The Acts Of The General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland Part 23

THE GENERALL a.s.sEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1644.

Die Jovis penult. Maii, Sess. 2.

_The Letter from the Presbyeerie with the Army in_ England, _to the Generall a.s.sembly._

_Right reverend_,

Having the opportunity of the sitting of this Venerable a.s.sembly, 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 Pet.i.tion from the distressed Christians in the North of_ Ireland.

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

_The humble Pet.i.tion of the distressed Christians in the North of_ Ireland.

_Humbly sheweth,_

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 G.o.d, 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 Pet.i.tions 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d in the foresaid Leagues; Esteeming our selves rejected of G.o.d and unfit to be joyned in any comfortable fellows.h.i.+p 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 Munc.i.p.al 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 G.o.d shall raise up the Tabernacle of _David_ that is fallen, and repair the breaches thereof: For since we Covenanted with G.o.d, and united our selves together, our dying Spirits have revived, and we sing like those who have come forth from their Graves, for G.o.d 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 G.o.d, 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 compa.s.sions 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 G.o.d.) 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 a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly; And therefore desiring the said Generall a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.sembly, and they therewith being fully and ripely advised: The a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly 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 inc.u.mbent to the a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly 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 p.r.o.nounced, discharges Presbyteries or Synods to relax any from the sentence, without the advice of the Generall a.s.sembly, or their Commissioners, _nisi in extremis_. And in respect of the atrocicite of this Fact, the a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly considering the just sentence p.r.o.nounced against the princ.i.p.all Actors in that Rebellion in the North and South, by ordinance of the Commissioners of the late a.s.sembly; And finding it most necessary, that such as a.s.sisted or joyned with them in that impious and unnaturall Fact, be likewise censured; Therefore ordains Presbyteries and Synods _respective_, 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 p.r.o.nounced, The a.s.sembly discharges the said Judicatories to relax any of them from the sentence, without the advice of the Generall a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly appointed for publick affairs, as they shall finde most convenient, which warning the a.s.sembly declares shall be a sufficient citation unto them: And als that all Ministers and Elders declare to the saids Judicatories _respective_, every such disaffected person, although without their own Paroch, so soon as they shall hear and be informed of them. And the a.s.sembly 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 _respective_.

_Act for sending Ministers to the Armie._

The a.s.sembly 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 a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.sembly ordains Ministers who shall be thus appointed by Presbyteries or the Commissioners of the a.s.sembly _respective_, 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._