The
apprehension and foresight of which, hath caused the Popish and Prelatical
Faction in forreigne parts as well as in his Majesties Dominions, strictly
and powerfully to combine themselves to the hinderance of this so
necessary Work, and the universal suppression of the true protestant
Religion in Europe: A course not much different from that which they took
in the year 1585. when the wisedome and zeal of this Nation to
counter-myne so wicked a conspiracie, and from the due sense of the mutual
interest of these two Kingdomes in Religion and Libertie, found a
necessity of entring into a league of this nature, as well considering,
that thereby no lesse safetie might be expected to both Nations, then
danger by forbearing the same. And though we doubt not but in so necessary
and so good a Work, many difficulties may arise to interrupt and retard
the same; yet we are as confident, that the heartie and brotherly
affection of this Nation to the Parliament and Kingdome of England, will
easily break through them; and the rather because in the like cases of
difficultie and danger, not only at the time of the league
above-mentioned, but before, and likewise since, when any opportunity hath
offered it self particularly, during the sitting of this present
Parliament, the Kingdome of England hath been very forward and ready to
lay to heart the dangers of the Kingdome of Scotland as their own, and to
decline no means within the reach of their power for the redresse or
prevention of the same.

_August_ 12. 1643.

_William Bond_ Secr. Com.

Sess. 13. Aug. 16. 1643.

_Recommendation to the Presbyteries and Universities anent Students that
have the Irish language._

The Assembly considering the lamentable condition of the people in the
Highlands, where there are many that gets not the benefite of the Word in
respect there are very few Preachers that can speak the Irish language, Do
for remeid thereof think good, that young Students who have the Irish
tongue, be trained up at Colledges in Letters, especially in the studies
of Divinitie, And to this effect recommend to Presbyteries and
Universities to preferre any hopefull Students that have the language
aforesaid, to Bursaries, that they by their studies in processe of time
attaining to knowledge, and being enabled for the Ministerie, may be sent
forth for preaching the Gospel in these Highland parts, as occasions shall
require.

Sess. 14. August 17. 1643.