difference in opinion shall happen amongst the faid perfons fo affembled, touching any the matters that fhall be propofed to them as aforefaid, that then they fhall reprefent the fame, together with the reafons thereof, to both or either the faid Houfes 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 fo 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 Houfes of Parliament fhall be appointed. And be it further ordained, That 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 fhall 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 service; any law or ftatute of non-refidence, or other law or ftatute enjoining their attendance upon their respective ministries or charges, to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And if any of the perfons above-named shall happen to die before the faid Affembly fhall be diffolved by order of both Houfes of Parliament, then fuch other perfon or perfons fhall be nominated and placed in the room and ftead of fuch perfon or perfons fo dying, as by both the faid Houfes (hall be thought fit and agreed upon; and every fuch perfon or perfons, fo to be named, 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 exercife any jurifdiction, power, or authority ecclefiaftical whatsoever, or any other power than is herein articularly expreffed. Affembly Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 19. 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 fend fome godly and learned of this Kirk to the kingdom of England to the effect under written; therefore gives full power and commiffion to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Robert Baillie, and Mr. George Gillefpie, Ministers, John Earl of Caifilis, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnftoun of Warristoun, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two fhall be minifters, to repair to the kingdom of Eng land, 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 Commitees or Commiffioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all matters which may further the union of this Ifland in one Form of Kirk-government, one Confeffion of Faith, one Catechism, one Directory for the worship of God; according to the inftructions which they have received from the Alfembly, or fhall receive from time to time hereafter from the Commiffioners of the Affembly deputed for that effect: with power also to them to convey to His Majefty the humble answer fent from this Affembly to His Majesty's letter, by fuch occafion as they fhall think convenient; and ficklike, to deliver the Affembly's anfwer to the letter fent from fome wellaffected brethren of the miniftry there; and generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the fo-much defired union, and nearest conjunction 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 Affembly appeared not; whereupon the whole work lay on the hands of the perfons bereafter mentioned. The The Promife and Vow taken by every Member admitted to fit in the Affembly. 14. B. do ferionfly promife and vow, in the presence 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 molt for GOD's glory, and the peace and good of this Church...i A LIST of the DIVINES who met in the Affembly at Westminster. DR. William Twiffe of New- Edward Calamy, B. D. of Alder bury, Prolocator. Dr. Cornelius Burges of Water ford, John White of Dorchefter, 4 Dr. William Gouge of Blackfriers, Robert Harris of Hanwell, B. D. Dr. Humphrey Chambers of Cla- Thomas Micklethwait of Cherry- John Guibon of Waltham, manbury, Dr. Lazarus Seaman of London. Richard Vines of Calcot, Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin, Francis Taylor of Yalding, William Greenhill of Stepney, Sidrach Simpson of Londor,. Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Afhwel, William Rathband, Dr. Francis Cheynel of Oxon, Obadiah Sedgwick, B. D. of Cogfhal, Edward Corbift of Marton Col- Commiffioners from the General Affembly of the Church of SCOTLAND.. A Lexander Henderfon of Edin-, John Earl of Caffilis, burgh, John Lord Maitland, afterwards Aflembly Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 27. 1647. Sess. 23. Act approving the CONFESSION of FAITH. A Confeffion of Faith for the Kinks 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 Westminster, with the affiftance of Commillioners 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 laft, and hath been in this Affembly twice publickly 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 publickly made to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any: And the faid Confeffion being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Affembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worthip, discipline, and government of this Kirk: And, laftly, It being fo neceffary, and fo much longed for, that the faid Confeffion be, with all poffible diligence and expedition, approved and established in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a fpecial means for the more effectual fuppreffing of the many dangerous errors and herefies of thefe times; the General Affembly doth, therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the faid Confeffion, as to the truth of the matter; (judging it to be molt 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 Confeffion of Faith for the three kingdoms. The Af fembly doth alfo blefs 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 ftrengthening of the true reformed religion against the common enemies thereof. But, left our intention |