TWO LETTERS Of Great Concernment, WITH THEIR ANSWERS.
The One, From the Scotish Commissioners at London, to the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.
Together with the Answer of the aforesaid Generall Assembly to the said Commissioners.
The Other, From the Synod of Divines in England, to the Generall Assembly of Scotland.
Together with the Answer also of the aforesaid Generall Assembly in Scotland, to the said Synod.
LONDON, Printed by J. Raworth, in the yeer 1645. July 28. According to the Copy printed at Edinburgh.
Die Jovis,
23 Jan.
1645. Post meridiem. Sess. II.
The Letter from the Commissioners at
London to the Generall Assembly.
AS we are not without the knowledge, so are we not without the feeling of the distresses of our Native Countrey, and of the troubles of our dear Brethren, specially that the hand of the Lord is stretched out against you, not onely by Invasion from without of the basest of the children of men, but also by the unnaturall treachery of some within, who have dealt perfidiously in the Covenant and Cause of God: They hisse and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for: we have found, we have seen it; the Lord hath caused thine Enemy to rejoyce over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine Adversaries: Yet (saith the Lord, who is thy maker and thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer the holy One of Israel) for a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hide [Page 4]my face from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee: for this is as the waters of Noah, the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. When the foundation of the House of the Lord was laid, the Priests and Levites sung together in praising and giving thanks to the Lord, Because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. And we hope at this time upon the coming of our Reverend Brethren, and the sight of that which they bring with them, the noise of the shout of joy, shall be louder than the noise of the weeping of the People. This we may say, that not many yeers ago, many of us would have been content to have losed our lives, that we might have obtained that which the Lord, if not in a miraculous, yet in a marvellous and mercifull providence, hath brought to passe in this Island, in these dayes, which many before us have desired to see, and have not seen. God forbid that it should seem a small thing in your eyes which is done here already, as it is expressed in a Paper from the Parliament, and Letters from the Assembly. Ye are best acquainted with the temptations and difficulties which ye meet with there, which are also very sensible unto us; And when we consider how the Lord hath carried on his Work here, at the first taking of the Covenant, and since, against much learning and contradiction, against much policy, power, and all sorts of opposition, (such as Reformation useth to encounter) we are ravished with admiration of the right hand of the Almighty. For our part, we may confidently avouch in the sight of God, and before you, whom next unto God we do respect and reverence, and to whom as your servants we are accomptable, that in all our proceedings we had first of all the word of God before our eyes for the Rule; and for our Patern the Church of Scotland, so much as was possible; and no lesse (if not more) than if all this time since we parted from you, we had been sitting in a Nationall Assembly there, and debating matters with our Brethren at home: Where we were not able to get every thing framed to our minde, we have endeavoured as much as we could, to preserve our own Reformation and practice, of which our Brethren will give you accompt in the particulars, we hope, to your satisfaction. That an Uniformity in every thing is not obtained in the beginning, let it not seem strange; The levelling of the high Mountain of Prelacy, The laying aside of the Book of [Page 5]Common Prayer, The Directory of Worship concluded in both Houses of Parliament, and the principall Propositions of Church-Government passed in the Assembly, all of them according to the Solemne League and Covenant, the greatest of all, are three or foure witnesses to prove, that the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad, and which make us like them that dream: And we are sure, that not onely the Reformed Kirks, but the Papists will say, The Lord hath done great things for them.
All that we desire, is:
1. That the Directory of Worship may be returned by our Brethren with all possible expedition, that it may be published here, and put in practise, as that which is extreamly longed for by the good People, and will be a remedy of the many differences and divisions about the Worship of God in this Kingdom, especially in this place: If there be any thing in it that displeaseth, let it be remonstrate upon irrefragable and convincing reason, otherwise ye will in your wisdom give approbation to it.
2. If there be any particular differences among some Brethren, which are not determined, but passed over in silence in the Directory, and yet hinted at in the Letter from the Assembly, we hope that in your wisdom ye will so consider of them, that they may be laid aside in due time, and that in the mean while, till the Directory be concluded and put in practice, there be no trouble about them, for that were as Snow in Summer, and as Rain in Harvest. We know nothing of that kinde, that all of us who love Unity, Order, and Edification, may not perfectly agree in, without scandall or disturbance: And we beseech the Lord to keep that Kirk free of such Sects and Monsters of Opinions, as are daily set on foot and multiplied in this Kingdom, through the want of that Church-Government by Assemblies, which hath preserved us, and we hope, through the blessing of God, shall cure them.
3. Because Nationall Assemblies cannot frequently conveene, we humbly desire, that such a Commission may be setled, as we may at all occasions, till the Work be finished, have our recourse unto, for our direction and resolution: for we know both our own weaknesse, and the greatnesse of the Work: wherein we can [Page 6]promise no more but to be faithfull in obeying your commandments, as in the sight of God, whom with our Souls we pray, to grant you his Spirit, to guide you into all truth: And thus continue
- LOUDOUN.
- JO. MAITLAND.
- ALEX. HENDERSON.
- SAM. RUTHERFURD.
The Letter from the Synode of Divines in England, to the Generall Assembly.
AS cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far Countrey. We your Brethren, yet remaining in the Furnace of affliction, and still labouring in the very fire, Have at length, by the good Hand of God upon us, attained so far toward the Mark at which we all aime, that we shall now send you, by two of your Reverend and Faithfull Commissioners M r Robert Bailie, and M r George Gillespie (our much honoured Brethren) some good news of that great Work, after which your zeal for Truth and Peace hath so much thirsted, and for which you have not loved your lives unto the death
Our progresse therein hath not been so expeditious as was desired and expected. This, unto such as either know not, or consider not, The weight and greatnesse of the Work, nor The manifold difficulties which have occurred to obstruct our proceedings in this day of darknesse and calamity (too sad to be expressed) hath been like unto hope deferred, which makes the heart sick: Howbeit, we trust, That when their desire (namely that which we have prepared, and are further in travell with) shall come unto them, It will be, through God, a Tree of life, as to our great comfort and encouragement, we already perceive it to be to both the honourable Houses of Parliament.
Touching the severall Papers brought to us from your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners, by the hands of the Committee appointed to treat with them in matters of Religion (one of the Papers, being given in the 10 of November, 1643, Concerneth the severall sorts of Church-officers and Assemblies: Another, bearing date the 24 of January, 1643, Concerneth Congregationall Elderships, and Classicall Presbyteries: The other, being presented the 15 of August last, Representeth the necessity of making greater speed in setling the intended Uniformity in Religion, according to the late solemne Covenant:) We hold it our duty, in regard both of the arct and inseparable Union, which the Lord hath happily and seasonably made between you and us, and of your indefatigable and inestimable labour of love to this afflicted Kingdom, to give your Lordships and the rest of that Venerable Assembly, some brief account.
Concerning one Confession of Faith, and Forme of Catechisme, we make no question of a blessed and perfect harmony with you. The publike Doctrine, held out by our Church to all the World (especially when it shall be reviewed, which is in great part done) concurring so much with yours, may assure you of your hearts desire in those particulars, so soon as time and opportunity may give us liberty to perfect what we have begun.
The chief reason of laying aside the review of our publike Doctrine, after the happy and much desired arrivall of your Reverend Commissioners here, was, The drawing up and accelerating of a Directory for Worship, and of a Forme of Church-Government; in both of which we stood at a greater distance from other Reformed Churches of Christ, and particularly from yours (which [Page 8]we very much honour) with whom our solemne sacred Nationall Covenant requireth us to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity, that we and our posterity after us, may as Brethren live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.
Nor have our labours therein been frustrate: For we have per [...]cted and transmitted a Directory for Worship, to both Houses [...] Parliament; where it hath received such acceptance, that it is [...] passed in both the Honourable Houses of Parliament; which [...] hope will be to the joy and comfort of all our godly and dear [...]rethren in all His Majesties Kingdoms and Dominions.
We have not advised any imposition which might make it un [...]wfull to vary from it in any thing; Yet we hope, all our Reve [...]nd Brethren in this Kingdom, and in yours also, will so far value [...]d reverence that which upon so long debate and serious delibe [...]ation hath been agreed upon in this Assembly (when it shall also [...]asse with you, and be setled as the common publike Directory or all the Churches in the three Kingdoms) that it shall not be he lesse regarded and observed. And albeit we have not expressed [...]n the Directory every minute particular, which is or might be either laid aside or retained among us, as comely and usefull in practice; yet we trust, that none will be so tenacious of old customs not expressely forbidden, or so averse from good examples although new, in matters of lesser consequence, as to insist upon their liberty of retaining the one, or refusing the other, because not specified in the Directory; but be studious to please others rather than themselves.
We have likewise spent divers moneths in the search of the Scriptures, to finde out the minde of Christ concerning a Forme of Church-Government, wherein we could not but expect the greatest difficulty: For our better Progresse herein, we have with all respect considered the severall Papers of your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners, touching this Head; and do with all thankfulnesse, acknowledge their great zeal, judgement, and wisdom expressed therein; as also, the excellent assistance and great furtherance of your Reverend Commissioners in this great Work; which now, through Gods goodnesse, is very near to a period also.
In pursuit where [...] [...]nd scrutinie of [Page 9]every Proposition, that we might find it agreeable to, and warranted by the Word of God, in a method of our own; without resting upon any particular modell or frame whatsoever already constituted: What we have performed, and how far we have proceeded therein, we leave to the information of your Reverend Commissioners, who have been eye and ear-witnesses of all that hath past, and we doubt not but you will shortly receive a satisfactory answer from hence, so soon as it shall be passed in the Honourable Houses of Parliament.
And now, Right Honourable, and Right Reverend Brethren, let it not seem grievous that we have thus long delayed the satisfying of your earnest and just expectation: It is the Lot of Jerusalem, to have her Walls built in troublous times, when there are many adversaries. Nor let it offend, that (albeit we acknowledge the many, great, and inestimable expressions of your love, zeal, and helpfulnesse unto us every way in the day of our distresse, to be beyond all that we can in words acknowledge) we professe plainly to you, That we do most unwillingly part with those our Reverend and dear Fellow-labourers, your Commissioners, whom now you have called home, to render an account of their imployment here; which hath been so managed both by them and the rest of their Honourable and Reverend Colleagues, as deserveth many thanks, and all Honourable acknowledgement, not onely from us, but from you also.
Give us leave to adde, that the long experience we have had of the great sufficiency, integrity, and usefulnesse of them all, in the great Work of Christ our common Lord and Master, inforceth us (next to our greatest sute, for the continuance of your fervent prayers) to be earnest suiters, not onely for the continuance of these excellent helpers, M r Alex. Henderson, and M r Sam. Rutherfurd, yet remaining with us, but also for the speedy return hither of our Reverend Brethren that are now going hence; for the perfecting of that Work which yet remains. And this sute we trust, you will the rather grant, because of the great and joint concernment of both Churches and Kingdoms in these matters.
Now the spirit of wisdom and of all grace rest upon you in all your great consultations, as at all times, so especially now when you shall be gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the further building up and polishing of his Church; [Page 10]and cause the fruit of all your labour to be to the praise and glory of God, and the comfort and rejoycing of the hearts of all the Israel of God: He reward all our dear Brethren of that Sister Church and Nation manifold into their bosome, all the labours, love, and sufferings which they have afforded, and still do cheerfully continue, for our sakes and the Gospels, in this distracted and bleeding Kingdom; suppresse all commotions and bloody practices of the common Enemy, in both, yea in all the three Kingdoms; set up the Throne of Jesus Christ, and make all the Kingdoms to be the Lords, and our Jerusalem to be a praise upon Earth, that all that love her and mourn for her, may rejoyce for joy with her, and may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation.
- WILLIAM TWISE, Prolocutor.
- CORNELIUS BURGES, Assessor.
- JOHN WHITE, Assessor.
- HENRY ROBROUGH, Scriba.
- ADONIRAM BYFIELD, Scriba.
The Generall Assemblies Answer to the Right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of ENGLAND.
AMidst the manifold troubles in which this Kingdom hath been involved, and under which it still laboureth, we greatly rejoyced when it was testified unto us by our reverend Brethren, and under your hands in your Letter, and these Papers by them presented to us from you, what progresse you had made in the much desired Work of Uniformity; and acknowledge, that the same hath comforted us concerning our work and toile of our hands, and seemeth to us as an olive branch, to prognosticate the abating of the waters, which overflow the face of the Earth.
When we consider, that you have walked in pathes unusuall, which have not been haunted by Travellers there, as the publike way, though pointed out as the good old way by the Reformed Kirks, we do not wonder that you have carefully adverted in every step to set foot upon sure ground; When we behold that strong and high tree of Episcopacy, so deeply rooted by continuance of time, not lopped of the Branches, and the stumpe of the root left in the Earth, with a band of iron and brasse, but pluckt up by the roots; We do confesse that the Carpenters, though prepared have a hard task, requiring time to hew it down, and root it up: And when [Page 12]we call to mind how much the Service-Book hath been cryed up, as the onely way of Gods Worship, how many thereby have had their wealth, and how difficill it is to forgo the accustomed way; We admire the power and wisdom of the good God who hath prospered you in your way, and led you this length, through so many straits, and over so many difficulties in so troublous a time.
We do for our part not onely admit and allow, but most heartily and gladly embrace the Directory of Worship, as a common Rule for the Kirks of God in the three Kingdoms, now more straitly and firmly united by the Solemne League and Covenant; And we do all in one voice blesse the Lord, who hath put it in the hearts, first, of the Reverend, Learned, and Pious Assembly of Divines, and then, of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, To agree upon such a Directory as doth remove what is none of Christs, and preserve the purity of all his Ordinances, together with Uniformity and Peace in the Kirk. Onely we have thought necessary, to declare and make known, That the Clause in the Directory for the administration of the Lords Supper, which appointeth the Table to be so placed that the Communicants may orderly sit about it, or at it, is not to be interpreted, as if in the judgement of this Kirk it were indifferent for any of the Communicants not to come to and receive at the Table; or as if we did approve the distributing of the Elements by the Ministers to each Communicant, and not by the Communicants among themselves: In which particulars, we still conceive and beleeve the order and practice of our own Kirk, To be most agreeable and sutable to the Word of God, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the nature of that Heavenly Feast and Table. Neverthelesse, in other particulars we have resolved, and do agree, to do as ye have defired us in your Letter, That is, not to be tenacious of old Customs, though lawfull in themselves, and not condemned in this Directory, but to lay them aside for the nearer Uniformity with the Kirk of England, now nearer and dearer to us than ever before; A Blessing so much esteemed; and so earnestly longed for among us, that rather than it false on our part, we do most willingly part with such practice and customs of own, as may be parted with safely, and without the violation of any of Christs Ordinances, or trespassing against Scripturall Rules, or our Solemne Covenants.
We do in like manner agree to, and approve the Propositions [Page 13]touching Kirk-Government and Ordination; and have given power to our Commissioners who are to meet in Edinburgh, to agree to, and conclude in our Name an Uniformity therein, betwixt the Kirks in both Kingdoms, so soon as the same shall be without any substantiall alteration Ratified by an Ordinance of the Honourable Houses of Parliament of England, according to our Act of Approbation sent to our Commissioners with you.
As for the returning of our Commissioners; though the councell and assistance of our Reverend Brethren might be of good use to us in these difficult times, and their particular stations and imployments importune the stay of these who are come unto us, and the returne of these who stay with you; yet preferring the publike good, and looking upon the profit may redound unto all by their continuing with you, we have satisfied your desire, and renewed their Commission; Praying God they may (as we are confident they shall) prove answerable to our trust, and to your expectation.
Concerning one Confession of Faith, and Forme of Catechisme, we apprehend no great difficulty: And to that which remains to be perfected in the matter of Kirk-Government, we do beleeve, and both you and we know by experience, that there is no word impossible with our God. He that hath begun a good work among you, will also perform it of his good pleasure. Go on in the Lord your strength, and the Spirit of truth lead you in all truth: The God of all grace and peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, and by him hath called us unto his eternall glory, make you perfect in very good work to do his will, working in you, and by you, and among you, that which is well pleasing in his sight, stablish, strengthen, setle you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Assemblies Answer to their Commissioners at London.
THese sweet Fruits of your long continued Labours in the Work of the Lord entrusted to you, brought to us at this time by these two of your number, whom you were pleased to send, were received by us with no small joy and rejoycing, as being, in great part, the satisfaction of our Souls desire, in that so much longed for, so much prayed for happy Uniformity of these Kirks and Kingdoms: And an evident Demonstration to us, that the Lord hath not, even in this time of his seen and felt displeasure, so covered himself with the cloud of his anger, that our Prayers should not passe through.
The great and main difficulties through which the Lord hath carried this Work, as we do acknowledge, ought mainly to be made use of, for the praise and glory of his power, who is the great worker of all our works for us; So your overcoming of them is to us no small Demonstration of your zeal, wisdom, and faithfulnesse, which without great injury both to the Lord the prime Worker, and to you his Instruments, we cannot but acknowledge, hath been much manifested in the whole managing of this work in your hands.
The full answer to all the particulars you write of in your Letters, we leave to the Relation of those that come from you, and are now appointed to return to you: And as with much thankfulnesse we acknowledge your fidelity in what ye have done already; [Page 15]so we have again renewed your Commission for the continuance of your Imployment there, for the perfecting of the Work so happily begun: For the furthering whereof, as we shall not be wanting in our prayers to God for his blessing upon your labours, so for your help and assistance, we have appointed a Commission to sit at Edinburgh, to which at all occasions you may have your recourse, as the exigence of the Work shall require.
How satisfactory that Directory of Worship presented to us by our Brethren from you, was to us, we leave it rather to their relation at their return, being ear and eye-witnesses to the manifold expressions of our joy and gladnesse, then offer to represent it to you in a Letter: The Act herewith sent, and ordained to be prefixed unto the Directory, will sufficiently declare our hearty approbation of it: Our judgement also concerning the propositions of Government and Ordination, and our earnest desire to have the Work of Uniformity promoved and perfected in that particular also, will appear to you by the other Act which herewith you will receive: Our zeal and desire to have that Work fully closed with so much harmony as becometh the work of God, will appear to you in our resolution and answer to that particular in the point of Excommunication, concerning which you write.
These particular differences hinted at in the Assemblies Letter, for Uniformity with that Kirk so much endeared to us, we have resolved to lay aside, and have taken course for preserving harmony amongst our selves, whereof our Brethren will give you more particular account. Anent your desire of M r Alexander Henderson his attending the Treaty, we are consident ere this you have received our resolution.
Amidst the many difficulties wherewith it pleaseth the Lord to presse us, as we thought it necessary to publish and send forth a Warning to all sorts of Persons in this Kirk and Kingdom, concerning the present affliction of this Nation, and their sins procuring the same; So we thought it incumbent to us in duty, as the best Testimony which we can give at this present to his Majesty, to remonstrate unto him faithfully The great and growing dangers his Majesty is now under, and the causes thereof. This Remonstrance we have sent to you, to be presented to his Majesty, by such [Page 16]means, and at such time, as you who are there upon the place shall judge fittest.
And now dear Brethren, go on with cheerfulnesse in the Work of the Lord: Let no discouragement or opposition make your heart to faint, or your hands wax feeble: Perswade your self the Lords hand shall still be made known toward his Servants, and his indignation against his Enemies. Remember the Work is his, who useth not to begin, but also to make an end, and is abundantly able to supply all your need according to the riches of his glory. Be confident therefore of this thing, that he who hath begun this good Work by you, will also in due time accomplish it to his own praise. To his gracious assistance we heartily recommend you.
It is earnestly desired That the Directory for Worship be sent to Ireland, and that you recommend to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament, To think upon the best way for the establishment and practice of it in that Kingdom. And that the like course may be taken with the Government, and other parts of the Ʋniformity, so soon as they shall be agreed upon.