original book would look like _Minifters_ is here
transcribed _Ministers_, but archaic spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, and usage are transcribed as they appeared in the printed
book.]

It were long, neither do we now intend, to represent, what in the
beginning, by the Mercies of our _God_ and Ministry of his faithful
Servants, was the reformation of this Kirk: what purity of Doctrine and
Worship, what Order, what Authority, and what Unity continued for many
years, by the Prayers and Labours of Ministers and Professors, what
Novations and Corruptions have been introduced upon us of late, in the
time of our Division and Detection, by such as have ever been enemies to
the Cross of _Christ_, and who have minded earthly things: How manifold
and how comfortable experience we have at this time of the care and
compassions of our _Lord_ and _Saviour_ preventing the utter ruine of
Religion, and the horrible vastation of this Kirk, by looking upon the
afflictions of his people, by hearing their groans, mocked by the World:
And by moving the Heart of our gracious and dread Soveraign the Kings
Majesty to conveen a free national Assembly for redressing the wrongs done
to Religion, and what undeniable testimonies, and notable manifestations
of the divine presence and assistance of _Christ_, have accompanied this
meeting and whole work. _Who so is wise and observeth these things will
see the loving kindness of the Lord_.

For the present it seemed necessary that such of the Acts and
Constitutions of the Assembly as are of most general concernment should be
published in print; the correct writing of so many Copies as were called
for, not being possible to be exped in due time, and the Kirk having
resolved upon this course in former times, which, had it been keeped, our
defection through the almost invincible ignorance of the proceedings of
the Kirk, had not proven so dangerous and deplorable.

In these Acts and Constitutions special regard was had to our _National
Confession of Faith_, as it was at first and diverse times after professed
and is now of late sworn and subscribed, that all mens minds, who delight
not to cavil, might rest satisfied in the true meaning thereof, found out
by the diligent search of the Ecclesiastick Registers. Our care was also
rather at this time to revive and bring to light, former laudable Acts,
than to make any new ones, reflecting as little as might be upon the
reformation of other Kirks, and cho