A NECESSARY WARNING TO THE MINISTRY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND, From the meeting of the Commissioners Of the General Assembly At Edinburgh 4. Jan. 1643.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them: therefore watch, etc. Acts 20.30.31. 
EDINBURGH, Printed by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most excellent Majesty. 1643.   


IT should be unto us no small matter of grief, that the Lord having done so great things for us, and by his marvellous and merciful providence, having according to our desires settled the truth of Religion, with Peace and Liberty within this Kingdom, while other Kirks and Kingdoms about us are in so great trouble, The Work of GOD should be so little regarded, and the spirit of Error and Heresy, of Schism and Division, and of Atheism and Profanity, should appear again, and be harkened unto by any amongst us: yet should we think it to be no strange or new thing, that Satan rage to be cast out of his Kingdom, that Heresies, Sects and Profanity, which must be, and have ever less or more infested the Kirk of Christ, show themselves, and set up their heads amongst us in this spring-time of Reformation, especially they being fomented by that influence which the present troubles of our neighbouring Kirks and Kingdoms have upon this Kirk and Kingdom.  
It is time for all the People of God, and after a special manner for us who are the Ministers of the Gospel, seriously to set ourselves to the performance of the duty required of us, and in all vigilancy and faithfulness to use the best means for preserving the rich Treasure committed to us, for transmitting it without mixture, schism, or pollution to the posterity, and so far as in us lieth, to propagate the same to other Nations, which the Supreme providence is preparing and making meet to receive so great an happiness.  
First of all we have to take heed to ourselves, that our hearts be right and sincere in the sight of God, and that none of us be in the gall of bitterness, or in the bond of iniquity, against the Work of Reformation, or against any Article of that Covenant, which we have before God and the world so solemnly sworn and subscribed: for if our own conscience condemn us, we will deal but treacherously with the adversary in the cause of God.  
Secondly, we are to look to the enemies of Religion, which are of three sorts: Papists, Separatists, and malignant, malcontent, and profane Time-servers.  
Concerning Papists: as we are encouraged by the Civil power and authority, which will see the Laws executed against them, when it cometh to their part, so have we a particular and full direction in the late and former General Assemblies, for our proceeding against them, and must be answerable for our diligence to the next General Assembly; and therefore our care must be to follow forth the Acts of the Assemblies in all points: But with an intention, not so much to be rid of their persons for our ease, as to deliver them from their error for their own salvation, which is a Work requiring great wisdom, zeal and diligence on our part. And so much the more, that they are universally known by their speeches, carriage, and hopes, grounded upon the confusion and distemper of the times, to be more insolent and presumptuous then before.  
Concerning Separatists upon the other hand: there be but very few in the Land who profess themselves to be of that sort, and therefore the evil requireth rather a prevention then a cure. For this end these directions may serve:  
First, that every Minister take such heed to himself, and his own Family, both in private worship, and practice of Religion, that his Family may be a pattern to all the Families of the Flock, and his own life and conversation a visible example, and real proof of his doctrine: So shall the people know by the eye, how and after what manner to practise that which they hear; they shall esteem reverently of his judgement, and shall not be easily drawn from him, and from the Flock which is fed by such a Pastor.  
That by our doctrine in public, and by our conference in private, we labour to bring the people to the sense of so great a mercy as God hath shown to this Land, in setting up our Reformation again: This will be a mean to keep them from Popery in substance and ceremony, and from the love of all, whether novation or separation.  
That we be diligent in catechising, and frequent in visiting particular Families, for discharging the duties of our Pastoral Function, and especially for setting up the worship of God in every Family, and enquiring how and by whom it is performed: for the ignorant are easily drawn away by Sectaries and Seducers, the profane that live without the worship of God, are alike disposed to all Religions; and such as are in the general piously affected, and have not the worship of God, in the Families wherein they live, do seek after it where they may have it, and are ready rather then to want it altogether, to suffer themselves to be drawn away into error.  
That such as are rude and ignorant of the Principles of Religion, and such as are notoriously profane and scandalous in life, be suspended from the Communion; but so, as all diligence be used to inform the one sort, and reform the other, which shall be a mean both to save their souls, and to remove one principal pretext of Separation.  
That when we hear there is danger of Popery or Separation, the absurdities of the one and the other, which are many and gross, be frequently and plainly represented to the People, that they may be brought to the detestation thereof, and to the Love of the truth, and to steadfastness in the Reformed Religion.  
That when we speak against the ignorance and profanity of many of our common Professors, we take heed that we give not occasion to any to abstain from communicating with them in the external means, and to run away in the way of schism and separation: And when we speak against Separatists, that we give no occasion to the profane, to mock at the power and practice of Religion, or at separation from the bad customs of the world, and the sins of the time. And therefore a clear distinction would be made betwixt the Spirit of God, and private spirits; betwixt Sanctification, and this separation; betwixt a Spiritual, and a schismatical disposition; betwixt separatists, and such as of late were called Precisians, and Puritans, who indeed were no other but the Godly, longing after, and now resting in the Reformation of Religion; betwixt Families worshipping God, and secret congregations or conventicles; and betwixt the necessary duty of the Master of a Family, and promiscuous prophesying or interpreting of Scripture. When a word is spoken against schism or separation, a word also would be spoken for preventing the mis-application of the profane, of the worldling, and of the carnal professor.  
That as we have been, and have reason still to be zealous against all the seeds of Popish superstition, and heresy, so must we often give warning to all the Godly, to beware of the smallest beginnings, and least degrees of separation, and of countenancing of such as under the colour, whether of singular zeal and holiness, or of the gifts of Illumination, or of Prayer, or presence of the Spirit, go about as idle and busybodies, speaking evil of that which they know not, and against all Christian Piety and Charity, seeking to disgrace the Work of Reformation, and the Teachers and Professors of the true Religion; remembering that Satan can transform himself into an Angel of light: As also to take heed to such as bewray their inclination that way, by absenting themselves from the Communion, by bringing home, or spreading of Books and Pamphlets which press separation, and such other means; And for this effect recommends to Presbyteries the observation of the Acts of General Assemblies thereanent.  
Concerning the third sort of Enemies, the malignants, whether they be such as from the beginning did oppose the work of Reformation of Religion in this Land, or such as show themselves, upon what soever pretence, backward and disaffected to the Reformation of Religion in England, so much endeavoured by this Kirk from our zeal to the glory of Christ, our desire of the happiness of the neighbouring kingdoms, our fears of apparent danger to the Religion here, if they be not made one with us in unity of Religion and uniformity of Kirk-Government, and our hopes, by the blessing of God, to have a pattern from the word set up in this Island for the example of other Kirks abroad; Because Enemies of this kind may prove most dangerous, if they be not discovered and avoided, it is at this time a chief part of our duty to make such malignants known to the people, that they be not deceived and drawn away from their own steadfastness, and from the love of Christ, and their brethren: But in doing this duty, we have great need of wisdom, and the spirit of discerning, that we neither take our Friends to be our Enemies, and by that mistake discourage the well affected, and multiply Enemies against ourselves, nor such as are indeed Enemies to be our Friends, and thereby wrong the cause of God, and weaken ourselves in seeking after Reformation. And therefore they must not be taken for Enemies who hope the best of the King's Majesty, and profess that they love His Honour (which is the calumny of the malignant against the seekers of Reformation) nor such as in the beginning through want of persuasion were not so forward for Reformation, nor such as in debate of matters do possibly differ in their judgement from others about some circumstances and midses which may lead to the desired end of unity in Religion; providing their conversation be such as beseemeth the gospel of Christ, and for the substance and reality of their Speeches and Actions in private and public, they be known to contribute their best endeavours for Reformation.  
Upon the other part such as be Enemies indeed may be known: First by their malicious censuring and calumniating of the Civil and Ecclesiastical meetings of this Kirk and Kingdom which are held for conserving of peace betwixt the Kingdoms, and for endeavouring by all good means the unity of Religion, as if they tended to the diminution of the King His Greatness and Authority in England: Secondly, by their despising or misregarding of the public resolutions agreed upon for so good ends: Thirdly, by their notable injuring the King's Majesty in His Honour, in attributing to His Majesty whatsoever is plotted by bad Counselors, or acted by the Popish and Prelatical party, as if there were not a difference betwixt the King and them, or betwixt the King His Authority and the pretence and abuse thereof: Fourthly, by slandering and traducing all such as labour to promove the Reformation in England, not sparing them who are in places of government, and whom God hath honoured to be worthy instruments in our own Reformation, as if they were Enemies to the King's Honour, and were serving their own private ends without respect to the public: Fifthly, by their going about & endeavouring to make the hearts and hands of others to faint in the work of Reformation; and if it were possible, to make them as malignant and disaffected as themselves: Sixthly, by labouring to bring the Parliament of England in suspicion, as if they intended to cast off the yoke of Royal Authority, or intended not the Reformation of Religion, and Unity with this Kirk: Seventhly, by their insolency and boasting when they hear of the success of the Popish and Prelatical party, and their readiness to assist them according to their power, whereby they bewray their fear of the Reformation of Religion, and their hopes to see the day when they shall be avenged upon such as they malign at home. When they are known by these and the like practices, we ought to warn the People to beware of their company, counsels and seducements: And because such malignants shrowded themselves under the false pretence of loyalty to the King's Majesty, without respect to Religion, or the good of the public; we ought in all our speeches and prayers to testify our faithfulness, and high respects to the King's Majesty, and also to press and pray for the unity of Religion, and for prospering all the good ways that may conduce for so blessed a work, as serving for the honour of GOD, and for the King His greatness, and the true peace of His Kingdoms, declaring all such as oppose the unity of Religion to be enemies to God, to the King, and to the peace and prosperity of the Kingdoms.  
Next, since it is incumbent to us by our calling, and committed to us by the General Assembly, according to our callings, to use all Lawful and Ecclesiastical ways for furtherance of Reformation and Unity of Religion, for continuance of our own peace at home, & of the common peace betwixt the Kingdoms, A necessity is laid upon us:  
First, to give warning to the people of the danger of the Protestant Religion through the Popish Armies in England and Ireland, pretending that they are better and more dutiful Subjects than the Protestants, but intending no less than the ruin of the reformed Religion, and the planting of that Heresy, Idolatry and Tyranny, in a more compendious way than could have been done by the late Service-Book, and Book of Canons. In which course if they shall by their power prevail, it will be impossible for the King's Majesty to suppress Popery, and maintain the true Religion conform to the many promises contained in His Majesty's Declarations; they will soon cast off their professed allegiance and subjection; and it will be no easy matter for this Kirk and Kingdom, whence they conceive all their troubles and disappointments have issued, to resist their violence, especially considering what a disaffected and discontented party we have at home in our own bosom.  
Secondly, since unity in the truth hath been our strength since the beginning, we ought by all good means in public and private, to prevent and remove all divisive motions which by malicious & crafty sycophants are endeavoured, by spreading of calumnies and slanders against the present government, and putting aspersions on such, whether of the Nobility, Gentry, Burrowes or Ministry, as the Lord hath honoured to be faithful and happy Instruments in his work from the beginning, have endured the heat of the day, and resolve to be constant unto the end.  
Thirdly, that since by the providence of God the two Kingdoms are of late so strongly united, & there be hopes of a more strong union by unity of Religion, it is our duty to labour to remove and prevent all occasions of jealousies and suspicions betwixt the Kingdoms, and to do or say nothing that may breed misunderstandings, break off correspondence, weaken the confidence, or infringe the Union and Peace betwixt the two Kingdoms so happily established in His Majesty's presence, and with his Royal consent in both Parliaments.  
Fourthly, because when we speak for the King's honour, & for obedience to civil authority in all things lawful, our speeches are wrested by perverse men to their corrupt ends, as if we loved not the Reformation of Religion; and when in preaching and prayer we testify our zeal to the Reformation of Religion in England and Ireland, we are traduced as Enemies to the King, & to Royal authority, which may make a great mistaking, and work dangerous effects amongst the people who love both Reformation of Religion and the King's Honour: Therefore in this difficulty we ought to show in our doctrine, That there is no repugnancy betwixt the King's Authority & the Reformation of Religion, That nothing can serve so much for His Majesty's glory, and the greatness of His Kingdoms, as doth the Reformation of Religion in all his dominions, And that such as are opposite to the Reformation of Religion are greatest Enemies to the King's Honour, whatsoever they profess or swear to the contrary; And also to explain the difference betwixt the King's power and just authority, and the pretending and abusing thereof by such men for their own private ends; And to show that opposition to such men and their ways, is a true testimony of faithfulness and loyalty to the King.  
That the Presbytery be careful to discern and try these malignants, and to reclaim or censure them, according to the Acts of the Assembly, and to make report of their diligence to the next Assembly.  
And because while the Commissioners of the Assembly are guarding themselves against the opposition of these Enemies, they are secretly and covertly opposed by a malignant Petition, crossing an humble Petition of theirs, presented to the Lords and others Commissioners for conserving of Peace; against which, as destructive of all that they had been building up, they were constrained to emit their Declaration, which is sent also with this Warning, to all the Ministry in the Land: it is necessary that the foresaid Declaration be diligently perused by the Ministers, and by them made known and published to all the people, that they be not deceived and drawn away from their steadfastness, by the cunning and craft of the secret and subtle Enemies of our Nationall Covenant, upon any pretence whatsoever: And if any shall be found to deal for subscribing the Cross Petition, and thereby to work division in the Ministry, or among the People; or if any of the Ministry, (which God forbidden) shall be found to favour, countenance, or speak in defence thereof, or be remiss in publishing the Declaration, in that case the Presbytery to proceed against them as dis-covenanters, and enemies to the peace of the Kirk and Kingdom, and to the intended unity of Religion, whatsoever their professed intentions, and specious pretexts be to the contrary, as they will be answerable to the next General Assembly: to which both we for our directions, and they for their diligence must render a reckoning.  
In end, because much every way doth depend upon us of the Ministry, we have need to stir up ourselves to faithfulness in every pastoral duty, and to keep ourselves and the People in truth and unity. Which by the blessing of God will be a powerful mean to preserve our Religion, and to propagate the same to other Kirks, groaning under their several burdens, and panting for such a Reformation as the Lord in mercy hath granted unto us.  
The Commissioners of the General Assembly upon mature deliberation judge it necessary, that this Warning be publicly read in all the Parish Kirks, that secret enemies may be discovered, and that none of the people pretend ignorance in joining less or more, with any of the said three sorts of enemies.   

A SOLEMN FAST AND HUMILIATION Appointed by the Commissioners of the General Assembly, to be kept through the whole Kingdom, upon the last Sabbath of February, and the next Thursday thereafter.  
WHereas by the late General Assembly, power is committed to us to consider and perform what we find necessary by all lawful and Ecclesiastic ways, for furtherance of the Union in Religion, and Unity in Kirk-government, for continuance of our own Peace at home, and of the common Peace betwixt the Kingdoms: We find it necessary, that there shall be a Solemn Fast and Humiliation kept in all the Kirks of this Kingdom, on the last Sabbath of February, and the Thursday next thereafter, for the causes and motives following.  
Although within these few years we renewed the Covenant, and vowed solemnly to stand to the former Reformation of Religion, and to reform ourselves and Families, we have notwithstanding fallen from the zeal and fervency of our Profession at that time; Persons of all ranks and callings are grown lukewarm, and are content with a mere formality, and show of Godliness, without the inward power; yea, the most part are profane; so that Blasphemy, Profanation of the Sabbath, Fornication, Adultery, Drunkenness, and other vices abound as much as before in the time of corruption▪ Family worship, mutual edification, and stirring up one of another by information, admonition, consolation, rebuke much neglected, and Ministers negligent in urging the same. All which are so much the more heinous, because of our unthankfulness after so great mercies, and breach of Covenant.  
The danger of this Kirk and Kingdom, arising partly from within, by the insolency of Papists in these troublesome times, the divisive motions of the malignant party, and creeping in of the errors of separation; and partly from without, from the Popish Armies and Prelatical party in England and Ireland, which aim undoubtedly at the disturbance of our Peace, and overthrow of the Work of Reformation. The consideration whereof should move us to pray to God to direct us in all lawful means which may serve for unity among ourselves, that we may be the more strengthened against the common enemies.  
In respect of the fellow-feeling which we ought to have with the members of Christ's body far and near, we have cause to lament the long lasting troubles of the Kirks of God abroad in Germany, and elsewhere, and specially the present combustions in England, and almost utter desolation in Ireland.  
That the Lord may bless all lawful means to be used for preserving the Union and Peace betwixt the two Kingdoms, and procuring the unity of Religion, and uniformity of worship and Kirk-government within His Majesty's Dominions; especially that God would grant a good success to the treaty and travels of the Commissioners for the conservation of Peace, and a gracious acceptance to the Supplications unto His Majesty from the Lords of Council, and the Commissioners both of Parliament, and of the General Assembly.  
Because the unhappy division betwixt the King and the Parliament of England is a great impediment to the work of Reformation, and to the settling of a firm Peace in His Majesty's Dominions, it is our duty to recommend earnestly to the Lord, that the differences may be composed in such a way as may most conduce to advance the so much wished for Unity of Religion, and uniformity of worship and Kirk-government.  
Finally, that the Lord would discover and disappoint all the conspiracies, counsels, and machinations, which tend to the execution of the bloody decrees of Trent, the fountain whence hath issued all the troubles and persecutions to the Reformed Kirks, and quickly destroy the man of Sinne.   
FINIS.