❧ In the national assembly at Edinburgh the fourth day of August, 1641.  
THe assembly seriously considering the present case and condition of this Kirk and kingdom, what great things the Lord hath done for us; especially since the renewing of our Covenant, notwithstanding our former backslydings and defection. And if we either become remiss in the duties of piety, or shall not constantly hold and keep our Religion, unto which we have bound ourselves so straitly and solemnly, what dishonour we do unto the name of God before men, who have their eyes upon us, and how great judgement we bring upon ourselves. Upon these and the like considerations, The Assembly doth find it most necessary to stir up themselves, and to provoke all others, both Ministers and People of all degrees, not onely to the religious exercises of public worship in the congregation, and of private worship in their families, and of every one, by themselves apart; but also to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, admonition, exhorting one another to forwardness in Religion, and comforting one another in whatsoever distress, and that in all their meetings, whether in the way of civill conversation, or by reason of their particular callings, or any other occasions offered by divine providence, no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  
And because the best means have been, and may still be despised or abused, and particularly the duty of mutual edification, which have been so little in use, and so few know to practise in the right manner, may be upon the one part subject to the mocking of ungodly and worldly men, who can not endure that in others which they are not willing to practise themselves: And upon the other part, to many errors and abuses, which the godly through their weakness may fall, or by the craftiness of others may be drawn into, Such as are error, heresy, schism, scandal, self-conceit, and despising of others, presuming above the common calling of Christians, and usurping that which is proper to the pastoral vocation, contempt, or mis-regard of the public means, idle and unprofitable questions, which edify not, uncharitable censurings, neglect of dueties in particular callings, business in other mens matters and callings, and many such evils in doctrine, charity, and manners, which have dolefully rent the bowels of other Kirks, to the great prejudice of the Gospel.  
Therefore the Assembly moved with the zeal of God against all abuses and corruptions, and according to their manifold obligation, most earnestly desiring,& thirsting to promove the work of reformation, and to have the comfort and power of true godliness sensible to every soul, and Religion to bee universally practised in every family, and by every person at all occasions, doth charge all the Ministers and members of this Kirk, whom they do represent, that according to their several places and vocations, they endeavour to suppress all impiety, and mocking of religious exercises; especial of such as put foul aspersions and factious, or odious names upon the godly; and upon the other part, that in the fear of God they bee ware, and spiritually wise, that under the name and pretext of religious exercises, otherwise lawful and necessary, they fall not into the foresaid abuses; and specially that they eschew all meetings which are apt to breed error, scandal, schism, neglect of dueties and particular callings, And such other evils as are the works not of the Spirit, but of the flesh, and are contrary to truth and peace; and that the Presbyteries and Synods have a care to take order with such as transgress the one way or the other.   

In the Assembly at Edinburgh the 6 day of August, 1641.  
SInce it hath pleased God to vouchsafe us the liberty of yearly general Assemblies, It is ordained according to the Acts of the Assembly at Edinburgh, 1639. and at Aberdeen 1640, That no novation in doctrine, worship or Government be brought in or practised in this Kirk, unless it be first propounded, examined and allowed in the general Assembly: And that transgressors in this kind bee censured by Presbyteries and synods.   

Right Reverend and beloved Brethren.  
THese times past many Letters have been directed unto you, for keeping daies of humiliation. But now( which is the mercy of God upon us in hearing and answering of our prayers) the seventh day of September approaching is agreed upon by the Commissioners of the treaty betwixt the two kingdoms, for keeping a solemn thanksgiving in all the Kirks of his Majesties Dominions, according to a particular Article of the treaty, wherein it is also agreed, that all Declarations, Proclamations, Acts, Books, Libels,& Pamphlets, that have been made& published against the Loyalty and Duetifulnesse of his Majesties subjects of Scotland shall be recalled, suppressed and forbidden in England and Ireland: and that upon the day of Thanksgiving the loyalty of his Majesties said Subjects shall be made known in all places, and particularly in the paroch Kirks of his Maties Dominions.  
Thus much are we commanded by the King and Estates of Parliament, and by the Commissioners of the general Assembly, with speed to make known unto you, that the moderators of the presbyteries may give advertisement to all the brethren for intimating the same to the people the sabbath before, which will be the fift of September, and in case these shall not come timeously to your hands for observing that day, That the next Tuesday after the Letter cometh to the Moderator of every presbytery be observd. We have no cause to doubt but all that fear God, and have given themselves to observe his wonderful ways with us this time past, will go cheerfully about this so desirable and delectable a work, especially now when our Army is returned in safety and peace from England: all our difficulty will be to get it done by ourselves and the people in such a manner as may not provoke but please the Lord, which we must recommend unto your wisdom, zeal, and diligence as earnestly and with as great fear and solicitude as ever we did any Duty since the beginning of this work: For ye know a spiritual thanksgiving and rejoicing is an exercise of no less difficulty then prayer and extraordinary Humiliation; we remit the particulars unto yourself, only we wish that the people conceive it not to be a day for eating and drinking and rising up to play, but that both before and afternoon they assemble for hearing and meditating upon the special and extraordinary favours and benefits which are the occasion of this spiritual solemnity, and upon other mercies which thereby should be brought to their remembrance, and by singing of psalms both in the public congregation, and in private families, and that the love and care of Christ be so far exalted, that we may all see our own unworthiness, may rejoice in his grace and goodness, may have our faith and confidence in God for afterward confirmed, and may remember and renew our vows and solemn promises made in our Covenant, both of piety to God, and of love amongst ourselves, and concerning this last point we think it very convenient that the act of the late assembly be red in every Pulpit,& the particular duties contained in it be earnestly recommended to the people, that they may be practised by them& all the ministers.  
This time now appointed being kept in this manner by us with other Kirks in his Majesties dominions will be a good preparation for another day of thanksgiving after the closing of the Parliament to be observed by all the Kirks of this kingdom by itself, as being bound in a singular manner, and above all the rest to magnify the name of God for his mercies, and for bringing our native King amongst us to be an instrument of so many blessings: But concerning this advertisement shall be given afterward: Beseeching the Lord who is worthy to be praised, and waiteth for praise from us, above all Nations, to direct, sanctify and assist you all, Wee continue in him,  
Edinburgh, August 25. 1641. Your loving Brethren subscriving in name of the Commissioners of the general Assembly 

M. Alexander Henderson late Moderator.  
M. Archibald Johnston, Cle. Eccl.     

Edinburgh printed by Robert Bryson.