IV. Of the grounds of apprehending them, Which may be a reigning brute of Witch craft, backed with dilations of confessing Witches, being confronted with them; for it is found that the dilations of two or three confessing Witches, hath ordinarily proved true: Also depositions of honest persons, anent malefices committed, or cures used by them, may be a ground of apprehending them.
V. Being apprehended, there would be honest and discreet persons appointed to watch them; for being left alone they are in danger to be suborned and heardened by others, or of destroying themselves.
VI. Ministers would be careful at all times, especially Morning and Evening, to deal with them, by Prayer and Conference, whiles they are in prison or restraint.
VII. The means to prevent the grouth of this wickednesse, are:
That Ministers be every way careful and painful in warning people of the danger thereof, and of Satans temptations, both privately and publickly, and to instruct them in the knowledge of the Gospell, and grounds of Religion, by plain cathechesing, to urge lively faith in Christ, which faith Witches bestow otherwise; Also to presse holinesse of life, and fervent prayes in private, and in Families, and in publick, that they be not led into temptation; And to use the censures of the Kirk against profane persons, such as Cursers, Whoores, Drunkards, and such like, for over such like, he gets great advantage. Finally, it is requisite for preventing of this hainous sin, that people seek knowledge studie to beleeve, walk in holinesse, and continue constant and instant in prayer.
And because Charming is a sort and degree of Witch-craft, and too ordinary in the Land; It would be injoyned to all Ministers to take particular notice of them, to search them out, and such as consult with them, and that the Elders carefully concurre in such search; And this Assembly would think on an uniforme way of censuring these [pg 190] Charmers, and such as employ them, or consult with them, primo quoque tempore.
The Assembly approves the articles and Overtures aforesaid, And ordaines every Presbyterie to take to their further consideration by what other wayes or means, the sins aforesaid of Witch craft, Charming, and consulting with Witches, or Charmers, & such like wickednes, may be tried, restrained, and condignely censured and punished ecclesiastically and civilly: And to report their judgementt herein to the next Assembly.
Commission for Ministers to go to Ireland.
The General Assembly having received a Petition subscribed by a very great number in the North of Ireland, intimating their deplorable condition through want of the Ministery of the Gospel, occasioned by the tyrannie of the Prelats, and the sword of the Rebels, and desiring some Ministers, especially such as had been chased from them by the persecution of the Prelats, and some others to be added, either to be sent presently over to reside among them, or declared transportable, that upon invitation from them, they might go and settle there: Together with a Letter from the Vicount of Airds to that same effect. All which the Assembly hath taken to their serious consideration, being most heartily willing to sympathize with every Member of Christ his body, although never so remote, much more with that plantation there, which for the most part was a branch of the Lord his vine, planted in this Land. In which solicitude, as they would be loath to usurpe without their own bounds, or stretch themselves beyond their own measure, so they dare not be wanting to the inlargement of Christs Kingdome, where so loud a cry of so extreme necessity, could not but stir up the bowels of Christian compassion. And although they conceive, that the present unsettled condition both of Church and State in that Land, will not suffer them (as yet) to loose any, to make any constant abode there; yet they have resolved to send over some for the present exigent, till the next general Assembly, [pg 191] by courses, to stay three moneth allanerly. And therefore do hereby authorize and give Commission to the persons following, to wit, Master William Cockburne Minister at Kirkmichell, and Master Matthew Mackaill minister at Carmanoch, for the first three moneths, beginning upon the 8. of September next. Master George Hatchison Minister at Calmonell, and Master Hugh Henderson Minister at Darly, for the next three moneths, beginning the 8. of December. Master William Adair Minister at Air, and Master John Weir Minister at Dalserfe, for the third three moneths, beginning the 8. of March, 1644. And Master James Hamilton Minister at Drumfreis, and Master John Macclellane Minister at Kirkubright for the last three montths, beginning the 8. of June, the said year 1644. To repair unto the North of Ireland, and there to visit, instruct, comfort, and encourage the scattered flocks of Christ. To employ themselves to their uttermost with all faithfulnesse and singlenesse of heart in planting and watering, according to the direction of Jesus Christ, and according to the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk in all things. And if need be (with the concurrence of such of the Ministers as are there) to try and ordain such as shall be found qualified for the Ministery; Giving charge unto the persons foresaids in the sight of God, that in Doctrine, in Worship, in Discipline, and in their daily conversation, they study to approve themselves as the Ministers of Jesus Christ; And that they be countable to the Gener. Ass. of this Kirk in all things. And in case of any of the above-mentioned Ministers be impeded by sicknes, or otherwayes necessarily detained from this service; The Assembly ordains the Commissioners residing at Edinb. for the publick affairs of the Kirk, to nominate in their place well qualified men, who hereby are authorized to underrake the forefaid imployment, as if they had been expresly nominate in the face of the Assemb. And this although possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large expectation of their Brethren in Ireland: yet the Assembly is confident they will take in good part at this time that which is judged most convenient for the present condition, even a mite out of their own, not very great plentie to supply the present [pg 192] necessity: Requiring of them no other recompence, but that they in all chearfulnesse may embrace and make use of the Message of Salvation, and promising to inlargre their indebted bountie at the next Assembly, as they shall finde the Work of the Lord there to require, in the mean while wishing that these who are sent, may come with the full blessing of the Gospel of peace, recommends them, their labours, and these to whom they are sent, to the rich blessing of the great Sheepherd of the flock.