consider the great mercies of God towards them in delivering them from
all their Enemies, and the many opportunities put into their hands
for advancing and establishing the work of Reformation; for neglect
whereof God hath now again threatened to lift up their Enemies above
them, that he may once more prove what they will do for his Name,
and for setling the order of his House. God forbid that they should
run from one extream to another, from compliance with Sectaries to
compliance with Malignants, and hearken to terms of an unsafe and
sinfull Peace, We cannot but abhor the purposes of any who minde the
subversion of Monarchical Government, which we heartily wish to be
preserved and continued in his Majesties Person, and Posterity; and we
do no lesse dislike the Practises of those who deal so hardly with his
Majesties Person, earnestly desiring that he were in the condition he
was into by the advice of both Kingdoms before he was taken away by
a party of Sir Thomas Fairfax Army; nor are we against the restoring
of the King to the exercise of his power in a right order and way.
Yet considering what great expence of blood and pains these Kingdoms
have been at for maintaining their just Liberties and bringing the
Work of Reformation this length; And considering his Majesties great
aversnesse from setling Reformation of Religion, and his adhering
still to Episcopacy; We trust that security will be demanded and had
from his Majesty for Religion, before he be brought to one of his
Houses in or neer about London, with Honour, Freedom and safety. And
considering of what importance the Solemn League and Covenant is unto
all the interests of both Kingdoms concerning their Religion, Liberties
and Peace, to make an agreement without establishing of it, were not
only to rob these Nations of the blessings they have already attained
by it, but to open a door to let in all the corruptions that have
been formerly in the Kirks of God in these Lands, and all the abuses
and usurpations that have been in the Civill Government, and again to
divide these two Kingdoms that are now so happily united and conjoyned:
And therefore as we wish that all mis-understandings betwixt the
Nations, and betwixt the King and his people may be removed, that there
may be a happy and lasting Peace, so that there may be no agreement
without establishing and enjoyning the Covenant in all these three
Kingdoms; and that for this end God would give wisdom to all that are
intrusted in the managing of publick affairs that they may seasonably
discover and carefully avoid all snares which may be laid either by
Sectaries, or Malignants, or both, under colour of a Treaty of Peace.
And we are confident, through the Lord, that all the obstructions and
oppositions, by which his work has been retarded and interrupted in
this Island, shall not onely be taken out of the way, but shall turn
to the advantage and furtherance of it at last. The onely wise God can
and will bring about his holy purposes by unlikely, yea by contrary
means: And God forbid that either our Brethren of England or our selves
should give way to despondency of spirit, and cast away the hopes of
that so much prayed for and so much wished for Reformation of Religion,
and Uniformity in all the parts thereof according to the Covenant:
And now it is our hearts desire and prayer to God, that amidst the
many trials and tentations of these times, none of the servants of God
and witnesses of Jesus Christ may be deserted, or left to themselves
to comply either with the Malignant party upon the one hand, or with
Sectaries upon the other. Brethren pray for us, and the God of all
grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory, after that ye have
suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle you.
August, 2, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXIV.
_Answer to the Letter of the Reverend Assembly of Divines in England._
Right Honourable, Right Reverend and
Wel-beloved in our Lord,
We cease not to give thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus, by whose
strength you keep the Word of his patience now in these times, when
many depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing Spirits; As also,
that he who hath founded Zion, hath been pleased, by our Covenant sworn
to the most high God, to lay the hopefull foundation of a glorious Work
in these three Kingdoms, to unite his People therein, as one stick in
the hand of the LORD.
We cannot but acknowledge to the Honour and Glory of the Lord,
Wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working, that hee hath
strongly united the spirits of all the godly in this Kingdom, and of
his Servants in the Ministery, first in the severall Presbyteries
and Synods, and now in this Nationall Assembly, in an unanimous and
constant adhering to our first Principles and the Solemn League and
Covenant, And particularly in giving a testimony against the present
unlawfull Engagement in War: Yet it seemeth good to the LORD who hath
his Fire in Zion and Furnace in Jerusalem, for the purging of the
vessels of his house to suffer many adversaries to arise with violence
to obstruct and stop this great and effectuall door, which the Lord
hath opened unto us. But we know that he openeth, and no man shutteth,
and shutteth, and no man openeth: yea, he will cause them who say they
are for the Covenant and are not, but are Enemies thereto, and do
associate with Malignants or Sectaries, to acknowledge that God hath
loved us, and that his truth is in us and with us. And now dearly
beloved, seeing the Lord hath kept you together so many years, when
the battel of the Warriour hath been with confused noise, and garments
rolled in blood, the Lord also sitting as a refiner to purifie the
Sons of Levi, and blessing you with unity and soundnesse in the Faith,
we are confident you will not cease to give a publick testimony for
Christ, both against Sectaries and all Seducers, who prophecie lies
in the name of the LORD, and against Malignants and Incendiaries (the
Prelaticall and Popish Faction) who now again bestir themselves to hold
up the rotten and tottering throne of Antichrist, and are (whatever
they pretend) the reall enemies of Reformation: As also, that as the
Embassadors of Jesus Christ and his Watchmen, you will give seasonable
warning to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, that now (after the
losse of the opportunity of so many years) they would, in their places,
repair the House of the LORD, that lyeth so long desolate, and promove
the work of Reformation and Uniformity according to the Covenant.
For if the Honourable Houses of Parliament had timely made use of that
power, which God had put in their hands for suppressing of Sectaries,
and had taken a speedy course for setling of Presbyteriall Government,
(a speciall and effectuall means appointed by God to purge his Church
from all scandals in Doctrine and Practise) Then had not the insolencie
of that party arisen to such a height, as to give occasion to the
Malignants of both Kingdoms to justifie and blesse themselves in
their old opposition to the work of Reformation, and to encourage one
another, to new and more dangerous attempts; Neither had the Malignant
party ever grown so strong in this Kingdom, if the Sectaries had not
been connived at in ENGLAND; For their prime pretence (for their
present rising in Armes) is, that they may suppress the Sectaries, and
vindicate the King from that base condition, unto which he is brought
by that party: Yet these do not wisely, nor well, who avoiding or
opposing Sectarisme, split themselves upon the rock of Malignancy, and
by taking that party by the hand now, do own all the cruelty, bloodshed
and other ungodly and unjust Acts, which they have done since the
beginning of this Reformation. And as we take thankfully your testimony
of our steiring so steady and even a course between the dangerous rocks
of Prophanesse and Malignancy on the one hand, and of Errour, Schisme,
Heresie and Blaspheme on the other hand; So we trust ye will not cease
to give testimony against both these evils, and represent the same to
the Honourable Houses of Parliament, as you shall have fit occasion;
And that you will gravely warne your dissenting Brethren what a door
they keep open for Errors and Heresies, by their tenet of Independency;
Whereby they leave no means of Authoritative Ecclesiastick Suppression
of Errours; If an Independent Congregation will please to own them.
We also are confident that you will be remembrancers to that famous
City of London, and the whole Kingdom, of their Engagement to the
LORD, in the Solemn League and Covenant: Nor will we suffer our selves
to believe that the wel-affected in the Houses of Parliament, In the
City of London, and throughout that whole Kingdom will agree or harken
to the motions of any such Treaty of Peace, as leaves out the best
security for Religion, the Cause of GOD, and the Solemn League and
Covenant. Thus desiring the continuance of your Prayers to God for
us, in this hour of temptation; and promising (through his grace and
strength) to continue in prayers for you, We commit you to the infinite
Wisdom, Power, Goodnesse, and Faithfulnesse of our blessed GOD and
Father in Christ, in whom we are,
_Your very loving and affectionate Brethren
to serve you_,
The Ministers and Elders conveened in the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the
Kirk of Scotland.
2 August, 1648.
DIRECT,
To the Right Honourable, and Right Reverend the Assembly of Divines
in England now assembled at Westminster.
Eodem die, Post Meridiem. Sess. XXV.
_The Humble Supplication of the Generall Assembly, To the Right
Honourable the Committee of Estates._
Whereas the High and Honourable Court of Parliament and your Lordships
were pleased to injoyn the subscription of a Declaration and Band of
the date June 10, 1648. And we having found after such examination and
tryall, as is competent to the Servants of GOD in an Ecclesiastick way,
that the same is a snare to the Consciences of the People of GOD in
this Land to involve them in guiltinesse, and to draw them from their
former principles and Vows in the Solemn League and Covenant, as doth
more fully appear in our Act concerning the same herewith presented
unto your Lordships. Therefore from our zeal to the glory of GOD and
tender care of the souls committed unto us, and for our exoneration,
As we do seriously exhort that your Lordships would be sensible of the
guilt that you have already brought upon your selves and others, by
injoyning and urging that subscription, So we do earnestly and in the
bowels of Jesus Christ intreat, That your Lordships would take such
order and course as that it may be no further pressed upon the people
of GOD throughout the Land.
And because the people groan under the violence and oppression of
Officers and Souldiers in their Quarterings or otherwise throughout all
the corners of the Countrey (which as it hath asscended into the ears
of the LORD of Hosts, so we doubt not but it is come to your knowledge)
We conceive it to be incumbent to us to represent the same to your
Lordships, beseeching and obtesting you that as you would not desire
that the LORD should visit because of these things, you would think
upon an effectuall remedy for punishing and redressing what is past,
and preventing the like in time coming.
And whereas by an Act and inhibition of your Lordships, The Liberty of
Printing being one of the Kirks Priviledges confirmed by Parliament is
restrained, Therefore we intreat that the inhibition upon the Printers
may be taken off.
And now having condiscendcd upon a Declaration to all the Members of
this Kirk concerning present dangers and duties, We do in all humility
offer the same to your Lordships (together with our Answer to the Paper
last sent to us from your Lordships) professing in the sight of GOD
(whose Servants we are) that we have walked herein according to the
rule of his Word, and have nothing before our eyes but his Glory, and
the well of his People; And therefore intreats your Lordships, that you
would seriously ponder the same without prejudice, and as you desire
to be comforted in the day of your accompts, to make right use of the
light that is holden forth therein from Gods Word.
August 3, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXVI.
_Act for censuring Ministers for their silence, and not speaking to the
corruptions of the time._
The Generall Assembly, taking to their serious consideration, the great
scandals which have lately encreased, partly through some Ministers
their reserving and not declaring of themselves against the prevalent
sins of the times, partly through the spite, Malignity, and insolency
of others against such Ministers as have faithfully and freely reproved
the Sins of the times without respect of persons, Do therefore for
preventing and removing such scandals hereafter, Appoint and Ordain,
that every Minister do by the word of Wisdom apply his Doctrine
faithfully against the publick Sins and Corruptions of these times,
and particularly against the Sins and Scandals in that Congregation
wherein he lives, according to the Act of the Generall Assembly 1596,
revived by the Assembly at Glasgow 1638. Appointing that such as
shall be found not applying their Doctrine to corruptions, which is
the Pastorall gift, cold, and wanting of Spirituall zeal, flatterers
and dissembling of publick sins, and especially of great Personages
in their Congregations, that all such persons be censured according
to the degree of their faults and continuing therein be deprived;
And according to the Act of the Generall Assembly 1646, Sess. 10,
That beside all other scandals, silence, or ambiguous speaking in
the publike Cause, much more detracting and disaffected speeches be
seasonably censured: As therefore the Errours and exorbitancies of
Sectaries in England are not to be passed in silence, but plain warning
to be given of the danger of so near a contagion, that people may
beware of it, and such as neglect this duty to be Censured by their
Presbyteries, So it is thought fit and Appointed by the Assembly,
conform to the foresaid Acts, That the main current of applications
in Sermons may run along against the evils that prevail at home, and
namely against the contempt of the Word, against all profanesse,
against the present defection from the League and Covenant, against the
unlawfull Engagement in War, against the unlawfull Band and Declaration
of the date of the 10 of June ordained to be subscribed by all the
Subjects, and other unjust Decrees established by Law, against the
Plots and Practices of Malignants, and against the Principles and
Tenents of Erastianism, which spread among divers in this Kingdom;
For the better confutation whereof, it is hereby Recommended to the
Ministery to study that point of controversie well, that they may
be the more able to stop the mouths of gainsayers: Tis also hereby
Recommended to the severall Presbyteries and Provinciall Synods, that
they make speciall enquiry and triall concerning all the Ministery in
their bounds, And if any be found too sparing generall, or ambiguous in
the foresaid applications and reproofs that they be sharply rebuked,
dealt with, and warned to amend under the pain of suspension from
their Ministery; And if after such warning given they amend not, that
such be suspended by Presbyteries, and in case of their negligence by
the Synods till the next Generall Assembly; But if there be any, who
do neglect and omit such applications and reproofs, and continue in
such negligence after admonition and dealing with them, they are to be
cited, and after due triall of the offence to be deposed, for being
pleasers of men rather then servants of Christ, for giving themselves
to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in the Cause of God, and for
defrauding the souls of people, yea for being highly guilty of the
blood of souls in not giving them warning: Much more are such Ministers
to be censured with Deposition from their Ministry who preach for the
lawfulnes or pray for the success of the present unlawfull Engagement,
or that go along with the Army themselves, or who subscribe any Bands
or take any Oaths not approved by the General Assembly or their
Commissioners, or by their counsel, countenance or approbation make
themselves accessory to the taking of such Bands and Oaths by others:
It is to be understood that if any Minister preach in defence of or
pray for the successe to the Sectaries in England, he is likewayes to
be censured by deposition. And this we adde as a generall rule to be
observed on both hands, but not as if we had found any of the Ministery
of this Kingdom to be favourers of the Sectaries in England.
And in case any Minister for his freedom in preaching, and faithfull
discharge of his conscience shall be in the face of the Congregation or
elsewhere upbraided, railed at, mocked, or threatened, or if any injury
or violence be done to his person, or any stop and disturbance made to
him in the exercise of his Ministeriall calling, The Presbyterie of
the bounds shall forthwith enter in processe with the offender, and
whoever he be Charge him to satisfie the Discipline of the Kirk by
publick Repentance, which if any do not, or refuse to do, That then
the Presbyterie proceed to Excommunication against him; In all which
Presbyteries and Synods are to give an account of their diligence:
And the Assembly Appoints this Act to be intimate in the several
Congregations of this Kirk.
August 4, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sees. XXIX.
_Overtures concerning the education of the Hie-land Boys in the
Province of Argyle._
This day the report following being made from the Committee concerning
the education of Hie-land Boys in Argyle, viz.
“The Committee considering the Bill remitted by the Generall Assembly
to us concerning the Hie-land Boys (who are given up to be fourty in
number of good spirits and approven by the Province of Argyle) Do
humbly think that four of them who are ready for the Colledge should be
recommended to the Universities to get Burses on in every Colledge. As
for the rest of the 40. who are to be brought up at Grammar Schools,
The Committee thinks that if the said Boys should be scattered through
the Kingdom they should lose the Irish language, and so the Assembly
shall fail of their purpose to make them usefull for the Hie-lands:
And therefore do humbly conceive that it were fitting that every
Congregation pay yearly fourty shillings Scots for maintaining the said
Boys at Schools in Glasgow, or in other places where many of them may
be together accepted of, and that the money be brought in yearly to
the Generall Assembly by the Commissioners of Presbyteries, and that
Presbyteries augment or diminish the said proportion according to the
ability of every Congregation.”
The Assembly having considered the foresaid Report, Approves the first
Overture, And recommends Colin Campbell to the University of Aberdeen,
Duncan Campbell to Edinburgh, Patrick Campbell to Glasgow, Zachary
Maccullum to St Leonards Colledge in St Andrews: As also Approve the
second Overture, seriously Recommending to Presbyteries, That the
said fourty shillings be collected carefully and sent to Glasgow, And
the Ministers of Glasgow shall appoint some sufficient man in that
Town to receive the said Collection from Presbyteries, And to take
charge of the boording and entertainment of the saids Boys in Glasgow
at Schooles, and they shall send in the names of the Boys with a
Certificate of their proficiency yearly to the Generall Assembly: And
this Collection shall onely endure for the space of twelve years.
August 5, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX.
_Explanation of the fifth Article of the Overtures concerning Appeals
past in the Assembly_, 1643.
The Generall Assembly for clearing the sense of the fifth Article of
the Overtures concerning Appeals in the Assembly, 1643, Sess. 2, Do
Declare that if Appellations, _Post latam sententiam_ be not presented
to the Judicatory when the sentence is pronounced: The party shall
then immediately after the sentence protest for liberty of Appeal, as
he shall see cause; And accordingly within ten dayes shall give in
his Appeal in writ under his hand, either to the Judicatory or the
Moderator thereof, otherwise the Appeal is not to be respected.
Eodem die, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX.
_Act discharging deposed or suspended Ministers from any exercise of
the Ministery, or medling with the stipend._
The Generall Assembly considering that according to the ancient
practise and order of this Kirk, the Censure of Suspension and
Deposition of Ministers is both _ab officio_ and _à beneficio_, as is
also acknowledged by the 20 Act of the Parliament, Anno 1644, And that
the continuance of suspended or deposed Ministers in the exercise of
the Ministery or in the possession of their stipend hath been and ought
to be accompted and censured as a great contempt of the Authority and
Censures of the Kirk, Considering also that the continuance of deposed
Ministers in the possession of the stipend, is a great prejudice and
obstruction to the planting of the vaiking Kirk, and to the service of
God there. Therefore do declare and Ordain, That whosoever after the
sentence of Deposition pronounced against them, Do either exercise any
part of the Ministeriall calling in the places they formerly served in,
or elsewhere, or do possesse, meddle, or intromet with the stipend or
other benefits whatsoever belonging to these Kirks they served at, They
shall be proceeded against with Excommunication; And if any suspended
Minister during his suspension, either exercise any part of the
Ministeriall Calling, or intromet with the Stipend, that he be Deposed,
And after deposition, continuing in either of these faults, That he be
processed with Excommunication; But prejudice always to them of their
stipend resting for by-gone service, and of any recompence due for
building or repairing of the Manse according to the ordinary practise.
And the Assembly recommends to Presbyteries seriously to be carefull of
the putting of this Act in execution.
August 7, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXXI.
_The Assemblies Declaration of the falshood and forgerie of a lying
scandalous Pamphlet put forth under the name of their Reverend
Brother, Master Alexander Henderson, after his death._
The Generall Assembly of this Kirk having seen a Printed Paper,
Intituled, “The Declaration of Mr Alexander Henderson principall
Minister of the Word of GOD at Edinburgh and chief Commissioner from
the Kirk of Scotland to the Parliament and Synod of England made upon
his death-bed.” And taking into their serious consideration how many
grosse lies and impudent calumnies are herein contained; Out of the
tender respect which they do bear to his name (which ought to be very
precious to them and all posterity, for his faithfull service in the
great Work of Reformation in these Kingdoms, wherein the LORD was
pleased to make him eminently instrumentall) and lest through the
malice of some, and ignorance of others the said Pamphlet should gain
belief among the weaker sort, They have thought fit to make known and
declare concerning the same as followeth,
That after due search and tryall they do finde that their worthy
brother Master Alexander Henderson did from the time of his coming
from London to Newcastle till the last moment of his departure out of
this life upon all occasions manifest the constancy of his judgement
touching the Work of Reformation in these Kingdoms; Namely, in all his
discourses and conferences with his Majesty, and with his Brethren who
were employed with him in the same Trust at Newcastle, In his Letters
to the Commissioners at London, and particularly in his last discourse
to his Majestie at his departing from Newcastle, being very weak
and greatly decayed in his Naturall strength. When he was come from
Newcastle by Sea to this Kingdom, he was in such a weak worn and failed
condition, as it was evident to all who saw him, that he was not able
to frame any such Declaration, for he was so spent that he died within
eight dayes after his arrivall; And all that he was able to speak in
that time did clearly shew his judgement of, and affection to the Work
of Reformation and Cause of God, to be every way the same then, that it
was in the beginning and progresse thereof, as divers Reverend Brethren
who visited him have declared to this Assembly, and particularly two
Brethren who constantly attended him from the time he came home till
his breath expired. A further testimony may be brought from a short
Confession of Faith under his hand found amongst his Papers, which is
expressed as his last Words, wherein among other mercies he declareth
himself _most of all obliged to the grace and goodnesse of God for
calling him to believe the Promises of the Gospel, and for exalting him
to be a Preacher of them to others, and to be a willing though weak
instrument in this great and wonderfull work of Reformation, which
he earnestly beseecheth the Lord to bring to a happy conclusion_.
Other reasons may be added from the levity of the stile and manifest
absurdities contained in that Paper. Upon consideration of all which
this Assembly doth condemn the said Pamphlet as forged, scandalous,
and false, And further Declare the author and contriver of the same
to be void of charity and a good conscience, and a grosse lyar and
calumniator led by the Spirit of the accuser of the Brethren.
_Act for taking the Covenant at the first receiving of the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper, and for the receiving of it also by all Students
at their first entry to Colledges._
The Generall Assembly according to former recommendations, Doth Ordain
that all young Students take the Covenant at their first entry to
Colledges; And that hereafter all Persons whatsoever take the Covenant
at their first receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper: Requiring
hereby Provinciall Assemblies, Presbyteries and Universities to be
carefull that this Act be observed, and accompt thereof taken in the
visitation of Universities and particular Kirks, and in the tryall of
Presbyteries.
Eodem die, Post Meridiem. Sess. XXXII.
_Act concerning Presbyteries maintaining of Bursars._
The Generall Assembly Understanding that the frequent Recommendation of
preceding Assemblies for maintaining Bursars, is by many Presbyteries
neglected, Do therefore Ordain Synods to crave accompt thereof from
Presbyteries at every Provinciall meeting, Which with the Presbyteries
answer, shall be put upon record, That so the part both of Presbyteries
and Synods and their negligence or diligence in so pious a work may
be known by the examination of the Provinciall books to each Generall
Assembly.
August 9, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXXV.
_Act for dis-joyning the Presbytery of Zetland, from the Provinciall
Synod of Orkney and Cathnes._