but done with earnefiness and plausibility. For alas, tho* by the grace of God, their hearts may be changed in an hour, (whencver they understand, but the essentials of the taith) yet their understandings must have time and diligence to furnith them with tuch knowledge as muft ftablish them, and fortify them against deceit. Upos these and many the like considerations, we should iatreat all Christian families to take more pains in this necessary work, and to get better acquainted with the fubftance of christianity. And to that end (taking along fome moving treatife to awake the heart) I know not what work fhould be fitter for their use than that compiled by the assembly at Weltminifter; a fynod of as godly, judicions divines, (notwithItaading all the bitter words which they have received from difcontented and self-conceited men) I verily think, as ever England faw. The they had the uphappinels to be employed in calamitous times, when the noise of wars did stop men's ears, and the licentiousness of wars did fet every wanton tongue and pen at liberty to reproach them; and the profccution and event of thofe wars, did exasperate partial discur[cated men, to dishonour themselves by feeking to dishonour them : I date lay, it in the days of old, when councils were in power and account, they had bad but such a council of bishops, as this of prelbyters was, the fame of it for learning and holiness, and all minifterial bilities, would with very great honour have been transmitted to por Sterity.

I do therefore defire, that all masters of families would firft ftudy well this work themfelves; and then teach it their children and feri vants, according to their several capacities. And, if they once underHand these grounds of religion, they will be able to read other books more understandingly, and hear fermons more profitably, and confer more judiciously, and hold fast the doctrine of Christ more firmly than ever you are like to do by any other course. First let them read and learn the Shorter Catechism, and next the Larger, and lastly, read the Confeflion of Faith.

Thus far he, whofe dame I shall conccal (though the excellency of the matter, and prefeat Nile, will easily discover him) becaufe I have published it without his privity and consent, though, I hope, not agaight his liking and approbation. I thall add no more, but that I am

Thy fervant

In the Lord's work,

THOMAS MANTON.

A

An ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in parliament, for the

calling of an assembly of learned and godly divines, and others, to be consulted with by the parliament, for the settling of the government and liturgy of the church of England ; and for vindicating and clearing of the do&trine of the said church from false afperfions and inters pretations. June 12. 1643.

WHereas, among the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this

nation, none is, or can be more dear uato us than the purity of our religion ; and for that, as yet, many things remain in the liturgy, discipline and government of the church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation, than as yet hath been attained : And whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the lords and commons assembled in parliament, that the present church government by archbishops, their chancellors, commissars, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical officers, depending upon the hierarchy, is evil and justly offeofive and burdensome to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the ítate and goveroment of this kingdom; and therefore they are resolved, that the fame shall be taken away, and that such a goveroment shall be fettled in the church, as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preferve the peace of the church at home, and nearer agreement with the church of Scotland, and other retormed churches abroad: And for the better affecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the church of England from all falfe calumaies and afperfions; it is thought fit and necessary to call an assembly of learned godly and judicious divines, who, together with some members of both the houses of parliament, are to confult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premisses, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the houses of parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein to both, or either of the said houses, when, and as often as they shall be thereupto required. Be it therefore or dained, by the lords and commons in this present parliament assembled, that all and every the perfons hereafter in this prefent ordinance Damed, that is to fly,-

And fuch other person or persons as shall be dominated and appointed by both houses of parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, fall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and injoined upon fummons

signed

Signed by the clerks of both houses of parliament, left at their respec-
tive dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves at Weftminfter, in
the chapel called kiog Henry the VIIth's chapel, on the fult day of
July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred and forty three,
and after the first meeting, being at least the number of forty, thall from
time to time fit, and be removed from place to place, and also, that
tbe laid-assembly shall be dissolved in such manner, -as by both houses
of parliament fhall be directed : and the faid persoas, or so many of
them as shall be lo assembled, or fit, shall have power and authority,
and are hereby likewise injoined from time to time, during this present
parliament, or until further order be taken by both the said houses,
to coofer and treat among themselves, of such matters and things,
touching and concerning the liturgy, discipline and goveroment of the
church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine
of the same, from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as fhall be
propofed unto them by both or either of the faid houses of parliament,
and no other; and deliver their opinion, advices of, or touching the
matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the word of God, to
both or eithet, of the houses, from time to tine, in such manner and
fort, as by both or either of the said houses of parliament, shall be
required; and the fame not to divulge by printing, writing or other
'wise, without the consent of both, or either houses of parliament.
And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that William
Twilfe doctor in divinity shall fit in the chair, as prolocutor of the
frid affembly; and if he happen to die, or be letted by fickaess, or on
ther necessary impediment, then such other person to be appointed in
his place, as thall be agreed on by the said houses of parliament : And
in case any difference in opinions shall happen amongit the said persons
fo assembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them
as aforesaid, that, then they shall represent the same, together with
the reasons thereof, to both or either the said houses respectively, to
the eod fuch-further direction may be given therein, as fhall be re-
qoiate to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority
forefaid, That for the charges and expence of the said divides, and
every one of them, in attending the said service, there shall be allowed
every one of them that shall to attend, during the time of their faid
attendance, and for ten days before, and ten days after, the sum of
four thillings for every day, at the charges of the common-wealth, at
such tirpe, and in such manner, as by both houses of parliament shall
be appointed. And be it further ordained, That all, and every the
faid divines, so as aforesaid, required and injoined to meet and ar-
semble, shall be freed and acquitted of, and from every offence, for-
feiture, penalty, loss or damage, which hall or may ensue or grow
by reason of any non-refidence, or absence of them, or any of them,
from his or their, or agy of their church, churches or cures, for
or in respect of their faid attendance upon ike faid service';, any

law

law or fatate of non-residence, or other law or statute injoining their attendance upon their respective ministers, or charges, to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. And if any of the persons above Oamed fhall happen to die before the said assembly shall be dissolved by order of both houfes of parliament, then fuch other person or persons, shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such person or perfons fo dying, as by both the said houses shall be thought fit, and agreed upon; and every such person or persons, so to be damed, fall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal to all inteuts and purpofes, and also all such wages and allowancce for the said forvice, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the faid persons in this ordinance, is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided always, that this or didance, or any thing therein coprained, shall not give unto the perfoos aforesaid, or any of them, por fhall they in this assembly assume to exercise any jurisdiction, power or anthority ecclefiaftical whatsoever, or any other power than is hereia particularly expressed.

Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 19, 1643. Sef, 14.

Commission of the General Assembly to fome Ministers and Ruling Elders,

for repairing to the Kingdom of England.

T
HE General Affembly of the Church of Scotland finding it necessary

to send fome Godly and Learned of this Kirk to the Kingdom of England, to the Effect under-written; Therefore gives full Power and Gommision to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr. Robert Bailie, and Mr. George Gillespie, Minifters, John Earl of Gaffis, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnston of Waristoun, Elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be Ministers, to repair to the Kingdom of England, and there to deliver the Declaration sent unto the Parliament of England, and the Letter Sent unto the Assembly of Divines now sitting in thae Kingdom; and to propone, consult, trcat and conclude with thai Assembly, or any Commissioners deputed by them, or any Committees or Commissioners deputed by the Houses of Parliament, in all Matters which may further the Union of this island in one form of Kirk-government, one Confeffion of Faith, one Catechism, one directory for the Worship of God, accordiog to the Instructions which they have received from the Asembly, or hall receive from time to time bereafter from the Commisioners of the Affembly, deputed for that Effeet : With Power allo so therñ eo convey to his Majesty the humble Answer fear from this Affembly to his Majesty's Letter, by such occasion as they shall think convenient; and such like, to deliver the Assembly's Answer to the Letter sent from fume well affected Brew thren of the Ministry there; and generally anthorizes them to do all Things, which may further the la zruch desired Union, and deareft Cone

junction

junction of the Two Churches of Scotland and England, conform to the Laltructions aforefaid.

Many of the Persons who were called by the forefaid Ordinance of the

Lords and Commons, (in that broken State of the Church) to attend the Affembly, appeared not; whereupon the whole Work lay on she Haads of the Perfons hereafter mentioned,

The Promise and Vow taken by every Member admitted

to fit in the Assembly.

14 A, B. do serioudy Promise and Vow, in the Presence of Almighty GOD,

That in this Asembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in Point of Doctrine, but what I believe to be molt agreeable to the Word of GOD; nor in Point of Discipline, 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 Assembly

at Westminster.

D

r. William Twife of Newbury, John Guibon of Waltham
Prolocutor

Christopher Tesdal of Uphusborne
Dr. Cornelius Barges of Waterford Henry Philps
John White of Dorchester, Affeffors George Walker, B. D.
Dc, William Gouge of Blackfriers. Edmond Calamy, B. D. of Alder-
London

manbury Robert Harris of Hanwell, B. D. Dr. Lazarus Seaman of London Thomas Gattaker of Cotherhithe, Joseph Caryl of Lincoln's-Ion B. D.

Dr. Henry Wilkioson Senior of WaOliver Bowles of Sutton, B. D.

derston Edward Reynolds of Bramston Richard Vines of Calcot Jeremiah Whitaker of Streton Nicolas Proffer of Marlburrough Dr. Anthony Tuckney of Boston Stephen Marshal, B. D. of FinchingJolin Arrowsmith of Lyone

field Sirocon ame of St. Brides

Dr. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin Philip Nye of Kimbolton

Thomas Wilson of (chain Jeremiah Burroughs of Stepney Thomas Hodges of Kensington John Lightfoot of Ashley

Thomas Bailie of Mildenhall, B. D. Stanley Gower of Brampton Bryan Francis Taylor of Yalding Richard Heyrick of Manchester Thomas Young of Stownmarket Thonjas Case of London

Thomas Valentine, B. D. of Chal. Dt. Thomas Temple of Battery font St. Giles George of Gipps Ayleston

William Greenhill of Stepney Thomas Carier

Edward Pele of Conipton Dr. Humphrey Chambers of Claver: John Green of Pencomb ftoon

Andrew Pern of Wilby. Thomas Micklethwait of Cherry Samuel de la Place burton

Joha de la March

John