Chapter 20

Not onely the common danger we are under, but the conscience of our duty to his suffering people, layeth bonds on us frequently to present you, and that blessed Work of Reformation, in your hands, to the throne of Grace, that the GOD of all Grace, who will call you into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered and a while may make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Edinburgh, August 19. 1643.

_Subscribed in name of the Assembly of the Church Scotland, by the Clerk, of the Assembly._

_The Assemblies Answer to the Reverend their beloved Brethren, Ministers in the Church of England._

_Reverend and beloved,_

We acknowledge with thankfulnesse to GOD, that this is one of the good blessings bestowed upon our Kirk of late, and a pleasant fruit of our free Assemblies, That a way is opened for keeping communion with our sister Kirks abroad, and correspondence with you our dear Brethren, in whose joy and sorrow we have so near interest, and whose cause and condition we desire to lay to heart as our own.

All your former Letters were most acceptable, and full of refreshment unto us, being taken as the earnest of a more full and constant fellowship, longed after and hoped for: And this your last, although full of sadnesse and sorrow, yet accounted of us all most worthy of our tenderst affection and best respects, both for your cause who sent it, and for these worthy witnesses which did attest it: Wherein as you have given unto us no small evidence, not only of your love, but also of trust and friendly respect, by choosing to poure out your grieved souls in our bosome; so we shall with, and Godwilling endeavour, that you may really finde some measure of brotherly compassion in our receiving thereof. For these your sad expressions of deep sorrow, being as you have given us to conceive but a part of your complaint, and a lamentation lesse then the causes doth require, cannot but melt every heart, wherein there is any the least warmnesse of the love of Christ and his Saints: And what Childe of the Bridegrooms chamber, can hear the voice of so many friends of the Bridegroom, lamenting for the evils which have befallen Christs Bride in England, in the very night before her expected espousals, and not sit down and mourn with them except his heart be fallen asleep and frozen within him? This pitiful condition of our sister Church in England hes matter enough we confesse to move, yea, to rend our bowels.

If we should weigh this your heavie grief in the scales of common reason, we behoved either to stand aloof from your plague as men astonished, or sink down in heavinesse and be swallowed up of sorrow: but when we ponder your sad condition in the Ballance of the Sanctuary, we finde that nothing hath as yet befallen unto you, save that which hath been the exercise of the Saints in former times, who have been made to sit down for a while in the shadow of death before the day of their deliverance. We finde nothing but that which may be a fit Preparation for a comfortable out-gate from all your troubles. What if it was necessary in the wise dispensation of Almighty GOD, that a People in great estimation for wisedome and power, such as England, should be thus farre humbled, as you declare, to the end that your deliverance maybe seen hereafter to be of the Lord, and not of your selves? What if the Lord would not draw back his hand from the Wine-presse wherein you now lye, till he should draw forth from you these pitiful expressions of your low estate, and so provide himself witnesses against the day to come, that he may have the greater and purer glory in your salvation, and your gloriation may be in the Lord alone! Dear Brethren, comfort your selves in the Lord; this sowing in tears, doth promise a reaping in joy, and who knoweth how soon he will give to you who are mourners in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oyle of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse; That you may be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Though weeping be in the evening of this begun Reformation and purging of the Lords House among you, yet in the morning when the discovered filthinesse and sweepings of the Temple shall be orderly cast out, joy shall come with thanksgiving and praise. Though a fire be kindled in the Land, yet it is not to consume any of the mettal, for the Lord is sitting down as a Refiner amongst you, and especially to purifie the sons of _Levi_, that he may have a more pure oblation of spiritual worship and service in all his holy ordinances throughout all the Land, which is no token of wrath, but of loving kindnesse towards you. No wonder that Satan doth thus rage, as you relate, foreseeing his casting out: No wonder he stirre up all the children of disobedience, and kindle their natural malice against the children of God with the inspiration of hellish fury: No wonder the spirit of Antichrist be mad, when the morsel half swallowed down, is like to be pulled out of his throat, the fat morsel of the rich Revenues of England: No wonder he be cruell against you the servants of Christ, who are consuming him by the breath of the Lords mouth.

You do well to expect no mercy, if Papists and Prelats prevail over you, neither desire we to deceive our selves with hopes to be free from what the power and malice can do against us; for they will not do to us if they get the upper-hand, as we have done, and must do, if God bring them low again under us; as they were before; for we and they are led by the contrary spirits of Christ, and Anti-Christ: We have laboured, and must labour for their conversion, but they (except in so far as God shall bridle them) will not rest without our destruction; for their fury against our persons is much more fierie then our zeal is fervent against their abominations: Let them follow the spirit of lying and murthering, we must take us to our refuge, and joyne our selves with all that are sensible of the danger of the reformed Religion in prayer and supplication. _The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge._

Now for advice, what can we say to you who are upon your watch tower, wherein is the spirit of wisedome and counsel; who lye thus as humble Disciples under the Lords foot, who did never forsake them that sought him. Go on in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, against all opposition, without fear of whatsoever dangers, to purge the House of the Lord, to repair the breaches thereof, to set up all his Ordinances in their full beautie and perfection, to the uttermost of your power, according to the pattern of the Word of GOD, and zeal of the best reformed Kirks; And let these two Kingdomes be knit together as one man in maintaining and promoving the truth of the Gospel, Let us enter in a perpetual Covenant for our selves and our posterity, to endevour that all things may be done in the House of GOD according to his own will, and let the Lord do with us what seemeth good in his eyes. _Only wait upon the lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart._ Let your hands be ever at your Masters Work, and hold your faces resolutely to his Cause. _Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quite your selves like men, be strong, for ye shall see the salvation of the Lord,_ and your labour shall not be in vain.

_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, by the Clerk of the Assembly._

_Commission of the Generall Assembly, for these that repair to the Kingdome of England._

The Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, finding it necessary to send some Godly and learned of this Kirk to the Kingdome of England, to the effect under-written. Therefore gives full Power and Commission to Master _Alexander Henderson_, Master _Robert Douglas_, Master _Samuel Rutherfoord_, Master _Robert Bailzie_, and Master _George Gillespie_, Ministers, _John_ Earl of Cassills, _John_ Lord Maitland, and Sir _Archbald Johnstoun_ of Waristoun Elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair to the Kingdome of England, and there to deliver the Declaration sent unto the Parliament of England and the Letter sent unto the Assembly of Divines now sitting in that Kingdome. And to propone, consult, treat and conclude with that Assembly or any Commissioners deputed by them, or any Committees or Commissioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all matters which may further the Union of this Island in one forme of Kirk-government, one confession of Faith, one Catechisme, and one Directorie for the Worship of GOD, according to the Instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from the Commissioners of the Assembly deputed for that effect. With power also to them to convey to his Majestie, the humble Answer sent from this Assembly to his Majesties Letter, by such occasion as they shall think convenient; And suchlike to deliver the Assemblies Answer to the Letter sent from some wel-affected Brethren of the Ministry there. And generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the so much desired Union, and nearest conjunction of the two Churches of Scotland and England, conform to their Instructions aforesaid.

_Reference to the Commission, anent the Persons designed to repair to the the Kingdome of England._

The Assembly having this day approven the nomination made by the Commissioners of the late Assembly, of persons to repair to the Synod of Divines in England: And having of new elected and nominated all the same Persons, except Master _Eleazar Borthwick_, who is now with GOD. Therefore gives power to the Commissioners to be appointed by this Assembly for the publick affairs of this Kirk, to nominate and appoint any other whom they shall think meet in his place. And suchlike the Assembly refers to the said Commission, to consider whether it be convenient to send now at this present time to the Kingdome of England, all the Persons appointed to go thither, and to designe the Persons whom they think meet to go at this present occasion, to determine the time of their dispatch, and to give unto them their Instructions. And further in case of sicknesse or death of any of the Persons appointed for that employment, or in the case of any other necessary impediment of their undertaking the samine; Gives power to the said Commission, to nominate others in their place if the Commission shall finde it convenient.

_Commission for the Publick Affairs of this Kirk._

The General Assembly, considering the laudable costome of this Kirk, in appointing Commissions betwixt Assemblies for the publick affairs of the Kirk, and the commendable practice of the late Assembly at Saint Andrews, in appointing their Commission for prosecuting the blessed Work, for uniting the Kirks of this Island in Religion and Kirk-government, by all lawfull and Ecclesiastick wayes, for continuance of our own peace at home, and of the common peace bytwixt the two Nations, and for other good ends, as at length is exprest in that Commission: And finding that the painful endevours and proceedings of that Commission, unanimously approven in this Assembly, though they have much advanced that glorious Work of Unity in Religion and Government; Yet has not brought the samine to full perfection and a finall accomplishment: And the Assembly being now much animate and encouraged to prosecute that Work by the Parliament of England their Bills past against Episcopacie, and sundry other corruptions, and the good hopes of a solemne Covenant betwixt the Nations, And conceiving that in their times of danger there may be some occasions for conveening the Assembly, before the time indicted for their next meeting. Therefore the Assembly finding it necessary to appoint a new Commission, By these presents, nominates and appoints Mr _Andrew Ramsay_, Mr _Alexander Henderson_, Mr _Robert Douglas_, Mr _William Colvil_, Mr _William Bennet_, Mr _George Gillespie_, Mr _John Adamson_, Mr _John Sharpe_, Mr _James Sharpe_, Mr _William Dalgleish_, Mr _David Calderwood_, Mr _Andrew Blackhall_, Mr _James Fleeming_, Mr _Robert Ker_, Mr _John Macghie_, Mr _Oliver Colt_, Mr _Hugh Campbell_, Mr _Adam Penman_, Mr _Richard Dickson_, Mr _Andrew Stevinson_, Mr _John Lauder_, Mr _Robert Blair_, Mr _Samuel Rutherfoord_, Mr _Arthur Morton_, Mr _Robert Traill_, Mr _Frederick Carmichell_, Mr _Mungo Law_, Mr _John Smith_, Mr _Patrick Gillespie_, Mr _John Duncan_, Mr _John Hume_, Mr _Robert Knox_, Mr _William Jameson_, Mr _Robert Mura_, Mr _Henry Guthrie_, Mr _James Hamilton_, Mr _Bernard Sanderson_, Mr _John Leviston_, Mr _James Boner_, Mr _Evan Cameron_, Mr _David Dickson_, Mr _Robert Bailzie_, Mr _James Cunninghame_, Mr _George Youngh_, Mr _Andrew Auchinleck_, Mr _David Lindsay_, Mr _Andrew Cant_, Mr _John Oiswald_, Mr _William Douglas_, Mr _Murdoc Mackenzie_, Mr _Coline Mackenzie_, Mr _John Monroe_, Mr _Walter Stuart_, Ministers: Marquesse of _Argyle_, Earle _Marshell_, Earle of _Sutherland_, Earle of _Eglintoun_, Earle of _Cassils_, Earle of _Dumsermling_, Earle of _Lawderdail_, Earle of _Lindsay_, Earle of _Queensberrie_, Earle of _Dalhouse_, Lord _Angus_, Vicount of _Dudhope_, Lord _Maitland_, Lord _Elcho_ Lord _Balmarinoch_, Lord _Cowper_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of Wauchtoun, Sir _Archbald Johnstoun_ of Waristoun, Sir _David Hume_ of Wedderborne, Sir _Alexander Areskine_ of Duns, Sir _William Cockburne_ of Langtoun, Sir _Thomas Ruthven_ of Frieland, Sir _James Arnos_ of Fernie, Sir _Walter Riddell_ of that Ilk., Sir _Lodonick Houstoun_ of that Ilk, Sir _William Carmichael_ Fiar of that Ilk, Laird of _Bonjedburgh_, Laird of _Libbertoun_, Laird of _Brodie_, Sir _John Smith_, _James Dennistoun_, Master _Barclay, John Rutherfoord_, _William Glendinning, John Sempill, John Kennedie_, Master _Alexander Douglas_, To meet at Edinburgh the 21. day of August next, and upon any other day thereafter, and in any other place they shall think good. And gives and grants unto them, or any fifteen of them, there being twelve Ministers present, full power and Commission, to consider and performe what they finde necessary by Praying and Preaching, by supplicating his Majestie and all the Judicatories of this Kingdome, by Declarations and Remonstrances to the Parliament of England, to the Synod of Divines in that Kingdome, by Informations, Directions, Instructions to, and continual correspondence with the Commissioners, now designed by this Assembly to go to the Synod of Divines in England, or by any other lawful Ecclesiastick wayes, for furtherance of this great Work, in the Union of this Island in Religion and Kirk-goverment, 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 Island. With power also to them to concurre with the Lords of Councel, Commissioners of Peace, or with the Honourable Estates assembled in Convention or Parliament, or with their Committees and Commissioners, in prosecuting this good Work at home or abroad by all Ecclesiastick wayes. And suchlike with power to them to prevent the dangers conteined in the Remonstrance, presented unto the Convention of Estates by the Commissioners of the late Assembly in _June_ last, and to prosecute the remedies of these dangers conteined in another Remonstrance, presented by the _aids_ Commissioners to the Convention the 6. of _July_ last by admonitions, directions, censures, and all other Ecclesiastick wayes. And further in case their Brethren of England shall agree to the Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, the draught and frame whereof is now so unanimously approven in this Assembly Gives also unto the Persons foresaid, or the _Quorum_ above-written, full Power and Authoritie to command and enjoyn the samine to be subscribed and sworn by all the members of this Kirk: And that in such order and manner, and with such solemnities as they shall think convenient for so great and glorious a Work; And to send their directions to Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods, for execution of their orders thereanent. And with power to proceed against any Person whatsoever, that shall refuse to subscribe and swear the said Covenant, with all the censures of the Kirk, or to refer the tryall and censures of such delinquents to Presbyteries or Synods as they shall think convenient. And such like gives unto the persons foresaids power and libertie, to call a General Assembly _pro re nata_, in case they shall finde the necessity of the Kirk, and this great Work to require the same: With full power also to them to give Answers in name of the Assembly, to all Letters sent to the Assembly from the Kirks of Holland, Zealand, or any other forraigne Reformed Kirks. And further gives power to them to promove the other desires, Overtures and recommendations of this, or of any former Assemblies to the Kings Majestie, Parliament or Convention of Estates, to the Lords of Councel, Session, Exchequer, Commissioners of Parliaments, for plantation of Kirks, for the common burdens, and for conserving the Peace. And suchlike gives as full power and Commission to them to treat and decerne in any other matters referred, or to be referred to them by this Assembly, as if the samine were herein particalarly insert. And generally gives unto the Persons foresaids, or the _Quorum_ abovementioned full power and Authoritie, to do and performe all things which may advance, accomplish, and perfect the great Work of Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk-government in all his Majesties Dominions, and which may be necessary for good order in all the publick affairs of this Kirk, untill the next Assembly, _ne quid detrimenti capiat Ecclesia_. With als ample power in all matters particularly or generally above-mentioned, as any other Commission of General Assemblies, has had or been in use of before; They being alwayes countable to, and censurable by the next General Assembly, for their proceedings thereintill.

_The General Assembly appoints the meeting of the next General Assembly, to be at Edinburgh the last Wednesday of May, in the year 1644._

THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1644.

Die Jovis penult. Maii, Sess. 2.

_The Letter from the Presbyeerie with the Army in_ England, _to the Generall Assembly._

_Right reverend_,

Having the opportunity of the sitting of this Venerable Assembly, we thought our selves obliged to render some accompt of the state of our Affairs. It hath pleased the Lord to exercise us since our out-coming, with many straits and difficulties, yet in the mids thereof he hath wonderfully upheld and carried us through. The depth of his wisedome hath suspended us for a time from any great action, to make us walk humbly before him, and to keep us in a continual dependance upon himself: And yet he hath by his own power scattered before us the great Popish Army, and much diminished the number thereof, so that they do not now appeare against us in the Fields; That all may learne to trust in GOD, and not in Man. It was farre from our thoughts and intentions to have come this length at that instant when the course of Divine Providence pointed out our way unto us, which led us on by some long and speedie marches to joyne with my Lord _Fairfax_ and his Sonne their Forces. The City of _York_, wherein a swarme of obstinate Papists have taken sanctuary, is blocked up; Now and then God favoureth us with successe in some enterprises about it, and wee look for more if the time be come which he hath appointed for the deliverance of this People.

Our Soules do abhorre the treacherous attempts of our disnatured Countrey-men, that have endeavoured to make their native Kingdome a seat of Warre, and our bowels within us are moved to think upon the maine mischiefs, if not timeously prevented, that may follow upon the unatural Warres there; Like unto these under which this Kingdome hath groaned for a long time. We have found none more malicous and cruel against us than these of our own Nation, and we measure those at home, by these here; _Cursed be their rage, for it is fierce, and their anger for it is cruell._ The present danger calls upon all to lay out of their hands what ever may hinder their haste, as one Man to come together for saving the Vine-yeard that the wilde Boares would lay waste, and taking the Foxes that would destroy the Vines. You are, Right Reverend, now set upon the highest Watch-tower, from whence you may discover the dangers that threaten on all coasts, and we need not put you in minde to give warning to the Watch-men in their severall stations; To rouze up the People from their too great security; To call them to unfeigned Humiliation, and to stirre them up to wrestle with GOD by prayer; that hee would preserve Truth and Peace at home against the machinations of Malignants; That hee would prepare the People here, and make them more fit to embrace the intended Reformation; And that hee would command these unnaturall and bloudy Warres to cease, that Religion and Righteousnesse may flourish through the three Dominions, Praying GOD to send upon you the Spirit of truth, who may lead you in all truth. We remaine

_Middle-thorp, 20. May, 1644._

_Your loving Brethren, The Presbyterie of the Scottish Army in_ England,

Master _Robert Douglas_, Moderator in their name.

_The Petition from the distressed Christians in the North of_ Ireland.

To the Reverend and Honourable Moderator and remanent Members of the Generall Assembly of _Scotland_, conveened at _Edinburgh_ in May 1644.

_The humble Petition of the distressed Christians in the North of_ Ireland.

_Humbly sheweth,_