Chapter 21

That whereas your former enlarged bounty, and our present overflowing straits would require a gratefull acknowledgement of the one, and a serious representation of the other: Our case is such, as neither can be expected at our hands, being stricken with astonishment, and full of the furie of the Lord. We are these indeed who have seen affliction by the rod of his wrath: So that it were more fit, we had a Cottage in the Wildernesse amongst the Owles to mourn out our imbittered Spirits, then that by word or writ we should compeere before any of his People: Although you cannot be wearied in wel-doing, yet we shall up way think it strange, if now you shall give over any more care of us; Seeing the Lord hath testified against us, and the Almighty hath afflicted us. Your judgement is with the Lord, and your reward is with God, not onely for your two years visiting and watering a barren vineyard, but also for your zeale and care to have your Reformation spred amongst other opprest and borne-down Churches, whereof you have given an ample and famous testimony in sending hither that blessed League and Covenant which wee much desired and longed for, as by our Petitions to the Church & State of our Native Kingdome is knowne unto you; which hath had a wished and gracious successe by the favour and blessing of God, accompanying the pains of these to whom the tendering thereof was intrusted by you. And we conceiving a chief part of our miserie to consist in our want of opportunitie to joyne our selves with the People of God in the foresaid Leagues; Esteeming our selves rejected of God and unfit to be joyned in any comfortable fellowship in the Gospel with them, when the said League and Covenant was presented to the Regiments; Wee made bold to lay hold upon the opportunity (though aflicted abjects) and cheerfully and unanimously joyned our selves thereunto: That if wee peerish in our misery, wee may die a Covenanted People: and, if our miserable life be prolonged, we may finde shelter and refreshment under the shadow thereof in our fierie trials, confidently expecting from the Lord by our neerer conjunction with you than before, an accomplishment of what is agreed into the Covenant, which ye bountifully expressed before we were one with you, to your never-dying-commendation. We are nothing shaken in our minds with the odious aspersions of sedition, combination against the King: and overthrow of Muncipal Laws, &c. (wherewith our Covenant is branded) nor with the threats of these who should be comfortable to us in our troubles: But are the more encouraged to beleeve that God shall raise up the Tabernacle of _David_ that is fallen, and repair the breaches thereof: For since we Covenanted with God, and united our selves together, our dying Spirits have revived, and we sing like those who have come forth from their Graves, for God hath had mercy on _Jacob_: In testimony whereof he hath opened the bowels of the Churches of _Holland_, who were strangers to us, and yet dear Brethren, and tender Sympathizers with our afflictions and sorrows, who, when these who were left of the Sword were in danger to dye by famine, did plentifully relieve us in our straits, not onely by comfortable encouragements to walk humbly with God, and wait for him who hides his face from the house of _Jacob_ for a season; but also by their rich supply in Victuals and others necessar for our relief and comfort, which we humbly desire our Lord to repay seven-fold in their bosome, and become your Supplicants to joyne with us in a grateful acknowledgement of their singular favours: And upon the heels of these favours you have continued your unparalled compassions in keeping your forces and enabling them, together with the other Forces, for avenging the cruel murders, and effusion of Christian blood in this Land, notwithstanding of your owne multiplied difficulties. The Lord hath begun to delight into us, and in a day of salvation hath helped us (So happy are the people who are in Covenant with God.) We are these (indeed) who may justly be burnt up for our unfruitfulnesse in the dayes of our plenty, & stubbornesse in the dayes of our affliction, which has brought us so low, that where we once enjoyed a blessed plenty, we must now beg of the crumbs that fall from your Table: We cannot dissemble, but so farre as we can discern our owne hearts, we would preferre the joyful sound of the Gospel to our much wished Peace and precious lives: But it may be discerned, your Consultations of before have been guided by the Spirit of the Lord; in that when wee twice in our forward hasting desires begged the present loosing and planting of some Ministers amongst us, you judged it more convenient to supply us by turnes, as foreseeing that our Captivity was likely to endure: Our hopes are so far revived, that we trust to see the day when he shall take the Cup of trembling out of our hands, and put it in the hands of them that afflicted us.

And therefore, if you account us fellow-partners of the Purchased Inheritance, Yet again suffer our necessitie to plead with you, that as it hath been by the Committee of Bils already advised, that a competent number of Ministers may be gifted to us by your Commission when they shall set the Calling cleared, the same may be granted as a testimony of your confidence, and expectation of our delivery; And in the meane time some others may be sent by turnes to keep in the dying lives of above twenty foure desolate Congregations, who are in danger to perish for want of Vision: And although we do proteste, we count not our selves worthy of such favours, yet as we have resolved to dye with the cry of hope in our mouthes to the Lords Throne; So in obedience of the use of the means by him appointed, we stretch out our hearts and our hands to you for help, and have sent our Brother _William Mackenna_ Merchant at _Belfast_, to attend what answer it shall please the Lord by you to returne unto

_Your distressed Brethern and Supplicants._

_Subscribed by very many hands._

3. _Junii 1644. Antemeridiem._ Sess. 5.

_Act for the present Entrie of the new erected Presbyterie at_ Biggar.

The which day anent the Supplication subscribed and given in to the General Assembly to the Ministers and ruling Elders of the Kirks of _Biggar, Skirling, Brochton, Glenquhome, Kelbocho, Culter, Lamyngtoun, Symontoun, Covingtoun Quothquen, Welstonn_, and _Dolphingtoun_ making mention, That the General Assembly at _Edinburgh_ in August 1643. years, by their Act of the date of the twelfth day of the samine moneth and year, did upon good grounds, and after tryal and hearing of all Parties to the full, erect a Presbyterie seat at _Biggar_, to consist of the Kirks above-written, And granted to their Presbyterie full power of jurisdiction and exerceing Discipline, with all other Liberties and Priviledges belonging to any other Presbyterie; but suspended the entrie and possession of this new erected Presbyterie, during the pleasure of the Assembly; And therefore desiring the said Generall Assembly to ordaine and appoint the entrie and possession of the foresaid Presbyterie at _Biggar_ now presently; And to declare, that it is their pleasure, that the entrie and possession thereof shall be no longer suspended, as the Supplication proports. Which Supplication being read in audience of the Generall Assembly, and thereafter the Commissioners from the Presbyteries of _Lanerk_ and _Peebles_, and all others having entresse to oppose the desire foresaid being publickly called, and the saids Commissioners for _Peebles_ and _Lanerk_ personally present, being at length heard in what they could say or alledge therein: And the said the Supplication and desire thereof, with the Alledgeances and Objections made against the samine, being taken to consideration by the Assembly, and they therewith being fully and ripely advised: The Assembly after removing of the Parties, and after consideration of the premisses and voycing of the foresaid desire, Ordaines the entrie and possession of the foresaid Presbyterie of _Biggar_, consisting of the particular Kirks above-mentioned, to begin now presently; And appoints and ordaines all the Ministers and Ruling Elders of the foresaids Kirks above specified, whereof the said Presbyterie consists, to meet and conveene as a Presbyterie, with all convenience, at the said Kirk of _Biggar_, which is the Place and Seat of the samine Presbyterie. And the Assembly refers to the Commissioners to be appointed by them for the publick affairs of the Kirk, to determinn to what Synod the said new erected Presbyterie shall be subordinate; As also to prescribe the order and solemnities that shall be necessar for entring and possessing the Ministers and Elders in the said Presbyterie.

_Junii_ 3. 1644 Sess.

_Act concerning the Declaration subscribed by the Scottish Lords at_ Oxford.

The Generall Assembly having received a Copy of a Declaration, made and subscribed at _Oxford_, sent unto them from the honourable Convention of Estates, and having seriously considered the tenour thereof, doth finde the same to be a perfidious Band and unnaturall confederacy, to bring this Kirk and Kingdome to confusion; and to be full of blasphemies against the late solemne League and Covenant of the three Kingdomes, of vile aspersions of Treason, Rebellion and Sedition, most falsly and impudently imputed to the Estates and the most faithfull and loyall Subjects of these Kingdomes, And seeing it is incumbent to the Assembly to take notice thereof, and to stop the course of these malicious intentions, in so farre as concernes them, Declare that the subscribers of this or the like Declaration or Band, or any that have been accessory to the framing, or that has been, or shall be accessory to the execution thereof, deserve the highest censure of the Kirk: And therefore gives power to the Commissioners of this Assembly appointed for the publick affairs, to proceed against them to the sentence of Excommunication, unlesse they make humble confession of their offence publickly, in such manner, and in such places as the Commission shall prescribe; Or otherwise to refer the tryall and censure of such Delinquents to Presbytereries or Synods as they shall think convenient. And when the sentence of Excommunication shall be pronounced, discharges Presbyteries or Synods to relax any from the sentence, without the advice of the Generall Assembly, or their Commissioners, _nisi in extremis_. And in respect of the atrocicite of this Fact, the Assembly in all humility, do seriously recommend to the right honourable the Estates of Parliament to take such course, as the persons that shall be found guilty, may be exemplary punished, according to the merit of so unnaturall and impious an offence: And that some publick note of ignominie be put upon the Declaration and Band it self, if their Honours shall think it meet.

_Act against the Rebells in the North and South._

The Generall Assembly considering the just sentence pronounced against the principall Actors in that Rebellion in the North and South, by ordinance of the Commissioners of the late Assembly; And finding it most necessary, that such as assisted or joyned with them in that impious and unnaturall Fact, be likewise censured; Therefore ordains Presbyteries and Synods _respectivè_, to proceed against them with the highest Censures of the Kirk, if they give not satisfaction by publick repentance; And when the sentence of Excommunication shall be pronounced, The Assembly discharges the said Judicatories to relax any of them from the sentence, without the advice of the Generall Assembly, or their Commissioners, _nisi in extremis_: To whom also the saids Presbyteries and Synods, shall be answerable for their diligence in the premisses as they shall be required. And the Assembly doth humbly recommend to the Honourable Estates of Parliament, to take such course as the Persons that shall be found guilty may be exemplarly punished according to the merit and degree of their offence.

_Act against secret disaffecters of the Covenant_

The Generall Assembly understanding that divers Persons dis-affected to the Nationall Covenant of this Kirk, and to the Solemne League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms, do escape their just censure, either by their private and unconstant abode in any one Congregation, or by secret conveyance of their malignant speeches and practises; Therefore ordains all Ministers to take speciall notice when any such Person shall come within their Paroches, and so soon as they shall know the same, that without delay they cause warn them to appear before the Presbyteries within which their Paroches lyes, or before the Commissioners of this Assembly appointed for publick affairs, as they shall finde most convenient, which warning the Assembly declares shall be a sufficient citation unto them: And als that all Ministers and Elders declare to the saids Judicatories _respectivè_, every such disaffected person, although without their own Paroch, so soon as they shall hear and be informed of them. And the Assembly ordains the said Commissioners not only to proceed to Tryal and Censure of such disaffected Persons, but also take a special account of the diligence of Ministers, Elders, and Presbyteries herein _respectivè_.

_Act for sending Ministers to the Armie._

The Assembly understanding that Ministers are not duly sent forth to the Regiments of the Army, neither such as are sent duly relieved, which neglect falleth out oftimes, by reason of questions among Presbyteries interested in the Regiments: Therefore for remedy hereof, thinks it convenient that this order be keeped hereafter; That a List be made of three Ministers by the Colonels, or in their absence by the chief Officers of every Regiment, with advice and consent of the Presbyterie at the Army, and sent to Presbyteries here, or if the list be of Ministers in divers Presbyteries to the Commissioners of the General Assembly, that they may appoint one out of that list to be sent to the Regiment, to attend them for performing Ministeriall duties 3 Moneths: And that the relief of Ministers already sent or to be sent hereafter shall be in the same manner, And the Assembly ordains Ministers who shall be thus appointed by Presbyteries or the Commissioners of the Assembly _respectivè_, to repair to the Armie with all diligence, under the paine of suspension: And humbly recommends to the Honourable Estates of Parliament, to provide some way whereby these Ministers may have due and ready payment of their allowance, from the time of their going from their charges here. And it is declared that this order shall be also keeped for sending forth of Ministers to the Regiments in the second expedition.

_Renovation of the Commission for the Publick affairs of the Kirk._

The Generall Assembly considering that the Commissioners appointed by the last Assembly upon the ninteenth day of August 1643. years, the last Session thereof to sit at _Edinburgh_, for the Publick affairs of the Kirk, have not yet fully perfected that great Work for Unity of Religion, and Uniformitie of Kirk-government in his Majesties Dominions; And that now in respect of the present condition of affairs in this Kingdome, their proceedings cannot be examined at this time: Therefore finding it necessar that the said Commission be renewed unto the Commissioners therein mentioned, and to the Persons afternamed now thought, fit to be added for the better expediting of the businesse, Do hereby appoint the Persons particularly nominate in the said Commission, _viz._ Masters _Andrew Ramsay, Alexander Henderson, Robert Douglas, William Colvill, William Bennet, George Gillespie, John Oiswald, Mungo Law, John Adamson, John Sharp, James Sharp, William Dalgleish, David Calderwood, Andrew Blackball, James Fleeming, Robert Ker, John Mackenzie, Oliver Cole, Hugh Campbell, Adam Penman, Richard Dickson, Andrew Stevinson, John Lawder, Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherfurd, Arthur Mortoun, Robert Traill, Frederick Carmichael, John Smith, Patrick Gillespie, John Duncan, John Hume, Robert Knox, William Jameson, Robert Murray, Henry Guthrie, James Hamilton,_ in _Dumfreis, Bernard Sanderson, John Levingstoun, James Bonar, Evan Camron, David Dickson, Robort Bailzie, James Cuninghame, George Youngh, Andrew Affleck, David Lindsay, Andrew Cant, William Douglas, Murdo Mackenzie, Coline Mackenzie, John Monroe, Walter Stuart_ Ministers; _Archbald_ Marquesse of _Argyle, William_ Earle _Marshall, John_ Earle of _Sutherland, Alexander_ Earle of _Eglingtoun, John_ Earle of _Cassils, Charles_ Earl of _Dumfermeling, John_ Earle of _Lauderdale, John_ Earle of _Lindsay, James_ Earle of _Queensberry, William_ Earle of _Dalhousie, Archbald_ Lord _Angus, James_ Vicount of _Dudhope, John_ Lord _Maitland, David_ Lord _Elcho, John_ Lord _Bahnerinoch, James_ Lord _Cowper_, Sir _Patrick Hepburne_ of _Waughtoun_, Sir _Archbald Johnstoun_ of _Waristoun_, Sir _David Hume_ of _Wedderburne_, Sir _Alexander Areskine_ of _Dun_, Sir _William Cockburne_ of _Langtoun_, Sir _Thomas Ruthven_ of _Frieland_, Sir _James Arnot_ of Fernie, Sir _Walter Riddall_ of that Ilk, Sir _Ledovick Houstoun_ of that Ilk, Sir _William Carmichael_ Fiar of that Ilk, Mr _George Douglas_ of _Bonjedburgh_, Mr _George Winrame_ of _Libertoun_, Laird of _Brodie_, Sir _John Smith, James Dennistoun_, Master _Robert Barclay, John Rutherford, William Glendunning, John Sempill, John Kennedy_ and Master _Alexander Douglas_ Elders: And also Masters, _David Dalgleish, Andrew Bennet, John Moncreiff, Alexander Carse, Thomas Wilkie, James Gushrie, Henry Levingstoun, David Drummond at Creiff, John Hay at Renfrew, John Strang, Richard Inglis, William Falconer, John Paterson, Gilbert Rosse, Richard Maitiand, George Cumming, William Campbel_ Ministers, And _William_ Earle of _Glancairne, William_ Earle of _Louthian, James_ Lord _Murray_ of _Gask, John_ Lord _Yester, Robert Maitland, Frederick Lyon_ of _Brigtoun, James Macdowell of Garthland, David Beton of Creich_, Sir _James Stuart_ Sheriff of _Buit_, Sir _John Weemes_ of Bogie, Mr _William Sandilands_ Tutor of _Torphichin, Archbald Sydserfe, Laurence Henderson, James Stuart, Thomas Paterson_, and _Alexander Jaffrry_ Elders now added by this Assembly, to meet at _Edinburgh_ upon the fifth day of this instant moneth of June, and upon the last Wednesday of August next, the last Wednesday of November next, and upon the last Wednesday of February next; and upon any other day, or in any other place they shall think meet: Giving and granting unto them, or any fifteen of them, there being twelve Minister present, full power and commission to prosecute the said work of unitie in Religion, and uniformitie of Kirk government in all his Majesties Dominions, and to do and performe all things particularly or generally contained in the said Commission of the preceeding Assembly, or in an Act of the said Assembly upon the said 19. day of August, intituled, _A Reference to the Commission anent the Persons designed to repair to the Kingdome of England_, and to treat and determine therin, and in all other matters referred unto them by this Assembly, siclike, and as freely, as if all these were herein expressed, and as the persons nominat in that said former Commission might have done by vertue of the said Act and former Commission at any time by-gone, and with as ample power as any Commission of former General Assemblies hath had, or been in use of before, they being alwayes comptable and censurable for their whole proceedings hereintill by the next General Assembly.

_Renovation of the Commission granted to the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdome of_ England.

The General Assembly, finding that the great Work of unity in Religion, and uniformity of Kirk-government in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet perfected, Do therefore renew the Commission granted for that effect by the preceeding Assembly, unto the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdome of _England_ upon the 19. day of August 1643. in the last Session thereof, Giving and granting to the Persons therin mentioned, the same power, to do all and every thing particularly or generally contained in the said Commission, in the same manner, and as fully, as if the same were herein expressed, and as they might have done at any time by gone by vertue of the former Commission.

_The Assemblies answer to the Presbyterie with the Armie._

_Reverend and loving Brethren in the LORD,_

We received yours of the 17 and 20 of May, and were much refreshed with the knowledge you gave unto us therein, of your sense of our condition here, and of the Lords dealing with yourselves there in your straits and difficulties: We rejoyce exceedingly to see you make such a blessed use of the Lords delayes, for your further Humiliation and Dependence upon him: That Sanctuary, your Enemies, and the Enemies of your GOD hath taken, shall not save them: You have found by experience in your marches and maintenance, that events are not ordered by the propositions of men, but by the Providence and purpose of GOD. There is a time for every purpose under Heaven, and the Cup of the _Amorites_ must be filled: Which being now full of every abomination, yea of the blood of the Saints, the cry whereof cannot but be heard in Heaven, and answered on Earth, presageth no lesse to us, than that the Lords time of his deliverance of his own, and destruction of his Enemies draweth near.

We are not unsensible of your present estate, and by the Lords grace shall be careful, both here and with our Congregations at home, to make all take the same to heart. As for our condition here remembred with such pious affection by you, we doubt not but ye have heard what the Lord hath done for us; these happy beginnings of the Lords scattering our unnatural Enemies in the North, gives us confidence of his assistance in the midst of difficulties against these that assault us in the South: It is nothing with the Lord to help whether with many, or with them that have no power.

The security of this Nation indeed is great, it is our part to blow the Trumpet to give warning to the People, and to rouze them from that fearful condition which threatneth so much desertion. And to this end we have injoyned a solemne Fast, the causes whereof being more particularly considered by our Commissioners here, will no question be sent unto you, that if the Lord please, you may joyne with us there in that Action.

We have set down an order to be kept hereafter, for sending Ministers unto the Armie, which the Clerk will send herewith unto you. Now the Lord our GOD, in whose Name his people go forth against his Enemies, help and assist them, and cover their heads in the Day of Battel, and be their Refuge; and blesse your travels and endeavours, for the good of their souls and his own glory.

_Edinburgh_, 3. June 1644.

_Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly by the Moderator._

4. _June_ 1644. Sess 7.

_The Letter from the Commissioners at_ London _to the General Assembly._

_Right Honourable, Reverend and beloved in the LORD,_

It was the earnest desire of our hearts to have come unto you at this time, and to have brought with us the desireable fruits of our weighty imployments and labours, to our common rejoycing in the mids of so many troubles both here and there: but our Lord in his wisedome hath not judged it fitting, that this should be the time of our joyful harvest, and of bringing our sheaves, to be matter of sacrifice to himself, and of shouting to us. Both Nations as yet do but go forth weeping and bearing their precious seed; yet are we confident through JESUS CHRIST, that as it is a seed time, if the Labourers (although other men before us have laboured and we are entred into their labours) prove faithful unto the end, the harvest shall come in due time, and in great plenty.