Chapter 16

The Assembly having received a Petition, subscribed by a considerable number in the North of _Ireland_, intimating their deplorable condition, through want of the Ministerie of the Gospel, occasioned by the tyrannie of the Prelats, and the sword of the Rebels, and desiring some Ministers, especially such as had been chased from them, by the persecution of the Prelats, and some others to be added, either to be sent presently over to reside amongst them, or declared transportable, that upon invitation from them they might goe and settle there; together with some particular Petitions, desiring the returne of some particular Ministers, who had laboured there before: All which the Assembly hath taken to their serious consideration, being most heartily willing to sympathize with every member of Christs Body, although never so remote; much more with that Plantation there, which for the most part was a Branch of the Lords Vine, planted in this Land. In which sollicitude, as they would be loath to usurpe without their own bounds or stretch themselves beyond their oun measure; so they dare not be wanting, to the enlargement of Christs Kingdome, where so loud a cry of so extreame neccesitie, could not but stirre up the bowels of Christian compassion. And although they conceive that the present unsettled condition both of Church, and State, and Land, will not suffer them as yet to loose any to make constant abode there; yet they have resolved to send over some for the present exigent till the next Gen. Assembly, by courses to stay there four moneths allanerly: And therefore doe hereby authorize and give Commission to the persons following, to wit, M. _Robert Blair_, Minister at S. _Andrews_, and M. _James Hamilton_, Minister at _Dumfreis_ for the first four moneths: M. _Robert Ramsay_, Minister at _Glasgow_, and M. _John Mac’elland_, Minister at _Kirkudbright_, for the next four moneths: And to M. _Robert Baillie_, Professor of Divinitie in the Universitie of _Glasgow_, and M. _John Levistoun_, Minister of _Stranaire_, for the last four moneths: To repair into the North of _Ireland_, and there to visit, comfort, instruct and encourage the scattered flocks of Christ, to employ to their uttermost with all faithfulnesse and singlenesse of heart, in planting and watering, according to the direction of Jesus Christ, and according to the doctrine and discipline of this Church in all things, And if need be (with concurrence of such of the Ministers of the Army as are there) to try and ordain such as shall be found qualified for the Ministerie, Giving charge unto the persons foresaid in the sight of God, that in Doctrine, in Worship, in Discipline, and in their dayly conversation, they studie to approve themselves as the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and that they be comptable to the General Assembly of this Kirk, in all things. And in case if any of the above-mentioned Ministers be impeded by sickness or otherwise necessarily detained from this service, the Assembly ordaines the Commissioners residing at _Edinburgh_, for the publike affairs of the Church, to nominate in their place well qualified men, who hereby are authorized to undertake the foresaid imployment, as if they had been expressely nominate in the face of the Assembly. And this, although possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large expectation of the Brethren in _Ireland_, yet the Assembly is confident they will take in good part at this time, that which is judged most convenient for their present condition, even a lent mite out of their own, not very great plenty, to supply the present necessity; requiring of them no other recompence, but that they in all cheerefulnesse may embrace and make use of salvation, and promising to enlarge their indebted bounty at the next Assembly, as they shall finde the Worke of the Lord there to require. In the meane while, wishing that these who are sent, may come with the full blessing of the Gospel and peace, and recommending them, their labours, and these to whom they are sent, to the rich blessing of the great Shepherd of the flock.

Sess. 13. August 6. 1642.

_Act against slandering of Ministers._

The General Assembly considering the malice of divers Persons in raising calumnies and scandals against Ministers, which is not onely injurious to their persons, and discreditable to the holy calling of the Ministerie, but doth also prove often a great prejudice and hinderance to the promoving of the Gospel: Doe therefore ordain Presbyteries and Synods to proceed diligently in processe against all persons, that shall reproach or scandal Ministers, with the censures of the Kirk, even to the highest, according as they shall finde the degree or quality of the scandal deserve.

_Act anent ordering of the Assembly House._

The Assembly for better order in time coming ordains the Act of the Assembly at _Aberdene_ for ordering the House of the Assembly to be kept hereafter punctually. And for that effect, that the samine be reade the first Session of every Assembly.

_Act for remembring in publike Prayers the desires of the Assembly to the King and Parliament, and indiction of a publike Fast._

The General Assembly being desirous to promove the great work of Unity in Religion, and Uniformity in Church government, in all thir three Dominions, for which the Assembly hath humbly supplicate the Kings Majestie, and remonstrate their desires to the Parliament of _England_, lest they should be wanting in any meane that may further so glorious and so good a work: Doe ordain, that not only the said Declaration to the Parliament, and supplication to the Kings Majestie, shall be accompanied with the earnest Petition, and prayers of the whole brethren in private and publike, for the Lords blessing hereunto, according to the laudable custome of our predecessors, who in the year of God 1589. ordaines that the Brethren in their private and publike prayers, recommend unto God the estate of the afflicted Church of _England_: But having just cause of fear, that the iniquities of the Land, which so much abount may marre this so great a Work, doe also ordain a solemne Fast to be kept on the second Lords Day of _September_ and the Wednesday following throughout the whole Kingdome for the causes after specified.

I. Grosse ignorance and all sort of wickedness among the greater part, security, meer formality and unfruitfulnesse among the best, and unthankfulnesse in all.

II. The sword raging throughout all Christendome, but most barbarously in _Ireland_, and dayly more and more threatned in _England_, through the lamentable division betwixt the King and the Parliament there, tending to the subversion of Religion and Peace in all the three Kingdomes.

III. That God may graciously blesse the Supplication of the Assembly to the Kings Majesty, and their motion to the Parliament of _England_, for Unitie in Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government, and all other meanes which may serve for the promoving of so great a Worke, and advancement of the Kingdome of Christ every where.

IV. That God may powerfully overturne all wicked plots and designes of Antichrist and his followers, and all divisive motions against the course of Reformation, and the so much longed for Union of the King and Parliament.

V. That God may blesse the harvest.

_Reference from the Presbyterie of_ Kirkcaldie.

Anent the Acts of Assemblies, for observation of the Lords Day, profaned by going of salt-pannes, That this Assembly would declare the limits of the Sabbath, during which the pannes should stand.

_The Assembly referres the Answer of this Question, to the Acts of former Assemblies._

_Reference frrom the Synode of_ Fyffe.

That the Provinciall of _Angus_ keep their meeting on the same day with the Synod of _Fyffe_, which breakes the correspondence between them, appointed by the General Assembly of _Glasgow_.

ANSWER.

_The Assembly ordaines the Provinciall Assembly of_ Angus _to keep their first meeting upon the third Tuesday of_ April, _comforme to the Act of the said Assembly of_ Glasgow.

_Overtures to be advised by Presbyteries against the next Assembly._

How Appeals shall be brought into the Generall Assemblies, and by what sort of citation.

What shall be the prescription of scandalls, within what space of time shall they be challenged, whether after three years, the Minister having been allowed and approved in life and doctrine by Synods, Presbyteries, and Visitations.

What order shall be taken for keeping general Assemblies, when Presbyteries send not the full number of Commissioners: Or when the Commissioners abide not until the conclusion and dissolving of the Assembly.

Order to be advised for Testimonials.

_The Assembly appoints the next Generall Assembly to hold at_ Edinburgh, _the first Wednesday of August, 1643._

THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY AT _EDINBURGH_

Sess. 1. August 2. 1643.

The Kings Letter to the General Assembly.

_Presented by his Majesties Commissioner Sir_ Thomas Hope _of Craighall Knight, His Majesties Advocate._

CHARLES R.

Trustie and welbeloved, We greet you well. The time now approaching for the holding of the Generall Assembly of Our Kirk of Scotland, and We having appointed Sir _Thomas Hope_ Our Advocate to be Our Commissioner there; We thought good to present him there with these Our Letters, and to take this occasion to minde you of the duty which you owe to Us your Soveraigne, and to the peace of that Our Native Kingdome. How far We have lately extended Our grace and favour towards satisfaction of your humble desires, there is not any amongst you but may well remember: And therefore in this conjuncture of Our affairs, it is but reasonable that We expect from you such moderation in the dutifull proceedings of this Assembly, as may concurre with our Princely inclinations and desires, to preserve that Kirk and that our Kingdome in peace; having wel observed that alterations in points of Religion, are often the inlets to civill dissentions, and the hazard, if not overthrow of both Kirk and Kingdomes. Therefore of Our great affection and speciall tendernesse to your peace (who of all Our Dominions are yet happie therein to the envy of others) We conjure and require you in the fear of God, and obedience of Us his Vicegerent, that your endeavours and consultations tend onely to preserve peace and quietnesse among you. And so We bid you farewell. Given at Our Court at Oxford the 22. day of July, 1643.

_To our right trusty and welbeloved Counsellour, Sir_ Thomas Hope _Knight, our Advocate general, and Our Commissioner at the generall assembly of the Kirk in Our Kingdome of Scotland, and to the rest of the said Assembly now conveened._

Sess. 2. August 3. 1643.

_Overtures anent Bills, References, and Appeales._

I. That all Bills whatsoever of particular concernments whereunto all parties having interest are not cited, should be rejected.

II. That all Bills be first presented to the inferiour Judicatories of the Kirk, who may competently consider of them, and from them be orderly and _gradatim_ brought to the Assembly, according to the order prescribed for Appellations in the Assembly of Edinburgh, 1639. in the 24. Sess. August 30.

III. That the said Act of Assembly 1639. anent Appelations, be also extended to References.

IV. In Appellations and References of particular concernment, if all parties having interest, have been present in the inferiour Judicatorie when the Appeal and Reference was made, then there is no necessitie of citation. But in case of their absence, citation of parties is so necessar, that if it be wanting, Appellations and References should not be received.

V. That conform to former Acts of Assemblies; Appellations _post sententiam_ be made within ten dayes after the sentence, and otherwise not to be respected.

_The Assembly ordaines their Overtures to be given to the severall Committees for their direction._

Sess. 3. August 4. 1643.

_Act for election of Professours to be Commissioners to Assemblies by Presbyteries._

The Assembly thinks, if Professours of Divinitie in Universities be Ministers, that they may be chosen Commissioners to the Generall Assembly, either by the Presbyterie as Ministers or by the Universitie as Professours of Divinitie.

Sess. 4. Aug. 5. 1643.

The Petition of the distressed Professours in Ireland for Ministers.

_To the reverend and honourable Moderatour and remanent Members of the General Assembly of Scotland, conveened at Edinburgh, Aug._ 1643.

The humble Petition of the distressed Christians in the North of Ireland.

_Humbly sheweth,_

That whereas you were pleased the last Year to take notice of our Petition, and conceived so favourable an act in our behalf, from our hearts we blesse the Lord God of our Fathers, who put such a thing as this in your heart to begin in any sort to beautifie the House of the Lord amongst us: Doubtlesse you have brought upon your selves the blessing of them who consider the poor; the Lord will certainly deliver you in the time of trouble. We trust no distance of place, no length of time, no pressure of affiction, yea, nor smiling of prosperity, shall delete out of our thankfull memories the humble acknowledgement of your so motherly care: in drawing out your breasts, yea, your souls to satisfie the hungrie: although we have been beaten with the sword, bitten with famine, our own wickednes correcting us, our back-slidings reproving us, yet we have not so farre forgotten the Lords ancient love, but that our hearts were brought to a little reviving in the midst of our bondage, by the Ministery of these, who at your direction made a short visit amongst us. We know you did not conceive it expedient at that time, to loose any for full settling here, till the waters of the bloudy inundation were somewhat abated, and prohability might be of some comfortable abode, which we through the Lords revenging hand, pursuing our enemies, and the vigilancie of your victorious Army, is in a great measure attained unto. Whatsoever might have detained some of these whom ye directed to us, whose stay made our expectation prove abortive, we shall ascribe it to our own abuse of such treasure, and want of spirituall hunger, occasioned justly through the want of food; And yet that same dis-appointment, together with your faithfull promise of inlarging your indebted bountie, which is put upon record in all our hearts, hath made us conceive the seed of a lively expectation, that you will now no more put your bountie, and the means of our life, into the hazard of such frustrations, but will once for all, bestow an ample and enduring blessing. And of this we are so much the more confident, because our former suit was not denyed but delayed: only we fear, if a new delay be procured, till all things be fully settled, that the observing of winde and clouds, shall hinder both sowing and reaping. And in the mean time, the Prelates and their Faction may step in and invest themselves of their old tyrannie over our consciences, who if they once shall see us possessed of our own Inheritance, those _Canaanites_ dare not offer to thrust us out. By all appearance, if the Jesuites had any hope to finde welcome amongst us, they had provided us fully ere now with their poysoned plants, Our hearts abhorre the checking or suspecting of your proceedings, yet it is lawfull to learn sometime from our enemie: But in this you have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago, and thereby have ingaged your selves to perfect your own beginnings, and bring us out of our orphan condition. We are fallen in your lap, this ruine must be under your hand; you cannot pretend want of bread or cloathing, you must be healers: We have chosen you curators to your little young sister that wants breasts; there is none in earth to take her out of your hand, for we will not, nor cannot hide it from your Honours and Wisedome, that we want bread, and must not only, as before, have a bit for our present need, but also seed to sow the Land.

It is therefore our humble and earnest desire, that you would yet again look on our former Petition, and your own obligatorie Act, and at least declare your consent, that a competent number of our own Ministers may be loosed to settle here, and break bread to the children that lye fainting at the head of all streets, which although it may be accounted but a restoring of what we lost, and you have found, yet we shall esteem it as the most precious gift that earth can affoord. When they are so loosed, if they finde not all things concurring to clear Gods calling, it will be in their hand to forbear and you have testified your bountie. But oh for the Lords sake, do not kill our dying souls, by denying these our necessar desires. There are about twelve or fourteen waste congregations on this nearest coast: let us have at least a competent number that may erect Christs throne of discipline, and may help to bring in others, and then shall we sing, that the people who were left of the sword, have found grace in the wildernesse. We have sent these our brethren, Sir _Robert Adair_ of Kinhilt Knight, and _William Mackenna_ of Bel fast merchant, to attend an answer from you, who have attained that happinesse to be lenders and not borrowers, and to present the heartie longing affections of

_Your most obliged and more expecting brethren and servants._

_Subscribed by very many hands._

Sess. 6. August 8, 1643.

_Acts for subscribing the Covenant._

The General Assembly considering the good and pious advice of the Commissioner of the last Assembly, upon the 22 of September, 1642 _post meridiem_, recommending to Presbytries, to have Copies of the Covenant to be subscribed by every Minister at his admission, doth therefore ratifie and approve the samine. And further ordaines, that the covenant be reprinted, with this Ordinance prefixed thereto, and that every Synod, Presbyterie, and Paroch, have one of them bound in _quarto_, with some blank paper, whereupon every person may be obliged to subscribe: And that the Covenants of the Synod and Presbyterie be keeped by their Moderatours _respectivè_ of Universities by their Principals, of Paroches by their Ministers, with all carefulnesse. And that particular account of obedience to this Act, be required hereafter in all visitations of Paroches, Universities, and Presbyteries, and all trialls of Presbyteries and Synod books.

The General Assembly considering that the Act of the Assembly at _Edinburgh 1639. August 30._ injoyning all persons to subscribe the Covenant, under all Ecclesiastical censure, hath not been obeyed: Therefore ordaines all Ministers to make intimation of the said Act in their Kirks, and thereafter to proceed with the censures of the Kirk against such as shall refuse to subscribe the Covenant. And that exact account be taken of every Ministers diligence hereintil by their Presbyteries and Synods, as they will answer to the General Assembly.

Sess. 7. August 9. 1643.

_Act for searching Books tending to Separation._

The Generall Assembly considering the recommendation of the Commissioners of the late Assembly at S. _Andrews_, upon the 12 of _May_ last, to every Minister within their several bounds; especially to Ministers upon the coasts, or where there is Harbourie and Ports, to try and search for all books tending to Separation: And finding the same most necessar, do therefore ordain that recommendation to have the strength of an ordinary Act of Assembly: And that every Minister be careful to try and search if any such books be brought to this Countrey from beyond seas, and if any shall be found, to present the samine to Presbyteries, that some course may be taken to hinder the dispersing thereof: And earnestly recommend to the Civil Magistrates, to concurre with their authoritie in all things, for effectual execution hereof.

_Approbation of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the last Assembly._

The Generall Assembly having heard the report of the Committee appointed to consider the proceedings of the Commissioners of the late Assembly at S. _Andrews_; after mature deliberation, and serious consideration thereof, findes the whole Acts, Conclusions and Proceedings of the saids Commissioners, contained in a Book and Register subscribed by Master _Andrew Ker_ their Clerk, and by Master _David Lindsay_ Moderatour, and Master _James Hamilton_ Clerk to the said Committe, to declare much wisedome, diligence, vigilancie, and every way commendable zeal and fidelitie in doing and discharging every thing according to their Commission.

Sess. 8. August 10. 1643.

_Propositions given by the Commissioners of the Parliament of England to a Committee, to be presented by them to the Assembly._

We the Commissioners appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of England, desire your Lordships, and the rest of this reverend Committee, to represent to the reverend the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, that we are commanded.

To acknowledge with all thankfulnesse to God, their zeal for purging and reforming Religion, and care not only to prevent the grouth, but utterly to extirpate the Reliques of Popery: And also the great blessing of Almighty God upon their so constant and faithful endeavours, thus far establishing them in truth and peace, together with their labour of love, to procure the like happinesse to our Church and Nation.

To give them an account of their earnest desire and endeavour to see the same Work promoted and perfected among our selves; which though it hath been opposed and retarded by the industrious malice of the Popish, Prelaticall, and malignant partie, yet through Gods goodnesse it hath so far prevailed, as to produce the removeall of the High Commission, the making void the coercive power of the Prelates and their Courts, The ejection of the Bishops from the House of Peers, the turning out of many scandalous Ministers, Besides that they have passed and presented to his Majestie diverse Bills, _viz._ For the suppressing of Innovations, For the more strict observation of the Lords Day, against Pluralities and non-residencie, For the punishment of the scandalous Clergie, For the abolition of Episcopacie, and the calling an Assembly: The true Copies of which, we herewithall deliver. Which Bills, through the underminning of the Papists, Prelates, and their party (the constant enemies of Reformation) have not yet obtained his Majesties Royall assent. And yet considering the urgent necessity of purging and settling the Church (as hath been often pressed and presented to the Parliament of England, by pious and frequent exhortations and Declarations from that reverent Assembly) they have been constrained by an Ordinance of both Houses, to call an Assembly of Divines, and others, now fitting, to consider and prepare what may conduce thereunto, which by the assistance of some godly and learned Divines sent from this Nation (as is earnestly desired) we hope may through the blessing of God, bring it to perfection.