not so hold the other upon the Malignants, they being an enemy more
numerous, and no lesse subtile and powerfull nor the other, and at
this time more dangerous unto us, not onely because experience hath
proven that there is a greater aptitude and inclination in these of our
Land, to complie with Malignants then Sectaries, in that they carry on
their wicked designes under a pretext of being for the King; But also
because there be many of them in our own bowels, and for that they
doe pretend to be for maintenance of the Kings Person and Authority,
and (which is the matter of our grife) because the King ownes their
principles and wayes; which if it be not taken heed unto, may prove a
great snare, and dangerous tentation to many to side with them against
the Lords people, and his cause. The constant tenour of the carriage
of these in this land, who stand for the cause of God, are undeniable
arguments of their affection to Monarchy, and to that Royal Family and
Line wᶜʰ hath sweyed the Scepter of this Kingdom for many hundreds of
yeers past. Albeit his Majestie who lately reigned, refused to harken
to their just desires; yet did they with much patience and moderation
of mind, supplicate and solicite his Majesty for satisfaction in
these things that concern Religion and the Covenant, and were still
willing, that upon satisfaction given, he should be admitted to the
exercise of his power; and whatsoever envie and malice objects to the
contrary, were carefull to get assurance concerning the safety of
his Majesties Person, when they brought their army out of England;
and when notwithstanding of that assurance, the prevailing party of
Sectaries were acting for his life, did to the utmost of their power,
endeavour by their Commissioners that there might have been no such
proceeding; And when their desires and endeavours were not successfull,
did protest and bear testimony against the same. And, as both Kirk and
State had testified their tender respect to his Majesty who now reigns,
by their Letters written to him whilst his Father was yet living, So
no sooner did the Parliament heare of his Fathers death, but they did
with all solemnity proclaim him King of these Kingdoms; And after
they had acquainted his Majesty by Messages with their proceedings
herein, Commissioners were sent both from State and Kirk instructed
with power and Commission to expresse the affection of this Kingdome
to Monarchy, and his Majesties Person and Government, together with
their desires concerning the security of Religion, and the Peace of
those Kingdoms. And albeit the desires of both which are now published
to the world, with his Majesties answers thereto, are such as are most
just and necessary; yet the Counsels of the malignant party had so
great influence upon his Majesty, that his answers are not only not
satisfactory, but short of that which was many times granted by his
Royall Father, and cannot be acquiesced unto, unlesse we would abandon
the League and Covenant, and betray Religion, and the cause of God.
We hold it the duty of all who live in this Land, to wrestle with God
in the behalfe of the King, that he may be recovered out of the snare
of evill Counsell, and brought to give satisfaction to the publick
desires of Kirk and State; and in their places and stations to use
all endeavours with himselfe and others for that effect, and to be
willing, upon satisfaction given, to admit him to the exercise of his
power, and cheerfully to obey him in all things according to the will
of God, and the Lawes of the Kingdom, and to do every thing that tends
to the preservation of his Majesties person, and just greatnesse and
Authority, in the defence and preservation of the true Religion and
Liberties of the Kingdomes.
But if his Majesty, or any having, or pretending power and Commission
from him, shall invade this Kingdom, upon pretext of establishing him
in the exercise of his Royall power, as it will be an high provocation
against God to be accessory or assisting thereto, so will it be a
necessary duty to resist and oppose the same. We know that many are so
forgetfull of the oath of God, and ignorant and careles of the interest
of Jesus Christ and the Gospel, and doe so little tender that which
concerns his Kingdom and the Privileges thereof, and do so much dote
upon absolute and Arbitrary Government for gaining their own ends, and
so much maligne the Instruments of the work of Reformation, that they
would admit his Majesty to the exercise of his Royall power upon any
termes whatsoever, though with never so much prejudice to Religion, and
the Liberties of these Kingdomes, and would think it quarrell enough
to make War upon all those who for conscience sake cannot condescend
thereto. But We desire all these who fear the Lord, and mind to keep
their Covenant impartially to consider these things which followes.
1. That as Magistrates and their power is ordained of God, so are they
in the exercise thereof, not to walk according to their owne will,
but according to the Law of equity and righteousnesse, as being the
Ministers of GOD for the safety of his People; Therefore a boundles
and illimitted power is to be acknowledged in no King nor Magistrate;
Neither is Our King to be admitted to the exercise of his power as long
as he refuses to walk, in the Administration of the same, according to
this rule, and the established Laws of the Kingdom, that his Subjects
may live under him a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and
honestie.
2. There is ane mutuall Obligation and Stipulation betwixt the King
and his People; As both of them are tied to GOD, so each of them are
tied one to another for the performance of mutuall and reciprocal
duties: According to this, It is Statute and Ordained in the 8 Act
of the 1 Parliament of King James the 6, “That all Kings, Princes or
Magistrates whatsoever, halding their place, which hereafter shall
happen in any time to Raign and beare rule over this Realm, at the
time of their Coronation and receipt of their Princely Authority, make
their faithfull promise by Oath in the presence of the Eternall GOD,
that during the whole course of their lives, they shall serve the
same Eternall GOD to the utmost of their power, according as he hath
required in his most Holy Word contained in the Old and New Testament,
And according to the same Word, shall maintain the true Religion of
Christ Jesus, the Preaching of His most Holy Word, and due and right
ministration of His Sacraments now received and Preached within this
Realm, And shall abolish and gainstand all false religion contrary to
the same, And shall rule the people committed to their charge according
to the Will and Command of GOD revealed in his Word, and according to
the lovable Lawes and Constitutions received within this Realm, And
shall procure to the utmost of their power to the Kirk of God and the
whole Christian People, true and perfect peace in all time comming, And
that Justice and Equity be keeped to all creatures without exception.”
Which Oath was sworn, first by King James the 6, and afterwards by King
Charles at his Coronation, and is inserted in our Nationall Covenant,
which was approven by the King, who lately Reigned: As long therefore
as his Majesty who now Reignes, refuses to hearken to the just and
necessary desires of State and Kirk, propounded to his Majesty for
the Security of Religion, and safety of his People, and to engage and
oblige himself for the performance of his Duty to his People, It is
consonant to Scripture and reason and the Laws of the Kingdom, that
they should refuse to admit him to the exercise of his Government,
untill he give satisfaction in these things.
3. In the League and Covenant which hath been so solemnly sworn and
renewed by this Kingdom, the Dutie of defending and preserving the
Kings Majesties Person and Authority is joyned with and subordinat unto
the dutie of preserving and defending the true Religion and Liberties
of the Kingdoms: And therefore his Majestie standing in opposition
to the just and necessary publick desires concerning Religion and
Liberties, it were a manifest Breach of Covenant, and a preferring of
the Kings interest to the interest of Jesus Christ, to bring him to the
exercise of his Royal power, which he, walking in a contrary way, and
being compassed about with Malignant counsels, cannot but employ unto
the prejudice and ruin of both.
4. Was not an Arbitrary Government and unlimited power, the fountain
of most of all the Corruptions both in Kirk and State? And was it not
for restraint of this, and for their own just defence against Tyranny
and injust violence, which ordinarily is the fruit and effect of such
a power, that the Lords People did joyn in Covenant, and have been at
the expense of so much blood, pains and treasure these yeers past? And
if his Majestie should be admitted to the exercise of his Government
before satisfaction given, were it not to put in his hand that
Arbitrary Power, which we have upon just and necessary grounds been so
long withstanding, and so to abandon our former Principles, and betray
our Cause?
5. The King being averse from the Work of Reformation and the
instruments thereof, and compassed about with Malignant and disaffected
men, whom he hearkens unto as his most faithfull Counsellers, and
looks upon as his best and most Loyall subjects, We leave it to all
indifferent men to judge, whether his Majestie, being admitted to the
exercise of his Power before satisfaction given, would not by such
Counsells endeavour an overturning of the things which GOD hath wrought
amongst us, and labour to draw publick administrations concerning
Religion and the liberties of the Subject, unto that course and
channall in which they did run under Prelacie, and before the Work of
Reformation: Which we have the more cause to fear, because his Royall
Father did so often declare, that he conceived himself bound to employ
all the power that GOD should put in his hands to the utmost for these
ends; and that he adheres as yet to his Fathers Principles, and walkes
in his way, and hath made a Peace with the Irish Rebels, by which is
granted unto them the full liberty of Popery.
6. It is no strange nor new thing for Kingdoms to preserve Religion and
themselves from ruine, by putting restraint upon the exercise of the
power and Government of those who have refused to grant those things
that were necessary for the good of Religion and the Peoples safety;
There have bin many precedents of it in this and other nations of old,
and of late. Upon these and other important considerations, It shall be
the wisdom of every one who dwell in the Land, to take heed of such a
temptation and snare, that they be not accessory to any such designes
or endeavours, as they would not bring upon themselves, and upon their
families, the guilt of all the detriment that will undoubtedly follow
thereupon to Religion and the Covenant, and of all the miseries and
calamities that it will bring upon his Majesties Person and throne,
and upon these Kingdoms; Such a thing would in all appearance be the
undermining and shaking, if not the overthrowing and destroying of the
work of Reformation: And therefore whosoever attempt the same, oppose
themselves to the Cause of GOD, and will at last dash against the Rock
of the LORDS Power, which hath broken in pieces many high and lofty
ones since the beginning of this Work in these Kingdoms: And it is unto
us a sure Word of Promise, That whosoever shall associate themselves,
or take counsell together, or gird themselves against GOD and His Work,
shall be broken in pieces.
It is not onely joyning in Arms with the Malignant partie, that all
these who would keep their integritie has need to beware of, but also
subtill devices and designes, that are promoted by fair pretexts and
perswasions to draw men to dispense at least with some part of these
necessarie desires, that are propounded to his Majestie for securing
of Religion. After many turnings and devises the foundation of the
unlawfull Engagement was at last laid by his Majesties Concessions
in the year 1648. Wherein though many things seemed to be granted,
yet that was denied, without which Religion and the Union betwixt the
Kingdoms could not have been secured: And it is probable, that such a
way may be assayed again, and prosecuted with very much cunning and
skill to deceive and insnare the simple. It doth therefore concern all
ranks and conditions of persons to be the more warie and circumspect,
especially in that which concerns the Nationall Covenant, and the
Solemn League and Covenant, that before his Majestie be admitted to
the exercise of his Royall Power, that by and attour the Oath of
Coronation, he shall assure and declare by his Solemn Oath under his
hand and seal his allowance of the Nationall Covenant, and of the
Solemn League and Covenant, and obligation to prosecute the ends
thereof in his Station and Calling, and that he shall for himself and
his successours, consent and agree to Acts of Parliament, injoyning
the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully Establishing Presbyteriall
Government, the Directory of Worship, the Confession of Faith and
Catechisme, as they are approven by the Generall Assembly of this
Kirk and Parliament of this Kingdom, in all his Majesties Dominions,
and that he shall observe these in his own Practise and Familie, and
that he shall never make opposition to any of these, nor endeavour
any change thereof. Albeit the League and Covenant be despised by
that prevailing party in England, and the Work of Uniformity, thorow
the retardments and obstructions that have come in the way, be almost
forgotten by these Kingdoms; yet the obligation of that Covenant is
perpetuall, and all the duties contained therein are constantly to be
minded, and prosecuted by every one of us and our posterity, according
to their place and stations: And therefore we are no lesse zealously to
endeavour, that his Majestie may Establish, and swear, and subscribe
the same, then if it were unanimously regarded and stuck unto by alt
the Kingdom of England, for his Majestie swearing and subscribing the
League and Covenant, will much contribute for the Security of Religion,
his Majesties happinesse, and the Peace of his Kingdoms.
As it is incumbent to all, who live in this Kirk and Kingdom to
be watchful and circumspect, so it concerns these of the High and
Honourable Court of Parliament and their Committees, in a special
way to see to their duty, and to be straight and resolute in the
performance of the same; Their former proceedings is unto us a
sufficient evidence and ground of hope, that they will not be wanting
in any necessary testimony of dutie and Loyalty that they owe to the
King, by using all just and seasonable endeavoures for obtaining
satisfaction of his Majestie, that so he may be established upon his
Thrones; And we trust, that upon the other hand, the sence of their
obligation to God, and his Oath that is upon them, will make them
constantly to adhere to their former Principles, resolutions, and
desires concerning Religion and the Covenant, that reall satisfaction
may be had thereanent, before the King be put in the exercise of his
power; And that they will carefully provide for the safety of the
Kingdom, both in regard of intestine dangers, and in regard of invasion
from without: It is not long since they, together with the rest of the
Land, made solemn Publick Confession of Compliance with Malignants,
carnall confidence, following of self interests, and hearkening to
the Counsells of flesh and blood, And did in a speciall way engage
themselves to comply, and seek themselves and their own things no more,
to abandon the counsels of their own hearts, and not to rely upon the
Arm of flesh, and to purge Judicatories and Armies from Profane and
scandalous persons; And God forbid that they should so soon forget, or
neglect so necessary duties, and fall again unto so great and grievous
transgressions. We trust that they will seek the things of CHRIST, and
not their own things, that they will hearken to His Word, and not walk
in the imaginations of their own hearts, that they will relie upon
the Arm of the LORD, and not upon the arm of flesh, that they will be
wary and circumspect in decerning the dispositions and affections of
those whom they put in trust, and that, seeing this Kingdom hath so
much smarted, and been so often deceived by compliance with Malignants,
they will carefully avoid this snare, in regard of those who were
upon the former unlawfull Engagement, and be tender in bringing in of
such; And wee cannot but exhort them in the Name of the LORD, to take
notice of the Oppression of the People and Commons in the Land, by the
lawlesse exactions of Land-Lords, Collectours and Souldiers. We do not
justifie the murmurings and grudgings of those, who, preferring the
things of the world to the Gospel and things of Jesus Christ, repine at
necessary burthens, without which it is not possible that the Land can
be secured from invasion without and insurrection within, or the Cause
and People of GOD be defended from enemies: It is the duty of every one
who hath taken the Covenant, willingly and with a cheerfull minde to
bestow their means and their pains as they shall be called thereunto,
in an orderly way: Yet should these to whom God hath committed the
Government, take care that they be not needlessely burthened, and that
none grind their faces by oppression, not only by making of Lawes
against the same, but by searching out of the cause of the poor, and by
executing these Lawes timously upon these that oppresse them, that they
may find real redresse of their just grievances and complaints, and be
encouraged to bear those burthens which cannot be avoyded.
As the Parliament have begun, so we hope they will continue, to purge
out all these from trust, that are not of known integrity and affection
to the cause of God, and of a blamelesse and Christian conversation,
and that they and the Officers of the Army in their respective places,
will seriously mind, and speedily and resolutely goe about the removing
from the Army all malignant and scandalous persons, and also the
removing of Sectaries when any shall be found therein, that they may
give real evidence that they did not deal deceitfully with God, in the
day that they engaged themselves thereto.
Albeit wee hope and pray that those who beare charge in our Army,
will from the remembrance of the Lords goodnesse to them, and the
honour that he hath put upon them, endeavour to carry themselves
faithfully, and straightly; Yet it cannot be unseasonable to warn
them to take heed of tentations, and to beware of snares that they be
not drawn to indifferencle or neutrality in the cause of God, much
lesse unto connivance at, or compliance with the courses and designes
of malignants or Sectaries, but to stick closely by the same, and
to be zealous against all the enemies and adversaries thereof: And
it concerns souldiers to be content with their wages, and to doe
violence to no man, but as they are called unto the defence of the
cause and people of God, so to behave themselves in such a blamlesse
and Christian way, that their cariage may be a testimony to his cause,
and a comfort to his people; So shall our Armies prosper, and the Lord
shall goe out with them.
But most of all it concerns the Ministers of the Gospel whom God
hath called to give warning to his people to look to their duty; It
is undeniably true, that many of the evils wherewith this Kirk and
Kingdome hath been afflicted in our age, have come to passe because
of the negligence of some, and corruptions of others of the Ministry;
Whilest some fell asleep, and were carelesse, and others were covetous
and ambitious, the evil man brought in Prelacy, and the Ceremonies,
and had farre promoted the Service-Book, and the Book of Cannon; and
the course of backsliding and revolting was carried on, untill it
pleased God to stirre up the spirits of these few, who stood in the gap
to oppose and resist the same, and to begin the work of Reformation
in the Land; Since which time, the silence of some Ministers, and
compliance of others, hath had great influence upon the backsliding of
many amongst the people, who upon the discovery of the evill of their
way, complain that they got not warning, or that if they were warned
by some, others held their Peace, or did justifie them in the course
of their backsliding; We can look upon such Ministers no otherwise
then upon those that are guilty of the blood of the Lords people, and
with whom the Lord will reckon for all the breach of Covenant, and
defection that hath been in the Land. The priests lips should preserve
knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the
messenger of the Lord of Hosts; But such are departed out of the way,
and hath caused many to stumble at the Law, therefore hath the Lord
made them contemtible and base before all the people, according as they
have not kept his wayes, but have been partiall in his law; Because
they have lost their favour, he hath cast out many of them as unsavoury
salt: But such as have been faithfull, as he hath preserved them from
the violence and fury of men, so hath he verified his word in their
mouths, both against his enemies, and concerning his people and his
work; And makes them see, though not all their desires concerning the
Gospel, and the work of God in the land, yet very much of the fruit
of their labour, by preserving the doctrine and all the ordinances of
Jesus Christ in their purity, and adding in some measure thereto the
power and life thereof. We doe therefore charge all the Ministers of
the land, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing in his Kingdom, as in every thing
to be ensamples of a good conversation, and to walk without offence,
that the ministry be not blamed; So to take heed unto the flock over
which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers, to declare unto them all
the Counsell of God, and to give them timous warning concerning every
danger and duty, and to hold forth unto them the solid grounds of reall
consolation, by which they may be encouraged and comforted in all their
trials and afflictions; that they may be free of the blood of all men,
and have this as a ground of rejoycing, even the testimony of their
consciences, that in simplicity and godly purenesse, not with fleshly
wisdome, but by the grace of God they have had their conversation
in the world, and have exhorted and comforted and charged every
one committed unto them as a Father doth his children. Especially,
Ministers are to be careful to be much in discovering the temptations,
and pressing the duties of the times, that these who are under their
charge may know what to avoid, and what to embrace and pursue: If all
the Watchmen in the Land shall give warning, and blow the Trumpet at
once, it shall not be easie for enemies to prey upon the people of God.
Wee know no cause why any whom God hath called to preach the Gospel,
should be afraid to speak boldly in the Name of the Lord; since God
hath given so manifest a testimony of his care and protection, in
preserving them, these yeers past, who have striven to be faithfull to
him who hath called them, from all the fury and malice of haters of
the work of God and of the Kingdom of his Sonne Jesus Christ, who hath
promised to be with his servants unto the end of the world.
Albeit the Land be involved in many difficulties, and compassed about
with great and iminent dangers, yet there is hope and ground of
consolation concerning this thing. The Lord is in the midst of us, and
we are called by his name, our eares hear the joyfull sound of the
Gospel, and our eyes see our Teachers; We behold the arm of the Lord
stretched out daily in working salvation for his people, and answering
their desires upon their enemies by terrible things in righteousnesse;
Although we be but few in number, yet the Lord of Hosts is with us, and
in the power of his strength we shall be able to prevaile; Although
our land be filled with sin, yet we have not been forsaken of the Lord
our God, but he hath alwayes had compassion upon us, and delivered us
in all our distresses; Although some of understanding fall, it is but
to try, and to purge and to make white even to the end, because it is
yet for a time appointed; Although many cleave to us by flatteries, yet
there be a remnant who keep their integrity, and the Lord shall doe
good to these that be good, but such as turn aside to crooked wayes,
shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity.
The Lords people in England and Ireland, who adhere to the cause
and Covenant, may be perplexed, but shall not despair; they may be
persecuted, but shall not be forsaken; they may be cast down, but shall
not be destroyed: And although uniformity, and the work of Reformation
in these lands, seem not only to be retarded, but almost pluckt up by
the roots, and the foundations thereof razed; Yet the seed wᶜʰ the
Lord hath sowen there, shall again take root downward, and bear fruit
upward; The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall performe this.
* * * * *
30 July, 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX.
_Act concerning Catechising._