The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Sess. 8. August 3. post Meridiem.

The Supplication of this Assembly to the KINGS MAJESTIE.

To the Kings most Excellent Maj. the hearty Thanksgiving, and humble Petition of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, met at St. Andrews, July 27. 1642.

Our hearts were filled with great joy and gladnesse at the hearing of Your Majesties Letter, which was read once and again in face of the Assembly, every line thereof almost either expressing such affection to the Reformed Religion, and such Royal care of us, as we could require [pg 122] from a Christian Prince; or requiring such necessary duties from us, as we are bound to performe as Ministers of the Gospel, and Christian Subjects: For which, as solemne thanks were given by the Moderator of the Assembly, so do we all with one voice in all humility, present unto Your Majestie the thankfulnesse of our hearts, with our earnest prayers to God for your Majesties prosperity, and the peace of Your Kingdoms, that Your Majestie may be indeed a nursing Father to all the Kirks of Christ in Your Maj. Dominions; & especially to the Kirk of Scotland honoured with Your Birth and Baptisme: Promising our most serious indeavours by doctrine and life, to advance the Gospel of Christ, & and to keep the people in our charge in Unity and Peace, and in all loyalty and obedience to Your Majestie and Your Laws. Your Majesties commands to Your Commissioner, the Earle of Dumfermling, to receive from us our just and reasonable desires for what may further serve for the good of Religion here, the favours which we have received already, and Your Maj. desires and delight to do good, expressed in Your Letter, are as many encouragements to us, to take the boldnesse in all humility to present unto Your Majestie (beside the particulars recommended to Your Majesties Commissioner) one thing, which for the present is the chiefest of all Our desires, as serving most for the glory of Christ, for Your Majesties Honour and Comfort; and not onely for the good of Religion here, but for the true happinesse and peace of all Your Majesties Dominions; which is no new motion, but the prosecution of that same by the Commissioners of this Your Majesties Kingdom in the late Treatie, and which Your Majestie, with advice of both houses of Parliament, did approve in these words: To their desire concerning unitie in Religion and uniformitie of Church government, as a speciall meanes of conserving of Peace betwixt the two Kingdoms, upon the grounds and reasons contained in the Paper of the 10 of March, given in to the Treaty and Parliament of England: It is answered upon the 15 of June, That his Majestie, with advice of both Houses of Parliament, doth approve of the affection of His Subjects of Scotland, in their desire of having the conformity of Church-government, betwixt the two Nations, and as the Parliament hath already taken into consideration [pg 123] the reformation of Church government, so they will proceed therein in due time, as shall best conduce to the glory of God, the Peace of the Church, and of both Kingdoms, 11 of June 1641. In Our answer to a Declaration sent by the now Commissioners of this Kingdom from both Houses of Parliament, we have not onely pressed this point of unity in Religion and Uniformity of Church government, as a meane of a firme and durable union betwixt the two Kingdomes, and without which former experiences put us out of hope long to enjoy the puritie of the Gospel with Peace, but also have rendred the reasons of our hopes and confidence, as from other considerations, so from Your Majesties late Letter to this Assembly, that Your Majestie in a happy conjunction with the Houses of Parliament, will be pleased to settle this blessed Reformation, with so earnestly desired a Peace in all Your Dominions. And therfore we Your Majesties most loving Subjects, in name of the whole Kirks of Scotland, represented by us, upon the knees of our hearts, do most humbly and earnestly beg, that Your Majesty in the deep of Your Royall Wisdom, and from Your affection to the true Religion, and the Peace of Your Kingdoms, may be moved to consider, that the God of Heaven and Earth is calling for this Reformation at Your hands, and that as you are his Vice-gerent, so You may be his prime Instrument in it. If it shall please the Lord (which is our desire and hope) that this blessed unitie in Religion and Uniformity in Government shall be brought about; Your Majesties Conscience, in performing of so great a dutie: shall be a well-spring of comfort to Your Self, Your memory shall be a sweet favour, and Your name renowned to all following generations. And if these unhappy commotions and divisions shall end in this peace and unity; then it shall appeare in the Providence of God, they were but the noyse of many waters, and the voyce of a great thunder before the voyce of harpers harping with their harps, which shall fill this whole Iland with melodie and mirth, and the name of it shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.

The Declaration of the Parliament of England, sent to the Assembly.

The Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, finding to their great grief, that the distractions of this Kingdome dayly increase, and that the wicked Counsels and practises of a malignent party amongst us (if God prevent them not) are like to cast this nation into bloud and confusion, To testifie to all the World how earnestly they desire to avoid a Civill Warre, they have addressed themselves in an humble Supplication to His Majestie, for the prevention thereof. A Copy of which their petition, they have thought fit to send at this time to the National Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to the intent that that Church and Kingdome (whereunto they are united by so many and so near bounds and tyes, as well Spiritual as Civil) may see that the like minde is now in them, that formerly appeared to be in that Nation. And that they are as tender of the effusion of Christian bloud on the one side, as they are zealous on the other side of a due Reformation both in Church and State. In which work, whilest they were labouring, they have been interrupted by the plots and practises of a malignant party of Papists, and ill affected persons, especially of the corrupt and dissolute Clergy, by the incitement and instigation of Bishops and others, whose avarice and ambition being not able to bear the Reformation endeavoured by the Parliament, they have laboured (as we can expect little better fruit from such trees) to kindle a flame, and raise a combustion within the bowels of this Kingdom: Which if by our humble supplication to His Majesty it may be prevented, and that according to our earnest desire therein, all Force and Warlike preparations being laid aside, we may returne to a peaceable parliamentary proceeding, We do not doubt, but that by the blessing of Almighty God upon our endeavours, we shall settle the matters both in Church and State, to the encrease of His Majesties honour and State, the peace and prosperitie of this Kingdome, and especially to the [pg 125] glory of God, by the advancement of the true Religion, and such a Reformation of the Church, as shall be most agreeable to Gods Word. Out of all which, there will also most undoubtedly result a most firme & stable Union between the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland, which according to our Protestation, we shall by all good wayes and meanes, upon all occasions, labour to preserve and maintain.

Subscribitur
John Brown, Cler. Parl.

The Assemblies answer to the Declaration of the Parliament of England.

The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland having received a Declaration sent unto them by the Commissioners of this Kingdome, now at London, from the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England expressing their care to prevent the effusion of Christian bloud in that Kingdome, and their affections to Reformation both in Kirk and State, and having taken the same to such consideration as the importance of so weighty matters, and the high estimation they have of so wise and honourable a meeting as is the Parliament of England, did require; have with universall consent resolved upon this following Answer.

I. That from the recent sense of the goodnesse of God, in their own late deliverance, and from their earnest desire of all happinesse to our native King and that Kingdome, they blesse the Lord for preserving them in the midst of so many unhappy divisions and troubles from a bloudy Intestine War, which is from God the greatest Judgement, and to such a nation the compend of all calamities. They also give God thanks for their former and present desires of a Reformation, especially of Religion, which is the glory and strength of a Kingdome, and bringeth with it all temporall blessings of prosperity and peace.

II. That the hearts of all the Members of this Assembly, and of all the wel-affected within this Kingdome, are exceedingly [pg 126] grieved and made heavy, that in so long a time, against the professions both of King and Parliament, and contrary to the joynt desires and prayers of the godly in both Kingdomes, to whom it is more deare and precious then what is dearest to them in the world, the Reformation of Religion hath moved so slowly, and suffered so great interruption. They consider that not only Prelates, formall Professours, profane and worldly men, and all that are Popishly affected, are bad councellours and workers, and do abuse their power, and bend all their strength and policies against the Work of God; but the God of this world also, with Principalities and powers, the rulers of the darknesse of this world, and spiritual wickednesse in high places, are working with all their force and fraud in the same opposition, not without hope of successe, they having prevailed so farre from the beginning, That in the times of the best Kings of Juda of old, and the most part of the Reformed Kirks of late, a through and perfect Reformation of Religion hath been a work full of difficulties, Yet doe they conceive, that as it ought first of all to be intended so should it be above all other things, with confidence in God, who is greater then the World, and he who is in the World, most seriously endeavoured. And that when the supream providence giveth opportunity of the accepted time & day of salvation, no other work can prosper in the hands of his servants, if it be not apprehended, & with all reverence & faithfulnesse improved. This Kirk and Nation, when the Lord gave them the calling, considered not their own deadnesse, nor staggered at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God. And who knoweth (we speak it in humility and love, and from no other mind then from a desire of the blessing of God upon our King and that Kingdome) but the Lord hath now some controversie with England, which will not be removed, till first and before all, the worship of his name and the government of his house be settled according to his own will? When this desire shall come, it shall be to England after so long deferred hopes, a tree of life, which shall not only yeeld temporell blessings unto themselves, but also shall spread the branches so far, that both this nation and other reformed [pg 127] Kirks shall finde the fruits thereof to their great satisfaction.

III. The Commissioners of this Kingdome in the late Treaty of peace, considering that Religion is not only the meane of the service of God and saving of Souls, but is also the base and foundation of Kingdomes and Estates, and the strongest band to tye Subjects to their Prince in true loyaltie, and to knit the hearts of one to another in true unity and love, They did with preface of all due respect and reverence, far from arrogancy or presumption, represent in name of this Kingdome, their serious thoughts and earnest desires for unity of Religion, That in all His Majesties Dominions, there might be one Confession of Faith, one directory of worship, one publike Catechisme, and one form of Kirk Government. This they conceived to be acceptable to God Almighty, who delighteth to see his People walking in truth and unity, to be a speciall meanes for conserving of peace betwixt the Kingdomes, of easing the Kings Majesty, and the publike government of much trouble, which ariseth from differences of Religion, very grievous to Kings and Estates, of great content to the King himself, to his Nobles, his Court, and all his people, when (occasioned to be abroad) without scruple to themselves, or scandal to others; all may resort to the same publike worship, as if they were at their own dwellings; of suppressing the names of Heresies, and Sects, Puritans, Conformists, Separatists, Anabaptists, &c. Which do rent asunder the bowels both of Kirk and Kingdome, of despaire of successe to Papists and Recusants, to have their profession, which is inconsistent with the true Protestant Religion, and authority of Princes, setup again, and of drawing the hearts and hands of Ministers, from unpleasant and unprofitable Controversies, to the pressing of mortification, and to Treatises of true pietie, and practical Divinity. The Assembly doth now enter upon the labour of the Commissioners, unto which they are encouraged, not only by their faithfulnesse in the late Treaty, but also by the zeale and example of the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk in former times, as may appeare by the Assembly at Edinburgh, Decemb. 25. in the [pg 128] year 1566. which ordained a Letter to be sent to England against the Surplice, Tippet, Cornercap, and such other Ceremonies as then troubled that Kirk, that they might be removed. By the Assembly at Edinburgh, April 24. 1583. humbly desiring the Kings Majesty to command his Ambassadour, then going to England, to deale with the Queen, that there might be an Union and Band betwixt them & other Christian Princes & Realmes, professing the true Religion for defence and protection of the Word of God, and Professors thereof, against the persecution of Papists and confederates joyned and united together by the bloudy league of Trent: as also that his Majesty would disburden their brethren of England of the yoke of Ceremonies, imposed upon them, against the liberty of the Word: And by the Assembly at Edinburgh March 3. 1589. ordaining the Presbyterie of Edinburgh to use all good and possible means for the relief and comfort of the Kirk of England, then heavily troubled for the maintaining the true discipline and government of the Kirk, and that the Brethren in their private and publike prayers, recommend the estate of the afflicted Kirk of England to God, While now by the mercy of God the conjunction of the two Kingdomes is many wayes increased, the zeale of the Generall Assembly towards their happinesse ought to be no lesse. But besides these, the Assembly is much encouraged unto this duetie, both from the Kings Majesty and his Parliament, joyntly, in their Answer to the proposition, made by the late Commissioners of the Treaty, in these words: To their desire concerning unity of Religion, and uniformity of Kirk government as a speciall meanes for conserving of peace betwixt the two Kingdomes, upon the grounds and reasons contained in the paper of the 10 of March, and given in to the treatie and Parliament of England: It is answered upon the 15. of June, That his Majestie with advise, of both Houses of Parliament doth approve of the affection of His Subjects of Scotland in their desire of having conformitie of Kirk government between the two Nations, and as the Parliament hath already taken into consideration the Reformation of Kirk government, so they will proceed therein in due time, as shall best conduce to the glory of God, the peace of the Kirk, and of both Kingdomes. And also severally: for His Majestie knoweth that the custodie and vindication, [pg 129] the conservation and purgation of Religion, are a great part of the duetie of Civill authority and power. His Majesties late practise while he was here in person, in resorting frequently to the exercises of publike worship, His Royall actions, in establishing the worship and government of this Kirk in Parliament, and in giving order for a competent maintenance to the Ministery and Seminaries of the Kirk, and His Majesties gracious Letter to the Assembly (seconded by the speech of His Majesties Commissioner) which containes this religious expression: Where any thing is amisse, we will endeavour a Reformation in a fair and orderly way, and where Reformation is settled, we resolve with that authority wherewith God hath vested us, to maintain and defend it in peace and liberty, against all trouble that can come from without, and against all Heresies, Sects, and Schismes, wich may arise from within. All these doe make us hopeful that His Majestie will not oppose, but advance the work of Reformation. In like manner the Honourable Houses of Parliament, as they have many times before witnessed their zeale, so now also in their Declaration sent to the Assembly, which not only sheweth the constancy of their zeale, but their great grief that the worke hath been interrupted by a malignant party of Papists and evill affected persons, especially of the corrupt and dissolute Clergie, by the incitement and instigation of Bishops and others, their hope according to their earnest desire, when they shall returne to a peaceable and Parliamentary proceding, by the blessing of God, to settle such a Reformation in the Church, as shall be agreeable to Gods word, and that the result shall be a most firm and stable union between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, &c. The Assembly also is not a little encouraged by a Letter sent from many reverend Brethren of the Kirk of England, expressing their prayers and endeavours against every thing which shall be found prejudiciall to the establishment of the Kingdome of Christ, and the Peace of their Soveraigne. Upon these encouragements, and having so patent a doore of hope, the Assembly doth confidently expect, that England will now bestirre themselves in the best way for a Reformation of Religion, and do most willingly offer their prayers and utter-endeavours [pg 130] for furthering so great a Work, wherein Christ is so much concerned in his glory, the King in his honour, the Kirk and Kingdome of England in their happinesse, and this Kirk and Kingdome in the purity and peace of the Gospel.

IV. That the Assembly also from so many reall invitations, are heartened to renew the Proposition made by the aforenamed Commissioners of this Kingdome, for beginning the Work of Reformation, at the uniformity of Kirk-government. For what hope can there be of Unity in Religion, of one Confession of Faith, one Form of Worship, & one Catechisme, till there be first one Forme of Ecclesiasticall Government? Yea, what hope can the Kingdome and Kirk of Scotland have of a firme and durable Peace, till Prelacie, which hath been the main cause of their miseries and troubles, first and last, be plucked up, root and branch, as a plant which God hath not planted, and from which, no better fruits can be expected then such sower grapes, as this day set on edge the Kingdome of England?

V. The Prelaticall Hierarchie being put out of the way, the Work will be easie, without forcing of any conscience, to settle in England the government of the Reformed Kirks by Assemblies. For although the Reformed Kirks do hold, without doubting, their Kirk Officers, and Kirk government by Assemblies higher and lower, in their strong and beautifull subordination, to be jure divinio, and perpetuall: yet Prelacie, as it differeth from the Office of a Pastor, is almost universally acknowledged by the Prelates themselves, and their adherents, to be but an humane ordinance, introduced by humane reason, and settled by humane Law and Custome for supposed convenience: which therefore by humane authority, without wronging any mans conscience, may be altred and abolished upon so great a necessity, as is a hearty conjunction with all the Reformed Kirks, a firm and well grounded Peace betwixt the two Kingdomes, formerly divided in themselves, and betwixt themselves by this partition wall and a perfect Union of the Kirks in the two Nations: which although by the providence of God in one Hand, & [pg 131] under one Monarch, yet ever since the Reformation, and for the present also, are at greater difference in the point of Kirk-government, which in all places hath a more powerfull influence upon all the parts of Religion, then any other Reformed Kirks, although in Nations at greatest distance, and under divers Princes.

VI. What may be required of the Kirk of Scotland for furthering the Work of Uniformitie of Government, or for agreeing upon a common Confession of Faith, Catechisme, and directory for Worship, shall according to the order given by this Assembly, be most willingly performed by Us, who long extreamly for the day when King and Parliament shall joyn for bringing to passe so great, so good a Work, That all Warres and Commotions ceasing, all Superstition, Idolatry, Heresie, Sects, and Schismes being removed, as the Lord is one, so his name may be one amongst us; and mercy and truth, righteousnesse and peace meeting together, and kissing one another, may dwell in this Iland.