Chapter 15

We received with much joy and satisfaction the Answer which your General Assembly vouchsafed us to our Letters of the last yeer. Some of us in the name of our Brethren, thought it then fit by Mr. _Alexander Henderson_ (a Brother so justly approved by you, and honoured by us) to return our deserved thanks. And we now further think it equall upon this occasion, to make a more publike acknowledgement of such a publike favour. You were then pleased to give us fair grounds, to expect that brotherly advice and endeavours, which the common cause of Christ, and the mutual interest of the united Nations, command us now again to ask, if not to chalenge. We doubt not but your experience, together with your intelligence, abundantly informes you of our condition, what various administrations of providence we have passed through and we still lye betwixt hopes and feares, a fit temper for working; the God of all grace enable us to improve it. As our hopes are not such as may make us fear, so neither doe our Feares prevail, to the casting away our confidence. Your own late condition, together with this Declaration of ours present, may acquaint you with the certain, though subtil, authors & fomentors of these our confused conflicts: which we conceive to be the Hierarchical faction, who have no way to peace & safety, but through the trouble & danger of others. Our prayers and endeavours, according to our measure, have been and shall be for the supplanting and rooting up whatsoever we finde so prejudicial to the establishment of the Kingdome of Christ, and the peace of our Soveraigne. And that this Declaration of ourselves may not leave you unsatisfied, we think it necessary further to expresse, That the desire of the most godly and considerable part amongst us, is, That the Presbyterian Government, which hath just and evident Foundation both in the Word of God, and religious reason, may be established amongst us, and that (according to your intimation) we may agree in one confession of Faith, one directorie of Worship, one publike Catechisme and form of Governement: Which things, if they were accomplished, we should much rejoyce in our happy subjection to Christ our Head, and our desired association with you our beloved brethren. For the better effecting whereof, we thought it necessary, not only to acquaint you with what our desires are in themselves, but likewise to you, that is, That what way shall seem most fit to the wisedom of that grave and religious Assembly, may be taken for the furtherance of our indeavours in this kind. We understand that our Parliament hath been before hand with us in this intimation, and it cannot but be our duty, who are so much concerned in the businenesse, to adde what power the Lord hath given us with you to the same purpose. This designe and desire of ours hath enemies on the Left-hand; and dissenting brethren on the Right; but we doubt not, that as our hearts justifie us that our intentions are right, and such as we conceive tend most to the glory of God, and the peace of the Churches of the Saints; so (by your brotherly concurrence in the most speedy and effectuall way you can find out) the Work will in Gods due time receive a prayed for, hoped for issue. We shall not need by many arguments from mutuall Nationall interest (though we know you will not overlook them) to inforce this request, the firme bond wherewith we are all united in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are assured will alone engage your faithfull endeavours in this businesse. To him we commit you, with these great and important affairs you have in hand. Be pleased to accept of these as the expression of the mindes of our many godly and faithfull Brethren, whose hearts we doubt not of, neither need you, though their hands in regard of the suddennesse of this opportunity could not be subscribed together with ours, who are.

_Your most affectionate Friends and Brethren in the work of the Lord._

London, _22. July, 1642._

_Answer to the Ministers Letter._

_Right Reverend and beloved in the Lord Jesus._

By our Answer to the Declaration sent unto us from the honourable Houses of Parliament, ye may perceive that your Letter which came into our hands so seasonably, was not only acceptable unto us, but hath also encouraged us to renew both to the Kings Majestie and the Houses of Parliament, The desires of the late Commissioners of this Kingdome for Unity in Religion, in the four particulars remembred by you, we cannot be ignorant but the opposition from Satan and worldly men in Kirk and Policy, will still be vehement as it hath been already, But we are confident through our Lord Jesus Christ, that the prayers and indeavours of the godly in both Kingdoms, will bring the work to a wished, and blessed Issue. This whole national Kirk is so much concerned in that Reformation and Unity of Religion in both Kingdomes, that without it we cannot hope for any long time to enjoy our puritie and peace, which hath cost us so dear, and is now our chiefest comfort and greatest treasure: Which one cause (beside the Honour of God, and the happinesse of the People of God in that Kingdome, more desired of us then Our lives) is more then sufficient to move us, To contribute all that is in our power for bringing it to passe. And since we have with so great liberty made our desires and hopes known both to King and Parliament, it is a duety incombent both to you and us, who make mention of the Lord, and are Watch-men upon the Walls of _Jerusalem_, never more to keep silence nor to hold our peace day nor night, till the Righteousnesse of Sion go forth as brightnesse, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And if it shall please the Lord to move the hearts of King and Parliament, to hearken unto the motion, for which end we have resolved to keep a solemne Fast and Humiliation in all the Kirks of this Kingdome, the mean by which we have prevailed in times past, we wish that the Work may be begun with speed, and prosecuted with diligence by the joint labours of some Divines in both Kingdoms, who may prepare the same for the view and examination of a more frequent Ecclesiastick meeting of the best affected to Reformation there, and of the Commissioners of the General Assembly here, that in end it may have the approbation of the Generall Assembly here, and of all the Kirks there, in the best way that may be, we wish & hope at last in a nationall Assembly; Our Commissioners at _Edinburgh_, shall in our name receive and returne answers for promoving so great a Work, which we with our heart and our soule recommend to the blessing of God, we continue,

_Your loving brethren and fellow-labourers._

_Act for the Lord_ Maitlands _presenting the Assemblies Supplication to His Majestie, and for going to the Commissioners at_ London, _with the Answer to the Parliament of_ Englands _Declaration_.

The General Assembly considering the necessity of sending some person of good worth & quality for to present their humble Supplication to His Majestie, and to deliver their directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdom, now at _London_, with their Declaration to the Parliament of _England_, and Answer to some wel-affected Ministers of that Kirk: And having certain knowledge of the worth, ability, and faithfulnesse of _John_ Lord _Maitland_, one of their number, who being witnesse to all their intentions and proceedings, can best relate their true loyaltie and respect to their Soveraign, and brotherly affection to the Kirk and Kingdom of _England_ therein; Therefore do unanimously require his Lordships pains, by repairing to Court and to _London_ for the premisses, which hereby they commit to this diligence and fidelity, willing his Lordship to make account of his proceedings herein to their Commissioners appointed to sit at _Edinburgh_.

Sess. 11. August 5. post meridiem.

_Commission for publike affairs of this Kirk, and for prosecuting the desires of this Assembly to His Majestie, and the Parliament of_ England.

The General Assembly considering the laudable custome of this Kirk for to appoint some Commissioners in the interim betwixt Assemblies, for presenting of Overtures and prosecuting the other desires of the Kirk to His Majestie, the Lords of His Councell, and the Estates of Parliament; And taking to their consideration the present condition of the Kirk of _England_, with the Declaration thereof sent down from the Parliament, and some Reverend Brethren of the Ministery there, with their own Answer to the Parliament and Ministery, and their humble Supplication to His Majestie for Unity of Religion and Uniformity of Kirk-government. And withall remembring their desires to the Honourable Lords of His Majesties secret Councell, and to the Commissioners appointed by the King and Parliament, for conservation of the common Peace, That they would joyn their concourse in their desires to His Majestie and Parliament, and directions to the Commissioners of this Kingdom at _London_ for the time. And likewise considering their good hopes from Gods gracious favour to this Island, that by his good providence he will in his own way and time settle this great Work through this whole Ile; And that it is both our earnest desire and Christian duty to use all lawfull means and Ecclesiastick wayes for furtherance of so great a Work, continuance of the common peace betwixt these nations, and keeping a brotherly correspondence betwixt these Kirks. Therfore the Assembly thinks it necessary before their dissolving, to appoint, and by these Presents do nominate and appoint, Masters _Andrew Ramsay_, _Alex Henderson_, _Robert Dowglas_, _William Colvill_, _William Bennet_ Ministers at _Edinburgh_. _Mr. William Arthur_ Minister at _St. Cuthbert_, _Mr. James Robertson_, _John Logan_, _Robert Lighton_, Commissioners from _Dalkeith_ Assembly: Masters, _Andrew Blackhall_, _James Fleeming_, _Robert Ker_, Commissioners from _Hadingtoun_ to the Assembly. Masters, _George Hamilton_, _Robert Clair_, _Arthur Mortoun_, _David Dalgleish_, _Andrew Bennet_, _Walter Greg_, _John Moncreff_, _John Smith_, _George Gillespie_, _John Row_, _John Duncan_, _Walter Bruce_, Commissioners for the Presbyteries within the Province of _Fyffe_: _Mr. David Calderwood_ Minister at _Pencait_ and _Mr. John Adamson_ Principall of the Colledge of _Edinburgh_, _Mr. John Strang_ Principall of the Colledge of _Glasgow_. _Mr. David Dikson_, _Mr. James Bonar_, _Mr. Robert Bailie_, _Mr. John Bell_, _Mr Robert Ramsay_, _Mr. George Young_, _Mr Henry Guthrie_, _Mr. Samuel Oustein_, _Mr. John Robertson_ Minister at _St. Johnstoun_, _Mr. John Robertson_ Minister at _Dundie_, _Mr. John Hume_ Minister at _Heckills_, _Mr. Andrew Cant_, _Mr William Guild_, _Mr. Samuel Rutherfurd_, _Mr. James Martin_, _Mr. Alexander Monroe_, _Mr. Robert Murray_, _Mr. John Maclellan_, _Mr. Andrew Doncanson_, _Mr. Silvester Lambie_, _Mr. Gilbert Ross_, Ministers: Marquesse of _Argile_, Earles of _Lauderdaile_, _Glencarne_, _Kingborne_, _Eglintoun_, _Weemes_, _Cassils_: Lords _Gordoun_, _Maitland_, _Balcarras_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of _Wauchtoun_, Sir _David Hum_ of _Wedderburne_, Sir _David Creightoun_ of _Lugtoun_, Sir _David Barclay_ of _Cullearnie_, _John Henderson_ of _Fordell_, _Mr. George Winrame_ of _Libertoun_, Sir _Robert Drummond_, Sir _William Carmichaell_, _John Binnie_, _Thomas Paterson_, _John Sempill_, _John Kennedy_ of _Air_, _John Leslie_ from _Aberdene_, _William Glendinning_ Provest of _Kirkubrigh_, _John Colzear_, Ruling Elders with the concurse of the Procurator of the Kirk: and grants to them full Power and Commission in this _interim_, betwixt and the next Assembly, for to meet and conveen at _Edinburgh_ upon the 17. day of this moneth of _August_, and upon any other day, or in any other place, as they shall think convenient: And being met and conveened, or any fifteen of them, there being alwayes twelve Ministers present: With full power for to consider and performe what they finde necessary for the Ministerie, by preaching, supplicating, prepairing of draughts of one Confession, one Cathechisme, one directory of publike Worship (which are alwayes to be revised by the next Generall Assembly) and by all other lawfull & Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work in the Union of this Iland in Religion and Kirk-government, and for continuance of our own peace at home, and of the common peace betwixt the Nations, and keeping of good correspondence betwixt the Kirks of this Iland. Like as if it shall please God to blesse the prayers and endeavours of his Saints for this blessed Union, and that if either the Lords of Councell, or Commissioners for the Peace shall require their concurse at home or abroad, by sending Commissioners with theirs to His Majesty and Parliament for that effect, or that they themselves shall finde it necessary; The Assembly grants full power to them, not only to concurre by all lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, with the Councell and Conservators of the Peace at home, but also to send some to present and prosecute their desires and humble advice to His Majesty and the Parliament, and the Ministerie there, for the furthering and perfecting of so good and great a Worke. Like as, with power to them to promove their other desires, overtures and recommendations of this Assembly, to the Kings Majestie, Lords of Councell, Session, Exchequer, and Commissioners of Parliament, for plantation of Kirks, for common burdens, or conservation of the common peace, and to the Parliament of this Kingdom, in case it fall out _pro re nata_ before the next Assembly. And such like, with as full power to them to proceed, treat and determine in any other matters to be committed to them by this Assembly, as if the samine were herein particularly insert, and with as ample power to proceede in the matters particularly or generally above-mentioned, as any Commissioners of Generall Assemblies have had, and have been in use of before: They being alwayes comptable to, and censurable by the next Generall Assembly, for their proceedings thereanent.

Sess. 13. Aug. 6. 1642.

_A Petition from some distressed Professors in_ Ireland.

_To the reverend and right Honourable the Moderator and remanent members of the Generall Assembly of_ Scotland, _conveened at S._ Andrews, _July 1642_.

The humble Petition of the most part of the Scottish Nation in the North of _Ireland_, in their own names, and in name of the rest of the Protestants there.

_Humbly sheweth_,

That where your Petitioners, by the great blessing of the Lord, enjoyed for a little while a peaceable and fruitfull Ministerie of the Gospel, yet through our own abuse of so rich a mercy, and through the tyrannie of the Prelates, we have been a long time spoiled of our Ministers (a yoke to many of us heavier then death) who being chased into _Scotland_, were not altogether un-usefull in the day of your need; And we having been since oppressed and scattered, as sheep who have no shepherd, now at last the wise and righteous hand of the Lord, by the sword of the Rebels, hath bereft us of our friends, and spoiled us of our goods, &c. left us but a few, and that a poor handfull of many, and hath chased from us the rest that were called our Ministers; the greatest part whereof we could scarce esteem such as being rather Officers to put the Prelats Injunctions in execution, then feeders of our souls: So that now being visited with sword and sicknesse, and under some apprehension of famine, if withall we shall taste of the sorest of all plagues, to be altogether deprived of the Ministery of the Word, we shall become in so much a worse condition then any Pagans, as that once we enjoyed a better: Neither know we what hand to turn us to for help, but to the Land so far obliged by the Lords late rare mercies, and so far enriched to furnish help of that kinde; a Land whence many of us drew our blood and breath and where (pardon the necessary boldnesse) some of our own Ministers now are, who were so violently plucked from us, so sore against both their own and our wills; yea, the Land that so tenderly in their bosoms received our poor out-casts, and that hath already sent us so rich a supply of able and prosperous Souldiers to revenge our wrong.

Therefore, although we know that your zeale and brotherly affection would urge you to take notice without our advertisement, yet give us leave in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, to intreat, if there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels of mercy, that now in this nick of time, when the sword of the Enemie making way for a more profitable entertaining the Gospel, having also banished the Prelates, and their followers, when our extremity of distreste, and the fair hopes of speedy settling of peace, hath opened so fair a doore to the Gospel, you would take the cause of your younger sister, that hath no brests, to your serious consideration, and pity poore _Macedonians_ crying to you that ye would come over and help us, being the servants of the God of your Fathers, and claiming interest with you in a common Covenant, that according to the good hand of God upon us, ye may send us Ministers for the house of our God. We do not take upon us to prescribe to you the way or the number, but in the view of all, the finger of the Lord points at these, whom though persecution of the Prelats drew from us, yet our interest in them could not be taken away, wherein we trust in regard of severall of them, called home by death, your bounty will super-adde some able men of your own that may help to lay the foundation of Gods house, according to the Pattern. But for these so unjustly reft from us, not only our necessity, but equity pleads, that either you would send them all over, which were a Work to be parallelled to the glories of the Primitive times, or at least that ye would declare them transportable, that when Invitators shall be sent to any of them, wherein they may discerne a call from God, there may be no difficultie in their loosing from thence, but they may come back to perfect what they began, and may get praise and fame in the Land, where they were put to shame. Neither are you to question your power over us so to doe, or crave a president of your own practise in that kind, for our extraordinary need calling on you, furnisheth you with a power to make this a president for the like cases hereafter: herein if you shall lay aside the particular concernment of some few places, which you may easily out of your rich Nurseries plant again, and make use of your publike spirits, which are not spent, but increases by your so many noble designes; you shall leave upon us and our posteritie the stamp of an obligation that cannot be delete, or that cannot be expressed; you should send to all the neighbouring Churches a pattern, and erect for after-ages a monument of self-denying tender zeale; you shall disburden the Land of the many outcasts, who will follow over their Ministers; and you shall make it appear, that the churlish bounty of the Prelats, which at first cast some of these men over to us, is not comparable with the cheerful liberalitie of a rightly constitute General Assembly, to whom we are perswaded, the Lord will give seed for the loane which you bestow on the Lord; yea, the day may come, when a General Assembly in this Land may returne to you the first fruits of thanks, for the plants of your free gift. And although you were scant of furniture of this kinde your selves, or might apprehend more need then formerly, yet doubtlesse, your bowels of compassion would make your deep povertie even in a great tryal of affliction, abound to the riches of your liberalitie. But now seeing you abound in all things, and have formerly given so ample a proof of your large bestowing on Churches abroad in _Germanie_ and _France_, knowing that you are not wearied in well-doing, we confidently promise to our selves in your name, that we will abound in this grace also, following the example of our Lord and the Primitive Churches, who alwayes sent out Disciples in paires. But if herein our hopes shall faile us, we shall not know whether to wish that we had died with our Brethren by the Enemies hand; for we shall be as if it were said unto us, _Goe serve other Gods_; Yet looking for another kinde of Answer at your hands, for in this you are to us as an Angel of God, we have sent these bearers, M. _John Gordoun_, and M. _Hugh Campbell_ our brethren, who may more particularly in-forme you of our case, and desire that at their returne, they may refresh the bowels of

_Your most instant and earnest Supplicants._

_Commission to some Ministers to go to_ Ireland.