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Sense of the commission upon the Western forces remonstrance
Perth, 28 November 1650
The commission of the general assembly, having received from the honourable committee of estates a paper declaring their lords' sense upon a paper given in to them entitled 'The humble remonstrance of the gentlemen, officers and ministers attending the forces in the west' and desiring withal that the commissioners of the general assembly would give their sense upon the same remonstrance, therefore the commission, having taken into consideration the said remonstrance, do find and acknowledge therein to be contained many sad truths in relation to sins charged upon the king, his family and the public judicatories, which also we are resolved to hold out and press upon them in a right and orderly way, together with such other sins as we can find by impartial search and the help of the Lord's spirit upon our endeavours therein, that they may take with them and be humbled before the Lord in the sense thereof. We do also find it our duty to show that in respect there seems to be therein entrenching upon some conclusions and determinations of the general assembly, and in respect of inferences and applications made therein in relation to the king, his interest and the exercise of his power and government, and in regard of the engagements which in the close thereof they declare to be upon their hearts before God in relation to endeavours for remedying the things contained in it, we are dissatisfied therewith and that we think it apt to breed division in this kirk and kingdom as we do already find in part by experience and that the enemy has taken advantage thereof. And because of the tender respects and love we owe and most cordially carry to the gentlemen, officers and our brethren of the ministry who have concurred in the said remonstrance as being religious and godly men and such as have always given proof of their integrity, faithfulness and constancy in the cause of God and for entertainment of love, unity and conjunction amongst the people and servants of God in acting according to every man's calling and station against the public enemy, the breach of all which Satan is at this time eagerly driving at and the enemy is greedily desiring and expecting, we do resolve to abstain from a more particular examination of the said remonstrance, expecting that at the next diet of the meeting of this commission these worthy gentlemen, officers and brethren will give such a declaration and explanation of their intentions and meaning therein as may satisfy both kirk and state without any further enquiry or debate thereupon.
A. Kerr
30 November 1650
Produced by Mr Robert Douglas, moderator, and read in presence of parliament.