but done with earnesiness and plausibility. For alas, thơ by the grace of God, their hearts may be changed in an hour, (whenever they understand but the effentials of the faith) yet their understandings must have time and diligence to furnith them with fuch knowledge as must stablish them, and fortify them against deceit. Upon these and many the like confiderations, we should intreat all Chriftian families to take more pains in this necessary work, and to get better acquainted with the substance of christianity. And to that end (taking along some moving treatise to awake the heart) I know not what work should be fitter for their use than that compiled by the affembly at Westminister; a fynod of as godly, judicious divines, (notwithstanding all the bitter words which they have received from difcontented and self-conceited men) I verily think, as ever England faw. Tho they had the unhappiness to be employed in calamitous times, when the noise of wars did stop men's ears, and the licentiousness of wars did fet every wanton tongue and pen at liberty to reproach them; and the profecution and event of those wars, did exasperate partial discontented men, to dishonour themselves by seeking to dishonour theme I dare say, if in the days of old, when councils were in power and account, they had had but fuch a council of bishops, as this of presbyters was, the fame of it for learning and holiness, and all minifterial abilities, would with very great honour have been tranfmitted to posterity. I do therefore defire, that all masters of families would first study well this work themselves; and then teach it their children and fervants, according to their several capacities. And, if they once underfstand these grounds of religion, they will be able to read other books more understandingly, and hear fermons more profitably, and confer more judiciously, and hold fast the doctrine of Chrift more firmly than ever you are like to do by any other course. First let them read and learn the Shorter Catechisin, and next the Larger, and lasily, read the Confeffion of Faith. Thus far he, whose name I shall conceal (though the excellency of the matter, and present stile, will easily discover him) because I have published it without his privity and consent, though, I hope, not against his liking and approbation, 1 thall add no more, but that I am An ordinance of the Lords and Commons afssembled in parliament, for the calling of an affembly of learned and godly divines, and others, to be confulted with by the parliament, for the fettling of the government and liturgy of the church of England; and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the faid church from falfe afperfions and inter pretations. June 12. 1643. W Hereas, amongst the infinite bleslings of Almighty God upon this • nation, none is, or can be more dear unto us than the purity of our religion; and for that, as yet, many things remain in the liturgy, difcipline and government of the church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation, than as yet hath been attained: And whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the lords and commons assembled in parliament, that the present church government by archbishops, their chancellors, commissars, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical officers, depending upon the hierarchy, is evil and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the itate and government of this kingdom; and therefore they are refolved, that the same shall be taken away, and that fuch a government shall be fettled in the church, as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preferve the peace of the church at home, and nearer agreement with the church of Scotland, and other reformed churches abroad: And for the better affecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the church of England from all falfe calumnies and afperfions; it is thought fit and neceffary to call an affembly of learned godly and judicious divines, who, together with some members of both the houses of parliament, are to confult and advise of fuch matters and things, touching the premisses, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the houses of parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein to both, or either of the faid houses, when, and as often as they shall be thereunto required. Be it therefore ordained, by the lords and commons in this present parliament assembled, that all and every the perfons hereafter in this present ordinance named, that is to fry, - And fuch other perfon or persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both houses of parliament, or fo many of them as shall not be letted by fickness, or other necessary impediment, shall meet. and assemble, and are hereby required and injoined upon fummons signed by the clerks of both houses of parliament, left at their refpective dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves at Westminster, in the chapel called king Henry the VIIth's chapel, on the first day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand fix hundred and forty three, and after the first meeting, being at least the number of forty, shall from time to time fit, and be removed from place to place, and also, thar the faid affembly shall be dissolved in such manner, as by both houses of parliament fhall be directed: and the said persons, or so many of them as shall be so assembled, or fit, shall have power and authority, and are hereby likewise injoined from time to time, during this present parliament, or until further order be taken by both the faid houses, to confer and treat among themselves, of such matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy, discipline and government of the church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the fame, from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be propofed unto them by both or either of the faid houses of parliament, and no other; and deliver their opinion, advices of, or touching the matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the word of God, to both or either of the houses, from time to time, in fuch manner and fort, as by both or either of the said houses of parliament, shall be required; and the fame not to divulge by printing, writing or other wife, without the consent of both, or either houses of parliament. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that William Twisse doctor in divinity shall fit in the chair, as prolocutor of the faid affembly; and if he happen to die, or be letted by fickness, or o ther neceffary impediment, then such other perfon to be appointed in his place, as thall be agreed on by the faid houses of parliament: And in cafe any difference in opinions thall happen amongst the said perfons fo afsembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the fame, together with the reasons thereof, to both or either the said houses respectively, to the end fuch further direction may be given therein, as fhall be requisite to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority forefaid, That for the charges and expence of the faid divines, and every one of them, in attending the faid service, there shall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten days before, and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the charges of the common-wealth, at fuch time, and in such manner, as by both houses of parliament shall be appointed.. And be it further ordained, That all, and every the faid divines, so as aforefaid, required and injoined to meet and afsemble, shall be freed and acquitted of, and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, loss or damage, which shall or may ensue or grow by reason of any non-refidence, or absence of them, or any of them, from his, or their, or any of their church, churches or cures, for or in refpect of their faid attendance upon the said service; any law law or statute of non-refidence, or other law or statute injoining their attendance upon their respective ministers, or charges, to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. And if any of the perfons above named mall happen to die before the said assembly shall be diffolved by order of both houses of parliament, then fuch other person or persons, shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such perfon or perfons so dying, as by both the faid houses shall be thought fit, and agreed upon; and every fuch person or perfons, so to be named, thail have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal to all intents and purposes, and also all fuch wages and allowancce for the faid fervice, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the faid perfons in this ordinance, is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided always, that this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the perfons aforesaid, or any of them, nor fhall they in this assembly affume to exercise any jurisdiction, power or authority ecclefiaftical whatsoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed. Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 19, 1643. Sef. 14. Commiffion of the General Affembly to some Ministers and Ruling Elders, for repairing to the Kingdom of England. T HE General Affembly of the Church of Scotland finding it necessary to fend fome Godly and Learned of this Kirk to the Kingdom of England, to the Effect under-written; Therefore gives full Power and Commission to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr. Robert Bailie, and Mr. George Gillespie, Mini sters, John Earl of Gassus, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnston of Waristous, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Minifters, to repair to the Kingdom of England, and there to deliver the Declaration fent unto the Parliament of England, and the Letter fent unto the Affembly of Divines now fitting in that Kingdom; and to propone, confult, treat and conclude with that Assembly, or any Commissioners deputed by them, or any Committees of Commissioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all Matters which may further the Union of this Island in one form of Kirk-government, one Confetion of Faith, one Catechifm, one directory for the Worship of God, according to the Instructions which they have received from the Affembly, or shall receive from Time to Time hereafter from the Commissioners of the Affembly, deputed for that Effect: With Power allo to them to convey to his Majefty the humble Answer sent from this Afssembly to his Majefty's Letter, by such occafion as they shall think convenient; and fuch like, to deliver the Affembly's Answer to the Letter sent from fome well affected Bre thren of the Ministry there; and generally authorizes them to do all Things, which may further the so much defired Union, and nearest Conjunction junction of the Two Churches of Scotland and England, conform to the Instructions aforefaid. Many of the Persons who were called by the forefaid Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, (in that broken State of the Church) to attend the Assembly, appeared not; whereupon the whole Work lay on the Hands of the Perfons hereafter mentioned. The Promise and Vow taken by every Member admitted to fit in the Assembly. 1 I A. B. do seriously Promise and Vow, in the Presence of Almighty GOD, That in this Affembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in Point of Doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the Word of GOD; nor in Point of Discipline, but what may make most for GOD's Glory, and the Peace and Good of this Church. A LIST of the DIVINES who met in the Afsembly at Westminster. John Guibon of Waltham Dr. Lazarus Seaman of London Richard Vines of Calcot Dr. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin Thomas Hodges of Kensington Thomas Bailie of Mildenball, B. D. Thomas Young of Stownmarket font St. Giles |