England doth not set us free from the observation thereof, and as no
laws nor authority on earth can obsolve us from so solemn an obligation
to the most High GOD (which not onely hath been professed by this Kirk
but in a Petition of the City of London, and in publique Testimonies
of many of the Ministery of England) So we are not acquited and
assoiled from the obligation of our solemn Covenant, because of the
troubles and confusions of the times; But that in the worst of times
all those duties, whereunto by Covenant we oblige our selves, do still
lie upon us, for we have sworn (and must perform it) concerning that
Cause and Covenant wherein we solemnly Engaged, _That we shall all the
dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against
all opposition, and promove the same according to our power against
all lets, and Impediments whatsoever_. And if against all lets and
impediments whatsoever, then the altering of the way of opposition, or
of the kinde of impediments doth not alter the nature or tye of the
Covenant, but we are obliged to all the duties therein contained.
We doe also exhort and charge in CHRISTS Name the Prince of Pastors,
all the Ministers within this Kirk, that in no wayes they be accessary
to this sinfull Engagement, but in all their conferences and reasoning,
especially, in their publick Doctrine, they declare themselves
freely, and faithfully, as they would eschew the wrath of GOD, due
for a violated Covenant, and as they would escape the censures of the
Kirk, and let all Presbyteries be watchful within their bounds, and
carefully, wisely, and zealously to inflict Ecclesiastick censures.
Finally, we exhort all civill Judicatories, and every one intrusted
with power to manage the present affairs, That they would seriously
remember the strict account they are to give before the Judge of the
quick and the dead, Considering deeply how fearfull a thing it is to
oppresse the consciences of their brethren, either by pressing them
to act where they finde no satisfactory warrant, or by putting heavy
pressures upon them for not acting according to their injunctions, and
especially that they offer not to insnare by new Oaths, or Bonds those
that make conscience of the great Oath of their Solemn Covenant, and
hitherto have proven faithfull and constant in promoving jointly all
the ends thereof.
If this our faithfull warning finde favourable acceptance, so that the
grievous things already enacted, be no more prosecuted and pressed, we
shall blesse God who reigns in the Kingdoms and Councells of men: But
if it fall out otherwise (as God forbid) we have liberate our souls
of the guiltinesse of this sinfull way of Engagement, and of all the
miseries that shall ensue thereby upon this Kirk and Kingdom. And shall
lament before the Lord that our labours have not as yet had the desired
successe. In the mean time, we dare not cast away our confidence, but
trusting in the name of the Lord, and staying upon our God, shall by
his grace and assistance continue stedfast in our Solemn Covenants, and
faithfull in all the duties of our Calling.
* * * * *
August 1, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXII.
_The Generall Assemblies Answer to the Paper sent from the Honourable
Committee of Estates of the Date Iuly 28, 1648._
The General Assembly having considered the Paper of the 28 of July,
delivered to them from the Honourable Committee of Estates, Do finde
that the first part thereof concerning the great Offers made by the
Parliament and Committee of Estates for the security of Religion, is
no other but what was fully answered in our last Paper of the 25 of
July, delivered to their Lordships, wherein it was plainly demonstrate
by Theologicall reasons (though their Lordships are pleased to call
them Politick) that the present Engagement is inconsistent with the
safety and security of Religion. Next whereas it is affirmed in their
Lordships Paper, that these grounds and reasons are the same which were
fully answered before, we wish it had been instanced when and where
they were answered, for we know no such thing.
Another reflection upon that former Paper of ours is thus expressed,
“That the Generall Assembly hath proceeded to such a Declaration before
they had in an Ecclesiastick way from clear testimonies out of the word
of God or convincing of our consciences, demonstrate the unlawfulnesse
of the undertaking:” Where we can see no reason why it should seem so
very strange to the Honourable Committee, that the Generall Assembly
hath so proceeded to a Declaration of their judgement concerning this
businesse. For as it hath been no unusuall thing, but very ordinary
that approved Synods, both Provinciall, National, and Oecumenicall have
declared their judgement, without publishing the particular grounds and
reasons thereof from Scripture (a work more proper for full Tractates
then for Synodicall Decrees or Cannons.) So if their Lordships had been
pleased to attend (for many attended not) the late Parliament-Sermons
mainly intended for their Lordships information, and had with mindes
unprejudiced, hearkened thereunto, and searched into all the Papers
lately published in Print by the Commission of the last Assembly, they
might have been by the blessing of God convinced from the Word of God
of the unlawfulnesse of the present Engagement.
There are three things which may justly seem to us more strange: One
is, That the Declaration of Parliament having given assurance in this
manner, “We are resolved not to ingage in any War before the necessity
and lawfulnesse thereof be cleared, so as all who are wel-affected may
be satisfied therewith;” yet now they have ingaged in War without any
such clearing of the necessity and lawfulnesse thereof, or satisfaction
given to the wel-affected.
Another is, that although there are so great professions and offers
in the generall to satisfie what can be desired for the security of
Religion, yet none of those particulars desired by the late Commission
of the Kirk for the security of Religion have been granted. We shall
here onely give instance in one of those desires, which was, that
His Majesties concessions and offers concerning Religion, sent home
from the Isle of Wight, having been found by the said Commission
unsatisfactory and destructive to the Covenant, might be by the Parl.
declared unsatisfactory to their Lordships.
In this great point there hath been no satisfaction given, onely it
was lightly touched in one clause of the Parliaments Declaration, and
so ambiguously expressed, as might suffer many interpretations, and
although this ambiguity was clearly laid open by the Commissioners
of the last Generall Assembly in their Representation; yet to this
day there hath been nothing published neither by the Parliament nor
Committee of Estates to give any clearer satisfaction, by disclaiming
those offers and concessions as unsatisfactory to the Parliament: So
that this (if there were no more) gives us great cause to apprehend
that there is a greater mystery latent in that businesse then yet
appeareth.
A third thing which seemeth strange to us is, That their Lordships
desire of arguments from Scripture to prove the unlawfulnesse of
this Engagement was not propounded to the Commissioners of the last
Assembly, before the emitting of the Declaration of Parliament, and
before the Levies (when it had been most orderly and seasonable) but is
now propounded after publick Resolutions and Declarations, yea not till
those resolutions are put in actuall execution.
However seeing their Lordships do now desire proofs from Scripture for
the unlawfulnesse of the Engagement.
We answer, That as joyning and concurring in this Engagement is
unlawfull to all the wel-affected in this Kingdom, their consciences
being altogether unsatisfied in the lawfulnesse thereof; and as it is
unlawfull in the manner of putting it in execution, being accompanied
with so many injuries, oppressions, and crying abominations, and with
so much persecution of piety; so it is unlawfull in the own nature
of it, and as it is stated upon the grounds of the Declarations of
Parliament, and Committee of Estates. And this unlawfulnesse of
the Engagement in it self, we have demonstrate in the Declaration
herewith communicate to their Lordships, unto which we remit them for
satisfaction in that point, and do not doubt but their Lordships may be
convinced thereby of the evil of their way, and that it is so far from
being a pious and necessary Engagement (as their Lordships are pleased
to call it) that it is a most unlawfull and sinfull Engagement to be
repented of, and forsaken by all that have any hand in it, as they
desire to make their peace with God. And we heartily wish that their
Lordships subsequent proceedings may be reall testimonies, that their
calling for Scripture proofs was from a reall desire to be informed and
edified.
As to their Lordships other desire of our demonstrating from the Word
of God, that the Kirk hath interest in the undertakings and Engagements
in War, and what that interest is, We had thought this point to be
without controversie in this Kingdom, not onely in respect of Kirk and
State, their joyning and co-operating (each in their proper sphere, in
the former Expeditions of this Kingdom into England, but also because
the very Conferences which have been between Committees of Kirk and
State concerning this undertaking and Engagement, doth plainly suppose
an interest of the Kirk in such affairs.
If their Lordships mean any politick interest in such undertakings,
we claim no such thing, if the meaning be of a Spirituall interest
and so far as concerneth the point of Conscience, there can be no
doubt thereof made by such as do with David make the testimonies of
the LORD their Counsellors, Psalm 119, 24. And consult with GOD as he
used to do in undertaking War: It is also to be remembred that Joshua
and all the Congregation of Israel were commanded to go out and in at
the word of Eliazer the Priest, who was to aske councell of the LORD
for them, Numb. 27, 28. Hath not the Word of God prescribed to the
Christian Magistrate the Rules of a lawfull War, And doth it not belong
to particular Ministers, much more to the Assemblies of the Kirk, to
declare the minde of God from Scripture, for all sorts of duties,
and against all sorts of sins. And if the present War be a case of
conscience, and alledged to be the most fit and necessary means for
preservation of Religion, who seeth not that the Kirk hath an undoubted
interest in resolving and determining such a case of Conscience
from the word of God. This we shall onely adde, that whereas in the
Parliaments Letter to the Presbyteries three instances were adduced
by way of reflection upon the proceedings of the late Commission,
as medling with Civill matters in which they had no Interest, The
Commission did in their Printed Vindication so clear from Scripturall
grounds their Interest in such things, as their Lordships might have
been easily satisfied in that point. We shall here onely mention one
passage containing a good and safe rule for such Cases, The Duties
of the second Table, as well as of the first, as namely, The Duties
between King and Subject, Parents and Children, Husbands and Wives,
Masters and Servants, and the like being contained in, and to be taught
and cleared from the Word of God, are in that respect, and so far as
concerneth the point of Conscience, a subject of Ministeriall Doctrine,
and in difficult cases a subject of cognizance and Judgement, to the
Assemblies of the Kirk.
Eodem die, Post Meridiem. Sess. XXIII.
_A Declaration and Exhortation of the Generall Assembly of the Church
of Scotland, to their Brethren of England._
As the necessity of preserving a right understanding and mutuall
confidence betwixt the Churches of Christ in both Kingdoms constrains
us, so the good acceptance and the suitable affections that the
Declaration of the last Generall Assembly met with in England from the
Lovers of the Covenant and present Reformation, together with the many
Testimonies that have of late been given unto the Truth in that Land,
invites and incourages us to make known unto our Brethren there, our
sense of the present condition of publick affairs, so far as concerns
Religion and the point of Conscience.
The dispensation of God in ruling of the Nations, and in the
revolutions of his Providence towards them, is full of wonder in all
the earth; And we, who live in this Island, have cause to look upon it
with speciall observation, in regard of that which concerns our selves.
For many generations these two Kingdoms stood at odds and were the
instruments of many sufferings and calamities one to another, untill
at last the LORD having compassion upon both, did unite them under one
King; which great and long desired Blessing hath received such increase
from our being united together in one League and Covenant as doth adde
much to the good and happinesse of both Nations: Therefore is it to
be looked upon by all the Lovers of Truth and Peace in these Lands as
a just ground of much thanksgiving and many praises unto GOD, even in
the day of our greatest calamity and affliction what ever befall, as
we know no cause why we should forget so great a mercy or repent of so
good a work.
But as the common Enemies of these Kingdoms studied by all means to
keep them from entring into that Covenant, so hath all their power and
policy, now, for five years past, been imployed to bring it to nought:
As soon as it had being the Popish, Prelaticall and Malignant Party
did bend all their forces against it; and when by the mighty hand
of GOD they were scattered and brought to confusion, in their stead
stood up in England a generation who have perverted the Truth, and by
turning aside into Errour have obstructed the work of Reformation;
and by forsaking of the Covenant, and forgetting of the Oath of GOD,
have brought a great reproach upon his Name, and made the Enemy to
blaspheme; whose unthankfulnesse and unstedfastnesse, with the many
provocations of these Lands, hath provoked the Lord again to raise
out of the dust the horn of Malignants, and to arm them with such
power as is terrible to his People, and threatens his Work with ruine.
And albeit, we acknowledge our selves bound and are still resolved
to preserve and defend his Majesties Person and Authority in the
preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the
Kingdoms: Yet it is unto us matter of very great sorrow and grief
that so many in our Land should so far joyn in Malignant Designes,
and that there should be found amongst us who have undertaken and are
now putting in execution an unlawfull War for promoving their ends
and opposing and making void (so far as in them lies) the Ends of the
Covenant: Neverthelesse in this we cannot but rejoyce that they went
not without a Witnesse and a Warning disswading them to go.
And we desire our Brethren of England to know, that as a very
considerable number of the Members of the Parliament did dissent from
and protest against the proceedings of the major part in reference
to this Engagement, so all the particular Synods and Presbyteries in
this Kingdom, excepting some few, who by reason of their remotenesse
and shortnesse of time had not the opportunity, have most harmoniously
joyned with and seconded the Desires of the Commissioners of the
Generall Assembly for preventing so unlawfull a War: And now the
Commissioners out of all the Provinces conveened in this Nationall
Assembly, as after an exact examination they have unanimously
approved the proceedings of the Commissioners of the former Assembly
against that Engagement; so have they emitted a Declaration to all
the People of GOD in this Land, shewing it to be contrary to GODS
Word and to the Solemn League and Covenant. Neither have Ministers
onely by their preaching, and Kirk Judicatories by their Petitions
and Declarations given testimony against it; but many others in this
Land also by supplicating the High and Honourable Court of Parliament
for satisfaction to their Consciences thereanent: and when it could
not be obtained, many have chosen rather to suffer the spoiling of
their goods with joy, then to sin against GOD by complying with an
evil course. And many of the Officers of our former Army, who are of
speciall note for their good carriage and deserving in the Cause of
GOD, have rather choosed to quit their charges then to joyn in it: Nay,
the wel-affected, both Ministers and People, as they do bear testimony
against it before men, so groan under it before GOD. So that this
character may justly be put upon it by all who shall speak of it now
or in after Ages, That as it is a foul breach of the Covenant under
a pretence and profession of being for the ends of the Covenant, so
being carryed on against the Consciences of the people, and contrary
to the most harmonious and universall Testimonies of many Presbyteries
and Synods that have been given against it, it is a sinning with many
Witnesses. A paralell will hardly be found in this or in any other
Land wherein a publick sinfull course hath been carried on with so
high a hand against the Consciences of the People of God, and against
so many Warnings of the Servants of GOD, and generall opposition from
the Judicatories of the Kirk; which yet is the less to be wondred
at, because the greatest part of those who have been most active in
contriving and carrying on of the same, were either once open Enemies,
or always secret underminers, or indifferent and neutrall in the Cause
of God.
But whatsoever be the falling away of such, we shall desire and do
expect that our Brethren in England, who continue faithfull, may rest
confident of the generality of all such of this Kingdom as were at
first active in promoting the Covenant and Work of Reformation, that
they are also still faithfull in adhering thereunto, and walking after
their former principles do resolve to abide stedfast and to hold fast
the bands of Brotherhood and union between these Kingdoms: Neither
are we lesse confident of the like Resolutions and Affections of our
Brethren in England: The many Testimonies which the Truth and Cause of
CHRIST, the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government have lately received
from that cloud of Witnesses of the Ministery in severall Provinces and
Counties of that Kingdom, after the example of the worthy Ministery of
the City of London against the Errours of Independency, Anabaptism,
Antinomianism, Arminianism, Socinianism, Familism, Libertinism,
Sceptism, Erastianism, and other new and dangerous Doctrines spred and
received amongst many in that Nation; As they are unto us matter of
great praise and hearty thanksgiving unto GOD, so also an evidence of
the stedfastness of many in England, and a token for good, and a wide
door of hope that the Lord will perfect his work and bring forth the
headstone of his House in that Land. It shall be the wisdom of each
Nation to keep the golden path of truth and righteousnesse betwixt the
crooked and corrupt wayes of Malignants upon the one hand and Sectaries
upon the other, and for each of the Nations so to look upon another,
as to distinguish betwixt the prevalent part and the better part, and
betwixt friends and foes.
We conceive it to be high time for both Nations to search and try their
ways and turn again to the LORD, that he who wounded us may heal us,
and he who hath broken us may binde us up. The sin of both hath been
the departing from the rule of the Covenant, and that we did not trust
God for the perfecting of his Work, walking by the rule of piety, but
took our selves to humane policies, and endeavoured to carry it on by
carnall and worldly means. For as Scotland did too much connive at
and comply with Malignants, which is the immediate and neerest cause
of all our present troubles and distractions; so England neglecting
to hold fast the truth and to submit themselves to the Government of
Jesus Christ, so clearly held forth by the pious and learned Assembly
of Divines, did connive at many abominable Blasphemies and Errours,
and complying with Sectaries, gave way to their wicked Toleration:
Neither is it the least part of the sin of both Lands; that they have
more minded the outward then the inward Reformation, the erecting of
the outward Fabrick of GODS House, then the providing furniture for
it by advancing the power of the Gospel, that his glory may be seen
in his Temple. Because of these things is there great wrath from the
LORD against these Kingdoms, and his controversie shall be continued
untill we really turn away from our crooked paths. Therefore as we wish
that none of this Land may flatter themselves in their evil wayes, but
repent and amend; so we desire our Brethren of England to consider what
hath been the bitter fruits of their slow progresse in and neglect of
the Work of Reformation, and of their connivance at and complying with
Sectaries, and to do no more so, but that whatsoever is commanded by
the God of heaven, it be diligently done for the House of the God of
heaven.