and unlawfulnesse of the present Engagement,
which may be demonstrate by many reasons, as namely,
1. The Wars of GODS people, are called the Wars of the LORD; Numb.
21, 14; 2 Chron. 20, 15, and if our eating and drinking, much more
our engaging in war must be for GOD and for his glory; 1 Cor. 10, 31,
whatsoever we do in word or deed, we are commanded to do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and so for his glory, Col. 3, 17. The Kingdom
of GOD and the righteousnesse thereof is to be sought in the first
place and before all other things, Matth. 6, 33. It was the best flower
and garland in the former expeditions of this Nation, that they were
for God and for Religion principally and mainly. But if the principall
end of this present Engagement were for the glory of GOD, How comes
it to passe that not so much as one of the desires of the Kirk, for
the safety and security of Religion in the said Engagement, is to this
day satisfied or granted; But on the contrary such courses taken as
destructive to Religion: And if GODS glory be intended what meaneth the
employing and protecting in this army so many blasphemers, persecutors
of Piety, disturbers of divine worship, and others of notorious and
crying sins. Again, how can it be pretended that the good of Religion
is principally aimed at, when it is proposed and declared that the
Kings Majesty shall be brought to some of his houses in or near London,
with Honour, Freedom and Safety, before ever there be any security had
from him, or so much as any application made to him for the good of
Religion. What is this but to postpone the honour of GOD, the liberties
of the Gospel, the safety of GODS people to an humane interest, and to
leave Religion in a condition of uncertainty, unsetlednesse and hazard,
while it is strongly endeavoured to settle and make sure somewhat else.