The Answer of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to the Declaration of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, having received a Declaration from the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, by their Committees and Commissioners now residing here; have thought good to make knowne unto the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that all the Members of this Assembly, and others well-affected here, do with most thankful respects, take special notice of the expressions which they have been pleased to make in the afore-named Declaration, not only concerning their approbation of the desires and endeavours of the General Assembly of this Kirk, for the Reformation of the Church of England, and the union of both Churches in Religion and Church-government; but also concerning the resolution of both Houses, fully to concurre with them in these pious intentions. With the same thankfulnesse and due reverence, they acknowledge the high respects expressed towards them by both Houses, in directing unto them their Committees and Commissioners, assisted by two reverend Divines, and in desiring some of the godly and learned of this Kirk to be sent unto the Assembly sitting there.
The Assembly doth blesse the Lord, who hath not only inspired the Houses of Parliament with desires and resolutions of the Reformation of Religion, but hath advanced by several steps and degrees that blessed Work; By which, as they shall most approve themselves to the Reformed Churches abroad, and to their Brethren of Scotland, so shall they most powerfully draw even from Heaven the blessings of prosperity and peace upon England. And as it is the earnest wish of their Brethren here, that the true state and ground of the present differences and controversies in England may be more and more cleared to be concerning [pg 196] Religion, and that both Houses may uncessantly prosecute that good Work first and above all other matters, giving no sleep to their eyes, nor slumber to their eye-lids, until they finde out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty GOD of Jacob, whose favour alone can make their mountain strong, and whose presence in his own ordinances shall be their glory in the midst of them: So it is our confidence, that the begun Reformation is of GOD, and not of man, that it shall increase, and not decrease; and that he to whom nothing is to hard, who can make mountaines, valleyes, crooked things, straigth, and rough wayes, smooth, shall lead along and make perfect this most wonderful Work, which shall be remembred to his glory in the Church throughout all generations.
And lest through any defect upon the General Assemblies part, the Work of Reformation (which hitherto to the great grief of all the Godly hath moved so slowly) should be any more retarded or interrupted, they have according to the renewed desires of both Houses of Parliament, and their own former promises, nominated and elected Master Alexander Henderson, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr Robert Balzie, Mr George Gillespie, Ministers of Gods Word; and John Earle of Cassels, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archbald Jonhstuon of Warritoun, ruling Elders, all of them men much approved here; With Commission and power to them, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair unto the Assembly of Divines, and other of the Church of England, now sitting at Westminster, to propound, consult, treat, and conclude with them, and with any Committees deputed by the Houses of Parliament; (if it shall seeme good to the honourable Houses in their wisedome to depute any for that end) in all such things as may conduce to the utter extirpation of Popery, Prelacie, Heresie, Schisme, Superstition and Idolatrie, And for the feeling of the so much desired Union of this whole island in one forme of Church government, one Confession of Faith, one common Catechisme, and one Directorie for the Worship of GOD, according to the Instructions which they have received, or shall receive [pg 197] from the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly appointed to meet at Edinburgh from time to time, with the Assemblies power for that end. And as the Generall Assembly doth most gladly and affectionatly receive and fully trust the Committees and Divines sent hither, so do they hereby commend the afore-named Commissioners, not only to the like affection and trust of the Assembly there, but also to the favour and protection of both Houses of Parliament.
And for the further satisfaction and encouragement of their Brethren of England, the whole Assembly in their own name, and in name of all the particular Churches in this Kingdome, whom they represent; Do hereby declare, that from their zeal to the glory of GOD, and propagation of the Gospell, from their affection to the happinesse of their native King, and of the Kingdome of England, and from the sense of their own interest in the common dangers of Religion, Peace, and Libertie, They are most willing and ready to be united and associated with their Brethren in a nearer League and solemne Covenant for the maintenance of the truly reformed Protestant Religion, against Popery and Prelacie, and against all Popish and Prelatical corruptions, in doctrine, discipline, worship, or Church-government, and for the settling and holding fast of unity and uniformity betwixt the Kirks of this Iland, and with the best reformed Churches beyond sea. Which Union and Covenant, shall with Gods assistance be seconded by their cooperating with their Brethren in the use of the best and most effectall meanes that may serve for so good ends; For the more speedy effectuating whereof, to the comfort and inlargement of their distressed Brethren (whose hope deferred might make their hearts to faint) the whole Assembly with great unanimity of judgement, and expressions of much affection have approved (for their part) such a draught and forme of a mutuall Leagu and Covenant betwixt the Kingdomes, as was the result of the joint debates and consultations of the Commissioners from both Houses, assisted by the two reverend Divines, and of the Committees deputed from the Convention of the Estates of this Kingdome, and from the Genrall Assembly:
Expecting and wishing the like approbation thereof by the right honourable the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and by the reverend Assembly there, That thereafter it may be solemnely sworne and subscribed in both Kingdomes, as the surest and straitest obligation to make both stand and fall together in that cause of Religion and Libertie.
As the Estates of this Kingdome have often professed in their former Declarations, the integritie of their Intentions against the common enemies of Religion and Libertie in both Kingdomes, and their great affection to their Brethren of England, by reason of so many and so near relations: So doubtlesse now in this time of need they will not fail to give reall proof of what before they professed. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversitie. Neither shall the Assembly, or their Commissioners be wanting in exhorting all others to their duty, or in concurring so far as belongeth to their place and vocation, with the Estates now conveened, in any lawful and possible course which may most conduce to the good of Religion and Reformation, the honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie, the deliverance of their Brethren of England from their present calamitous condition, and to the perpetuating of a firme and happy peace betwixt the Kingdomes.