sollicitude, as they would be loath to usurpe without
their own bounds or stretch themselves beyond their oun measure; so they
dare not be wanting, to the enlargement of Christs Kingdome, where so loud
a cry of so extreame neccesitie, could not but stirre up the bowels of
Christian compassion. And although they conceive that the present
unsettled condition both of Church, and State, and Land, will not suffer
them as yet to loose any to make constant abode there; yet they have
resolved to send over some for the present exigent till the next Gen.
Assembly, by courses to stay there four moneths allanerly: And therefore
doe hereby authorize and give Commission to the persons following, to wit,
M. _Robert Blair_, Minister at S. _Andrews_, and M. _James Hamilton_,
Minister at _Dumfreis_ for the first four moneths: M. _Robert Ramsay_,
Minister at _Glasgow_, and M. _John Mac'elland_, Minister at
_Kirkudbright_, for the next four moneths: And to M. _Robert Baillie_,
Professor of Divinitie in the Universitie of _Glasgow_, and M. _John
Levistoun_, Minister of _Stranaire_, for the last four moneths: To repair
into the North of _Ireland_, and there to visit, comfort, instruct and
encourage the scattered flocks of Christ, to employ to their uttermost
with all faithfulnesse and singlenesse of heart, in planting and watering,
according to the direction of Jesus Christ, and according to the doctrine
and discipline of this Church in all things, And if need be (with
concurrence of such of the Ministers of the Army as are there) to try and
ordain such as shall be found qualified for the Ministerie, Giving charge
unto the persons foresaid in the sight of God, that in Doctrine, in
Worship, in Discipline, and in their dayly conversation, they studie to
approve themselves as the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and that they be
comptable to the General Assembly of this Kirk, in all things. And in case
if any of the above-mentioned Ministers be impeded by sickness or
otherwise necessarily detained from this service, the Assembly ordaines
the Commissioners residing at _Edinburgh_, for the publike affairs of the
Church, to nominate in their place well qualified men, who hereby are
authorized to undertake the foresaid imployment, as if they had been
expressely nominate in the face of the Assembly. And this, although
possibly it shall not fully satisfie the large expectation of the Brethren
in _Ireland_, yet the Assembly is confident they will take in good