{x}{x}{x}x}

An ordinance of the Lords and commons assembled in parlia ment, for the calling of an affembly of learned and Godly divines, and others, to be confulted, with by the parliament for the fettling of the government and liturgy of the church of England; and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the faid church from false afperfions and interpretations. June 12. 1643.

W 7Hereas, amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon the nation, none is or 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 afsembled in parliament, that the present churchgovernment by Archbishops, their chancellors, commissars deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclefiaftical officers depending upon the hierarchy,is evil and justly offenfive and burdensom to the kingdom, a great impediment to reformation and groweth of religion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom; and therefore they are refolved that the fame 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 all false calumnies and aspersions; it is thought fit and necessary tocall 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 fuch 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

1

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 perfons hereafter in this present @dinance named, that is to say,------

And fuch other person and 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 injoined 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 VIIth's chapel, on the first day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand fix hundred and forty three; and after the first meeting, being at least the number of forty, shall from time to time fit, 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 perfons, or so many of them as shall be so 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 faid 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 fame, from all falte 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 houtes, from time to time, in such manner and fort 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 confent of both or either of the houses of parliament. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that William Twisse doctor in divinity shall fit in the chair, as prolocutor of the faid 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 faid houses of parliament: and in case any difference in opiopinions shall happen amongst the faid persons so assembled, touching any the matters that shall be proposed to them as foresaid, that then they shall represent the fame, 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 foresaid, that for the charges and expences of the faid divines, and every one of them, in attending the faid 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 common-wealth, at such time, and in fuch 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 injoined 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-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 said attendance upon the faid service; any law or ftatute of non-refidence, or other law or statute injoining their attendance upon their respective ministers, or charges, to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding. And if any of the perfons above-named shall happen to die before the faid 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 fuch perfon or persons so dying as by both the faid houses shall be thought fit, and agreed upon; and every fuch person or perfons, fo to be named, shall have the like power and authority, freedom and acquittal to all intents and purposes, and also all fuch wages and allowance for the faid service, 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 ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the perfons 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.

Allem

Affembly at EDINBURGH, August 19. 1643. Seff. 14. Commiffion of the general assembly to some ministers and ruling elders, for repairing to the kingdom of England.

THE general affembly of the church of Scotland finding it necessary to fend fome godly and learned of this kirk to the kingdom of England, to the effect under written; Therefore gives full power and Commission to Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. Samuel Rutherfoord, Mr. Robert Baillie, and Mr. George Gillespie, minifters, John Earl of Caffils, John Lord Maitland, and Sir Archibald Johnston of Wairistoun, elders, or any three of them, whereof two shall be minitters, to repair to the kingdom of England, and there to Deliver the declaration sent unto the parliament of England, and the letter fent unto the assembly of divines now fitting in that kingdom; and to propone, consult, treat and conclude with that affembly, or any Commissioners deputed by them, or any committees or commiflioners deputed by the houses of parliament, in all matters which may further the union of this island in one form of kirk-government, one confef sion of faith, on catechism, on directory for the worship of God, according to the instructions whichthey have received from the aflembly, or shall receive from time to time hereafter from the commissi oners of the Assembly, deputed for that effect: With power also to them to convey to his majesty the humble answer sent from this afsembly to his Majesty's letter, by fuch occafion as they shall think convenient; and such like, to deliver the assembly's answer to the letter sent from fome well-affected brethren of the ministry there; and generally authorizes them to do all things, which may further the fo much desired union, and the 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 fit in the assembly.

IA. B. do ferioufly promise and vow, in the prefence of almighty

GOD, that in this affembly, whereof I am a member, I will tain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agree able 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.

A LIST of the DIVINES who met in the assembly at Westminster.

DR. William Twissof Newbury, Robert Harris of Hanwell, R. D.

Prolocutor.
Dr.Cornelius Burges of waterford,
John Whiteol Dorchester, Affeffors
Dr. William Gouge of Blackfriers,
London.

Thomas Gattaker of Rotherhithe,
B. D.
Oliver Bowles of Sutton, B. D.
Edward Reynolds of Bramtton.
Jeremiah
cut or after Dr.Twiss.
Herbert Palmer, B. D. of Ashwel,
Affeffor after Mr. White.
Daniel Cawdrey of great Billing.
Henry Painter, B. D. of Exeter.
Henry Scudder of Colingborn.
Thomas Hill, B.D. of Tichmarch.
William Reynor, B. D.of Egham.
Dr. Thomas Goodwin of London.

Dr. WilliamSpurstowofHampden.
Matthew Newcomb of Dedham.
Dr. Edmond Stauntonof Kingston.
John Conantof Lymmington B.D.

Dr. Humphrey Cambers of Cla- | Anthony Burges of Sutton Cold

Thomas Micklethwaitof Cherry-William

Sidrach Simpson of London.

John Langley of Weltuderly.

Richard Clayton of Showres.

Arthur Sallaway of Scavernestoak. | Francis Woodcock.

Charles Fierle of Winwick, prolo