Chapter 42

As it is incumbent to all, who live in this Kirk and Kingdom to be watchful and circumspect, so it concerns these of the High and Honourable Court of Parliament & their Committees, in a speciall way to see to their duty, & to be straight & resolute in the performance of the same; Their former proceedings is unto us a sufficient evidence and ground of hope, that they will not be wanting in any necessary testimony of dutie and Loyalty that they owe to the King, by using all just and seasonable endeavoures for obtaining satisfaction of his Majestie, that so he may be established upon his Thrones; And we trust, that upon the other hand, the sense of their obligations to God, and his Oath that is upon them, will make them constantly to adhere to their former principles resolutions, and desires concerning Religion and the Covenant, that real satisfaction may be had thereanent, before the King be put in the exercise of his power; And that they will carefully provide for the safety of the Kingdom, both in regard of the intestine dangers, and in regard of invasion from without; It is not long since they together with the rest of the Land, made solemn publick Confession of Compliance with Malignants, carnal confidence, following of self interests, and hearkening to the Counsels of flesh and blood, and did in a special way engage themselves to comply, and seek themselves and their own things no more, to abandon the counsels of their own hearts, and not to rely upon the Arm of flesh, and to purge Judicatories and Armies from Profane and scandalous persons; And God forbid that they should so soon forget, or neglect so necessary duties and fall again unto so great and grievous transgressions. We trust that they will seek the things of CHRIST, and not their own things, that they will hearken to His Word, and not walk in the imaginations of their own hearts, that they will relie upon the Arm of the LORD, and not upon the arm of flesh, that they will bewary and circumspect in discerning the dispositions and affections of those whom they put in trust, and that, seeing this Kingdom hath so much smarted, & been so often deceived by complyance with Malignants they will carefully avoid this snare, inregard of those who were upon the former unlawful Engagement & be tender in bringing in of such; And wee cannot but exhort them in the Name of the LORD, to take notice of the Oppression of the People and Commons in the Land, by the lawlesse exactions of Land-Lords, Collectours and Souldiers. We do not justifie the murmurings and grudgings of those, who, preferring the things of the world to the Gospel and things of _Jesus Christ_ repine at necessary burthens, without which it is not possible that the Land can be secured from invasion without and insurrection within, or the Cause and People of GOD be defended from enemies: It is the duty of every one who hath taken the Covenant, willingly and with a cheerfull minde to bestow their means and their pains as they shall be called thereunto, in an orderly way: Yet should these to whom God hath committed the Government, take carre that they be not needlessely burthened, and that none grind their faces by oppression, not only by making of Lawes against the same, but by searching out of the cause of the poor, and by executing these Lawes timously upon these that oppresse them, that they may find real redresse of their just grievances and complaints, and be encouraged to bear those burthens which cannot be avoyded.

As the Parliament have begun, so we hope they will continue, to purge out all these from trust, that are not of known integrity and affection to the cause of God, and of a blamelesse and Christian conversation, and that they and the officers of the Army in their respective places, will seriously mind, and speedily and resolutely goe about the removing from the Army all malignant scandalous persons, and also the removing of Sectaries when any shall be found therein, that they may give real evidence that they did not deal deceitfully with God, in the day that they engaged themselves thereto.

Albeit we hope and pray that those who beare charge in our Army, will from the remembrance of the Lords goodnesse to them, and the honour that he hath put upon them, endeavour to carry themselves faithfully, and straightly, Yet it cannot be unseasonable to warn them to take heed of tentations, and to beware of snares that they be not drawn to indifference or neutrality in the cause of God, much lesse unto connivance at, or compliance with the courses and designes of malignants or Sectaries, but to stick closely by the same, and to be zealous against all the enemies and adversaries thereof: And it concerns souldiers to be content with their wages, and to doe violence to no man, but as they are called unto the defence of the cause and people of God, so to behave themselves in such a blamlesse and Christian way, that their carriage may be a testimony to his cause, and a comfort to his people; So shall our Armies prosper, and the Lord shall goe out with them.

But most of all it concerns the Ministers of the Gospel whom God hath called to give warning to his people to look to their duty; It is undeniably true, that many of the evils wherewith this Kirk and Kingdome hath been afflicted in our age, have come to passe because of the negligence of some, and corruptions of others of the Ministry; Whilest some fell asleep, and were carelesse, and others were covetous and ambitious, the evil man brought in Prelacy, and the Ceremonies, & had farre promoted the Service-Book, and the Book of Cannons; and the course of backsliding and revolting was carried on, untill it pleased God to stirre up the spirits of these few, who stood in the gap to oppose and resist the same, and to begin the work of Reformation in the Land; Since which time; the silence of some Ministers, and compliance of others, hath had great influence upon the backsliding of many amongst the people, who upon the discovery of the evill of their way, complain that they got not warning, or that if they were warned by some, others held their Peace, or did justifie them in the course of their backsliding; We can look upon such Ministers no otherwise then upon those that are guilty of the blood of the Lords people, and with whom the Lord will reckon for all the breach of Covenant, and defection that hath been in the Land. The Priests lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts; But such are departed out of the way, and hath caused many to stumble at the Law, therefore hath the Lord made them contemtible and base before all the people; acccording as they have not kept his wayes, but have been partiall in his law; because they have lost their savour, he hath cast out many of them as unsavoury salt: But such as have been faithfull, as he hath preserved from the violence and fury of men, so hath he verified his word in their mouths, both against his enemies, and concerning his people and his work; And makes them see, though not all their desires concerning the Gospel, and the work of God in the land yet very much of the fruit of their labour, by preserving the doctrine and all the ordinances of Jesus Christ in their purity, and adding in some measure thereto the power and life thereof. We doe therefore charge all the Ministers of the land, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his Kingdom, as in every thing to be ensamples of a good conversation, and to walk without offence, that the ministry be not blamed; So to take heed unto the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers, to declare unto them all the Counsell of God, and to give them timous warning concerning every danger and duty, and to hold forth unto them the solid grounds of reall consolation, by which they may be encouraged and comforted in all their trials and afflictions; that they may be free of the blood of all men, and have this as a ground of rejoycing, even the testimony of their consciences, that in simplicity and godly purenesse, not with fleshly wisdome, but by the grace of God they have had their conversation in the world, and have exhorted and comforted and charged every one committed unto them as a Father doth his childrren. Especially, Ministers are to be careful to be much indiscovering the temptations, and pressing the duties of the times that these who are under their charge may know what to avoid, and what to embrace and pursue: If all the Watchmen in the Land shall give warning, and blow the Trumpet at once, it shall not be easie for enemies to prey upon the people of God. Wee know no cause why any whom God hath called to preach the Gospel, should be afraid to speak boldly in the Name of the Lord; since God hath given so manifest a testimony of his care and protection, in preserving them, these yeers past, who have striven to be faithfull to him who hath called them from all the fury and malice of haters of the work of God and of the Kingdom or of his Sonne Jesus Christ, who hath promised to be with his servants unto the end of the world.

Albeit the Land be involved in many difficulties, and compassed about with great and iminent dangers, yet there is hope and ground of consolation concerning this thing. The Lord is in the midst of us, and we are called by his name, our eares hear the joyfull sound of the Gospel, and and our eyes see our Teachers; We behold the arms of the Lord stretched out daily in working salvation for his people, and answering their desires upon their enemies by terrible things in righteousnesse; Although we be but few in number, yet the Lord of Hosts is with us, and in the power of his strenth we shall be able to prevaile. Although our land be filled with sin, yet we have not been forsaken of the Lord our God, but he hath alwayes had compassion upon us, and delivered us in all our distresses; Although some of understanding fall, it is but to try, and to purge and to make white even to the end, because it is yet for a time appointed; Although many cleave to us by flatteries, yet there be a remnant who keep their integrity, and the Lord shall doe good to these that be good, but such as turn aside to crooked wayes, shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity.

The Lords people in _England_ and _Ireland_, who adhere to the cause and Covenant, may be perplexed, but shall not despair; they may be persecuted, but shall not be forsaken; they may be cast down, but shall not be destroyed: And although uniformity, and the work of Reformation in these lands, seem not only to be retarded, but almost pluckt up by the roots, and the foundation thereof razed; Yet the seed which the Lord hath sowen there, shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward, The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall performe this.

_30. July 1649. Antemeridiem_ Sess. 30.

_Act concerning Catechising._

The Generall Assembly taking to their serious Consideration the great darknesse and Ignorance, wherein a great part of this Kingdom lyeth, together with the late Solemn Engagement, to use all means for remedy thereof, doe ordaine every Minister with assistance of the Elders of their severall Kirk sessions to take course, that in every house where there is any who can read, there be at least one Copie of the Shorter and Larger Catechisme, Confession of Faith and Directorie for Familie worship. And doe renew the Act of the Assemblie _August 30. 1639._ for a day of weeklie Catechising, to be constantly observed in every Kirk, And that every Minister so Order their Catethetick Questions, as thereby the People, (who doe not conveen all at one time but by turns unto that exercise) may at every dyet have the chief heads of saving knowledge in a short view presented unto them, And the Assembly considering that notwithstanding of their former Act, these dyets of weekly Catechising are much slighted and neglected by many Ministers throughout this Kingdome, Doe therefore Appoint and Ordaine every Presbytery, to take triall of all the ministers within their bounds once at least in the halfe year, whither they be carefull to keep weekly dyets of Catechising; And if they shall finde any of their number negligent herein they shall admonish for the first fault, and if after such admonition they shall not amend, The Presbyterie for the second fault shall rebuke them sharply, and if after such rebuke they doe not yet amend, they shall be suspended.

_4 Aug. 1649. Antemeridiem_ Sess. 40.

_Commission for publick Affaires._

The Generall Assemblie Considering how necessary it is for preservation of Religion in this Kingdom, and prosecution of the work of uniformity in all his Majesties dominions, That the Commissions formerly granted to that effect be renewed: Therefore they doe renew the power and Commission granted for the Publick affairs of the Kirk by the Generall Assemblies held at _Saint Andros_ 1642. and at _Edinburgh_, 1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647. and 1648, unto the Persons following, viz. Masters _Alex. Rollock, John Murray, Thomas Lundie, John Freebairne, Geo. Murray, Harie Livingston, William Macjore, Hew Henderson, Samuel Austine, Gavin Young, David Laing, William Maxwell, John Macleland, James Irving, Robert Ferguson, John Scot, Thomas Wylie, Hew. Eccles, John Bell, John Nevoy, William Gutherie, John Hammiltoun, Hew Peebles, Alex. Dunlope, Harie Semple, David Dickson, Patrick Gillespie, James Durham, Robert Baillie, William Hammiltoun, Francis Aird, James Nasmith, Richard Inglis, William Summervail, Evan Cameron, Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherfoord, James Wood, John Macgill Elder, Alex. Balfoure, William Row, John Moncriefe, Fredrick Carmichaell, Herie Wilke, William Oliphant, George Pitillo, John Robison, James Thomsone, William Rate, Da. Campbell, Andro Cant, Io. Menzes, Andro Abercromby, Robert Sheyn, William Forbes, John Paterson, Duncan Forbes, Will. Chalmers, John Annand, Will. Falconer, Murdoch Mackenzie, Robert Jameson, Gilbert Marshell, Jo. Dallase, Wil. Smyth, Robert Hume, Tho. Suintoun, James Strateum, Jo. Douglass, James Guthrie, Tho. Donaldson, Will Jameson, John Livingstoun, John Scot, Andro. Dunkeson, John Dalzell, Arthur Forbes, James Fleming, James Robison, Hew Campbel, Robert Douglasse, Mungo Law, George Leslie, John Adamson, James Hammiltoun, John Smyth, Hew Mackell, Geo: Hutchison, Patrick Fleming, John Hay, Ephraim Melvill, Iohn Low, Gilbert Hall, George Bennet, Kenneth Logie, John Crafurd_ Ministers, _Archbald Marquesse of Argyle_, E. _of Sutherland, Alex._ E. _of Eglintoun, John_ E. _of Cassills, Wil._ E. _of Lothian_, the Viscount of _Arbuthnet, Da. L. Elcho_ Lo. _Briehen, Rob._ Lo. _Burly, James Lo. Couper_, Sir _Archald Johnstoun of Waristoun_ Clerk Register, _Sir Daniel Carmichael_ Thesaurer Depute, _Sir John Hope_ of _Craighall, Mr George Winraham_ of _Libbertoun, Mr Alex. Person_ of _Southhal, Alex. Brodie_ of that ilk, four of the ordinary Lords of the Session, _Arthur Ersken of Scotscrage_, Laird of _Wauchtoun, Sir David Hume_ of _Wedderburne, Laird_ of _Edzell_, Laird of _Nidrie, Sir William Scot_ of _Harden_, Laird of _Greenheid_, Laird of _Freeland_, Laird of _Cesnock_, Sr. _James Stewart_ of _Kirk field_, the Laird of _Suintoun_ younger, Laird of _Eight_, Sir _James Fraser_, Sir _Thomas Ker_, Laird of _Fernie_, Sir _Rob. Adair_, Sheriff of _Tiviotdail_ younger, Tutor of _Pitsligo_, Sir _John Chiesly_, Laird of _Englistoun_, Laird of _Leslie_ younger, Laird of _Dunbeth_, La. of _Wetertoun_, Sir _Jo. Smyth_, Mr _Alex. Colvill_ of _Blair, Whitbank_ younger, La. of _Grenock, Galloshiels_ younger, _Buchchantie, Grachlaw, Cloberhil, Dalserf_, Mr _Robert Burnet_ younger, Mr _Tho. Murray, James Eleis, David Kennedie, Alex Jaffray, James Sword, George Porterfield, Mr Rob. Barclay, Hew Kennedey, Will. Glendoning, Thomas Machirnie, Rob. Lockhart_, Er _James Campbel, John Carsane, John Boswel._ D. _Alex. Donglasse, Mr Alex. Skeen, William Broun Elders_, Giving unto them full Power and Commission to do all and every thing for preservation of the Established Doctrine, Discipline, Worship and Government in this Kirk, against all who shall endeavour to introduce any thing contrarie thereunto; And for prosecuting, advancing, perfecting and bringing the works of uniformitie 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 nineteen of them whereof 13. shall be Ministers, to meet in this Citie to morrow the 7. of this instant, and thereafter upon the second Wednesday of _Novemb. February_ and _May_ next, and upon any other day, and in any other place they shall think fit: Giving also unto them full power, to send Commissioners to the Kingdom of _England_, for prosecuting the Treatie of Uniformitie as they shall find conveniencie, and to give Instructions and Commissions to that effect conform to former Commissiones granted thereanent: And Likewise in case delinquents have no constant residence in any one Presbyterie, or if Presbyteries be negligent or overawed, in these cases The Assembly gives to the persons before named power of censuring Compliers & persons disaffected to the Covenant, according to the Acts of the Assembly, Declaring alwayes and providing, that Ministers shall not be Deposed, but in one of the quarterlie meetings of this Commission; And further authorizes them as formerlie, with full power to make Supplications, Remonstrances; Declarations and Warnings, to Indict Fasts and Thanksgivings as there shal be cause, to protest against all encroachments upon the Liberties of the Kirk, and to Censure all such as Interrupt this Commission or any other Church Judicatorie, or the execution of their Censures, or of any of her sentences or Acts Issuing from them; And with full power to them to treat and Determine in the Matters referred unto them by this Assemblie, as fullie and freelie as if the same were here fully expressed, and with as ample power as anie Commission of anie former Generall Assemblies hath had or been in use of before: Declaring also that all opposers of the Authoritie of this Commission in matters intrusted to them, shall beholden as opposers of the Authoritie of the Generall Assemblie, and this Commission in their whole Proceedings are Comptable to, and Censurable by the next Generall Assemblie.

_Directorie for Election of Ministers._

When any Place of the Ministrie in a congregation is vacant, it is Incumbent to the Presbyterie with all diligence to send one of their number to Preach to that Congregation who in his doctrine is to represent to them the necessitie of providing the place with a qualified pastor, and to exhort them to fervent prayer and supplication to the Lord that he would send them a Pastor according to his own heart: As also he is to signifie that the Presbyterie out of their care of that Flock will send unto them Preachers, whom they may hear, and if they have a desire to hear any other, they will endeavour to procure them an hearing of that person or persones upon the sute of the Elders to the Presbyterie.

2. Within some competent time thereafter, the Presbyterie is again to send one or more of their number to the said vacant Congregation, on a certain day appoynted before for that effect, who are to conveen and hear sermon the foresaid day, which being ended, and intimation being made by the Minister, that they are to goe about the Election of a pastor for that Congregation, the Session of the Congregation shall meet and proceed to the Election, the action being moderated by him that Preached, And if the people shall upon the intimation of the Person agreed upon by the Session acquiesce and consent to the said person, Then the matter being reported to the Presbyterie by Commissioners sent from the session, they are to proceed to the triall of the person thus Elected, And finding him qualified, to admit him to the Ministry in the said Congregation.

3. But if it happen that the Major part of the Congregation dissent from the person agreed upon by the Session, In that case the matter shall be brought unto the Presbyterie, who shall Judge of the same; And if they doe not find their Dissent to be grounded on Causlesse prejudices, they are to appoynt a new Election in manner above specified.

4. But if a lesser party of the Session or Congregation shew their dissent from the Election without exceptions relevant and verified to the Presbyterie, Notwithstanding thereof the Presbyterie shall go on to the trials and ordination of the person elected; Yet all possible diligence and tendernesse must be used to bring all parties to an harmonious agreement.

5. It is to be understood that no person under the Censure of the Kirk because of any scandalous offence is to be admitted to have hand in the election of a Minister.

6. Where the Congregation is disaffected and Malignant, in that case the Presbyterie is to provide them with a Minister.

_6. August, 1649. Antemeridiem,_ Sess. Ult.

_A Brotherly Exhortation from the General Assembly of the Church of_ Scotland, _to their Brethren in_ England.

The many and great obligations which lie upon us in reference to our Brethren in _England_, who hold fast their integrity, and adhere to the Solemn League and Covenant, together with the desire which we have to rectifie our Sympathie with them in their afflictions, and to preserve so far as in us lieth that fellowship and correspondence that hath been entertained betwixt the Church of _Scotland_ and _England_ these years past, do call upon us and constrain us not to be silent in this day of their trouble and distress.

Albeit the Lord (who hath his fire in Zion, and his furnace in Ierusalem) hath now for a long time past, afflicted these Kingdoms with many & sharp rods, and that his wrath seems not yet to be turned away, but his hand stretched out still; yet in all this, it becomes us who live in these lands to stop our mouthes, neither can any impute iniquity to the most High.

It is rather a wonder, that any mercy should be continued, and that _England_ and _Scotland_ are not cut off from being Nations, seeing the back-slidings and provocations of both has been so many and so grosse, Although the Solemn League and Covenant was sworne and subscribed by both, yet have many in both despised the Oath of GOD, as appears by the late unlawfull Engagement against the Kingdom of _England_, contrived and carried on by a prevailing party of Malignants in this Land, and by the proceedings of the Sectaries in _England_, in reference to Religion and Government.