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 settlement of the government and liturgy of the Church of England; and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said Church from false aspersions and interpretations. June 12, 1645.

WHEREAS, amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this nation, none is nor can be more dear unto 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 offensive and burthensome to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom; and therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland, and other Reformed Churches abroad; and, for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the Church of England from false calumnies and aspersions, 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 consult and advise of such matters and things, touching the premises, 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 thereunto required: Be it therefore ordained, by the lords and commons in this

present parliament assembled, That all and every the persons hereafter in this present ordinance named, that is to say,

And such other person or persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both houses of parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and enjoined, upon summons signed by the clerks of both houses of parliament, left at their respective dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves at Westminster, in the Chapel called King Henry the VII's Chapel, on the first 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, shall from time to time sit, and be removed from place to place; and also that the said assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as by both houses of parliament shall be directed: and the said persons, or so many of them as shall be so assembled, or sit, shall have power and authority, and are hereby likewise enjoined from time to time, during this present parliament, or until further order be taken by both the said houses, to confer and treat among themselves of such matters and things, touching and concerning the liturgy,discipline, and government of the Church of England, for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the same from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the said 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 either of the houses, from time to time, in such manner and sort as by both or either of the said houses of parliament shall be required; and the same not to divulge, by printing, writing, or otherwise, without the consent of both or either houses of parliament. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That William Twisse, doctor in divinity, shall sit in the chair, as prolocutor of the said assembly; and if he happen to die, or be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, then such other person to be appointed in his place as shall be agreed on by the said houses of parliament; and in case any difference in opinion shall happen

amongst the said persons so 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 end such further direction may be given therein as shall be requisite to that behalf. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That, for the charges and expenses of the said Divines, and every one of them, in attending the said service, there shall be allowed every one of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said attendance, and for ten days before and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the charges of the commonwealth, at such time, and in such manner, as by both houses of parliament shall be appointed. And be it further ordained, That all and every the said Divines, so, as aforesaid, required and enjoined to meet and assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every offence, forfeiture, penalty, loss, or damage, which shall or may ensue, or grow by reason of any non-residence or absence of them, or any of them, from his or their, or any of their church, churches, or cures, for or in respect of their said attendance upon the said s vice; any law or statute of non-residence, or other law or statute enjoining their attendance upon their respective ministries or charges, to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And if any of the persons above named shall happen to die before the said assembly shall be dissolved by order of both houses of parliament, then such other person or persons shall be nominated and placed in the room and stead of such person or persons so dying, as by both the said houses. shall be thought fit and agreed upon; and every such person or persons, so to be named, shall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this ordinance is by this ordinance limited and appointed. Provided always, That this ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this assembly assume to exercise any jurisdiction, power, or authority ecclesiastical whatsoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed,

Assembly at EDINBURGH, August 19, 1643. Sess. 14. Commission of the General Assembly to some Ministers and Ruling Elders, for repairing to the Kingdom of England. THE General Assembly of the Church of Scotland finding it necessary to send some godly and learned of this Kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect underwritten; therefore gives full power and commission to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, Mr. Robert Baillie, and Mr. George Gillespie, Ministers, John Earl of Cassilis, John Lord Maitland, and sir Archibald Johnstoun of Warristoun, 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 that kingdom; and to propone, consult, treat, and conclude with that 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 Confession of Faith, one Catechism, one Directory for the worship of God, according to the instructions which they have received from the Assembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from the commissioners of the Assembly deputed for that effect: with power also to them to convey to his majesty the humble answer sent from this Assembly to his majesty's letter, by such occasion as they shall think convenient; and sicklike, to deliver the Assembly's answer to the letter sent from some well-affected brethren of the ministry there; and generally authorizes them to do all things which may further the so much desired union, and nearest conjunction of the two Churches of Scotland and England, conform to their instructions aforesaid.

Many of the persons who were called by the foresaid Ordinance of the Lords and Commons (in that broken state of the Church) to attend the Assembly appeared not; whereupon the whole work lay on the hands of the persons hereafter mentioned.

The Promise and Vow taken by every Member admitted to sit in the Assembly.

I A. B. do seriously promise and vow, in the presence of Almighty GoD, That in this Assembly, 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 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 West

minster.