Chapter 28

It is earnestly desired That the Directorie for Worship be sent to Ireland, and that you recommend to the honourable Houses of the Parliament, To think upon the best way for the establishment & practice of it in that Kingdom. And that the like course may be taken with the government, and other parts of the Uniformity, so soon as they shall be agreed upon.

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

The General Assembly Recommends to Presbyteries, To consider these matters referred to their consideration by preceding Assemblies; and to report their judgement therein to the next Assembly.

_The Generall Assembly Appoints the meeting of the next Assembly to be at Edinburgh the first Wednesday of June, in the yeer 1646._

THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY MET AT _EDINBURGH_ JUNII 3. 1646.

Edinb. 4. Junii 1646. Sess. 2.

_The Kings Letter to the Assembly, presented by M._ Robert Douglas _Minister at Edinburgh._

CHARLES R.

Right trustly and welbeloved, We greet you well. Having lately written to Our Houses of Parliament at _Westminster_, and the Commissioners from Our Kingdom of _Scotland_ at _London_, and likewise to the Committees of Estates of that our Kingdom; Shewing Our great sense and grief for the sad effects have flowed from the unhappy differences betwixt Us and Our Subjects; with Our reall resolutions to comply with the desires of Our Parliaments of both Kingdoms, and those entrusted by them for settling of Trueth and Peace in all Our Dominions: And now being informed of your meeting, We have thought fit hereby (since We could not conveniently send a Commissioner) to give you the same assurances; And withall, that it shall be Our constant endeavour to maintain Religion there, as it is established, in Doctrine, Worship, and Church-government, and leave no good means unassayed for setling an universall Peace in that our native and ancient Kingdom, with the Reformation and Religion, and settling Peace in _England_ and _Ireland_: And after the return of an answer to Our late Message to Our Houses of Parliament heer, We shall more particularly acquaint you, or your Commissioners, with Our further resolutions. In the mean time, We seriously recommend Our selves and distracted condition of Our Kingdoms, to your most earnest Prayers to God in our behalf, expecting from you faithfulnesse in your severall Charges and Callings, with that Loyaltie and obedience which becometh the Ministers of the Gospel. We bid you very heartily farewell, from _New-castle_, the 28, of May 1646,

DIRECT.

For Our right trustie and welbeloved, The Moderatour and other Members of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Our Kingdom of _Scotland_.

_6. Junii 1646. Antemeridiem._ Sess. 4.

_Act concerning the Registers and Acts of Provinciall Assemblies._

The Assembly recommends to Provinciall Assemblies, that hereafter they cause read all their Acts, before the dissolving of every Assembly; And that their Registers be written formally, and in a good hand writing, with the severall Leafes or Pages thereof marked by ciphers according to their number.

11. _Junii 1646. Antemeridiem_ Sess. 7.

_Act concerning the publike satisfaction of Married persons, for Fornication committed before Marriage._

The Generall Assembly understanding that in many places the publike scandals of Fornication committed before Marriage, are not taken notice of and removed by publike confession according to the order of this Kirk; Therefore for remedie thereof do Ordain, That all Married persons under publike scandall of Fornication, committed before their Marriage (although the scandall thereof hath not appeared before the Marriage) shall satisfie publikely for that sin committed before their Marriage, their being in the estate of Marriage notwithstanding, And that in the same manner as they should have done if they were not Maried.

_13. Junii 1646. Antemeridiem._ Sess. 10.

_Ordinance for Excommunication of the Earle of Seafort._

The Generall Assembly having taken to their serious consideration, that perfidious Band made and contrived lately in the North, under the name of _An humble Remonstrance_, against our Nationall Covenant, and the League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms; Which tendeth to the making of division and fomenting of Jealousie within this and between both Kingdoms, to the prolonging of these unnaturall Warrs, to the impeding of the intended Uniformity in Religion, and to the subversion of all the happie ends of our covenants: And finding that _George_ Earle of Seafort hes not only most perfidiously himself subscribed the said wicked Band, contrary to his solemne Oaths in the Covenants aforesaid, and most arrogantly, owned the same under his owne hand writing in his letters to the Committee of Estates, and to the Commissioners of the preceding Assemblie; But also hes seduced and threatned others to subscribe that divisive Band, and to joyne with him in prosecution of his treacherous and wicked designes, therein masked with the pretences of Religion and libertie; boasting also the pursuance of that his Remonstrance against all deadly the opposers thereof, whether King or Parliament. And having also considered another wicked and treacherous Band of Union which the said Earle formerly entred into with that excommunicate Rebell _James Grahame_, after the sentence of forfalture and the dreadfull sentence of excommunication were pronounced against him, Oblieging himself therein under solomne Oaths to joyne with that forfaulted Rebell against this Kirk and Kingdome, and to oppose all their publike resolutions for pursuance of the happie ends of our said Covenants. All which, with his vile reproachfull aspersions and most false calumnies against this Kirk and State, and their publike and lawfull endeavours and resolutions, with his other wicked and perfidious practises at length discovered in the Proclamation of the Committee of Estates, and the Declaration of the Commission of the Assembly against the said perfidious Band and Remonstrance, being gravely pondered and considered; Together with his base treachery to the Estates, being intrusted by them with ample Comission, and encouraged and enabled for discharging thereof, with Mony Ammunition and Arms in a good measure; Notwithstanding whereof contrary to that great trust reposed in him. It is notour that not only he did not joyne with the Forces raised for the defence of this Kingdome, But rather on the contrary, actually joining himself and his Forces with that excommunicate Rebel _James Grahame_, and these unnatural bloody Rebels his followers, did beleager Invernesse, a Towne Garrisoned by the Estates for the Defence of that part of the Country. And the Assembly, having also found that fair means have been used for reclaiming of the said Earle from that wicked and perfidious course, by publike Declarations and Proclamations, and particular Letters sent to himself from those that had power in that behalf, And that notwithstanding thereof and of Summonds direct against him to answer to the premisses, often called, he doth not appear, but still remains obstinate in his wicked courses. And after mature deliberation having found his frequent fearful and grosse perjuries, his perfidious and wicked conspiracies by Band and Oath, with the publike Enemies of this Kirk and Kingdom, and his other treacherous and wicked practises contemptuously and pertinaciously persisted into, To be heinous offences against God, and high contempt of all Ecclesiastical and Civil authority. Therefore the Assembly moved with the Zeal of God, do without a contrary voice Decerne and Ordain the said _George_ Earle of Seafort to be summarly excommunicate, and declared to be one whom Christ commandeth to be holden by all and every one of the Faithful as an Ethnik and Publicane, and appoints the sentence of excommunication to be pronounced by Matter _Robert Blair_ Moderator in the east Kirk of this Citie, upon the next Lords day, being the 14 of this Moneth; And that thereafter publike intimation be made thereof upon a Sabbath day before noone in all the Kirks of this Kingdom so soon as advertisement shall come unto them.

_Enormities and Corruptions observed to be in the Ministery, with the Remedies thereof._

ENORMITIES.

The first and main sin, reaching both to our personall carriage and callings, we judge to be, Not studying how to keep Communion and Fellowship with God in Christ, but walking in a naturall way without imploying of Christ, or drawing vertue from him, to inable us unto sanctification, and Preaching in spirit and power.

_In our Lives._

1. Much fruitlesse conversing in companie, and complying with the sins of all sorts, not behaving our selves as becomes the men of God.

2. Great worldlinesse is to be found amongst us, minding and speaking most about things of this life, being busied about many things, but forgetting the main.

3. Slighting of Gods worship in their families, and therefore no cordiall urging of it upon others: yea, altogether a wanting of it in some, if it be credible.

4. Want of gravity in carriage and apparell, dissolutenesse in haire, and shaking about the knees, lightnesse in the apparrell of their wives and children.

5. Tippling and bearing companie in untimous drinking inn Tavernes and Ale houses, or any where else, whereby the Ministerie is made vile and contemptible.

6. Discountenancing of the godly; speaking ill of them, because of some that are unanswerable to their profession.

7. The Sabbath not sanctified after Sermons, which maketh people think that the Sabbath is ended with the Sermon.

8. There are also to be found amongst us, who use small and minced oaths.

9. Some so great strangers to Scripture, that except in their publike Ministerie, though they read many things, yet they are little conversant in the Scripture, and in meditation thereof. A dutie incumbent to all the people of God.

_In our Callings._

1. Corrupt entry into the Ministrie in former times, and following the course of defection, though forsaken, yet never seriously repented: as also present entring into the Ministery, as to a way of living in the world, and not as to a spirituall calling.

2. Helping in, and holding in of insufficient and suspected men, who favour the things of this life and keeping the door straiter on them whom God hath sealed, then upon these who have lesse evidence of the power of grace and holinesse.

3. Partiality in favouring, and speaking for the scandalous, whether Ministers or other persons, teaching them how to shift and delay censures.

4. Silence in the publike cause, not labouring to cure the disaffection of people, not urging them to constancie and patience in bearing of publike burdens, nor to forwardnesse in the publike Cause; whereby Malignants are multiplied: yea some are so grosse herein, that even in publike Fasts little or nothing is to be heard from them sounding this way.

5. Some account it a point of wisdome to speak ambiguously: some incline to justifie the wicked cause, uttering words which favour of disaffection: and all their complaining of the times, is in such a way as may steal the hearts of people from liking of good Instruments in this work, and consequently from Gods Cause: yea, some reading publike Orders, are ready to speak against them in their private conferences.

6. Idlenesse, either in seldome Preaching, as once on The Lords day, or in preparation for publike duties, not being given to reading and meditation: others have but fits of paines, not like other Tradesmen continually at their work.

7. Want of zeal, and love to the conversion of souls, not being weighted with the want of successe in reclaiming of sinners, nor searching in themselves the cause of not profiting, preaching _ex officio_; nor _ex conscientia officii_.

8. Self-seeking in preaching, and a venting rather of their wit and skill, then a Shewing foorth of the wisdome and power of God.

9. Lifelesnesse in preaching, not studying to be furnished by Christ with power; and so the ordinance of God teacheth not to the conscience: and thereto belongeth the not applying of the doctrine unto the auditory and times.

10. The indiscreet curing of the indiscretion of pious people and Ministers, whereby godlinesse hath gotten a deep wound, and profanitie hath lifted up the head, contrary to that wise and gracious order set foorth in the Generall Assembly holden at _Edinburgh_, 1641.

11. Little care to furnish our Armie, either abroad or at home with Ministers; One of our grievous sins and causes of our calamity.

12. Last, it is to be feared that Ministers in secret are negligent to wrestle in Prayer, for a blessing to be poured out upon their labours, contenting themselves with their publike performances.

_Remedies._

1. First, That Presbyteries make great conscience to have all vacant places within their several bounds filled with godly and able men, where ever they be to be found: and that under pretence of being a helper, or second to another, none be taken in, but such as are able for the same charge.

2. Whereas it is known, that private tryall in Presbyteries are for the most part perfunctorious, the Brethren are hereby exhorted to be more serious, and faithfull herein, as they will be answerable to Christ, the Chief Shepherd: and in a way previous thereto, that Brethren be free, in loving admonition one of another secretly, from time to time; and that whosoever keeps not the Presbyterie or Synod, after grave admonitions may come under further censures.

3. That accuracie be used as visitation of Kirks, and that the Elders one by one (the rest being removed) be called in, and examined upon oath upon the Ministers behaviour in his calling and conversation.

4. That course be taken to divide Congregations in parts, and by the help not only of Elders in their severall parts, but of neighbors also, the evils, and neglect of persons and families, may be found out and remedied.

5. That every Minister be humbled for his former failings, and make his peace with God, that the more effectually he may preach repentance, and may stand in the gap, to turne away the Lords wrath: runing between the Porch and the Altar, fighing and crying for all the abominations of the land.

6. Speciall care would be had, that Ministers have their conversation in heaven, mainly minding the things of God, and exercising faith for drawing life out of Jesus Christ the fountain of life, arming themselves thereby with power against the contagion and wickednesse of the world.

7. Care would be had of godly conference in Presbyteries, even in time of their refreshment, and the Moderator is to look to it, that good matter be furnished thereto.

8. It is also very necessary for every Minister that would be fruitfull in the work of the Lord, to bring home the Word of God to his own heart and conscience, by Prayer and Meditation, both before and after the publike ordinance.

9. Use would be made of the roll of the Parish, not onely for examination, but also for considering the severall conditions and dispositions of the people, that accordingly they may be admonished, and particularly prayed for by the Ministers in secret.

10. It is very expedient that Ministers have more communion among themselves for their mutuall stirring up, and strengthening of their hands in the Lords work, and rectifying of these who are not incorrigible.

11. That Ministers in all sorts of companie labour to bee fruitfull, as the Salt of the earth, seasoning them they meet with, not only forbearing to drink healths (Satans snare, leading to excesse) but reproving it in others.

12. All Ministers would be carefull to cherish the smoaking flax of weak beginnings in the wayes of God, and ought couragiously to oppose all mockers and revilers of the godly.

13. As at all times, so specially now when the Lord is calling us all to an account; it becomes the Ministers of Christ, with all diligence and faithfulnesse, to improve their Ministerie to the utmost, to be instant in season and out of season; yea, even singally to imploy their time in private, in reading of, and meditating on Scripture, that the word of God may dwell plentifullie in them.

14. That the providing the Armies with Ministers be preferred to any congregation, and these who are appointed to attend the same, and are deficient, be without delay severelie censured according to the Act of the General Assembly; And that all Ministers not only in publike, pray for our Armies, specially these that are to incounter with the bloody enemie within the land, but also continually bear them up before the Lord, that their lives being reformed, their hearts and hands may be strengthned, and their undertaking at last blessed of GOD; with successe.

15. That beside all other scandals, silence or ambiguous speaking in the publike cause, much more detracting and disaffected speaches be seasonablie censured; and to this effect, all honest hearted Brethren would firmlie unite themselves in the Lord, the younger honouring the elder, and the elder not despising the younger.

16. And finallie, both for the corruption of the Ministerie and remedies thereof, we refer the brethren to the Act of the Generall Assemblie at _Edinburgh_ 1596. revived in the late Assemblie at _Glasgow_ 1638. to bee found in the printed Act concerning the same.

_The Generall Assembly Ordains the Enormities above specified to be tryed and restrained, and that the Remedies thereof for that purpose be seriously observed and practised: Recommending especially to Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies, that use be made of the same in visitation of Kirks and tryall of Presbyteries._

_Commission of the Approbation of the proceedings of the preceding Assembly._

The General Assembly having heard the report of the Committee appointed to consider and examine the proceedings of the Commissioners of the late General Assembly holden at _Edinburgh_ in the yeer 1646. And after serious consideration thereof, finding that the whole Acts, Proceedings, and Conclusions of the saids Commissioners, contained in the Register subscribed by Mr _Andrew Ker_ their Klerk, and by Mr _Robert Ramsay_ Moderator to the said Committee, do declare much Wisdom, Diligence, Vigilancie, and commendable Zeal; And that the said Commissioners have orderly and formally proceeded in every thing, according to their Commission: Do therefore ratifie and approve the said whole Acts, Proceedings, and Conclusions of the Commissioners of the said Assembly.

_15. Junii 1646. Postmeridiem._ Sess. 11.

_Act for joyning of the Presbyteries in_ Orkney _and_ Zetland _to the Provincial of_ Cathnes.

The General Assembly, considering that the Presbyterie of _Kirkwall_ in _Orkney_ and the Presbyterie of _Schalloway_ in _Zetland_ have never met in any Provincial Assembly, where through great abuses and disordres are there committed, Therefore the Assembly hereby joyns the said two Presbyteries to the Provincial of _Cathnes_ and _Suterland_, And appoints all the Ministers and Elders of the said Presbyteries hereafter, to meet at the said Provincial Assembly, and to have place to reason and vote therein as Members of the said Provincial. And suchlike ordains the saids two Presbyteries to be of subordinate Jurisdiction to the said Provincial Assembly, Declaring hereby, that the said Provincial shall consist of the Presbyteries of _Cathnes, Sutherland, Orknay_, and _Zetland_ in all time coming. And appoints them to meet onely once in the yeer, in respect of their great distance and interjection of seas; And that the first meeting be at _Thurso_ in _Cathnes_ upon the third Tuesday of August next, and thereafter as shall be appointed by the said Provinciall Assembly.

_17. Junii 1646. Postmeridiem._ Sess. 14.

_Act concerning Expectants Preaching in Publike._

The General Assembly discharges any Person to preach in publike under the name and notion of an Expectant or under any other pretence whatsoever, except such as shall be tryed and found qualified according to the Acts of the General Assembly; Recommending to Presbyteries and Provincials to take special notice thereof, and to censure the Transgressors accordingly.

_Act for censuring the Complyers with the publike Enemies of this Kirk and Kingdom._

The General Assembly taking to their serious consideration the great and scandalous provocation and grievous defection from the publike Cause, which some have beene guiltie of, by complying with the Rebels the publike Enemies of this Kirk and Kingdom: And judging it a dutie incumbent to them to bring such notorious Offenders to publike satisfaction, that the Wrath of God may be averted, and the publike scandal removed; Do therefore Require, Decern, and Ordain, that such as after lawfull tryall shall be found to have been in actuall Rebellion and to have carried charge with the Rebels, To have accepted Commissions for raising Horse or Foot unto them, To have been seducers of others to joyn in that Rebellion, To be the Penners or contrivers of _James Grahames_ Proclamation for indicting a pretended Parliament, or of any other his Proclamations or Declarations, To have beene prime Instruments in causing publish the said Proclamations and Declarations; That all and every one of such offenders shal humbly acknowledge their offence upon their knees, first before the Presbyterie, and thereafter before the Congregation upon a Sabbath, in some place before the Pulpit; And in the mean time that they be suspended from the Lords Supper: And in case they do not satisfie in manner foresaid, that they be processed with Excommunication. And likewise Ordains; that such as shall be found to have procured Protections from the Rebels, To have execute their orders, To have invited them to their houses, To have given them intelligence, To have drunk _James Grahames_ health or to be guilty of any other such grose degrees of complyance, shall acknowledge their offences publikely before the Congregation, and be suspended from the Communion, and while they doe the same. And further Decernes and Ordains, that all persons in any Ecclesiastick office guilty of any degrees of complyance before mentioned, shall be suspended from their office & all exercise thereof, for such time as the quality of the offence and condition of the offenders shall be found to deserve; And the Assembly hereby declares than Presbyteries have a latitude and liberty to agreadge the censures above specified, according to the degrees and circumstances of the offences; And gives in like maner the same latitude and liberty to the Commissioners of this Assembly for publike affairs, who have also power to try and censure the offenders in manner above exprest, and to take account of the diligence of Presbyteries thereintill.

_Act concerning_ James Grahams _Proclamation._

The General Assembly having considered a copie of a Proclamation published by order of that excommunicat Traitor _James Graham_, for indicting of a pretended Parliament, and finding the same to be full of Blasphemies against the solemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms, and of vile aspersions of Treason, Rebellion, and Sedition most falsly and impudently imputed to the Estates, and most faithfull and loyall Subjects of this Kingdome: Doe therfore declare, That such as have bin prim Instruments of the publishing of that or the Proclamation and Declaration, deserve the highest censures of the Kirks, unlesse they make humble confession of their offence publickely, in such manner as is prescribed by this Assembly; And humbly Recommends to the Committee of Estates to take some course for their exemplary civill punishment, and that some publike note of ignominie be put upon that Proclamation as their Honors shall think meet.

_18. Junii 1646. Antermeridiem._ Sess. Ult.

_Act against loosing of Ships and Barks upon the Lords Day._