The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

And Alas! how great hath been the Cry of Oppression [pg 523] and Unrighteousness, Iniquity hath been established by a Law, there hath been a great perverting of Justice, by making and executing unrighteous Statutes and Acts, and sad persecutions of many for their Conscience towards God.

It is also matter of Lamentation, that under this great Defection, there hath been too general a fainting not only amongst Professours of the Gospel, but also amongst Ministers; yea, even amongst such, who in the main things did endeavour to maintain their Integrity, in not giving seasonable and necessary Testimony against the Defections and Evils of the Time, and keeping a due distance from them, and some on the other hand managed their Zeal with too little Discretion and Meekness.

It is also matter of Humiliation, that when Differences fell out amongst these, who did own Truth, and bear witness against the Course of Defection, they were not managed with due Charity and Love, but with too much heat and bitterness, injurious Reflections used against Pious and Worthy men on all hands, and scandalous Divisions occasioned, and the Success of the Gospel greatly obstructed thereby, and some dangerous Principles drunk in: And after all this, there were shameful advances towards Popery, the abomination of the Mass was set up in many places, and Popish Schools erected, and severals fell to Idolatry.

And though the Lord hath put a stop to the Course of Defection, and of his great mercy given us some reviving from our Bondage; yet we have sad cause to regrate and bemoan, that few have a due sense of our [pg 524] mercy, or walk answerable thereto; Few are turned to the Lord in truth, but the wicked go on to do wickedly; And there is found amongst us to this day, shameful ingratitude for our mercies, Horrid impenitency under our sins, yea, even among those, who stand most up for the defence of the Truth: And amongst many in our Armies, there is woful Prophanness and Debauchery. And though we profess to acknowledge, there can be no Pardon of Sins, no Peace and Reconciliation with God, but by the Blood of Jesus Christ; Yet few know Him, or see the Necessity and Excellency of the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; few see their need of him, or esteem, desire, or receive him as he is offered in the Gospel; few are acquainted with Faith in Jesus Christ, and living by Faith in Him, as made of the Father unto us, wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption; And few walk as becometh the Gospel, and imitate our Holy Lord in Humility, Meekness, Self-denial, Heavenly mindedness, Zeal for GOD, and Charity towards Men: But as there is even untill now, a great contempt of the Gospel, a great Barrenness under it; So a deep Security under our sin and Danger, a great want of Piety toward God, and Love towards Men, with a woful Selfishness, every one seeking their own things, few the things of Christ, or the publick Good, or one anothers welfare: And finally, the most part more ready to Censure the sins of others, than to Repent of their own.

Our Iniquities are increased over our Heads, and our Trespasses are grown up unto the Heavens, they are many in number, and hainous in their nature, and grievously aggravated, as having been contrary to [pg 525] great Light and Love, under signal Mercies and Judgments, after Confession and Supplication, and notwithstanding of our Profession, Promises and solemn Vowing, and Covenanting with God to the contrary.

Have we not then sad cause of deep Sorrow and Humiliation? And may we not fear, if we do not repent, and turn from the evil of our wayes, and return to the Lord with all our hearts, that he return to do us evil, after He hath done us good, and be angry with us, until he hath consumed us?

Let us therefore humble our selves by fasting and Praying, let us search out our sins, and consider our wayes, and confess these, and other our sins, with Sorrow and Detestation; Let us Turn unto the Lord with fasting and weeping, and with mourning; Let us firmly resolve and sincerely Engage to amend our wayes and doings, and return unto the Lord our God, with all our hearts, and earnestly pray, that for the Blood of the Lamb of God, our sins may be forgiven, and our back slidings healed, and we may yet become a Righteous Nation, keeping the Truth, that Religion and Righteousness may flourish, and Love and Charity abound, and all the Lords People may be of one mind in the Lord: And in order to all these, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, and that the Preaching of the Word, and Dispensing of the Sacraments, may be accompanied with the wonted Presence, Power and Blessing of the Spirit of the Lord, That the Lord would Preserve and bless our gracious King and Queen, William and Mary, and establish their Throne by Righteousness and Religion, and grant to these Nations, Peace and Truth [pg 526] together; And for that End, bless and prosper His Majesties Councils, and Forces by Sea and Land, and these of the Princes and States his Allies, for God and his Truth; That inferior Rulers may Rule in the fear of God and Judges be cloathed with Righteousness, and that many faithful Labourers may be sent out into the Lord's Vineyard, and they who are sent, may find mercy to be Faithful, and be blest with Success; That Families may be as little Churches of Christ, and that the Lord would pour out His Spirit on all Ranks of People, that they may be Holy in all manner of Conversation, and God may delight to dwell amongst us and to do us good.

And while we pray for our selves, let us not forget our Brethren in Foreign Churches, with whom, alas! we had too little Sympathy; Nay let us pray, that all the Ends of the Earth, may see the Salvation of God; And that he would bring His ancient people of the Jews to the Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ; And that he would hasten the Ruine of Romish Babylon and advance the Reformation in Christendome, and preserve and bless the Reformed Churches; That he would pitie His oppressed People, the French Protestants, and gather them out of all places, whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day; And that He would be the Defence, Strength and Salvation of any of His People, who are in War or Danger by Infidel or Popish adversaries, in Europe or America: And in particular, that the Lord would be Gracious to Ireland, and sanctifie to His People there, both their distress and Deliverance, and perfect what concerneth [pg 527] them, that he would Convert the Natives there to the Truth, Reduce that Land to Peace; And appoint Salvation for Walls and Bulwarks to Brittain.

For all these Causes and Reasons, The General Assembly hath Appointed the Second Thursday of January next, to be Observed in all the Congregations of this Church and Nation, as a day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation, and Prayer; Beseeching and Obtesting all, both Pastors and People, of all Ranks to be sincere and serious, in Humiliation and Supplication, and universal Reformation, as they would wish to find mercy of the Lord and have deserved wrath averted, and would obtain the Blessing of the Lord upon themselves and Posterity after them; And that the Lord may delight in us, and our Land may be as Married to Him. And Ordains all Ministers, either in Kirks or Meeting houses, to Read this present Act publickly from the Pulpit, a Sabbath or two before the said Day of Humiliation: and that the several Presbyteries take care, that it be carefully observed in their Respective bounds. And where, in regard of Vacancies, the Day hereby appointed, cannot be observed; The Assembly appoints the said Humiliation to be kept some other Day with the first convenient opportunity. And Appoints the Commission for Visitation, to apply to the Council for their Civil Sanction to the Observation thereof.