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the established government, and making ef- | the utmost of their power, in their fectual the desires propounded in the over-stations, for advancing his majesty's tures, and the draught of an act sent after- interest in the affections of his people, which ward; by calling a general assembly, accord- they were careful in the darkest times to ing to the animadversions humbly offered to hold up in their people's hearts. your lordship upon the declaration concerning it; by causing forbear to meddle with the registers of the kirk, till the general assembly in the first instance take some course to set things in order, and by preserving honest men from inconveniences, who mind no other thing, but to get liberty to serve God according to his will, and their engage-flow from the change of our kirk constituments, under his majesty's authority. Our confidence that your lordship doth seriously mind this so needful a work, makes us spare to use any motives. The little advantage it will afford to any lawful interest, (and we are sure the grief it will be to your lordship) to see honest and peaceable men, and a work of God in their hands, crushed, will be of weight to persuade you to endeavour to prevent it. And we not only hope, but are confident, that when it shall be considered, how much it will advance his majesty's affairs, that things be thus settled, to the satisfaction and comfort of all good men ; it will be accounted special good service to his majesty, to promove so good a design. We are," &c.

"This assurance from so royal a hand, whose heart was inured to constancy through all his unheard of hardships, made all the lovers of the established order of this kirk rejoice in the Lord, and magnify his name for so rich a mercy, and promise unto themselves security from any trouble that might

Information, March 1661.

"After our manifold distractions, and grievous afflictions under the heavy yoke of usurping oppressors, it pleased the Lord in his free and undeserved goodness, to look upon our low condition, and to visit us with a gracious deliverance, by the wonderful and unexampled restitution of our dear and dread sovereign, the king's majesty, unto the throne of his three kingdoms, which was to us a resurrection from the dead, and a commanding of dry bones to return unto life again. This miracle of mercy the Lord accompanied with a refreshing shower upon his inheritance here, by moving the royal heart of his gracious majesty to make known to the presbyteries of this national kirk, his fixed purpose to preserve inviolable the government of the kirk here settled by law, whereby the hearts of all honest ministers were exceedingly encouraged to lay out themselves, unto

tion, which is dearer to them than all their other enjoyments; and though they be somewhat startled by the rumoured noise of a designed change, and yet more by some hints at the removal of the law of the land, that establisheth the same, yet they cannot suffer it to enter into their hearts, that his majesty hath any knowledge of, or giveth any allowance to any change at all in the matters of our doctrine, worship, discipline, and government.

"Our single-hearted confidence upon that his majesty's gracious declaration, and our tenderness to do any thing that might savour of the least degree of distrusting the same, hath prevailed with honest ministers to keep silence, and not to make a noise by public addresses and supplications unto the high and honourable court of parliament, and to content ourselves with presenting private informations to my lord commissioner his grace: yet we would not have this to be interpreted as any diffidence of the cause, or as though we were willing to recede from the established government of this kirk, or were afraid to own the same in an orderly way.

"It is the earnest desire of all honest ministers, that after the parliament, there may be a general assembly called, according to the settled order of this kirk, wherein, they are confident, there will be an effectual course taken for remedying all the evils, and removing all the unsound principles, and irregular practices, which they know, and do acknowledge to have crept in during the late troubles and distractions. They are no less confident, that his majesty shall receive thereby all satisfaction in their hearty and

cheerful attributing to his majesty | ruptions in worship, whereto it made way, 1661. all that any Christian prince can re- have been a burden, whereof they were most quire in reason of dutiful subjects, reserving desirous to be freed, and which they will only to them the established doctrine, wor- never willingly take on again, being now ship, discipline, and government. free from it, and engaged to the contrary, by the oath of God: yet lest it should take with any, we know and hear but of a very few, who have appeared to have a look towards that side, and those such as were not of great reputation in this kirk; and whatever they had, it is much diminished in the opinion of all that look indifferently on things, upon the very account of their warping off toward that way; and they are looked upon as men ready to shift their sails, that they may be before the wind, whatsoever way they conceive it is likely to blow. And we can further assuredly affirm, that the generality of the presbyteries of this land, have returned their hearty satisfaction with his majesty's letter, either to his majesty's secretary, or to the presbytery of Edinburgh; and we doubt not but the rest would have done the like, if the distance had not denied them the opportunity.

"If there happen to be a change made in the settled government, (which the God of heaven forbid, and we are loath to allow ourselves the apprehension thereof, upon the account before mentioned), there is none likelier to taste so soon of trouble and vexation thereby, as some faithful ministers, who have been sufferers upon the king's interest, and have been active instruments in keeping it up in the hearts of people, in the darkest time of its eclipse, and were the main, if not the only men, that most withstood the practices and principles of such as opposed the same: therefore it is confidently expected, that his majesty will be graciously pleased, speedily to interpose himself, and forbid any change of kirk government, since he hath been well pleased to give hopes of a free general assembly, wherein all disorders may be redressed, and his majesty may receive all desirable satisfaction of this kirk's hearty affection to his royal interest and authority.

"It hath been the lot of faithful ministers in all times, to be misrepresented unto authority, and to be wronged by misinformation, under which we ourselves have laboured ere now, and therefore may fear that we are not now altogether free of the same, so long as we abide constant for the government of this kirk, which is our firm resolution in the strength of the Lord: but it is our comfort against this, that his majesty's princely disposition will not permit any such informations to take impression upon his royal heart, before he take due trial what truth is in them, and acquaint those that are concerned, that they may clear themselves.

"It is possible, reports may be going there, as if the plurality of ministers here, were hankering after episcopacy, and looking towards it but we cannot imagine that such surmises will be believed by understanding men, who have any acquaintance with the state of this kirk, to which that corruption of government, and other cor

“It may be supposed by some, that it is good service to his majesty to overturn the government of this kirk, from the very foundations; but we humbly conceive that his majesty will have far other thoughts of the matter, not only on the account of his gracious declaration to the presbyteries of this kirk, but also because he doth undoubtedly esteem that to be the best service can be done to him, which doth most engage the affections of his subjects unto him, and endear his government unto them: for which there can be no more efficacious mean, than that they still enjoy the gospel of the Son of God, the purity of worship, and the simplicity of kirk government, which they do enjoy under the refreshing shadow of their lawful sovereign, and secured to them by his laws.

"There want not strenuous endeavours of some, to rake into all the proceedings of our kirk, in the times of heat and animosities, thereby to render the government hateful, notwithstanding that the judicatories of the kirk, have by their practices, those ten years bygone, witnessed, that whatever was done or declared in times of confusion, yet

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they were so far from judging those to be their principles, that upon a right understanding betwixt his majesty and his people, they were careful to rectify those things, and so to act for his majesty, and their country's service, as might witness their honest intentions and desires, even in the heat of debates. And when for this their fidelity and honesty, they have been all this while traduced by some among ourselves, as making defection from their principles, and they by their apologies and vindications have cleared their own integrity, it is hoped his majesty will not allow those things to be backtraced, at least till he hear them speak for themselves and their mother-kirk; and they are hopeful to wipe off all the aspersions and calumnies that are frequently and unjustly cast upon the kirk and honest men."

I am apt to think this information, and the papers I have been inserting, are of the reverend Mr. Douglas's drawing; and they savour much of his prudence and solidity. The reader will perceive those proposals are made, and such considerations and arguments used, as probably would have weight at this juncture, and with the persons he is dealing with; and this is all the length they could go in their immediate applications to the government, considering present circumstances. And had not the managers been resolved to please the high-fliers in England, to follow Mr. Sharp's ambitious designs, and carry through their project over all reason, gratitude, and justice, they could not have stood out against such plain and home dealing. Thus the reader hath some view of the efforts of the ministers of Edinburgh at this juncture, with persons mostly engaged.

By the time the synods met in April and May, the parliament were far through their work; now the keys were changed, and every reflecting person began to suspect the house was to be rifled; and so in all the corners of the church, ministers endeavoured to do somewhat, and great was the opposition they met with; which brings me to give some account of what was done by synods at this juncture, and their violent treatment, as far as narratives have come to my hand.

The synod of Glasgow and Ayr 1661. convened April 2d, and when they came to consider the present state of the church, they generally agreed, it was their duty, in this time of the church's danger, to supplicate the parliament; and accordingly a committee was named to form an address and supplication for a new security to religion and this church, when the old fences were fast removing. And Mr. William Guthrie read from the committee, a draft of an address, which was generally satisfying to the members, but the generality were overruled: some worthy men of the resolutioners, but especially such as were gaping after a bishopric, vehemently opposed the supplication, and threatened to dissent, such as Mr. James Hamilton, minister at Cambusnethan, afterward bishop of Galloway, Mr. Robert Wallace at Barnwell, afterward bishop of the Isles, and the correspondent from the synod of Lothian, Mr. James Ramsay, first dean of Hamilton, and afterward bishop of Dumblane. These gentlemen did not so much oppose the draft read, or petitioning in the general, as the seasonableness of supplicating in the present circumstances; and urged the synod's adjourning to a short and new diet. They alleged the west of Scotland was jealoused (suspected), and ill looked on by many in power; that they did not as yet know the practice of other synods, and so it would be much better to delay for a short time, till they saw what other synods did. Such as were for supplicating, could have easily outvoted them; yet considering that without harmony and unanimity, their address would lose much of its weight, they yielded to the adjournment of the synod for a month.

Meanwhile, as a present exoneration of their consciences, they agreed unanimously upon the following declaration, and none were more forward in it, than the members just now named, who in a few months became prelates.

Declaration of the synod of Glasgow concerning the present government of the church of Scotland, April 4th, 1661.

"Whereas there is a scandal, as if some ministers in this church, had made, or were intending to make defection from the govern

inhibition, the constituting ourselves into a synod; yet lest we should be found wanting in the discharge of the duty we owe to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who hath given power to the ministers of the gospel

ment of the church of Scotland, to 1661. prelatical episcopacy; therefore the whole synod, and every member thereof, do willingly declare, that they are fixed in the doctrine, discipline, worship, and church government, by sessions, presbyteries, to meet in their respective judicatories, as synods, and general assemblies, as it is now professed and practised within this church; and that they are resolved, by the grace of God, so to remain. And because divers of the members are absent, therefore the synod recommends it to the several presbyteries to require the same of them."

the edification of the congregations committed to their oversight doth necessarily require and call for; we also find it incumbent upon us, a considerable number of us, the members of this synod of Glasgow and Ayr, having come to meet in a synod, and being now occasionally in providence cast together, to signify to your grace, that as we

To this all the members present personally assented. The distinction of prelatical are hopeful, whatever may be your grace's episcopacy, and the omitting of the obliga-apprehensions of the inconveniency of our tion of the covenants, grieved many; and when this last was urged, Mr. James Hamilton threatened not to concur. Thus the desire of unanimity among themselves, made it pass pro tanto, and the synod adjourned unto the second Tuesday of May. At which time the ministers came to Glasgow. But when they were about to convene in the synod-house, they were discharged, in a proclamation from the cross, by orders from his majesty's commissioner, to meet, as being an adjourned meeting, and not warranted by law. Providence is just and righteous, in depriving of opportunities of doing good, when duty is not fallen into in its season. However, the ministers in town convened in Mr. Ralph Roger's house there, to consider what was fit now to be done; and after some deliberation they drew up, and commissioned three of their number to go to Edinburgh, with the following supplication and representation,

meeting at this time, it is not the intent of your grace's proclamation to declare that our synod can at no time warrantably meet, whatever be the necessity of the church within our bounds, but twice in the year: so we do humbly, and with all due respect and reverence to our sovereign, the king's majesty, and your grace his high commissioner, seriously testify, that our forbearing to meet in a synod at this time, in obedience to your grace's prohibition, doth not import our yielding that the provincial assemblies of this church have no provincial power to meet, when the edification of the church doth call for it, even oftener than twice a year. All which we have desired our reverend brethren, Mr. Patrick Colvil, moderator in our synod at the last meeting thereof, Mr. Hugh Blair, minister at Glasgow, and Mr. James Stirling, minister at Paisley, humbly to represent to your grace; which we persuade ourselves will not only not be offensive to your grace, but will be

'To his grace his Majesty's High Commis- constructed a piece of necessarily called for

sioner.

"Humbly sheweth,

"That whereas your grace, for reasons best known to yourself, hath been pleased to interdict this adjourned meeting of our synod of Glasgow and Ayr, as illegal and unwarrantable by the laws of this kingdom; we judged it our duty, to testify the due respect we owe to the supreme magistrate, whom the Lord in his good providence hath set over us, to forbear, in obedience to your grace, his majesty's high commissioner, your

exoneration of ministers of the gospel, who desire to be found faithful." Accordingly those three persons went to Edinburgh, and presented the minister's petition and representation to the commissioner, but had no return. And there were no more synods of presbyterian ministers in Glasgow, till September, 1687.

The provincial synod of Fife met likewise in the beginning of April, at St. Andrews; and the hazard of the church being very evident, they unanimously resolved to petition the parliament for a new act, rati,

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fying religion, and the privileges of the church. The draft agreed upon follows.

To his grace his majesty's high commissioner, and the high and honourable court of parliament, the humble petition of the synod of Fife, convened at St. Andrews, April, 1661. That whereas the honourable court of parliament hath judged the parliaments, (thought to have been such) held in the years 1639 and 1640, to be null, and of no authority in themselves, and by this means, all acts ratifying the reformed religion, as it is now received, professed, and practised in this kirk and kingdom, in all the parts and heads thereof, viz. doctrine, worship, church government, and discipline, and rescinding all acts of preceding parliaments, contrary to some parts of the reformed religion, particularly some matters of the worship of God, and government of the church, as all other acts therein made, are become void, and of no force; so those acts of former parliaments, by those acts now made void, are ipso facto revived and restored to the authority of standing laws. And albeit it be not competent to us, and is very far from our thoughts to judge of the validity, or invalidity of any parliament, or acts of parliament, this being a thing properly belonging to his majesty and the high court of parliament; yet being, by clear convincing light, persuaded in our consciences, that the reformed religion, in all the parts of it, doctrine, worship, government, and discipline, received, professed, and practised at present within this kirk and kingdom, is grounded upon, and warranted by the word of God revealed in the holy scripture; and knowing how great a mercy and blessing it is to the church of Christ, that true religion, in the profession and practice thereof, be ratified, confirmed and established by the authority and laws of the magistrate, who is the nursing father of the church, and protector of religion; and that there be no laws of his standing against the true religion, in any part thereof: wherefore we find ourselves bound, as the servants of Christ, with all loyal and humble submission of heart to his sacred majesty's authority, and his high and honourable court of parliament, to supplicate and beg, for the

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Lord's sake, that your grace his majesty's high commissioner, and this high court of parliament, may be pleased to enact now a law, ratifying, confirming, and establishing the reformed religion, at present received, professed, and practised in this kirk and kingdom, in doctrine, worship, government, and discipline, which will not be unacceptable to our dread sovereign, the king's majesty, as we are hopeful, having had by his majesty's letter to the presbytery of Edinburgh, a declaration of his gracious resolution concerning this matter. It will be a refreshing mercy to the people of God in this kingdom, and procure from them abundant praises unto God, and prayers for blessings from heaven upon your lordship, and will exceedingly enlarge the hearts of us who are ministers of Christ, to teach, instruct, and exhort the people of God within our charge, to all loyalty and obedience to his majesty, all submissiveness and subjection to his government, and obedience to all having authority from him; which also we are resolved to exhort them to, and to practise ourselves, by the Lord's grace, however it shall be with us, and whatsoever exercise it shall please the Lord to put us to."

Jointly with this supplication, the synod designed a warning and admonition to the people under their charge; wherein, after a full declaration of their loyalty to the king, and their abhorrence of the English usurpation, they show their resolution of standing by the doctrine, worship, government, and discipline of the church, declare against prelacy, and admonish their people to be constant in God's way, and to be much in repentance. They were not permitted fully to finish this paper; but the draft of it, as it came from the committee, to which, no doubt, the synod would have agreed, with very little alteration, I have inserted below.

and admonition, by the synod of Fife, convened A seasonable word of necessary exhortation at St. Andrews, the 2d of April, 1661, to all the people of God within their charge.

tions and trials of the church of God, from Many and divers have been the temptathe beginning even unto this day, our holy Lord, in his wisdom, ordering all these things

for manifesting those that are approved, for clearing of his truth, purging of his house from

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