House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 26 August 1642

DIE Veneris, 26 Augusti.

PRAYERS.

Lord Kymbolton, Speaker.

Papers from the Scots Commissioners.

Reported, "That the Committee had (fn. 1) received from the Scotts Commissioners,

"1. A General Declaration from the Scotts;" which was read publicly in the House. (Here enter it.)

"2. An Extract of the Book of Acts of the Secret Council in Scotland." Read in the House. (Here enter it.)

Mr. Dr. Aylett and Mr. Dr. Heath carried them both to the House of Commons.

Scots Commissioners disavow a Pamphlet— Royal Resolutions of Scotland.

Printer sent for.

The Scotts Commissioners disavowed a Pamphlet, that was printed and published in the Town, intituled, "A Declaration of the Royal Resolution of the Kingdom of Scotland;" and desired that the Printer might be sent for, and punished: Whereupon it is Ordered, That he shall be sent for, as a Delinquent.

E. of Arundel's Horses to be sent over to him.

Ordered, That Nine Horses, and Six Men to look to them, shall be sent beyond the Seas, to the Earl of Arundell.

Message from the H. C. with a Letter to the Lords Justices of Ireland.

A Message from the Commons, by Mr. Reynalls and others:

That the House of Commons hath framed a Letter, to be sent to the Lords Justices of Ireland, which hath been read in their House; and they desire the Lords Concurrence therein; and, after it hath passed both Houses, that all the Commissioners in the Town (fn. 2) do sign it, and send it speedily away.

Read, and approved of.

Order against breaking open Houses.

Ordered, That a General Order against breaking of Houses, stealing or taking away of Goods, and entering into Houses without Officers, shall be drawn up, and offered to the House.

Message from the H. C. with Orders for the Lords Concurrence

A Message from the Commons, by Sir Tho. Dacres and others:

That the Commons have sent up Three Orders, and a Vote, and desire their Lordships Concurrence.

1. An Order concerning the Abuse in Printing. (Enter it.)

Read, and approved.

2. An Act concerning the Importation of Currants. (Enter it.)

Read, and approved.

3. An Act to enable Captain Lee to train Volunteers near Rochester.

Read, and approved.

"Resolved, etc.

Deputy Lieutenants of Hertfordshire.

"4. That this House doth approve of Rob't Cecill, Esquire, Sir Jo. Garratt, Baronet, Sir Jo. Reade, Baronet, Sir Jo. Wittewronge, Knight, Rich. Jenninges, Esquire, and Wm. Lemon, Esquire, to be Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Hertford."

Read, and approved.

De Mountague to have a Pass, and his Goods restored to him.

The House was informed, "That one De Mountague, a Frenchman, inhabiting in The Covent Garden, had several of his Goods taken out of his House:" Whereupon it is Ordered, That the said Goods (being made appear to be his) shall be restored to him again; and that he shall have a Pass to go into France.

A Message from the Commons, by Mr. Vasall and others:

Message from the H. C. with an Ordinance for raising Money.

That the Commons have passed an Ordinance, for the raising of Money, for the suppressing of this War, and desire the Lords Concurrence.

The Messengers, being withdrawn and afterwards called in again, were told, "That the Lords would send them an Answer, by Messengers of their own."

Sent back to the H. C.

The said Ordinance was read, and, with some Amendments, was sent to the Commons, by Mr. Dr. Aylett and Mr. Dr. Heath. (Enter it.)

Letter to the Lords Justices of Ireland, about the Relief of Munster.

"After our very hearty Commendations to your Lordships,

"We have been lately informed, by Sir Willm. Ogle, in what a dangerous Condition the Province of Munster now is, by reason of the great Multitude and Strength of the Rebels there, and the small Numbers of Men to resist them, and to clear that Province, by reducing Limerick and the other considerable Places; and therefore, taking into Consideration that, there being above Four and Forty Thousand Men, in the Pay of this State, for the present in that Kingdom (a greater Army than hath been formerly sent hence), and (if managed to the best Advantage) in all Probability enough to reduce the Rebels without any further Addition:

"Although it would be hard for us (unless we were upon the Place) to give particular Directions what Numbers of Men shall be drawn from one Part of the Kingdom to another, and in what Way, because we cannot know or foresee the Inconveniences that may arise thereby; yet, knowing that Munster is in such Distress, and that there are great Numbers of Men in Lemster and Ulster, which may be drawn to their Relief, where the greatest Burthen of the War is; we do earnestly recommend it to your Lordships Care, that (securing the City of Dublin, either by disarming the Papists, or removing them thence for a Season, so as a less Garrison may serve there) you forthwith so distribute and dispose of the Forces in the other Provinces, as that there may be a sufficient Number of them sent into Munster, for the Succour and Relief of the small Numbers that are already there, and for the re-gaining thereof; and that the same be done in such Manner as may be most advantageous to the Service, and for the Good of the Kingdom in general. Your Lordships cannot be ignorant of the great Burthern that now lieth on this Kingdom, and how much it concerneth us in particular to give a good Account of the Trust His Majesty and the Parliament hath reposed in us, for the Affairs of that of Ireland; and therefore we press these Directions the more earnestly, to the End that if, by the not Observance thereof with all possible Speed, the Inconveniences follow which are already foreseen and feared, we may acquit ourselves of the Blame, and lay it on those that shall fail of their Duties herein. And so we bid your Lordships very heartily Farewell.

"Your Lordships very loving Friends."

Westm, the 25th of August, 1642.

Order against printing Parliamentary Proceedings but by Authority.

"Veneris, 26 Augusti, 1642.

"Whereas there hath been of late great Disorders and Abuses, by irregular Printing, to the great Scandal of Religion and Government; and a Bill is in Preparation for the Redress of those Mischiefs, which, by reason of the present Distractions, cannot be so speedily perfected and passed as is desired: It is Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That no Person, or Persons, shall print, publish, or utter, any Book or Pamphlet, false or scandalous to the Proceedings of the Houses of Parliament, or either of them; nor shall print, utter, or publish, any Book, or Pamphlet, with the Name of the Clerk of either House of Parliament set thereunto, or with any Expression, Pretence of Order, from both or either of the said Houses, without special Order from the said Houses, or either of them, or of the Committees of them, or either of them, concerning Printing; and the same to be entered in the Register Book of the said Company, according to ancient Custom; and the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers of London, and the Usher of the Black Rod, and Serjeant of the Commons House of Parliament, and their Deputies, are hereby authorized and required to make diligent Search, from Time to Time, for all such Books and Pamphlets to be hereafter printed, and the same to seize and take, together with the Presses and other Printing Materials wherewith the same shall be printed, and carry them to the Common Hall of the said Company, there to remain till either House of Parliament shall otherwise dispose thereof; and all His Majesty's Officers shall, upon Request, aid and assist, to apprehend Offenders in the Premises, and to bring them before the Lords or Commons House of Parliament, or the Committees appointed for Printing; upon whose Report of the Fact, such Course shall be taken with the said Offenders as shall be just; and, for that Purpose, the said Committees are to sit at such Times and Places as they shall think fit."

"Ordinance inhibiting the Importation of Currants:

Order to prohibit the Importation of Currants.

"Whereas it is found, by daily Experience, that the (fn. 3) Importation of Currants into this Kingdom (it being a Commodity of little or no Use at all, but a meer Superfluity, and may well be spared) is a Matter of great Concernment, not only to the Merchant, but to this Nation, in regard the said Commodity cannot be had in the Parts beyond the Seas, where the same are bought, without ready Money; One Hundred Thousand Pounds per Annum at least, being bestowed in Currants, which otherwise would be brought into this Kingdom, is wholly diverted; whereas formerly (till of latter Years) the said Currants were bought for Commodities of this Kingdom exported hence, of small Value; besides the great Advantage which is Yearly made upon the Merchant (where the said Currants are laden), to their exceeding Prejudice, by the high and excessive Rates and Taxes which are there imposed upon the said Commodity.

"For the Prevention of the like Mischief in Time to come, the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, at the Instance and Desire of the Merchants of this Kingdom, and by and with their Consent, do Order, Ordain, and Declare, That, from and after the last Day of September, which shall be in the Year of our Lord God 1642, that no Currants be imported into the Kingdom of England, or Dominion of Wales, by any Merchants, Strangers, Denizens, or others, by Way of Merchandize, or otherwise, from any Parts beyond the Seas; but the Importation thereof, from and after the said last Day of September, is hereby utterly prohibited and forbidden: And further, by the Authority aforesaid, it is Ordered and Declared, That, from and after the said last Day of September, no Entries be taken of any Currants that shall be imported into this Kingdom, or Dominion of Wales, by any Officer whatsoever, in any of the Custom-houses, or elsewhere; and, in case any Merchant, Denizen, or Alien, or any other Person whatsoever, contrary to this Ordinance, shall presume to import and unlade any Currants, within this Kingdom, or Dominion of Wales, after the said last Day of September, that it shall be lawful for the Officers of the Custom-house respectively to seize, take, and carry away, all such Currants, and them to detain until they shall receive further Order from both Houses of Parliament in that Behalf; and that every Person that shall offend herein shall be liable to such further Punishment and Censure as the Lords and Commons, in a Parliamentary Way, shall inflict or impose: And it is further Ordered, That the respective Officers of the Custom-houses do take special Care to put this Ordinance in Execution, or do cause it to be fully executed, in every Point, according to the true Intention of the same; and that such Persons as shall not obey in any of the Premises shall answer their Neglect and Contempt before the Lords and Commons in Parliament, and not otherwise, or elsewhere.

"And lastly, it is Ordered and Declared, That from and after the 23d Day of August, which shall be in the Year of Our Lord God 1642, that no Currants, which are already bought in the Parts beyond the Seas, and brought into this Kingdom, or Dominion of Wales, shall be sold by Retail, for more than after the Rate of Five Pence the Pound; and that, if any Person (that shall sell the same) shall offend contrary to this Ordinance, that he shall be liable to receive such Punishment as the Lords and Commons, in a Parliamentary Way, shall impose, for his Contempt in that Behalf."

"Die Veneris, 26 Augusti, 1642.

Captain Lee to train the Rochester Voluntiers.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the and Commons assembled in Parliament, That Captain Richard Lee, of Rochester, in the County of Kent, shall have Power to assemble together, muster, train, exercise, and command, the Trained Bands, within the City of Rochester, the Liberties thereof, together with the Parishes of Chatham, Gillingham, and St. James, in the Isle of Graine, as often as he shall see requisite, as also the Parishes of Freinsbury and Strowde, near unto the said City of Rochester; and, for his and their so doing, this shall be, as well to the said Captain Lee as to the said Trained Bands, a sufficient Warrant: It is further Ordered, That the Mayor of Rochester, and the Aldermen of the said City, and other the Justices of Peace of the City and County, such as he shall think fit to call, be assisting and aiding to the said Captain Lee, in this Service."

"Veneris, 26 Augusti, 1642.

Ordinance for raising Money in London.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That, for the more speedy and effectual Provision of sufficient Treasure, to be employed in quenching this unnatural War now kindled in the Heart of this Kingdom, by Papists, Persons popishly affected, Traitors, and Delinquents, about His Majesty, That the several Persons hereunder named, or any Three or more of them, do forthwith summon all the Inhabitants, as well Freemen as others Resiants, within the Ward of in the City of London, which they, orany Three or more of them, shall think fit to be summoned; and do likewise repair unto the several Houses, or Places of Abode, of all the Inhabitants, as well Freemen as other Resiants or Inhabitants, within the said Ward, which they, or any Three or more of them, shall think fit to be repaired unto; and, in the Name of both Houses of Parliament, do give hearty Thanks to so many of them (whether summoned or repaired unto) as have already contributed, by Way of Loan or Gift, any Money, Plate, Horse, or Arms, according to the Propositions of both Houses of Parliament heretofore published in that Behalf; assuring all and every of them, that the said Houses are very sensible of their Alacrity and Duty therein, and do resolve to be as careful of their Safety and Welfare as of their own, and to live and die with them in this Cause; and likewise that the said Persons hereunder named, or any Three or more of them, do acquaint not only those, but especially the rest of the said Inhabitants who have not yet contributed, with the Necessity of Subscriptions for Plate and Money, still pressing; and accordingly desire and stir up them, and every of them, to underwrite, in a Book provided for that Purpose (and wherein their Names shall be registered whether they underwrite or no), such Sums of Money and Plate as may testify their real and full Performance of their late Protestation, and sacred Vow to Almighty God, and of their Readiness to join with the rest of the well-affected Party of the Kingdom, and us the Lords and Commons, who are resolved to pursue this Work with our Lives, Persons, and Estates, for their Preservation as well as for our own: And, because the Success of this necessary Design depends much upon the speedy Dispatch thereof, it is therefore further desired, that all such Persons as shall hereupon subscribe as aforesaid be desired, by the Parties employed to take their Subscriptions, instantly to bring in One Third Part of the said Money and Plate, subscribed by each of them respectively, to the Treasurers for Money and Plate formerly appointed, in The Guildhall, London, who shall thereupon give Receipts for the same, in Manner and Form already Ordered and used; and that the Second Third Part of their said Subscriptions be likewise brought in, to the Persons and Place aforesaid, at the End of One Month next after their Subscriptions; and the last Payment at the End of the Second Month next after their said Subscription: For all which both Houses of Parliament do hereby engage the Public Faith of the Kingdom, that they shall be re-paid, with Eight per Centum Allowance for the same, according to the said former Propositions. And because the Lords and Commons are very sensible of the good Affections of the City of London, and their Service to the Public, they have directed the Lord General to leave Two Regiments of Foot, and Four Troops of Horse, under the Command of Serjeant Major General Skippon, for the Safety of the said City; which Two Regiments and Four Troops, and the said Serjeant Major Skippon, shall be paid out of such Subscriptions as shall be be made by the said City."

After the Names, to be added,

"All such other Persons as any Three or more of the Parties herein named, within the several Wards, shall think fit to call unto them as Assistants in this Service."

"At Edenburg, the 18th Day of August, 1642.

Extract from the Register of the Secret Council of Scotland, relative to the Petition of St. Andrews, for Uniformity in Church Government.

"The Lords of Secret Council, having red, hard, and considerit, the Petition this Day given in to thame, in Name of the late General Assembly haldin at St. Andrews, be thaire Commissiones appointed for that Effect, desireing the Councell to concurre with thame in thair Remonstrance to the Parliament of England, toward the setling of Unity in Religion, and Uniformity in Kirk Government, in His Majesty's Three Kingdomes; and having also heard the Petition direct from the Assembly to His Majesty, with theire Answere to the Parliament of England, the Scots Commissioners of the Treaty at London, and certain Ministers of England, concerning this Matter; and finding the Reasons thairein exprest to be very pregnant, and the Particular desired much to conduce for the Glory of God, the Advancement of the true Christian Faith, His Majesty's Honor, and the Peace and Union of His Dominions; The said Lords, out of theire Duty to the Furtherance of soe much-wished and important a Work, and Affection to theire Brethren of the Kingdom of England, doe unanimously and heartily concurre with the said Nationall Assembly, in theire earnest Desires to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, to take to theire serious Consideration the Particular foresaid, tuicheing Unity in Religion, and Uniformity in Kirk Government, in the said Three Kingdomes, as a singular Meane of His Majesty's Honor, the Good of the true Christian Faith, and Happines of His Majesty's Dominions; and to give favorable Heireing to such Desire and Overtures as sall be sund most conuceable for the promoveing of soe greate and good a Worke.

"Extractum de Libris Actorum Secreti Consilii S. D. N. Regis, per me,

Arch. Primrose,

"Clericum Consilii."

Answer of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, to the Declaration of both Houses, for conciliating Matters, and effecting a Reformation in Church Government.

"The General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, having received a Declaration sent unto them by the Commissioners of this Kingdom now at London, from the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, expressing their Care to prevent the Essusion of Christian Blood in that Kingdom and their Affections to Reformation both in Kirke and State, and having taken the same to such Consideration as the Importance of so weighty Matters, and the high Estimation they have of so wise and honourable a Meeting as is the Parliament of England, did require, have, with universal Consent, resolved upon this following Answer:

"1. That, from the recent Sense of the Goodness of God, in their own late Deliverance, and from their earnest Desire of all Happiness to our Native King and that Kingdom, they bliss the Lord, for preserving them, in the midst of so many unhappy Divisions and Troubles, from a bloody intestine Warre, which is from God the greatest Judgement, and to such a Nation the Compend of all Calamities. They also give God Thanks for their former and present Desires of a Reformation, especially of Religion, which is the Glory and Strength of a Kingdom, and bringeth with it all Temporal Blissings of Prosperity and Peace.

2. That the Hearts of all the Members of this Assembly, and of all the well-affected within this Kingdom, are exceedingly grieved and made heavy, that, in so long a Time, against the Professions both of King and Parliament, and contrary to the joint Desires and Prayers of the Godly in both Kingdoms, to whom it is more dear and precious than what is dearest to them in the World, the Reformation of Religion hath moved so slowly, and suffered so great Interruption.

They consider that not only Prelates, formal Professors, profane and worldly Men, and all that are Popishly affected, are bad Counsellors and Workers, and do abuse their Power, and bend all their Strength and Policies against the Work of God; but the God of this World also, with Principalities and Powers, the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and Spiritual Wickedness in High Places, are working with all their Force and Fraud in the same Opposition, not without Hope of Success, they having preveiled so farre from the Beginning, that, in the Times of the best Kings of Juda of old, and the most Part of the Reformed Kirkes of late, a thorough and perseit Reformation of Religion hath bein a Work full of Difficulties; yet do they conceive, that, as it ought first of all to be intended, so should it be above all other Things, with Confidence in God, who is greater than the World and he who is in the World, most seriously endeavoured; and that, when the Supream Providence giveth Opportunity of the accepted Time and Day of Salvation, no other Work can prosper in the Hands of His Servants, if it be not apprehended, and with all Reverence and Faithfulness improved. This Kirke and Nation, when the Lord gave them the Calling, considered not their own Deadness, not staggered at the Promise through Unbelief, but gave Glory to God. And who knoweth (we speak it in Humility and Love, and from no ather Mind than from a Desire of the Blessing of God upon our King and that Kingdom) bot the Lord hath now some Controversy with England, which will not be removed till, first and before all, the Worship of His Name and the Government of His House be settled, according to His own Will? When this Desire shall come, it shall be to England, after so-long-deferred Hopes, a Tree of Life, which shall not only yield Temporal Blissings unto themselves, bot also shall spread the Branches so farre, that both this Nation and ather Reformed Kirks shall find the Fruits thereof, to their great Satisfaction.

"3. The Commissioners of this Kingdom, in the late Treaty of Peace, considering that Religion is not only the Mean of the Service of God, and saving of Souls, bot is allso the Base and Foundation of Kingdoms and Estates, and the strongest Band to tye Subjects to their Prince in true Loyalty, and to knit the Hearts of one to another in true Unity and Love; they did, with Preface of all due Respect and Reverence, farre from Arrogancy or Presumption, represent, in Name of this Kingdom, their serious Thoughts and earnest Desires for Unity of Religion; that, in all His Majesty's Dominions, there might be One Confession of Faith, One Directory of Worship, One Public Catechism, and One Form of Kirke Government: This they conceived to be acceptable to God Almighty, who delighteth to see His People walking in Truth and Unity; to be a special Means for conserving of Peace betwixt the Kingdoms; of easing the King's Majesty and the Public Government of much Troble, which ariseth from Difference of Religion, very grievous to Kings and Estates; of great Content to the King Himself, to His Nobles, His Court, and all His People, when, occasioned to be abroad, without Scruple to themselves, or Scandal to others, all may resort to the same Public Worship as they were at their own Dwellings; of suppressing the Names of Heresies and Sects, Puritans, Conformists, Separatists, Anabaptists, &c. which do rend asunder the Bowells both of Kirke and Kingdom; of Dispaire of Success to Papists and Recusants, to have their Profession, which is inconsistent with the true Protestant Religion and Authority of Princes, set up again; and of drawing the Hearts and Hands of Ministers from unpleasant and unprofitable Controversies, to the pressing of Mortification, and to Treatises of true Piety and Practical Divinity. The Assembly doth now enter upon the Labour of the Commissioners, unto which they are encouraged not only by their Faithfulness in the late Treaty, but also by the Zeal and Example of the General Assemblies of this Kirke in former Times; as may appear by the Assembly at Edenburgh, December 25, in the Year 1566, which ordained a Letter to be sent to England, against the Surplice, Tippett, Cornercoape, and such other Ceremonies as then troubled that Kirke, that they might be removed; by the Assembly at Edenburgh, April 24, 1583, humbly desiring the King's Majesty to command His Ambassador, then going to England, to deale with the Queen, that there might be an Union and Band betwixt them and other Christian Princes and Realms professing the true Religion, for Defence and Protection of the Word of God, and Professors thereof, against the Persecution of Papists and Confederates, joined and knit together by the bloody League of Trent, as also that Her Majesty would disburden their Brethren of England of the Yoke of Ceremonies, imposed upon them against the Liberty of the Word; and by the Assembly at Edinburgh, March 3, 1589, ordaining the Presbitery of Edinburgh to use all good and possible Means, for the Relief and Comfort of the Kirke of England, then heavily troubled for maintaining the true Discipline and Government of the Kirke, and that the Brethren in their private and public Prayers recommend the Estate of the afflicted Kirke of England to God: While now, by the Mercy of God, the Conjunction of the Two Kingdoms is many Ways increased, the Zeal of the General Assembly towards their Happiness ought to be no less. But, besides these, the Assembly is much encouraged unto this Duty, both from the King's Majesty and His Parliament jointly, in their Answer to the Proposition made by the late Commissioners of the Treaty, in these Words: To their Desire concerning Unity of Religion, and Uniformity of Kirk Government, as a special Means for conserving of Peace betwixt the Two Kingdoms, upon the Grounds and Reasons contained in the Paper of the 10 th of March, and given into the Treaty and Parliament of England; it is answered, upon the 15th of June, That His Majesty, with Advice of both Houses of Parliament, doth approve of the Affection of His Subjects of Scotland, in their Desire of having Conformity of Kirke Government between the Two Nations: and, as the Parliament hath already taken into Consideration the Reformation of Kirke Government, so they will proceed therein, in due Time, as shall best conduce to the Glory of God, the Peace of the Kirke, and of both Kingdoms: And also severally; for His Majesty knoweth that the Custody and Vindication, the Conservation and Purgation, of Religion are a great Part of the Duty of Civil Authority and Power. His Majesty's late Practice, while He was here in Person, in resorting frequently to the Exercises of Public Worship; His Royal Actions, in establishing the Worship and Government of this Kirke in Parliament, and in giving Order for a competent Maintenance to the Ministry and Seminaries of the Kirke; and His Majesty's gracious Letter to the Assembly (seconded by the Speech of His Majesty's Commissioner), which containeth this religious Expression: Where any Thing is amiss, We will endeavour, in a fair and orderly Way, a Reformation; and where Reformation is settled, We resolve, with that Authority wherewith God hath vested Us, to maintain and defend it in Peace and Liberty, against all Trouble that can come from without, and against all Heresies, Sects, and Schisms, which may arise from within. All these do make us hopeful that His Majesty will not oppose, but advance, the Work of Reformation. In like Manner the Honourable Houses of Parliament, as they have many Times before witnessed their Zeal, so now also, in their Declaration sent to the Assembly, which not only sheweth the Constancy of their Zeal, but their great Grief that the Work hath been interrupted, by a malignant Party of Papists and evil-affected Persons, especially of the corrupt and dissolute Clergy, by the Incitement and Instigation of Bishops and others; their Hopes (fn. 4) according to their earnest Desire, when they shall return to a peaceable and Parliamentary Proceeding, by the Blessing of God, to settle such a Reformation in the Church, as shall be agreeable to God's Word; and that the Result shall be a most firm and stable Union between the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, etc. The Assembly also is not a little encouraged, by a Letter sent from many Reverend Brethren of the Kirke of England, expressing their Prayers and Endeavours against every Thing which shall be found prejudicial to the Establishment of the Kingdom of Christ, and the Peace of their Sovereign. Upon these Encouragements, and having so patent a Door of Hope, the Assembly doth confidently expect, that England will now bestir themselves in the best Way for a Reformation of Religion; and do most willingly offer their Prayers and uttermost Endeavours, for furthering so great a Work, wherein Christ is so much concerned in His Glory, the King in His Honour, the Kirke and Kingdom of England in their Happiness, and this Kirke and Kingdom in the Purity and Peace of the Ghospell.

"4. That the Assembly also, from so many real Invitations, are heartened to renue their Proposition, made by the aforenamed Commissioners of this Kingdom, for beginning the Work of Reformation at the Uniformity of Kirk Government; for what Hope can there be of Unity in Religion, of One Confession of Faith, One Form of Worship, and One Catechism, till there be first One Form of Ecclesiastical Government? Yea, what Hope can the Kingdom and Kirke of Scotland have of a firm and durable Peace, till Prelacy, which hath been the main Cause of their Miseries and Trouble first and last, be plucked up Root and Branch, as a Plant which God hath not planted, and from which no better Fruits can be expected than such four Grapes as this Day set on Edge the Kingdom of England.

"5. The Prelatical Hierarchy being put out of the Way, the Work will be easy, without forcing any Conscience, to settle in England the Government of the Reformed Kirks by Assemblies; for, although the Reformed Kirks do hold, without doubting, their Kirk Officers and Kirk Government, by Assemblies, higher and lower, in their strong and beautiful Subordination, to be Ture Divino and perpetual; yet Prelacy, as it differeth from the Office of a Pastor, is almost universally acknowledged, by the Prelates themselves and their Adherents, to be but an human Ordinance, introduced by human Reason, and settled by human Law and Custom, for supposed Conveniency; which therefore, by human Authority, without wronging any Man's Conscience, may be altered and abolished, upon so great a Necessity as is a hearty Conjunction with all the Reformed Kirks; a firm and well-grounded Peace between the Two Kingdoms, formerly divided in themselves, and betwixt themselves, by this Partition-Wall; and a perfect Union of the Kirks in the Two Nations; which, although, by the Providence of God, in One Island, and under One Monarch, yet, ever since the Reformation, and for the present also, are at greater Difference in the Point of Kirk Government, which in all Places hath a powerful Influence upon all the Parts of Religion, than any other Reformed Kirks, although in Nations at greater Distance, and under divers Princes.

"6. What may be required of the Kirke of Scotland, for furthering the Work of Uniformity of Government, or for agreeing upon a Common Confession of Faith, Catechism, and Directory for Worship, shall, according to the Order given by this Assembly, be most willingly performed by us, who long extreamly for the Day when King and Parliament shall join, for bringing to pass so great, so good a Work; that, all Wars and Commotions ceasing, all Superstition, Idolatry, Heresies, Sects, and Schisms, being removed, as the Lord is One, so His Name may be One amonst us; and Mercy and Truth, Righteousness and Peace, meeting together and kissing one another, may dwell in this Island.

St. Andrews, August 3d, 1642.

"F. Shouston, Clericus Eccles."

Adjourn.

Adjourn, 10 To-morrow.