Chapter 29

The Generall Assembly understanding how much the Lords day is profaned by Skippers and other Seafaring men, Do therefore discharge and inhibite all Skippers and Sailers to begin any voyage on the Lords day, or to loose any Ships, Barks or Boats out of Harbery or Road upon that day, And who shall do in the contrary hereof, shall be censured as profaners of the Sabbath: Recommending to Presbyteries and others whom it may concerne to see both of the Acts of Assembly and Parliament made for censuring and punishing profanation of the Lords day, to be put in execution against them.

_Act anent Children sent without the Kingdom._

Whereas divers Children have been sent without the Kingdom to be bred abrord, and have been or in time coming may be exposed to the temptations of seducers, and drawn away from the Trueth established and professed within this Church to errour of Poperie, or other Sects and Heresies: Therefore the Assembly Ordains, that the Parents or Friends of Children and Minors, shall before they send them without the Kingdom, first acquaint the Presbytery where they reside, that they may have their Testimoniall directed to the Presbytery or Classe within the Kingdom of _France_, or _England_, or _Ireland_, and at the time of these Childrens return from any of the saids Kingdoms, to report ane Testimoniall from the Presbytery or Synode where they lived without the Kingdom of their breeding there (and to shew the same to the Presbytery within the Kingdom who gave them a Testimoniall at their way going). Likeas the Assembly Ordains all Presbyteries to try if any Children have been sent to Popish Schooles or Colledges Without the Kingdom; And if any be found, that their names be given to the Presbytery or Commissioners of the Assembly, that the same may be presented to the Honourable Lords of Secret Councell, or Committee of Estates, that their Lordships may be humbly desired by their authority to recal them, that after return to this Kingdom course may be taken according to the former Ordinances of Generall Assemblies, for their breeding in the true Religion.

_Overtures presented to the Assembly._

That correspondence be keeped among Presbyteries constantly by letter without prejudice of personall correspondence when need requires, whereby one Presbyterie may understand what many are doing, and they may be mutually assisting each to other.

II. That for the better breeding of young men to the Ministerie who are not able to furnish themselves in charges to attend in the Universities, that the Presbyteries where they reside appoint some to direct their studies.

III. That it be recommended to all the Universities to condiscend upon the best Overtures for the most profitable teaching of Grammar and Phylosophy, and as they may meet at the Commission of the Generall Assembly to make the matter ripe for the next Assembly.

_The Assembly approves these Overtures, and recommends accordingly._

IV. That to the intent the knowlege of God in Christ may be spread through the Highlands and Islands (for in lack whereof the land hath smarted in the late troubles) these courses be taken: 1. Let an order be procured, that all Gentlemen who are able, at least send their eldest sons to be bred in the Inland. 2. That a Ministerie be planted amongst them, and for that effect that Ministers and expectants who can speak the Irish language be sen to imploy their talents in these parts, and that the Kirks there be provided as other Kirks in this Kingdome. 3. That Scots Schools be erected in all Parishes there, according to the Act of Parliament, where conveniently they can be had. 4. That Ministers and ruling Elders that have the Irish language be appointed to visit these parts.

_The Assembly approves this Overture, and recommends this purpose to further consideration, that more Overtures may be prepared thereanent against the next Assembly._

V. That for keeping the Universities pure, and provoking the Professors of Divinitie to great diligence, each Professor in the Universities of this Church and Kingdom, bring with him or send with the Commissioner who comes to the General Assembly, ane perfit and well written copie of his Dictates, to be revised by the General Assembly, or such as they shall appoint for that work ilk year.

_The Assembly continues the determination of a constant and perpetuall order herein untill the next Assembly, but in the mean time desires the professors of Divinity to present to the next Assembly their Dictates of Divinity whereof the professors present are to give intimation to the professors absent._

VI. The great burdens Intrants undergoes when they enter the Ministery, which holds many of them long at under, would crave the Assemblies judgement and authority, that Ministers Manses and Stipends may be all made free to the Intrant.

_The Assembly refers and recommends to the Commissioners for publike affairs to seek redresse in this matter from the Honorable Houses of Parliament, and to consider of some fitting Overtures to be presented to their Honours for that effect._

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

The Generall Assembly taking to their consideration that in respect the great work of Uniformity in Religion in all his Majesties Dominions is not yet perfited, (though by the Lords blessing there is a good progresse made in the same) there is a necessity of renewing the Commissions granted formerly for prosecuting and perfiting that great work, doe therefore renew the power and Commission granted for the publike affairs of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held in _S. Andrews_ in the year 1642. and in _Edinburgh_ 1643. 1644. and 1645. unto the persons following, _viz._ Masters _Alexander Henderson, Robert Douglas, Willliam Colvil, William Bennet, George Gillespie, John Oswald, John Adamson, William Dalgleish, David Calderwood, James Fleeming, Robert Ker, John Dalyell, James Wright, __ John Knox, Adam Penman, Robert Lightoun, Alexander Dickeson, Patrick Fleeming, John Hay, Richard Dickeson, Thomas Vasse, David Drummund, Alexander Somervill, Robert Eliot, Robert Blair, James Bruce, Robert Traile, Samuel Rutherfurd, Alexander Colvall, Walter Greg, Alexander Balfour, George Thomson, John Mencreiff, John Smith, Patrick Gillespie, John Duncan, James Sibbald, Alexander Casse, John Hume, Alexander Kinneir, Walter Swintoun, Robert Knox, William Penan, James Guthrie, Thomas Donaldson, William Jameton, Thomas Wilkie, John Knox, Robert Murray, John Freebairn, Robert Wright, David Auchterlonie, William Maior, Samuel Justein, John Leirmont, Andrew Lauder, James Irving, Alexander Turnbull, James Bonar, William Adair, John Neve, Patrik Colvil, Matthew Birsbane, John Hamiltoun, Allan Ferguson, Robert Ramsay, Geo. Young, David Dickson, Robert Bailie, James Nasmith, John Lindsay, John Weir, Evan Cameron, James Affleck, John Robison, Andrew Eliot, Silvester Lambie, Lawrence Skinner, William Rate, David Campbel, Andrew Cant, William Douglas, David Lindsay, Gilbert Anderson, Alexander Garrioch, William Jaffray, Thomas Caw, William Campbell, Walte Stewart_ Ministers; And _Archibald_ Marquesse of Argle, _John_ Eearle of Crawfurd-Lindsay, _William_ Earle Marshall, _William_ Earle of Glencairn, _John_ Earle of Cassils, _Charles_ Earle of Dumfermling, _James_ Earle of Tullibardine, _Francis_ Earle of Bacleugh, _John_ Earle of Lauderdale, _William_ Earle of Lothian, _William_ Earle of Lanerk, _Archibald_ Lord Angus, _John_ Lord Balmerino, _Robert_ Lord Burleigh, _John_ Master of Yesteir, Sir _Patrick Hepburn_ of Waughtoun, Sir _John Hope_ of Craighall, Sir _Archibald Johnston_ of Wariston, Sir _David Hume_ of Wedderburn, Sir _Robert Innes_ of that ilk, Sir _William Baily_ of Lemington, Sir _John Muncreiffe_ of that ilk, _James Macdougal_ of Garthland, _Patrick Cockburn_ of Clarkington, Sir _Hugh Campbel_ of Cesnock, Sir _William Cunningham_ of Cunninghamhead, _John Hume_ of Blackader, Sir _James Dundas_ of Arniston, _Alex Forbes_ Tutor of Pitsligo, _Mr Geo. Winrham_ of Libberton, _David Weemes_ of Fingask, Mr _Francis Hay_ of Balhousie, _Alex. Brodie_ of that ilk, _Mr Alex. Colvill_ of Blair, _Geo. Dundas_ of Dudiston, _William Moor_ of Glanderston, Sir _James Nicolson_ of Colbrandspaith, _John Edgar_ of Wedderlie, _William Hume_ of Lenthill, _James Ruchhead, Laurence Henderson_ and _James Stuart_ Bailes of Edinburgh, _George Porterfield_ Provest of Glasgow, _Wil. Hume_ there, _Ro. Arnot_ Provest of Perth, _John Semple_ Provest of Dumbarton, _John Kennedie_ Provest of Air, _Mr David Weems, Geo. Gardine, John Johnstoun, Tho. Paterson, Tho. White, John Sleigh_ Elders. Giving unto them full power and Commission To do all and every thing for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting, and bringing the said work of Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions to a happy conclusion, conform to the former Commissions granted by preceding Assemblies thereanent. And to that effect appoints them, or any seventeen of them, whereof thirteen shall be Ministers, To meet at Edinburgh the 19 of this Moneth, and thereafter upon the second Wednesdais of August, November, Februar and May next to come, and upon any other day and in any other place they shall think meet. And further, renews to the persons before named, the power contained in the Act of the said Assembly 1643. Intituled, _A reference to the Commission anent the persons designed to repair to the Kingdom of_ England; As also the power contained in two several Acts of the said Assembly 1644. Sess. 6 made _against secret disaffecters of the Covenant_, and _for sending Ministers to the Armie_, with full power to them to treat and determine in the matter aforesaid, and in all others matters referred unto them by this Assembly, as fully and freely as if the same were here particularly expressed, and with as ample power as any Commission of former General Assemblies hath had, or been in use of before; They being alwayes for their whole proceedings comptable to, and censurable by the next Generall Assembly.

_Renovation of the Commission for prosecuting the Treaty for Uniformity in_ England.

The Generall Assembly, Taking to their consideration that the Treatie of Uniformity in Religion in all His Majesties Dominions is not yet perfected, Therefore renews the power & Commission granted by preceding Assemblies for prosecuting that Treatie, unto these persons after named, _viz._ Mr. _Alexander Henderson_, Mr. _Robert Douglas_, Mr. _Samuel Rutherfurd_, Mr. _Robert Bailie_, Mr. _Geo. Gillespie_ Ministers; And _John_ Earle of Lauderdale, _John_ Lord Balmerino, and Sir _Archibald Johnston_ of Wariston Elders; Authorising them with full power to prosecute the said Treatie of Uniformity with the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of _England_, and the Reverend Assembly of Divines there, or any Committees appointed by them: And to do all and every thing which may advance, perfect and bring that Treatie to an happy conclusion, conform to the former Commissions given thereanent.

The Assemblies Answer To The Kings Maiestie.

_May it please your Majestie,_

Having received your Majesties Letter with thankfulnesse, we thought it our dutie to send some of our number to wait upon your Majestie and present our humble desires more particularly then at this time could be expressed by writ; And we are confident your Majestie will interprete our freedom and plain dealing by them, to be a reall testimonie of our unfained affection, who have constantly laboured to approve our selves in all fidelity to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, and in all loyaltie to your Majestie; And are resolved to walk still after the same rule in our severall stations and vocations, continuing our Prayers for you, that God may multiply all sorts of Mercies upon your Royall Person and Posterity, and more and more incline your heart to the speedie following of the Counsels of Trueth and Peace and grant unto your Majestie along and happy Reign, that we may live under you a peaceable and quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty.

_Edinburgh, 18. Junii 1646._

_Subscribed in name of the Nationall Assembly of the Kirk of_ Scotland _by the Moderator._

_The Assemblies Letter to the Right Honorable the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of_ England _Assembled at_ Westminster.

_Right Honourable,_

The report of the great things which the Lord hath done for your Honours, hath gone forth into many Lands, and it becometh us least of any either to smother or extenuate the same; We desire to be enlarged in the admiration of the Power & Mercie of God the Author, & to diminish nothing of that praise that is due unto you as Instruments. When the Lord set your Honours upon the Bench of Judgment, both the Kirk and Common wealth of _England_ were afflicted with intestine and bosome evills, the cure whereof could not but be very difficult; because they were not only many, but for the most part Universall and deeply rooted, sheltred under the shadow of Custome and Law, and supported with all the wisdom and strength of the Malignant and Prelatical partie; who rather chose to involve the Land in an unnatural and bloody Warre, then to fail of their ambitious and treacherous designes, against Religion, the priviledges of Parliament, and the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom: Neither hath that miserable crew been wanting to their owne ends but for many years together hath desperatly pursued their resolutions in Arms; And was likely to have prevailed, if the Lord had not put himself in the breach, and furnished you with much Patience, Wisdom, Courage, and Constancy, in the midst of many difficulties and distresses; and at last with so glorious and triumphing a successe, that the Enemy hath fallen every where before you, and there is none left to appear against you. These things as they be the matter of our refreshment and of your glory, so doe they lay a strong obligation upon your Honours to walke humbly with your God, and to improve the power he hath put into your hands for the advancement of the Kingdom of his Son, and bringing forth of the head-Stone of his House. The slow progresse of the work of God hath alwaies been the matter of our sorrow, which is now increased by the multiplication of the spirits of errour and delusion, that drowne many souls into perdition, and so strengthen themselves that they shall afterward be laboured against, with more pains then successe, if a speedy and effectuall remedie be not provided. And therefore as the servants of the living God, who not onely send up our supplications daily for you, but have hazarded our selves in your defence, We do earnestly beseech your Honors in the bowels of Jesus Christ, to give unto him the glory that is due unto his Name, by a timous establishing all his Ordinances in the full integritie and power thereof, according to the League and Covenant. As long as the Assembly of Divines was in debate, & an enemy in the fields, we conceived that these might be probable grounds of delay, which being now removed out of the way, we do promise to our selves from your Wisdom, Faithfulnesse, and Zeale, the perfiting of that which was the main ground of our engagement, and a chief matter of consolation unto us in all our sad and heavy sufferings, from the hand of a most cruell Enemy. We know that there is a generation of men who retard the work of Uniformity, and foment jealousies betwixt the Nations, studying if it were possible, to break our bands asunder; But we trust, that he that sits in the Heaven will Laugh, and that the Lord shall have them in derision, that he shall speak to them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure, and notwithstanding of all that they can do, set his King upon his holy hill of Sion, and make these Nations happy in the sweet fruits of Unity in Truth and Peace. The searcher of hearts knows that we desire to hold fast the band of our Covenant, as sacred and inviolable; being perswaded that the breach of so solemne a tye could not but hasten down upon our heads a curse and vengeance from the righteous Judge of the world, and involve these Kingdoms in sader calamities then they have yet seen, And we abhor to entertain any other thought of you: Nay we are confident that your Honours will seriously indeavour the prosecution of all these ends designed in the Covenant, and the bringing these Nations unto the neerest conjunction both in judgement and affection, especially in these things that concern Religion, which with out all controversie, is the readiest and surest way of attaining and securing the Peace and Prosperity of both Kingdoms.

_Edinburgh 18 Junii 1646._

Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly by the Moderator.

_The Assemblies Letter to the Right Honorable the Lord_ Major Aldermen, _and_ Common-Councel _of the City of_ London.

Your late and seasonable testimony given to the Truth of the Gospel, and your affection to the Peace of the Kingdoms, manifested in your humble Remonstrance and Petition to the Honorable Houses of Parliament, hath so revived the remembrance of your former Faith and Zeal, and proclaimed you the worthy seed of so noble ancestors in that famous City, As we cannot but acknowledge with all thankfulnesse the grace of God bestowed on you, and stirre you up to take notice, how since you were precious in the Lords sight, you have been ever Honurable, The Lord hath loved you, given men for you, and people for your life: What an honour was it in the dayes of old, when the fire of the Lord was in _Zion_, and his furnace in your _Jerusalem_ (even in Queen _Maries_ dayes) that there were found in you men that loved not their lives unto the death? What a glory in after time, when Satan had his Throne and Antichrist his Seat in the midst of you, that there were still found not a few that kept their Garments clean? But the greatest praise of the good hand of God upon you hath been in this, That amidst the many Mists of Errour and Heresie which have risen from the bottomlesse pit, to bespot the face and darken the glory of the Church, (while the Bride is a making ready for the Lamb) you have held the Trueth, and most piously endeavoured the setling of Christ upon his Throne. We need not remember how zealous you have been in the Cause of God, nor how you have laid out your selves and estates in the maintenance thereof, nor how many acknowledgements of the same you have had from the Honourable Houses, nor how precious a remembrance will be had of you in after ages for your selling of all to buy the Pearl of price: We only at this time do admire, and in the inward of our hearts do blesse the Lord for your right and deep apprehensions of the great and important matters of Christ in his Royall Crown; and of the Kingdoms in their Union, while the Lord maketh offers to bring our Ship (so much afflicted and tolled with tempest) to the safe Harbour of Trueth and Peace. Right memorable is your Zeal against Sects and Sectaries; your care of Reformation, according to the word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches; your earnest endeavours and noble adventures, for preserving of the rights and priviledges of Parliament, and Liberties of the Kingdomes, Together with his Majesties just power and greatnesse; and your high profession, that it is not in the power of any humane authority to discharge or absolve you from adhearing unto that our (so solemnly sworn) League and Covenant, or to enforce upon you any sense contrary to the letter of the same, Besides your other good services done unto the Lord and to us, in the strengthening of the hands of the reverend Assembly of Divines, and of our Commissioners in their asserting of the government of Christ, (which the more it be tried will be ever found the more precious Truth), and vindicating of the same from the usurpation of man, and contempt of the wicked. These all as they are so many testimonies of your Pietie, Loyaltie, and undaunted resolution to stand for Christ; So are they and shall ever be so many obligations upon us your Brethren, to esteem highly of you in the Lord, to bear you on our brests before him night and day, and to contribute our best endeavours, and to improve all opportunities for your encouragement. And now we beseech you in the Lord, Honorable and welbeloved, go on in this your strength, and in the power of his might who hath honoured you to be faithful, stand fast in that liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free; And in the pursuance of this truth, we are confident, as you have, so you will never cease to study the Peace and neerer conjunction of the Kingdoms, knowing that a threefold cord is not easily broken. Now the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, which hath loved and honoured you, and given you everlasting consolation, & good help through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

_Edinburgh 18 Iunii 1646._

Subscribed in name of the General Assembly by the Moderator.

_The Assemblies Letter to the right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of_ England _assembled at_ Westminster.

_Much Honoured and right Reverend._