Chapter LIV: Act 131: , Par. 8, K. Ja. 6, and the subjects’ liberties, who ought (51)

Lord Wariston very particularly declared in the assembly the passionate desires of our parliament, assembly, army, and whole people, of the performance of the covenanted uniformity; and withal we called for a meeting of the grand committee of Lords, Commons, Assembly, and us; to whom we gave a paper, notably well penned by Mr Henderson, bearing the great evils of so long a delay of settling religion, and our earnest desires that some ways may be found out for expedition. This paper my Lord Sey took to deliver to the House of Lords, Mr Solicitor also for the House of Commons, and a third copy was given to Mr Marshal, to be presented to the assembly. On Tuesday last there was a solemn fast for General Essex’s army. Mr Palmer and Mr Hill preached that day to the assembly, two of the most Scottish and free sermons that ever I heard anywhere. The way here of all preachers, even the best, has been, to speak before the parliament with so profound a reverence as truly took all edge from their exhortations, and made all applications toothless and adultorious. That style is much changed of late: however, these two good men laid well about them, and charged publick and parliamentary sins strictly on the backs of the guilty; amongst the rest, their neglect to settle religion according to the covenant, and to set up ordination, which lay so long in their hands. This was a means to make the House of Commons send us down that long delayed paper of ordination. On Thursday it was twice publickly read, so much altered from our paper, that all of us did much mislike it. To encourage the assembly to reject it, we did add in the end of our paper an express disavowing of it; and at the committee’s desire, we set down our reasons in writ against the House’s alterations; which did so encourage the assembly, that this day, unanimously, they sent a committee to the House, to crave leave to consider their alterations; for without their express order they have not so much power as to debate a question. This leave is granted: we are confident of reason, seconded by more plain and stout dealing than hitherto has been used, to make them take up their unreasonable alterations of our first paper; also we have the grand committee to meet on Monday, to find out ways of expedience; and we have got it to be the work of the assembly itself, to do no other thing till they have found out ways of accelerating; so by God’s help we expect a far quicker progress than hitherto.

* * * * *

_August 28, 1644._—Our assembly these days bygone has been busy on the House of Commons their alterations of our paper of ordination; at last they have agreed to send back our desires for changing the most of these alterations, according to the papers which we gave in to the assembly and both Houses. Concerning these alterations, we expect, without farther ado, the Houses will pass our desires; so that presently all the youths in England, who for many years have waited for a pure ordination, shall be admitted to churches; and when all these, and what moe Scotland can afford of good youths for the ministry here, are provided, it is thought some thousands of churches must vaik for want of men. Our next work is, to give our advice what to do for suppressing of Anabaptists, Antinomians, and other sectaries. This will be a hard work; yet so much as concerns us will be quickly dispatched, I hope in one session. It is appointed thereafter that we return to the government, and to hold to it till we conclude the erection of sessions, presbyteries, and synods. The most of the directory is passed, and the rest is given to proper hands to prepare the models for the assembly. All the world are sensible of our necessitated delays, and cry for expedition. All of us long much to be at home; but the daily unexpected difficulties, and the necessitated length of our affairs, are incredible to any who is not on the place.

* * * * *

_For Mr William Spang. September 13, 1644._

This day Cromwell has obtained an order of the House of Commons, to refer to the committee of both kingdoms the accommodation or toleration of the Independents; a high and unexpected order; yet, by God’s help, we will make use of it contrare to the design of the procurers.

* * * * *

_Publick Letter. September 16, 1644_

We spent a number of sessions on some propositions of advice to the parliament, for suppressing Antinomians, Anabaptists, and these who preach a liberty for all religions. Even in these, our good Independents found us great difficulty; and when we had carried our advices against their mind, they offered to give in contrare reasons to the parliament. We spent two or three days on the matter of a remonstrance to the parliament of the sins which provoked God to give us this late stroke; and here we had the most free and strange parliament that ever I heard, about the evident sins of the assembly, the sins of the parliament, the sins of the army, the sins of the people. When we were in full hope of a large fruit of so honest and faithful a censure, Thomas Goodwin and his brethren, as their custom is to oppose all things that are good, carried it so, that all was dung in the howes, and that matter clean laid by. We are again on the government. We have passed two or three propositions, that the church may be governed by three sorts of assemblies, congregational, classical, and synodical. We begin with synods, and hope to make quicker dispatch than before, by God’s help. We have sundry means of haste in agitation with our private friends.

* * * * *

_For Mr David Dickson. September 16, 1644._

While Cromwell is here, the House of Commons, without the least advertisement to any of us, or of the assembly, passes an order, that the grand Committee of both Houses, assembly, and us, shall consider of the means to unite us and the Independents; or, if that be found impossible, to see how they may be tolerated. This has much affected us. These men have retarded the assembly these long twelve months. This is the fruit of their disservice, to obtain really an act of parliament for their toleration, before we have got any thing for presbytery either in assembly or parliament. Our greatest friends, Sir Henry Vane and the Solicitor, are the main procurers of all this; And that without any regard to us, who have saved their nation, and brought these two persons to the height of the power now they enjoy, and use to our prejudice. We are on our ways, with God and men, to redress all these things as we may. We had much need of your prayers. This is a very fickle people; so wonderfully divided in all their armies, both their Houses of parliament, assembly, city, and country, that it is a miracle if they fall not into the mouth of the King. That party grows in strength and courage. The Queen is very like to get an army from France. The great shot of Cromwell and Vane is to have a liberty of all religions, without any exception. Many a time we are put to great trouble of mind. We must make the best of an ill game we can. Marshal miskens us altogether: he is for a middle way of his own, and draws a faction in the synod to give ordination and excommunication to congregations, albeit dependently, in case of male-administration. God help us! If God be pleased to settle Scotland, and give us Newcastle, all will go well. We must see for new friends at last, when our old ones, without any the least cause, have deserted, and have half-betrayed us.

* * * * *

_Publick Letter. October._

In the assembly, thanks to God, we have throughed not only our presbyteries, but also our synods, provincial and national, and the subordination of all the four meetings, parochial, classical, provincial, and national. We are now to dispute upon the power of all the four. We have strange tugging with the Independents. The House of Commons have appointed a committee to consider of their differences with us, if they be reconcileable; or, if not, how far they may be tolerated. At first the motion did much perplex us; but, after some debates upon it, we are now hopeful to make vantage of it, for the truth against the errors of that very wilful and obstinate party. We are in hopes to get the directory brought towards an end, and the catechism also ere long, with which some of us are likely to be sent down. The Confession of Faith is referred to a committee, to be put in several the best hands that are here. By the help of God, procured by your prayers, our adversaries designs may contribute to the happy closure of these longsome and wonderfully troublesome affairs.

* * * * *

_For Mr William Spang. October 25, 1644._

Their greatest plot, wherewith yet we are wrestling, is an order of the House of Commons, contrived by Mr Solicitor and Mr Marshal, which they got stolen through, to the committee of Lords, Commons, and Divines, which treated with us, to consider of differences in point of church-government, which were among the members of the assembly, that they might be agreed; or if not, how far tender consciences might be borne with, which could not come up to the common rule to be established, that so the proceedings of the assembly might not be retarded. This order presently gave us the alarm; we saw it was for a toleration of the Independents by act of parliament, before the presbytery or any common rule were established. Our most trusty friend the Solicitor had throughed it the House before we heard of it. Mr Marshal had evidently, in the prosecution of it, slighted us. Sir Henry Vane, whom we trusted most, had given us many signs of his alteration; twice at our table prolixly, earnestly, and passionately had reasoned for a full liberty of conscience to all religions, without any exceptions; had publickly, in the House, opposed the clause in the ordination that required ministers to subscribe the covenant, and that which did intimate their being over their flocks in the Lord; had moved the mustering of our army, as being far less than we were paid for; had been offended with the Solicitor for putting in the ordinance the differences about church-government; and not only about free grace, intruding liberty to the Antinomians, and to all sects, he, without the least occasion on our side, did openly oppose us. Always God has helped us against him and them egregiously to this day. In the first meeting of the grand committee, Mr Marshal the chairman, by canny convoyance, got a subcommittee nominate according to his mind, to draw the differences; Goodwin and Nye, other four with himself, who joined with the Independents in giving to the congregations power of excommunication and ordination. Vines, Herle, Reynolds, Temple, Seaman, and Palmer, of our mind, were named; but seeing us excluded by Marshal’s cunning, would not join. The next two or three meetings were spent on the subcommittee’s draught of the differences. We found the Independents clear for the whole people, every communicant male, to have decisive voice in all ecclesiastic causes, in admission, deposition, excommunication of ministers, in determining of schisms and heresies. 2. That no congregation did depend on any superior synod, so that a congregation falling in all the heresies and crimes of the world, neither the whole nor any member of it can be censured by any synod or presbytery in the earth, however it may be refused communion by any who find no satisfaction in its proceedings: but, which is worst of all, they avow they cannot communicate as members with any congregation in England, though reformed to the uttermost pitch of purity which the assembly or parliament are like to require, because even the English, as all the rest of the Reformed, will consist but of professors of the truth in whose life there is no scandal; but they require to a member, beside a fair profession, and want of scandal, such signs of grace as persuades the whole congregation of their true regeneration. We were glad to have them declare this much under their hands; for hitherto it has been their great care to avoid any such declaration; but now they are more bold, apprehending their party to be much more considerable, and our nation much less considerable than before. The change of providence did nothing daunt our courage; yet we were much in prayer and longing expectation that God would raise us from our lowness, near to contempt, and compesce their groundless insolency. At our first meeting, my Lords Sey and Wharton, Vane and the Solicitor, pressed vehemently to debate the propositions of the subcommittee. They knew, when they had debated, and come to voicing, they would carry all by plurality in the committee; and though they should not, yet they were confident, when the report came to the House of Commons, to get all they desired there past. So, without the assembly, they purposed immediately from this committee to get a toleration of Independency concluded in the House of Commons, long before any thing should be got so much as reported from the assembly anent presbyteries. Here it was where God helped us beside our expectation. Mr Rous, Mr Taite, and Mr Prideaux, among the ablest of the House of Commons, opposed them to their face. My Lord Chancellor, with a spirit of divine eloquence, Wariston, with the sharp points of manifold arguments, Maitland, Mr Henderson, Mr Gillespie, and all, made their designs to appear so clearly, that at once many did dislike them; yet Henry Vane went on violently. We refused to consider their propositions, except on two express caveats; one, That no report should be made of any conclusion of the committee, till first it came to the assembly, and from them, after examination, should be transmitted to the House of Commons; another, That first the common rule of government should be resolved, before any forbearance of these who differed therefrom should be resolved upon. The first, after many hours sharp debate, we obtained: the second we are to debate to-morrow; and, if we obtain it not, we have a brave paper ready, penned by Mr Henderson, to be given in to the Houses and assembly, which will paint out the Independents and their adherents so clearly, that I am hopeful that the bottom of their plots shall be dung out. While I am writing, we get the long-expected news of the taking of Newcastle, and that by storm. Blessed be the name of the Lord, who will not for ever contemn the prayers of his people. We were extremely dejected on many grounds: we were perplexed for Scotland; beside winter, poverty, and strong, proud, obstinate enemies within Newcastle, the pest was beginning in our army; the King, with the greatest army he ever commanded, was coming straight upon us, being hopeful to dissipate our armies before they could conjoin, and it was but the miss of one day.

* * * * *

Before we had ended our prayers on Wednesday, in the assembly, the House of Peers sent us a message, by my Lord Admiral and Pembroke, with all diligence, to haste the church-government, for heresies did spread mightily over all the land; also they told, the King had turned his back on us, and was retiring towards Oxford, finding, against his expectation, that all our armies were joined.

* * * * *

_November 1, 1644._—To comfort them, six or eight of the chief Lords came this day in message from the House of Peers with that letter, intreated the assembly to haste; also in that letter the Commons voted, over the Independents bellies, the dissolving of that dangerous committee which these five weeks has vexed us. The preface of our directory, casting out at doors the liturgy, and all the ceremonies in cumulo, is this day passed. It cost us divers days debate, and these sharp enough, with our best friends.

* * * * *

_Publick Letter. November 21, 1644._

Our church-affairs go on now apace, blessed be God. Our letters from Newcastle moved the Houses to call once, twice, thrice, to the assembly for expedition. They sent up our propositions concerning presbyteries. The Independents gave in the reasons of their dissent therefrom. These are in the hands of a committee. The answer is like to be full and satisfactory to the world, and possibly to the parties themselves. In a few days, all we have done about government will be sent up to the Houses, against which the Independents will have nothing considerable to say more than is in their papers against Presbyteries. But that which most comforts us is the directory. All that we have done in it is this day sent up, with a full unanimity of all. Many a wearisome debate has it cost us; but we hope the sweet fruit will over-balance the very great toil we had in it. The last passage was sensibly from God. After, with huge deal of ado, we passed the parts that concerned prayers, reading of scripture, preaching, both the sacraments, ordination, and sanctification of the Sabbath, there were many references to the preface; one, to turn the directory to a straight liturgy; another to make it so loose and free, that it should serve for little use: but God helped us to get both these rocks eschewed. Always here, yesterday, when we were at the very end of it, the Independents brought us so doubtful a disputation, that we were in very great fear all should be cast in the hows, and that their opposition to the whole directory should be as great as to the government; yet God in his mercy guided it so, that yesterday we got them, and all others, so satisfied, that, _nemine contradicente_, it was ordered all together to be transmitted to the Houses, and Goodwin to be one of the carriers; which was this day done, to all our great joy, and hope that this will be a good ground of agreeance betwixt us and them, either soon or syne. What remains of the directory, anent marrying and burial, will soon be dispatched. The catechism is drawn up, and, I think, shall not take up much time. I fear the Confession of Faith may stick longer. However, we will, by God’s help, have so much work done in a month, that it seems necessar to have a general assembly in Scotland shortly, that some of us may bring there what has been so long in doing, to be revised, and, I hope, without great difficulty, to be passed. If it please the Lord to perfect this work, it will be the sweetest and most happy business that ever in this isle was enterprised. The hope of it comforts us in the midst of our perplexities, which sometimes are not small.

* * * * *

_Publick Letter. December 1, 1644._

The House of Commons have passed, without any variation to count of, all the directory we sent them, and I hope to-morrow will send it to the Lords to make an ordinance upon it. In the assembly we have stuck longer than we expected on marriage; but I hope to-morrow we shall end it; and before this week end we shall pass the two remanent parts of the directory, fasting, and burial, or visitation of the sick; also, that we shall one of the days of this week send up the rest of our votes of government, except we fall in debate of some passages of our too large answer to the Independents reasons against presbyteries. Believe it, for as slow as you may think us, and as we pronounce ourselves to be, yet all the days of the week we are pretty busy. We sit daily from nine till near one; and after noon till night we are usually in committees. Saturday, our only free day, is to prepare for Sunday; wherein we seldom vaik from preaching in some eminent place of the city. Judge what time we have for letters, and writing of pamphlets, and many other businesses. We would think it a great ease both to our bodies and spirits to be at home.

* * * * *

Lieutenant-General Cromwell has publickly, in the House of Commons, accused my Lord of Manchester of the neglect of fighting at Newbury. That neglect indeed was great; for, as we now are made sure, the King’s army was in that posture, that they took themselves as lost all utterly. Yet the fault is unjustly laid on Manchester. It was common to all the general officers then present, and to Cromwell himself as much as to any other. Always Manchester has declared himself abundantly in the House of Lords and there has recriminated Cromwell, as one who has avowed his desire to abolish the nobility of England; who has spoken contumeliously of the Scots intention of coming into England to establish their church-government, in which Cromwell said he would draw his sword against them; also against the assembly of divines, and has threatened to make an army of sectaries, to extort by force, both from King and parliament, what conditions they thought meet. This fire was long under the embers; now it has broken out, we trust, in a good time. It is like, for the interest of our nation, we must crave reason of that darling of the sectaries, and in obtaining his removal from the army, which himself, by his own rashness, has procured, to break the power of that potent faction. This is our present difficult exercise.

* * * * *

_To Mr William Spang. December 6, 1644._

We never go so quickly in the assembly as we expect. This week, after many sharp debates, we have agreed, and sent up to the Houses, our directory, for marriage, and days of thanksgiving; also we have, with much difficulty, passed a proposition for abolishing their ceremonies at burial: but our difference about funeral sermons seems irreconcileable, as it has been here and every where preached. It is nothing but an abuse of preaching, to serve the humours only of rich people for a reward. Our church expressly has discharged them on many good reasons. It is here a good part of the ministers livelihood; therefore they will not quit it. After three days debate, we cannot find yet a way of agreeance. If this were passed, there is no more in our directory, but fasting and holidays, wherein we apprehend no difference. Upon these, with our votes of government already passed, and our answers to the Independents reasons, the next week, I think, will be spent.

* * * * *

This matter of Cromwell has been a high and mighty plot of the Independent party to have gotten an army for themselves under Cromwell, with the ruin, and shamefully unjust crushing, of Manchester’s person, of dissolving the union of the nations, of abolishing the House of Lords, of dividing the House of Commons, of filling the city, and most of the Commons, with intestine wars, of setting up themselves upon the ruins of all; but God, who has drawn us out of many desperate dangers, is like to turn this dangerous mischief on the heads of the contrivers. I hope it shall break the far more supposed than real strength of that party, and unite us more strongly; but we are yet wrestling with them. By the next you may have more.

* * * * *

_Publick Letter. December 26, 1644._

We daily now make good progress in the assembly. We have sent up our directory for marriage and thanksgiving; we have also got through burial. We have some little thing to say of fasting, and visiting of the sick; and so our long-looked for directory will be closed. It is exceedingly liked by all who see it. Every piece of it passes the Houses as fast as we send it. Our answers to the Independents reasons are now ready, and I hope this week may be sent up to the House. We have also put together all our votes of government, and will send them up to-morrow to both Houses. The Independents have entered their dissent only to three propositions: “That in Ephesus was a classical presbytery; That there is a subordination of assemblies; That a single congregation has not all and sole power of ordination.” Their reasons against these three propositions we expect to-morrow. Against the end of the next week we hope our committees will have answers ready to all they will say; and after all is sent up to the House, by God’s help, we expect shortly an erection of presbyteries and synods here; for there appears a good forwardness to expede all things of that kind in both Houses since the taking of Newcastle. If the directory and government were once out of our hands, as a few days will put them, then we will fall on our great question of excommunication, the catechism, and confession. There is here matter to hold us long enough, if the wrangling humour which long predominated in many here did continue; but, thanks to God, that is much abated, and all incline towards a conclusion. We have drawn up a directory for church-censures and excommunication; wherein we keep the practice of our church, but decline speculative questions. This, we hope, will please all who are not Independents; yea, I think even they needed not differ with us here: but it yet appears they will to separation, and are not so careful to accommodate, as conscience would command peaceable men to be. However, we hope to get the debates of these things we most feared either eschewed or shortened. We have near also agreed in private on a draught of catechism; whereupon, when it comes in publick, we expect little debate. I think we must either pass the Confession to another season, or, if God will help us, the heads of it being distribute among many able hands, it may in a short time be so drawn up, as the debates of it may cost little time. All this chalking is on the supposition of God’s singular assistance, continuing such a disposition in the assembly and parliament as has appeared this month or two bypast. On this supposition, two months, or three at most, may do much to put on the cope-stone of our wonderful great work.

* * * * *

We hope this day to close in the assembly, the remainder of our directory, and to send it up to-morrow to the Houses; so the next week we expect an ordinance of parliament for the whole directory. We have transmitted our answers to the Independents reasons against our presbytery. They are well taken, and now upon the press. We hope, in the beginning of next week, to send up also our answer to their reasons against synods. We make no question but shortly thereafter the Houses will pass an ordinance for the government; what is behind, a good part of it, will be ended, and follow us to our general assembly; and all the rest, by all appearance, will be closed in a month or two thereafter; for all men now incline to a conclusion.

* * * * *

_For Mr William Spang. December 27, 1644._

We have ended this day the directory in the assembly. The Houses are through the most of it already. Before we go they will pass all. What remains of the government concerning the hard questions of excommunication, Mr Henderson has drawn it up by way of a practical directory, so calmly, that we trust to get it all past the assembly next week, without much debate. The men whom most we feared, profess their satisfaction with that draught. It is certainly true of what you wrote, of the impossibility ever to have gotten England reformed by human means, as things here stood without their brethrens help. The learnedest and most considerable part of them were fully Episcopal. Of these who joined with the parliament, the greatest and most countenanced part were much Episcopal. The Independents had brought the people to such a confusion, that was insuperable by all the wit and strength which was here; but God has so guided it, that all has contributed for the main work. The wickedness of the Popish and Prelatical faction still continuing and increasing; the horrible extravagancies of the sectaries; the unreasonable obstinacy of the Independents; the strange confusions of this long anarchy; and, most of all, God’s good hand on us here in the assembly, and on our armies in the fields, has contribute to, dispose this land to a very fair reformation above all their hopes.

[_See continuation of the Account of the Westminster Assembly, appended to the Acts of 1645._]

2. _Note of Proceedings in the Convention of Estates relative to the Church, from the 27th of June, 1643, to the 29th of July, 1644._[329]

1643.

_June 27._ Act for Printing the Declaration of the General Assembly.—Acts, vol. vi., p. 7.

_July 4._ Answer of the Convention to the Remonstrance and Desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, p. 8.

_July 6._ Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the General Assembly, concerning the Remedies of the present Danger of Religion, p. 9.

_July 11._ Committee for the Remedies of the Dangers of Religion, p. 13.

_July 13._ Warrant to print the Answer of the Convention to the Remonstrance of the General Assembly, and the Second Remonstrance, p. 13.

_July 14._ Declaration of the Parliament of England, (June 27, 1643,) p. 13.

_July 17._ Answer of the Estates to the Declaration of the Parliament of England, p. 14.

_Aug. 17._ Covenant to be betwixt the two Kingdoms, p. 41. The Estates’ Approbation of the Covenant, p. 43.

_Aug. 26._ The Result of the Treaty with the English Commissioners, (Aug. 25, 1643,) p. 47. Declaration of the Estates to the Parliament of England, p. 50. Earl of Leven appointed Lord General, p. 59. Act anent Non-Covenanters’ Estates, p. 61. Act for putting the Kingdom in a posture of Defence, p. 61.

1644.

_Jan. 4._ Act ordaining the Rents of Non-Covenanters to be uplifted for the use of the Public.—Acts, vol. vi., p. 61. (See below.) Act for putting the Kingdom in a posture of Defence, p. 61.

_Jan. 6._ Act anent Presentation of Ministers by Presbyteries to Crown Patronages, p. 66. Declaration of both Kingdoms as to Defence of Religion, &c., p. 66. (See below.)

_June 28._ Instructions for the Commissioners who are to go to England, p. 101.

_July 15._ Act anent Ratification of calling Convention, Ratification of League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty, &c., p. 106.

_July 16._ Commission to those sent to England concerning Treaty of Peace, p. 115.

_July 23._ Act discharging Execution of Captions on Sunday, p. 127. Act anent Divorce for Adultery, p. 127. Act discharging Patronages belonging to particular Ministers, p. 128. Act against Tavern-keepers selling Drink on Sunday, p. 128. Act declaring the Books of Ministers surviving their Wives, not to fall in their Wives’ Executry, p. 128. Act declaring Vacant Stipends should be employed upon Pious Uses, p. 128. Ratification of Act of Convention concerning Presentations to Kirks of his Majesty’s Patronage, p. 129. Act in favour of Ministers for their Stipends—Universities, &c., anent Malignants’ Rents, p. 129. Act anent Universities of St Andrew’s, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, p. 129.

_July 24._ Act renewing Commission for Plantation of Kirks and Valuation of Teinds, p. 130.

_July 27._ Act extending former Acts anent Designation of Manses and Gleibs to Ministers, p. 142. Ratification in favour of Town of Edinburgh of Mortification granted to them of the Bishopricks of Orkney and Edinburgh, and Deanery of Edinburgh, p. 158.

_July 29._ Renewing Commission for Conserving Peace, p. 155 and 157.

* * * * *

1644.—Jan. 4.

_Act anent Non-Covenanters’ Estates._[330]

The Conventione ordains the estatis and rentis of all sutche as ar sentenced for not subscryveing the Covenant to be maid furthcumeand and vpliftit for the vse of the publict, reserving alwayes pouer to the Committie of Estaitis to modifie some allowance for mantenance of their wyffis and childrine within the countrey, as they sall think fitting, &c.

* * * * *

1644.—Jan. 6.

_Act anent Presentation of Ministers._[331]

The Convention of Estates having this day receavit an Act of the Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie, for planting of Kirks of His Majesties Patronage dureing the tyme of these troubles, presented unto them by Maister Robert Douglas, Moderator, and Maister Androw Ramsay. And haveing considered the samyne, and the recommendation therin contained for provydeing some way, by authoritie of this Convention, for setleing and possessing the intrants in the stipendis and benefices belonging to these Kirkes, and finding no way so fitt for that end, and for preserveing the right and possession of the Patronages to his Majestie, then that, in this tyme of trouble, presentationes pass his Majesties caschett and Privie Seale, quhilk is alyke, and is hereby declaired to be of as great force and authoritie as if the samyne had past his Majesties royall handis, Therefore gives hereby warrand and command to the Commissioners of the Thesaurerie, or anie one of them, to recive presentations frome Presbyteries to all Kirkes of his Majesties patronages, vaiking, or quhilk heirefter sall vaike during these troubles, and to signe the samyne, and ordaines the samyne, swa signed, to passe his Majesties caschett, and therefter the Privie Seale, and that all Letters and executorialls necessar be direct thereupon, &c.

THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

AT EDINBURGH, 1645.

The Assembly of 1644, at its rising, appointed the next meeting in May, 1645; but the important military and political movements which at that period agitated the whole British dominions, rendered an earlier meeting expedient. The first Triennial Parliament of Scotland (which met, according to the enactments on the subject, in 1641) having, at the close of its session, in the summer of 1644, been continued to the first Tuesday of January following—and the Assembly being now virtually an integral branch of the Scottish Legislature, in regard to political as well as spiritual affairs—the Commission convoked an extraordinary Assembly, to be held on the 22d of January, 1645, at the same time with the meeting of Estates, which assembled on the first Tuesday of that month.

It is quite impossible, in the narrow limits to which we are confined, to attempt giving anything like a full or correct picture of the miserable state of anarchy, wrangling, bloodshed, and terror, which pervaded these kingdoms during the few months which intervened betwixt the two Assemblies of 1644 and 1645: the interminable altercations which took place among theologians, politicians, and cavillers of every conceivable description, fill volumes. After above three years’ confinement in the Tower, Laud, the ousted Archbishop of Canterbury, was, to gratify the Scotch, put upon his trial by the English Parliament; and, on the 10th of January, 1644, the Covenanters were fully avenged, in his blood on the scaffold, for the part he took in regard to the Service-Book of 1637.

But, reverting to military operations, we may just notice that, on Sunday, the 3d of July, 1644, the Battle of Marston Moor was fought, betwixt the King’s troops and the combined armies of the English and Scotch Parliaments, when the latter obtained a decisive but dearly-won victory. The King lost 10,000 men in killed and prisoners, forty-seven standards, and twenty-five pieces of cannon, besides great store of arms and munitions. This battle is memorable as being the first great occasion on which the military genius of Oliver Cromwell shone forth conspicuously, and as the commencement of a course by which he ascended to supreme power in the State.

To counterbalance this and other successes in England, an insurrection in the King’s favour, of which Montrose was the guiding spirit, took place in Scotland, of which, however, it were superfluous to give minute details. But while the flower of the Scottish army was engaged in co-operating with the Parliamentary forces in England, Montrose successively achieved victories of the most brilliant and extraordinary character in Scotland. In various quarters, he carried all before his handful of brave but undisciplined followers. He ravaged Glenorchy and Argyle; and, throughout the eccentric tract of his daring and desultory career, he filled the hearts of the Covenanters with terror and with a dark revenge, which was only quenched in his blood when, after other triumphs equally splendid, he was betrayed into their hands. Suffice it to state that, on the 1st of September, 1644, he defeated at Tibbermuir, near Perth, a superior body of the Covenanters, commanded by Lord Elcho, although they were nearly double in numbers to his raw levies of Highlanders and Irish. A force, well appointed with cavalry and artillery, was completely routed by a band without artillery, and in which there were only three horses. Perth surrendered at discretion to the victors. He proceeded northwards to Aberdeen, secured the Bridge of Dee, and, on the 14th of the same month, stormed and sacked that city. He thence passed farther north; but superior forces being in his front, he doubled on his pursuer Argyle—who ever kept at a convenient distance in his rear—entered Badenoch, dashed through Atholl and Angus-shire, and back to Strathbogie—repulsed an attack on him by the Earl of Lothian, at Fyvie Castle; and, by all these rapid and successful movements, exhausted the military ardour of Argyle, who betook himself to winter quarters, and retired to Inverary, in a false security, which proved fatal to his military reputation.

About the middle of December, however, Montrose, even with diminished forces, penetrated through the snows of winter, and, in paths hitherto untrodden by the feet of soldiers in hostile array, descended like an avalanche upon Argyleshire, where, from the 13th of December, 1644, till the end of the month of January, 1645, the wild heroism of Montrose’s band carried slaughter and desolation throughout the territories of his chief antagonist, and the chief pillar also of the Covenant. Argyle himself, surprised and panic-struck, escaped in a fishing-boat, leaving his kinsmen and clan to the ravages of a fierce and vindictive enemy, without even striking, or attempting to strike, one gallant blow for the honour and the cause of Maccallamore. After satiating his followers with vengeance and plunder, Montrose retired towards Inverness, with the view of rallying the northern clans under the banner of the King, and of speedily renewing his campaign with renovated energy and augmented power. But here, for the present, we pause in our notices of his exploits; for it was while these operations were in progress—while the terror of his name filled all broad Scotland with alarm—and his meteor-like career inspired alike its chiefs and its peasantry with apprehension, lest some unexpected bolt might strike their dwellings—that the Estates and General Assembly convened in the end of January, 1645.

Coincident with the meeting of the Scottish Estates and Assembly, an attempt was made at pacification betwixt the King and both his Parliaments. On the 21st of January, the King granted a safe conduct to negotiators from both these bodies—Henderson being one of those from Scotland; and Uxbridge, near Oxford, was the place appointed for their meeting with Commissioners on the part of the King. Among the topics of negotiation, religion was, of course, a leading one. His Majesty was required to sanction a Bill for the Abolition of Prelacy—the Ordinance for the Assembly of Divines—to consent to a Directory, and certain other debatable propositions—all amounting to an establishment of Presbytery in England; and further, that the King should join in the Solemn League and Covenant, and concur in an Act of Parliament binding all the people of Britain to take it, under such penalties as might be decided on by the two Parliaments. After a fruitless and prolonged controversy—the King having refused to acquiesce in these proposals—the treaty broke off, and left the country in the same state of confusion. And even before the establishment of Presbytery in England was thus pertinaceously insisted on, the Independent faction in the English Parliament had laid a train of intrigues, by which the scheme was, ere long, rendered utterly abortive.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS

OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, MET OCCASIONALLY AT EDINBURGH, JANUARY 22, 1645.

Die Jovis, 23 Jan. 1645. Post Meridiem.

Sess. II.

_The Letter from the Commissioners at London to the Generall Assembly._

Right Honourable, Reverend, and beloved in the Lord.

As we are not without the knowledge, so are we not without the feeling of the distresses of our Native Countrey, and of the Troubles of our dear Brethren, specially that the hand of the Lord is stretched out against you, not only by Invasion from without of the basest of the children of men, but also by the unnaturall treachery of some within, who have dealt perfidiously in the Covenant and Cause of God: They hisse and gnash the teeth; they say, Wee have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that wee looked for: wee have found, wee have seen it; the Lord hath caused thine Enemy to rejoyce over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine Adversaries: Yet (saith the Lord, who is thy maker and thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and thy redeemer the holy One of Israel) for a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hide my face from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee: for this is as the waters of Noah, the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. When the foundation of the House of the Lord was laid, the Priests and Levites sung together in praising and giving thanks to the Lord, Because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. And we hope at this time upon the coming of our reverend Brethren, and the sight of that which they bring with them, the noise of the shout of joy, shall be louder than the noise of the weeping of the People. This we may say, that not many years ago, many of us would have been content to have losed our lives, that we might have obtained that which the Lord, if not in a miraculous, yet in a marvellous and mercifull providence, hath brought to passe in this Iland, in these dayes, which many before us, have desired to see, and have not seen. God forbid that it should seeme a small thing in your eyes which is done here already, as it is expressed in a Paper from the Parliament, and Letters from the Assembly. Ye are best acquainted with the tentations and difficulties which ye meet with there, which are also very sensible unto us; And when we consider how the Lord hath carried on his work here at the first taking of the Covenant, and since, against much learning and contradiction, against much Policie, power, and all sorts of opposition (such as Reformation useth to encounter) we are ravished with admiration of the right hand of the Almighty. For our part, we may confidently avouch in the sight of GOD and before you, whom next unto GOD we do respect and reverence, and to whom as your servants we are accomptable, that in all our proceedings we had first of all the word of GOD before our eyes for the Rule; and for our Patern the Church of Scotland, so much as was possible; and no lesse (if not more) then if all this time since we parted from you, we had been sitting in a Nationall Assembly there, and debating matters with our Brethren at home: Where we were not able to get every thing framed to our minde, we have endeavoured as much as we could, to preserve our own Reformation and practice, of which our Brethren will give you accompt in the particulars, we hope, to your satisfaction. That a Uniformitie in every thing is not obtained in the beginning, let it not seem strange; The levelling of the high Mountain of Prelacie, The laying aside of the Book of Common Prayer, The Directory of Worship concluded in both Houses of Parliament, and the principal Propositions of Church-government passed in the Assembly, all of them according to the Solemne League and Covenant, the greatest of all, are three or foure witnesses to prove that the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad, and which make us like them that dream: And we are sure, that not onely the Reformed Kirks, but the Papists will say, the Lord hath done great things for them.

All that we desire, is: 1. That the Directory of Worship may be returned by our Brethren with all possible exediption, that it may be published here, and put in practice, as that which is extreamely longed for by the good People, and will be a remedy of the many differences and divisions about the Worship of God in this Kingdome, especially in this place: If there be any thing in it that displeaseth, let it be remonstrate upon irrefragable and convincing reason, otherwise ye will in your wisedome give approbation to it. 2. If there be any particular differences among some Brethren, which are not determined, but passed over in silence in the Directory, and yet hinted at in the Letter from the Assembly, we hope that in your wisedome ye will so consider of them, that they may be layde aside in due time, and that in the meanwhile, till the Directory be concluded and put in practice, there be no trouble about them, for that were as Snow in Summer, and as Rain in Harvest. We know nothing of that kinde, that all of us who love Unitie, Order, and Edification, may not perfectly agree in, without scandall or disturbance: And we beseech the Lord to keep that Kirk free of such Sects and Monsters of Opinions, as are daily set on foot and multiplied in this Kingdome, through the want of that Church-government by Assemblies, which hath preserved us, and we hope, through the blessing of God, shall cure them. 3. Because Nationall Assemblies cannot frequently conveene, we humbly desire, that such a Commission may be settled, as we may at all occasions, til the Work be finished, have our recourse unto, for our direction and resolution: for we know both our own weaknesse, and the greatnesse of the Work: wherein we can promise no more but to be faithfull in obeying your commandments, as in the sight of God, whom with our Souls we pray, to grant you his Spirit, to guide you into all truth: And thus continue

Your humble and faithfull Servants

_Subscrib._ LOUDOUN.
ALEX. HENDERSON.
JO. MAITLAND.
SAM. RUTHERFURD.

Worcester house, Jan. 6, 1645.

DIRECT.

For the Right Reverend the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.

* * * * *

_The Letter from the Synode of Divines in England, to the Generall Assembly._

Right honourable, right reverend, and dearly beloved in the LORD
JESUS,

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far Countrey. We your Brethren, yet remaining in the Furnace of affliction, and still labouring in the very fire, Have at length, by the good Hand of GOD upon us, attained so far toward the Mark at which we all aime, that we shall now send you, by two of your Reverend and Faithful Commissioners Mr Robert Bailie, and Mr George Gillespie (our much honoured Brethren) some good news of that great Work, after which your zeal for Truth and Peace hath so much thirsted, and for which you have not loved your lives unto the death.

Our progresse therein hath not been so expeditious as was desired and expected. This, unto such as either know not, or consider not, The weight and greatnesse of the Work, nor The manifold difficulties which have occurred to obstruct our proceedings in this day of darknesse and calamity (too sad to be expressed) hath been like unto hope deferred, which makes the heart sick: Howbeit, we trust, That when their desire (namely that which we have prepared, and are further in travell with) shall come unto them, It will be, through God, a Tree of life, as to our great comfort and encouragement, we already perceive it to be to both the honourable Houses of Parliament.

Touching the severall Papers brought to us from your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners, by the hands of the Committee appointed to treat with them in matters of Religion (one of the Papers, being given in the 10 of November 1643, Concerneth the severall sorts of Church-officers and Assemblies: Another, bearing date the 24 of January 1643, Concerneth Congregationall Elderships, and Classical Presbyteries: The other, being presented the 15 of August last, representeth the necessity of making greater speed in setling the intended Uniformity in Religion, according to the late solemne Covenant:) We hold it our duty, in regard both of the arct and inseparable Union, which the Lord hath happily and seasonably made between you and us, and of your indefatigable and inestimable labour of love to this afflicted Kingdom, to give your Lordships and the rest of that Venerable Assembly, some brief account.

Concerning one Confession of Faith, and Forme of Catechisme, we make no question of a blessed and perfect harmony with you. The publick Doctrine, held out by our Church to all the World (especially when it shall be reviewed, which is in great part done) concurring so much with yours, may assure you of your hearts desire in those particulars, so soon as time and opportunity may give us liberty to perfect what we have begun.

The chief reason of laying aside the review of our Publick Doctrine, after the happy and much desired arrival of your Reverend Commissioners here, was, The drawing up and accelerating of a Directory for Worship, and of a Forme of Church-Government; in both of which we stood at a greater distance from other Reformed Churches of Christ, and particularly from yours (which we very much honour) with whom our solemne sacred Nationall Covenant requireth us to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity, that we and our posterity after us, may as Brethren live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.

Nor have our labours therein been frustrate: For we have perfected and transmitted a Directory for Worship, to both Houses of Parliament, where it hath received such acceptance, that it is now passed in both the Honourable Houses of Parliament; which we hope will be to the joy and comfort of all our godly and dear Brethren in all His Majesties Kingdoms and Dominions.

We have not advised any imposition which might make it unlawfull to vary from it in any thing; Yet we hope, all our Reverend Brethren in this Kingdom, and in yours also, will so far value and reverence that which upon so long debate and serious deliberation hath been agreed upon in this Assembly (when it shall also passe with you, and be setled as the common publick Directory for all the Churches in the three Kingdoms) that it shall not be the lesse regarded and observed. And albeit we have not expressed in the Directory every minute particular, which is or might be either laid aside or retained among us, as comely and usefull in practice; yet we trust, that none will be so tenacious of old customs not expressly forbidden, or so averse from good examples although new, in matters of lesser consequence, as to insist upon their liberty of retaining the one, or refusing the other, because not specified in the Directory; but be studious to please others rather then themselves.

We have likewise spent divers moneths in the search of the Scriptures, to finde out the minde of Christ concerning a Forme of Church-government, wherein we could not but expect the greatest difficulty: For our better Progresse herein, wee have with all respect considered the severall Papers of your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners touching this Head; and do with all thankfulnesse, acknowledge their great zeal, judgement, and wisdom expressed therein; as also, the excellent assistance and great furtherance of your Reverend Commissioners in this great Work; which now, through GODS goodnesse, is very near to a period also.