Several LETTERS FROM THE PARLIAMENT AND General Assembly Of the Kirk of SCOTLAND, TO THE Houses of Parliament of England, The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common council of the City of LONDON, AND THE Assembly of Divines at Westminster. Published by Authority. LONDON: Printed for Laurence Chapman, July 13. 1646. Right honourable, THe Estates of Parliament of this Kingdom have considered the Desires of the honourable Houses concerning the garrisons placed by the Scotish Army, in the Towns and Castles of Carlisle, Newcastle, Tynmouth, Hartlepool, Stockton, Warkworth and Thirlwal, expressed in the Letter of the 13 of Nov. last, & have sent Instructions to their Commissioners, to give such an Answer to the honourable Houses, as they are confident may serve most for promoting the Cause wherein both Kingdoms are so highly engaged, and carrying on the War to the best advantage. They have further given direction to their Commissioners to make known to the honourable Houses, the earnest Desires of this Kingdom for the settling of Religion and Church-Government( which, as it was the principal ground of their Engagement in this Cause, so will the perfecting of it be their chiefest joy and glory of both Kingdoms) and their propension for carrying on the War with the united affection, and Forces of both Kingdoms; And that no good means be left un-assayed for attaining a firm and lasting Peace, it being the constant Resolution of this Kingdom against all opposition, to strengthen and cherish the unity and Brotherly kindness between the Kingdoms; and Peace settled with Truth, and these things performed by the honourable Houses( which by Treaty they are obliged unto) to recall the Scotish Army, with as great alacrity as they were ready to sand the same into England, for the assistance of their Brethren. The inconstancy of the Weather in this season hath been an impediment to the passage betwixt this and Ireland, so as they have not yet had an Answer to their Letters sent hither concerning Belfast; but they have commanded their Committee to return Answer to the honourable Houses in that particular, how soon they shall receive Information concerning the same. We are, Your affectionate Friends, and humble Servants, Crawford and Lindsay, President of Parliament. Saint Andrews, 3. Feb. 164●. For the Right honourable, the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster. Right honourable, AS the Parliament of this Kingdom doth aclowledge the zeal and endeavours of the honourable Houses of Parliament, for the good progress already made towards Reformation of Religion and Uniformity of Church-Government; So is it expected, that when they shal seriously consider the Brotherly affection and great sufferings of this Kingdom, who from a peaceable condition, which we formerly enjoyed, did engage ourselves in a dangerous & bloody war with England against their Enemies, when their Affairs were in the hardest and lowest condition, upon a mutual League and Covenant, to settle Religion and Church-Government, according to the Word of God, the practise of the best Reformed Churches, and ●s might draw the nearest Uniformity betwixt the two Kingdoms, which was acknowledged to be the chief ground of craving aid a●d Assistance from this Kingdom( the honourable Houses will now( after so mature deliberation) add their Authority & Civil Sanction) without further delay, to what the pious and learned Assembly of Divines, upon mature and accurate Debates, have advised to be most agreeable to the Word of God, and perfect what remains to be done in the Work, according to the Covenant; which I am commanded by the Parliament of this Kingdom to demand, and do accordingly in their Names demand of the honourable Houses of Parliament of England: The performance whereof will be most acceptable to this Kirk and Kingdom, as a special recompense of the labours, and blood which hath been shed in assisting you to promote the Cause of God, and will be a mean to procure Gods blessing upon the proceedings and undertakings of both Kingdoms: And the Parliament of this Kingdom is persuaded, That the Piety and Wisdom of the honourable Houses, will never admit Toleration of any Sects or Schisms, contrary to our Solemn and Sacred Covenant. The next desire of the Parliament of this Kingdom( and which of all things next to Truth is most desirable) is, That all lawful means be used for attaining a just and well-grounded Peace; for which end, I am commanded to desire, and do accordingly in the Name of the Parliament of this Kingdom desire, That the Propositions of Peace be dispatched to His Majesty, and may be so pursued and managed, as may best procure the settling of Truth and Peace, that there may be an end of the great distractions, and unnatural War of all the three Kingdoms. This Kingdom lieth under the burden of great and vast expense, in raising and entertaining Armies, and hath with the loss of the lives of many precious men, set their own houses on fire to quench the flamme of yours, and almost destroyed their own Nation to preserve yours; And seeing by the seasonable assistance, afforded by this Kingdom to you, and by the late successses wherewith God hath blessed your Armies, you are in a great measure freed of your trouble, and are in a far better capacity to pay the Money due to our Armies in England and Ireland, then you were at any time since the beginning of these Wars, I am likewise commanded by the Parliament of this Kingdom to demand, and accordingly do in their Name demand of the honourable Houses of Parliament, to make payment before the Third of May next, of the sums of Money duly owing by them to this Kingdom, and their Armies in England and Ireland, according to the Treaties between the two Kingdoms( the account whereof will be given in by our Commissioners) hat this Kingdom may be thereby relieved of the great I ●●rthens and pressures of our debts contracted in this Cause, and be enabled and encouraged for joint carrying on of the War, till the Church of God be settled in Purity and Peace. And it is further craved from the Justice of the honourable Houses of Parliament, that they will take into their serious consideration the great losses sustained by this Kingdom at Sea, through the not attendance of their Ships upon our Coasts, according to the Treaty, and make reparation thereof; and of the losses which Scotland hath sustained by the Irish Invasion, which the Kingdom of England is bound to suppress by the large Treaty. In all which, the Desires of the Parliament of this Kingdom are no other, then that Religion and Church Government may be settled according to our Covenant, That the War may be carried on with Brotherly and constant affection, by the joint Counsels and Forces of both Kingdoms, That a well-grounded and durable Peace may be endeavoured betwixt the King and His Subjects, That payment be made of the sums due to this Kingdom and our Armies by Treaty; and, That( against the malice of our open Enemies, and secret Plots of such as for their own ends are labouring to sow Sedition betwixt Brethren, tied by so many relations) mutual Amity and Union between the Kingdoms, may be strengthened and perpetuated to all posterity. We rest Your affectionate Friends, and humble Servants, Crawford and Lindsay, President of Parliament. St. Andrews, 3. Feb. 164● / ●. For the Right honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster. Right honourable, BEing appointed by the Parliament of this Kingdom, now adjourned, to keep correspondence with the honourable Houses of Parliament of England, and being entrusted with the pursuance of their Desires for the furtherance of the Common Cause, and the public and mutual good of both Kingdoms; We do in the Name of the Parliament, and by their Authority certify, That this Kingdom, notwithstanding all their sufferings and discouragements, are not moved or shaken from the●r former Resolutions and Vows, but will live and die with their Brethren of England, in the prosecution of the ends expressed in the Solemn League and Covenant; Being confident of the like Inclination and Resolution of the Parliament and Kingdom of England, against all such groundless suspicions and needless Jealousies to the contrary, as bad Instruments, from the beginning to this day, have been, from their envy of our common happiness, and for their own private ends, inventing and suggesting, That all the common troubles which both Kingdoms have endured, may end in a public Tragedy to the scandal and grief of the Reformed Churches, the hardening and strengthening of our common Enemies, the making of ourselves the Instruments of our own mutual ruin and destruction, and, which is most of all, the dishonour of the great Name of our God, with whom we have entred in Covenant for the propagation of the Gospel, and the advancement of the Kingdom of his Son. For the present, according to the Trust committed unto us, we make our address to both Houses in the particulars following, and do not doubt but we shall receive such satisfaction, as may be a real testimony of their Justice and Brotherly kindness. Upon Information from our Commissioners there, The Parliament, before their adjourning, did understand what was written by one calling himself Robert Wright, and informed by another, whose name was kept in the dark, and confirmed by a Letter of Mr. Jermin, to the Lord Digby, against this Kingdom, their Army in England, and their Commissioners there, The accusations are of so high a nature, and so sophistically insinuated, that the Parliament, which, during their sitting, were upon all occasions endeavouring the best ways of the preserving the happy Conjunction of the two Kingdoms, were much affencted therewith, as a matter wherein they were much concerned, both for their own Vindication, and the Satisfaction of their Brethren. If there shall be any matter or ground of such Accusation found against any person of this Kingdom, or our Army, or any of our Commissioners, we are no less willing that it be examined, and punished to the full, then we desire and expect, that the like be done against any in England, that transgress in that kind, which is comform to our Covenant, wherein we all swear, With all faithfulness to endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, by hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his people, or any of the Kingdoms from the other, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as t●e degree of their offences shall require or deserve. But let us desire and expect from our Brethren, all charity, tenderness, and respect to this Kingdom, our Army, and Commissioners, of whose faithfulness they have had so large and manifold experience; and in their several Letters to this Kingdom, did give them so ample testimonies; that no aspersion or suspicions lye upon them, by concealing the names of any persons who can be discovered. And therefore, according to the Trust committed unto us, We do desire in Name of the Parliament and Kingdom of Scotland( if that Robert Wright be not yet found out, who he is, and that hidden Knight after so long a time be not yet unsecreted, and made known by name) all means may be used for discovering the one; whose Letters have been so frequently produced before the Committee of both Kingdoms, and revealing the other to our Commissioners, which is in the power of some of the Members of the House of Commons to do; that both Kingdoms may be satisfied, when the Truth is brought to light, and all such jealousies and misunderstandings may be prevented for the future. We do also represent to the honourable Houses of Parliament, That this Kirk and Kingdom is more scandalised and grieved in the matter of Religion, which immediately concerneth God and his Honour, then in any thing on Earth, touching themselves and their own name. A Directory for the Worship of God is agreed upon in the Assembly, and authorised by both Kingdoms, and practised carefully by this Church; but the Service Book still remained in some places of England, under the Parliaments power, and the Directory very much slighted, and by some avowedly written against. Instead of the intended Unity in Religion, Basphemous Errors, Heresies, Sects, and Schisms are increased and multiplied through the want of Church Government. The National Assembly of this Ki●k in their Answer to the Declaration of the Parliament of England, of the date July, 1642 profess, That themselves and all the well affencted within the Kingdom, are exceedingly grieved and made heavy, because the Reformation of Religion had moved so slowly and suffered so great interruption. And the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, in their Reply did profess, That the miserable estate of the Church and Kingdom was not able to endure any longer delay. Like as in their Declaration sent to the general Assembly, they profess, That they do not doubt but to settle such a Reformation of the Church, as should be most agreeable to Gods Word. And in the aforementioned Reply they declare, That their purpose is to consult with godly and learned Divines, that they may settle such a Government, as may be most agreeable to Gods most holy Word. Some Commissioners from this Kirk have attended the Assembly of Divines there, for the space of two years and a half; and long ago the Assembly have offered their advice to both Houses, yet can we hear nothing of the settling of a government; but upon the contrary of a real growth of all Sects and Errors, and of great endeavours for Toleration thereof, which maketh us and this Church and Kingdom, who cannot understand where the difficulty and obstruction lieth, to wonder at so long a delay; wherein we are very much interested, not onely in relation to the glory of God, our mutual League and Covenant, and the peace and happiness of that Church and Kingdom; but also in regard of the unity of Religion amongst ourselves, and of the peace of this Kingdom, which cannot be long preserved from so dangerous contagion; which would be more grievous and intolerable unto us, then all our troubles and sufferings have been: And therefore from all these Considerations, in Name of this Kingdom and Parliament, We do in all earnestness desire, that Church-Government may now at last, without further delay, be settled according to the Covenant. We do in like manner press what hath been solicited by our Commissioners, for the space of eight moneths past, That the Propositions of Peace after so much debate and deliberation, agreed upon unanimously by both Kingdoms, the most material whereof have been fully Treated upon at Uxbrige, may be forthwith sent to His Majesty, wherein this Kingdom is the more earnest, that they know not the cause why the sending of these Propositions is so long suspended; they long for the end of this unhappy War, by the happy settling of Religion and Peace: And so much the more, that they do perceive some would make use of the continuance of these Wars, to raise and foment jealousies and differences betwixt these Kingdoms, and to separate those whom God hath so strictly tied for so goods ends, by so many Bonds and Relations; And we are confident, will never suffer to be divided, but still continue them in a firm and blessed Conjunction against all machinations of Satan and his instruments: Which shall ever be the settled Resolution and constant Endeavour of Your Lordships most affectionate Friends and humble servants Loudoun Cancellarius. I. P. D. come. St. Andrews 10. Feb. 164● / ● For the Right honourable, the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England as Westminster. RIGHT honourable, YOur several Addresses to the honourable Houses of Parliament, and the relation of our Commissioners, hath given us so perfect knowledge and deep impression of your affection, and true z●al for the Reformation of Religion, and Uniformity of Church-Government, as hath much refreshed us in our greatest difficulties, and doth far exceed our acknowledgements. your constant care of advancing and furnishing very great sums of money to the Armies, who stand for defence of Religion, and the just public Liberty of the Subjects in all the three Kingdoms, is an evident demonstration how much you prefer the good of the public to your private Interest: And your special regard in cheerfully supplying the Armies of th●s Kingdom with Money and other necessity Provisions, in the times of their most urgent necessities, hath so greatly endeared unto us the Brotherly affection of that famous City, as will not only be a real tie of Amity for the present, but will likewise lay a firm foundation of reciprocal kindness, and inviolable friendship for all succeeding Ages. And as the many real proofs of your affection and fidelity, in doing and suffering for the Cause of God, gives unto us full persuasions and confidence of your constancy for promoting thereof, till( by Gods blessing upon the joint endeavours of both Nations) Truth with a j●st Peace( which is the highest of ou● desires) be settled in all the Kingdoms: So do we conceive it suitable to your deserts, and agreeable to the gratitude of this Kingdom, to return you most hearty thanks, and to assure you, that all our Actions shall witness the candour and sincerity of our Intentions, and most earnest desires to embrace and improve all opportunities, which may conduce to the prosperity of your City, and testify the Brotherly affection of Your most loving and faithful Friends, Crawford and Lindsay, President of Parliament. St. Andrews, 27. Ian. 164● / ●. For the Right honourable, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and common-council of the City of London. Right honourable and Reverend, THe l●rge and abundant proof you have given now a long time of your sincerity, constancy, and unwearied painfulness in advancing ●nd settling ●he Affairs of Christ; together with your vigilancy and circumspection, against every way destructive to the Unity desired and intended in our Solemn League and Covenant, Remonstrated to us by the General Assembly, and their Commissioners from time to time; As it doth comfort us in all the sad sufferings of this Land, so shall you receive the sweet reward of your toylsom labours in that Work so acceptable to God; and thereby your Name shall be famous to all Churches abroad, and your Memory gracious to Posterity. And although the honourable Houses of Parliament in that Kingdom, are exercised with such difficulties as occasion these long delays of establishing the Government of the Church, agreeable to the Word of God, and the best Reformed Churches; yet are we confident, that( by the blessing of God upon the endeavours of the honourable Houses) their Wisdom and Zeal will break through all difficulties and delays, for settling that Government to our common joy, whereby the hearts of the Lords people fainting under languishing expectation, may be comforted, the Adversaries frustrated of their vain hopes, deluding Errors suppressed, dangerous Schisms may be prevented, and gross profanity, and every thing which is against the power of godliness may be banished away: for which, we have more fully represented our most earnest desires to the honourable Houses; and withal, do certify our confidence and firm Resolution by the Lords assistance from his all-sufficiency, That we shall give constant and real Testimony to our dear Brethren of England, and to all the world, who shall impartially consider our proceedings, that no difficulties, no dangers, nor sufferings whatsoever, shall make us swerve from the mutual League and Covenant, nor from the active prosecuting the ends thereof, by all possible and lawful means to the utmost of our power. We rest, Your loving and faithful Friends, Crawford and Lindsay. President of Parliament. St. Andrews, Feb. 3 164● / ●. For the Right honourable and Right Reverend, the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. Right honourable and Reverend, YOur Letter of the 15. of january did refresh us not a little; for therein we beholded( that which we also heard, by the particular relation of the Right honourable the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord Wareston, witnesses of all) the Work of your Faith, the labour of your Love, the Patience of your Hope, your Constancy in Well-doing, your Sympathy and Bowels of Love towards us your Beloved and Covenanted Brethren, your holy Zeal for the Lord, your painfulness and Diligence to have his Temple purged of all Errors and Schisms, and his Government established and settled on the right Foundation, your watchfulness to hold fast our Solemn League and Covenant, to entertain that Brotherhood and Unity between the Nations, to shun every thing destructive thereof, and contrary thereunto: For all the lively and lovely Expressions whereof we cannot but bless the Lord, rejoice in your behalf, and gather hopes of a very rare blessing to ensue upon your faithful labours. We are confident that the Master-builder shall appoint and reward your Work, and strengthen your hearts and hands, that you shall see with comfort the sweet fruits of all your pains, and transmit to Posterity that which shall make your Name to be had in everlasting remembrance, and to smell as a precious ointment to after Ages. We are not ignorant with how many difficulties you are compassed; but we trust, that your s●eking of the Lord shall not be in vain; for not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts shall the Mountains be made plain, and the Head ston of the Building be brought forth with shoutings. Many go about to about to cut asunder the staves of beauty and bonds, and to break the Brotherhood between judah and Israel; but blessed be the Lord your God, who hath filled your hearts with a better Spirit, even his own Spirit, a Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, a Spirit of Unity and Verity; the fruits and operations whereof, as they have been hitherto, so we doubt not they shall be hereafter manifested more and more in your constant care and endeavours with the honourable Houses of Parliament, for establishing the Government of the Church, comform to the Word of God, and the best Reformed Churches, and for Churches, and for removing all Jealousies, and preserving entire Unity between the Kingdoms; which hath been, and ever shall be among the chiefest of our desires and travels here. We do and shall rejoice in all our undertakings, engagements, and sufferings for you and with you, and are resolved to spend and be spent for your good, for promoting and settling the great Affairs of the Kingdom of our Lord among you, and for making his jerusalem a praise in the Earth, that all with one heart and one consent may serve and glorify him in the Unity of Doctrine, Worship and Government. This is the sum of all our desires and designs, which this Worthy Bearer the Lord Waryston can at greater length make known unto you. Now unto our God who will perfect that which he hath begun, and hasten the day wherein all the Sons and Daughters of judah shall rejoice and cry with shouting, jerusalem is built, and Babylon is fallen. We recommend you and your labours in this great Work. Subscribed in Name and by Command of the Commission of the General Assembly, by Mr. Robert Dowglas, Moderator. St. Andrews, 12. February, 1646 / 3. For the Right honourable and Right Reverend, the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. A Letter from the general Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, to both Houses of Parliament. Right honourable, THE report of the great things which the Lord has done for your honours, has gone forth into many Lands, and it becometh us least of any either to smother or extenuate the same; Wee desire to bee enlarged in the admiration of the power and mency of God the author, and to diminish nothing of that praise that is due unto you as instruments. When the Lord set your Honours upon the Bench of judgement, both the Kirk and Commonwealth of England were afflicted with intestine and bosom evils, the care whereof could not but be very difficult, because they were not onely many, but for the most part universal and deeply rooted, sheltered under the shadow of custom and law, and supported with all the wisdom and strength of the Malignant and prelatical party; who rather choosed to involve the Land in an unnatural and bloody War, then to fail of their ambitious and treacherous designs against Religion, the privileges of Parliament, and the laws and Liberties of the kingdom. Neither hath that miserable crew been wanting unto their own ends, but for many yeares together hath desperately pursued their resolutions in arms; And was likely to have prevailed, if the Lord had not put himself in the breach, and furnished you with much patience, wisdom, courage, and constancy in the midst of many difficulties and distresses, and at last with so glorious and triumphing a success, that the Enemy hath fa●ne every where before you, and there is none left to appear against you. These things as they be the matter of our refreshment and of your glory, So do they lay a strong obligation upon your honours to walk humbly with your God, and to improve the power he has put into your hands, for the advancement of the kingdom of his son, and bringing forth the head ston of his house. The slow progress of the work of God has always been the matter of our sorrow which is now increased by the multiplication of the spirits of error and delusion, that drown many souls in perdition, And so strengthen themselves that they shall afterward be laboured against, with more pains then success, if a speedy and effectual remedy be not provided. And therefore as the servants of the living God, who not onely sand up our supplications daily for you, but have hazarded ourselves in your defence; Wee do earnesty beseech your Honours in the bowels of Jesus Christ, to give unto him the glory that is due unto his Name, by a timeous establishing all his Ordinances in the full integrity and power thereof, according to the League and Covenant. As long as the Assembly of Divines was in debate and an Enemy in the Fields, wee conceive that these might be probable grounds of delay, which being now removed out of the way, wee do promise ourselves through your wisdom, faithfulness, and zeal, the perfecting of that which was the main ground of our engagement, And a chief matter of consola●ion unto us, in all our sad and heavy sufferings from the hand of a most cruel Enemy. Wee know that there is a Generation of Men, who retard the work of uniformity, and foment jealousies betwixt the Nations, studying if it were possible, to break our bonds asunder; But we trust that he that sitteth in the Heavens will laugh, and that the Lord will have them in derision; that he shall speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure; And notwithstanding of all that they can do, set his King upon his holy Hill of Zion, and make these Nations happy in the sweet Fruits of Unity in Truth and Peace. The Searcher of hearts knows, we desire to hold fast the band of our Covenant as Sacred and inviolable, being persuaded that the breach of so solemn a tie, could not but hasten down upon our heads a curse and vengeance from the righteous Judge of the World, and involve these kingdoms in further calamities then they have yet seen. And we abhor to entertain any other thoughts of you. Nay we are confident that your Honours will seriously endeavour the prosecution of all these ends designed in the Covenant, and the bringing these Nations unto the nearest conjunction both in judgement and affection, Especially in those things that concern Religion, which without all controversy is the readiest and surest way of attaining and securing the Peace and prosperity of both kingdoms. Subscribed in the Name of the general Assembly by the Moderator. Robert Blair Moderator. Edinburgh the 18 of june, 1646. 18. June 1646. A Letter from the General assembly of the Kirk of Scotland To the Lord mayor, Aldermen, and Common council of the City of LONDON. Right Honourable, YOur late and seasonable Testimony given to the truth of the gospel, and your affection to the Peace of the Kingdoms, manifested in your humble Remonstrance and petition to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, hath so revived the remembrance of your former faith and zeal, and proclaimed you the worthy Seed of so Noble Ancestors in that famous City, as we cannot but aclowledge with all thankfulness the grace of God bestowed on you, and stir you up to take notice, how since you were precious in the Lords sight, you have been ever honourable. The Lord hath ever loved you, given men for you, and people for your life; what a honour was it in the dayes of old when the fire of the Lord was in Zion, and his furnace in your Jerusalem( even in Queen Maries dayes) that there were found in you, men that loved not their lives unto the death; what a glory in after times when Satan had his Throne, and Antichrist his Seat in the midst of you, that there were still found not a few that kept their garments cle●ne: But the greatest praise of the good hand of God upon you hath been in this, that a midst the many mists of Error and heresy, which have risen from the bottomless pit, to bespot the face and darken the glory of the Church, while the Bride is a making ready for the lamb; you have held the truth, and most piously endeavoured the settling of Christ upon his Throne. We need not remember how zealous you have been in the cause of God, nor how you have laid out yourselves and estates in the maintenance thereof, nor how many acknowledgements of the same, you have had from the honourable houses, nor how precious a remembrance will be had of you in after ages, for your selling of all to buy the pearl of price: We onely at this time do admire and in the inward of our hearts do bless the Lord for your right and deep apprehensions of the great and important matters of Christ in his royal crown, and of the kingdoms in their Union, while the Lord maketh offer to bring our Ship( so much afflicted and tossed with tempest) to the safe harbour of truth and peace. Right memorable is your zeal against Sects and Secturies, your care of reformation according to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches, your earnest endeavouring and noble adventures for preserving of the rights and privileges of Parliament, and liberties of the kingdoms, together with his Majesties just power and greatness, and your high profession, that it is not in the power of any hum●ne authority to discharge or absolve you from adhering unto that our so solemnly sworn League and Covenant, or to enforce upon you any sense contrary to the letter of the same: besides your other good services done to the Lord and to us, in strengthening the hands of the reverend assembly of Divines, and of our Commissioners in their asserting of the government of Christ( which the more it be tried will be ever found the more precious truth) and vindicating of the same from the usurpation of man and contempt of the wicked. These all as they are so many testimonies of your Piety, Loyalty, and undaunted resolution to stand for Christ; so are they and shall ever be, so many obligations upon us your Brethren, to esteem highly of you in the Lord, and to bear you on our breasts before him night and day, and to contribute our best endeavours, and to improve all opportunities for your encouragement. And now we beseech you in the Lord, Honourable and welbeloved, go on in this your strength and in the power of his might, who hath honoured you to be faithful. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and in pursuance of this truth, we are confident you will never cease to study the peace and nearer conjunction of the Kingdoms; knowing that a three-fold cord is not easily broken. Now the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father which hath loved and honoured you, and given you everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work. Subscribed in the name of the general Assembly by the Moderator. Robert Blair Moderator. Edinburgh the 18. of june, 1646. A Letter from the general assembly of the Kirk of Scotland to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. Much honoured, and Right reverend, AMongst other fru●ts of this our precious liberty, after such dissipation by sword and pestilence to meet again, we account it not the least to have the opportunity of making a public declaration of our earnest affection to all our dear Brethren of that Nation, and especially to yourselves of the Reverend Assembly at Westminster, when we were lately in a very low condition, we may say that our own sufferings, and fears although embittered with the sense of the Lords displeasure against our lukewarmness and unfaithfulness, did not so take up our heart, but that room was left to congratulate with the Lords people there in all their successses, and to condole with them in all their dangers, and if at any time, any here hath seemed to be more jealous then Godly jealousy would allow, we know not how it can be imputed to any thing else, but to the vehemency of ardent affection and impatient desire to have our Brethren there, and us joined nearer to Christ, and to one another in all his ordinances and especially in presbyterial Government, so well warranted by the word and approved by experience of our own and other reformed Churches, wherein your long and unwearied endeavours have been blessed with a large increase, which yet hath proved a seed, unto a further and more glorious expected harvest. There cou●d not be wished by mortal men a fairer opportunity then is cast in your lap being invited and charged by so high an authority, to give so free and public a testimony of those truths, which formerly many of the Lords p●ecious ones by tongue, and pen, by tears and blood have more privately asserted. The smallest of Christs truths( if it be lawful to call any of them small) is of greater moment then all the other businesses that ever hath been deba●ed since the beginning of the world to this day; but the highest of honours and heaviest of burdens is put upon you to declare out of the sacred records of divine truth what is the prerogative of the crown, and extent of the sceptre of Jesus Christ, what bounds are to be set between him ruling in his house, and powers established by God on earth, how, and by whom, his house is to be governed and by what ways a restraint is to be put on those who would pervert his truth, and subvert the faith of many. No doubt mountaines of oppositions arise, and gulfs of d●ffi●ulties open up themselves in this your way, but you have found, it is God that girdeth you with strength and maketh your way perfect, and plain before you, who hath delivered, and doth deliver, and will yet deliver; we need not put you in mind, that as there lieth at this time, a strict tie on all, so in a special manner both you, and we are engaged to interpose ourselves between God and these kingdoms, between the two Nati●ns, between the King and the People, for the averting of deserved wrath, for continuing and increasing a well grounded union, by procuring, so far as in us lieth a right settling of Religion and Church-government, that when we shall sleep with our fathers, the posterity here and abroad may be reaping the fruits of our labours. Wee are fully assured of your constant, and sedulous promoting of this blessed work; and of the Lords assisting, and carrying you on therein, and are confident that your late experience, and present sense, of the great danger and fearful confusion, flowing from the rise, and growth of Sects and Sectaries not suppressed, hath stirred up in your hearts most servant desires and careful endeavours for remedying of the same, wherein we exhort you to continue and abound, knowing that your labours shall not be in vain in the Lord, to whose rich grace we commend you and the work in your hands. Subscribed in the name of the general Assembly. Robert Blair Moderator. 27 June, 1646. Edinburgh. FINIS.