Chapter XVII: Act 131: , Par. 8, K. Ja. 6, and the subjects’ liberties, who ought (14)

By what Law can any Ruling-elder be sent to a Presbytery to Vote in anything, especially in chusing Commissioners for the General Assembly, who is not chosen for that purpose by the Session of that Parish in which he is a Ruling-elder? And who gave power to the Minister of every Parish, to bring with him to the Presbytery for that purpose any Ruling-elder of his Parish whom he pleased?

But it is well-known, that divers Elders gave Votes in these Presbyteries to the Elections of some Commissioners here, who were not chosen by the Sessions of their several Parishes to give Votes in those Presbyteries; and therefore such Commissioners as were chosen by such Lay-elders can have no Vote here.

By what Law or Practice have the several Parishes or Presbyteries chosen Assessors to their Ruling-elders, without whose consent some of the Commissioners here present are sworn not to vote to any thing?

This introducing of Ruling-elders is a burthen so grievous to the Brethren of the Ministry, that many of the Presbyteries have protested against it for the time to come, some for the present, as shall appear by divers Protestations and Supplications ready to be here exhibited.

For the Ministers chosen Commissioners hither, besides that the fittest are passed by, and some chosen who were never Commissioners of any Assembly before, that so they might not stand for their own Liberty in an Assembly of the nature whereof they are utterly ignorant, choice hath been also made of some who are under the Censure of the Church, of some who are deprived by the Church, of some who have been banished and put out of the University of Glasgow, for teaching their Scholars that Monarchies were unlawful, some banished out of this Kingdom for their Seditious Sermons and Behaviour, and some for the like Offences banished out of another of His Majesties Kingdoms, Ireland, some lying under the fearful Sentence of Excommunication, some having no Ordination nor Imposition of Hands, some admitted to the Ministry contrary to the standing Laws of this Church and Kingdom, all of them chosen by Lay-elders; what a Scandal were it to the Reformed Churches to allow this to be a lawful Assembly, consisting of such Members, and so unlawfully chosen?

Of this Assembly divers who are chosen are at the Horn, and so by the Laws of this Kingdom are uncapable of sitting as Judges in any Judicatory.

Three Oaths are to be administered to every Member of this Assembly, the Oath for the Confession of Faith, lately renewed by His Majesties Commandment, the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy; and whosoever shall refuse any of these, cannot be a Judge in any Judicatory of this Kingdom: and therefore resolve presently whether you will take them or not.

You have cited the Reverend Prelats of this land to appear before you by a way unheard-of, not only in this Kingdom, but in the whole Christian World, their Citations being read in the Pulpits, which is not usual in this Church; nay, and many of them were read in the Pulpits after they had been delivered into the Bishops own hands. How can His Majesty deny unto them, being His Subjects, the benefit of His Laws, in declining all those to be their Judges, who by their Covenant do hold the principal thing in question, to wit, Episcopacy to be abjured, as many of you do? or any of you to be their Judges, who do adhere to your last Protestation, wherein you declare, that it is an Office not known to this Kingdom, although at this present it stand established both by Acts of Parliaments, and Acts of General Assemblies? Who ever heard of such Judges as have sworn themselves Parties? And if it shall be objected, that the Orthodox Bishops in the first four and other General Councils could not be denied to be competent Judges of the Hereticks, though beforehand they had declared their Judgments against their Heresies: it is easily answered, that in matters of Heresie no man must be patient, since in Fundamental points of Faith a man cannot be indifferent without the hazard of his Salvation, and therefore must declare himself to be on Christs side, or else he is against him; but in matters of Church-government and Policy, which by the Judgment of this Church in the 21ᵗʰ Article of our Confession is alterable at the will of the Church, it is not necessary for any man who means to be a Judge, to declare himself, especially against that Government which stands established by Law at the time of his Declaration, being not onely not necessary, but likewise not lawful for him at that time so to doe; now this Declaration all you who adhere to the last Protestation have made, even since you meaned to be the Bishops Judges. Besides, even those Orthodox Fathers never did declare themselves against the Hereticks, their Persons or Callings, by Oaths and Protestations, as you have done; for that had been a prejudging in them, and this prejudging in you makes you now to be incompetent Judges.

Upon the whole matter then there are but two things left for me to say: first, you your selves have so proceeded in the business of this Assembly that it is impossible the fruits so much wished and prayed for can be obtained in it; because standing as it does, it will make this Church ridiculous to all the Adversaries of our Religion, it will grieve and wound all our Neighbour Reformed Churches who hear of it; it will make His Majesties Justice to be traduced throughout the whole Christian World, if he should suffer His Subjects in that which concerns their Callings, their Reputations and their Fortunes, to be judged by their sworn Enemies. If therefore you will dissolve your selves, and amend all these errours in a new Election, I will with all convenient speed address my self to His Majesty, and use the utmost of my Intercession with His Sacred Majesty for the Indiction of a new Assembly, before the meeting whereof all these things now challenged may be amended: if you shall refuse this Offer, His Majesty will then declare to the whole World, that you are disturbers of the Peace of this Church and State, both by introducing of Lay-elders against the Laws and Practices of this Church and Kingdom, and by going about to abolish Episcopal Government, which at this present stands established by both the said Laws: two points (I daresay) and you must swear it, if your Consciences be appealed to, (as was well observed by that Reverend Gentleman we heard preach the last Sunday) which these you drew into your Covenant were never made acquainted with at their entering into it; much less could they suspect, that these two should be made the issue of this business, and the two stumbling-blocks to make them fall off from their Natural Obedience to their Soveraign.

_The Commissioner’s Reply to the Moderator._[127]

As for your pretence of your unlimited Freedom, you indeed refused so much as to hear from His Majesties Commissioner, of any precedent Treaty for the preparing and right-ordering of things before the Assembly; alledging, that it could not be a free Assembly where there was any Prelimitation either of the Choosers, or of those to be chosen, or of things to be treated of in the Assembly, but that all things must be discussed upon the place, else the Assembly could not be free: but whether you your selves have not violated that which you call Freedom, let any man judge; for besides these Instructions, which it may be are not come to our knowledge, we have seen, and offer now to produce, four several Papers of Instructions sent from them, (whom you call the Tables) containing all of them Prelimitations, and such as are not onely repugnant to that which you call the Freedom, but to that which is indeed the Freedom of an Assembly. Two of these Papers were such as you were contented should be communicated to all your Associates, to wit, that larger Paper sent abroad to all Presbyteries, immediately after His Majesties Indiction of the Assembly, and that lesser Paper for your meeting first at Edinburgh, then at Glasgow, some days before the Assembly; which Paper gave order for chusing of Assessors, and divers other particulars: but your other two Papers of Secret Instructions were directed, one of them onely to one Minister of every Presbytery, to be communicated by him as he should see cause, but to be quite concealed from the rest of the Ministers; the other Paper was directed onely to one Lay-elder of every Presbytery, and to be communicated by him as he should see cause, but to be quite concealed from all others: in both which Papers are contained such Directions, which being followed, as they were, have quite banished all Freedom from this Assembly; as shall appear by reading the Papers themselves.

[These he caused read, but they were disowned by the Members of the Assembly; and they said, they might have been the private Opinions of some, but did infer no Prelimitation on the Assembly: to which the Marquis answered]—

That all the Elections being ordered according to these, was a clear proof, they were sent by an Authority which all feared to disobey. And after that he told, That for many moneths the Orders of the Table had been obeyed by all; but he would now make a trial what Obedience they would give to the Kings Command: and protested, that one of the chief Reasons that moved him to dissolve this Assembly, was to deliver the Ministers from the Tyranny of Lay-elders, who (if not suppressed) would (as they were now designing the ruine of Episcopal Power) prove not onely Ruling, but Over-ruling-elders.

* * * * *

1638.—November 29.

100. _Royal Proclamation anent the Assembly._[128]

CHARLES by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To Our Lovits _____________ __________________ Heraulds, Pursevants, Our Sheriffes in that part conjunctly & severally specially constitute, greeting. Forsameikle as out of the royall & fatherly care which We have had of the good & peace of this Our ancient and native Kingdome, having taken to Our serious consideration all such things as might have given contentment to Our good & loyall subjects: And to this end had discharged by Our Proclamation the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, and high Commission, freed and liberate all men from the practising of the five Articles, made all Our subjects both ecclesiasticall & civill liable to the censure of Parliament, generall Assembly, or any other Iudicatorie competent, according to the nature and qualitie of the offence; and for the free entrie of Ministers, that no other oath be administrate unto them then that which is contained in the Act of Parliament: had declared all by-gone disorders absolutely forgotten & forgiven: and for the more full and cleare extirpating all ground & occasion of feares of innovation of Religion, We had commanded the confession of faith, and band for maintenance thereof, and of authoritie in defence of the same, subscribed by Our deare Father, and his household, in anno 1580. to bee renewed and subscribed againe by Our subjects here: Likeas for settling of a perfect peace in the Church and Commonwealth of this Kingdome, We caused indict a free generall Assembly to bee holden at Glasgow the 21. of this instant, and thereafter a Parliament in May 1639. By which clement dealing, We looked assuredly to have reduced Our subjects to their former quiet behaviour & dutifull carriage, whereto they are bound by the Word of God, and Lawes both nationall and municipall, to Us their native and Soveraigne Prince. And albeit the wished effects did not follow, but by the contrary, by Our so gracious procedure they were rather emboldened, not onely to continue in their stubborne and unlawfull waies, but also daily adde to their former procedures acts of neglect, & contempt of authority, as evidently appeared by open opposing of Our just & religious pleasure and command, exprest in Our last Proclamation anent the discharge of the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, high Commission, &c. protesting against the same, and striving by many indirect meanes to withdraw the hearts of Our good people, not onely from a hearty acknowledgement of Our gracious dealing with them, but also from the due obedience to those Our just and religious commands, notwithstanding We had been formerly so oft petitioned by themselves for the same. By their daily and hourely guarding and watching about Our Castle of Edinburgh, suffering nothing to be imported therein, but at their discretion, And openly stopping and impeding any importation of ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever to any other of Our houses within that Kingdome: Denying to Us their Soveraign Lord that libertie and freedome, which the meanest of them assume to themselves, (an act without precedent or example in the Christian world,) By making of Convocations and Councell Tables of Nobility, Gentry, Burrowes and Ministers within the Citie of Edinburgh, where not regarding the Lawes of the Kingdome, they, without warrant of authoritie, conveene, assemble, and treat upon matters, as well ecclesiasticall as civill, send their injunctions and directions throughout the country to their subordinate Tables, and other under-ministers appointed by them for that effect. And under colour & pretext of religion exercing an unwarranted & unbounded libertie, require obedience to their illegall and unlawfull procedures and directions, to the great & seen prejudice of Authority, and lawfull Monarchicall government. And notwithstanding it was evidently manifest by the illegall & unformall course taken in the election of their Commissioners for the Assembly, whereof some are under the censure of this Church, some under the censure of the Church of Ireland, and some long since banished for open and avowed teaching against Monarchie, others of them suspended, and some admitted to the Ministerie contrary to the forme prescribed by the Lawes of this Kingdome, others of them a long time since denounced Rebels and put to the Horne, who by all law and unviolable custome and practique of this Kingdome, are, and ever have been incapable, either to pursue, or defend before any Iudicatorie, far lesse to be Iudges themselves: some of them confined, and all of them by oath and subscription bound to the overthrow of Episcopacie. And by this and other their under-hand working, and private informations and perswasions, have given just ground of suspicion of their partiality herein, & so made themselves unfit Iudges of what concerneth Episcopacie. And also it was sufficiently cleared by the peremptorie and illegall procedures of the Presbyteries, who at their own hand by order of law, & without due forme of processe, thrust out the Moderatours lawfully established, & placed others, whom they found most inclinable to their turbulent humours; associate to themselves for the choosing of the said Comissioners for the Assembly, a Laick-Elder out of each Paroch, who being in most places equall, if not moe in number then the Ministerie, made choice both of the Ministers, who should be Commissioners from the Presbyteries, as also of a Ruling-Elder; being directed more therein by the warrants from the foresaid pretended Tables, then by their owne judgements, as appeares by the severall private instructions sent from them, farre contrary to the Lawes of the Countrey, and lowable custome of the Church: by which doings it is too manifest, that no calme nor peaceable procedure or course could have been expected from this Assembly, for settling of the present disorders and distractions: Yet We were pleased herein in some sort to blindfold Our own judgement, and overlooke the said disorders, and patiently to attend the meeting of the said Assembly, still hoping that when they were met together, by Our Commissioner his presence, and assistance of such other well disposed subjects who were to be there, and by their owne seeing the reall performance of all that was promised by Our last Proclamation, they should have been induced to returne to their due obedience of subjects: But perceiving that their seditious disposition still increases, by their repairing to the said Assembly with great bands and troupes of men, all boddin in feare of warre, with guns and pistolets, contrary to the lawes of this Kingdome, custome observed in all Assemblies, and in high contempt of Our last Proclamation at Edinburgh the 16. of this instant: As also by their peremptory refusing of Our Assessors, authorized by Vs (although fewer in number then Our dearest Father was in use to have at divers Assemblies) the power of voting in this Assembly, as formerly they have done in other Assemblies; and by their partiall, unjust, and unchristian refusing, and not suffering to be read the reasons and arguments given in by the Bishops, and their adherents, to Our Commissioner, why the Assembly ought not to proceed to the election of a Moderatour without them, neither yet to the admitting of any of the Commissions of the saids Commissioners from Presbyteries, before they were heard object against the same, though earnestly required by our Commissioner in our name. And notwithstanding that our Commissioner under his hand, by warrant from us, gave in a sufficient declaration of all that was contained in our late proclamation and declaration, the same bearing likewise our pleasure of the registration of the same in the books of assembly for the full assurance of the true religion to all our good subjects; And yet not resting satisfied therewith, lest the continuance of their meeting together might produce other the like dangerous acts, derogatory to royall authoritie, we have thought good, for preveening thereof, and for the whole causes and reasons above-mentioned, and divers others importing the true monarchicall government of this estate, to dissolve and breake up the said Assembly. And therefore OVR will is, and we doe discharge and inhibit all and whatsoever pretended Commissioners, and other members of the said pretended assembly, of all further meeting and conveening, treating and concluding any thing belonging to the said assembly, under the pain of treason, declaring all and whatsoever that they shall happen to doe in any pretended meeting thereafter, to be null, of no strength, force nor effect, with all that may follow thereupon: Prohibiting and discharging all our lieges to give obedience thereto, and declaring them, and every one of them, free and exempt from the same, and of all hazzard that may ensue for not obeying thereof. And for this effect we command and charge all the foresaids pretended commissioners, and other members of the said assembly, to depart forth of this city of Glasgow, within the space of xxiiii houres after the publication hereof, and to repair home to their own houses, or that they goe about their own private affaires in a quiet manner. With speciall provision alwayes, that the foresaid declaration, given in under our Commissioners hand, with all therein contained, shall notwithstanding hereof, stand full, firm and sure to all our good subjects in all time coming, for the full assurance to them of the true religion. And our will is, and we command and charge, that incontinent these our letters seen, ye passe, and make publication hereof by open proclamation at the market crosse of Glasgow, and other places needfull, wherethrough none pretend ignorance of the same. Given under our signet at Glasgow the 29. of November, and of our reign the fourteenth year. 1638.

_Sic Subscribitur._

HAMILTOUN,
Traquaire, Roxburgh, Murray, Linlithgow,
Perth, Kingorne, Tullibardin, Hadingtoun, Galloway,
Annandaill, Lauderdaill, Kinnoull, Dumfreis,
Southesk, Belhaven, Angus, Dalyell, J.
Hay, W. Elphinstoun, Ja. Carmichael, J. Hamiltoun.

* * * * *

1638.—November 28 and 29.

101. _The Protestation of the generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, &c. Made in the high Kirk, and at the Market Crosse of Glasgow, Novemb. 28. and 29. An. 1638._[129]

Wee Commissioners from Presbyteries, Burghes, and Vniversities, now conveened in a full and free Assembly of the Church of Scotland, indicted by his Majestie, and gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ the only Head, and Monarch of his own Church, And we Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Ministers, Burgesses and Commons, Subscribers of the Confession of Faith, Make it knowne that where We His Majesties loyall Subjects of all degrees, considering and taking to heart the many and great innovations and corruptions lately by the Prelates and their adherents intruded into the doctrine, worship, and discipline of this Church, which had been before in great purity to our unspeakable comfort established amongst us, were moved to present many earnest desires and humble supplications to his sacred Majestie, for granting a free generall Assemblie, as the only legall and ready meane to try these innovations, to purge out the corruptions, and settle the order of the church, for the good of Religion, the honour of the King, and the comfort and peace of the Kirk and Kingdome: It pleased his gracious Majestie, out of his Royall bountie, to direct unto this Kingdome, the Noble and Potent Lord, James Marques of Hammiltoun, with Commission to hear and redresse the just grievances of the good Subjects, who by many petitions, and frequent conferences, being fully informed of the absolute necessity of a free generall Assemblie, as the only Iudicatorie which had power to remedie those evils, was pleased to undergoe the paines of a voyage to England, for presenting the pittifull condition of our Church to his sacred Majestie; And the said Commissioner his Grace returned againe in August last, with power to indict an Assemblie, but with the condition of such limitations, as did both destroy the freedome of an Assembly, and could no wayes cure the present diseases of this Church; which was made so clearly apparent to his Grace, that for satisfying the reasonable desire of the Subiects, groaning under the wearinesse and prejudices of longsome attendance. He was againe pleased to undertake another journey to his Majestie, and promised to indeavour to obtain a free Generall Assemblie, without any prelimitation, either of the constitution and members, or matters to be treated, or manner, and order of proceeding; so that if any question should arise concerning these particulars, the same should be cognosced, judged, and determined by the Assembly, as the onely Iudge competent: And accordingly by warrant from our Sacred Soveraigne, returned to this Kingdome, and in September last, caused indict a free Generall Assemblie to be holden at Glasgow, the 21. of November instant, to the unspeakable ioy of all good Subiects and Christian hearts, who thereby did expect the perfect satisfaction of their long expectations; and the finall remedie of their pressing grievances: But these hopes were soone blasted: for albeit the Assemblie did meet and begin at the appointed day, and hath hitherto continued, still assisted with His Graces personall presence, yet His Grace hath never allowed any freedome to the Assemblie, competent to it by the Word of God, acts and practices of this Church, and his Majesties Indiction, but hath laboured to restraine the same, by protesting against all the acts made therein, and against the constitution thereof by such members, as by all law reason and custome of this Church were ever admitted in our free Assemblies, and by denying his approbation to the things proponed and concluded, though most cleare, customable, and uncontraverted.

And now since his Grace after the presenting and reading of his owne commission from our sacred Soveraigne, and after his seeing all our commissions from Presbyteries and Burghes produced and examined, and the Assembly constitute of all the members by unanimous consent, doth now to our greater griefe, without any just cause or occasion offered by us, unexpectedly depart and discharge any further meeting, or proceeding in this assemblie, under the paine of treason: and after seven dayes sitting, declare all Acts made, or hereafter to be made in this Assemblie, to be of no force nor strength; and that for such causes as are either expressed in his Maiesties former proclamations, (and so are answered in our former protestations) or set downe in the declinatour and protestation presented in name of the Prelats, (which are fully cleared in our answer made thereto) or else were long since proponed by the Commissioner his Grace in his eleven articles or demands sent unto us, before the indiction of the Assembly (and so were satisfied by our answers, which his Grace acknowledged, by promising after the recept thereof to procure a free generall Assembly, with power to determine upon all questions, anent the members, manner, and matters thereof) all which for avoiding tediousnesse we cease to repeat: Or otherwise the said causes alleadged by the Commissioner, were proponed by His Grace, in the Assemblie; such as first, that the Assemblie refused to reade the Declinatour and Protestation exhibited by the Prelats, which neverthelesse was publickly read and considered by the assemblie, immediately after the election of a Moderatour and constitution of the Members, before the which, there was no assemblie established, to whom the same could have been read: Next, that ruling Elders were permitted to have voice in the election of commissioners from Presbyteries, which was knowne to His Grace, before the indiction and meeting of the assembly, and is so agreeable to the acts and practice of this Church, inviolably observed before the late times of corruption, that not one of the assembly doubted thereof, to whom by the indiction and promise of a free assembly, the determination of that question, anent the members constituent propertie belonged.

And last, that the voices of the six Assessors, who did sit with His Grace, were not asked and numbered, which we could not conceive to be any just cause of offence, since after 39. Nationall assemblies of this reformed church, where neither the Kings Majestie, nor any in his name was present, at the humble and earnest desire of the assembly, His Majestie graciously vouchsafed His presence either in His owne Royall Person, or by a Commissioner, not for voting or multiplying of voices, but as Princes and Emperours of old, in a Princely manner to countenance that meeting, and to preside in it for externall order; and if Wee had been honoured with His Majesties Personall presence, His Majestie (according to the practice of King James of blessed memorie) would have onely given his owne Judgement in voting of matters, and would not have called others who had not been clothed with commission from the church to carry things by pluralitie of voices.

Therefore in conscience of our duty to God and his truth, the King and his honour, the Church and her liberties, this Kingdome and her peace, this Assemblie and her freedome, to our selves and our safety, to our Posterity, Persons and Estates, We professe with sorrowfull and heavie, but loyall hearts, That We cannot dissolve this Assemblie, for the reasons following.

1. For the reasons already printed anent the necessity of conveening a Generall Assemblie, which are now more strong in this case, seeing the Assemblie was already indicted by his Majesties authority, did conveene, and is fully constitute in all the members thereof, according to the Word of God, and discipline of this church, in the presence and audience of his Majesties Commissioner; who hath really acknowledged the same, by assisting therein seven dayes, and exhibition of His Majesties Royall Declaration, to be registrate in the Bookes of this Assemblie, which accordingly is done.

2. For the reasons contained in the former Protestations made in name of the Noblemen, Barons, Burgesses, Ministers, and Commons, whereunto We doe now iudicially adhere, as also unto the Confession of Faith & covenant, subscribed and sworn by the Body of this Kingdome.

3. Because as We are obliged by the application and explication subioyned necessarily to the Confession of Faith subscribed by Vs; so the Kings Majestie, and his Commissioner, and Privie Councell, have urged many of this Kingdome to subscribe the Confession of Faith made in an. 1580. and 1590. and so to returne to the doctrine and discipline of this Church, as it was then professed: But it is cleare by the doctrine and discipline of this Church, contained in the book of Policie then registrate in the books of Assemblie, & subscribed by the Presbyteries of this Church; That it was most unlawfull in it selfe, and preiudiciall to these privileges which Christ in his Word hath left to his Church, to dissolve or breake up the Assemblie of this Church, or to stop and stay their proceedings in constitution of Acts for the welfare of the Church, or execution of discipline against offenders; and so to make it appeare, that Religion and Church government should depend absolutely upon the pleasure of the Prince.

4. Because there is no ground of pretence either by Act of Assemblie, or Parliament, or any preceding practice, whereby the Kings Maiestie may lawfully dissolve the Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland, far lesse His Maiesties Commissioner, who by his commission hath power to indict and keep it, _secundum legem & praxim_: But upon the contrarie, His Majesties prerogative Royall, is declared by Act of Parliament, to be no wayes preiudiciall to the priviledges and liberties, which God hath granted to the spirituall office-bearers, and meetings of this Church; which are most frequently ratified in Parliaments, and especially in the last Parliament holden by His Maiestie himself: which priviledges and liberties of the Church, his Maiestie will never diminish or infringe, being bound to maintain the same in integritie by solemn oath given at his Royal Coronation in this Kingdome.

5. The Assemblies of this Church have still inioyed this freedome of uninterrupted sitting, without or notwithstanding any contramand, as is evident by all the Records thereof; and in speciall by the generall Assembly holden in anno 1582. which being charged with letters of Horning by the Kings Majestie his Commissioner and Councell, to stay their processe against Master Robert Montgomerie, pretended Bishop of Glasgow, or otherwise to dissolve and rise, did notwithstanding shew their liberty and freedome, by continuing and sitting still, and without any stay, going on in that processe against the said Master Robert, to the finall end thereof: And thereafter by letter to his Maiesty, did shew clearly, how far his Maiesty had been uninformed, and upon misinformation, preiudged the prerogative of Jesus Christ, and the liberties of this Church, and did inact and ordain, that none should procure any such warrant or charge under the pain of excommunication.

6. Because now to dissolve, after so many supplications and complaints, after so many reiterated promises, after our long attendance and expectation, after so many references of processes from Presbyteries, after the publick indiction of the Assembly, and the solemn Fast appointed for the same, after frequent Convention, formall constitution of the Assembly in all the members thereof, and seven dayes sitting, were by this act to offend God, contemne the Subjects petitions, deceive many of their conceived hopes of redresse of the calamities of the Church and Kingdome, multiply the combustions of this Church, and make every man despair hereafter ever to see Religion established, Innovations removed, the Subiects complaint respected, or the offenders punished with consent of authority, and so by casting the Church loose and desolate, would abandon both to ruine.

7. It is most necessary to continue this Assembly for preveening the prejudices which may ensue upon the pretence of two Covenants, whereas indeed there is but one, That first subscribed in 1580. and 1590. being a Nationall covenant and oath to God; which is lately renewed by Vs, with that necessary explanation, which the corruptions introduced since that time contrary to the same, inforced: which is also acknowledged by the Act of councell in September last, declaring the same to be subscribed, as it was meaned the time of the first subscription; And therefore for removing that shame, and all prejudices which may follow upon the show of two different covenants & confessions of Faith in one Nation, The Assemblie cannot dissolve, before it trie, finde and determine, that both these covenants, are but one and the self same covenant: The latter renewed by us, agreeing to the true genuine sense and meaning of the first, as it was subscribed in Anno 1580.

For these and many other reasons, We the Members of this assemblie, in our owne name, and in the name of the Kirk of Scotland, whom We represent; and We Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Ministers, Burgesses, and Commons before mentioned, doe solemnly declare in the presence of the everliving God, and before all men; And protest,

1. That our thoughts are not guilty of anything which is not incumbent to us, as good Christians towards God, and loyall Subjects towards our sacred Soveraigne.

2. That all the Protestations generall or particular, proponed or to be proponed by the commissioner his Grace, or the Prelats and their adherents, may be presently discussed before this generall Assemblie, being the highest Ecclesiasticall judicatorie of this Kingdome: and that his Grace depart not till the same be done.

3. That the Lord commissioner depart not, till this Assemblie doe fully settle the solide peace of this church, cognoscing and examining the corruptions introduced upon the doctrine and discipline thereof: and for attaining hereof, and removing all just exceptions which may be taken at our proceedings, we attest GOD the searcher of all hearts, that our intentions, and whole proceedings in this present assemblie, have beene, are, and shall be according to the word of GOD, the lawes and constitutions of this church, the confession of faith; our nationall oath, and that measure of light, which GOD the father of light shall grant us, and that in the sincerity of our hearts, without any preoccupation or passion.

4. That if the Commissioner his Grace depart, and leave this church and kingdome in this present disorder, and discharge this assemblie, that it is both lawfull and necessary for Vs to sit still and continue in keeping this present Assemblie, indicted by His Majestie, till we have tryed, judged, censured all the bygone evils, and the introductors, and provided a solide course for continuing Gods truth in this land with purity and liberty, according to his Word, our oath and Confession of Faith, and the lawfull constitutions of this Church; and that with the grace of God, We and every one of Vs adhering hereunto, shall sit still and continue in this Assembly, till after the finall setling and conclusion of all matters, it be dissolved by common consent of all the members thereof.

5. That this Assemblie is and should be esteemed and obeyed, as a most lawfull, full and free generall Assembly of this Kingdome: And that all acts, sentences, constitutions, censures and proceedings of this Assemblie, are in the selfe, and should be reputed, obeyed, and observed by all the Subjects of this Kingdome and members of this Church, as the actions, sentences, constitutions, censures, and proceedings of a full and free generall assembly of this Church of Scotland, and to have all ready execution, under the Ecclesiasticall paines contained, or to bee contained therein, and conforme thereto in all points.

6. That whatsoever inconvenience fall out, by impeding, molesting, or staying the free meeting, sitting, reasoning, or concluding of this present assembly, in matters belonging to their judicatorie, by the word of God, lawes and practice of this Church, and the Confession of Faith, or in the observing and obeying the acts, ordinances and conclusions thereof, or execution to follow thereupon, That the same be not imputed unto us, or any of us, who most ardently desired the concurrence of his Majesties Commissioner to this lawfull assembly; But upon the contrary, that the Prelats and their adherents, who have protested and declined this present assemblie, in conscience of their owne guiltinesse, not daring to abide any legall tryall, and by their misinformation have moved the Commissioner his Grace to depart and discharge this assemblie, be esteemed, repute, and holden the disturbers of the peace, and overthrowers of the liberties of the Church, and guiltie of all the evils which shall follow hereupon, and condignely censured according to the greatnesse of their fault, and Acts of the Church and Realme: And to this end, Wee againe and again doe by these presents cite and summon them, and everie one of them, to compeere before this present generall assembly, to answer to the premises, and to give in their reasons, defences, and answers against the complaints given in, or to bee given in against them, and to heare probation led, and sentence pronounced against them, and conforme to our former cytations, and according to Iustice, with certification as effeirs; Like as by these presents We summon and cyte all those of his Majesties Councell, or any other, who have procured, consented, subscribed, or ratified this present Proclamation to be responsable to his Majesty and three Estates of Parliament, for their counsell given in this matter, so highly importing his Majestie, and the whole Realme, conforme to the 12. act. King James 4. Parliament 2. And protest for remedy of law against them, and every one of them.

7. And lastly wee protest, that as we adhere to the former protestations all and every one of them, made in the name of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Ministers, Burghes, and Commons; So seeing wee are surprised by the Commissioner his Graces sudden departing, farre contrary to his Majesties indiction, and our expectation, we may extend this our protestation, and adde more reasons thereunto in greater length and number, whereby wee may fully cleare before God and man the equitie of our intentions, and lawfulnesse of our proceedings: And upon the whole premises the foresaid persons for themselves and in name aforesaid, asked Instruments. This was done in the high Church of Glasgow in publike audience of the Assembly, begunne in presence of the Commissioner his Grace, who removed and refused to heare the same to the end, the twenty eighth day of November: and upon the Mercate Crosse of Glasgow, the twentie ninth day of the said Moneth, the yeere of GOD 1638. respective.

1638.—November 30.

102. _Letter from Traquair to Hamilton._[130]

Falkirk, Nov. 30th.

I could not find the Earl of Argyle yesterday at his own house; and being unwilling to go from Glasgow before I saw him, I came to the Lord Boyde’s lodging, where I was told he was, with the Lord Loudon and some others. He resolves to stay still in Glasgow, some time at least; and during his abode there, will haunt the assembly, and be careful to make them go on in such a way as shall be justifiable.

The Service-book will be condemned in general, as repugnant to the tenets of this church; episcopal government, as not agreeable to the government thereof; and presently all the bishops of this kingdom are condemned, and presently excommunicate.

The Lord Loudoun acknowledges one of the papers, your Grace produced in the assembly, but the certificate refused; the same was required of me, which at the kirk-yard entry I acknowledged and declared to be such as became an honest man; for truly, if I should say otherwise, I should deny truth and my own judgment. And if I should subscribe any covenant or confession, which, in my judgment, excluded episcopacy or episcopal government, I behoved to subscribe against the light of my own conscience; and this I declared publicly, as I shall do while I breathe.

This morning the Lairds Carberry, Nidrie, and Colintone, with John Smith of Edinburgh, parted from this, about four in the morning, to attend my coming to Edinburgh, for protesting against the proclamation; which they expect at the cross of Edinburgh.

As your Grace shall be pleased to honour me with any of your commandments, I shall not be wanting with the uttermost of my power; and without consideration either of life or fortune, shall witness myself to be

Your, &c.
TRAQUAIR.

* * * * *

1638.—December 3.

103. _Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Laud) to Hamilton._[131]

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I received your Lordships Letters of Novemb. 27ᵗʰ, they came safe to me on Decemb. 2ᵈ, after 8 at night. I was glad to see them short; but their shortness is abundantly supplied by the length of two Letters, one from the Lord Ross, and the other from the Dean. They have between them made their word good to your Lordship, for they have sent me all the passages from the beginning of the Assembly to the time of the Date of their Letters: and this I will be bold to say, never were there more gross absurdities, nor half so many, in so short a time, committed in any Publick Meeting; and for a Nationall Assembly never did the Church of Christ see the like.

Besides His Majesties Service in general, that Church is much beholding to you, and so are the Bishops in their Persons and Callings: and heartily sorry I am, that the People are so beyond your expression furious, that you think it fit to send the two Bishops from Glasgow to Hamilton; and much more that you should doubt your own safety. My Lord, God bless your Grace with Life and Health to see this Business at a good end, for certainly, as I see the face of things now, there will very much depend upon it, and more than I think fit to express in Letters; nay perhaps, more than I can well express if I would.

I am as sorry as your Grace can be that the Kings Preparations can make no more haste. I hope you think (for truth it is) I have called upon His Majesty, and by His Command upon some others, to hasten all that may be, and more than this I cannot doe; but I am glad to read in your Letters that you have written at length to His Majesty, that you may receive from himself a punctual Answer to all necessary particulars: and I am presently going to him to persuade him to write largely to you, that you may not be in the dark for any thing.

But (my Lord) to meet with it again in your Letters, that you cannot tell whether this may be your Last Letter, and that therefore you have disclosed the very thoughts of your Heart, doth mightily trouble me: but I trust in God, he will preserve you, and by your great Patience, Wisdom, and Industry, set His Majesties Affairs (to your great Honour) in a right posture once again; which if I might live to see, I would be glad to sing my _Nunc dimittis_.

I pray (my Lord) accept my thanks for the poor Clergie there, and particularly for the Bishop of Ross, who protests himself most infinitely obliged to you.

I heartily pray your Lordship to thank both the Bishop of Ross and the Dean for their kind Letters, and the full account they have given me; but there is no particular that requires an Answer in either of them, saving that I find in the Deans Letter, that Mr Alex. Henderson, who went all this while for a quiet and calm-spirited man, hath shewed himself a most violent and passionate man, and a Moderator without Moderation. Truly (my Lord) never did I see any man of that humour yet, but he was deep-dyed in some violence or other, and it would have been a wonder to me if Henderson had held free. Good my Lord, since you are good in the active part, in the commixture of Wisdom and Patience, hold it out till the People may see the Violence and Injustice of them that would be their Leaders, and suffer not a Rupture till there be no Remedy. God bless you in all your ways, which is the daily prayer of

Your Lordships most faithful Friend,
and humble Servant,
W. CANT.

Lambeth, 3 Decemb. 1638.

* * * * *

1638.—December 7.

104. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[132]

HAMILTON,

I never expected other than that you would have too just grounds to dissolve this Assembly; and certainly I were very unjust if I did not approve you therein, since not onely your Instructions warrant you the same, but even the Council hath testified to me the Necessity of it. And now I shall lay before you some Considerations; in the first place to take care, that your coming away do not cast things so loose, that the honest men of my Party do believe that you leave them as in a case desperate, or at least, that by your Absence they be denuded of Advice and Protection: therefore I hope before you come up you will take so good order, that your Absence do neither dishearten, nor prejudice my Party. As for my Preparations, I doubt not but ere this you have had a full account by your Cousin Sir James, whereby you find that I shall not be able to shew my self like my self before February or March; wherefore I lay it to your Consideration, whether it were not fit to give hopes that the Parliament shall hold, (notwithstanding all the impertinencies of this last Assembly) so that their Follies break not out into open Acts of Rebellious Violences: and really I will not say, but (that things may be so prepared) it may be fitting that it should hold. To conclude, I hope you do not conceive, that the Date of your Commissionership is out; wherefore I expect that (if you find cause) you send out Commissions of Lieutenantries to Huntley for the North, and to Traquair or Roxburgh, either joyntly or severally, (as you shall find most fit) for the South: yet all as subaltern to you. This I confess is not to be done but upon great necessity, of which I leave you (as upon the place) to be Judge, (being abundantly satisfied of your zeal and dexterity to serve me) as I do of all that I have now written: and so I rest

Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.

Whitehall,
7 Dec. 1638.

* * * * *

1638.—December 7.

105. _Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury to Hamilton._[133]

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I received your Letters of the second of December upon the sixth of the same at night, and could not speak with His Majesty till this day. This day I did, and shewed him your Letters and the Deans; and I read to him more than the later half of all the long Discourse which the Dean wrote unto me, for his Majesty was very desirous to know what occasion you took to dissolve the Synod, and how you prosecuted it; in both which that Paper gave him great satisfaction.

With your Letters I have received three other Papers, that which shews you have keeped within your Instructions, the Copy of the Proclamation which dissolves the Assembly, and a Copy of the Councils Letter to the King; both which His Majesty takes to be very good Service done for him, and commands me to give your Grace thanks in his Name, which I am very glad to doe, and I doe it heartily.

For the Earl of Argyle I can say no more than I have already, though now I know him more perfectly than I did. Your Resolution was to put him from the Council-Table, if he refused the Kings Covenant; he hath now deserved it more, but whether it be a fit time as yet to proceed so far, I dare not determine here. This I am sure of, if he do now publickly adhere to the Covenant and the Assembly, nay be the professed Head of the Covenant, (as the Dean calls him,) yet he will have much ado to look right upon that, who ever looked asquint upon the Kings business.

Concerning your coming up to Court, I am glad I find His Majesty in that Opinion which I cannot chuse but be of, that is, to leave it to your self, and your own Judgment upon the place, whether it be fitter for you to come or stay: for the truth is, my Lord, in my poor Judgment the King must needs leave this to your self, or discern himself; for if he bids you come, you will not stay; and if he would have you stay, you will not come: but whether it be fittest to come or stay cannot be prudently judged here, therefore (my Lord) doe that which shall be best approved there for His Majesties Service. And as much as I desire to see you, I will be bold to adde this, that I hope you will not stir to come thence, till you have so settled the Country, or at least the Kings Party there, as that you may be sure they may be safe, till farther course for Security may be taken: for I do not know how much it may dishearten them if your Grace come away from them too soon.

In tender care of His Majesties both Safety and Honour, I have done and do daily call upon him for his Preparations. He protests he makes all the haste he can, and I believe him; but the jealousies of giving the Covenanters umbrage too soon, have made Preparations here so late. I doe all I can here with trouble and sorrow enough.

Here is News that three Ships-full more of Arms are come to Leith from Poland; whence have they money to buy all this? If this be true, the King of Poland hath watched a shrewd opportunity to quit the King for the late neglect of his Ambassadour. And that which troubles me not a little is, that the Kings Party there (I doubt) is not half so well provided of Arms as the Covenanters are.

For the Money you mention, I wish with all my heart you had received it, for at the rising of the Assembly most miserable will be the Condition of them who have faithfully served God and the King. I have now again put it to the King, and he sees enough, but cannot well tell how to help it; yet this he said, If he could possibly scrape so much together, it should be had.

I pray be pleased to thank the Dean for his great pains, though it cost me the sitting up some part of the night to read it. His Letter, beside that Discourse, contains but two things, The necessity of a present shew of Force against the rising of the Assembly, before men be urged to new Confederacies, and Subscriptions to all things determined in this Assembly; The other, that some care may be had for the poor Ministers, who will be put to the greatest sufferings, and all for God and the King. And to these two I have said as much as I can, and shall daily labour with the King to doe all that may be done for them. I pray God bless your Lordship, but I am infinitely sorry so much Grace and Goodness of the Kings should be no better received. To Gods blessed Protection I leave you, and all your Endeavours, and shall ever shew my self

Your Graces most faithful Friend,
and humble Servant,
W. CANT.
Whitehall, Decemb. 7. 1638.

* * * * *

1638.—December 8.

106. _Proclamation by the King._[134]