We shall now by the mercies of God, and in the bowels of Jesus Christ, earnestly beseech all those of whatsoever quality or condition in England, who have entred into the same League and Covenant with us, and especially the Houses of Parliament, the City of London, and Assembly of Divines, that with sound Humiliation, fervent Prayer, and making sure their Peace with God, they may joyne all care, faithfulnesse and zeal, to hold fast the profession of their Faith without wavering, against the many heresies and errors of these times; that they may according to their places and callings endeavour to the utmost of their power to prevent or hinder the laying aside or slighting of the Covenant, the re-establishment of Episcopacy, and the toleration of Popery, Prelacy, Heresie, Schisme, Superstition, or Profannesse, and not suffer themselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, perswasion or terrour, to bee divided and withdrawn from that blessed Union and Sacred Covenant, either to the contrary side, or to a neutrality in this Cause, which so much concerneth the glorie of God, the good of the Kingdomes, and the Honour of the King; but all the dayes of their lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same according to their power against all lets and impediments whatsoever, which things both they and wee have solemnly and in the sight of God sworn unto. And as we desired them to rest confident of the constancy of their Brethren in this Nation, in adhering to that Covenant in all the Articles thereof, which we shall by the Grace of Christ (without which we are nothing) sincerly, really, and constantly pursue and promote, so far as concerneth our Places and Callings; using our utmost endeavours towards the suppression of those errors, which have so dangerously hurt Religion in this Island: So, we expect confidently the like of our Brethren in England united in Covenant with us, and that what ever they may have cause to fear or bee called to suffer, yet the Lord will so strengthen them by his grace, as that they may be able to say, All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy Covenant. And here is the wisdome and patience of the Saints, to choose affliction rather then iniquity, to do duety in the worst of times, and to trust God with events, and in so doing, to hope to the end and wait upon the Lord, untill hee plead their cause and execute judgement for them: So shall they bee more purified and not made blacker (as, alas, some are) but whiter in times of tryall.
More particularly, wee do desire that Presbyteriall Government may be setled and put in practise throughout that Kingdom, according to the Word of God, and example of the best Reformed Churches: for without this wee know no other proper and effectuall remedy against the present dangers of Religion there, or for purging the Church from scandals, which are destructive either to sound Doctrine, or to Godlinesse: And herein we are confident, the experience of all the Reformed Churches will bear witnesse with us. Nor do we doubt but in England also, time and experience will more and more commend, not only the beautifull order, but the great utility, yea, necessity of this Government, and dispell all the clouds of aspersions and prejudices which it lieth under among such as know it not, who ought therefore to beware of speaking evill of the things they understand not. Yet we would not have our zeal for Presbyteriall Government mis-understood, as if it tended to any rigour or domineering over the flock, or to hinder and exclude that instructing in meeknesse them that oppose themselves, which the Apostolicall rule holds forth; or as if wee would have any such to bee intrusted with that Government, as are found not yet purged, either from their old profannesse, or from the Prelaticall principles and practises which were but to put a piece of new cloath unto an old garment, and so to make the rent worse; or to put new wine into old bottles, and so to lose both wine and bottles. Yea who knows whether this may not be one of the causes, (and not the least) why the present Reformation succeeds the worse, even because of so little repentance, either for the profannesse, or Prelaticall errours and corruptions of divers who have acted in it: Neverthelesse, the right hand of fellowship is to bee given to all such as bring forth fruits meet for repentance, whatsoever their former errours or failings were. And to our great joy, we understand that there are many learned, able, godly, and prudent Ministers in that Kingdome, fit to be imployed in that Government, together with such able and pious men, as are to be joyned with them in the capacity of ruling Elders. It shall be a part of our prayers, that the Lord of the Harvest may send forth many more labourers in that Kingdome, where the Harvest is so great, and the Labourers so few proportionably; and in the meane while, that such as he hath already thrust out, may not be unemployed, as to the point of Discipline and Government.
Nor lastly, doth our zeal for the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government abate or diminish any thing at all from our Loyalty and Duety to the Kings Majesty, although Incendiaries and Enemies spare not to reproach this Church and Kingdome with Disloyaltie; Yet such calumnies will easily be repudiate by all who will examine the whole course of the publicke proceedings in this Nation, in reference to the King; and particularly the Declaration of the Parliament of this Kingdome, dated January 16, 1647. Wherefore passing all such calumnies, which cannot but be hatefull to God and good men, wee do clearly and candidly professe, That the Covenant and Presbyteriall Government are so far from hindering or excluding our duety to the King, that it is thereby very much strengthened and supported; for our giving to God what is Gods doth not hinder us, but help us, to give unto Cæsar what is Cæsars. And wee earnestly wish his Majesties Royall heart may bee graciously inclined to the just desires of his good Subjects in both Kingdomes, and to that happy settlement of Truth and Peace, Religion and Righteousnesse, which may bee as well for the establishment of his own Throne, as for the good of his people.
Now the Prince of Peace Himself, grant this afflicted People, tossed with tempests and not comforted, a safe and wel-grounded Peace, bring light out of the present darknesse, and order out of all these confusions, give unto all who are waiting for the consolation of Israel good hope through grace, comfort their hearts, stablish them in every good word and work, make his Cause to triumph at last over all opposition, and the enemies foot to slide in due time, and so put a new Song of praise in the mouths of his people. Amen.
24 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XIX.
Act for observing the Directions of the Generall Assembly for Secret and Private Worship, and mutuall edification, and for censuring such as neglect Familie Worship.
THE Generall Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth approve the following Rules and Directions, for cherishing Piety and preventing Division and Schisme, and doth appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders in each Congregation to take speciall care that these Directions be observed and followed; As likewise that Presbyteries and Provinciall Synods enquire and make tryall whether the saids Directions bee duely observed in their bounds, and to reprove or censure (according to the quality of the offence) such as shall bee found to bee reproveable or censurable therein. And to the end that these Directions may not be rendred ineffectuall and unprofitable among some through the usuall neglect of the very substance of the duty of Family Worship, The Assembly doth further require and appoint Ministers and Ruling Elders, to make diligent search and enquiry in the Congregations committed to their charge respectively, whether there bee among them any Family or Families which use to neglect this necessary duty; And if any such Family be found, the head of that Family is to be first admonished privately to amend this fault; And in case of his continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the Session. After which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Familie Worship, Let him be for his obstinacy, in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the Lords Supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein till he amend.
The Directions of the Generall Assembly, for Secret and Private Worship and mutuall edification, for cherishing Piety, for maintaining Unitie, and avoiding Schisme and Division.
BESIDES the publike Worship in Congregations, mercifully established in this Land, in great purity; It is expedient and necessary, that Secret Worship of each person alone, and Private Worship of Families be pressed and set up: That with Nationall Reformation, the profession and power of Godlinesse both Personall and Domestick bee advanced.