The Proceedings of the late Solemne Assembly, holden at Edinburgh 12 of August 1639. (continued 3)

Mr John Weymes said—It is to be regraited that most parte of Ministers scrufes the mater of catechizing, in making some stand up and repeat verballie words of the catechise upon the Sabboth afternoone, or some select tymes; quhereas some time should be spent everie weeke in teaching the catechetick doctrine.

Mr _____________ said—A great helpe to this were, that familie dueties were instantlie urged and pressed upon all masters of families, that they might take such paines on their children and servands, that when they presented them to us, they might tell us of what nature they were; and so long as familie duties, catechiseing of servands and children, and uther religious exercises, are neglected, our examination will have but a small life.

The Moderatour added—It is very pertinently spocken; for so long as devotion is slighted in privat houses, and masters of families makes not conscience of these that are under their charge, the examination of Ministers is but like threshing on the water, except it be supported by privat diligence.

Mr Thomas Ramsay said—In my judgment, a great helpe to this were to provyde understanding and well affected schoolmasters, who would use diligence and paines upon the people, and that competent meanes were allotted for their mantenance.

Mr John Row said—I thinke a great helpe of all this, were the carefull visitation of particular Kirks by Presbitries, which is greatlie neglected.

Mr George Lammer said—It is verie expedient that it be recorded and made ane Act in this Assemblie, that familie dueties be urged, especiallie catechising throughout all the Kingdome. To the which the whole Assemblie willinglie acquiesced.

Heir the Commissioners Grace returned to the Assemblie.

The Moderatour desired his Grace to bring foorth these good newes which the Assemblie hath bein long looking for.

The Commissioner answered—My Lords of Counsell with myselfe have receaved your Supplicatioun, desyreing that the Covenant, with the explanation of this Assemblie, may receave the force of ane Act of Counsell, to be subscryved by all the Subjects of this Kingdome; and we find your desire so fair and reasonable, that we conceave it our bounden duetie to grant the same, and thereupon have made an Act of Counsell to that effect. Now, there is a second Act to be expected in this Assemblie; and I am so fullie satisfied that I come now as his Majesties Commissioner to consent fullie unto it. I am willing that it be enacted here in this Assemblie, to oblidge all his Majesties Subjects to subscryve to the said Covenant with the said explanation: and becaus there is a third thing that was desired—in respect I am to subscryve with a declaration—that I should sett doune the same in write and show it to the Assemblie. As a Subject, I shall subscryve to the Declaration of the Assemblie as followes:—

“The Article of this Covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the Generall Assemblie, being now determined, and thereby the 5 Articles of Perth and governement of the Church and Bishops, the civill places and power of Churchmen, upon the reasons and grounds contained in the Acts of the Assemblie, declaired to be unlawfull, I subscrive according to the determination of the said free and lawfull Generall Assemblie.”

As his Majesties Commissioner, I shall subscrive to this Declaration:—

“Seeing this Assembly, according to the laudable forme and custome heretofore keeped in the like cases, doth in a humble and duetifull way supplicat to his Majesties Commissioner, and the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell, that the Covenant, with the explanation of this Assemblie, might be subscryved; and, to that effect, that all the Subjects of the Kingdome, by Act of Counsell, be required to doe the same; and that therein, for vindicating themselves from all suspitions of disloyaltie, or derogating from the greatnes and auctoritie of our dread Soveraigne, have therewith added a clause, whereby this Covenant is declaired ane in substance with that which was subscryved by his Majesties father of blessed memorie 1580, 1581, 1583, and often since renewed: Therefore I, as his Majesties Commissioner, for the full satisfaction of the Subjects, and for settling a perfect peace in Church and Kingdome, doe, according to my first declaration and subscription, subscryve to the Act of this Assemblie of the dait the 17 of this instant, allow and consent to, that the Covenant be subscryved throughout all this Kingdome. And in witnes whereof I have subscrived thir premisses—Sic subscribitur,

“John Earle of Traquair. Commissioner.”

The Commissioners Grace his Declaration prefixed before his Subscription [of] the Act of this Assemblie the 17th of this Instant. Sess. 8.

“I, John Earle of Traquair, his Majesties Commissioner in this present Assemblie, doe, in His Majesties name, declair, that, notwithstanding of his Majesties oune inclination, and manie other grave and weightie considerations, that such is His Majesties incomparable goodnes, that, for settleing the present distractions and giveing full satisfaction to the Subjects—doth allow, like as I, his Majesties Commissioner, doe consent to the forsaid Act, and have subscryved the premisses—Sic subscribitur,

“John Earle of Traquair, Commissioner.”236

After the reading whereof, his Grace promised that the first thing should be done in Parliament, should be the ratification of all the whole premisses and Acts of Assemblie: at the hearing whereof, such unspeakable joy was wakened in the hearts of the whole Assemblie, that some could scairce containe themselves, but did expresse their incessant desires to acknowledge the God of Heaven with praises of King Charles, with his oune due acknowledgement for such undeserved and unexpected favours, with clapping of their hands, and crying “God save the King!”

The Commissioner said—Let everie Christiane hearte judge if this nation hes not great cause to pray for the prosperitie of the throne of King Charles.

The Moderatour said—It is incumbent to us having now gotten this Act of Councell and your Graces auctoritie, that we lykewise of this Assemblie, joyne our Ecclesiasticall sanction for the subscription of the Covenant, and renew (as it becomes us) the Ats for that effect, that we may be all one.

Then the rolles were called, and the whole Assemblie most unanimouslie, in one voice, with many expressions of joy among hands, did agrie according to the forsaid Act of Councell; and the Commissioner his Declaration, that the Covenant should be subscrived by all the subjects within this kingdome, under all Ecclesiasticall censure; and so after thanksgiving by the Moderatour, the Assemblie dismissed. To meit at 4 a clocke in the afternoone.

Sessio Ultima.—August Penultima—hora quarta.

After in calling upon the name of God, the Moderatour said—Please your Grace: the wrong fathered booke is perused, and is now to be considered by the Assemblie; and there is a Supplication in readinesse to be presented to your Grace, that the samen (as a matter that toutcheth his Majesties honour verie nearlie) may be represented to his Majestie.

The Commissioner answered—I have receaved the Supplication, and shall represent the same to his Majestie.

The Moderatour said—We cannot passe by your Grace and the Parliament, as two steppes whereby we mind to ascend to his Majestie.

The Commissioner said—I will receave it here, and he may take course to represent it to this Parliament. The Commissioner desired that the short tyme might be well spent.

The Moderatour answered—We are waiting for a Covenant, to the end your Grace may subscrive it.

The Commissioner answered—I must take a tyme to collation what I subscryve, and I shall doe it in als publict a way before the Estates in Parliament; for he must be tratour both to God and man that subscryves the Act which I have done alreadie, and will not subscrive the Covenant.

The Moderatour desired his Grace to heare the Overtures that were to be given in to the Parliament, as followes:—First, That the Acts of this Generall Assemblie be approven and ratified, and that all former Acts of Parliament, ratification, &c., (hic diest.) Ane overture, showing the necessitie of having a Commission at Edinburgh, with power from this Assemblie if neid require, and for frameing a humble Supplication to his Majestie, to thanke him for his late favours, to hear all humble grievances in Kirk affaires, to represent the same to his Majestie, and receave his Majesties graceous answer, and report all to the next Assemblie.

After much agitation betwixt the Commissioners Grace, the Earle of Rothes, Lord Lowdoun, and the Moderatour, it was condescendit upon that the Assemblie should grant the foresaid Commission to the Presbitrie of Edinʳ, upon condition they meet only upon their ordinary Presbitrie day.

The humble Supplication of our countrymen who travell in the neighbour kingdomes, prest with ane unlawfull oath, contrare to our Covenant subscryved be them, to be exeemed from the said oath, being willing to sweare the oath of alleadgeance, or to give any other declaration of their loyaltie to his Majestie which is compatible with our Confession and Covenant—recommended most humblie and earnestlie to the Parliament.

Mr Patrick Lindsey, his Supplication being read at the Commissioners desire, grants a conference to him, and referres the proces to the judge competent.

The Moderatour desired, that since the Assemblie had gotten the Commissioners auctoritie for subscryving of the Covenant with ane Act of Councell enjoying the same, that they might adde their Ecclesiastical sanction thereunto; whereto the Rolles being called, the whole Assemblie unanimouslie agried that ane Act should be framed to that effect; the tennour whereof followeth. [Vide p. 208 of these Records.]

The Moderatour asked if any man knew of any matter to be proponed before the closure of the Assemblie. It was answered there was no more to be done but the tyme and place of the next Generall Assemblie to be condescended upon.

The Assemblie, with consent of the Commissioners Grace, fand it expedient that the next Generall Assemblie should sitt at Aberdeene, the last Tuysday of Julii, [1640.]

The Moderatour his last Speach before the closure of the Assemblie.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoyce and be glad in it: a glad day it is which we long looked for, and we are the most oblidged nation to our God and our King under the coppe of Heaven; and therefore our Lord ought highlie to be praised, and our King heartilie acknowledgit. First, our Lord ought to be praised, becaus in trueth he hath wrought wonders in our sight; for he hath declaired exceedinglie his mercie and his justice to Scotland. First, he hath declaired his justice; first, upon us Ministers; secondlie, upon yow of the State; thirdlie, upon our adversaries the Prelats. First upon us of the Ministrie. We studied not to be spiritual in our doctrine, and thought matters but small at the beginning, and therefore the Lord suffered men to make slaves of some of us, and tyrannize over the conscience of uthers. Secondlie, upon yow of the State. Ye looked through your fingers when Prelats were creeping up and miskend the matter, and the Lord suffered them to ryde over your necks: And never did any, (not a King excepted,) exalt a Minister above his station, but that Minister exalted Popedome over his bellie that exalted him. Thirdlie, justice upon our adversaries the Prelats. They would not be content of the title of Ministers but of Lords, and he hath taken both from them, and powred shame upon them withall. Thus hath the Lord manifested his justice, but in such a way that he hath also manifested his mercie in a wonderfull maner; first to our ministers, 2ˡⁱᵉ to the Kings Majestie, 3ˡⁱᵉ to the State.

First, he hath not given our souls over to death and delusion, nor suffered us to goe utterlie to defection, but hes in the midst brocken off all their plotts, who thought to have caused everie mans purse light in their lapp, and showen furth his justice on them. Secondlie, He hath manifested mercie to the King in keeping him from shedding innocent blood, which is no griefe to his Majestie this day; and this the Lord hath convayed in such a way as is wonderfull to Scotland, in blessing weake meanes, so as he would not have humane power seene; for there was never a steppe of our bussines but we were still put to a noneplus what to doe. Next, and when we knew not what to doe, then did the Lord come and poynt out the way before us, and did so leappie out our blessings to us, that whenever we got a little hope we gott feares upon the back upon it, to keipe us from being wantoun, and did so cogg the running of our wheeles that he made a considerable pairt of the Lords of Councell to stand aloofe from our bussines, which tempered all thinges in Gods providence (whatever men intendit) that it tendit all to our good. Thirdlie, He has manifested such great mercie and love to our State, as, when we marke the passages of it, it is wonderfull to sie a State troubled so long, and in a legall manner settled againe; a great wonder to sie such commotions and so few ill fruites following upon it; a great wonder to sie Scottsmen going through-other, and in such a sturre for the space of two years, and a peaceable conclusion. There is a wonder to sie Prelats bigg their nest up in Heaven, and call themselves the triumphant Kirk, and the Lord bringing them doune lower than the dust. There is a great wonder after many tumults and Assemblies, such a peaceable Assemblie as this; which is more to heare Prelats saying that King Charles should not brooke his crowne except they stood, and that it should fall with them, and yet to see King Charles brooke his crowne, and they to fall—a great wonder!

Now since the Lord hath done so, let his great name be exalted. Let all of us lay our hands on our mouths, for the Lord hath done it. He was provocked ten thousand tymes to cutt the warke in the midst, and yet hes beine pleased to draw it to this great lenth; therefore love the Son of God who hes taine power and glorie to himselfe, sittin downe on his throne, and purged his house; so that now there is no ordinances in this Kirk that we ken of but Christs. All we ministers are only servands, bound to give our accompt of all that we doe, and to show our letters from our Master, or else speire ye at us—Wherefore bidd ye us do that? Where is your Commission? For we have no power but as a messenger of armes, who must ay show his warrand. Would to God we knew our Masters bewtie, and the glorie of the Sone of God! Then would we all be affected with greater measure of love to him then we have beine, and will goe about his flocke, and bestirre ourselves more carefullie for their behoove then we have done. And any of us that gives ourselves out for Christs servands who gets meat and fie from him, declair it to the world by feeding of his flocke.

Now for the Kings Majestie: let us leave flatterie, and speake solide and soft words, such as beseemes a grave Assemblie: And, for this end, I will propone three things concerning the Kings Majestie, which doth enforce a favourable construction of his Majestie by us. Ane is his Majesties education. Had any of yow beine brought up as his Majestie, and never seene any uther thing, I trow ye should have stucken as hard by that cause as he. A second is the information of these that his Majestie trusted much into; for there is not a Prince in the world more accessible, nor giveth more in trust to these that he receaves in kyndnes and favour, which is a propertie of a verie good Prince. Now, when Bishops were Counsellors, of whom should his Majestie take counsell but of Churchmen and Counsellours both? Secondlie, consider this: Kings cannot understand all things in a Kingdome. They must trust some, and whom (thought he) should he trust but these that was most oblidged to him, had their being of him, and were created for that end? And yet, of all men in the world, they did him worst service.

The third is this—the manner of the Kings proceedings toward this land. His proceedings hes never beene as an enemie, but to try us and put us to proofe what we were seeking. When we did supplicat, he gart blow the trumpet, and discharge us all off the toune, to try if we would ceasse there; gart discharge us from all the judgment seats; and when we proceedit on, he thought he would essay us with our lyves; and so his Majestie came not in armes to destroy but to try us. Why? As soone as he had tryed us, and found that we were seeking nothing but religion, and were loyall in our hearts to him, presentlie his Majestie folded and layd doune armes. This I speake, that ye may wiselie prye in the matters of princes, and neither thinke, speake, nor write utherwayes then becomes yow, and not only temper your tongues in speaking of him, but love your Prince yourselfe, and procure all that yow can, love and obedience towards him of others. And trewlie, whoever knew him described, they would thinke him verie love-worthie. First, he is the most gentle-natured Prince; secondlie, the least suspitious; thirdlie, a Prince more readie to forgive faults when they are acknowledged; fourthlie, the most loath to take misinformation when it is given, then any Prince in the world; fifthlie, and which is ane odd thing, he hath not a face against reason. Bring reason to him and he will yield; and if these be not poynts of a lovelie Prince, judge ye. Sixthlie, and which is most of all, that he hes quate his aune inclination and education, and said to his Commissioner and this Assemblie, “Goe yee and doe as yee find Gods Word and the Constitutions of this Kirk warrands yow; goe your way; serve God according to his Word; and whatever yow conclude according to that rule, I shall authorize it.” Seventhlie, there is no Prince in the world so cleare of infirmities as he. These things being well considered, and withall, his Majestie being farr from us, and considering in what danger princes are in—subject to als many tentations as tries that are on a hill head, obnoxious to divers blasts and winde—and have need to be supported by the prayers of their people.

These thinges, I say, being well considered, will make all men construct favourable of his Majestie; and if we will rander that duetie of humble thankes and heartie prayers, who knowes but he shall be the most comfortable instrument for advancement of religion in the whole world; and this little distance that hes beine, may end in the sweetest reconciliation that ever was seene betweene a King and a People? And becaus we would give a right construction to all under his Majestie who have procured our good, I will ranke all these that ran not in the same course with us, to seeke the peace of the Kirk, in three rankes: First, some followed the Prelats, and being affected with Poperie, they knew no better hyding place then under the Prelats mantle. A second sort, that followed the erring judgement of the misinformed conscience; and these ought to be pittied of all that knowes them. A third sort are those who walked in a State way; and it is not the day nor yesterday that they have merite of us a favourable construction. It was evident they loved both the King and the State; for they divided themselves to have gained peace. When themselves were with the King, their soules were with us; and my Lords of Councell who have stayed with us at this tyme and countenanced our proceedings, ought also to have their aune thankes. And for your Grace, we thinke a large scoare is due to yow; for if God had not put your Grace upon this Act, there had beene many hard thoughts of yow, for we thought yow still over farr inclyning to the other syde of it. But its Gods mercie to yow, and count it no small favour, that yow are made the instrument to croune this worke in a maner. Lay it up in your heart and in your charter-kist as a most speciall obligation, to make yow imploy your excellent witt and all that yow have, for Christ, who lettis none that does fear him want their reward.

And we will not forget the Marqueis of Hamilton, who, according to report, hes loved our peace. Howsoever, he was ance in a passage, that if he had come any further, he might have hazarded soul and bodie both: Yet we will give him a favourable construction.

Now, there rests a word to every ane of yow, Commissioners and Members of the Court of our Lord Jesus Christ: for I compt this ane of the chiefest courts that Christ holds on earth. Elders, sett your hearts to assist the worke of the ministrie; for ye are officers to oversee the maners of everie ane within the Kirk, that they miscarie not, and to take notice what fruites of the Gospell are brought foorth. Ministers, be faithfull to your Master; and, above all thinges, love ane another, Stryve not ane with another; neither insult over those that have beine of a discrepant judgment from us, anent the matter of ceremonies and the governement of the Church; but let us make a perpetuall act of oblivion in all our memories of such thinges. Let us be glad together. Let us lay aside all disputes that have taken up much tyme which might have beine better spent; but we were necessitat unto it for clearing of ourselves and of our cause. And if thus ministers will doe, I will speake prophesie to yow: It shall come to passe that if yow will keepe yourselves at your booke and your chamber and studie, to be powerfull and spirituall in doctrine, ye shall have more credite nor if ye ran to Court ten thousand tymes. Your paroches shall travell to Edinʳ to plead for your stipend, whereas before they let you goe yourselves. Therefore wait upon your calling, and your Lord and Master shall have a care of yow. Let us be instant with our Lord to get his Spirit powred out upon us; for the word without the Spirit is but like a tinckling cymball. To him who will doe this, and who hes wrought, and will worke all our workes for us, be praise!

And so, after prayer by the Moderatour, and singing the 23 Psalme, and saying the blessing, the Assemblie depairted, joyfullie and glad for all the wonders that God had done for this Church and Land.

FINIS.