The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland. General Assembly
History
The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland. General Assembly
Ecclesiastical law -- Scotland; Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century
We trust that the Parliament of _England_ will be wise to remember and
consider the great mercies of GOD towards them in delivering them from all
their Enemies, & the many opportunities put into their hands for advancing
and establishing the work of Reformation; for neglect whereof God hath now
again threatned to lift up their Enemies above them, that he may once more
prove what they will do for his Name, and for setling the order of his
House. God forbid that they should run from one extream to another, from
compliance with Sectaries to compliance with Malignants, and hearken to
terms of an unsafe and sinful Peace, We cannot but abhor the purposes of
any who minde the subversion of Monarchical Government, which we heartily
wish to be preserved and continued in his Majesties Person, and Posterity;
and we do no lesse dislike the Practises of those who deal so hardly with
his Majesties Person, earnestly desiring that he were in the condition he
was into by the advice of both Kingdoms before he was taken away by a
party of Sir _Thomas Fairfax_ Army; Nor are we against the restoring of
the King to the exercise of his power in aright order and way. Yet
considering what great expence of blood and pains these Kingdoms have been
at for maintaining their just liberties and bringing the Work of
Reformation this length; And considering his Majesties great aversnesse
from setling Reformation of Religion, and his adhering still to
Episcopacy; We trust that security will be demanded and had from his
Majesty for Religion, before he be brought to one of his Houses in or neer
about _London_, with honour, freedom and safety. And considering of what
importance the solemne League and Covenant is unto all the interests of
both Kingdoms concerning their Religion, Liberties and Peace, to make an
agreement without establishing of it, were not only to rob these Nations
of the blessings they have already attained by it, but to open a door to
let in all the corruptions that have been formerly in the Kirks of God in
these lands, & all the abuses and usurpations that have been in the civil
government, & again to divide these two Kingdoms that are now so happily
united and conjoyned: & therefore as we wish that all mis-understanding
betwixt the Nations, & betwixt the King & People may be removed, that
there may be a happy & lasting Peace, so that there may be no agreement
without establishing and enjoyning the Covenant in all these three
Kingdoms; and that for this end God would give wisdom to all that are
intrusted in the managing of publick Affairs that they may seasonably
discover and carefully avoid all snares which may be laid either by
Sectaries, or Malignants, or both, under colour of a Treaty of Peace. And
we are confident, through the Lord, that all the obstructions and
oppositions, by which his work has been retarded and interrupted in this
Island, shall not onely be taken out of the way, but shall turn to the
advantage and furtherance of it at last.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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