Records of the Kirk of Scotland: The Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards

By Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Learn about the fascinating history of the Scottish church in Records of the Kirk of Scotland. You will marvel at the captivating details about Scotland's confession of faith. Excerpt: Wee All and every one of us underwritten, Protest, That… are now throughly resolved of the Truth, by the Word and Spirit of God…

• Language: English
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• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547092308

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Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Records of the Kirk of Scotland

The Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies from 1638 downwards

EAN 8596547092308

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION.

THE National Covenant; OR, CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE SOLEMNE GENERALL ASSEMBLY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND,

The King’s Commission to James Marquesse of Hamiltoun.

The King’s Letter to the Generall Assembly.

Act Sess. 6. November 27. 1638.

Act. Sess. 7. November 28. Act. Approving the Registers.

Act Sess. 12. December fourth. The six late pretended Assemblies condemned.

Act. Sess. 13. December 5. 1638. Against the unlawfull oathes of intrants.

Act Sess. 14. December 6. 1638. Condemning the Service-book, Book of Canons, Book of Ordination, and the high Commission.

Act of the Assembly at Glasgow, Sess. 16. December 8. 1638.

Act Sess. 17. December 10. 1638. The Assembly at Glasgow, declaring the five Articles of Perth to have been abjured and to bee removed.

Act Sess. 21. December 17. 1638.

Act Sess. 23. 24. December 17. 18.

"Act Sess. 7. March 24. of the Assembly at Edinburgh 1595.

Act Sess. 24. December 18. 1638.

Act Sess. 25. December 19. 1638. Against the civill places and power of Kirk-men.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638.

Act. Sess. 26. December 20. 1638.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. In the Assembly at Glasgow 1638. concerning the confession of Faith renewed in Februar, 1638.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. Concerning the subscribing the confession of Faithe lately subscribed by his Majesties Commissioner, and urged to be subscribed by others.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. 1638. Concerning yearly generall Assemblies.

Act Sess. 26. December 20. Ordaining an humble supplication to be sent to the King’s Majestie.

A Breife Collection of the Passages of the Assembly holden at Glasgow , in Scotland , November last, 1638; with the Deposicon of Divers B.p.p. Their Offences for which they were sentenced; and an Index of all the Acts made at the said Assembly.

8 December, Sessio 16.

10 December, Sessio 17.

11 December, Sessio 18.

12 December, Sessio 19.

13 December, Sessio 20.

14 December, Sessio 21.

15 December, Sessio 22.

16 December, Sessio 23.

17 December, Sessio 24.

18 December, Sessio 25.

19 December, Sessio 26.

20 Decembris, Sessio 27.

An Index of all the Principall Acts of the Assembly holden at Glasgow 1638.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents. RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND, 1633-1638.

Petition to the King from the Clergy of Scotland . 29 May 1633.

1636.—October 18. 2. Letter from the King to Spottiswood, Archbishop of St Andrew’s, Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and Chancellor in Council and Session.

1636.—December 20. 3. Act anent the Seruice Booke. Apud Edinburgh, 20 Decembris 1636. Sederunt.

1637.—March 14. 4. Act of Council anent the new Psalmes.

1637.—June 13. 5. Act anent Seruice bookes.

1637—July 28. 6. Act anent Seruice Bookes. Apud Edinburgh, 28 July 1637.

1637.—July 29. 7. The Clergies’ Report anent the Seruice Booke. Apud Edʳ 29 July 1637, in the Chanʳˢ loodging—Sederunt.

1637.—August 4. 8. His Maiesties Missive anent the uproare. Apud Edinburgh, 4 August 1637—Sederunt.

1637.—August 5. 9. Act anent Seruice Bookes. Apud Edinburgh 5. Augusti 1637. Sederunt.

1637.—August 25. 10. Extract Bill of Suspension for Alex. Henderson and Others.

1637.—August 25. 11. Letter from the Privy Council to the King.

16.—August 27. 12. Traquair’s Letter to the Marquis of Hamilton.

1637.—September 10. 13. Letter from the King to the Privy Council.

1637.—September 20. 14. Act of Privy Council. Apud Edinbrughe, 20 Sept. 1637.

1637.—October 9. 15. Letter from the King to the Privy Council.

1637.—October 17. 16, 17, 18. Acts of Council. Apud Edinburgh 17. Octob. 1637.

1637.—October 18. 19. Act of Council. At Haly-rud-house the 18 of Octob. 1637.

1637.—October 18. 20. Petition of the Men, Women, Children, and Servants of Edinburgh to the Lord Chancellor, against the Service Book.

1637.—October 18. 21. Petition of the Noblemen, Gentrie, Ministers, Burgesses, and Commons to the Council against the Service Book and Book of Canons.

1637.—November 15. 22. Letter from the King to the Council.

1637.—December 7. 23. Proclamation at Linlithgow. Apud Linlithgow septimo Decemb. 1637.

1637.—December 21. 24. Speech of Lord Lowden to the Privy Council.

1637.—December 24. 25. Act of Council.

1638.—February 19. 26. Proclamatian at Stirling.

1638.—February 19. 27. Protestation by Lords Hume and Lindsay.

1638.—March 3. 28. Instructions from his Majesties Council to the Lord Justice-Clerk, whom they have ordained to go to Court for his Majesties service.

1638.—March 5. 29. Letter from Traquair and Roxburgh to the King.

1638.—March 5. 30. Letter from the Council to Marquis of Hamilton.

1638.—March 27. 31. Demands by the Covenanters given to Traquaire.

1638.—March 27. 32. Letter by the Covenanters to each of the Lords of Privy Councel.

1638.—April 28. 33. Articles for the present Peace of the Kirk and Kingdom of Scotland, signed by Rothes, Cassils, and Montrose.

1638.—April 28. 34. Articles of Information to Mr Andrew Learmonth, for my Lord Archbishop of Saint Andrews, the Bishop of Ross, &c. and in their absence, for my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace.

1638.—May 16. 35. Proclamation by the King.

1638.—May 16. 36. Declaration approved of by the King.

1638.—May 16. 37. Queries by Hamilton, and Answers by the King.

18.—May 16. 38. Instructions by the King to Hamilton.

1638.—May 20. 39. Commission to Hamilton as Commissioner to Scotland.

1638.—June 11. 40. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—June 13. 41. Letter by the King to Hamilton.

1638.—June 13. 42. Draft of Explanations of Covenant proposed by Spottiswood.

1638.—June 20. 43. Letter by the King to Hamilton.

1638.—June 23. 44. To his Maiesties Commissioner, the supplicatione of the noblemen, barrons, burgesse, ministers and comons, heir attending his Maiesties gratious anssuer to our former petitions, complaintes and desyres, humblie shewing,

1638.—June 25. 45. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—June 28. 46. Proclamation.

1638.—June 28. 47. The Protestation of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrows, Ministers and Commons, &c.

1638.—June 29. 48. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—June 29. 49. Letter from the Bishop of Ross to Hamilton.

1638.—July 2. 50. Letter from the Privy Council to the King.

1638.—July 3. 51. Speech by Commissioner to Court of Session.

1638.—July 5. 52. Act anent the High Commission. At Halyrood-house, 5 July 1638.

1638.—July 13. 53. Letter from Lord Rothes to Patrick Leslie, Aberdeen.

1638.—July 27. 54. Additional Instructions by the King to Hamilton.

1638.—July 28. 55. His Majesties Ten Demands.

1638.—July 28. 56. Answers to these Articles.

1638.—July 28. 57. Reply by the Commissioner.

1638.—July 30. 58. Letter from the King to Privy Council.

1638.—July 30. 59. Declaration by the King.

1638.—August 13. 60. Declaration by Hamilton to the Privy Council.

1638.—August 25. 61. Articles of Advice, by Hamilton and other Peers, to the King.

1638.—September 9. 62. New Instructions by the King to Hamilton.

1638.—September 9. 63.— Instructions as to the Bishops.

1638.—September 9. 64. Proclamation.

1638. 65. A Direction by Covenanters for Presbyteries.

1638.—September 22. 66. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—September 22. 67, 68.— Proclamations.

1638.—September 22. 69. Letter from the King to the Privy Council. Apud Holy-rood-house Septemb. 22. 1638.

1638.—September 22. 70. Act of Council.

1638.—September 22. 71. The Protestation of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrowes, Ministers, and Commons, the 22. September 1638 [after the reading of the Proclamation dated September 9.]

1638.—September 24. 72. Proclamation. At Holy-rood-house the 24. day of September Anno 1638.

1638.—September 30. 73. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—October 1. 74. Letter from the King to the Council.

1638.—October 3. 75. Letter from Lords Covenanters to Commissioner.

1638.—October 3. 76, 77, 78. Answer thereto, and Correspondence.

Letter from the Lords Covenanters to the Commissioner.

1638.—October 5. 79. Explanation by the Bishop and Doctors of Aberdeen on signing the King’s Covenant.

1638.—October 9. 80. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—October 20. 81. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—October 24. 82. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—October 24.

The Act of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh 24. Octob. 1638. yeares, in answer to this Complaint.

1638.—October. 84. Notice from Tables to Members of Assembly.

1638.—November 16, 17, and 20.

86. His Majesty’s Observations upon the draft copy of the Declinator.

1638.—November 17. 87.— Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—November 20. 88. Letter from Bishops of Ross and Brechin to the Commissioner.

1638.—November 21. 89. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—November 21. 90, 91. Letters from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—November 21. 92, 93. Speech of Commissioner to the Assembly, and the King’s offers to it.

1638.—November 21. 94. List of Members of the General Assembly at Glasgow, which met this day.

1638.—November 22. 95. Letter from the Bishop of Ross to Hamilton.

1638.—November 27. 96. Letter from Hamilton to the King.

1638.—November. 97. The Supplication and humble Remonstrance of the Ministers of the Church of Scotland, presented to his Majesties High Commissioner and Generall Assemblie held at Glasgow in November, 1638.

1638.—November 29. 98, 99. Speech of Hamilton at dissolving the Assembly, and his Reply to Moderator.

The Commissioner’s Reply to the Moderator.

1638.—November 29. 100. Royal Proclamation anent the Assembly.

1638.—November 28 and 29. 101. The Protestation of the generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, &c. Made in the high Kirk, and at the Market Crosse of Glasgow, Novemb. 28. and 29. An. 1638.

1638.—November 30. 102. Letter from Traquair to Hamilton.

1638.—December 3. 103. Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Laud) to Hamilton.

1638.—December 7. 104. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1638.—December 7. 105. Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury to Hamilton.

1638.—December 8. 106. Proclamation by the King.

1638.—December 20. 107. A Letter from the Generall Assembly at Glasgow to the Marques of Hamilton.

Report of Proceedings OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT GLASGOW, 1638.

[November 21, 1638.]

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1639.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY HOLDEN AT EDINBURGH, IN THE YEAR 1639.

Sess. VII. August 17, 1639. Master George Grahame his renouncing and abjuring of Episcopacie.

Sess. VIII. 17 Aug. 1639. Act containing the Causes and Remedie of the bygone Evils of this Kirk.

Sess. XVIII. 26 Aug. 1639. Act approving an old Register of the Generall Assembly.

Act Sess. XIX. Aug. 27, 1639. Act approving the deposition of the Ministers by the Committees.

Act Sess. XX. 28 Aug. 1639. Act anent receiving of deposed Ministers.

Act Sess. XXI. 29 August 1639. Act anent the keeping of the Lords Day.

Act Sess. XXII. 29 Aug. 1639. â meridie. Articles and Overtures approved by the Assemblie.

Sess. XXIII. 30 Aug. 1639.

The Act of the Lords of Councell at Edinburgh. August 30, 1639, containing the Answer of the preceding Supplication.

Aug. 30. 1639. Act anent Appellations.

Act anent advising with Synods and Presbyteries before determination in Novations.

Act anent Ministers Catechising, and Familie Exercises.

Sess. XXIV. 30. Aug. à meridie. The Assemblies Supplication to the Kings Majestie.

Index of the Principall Acts of the Assembly at Edinburgh , 1639. Not printed.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1639.

1639.—January 18-29. 1. Missive anent the King’s coming to York to the Privy Council of Scotland.

9.—January 26. 2. Letter from the King to the Nobility of England.

1639.—February 15. 3. The King’s Letter to the Nobility.

1639.—February 20. 4. Extract from the King’s Proclamation.

1639.—March 1. 5. Answer to his Majesties Missive anent his comming to Yorke.

1639.—March 15-22. 6. Another Missive anent his Majesties comming to Yorke.

1639.—March. 7. A Letter by the Lords of the Session to the Kings Majestie, sent with my Lord Justice Clerk, in March 1639.

1639.—March. 8. The Oath that they urged upon the Scotts Men at London.

1639.—April 2. 9. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 3. 10. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 5. 11. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 7. 12. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 7. 13. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 10. 14. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 10. 15. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 11. 16. Resolution of Council and Session to go to Court.

1639.—April 18. 17. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 19. 18. A Letter from the Nobilitie of Scotland to the Earle of Essex, lying in Berwick, sent with Mr William Cuninghame.

April 23.—1639. 19. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—April 25. 20. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May 2. 21. Missive Letter from the Marquis of Hamilton to the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the City of Edinburgh.

1639.—May 3. 22. Letter from the Provost, &c. of Edinburgh to the Marquis of Hamilton, in answer.

1639.—May 8. 23. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May 9. 24. The Nobilitie of Scotland, their Supplication to the King.

1639.—May 9. 25. Letter from Lords and Gentlemen of the Covenant to Hamilton.

1639.—May 10. 26. Answer to the above, addressed to Rothes .

1639.—May 10. 27. Missive from the Council and Session to the Commissioner.

1639.—May 11. 28. The Commissioner’s Answer to the Council.

1639.—May 11. 29. Ane Letter from the Nobilitie of Scotland to the Earle of Hollands.

1639.—May 13. 30. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May 13. 31. Letter from Rothes to Hamilton.

1639.—May 14. 32. The Kings Proclamation at New Castle.

1639.—May 14. 33. Heads of Treaty suggested by Hamilton to Sir Harry Vane.

1639.—May 16. 34. The Nobilities Supplication to the Commissioner.

1639.—May 17. 35. The King’s Answer to Hamilton’s Proposals.

1639.—May 17. 36. Answer by Hamilton to Rothes.

1639.—May 21. 37. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May 22. 38. The Earle of Hollands Letter to the Nobilitie of Scotland.

1639.—May 22. 39. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May. 40. A Letter from Scottish Nobles sent to the Noblemen and Counsellours in England.

1639.—May 23. 41. The Marquis of Hamiltons Letter to the Earle of Rothes.

1639.—[May.] 42. A Letter written from Sir James Carmichael and Lord Southeske to the Nobilitie of Scotland.

1639.—May 25. 43. The Nobilities Letter to the Earl of Holland.

1639.—May. 44. The Oath of Alleadgeance.

1639.—May 29. 45. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—May 29. 46. Heads of Conference betwixt Hamilton and some Covenanters.

1639.—June 2. 47. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1639.—June 4. 48. Letter from Sir Harry Vane to Hamilton, and P.S. by the King.

1639.—June [7 or 8.] 49. Supplication by the People of Scotland to the King.

1639.—June 7. 50. The Answer sent from the King by Sir Edmond Verney.

1639.—June 8. 51. Sir Edmond Verney, his Memento of the Answer from the Scotts Noblemen.

1639.—June 8. 52. The King’s Answer.

1639—June 8. 53. The Scotts Desire and Draught of a Safe Conduct.

1639.—June 8. 54. The Humble Desires of His Majesties Subjects of Scotland, at the first going of the Scotts Commissioners.

1639.—June 18. 55. Declaration by the King, and Terms of the Treaty.

[After this the following Articles were signed:]

1639.—June. 56. The Scottish Armies Declaration concerning the Acceptation of the Kings Majesties Answers.

1639.—June. 57. Some Heads of His Majesties Treatie with his Subjects in Scotland before the Inglish Nobilitie, and sett downe here for remembrance.

1639.—July 1. 58. Proclamation of the Assemblie to be held in August.

1639.—July 1. 59. A Protestation at tht Mercat Croce of Edinburgh, 1 of Julii 1639.

1639.—July 5. 60. Advice by Hamilton to the King.

1639.—July 17. 61. Private Warrant from King Charles I. to the Marquis of Hamilton, to converse with the Covevanters.

1639.—July 27. 62. Instructions by the King to Traquair as Commissioner.

1630,—August 6. 63. Letter from the King to the Archbishop of St Andrews.

1639.—August 10 & 11. 64. Declinator by the Scotch Prelates, in obedience to the King’s Letter.

1639.—August 20. 65. Letter from the King to Traquair.

1639.—August [10, 12,] 30. 66. Declarations by Traquair as Commissioner.

1639.—October 1. 67. Letter from the King to Traquair.

68. Roll of the Members of the General Assembly —1639. The Earl of Traquair , Commissioner . Mr David Dick , Moderator .

Report of the Proceedings of THE LATE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, Indicted by the Kings Majestie, and Holden at Edinburgh, the 12 of August, 1639. The Earle of Traquair , Commissioner for the Kings Majestie, 1639.

THE PREFACE.

The Proceedings of the late Solemne Assembly, holden at Edinburgh 12 of August 1639.

Mr Alexʳ Hendersones Speache.

Sess. 2.— Hora Decima. August 13, 1639.

Sessio 3.—August 14, 1639.

Sess. 4.

Sess. 5.—At 4 a clocke in the afternoone. Episcopacie proved unlawfull, with the Service Booke, Booke of Cannons, &c.

Sess. 6.—August 16. Hora nona.

Sessio. 7.—[August 17.]

Sessio 8.— Hora nona. August 17— die Saturniæ.

[Sess. 9—August 19.]

Sess. 10.—August 20. Twysday— Hora nona.

Sess. 11.— Hora nona , Wedinsday [Aug. 21.]

Sessio 12.—To meit at 9 a clock [Aug. 22.]

Sess. 13.— Hora quarta in the afternoone.

Sessio 14.— Hora decima , Friday, [23 August.]

Sess. 15.—At 4 a clocke in the afternoone.

Sess. 16.—August 24, die Saturnæ, hora nona .

Sess. 17.—Monday, hora nona . August 26.

Sess. 18.— Hora tertia in the afternoone.

Sess. 19.— Hora undecimo. August 27.

Sessio 20.—August 28, Wednesday.

Sess. 21.—August 29, Thursday, hora nona .

Sess. 22.— Hora quarta.

Sess. 23.—August 30.

Sessio Ultima.—August Penultima—hora quarta.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT ABERDEEN, 1640.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY CONVEENED AT ABERDENE, JULY 28, 1640.

Sess. II. 20. July 1640.

Act anent the demolishing of Idolatrous Monuments.

Act against Witches and Charmers.

Sess. V. Aug. 1, 1640. Act for Censuring Speakers against the Covenant.

Sess. X. 5 Aug. 1640. Act against Expectants refusing to Subscribe the Covenant.

Index of the Principall Acts of the Assembly at Aberdene , 1640. Not printed.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents. RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1639-40.

1639.—September 11. 1. Discussion in Parliament as to the Large Declaration. Undecimo Septemb. 1639.

1639 40.—January 29. 2. Letter from the Earl of Rothes to the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery.

1639 [40.]—March 2. 3. Letter from the Marquis of Hamilton to Lord Lindsay, with Postscript by the King.

1639 [40.]—March 8. 4. Letter from the Earl of Pembroke to Rothes.

1640.—[Date uncertain.] 5. Letter from the Covenanters to the King of France.

1640.—June 17. 6. Letter from Committee of the Scottish Parliament to the Earl of Lanerick.

1640.—June 26. 7. Terms of Agreement on which Lord Lowdoun was liberated from the Tower of London .

1640.—June 27. 8. The Earl of Lanerick’s Answer to the Committee .

1640.—July 7. 9. Reply by the Committee to Lanerick .

1640. 10. Principal Baillie’s Account of the Aberdeen Assembly, in a Letter to the Rev. William Spang .

11. Laud’s Service Book, and the English Liturgy.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT ST ANDREWS AND EDINBURGH, 1641.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY HOLDEN AT ST ANDREWS AND EDINBURGH, 1641.

Sess. I. 20 July 1641.

Sess. III. 28 July 1641. Act approving the Overtures of the Assembly at Aberdene, for ordering the Assembly-House.

Sess. V. 30 July 1641. Act anent old Ministers bruiking their Benefices.

Sess. VIII. 2 Aug. 1641, à meridie . Act against sudden receiving Ministers deposed.

Sess. IX. Aug. 3, 1641. The Overtures under-written, concerning the Universities and Colledges of this Kingdome, to be represented by the Generall Assembly to the Kings Majesty and Parliament, being openly read, the Assembly approved the saids Overtures, and ordained them to be recommended to the Parliament.

Sess. X. Aug. 4, 1641. Act against Impiety and Schisme.

Sess. XIIII. 6 Aug. 1641, à meridie . Act anent Novations.

Act Sess. XV. 7 Aug. 1641. Overtures anent Bursars and Expectants.

Act Sess. XVII. Aug. 9, 1641. Act against unlawfull Bands.

Sess. XVIII. 9 Aug. 1641, à meridie . A Letter from some Ministers in England to the Assemblie.

The Assemblies Answer to the English Ministers Letter.

The Assemblies Answer to the Kings Majesties Letter .

Act anent the Kirk of Campheir.

Index of the Principall Acts of the Assembly holden at S. Andrews and Edinburgh , 1641. Not Printed.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1640-41.

1640.—August 15. 1. Letter from Lord Conway to Secretary Windebanke, announcing the Approach of the Scotch Army .

1640.—August 21. 2. Six Considerations of the Lawfulness of their Expedition into England, manifested .

1640.—September 2. 3. Letter from the Commissioners of the late Parliament in Scotland to the Earl of Lanerick, and Petition therewith sent.

1640.—September 5. 4. The King’s Answer to the above Petition, dated at His Majestie’s Court at York, the 5th of September 1640.

1640.—September 8. 5. Letter from the Covenanters to the Earl of Lanerick.

1640.—September 24. 6. Letter from the Earl of Lanerick appointing a Treaty.

1640.—October 16. 7. Articles agreed on for the Maintenance of the Scots Army.

1640.—October 26. 8. Articles agreed on concerning the Cessation of Arms betwixt the English and Scottish Commmissioners at Rippon, the 26th day of October 1640.

1641.—April 24. 9. Letter from the Earl of Strafford to the Marquis of Hamilton.

1641. 10. Principal Baillie’s Journal of the General Assembly, 1641, in a Letter to the Rev. William Spang.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT ST ANDREW’S, 1642.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, CONVEENED AT ST ANDREWS, JULY 27, 1642.

Act, Sess. I. 27 July, 1642. The Kings Letter to the Generall Assembly, presented by His Majesties Commissioner, the Earle of Dumfermling, July 27, 1642.

Act, Sess. III. July 29, 1642. Act for bringing in of the Synode Books yeerly to the Generall Assemblies.

Act, Sess. V. Aug. 1, 1642. Act anent the choosing of Kirk Sessions.

Sess. VI. 2 Aug. 1642. The report of the interpretation of the Act at Edinburgh, anent tryall of Ministers.

Act, Sess. VII. 3 Aug. 1642. Act anent the order for making Lists to his Majestie, and other Patrons for Presentations; the order of tryall of Expectants, and for trying the quality of Kirks.

Act anent Lists for the Kirks in the High-lands.

Overtures against Papists, non-Communicants, and Profaners of the Sabbath.

Act anent the joyning of the Presbyterie of Sky to the Synode of Argyle.

Sess. VIII. 3 Aug., post meridiem . The Supplication of this Assembly to the Kings Majestie.

The Declaration of the Parliament of England, sent to the Assembly.

The Assemblies Answer to the Declaration of the Parliament of England.

Act, Sess. VIII. Aug. 3, 1642.

Act, Sess. XI. Edinb. Aug. 5, 1641.

Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642. Act anent contrary Oaths.

Overtures anent Family Exercises, Catechising, keeping of Synods and Presbyteries, and restraint of Adulteries, Witch-crafts, and other grosse sins.

Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642. Act against Petitions, Declarations, and suchlike, in name of Ministers, without their knowledge or consents.

Sess. XI. 5 Aug. 1642. Act anent the Assemblies desires to the Lords of Counsell and Conservators of Peace.

Sess. XI. Aug. 5, 1642. The Assemblies humble desire to the Kings Majestie for the Signator of £500 Sterling, and recommendation thereof to the Kings Commissioner.

Sess XI. 5 Aug. 1642. The Asemblies Letter to the Commissioners of this Kingdom at London.

Sess. XII. 5 Aug. post meridiem . Commission for publike affairs of this Kirk, and for prosecuting the desires of this Assembly to His Majestie and the Parliament of England.

Sess. XIII. 6 Aug. 1642. A petition from some distressed Professors in Ireland.

Sess. XIII. 6 Aug. 1642. Act against Slandering of Ministers.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1642.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1643.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, CONVEENED AT EDINBURGH, AUGUST 2, 1643.

Sess. I. August 2, 1643.

Sess. II. August 3, 1643. Overtures anent Bills, References, and Appeales.

Sess. III. August 4, 1643. Act for election of Professours to be Commissioners to Assemblies by Presbyteries.

Sess. IV. August 5, 1643. The Petition of the distressed Professours in Ireland for Ministers.

Sess. VI. August 8, 1643. Acts for subscribing the Covenant.

Sess. VII. August 9, 1643. Act for searching Books tending to Separation.

Sess. VIII. August 10, 1643. Propositions given by the Commissioners of the Parliament of England to a Committee, to be presented by them to the Assembly.

Sess. IX. August 11, 1643. Act against Burialls and hinging of Honours, &c. in Kirks.

Sess. X. August 12, 1643. Act anent reposition of Ministers, deposed by Superiour Judicatories.

Sess. XI. August 14, 1643. Act against Masters who have Servants that prophane the Lords day.

Sess. XII. August 15, 1643. Act for preparing the Directorie for the worship of God.

Propositions from the English Commissioners presented this day to the Assembly.

The Paper before-mentioned, delivered August 12 to the Convention, and this day to the Assembly.

Sess. XIII. August 16, 1643. Recommendation to Presbyteries and Vniversities anent Students that have the Irish language.

Sess. XIV. August 17, 1643. The Letter from the Assembly of Divines in the Kingdome of England, To the right reverend the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

August 17, 1643.

Approbation of the League and Covenant above-mentioned.

Sess. Ult. August 19, 1643. The Assemblies humble desires to his Majestie anent the Lists for Presentations: With a Recommendation to Presbyteries.

Overtures anent Witch-craft, and Charming, &c.

Commission for Ministers to go to Ireland.

Act against Ministers haunting with Excommunicate Persons.

Act anent an order for using civill Execution against Excommunicate Persons.

To the Kings Most Excellent Majestie, The humble Answer of the Nationall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.

The Answer of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to the Declaration of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England.

The Assemblies Answer to the right reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Church of England.

The Assemblies Answer to the Reverend their beloved Brethren, Ministers in the Church of England.

Commission of the Generall Assembly for these that repair to the Kingdome of England.

Reference to the Commission, anent the Persons designed to repair to the Kingdome of England.

Commission for the Publick affairs of this Kirk.

Index of the Acts of the Assembly holden at Edinburgh , 1643. Not printed.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents. RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1643.

August 17, 1643.

July 15, 1644.

2. Principal Baillie’s Journal of the General Assembly 1643, in a Letter to the Rev. William Spang, September 22, 1643.

3. Letter to Mr William Spang. November 17, 1643.

4. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster Assembly, December, 1643.

1642.—August. 5. Report of the State of Scotland, by Hamilton to the King, in August, 1642—sent by special messenger .

1642.—August 26. 6. The King’s Letter about Uniformity of Church Government .

1642.—September 10. 7. Letter from Mungo Murray (afterwards Earl of Dysart) to the Earl of Lanerick.

1642.—September 18. 8. The King’s Letter to the Conservators of the Peace.

1642.—December 2. 9. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1642.—December 29. 10. Letter from the King to Hamilton.

1643.—January. 11. The Cross Petition.

1643.—February. 12. Answer by the King to the Scots Commissioners at Oxford.

1643.—April 19. 13. Last Answer by the King to the Scots Commissioners.

1643.—April 21. 14. Letter from Hamilton to the Queen.

1643.—April 21. 15. Instructions by the King to the Marquis of Hamilton and others.

1643.—April 21. 16. His Majesties Declaration to all his loving Subjects in his Kingdom of Scotland.

1643.—May 12. 17. Letter from the Privy Council to the King.

1643.—May 18. 18. Lanerick’s Account of Affairs to His Majesty.

1643.—May 22. 19. Letter from the King to the Council anent the Convention.

1643.—May 22. 20. Letter from the King to Lanerick.

1643.—May 29. 21. Letter from the King to Lanerick.

1643.—June 5. 22. Message to the King from his Friends in Scotland.

1543.—June 10. 23. The King’s Letter to the Convention of Estates.

24. List of Documents bearing reference to the Church, from the 8th November 1641 to the 2d November 1643.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1644.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, CONVEENED AT EDINBURGH, MAY 29, 1644.

Die Jovis penult. Maii.—Sess. II. The Letter from the Presbyterie with the Army in England to the Generall Assembly.

The Petition from the distressed Christians in the North of Ireland.

3 Junii, 1644. Antemeridiem. Sess. V. Act for the present Entrie of the new erected Presbyterie at Biggar.

Junii 3, 1644. Sess. VI. Act concerning the Declaration subscribed by the Scottish Lords at Oxford.

Act against the Rebells in the North and South.

Act against Secret Disaffecters of the Covenant.

Act for sending Ministers to the Armie.

Renovation of the Commission for the Publick affairs of the Kirk.

Renovation of the Commission granted to the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdome of England.

The Assemblies Answer to the Presbyterie with the Armie.

4 June, 1644. Sess. VII. The Letter from the Commissioners at London to the Generall Assembly.

The Letter from the Synod of Divines in the Kirk of England, to the Generall Assembly.

The Generall Assemblies Answer, to the right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of England.

The Assemblies Answer to their Commissioners at London.

The Assemblies Letter to the Kirks in the Netherlands. Fratres in Domino plurimum colendi ,

Ordinance concerning Bursars.

Ordinance for up-lifting and imploying Penalties contained in Acts of Parliament, upon pious uses/

An Overture concerning Promise of Marriage made by Minors, to those with whom they have committed Fornication.

Act concerning dissenting voices in Presbyteries and Synods.

Act concerning the Election of a Moderator in Provinciall Assemblies.

Act for keeping of the Fast by the Congregations in the Towne where the Assembly holds.

Index of the Acts of the Assembly holden at Edinburgh , 1644. Not Printed .

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1644.

1. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster Assembly, continued from page .

1644.—Jan. 4. Act anent Non-Covenanters’ Estates.

1644.—Jan. 6. Act anent Presentation of Ministers.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1645.

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.

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

28 Jan. 1645. Post meridiem. Die Martis. Sess. V. Approbation of the Proceedings of the Commission of the two preceding Assemblies.

3 Februar. 1645. Die Lunæ. Post meridiem. Sess. X.

7 February, 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. XIV. Overtures for advancement of Learning and good Order in Grammar Schools and Colledges.

To the Honourable and High Court of Parliament, The Humble Petition of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.

Overtures propounded by the Committee, appointed by this venerable Assembly, for ordering of the Bursars of Theologie, and maintaining of them at the Schools of Divinitie.

The opinion of the Committee for keeping the greater Uniformitie in this Kirk, in the practice and observation of the Directory in some points of publick Worship.

10 February 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. XVI. Act of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, Approving the Propositions concerning Kirk-government and Ordination of Ministers.

12 Feb. 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. XVIII.

A Solemne and Seasonable Warning to the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Burrows, Ministers, and Commons of Scotland: As also to our ARMIES without and within this Kingdom.

Act against Lykwakes.

Act recommending to Sessions To have the Printed Acts of Assemblie.

13 Februar. 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. Ult. Act for censuring the Observers of Yule-day, and other superstitious dayes, especially if they be Schollars.

Act for encouragement of Schollars to Professions in Schooles.

Act for restraining Abuses at Pennie-Brydals.

Act Discharging deposed Ministers to be reponed to their former Places.

Renovation of the Commission for the publick Affairs of the Kirk.

Renovation of the Commission to the Persons appointed to repair to the Kingdom of England, for prosecuting the Treaty of Uniformitie in Religion.

The Generall Assemblies Answer to the Right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of England.

To the Kings Most Excellent Majestie, The humble Remonstrance of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, met at Edinburgh the 13 day of February, 1645.

The Assemblies Answer to their Commissioners at London.

Index of the Acts of this Assembly . Not Printed.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1645.

1. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster Assembly, continued from page 414. My Assembly Speech.

To Mr William Spang. London, April 25, 1645.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1646.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY, MET AT EDINBURGH, Junii 3, 1646 .

Edinb. 4 Junii, 1646. Sess. II. The Kings Letter to the Assembly, presented by M. Robert Douglas, Minister at Edinburgh.

6 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. IIII. Act concerning the Registers and Acts of Provinciall Assemblies.

11 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. VII. Act concerning the publike satisfaction of Married persons, for Fornication committed before Marriage.

13 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. X. Ordinance for Excommunication of the Earle of Seafort.

Enormities and Corruptions observed to be in the Ministery, with the Remedies thereof. Enormities.

Approbation of the proceedings of the preceding Assembly.

15 Junii, 1646. Post Meridiem. Sess. XI. Act for joyning of the Presbyteries in Orkney and Zetland to the Provincial of Cathnes.

17 Junii, 1646. Post Meridiem. Sess. XIIII. Act concerning Expectants Preaching in publike.

Act for censuring the complyers with the publike enemies of this Kirk and Kingdom.

Act concerning Iames Grahams Proclamation.

18 Junii, 1646. Ante Meridiem. Sess. Ult. Act against loosing of Ships and Barks upon the Lords Day.

Act anent Children sent without the Kingdom.

Overtures presented to the Assembly.

Renovation of the Commission for the publike affairs of the Kirk.

Renovation of the Commission for prosecuting the Treaty for Uniformity in England.

The Assemblies Answer to the Kings Majestie.

The Assemblies Letter to the Right Honorable the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster.

The Assemblies Letter to the Right Honorable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Counsell of the City of London.

The Assemblies Letter to the right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of England assembled at Westminster.

Recommendation to Presbyteries and Provinciall Assemblies.

Act for a publike Fast before the next Assembly.

Index of the Acts of the Generall Assembly not Printed , 1646.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1646.

1. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster Assembly, continued from page 439. A Publick Letter. January 20, 1646.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1647.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY MET AT EDINBURGH, August 4, 1647 .

August 16, 1647. Post Meridiem. Sess. II. Act allowing the half of the Ministers in the Presbyterie of Zetland only, with their Ruling Elders, to keep the Provinciall Assembly.

20 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XV. A Declaration, and Brotherly Exhortation of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to their Brethren of England.

24 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XIX. Act for observing the Directions of the Generall Assembly for Secret and Private Worship, and mutuall edification, and for censuring such as neglect Familie Worship.

The Directions of the Generall Assembly, for Secret and Private Worship and mutuall edification, for cherishing Piety, for maintaining Unitie, and avoiding Schisme and Division.

Act against such as withdraw themselves from the publike Worship in their own Congregation.

26 August, 1647. Post Meridiem. Sess. XXII. Approbation of the proceedings of the Commission of the preceeding Assembly.

27 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXIII. Approbation of the Confession of Faith.

Edinburgh, 28 August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXV. Act for revising the Paraphrase of the Psalmes brought from England, with a recommendation for Translating the other Scripturall Songs in Meeter.

Act recommending the execution of the Act of Parliament at Perth, for uplifting pecuniall paines to bee imployed upon pious uses, and of all Acts of Parliament made against excommunicate Persons.

Ult August, 1647. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXVII. Act discharging the importing, venting or spreading of erronious Books or Papers.

Act for debarring of Complyers in the first Classe from Ecclesiastick office.

Act for pressing and furthering the plantation of Kirks.

Act for censuring absents from the Generall Assemblie.

Renovation of former Acts of Assembly for Triall and Admission of Expectants to the Ministerie.

Eodem die, Sess. XXVIII. Post Meridiem. Renovation of the Commission for prosecuting the Treaty for Uniformity in England.

Renovation of the Commission for the publike affaires of the Kirk.

Desires and Overtures from the Commissioners of Universities; and the Assemblies answer thereto.

Edinburgh, 1 September, 1647. Sess. Ult. The Assemblies Letter to their Countreyman in Poleland, Swedland, Denmarke, and Hungarie. Unto the Scots Merchants and others our Countrey-People scattered in Poleland, Swedland, Denmarke, and Hungary; The Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Act concerning the Hundred and eleven Propositions therein mentioned.

Index of the Acts of this Generall Assemblie not Printed .

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1647.

1. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Account of the Westminster Assembly, continued from p. 460.

1646.—August 1. 2. His Majesty’s Answer to the Propositions.

1646.—September. 3. His Majesty’s Answer to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle.

1646.—September. 4. Another paper sent by the King to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle.

1646.—December 17. 5. A Solemn and Seasonable Warning, to all Estates and Degrees of Persons throughout the Land; By the Commissioners of the General Assembly.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1648.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY CONVEENED AT EDINBURGH, JULY 12, 1648.

Iuly 12, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sess. I. The Letter from the Synod of Divines in England to the Generall Assembly.

Iuly 15. Ante Meridiem. Sess. IV. Act concerning Commissions from Burghs.

Iuly 18, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. VI. Act concerning the examining of the proceedings of the Commissioners of Assemblies.

Iuly 18, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sess. VII. Approbation of the proceedings of the Commission of the preceding Assembly.

Iuly 20, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sess. X. Approbation of the larger Catechisme.

Iuly 21, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XI. Act against sudden admitting deposed Ministers to particular Congregations.

Iuly 25, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XIV. The Assemblies Answer to the Paper sent from the Committee of Estates of the 24 July.

Iuly 28, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XVIII. Act and Declaration against the Act of Parliament and Committee of Estates ordained to be subscribed the 10 and 12 of June, and against all new Oathes or Bands in the common Cause imposed without consent of the Church.

Eodem die Post Meridiem. Sess. XIX. Approbation of the Shorter Catechisme.

Act discharging a little Catechisme printed at Edinburgh, 1647.

Vlt. Iuly, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sess. XXI. A Declaration of the Generall Assembly concerning the present dangers of Religion, and especially the unlawfull engagement in War, against the Kingdom of England; Together, with many necessary exhortations and directions to all the Members of the Kirk of Scotland.

August 1, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXII. The Generall Assemblies Answer to the Paper sent from the Honourable Committee of Estates of the Date Iuly 28, 1648.

Eodem die, Post Meridiem. Sess. XXIII. A Declaration and Exhortation of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to their Brethren of England.

August, 2, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXIV. Answer to the Letter of the Reverend Assembly of Divines in England.

Eodem die, Post Meridiem. Sess. XXV. The Humble Supplication of the Generall Assembly, To the Right Honourable the Committee of Estates.

August 3, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXVI. Act for censuring Ministers for their silence, and not speaking to the corruptions of the time.

August 4, 1648. Post Meridiem. Sees. XXIX. Overtures concerning the education of the Hie-land Boys in the Province of Argyle.

August 5, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX. Explanation of the fifth Article of the Overtures concerning Appeals past in the Assembly , 1643.

Eodem die, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX. Act discharging deposed or suspended Ministers from any exercise of the Ministery, or medling with the stipend.

August 7, 1648. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXXI. The Assemblies Declaration of the falshood and forgerie of a lying scandalous Pamphlet put forth under the name of their Reverend Brother, Master Alexander Henderson, after his death.

Act for taking the Covenant at the first receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and for the receiving of it also by all Students at their first entry to Colledges.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents, RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1648.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT EDINBURGH, 1649.

THE PRINCIPALL ACTS OF THE GENERALL ASSEMBLY HOLDEN AT EDINBURGH, JULY 7, 1649.

Iuly 7, 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. IV. Approbation of the proceedings of the Commissioners of the General Assembly.

Iuly 10, 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. VI. Approbation of the Commissioners sent to his Majesty.

Iuly 19, 1649. Post Meridiem. Sess. XVIII. Act discharging promiscuous Dancing.

Iuly 20, 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XIX. Act concerning the receiving of Engagers in the late unlawfull War against England, to publick Satisfaction, Together with the Declaration and Acknowledgment to be subscribed by them.

Iuly 24, 1649. Post Meridiem. Sess. XXIII. To the High and Honourable Court of Parliament.

27 Iuly, 1649, Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXVII. A seasonable and necessary Warning and Declaration, concerning Present and Imminent dangers, and concerning duties relating thereto, from the General Assembly of this Kirk, unto all the Members thereof.

30 July, 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XXX. Act concerning Catechising.

4 Aug., 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. XL. Commission for Publick Affaires.

6. Aug., 1649. Ante Meridiem. Sess. Ult. A Brotherly Exhortation from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to their Brethren in England.

Index of the Unprinted Acts of the Assembly , 1649.

Miscellaneous Historical Documents , RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND—1649.

1. Excerpts from Principal Baillie’s Letters. To Mr Spang. Edinburgh, February 7, 1649.

1648. 2. Instructions by the Committee of Estates sent by their Commissioners to the English Parliament.

1648.—September 16 and 21. 3. Letters from Oliver Cromwell to the Committee of Estates.

1648.—November 20. 4. The General’s Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Army’s Remonstrance, presented by Colonel Ewert.

6. Account of the Duke of Hamiltons Expedition into England, being Excerpts from Memoirs of his own Life and Times, by Sir James Turner. —P. 49.

1649.—Friday, January 19. 7. Trial of King Charles the First. Commissioners present at Westminster-Hall, January 20, 1648-9.

1649. 9. Excerpts from the Chronicle of Fife, being the Diary of John Lamont of Newton.

IX MARTII. Act abolishing the Patronages of Kirks.

APPENDIX.

STATE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN KIRK OF SCOTLAND FROM 1649 TO 1654.

1650. Excerpts from Balfour’s Annales of Scotland.

His last Speich one the scaffold, at Edinbrughe crosse, 21 May, 1650.

The Heads of the Declaration subscriued at Dumfermling, 16 Agust, 1650.

The Comissione of the Kirkes and Comittee of Estaits Declaratione, quhen the Kinges Maiesty delayed to seinge the Declaration of the 16 of Aguste; by them repelled, quhen the King seigned it.

At Stirlinge, the 12 of Septem: 1650. A shorte Declaratione and Varninge to all the Congregations of the Kirke of Scotland, from the Commissioners of the General Assembly.

Causes of a soleme publicke humiliatione upone the defait of the armey, to be keepit throughout all the congregations of the Kirk of Scotland.

King present: &c.

The Northerne Band & Othe of Engagement, sent by Mideltone to L. Generall Dauid Lesley, 26 of October, 1650.

Midiltons Letter to L. General Lesley, from Forfar, 24 of Octob: 1650.

To the Rt Honorable the Committee of Estaits, the humble Remonstrance of the Gentlemen, Commanders and Ministers, attending the forces in the west.

Cromwells Letter to the Committee of Estaites, 9 Octobris, 1650.

Declaratione by the Kinges Maiestie and Committee of Estaites concerninge the Westerne Remonstrance, 25 Nouember, 1650.

His Maᵗⁱᵉˢ Speich.

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

1650. Excerpts from the Chronicle of Fife; being the Diary of John Lamont of Newton.

1649-50. Excerpts from The Waters of Sihor, or the Lands Defectione; By James Guthrie.

1650. Excerpts from the Historical Discourses, &c., by Sir Edward Walker, Knight, Garter, Principal King of Arms, Secretary of War to his Majesty King Charles I., and Clerk of the Council to King Charles II. [ London , folio, 1705.]

Westkirk, the 13th day of August, 1650.

Excerpts from The Secret and true History of the Church of Scotland from the Restoration to the year 1678, by the Rev. Mr James Kirkton. [ Mr C. K. Sharpe’s edition , 1817. p. 47, et seq. ]

1651. Proceedings of the General Assembly which met at St Andrews and Dundee in July 1651.

1651. Acts of the Assembly 1651, and other Documents, extracted from the Controversial Pamphlets of the Time, but never recognised or printed among the Acts of the Church since the Revolution.

1651. Excerpts from The Waters of Sihor, or the Lands Defectione; By James Guthrie. [Page 66.]

1651. Excerpts from Balfour’s Annales of Scotland.

Perth, 20 March, 1651. A shorte Exhortation and Varning to the Ministers and Professors of this Kirk, from the Commissions of the Generall Assembley.

The anssuer of the Commission of the Generall Assembley to the paper sent to them for the King and parliament, concerning Mr James Guthrie and Mr Dauid Bennett.

1652. Acts of the Assembly 1652, and other Documents, extracted from the Controversial Pamphlets of the Time, but never recognised or printed among the Acts of the Church since the Revolution.

1651. Excerpts from the Chronicle of Fife; being the Diary of John Lamont of Newton.

1652. Excerpts from A Diary of Public Transactions and other Occurrences, chiefly in Scotland, from January 1650, to June 1667, by John Nicoll.

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.

INDEX TO THE ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 1638-1649.

INDEX TO MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS. 1638-1654.

Footnotes:

Index to the Acts of the General Assembly. 1638-1649.

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INTRODUCTION.

Table of Contents

The object of the present work is to present to the public, in a form that may be generally accessible, the history of one of the most interesting periods in the annals of our National Church, by the republication of her Acts and Proceedings, at and subsequent to the era of her second Reformation; and, combined therewith, such historical documents and sketches as are calculated to preserve the memory of an important, and, ultimately, beneficial revolution in Scotland.

The Reformation from Popery—of which the seeds had been sown during the lapse of the half century which preceded the abolition of that system of national religion in 1560—forms the subject-matter of a distinct epoch, which has been amply illustrated in the works of Principal Robertson, Dr Cook, and Dr M‘Crie, and which has been further developed more authentically in the pages of the Booke of the Universall Kirke; and it is not within the range of the present compilation to take any retrospect of the events which occurred in reference to the Reformed Church of Scotland, prior to the year 1633, when King Charles I. was crowned King of Scotland. It may be deemed sufficient to note merely, that Popery was abolished, by act of Parliament, on the 24th of August 1560, and the reformed doctrines recognised and tolerated by contemporary statute; that, in 1567, the Protestant Church was established and endowed; that the mixed Episcopal and Presbyterian form of Church government which subsisted during the first thirty-two years of its existence, yielded to the Presbyterian polity, which was established by act of Parliament on the 5th of June 1592; and that Episcopacy having been insinuated through the instrumentality of the General Assembly of the Church,1 in consequence of the intrigues of King James VI., became, though in a modified shape, the established form of the Protestant Church in Scotland, by virtue of various acts of Parliament.2

Such was the nature of the Established Protestant Church of Scotland when Charles I. ascended the thrones of both the British kingdoms, at the demise of his father, on the 22d of March 1625; and such it continued to be up to the time that we have selected as the commencement of the period, to the illustration of which the following pages are devoted.

Along with his crown, Charles I. inherited from his father, a legacy of political and ecclesiastical bigotry, and a cluster of debateable questions betwixt him and his subjects, which, ere long, involved him in numberless embarrassments and conflicts, that terminated only with his life on the scaffold. In reference to Scotland, that which first brought him into collision with his northern subjects, was a project of resuming grants which had been lavishly bestowed by his father on his nobility and other minions (or which were usurped by them,) of the tithes and benefices that had belonged to the Popish Church prior to the Reformation. James himself had contemplated such a revocation before his death, and also the establishment of a Liturgy in the Scottish Episcopacy, recently introduced, and but imperfectly consolidated; but he wanted the courage to adopt the requisite measures for that purpose, which were calculated to rouse into active hostility the combined opposition of a fierce aristocracy, and of the Presbyterian clergy and people, who had been cheated out of their favoured scheme of church polity by the insidious manœuvres of James. The revocation was the first step taken by Charles in pursuance of his father’s policy; and it was justified by precedents in the commencement of every new reign, during the previous history of Scotland. But the first attempt to accomplish this end proved abortive, and had nearly produced the most tragical consequences. It may be proper to advert briefly to these occurrences.

In October 1625, a Convention of Estates was held for the consideration of this interesting topic; but the proposition was rejected by nearly all the nobility and gentry, many of whom had profited from the plunder of the ecclesiastical patrimony; and Bishop Burnet3 gives a very characteristic anecdote of the proceedings on the occasion. The Earl of Nithsdale, as Commissioner, had been instructed to exact an unconditional surrender; but the parties interested had previously conspired, and resolved that, if they could not otherwise deter him from prosecuting the measure, they would fall upon him and all his party, in the old Scottish manner, and knock them on the head; and so deadly was their purpose, that one of their number, who was blind, (Belhaven,) and was seated beside the Earl of Dumfries, had clutched hold of him with one hand, and was prepared, had any stir arisen, to plunge a dagger in his heart. Nithsdale, however, seeing the stormy aspect of the conclave, disguised his instructions, and returned to London disappointed in his mission.

A convocation of the clergy, however, whose views were directed to a complete restoration of its ancient patrimony to the Church, and a large body of the landed proprietors, who had suffered from the rapacity of the Lords of Erection, and titulars, who had obtained the Church property and tithes, were favourable to a revocation—animated by the hope that, in any new distribution of the revenues, a larger portion of these would fall to their lot from the royal favour than they could ever expect from the individual overlords and improprietors. These two classes, therefore, co-operated in supporting the views of the King, for a resumption of church property and tithes; and these movements resulted in the well known arbitration, by which his Majesty obtained a general surrender of the impropriated tithes and benefices, under which the law upon this subject was ultimately settled by the enactments in the Statute-book,4 leaving unavoidably an extended spirit of discontent among the disappointed parties in the most influential classes of the community.

One of the main objects of Charles’ policy being thus partially accomplished, he proceeded to Scotland in the summer of 1633, for the purpose of being crowned in his native kingdom. His Majesty’s progress and inauguration were distinguished by unwonted splendour, and he received a cordial welcome from his northern subjects; but some parts of the ceremonial gave deep offence to the Scottish people, as savouring strongly of Popish mummeries; and the morning of his reign was speedily overcast in Scotland, by a most unwise and obstinate assertion of the royal prerogative in some matters of the most ludicrous insignificancy. In 1606, an act had passed in the Scottish Parliament, asserting the royal prerogative to an extravagant pitch; and another in 1609, by which King James VI. was empowered to prescribe apparel to the churchmen with the consent of the Church—a concession which had been made to gratify that monarch’s predilections for all priest-like intermeddling with ecclesiastical affairs, and all sorts of trifling details. But these concessions had lain dormant during the remainder of his reign, and had never been acted upon; nay, when, in 1617, an act had been prepared by the Lords of Articles, authorizing all things that should thereafter be determined in ecclesiastical affairs by his Majesty, with consent of a competent number of the clergy selected by himself, to be law, he ordered that act to be suppressed in the House, although it had passed the Lords of Articles.

Charles, however, not sufficiently acquainted with the latent spirit of his Scottish subjects, ordered an act to be framed, soon after his coronation, embodying the enactments of both the statutes above alluded to, asserting the unlimited prerogative of the King in all matters, civil and ecclesiastical, and giving him power to regulate the robes and raiment of ecclesiastics. This was strenuously opposed by Rothes, Balmerino, and a majority of the Estates, notwithstanding the personal presence of the King, and his domineering orders to them to vote and not to speak. By a juggle, however, the clerk-register (Primrose) reported the majority the other way—a falsity which could not be impugned without incurring the pains of treason; and so intent was Charles on coercing the Estates into this measure, that he marked on a list the names of all who had voted against his crotchet, and threatened them with his resentment.5

These extraordinary and indecorous stretches of authority, excited the greatest alarm. The freedom of speech in Parliament, its independence, and the integrity of its record, were violated in a manner the most outrageous and inconsistent with all liberty or safety. The nobility held various consultations as to what was to be done in this juncture, and a petition to the King was drawn up and shewn to some of them—amongst others to Batmerino; but the King having declared that he would receive no explanation or remonstrance from them, the purpose was dropped. A copy of it however, with some corrections on it in Balmerino’s handwriting, having been confided by him to a notary for transcription, it was treacherously conveyed to Charles, by Spottiswood, Archbishop of St Andrew’s, some months afterwards. For this innocent and, according to modern notions, this constitutional exercise of the right of petition, or rather this intent to exercise it, Balmerino was put on his trial,6 before a packed court and a packed jury, for leasingmaking or an attempt to sow dissension betwixt the King and his subjects—an offence of the most arbitrary construction, and certainly not overtly committed by Balmerino in this case. Seven of the jury were for acquittal—but eight, being a majority, found him guilty—and he was sentenced to a capital punishment.

This trial excited the deepest interest throughout the country, and its result produced consternation, and prompted to the most desperate counsels. It was proposed to force the prison and rescue Balmerino; or, if that failed, to kill the obnoxious judges and jurors, and burn their houses. But these perilous resolutions were obviated by Lord Traquair, one of the jury and a tool of the Court, representing to the King the consequences which were to be apprehended; and it was found expedient to grant Balmerino a pardon.7

These were the first false steps of Charles in Scotland. They shook irretrievably the confidence of his subjects in his personal integrity, and in his reverence for the law and the purity of its administration; and the whole of these proceedings are eminently instructive, as evincing to what trivial circumstances, in some respects, convulsions and revolutions, of an extended and sweeping character, may often be ascribed as the source. It is exceedingly difficult now to estimate fully the motives of either party in these transactions. The Scottish Estates were not averse to yield the point of royal supremacy exacted by James and Charles; but when the latter claimed as his prerogative the power to regulate the draperies of the priesthood, it was vehemently resisted by parliament and people as an encroachment on their religious liberties. And to this paltry subject, which was more appropriate to a college of tailors than to the cabinet of a monarch or the arena of a senate, we may trace the first beginnings of that succession of revolutions which, for upwards of half a century afterwards, overflowed the land with torrents of blood and of tears.8

The arbitrary principles in which Charles had been trained by his father, were so deeply impressed on his character, that, though in other respects an able and amiable man, they were never eradicated from his mind by all his experience of their consequences. Prompted by the bigoted intolerance of Laud, surrounded by court sycophants, who sought favour by subserviency to his prejudices, and betrayed in Scotland by a set of the most unprincipled knaves, both lay and clerical, that ever were destined to mislead a sovereign into disgrace and destruction, Charles took not warning in his government from the lessons that had been taught him in the transaction to which we have thus briefly alluded; and he must needs enforce by coercion in Scotland that uniformity in religious ceremonials with the Episcopal Church of England, on which his father had bestowed so much of his royal wisdom.9 His enterprises in this respect led to consequences which he little anticipated, and which terminated most fatally for his own authority and honour. We allude to his attempt to introduce the Liturgy and canons, which were concocted for the Church in Scotland, under the auspices of Archbishop Laud—an attempt which, within a very brief space after Balmerino’s trial and sentence had excited universal alarm, rallied the whole population of Scotland under the banner of The Covenant, in open resistance to their throned monarch; presenting to our contemplation one of the most remarkable and sublime moral spectacles that is to be found in the history of ancient or modern times—an entire nation simultaneously banding themselves together, and leagued by solemn religious vows, for the vindication and maintenance of their liberties, civil and religious, yet cherishing and avowing their allegiance to their sovereign, except in so far as he exceeded his legitimate authority.

Before entering on the Proceedings and Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church from 1638 to 1649, which it is one of the objects of this work to preserve, it is necessary, for the elucidation of these, to detail the circumstances, political and ecclesiastical, (these being, in truth, identical,) which preceded that great demonstration of the national will and power, during the years 1636 and 1637; and, in doing so, the facts shall be as concisely stated as is practicable, amidst the great mass of materials which are supplied to the student of our history in the