[After this the following Articles were signed:]
I. The Forces of Scotland to be disbanded and dissolved within eight-and-fourty hours, after the publication of His Majesties Declaration being agreed upon.
II. His Majesties Castles, Forts, Ammunition of all sorts, and Royal Honours, to be delivered after the Publication, so soon as His Majesty can send to receive them.
III. His Majesties Ships to depart presently after the delivery of the Castles, with the first fair Wind, and, in the mean time, no interruption of Trade or Fishing.
IV. His Majesty is Graciously pleased to cause to restore all Persons, Goods, and Ships, detained and arrested since the first of November last.
V. There shall be no Meetings, Treatings, Consultations, or Convocations of His Majesties Lieges, but such as are warrantable by Act of Parliament.
VI. All Fortifications to desist, and no further Work therein, and they to be remitted to His Majesties Pleasure.
VII. To restore to every one of His Majesties Subjects their Liberties, Lands, Houses, Goods, and Means whatsoever, taken and detained from them, by whatsoever Means, since the aforesaid time.
[Next, the Commissioners signed the following
Note:[218]]
In the Campe, 18 Junii 1639.
In obedience to His Majesties Royal Command, we shall, upon Thursday next, the 20th of this June, dismisse our Forces, and immediatelie thereafter deliver His Majesties Castles, and shall ever, in all thinges, carry ourselves like Humble, Loyal, and Obedient Subjects.
| Rothes, | W. Douglas, |
| Dumfermline, | Al. Henderson, |
| Lowden, | Arch. Johnstown. |
1639.—June.
56. The Scottish Armies Declaration concerning the Acceptation of the Kings Majesties Answers.[219]
Least his Majesties Declaration, of the date Junii 18, concerning ane answer to our humble desire, presented by our Commissioners, should either be mistaken by our well-affected, or wilfullie misconstrued by the malitious, whereby his Majesties justice and goodnes may be concealled, or his Majesties good subjects may appear to have done or admitted any poynt contrare to our oath of Covenant; the Generall, Noblemen, Barrons, Burgesses, Ministers, and Officers conveined before the dissolving of the Army, have thought it necessary to put in write what was related to them by their Commissioners from his Majestie—To witt, That, as his Majestie declared that he would not acknowledge nor approve of the late Generall Assembly holden at Glasgow, for which cause it is called in his Majesties Declaration “a pretendit Assembly;” so was it not his Majesties mynd that any of the Petitioners, by their acceptance of the said Declaration, should be thought to disapprove or parte from the samen, or condemne their owne proceedings as disorders and disobedient courses; and, therefore, as they doe intreat all his Majesties good subjects, with submisse and heartie thanksgiving, to acknowledge and confesse his Majesties favour, in indicting a free Assembly, to be keept the 6 of August, and Parliament 20, for ratifieing of what shall be concluded in the Assembly as the propper and most powerfull meanes to settle this Church and Kingdome: so would they have all his Majesties good subjects to know, that, by accepting the said Declaration and Articles of Pacification joyned therewith, they doe not, in any sort or degrie, disclaime or disallow the said Assemblie, but that they still stand obleidged to adhere thereto, and obey and mentaine the same; and for preventing and mistaking all misconstructions, let this be made knowne to all persons, and in all places where his Majesties declarations shall be published, which, as it is his Majesties oune mynd, expressed diverse tymes to our Commissioners, so are we assured that it will serve much for his Majesties honour, for the satisfaction of the godlie, and for the promoting of this blessed pacification for which all of us ought earnestlie to pray unto God, to remember also our late Oath and Covenant, and to walk worthie of it, and to beseech the Lord that, by the approaching Assembly and Parliament, religion and righteousness may be established in the land.
1639.—June.
57. Some Heads of His Majesties Treatie with his Subjects in Scotland before the Inglish Nobilitie, and sett downe here for remembrance.[220]
1. For the preface and conclusion of his Majesties last Declaration, although it contained hard expression of the Subjects in Scotland, his Majestie declaired that he had no such opinion of them, but requyred the paper to stand for his credit, and for ane point of honour with forraigne nations, and required they should not stand with him for words and expressions. So they obtained the matter.
2. For calling of the late Assembly “pretended”—seeing the Subjects of Scotland professed they would never passe from the said Assembly and decries thereof, his Majestie declaires he did not acknowledge that Assembly farder then as it had registrat his Declaration. So would he not desire the subjects to passe from the samen.
3. Anent the Constitution of the Assembly, it was shawen his Majestie that none could be Members of the Assembly but such as had a Commission, viz., 2 or 3 Ministers from each Presbetrie, with a Rewling Elder, ane from each Burgh, and his Majestie or his Commissioner. His Majestie concluded that his assessour had vote; and upon ane expression in his Majesties declaration, referred that to some reasons contained in former proclamations, which wer utterlie against the lawfulnes of Ruleing Elders, was desired, according to the custome of this Kirk, all controversies ariseing should be remitted to the Assembly itselfe. His Majestie had some expressions craving these to be remitted to himselfe; but seeing that it was against the Constitution of the Kirk to have any other judge but the votters in the Assembly, where his Majestie or his Commissioner was present, and gave the first vote, “Free Assemblie,” in his Majesties Declaration, did import the freedome in judging all questions ariseing there anent Constitutions, Members, or matters.
4. Anent the restitution of the Castles; as the subjects did it freelie, so did they expresse that which might concerne the safetie of the countrie. They referred that to the tyme of the Parliament, at which tyme they would signifie their desires by petition to his Majestie; as also, they told it had cost much charges in fortifieing and keeping thereof—the representation whereof to his Majestie they referred to that tyme.
5. Concerning the restitution of persons, houses, goods, &c., required by his Majesty, it was promised, provyding that the great soumes of money contracted for the publict were payed in ane equall way by all, which behoved to be done either by Commission from his Majestie or from the Parliament; and when it was objected that much good was spent that was taken, the King answered, that as for goods or ammunition that was alreadie spent, they could not be restored, but these that are extant must be.
6. His Majestie not allowing of the late Assemblie, for the reasons contained in his severall proclamations, being excepted against as presupposing and importing a declaration of His Majesties Judgement against ruling elders, which prejudged the right constitution of a free Assembly; His Majestie, after a full hearing, deleited that clause.
7. That parte of his Majesties declaration, which beares that no [other] oath be exacted of entrants than that which is contained in the Acts of Parliament, as also that clause bearing that the present Bischops, &c., shall be sensurable by a Generall Assembly—being excepted against as presupposing and importing the continowance of Episcopacie, which we could not acknowledge, as being incompatible with the Confession of Faith and Constitutions of the Church;—his Majesty was pleased to deleite both these clauses.
And being, with all constancie and humilitie, pressed upon Saturday, Junii 15, that his Majestie would satisfie that maine desyre of his subjects, by declairing that his Majestie would quyte Episcopacie, he did answer that it was not sought in our desires: and when it was replyed that our first desires to have the Acts of the Generall Assembly ratified, [it] imported the same, his Majestie acknowledged it to be so, and averred that he did not refuse it, but would advise till Munday the 17, at which tyme his Majestie being pressed to give some specification of quyteing Episcopacie,—and it being plainly showed that, if his Majesty should labour to mentaine Episcopacie, it would breid a miserable shisme in this Church, and make such a rupture and divisione in this Kingdome as would prove incurable; and if his Majestie would let the Kirk and Countrie be freed of them, his Majestie would receave as heartie and duetifull obedience as ever Prince receaved of a people;—his Majestie answered, he would not prelimite and forstall his voice; but he had appoynted a free Assemblie, which might judge of ecclesiasticall matters, the constitutions whereof he should ratifie in the ensuing Parliament.
1639.—July 1.
58. Proclamation of the Assemblie to be held in August.[221]
Apud Halyrudhous, primo Julii 1639.
Sederunt, &c.
Forsameikle as the Kings most Sacred Majestie, by his Graceous proclamation lately published, of the date the 16 of Junii last, hes beene pleased, out of his pious and religious disposition to the trew religion, and out of his fatherlie care for removeing all feareis and doubtis whilks may arryse in the myndis of his subjectis, and upon diverse great and weightie considerations importing the glorie of God, the peace of the Kirk, and commonweele of the Kingdome, to appoynt and give order that a Generall Assemblie be indicted, kept, and haldin in the Citie of Edinburgh upon the twelff of August next to come, with continowation of dayes: Therefore the Lordes of Secreit Counsel, according to his Majesties warrand and direction given to thame in writt, ordains Letters to be direct, chargeing his Majesties Herauldes to pass and make publication heirof be opin proclamation at the Mercate Croce of Edinburgh, and other places needfull, and to warne all and sundrie Archbishops, Bishops, Commissioners of Kirks, and others having place and voice in the Assemblie, to repaire and addresse themselves to the said Citie of Edinburgh the said twelff day of August nixt to come, and to attend the said Assemblie dureing the tyme thereof, and ay and whil the same be dissolved, and to doe and performe all whilk to thair charge, in sic caises apperteanes, as they will answer in the contrare at their perrel.
Followes his Majesties Missive for warrand of the Act abouewritten.
Charles R.—Right trustie, &c. Having, by our Declaration of the date of the 18ᵗʰ of this moneth, signified our pleasure for holding a Generall Assemblie at Edʳ, where we intend to be (God willing) present in person: It is our pleasure that yow meit the said Assemblie, to be halden the twelff day of August nixt in the place aforesaid—causeing warne to that purpose all Archbishops, Bishops, Commissioners of Kirks, and others haveing place and voice in the Assemblie, according to the proclamation made for the indiction of the late pretendit Generall Assemblie at Glasgow, for which these presents sal be your warrand. Wee bid yow fareweille. from our Court at Berwick, the 29ᵗʰ of June 1639.
1639.—July 1.
59. A Protestation at tht Mercat Croce of Edinburgh, 1 of Julii 1639.[222]
We Noblemen, Barons, Burrowes, Ministers, his Majesties most humble duetifull Subjects, who hes beene his Majesties Supplicants this tyme past, doe, in all humilitie acknowledge, and with most heartie affection receave, that his Majesties most gracious and royall favour, in calling againe a free Assembly and Parliament for the finall settling of this Kirk and Kingdome in a firme Peace, so happily begune, which we earnestlie desire that may be perfyted; desireing also, as becometh his Majesties good Subjects, to joyne in our most earnest endeavours with his Sacred Majestie for the preservation of the liberties and Constitutions of the Kirk in this his Majesties Kingdome, against the Usurpatione who have proven enemies to religion, to his Majesties honour, and which may import the violation of the oath of God which tyeth us to mentaine the lawfull Assembly holden at Glasgow, wherein it was found, by the Constitutions of this Kirk, that the office of Bishops and Archbishops [who] are now cited to assist (by his Majesties indiction) the ensuing Assemblie; and the Government of the Kirk by them, is abjured and ought to be removed out of this Kirk, and by the publict auctoritie thereof, they themselves is, for their high usurpations, their novations in the worship of God, and uther haynous crymes, joyned with their obstinacie in stopting their eares against the voice of the Kirk, and declyning hir auctoritie, were most solemnlie excommunicat therefor. Least this forme of indiction should interfere against us, the smallest acknowledgement of that pretendit office or government, or any right in the presones to sitt or voice in the Assemblies of the Kirk or derogation to the Sentence of the Kirk, pronounced against them, or to the former protestations made by us; or least it should import the least prejudice to the said full, lawfull, and frie Generall Assembly, which his Majestie, by his Royall word, and holden by us most sure and inviolable, did openly declair to our Commissioners that he would not bidd us disapprove, or pass fra; and was graciouslie pleased, at their humble desires, to cause delait such clauses of his Majesties Declaration as might inferre the acknowledgement of Bishops to their Government: WE, therefore, in our own names, and in name of all who adheres to the Covenant and Generall Assembly, Declair, before God and Man, and Protest—
1. That we adhere, and stand oblidged by our former oathes and protestations, to mentaine the late Generall Assembly holden at Glasgow, being undoubtedlie ane most lawfull and free Generall Assemblie; and that all Acts, Sentences, Constitutions, Censures and Proceedings of a full and free Generall Assembly of this Kirk of Scotland, and so have alreadie [had] execution under the ecclesiasticall paines therein mentioned, and conforme thereto in all poynts; and in speciall these sentences of deprivation and excommunication of the some tyme pretended Bishops and Archbishops of this Kingdome.
2. We Protest that we doe still continuwallie adhere to our Solemne Covenant with God, according to the Declaration of the Assembly, whereby the office of Bishops and Archbishops is declaired to have beene abjured.
3. We Protest that these pretended Bishops and Archbishops who yet usurpes that title and office, abjured by this kirk, are contemners of the sentences of this Kirk, and hes beine malicious incendearies of his Majestie against this kingdome by their wicked calumnies, that if they returne to this kingdome, they be esteemed and used, accursed and delivered over to the Divell, and cutt off from Christs bodie as ethinicks and publicans; and that this present citation import no acknowledgement of them as Members of the Assembly, nor any wayes prejudge the lawfull Acts of the said free Generall Assembly.
4. We Protest that all misinformations of the Kings Majestie against his good subjects, and all givers of counsell against the will of the realme, be accuseable and censurable at the next Parliament, according to our former protestations, according to the Act of Parliament King James 4, there mentioned; and that all the subjects of this Kingdome, entertainers and mentainers of excommunicat persons, be orderlie proceeded against with excommunication, conforme to the Acts and Constitutions of this Kirk.
And seeing the Session is now appoynted to sitt doune which tendeth to the prejudice of his Majesties good subjects, and who hath beene so latelie busied in the preparations for the defence of the religion and countrie, that they are now necessarlie reteired to their owne dwellings for settleing their privat effaires, that they cannot be tymouslie advertised to attend any lawfull bussines without greater prejudice than benefite, and that the most parte of the leidges have so secured their evidents that the same cannot be in readines in so short tyme of Session; Therefore, and in respect the downe sitting of the Session cannot be utherwayes legallie intimat to them but upon 40 dayes, whereof there are but 20 dayes to run of the appoynted tyme of this meeting, We protest that all the Members of the Colledge of Justice and all his Majesties Leidges are in bona fide not to attend this Session; but that all Acts, Sentences, Decreits, and Interloquitours to be given and pronounced against them, (if any shall be), are in the selfe null and ineffectuall, sicklyke as the same had not beene given nor pronounced; and protests for remead of law against the same and everie ane of them.
Lastlie, we Protest that we may have libertie to amplifie and enlarge this our Protestation, and reasons thereof; whereupon the Earle of Dalhoussie in name of the Noblemen, Sir Wᵐ Ross in name of the Burrows, Mr Andrew Ramsay in name of the Ministers, took Instruments in the hands of the Notars present in the Croce of Edinburgh.
1639.—July 5.
60. Advice by Hamilton to the King.[223]
To leave all that is past, the Question is briefly; Whether the Assembly and Parliament now indicted is fittest to be held or discharged?
If held, the Success of the Assembly will be the Ratifying of what was done at Glasgow; or if that point be gained, yet certainly most of the Acts that were made there will of new [be] enacted: nor is there any hope to prevent their finding Episcopacy to be abjured by their Covenant, and the Function against the Constitution of their Church.
This will be by the Members of Parliament ratified, and put to the Kings Nagative Voice, and if it be not condescended to by him, it is more than probable, that his Power even in that Court, and in that Place, will be questioned.
If it be discharged, nevertheless the Assembly will be keeped by the Rebels, and the same things done in it by them, and thereafter maintained by the generality of the Kingdom: this consequently will bring alongst with it the certain loss of Civil Authority, and so necessitate the re-establishing the same by Force, or otherwise the desertion of that Kingdom.
So it is to be resolved on, whether it be fit to give way to the Madness of the People, or of new to intend a Kingly Way?
If way be given to what is mentioned, it is to be considered in that case, if the King shall be personally present or not; if not present, who shall be imployed, and how instructed?
If the Kingly Way be taken, what shall be the means to effectuate the intended end; particularly how Money may be levied for the waging of this War, and if that be feisible without a Parliament?
If a Parliament, what the Consequence may prove? So all may be summed up in this; Whether to permit the Abolishing of Episcopacy, the lessening of Kingly Power in Ecclesiastick Affairs, the Establishing Civil Authority in such manner as the Iniquity of the Times will suffer, and to expect better; and what will be the Consequence of this if way be given thereto: or to call a Parliament in England, and leave the event thereof to hazard and their discretions, and in the interim Scotland to the government of the Covenanters?
1639.—July 17.
61. Private Warrant from King Charles I. to the Marquis of Hamilton, to converse with the Covevanters.[224]
Charles R.
We do, by these presents, not only authorise, but require you to use all the means you can with such of the Covenanters as come to Berwick to learn which way they intend the estate of Bishops shall be supplied in Parliament, what our power shall be in ecclesiastical affairs, and what farther their intentions are: for which end you will be necessitated to speak that language which, if you were called to an account for by us, you might suffer for it. These are, therefore, to assure you, and, if need be, hereafter to testify to others, that whatsoever you shall say to them to discover their intentions in these particulars, you shall never be called in question for the same, nor yet it prove anyways prejudicial to you; nay, though you should be accused by any thereupon.
To our Trusty and well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor, the Marques of Hamilton.
Berwick, July 17, 1639.
1639.—July 27.
62. Instructions by the King to Traquair as Commissioner.[225]
Charles R.
At the first Meeting of the Assembly, before it be brought in dispute who shall preside, you shall appoint him who was Moderator in the last Assembly, to preside in this till a new Moderator be chosen.
We allow that Lay-elders shall be admitted Members of this Assembly; but in case of the Election of Commissioners for Presbyteries the Lay-elders have had Voice, you shall declare against the informality thereof, as also against Lay-elders having voice in Fundamental Points of Religion.
At the first opening of the Assembly, you shall strive to make the Assembly sensible of Our Goodness, that, notwithstanding all that is past, whereby We might justly have been moved not to hearken to their Petitions, yet We have been Graciously pleased to grant a Free General Assembly, and for great and weightie Considerations have commanded the Archbishops and Bishops not to appear at this Assembly.
You shall not make use of the Assessors in publick, except you find you shall be able to carry their having Vote in Assembly.
You shall labour to your uttermost that there be no question made about the last Assembly; and, in case it come to the worst, whatever shall be done in Ratification, or with relation to the former Assembly, Our Will is, that you declare the same to be done as an Act of this Assembly, and that you consent thereunto onely upon these terms, and no ways as having any relation to the former Assembly.
You shall by all means shun the Dispute about Our Power in Assemblies; and if it shall be urged or offered to be disputed whether We have the Negative Voice or the sole power of Indicting, and consequently of Dissolving, except you see clearly that you can carry the same in Our Favours, stop the Dispute; and rather than it be decided against Us, stop the course of the Assembly until We be advertised.
For the better facilitating of Our other Services, and the more peaceable and plausible progress in all Businesses recommended to you, We allow you at any time you shall find most convenient, after the opening of the Assembly, to declare, That, notwithstanding Our Own Inclination, or any other Considerations, We are contented, for Our People’s full satisfaction, to remit Episcopacy and the Estate of Bishops to the Freedom of the Assembly, but so as no respect be had to the Determination of the Point in the last Assembly.
But in giving way to the abolishing of Episcopacy, be careful that it be done without the appearing of any Warrant from the Bishops; and if any offer to appear for them, you are to inquire for their Warrant, and carry the Dispute so, as the Conclusion seem not to be made in prejudice of Episcopacy as unlawful, but onely in satisfaction to the People, for settling the present Disorders, and such other Reasons of State; but herein you must be careful that Our Intentions appear not to any.
You shall labour that Ministers deposed by the last Assembly, or Commissions flowing from them, for no other cause but the subscribing of the Petition or Declinator against the last Assembly, be, upon their Submission to the Determinations of this Assembly, reponed in their own Places; and such other Ministers as are deposed for no other faults, that they be tried of new; and if that cannot be, strive that Commissions may be directed from this Assembly for Trying and Censuring them according to the nature of their Process.
That immediately upon the Conclusion of this Assembly, you indict another at some convenient time, as near the expiring of the Year as you can; and if you find that Aberdeen be not a Place agreeable, let Glasgow be the Place, and if that cannot give content, let it be elsewhere.
The General Assembly is not to meddle with any thing that is Civil, or which formerly hath been established by Act of Parliament, but upon His Majesties special Command or Warrant.
We will not allow of any Commissioners from the Assembly, nor no such Act as may give ground for the continuing of the Tables or Conventicles.
In case Episcopacy be abolished at this Assembly, you are to labour that We may have the power of chusing of so many Ministers as may represent the 14 Bishops in Parliament; or if that cannot be, that 14 others, whom we shall present, be agreed to, with a Power to chuse the Lords of the Articles for the Nobility for this time, untill the Business be further considered upon.
We allow that Episcopacy be abolished, for the Reasons contained in the Articles, and the Covenant 1580, for satisfaction of Our People, be subscribed, provided it be so conceived that thereby Our Subjects be not forced to abjure Episcopacy as a point of Popery, or contrary to God’s Law or the Protestant Religion; but if they require it to be abjured as contrary to the Constitution of the Kirk of Scotland, you are to give way to it rather than to make a Breach.
After all Assembly-business is ended, immediately before Prayers you shall, in the fairest way you can, protest that, in respect of His Majesties Resolution of not coming in Person, and that His Instructions to you were upon short advertisement, whereupon many things may have occurred wherein you have not had His Majesties Pleasure, therefore and for such other Reasons as occasion may furnish, you are to protest that, in case any thing hath escaped you, or hath been condescended upon in this present Assembly, prejudicial to His Majesties Service, that His Majesty may be heard for redress thereof in his own time and place.
We will not allow that, either by the Commissions already granted, nor upon no other Bill or Petition, any part of the burden of the Charges of the last Business be laid upon any of Our good Subjects, who have stood by Us, and have refused to subscribe their Bonds and Covenants.
That you stop the Signatures of the Rights of Kintyre, Abbacy of Dear, Abbacy of Scoon, and generally all Acts in favours of Covenanters, so far as you can, without stopping the ordinary course of Justice; and you are to consider withall how His Majesties Right to any of the aforesaids may be put on foot without making interruption to the present Business in hand.
You shall take a course whereby the Rents of all such Bishopricks as are vacant be detained, and either by Warrant of the Incumbent, or by Demission may be collected; and when any person shall be provided to these Benefices so vacant, Our Will is, that you take the same course with the Rents of these, as by these We do command you to doe with the rest of the Rents of the Bishopricks of Scotland, which is this, to cause draw up a formal Assignation to the whole Rents, Fruits, Customs, &c., belonging to the Bishoprick, whereof they are Bishop, to be subscribed by them to and in Our Favour; upon return whereof to you, you shall give Power and Commission to such Persons as you shall receive, under every one of their Hands, to collect and intromet with the aforesaid Rents of the several Bishopricks, and to deliver and be accomptable to you for the same; and, upon your receipt thereof, you are to issue them out immediately again to the aforesaid Bishops, or any having their Warrant to that effect.
You shall hear the Complaints or Petitions of any of Our Subjects, or against any of Our Subjects, but such as you know to be Sufferers for refusing to joyn with the Covenanters in the Covenanting way; and you shall protect all such Persons by all the fair ways you can, and particularly Sir John Hay and Sir Robert Spottiswood.
If any thing occur either in Civil or Ecclesiastical Judicatory, wherein you have not Our express Will and Pleasure signified unto you, wherein you see clearly Our Royal and Princely Power and Authority prejudiced, We will you to acquaint Us therewith before any Proceeding be made.
You shall pay weekly for defence of Our Castle of Edinburgh an hundred Souldiers at eight pence per diem, besides the English Gunners and Artificers, at the Rates set down by the Marquis of Hamilton. And as for Ruthwen himself, you shall assign him the Rents of the Castle; and you shall likewise keep a competent number of Workmen for completing the Fortifications already begun, and shall withall provide the Castle with 6 moneths Victuals for the foresaid number of Souldiers and other Officers.
And as for Dumbriton, you shall pay for the Defence thereof Souldiers at eight pence per diem, to the number of 40; allowing the Rents and other Customs thereof for paying the Captain and other Officers.
At Berwick, the 27ᵗʰ of July 1639.
1630,—August 6.
63. Letter from the King to the Archbishop of St Andrews.[226]
Charles R.
Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councellour,
and Reverend Father in God, We greet
you well.
Your Letter, and the rest of the Bishops, (sent by the Elect of Caithnes) to my Lord of Canterbury, hath been shown by him to Us; and after serious Consideration of the Contents thereof, We have thought fit Our Self to return this Answer to you, for Direction according to Our Promise, which you are to communicate to the rest of your Brethren.
We do in part approve of what you have advised concerning the Prorogating of the Assembly and Parliament, and must acknowledge it to be grounded upon Reason enough, were Reason only to be thought on in this Business; but considering the present state of Our Affairs, and what We have promised in the Articles of Pacification, We may not (as We conceive) without great prejudice to Our Self and Service, condescend thereunto; wherefore We are resolved, nay, rather necessitated, to hold the Assembly and Parliament at the time and place appointed. And, for that end, We have nominated the Earl of Traquair Our Commissioner, to whom We have given Instructions, not only how to carry himself at the same, but a Charge also to have a special care of your Lordships, and those of the inferiour Clergy, who have suffered for their Duty to God and Obedience to Our Commands. And We doe hereby assure you, that it shall be still one of Our chiefest Studies, how to rectifie and establish the Government of that Church aright, and to repair your losses, which We desire you to be most confident of.
As for your Meeting to treat of the Affairs of the Church, We do not see at this time how that can be done; for within Our Kingdom of Scotland, We cannot promise you any place of Safety, and in any other of Our Dominions We cannot hold it convenient, all things considered; wherefore We conceive that the best way will be for your Lordships to give in, by way of Protestation or Remonstrance, your Exceptions against this Assembly and Parliament to Our Commissioner, which may be sent by any mean man, so he be Trusty, and deliver it at his entering into the Church; but We would not have it to be either read or argued in this Meeting, where nothing but Partiality is to be expected, but to be represented to Us by him, which We promise to take so in consideration, as becometh a Prince sensible of His Own Interest and Honour, joined with the equity of your Desires; and you may rest secure, that, though perhaps We may give way for the present to that which will be prejudicial both to the Church and Our Own Government, yet We shall not leave thinking, in time, how to remedy both.
We must likewise intimate unto you, that We are so far from conceiving it expedient for you, or any of my Lords of the Clergy, to be present at this Meeting, as We doe absolutely discharge your going thither, and, for your absence, this shall be to you and every one of you a sufficient Warrant. In the interim, your best Course will be to remain in Our Kingdom of England, till such time as you receive Our further Order, where We shall provide for your Subsistence, though not in that measure as We could wish, yet in such a way as you shall not be in want.
Thus you have Our Pleasure briefly signified unto you, which We doubt not but you will take in good part; you cannot but know, that what We doe in this We are necessitated to. So We bid you farewell.
Whitehall, Aug. 6, 1639.
1639.—August 10 & 11.
64. Declinator by the Scotch Prelates, in obedience to the King’s Letter.[227]
Whereas His Majesty, out of His surpassing Goodness, was pleased to indict another National Assembly for rectifying the present Disorders in the Church, and repealing the Acts concluded in the late pretended Assembly at Glasgow, against all right and reason, charging and commanding in the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Scotland, and others that have place therein, to meet at Edinburgh the 12th of August instant, in hopes that, by a peaceable Treaty and Conference, matters should have been brought to a wished Peace and Unity; and that now we perceive all these Hopes disappointed, the Authors of the present Schism and Division proceeding in their wonted courses of Wrong and Violence, as hath appeared in their presumptuous Protestation against the said Indiction, and in the business they have made throughout the Country for electing Ministers and Laicks of their Faction to make up the said Assembly; whereby it is evident that the same or worse effects must needs ensue upon the present Meeting, than were seen to follow the former.
We, therefore, the Under-subscribers, for discharge of our Duties to God and to the Church, committed to our Government, under our Soveraign Lord the Kings Majesty, Protest, as in our former Declinatour, as well for our Selves as in name of the Church of Scotland, and so many as shall adhere to this our Protestation, That the present pretended Assembly be holden and reputed null in Law, as consisting and made up partly of Laical persons that have no Office in the Church of God, partly of refractory, schismatical, and perjured Ministers, that, contrary to their Oaths and Subscriptions, from which no Humane power could absolve them, have filthily resiled, and so made themselves to the present and future Ages most infamous; and that no Churchman be bound to appear before them, nor any Citation, Admonition, Certification, or Act whatsoever, proceeding from the said pretended Meeting, be prejudicial to the Jurisdiction, Liberties, Priviledges, Rents, Possessions, and Benefices belonging to the Church, nor to any Acts of former General Assemblies, Acts of Council, or Parliament made in favours thereof; but to the contrary, That all such Acts and Deeds, and every one of them, are and shall be reputed unjust, partial, and illegal, with all that may follow thereupon. And this our Protestation we humbly desire may be presented to His Majesty, whom we do humbly supplicate, according to the Practice of Christian Emperoeurs in Ancient times, to convene the Clergy of His whole Dominions, for remedying the present Schism and Division, unto whose Judgement and Determination we promise to submit our Selves, and all our Proceedings.
Given under our hands at Morpeth, Berwick, and Holy Island, the tenth and eleventh of August 1639.
| Signed, | St Andrews, | Wal. Brechinen, |
| Da. Edinburgen, | Ja. Lismoren, | |
| Jo. Rossen, | Ad. Aberdon. | |
| Th. Galloway. |
1639.—August 20.
65. Letter from the King to Traquair.[228]
Charles R.
Right Trusty,
We have hitherto commanded Hamilton to answer several of your Letters; but that of the 16ᵗʰ of August being of more weight than any of your former, We have thought fit to answer it Our Self.
And whereas you say, that nothing will satisfie them, except in terminis the last Assembly be named and ratified, or that way be given to the discharging Episcopacy as abjured in that Church, as contrary to the Confession of Faith 1580, and the Constitutions of the same, you being yet in some hope, that the word Abjured may be got changed, and that in drawing up the words of the Act it be onely condemned, as contrary to the Constitution of that Church; We in this point leave you to your Instructions, they being full, if you consider what We have said concerning Episcopacy, and subscribing the Confession of Faith 1580: We thinking it fit to declare hereupon unto you, that let their Madness be what it will, further than We have declared in Our Instructions in these points, We will not go.
For the Service-book and Book of the Canons, though We have been and are content it be discharged; yet We will never give Our Voice nor Assent, that they be condemned as containing divers Heads of Popery and Superstition. In like manner, though We have been and are content, that the High Commission be discharged; yet We will never acknowledge that it is without Law, or destructive to the Civil and Ecclesiastical Judicatories of that Our Kingdom, nor that the Five Articles of Perth, though discharged with Our Approbation, be condemned as contrary to the foresaid Confession. As concerning the late Assemblies, We cannot give Our Consent to have them declared null, since they were so notoriously Our Father (of Happy Memory) His Acts: It seeming strange, that We having condescended to the taking away all these things that they complained of, which were done in those Assemblies, they will not be content therewith, without laying an Apersion on Our Fathers Actions. Wherefore if the Assembly will in despite of your Endeavours conclude contrary to this, you are to Protest against their Proceedings in these points, and be sure not to ratifie them in Parliament.
Concerning the yearly indicting of General Assemblies, and the Confession of Faith, We commanded Hamilton in his of the 16ᵗʰ to answer that point to this effect: That We think it infinitely to our Prejudice, that We should consent to tie Our Self for the keeping yearly of their Assemblies, not needing to repeat the Reasons, they being well enough known to you; seeing at Berwick it was conceived upon debate of that Point, that your having Power to indict a a New one within the Year, would save that dispute, which you are by all means to eschew. But if this will not give satisfaction, you are by no means to give your assent to any such Act, nor to ratifie the same in Parliament.
The Article in your Instructions, which is onely, That the Covenant 1580 shall be subscribed, you must have an especial care of, and how you proceed therein: That the Bond be the same which was in Our Fathers time, mutatis mutandis; and that you give your Assent no other ways to the Interpretations thereof then may stand with Our future Intentions, well-known to you: nor is the same otherways to be ratified in Parliament.
Thus you have Our Pleasure fully signified in every particular of your Letter, which you will find no ways contrary to Our Resolution taken at Berwick, and Our Instructions given to you there. But if the Madness of Our Subjects be such, that they will not rest satisfied with what We have given you Power and Authority to condescend to, which notwithstanding all their Insolencies We shall allow you to make good to them, We take God to witness, that what Misery soever shall fall to that Country hereafter, it is no fault of Ours, but their own procurement. And hereupon We do command you, that if you cannot compose this Business according to Our Instructions, and what We have now written, that you prorogue the Parliament till the next Spring; and that you think upon some course how you may make publickly known to all Our Subjects, what We had given you Power to condescend to. And because it is not improbable that this way may produce a present Rupture, you are to warn and assist Ruthven for the defence of the Castle of Edinburgh, and to take in general the like care of all Our Houses and Forts in that Kingdom; and likewise to advertise all such who are affected to Our Service, that timously they may secure themselves. And so We bid you heartily farewell.
1639.—August [10, 12,] 30.
66. Declarations by Traquair as Commissioner.[229]
At a Sederunt of the Privy Council, on 10th August 1639, a Letter from the King (dated 6th) was produced and recorded, intimating the appointment of Traquair as Commissioner to the Assembly and Parliament, in which his Majesty required their Lordships “not onlie to attend at the said Assemblie and Parliament, but to concurre and assist our said Commissioner in ewerie thing may concerne our service, as he sall requyre yow, or communicat with yow frome time to time;” and they, “in all humble obedience, promist to attend at the said Assemblie and Parliament, and to concurre with the said Lord Commissioners Grace in ewerie thing conforme to his Majesties said Letter.” On the 12th of August, his Lordship appeared at another Sederunt of Council, and produced his commission. And, on the 30th of that month, at another sederunt, the Earl of Rothes, and others, as commissioners, appeared in the Council, and gave in a petition and declaration relative to the subscription of the Confession and Covenant, and bearing that the Council would interpone its authority, which was done accordingly. Immediately after, of the same date, there is the following Minute, which we transcribe from the register as important, inasmuch as there is a marginal note adjoined to it in the following terms:—“Decimo tertio Augusti, 1641. Delatt at Command, and in pretence of the Estaittis of Parliament.” These minutes are essential to the full understanding of the position in which all parties stood at the close of this Assembly, previously to the meeting of Parliament, after various prorogations, in the autumn of 1639.
And sicklyke the forsaid day, the Lord Commissioner desyred of the Lords of Privie Counsell, that the severall declarations made and emitted be him, in the Generall Assemblie, might be insert and registrat in the Books of Privie Counsell, therein to remain ad futuram rei memoriam; quhilk desyre the saidis Lordis fand reasonable, and have ordaint and ordainis the saids declarations to be insert and registrat in the Books of Privie Counsell, quherof the tenor followis:—
I, Johne Earle of Traquaire, His Majesties Commissioner in this present Assemblie, Doe, in his Majesties name, Declare, That notwithstanding of his Majesties owne inclination, and manie other grave and weightie reasons moveing him, zit suche is his incomparable goodnes towardes his subjectis of this Kingdome, that for giveing satisfaction to his people, and for queting of the present distractions, He doth consent that the Five Articles of Perth, the Government of the Kirk by Bishops, Civill Places and power of Kirkmen, be declared unlawfull within this Kirk, as contrare to the constitutions thereof.
And I doe alwayes hereby declare, that the practice of the premiss, prohibit within this Kirk and Kingdome, sall neither bind nor inferre censure agains the practisers outwith the Kingdome. And farder, declare that the word occasional, in the end of the Act of the date the 17ᵗʰ of this instant, wes not in the draught agreed upon with me in presence of the Counsell, but was thereafter addit in the Assemblie, without my knowledge or consent. Farther, I declare, whatever is allowed be me in this Assemblie, is meirlie and onelie as ane Act of this Assemblie, without anie respect or relation to the last pretendit Assemblie at Glasgow.
And becaus that manie things have occurred in the present Assemblie which may concerne Patronages belonging either to the Crowne, Bishopricks, or others his Majesties good subjects, as also by finding Civill Places and power of Kirkmen unlawfull, his Majestie may be prejudgit in Parliament, and least heirby or by anie other act, civill power and auctoritie may be wronged by my weaknes, or not tymelie animadverting thereto, I declare and protest that his Majestie may be hard for redresse in its owne tyme and place.
And I declare lykewayes, that whatever Commission and Commissions are direct frome the Assemblie, whiche may import or occasion anie other meetings or conventions of the subjects then the ordinarie meetings of Kirk Sessions, Presbiteries, Synods, and suche as are allowed be the Lawis of this Kingdome, that the same is null and of no effect, and altogether disassented to by me.
1639.—October 1.
67. Letter from the King to Traquair.[230]
Charles R.
Right Trusty, &c.
Your Letter of September the 27ᵗʰ to Hamilton We have seen, and think fit to return Answer thereunto Our Self; and the rather because We find by yours, that some Points in the former Letter were not so fully expressed, but that you desire more clear Answers. First you say, that in all your Directions it is condescended, that by Act of Assembly Episcopacy should be declared unlawful in this Kirk; and that by all the Capitulations of Agreement, and Instructions given to you, that same is allowed to be ratified in Parliament upon the foresaid terms agreed upon in the Assembly. In this Point We must tell you, that you are much mistaken: for though you have Power for giving way to the Abolition of Episcopacy, as contrary to the Constitutions of the Church of Scotland; yet you will not find either in your Instructions, or any other Direction since sent you, that We have consented to declare the same Unlawful: We making a great difference therein, for many things may be contrary to the Constitutions of a Church, which of themselves are not simply unlawful; for whatsoever is absolutely unlawful in one Church, cannot be lawful in the other of the same Profession of Religion, but there may be many several Constitutions, and yet they all lawful. Therefore if I do acknowledge or consent, That Episcopacy is unlawful in the Church of Scotland, though as you have set it down in your consenting to the Act, the word Unlawful may seem onely to have a relation to the Constitutions of that Kirk; yet the Construction thereof doth run so doubtfully, that it may be probably inferred, That the same Function is acknowledged by Us to be unlawful in any other Churches in Our Dominions. Therefore as we totally disapprove of your consenting to the word Unlawful, as well to the Function, as Civil Places and Power of Churchmen, in the Act of the General Assembly: so We absolutely command you not to ratifie the same in these terms in the Parliament, but onely as contrary to the Constitutions of that Kirk; and to declare, that We ratifie this Act meerly for the Peace of the Land, though otherwise in Our Own Judgment We neither hold it convenient nor fitting; which you are to declare at the Ratifying of the same. And for the rest of your Declaration in the Assembly, to be registered in the Books of Council, for brevities sake We send you herewith a Copy of the same, as likewise that of the Covenant, interlined in those places which We disapprove of, and conceive to be the contrary to your Instructions, and some other Directions.
As We have formerly written to you, We cannot consent to the rescinding any Acts of Parliament made in favour of Episcopacy; nor do We conceive that Our refusal to abolish those Acts is contradictory to what We have consented to, or to that we was obliged to: there is less danger in discovering any future Intentions of Ours, or at the best letting them guess at the same, than if We should permit the rescinding those Acts of Parliament, which Our Father with so much expence of Time and Industry established, and which may hereafter be of so great use to Us. And though it should perhaps cast all loose, (as you express;) yet We take God to witness, We have permitted them to doe many things in this Assembly, for establishing of Peace, contrary to Our Own Judgment. And if on this point a Rupture happen, We cannot help it; the fault is on their own part, which one day they may smart for. So you have in this Point Our full Resolution.
We likewise wrote formerly to you, that We thought it not fit at this time, that the Power of the Lords of the Articles should be defined, and that you are to avoid the same, and to be sure not to consent thereunto. Now your last Letter gives Us ground to repeat the same again, and to declare to you, that We remain in Our former Opinion.
And whereas you say, that it is to no purpose to vex Us with all the indiscreet and mad Propositions that are made, since they go about not onely to reform all pretended Abuses, of what nature soever, but to constitute and define the Power of all Judicatories from the highest to the lowest, and that you are like to agree in few or none of the General Acts: If you find, that what We have commanded you to doe is likely to cause a Rupture, their impertinent Motions give you a fair occasion to make it appear to the World, that We have condescended to all matters which can be pretended to concern Conscience and Religion; and that now they aim at nothing but the Overthrow of Royal Authority, contrary to all their Professions, which We can neither with Honour nor Safety suffer. And therefore We hope and expect, that if a Rupture happen, you will make this appear to be the cause thereof, and not Religion, which you know not onely to be true, but must see it will be of great advantage to Us, and therefore must be seriously intended by you.
We have no Directions of new to give you, concerning the Marquis of Huntley, Sir Donald Mackdonald, or any others to whom Malice is carried for their Zeal for Our Service, but again recommend them to your care.
What hath past betwixt your self and the Earl of Argyle, We have heard nothing of; but We are easily induced to believe, that what you wrote of his undutiful Carriage is true, and that you will easily make it appear, to which We will give no unwilling Ear.
Thus you have your last Letter answered, with what for the present and on such a sudden hath come into Our thoughts: and so We bid you Farewell.
Whitehall, Octob. 1, 1639.
68. Roll of the Members of the General Assembly—1639.
The Earl of Traquair, Commissioner.
Mr David Dick, Moderator.
The following Roll is incomplete—the only copy of it that we have been able to discover, being defective. It is in the repositories of the Church; and several folios of the MS. in which it is written are torn off. We give the fragment, however, as we find it, as an index to the class of persons of which the Assembly was composed.
Presbytery of Hamilton.
Maister James Johnstoune, M. at Stenhous.
Mr Johne Herriot, M. at Blantyre.
R. Elder, Robert Hammaltoune of Mylneburne.
P. Lanerke.
Mr Williame Livingstoune, M. at Lanerk.
Mr Alexʳ Somervell, M. at Dolfingtowne.
Mr Richard Inglis, M. at Nobstoune.
Elder, Mr Williame Bailzie of Lamingtowne.
B. Lanerke.
Gideon Jacke, Bailzie.
P. St Androis.
Mr Andrew Auchenleck, M. at Largo.
Mr James Bruce, M. at Kingsbarns.
Mr George Hammiltowne, M. at Newburne.
R. Elder, John Lord Sinclare.
B. St Androis.
James Sword.
Universitie of St Androis.
Mr David Forrett, ane of the Mʳs of the auld Colledge
Burghe of Carreill.
_______ Hammiltowne, Bailzie.
Burl. of Kilreny.
Thomas Sympsone, Towne Clerk.
B. Anstruther, Eister.
Williame Hammiltoune, Burges.
B. Anstruther, Wester.
Joʰ Tullois, Clerke.
B. of Pettinweyme.
James Airthe, Commone Clerke.
P. Cowper.
Mr John MᶜGill, M. at
Mr Wᵐ Bennett, M. at Monimell.
Mr Walter Grege, M. at Balmerinoche.
John Lord Lyndesay, R. Elder.
B. of Cowper.
George Jamesoune, Merchand.
P. Kirkaldie.
Mr Robᵗ Douglas, M. at Kirkaldie.
Mr Fredrick Carmichaell, M. at Kenway.
Mr Robert Cranstoune, M. at Scoone.
R. Elder, Johne Erle of Rothes.
B. of Kirkaldie.
John Williamsoune, Burges.
B. Dysart.
David Sympsone of Montorpie.
B. Kinghorne.
Mr Robert Cunnynghame, Burges.
B. Bruntiling.
George Gairne, Bailzie.
P. Dumfermling.
Mr Johne Row, M. at Carnoke.
Mr Johne Duncane, M. at Culros.
Mr James Sibbet, M. at Torrie.
R. Elder, Robert Lord Burley.
Brughe of Dumfermling.
James Reid, Provest.
B. Culros.
George Bruce of Carnoke.
B. Innerkeithnie.
______ Marke.
P. Dumblane.
Mr Henrie Livingston, M. at Kippen.
Mr Androw Reid, M. at Tillicultrie.
Mr Wᵐ Edmonstone, M. at Kilmadock.
R. Elder, Sir George Stirling of Kers, Knigᵗ
P. of Achterarder.
Mr George Muschett, M. at Donyng.
Mr James Row, M. at Muthill.
Mr John Erskine, M. at Achterarder.
R. Elder, Mr George Grahame of Inchbrakie.
P. of Perth.
Mr Robert Murray, M. at Methvene.
Mr John Robertsone, M. at Perthe.
Mr Alexʳ Petrie, M. at Rind.
R. Elder, Johne Moncreiff, Laird of Moncreiff.
B. of Perth.
James Dundie, Bailzie.
P. Dunkeld.
Mr William Menzies, M. at Kenmuir.
Mr John Andersone, M. at Curygale.
Mr Johne Strachane, M. at
Ruling Elder, Mungow Campbell, fear of Lawreis.
P. Meigill.
Mr George Somer, M. at Megill.
Mr George Halyburtowne, M. at Glenyllay.
Elder, James Lord Cowper.
P. Dundie.
Mr Androw Wood, M. at Monyfurthe.
Mr John Robertsone, M. at Ocherhous.
R. Elder, David Grahame of Fintrye.
B. of Dundye.
James Fletcher, Provest.
P. Forfar.
Mr John Lyndsay, M. Aberlemno.
Mr Silvester Lamy, M. at Slanes.
Mr Alexʳ Kinningmont, M. at Kilmaur.
R. Elder, James Lyone of Albar,
Burᵗ of Farfar.
David Hunter, Provest.
P. Brecken.
Mr Johne Weymes.
Mr James Crightowne.
Mr Lawrence Skinner,
R. Elder, James Erie of Montrois.
B. Brichen.
Robert Dempster.
B. Montrois.
Johne Gorgeine, Bailzie.
P. Arbrothe.
Mr Alexʳ Inglis, at St Vigeanes.
R. Elder, Johne Auchterlony of Corme.
B. Arbrothe.
Mr George Inglis, Burges.
P. Merins.
Mr James Reid, M. at Abernethe
. Mr Androw Mylne, at Fitteresse.
Mr Alexʳ Sympsone, M. at Canvath.
R. Elder, Sir Robert Grahame of Morphy.
P. Aberdeine.
Mr David Lyndsay, M. at Balhelvie.
Mr Androw Abercrommy, M. at Fentry.
R. Elder, Johne Erle of Kinghorne.
Universitie of Aberdiene.
* * * *
B. of Aberdeine.
* * * *
P. Deer.
Mr James Martene, M. at Peterhead.
Mr Wᵐ Forbes, M. at Fraserbrugh.
Mr Wᵐ Jafray. M. at Acth riddel.
R. Elder, George Blair of Auchmedden.
P. Alfuird.
Mr Androw Strachan, M. at Tillinessel.
Mr Wᵐ Davidstoune, M. at Kildrumy.
Mr Robᵗ Scheine, M. at Forbes.
R. Elder, Mr James Forbes of Hamiltowne.
P. Eilon.
Mr Wᵐ Strachan, M. Muthlick.
R. Elder, William Setoune of Shithine.
P. Turroff.
Mr Thomas Mitchell, M. at Turroff.
Mr George Sharpe, M. at Shyve.
R. Elder, Charles Erle of Dumfermling.
P. Kinkarne.
Mr Robert Forbes, M. at Eight.
R. Elder, Wᵐ Forbes, fear of Corsindell.
P. Garroche.
Mr William Wedderburne, M. at Buthelne.
R. Elder, John Erskine of Balbeardy.
P. Fordyce.
Mr Alexʳ Seatoune, M. at Banffe.
R. Elder, Sir Alexʳ Abercrombie, Knyᵗ.
B. of Coulen.
George Hempsyd, Bailzie.
B. of Bampfe.
Androw Baird.
B. Elgyne.
Mr John Dowglas.
P. Elgyne.
Mr Gawine Dumbar, M. at Alnes.
Mr Alexʳ Spence, at Briney.
R. Elder, Thomas MᶜKenzie, of Pluscardy.
P. Aberlowr.
Mr Joⁿ Weymes, M. at Rothes.
R. Elder, Walter Innes.
P. Strabogie.
Mr Wᵐ Mylne, M. at Glasse.
R. Elder, Patrick Gibsone.
P. Forres.
Mr Patrick Tulloche, M. at Forres.
Mr Joⁿ Brodie, M. at Auldyrne.
Mr Wᵐ Falconer, M. at Dycke.
R. Elder, Pa. Campbell of Bothe.
B. Forres.
Mr Johne Dumbar.
P. Innernes.
Mr James Vaiss; M. at Croy.
Mr Wᵐ Frisell, M. at Canvel.
Ruling Elder, Mr James Campbell of Moy,
B. Innernes.
Duncan Forbes, of Coulloden, Burges.
P. Chanrie.
Mr George Monro, M. at Sidney.
Mr Gilbert Murray, M. at Tain.
Mr David Ros, M. at Logie.
R. Elder, Walter Innes, of Innerbrekie.
B. Tain.
Thomas MᶜCulloche, Bailzie.
P. Dingwall.
Mr David Monro, M. at Killairne.
Mr Murdoche MᶜKenzie, M. at Contane.
R. Elder, Sir Johne MᶜKenzie, of Tarbat.
P. Dornoche, in Sutherland.
Mr Alexʳ Monro, M. at Dornoche.
Mr William Gray, M. at Clyne.
Mr George Sutherland, M. at Rogard.
R. Elder, George Gordowne, brother to the Erle of Sutherland.
P. Thurso, in Kaithnes.
Mr George Lesslie, M. in Bower.
R. Elder, Johne Maister, of Birrindaill,
B. of Wick.
* * * *
P. Shetland.
Mr William Umphray, M. at Brassay.
Report of the Proceedings
of
THE LATE GENERALL ASSEMBLY,
Indicted by the Kings Majestie, and Holden at Edinburgh, the 12 of August, 1639. The Earle of Traquair, Commissioner for the Kings Majestie, 1639.[231]
A Sermon preached by the Reverend Mr Alex. Hendersone, before the sitting doune of the Gen. Assembly begun the 12 of August, 1639.