TWO LETTERS Of Great Concernment, WITH THEIR ANSWERS.  
The One, From the Scotish Commissioners at London, to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.  
Together with the Answer of the aforesaid General Assembly to the said Commissioners.  
The Other, From the Synod of Divines in England, to the General Assembly of Scotland.  
Together with the Answer also of the aforesaid General Assembly in Scotland, to the said Synod.  
LONDON, Printed by J. Raworth, in the year 1645. July 28. According to the Copy printed at Edinburgh.   

Die Jovis, 23 Jan. 1645. Post meridiem. Sess. II.  
The Letter from the Commissioners at London to the General Assembly.  
Right Honourable, Reverend, and beloved in the Lord,  
AS we are not without the knowledge, so are we not without the feeling of the distresses of our Native Country, and of the troubles of our dear Brethren, specially that the hand of the Lord is stretched out against you, not only by Invasion from without of the basest of the children of men, but also by the unnatural treachery of some within, who have dealt perfidiously in the Covenant and Cause of God: They hisse and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for: we have found, we have seen it; the Lord hath caused thine Enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine Adversaries: Yet (saith the Lord, who is thy maker and thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer the holy One of Israel) for a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee: for this is as the waters of Noah, the Covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. When the foundation of the House of the Lord was laid, the Priests and Levites sung together in praising and giving thanks to the Lord, Because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. And we hope at this time upon the coming of our Reverend Brethren, and the sight of that which they bring with them, the noise of the shout of joy, shall be louder than the noise of the weeping of the People. This we may say, that not many years ago, many of us would have been content to have loosed our lives, that we might have obtained that which the Lord, if not in a miraculous, yet in a marvellous and merciful providence, hath brought to pass in this Island, in these days, which many before us have desired to see, and have not seen. God forbidden that it should seem a small thing in your eyes which is done here already, as it is expressed in a Paper from the Parliament, and Letters from the Assembly. Ye are best acquainted with the temptations and difficulties which ye meet with there, which are also very sensible unto us; And when we consider how the Lord hath carried on his Work here, at the first taking of the Covenant, and since, against much learning and contradiction, against much policy, power, and all sorts of opposition, (such as Reformation useth to encounter) we are ravished with admiration of the right hand of the Almighty. For our part, we may confidently avouch in the sight of God, and before you, whom next unto God we do respect and reverence, and to whom as your servants we are accountable, that in all our proceed we had first of all the word of God before our eyes for the Rule; and for our Pattern the Church of Scotland, so much as was possible; and no less (if not more) than if all this time since we parted from you, we had been sitting in a Nationall Assembly there, and debating matters with our Brethren at home: Where we were not able to get every thing framed to our mind, we have endeavoured as much as we could, to preserve our own Reformation and practice, of which our Brethren will give you account in the particulars, we hope, to your satisfaction. That an Uniformity in every thing is not obtained in the beginning, let it not seem strange; The levelling of the high Mountain of Prelacy, The laying aside of the Book of Common Prayer, The Directory of Worship concluded in both Houses of Parliament, and the principal Propositions of Church-Government passed in the Assembly, all of them according to the Solemn League and Covenant, the greatest of all, are three or four witnesses to prove, that the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad, and which make us like them that dream: And we are sure, that not only the Reformed Kirks, but the Papists will say, The Lord hath done great things for them.  
All that we desire, is:  
1. That the Directory of Worship may be returned by our Brethren with all possible expedition, that it may be published here, and put in practice, as that which is extremely longed for by the good People, and will be a remedy of the many differences and divisions about the Worship of God in this Kingdom, especially in this place: If there be any thing in it that displeaseth, let it be remonstrate upon irrefragable and convincing reason, otherwise ye will in your wisdom give approbation to it.  
2. If there be any particular differences among some Brethren, which are not determined, but passed over in silence in the Directory, and yet hinted at in the Letter from the Assembly, we hope that in your wisdom ye will so consider of them, that they may be laid aside in due time, and that in the mean while, till the Directory be concluded and put in practice, there be no trouble about them, for that were as Snow in Summer, and as Rain in Harvest. We know nothing of that kind, that all of us who love Unity, Order, and Edification, may not perfectly agree in, without scandal or disturbance: And we beseech the Lord to keep that Kirk free of such Sects and Monsters of Opinions, as are daily set on foot and multiplied in this Kingdom, through the want of that Church-Government by Assemblies, which hath preserved us, and we hope, through the blessing of God, shall cure them.  
3. Because Nationall Assemblies cannot frequently convene, we humbly desire, that such a Commission may be settled, as we may at all occasions, till the Work be finished, have our recourse unto, for our direction and resolution: for we know both our own weakness, and the greatness of the Work: wherein we can promise no more but to be faithful in obeying your commandments, as in the sight of God, whom with our Souls we pray, to grant you his Spirit, to guide you into all truth: And thus continue  
Worcester house, Jan. 6. 1645. Your humble and faithful Servants Subscrib. 

LOUDOUN.  
JO. MAITLAND.  
ALEX. HENDERSON.  
SAM. RUTHERFURD.   DIRECT. For the Right Reverend the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland.   

The Letter from the Synod of Divines in England, to the General Assembly.  
Right honourable, right revered, and dearly beloved in the LORD JESUS.  
AS cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far Country. We your Brethren, yet remaining in the Furnace of affliction, and still labouring in the very fire, Have at length, by the good Hand of God upon us, attained so far toward the Mark at which we all aim, that we shall now send you, by two of your Reverend and Faithful Commissioners Mr Robert Bailie, and Mr George Gillespie (our much honoured Brethren) some good news of that great Work, after which your zeal for Truth and Peace hath so much thirsted, and for which you have not loved your lives unto the death  
Our progress therein hath not been so expeditious as was desired and expected. This, unto such as either know not, or consider not, The weight and greatness of the Work, nor The manifold difficulties which have occurred to obstruct our proceed in this day of darkness and calamity (too sad to be expressed) hath been like unto hope deferred, which makes the heart sick: Howbeit, we trust, That when their desire (namely that which we have prepared, and are further in travel with) shall come unto them, It will be, through God, a Tree of life, as to our great comfort and encouragement, we already perceive it to be to both the honourable Houses of Parliament.  
Touching the several Papers brought to us from your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners, by the hands of the Committee appointed to treat with them in matters of Religion (one of the Papers, being given in the 10 of November, 1643, Concerneth the several sorts of Church-officers and Assemblies: Another, bearing date the 24 of January, 1643, Concerneth congregational Elderships, and Classical Presbyteries: The other, being presented the 15 of August last, Representeth the necessity of making greater speed in settling the intended Uniformity in Religion, according to the late solemn Covenant:) We hold it our duty, in regard both of the arct and inseparable Union, which the Lord hath happily and seasonably made between you and us, and of your indefatigable and inestimable labour of love to this afflicted Kingdom, to give your Lordships and the rest of that Venerable Assembly, some brief account.  
Concerning one Confession of Faith, and Form of Catechism, we make no question of a blessed and perfect harmony with you. The public Doctrine, held out by our Church to all the World (especially when it shall be reviewed, which is in great part done) concurring so much with yours, may assure you of your hearts desire in those particulars, so soon as time and opportunity may give us liberty to perfect what we have begun.  
The chief reason of laying aside the review of our public Doctrine, after the happy and much desired arrival of your Reverend Commissioners here, was, The drawing up and accelerating of a Directory for Worship, and of a Form of Church-Government; in both of which we stood at a greater distance from other Reformed Churches of Christ, and particularly from yours (which we very much honour) with whom our solemn sacred Nationall Covenant requireth us to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity, that we and our posterity after us, may as Brethren live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.  
Nor have our labours therein been frustrate: For we have perfected and transmitted a Directory for Worship, to both House's 〈◊〉 Parliament; where it hath received such acceptance, that it is 〈◊〉 passed in both the Honourable Houses of Parliament; which 〈◊〉 hope will be to the joy and comfort of all our godly and dear brothers in all His Majesty's Kingdoms and Dominions.  
We have not advised any imposition which might make it unlawful to vary from it in any thing; Yet we hope, all our Reverend Brethren in this Kingdom, and in yours also, will so far value ●●d reverence that which upon so long debate and serious deliberation hath been agreed upon in this Assembly (when it shall also ●asse with you, and be settled as the common public Directory or all the Churches in the three Kingdoms) that it shall not be he less regarded and observed. And albeit we have not expressed ●n the Directory every minute particular, which is or might be either laid aside or retained among us, as comely and useful in practice; yet we trust, that none will be so tenacious of old customs not expressly forbidden, or so averse from good examples although new, in matters of lesser consequence, as to insist upon their liberty of retaining the one, or refusing the other, because not specified in the Directory; but be studious to please others rather than themselves.  
We have likewise spent divers months in the search of the Scriptures, to find out the mind of Christ concerning a Form of Church-Government, wherein we could not but expect the greatest difficulty: For our better Progress herein, we have with all respect considered the several Papers of your Honourable and Reverend Commissioners, touching this Head; and do with all thankfulness, acknowledge their great zeal, judgement, and wisdom expressed therein; as also, the excellent assistance and great furtherance of your Reverend Commissioners in this great Work; which now, through God's goodness, is very near to a period also.  
In pursuit where 〈…〉 ●nd scrutiny of every Proposition, that we might find it agreeable to, and warranted by the Word of God, in a method of our own; without resting upon any particular model or frame whatsoever already constituted: What we have performed, and how far we have proceeded therein, we leave to the information of your Reverend Commissioners, who have been eye and ear-witnesses of all that hath past, and we doubt not but you will shortly receive a satisfactory answer from hence, so soon as it shall be passed in the Honourable Houses of Parliament.  
And now, Right Honourable, and Right Reverend Brethren, let it not seem grievous that we have thus long delayed the satisfying of your earnest and just expectation: It is the Lot of Jerusalem, to have her Walls built in troublous times, when there are many adversaries. Nor let it offend, that (albeit we acknowledge the many, great, and inestimable expressions of your love, zeal, and helpfulness unto us every way in the day of our distress, to be beyond all that we can in words acknowledge) we profess plainly to you, That we do most unwillingly part with those our Reverend and dear Fellowlabourers, your Commissioners, whom now you have called home, to render an account of their employment here; which hath been so managed both by them and the rest of their Honourable and Reverend Colleagues, as deserveth many thanks, and all Honourable acknowledgement, not only from us, but from you also.  
Give us leave to add, that the long experience we have had of the great sufficiency, integrity, and usefulness of them all, in the great Work of Christ our common Lord and Master, enforceth us (next to our greatest suit, for the continuance of your fervent prayers) to be earnest suitors, not only for the continuance of these excellent helpers, Mr Alex. Henderson, and Mr Sam. Rutherfurd, yet remaining with us, but also for the speedy return hither of our Reverend Brethren that are now going hence; for the perfecting of that Work which yet remains. And this suit we trust, you will the rather grant, because of the great and joint concernment of both Churches and Kingdoms in these matters.  
Now the spirit of wisdom and of all grace rest upon you in all your great consultations, as at all times, so especially now when you shall be gathered together in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the further building up and polishing of his Church; and cause the fruit of all your labour to be to the praise and glory of God, and the comfort and rejoicing of the hearts of all the Israel of God: He reward all our dear Brethren of that Sister Church and Nation manifold into their bosom, all the labours, love, and sufferings which they have afforded, and still do cheerfully continue, for our sakes and the Gospels, in this distracted and bleeding Kingdom; suppress all commotions and bloody practices of the common Enemy, in both, yea in all the three Kingdoms; set up the Throne of Jesus Christ, and make all the Kingdoms to be the Lords, and our Jerusalem to be a praise upon Earth, that all that love her and mourn for her, may rejoice for joy with her, and may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation.  
Westminster, Jan. 6. 1644. Subscribed by Your most loving Brethren, and fellowlabourers in the Work of the LORD, in the name of this whole Assembly, 

WILLIAM TWICE, Prolocutor.  
CORNELIUS BURGES, Assessor.  
JOHN WHITE, Assessor.  
HENRY ROBROUGH, Scriba.  
ADONIRAM BYFIELD, Scriba.   DIRECT. To the Right Honourable, and Right Reverend, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, these present.   

The General Assemblies Answer to the Right Reverend the Assembly of Divines in the Kirk of ENGLAND.  
Right Reverend and wellbeloved in the Lord JESUS,  
AMidst the manifold troubles in which this Kingdom hath been involved, and under which it still laboureth, we greatly rejoiced when it was testified unto us by our reverend Brethren, and under your hands in your Letter, and these Papers by them presented to us from you, what progress you had made in the much desired Work of Uniformity; and acknowledge, that the same hath comforted us concerning our work and toil of our hands, and seemeth to us as an olive branch, to prognosticate the abating of the waters, which overflow the face of the Earth.  
When we consider, that you have walked in paths unusual, which have not been haunted by Travellers there, as the public way, though pointed out as the good old way by the Reformed Kirks, we do not wonder that you have carefully adverted in every step to set foot upon sure ground; When we behold that strong and high tree of Episcopacy, so deeply rooted by continuance of time, not lopped of the Branches, and the stump of the root left in the Earth, with a band of iron and brass, but plucked up by the roots; We do confess that the Carpenters, though prepared have a hard task, requiring time to hue it down, and root it up: And when we call to mind how much the Service-Book hath been cried up, as the only way of God's Worship, how many thereby have had their wealth, and how difficile it is to forgo the accustomed way; We admire the power and wisdom of the good God who hath prospered you in your way, and led you this length, through so many straits, and over so many difficulties in so troublous a time.  
We do for our part not only admit and allow, but most hearty and gladly embrace the Directory of Worship, as a common Rule for the Kirks of God in the three Kingdoms, now more straight and firmly united by the Solemn League and Covenant; And we do all in one voice bless the Lord, who hath put it in the hearts, first, of the Reverend, Learned, and Pious Assembly of Divines, and then, of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, To agree upon such a Directory as doth remove what is none of Christ's, and preserve the purity of all his Ordinances, together with Uniformity and Peace in the Kirk. Only we have thought necessary, to declare and make known, That the Clause in the Directory for the administration of the Lords Supper, which appointeth the Table to be so placed that the Communicants may orderly sit about it, or at it, is not to be interpreted, as if in the judgement of this Kirk it were indifferent for any of the Communicants not to come to and receive at the Table; or as if we did approve the distributing of the Elements by the Ministers to each Communicant, and not by the Communicants among themselves: In which particulars, we still conceive and believe the order and practice of our own Kirk, To be most agreeable and suitable to the Word of God, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the nature of that Heavenly Feast and Table. Nevertheless, in other particulars we have resolved, and do agree, to do as ye have desired us in your Letter, That is, not to be tenacious of old Customs, though lawful in themselves, and not condemned in this Directory, but to lay them aside for the nearer Uniformity with the Kirk of England, now nearer and dearer to us than ever before; A Blessing so much esteemed; and so earnestly longed for among us, that rather than it false on our part, we do most willingly part with such practice and customs of own, as may be parted with safely, and without the violation of any of Christ's Ordinances, or trespassing against scriptural Rules, or our Solemn Covenants.  
We do in like manner agree to, and approve the Propositions touching Kirk-Government and Ordination; and have given power to our Commissioners who are to meet in Edinburgh, to agree to, and conclude in our Name an Uniformity therein, betwixt the Kirks in both Kingdoms, so soon as the same shall be without any substantial alteration Ratified by an Ordinance of the Honourable Houses of Parliament of England, according to our Act of Approbation sent to our Commissioners with you.  
As for the returning of our Commissioners; though the council and assistance of our Reverend Brethren might be of good use to us in these difficult times, and their particular stations and employments importune the stay of these who are come unto us, and the return of these who stay with you; yet preferring the public good, and looking upon the profit may redound unto all by their continuing with you, we have satisfied your desire, and renewed their Commission; Praying God they may (as we are confident they shall) prove answerable to our trust, and to your expectation.  
Concerning one Confession of Faith, and Form of Catechism, we apprehend no great difficulty: And to that which remains to be perfected in the matter of Kirk-Government, we do believe, and both you and we know by experience, that there is no word impossible with our God. He that hath begun a good work among you, will also perform it of his good pleasure. Go on in the Lord your strength, and the Spirit of truth lead you in all truth: The God of all grace and peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, and by him hath called us unto his eternal glory, make you perfect in very good work to do his will, working in you, and by you, and among you, that which is well pleasing in his sight, establish, strengthen, settle you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Edinburgh 13 Feb. 1645. Subscribed in name of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, by the Moderator of the Assembly.   

The Assemblies Answer to their Commissioners at London.  
Reverend and beloved Brethren,  
THese sweet Fruits of your long continued Labours in the Work of the Lord entrusted to you, brought to us at this time by these two of your number, whom you were pleased to send, were received by us with no small joy and rejoicing, as being, in great part, the satisfaction of our Souls desire, in that so much longed for, so much prayed for happy Uniformity of these Kirks and Kingdoms: And an evident Demonstration to us, that the Lord hath not, even in this time of his seen and felt displeasure, so covered himself with the cloud of his anger, that our Prayers should not pass through.  
The great and main difficulties through which the Lord hath carried this Work, as we do acknowledge, ought mainly to be made use of, for the praise and glory of his power, who is the great worker of all our works for us; So your overcoming of them is to us no small Demonstration of your zeal, wisdom, and faithfulness, which without great injury both to the Lord the prime Worker, and to you his Instruments, we cannot but acknowledge, hath been much manifested in the whole managing of this work in your hands.  
The full answer to all the particulars you writ of in your Letters, we leave to the Relation of those that come from you, and are now appointed to return to you: And as with much thankfulness we acknowledge your fidelity in what ye have done already; so we have again renewed your Commission for the continuance of your Employment there, for the perfecting of the Work so happily begun: For the furthering whereof, as we shall not be wanting in our prayers to God for his blessing upon your labours, so for your help and assistance, we have appointed a Commission to sit at Edinburgh, to which at all occasions you may have your recourse, as the exigence of the Work shall require.  
How satisfactory that Directory of Worship presented to us by our Brethren from you, was to us, we leave it rather to their relation at their return, being ear and eye-witnesses to the manifold expressions of our joy and gladness, then offer to represent it to you in a Letter: The Act herewith sent, and ordained to be prefixed unto the Directory, will sufficiently declare our hearty approbation of it: Our judgement also concerning the propositions of Government and Ordination, and our earnest desire to have the Work of Uniformity promoved and perfected in that particular also, will appear to you by the other Act which herewith you will receive: Our zeal and desire to have that Work fully closed with so much harmony as becometh the work of God, will appear to you in our resolution and answer to that particular in the point of Excommunication, concerning which you writ.  
These particular differences hinted at in the Assemblies Letter, for Uniformity with that Kirk so much endeared to us, we have resolved to lay aside, and have taken course for preserving harmony amongst ourselves, whereof our Brethren will give you more particular account. Anent your desire of Mr Alexander Henderson his attending the Treaty, we are confident ere this you have received our resolution.  
Amidst the many difficulties wherewith it pleaseth the Lord to press us, as we thought it necessary to publish and send forth a Warning to all sorts of Persons in this Kirk and Kingdom, concerning the present affliction of this Nation, and their sins procuring the same; So we thought it incumbent to us in duty, as the best Testimony which we can give at this present to his Majesty, to remonstrate unto him faithfully The great and growing dangers his Majesty is now under, and the causes thereof. This Remonstrance we have sent to you, to be presented to his Majesty, by such means, and at such time, as you who are there upon the place shall judge fittest.  
And now dear Brethren, go on with cheerfulness in the Work of the Lord: Let no discouragement or opposition make your heart to faint, or your hands wax feeble: Persuade yourself the Lord's hand shall still be made known toward his Servants, and his indignation against his Enemies. Remember the Work is his, who useth not to begin, but also to make an end, and is abundantly able to supply all your need according to the riches of his glory. Be confident therefore of this thing, that he who hath begun this good Work by you, will also in due time accomplish it to his own praise. To his gracious assistance we hearty recommend you.  
Subscribed in name of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, by the Moderntor of the Assembly.  
Postscript.  
Edinburgh, 13 Feb. 1645.  
It is earnestly desired That the Directory for Worship be sent to Ireland, and that you recommend to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament, To think upon the best way for the establishment and practice of it in that Kingdom. And that the like course may be taken with the Government, and other parts of the Uniformity, so soon as they shall be agreed upon.   
FINIS.