Chapter LXXXV: Appendix (9)

Whereas our earnest Desire and Overture for sisting the present Differences to make way for an Union, hath been met on your part with no small heightning of the Differences, by your Actings in matters contraverted, betwixt the time of our giving in an Overture and your giving answer to it, and by your refusing all and every one of our just desires and asserting the authority and Acts of the late pretended Assemblies and Commissions thereof, and by your declaring the unpossibility of any further condescendance on your part for Union, then hath been already held forth in the Acts and Overtures of the late pretended Assembly at Edinburgh: And you having also dissolved your Meeting before the return of an Answer to us, or hearing what we had to say to you in reference to your Answer and to the authoritative appointment subjoyned thereunto; We are necessitated to Declare unto you that we are not instructed to call any Meeting for Conference with you in this case of so unsatisfactory an Answer: And that we are free of any concessions conditionally offered on our part.

_Subscribed in the Name of those who were appointed
by the Meeting of Ministers, Elders,
and Professors to present the Overtures, and
receive the Answer._

_Sic sub._
Mr ROBERT TRAILL.

* * * * *

No. XI.

_Observations upon the Answer of the Commission of the pretended
Assembly, to the Overture of the Brethren who dissent from the
Publick Resolutions: As likewise upon their Letter to Presbyteries._

It is to be observed, that the scope of the Overture made by the Protesters is, That all claims to power and authority from the controverted Assemblies at Dundee and Edinburgh upon the one hand, and all controverted power, as derived from the General Assembly 1650 on the other hand, being laid aside during endeavours for union; as likewise all Censures, or Acts enjoyning Censures for the late differences since the said Assembly 1650, at which time this Kirk was of one judgment, and all Papers against these controverted Assemblies not yet published, being also for that time suppressed, There should be a friendly Conference agreed on by mutual consent, for searching into the Lords Controversie against the Land, and for removing our differences. The Brethren who stand for the Publick Resolutions are so far from wayes of peace, as they refuse all conferrence, except they Treat and confer as the lawful Representative of this Kirk, and be cloathed with their Commission and Authority; and therefore their Answer to the Overture is returned in the Name, and by the Authority of a Commission of the Kirk, and a Committee is, by Act of the pretended Commission, appointed for that purpose, viz. Their Moderator and some Brethren of the Presbytery of St Andrews.

2. In that Act the said Committee is limitted in their conference to the particulars exprest in the Answer to the Overture.

3. The Answer to the Overture, not only refuseth all things demanded by the Protesters, as previous and preparatory to a Conference, but also maketh the end of the Conference (which was modestly and fairly exprest for both in our Overture) to be, to hold forth light to the Protesters in the matter of difference from the Publick Judicatories, and (as the Letter to Presbyteries expresly beareth) that the dissenters from the Publick Resolutions may be brought up to unite with the Publick Endeavors of this Kirk, and so the state of the difference betwixt them and us, is now again (upon what considerations, or expectations I shall not descant) made as wide as it was before, when all the Malignant party was in Arms to protect them therein.

4. The Answer asserts and justifies, not only the Calling and Constitution, but all the Acts and Proceedings of the late pretended Assembly and their Commissions, and condemneth all Testimonies against the Publick Resolutions, and the said pretended Judicatories.

The said Answer declareth, That no Agreement is to be expected upon other terms then the late pretended Assembly at Edinburgh did propose; for the Answer doth affirm that they have found that the said Assembly hath endeavored to the utmost of their power to compose the present differences, and did condescend upon such Overtures as possibly they could perceive most conduceable to that end.

Now, these Overtures, by them mentioned, do require an express passing from all our former Testimonies, and that in time coming we shall never give any Testimony against the Publick Resolutions, and other late corruptions and novations brought into the Church, for it is required to be set under our hands, That we shall not hold up debates by preaching, writing, or otherwise, for any thing which doth concern the late differences that hath arisen in this Church: So that we may not give Testimony or declare our Judgements in any case, but must either be altogether silent in these things, or else conform our language to the judgment of the pretended Assembly, and if any Minister or Elder cannot in conscience comply with these Overtures, though they be men eminent for gifts and graces, and have been very useful and profitable servants in the Lords Vinyard, and differ in nothing in judgment with their Brethren in the Confession of Faith, Directory for Worship and Government, yet they must be cast forth as unsavory salt, because they cannot agree to a Novation which never was heard of before in this Church, and which themselves in their Vindication grant to be _indeterminati juris_. The same severity is enacted against expectants to the Ministry, and they must be debarred for his sole cause, though they were never so wel qualified. If this be not Usurpation and Tyranny, the Prelats are very excusable for their carriage.

6. Observe how their Answer to us, and Letter to the Presbyteries is stuffed with carnal policy, and very far from that simplicity and candor which becometh Ministers of the Gospel. They say, they are desirous to have the memory of our differences and distractions buried, yet with the same breath they give out sentence, That we have not only been agents, but active agents, and vigorously active; and affirm this to be conspicuous, not only to some, but to all who have been looking on the matter. But were it so, what need was there to tell it? If they would have these things buried, why did they assemble so frequently this Summer, to dig them out of their grave? Were it not greater ingenuity to tell the truth (as some of their number do) that these Publick Resolutions must stand as the Authority and Warrant for the Body of the People, to rise all in Arms (without making distinction of Friends and Enemies to the Lord his Work and People) and associate among themselves, and with Forreigners, when they shall land with the King. They say they will not question whether we did, from a desire of removing differences, forbear to act in the capacity of Commissioners from the General Assembly 1650, yet in the very next words they do expressly question it, and say, It seemeth not to consist well with our Answer to the Synod of Lothian. This is but a seeming inconsistency grounded on a real mistake; for the Overture mentioned by us is not the same with that proposed by the Synod of Lothian, neither for the Matter, Persons, Propounders, or the time of making thereof: It was a more equal Overture then that from the Brethren of Lothian, for it did not condemn the Authority of the Commission 1650, more then that of 1651, as that from Lothian did; and it was propounded at a Conference with some of the Brethren of the Presbyterie of St Andrews; and that diverse moneths after the Overture made by the Brethren in Lothian: If our Brethren had been well advised they had spared this reflection. They say, they absteined from meeting so much as to adjourn the Commission, and that to prevent the heightning of differences til the time of the Assembly did approach that they behoved to meet. I will not say, as our Brethren do, That I will not question if it was for that end they did abstein, and then follow it with a contradiction; I do plainly and ingenuously profess, That I think it was another reason which made them abstein: It was a clear case to all who conversed with them at that time, That fear of interruption by the English, and drawing prejudices on their persons, made them abstein, until the Malignant party (their penitents and correspondents) began to have power and favour, and procured some under-hand assurances for their security. And it may be well remembred, that their Meeting at that time in May, before their Assembly, was coloured with specious pretences, of using endeavors for union with the Dissenters from the Publick Resolutions; yet here they plainly tell us, that the express end was, To determine the place of the ensuing Assembly; to which I do readily give credit: for they slighted the sending advertisement to us, and would not delay one fourtnight at the earnest desire of some few of our number, that were present at that Meeting. They say, they could not delay to constitute themselves into a General Assembly without unfaithfulness, notwithstanding they know that it was agreeable unto the practice of diverse Gen. Assemblies, to adjourn without constitution, and no prejudice at all to their Liberties, as was represented to them at the same time. They say, that it hath been constantly holden in this Church, That a lawful General Assembly (such as this was) is the most sovereign mean to heal ruptures and distractions in the Church. If they take out these words “_such as this was_” which they have foisted in to destroy the Text, their own consciences will bear witness to us, that we are of the same judgment: But to say, That a pretended Assembly, made up of such as have brought in Novations and carried on a course of Defection, and continuing therein without Repentance, is a Soveraign mean to heal ruptures and distractions, is so far contrary to all reason and experience, as it hath proved to be a main cause of the evils and troubles of this Church, as is declared by the General Assembly 1639, in their Act of the 17 of __________. They do without cause, resent, That the Narrative of our Overture doth cast upon them reflections and aspersions, and yet all along their Answer they make it their study under the covert of _Albeits_, _Althoughs_, and _Parentheses_ to abuse us with Calumnies. They declare, That they shall not at this Meeting, nor hereafter, until the third Wednesday of February, act in prosecution of Censures already pronounced, or which may be incurred by their Brethren; and that they will interpose with Synods and Presbyteries for the like. But what Sophistry is there here to delude the world, or rather to mock their Brethren? For, first, They act what they had a mind to act, in reference to matters in difference; and then after their Meeting is dissolved, and no sooner, they declare to us they will act no more at that Meeting, nor hereafter, till the third Wednesday of Febr., and that is the time of their next Quarterly-Meeting. 2ly, This seeming forbearence to act during that time, is not general, but limitted to the matter of censures. 3ly, That’s clog’d with another limitation, for, say they, We must leave Synods and Presbyteries to that prudence and discretion which the exigence of their condition shall require, for putting in execution the Acts for debarring Elders from Voting in these Judicatories, and Expectants from the Ministry, which themselves the last year did accompt to be no small Censure, in the debarring Malignants from trust; but how much more in this case, which hath great influence to corrupt the Ministrie and Judicatories. 4ly, Their expressions which they chose in their Letter to the Presbyteries and Synods, are such, as do rather incite to Censures, then prohibit; for they insinuate a dislike of their former moderation in Censures, which (they say) is well known to them, and to all men. 5ly, They well knew by the Conference which we had with them in July last, that it was not their Censures we feared, or much valued, but that we desired that both of us might be in the accompt of either in a fit capacity to confer together, and not they looking on us as Delinquents at the bar, and themselves as our Judges; otherwise we see not to what good purpose we should meet. 6ly, The time, place, way, and number of Persons (which indeed is least of all) ought to have been agreed upon by mutual consent; yet even in these smaller matters they must keep a state, and authoritatively enjoyn all, without the giving us the least intimation of their Resolutions, till they were risen and the Meeting was adjourned. In the close of their Paper they would fain vindicate themselves from persecution, but they would consider, that justified defection endeth ever in persecution of the witnesses against it. Some, who at the begining of this Defection, abhorred the very supposition of troubling any godly Brethren who differed from them in judgment, within some moneths were perceived to make no great scruple to help forward the persecution; others, who called it a persecution the last year, to debar Malignants from Civil and Military Trust, will have it this year no persecution to debar godly and faithful Elders, from Trust in the Kirk; and able, gracious and well qualified Expectants, from the Ministry: Conjunction with Gods Enemies, is alwaies attended with persecution of his Friends; and experience may teach us, that large Charity to Malignants will dry up much former love to Gods People. Mans heart is deceiptful above all things. I say no more, but I desire heartily to pray the Lord, to forgive them the deed and thing, who storm so grievously to be told of the name of persecution.

* * * * *

1651.

_Excerpts from the Chronicle of Fife; being the Diary of John Lamont of Newton._

Jul. 16.—The Generall Assemblie satt att St Androus, where the Lord Balcarresse was comissioner for the K. Majestie. At the meiting of this Ass. Mr Andro Cant, m. in Aberdeine, preached in the forenone, on Heb. 12, v. 12, 16, and Mr Robert Douglas, m. att Edenbroughe, in the afternone, in Ps. 122, 6, 7, 9. The said Mr Robert was chosen moderatour. The 20 of Jul. being Sunday, the Ass. meet at night, (upon the defeate Cromuell had given our people about Dunfermling), and did adjourne this Ass. till the 22, to Dundie. The forsaid night, at St Androus, ther was a protestation given in by Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, m. of St Androus, subscribed with 21 or 22 severall hands of ministers, protesting against the lawfulnes of this Ass.; alleadging it was corrupt, ill constituted, and not frie. The names of some of the protesters were these, viz. Mr And. Cant, Mr Ja. Gutherie, Mr Pa. Gillespie, Mr Sa. Rutherfoord, Mr Alex. Moncriefe, Mr Will. Oliphant, Mr An. Donaldsone, Mr Jhone Hart, Mr Ja. Sympsone, Mr Jho. Meingzes, and on Mr Neasmith. The day appointed, they meet att Dundie, where the proceedings of the comission of the former Gen. Ass. was approven; a warning, appointed to be read in the severall churches; the westland remonstrance (before spoken of) condemed and declaired against; a letter penned to be sent to the K. Majestie; Mr Ja. Guthrie, m. of Stirling, Mr Pat. Gillespie, m. of Glasgowe, Mr Ja. Sympsone, m. of Airth, neare Alloway—thir three were deposed; Mr Neasmith suspended. Some of these things brought against them were, that they did publicklie preach and speake against the proceedings both of the church and state, and were ring leaders in the meater of the remonstrance and protestatione; for the rest of the protestors, the Commiss. of the Ge. Ass. was appointed to deale with them, and, give they could not be convinced, to processe them. Mr Rob. Ramsay, m. of Glasgowe, was appointed Principall of the colledge ther. Mr Jho. Heart, m. of Dunkell, did supplicatt the Ass. that his name might be taken out of the said protestatione. This Ass. did ryse the 1 of Aug. 1651. More, the planting of the church of Newburne was referred to the presbetrie of St Androus; and Chancelour Campbell (anent the meater of adulterie), referred to the comission of the kirke. A fast appointed to be keiped throwe the kingdome, Aug. 31, 1651.

Sept. 3.—The Scots armie that went from Stirling to England, was routed by Cromuell and his forces near Worcester, The Kings Maj. escaped with the Duke of Buckkingam. Duke Hamiltone taken and wounded, and within some dayes after deyed; Earle of Rothis, E. of Kelly, E. of Laderdaile, taken and placed in the Tower; Louetennant-Generall Leslie, Middelton, Mungomrie, Pitscottie, Vandruske, with several other nobelmen and gentelmen, both Scots and English, taken; 400 or 500 officers taken, (amonge which were Lundie and Ardrosse), 6 or 7 thousand prisoners, a great manie killed; 9 ministers taken; 9 crirurgions and 30 of the Kings servants taken, with armes, bag and baggage.

Oct.—The greatest pairt of the protesting ministers against the lawfulnes of the Gener. Ass. 1651, mett at Edenbrough, with a purpose to anull the said Ass. holden at St Androus and Dundie. Mr Jho. Livistone was chosen moderator; they sat about 16 or 18 dayes. They resolved to continue the commission of the Ge. Ass. holden and appointed 1650, bot not the comission appointed 1651.

Dec.—Mr George Haliburtone and Mr Alex. Rooge, ministers of St Jhonstone, were silenced by the English garisone there, and discharged to preach, because, (as they alleadged), they preached up the Kings interest, notwithstanding of his defeate att Worcester.

1652.

July 25.—Some of the Gener. Major Deans regiment of foot, wha lay att Largo and Levin, (viz. 2 corporalls), did challenge Mr Ja. Magill, m. of Largo, (after he had ended sermon and said the blissing), before he came foorth of the pulpitt, for praying for the prisoners in England, and saying that they did suffer for righteousnesse sake, they affirming they suffred for unrighteousnesse; bot after some words passed by them, he answered them he wold be foorthcoming for what he had spoken before a competent judge, and in time and place convenient: for he did not acknowledge them, and so left off. Some dayes before this, they did beginne to quarter some of ther foot upon him and Mr Alex. Moncriefe, m. of Sconie, (this being the first time that ministers quartred ether foot or horse in this shyre). Also, some of the English did pull downe the stoole of repentance in severall churches they came to, as in Kirkekaldie and Kennowhie; they did sitt also in them in some places, wher they came in time of sermon. More, they did challenge severall other ministers for praying for the king, and some other things, as Mr Colen Edem, m. of Enster, and Mr Geor. Hamilton, m. of Pitten-Weyme. Jul. 1652, some of Coll. Berries regim. took backe also some north country ministers that were going to the Generall Assemb. at Edenb. that sate 21 of this instant, under pretence they were ryding upon the Sabath, and brought them to Cuper, and caused them pay 40 sh. Sterl. amonge them. When they came to the church of Largo, some of them did sitt ordinarlie (for contempt) in the stoole of repentance. May 24, 1653, the said Mr George Hamilton was badlie used att Pittenweyme (on a Tuesday), by some of Fairfax regiment of foot, so that he was forced to brake of his sermon, because he refused to ansuer them in publick; att which time ther was a great uproare in the church there; and after they came foorth, they affixed a peaper upon the crosse and every eminent place in the towne, tending to defame the said Mr George, calling him a ridicoulous parson, not regairding what he said, and that they wold hold him so, till he made good his promise, which was to dispute with him.

Aug.—This yeare the Generall Assemblie of this kingdome satt att Edenbroughe, where Mr David Dicke, professor of Divinitie att Edenbroughe, was moderator. (It sat downe Jul. 21; it rose August the 5.) The ministers, for the most pairt, that did protest against the last Generall Assemb. at St Androus and Dundie 1651, did protest also against this as unlawfull, unfrie, and corrupt. About 65 hands of ministers did subscribe this protestation. In the first rowme was Mr Andro Cant, Mr Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr Robert Traill, Mr Ja. Guthrie, and Mr Patricke Gillespie, wha were deposed by the last Ass. did subscribe it also. More, about 80 laicks and others did put ther hands to it also; it was printed, as also the Ass. ansuer to it. This Ass. allowed the protesters a certaine time to come in and to passe from ther protestation, viz. to the 2 Wedensday of Novemb. 1652, otherwyse apointed synods and presbetries to proceide against them with the censurs of the kirke. They apointed Mr Andro Louthian and Mr Andro Pitcairne for to goe to Caitnes. Also a fast to be keiped through the wholle land the 2 and 3 Sabaths of Sept.; also 3 acts for promoveing the knowledge of the grounds of salvation and observing the rules of discipline.

Sept.—A visitatione of the universitie (appointed by the English), satt att St Androus; the measters being called, did insinuate as mutch as that they were not fullie satisfied with ther power; they enquired for the names of the measters, which they receaved, and for the names of the students, which they did not receave, because not present. They gatt ther rentall also, with a sight of the books of the foundation, as also an extract of the act of the universitie, appointing all that were graduat to subscribe the covenants. They desyred that no vaking place in the colledge be filled till they were acquainted. They lodged at James Suords house. They went from thence to Aberdeine, where they deposed Doctor Guilde, and established Mr Jhone Row, minister ther, principall of the colledge. (The said Mr Jhone, with Mr Menzies, not long before, had turned anabaptists, and did refuse to baptize infants att all.)

1653.

Feb.—Mr Patricke Gillespie, minister of Glasgowe, (bot deposed by the Generall Assemblie), was admitted by the English to be principall of the Colledge of Glasgowe. (A litell time before this, Mr Jhone Row, minister of Aberdeine, was admitted by the English to be principall of the Colledge of Aberdeine.)

Jul. 20.—The Generall Assemblie satt downe att Edenbroughe, the which day Mr Robert Douglas and Mr David Dicke, both ministers of Edenbroughe, did preach. After the sermons ended, they mett in the ordinary place of meitting, and after Mr David Dick, moderator for the time, had prayed, he began to call the rolle; in the meane time, ther comes in two Louetennant Collonells of the English forces, and desyred them to be silent, for they had some thing to spake to them: So one of the Louetennant-Collonells began to aske them by what authoritie they mett?—if by authoritie of the late parliament, or by authoritie of the commander of the forces in chiefe, or if by the authoritie of ther late king? The moderator desyred that those that were not members of that Assemblie might remove, that so they might give a modest answer to these gentlemen. He desyred further, that all the names of the members of that Assemblie might be given him. The moderator replied that they could not give them, because ther names were not called; bot if he wold have a litell patience till they called the rolle, he sould have them. He ansuered, if it were not longesome he sould doe it. So the moderator beganne at the presbetrie of Argile, to examine ther comission; hire the English officer replied that that wold prove tedious, so that he could not waite upon it, bot desyred them to remove and to be gone; and, if they wold not, he had instructions what to doe. Upon this the moderator, in name of the Assemblie, protested that they were Christs court, and that any violence or injurie done to them might not hinder any meitting of thers when convenient occasion sould offer itselfe. He desyred they might pray a word before they dissolved. The moderator beganne prayer, and after he had spoken 5 or 6 sentences, the English officer desyred them againe to be gone; notwithstanding, the moderator went on in prayer, bot was forced att lenth to breake of, so they arose and came foorth. All this time ther was a company of English footmen in the kirke, waiting upon them, and a troupe of horsemen att the Port. After the ministers were come fourth, they were gairded on both hands up the way (by the said footmen), to the Whyhouse, where they were caried alonge to the Port, and from thence to the Quarrell-holls, where they made them to stand. The English required againe for all ther names; they said they were most willing, so they told all ther names. So the moderator protested againe att the said place. After ther names were wretten, they discharged them to meite againe, under the paine of being breakers of the peace; and that they might send for ther horses and be gone presentlie; for (said they) that they knewe they had ther horses in the towne. The moderator ansuered, that most of them had come from the other side of the water, with a purpose to stay a fourtnight, and for that cause had sent backe ther horses. Upon this, the English desyred them to goe backe to Edenbroughe and lodge ther all night, and to be gone before eght a cloke in the nixt day; and discharged that not above two of them sould be seine togither, and that they sould send ther names and ther lodging place to the court of gaird that night. So upon the nixt day, they went away to ther severall homes, and did not meite any more att that deyet.

Sept. 12.—Mr George Hamiltone, Mr Collen Edem, Mr Robert Bennet, and Mr David Guthrie, all ministers of the presbetrie of St Androus, were caryed by some of the English forces of Collonell Berries regiment of horse to Edenbroughe prisoners, because the day before, being the Sabath, they had prayed for the King. They returned the 20 of Sept. upon condition either to returne to Edenbroughe within a fourtnight, and to give assurance to the judges that they sould not pray any more for the King, or else to expect sequestration.

Sept. 27.—The provinciall assemblie of Fyfe satt att St Androus, where Mr Robert Blaire, minister of St Androus, was moderator. Mr Samuell Rutherfoord presented a peaper to the moderator, relatting to the sinns of the ministrie, bot it was not accepted; upon the refusall of it some words passed betuixt Mr Samuell Rutherfoord and the said Mr Robert Blaire, anent the publicke busines. About the close of this meiting, two English officers came in to the place where they satt; the judicatory enquired if they had come in with a purpose to sitt and voice with them? they ansuered, not; bot onlie they were commanded to come in to heare and sie, and that they acted nothing in prejudice to the comon-wealth. They ansuered that they had not so mutch as once nominated the comon-wealth since they satt downe; and that they (meaning the English officers), were the first that spake of the comon-wealth and not the assemblie. They appointed a visitation for Cuper and Creiche, and some brethren to corresponde with Angus and Stratherne.

1654.

Jan. 14.—Being Saturday, ther was a preparation sermon for a thanksgiving preached att Sconie, in Fyfe, for the continuance of the gospell in the land, and for the spreading of it in some places in the Hygh-lands in Scotland, where, in some families two, and in some families one, beganne to call on God by prayer. Mr Samuel Rutherford, minister in St Androus, preached on Saterday.... Observe, that on the Saturday, Mr Samuel Rutherford had this expression in his prayer, after sermon, desyring that the Lord wald rebuke presbetries, and others, that had taken the keyes and the power in ther hands, and keiped out and wold suffer none to enter (meaning in the ministrie), bot such as said as they said.

Apr. 4.—The provinciall assemblie of Fyfe satt at St Androus, where Mr Patrick Scougall, minister of Louchars, in the presbetrie of St Androus, was moderator; they did not mutch; the meiting was adjourned for a fourtnight; they rose the 6 of Aprill.... They appointed a fast to be keiped by this shyre on the last Sabath of May, being the 28 day of the month; which was done accordinglie by many. The causes were left arbitrary for every minister in his owne congregation.

Dec. 3.—The fast (appointed by the provinciall of Fyfe, at Kirkekaldie, 1654), was intimat at Largo by Mr James Magill, minister, to be keiped the following Sabath at Largo, viz. the 10 of Dec.; the causes were not reade, onlie he named them: 1st was the contempt of the gospell and breach of covenant; 2d was the great burdens and pressors that lay upon persons in the land, both in body and spirit; 3d was the small proficiencie in knowledge under the meanes and ordinances; the 4th was ane ordinance emitted by the Lord Protector Cromvell, and delivered to Mr Patricke Gillespie, when he was att London, this instant yeare, 1654, for the benefit of universities and preachers in Scotland: this being the titell of it; which, att on dash, did overthrowe the discipline and government of the church of Scotland by sessions, presbetries, and assemblies. The forsaid Assemblie gave a testimonie against this ordenance, which was appointed to be reade in sessions, and to be insert in the severall session bookes of the shyre of Fyfe.

1655.

Apr. 3.—The provinciall assembly of Fyfe met att Kirkekaldie, wher Mr James Wood, minister of St Androus, was chosen moderator. This meiting was adjourned to the first Tuesday of July, at which time they appointed ther meiting att Cuper. Ther was no more done att this meiting, bot a moderatour chosen, and the assemblie adjourned. This was occasioned by ane order emitted by Gen. Moncke, comander in chiefe of the English forces in Scotland, discharging all publicke meitings; so that Major Davesone, with some other English officers, came in to ther meiting, and did showe them that he was comanded to hinder them from meiting, or else to scatter them when they were mett; and after some conference betwixt the said Major Davisone and Mr James Sharpe, being moderator of the preceiding assembly, they dissolved, and mett no more att that time.

General Monke, Coll. Syler, and other English comissioners for universities in Scotland, (for so they desinge themselves,) emitted ane ordinance, bearing date Mar. 26, 1655, discharging all persons whatsoever to pray, in their publicke prayers or sermons, for the King, viz. Charl. the 2, as they wold not be censured as the comissioners thought fit; and withall discharged any to pay any maner of stipend to such ministers as sould transgresse hirein.

October.—This month the greatest pairt of the ministery in Scotland (if not all) left of to pray for the King in ther publicke prayers. May 1660, at his returne, they began againe to pray for him.

1652.

_Excerpts from “A Diary of Public Transactions and other Occurrences,
chiefly in Scotland, from January 1650, to June 1667, by John
Nicoll.”_

4 Maii 1652.—Thair wes ane Synod Assemblie haldin at Edinburgh, quhairin thair wes much divisioun among the ministrie, namelie, be ane sequestrat number in the Presbyterie of Lynlithgow, quha wer evir contentious; and quhairas in that Synod the proceidingis of the Generall Assemble, haldin the yeir preceding, at Saint Androis and Dundie, wer ratifyed and approven by this Synod; yit a few of these within the Presbyterie of Lynlithgow did dissasent, and protestit aganes the lauchfulnes thairof, and urgit that thair dissasentis sould be registrat and recordit.

Besyde these, great errouris did creip into the church, and men war not aschamed to tak upone thame the functioun of the ministrie, without a lauchfull calling, and to preache, mary, and baptize, and offering publict disputes to mantene thair errouris. Witnes sindry Englische trouperis quha oppinlie taught in the Parliament Hous. Lykewyse ane Mr [Alexʳ] Cornuell, minister at or besyde Lynlithgow, quha did mary pepill privilie, sum of the women haiffing husbandis on lyff, and sum of these men haiffing ane or twa wyffes, and baptized old pepill, for the quhilk he was under the sentence of excommunicatioun.

21 Julij.—The Generall Assemblie met at Edinburgh, and sat doun, continuing thair sitting till Thursday the fyft of August 1652, of quhilk Generall Assemblie, Maister David Dik was chosin moderator. At this Assemblie, much debait, contentioun, and divisioun, evin by thame quho assumed to thame selffis the name of the Godlie pairtie; continuing, as of befoir, to protest aganes the procedingis of this Assemblie, as wes practized in the former Assemblie haldin at Santandrois and Dundie; putting in and out in the roll of the Godlie such as thai pleasit, not allowing ony to be of thair number quho wald not go along with thame in every thing, for that wes the marrow of the matter, being moir quick sighted then Elias, quho saw not one of the sevin thowsand quhome God haid reserved to himself; blowing up the fyre of contentioun; sending throw the cuntrie to draw of sum sevin or aucht of the ministrie to joyne with thame, making this accompt, that gif thai could get fyve or sex of the moist eminent men af, they cared not for the rest of the ministrie; professing also at thair conference, and utheris of thame in an oppin Synod, that thai wald never unite with the maist pairt of the ministrie of Scotland; flinging filth upone the faces of thair bretherene; and much moir of this kynd.

Aganes these protestatiounes gevin in by the Dissenting bretherene, the Generall Assemblie emitted ane Answer, &c.

1653.

Weddinsday the 20 of Julij, the Generall Assemblie convenit at Edinburgh, quhair thair wes twa sermoundis, ane befoir nune be Mr David Dik, the uther eftir nune be Mr Robert Douglas. Eftir both sermoundis, the Assemblie satt doun in thair ordinarie places of assemblie in the New Kirk of Edinburgh. Being placed, the Inglische commanderis pat ane gaird to the dures of the Assemblie; and sum of the commanderis with the gaird enterit in the Assemblie hous, demandit by quhat autoritie thai did sitt, or quho gave them that autoritie, or gif thai haid thair power from the Parliament of England or Commounwelth. Mr. David Dik being Moderatour, desyrit that a lytill space mycht be grantit to the Assemblie that thai mycht give ansuer. The Commander causit double his gaird, and commandit thame presentlie to ryse and dissolve thair meitting, and committit sum of thame to the gaird; thaireftir careyit mony of thame af the toun to the Borrow Mure, quhair straitlie thai wer commandit to go af the toun upone thair heichest perrell gif thai sould dissobey.

The morne thaireftir, being Thursday the 21 of Julij, a proclamatioun ischued out, proclamed at the Mercat Croce of Edinburgh, dischargeing all privat meetings of the ministrie, &c.

1654.

23 August, 1654.—Thair wes sum of the ministrie, callit Remonstratoris and Protestatoris, convenit in Sir Archibald Johnnestounes hous for ordoring sum of the Churches effaires, and censuring of sum of thair bretherene of the ministrie; quhilk being schawin to the Generall, they war dischargit, and commandit to dissolve thair meeting by ane Lievtenant Colonell Gaff, quha threatned thame gif thai sould sit ony langer, prohibitand thame to meit agane in such a manner as at that tyme they did, and that na twa of thame sould convene togidder in ony tyme thaireftir; quhilk command wes presentlie obeyit. It was alledgit, that the caus of thair meeting wes anent ane Commissioun, alledgit brocht doun at this tyme with Mr Johne Meinzeis and Mr Patrik Gillespie, granted by the Lord Protector to ane certane number of the ministrie and reuling elderis, for purging of the ministrie of the Kirk, and to do all thinges necessar, as the Generall Assemblie. Quhilk Commissioun (as wes alledgit) these of this meeting resolvit not to obey nor countenance, nor yit to be memberis of that commissioun, bot rather to suffer then to acknawledge it; and the ressoun (as wes alledgit be thame) was, that it wes gevin out by ane civill Judge, and, as the commoun brute was among the pepill, ane unjust usurper.

* * * * *

_Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Letters._

_The following supposed to be wrote to Mr Christopher Love, beheaded
on Tower-Hill for corresponding with Argyle and Mr Baillie. Perth,
Friday, December 20th, 1650._

Reverend and Beloved Brother,

The letters of our friends there to Mr Douglas and to Mr Jameson, [i.e. Mr Baillie,] also two to the general assembly, the one of an old date, the other since the defeat at Dunbar, came but lately to our hands. For fear of your hazard then, we thought it expedient to communicate them but to a few. At first were called together, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Argyle, the Earls of Cassils and Lothian, with Mr Douglas, Mr Blair, Mr Jameson, and Mr Wood. One and all were very much refreshed and encouraged by the two publick most gracious and seasonable letters. The answer of them was remitted to the next meeting of the commission of the church the last of this month, where we purpose to make more publick use of these, if we shall then find it stand with your safety. In the mean time, Mr Jameson was appointed to give you some short account of affairs here, which be pleased to receive.

The whole eight days before the defeat at Dunbar, the Lord had so disposed, that, to the apprehension of most in both armies, a victory seemed to incline to our side; when, contrary to all appearance, the Lord, by our own negligence, had overthrown us. We have still lien under that stroke, not so much by any active prosecution of the enemy, as by the Lord’s hand now upon us, our divisions. A strong party in the north, whom we have excluded from our army for the late engagement, did put themselves in arms without publick order. It cost us some time before we could quiet them. That danger was scarce over, when another party in the west, whom we have permitted to rise, and from whom we expected ready and happy service against the enemy, fell in ways of their own, to our great and long disturbance, which we suppose Cromwell long before this has caused print. Very ______ answers were given, both by the church and state, as you will read here in the copies subjoined: A while, notwithstanding, they pursued in their diverse way. The enemy fell on them, and put them to a total rout, whereby he enlarged his quarters now where he pleases be-south Forth. However our grief and shame for this defeat be great, yet the loss of men was much within 100, and the prisoners are not so many; and among neither, any men of note, but Col. Ker, who is a prisoner. Strachan, indeed, the author of all this mischief, had before foully betrayed his trust, and since has gone unto the enemy.

These mischiefs have laid us now lower in the dust before the Lord. On Sunday next, the 22d of December, we have a general humiliation, most for contempt of the gospel, the fountain of all our plagues. On Thursday thereafter, the 26th, we have another, for the sins of the King’s family, old and late, which we fear may have influence, in the Lord’s controversy with us; yet for all this, we have not cast away our help and confidence in the Lord; but with more vigour than ever we purpose, with all possible diligence, to make use of all the remainder of our forces. The parliament the other week did call together the commission of the church, to be resolved how far it was lawful to employ, in this case of extreme necessity, these who, for some time, and while we had choice of men, were excluded from the service. The unanimous answer by them present you have here subjoined. By the blessing of God this may be a greater beginning of union among ourselves, and of a more happy acting against the enemy, than formerly. There are, indeed, some among us against the employing of these who before were excluded; but we hope that in a little time this shall change; so much the more, as in very few, in whom it is greatest, there yet appears the least inclination to comply with the enemy. And to guard the better against this evil, the church, the other day, passed the subsequent act, which the parliament is about to confirm, with a severe civil censure against all transgressors. After our foresaid applications to God on the 22d and 26th of this instant, we have appointed to crown our King, the 1st of January, at Scone, the ordinary place of our old coronations; and thereafter, so soon as we are able, to march with the strength of our nobility and gentry to Stirling, where it will be resolved, whether to go with the body of our army to England, leaving such a party here as to keep and guard the passes of Forth against the enemy; or, with the body of our army, to attend Cromwell here, and to send Massey to England with some thousand horse and dragoons. To the former the most part incline; but you with the next shall be acquainted with our conclusions. But, in the mean time, the necessity is apparent for the extraordinary diligence of our friends there to procure to us their possible assistance in this our so necessary undertaking for the common safety. The particular way we are thinking on, I leave to another letter sent herewith, and to the instructions given to the bearer, C. B., whom we have found a faithful, wise, and diligent agent for your desires to us, and whom we hope shall be no less such for our desires to you. We have great need of your earnest intercession with the Lord of Hosts for his powerful concurrence with us in this our great extremity. Expecting this duty of love from you and our dear brethren, I add but this one word, that the brethren there would be careful, as we have been, and purpose still to be, to lay, at this their new beginning, such foundations for their army and parliament, that the leading men in both may be firm and zealous to preserve the covenant, and our former principles, entire without violation; also, if it shall seem good in the Lord’s eyes to bless our mutual endeavours, that our friends there may be zealously conscientious, that what progress was made in the assembly of divines for the reformation of religion be not lost, but procured, until a final conclusion, and all be ratified by King and Parliament.

Your brother, and servant in the Lord,
JAMESON.

* * * * *

_The following letter [dated 2d January, 1651] was at first designed
for Mr Dickson, but was enlarged and sent to Mr Spang._

Reverend and Dear Brother,

I sent the inclosed to you by Mr R. Ramsay, thinking you would
have been at the meetings of Stirling and Perth, whither I was
resolved not to go, notwithstanding of many earnest intreaties to
the contrary; yet, after the dissolving of the meeting at Stirling,
I followed to Perth, upon sundry letters from Stirling to me for
that effect. Your absence was not well taken by many; though I
verily think your presence would not have had more influence on the
remonstrants than that of Mess. Douglas, Blair, Cant, Rutherford,
Durham, Wood, and others, who could in nothing prevail with them. Of
the whole matter, as it comes in my mind, I will give you a simple
account, but to yourself alone, and after to the fire; for as in all
the meetings I was silent, and a mere spectator, except one forenoon,
wherein I in some things declared my mind, so I would desire to
meddle as little as may be with this unfortunate strife.

After the woful rout at Dunbar, in the first meeting at Stirling, it
was openly and vehemently pressed to have David Lesly laid aside, as
long before was designed, but covertly, by the chief purgers of the
times. The man himself did as much press as any to have liberty to
demit his charge, being covered with shame and discouragement for
his late unhappiness, and irritated with Mr James Guthrie’s publick
invectives against him from the pulpit. The most of the committee
of estates, and commission of the kirk, would have been content to
let him go; but finding no man tolerably able to supply his place,
and the greatest part of the remaining officers of horse and foot
peremptory to lay down, if he continued not; and after all trials,
finding no maladministration on him to count of, but the removal of
the army from the hill the night before the rout, which yet was a
consequence of the committee’s order, contrary to his mind, to stop
the enemy’s retreat, and for that end to storm Broxmouth House as
soon as possible. On these considerations, the state, unanimously,
did with all earnestness intreat him to keep still his charge.
Against this order, my Lord Wariston, and, as I suppose, Sir John
Cheesly, did enter their dissent. I am sure Mr James Guthrie did his,
at which, as a great impertinency, many were offended. Col. Strachan
offered to lay down his charge, being unwilling more to be commanded
by D. Lesly. Some more inclined to do so; but all were quieted by
this expedient.

Mr Patrick Gillespie, by his diligence with some brethren of the
west, had procured a meeting at Kilmarnock, of some chief gentlemen
and ministers of the sheriffdoms of Ayr, Clydesdale, Renfrew, and
Galloway, where he persuaded them, for the present necessity, to
raise a strength of horse and dragoons, as they had designed in
their association, but far above the proportion of any bygone levy.
This conclusion obtained, he persuaded next to put all under the
command of four Colonels, the likeliest men to act speedily against
the enemy, Ker, Strachan, Robin Halket, and Sir Robert Adair. They
made their account to make up the old broken regiments of these
four to the number of 4000, beside volunteers. With this voluntary
offer, Mr Pat. Gillespie, Sir George Maxwell, and Glanderston,
rode to Stirling. However many did smell, and fear the design of a
division, yet the offer was so fair, and promises of present acting
so great, that easily, even by the Chancellor and Mr Robert Douglas’s
procurement, they obtained an act of state for all their desires.
By this they stopped all men’s mouths, and forced them of Renfrew
and Carrick to join with them. The committee of Renfrew seeing the
vast expences of the enterprise, (for the first rigging out would
amount to 500,000 pounds, [£41,666:13:4], and the daily charge to
4000 or 5000 lib. upon the shires foresaid), were generally averse
from the motion. My Lord Cassils kept off Carrick; Galloway also did
disrelish the matter; but the committee of Clydesdale, consisting
of a few mean persons, who were totally led by Mr Patrick and
Sir John Cheesly, being very forward; the committee of Kyle and
Cunningham being persuaded by Mess. J. Nevo, Gabriel Maxwell, and
a few more ministers, the act of state supervening, quashed all
farther opposition. All of us in our pulpits, myself as much as
others, did promove the work. In a very short time 3500 horse are
got together, with hopes, by volunteers, to make them above 5000.
We were all in expectation of ready and happy acting, by infalls on
the enemy’s quarters. But behold how all our hopes were soon most
miserably blasted! Col. Strachan’s scruples were not only about David
Lesly’s command; for in this his friends had procured him ample
enough satisfaction, getting assurance, from the committee of state,
that David Lesly should gladly permit the forces of the west to act
apart, and never trouble them with any of his orders; but Strachan’s
scruples went much higher. Since the amendment of his once very lewd
life, he inclined much in opinion towards the sectaries; and having
joined with Cromwell at Preston against the engagers, had continued
with them to the King’s death. At that time, by Mr Blair, and our
commissioners at London, he was somewhat altered; yet not so far
as to join with us in covenant, till, by the great labours of Mr
Ja. Guthrie and Mr P. Gillespie, his doubts were so far satisfied
or smothered, that he was brought to content the commission of the
church for that and divers other scandals against him: yet it seems
that importunity has made him profess large as much compliance with
us as his heart did yield to. His eminent service, first against
Pluscardie, and then against Ja. Graham, got him the church’s
extraordinary favour, to be helped with 100,000 merks out of their
purses, for the mounting him a regiment; the greatest offering which
ever our churchmen made at one time. This did not a little lift
his spirit, and get him the far best regiment in the army. With
the western recruit, it became stronger than any two regiments in
the kingdom. At this time many of his old doubts revive upon him;
which, by the knavery of his Captain-Lieutenant, Govan, and frequent
messages of his late friends, Cromwell, and these about him, became
so high, that though extraordinary pains were taken upon him, yet he
would receive no satisfaction, so far as to act any thing against the
enemy, except there might be a treaty. And it appeared therein, that
Cromwell was not willing to retire, upon our assurance not to molest
England on the King’s quarrel, whom he professed to be so far fallen
from all his right to England, that, for his wrongs to Scotland, he
ought at least to be banished the land, or made a perpetual prisoner.