An Humble ADDRESS OF THE Provincial Synod, OF FIFE IN SCOTLAND. To His most Sacred Majesty, After the Receipt of His most Gracious LETTER, to the several Presbyteries of the Church of SCOTLAND.  
Directed to the Right Honourable the Earl of Lauderdale, Gentleman of His Majesty's Bedchamber, and Lord Secretary of Scotland, to be by him presented to His most Excellent MAJESTY.  
LONDON 〈…〉   


C R   royal English blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT   

An Humble Address of the Provincial Synod of Fife in SCOTLAND.  
May it please your Lordship,  
HAving received the double of a Letter sent from his Majesty with our brother Mr. James Scharp, to the Presbytery of Edinborough, communicated by them, by his Majesty's desire, to the several Presbyteries of this Province (as it was also to other Presbyteries within this Kingdom) and by these, referred to this Assembly, because of the near approaching of our meeting, for some return to be given thereupon. And the same being read, once and again, in the public audience of the Assembly, we were so, to our great comfort and joy, affected with his Majesty's gracious resolutions, therein expressed, in order to the matters of God: That, as we could not but break forth into joyful thanksgiving to God in His Majesty's behalf; So judged we it our duty to express our sense hereof to your Lordship, His Majesty's Secretary, which we humbly desire your Lordship will be pleased, as conveniency may serve, to make known to his Majesty.  
WHen it seemed good to the Lord God, whose ways are all holy and righteous, for the iniquity of the people of these Lands, to permit the power of rebellious, and ungodly men, so far to prevail, as to the expelling His Sacred Majesty out of His Kingdoms, and from the government thereof: This was, to us, the taking from us the breath of our Nostrils, and the shadow, under which we were to have lived among the Nations. And we did find it indeed to be so, by many sad and bitter oppressions, and confusions, as well in civil interests, as in matters ecclesiastic, which followed thereupon, under, and by the domination of the Usurpers, and are so notoure to the world, that we need not trouble your Lordship by taking up your time with a rehearsal thereof. As soon as His Majesty returned, and entered again into his Kingdoms, we found, a reviving: especially by that most Royal, Christian, and Pious Proclamation, issued by his Majesty, the very next day after His first coming to His Royal Palace of Whitehall, against unchristian heart-burnings, and revile amongst His Christian Subjects and against profaneness, and debauched riot. This, as it was a clear evidence, that the Lord had sanctified His Majesty's afflictions to Him, and given Him his Judgements, and Righteousness; So was to us a strong ground of joyful hope, and assurance, that the righteous shall flourish in His days; And that wisdom, and knowledge, shall be the stability of his times, and strength of salvation: And that the fear of the Lord is his Treasure.  
But now this His most Sacred Majesties gracious Letter, hath fully quickened us, and set us, and this Church upon our feet; And is as the Lord were saying to us. Fear not, peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. As it is matter of great peace to our consciences before God, by whom Kings do reign, that in these bypast times of trials, and tentations, we have through the grace of God, according to our measure, sympathized with our King in his sufferings, and continued constant in our affection, and loyalty to His Majesty, as our only rightful Sovereign under Almighty God: So it is no small matter of comfort, happiness, and rejoicing to us, that His Majesty hath been graciously pleased to declare His assurance of, and good satisfaction with the 〈◊〉 of the generality of the Ministers in this Kingdom, as to this. And as we do verily believe, that for the generality of the Ministers of Scotland, there is real cause why His Majesty might well be so persuaded of them: So it is to us great grief and affliction of Spirit, that any in this Kingdom, of what station, or calling soever, have, in the time of trial, under whatsoever pretences, swarved from that Duty, and Allegiance they owed to his Majesty: wishing that God may grant them repentance, and forgiveness of that grievous sin, so hateful to God, and so opposite to the principles of our holy Profession.  
But our hearts were filled with joy, beyond all, for the grace of God bestowed upon His Majesty, and his abundant goodness toward this Church; by inclining His Majesty's royal Heart to resolve, and, for assuring his people, graciously to declare it to be His resolution, by the grace of God, to discountenance profaneness, and all contemners, and opposers, of the ordinances of the Gospel; to protect, and preserve the Government of this Church, as it is established by Law, without violation; to countenance in the due exercise of their Functions, all such Ministers, who shall behave themselves dutifully and peaceably (which, indeed, becometh men of their calling, and for ourselves, we trust, through grace, shall ever be our sincere endeavour to do) as also to take care that the Authority, and Acts, of the general Assembly of St. Andrew's and Dundee, in the year 1651. (wherein the peace of this Church, and the reputation thereof, in the eyes of all Churches about us, are so much concerned) be owned, and stand in force, until another general Assembly, promising graciously withal, that he will call another, as soon as His Majesty's affairs will permit (a blessing which the sad affects that this Church hath sustained by the want thereof, through the oppression of Usurpers, makes us the more to long for, and will render the more sweet to us.) My Lord, we cannot express, how great obligations, we are sensible, doth lie upon our hearts, to bless the Lord our God, who hath set up such an hedge of royal Authority about this Church, and the matter of Religion among us, a people so unworthy, and misdeserving. And what addition we do find these His Majesty's Gracious, and Pious resolutions, make to all the other Bonds and Engagements, Natural, and Divine, we are under, to study to approve ourselves faithful, loyal, and loving Subjects to His Majesty. If now, when the Lord hath procured to us such a shadow, and assurance from His Sacred Majesty, that we may live under Him a quiet, and peaceable life, in all godliness, and honesty, any should yet labour to create jealousies in the minds of people, it were high wickedness, and ingratitude, to be abominated, both against God, and the King. We do hearty homolog at the resolution of our brethren, hinted in his Majesty's Letter, not to meddle without their Sphere; and are resolved, by the grace of God to do accordingly, in our respective Judicatories, and every of us, in our particular Stations, judging it very alien from our Calling, and contrary to the clear revealed will of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, to intrude into, or entangle ourselves with meddling in matters that are not Ecclesiastic. We will also, according to our duty, whereunto we are so straight bound by the Command of God, and the tie of our Allegiance, and so deeply obliged in gratitude to his gracious Majesty, endeavour, as is competent to us, to promote His Majesty's Authority, and interests with His Subjects, against all opposers: And shall, in the way allowed to us, take notice of all such, as shall in any way transgress the limits of their Calling, by endeavouring to corrupt the people, or sow seeds of disaffection to his Majesty. And, as we esteem it a singular mercy that we may expect His Majesty's favour in our Calling, and Work, (trusting that our Lord will furnish us with wisdom, and grace, so to carry ourselves in all the managements thereof, that we shall not deserve the withdrawing of His royal favour, and encouragement from us) so, it being the will of God, that prayers and supplications be made for all men, in special for Kings, and all in Authority: And His Majesty being such a King, who himself, is so piously, and affectionately desirous of our prayers (which makes us confidently hopeful, that our Addresses to the Throne of Grace in his behalf, shall not be in vain) we shall not fail, as the Spirit of the Lord shall help and enable us, to pray, in public, and private, that our Almighty gracious God may multiply grace, mercy, and peace upon His royal heart; pour out blessings upon His Throne, and Government; preserve his Person long to reign, a Nursing Father to the Church of Jesus Christ, in his Dominions, Amen.  
My Lord, We humbly beg leave to trouble your Lordship with this one word more. We do hearty bless the Lord in your behalf, for the good offices, we are certainly informed, your Lordship has done at this time for this your mother Church. And we assure ourselves, your Lordship will continue, and abound more and more in so good a work. We verily do think and look on it as a special mercy of God to this Church, that such a Son of hers as your Lordship, a Person so eminently gifted and enabled of God, so well principled, is come to such place and trust about his Majesty, at such a time as this. Your Lordship's improving the advantage thereof in so pious a service, will be acceptable to God, be honourable to, and bring a blessing, we doubt not, upon your Lordship's Person, and Noble Family. That so it may be, shall be the earnest prayer of.  
Right Honourable, Your Lordships very Humble Servants the Ministers, and Elders of the Synod of Fife. Mr. George Hamilton Moderator in Name, and by the Appointment of the Synod Mr. George Ogilvie Clerk. Kirkaldy, 4. Octob. 1660.