hall from time to time fit, and be removed from place to place; and alfo that the faid Aflembly thall be diffolved in fuch manner, as by both houfes of Parliament fhall be directed: and the faid perfons or fo many of them as shall be so affembled, or fit, fhall have power and authority, and are hereby likewife enjoined from time to time, during this prefent Parliament, or until further order be taken by both the faid houfes, to confer and treat among themselves, of fuch matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy, difcipline, and government of the Church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the fame from all falfe afperfions and mifconftructions, as fhall be propofed unto them by both or either of the faid houfes of Parliament, and no other; and deliver their opinion, advices of, or touching the matters aforefaid, as fhall be most agreeable to the word of God, to both or either of the houses, from time to time, in fuch manner and fort as by both or either of the faid houfes of Parliament fhall be required; and the fame not to divulge, by printing, writing, or otherwife, without the confent of both or either houfe of Parliament. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforefaid, That William Twifle doctor in divinity fhall fit in the chair, as prolocutor of the faid Affembly; and if he happen to die, or be letted by fickness, or other neceflary impediment, then fuch other perfon to be appointed in his place as fhall be agreed by the faid houfes of Parliament: And in cafe any difference in opinion fhall happen amongst the faid per fons fo affembled, touching any the matters that fhall be proposed to them as forefaid, that then they fhall reprefent the fame, together with the reasons thereof, to both or either the faid houses refpectively, to the end fuch further direction may be given therein as fhall be requifite to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority aforefaid, That for the charges and expences of the faid divines, and every one of them, in attending the faid fervice, there fhall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their faid attendance, and for ten days before, and ten days after, the fum of four fhillings for every day, at the charges of the Commonwealth, at fuch time, and in fuch manner, as by both houses of Parliament shall be appointed. And be it further ordained. l'hat all and every the faid divines, fo, as aforefaid, required and enjoined to meet and affemble, fhall be freed and acquitted of, and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, lofs, or damage, which shall or may enfue or grow, by reafon of any non-refidence, or abfence of them, or any of them, from his, or their, or any of their church churches or cures, for or in refpect of their faid attendance upon the faid fervice; any law or ftatute of non-residence, or other law or ftatute enjoining their attendance upon their refpective ministries or charges, to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. And if any of the perfons above named fhall happen to die before the faid Affembly fhall be diffolved by order of both houses of Parliament, then fuch other perfon or perfons, fhall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such perfon or per fons fons fo dying, as by both the faid houfes fhall be thought fit, and agreed upon; and every fuch perfon or perfons, fo to be nanied, fhall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and alfo all fuch wages and allowances for the faid fervice, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the faid perfons in this ordinance, is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided always, that this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, fhall not give unto the perfons aforefaid, or any of them, nor fhall they in this Affembly affume to exercise any jurifdiction, power, or authority ecclefiaftical whatfoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed. Alembly, at EDINBURGH, August 19th, 1643. Seff. 14. Commiffion of the General Affembly to fome Minifters and Ruling Elders, for repairing to the Kingdom of England. THE HE General Affembly of the Church of Scotland finding it neceffary to send some godly and learned of this kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect underwritten; therefore gives full power and commiffion to Mr Alexander Henderson, Mr Robert Douglas, Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr Robert Baillie, and Mr George Gillespie, Minifters, John Earl of Caffilis, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnstoun of Waristoun, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two fhall be Minifters, to repair to the kingdom of England, and there to deliver the declaration fent unto the Parliament of England, and the letter fent unto the Affembly of divines now fitting in that kingdom; and to propone, confult, treat, and conclude with that Affembly, or any commiffioners deputed by them, or any committees or commiffioners deputed by the houfes of Parliament, in all matters which may further the union of this ifland in one form of kirkgovernment, one confeffion of faith, one catechifm, one directory for the worship of God, according to the inftructions which they have received from the Affembly, or fhall receive from time to time hereafter, from the commiffioners of the Aflembly, deputed for that ef fect With power alfo to them to convey to his Majefty the humble anfwer fent from this Aflembly to his Majefty's letter, by fuch occafron as they shall think convenient; and fuch like, to deliver the Affembly's anfwer to the letter fent from fome well-affected brethren of the Miniftry there; and generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the fo much defired union, and nearest conjunetion of the two churches of Scotland and England, conform to their inftructions aforefaid. Many of the perfons who were called by the forefaid ordinance of the Lords and Commons (in that broken ftate of the church,) to attend the Aflembly, appeared not; whereupon the whole work lay on the hands of the perfons hereafter mentioned. The The Promife and Vow taken by every Member admitted to fit in the Affembly. A. B. do ferioufly promife and vow, in the prefence of Almighty GOD, That in this Affembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the word of GOD; nor in point of difcipline, but what may make most for GOD's glory, and the peace and good of this Church. A LIST of the DIVINES who met in the Affembly at Westminster. DR R William Twiffe of New bury, Prolocutor, Dr Cornelius Burges of Waterford, John White of Dorchester, Af feffors, Dr William Gouge of Blackfriers, Robert Harris of Hanwell, B. D. Dr Thomas Temple of Battery, Dr Humphrey Chambers of Claverftoun, Thomas Micklethwait of Cherryburton, John Guibon of Waltham, George Walker, B. D. Dr Lazarus Seaman of London, Francis Taylor of Yalding, William Greenhill of Stepney, Sidrach Simpfen of London, Affeffor after Mr White, Daniel Cawdrey of Great Billing, Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter, Henry Scudder of Colingborn, Thomas Hill, B. D. of Tichmarsh, William William Reynor, B. D. of Egham, Matthew Newcomb of Dedham, Anthony Burges of Sutton Cold- William Rathband, Dr Francis Cheynel of Oxon, Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cog Edward Corbift of Marton College, Samuel Gibfon of Burley, William Carter of London, Peter Smith, John Maynard of Mayfield, Covent Garden, John Whincop of St. Martins in William Bridge of Yarmouth, John Strickland of St Edmonds in Humphrey Hardwick, Henry Hall, B. D. of Norwich, Thomas Thorowgood of Maffing- Péter Clark of Kerby Underhill, John Foxcroft of Cotham, Richard Byfield of Long-Ditton, William Price of Paul's church in John Jackfon of Marfke. Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 27. 1647. Seff. 23. Act approving the Confeffion of Faith. A Confeffion of Faith for the kirks of God, in the three kingdoms, being the chiefeft part of that uniformity in religion, which, by the folemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour; and there being accordingly a Confeffion of Faith agreed upon by the Affembly of Divines fitting at Weftminster, with the affiftance of commiffioners from the kirk of Scotland; which Confeffion was fent from our commiffioners at London, to the commiffioners of the kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Aflembly twice publicly read over, examined, and confidered; copies thereof being alfo printed, that it might be particularly perufed by all the members of this Affembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publicly made, to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any: And the faid Confeffion being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Af fembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, difcipline and government of this kirk. And lastly, It being fo neceffary, and fo much longed for,that the faid Confeffion be, with all poffible diligence and expedition, ap proved and established in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a special means for the more effectual fuppreffing of the many dangerous errors and herefies of thefe times. The General Aflembly doth therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confeffion, as to the truth of the matter; (judging it to be moft orthodox, and grounded upon the word of God;) and alfo, as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confeflion of Faith for the three kingdoms. The Affembly doth alfo bless the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great mercy, in that fo excellent a Confeffion of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true reformed religion, against the common enemies thereof. But, left our intention and meaning be in fome particulars mifunderstood, it is hereby exprefsly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confeffion the feveral forts of ecclefiaftical officers and Affemblies, fhall be no prejudice to the truth of Chrift, in these particulars, to be expreffed fully in the directory of government. It is further declared, that the Aflembly understandeth fome parts of the fecond article of the thirty-one chapter, only of kirks not fettled, or constituted in point of government: And that although, in fuch kirks, a fynod of Minifters, and other fit perfons, may be called by the Magiftrate's authority and nomination, without any other call, to confult and advife with, about matters of religion; and although likewife the Minifters of Chrift, without delegation from their churches, may of themselves, and by virtue of their office, meet together fynodically in fuch kirks, not yet conftituted; yet neither of thefe ought to be done |