scandalized and stumbled at their late Acts and Proceedings, relating
to Publick Resolutions concerning the same in the nature and Intention
of the Work, to have obstructed and shaken the Work of Reformation,
(although we think honourably of diverse Godly and Learned men who
have been concurring in the same, and dare not judge their Intentions
to be such as we think their Work hath been, and do allow charity to
others.) Therefore for satisfaction of our conscience, and for securing
the Work of Reformation, for purging the Church, and for promoving the
power of godlinesse, and for removing of these sad differences, and for
attaining and preserving a good understanding, We desire,
That they give evidence and assurance, that they approve of, and will
adhere unto the solemn Publick Confession of sins and engagement to
duties, and all the Acts of the uncontroverted Assemblies of this
Church, concerning the Work of Reformation, in the literal and genuine
sense and meaning thereof. And that in dispensing of the Ordinances,
censuring of scandalous persons, receiving of Penitents, trying,
admitting, removing, and deposing of Church-Officers, they will walk
according to the same. That it be laid seriously to heart before the
Lord, how after such a defection, and so sad judgments for it, the
Lord may be restored to his honor, the Land to his favor, and the like
defection prevented in time coming.
That as we are ready to our station, to follow all religious and
conscionable means and Overtures for securing and guarding the Cause
and Work of God against Error, Heresie, and Schism on the one hand, so
they would hold out to us a solid way for securing the same against
dangers from Malignancy on the other. And we would know what shall be
the Characters in time coming, by which Malignancy may be known and
judged.
That a reall and effectuall course be taken, according to the
established rules of this Kirk, for purging out, and holding out all
such Church-Officers as have not the Position, and qualifications
required in the Word of God, and Acts of this Kirk, particularly, where
Ministers deposed by lawfull Assemblies, have intruded themselves,
or have been unwarrantably restored by Synods and Presbyteries to
their Charges, contrary to the form and order prescribed in the Acts
of Assemblies, be removed, and condign censures inflicted, and that
sufficient Provision be made for preventing the like in time coming.
That after means be fallen upon and followed for censuring of all
scandals and scandalous persons, and casting out of these who shall be
found grosly and obstinatly scandalous or ignorant, after they are made
inexcusable by sufficient means and pains taken for their instructing
and reclaiming.
That some course more effectuall than any hath been fallen upon
hitherto, may be condescended upon, for putting in execution the Acts
of this Kirk, anent debarring from the Lord’s Table such persons who
are found not to walk suteably to the Gospel, and have not knowledge to
examine themselves, and to discerne the Lord’s Body.
That in the receiving of Penitents, care may be had that none be
admitted to the publick Profession of repentance, or reconciled to
the Church, but these who are found to give such evidence of their
repentance, as is exprest in the Acts of the Assemblies, concerning the
receiving of Penitents.
That an effectual course may be taken for securing of the Work and
People of GOD from the harm and evill consequences which hath already,
and may further ensue from the late pretended Assemblies at S. Andrews
and Dundee, and the Acts thereof.
* * * * *
No. II.
_Reasons why the Ministers, Elders, and Professors, who protested
against the Pretended Assemblies at St Andrews, Dundee, and
Edinburgh, cannot agree to the Overtures made unto them at the
Conference, upon the 28 and 29 of July, 1652, &c._
Albeit the Essayes and Endeavors which were used by us, before our
coming hither, for removing of Differences, and attaining of Union and
Peace, upon such grounds as might (indeed) bring forth a discovery of
our, and the Lands Sin, and contribute for removing the guilt thereof,
and for securing and promoving the Work of Reformation amongst us,
might in a great part have acquited our consciences, and cleared us
before the world; yet the deep sense that we had of the many and
great prejudices which do ensue to the Work and People of God, by our
continued Divisions, and our ardent desire of Peace and Union, upon
the grounds foresaid, constrained us to lay hold upon the opportunity
of your meeting together at this time, and to represent unto you, some
necessary and just Propositions, as a fit subject of our conference;
and that we were willing to hear what should be offered by you to us,
in order to these ends; and, that therefore you would forbear to assume
unto your selves the power of, or constitute your selves into a Gen.
Assembly. And when we found this ineffectual, and our Union rendred
more hopeless, by your denying a desire so just and reasonable, and so
agreeable to the practice of former Assemblies, as was instanced before
you by these who knew the records: Nevertheless upon a surmise of a
purpose in you to confer with us, we did for divers dayes wait upon
you, being desirous to have seen upon your part, some serious applying
of your selves to the real means of healing, and to have found solid
satisfaction unto the things contained in the Propositions offered
to you by us: But in place of this, the Brethren who were appointed
by you to confer with some of our number, did intimate unto us, that
all which they had in Commission to make offer of, was, That ye were
willing to take off the Censures inflicted by the former Assembly at
St Andrews and Dundee, and the Censurableness that persons, who have
transgressed against the Acts thereof might be liable unto: Providing,
that these Brethren censured, and deserving Censure, should pass from
their Protestation against the former and present Assemblies, and
judicially before their Presbyteries and Synods, engage themselves
under their hands, not hereafter to deliver their Judgments in
Preaching or Writing, or any way else to hold up the late differences.
Which Overture when it was earnestly desired by these of our number
to be given to them in writing according to their Instructions, not
only because it was divers wayes represented by such of your number as
did confer with them, but also that they might the more perfectly and
better understand the same, and be able to make an exact report thereof
to these who sent them, and mistakes thereupon might be Prevented: It
was most peremptorily refused, albeit most earnestly urged and desired
during the whole time of the Conference: Therefore having set down the
same as truely and impartially as our judgments and memories could
attain; We do for our own vindication, and satisfaction of others, give
these Reasons following, why we cannot accept thereof.
“I. Because there is hereby no remedy at all offered for the course of
defection involved in the Publick Resolutions, nor for preventing the
like for time to come, which is the main ground of difference; but upon
the contrary we are required upon the matter to retract our Testimonies
thereanent, and judicially to give Bonds and Engagements hereafter to
be silent concerning the sin and guilt thereof.
“II. Because our passing from our Protestation doth import a real
acknowledgement of the lawfulness and freedom of the Assemblies in
regard of their constitution, and of power in them to inflict and take
off Censures, and so by our own consent, doth not only retract and
condemn the testimony which we formerly gave against the same, But also
obstructeth the remeading of what is past, and the attaining a lawful,
free, General Assembly for the time to come, and so wreaths about
our own neck, and the necks of the Lords People, the yoke of unfree,
corrupt, and unlawful Assemblies.
“III. Because the offer which is made, though it contains Immunity
in regard of these who have not acquiesced unto, or opposed these
Acts for the time past, yet the Acts of themselves do notwithstanding
thereof, still stand in force, as a ground of persecution against all
these Ministers and Professors, who shall not accept of the conditions
contained in this offer, or thereafter fail in performance of the same.
“IV. Because this offer is so far from reaching satisfaction to all,
or most part of the Propositions offered by us, that it doth not give
satisfaction to any one of them, but pitcheth upon a particular,
which ought to be of least consequence with us, (as importing but our
personal suffering) without taking notice of the Lands defection, and
of those things which do concern the Kingdom and Interest of JESUS
CHRIST, and the purging of his House; and what a sin and provocation
should it be against the Lord, and what a stumbling and grief of heart
unto the godly who have concurred in these Propositions, and after such
a defection, do expect repentance and reformation, and the purging of
his House of corrupt Officers and Members, if we should make such a
transaction, as seems to promise present security to our selves, but
doth not contribute for preserving of the Truth, and attaining a solid
Peace and Union in the Lord.
“V. We cannot see how the passing from these Propositions, and the
taking upon us such Engagements for the time to come as are desired,
should not involve us in the condemning of our own judgments, and in
the acknowledgment of a sin and offence in making these Protestations,
and bearing testimony against the Publick Resolutions, and import that
what is done by you in taking off of Censures and censurableness (as
you term it) is an Act of meer favour and grace upon your part, unto
Delinquents, upon their repentance. And though we hope that we shall
never be ashamed, but esteem it our mercy and glory to acknowledge
any thing whereby we have provoked the Lord, or offended others, yet
being more and more convinced in our consciences, that what we did
in these things was a necessary duty, we dare not purchase immunity
and exemption from Censures at so dear a rate, as to deny the same,
we shall rather choose still to be sufferers, and to wait upon the
issue that the Lord shall give, then to provoke the eyes of his Glory,
grieve the spirits of his People, and wound our own Consciences, by so
unsatisfying and so sinful a transaction.”
And conceiving that, we shall not have the opportunity to speak unto
you hereafter, as being now about to dissolve our Meeting; We do from
the zeal that we owe to the honour of God, and from the tender respect
we owe to you as Brethren, and for exonering our own Consciences, most
earnestly beseech and obtest you, by your appearing before the Lord
Jesus Christ, to give your selves unto Prayer, and searching of your
own hearts and way, in Order to Publick Resolutions and Actings, untill
each of you finde out wherein ye have turned aside from the straight
way of the Lord, and imployed your gifts and power not for Edification,
but for grieving the spirits of many of the Godly, and strengthening
of the hands of the wicked, and to Repent thereof, and to do no more
so, least wrath be increased from the LORD, the Godly of the Land more
offended, and our breach made wider, and our wound more incurable. If
both you and we might obtain mercy of the Lord to know our trespasse,
and why he contends, and to accept the punishment of our iniquity, and
humble our selves before hime, who knoweth but that he might yet have
compassion upon us, and pardon our sins, and heal our Land.
* * * * *
July the 28. Ante merid. 1652.
Mr Andrew Cant, Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr James Guthry, My Lord
Waristoun, Mr Robert Trail, Mr John Nevay, Mr James Nasmith, being
nominated to meet and confer with some Brethren, Members of the present
pretended Assembly, the Instructions following were given them, and
the Meeting doth require and expect, that they will walk according
thereto.
I. That they shall declare to the Brethren with whom they are to meet,
That as they do adhere to the Protestations formerly and lately given
in, so they do protest, that they do not meet nor confer with them, nor
receive any Papers from them, as being in the capacity of Commissioners
of a General Assembly, but onely as sent from a meeting of Ministers
and Elders, Wanting any such Authority.
II. That whatever be offered by the Brethren with whom they do confer,
they desire to get it in writing from them, as the mind of the Meeting
whereof they are Members; That it being communicated to us, Answer may
be given thereunto by our whole Meeting.
III. That they do not engage in Conference with them at first about
the matter of Censures; It being neither the chief nor only ground
of our grievance; and because with us things of that nature, and any
thing of personal concernment, ought to be of the smallest value,
while there are many things in question betwixt them and us, of far
higher consequence to the Kingdom of Christ and his Interest, as anent
the causes of Gods controversie with the Land, and the way of remedy
and cure of the former and late defection, and the way of preventing
the like in time coming. The establishing and promoving the Work of
Reformation, and the purging of the Kirk, and the like, as are laid
before them in our Propositions given in to their Meeting; And that
they do intimate to the Brethren foresaid, that we cannot look upon
an offer relating onely to the Censures, upon some of our number, as
satisfaction to them or us, and that (besides what we have said) for
other reasons to be communicated in due time to their Meeting. And that
therefore they shall offer to these Brethren, and desire of them, that
if there be any Conference at all, the subject matter of it may be upon
the whole Propositions in the order as they stand.
IV. That in case of their refusing the latter part of the former
Article, they shall require and demand from the Brethren of the other
Meeting, That they would declare whether we may expect, that these from
whom they were sent, will either by the said Brethren, or any other
way, give answer and satisfaction to us anent the Propositions, and
what is their sense and meaning of the Publick Resolutions, and anent
the Constitution, Acts, and Proceedings of the Meeting at Dundee, and
of this at Edinburgh, and what they minde to do in reference to the
same.
V. That in case there be not satisfaction obtained in these so just and
necessary things, They do professe their own and our dis-satisfaction
with any thing that hath been offered by them to us, or answered
to our desires first or last. And that they protest for themselves
and us, That as we have sought Peace, and pursued it by all lawfull
and possible means, though much in vain on their part. So we are
henceforth free from the guilt and blame of the sad prejudices and evil
consequences whatsomever, which may follow upon their present way,
and their former and future actings of that nature, so contrary and
destructive to Edification and Peace.
* * * * *
Right Reverend,
We have now for these fourteen dayes past, been imployed in using our
best endeavours, and waited for Overtures from you, for healing the
breach, and, removing the differences that are amongst us; And now
there being no ground of hope given us, nor any desire made unto us
for continuing the Conference, whereby a better understanding might be
attained, We have thought good before our parting from this place, to
send unto you this inclosed Paper, together with the Instructions given
in writing to these who were sent from us to the Conference, the Copy
whereof was offered by them to these who were sent from your number,
and left with them; Both which Papers we desire you to communicate to
those of your meeting. And so we rest,
Your very loving Brethren in the Lord.
Edinb. 29 July, 1652.
_Subscribed in the name of many Ministers,
Elders, and Professors throughout the Land,
who desire truth and peace._
DIRECTED. For the Reverend Brother, Mr David Dickson, Professor of
Divinity in the Colledge of Edinburgh.
* * * * *
No. III.
_An Act and Overture of the Generall Assembly, for the Peace and Vnion
of the Kirk._
Edinburgh. 2 August, 1652. Post meridiem. Sess. 18.
The Generall Assembly being deeply affected with sense of the many and
sad evils and calamities that have already arisen both to Kirk and
State within this Land, by the lamentable divisions and distractions
amongst Ministers and others of the People of God in this Kirk, and
apprehensive of greater evils which may yet follow, to the overthrowing
of the blessed Work of Reformation, (which the Lord, in his great and
speciall mercy, was pleased to set up amongst us, having carryed it
through many difficulties and oppositions,) and to the laying of the
Kirk of God waste and desolat, if these divisions and distractions shal
continue; And being most desirous, as the Servants of Jesus Christ,
who is the Prince of Peace, to use all necessary and lawfull means
(so far as their knowledge and power can reach) for preventing the
encrease of these divisions, and making up of the breaches; And being
firmly resolved, for obtaining of this desirable end, in all meeknesse,
gentlenesse, and moderation, to condescend so far as they can, without
violation of Truth, and of the just authority of the Government
and Courts of Jesus Christ in his Kirk, unto their Brethren of the
Ministery and others of the People of God, who have been this late time
by-past, and are at difference with the Judicatories of the Kirk, for
bringing them to an happy conjunction with their Brethren in unity of
the Spirit in the bond of Peace.
Therefore, for giving an evidence and demonstration of their real
intentions and sincere purpose about the premisses, as they have
already, by some of their number commissionated for that effect,
Declared and made offer to some of these their Dissenting Brethren,
who were here in the time of the Assembly, so now again do Declare
and make offer by this present Act, That the four Brethren, who, by
the preceding General Assembly at S. Andrews and Dundee, were upon
speciall consideration justly censured, for protesting against and
declining the Authority thereof, shal have the censures inflicted on
them by that Assembly for the cause foresaid, taken off them; And
further, that no censure shall be inflicted on them for not submitting
to the foresaid censures; yea, and that no censure shal be inflicted
for their Protesting against, and declining of this present Gen. Ass.
Providing, 1. That they do passe from the said two Protestations
against, and declinators of the two foresaid Assemblies, judicially
under their hand, between and the second Wednesday of November next
ensuing, in their several Presbyteries or Synods respective. 2. That
they also give assurance in manner foresaid, that they shall forbear
holding up divisions by debates about matters of our late differences
since the Assembly 1650, in preaching, writing, or any otherwise.
Likeas the Assembly doth Declare and make offer, that all such as did
concur in, or have been accessory unto the Protestation and Declinatour
against the Assembly at S. Andrews and Dundee, and were not censured,
shall be free from whatsoever censure might have been inflicted by any
Act of the said Assembly, and that no such Act shall have any force
against them hereafter in any Judicatory of this Kirk, and that no
censure shall be inflicted on them for their accession unto the late
Protestation and Declinatour against the present Assembly, Providing
they shall perform the foresaid provisions within the time, and after
the manner therein specified.
And for prosecution of this purpose, the Generall Assembly ordains the
several Presbyteries or Synods of this Kirk to present this offer,
with the Provisions therein contained, unto all such persons as are
before-mentioned within their bounds respective: And in case the
plurality of Presbyteries or Synods shal refuse to propound the same,
the Assembly doth warrand such Brethren as acknowledge the Authority of
these Assemblies, to propound them: and, having made report of their
diligence and successe therein to the next ensuing Quarterly Meeting
of the Commission of the Kirk, if they be then sitting, thereafter
to do as they finde by the rule of the Word of God, and the Acts and
Constitutions of Generall Assemblies of this Kirk, to be most necessary
and conducible for preservation of truth, for procuring the Peace and
welfare of the Kirk, and maintenance of the Authority of the Assemblies
thereof, as they will be answerable to the next Generall Assembly; And
recommends unto them to take advice of the Commission of the Kirk for
their proceeding in any matter of importance of this kinde.
And now the Generall Assembly having out of tender affection toward
their Brethren, and sincere desire of unity and concord with them in
the Lord, and for the Lord, condescended unto this moderation and
meeknesse, do obtest all and every one of them in the Name of Jesus
Christ, and expect, as they tender the preservation of the Government
of this Kirk (which adversaries without and within, taking advantage of
our divisions and distractions are labouring to subvert) and as they
love the establishing and promoving of the Kingdom of Christ in this
Land, and will be answerable to him in the great Day, that they would,
accepting of this offer of love, return unto unity with their Brethren
in their severall respective places and Judicatories, and concur in an
unanimous way, for preserving and promoving the Work of Reformation
in all the parts thereof, and for electing of Commissioners to the
next ensuing Generall Assembly. And if they shall (refusing to accept
this offer) continue to hold up the divisions, the Assembly leaveth it
to the judgement of all the Kirks of Christ abroad, to bear witnesse
if we have not faithfully endeavoured for our part, to heal our
present breaches; and if we shall not be free of the guilt of the sad
consequences that may come to the Work and people of God in this Land,
by continued distractions.
J. MAKGHIE.
* * * * *
No. IV.
Edinburgh, 3 Aug. 1652. Ante mer. Sess. 19.
_Act concerning admitting Expectants to their tryals, and Ruling Elders
to act in Presbyteries and Synods._
The General Assembly having out of their earnest desire of the Peace
and Vnity of this Kirk, condescended upon an Overture of Peace, and
not onely propounded it to some Brethren who were here, opposite to
the Publick Judicatories of this Kirk, But also in pursuance of that
end, Ordained the said Overture to be presented, and offered by the
several Presbyteries or Synods, to all in their respective bounds,
who have Protested against, and Declined, or consented or adhered
unto the Protestations and Declinatours made against this and the
preceding General Assembly, and the conditions therein contained,
to be required of them; And considering the great prejudice like to
arise to this Kirk, by encreasing of our unhappy Differences and
Distractions, if young men shal be admitted into the Ministery, which
shall still blow the fire of contention, and continue in avowed
opposition to, and contempt of the Publick Judicatories, Therefore
Ordains Presbyteries to take special care, that upon the calling
of any Expectant to a particular charge of the Ministery, before
they admit him to his trials, they require him under his hand, to
passe from the Protestations and Declinatours against this and the
preceding General Assembly, if he hath been accessory to the same,
and to promise and give assurance, that he shal abstain from holding
up Debates and Controversies, about matters of Differences in this
Kirk, since the Assembly 1650, in Preaching, Writing, or other wayes.
Vpon the performance whereof, the Presbyterie shall proceed to his
trials; if not, in that case, the Presbyterie shal forbear to proceed
until the next General Assembly leaving liberty to the Presbyterie and
Congregation for planting of the place otherwise. And the Assembly
Ordains and requires, that Presbyteries be not sudden to lay by such
young men as at first refuses or scruples to perform these conditions
mentioned, but that pains be taken upon them to convince them of the
reasonablenesse thereof, and to perswade them to embrace them, and to
give them a competent time for that effect.