How satisfactory that Directory of Worship presented to us by our Brethren from you, was to us, we leave it rather to their relation at their return; being ear and eye witnesses to the manifold expressions of our joy and gladnesse, then offer to represent it to you in a Letter: The Act herewith sent, and ordained to be prefixed unto the Directory, will sufficiently declare our hearty approbation of it: Our judgement also concerning the proportions of Government and Ordination, and our earnest desire to have the Work of Uniformity promoved and perfected in that particular also, will appear to you by the other Act which herewith you will receive: Our zeal and desire to have that Work fully closed with so much harmonie as becometh the work of GOD, will appear to you in our resolution and answer to that particular in the point of Excommunication, concerning which you write.
These particular differences hinted in the Assemblies Letter, for uniformitie with that Kirk so much endeared to us, we have resolved to lay aside, and have taken course for preserving harmonie amongst our selves, whereof our Brethren will give you more particular account. Anent your desire of Mr Alexander Henderson his attending the Treatie, we are confident ere this you have received our resolution.
Amidst the many difficulties wherewith it pleaseth the Lord to presse us, as we thought it necessar to publish and send forth a Warning to all sorts of Persons in this Kirk and Kingdom, concerning the present affliction of this Nation, and their sins procuring the same; So we thought it incumbent to us in duty, as the best Testimony which we can give at this present to his Majesty, to remonstrate unto him faithfully The great and growing dangers his Majesty is now under, and the causes thereof. This Remonstrance we have sent to you, to be presented to his Majesty, by such means, and at such time, as you who are there upon the place shall judge fittest.
And now dear Brethren go on with cheerfulnesse in the Work of the Lord: Let no discouragement or opposition make your heart to faint, or your hands wax feeble: Perswade [pg 299] your self the Lords hand shall still be made known toward his servants, and his indignation against his Enemies. Remember the Work is his, who useth not to begin, but also to make and end, and is abundantly able to supply all your need according to the riches of his glory. Be confident therefore of this thing, that he who hath begun this good Work by you, will also in due time accomplish it to his own praise. To his gracious assistance we heartily recommend you.
Postscript.
Edinburgh 13. Feb. 1645.
It is earnestly desired That the Directorie for Worship be sent to Ireland, and that you recommend to the honourable Houses of the Parliament, To think upon the best way for the establishment & practice of it in that Kingdom. And that the like course may be taken with the government, and other parts of the Uniformity, so soon as they shall be agreed upon.
Subscribed in name of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland by the Moderator of the Assembly.
The General Assembly Recommends to Presbyteries, To consider these matters referred to their consideration by preceding Assemblies; and to report their judgement therein to the next Assembly.
The Generall Assembly Appoints the meeting of the next Assembly to be at Edinburgh the first Wednesday of June, in the yeer 1646.