Sess. VII. August 9, 1643.
Act for searching Books tending to Separation.
THE Generall Assembly considering the recommendation of the Commissioners of the late Assembly at S. Andrews upon the 12 of May last, to every Minister within their severall bounds, especially to Ministers upon the coasts, or where there is Harbourie and Ports, to try and search for all books tending to Separation: And finding the same most necessar, do therefore ordain that recommendation to have the strength of an ordinary Act of Assembly: And that every Minister be carefull to try and search if any such books be brought to this Countrey from beyond seas, and if any shall be found, to present the samine to Presbyteries, that some course may be taken to hinder the dispersing thereof: And earnestly recommend to the Civill Magistrates, to concurre with their authoritie in all things, for effectuall execution hereof.
Approbation of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the last Assembly.
The Generall Assembly having heard the report of the Committee appointed to consider the proceedings of the Commissioners of the late Assembly at S. Andrews; after mature deliberation, and serious consideration thereof, findes the whole Acts, Conclusions and Proceedings of the saids Commissioners, contained in a Book and Register, subscribed by Master Andrew Ker their Clerk, and by Master David Lindsay, Moderatour, and Master James Hamilton, Clerk to the said Committee, to declare much wisedome, diligence, vigilancie, and every way commendable zeal and fidelitie in doing and discharging every thing according to their Commission.
Sess. VIII. August 10, 1643.
Propositions given by the Commissioners of the Parliament of England to a Committee, to be presented by them to the Assembly.
WE the Commissioners appointed by both Houses of the Parliament of England, desire your Lordships, and the rest of this reverend Committee, to represent to the reverend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, that we are commanded,
To acknowledge, with all thankfulnesse to God, their zeal for purging and reforming Religion, and care not only to prevent the grouth, but utterly to extirpate the Reliques of Popery: And also the great blessing of Almighty God upon their so constant and faithfull endeavours, thus far establishing them in truth and peace, together with their labour of love, to procure the like happinesse to our Church and Nation.
To give them an account of their earnest desire and endeavour to see the same Work promoted and perfected among our selves; which though it hath been opposed and retarded by the industrious malice of the Popish, Prelaticall, and malignant partie, yet through Gods goodnesse it hath so far prevailed, as to produce the removeall of the High Commission, the making void the coercive power of the Prelates and their Courts, The ejection of the Bishops from the House of Peers, The turning out of many scandalous Ministers; Besides that they have passed and presented to his Majestie diverse Bills, viz., For the suppressing of Innovations, For the more strict observation of the Lords Day, Against Pluralities and non-residencie, For the punishment of the scandalous Clergie, For the abolition of Episcopacie, and the calling an Assembly: The true Copies of which, we herewithall deliver. Which Bills, through the under-mining of the Papists, Prelates, and their party (the constant enemies of Reformation) have not yet obtained his Majesties Royall assent. And yet considering the urgent necessity of purging and settling the Church (as hath been often pressed and presented to the Parliament of England, by pious and frequent exhortations and Declarations from that reverent Assembly) they have been constrained by an Ordinance of both Houses, to call an Assembly of Divines, and others, now sitting, to consider and prepare what may conduce thereunto, which by the assistance of some godly and learned Divines sent from this Nation (as is earnestly desired) we hope may through the blessing of God, bring it to perfection.